Baron Scales is a title in the Peerage of England.
The ancestors of the Baron Scales came into possession of the manors of Newsells, Hertfordshire and Rivenhall, Essex in 1255 by the marriage of Sir Robert de Scales to Alice de Rochester (or de Roffa/Rossa), whose family had held the manors since 1210. Robert died in 1256.
Robert is probably the same Robert as mentioned in some, or all, of the following references:-
Robert's eldest son who inherited his father's lands but died shortly afterwards in 1258.
Peter's younger brother who inherited their father's lands upons Peter's death in 1258. Robert was involved in several expeditions to France and had summons to Parliament. He was listed at Dover Castle from 1261-2, as was a Sir Radulfus de Escales. [1] Upon Robert's death in 1266 he was succeeded by his son Robert, who he had by his wife Muriel, and who was to become the first of the Baron Scales. Left a widow called Clemencia [2]
The Scales barony was created in 1299 by writ for Robert de Scales.
The last known holders were Elizabeth de Scales and her husband Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers. After Elisabeth's death in 1473, Anthony was summoned in her right. Anthony was beheaded by Richard III at Pontefract on 24 Jun 1483 and the peerage fell into abeyance. However, after the death of Anthony, his younger brother Edward Woodville, a supporter of Henry Tudor, styled himself Lord Scales, having been bequeathed Elizabeth's land by his brother. [3]
Several people have subsequently tried to claim the title but none have been successful. The most recent was made by Sir Charles Robert Tempest who claimed to be a co-heir in 1857. [4]
The Scales family's main residences were Middleton in Norfolk, Newsells in Hertfordshire and Rivenhall in Essex but also held other lands including Ouresby and Torneton in Lincolnshire. [2]
Earl of Essex is a title in the Peerage of England which was first created in the 12th century by King Stephen of England. The title has been recreated eight times from its original inception, beginning with a new first Earl upon each new creation. Possibly the most well-known Earls of Essex were Thomas Cromwell, chief minister to King Henry VIII, and Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1565–1601), a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I who led the Earl of Essex Rebellion in 1601.
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Robert de Scales was appointed Knight of the Order of the Bath by Prince Edward whom he accompanied in the Scottish wars and was given an exemption for life from sitting on assizes, juries, etc. against his will. He was summoned to Parliament from 1306 until his death in 1324. He was summoned as a Peer to the Coronation of Edward II on 25 February 1308.
Sir Robert de Scales was engaged in several military expeditions. In 1337 he went on the Kings Service overseas with Robert d'Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk and Peter de Scales. He was summoned to Parliament from 1343 until his death in 1369.
Lord Roger de Scales (1354–1387) was one of the 'eminent persons' forced by the rebels to march with them upon the insurrection of Jack Straw in 1381. He was a commissioner of the peace for Cambridgeshire and Norfolk for many of the years between 1373 and 1386. He was summoned to Parliament from 1376 until his death in 1386. He attended the Coronation of Richard II in 1377.
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Elizabeth Woodville, Countess Rivers and 8th Baroness Scales, born Elizabeth de Scales, was the sole heir of Thomas Scales, 7th Baron Scales.
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