Abercorn: The Hamiltons of Barons Court

Description

Abercorn: The Hamiltons of Barons Court is a lavishly illustrated book which tells the absorbing story of one of the most remarkable families in British and Irish history from its rise to prominence in late fifteenth century Scotland through to its role today in Northern Ireland and beyond. The story of The Hamiltons of Barons Court is so much more than simply the study of an individual family, however, for it reflects all of the complexities of the history of these islands and challenges many of the preconceived notions associated with a family of noble birth. In fascinating detail the family's contributions to local and national politics, science, the arts, architecture, education, the armed forces, forestry and estate management are all explored, as are their relationships with each other, their tenants, the Royal Family, and other landed families. After more than ten years of detailed research, the author of this magisterial volume is Dr William Roulston who has also written the Foundation's bestselling, Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The essential genealogical guide to early modern Ulster 1600-1800.

Note: Abercorn: The Hamiltons of Barons Court will only be available on limited release. It will not be available from Amazon, nor other online retailers, and will only be available in very select outlets. For the best deal you need to order direct from Ulster Historical Foundation.

Contents

Foreword by the Lord Eames, OM
Preface and Acknowledgements

Chapters

1. The Scottish background
2. The Hamiltons in the seventeenth century
3. James Hamilton, 6th Earl of Abercorn
   'An eccentric figure'
4. James Hamilton, 7th Earl of Abercorn
   Scientist and patron of the arts
5. James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn
   'A man of succinctness'
6. John James Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn
   'Don Magnifico'
7. James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn
   'Old splendid'
8. James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abbercorn
   The survival of the estate
9. James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn
   A Northern Irish Duke
10. James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Abercorn
    A gentleman and a scholar
11. James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn
    A modern Duke

Epilogue

Abbreviation

Notes

Bibliography

Index