HO 45/19622
B32587
Date : 30th Aug 1900
Foreign office (Prime Minister)
Honours
Mr Alleyne Boxall to bear the title of a Baron of the Duchy of Saxe Coburg & Gotha.
States that Queen has granted permission to Mr Boxall to bear above title, and to accept and wear the insignia of a commandership of the Coburg Order of Saxe-Ernestine.
Minutes
Registered under Foreign titles and orders 31/8
See also B32588
? ask Garter – unofficially – whether a warrant should be made out in the case of the foreign title.
C.D. 1/9
Garter accord.ly
1/9
7th (see within)
consulted Prime Minister’s secr. on Garter’s reply. See his answer within, of 10/9/
This is a very unusual case, and there is apparently no precedent for it. The Queen having granted permission direct to an individual to bear a Foreign Title in this Country, the question arises whether the formal warrant (conferring the permission) usual in such case, is necessary.
I have consulted the Foreign Office, and they (see W.
Foley’s note within) say it is for us to decide. Garter, whom
also I have
consulted, seems to expect that a warrant will be prepared.
? Adopt this view and ask garter (in the terms of my proposed note to him, of today’s date, see copy herewith) to obtain the necessary documents from Mr. Boxall, and then to let us know what limitation (according to custom in such case) ought to be set to the grant, that on this point H.M. Pleasure may be taken.
C.D. 11/9
Mr Deffell
I don’t understand this case. Are there any
precedents for the
grant of a regular licence to bear a title. are such licences
personal or to
person and heirs. I should certainly say the former only. otherwise it
wd be an
indirect way of creating hereditary titles in England. Please find this
out
first. These are done probably both ways.
HC Sep 11. 00
Mr Cunynghame
It appears that since the year 1885 there have been eight such grants,
of which
four included the grantee’s heirs (with certain limitations), and four
were
limited to the grantee himself [to this category must be added the case
of
baron de Forest, now being dealt with . CD 19/9/00]. A regular written
warrant signed by the Queen, has always – as far as this Dept is aware
– been
necessary in such cases.
C.D. 12/9
We must take Q’s pleasure saying that Ld Salisbury’s letter only points to this recognition being personal. Say that out of 8 grantes in last 14 years. 4 [5 now; see note as to Baron de Forest at top of this page] were made personal only and four hereditary. It will be for her Majesty’s consideration, having regard to the cirns which she wishes done in the present case. To Her Majesty’s private sec. accordingly.
HC Sep 12/00
Mr Cunynghame
Would it not be well – before submitting this to HM – to ascertain from Garter what the hereditary limitation would (according to precedents) be, in case she should wish to make the grant hereditary to any degree? H.M. will probably require such guidance, unless she has made up her mind not to extend the grant beyond the immediate grantee.
If you agree, do you approve of the enclosed
(modified) not
eto Garter – who requires an answer to his of the 17th
instant?
CD
12/9
Yes HC Sep 13.00
Wrote to Garter accordingly (see copy within), 14/9/00
Mr Cunynghame
You will see from the accompanying note from Garter, which I have received this morning, that he has consulted the Letters Patent conferring the dignity of Baron upon Mr. Boxall, and – in order to save time and trouble – has drafted an anticipatory letter and warrant in respect of the grant to Mr Boxall of permission to use his Foreign Title.
The proposed warrant is drafted so as either to make the
grant hereditary or to confine it to the grantee himself, as Her
Majesty may
please.
Meanwhile there is no authoritative decision of the question
whether any warrant at all is to be issued in this case. I am not aware
of any
instance of such a grant where there has been no formal warrant. (and
see note
from Garter of today’s date on this point).
Perhaps it would be well that all the papers should be
forwarded to H.M. Private Secretary that her Pleasure may be taken upon
the
points raised.
CD 25/9/00
now to her M Private Sec
as in my previous minute to ask whether she desires the title to be personal or hereditary. Draw the attention of HM Secretary to the fact that the German barony is conferred on the “lawful and legitimate heirs” which may probably mean all the children, male as well as female. The grant here uses the words heirs male according to the limitation of the German barony. This probably would make the English recognition of the title descend to all the male children of the baron. What is wanted to decide is this
1) is the British recognition to extend to all the children of the baron who become barons whether elder or younger children I don’t think this has ever been granted before. [In Count Bentinck’s case, I think, and probably in others. (see Garter’s list herewith).]
or 2) is it to be limited to the eldest male representative of his house for the time as an English title would be.
or 3) is it to be limited to the present baron for his life only.
On Her Majesty’s pleasure being known the warrant will be settled accordingly.
To Private Secretary
C.D. 28/9
Sent to Sir A. Bigge
J.P. 26/9/00
The Queen is of opinion that the licence should be made to the grantee (Mr Boxall) and the heirs male of his body. 6 oct 1900 F. J. Edwards
Mr Cunynghame
Then, on H.M. decision, the draft warrant submitted by Garter will stand?
? Approve Draft and request him to prepare warrant for H.M. signature
CD 8/10
HC Oct 9.00
W. Garter accordingly enclosing dft wt 9 Oct
Warrant in terms of draft received from Garter 13 Oct
Send Warrant for H.M. signature CD 13/10
Wt to H.M.
13/X
Wt dated 17 Oct
To Garter to be registered at C of A and dispatched 20 Oct
FOREIGN OFFICE
August 30, 1900.
Sir:-
I have the honour to inform you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to grant permission to Mr. Alleyne Boxall, of 14, Cambridge Square, to bear the title of a Baron of the Duchy of Saxe -Coburg and Gotha, which was conferred upon him by His Late Royal Highness the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and also to accept and wear the Insignia of a Commandership of the Coburg Order of Saxe Ernestine.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant,
[sig(2)]
The Right Honourable,
Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., M.P.,
&c., &c, &c.
Foreign Office
Sep 10, 1900
Dear Mr. Deffell
I have consulted our authorities about your questions respecting Mr Boxall’s barony.
They tell me that the question of issuing a formal warrant is one for the Home Office to decide, and they suggest that you should apply to Mr Boxall himself with regard to the two queries of Garter. He is the only person, they say, who can answer them.
I am afraid that this does not get you much “?”.
You shall hear about the Baronetcies of Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh in a day or two.
Yours,
Henry Foley
69 St Georges Road
Warwick Square S.W.
7th september 1900
Dear Deffell,
Mr Alleyne Boxall. Barony.
I have not received any official or other communication touching Mr Alleyne Boxall’s acceptance of the title of Baron conferred upon him by the late Duke of Saxe-Coburg.
Assuming that it is the Queen’s pleasure to grant him a Royal Licence to bear the title in this country, I shall require the production of the original patent conferring the dignity together with a duly certified notarial translation thereof in order that I may be enabled to set forth the facts in the warrant. Will you write to the Foreign Office for these documents, or shall I apply direct to Mr Boxall for them?
Am I to understand that the grant is to be confined to Mr. boxall, and not extended to his issue, or any of them?
Yours very sincerely,
Albert W. Woods
Garter
Charles Deffell, Esq.
Home Office
draft
14th September 1900
Dear Garter,
I enclose the answer from the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary to your queries respecting the proposed Licence for Mr. Boxall: also (for easy reference) I enclose your letter to me on the subject. Kindly return both these papers when you have done with them
I suppose you cannot suggest what limitation
should be
adopted for the grant (if it is a hereditary one) until you have seen
According to the form of the directions to us at present it would
appear that
this licence is only to be personal; but to aid in the settlement of
this
matter, it would be well that you should see the original Parent
conferring the
dignity of Baron on Mr Boxall?
Mr Cunynghame thinks you had better, please, apply direct (as Mr Foley recommends) to Mr. Boxall for the documents you will require; and then when you have seen what the limitation would be, according to precedents, supposing that the grant is to be made in any degree hereditary, the Queen’s pleasure will be taken on the point whether or not the permission shall be limited to the grantee.
Yours sincerely,
(sd) Chas. Deffell
Sir Albert Woods, GCB, KCVO
69 St George Road SW
69 St Georges Road
Warwick Square S.W.
25 september 1900
Dear Deffell,
there is no precedent for the grant of a Royal permission to use in this country a title conferred by a royal sovereign but under a royal warrant addressed to the Earl Marshal. I think, sometimes, a permission is privately granted to wear a Foreign Order when the case does not fall within the regulations relative to the acceptance of Foreign Orders, and it is to this I expect you refer to in the case of Mr. Boxall. He has received the Saxe Ernestine Order, as well as being created a Baron of Saxe Coburg.
He fully understands that a licence is necessary in respect to the title and waits the decision in respect to the order.
Ever yours sincerely,
Albert W. Woods
Garter
Charles Deffell Esq
Home Office
69 St Georges Road
Warwick Square S.W.
24th September 1900
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose for the consideration of the Secretary of State a draft of the Royal Licence permitting Mr. Alleyne Alfred Boxall to assume and use in this Country the title of a Baron of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The Letters Patent (dated 8 September, 1900) conferring that dignity upon him are before me, and shew that the limitation is to him “and his lawful and legitimate heirs”. In the draft licence now submitted it will be observed that certain words, the effect of which if adopted into the Licence would be to extend the permisssion to the heirs male of the body of Mr Boxall, are included within red ink brackets; these words will, of course, be expunged if, on Her Majesty’s pleasure being taken, it appears that the Royal Permission is to be limited to the Grantee only.
The clause declaring that the Licence shall not be deemed a precedent has been introduced by me into this draft, inasmuch as after consideration, I am of the opinion that for the purpose of safeguarding the Secretary of State it is desirable to insert such a clause in every Licence of this nature, where, the matter not having originated with your Department, but having come before you already impressed with the Sovereign’s approval, the Secretary of State has been relieved from the responsibility of recommending, or declining to recommend, the exercise of the Royal Prerogative.
In connection with this case I have found it necessary to examine all the Licences to use Foreign Titles issued during Her Majesty’s Reign, and for the information of the Secretary of State I send a list shewing the titles so permitted ot be used, together with the limitation in each case.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Albert W. Woods
Garter
The Under Secretary of State,
Home Office,
Whitehall, S.W.
Foreign Titles
The following are the cases where Royal Licences have been issued during Her Majesty’s Reign permitting the use in this Country of the Foreign title of Baron, etc.
6 June 1846
Portugal
Isaac Lyon, Baron de Golsmid and da Palmeira (of Portugal)
limitation: the grantee only.
10 August 1874
Salomon benedict, Baron de Worms (of Empire of Austria, 1871)
Limitation: grantee and heirs male of his body upon whom etc.
4 January 1883
Ronald MacLean Laurentz Campbell, Baron Craignish (of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha).
Limitation: grantee and heirs male of his body etc.
2 April 1886
William Charles Philip Otho Bentinck, count Bentinck (of Holy Roman Empire, Emperor Charles II of Germany)
Limitation. Petitioner and heirs male of his body upon whom etc, to be counts Bentinck. Petitioner’s mother to bear “countess” other descendants of petitioner’s father to bear “count” or “countess” before their Christian names, according to tenor of original Patent.
14 February 1887
Edmund Kempt Laurents Campbell, Baron Campbell von Laurentz (of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha).
Limitation: grantee and the heirs male of his body upon whom etc.
1890
William Henry Von Schröder Baron William Henry von Schröder (of Germany)
Limitation. Grantee only.
6 November 1891
Paul Julius Reuter, Baron de Reuter (of Saxe-Coburg Gotha)
Limitation. Grantee and the heirs male of his body etc.
1892
Adolf Kusel, baron de Kusel (of Italy)
Limitation: grantee only.
1893
Samuel Selig Jusel, Baron de Kusel (of Italy)
Limitation: grantee only.
1896
William Ernest Bush, Baron Bush (of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha)
Limitation: grantee only.
to which may be added:
1900. Baron de Forest
(papers now with Sir K. Digby, warrant
in draft). Grantee only.
CD 25/9/00
69 St Georges Road
Warwick Square S.W.
24 Sept 1900
Dear Deffell,
If I am premature in sending the enclosed papers in re Baron Boxall, will you say so and kindly return them until the time arrives for action. It struck me that it would save time and trouble by sending the draft of suggested warrant for approval.
Enclosed I return the two letters sent for perusal.
Yours sincerely,
Garter
Charles Deffell, Esq
69 St Georges Road
Warwick Square S.W.
12 Oct 1900
Dear Deffell,
Mr Boxall is in a great hurry. Can you manage to send off the Licence at an early date?
Yours sincerely,
Albert W Woods
Garter
Charles Deffell, Esq
Home Office, SW
69 St Georges Road
Warwick Square S.W.
13th October 1900
Sir,
In compliance with the direction of Secretary Sir Matthew Ridley signified in your letter dated and numbered marginally [9 October, 1900. B32587 ] I have prepared and enclose herewith a Warrant, for Her Majesty’s signature, to enable Mr. Alleyne Alfred Boxall to assume and use in this Country the title of a Baron granted to him by the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha.
At the same time I return the draft of the Royal Warrant.
I have the honour ro be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Albert W Woods
Garter
The Under Secretary of State,
Home Office,
Whitehall S.W.
Draft for approval
Licence. Alleyne Alfred Boxall to assume and use in this Country the title of a Baron granted to him by the Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha.
Victoria R
Victoria by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. To Our Right trusty and Right entirely beloved Cousin and Councillor, Henry, Duke of Norfolk, Knight of Our Most Noble Order of the Garter, Earl Marshal and Our Hereditary Marshal of England, Greeting:
Whereas in the month of July past during the lifetime of our Good Brother and Most Dear Son, His Royal Highness Alfred the First, the late Reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Duke of Edinburgh) it was represented unto Us that it was the intention of His Royal Highness to raise Our trusty and dwell beloved Alleyne Alfred Boxall of Cambridge Square, in the Parish of Paddington, in the County of London, Esquire, to the Hereditary dignity of a Baron of Coburg Gotha; and Whereas His Royal Highness departed this life on the thirtieth day of July last past, before the completion of the Letters Patent or Diploma conferring the said intended dignity; And Whereas it has been represented unto Us that by Letters Patent or Diloma bearing date the eight day of September One thousand nine hundred, sealed with the Royal Sseal, and issued and signed in the Name of Our Good Brother and Dear Grandson, His Royal Highness Charles Edward now Reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Duke of Albany), by Our Dear Grandson-in-law His Serene Highness Ernest Hereditary Prine of Hohenlohe-Langenberg, the said Alleyne Alfred Boxall has, with the title of Baron Boxall, been raised to the hereditary dignity of a Baron in the lands of Saxe-Coburg in such a manner that he and his lawful and legitimate heirs shall be considered by everybody as Members of the Nobility, and shall enjoy all rights and privileges belonging thereto: And Whereas sWe are graciously pleased to grant unto him the said Alleyne Alfred Boxall Our Authority to use and bear the said rank, degree and dignity of a Baron of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: Know Ye that We our Our Princely grace and special favour have given and granted, and by these Presents to give and grant unto him, the said Alleyne Alfred Boxall, Our Royal Licence and Authority that he [and the heirs male of his body (being respectively subjects of these Our Realms) upon whom the dignity of a Baron of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha shall devolve pursuant to the limitations of the said Royal Letters Patent or Diploma, may avail himself and themselves of the said honour, and that he and they] may assume and use the said title of Baron in this Country; And We are further pleased to declare that this mark of Our Royal Favour shall not be deemed or construed to form a precedent for a similar grant in future: Our Will and Pleasure therefore is that you, Henry, Duke of Norfolk, to whom the cognizance of matters of this nature doth properly belong, do require and command that this Our Concession and Especial Mark of Our Royal Favour be registered in our College of Arms, to the intent that Our Officers of Arms and all others upon occasion may take full notice, and have knowledge thereof. And for doing so this shall be your Warrant.
Given at Our Court at Balmoral this seventeenth day of Cotober 1900, in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.
By Her Majesty’s Command
M W Ridley
note: If the permission is to be extended to the heirs male of the body of the grantee then the words within [] brakets should be inserted; but if confined to the grantee only they must be omitted.
insert this clause
B 32,587/2
19.4.19
Baron Boxall
Honours
Baron Boxall of Duchy of Saxe-Coburg + Gotha
Petitions His Majesty The King to issue Royal Licence recalling and annulling the Royal Licence granted by Her Late Majesty Queen Victoria.
Minutes
See copy of letter from 383538 within.
For action taken see 383538/3. Copy of Royal Wt within.
383538
CONFIDENTIAL.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE. 14th June, 1919.
My dear Harris,
Your letter of yesterday with regard to the Lord Chamberlain's question whether Baroness Boxall and Baroness de Bush should receive invitations to one of Their Majesties' Garden Parties, raises a point, so far as Baroness Boxall is concerned, which is really pathetic.
Baron Boxall is a Solicitor, a member of an old English family which can count its ancestry back as far as 1360.
In the year 1900 he was employed by the Duke of Coburg (Duke of Edinburgh) to negotiate the settlement of His Royal Highness' very serious financial embarrassments and for which I believe he received little or no recognition. It was suggested that he should be given a Knighthood, but Lord Salisbury, Prime Minister, deemed it inadvisable in the circumstances of the case that this should be done, and in consequence Mr. Boxall was created a Baron of Coburg with special authority from Queen Victoria to assume that title in England.
Baron Boxall never had any connection with Germany or with German affairs, and his services to the Duke of Coburg were performed solely in this country.
In 1915 he raised the question of his position of holding a Barony of Coburg which had become an enemy's country, and it was suggested by his friends that perhaps the King might substitute same other honour and allow him to drop his present title for, as he truly said, he felt sure that neither Queen Victoria nor Lord Salisbury could have had any conception what the result of this title would be to him and his family.
His Majesty now thinks that it might be well to give the holders of licences the opportunity of dropping them voluntarily, but in the case of Baron Boxall I will ask the Prime Minister to recommend him for a Knighthood after a certain time has elapsed from the date of his ceasing to be styled - Baron Boxall.
The title of Baron of Graigneish became extinct on the death of the late and first Baron.
I do not know anything about Baroness de Bush, but the King will certainly wish Baroness Boxall to be asked to a party.
Please let me know for His Majesty's information what are the Secretary of State's views about these proposals.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) STAMFORDHAM.
S. W. Harris, Esq., C.B.,C.V.O., Home Office.