User:LordWerrell/sandbox

Earl of Frieth is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1067 after the Norman Invasion to a second cousin of the Lord Chancellor Herfast (or Arfast) (died 1085) who was Lord Chancellor to William the Conqueror, with remainder to his issue male and female successively. In default thereof to the heirs of entail in the lands of Frieth, and was made Earl of Frieth.

Very little was known of this minor noble despite being a servant of the Kings Butler and the family crest bearing three cups Or (gold chalices) known as Cups of the Field. The family residence amongst the hundred that served the Earldom was known as the Par-Moor (level amongst the Moor) and was run as a hospital by the Knights Templar from its inception in 1126 through to their dissolution in 1309. The propery fell into disrepair. Guy Werrell, the new Earl of the hundred, rebuilt the property in 1352. The property was then lost to the crown around 1790 when the incumbent Earl was supplanted by George III with a friend named by the king as John Frith (thought to be a mis-spelling of the name of the village). Although the new owner never took up residence, on his death in 1791, the property was bought by the Cripps Family of Berkshire.

The title remains today in obeisance, loyal to the crown and pledged never to bear arms against it.

The current Earl of Frieth lives in Hampshire.