lies behind the decision. "of. the Another romance of the pera
Committee of Privileges of the: House of Lords upholding the claim made by Mr, Henry walter Plumptre, " of Goodnestone Park, near Deal, to the ancient barony of Fitzwalter, new when T came into th property 32 years ago that I was Justly entitled to claim the title—if for no other reason than that it Was a family honour," Lord Fitz-walter said when interviewed at his fine old Kentish home. "Yee Thave been 90 years making up my mind to do 80. Quite naturally, my wife and myself rejoice that we have aueceaded in getting, what, we sought, It is a family dignity of such a' high order. vey "Krom the outset I felt somiuine of success, there was no opposition. intimation that I had' succeeded was contained in a letter from the Prime Minister, which came by the first post this morning. The title involves fresh responsibilities, but both her ladyship and myself will shoulder them gladly.
"It will not make much difference to our daily rife, We shall go 20 Just as usual in the village here, At present we do not contemplate having any festivities, or the roasting of any ox to celebrate the occasion, Time and. circumstances will not permit of stich events, We have always been good friends with the vill and we that we Lord Fitawalter added that the grandfather of the first baron commanded the army of the barons who extorted the great charters of veedom from King John on the plains of Runnymede. Fitzwalter was elected one of the 25 appointed to see the faithful observance of Magna Charta.
The Fitzwalter barony is deseribone of the oldest in the kingdom, the earliest writ having boon issued in 1295. Tt was la.
1756, when Benjamin, the 19th baron (Viscount Harwich and Earl Fitzwalter), died without surviving male issue, that the earldom and viscounty became extinct, and the barony fell into abeyance. In 1841 Sir Brood William Bridges, of Goodnestone Park, claimed" the barony as grandson and heir of Dame Fanny Bridges, and the Committee of Privileges decided in 1814 that the barony was still in abeyance between Sir Brook William Bridges and the descendants of Jemima Duke. No attempt was made then to find the descendants of Jemima Duke. Since that time the peerage has lain dormant, Thi year Mr. Horny Fitewalter Plum. pire, as grandson of the sister of Sir Brook William Bridges, entered; a.claim, and, as the heirs of Jemima, Duke could: not be located, chay wan of "his, Majesty's ale "Committee reported that the
posal."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.