Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester

Giles Stephen Holland Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester (31 May 1874 – 29 October 1959), styled Lord Stavordale until 1905, was a British peer and philanthropist.

Background and education Fox-Strangways was the eldest child of Henry Fox-Strangways, 5th Earl of Ilchester, by Lady Mary Eleanor Anne Dawson, daughter of Richard Dawson, 1st Earl of Dartrey. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford and was an officer in the Coldstream Guards, promoted to Lieutenant 5 March 1902. He wrote various works on the history of the house, including: Fox-Strangways, Giles (6th Earl of Ilchester), The House of the Hollands 1605–1820, London, 1937 Fox-Strangways, Giles (6th Earl of Ilchester), Chronicles of Holland House, 1820–1900, London, 1937 Fox-Strangways, Giles (6th Earl of Ilchester), Catalogue of pictures belonging to the Earl of Ilchester at Holland House, London, 1904

Marriage and children

Lord Ilchester married Lady Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart, only daughter of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 6th Marquess of Londonderry. The society wedding took place at St Peter's Church, Eaton Square, London, on 25 January 1902, and was conducted by the Archbishop of Armagh (Primate of All Ireland). It was attended by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, his daughter Princess Margaret of Connaught and Prince George, Duke of Cambridge.

The couple had four children: Lady Mary Theresa Fox-Strangways (1903–1948), married Sir John Herbert. Edward Henry Charles James "Harry" Fox-Strangways, 7th Earl of Ilchester (1905–1964). The Honourable John Denzil Fox-Strangways (1908–1961) Lady (Mabel) Edith Fox-Strangways (1918-1995), married Ivor Grosvenor Guest, 2nd Viscount Wimborne.

The Countess of Ilchester died in January 1956, aged 79. Lord Ilchester survived her by three years and died in October 1959, aged 85. His elder son Edward (known as "Harry") succeeded in the earldom.

Arms

The arms of the head of the Fox-Strangways family are blazoned "Quarterly of four: 1st & 4th: Sable, two lions passant paly of six argent and gules" (Strangways); "2nd & 3rd: Ermine, on a chevron azure three foxes' heads and necks erased or on a canton of the second a fleur-de-lys of the third" (Fox).

Work cited