Charles Kirkhoven, 1st Earl of Bellomont

Who was Charles Kirkhoven, 1st Earl of Bellomont?

Charles Henry Kirkhoven, 1st Earl of Bellomont was a Dutch-born Irish peer, known as Lord Wotton from 1649-1680.

Kirkhoven was the only son of Jehan, Lord of Heenvliet and his wife, Katherine, both courtiers in the Princess of Orange's household.

In 1649, Charles II created him Baron Wotton, a title which became extinct upon the death of his maternal grandfather in 1630. From 1659-74, he was Chief Magistrate of Breda and was granted a troop of horse by the States-General. On the death of his father in 1660, he took over the former's offices in the Princess's household and was also granted a post in the household of her son, Prince William.

In 1663, Lord Wotton took his seat in the House of Lords and on his mother's death four years later, he inherited her estate at Belsize Park. His mother's attempt in her will for him to marry the former's third husband's niece came to nothing and on 25 August 1679, he married Hon. Frances Harpur, widow of Sir John Harpur and daughter of William Willoughby, 6th Baron Willoughby of Parham.

In 1680, he was created Earl of Bellomont but died a few years later of an apoplexy and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. As he had no surviving children, his titles became extinct and he left his estate to Hon. Charles Stanhope, who later changed his surname to Wotton.