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On this Day in History ... 31st January

31 Jan is in January.

1308 Boulogne Agreement

1547 Death of Henry VIII Accession of Edward VI

1606 Gunpowder Plot

1667 Poll Bill

1874 Wedding of Prince Alfred and Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

1880 Disappearance of HMS Atalanta

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 31st January

On 31 Jan 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23) and a group of England's leading nobles signed the Boulogne Agreement that attempted to curtail King Edward's rule. The signatories included Antony Bek, Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem (age 63), John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey (age 21), Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 33), Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 57) and Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick (age 36).

On 31 Jan 1410 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter (age 33) was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer which position he held until 1411.

Chronicle of Gregory 1447. 31 Jan 1447. Ande in that same year there was an armyrer and his owne man fought whythe yn the lystys in Smethefylde [Map] the laste day of Januer, ande there the mayster was slayne and dyspoylyde out of his harnys, and lay stylle in the fylde alle that day and that nyght next folowynge. And thenne afty[r]ward, by the kyngys (age 25) commaundement, he was d[r]awyn, hanggyde, and be-heddyde, and his hedde sette on London Brygge [Map], and the body hynggyng a-bove erthe be-syde the towre.

On 31 Jan 1512 Henrique Aviz Cardinal King Portugal was born to Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal (age 42) and Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal (age 30). Coefficient of inbreeding 8.38%.

Annales of England by John Stow. 28 Jan 1547. Edward (age 9) the first borne at Hampton court [Map] (by the decease of k. Henry (age 55) his father) began his raigne the 28 of January, and was proclaimed k. of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, and of the churches of England and also of Ireland the supreme head immedlatly in earth under God, & on the last day of January, in the yere of Christ after the Church of England 1546 but after the accompt of them that begin the yere at Chatfimas 1547 being then of the age of nine yéeres. And the same day in the afternoone the saide young king came to the tower of London [Map] from Hertford, and rode into the City at Aldgate, and so along the wall by the crossed Friars [Map] to the Tower hill, & entred at the red bulwarke [Map], where be was received by sir John Gage (age 67) constable of the tower, and the lieutenant on horseback, the Earle of Hertford (age 47) riding before the king, and sir Anthony Browne (age 47) riding after him: and on the bridge next the warde gate, the archbishop of Canterbury (age 57), the lorde Chancellor (age 41), with other great lords of the Councell received him, and so brought him to his chamber of pretence, there they were sworne to his majesty.

Diary of Edward VI. 31 Jan 1547. The next day, being the [31st] of [January], he was brought to the towre of London, whear he taried th'espace of three wekes; and in the mean season the counsel sat every day for the performaunce of the will1, and at length thought best that the erle of Hartford shuld be made Due of Somerset, sir Thomas Seimour Lord Sudley, the erle of Essex Marquis of Northampton (age 35), and divers knights should be mad Barons, as the lord Sheffield (age 25), with divers other.2 Also thei thought best to chose the duke of Somerset to be Protectour of the realm and Governour of the Kinges person during his minorite, to which al the gentlemen and lordes did agre becaus he was the Kinges oncle on his mother's side.3 Also in this time the late King was buried at Windsor with much solemnite, and th' officers broke their staves, hurling them into the grave.4 But thei were restored to them again when thei come to the towre.

Note 1. The Will of Henry the Eighth was printed at length in 4to. 1793. The proceedings of the privy council with regard to its execution will be found in the Appendix.

Note 2. The creations were:

1. The protector to be Duke of Somerset;

2. The earl of Essex (brother to the queen dowager) to be Marquess of Northampton;

3. The lord Lisle (age 43) to be Earl of Warwick;

4. the lord chancellor Wriothesley (age 41) to be Earl of Southampton;

5. sir Thomas Seymour (age 39) to be Lord Seymour of Sudeley;

6. sir Richard Rich (age 50) to be Lord Rich of Leez;

7. sir William Willoughby (age 32) to be Lord Willoughby of Parham; and

8. sir Edmund Sheffield to be Lord Sheffield of Butterwick. The ceremonial of their creations will be found in the Appendix.

Note 3. On the subject of the Protectorate the reader is referred to the Appendix. The duke was also constituted Lord Treasurer on the 10th of February, and the next day sworn in to that office before the lord chancellor in Westminster hall. He further became Earl Marshal (see the next page), both these high offices being vacated by the attainder of the duke of Norfolk.

Note 4. The ceremonial of the Funeral of Henry the Eighth is printed at length in Strype's Eccles. Memorials, vol. ii. Appx. A. The interment was accomplished on the 14th Feb.

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On 31 Jan 1580 Henrique Aviz Cardinal King Portugal (age 68) died bringing to an end the House of Aviz. He was succeeded by Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain (age 52) who was elected successor in 1581 following a military invasion of Portugal in Nov 1580.

On 31 Jan 1606 at the Old Palace Yard, Westminster Palace Rookwood, Thomas Wintour (age 35), Robert Keyes (age 41) and Guy Fawkes (age 35) were hanged, drawn and quartered.

On 07 Aug 1616 William Savage (age 62) died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Elmley [Map].

On 31 Jan 1631 Giles Savage (age 46) died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Elmley [Map].

On 11 Jun 1674 Katherine Dalston (age 84) died (she the wife of Giles Savage) at Elmley Castle, Worcestershire. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Elmley [Map].

Alabaster table tomb with father, son and daughter-in-law. She holding a Chrisom Child probably representing stillborn, or died soon after birth. At their feet two lions and what is described as a stag with an arrow through its neck.

William Savage: Around 1554 he was born to Francis Savage.

Giles Savage: Around 1585 he was born to William Savage. In or before 1623 Giles Savage and Katherine Dalston were married.

Katherine Dalston: In 1590 she was born to Richard Dalston.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 31 Jan 1619. The 31st my Coz. Russell’s (age 26) wife (age 39) was brought to bed of a son (it being the 7th child) at Chiswick, which was christened in the Church privately and was named Francis.

On 29 Jan 1622 Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire (age 42) shot himself with a crossbow at Rycote, Oxfordshire [Map]; probably deliberately.

On 31 Jan 1622 Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire died of the wounds he had received two days earlier. He was buried at Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire [Map]. His daughter Elizabeth Norreys 3rd Baroness Norreys Rycote (age 19) succeeded 3rd Baroness Norreys of Rycote. Earl Berkshire and Viscount Thame extinct.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1660. Here I met and afterwards bought the answer to General Monk's (age 51) letter, which is a very good one, and I keep it by me.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1660. In the morning I fell to my lute till 9 o'clock. Then to my Lord's (age 34) lodgings and set out a barrel of soap to be carried to Mrs. Ann. Here I met with Nick Bartlet, one that had been a servant of my Lord's at sea and at Harper's gave him his morning draft. So to my office where I paid; 1200l. to Mr. Frost and at noon went to Will's to give one of the Excise office a pot of ale that came to-day to tell over a bag of his that wanted; 7l. in it, which he found over in another bag. Then home and dined with my wife (age 19) when in came Mr. Hawly newly come from shipboard from his master, and brought me a letter of direction what to do in his lawsuit with Squib about his house and office. After dinner to Westminster Hall [Map], where all we clerks had orders to wait upon the Committee, at the Star Chamber that is to try Colonel Jones, and were to give an account what money we had paid him; but the Committee did not sit to-day. Hence to Will's, where I sat an hour or two with Mr. Godfrey Austin, a scrivener in King Street.

On 31 Jan 1663 John Spelman (age 56) died. On 12 Jun 1649 Anne Heveningham died. They were buried in All Saints Church, Narborough [Map].

Anne Heveningham: she was born to John Heveningham of Ketteringham and Alice Shelton. Before 01 Aug 1640 John Spelman and she were married.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1663. In the evening examining my wife's letter intended to my Lady (age 38), and another to Mademoiselle; they were so false spelt that I was ashamed of them, and took occasion to fall out about them with my wife, and so she wrote none, at which, however, I was, sorry, because it was in answer to a letter of Madam about business. Late home to supper and to bed.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1666. By and by to the 'Change [Map], and there did several businesses, among others brought home my cozen Pepys, whom I appointed to be here to-day, and Mr. Moore met us upon the business of my Lord's bond. Seeing my neighbour Mr. Knightly walk alone from the 'Change [Map], his family being not yet come to town, I did invite him home with me, and he dined with me, a very sober, pretty man he is. He is mighty solicitous, as I find many about the City that live near the churchyards, to have the churchyards covered with lime, and I think it is needfull, and ours I hope will be done. Good pleasant discourse at dinner of the practices of merchants to cheate the "Customers", occasioned by Mr. Moore's being with much trouble freed of his prize goods, which he bought, which fell into the Customers' hands, and with much ado hath cleared them. Mr. Knightly being gone, my cozen Pepys and Moore and I to our business, being the clearing of my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) bond wherein I am bound with him to my cozen for £1000 I have at last by my dexterity got my Lord's consent to have it paid out of the money raised by his prizes. So the bond is cancelled, and he paid by having a note upon Sir Robert Viner (age 35), in whose hands I had lodged my Lord's money, by which I am to my extraordinary comfort eased of a liablenesse to pay the sum in case of my Lord's death, or troubles in estate, or my Lord's greater fall, which God defend! Having settled this matter at Sir R. Viner's, I took up Mr. Moore (my cozen going home) and to my Chancellor's (age 56) new house which he is building, only to view it, hearing so much from Mr. Evelyn (age 45) of it; and, indeed, it is the finest pile I ever did see in my life, and will be a glorious house.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1666. Thence to the Duke of Albemarle (age 57), who tells me Mr. Coventry (age 38) is come to town and directs me to go to him about some business in hand, whether out of displeasure or desire of ease I know not; but I asked him not the reason of it but went to White Hall, but could not find him there, though to my great joy people begin to bustle up and down there, the King (age 35) holding his resolution to be in towne to-morrow, and hath good encouragement, blessed be God! to do so, the plague being decreased this week to 56, and the total to 227. So after going to the Swan [Map] in the Palace, and sent for Spicer to discourse about my last Tangier tallys that have some of the words washed out with the rain, to have them new writ, I home, and there did some business and at the office, and so home to supper, and to bed.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1667. Thus the month ends: myself in very good health and content of mind in my family. All our heads full in the office at this dividing of the Comptroller's duty, so that I am in some doubt how it may prove to intrench upon my benefits, but it cannot be much. The Parliament, upon breaking up, having given the King (age 36) money with much ado, and great heats, and neither side pleased, neither King nor them. The imperfection of the Poll Bill, which must be mended before they rise, there being several horrible oversights to the prejudice of the King, is a certain sign of the care anybody hath of the King's business. Prince Rupert (age 47) very ill, and to be trepanned on Saturday next. Nobody knows who commands the fleete next year, or, indeed, whether we shall have a fleete or no. Great preparations in Holland and France, and the French have lately taken Antego1 from us, which vexes us. I am in a little care through my at last putting a great deal of money out of my hands again into the King's upon tallies for Tangier, but the interest which I wholly lost while in my trunk is a temptation while things look safe, as they do in some measure for six months, I think, and I would venture but little longer.

Note 1. Antigua, one of the West India Islands (Leeward Islands), discovered by Columbus in 1493, who is said to have named it after a church at Seville called Santa Maria la Antigua. It was first settled by a few English families in 1632, and in 1663 another settlement was made under Lord Willoughby, to whom the entire island was granted by Charles II In 1666 it was invaded by a French force, which laid waste all the settlement. It was reconquered by the English, and formally restored to them by the treaty of Breda.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31 Jan 1668. Thence to talk of other things, and the want of money and he told me of the general want of money in the country; that land sold for nothing, and the many pennyworths he knows of lands and houses upon them, with good titles in his country, at 16 years' purchase: "and", says he, "though I am in debt, yet I have a mind to one thing, and that is a Bishop's lease"; but said, "I will yet choose such a lease before any other, yes", says he, plainly, "because I know they cannot stand, and then it will fall into the King's hands, and I in possession shall have an advantage by it". "And", says he, "I know they must fall, and they are now near it, taking all the ways they can to undo themselves, and showing us the way"; and thereupon told the a story of the present quarrel between the Bishop (age 75) and Deane of Coventry and Lichfield (age 61); the former of which did excommunicate the latter, and caused his excommunication to be read in the Church while he was there; and, after it was read, the Deane made the service be gone through with, though himself, an excommunicate, was present, which is contrary to the Canon, and said he would justify the quire therein against the Bishop; and so they are at law in the Arches about it; which is a very pretty story. He tells me that the King (age 37) is for Toleration, though the Bishops be against it: and that he do not doubt but it will be carried in Parliament; but that he fears some will stand for the tolerating of Papists with the rest; and that he knows not what to say, but rather thinks that the sober party will be without it, rather than have it upon those terms; and I do believe so. Here we broke off, and I home to dinner, and after dinner set down my wife and Deb. at the 'Change [Map], and I to make a visit to Mr. Godolphin (age 32)1 at his lodgings, who is lately come from Spain from my Lord Sandwich (age 42), and did, the other day, meeting me in White Hall, compliment me mightily, and so I did offer him this visit, but missed him, and so back and took up my wife and set her at Mrs. Turner's (age 45), and I to my bookbinder's, and there, till late at night, binding up my second part of my Tangier accounts, and I all the while observing his working, and his manner of gilding of books with great pleasure, and so home, and there busy late, and then to bed. This day Griffin did, in discourse in the coach, put me in the head of the little house by our garden, where old goodman Taylor puts his brooms and dirt, to make me a stable of, which I shall improve, so as, I think, to be able to get me a stable without much charge, which do please me mightily. He did also in discourse tell me that it is observed, and is true, in the late fire of London, that the fire burned just as many Parish-Churches as there were hours from the beginning to the end of the fire; and, next, that there were just as many Churches left standing as there were taverns left standing in the rest of the City that was not burned, being, I think he told me, thirteen in all of each: which is pretty to observe.

Note 1. William Godolphin, descended from a younger branch of that family, which was afterwards ennobled in the person of Sidney, Earl Godolphin, Lord Treasurer (age 23). William Godolphin was of Christ Church, Oxford, and graduated M.A., January 14th, 1660-61. He was afterwards secretary to Sir H. Bennet (age 50) (Lord Arlington), and M.P. for Camelford. He was a great favourite at Court, and was knighted on August 28th, 1668. In the spring of 1669 he returned to Spain as Envoy Extraordinary, and in 1671 he became Ambassador. On July 11th, 1696, he died at Madrid, having been for some years a Roman Catholic.

John Evelyn's Diary. 31 Jan 1689. At our church (the next day being appointed a thanksgiving for deliverance by the Prince of Orange (age 38), with prayers purposely composed), our lecturer preached in the afternoon a very honest sermon, showing our duty to God for the many signal deliverances of our Church, without touching on politics.

On 31 Jan 1756 Maria Teresa of Savoy was born to Victor Amadeus III King Sardinia (age 30) and Infanta Maria Antonia Spain (age 26). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

On 31 Jan 1760 Mary Radclyffe (age 46) died of smallpox in Brussels [Map].

On 31 Jan 1830 Bishop John Luxmoore (age 64) died. Memorial at St Asaph Cathedral [Map].

Bishop John Luxmoore: In 1766 he was born. In 1799 he was appointed Dean of Gloucester. In 1808 Bishop John Luxmoore was translated to Bishop of Hereford. In 1815 Bishop John Luxmoore was translated to Bishop of St Asaph.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. It is said that few people achieve greatness, but that some have it thrust upon them. I can class myself with the latter, for I could have married a Prince of the Royal Family of Spain, the Count de Montemolin (age 26), who was at one time regarded as the rightful King of Spain.

Carlos Luis Fernando de Bourbon, Count de Montemolin, born 1818, was the eldest son of the first Don Carlos (age 29), the legitimist claimant to the Spanish throne on the death of his brother, Fernando VII (age 33), in 1833. After the ending of the first Carlist war in the defeat of the legitimists and the establishment of Isabella on the throne, the old Don Carlos retired into private life and abdicated his claims in 1845 to his eldest son Montemolin, who thus became the second Don Carlos. He was a young man of some ability but weak and unstable. There was a strong party in Spain desirous to bring about a reconciliation of the two branches of the Royal Family by a marriage between the young Queen Isabella and her first cousin, Montemolin, but political passion and personal animosity stood in the way, and all Europe took part in the intrigue known as the Spanish Marriages. This ended of course in the disastrous marriage of Isabella with her cousin Francisco, and that of her sister Fernanda with the Due de Montpensier, the son of Louis Philippe (age 44), a defeat for English diplomacy which nearly caused a war with France. The Carlists had never been favourable to the idea of a marriage of Montemolin and Isabella, whom they regarded as a usurper, and they looked out a legitimist Royal Princess for him. His younger brother, Don Juan, married Princess Beatrix of Modena, and their son was the late Don Carlos. Queen Isabella married in 1846, and dissensions very soon broke out between her and her wretched husband, who really, like most of the Royal Family, was a Carlist at heart. Montemolin had issued a manifesto at Bourges in France in 1845, when he saw that he could not marry Isabella on his own terms, and his father had abdicated in the same year, and he soon after came to London, mustered his party, and began to organise a fresh Carlist rising in Spain. English diplomacy had suffered a great defeat and he found plenty of people here to help him; he was made much of in Society and became a lion for a time, being treated with full royal honours.

The Times. 02 Feb 1874. THE MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES IN RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURIG. Jan 31 Yesterday the Duke (age 29) and Duchess of Edinburgh (age 20), the Prince (age 32) and Princess of Wales (age 29), and Prince Arthur (age 23) were present with all the Imperial family at the ball given by the Cesarewvitch. The Prince of Wales wore the uniform of the Norfolk Militia and Prince Arthur that of the Rifle Brigade. This evening a grand dinner, to which 400 guests are invited, will be given by the British Ambassador to the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany and Prince Arthur. Later on in the evening all the English Princes will go to the ball given at the Hall of the Nobles at 9:30.

On 31 Jan 1880 HMS Atlanta, serving as a training ship, set sail from the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda for Falmouth, England. It was presumed that she sank in a powerful storm which crossed her route a couple of weeks after she sailed. The search for evidence of her fate attracted worldwide attention, and the Admiralty received more than 150 telegrams and 200 personal calls from anxious friends and relatives after it was announced that the ship was missing, and possibly lost.

Philip Ernest Fisher (age 22) was presumed drowned.

On 12 Jan 1884 Robert Nicholas Hamond (age 74) died. On 01 Mar 1893 his wife Sophia Caroline Musters (age 71) died.

On 13 Dec 1869 Anthony Hamond (age 65) died. On 31 Jan 1900 his wife Mary Anne Musters (age 63) died.

On 30 Mar 1895 Anthony Hamond (age 61) died.

Memorials in All Saints Church, West Acre [Map].

On 31 Jan 1907 Anne Dorothy Byng (age 26) was accidentally shot and killed by her husband Captain James Harold Cuthbert (age 30) when he slipped whilst out on a shooting party at their home Beaufront Castle, Hexham [Map].

Births on the 31st January

On 31 Jan 1232 John Cornwall was born to Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall (age 23) and Isabel Marshal Countess Cornwall, Gloucester and Hertford (age 31) at Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He a grandson of King John of England.

On 31 Jan 1512 Henrique Aviz Cardinal King Portugal was born to Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal (age 42) and Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal (age 30). Coefficient of inbreeding 8.38%.

On 31 Jan 1607 James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby was born to William Stanley 6th Earl of Derby (age 46) and Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 31) at Knowsley, Lancashire. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 31 Jan 1633 Frances Napier Lady Barkham was born to Robert Napier 2nd Baronet (age 30) and Penelope Egerton Lady Napier (age 24).

On 31 Jan 1702 Alan Brodrick was born to Alan Brodrick 1st Viscount Midleton (age 46) and Lucy Courthorpe.

On 31 Jan 1722 Charles Louis Buck 4th Baronet was born to Charles Buck 3rd Baronet (age 30) and Anne Sebright Lady Buck.

On 31 Jan 1735 Tilly Kettle was born.

On 31 Jan 1736 James Langham 7th Baronet was born to William Langham (age 37).

On 31 Jan 1756 Maria Teresa of Savoy was born to Victor Amadeus III King Sardinia (age 30) and Infanta Maria Antonia Spain (age 26). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

On or before 31 Jan 1764 William Henry Pennyman was born to James Pennyman 6th Baronet (age 27) and Elizabeth Grey Lady Pennyman. He was baptised on 31 Jan 1764 at St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Beverley. Dugdale's visitation however gives the baptismal date as the 21st of January 1764.

On 31 Jan 1769 Henry Howard was born

On 31 Jan 1769 Hugh Evelyn 5th Baronet was born to Charles Evelyn.

On 31 Jan 1785 Henry Pelham-Clinton 4th Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne was born to Thomas Pelham-Clinton 3rd Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne (age 32) and Anna Maria Stanhope Countess Lincoln in Walton, Northamptonshire. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 31 Jan 1796 Nathaniel Jocelyn was born.

On 31 Jan 1806 Frederick Baring was born to Alexander Baring 1st Baron Ashburton (age 31) and Ann Louisa Bingham Baroness Ashburton (age 24).

On 31 Jan 1820 George John Browne 3rd Marquess of Sligo was born to Howe Browne 2nd Marquess of Sligo (age 31) and Hester Catherine Burgh (age 20).

On 31 Jan 1850 Katherine Louisa Phipps Countess Ellesmere was born to George Phipps 2nd Marquess Normanby (age 30) and Laura Russell Marchioness Normanby (age 34).

On 31 Jan 1863 Lewis Vernon-Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt was born to William George Granville Harcourt (age 35) and Maria Thérese Lister at Nuneham House, Oxfordshire. His mother died a day after his birth.

On 31 Jan 1864 Ethelreda Caroline Gordon was born to Charles Gordon 10th Marquess Huntly and Maria Antoinetta Pegus Marchioness Huntly (age 43).

On 31 Jan 1885 Guy Colin Campbell 4th Baronet was born to Guy Theophilus Campbell 3rd Baronet (age 30).

On 31 Jan 1907 Maureen Constance Guinness Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava was born to Arthur Ernest Guinness (age 30) and Marie Clothilde Russell.

On 31 Jan 1907 Edward Russell 26th Baron de Clifford was born to Jack Russell 25th Baron de Clifford (age 22) and Evelyn Chandler aka Eva Carrington Lady de Clifford (age 20).

On 31 Jan 1909 Cynthia Ella Foley was born to Colonel Frank Wigram Foley and Eva Mary FitzHardinge Milman 16th Baroness Berkeley (age 33).

Marriages on the 31st January

Between 05 Nov 1598 and 31 Jan 1599 William Hervey 1st Baron Hervey (age 33) and Mary Browne Countess Southampton (age 46) were married. Her third husband.

On 31 Jan 1631 John Peyton 3rd Baronet (age 23) and Mary Bellingham (age 21) were married.

Before 31 Jan 1633 Robert Napier 2nd Baronet (age 30) and Penelope Egerton Lady Napier (age 24) were married. She the daughter of John Egerton 1st Earl Bridgewater (age 54) and Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater (age 50). She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 31 Jan 1688 David Murray 5th Viscount of Stormont (age 23) and Marjory Scott Viscountess Stormont were married.

Before 31 Jan 1702 Alan Brodrick (age 46) and Lucy Courthorpe were married.

On 31 Jan 1715 John Eden 2nd Baronet (age 37) and Catherine Shafto were married. They were given Windlestone Hall, County Durham as a wedding gift.

Before 31 Jan 1720 Thomas Grey 2nd Earl Stamford (age 66) and Elizabeth Harvey were divorced amid accusations of adultery.

On 31 Jan 1724 Jacob Bouverie 1st Viscount Folkestone (age 29) and Mary Clarke were married at St Paul's Cathedral [Map].

On 31 Jan 1739 Henry Erskine 10th Earl of Buchan (age 28) and Agnes Steuart were married. He the son of David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan (age 67) and Frances Fairfax Countess Buchan.

On 31 Jan 1804 Oswald Mosley 2nd Baronet (age 18) and Sophia Anne Every were married.

On 31 Jan 1862 Allen Bathurst 6th Earl Bathurst (age 29) and Meriel Warren (age 23) were married at the St Peter's Chapel, Tabley House [Map]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 31 Jan 1888 Herbrand Arthur Sackville 11th Duke Bedford (age 29) and Mary Caurroy Tribe Duchess Bedford were married at Barrackpore. He the son of Francis Russell 9th Duke Bedford (age 68) and Elizabeth Sackville-West Duchess Bedford (age 69). He a great x 5 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 31 Jan 1963 Murray Beauclerk 14th Duke St Albans (age 24) and Rosemary Frances Scoones Viscoutess Exmouth were married. He the son of Charles Beauclerk 13th Duke St Albans (age 47) and Nathalie Chatham Walker.

Deaths on the 31st January

On 31 Jan 1030 William "Great" V Duke Aquitaine (age 61) died. His son William VI Duke Aquitaine (age 26) succeeded VI Duke Aquitaine.

On 31 Jan 1351 Richard Lovel (age 75) died. Baron Lovel of Castle Cary extinct.

On 31 Jan 1408 or 01 Feb 1408 John de Lisle 5th Baron Lisle (age 41) died. His son John de Lisle 6th Baron Lisle (age 22) succeeded 6th Baron Lisle.

On 31 Jan 1532 Edward Sutton 2nd Baron Dudley (age 73) died. His son John Sutton 3rd Baron Dudley (age 38) succeeded 3rd Baron Dudley. Cecily Grey Baroness Dudley by marriage Baroness Dudley.

On 31 Jan 1580 Henrique Aviz Cardinal King Portugal (age 68) died bringing to an end the House of Aviz. He was succeeded by Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain (age 52) who was elected successor in 1581 following a military invasion of Portugal in Nov 1580.

On 31 Jan 1615 Henry Grey 6th Earl Kent (age 74) died. His brother Charles Grey 7th Earl Kent succeeded 7th Earl Kent, 10th Baron Grey of Ruthyn. Susan Cotton Countess Kent (age 63) by marriage Countess Kent.

On 29 Jan 1622 Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire (age 42) shot himself with a crossbow at Rycote, Oxfordshire [Map]; probably deliberately.

On 31 Jan 1622 Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire died of the wounds he had received two days earlier. He was buried at Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire [Map]. His daughter Elizabeth Norreys 3rd Baroness Norreys Rycote (age 19) succeeded 3rd Baroness Norreys of Rycote. Earl Berkshire and Viscount Thame extinct.

On 31 Jan 1704 Robert Bacon 5th Baronet (age 52) died. His son Edmund Bacon 6th Baronet (age 23) succeeded 6th Baronet Bacon of Redgrave in Suffolk.

On 31 Jan 1705 Robert Lucas 3rd Baron Shenfield (age 55) died. Baron Lucas of Shenfield extinct.

After 31 Jan 1705 Essex Howard Baroness Griffin died.

On 31 Jan 1720 Thomas Grey 2nd Earl Stamford (age 66) died. On 31 Jan 1720 His first cousin Henry Grey 3rd Earl Stamford (age 34) succeeded 3rd Earl Stamford, 4th Baron Grey of Groby. Dorothy Wright Countess Stamford (age 35) by marriage Countess Stamford.

On 31 Jan 1723 William Wolstenholme 5th Baronet (age 33) died. His uncle Thomas Wolstenhome 6th Baronet (age 63) succeeded 6th Baronet Wolstenholme of London.

On 26 Feb 1746 Thomas Watson 3rd Earl Rockingham (age 30) died without issue. Earl Rockingham extinct. His first cousin once removed Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham (age 52) succeeded 6th Baron Rockingham of Northampton, 6th Baronet Watson of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire. He left his estates to his first cousin Lewis Watson 1st Baron Sondes (age 17) who changed his surname from Monson to Watson on 31 Jan 1751.

On 31 Jan 1768 Richard Colley aka Wesley 1st Baron Mornington (age 78) died. His son Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington (age 32) succeeded 2nd Baron Mornington.

On 31 Jan 1794 Mary Davison Lady Eden (age 73) died.

On 31 Jan 1830 Bishop John Luxmoore (age 64) died. Memorial at St Asaph Cathedral [Map].

Bishop John Luxmoore: In 1766 he was born. In 1799 he was appointed Dean of Gloucester. In 1808 Bishop John Luxmoore was translated to Bishop of Hereford. In 1815 Bishop John Luxmoore was translated to Bishop of St Asaph.

On 31 Jan 1837 Ferdinand Dalberg-Acton 7th Baronet (age 35) died. His son John Dalberg-Acton 1st Baron Acton (age 3) succeeded 8th Baronet Acton of Aldenham Hall.

On 31 Jan 1863 Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice 3rd Marquess Lansdowne (age 82) died. His son Henry Thomas Petty-Fitzmaurice 4th Marquess Lansdowne (age 47) succeeded 4th Marquess Lansdowne, 5th Earl Shelburne in County Wexford, 5th Earl Kerry. Emily Jane de Flahaut Marchioness Lansdowne (age 43) by marriage Marchioness Lansdowne.

On 31 Jan 1864 Elizabeth Brodie Duchess Gordon (age 69) died.

On 31 Jan 1887 Margaret Paston Lady Paston-Bedingfield (age 80) died.

On 31 Jan 1918 Alfred de Rothschild (age 75) died. Almina Wombwell Countess Carnarvon (age 41) inherited £50,000 and his Mayfair house with its art collection.

On 31 Jan 1929 Frederick Lambton 4th Earl Durham (age 73) died. His son John Frederick Lambton 5th Earl Durham (age 44) succeeded 5th Earl Durham.

On 31 Jan 1944 John Beresford 5th Baron Decies (age 77) died. His son Arthur Beresford 6th Baron Decies (age 28) succeeded 6th Baron Decies of Decies in Waterford.

On 31 Jan 2008 Ivar Iain Colquhoun 8th Baronet (age 92) died.