Thomas Belasyse, Earl Fauconberg (1699-1774)

Thomas Belasyse was born in 1699, eldest son of Thomas Belasyse, 3rd viscount Fauconberg, and Bridget Gage.  The Belasyse family (the name was also spelt Bellasis) were well-established gentry from the area around Durham who came to prominence in the 16th century.  In 1627, Thomas Bellasyse was ennobled as Baron Fauconberg, and in 1643 he was created Viscount Fauconberg in recognition of his services to the Royalist cause.  The family seat was at Newburgh Priory near Coxwold, North Yorkshire.

In 1718 the 3rd Viscount died and Thomas succeeded to the title.  In 1726, he married Catherine Betham, who was heiress to two significant estates: those of the Bethams of Rowington (Warwickshire) and those of the Fowlers of St. Thomas (Staffordshire).  The Fowler inheritance (bequeathed to Catherine’s father by her mother’s uncle, causing him to change his name from Betham to Fowler) was however contested and generated a famous lawsuit.  The Viscount and Viscountess Fauconberg lost the case and were obliged to surrender half the inheritance.  Whereas they had initially changed their surname to Fowler-Belasyse, they now reverted to the simple Belasyse.

Although both Thomas and his wife came from families with a tradition of being Roman Catholic, in 1737, Thomas conformed to the Church of England, though his wife did not.  The following year he was made a Lord of the Bedchamber, a position he retained until 1760.  And in 1756 he was created Earl Fauconberg of Newborough.  Thomas died in 1774 at Newburgh Priory and was succeeded by his son Henry.