Doubts On Right To Titles

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31209, 5 November 1966, Page 25

Doubts On Right To Titles

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright? LONDON, Nov. 3. Descendants of the illegitimate children of virile English kings who lived a gay life with their mistresses in the 16th and 17th centuries should not sit in the House of Lords, a Left-wing Parliamentarian said last night.

Too many descendants of gangsters and bandits also held noble titles and sat in Parliament’s Upper Chamber, the M.P., Mr Emrys Hughes, told the House of Commons. He sought permission to introduce a private bill which would abolish all titles on the death of their present holders but retain the monarchy. The House of Commons has agreed to debate the bill next March, but political quarters tonight did not rate its

chance of becoming law very high. The House roared with laughter when Mr Hughes, attacking the hereditary principle by which the eldest sons of nobility sit in Britain’s second chamber by right, said: “There is no purpose in having in the House of Lords titled gentlemen who are descended from say, one of the 19 illegitimate children of a king.” Mr Hughes did not go into detail, but the historicallyminded knew the illegitimate Royal progeny he referred to came largely from Charles II (1630-85) and the beauties of the day among his mistresses. These included the famous flower girl, Nell Gwynn, and the Duchesses of Cleveland and Portsmouth. Four of the boys' of these alliances became dukes—of Southampton, Grafton, Richmond and St. Albans. Four girls became duchesses. All the dukes became members of the House of Lords. As for the bandits: Mr

Hughes was referring chiefly to the warlike activities of big landowners in the Middle Ages, who often laid seige to each others’ castles.

WHEN you want to BUY. looX where people advertise what they have to eell. When you want to SELL, advertise Where people look for what they want to Buy. The Classified Columns of "THE PRESS" will serve you well—BOTH WAYS. ’Phone 50-189 any time, a Direct Line for your convenience