Earl of Bedford
Earl of Bedford is a title that has been created three times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1138 in favour Hugh de Beaumont. He appears to have been degraded from the title three or four years after its creation. However, the existence of the title altogether has been doubted. It is discussed by R. H. C. Davis on the basis of the chronicle evidence. The second creation came in 1366 in favour of the French nobleman Enguerrand VII, Lord of Coucy. After Richard II came to the throne in 1377, Bedford resigned the title to the Crown. The third creation came in 1550 in favour of John Russell, 1st Baron Russell. For more information on this creation, see Duke of Bedford (1694 creation).
Earls of Bedford, first creation (1138)
- Hugh de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Bedford (born 1106)
Earls of Bedford, second creation (1366)
- Enguerrand VII, Lord of Coucy, 1st Earl of Bedford (1340–1397) (resigned in 1377)
Earls of Bedford, third creation (1551)
- see Duke of Bedford (1694 creation)
- Beaumont, Edward T., The Beaumonts in History. A.D. 850-1850. Oxford, c. 1929, p.58
- King Stephen (1967), p.135.