The Earls of Dudley
The Earl of Dudley at the time when Ruiton Windmill was built was William Ward (1817 - 1885) the 1st Earl of Dudley - well the first, second time around!
The ranks of the peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.
Dudley was first used for a peerage in 1341 when John Sutton became the first Lord Dudley of Dudley Castle. This came to an end when 10th Baron, Sir Ferdinando Sutton died in
1621 leaving no sons, his wealth including Dudley Castle & Himley Hall passed to his daughter Frances, 6th Baroness Dudley (1611–1697) and her husband Sir Humble Ward - 1st
Baron Ward and later High Sheriff of Staffordshire.
Sir Humble Ward was made 1st Baron by King Charles I on 23 March 1644
When politician John Ward, (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under the Duke of Wellington) the original 1st Earl of Dudley died unmarried in 1883 his two viscountcies and his
earldom became extinct until 1860 when it passed on to William Ward.
The Earls of Dudley
The Earl of Dudley at the time when Ruiton Windmill was built was
William Ward (1817 - 1885) the 1st Earl of Dudley - well the first, second
time around!
The ranks of the peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.
Dudley was first used for a peerage in 1341 when John Sutton became
the first Lord Dudley of Dudley Castle. This came to an end when 10th
Baron, Sir Ferdinando Sutton died in 1621 leaving no sons, his wealth
including Dudley Castle & Himley Hall passed to his daughter Frances,
6th Baroness Dudley (1611–1697) and her husband Sir Humble Ward -
1st Baron Ward and later High Sheriff of Staffordshire.
Sir Humble Ward was made 1st Baron by King Charles I on 23 March
1644
When politician John Ward, (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under
the Duke of Wellington) the original 1st Earl of Dudley died unmarried in
1883 his two viscountcies and his earldom became extinct until 1860
when it passed on to William Ward.
