Biography of William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth 1672-1750

Paternal Family Tree: Legge

In November 1667 [his father] George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 20) and [his mother] Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 17) were married.

On 14th October 1672 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth was born to [his father] George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 25) and [his mother] Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 22).

Around 1682 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 9) educated at Westminster School [Map].

In 1682 [his father] George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 35) was created 1st Baron Dartmouth. [his mother] Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 32) by marriage Baroness Dartmouth.

Before 1683 [his father] George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 35) was appointed Admiral of the Fleet.

John Evelyn's Diary. 11th June 1683. The Lord Dartmouth (age 10) was elected Master of the Trinity House; son to [his father] George Legge (age 36), late Master of the Ordnance, and one of the grooms of the bedchamber; a great favorite of the Duke's (age 49), an active and understanding gentleman in sea affairs.

In 1685 [his father] George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 38) was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th July 1685. The Trinity House met this day, which should have ben on ye Monday after Trinity, but was put off by reason of the Royal Charter being so large that it could not be ready before. Some immunities were super-added. Mr. Pepys (age 52), Secretary to ye Admiralty, was a second time chosen Master. There were present the Duke of Grafton (age 21), Lord Dartmouth (age 12), Master of ye Ordnance, the Commissioners of ye Navy, and brethren of the Corporation. We went to Church according to costome, and then took barge to the Trinity House [Map], in London, where we had a great dinner, above 80 at one table.

Around 1687 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 14) educated at King's College, Cambridge University [Map].

On 25th October 1691 [his father] George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 44) died at Tower of London [Map]. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Minories [Map]. His son William Legge (age 19) succeeded 2nd Baron Dartmouth.

Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet

Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In July 1700 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 27) and Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth were married. She the daughter of Heneage Finch 1st Earl Aylesford (age 51) and Elizabeth Banks Countess Aylesford.

Around 1704 [his son] George Legge was born to William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 31) and [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth. He married before 20th June 1731 Elizabeth Kaye Baroness North and Guildford, daughter of Arthur Kaye 3rd Baronet, and had issue.

On 29th May 1708 [his son] Henry Bilson Legge was born to William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 35) and [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth. He married in or before 1757 Mary Stawell 1st Baroness Stawell, daughter of Edward Stawell 4th Baron Stawell, and had issue.

In 1709 [his daughter] Barbara Legge Baroness Bagot was born to William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 36) and [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth. She married 27th July 1724 Walter Wagstaffe Bagot 5th Baronet, son of Edward Bagot 4th Baronet, and had issue.

In 1710 [his son] Edward Legge was born to William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 37) and [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth.

In 1711 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 38) was created 1st Earl Dartmouth. [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth by marriage Countess Dartmouth.

Before 6th November 1715 [his brother-in-law] Heneage Finch 2nd Earl Aylesford (age 32) and Mary Fisher Countess Aylesford (age 25) were married. He the son of [his father-in-law] Heneage Finch 1st Earl Aylesford (age 66) and Elizabeth Banks Countess Aylesford.

In 1718 [his mother] Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 68) died.

On 22nd July 1719 [his father-in-law] Heneage Finch 1st Earl Aylesford (age 70) died. His son [his brother-in-law] Heneage (age 36) succeeded 2nd Earl Aylesford. Mary Fisher Countess Aylesford (age 29) by marriage Countess Aylesford.

On 27th July 1724 [his son-in-law] Walter Wagstaffe Bagot 5th Baronet (age 21) and [his daughter] Barbara Legge Baroness Bagot (age 15) were married. She by marriage Lady Bagot of Blithfield Hall. They had eight sons and eight daughters. She the daughter of William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 51) and [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth.

Before 20th June 1731 [his son] George Legge (age 27) and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Kaye Baroness North and Guildford (age 24) were married. He the son of William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 58) and [his wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth.

Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 29th August 1732 [his son] George Legge (age 28) died.

In July 1740 [his daughter] Anne Legge died.

On 19th September 1747 [his son] Edward Legge (age 37) died.

On 15th December 1750 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth (age 78) died. His grandson [his grandson] William (age 19) succeeded 2nd Earl Dartmouth, 3rd Baron Dartmouth.

On 30th November 1751 [his former wife] Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth died.

[his son] Heneage Legge was born to William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth and Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth.

[his daughter] Anne Legge was born to William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth and Anne Finch Countess Dartmouth.