KENT, EARLS AND DUKES OF. The first holder of the English earldom of Kent was probably Odo, bishop of Bayeux, and the second a certain William de Ypres (d. 1162), both of whom were deprived of the dignity. The regent Hubert de Burgh obtained this honour in 1227, and in 1321 it was granted to Ed mund Plantagenet, the youngest brother of Edward II. Edmund (1301-1330), who was born at Woodstock on Aug. 5, 1301, steadily supported his brother until the last act in Edward's life opened in 1326. He fought in Scotland and then in France, and was a member of the council when Edward III. became king in 5327. Soon at variance with Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, Edmund was involved in a conspiracy to restore Edward II., who he was led to believe was still alive; he was arrested, and beheaded on March 19, 1330. Although he had been condemned as a traitor his elder son Edmund (c. 1327-1333) was recognized as earl of Kent, the title passing on his death to his brother John (c. 1330-1352).
The Holand Earls.—After John's childless death the earldom appears to have been held by his sister Joan, "the fair maid of Kent," and in 1360 Joan's husband, Sir Thomas de Holand, or Holland, was summoned to parliament as earl of Kent. Holand, who was a soldier of some repute, died in Normandy on Dec. 28, 1360, and his widow married Edward the Black Prince, by whom she was the mother of Richard II. The next earl was Holand's eldest son Thomas (1350-1397), who was marshal of England from 138o to 1385, and was in high favour with his half-brother, Richard II. The 3rd earl of Kent of the Holand family was his son Thomas (1374-140o). In September a few months after becoming earl of Kent, Thomas was made duke of Surrey as a reward for assisting Richard II. against the lords appellant ; but he was degraded from his dukedom in 1399, and was be headed in January of the following year for conspiring against Henry IV. However, his brother Edmund (1384-1408) was allowed to succeed to the earldom, which became extinct on his death in Brittany in September 1408.
who held the barony of Fauconberg in right of his wife, Joan, fought for the Yorkists during the Wars of the Roses, and was chiefly responsible for the victory of Edward IV. at Towton (1461) ; soon after this event he was created earl of Kent and admiral of England. At his death the title became extinct. Ne ville's natural son Thomas, "the bastard of Fauconberg" (d. 1471), was a follower of Warwick, the "Kingmaker." The Greys.—The long connection of the family of Grey with this title began in 1465, when Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, was created earl of Kent. Edmund (c. 1420-1489) was the eldest son of Sir John Grey, while his mother, Constance, was a daughter of John Holand, duke of Exeter. During the earlier part of the Wars of the Roses Grey fought for Henry VI. ; but by deserting the Lancastrians during the battle of Northampton in 146o he gave the victory to the Yorkists. He was treasurer of England and held other high offices under Edward IV. and Richard III.
His son and successor, George, 2nd earl of Kent (c. also a soldier, married Anne Woodville, a sister of Edward IV.'s queen, Elizabeth, and was succeeded by his son Richard (1481 1524). Henry, the 12th earl, was created in 1706 earl of Harold and marquess of Kent, becoming duke of Kent four years later. His titles of earl, marquess and duke of Kent became extinct at his death in 1740.