Duke of Bedford - Definition and Overview

The titles of Earl or Duke of Bedford were created several times in the peerage of England. It was first created for Enguerrand VII de Coucy, son-in-law of King Edward III, in the 14th century. Later, a Dukedom of Bedford was created for King Henry IV's third son, John, who later served as regent of France. It was created again in 1470 for George Nevill, nephew of Warwick the Kingmaker, and again in 1485 for Jasper Tudor, uncle of King Henry VII.

The Russell family currently holds the titles of Earl and Duke of Bedford. John Russell, a close advisor of Henry VIII and Edward VI, was granted the title of Earl of Bedford in 1551, and his descendant William, 5th Earl, was created Duke following the Glorious Revolution.

The subsidiary titles of the Duke of Bedford, all in the peerage of England, are: Marquess of Tavistock (created 1694), Earl of Bedford (1550), Baron Russell of Cheneys (1539), Baron Russell of Thornhaugh (1603) and Baron Howland (1695). The courtesy title of the Duke of Bedford's eldest son and heir is Marquess of Tavistock.

Earls of Bedford, First Creation (1138)

• Hugh de Bello Monte, 1st Earl of Bedford (?) (forfeit 1142)

Earls of Bedford, Second Creation (1366)

• Enguerrand de Coucy, 1st Earl of Bedford (1340-1397) (resigned 1377)

Dukes of Bedford, First Creation (1414)

• John, Duke of Bedford (1389-1435)

Dukes of Bedford, Second Creation (1470)

• George Nevill, Duke of Bedford (1457-1483) (forfeit 1478)

Dukes of Bedford, Third Creation (1485)

• Jasper Tudor, 1st Duke of Bedford (1431-1495)

Earls of Bedford, Third Creation (1551)

• John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (1485-1555)
• Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford (1527-1585)
• Edward Russell, 3rd Earl of Bedford (1572-1627)
• Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford (1593-1641)
• William Russell, 5th Earl of Bedford (became Duke of Bedford in 1694) (1616-1700)

Dukes of Bedford, Fourth Creation (1694)

• William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford (1616-1700)
• Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford (1680-1711)
• Wriothesley Russell, 3rd Duke of Bedford (1708-1732)
• John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford (1710-1771)
• Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford (1765-1802)
• John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766-1839)
• Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford (1788-1861)
• William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford (1809-1872)
• Francis Charles Hastings Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford (1819-1891)
• George William Francis Sackville Russell, 10th Duke of Bedford (1852-1893)
• Herbrand Arthur Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford (1858-1940)
• Hastings William Sackville Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford (1888-1953)
• John Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford (1917-2002)
• Henry Robin Ian Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford (1940-2003)
• Andrew Ian Henry Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford (b. 1962)