The Barons of Dudley

    The "Barons of Dudley" is actually a misnomer. More properly, they should be called what they called themselves--"Lords of Dudley." Dean Dudley, author of History of the Dudley Family gave them the name "Barons" simply because of their ownership of Castle Dudley. While the title is somewhat correct, we need to note that the Barons did NOT called themselves that.

    The Barons are all from the 2nd House, that is, the Sutton Dudley's. (note: for a full explanation of the first and second house Dudley's, see the History of the Surname elsewhere on the Site) These Dudley's are the ones that had possession of the Castle (again, see the article on the Castle elsewhere on the site). They are the most famous of the Dudley line. As Lords, they had to own land, and this usually (but not always) meant that a Castle--or at least a large Manor House--went along with it. They were, then, quite a part of the Medieval Caste system--right at the top. As Lords they could attend Parliament (which was at this time a meeting of all the Lords in England with the King or Queen), and thus help to make laws in England.

    So now we come to naming the Barons of Dudley. I must state that the following list comes from Dean Dudley's book. While the most complete list, it would be dishonest to say that it has not been challenged by other historians--it has. However, even the challengers are hard put to offer proof one way or the other--so for the last 100 years the list has stood.

There were SEVEN Barons of Dudley. They are:
 
1. John de Sutton, son of Richard of Worksop. He married Margaret de Somery, and acquired the Castle.

2. John de Sutton, son of #1. He married Isabel de Charlton, and died in 1359. His wife held claim to the castle, and while his sons held the title, they could not attend Parliament as the Castle was in control of a woman (Isabel). When she died, the Barons were again summoned.

3. John de Sutton. Not necessarily a son of #2. While he definitely was #3, the jury is still out on whose son he was.

4. John de Sutton. Son of #2, but was to young to assume control of the Castle when his father died (which is why #3 took control). He married Alice, daughter of Phillip le Dispenser, and later a woman named Joan. He died March 10, 1396.

5. John de Sutton. Born about 1380, the grandson of #2.

6. John de Sutton alias Dudley. He was a Knight of the Garter, and born in 1406. He married Elizabeth Berkeley and had seven children. He is the most famous of the John de Suttons, and the most famous of the Barons.

7. Edward Sutton alias Dudley. Grandson of John de Sutton, his father was John's son Sir Edmund Sutton. Edward was also a Knight of the Garter, and had 15 children.

From here the family branched out so much that the last person to bear any title was a Ferdinando Dudley Lea of Halesowen Grange, Worcestershire. He was summoned to Parliament in 1740. The title fell into abeyance among his five sisters--and it is in that state today. He enjoyed the title ONLY--no other perks. The Castle and the Dudley lands passed to the male heir of the Ward family, and these descendants have been ennobled under the titles of Viscounts and, more recently, Earls of Dudley.

Again, we must note that some of this history is open to debate. If you know of any modern research, please email me.