Biography of Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster 1907-1983

Paternal Family Tree: Heathcote

On 06 Dec 1905 [his father] Gilbert Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 2nd Earl Ancaster (age 38) and [his mother] Eloise Lawrence Breese Countess Ancaster (age 23) were married at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. Dollar Princess. He the son of [his grandfather] Gilbert Henry Heathcote Drummond Willoughby 1st Earl Ancaster (age 75) and [his grandmother] Evelyn Elizabeth Gordon Countess Ancaster (age 59).

On 08 Dec 1907 Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster was born to Gilbert Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 2nd Earl Ancaster (age 40) and Eloise Lawrence Breese Countess Ancaster (age 25).

The Times. 26 Dec 1910. We regret to state that [his grandfather] Lord Ancaster (deceased) died on Saturday night at his Grimsthorpe, Bourne, Lincolnshire seat, in his 81st year.

Gilbert Henry Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, created first Earl of Ancaster in 1892, was Joint Heereditary Lord Great Chamberlain of England. This dignity is held jointly by Lord Cholmondeley (age 27), Lord Ancastor, and Lord Carrington (age 67). The late peer filled it during the reign of Queen Victoria, Lord Cholmondeley during that of King Edward, and Lord Carrington fills it during the present reign.

He was born on October 1, 1830, and succeeded his father (age 12) as second Lord Aveland on September 6, 1807, and his mother as 24th Lord Willoughby de Eresby on November 13, 1888.

Few noblemen possessed a longer lineage, for the lordship of Erresby in Lincolnshire was acquired by the family of Bee or Belec bv the marriage of Walter dc Bec with Agnes, daughter and heiress of Hugh Fitz Pincheon, a 12th century magnate of Lincolnshire. A John Beeke received permission from Edward I to make a castle of his manor house at Eresby and was summoned to Parliament as one of the barons of the realm. By his wife, Sarah, daughter of Thomas, Lord Furnival, be had, among other children, Alice, who was married to Sir William de Willoughby, one of those who went with Prince Edward to the Holy Land. His son, Robert, became first Lord Willoughby de Eresby. Subsequent holders of that title played a prominent part in the country's history at home and abroad. The 13th baron was created Earl of Lindsey. The fourth Earl of Lindsey was created Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven in 1713. That dukedom became extinct with the death of the fifth Duke in 1809. The barony of Willoughby de Eresby fell into abeyance between the sisters of the fourth duke until it was terminated by the Crown in 1780 in favour of the elder co-heir, Priscilla Barbara Elizabeth, whom the first Lord Gwydir married in 1779. Their eldest son Peter Robert, 21st Baron Willoughby de Eresby, married the daughter of the first Lord Perth, and one of their daughters became in 1840 the wife of the second Lord Carrington. Almeric, the 22nd Lord Willoughby do Eresby and third Baron Gwydyr of Gwydyr, County Carnarvon, Joint Hereditary Great Chamberlain of England, died in August, 1870. The barony of Willoughby do Eresby again fell into abeyance between his lordship's surviving sisters, and it was terminated in favour of the elder, the Dowager Baroness Aveland, who married in 1827 Sir Gilbert John Heathcote, created Baron Aveland in 1856. Their eldest son was the late Lord Ancaster, whose sister, Clementina Charlotte (age 78), married in 1869 Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, who died in her Majesty's ship Victoria in June 1893.

The late Lord Ancaster married in 1863 [his grandmother] Lady Evelyn Elizabeth Gordon (age 64), second daughter of the tenth Marquis of Huntly, by whom be had four sons and six daughters. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, and sat as Member of Parliament for Rutland from 1856 to 1867. He was a magistrate for Kesteven and chairman of Quarter Sessions, lord of the manor of Thurlbv Baston and Langtoft, as well as chairman of the Stamford Division Conservative and Unionist Association; and was Lord Chamberlain during Queen Victoria's reign and contested the right to continue on King Edward's succession.

He is succeeded in the title by [his father] Lord Willoughby de Eresby (age 43),??? for the Hornecastle Division of Lincolnshire, who is a major and hon. lieutenant-colonel of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and was formerly an officer of the Leicestershire Yeomanry Cavalry. He married in 1905 [his mother] Eloise Laurence (age 28), eldest daughter of the late Mr. W. L. Breese, of New York, and has a son, Gilbert James (age 3), born in 1907, and two daughters.

The late earl's other children include [his uncle] Major Charles S. Heathcote-Drunmond-Willoughby (age 40), who married Lady Muriel Erskine, daughter of Lord Buchan (age 60); [his uncle] Major Claud Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby (age 38), who married Lady Florence Astley (age 43), youngest daughter of the third Marquis Ponyngham; [his aunt] Lady Evelyn Clementina (age 46), wife of Major-General Sir Henry Peter Ewart; the [his aunt] Hon. Margaret Mary (age 44), who was married to the late Mr. Gideon Macpherson Rutherford; the [his aunt] Hon. Cecilie (age 36), wife of Mr. T. C. E. Goff; and [his aunt] Lady Dalhousie (age 32). The late peer assumed by Royal licence in 1872 the additional surnames of Willoughby and Drummond. He was a large landowner, owning Drummond Castle Crieff, and extensive deer forests in Perthshire and land in Lincolnshire and Rutland. Recently, however, he sold considerable portion of his estates, in many instances to the tenants who had the option of purchase. He was a very generous landlord, and was highly respected. He used Normanton Castle as his chief country house till Lord Willoughby de Eresby was married; then Normanton became the latter's home, and Lord Ancester lived at Grimsthorpe. He was president of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

On 27 Jul 1933 Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster (age 25) and Nancy Phyllis Louise Astor Countess Astor (age 24) were married. He the son of Gilbert Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 2nd Earl Ancaster (age 65) and Eloise Lawrence Breese Countess Ancaster (age 51).

On 01 Dec 1934 [his daughter] Nancy Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby 28th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby was born to Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster (age 26) and [his wife] Nancy Phyllis Louise Astor Countess Astor (age 25).

On 19 Sep 1951 [his father] Gilbert Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 2nd Earl Ancaster (age 84) died. His son Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster (age 43) succeeded 3rd Earl Ancaster in Lincolnshire, 27th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, 4th Baron Aveland, 8th Baronet Heathcote of London. [his wife] Nancy Phyllis Louise Astor Countess Astor (age 42) by marriage Countess Ancaster in Lincolnshire.

On 02 Mar 1975 [his wife] Nancy Phyllis Louise Astor Countess Astor (age 65) died.

In 29 Mar 1983 Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster (age 75) died.

Earl Ancaster in Lincolnshire and Baron Aveland extinct.

[his daughter] Nancy Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby 28th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby (age 48) succeeded 28th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

Gilbert Simon Heathcote 9th Baronet (age 69) succeeded 9th Baronet Heathcote of London

After 29 Mar 1983. Church of St Michael and All Angels, Edenham [Map]. Monument to Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster (deceased).

Royal Ancestors of Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster 1907-1983

Kings Wessex: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward IV of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France

Ancestors of Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster 1907-1983

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Heathcote 2nd Baronet

Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Heathcote 3rd Baronet

Great x 2 Grandfather: Gilbert Heathcote 4th Baronet

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Hudson

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hudson Lady Heathcote

Great x 1 Grandfather: Gilbert John Heathcote 1st Baron Aveland 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Manners 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Manners 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Corbetta Smyth

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Sophia Manners Lady Heathcote 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Lionel Tollemache 4th Earl Dysart 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Louisa Tollemache 7th Countess Dysart 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Carteret Countess Dysart 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

GrandFather: Gilbert Henry Heathcote Drummond Willoughby 1st Earl Ancaster 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Burrell

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Burrell Baron Willoughby, 1st Baron Gwydyr

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lewis

Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Drummond Burrell 2nd Baron Gwydyr 22nd Baron Willoughby 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Priscilla Barbara Elizabeth Bertie 21st Baroness Willoughby of Eresby 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven

Great x 1 Grandmother: Clementina Drummond Willoughby 24th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby Baroness Aveland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Drummond 11th Earl Perth

Great x 2 Grandmother: Clementina Sarah Drummond Baroness Gwydyr and Willoughby 19 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone 17 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Clementia Elphinstone Countess Perth 18 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Father: Gilbert Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 2nd Earl Ancaster 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Gordon 3rd Earl Aboyne 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Gordon 4th Earl Aboyne 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Lockhart Countess Aboyne 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: George Gordon 9th Marquess Huntly 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Stewart 6th Earl Galloway 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Stewart Countess Aboyne 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Cochrane Countess Galloway 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Gordon 10th Marquess Huntly 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Johnathan Cope 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Cope 2nd Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Arabella Howard 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward IV of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Anne Cope Marchioness Huntly 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward IV of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Cecil Bisshopp 6th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Bisshopp Countess Liverpool 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandMother: Evelyn Elizabeth Gordon Countess Ancaster 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward IV of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Reverend William Peter Pegus

Great x 1 Grandmother: Maria Antoinetta Pegus Marchioness Huntly

Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Peter Layard

Great x 2 Grandmother: Charlotte Layard Countess Lindsey

Gilbert James Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 3rd Earl Ancaster 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England

GrandFather: William Lawrence Breese of New York

Mother: Eloise Lawrence Breese Countess Ancaster

GrandMother: Marie Louise Parsons