Earl of Chester - Definition and Overview

The Earldom of Chester is one of the few palatine earldoms in England. After the future Edward I's creation in the mid 13th century the title has generally been given to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and since the late 14th century the title has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.

Earls of Chester, First Creation (1071)

• Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester (d. 1101)
• Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester (1094-1120)

Earls of Chester, Second Creation (1121)

• Ranulph le Meschin, 1st Earl of Chester (d. c. 1129)
• Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester (d. c. 1153)
• Hugh de Kevelioc, 3rd Earl of Chester (1147-1181)
• Randolph de Blondeville, 4th Earl of Chester (c. 1172-1232)

Earls of Chester, Third Creation (1232)

• John de Scotia, 9th Earl of Huntingdon, 1st Earl of Chester (c. 1207-1237)

Earls of Chester, Fourth Creation (1254)

• Edward, Earl of Chester (1239-1307) (became King in 1272)

Earls of Chester, Fifth Creation (1264)

• Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, 1st Earl of Chester (1208-1265) (forfeit 1265)

Earls of Chester, Sixth Creation (1284)

• Alphonso, Earl of Chester (1273-1284)

Earls of Chester, Seventh Creation (1301)

• Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Chester (1284-1327) (became King in 1307)

Earls of Chester, Eighth Creation (1312)

• Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Chester (1312-1377) (became King in 1327)

Thereafter, the Earldom of Chester was created in conjunction with the Principality of Wales. See Prince of Wales for further Earls of Chester.