Baron Botetourt

The title Baron Botetourt (pronounced ) was created in the Peerage of England by writ of summons on 19 June 1305. It became abeyant in 1406, was recalled from abeyance in 1764 for Norborne Berkeley. However, it became abeyant again on his death in 1770. It was recalled a second time in 1803 for the 5th Duke of Beaufort, and became a subsidiary title of the Dukes of Beaufort until the death of the 10th Duke in 1984, when it became, and remains, abeyant.

Lord Botetourt in Virginia

Known and remembered in Virginia as "Lord Botetourt", Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt was governor of the Colony of Virginia from 1768 to 1770 and a member of Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary at the capital of the Colony in Williamsburg, Virginia. Before coming to Virginia he was (as Norborne Berkeley) Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire 1741–1763. He then obtained his peerage, when it was called out of abeyance in 1764, the third holder of the title having died in 1406.

As governor, Lord Botetourt resided in the Governor's Palace near Duke of Gloucester Street, now a major attraction of Colonial Williamsburg in the Historic Triangle. Although a popular governor, Lord Botetourt served only two years. He died suddenly while still in office in 1770 and was buried in the Wren Building Chapel at William and Mary. A prominent statue of Lord Botetourt stood for many years in front of the Wren Building before it was relocated to a more sheltered location...
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