The Duke's Inheritance

Henry Grey, first Duke of Kent © English Heritage  The monument of Henry Grey, first duke of Kent, is placed opposite that of Philip Yorke, husband of his grand-daughter Jemima, for whom he had secured the family title and inheritance.

An absence of male heirs was of great concern to the duke, who knew that the dukedom would die with him. He therefore petitioned King George II for another title, and was duly created Marquess Grey in 1740. As this title had a special remainder, it did not become extinct on his death later that year but passed to his grand-daughter Jemima, countess of Hardwicke. She was able to inherit the family’s estates under the title Marchioness Grey.

The duke’s monument and that of his two wives, has been attributed to the sculptor Michael Rysbrack. Opposite, is a monument erected by Jemima on the death of her husband Philip Yorke, second earl of Hardwick in 1790. At the time, a Romantic style of monument was preferred, this one depicting an idealised representation of a mourner, instead of an image of the departed.  The monument of Henry Grey, first Duke of Kent, and his two wives © English Heritage .  The monument to Philip Yorke, second earl of Hardwick, erected by his widow, Jemima, Marchioness Grey© English Heritage .