HOWARD, Charles, Visct. Morpeth (c.1669-1738).

Consummation of Lord Morpeth’s marriage was deferred ‘through the greenness of their years’. Twelve days after the landing of William of Orange he was given leave ‘to sail to Flanders with his governor’, and he does not seem to have played any part in the Revolution. He was returned to the Convention two months later, still under age, on the family interest; but he left no trace on its records, and was not listed as supporting the disabling clause in the bill to restore corporations. A moderate Whig, he was re-elected in 1690, but succeeded to the peerage two years later. ‘A gentleman of great interest in the country and very zealous for its welfare, [he] hath a fine estate and a very good understanding, with a grave deportment.’ He held high office in Whig administrations both before and after the Hanoverian succession. He died on 1 May 1738 and was buried at Castle Howard (formerly Hinderskelfe) in the splendid mausoleum built for him by his friend Vanbrugh.Ellis Corresp. ii. 46; CSP Dom. 1687-9, p. 356; Macky, Mems. 59.