PELHAM, the name of an English family, derived from Pel ham in Hertfordshire, which was owned by a certain Walter de Pelham under Edward I., and is alleged to have been in the pos session of the same family before the Norman conquest. The family dignities included the barony of Pelham of Laughton (1706-1768), the earldom of Clare (1714-1768), the dukedom of Newcastle (1715-1768), the barony of Pelham of Stanmer from 1762, the earldom of Chichester from 1801 and the earldom of Yarborough from 5837.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth SIR WILLIAM PELHAM (c. I 53 0— 1587), third son of Sir William Pelham (d. 1538) of Laughton, Sussex, became lord justice of Ireland. After much service abroad he was sent to Ireland in 1579, when he was knighted by Sir William Drury, the lord justice. Drury died in October, and Pel ham was provisionally made his successor, an appointment sub sequently confirmed by Elizabeth. Elizabeth protested strongly against' Pelham's action in proclaiming Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th earl of Desmond, a traitor, though his action was soon justified by the sack Of Youghal by Desmond. Thomas Butler, loth earl of Ormonde, was entrusted with the campaign in Munster, but Pelham joined him in February 1580. The English generals laid waste northern Kerry, and proceeded to besiege Carrigafoyle Castle, which they stormed, giving no quarter to man, woman or child. Other strongholds submitted on learning the fate of Carriga
foyle. Pelham vainly sought for help from the gentry of the county, who sympathized with Desmond, and were only brought to sub mission by a series of "drives." After the arrival of the new deputy, Lord Grey of Wilton, Pelham returned to England. Leicester desired his services in the Netherlands, but it was only after much persuasion that Elizabeth set him free to join the army by accept ing a mortgage on his estates as security for his liabilities. Pelham was wounded at Doesburg in 1586, and accompanied Leicester to England in 1587. He died at Flushing on Nov. 24,5587.
From Sir William are descended the Pelhams of Brocklesby, Lincolnshire, earls of Yarborough (cr. 1837). From Sir Nicholas Pelham, elder brother of William, were descended the DUKES OF NEWCASTLE (q.v.). Among the other distinguished members of this family were THOMAS PELHAM, earl of Chichester (1728— 1805), who held many offices under George III. ; HENRY PELHAM (q.v.), GEORGE PELHAM ( I 2 7 ) , bishop successively of Bristol, Exeter and Lincoln; Thomas Pelham, 2nd earl of Chi chester (1756-1826), who held office under Pitt and Addington.