Duke of Bedford

The titles of Earl or Duke of Bedford (named after Bedford, England) were created several times in the Peerage of England. It was first created for Hugh the Poor de Beaumont, and then, second, for Enguerrand VII de Coucy, son-in-law of Edward III, in the 14th century. Later, a Dukedom of Bedford was created for Henry IV's third son, John, who later served as regent of France. It was created again in 1470 for George Neville, nephew of Warwick the Kingmaker, and again in 1485 for Jasper Tudor, uncle of Henry VII.

The Russell family currently holds the titles of Earl and Duke of Bedford. John Russell, a close advisor of Henry VIII and Edward VI, was granted the title of Earl of Bedford in 1551, and his descendant William, 5th Earl, was created Duke following the Glorious Revolution.

The subsidiary titles of the Duke of Bedford, all in the Peerage of England, are: Marquess of Tavistock (created 1694), Earl of Bedford (1550), Viscount Petersborough (1526), Baron Russell, of Cheneys (1539), Baron Russell of Thornhaugh in the County of Northampton (1603), and Baron Howland of Streatham in the County of Surrey (1695) (and possibly the Barony of Bedford, which was merged into it in 1138, 1366 or 1414). The courtesy title of the Duke of Bedford's eldest son and heir is Marquess of Tavistock.

The family seat is Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire.

Earls of Bedford, First Creation (1138)

• Hugh de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Bedford (b. 1106) was granted the earldom by Stephen, but it was forfeit somehow by 1142

Earls of Bedford, Second Creation (1366)

• Enguerrand VII, Lord of Coucy, 1st Earl of Bedford (1340–1397) resigned his English honours upon Richard II's accession in 1377

Dukes of Bedford, First Creation (1414)

• John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford (1389–1435), third son of Henry IV, died without issue

Dukes of Bedford, Second Creation (1470)

• George Neville, 1st Duke of Bedford (1457–1483), nephew of Warwick the Kingmaker, forfeited his honours in 1478

Dukes of Bedford, Third Creation (1485)

• Jasper Tudor, 1st Duke of Bedford (1431–1495), uncle of Henry VII, gained this dukedom when he regained his previous honours upon his nephew's accession. He died without legitimate issue.

Baron Russell (1539)

• John Russell, 1st Baron Russell (c. 1485–1554/5), a close advisor of Henry VIII, was later created Earl of Bedford

Earls of Bedford, Third Creation (1551)

• John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (c. 1485–1554/5), 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, 3rd Earl of Bedford (1572–1627), son of Francis, Lord Russell
• 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, became Duke

Non-inheriting heirs-apparent

• Edward Russell, Lord Russell (d. 1572), eldest son of the 2nd Earl
• John Russell, Lord Russell, 3rd Baron Russell (d. 1584), second son of the 2nd Earl, summoned to Parliament by writ of acceleration
• Francis Russell, Lord Russell (died 1585), third son of the 2nd Earl and father of the 3rd Earl
• Francis Russell, Lord Russell (1638–1679), eldest son of the 5th Earl and 1st Duke)
• William Russell, Lord Russell (1639–1683), second son of the 5th Earl and 1st Duke, father of the 2nd Duke

Dukes of Bedford, Fourth Creation (1694)

• William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford (1616–1700), was created Duke of Bedford in 1694, after the Glorious Revolution
• Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford (1680–1711), grandson of the 1st Duke via his second son, William Russell, Lord Russell
• Wriothesley Russell, 3rd Duke of Bedford (1708–1732), third son of the 2nd Duke, died without issue
• John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford (1710–1771), fourth son of the 2nd Duke
• Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford (1765–1802), grandson of the 4th Duke via his second son, Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock, died without issue
• John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766–1839), second son of Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock, died without issue
• Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford (1788–1861), eldest son of the 6th Duke
• William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford (1809–1872), only son of the 7th Duke
• Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford (1819–1891), grandson of the 6th Duke, via his second son Lord George Russell
• George Russell, 10th Duke of Bedford (1852–1893), eldest son of the 9th Duke, died without issue
• Herbrand Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford (1858–1940), second son of the 9th Duke
• Hastings Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford (1888–1953), only son of the 11th Duke
• John Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford (1917–2002), eldest son of the 12th Duke
• Robin Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford (1940–2003), eldest son of the 13th Duke
• Andrew Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford (b. 1962), eldest son of the 14th Duke

The Heir Apparent is the present holder's son Henry Robert Charles Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (b. 2005).

Non-inheriting heirs-apparent

• William Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1703), eldest son of the 2nd Duke
• William Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1704–c. 1707), second son of the 2nd Duke
• John Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1732), eldest son of the 4th Duke
• Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1739–1767), second son of the 4th Duke
• Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1739–1767), son of 4th Duke and father of 5th and 6th Dukes

See also

• Baron Russell of Thornhaugh
• Earl Russell
• Baron Ampthill