The title Earl is the most ancient in British peerage dating back to before the Norman Conquest. An earl was traditionally a British nobleman who holds Viceroy Powers over regions and provincial courts. The title can be followed either by a place name or, in a few cases, a surname. In present day, an earldom named after a town is held in the highest prestige.
Earls = Count
Earls are synonymous with the European title, count. For a short period after the Norman conquest of England counts replaced earls in the United Kingdom. It is suggested that the title was changed back to earl due to the phonetic proximity of the word ‘count’ to that of a particularly vulgar word in the English language. However, no official reason is known.
The original function of an earl as royal governor was, among other responsibilities, to collect taxes (of which he took one third) and, in wartime, to lead the king’s armies. Over time the monarchy altered and modified the duties of earls to suit their own wishes.
King Stephen created earls to reward those close to him. He gave them the right to hold royal castles and control of sheriffs. By the end of his reign it was believed that the earls held too much power, and Henry II brought them back under strict royal control. He stripped them of their authority and transferred governance of shires to sheriffs. Although their powers were depleted the earls still held enough influence to depose of the kings they disapproved of.
The Monarch is the sole authority allowed to create an earl. In the 14th century a public ceremony was introduced, in which the King tied a sword belt around the waist to appointed an earl. Today the only way to become and earl is through inheritance or marriage. However, the monarch reserves the right to prevent the transfer of the title to those heirs they deem undeserving.
Biographies
I've added a couple of selected biographies - I'll be adding more when I can.
Earl of Shrewsbury
Roger ‘the Great’ de Montgomery was the first Earl of Shrewsbury. His father was a relative of the Duchess Gunnor, wife of Duke Richard I of Normandy.
Roger was one of William the Conqueror’s key counsellors. He was ordered to stay behind and govern Normandy during the initial invasion of England in 1066. He was entrusted with two pieces of land critical to England’s defence in Normandy. For his governance he received the Rape of Arundel at the end of 1067 and was created Earl of Shrewsbury in 1071. (This date is debated by historians, some believe he inherited the Shropshire territories at that time but was not created Earl until some years later).
Roger ‘the Great’ was a powerful man during William the Conquerors’ reign. He owned estates in several counties in England. As part of the Rape of Arundel he inherited a large part of Sussex. In addition, he held seven-eights of Shropshire which were associated the earldom of Shrewsbury.
After William I’s death in 1087, Roger briefly joined the rebels to overthrow the newly appointed King. However, he succumbed to the charms of King William Rufus and abandoned the rebellion, a move which was fortuitous as the fallen rebels lost their land holdings in England.
Roger was married twice. His first wife Mabel of Balleme bore him 10 children. He then married Adelaide de le Puiset, by whom he one son.
