Stanford Rivers by H. M. Scott – The Radcliffes (Earls of Derwentwater)

The Radcliffes

Earls of Derwentwater

Further reference to this family will be found in my reference to the 8th Baron Petre and also in connection with the Hon. Wm. Petre IV.

The second Earl fled to France with James II and settled in that country with his wife (a daughter of Charles II). His son James Radcliffe – later 3rd Earl of Derwentwater – spent his childhood with the young James Stuart (The Pretender) but came to England in 1710.

In 1715 he fought with great courage to help the Stuarts regain the Throne, but was taken prisoner at the Battle of Preston and sent to the Tower. Friends tried to save him, Sir Robert Walpole offered £60,000 for his life, but George I showed no mercy and he was beheaded in 1716 and attainted. He was buried in the Petre family chapel at Thorndon.