Earls of Bedford (1551)
- Other titles: Baron Russell (1538)
- John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (c. 1485–1554/5), a close advisor of Henry VIII, was later created Earl of Bedford, by then a close advisor of Henry's son Edward VI, was further honoured by him
- Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford (1527–1585), son of the 1st Earl
- Edward Russell, Lord Russell (1551–1572), eldest son of the 2nd Earl
- John Russell, 3rd Baron Russell (c. 1553–1584), second son of the 2nd Earl, summoned to Parliament by writ of acceleration
- Francis Russell, Lord Russell (c. 1554–1585), third son of the 2nd Earl
- Edward Russell, 3rd Earl of Bedford (1572–1627), son of Francis, Lord Russell
- Other titles (4th Earl onwards): Baron Russell of Thornhaugh (1603)
- Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford (1593–1641), cousin of the 3rd Earl and son of Lord Russell of Thornhaugh (fourth son of the 2nd Earl)
- William Russell, 5th Earl of Bedford (1616–1700), eldest son of the 4th Earl, was created Duke of Bedford in 1694
- Francis Russell, Lord Russell (1638–1679), eldest son of the 5th Earl and 1st Duke, died unmarried
- Rt. Hon. William Russell, Lord Russell (1639–1683), second son of the 5th Earl and 1st Duke, father of the 2nd Duke, was attainted and executed in 1683
Read more about this topic: Duke Of Bedford
Famous quotes containing the words earls and/or bedford:
“If the Christ were content with humble toilers for disciples, that wasn’t good enough for our Bert. He wanted dukes’ half sisters and belted earls wiping his feet with their hair; grand apotheosis of the snob, to humiliate the objects of his own awe by making them venerate him.”
—Angela Carter (1940–1992)
“When, said Mr. Phillips, he communicated to a New Bedford audience, the other day, his purpose of writing his life, and telling his name, and the name of his master, and the place he ran from, the murmur ran round the room, and was anxiously whispered by the sons of the Pilgrims, “He had better not!” and it was echoed under the shadow of the Concord monument, “He had better not!””
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)