Baron Stafford

Francis Melfort William FitzHerbert, 15th Baron.

Arms: Argent, a chief vairee or and gules, over all a bend sable.

Crest: A dexter cubit arm in armor erect, the hand appearing clenched within the gauntlet.

Supporters: Dexter: a lion argent; Sinister: a swan, wings inverted argent, gorged with a ducal cornet per pale gules and sable.

Sir William Howard, KB* (born 1614), and his wife Mary were, in 1640, created Baron and Baroness Stafford, and Viscount Stafford (both peerage of England). Lord Stafford was subsequently (on the perjured evidence of Titus Oates and his associates) tried for complicity in the Titus Oates plot and was attainted in 1678, when all of his honours were forfeited. His Lordship was impeached by the House of Commons and on December 29, 1680 was executed. Lord Stafford's execution was largely due to the fact that he was Roman Catholic. The King was able to intervene on Lord Stafford's behalf and was able to change the method of execution from the traditional Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered, to the more civilized beheading. Lord Stafford's wife was created Countess of Stafford for life in 1688. The Stafford Barony continues to this day with Francis Melfort William FitzHerbert, 15th Baron and present peer.

Francis Melfort William FitzHerbert, 15th Baron. Born March 13, 1954, married Katharine Mary Codrington in 1980, and succeeded to the barony in 1986.

* Abbreviation for Knight of the Bath until 1814, was the third son of Thomas Howard (who was created 1st Earl of Norfolk in 1644.)

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