In the mid-1600's, Montagu history gets quite entangled with Cromwell, the Long Parliament, and the English Civil War. To make some sense of this, I have found it helpful to quote at some length from the historian and biographer Hilaire Belloc. Belloc puts it like this in Cromwell, his character study of Oliver Cromwell (published in 1934): `Who were the Montagus? In the last days of an entirely Catholic England there had lived in Northamptonshire a certain Thomas; a gentleman, but on no great scale. He was the lord of only two manors. He was called indifferently Mountagu or Montagu, and claimed some connection with that great family of the Mons Acutus, feudal Earls of Salisbury of whom the ancestor was that Drogo the Norman who had come over with William the Conqueror. He founded the Montagus and had taken his reward in dues upon lands in Somerset. There, after centuries, many generations from the original invader, the house of Montacute still recalls his name. It is like enough (though not certain) that the claim to Drogo descent was justified; ... this Thomas Montagu with his two manors in Northamptonshire was of quite the smaller fry ... and died in the very year when the flood of the Reformation was first let loose... (1517). It was not he but his son, and his second son at that, who made the fortunes of the family. This second son was called Edward, and since at first he had not the prospects of his elder brother he must make his way in the law. To that profession he owed some part of the great wealth that was coming to him, but much more did he owe it to the religious revolution by which he was to profit hugely - as were ... many more. His first piece of good fortune was the death of his elder brother without an heir, and Edward Montagu in the first few years after his father died, began to push his way into the King's service. He snatched money at every chance that came his way; accumulating and adding to his original rents, serving on many commissions, and in particular doing the King's business in assessing the great fortune of Wolsey, when the King decided to sweep that wealth into his net. His were the pickings, therefore, and into his purse dropped those percentages and fees ... which went with work of this kind. Edward Montagu was already (by the time the great Cardinal died disgraced and ruined) a rich man - ... he could even entertain Henry himself, and Catherine, the imperiled Queen, with splendor. But though he spent thus grandly for his master and benefactor the King, he never wasted money: and all was spent with a purpose. Four years later came the rising of the people against the first destruction of the monasteries, and it gave Edward Montagu another opportunity. He became Commissioner to the Commissariat for the army which suppressed the rebellion and butchered men up and down the north country. This post brought him every sort of profit. Then, immediatley after, in the general flood of loot, when the monastic lands began pouring into the coffers of the spoilers, he was among the first of them. ... he got hold of the Abbey lands right and left, and was already set up to do the King's work in this crisis as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. He continued actively the work which earned him such enormous payments; he was principal agent in the killing of Catherine Howard in 1541. Right up to Henry's death he was still labouring in the good cause, for he was one of those commissioned by the dying King to bully a confession out of the Duke of Norfolk and procure his death. It was as Lord Chief Justice (no longer of the King's Bench but of the Common Pleas) that he supported Dudley's plan for the usurpation of the throne by Dudley's son in the person of that son's child-wife, Lady Jane Grey; Edward Montagu did so with hesitation, terrified of the consequences - and might under Mary have lost that huge accumulation of gold which the Reformation had brought him. ... he lay in peril; but he and his vast fortune outlived the danger; he did not die until William Cecil had been in power and Elizabeth upon the throne seven years, and by that time the Montagus were thoroughly secure. He lived to see, five years before his death, his eldest-born grandson Edward - who should be heir to all this and in due time given the first peerage of the family - put into the House of Lords as a buttress of Cecil's new religious establishment, the Reformed Church of England. This eldest grandson of the old millionaire had sundry brothers, of whom note two in particular: Henry, who was also born in his grandfather's lifetime, and Sidney. ... the great fortune built upon the ruins of the old religion could provide amply for its younger sons. Henry Montagu, taking to the law like his grandfather, rose rapidly, was Lord Chief Justice in his turn, distinguished himself by the condemnation of Raleigh, turned Lord High Treasurer, a post which he sought at a high price, but one which procured him a revenue many times that price. He bought Kimbolton Castle on the southern edge of Huntingdonshire, within an hour's ride of Hinchinbrooke, and because long ago Kimbolton had belonged to the great family of Mandeville he desired to adopt that name, so he entered the peerage under that title, "Kimbolton," and was later made Earl - Earl of Manchester, the first of that name. He served his King, Charles I, faithfully enough, as he had served his father James, though he was strongly on the Puritan side and of the stuff of which later the Rebellion was made; but when he came to die (in November, 1642) that Rebellion had only begun. Brother Sidney, the youngest of the three, was a member of Parliament as all the members of the family had been as a matter of course, and member (also as a matter of course) for the Shire of Huntingdon. He also prospered in the law, adding by it to the large portion of the family estate which he had inherited; he was a Master of Requests at the moment when the too generous or too lavish Sir Oliver Cromwell had found himself compelled to turn Hinchinbrooke quickly into cash. So here we have the three Montagus, grandsons of the old Reformation millionaire, contemporaries of Sir Oliver Cromwell, ...; and Sidney Montagu, descended from a line more avaricious and more determined to accumulate, had bought out the Williams-Cromwells from Hinchinbrooke.' (Belloc) At this point, Belloc provides a diagram that contains the following information: Edward Montagu - (father), "of the Reformation loot." Edward - (grandson), "1st Lord Montagu." Henry - (grandson), "1st Earl of Manchester (The Manchester of the Civil War)." Sidney - (grandson), "who bought Hinchinbrooke." Belloc now turns to Cromwell's emotional relations and competition with the Montagus. Cromwell apparently maintained a deep hatred of the Montagu's his entire life: `We must bear all these in mind, for Sir Oliver's nephew who was to be the Protector never forgot that first blow delivered in his youth, the loss of the ancestral home. He put all three brothers into one basket as despoilers of his family. Of these rich men, one, Sir Sidney Montagu, the Master of the Requests, a lawyer in the traditions of his family, was now master of the roof and acres which Oliver had known and revered all his youth. Oliver himself was still the chief citizen in Huntingdon, ... but its solid basis in the place had gone. Henceforward there was feud between Oliver in his reserved, violent mind, and the Montagu blood. We shall see the earlier and later action of this: the earlier in Oliver's passionate attacks upon the Montagu's influence in the Fen Country, where the Cromwells used to be supreme; the later upon a larger scale in the hounding out of Manchester from the command of the Parliamentary army. We see Cromwell, then, capable of a strong personal quarrel and a long retention of the animosity it had aroused. He became the permanent enemy of Manchester, because Manchester was a Montagu. And the greater joy he must have had when Manchester's nephew, the son of the very man who had purchased Hinchinbrooke, fell into a youthful hero-worship of himself, Cromwell, as a soldier. That indeed was a fine revenge for the loss of the great house! ... In his bitterness at the unsuccessful result of Newbury and under the impulse of the long-treasured Montagu quarrel he gave what was almost certainly false testimony: for he pretended that Manchester had not attacked at Shaw House until after darkness had set in, and is there at issue with every other contemporary witness. But when he said that Montagu was fighting slackly because he did not at heart wish to destroy the King, he was telling if not the truth, at any rate what he believed to be the truth. That is exactly what Cromwell did believe about Montagu. Later when he was met by Montagu's vigorous reply and the publication of so many of his sayings which shook his position, then he backed out and said that he could not accuse Manchester of half-heartedness in attacking the King, but only of incompetence. Such a retraction was false; Oliver continued to think Montagu half-hearted, and when he said he did not, he lied for the sake of taking refuge from the storm which Montagu's accusations against him had aroused.' (Belloc) Let us follow Belloc to the year 1630: `Meanwhile the strain of seeing the Montagus displaying their increasing wealth under the roof which had covered him in childhood was more than Oliver could bear. He sold some part of his lands... He thus got rid as well as he could of the Huntingdon connection with its Montagu memories.' (Belloc) And to the Long Parliament of 1640: `... As for Huntingdon, it was now wholly in the pocket of the Montagus; two of that family came up side by side to that same Parliament, and what a bitterness for Oliver to find them there! As for the Shire, yet another Montagu was to speak for it in the same Assembly, and with him was Oliver's own brother-in-law, Walton. ... Therefore from the moment Cromwell enters the Long Parliament ..., 1640, you find him a marked sort indeed and ... not consonant to the air of an assembly, ... Indeed, one of the first things we get from him now is a piece of violence in committee. It was provoked by his now ancient and deep-rooted quarrel with the name of Montagu.The family of Montagu had had assigned to them in the person of Manchester, their head, certain lands granted out of the Queen's property in the Fens. They proceeded to enclose, and therefore to get to loggerheads with the small free-holders. Cromwell in the committee appointed (With Hyde in the Chair) to inquire into the affair, launched out against Manchester as though he were engaged in a personal fight. His conduct was shocking to a man of Hyde's legal descent and ... sense of decorum; assemblies could not carry on if shouting and brawling of this kind were allowed.' (Belloc) Sources: Cromwell, Hilaire B

Kimbolton Castle, The present mansion was rebuilt between 1690 and 1720. The castle was bought by Sir Henry Montagu, later 1st Earl of Manchester, in 1615. His descendants owned the castle for 335 years until it was leased in 1950. Charles Edward Montagu, the 4th Earl who was created 1st Duke of Manchester in 1719, had many works of reconstruction carried out between 1690 and 1720. Sir John Vanbrugh and his assistant Nicholas Hawksmoor redesigned the facades of the castle in a classical style, but with battlements to evoke its history as a castle, the portico was later added by Alessandro Galilei. The Venetian painter Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini redecorated some of the reconstructed rooms in 1708, including the main staircase and the chapel. Rich, gilded furnishings in a Louis XIV-inspired style were commissioned from French upholsterers working in London.

Kimbolton Castle, staircase was painted by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini in 1708

His Grace, The Duke of Manchester Alexander Montagu, At his family seat for Centuries, Kimbolton Castle

Most Noble George Montagu, sixth Duke of Manchester (1719), ninth Earl of Manchester (1626), Viscount Mandeville and Baron Montagu of Kimbolton (1620), a Commander in the Royal Navy, and Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Armagh. His Grace was born at Kimbolton Castle on the 9th July, 1799, the elder son of William the fifth Duke, by Lady Susan Gordon, third daughter of Alexander fourth Duke of Gordon, K.T. He entered the navy on the 19th Feb. 1812, as a volunteer on board the Antelope 50, Capt. James Carpenter, bearing the flag of Sir John Thomas Duckworth at Newfoundland. In Feb. 1813, he joined the San Josef 110, flag-ship of Sir Richard King in the Mediterranean ; where, in Jan. 1814, he became midshipman of l'Aigle 36, Capt. Sir John Louis, with whom he continued to serve in the Scamander and Forth frigates, on the Home and Halifax stations, until transferred in Sept. 1818, to the Larne 20, then at Jamaica. He was promoted Nov. 20,1818, to a Lieutenancy in the Confiance sloop, also in the West Indies, and in Feb. 1819, removed to the Sybille 44, the flag-ship of Sir Home Popham on the same station. On the 22d of March, 1821, he was appointed to the Medina 20, and on the 30th Oct. following, to the Rochfort 80. Altogether he served for eleven years on full pay, and was promoted to the rank of Commander July 19, 1822. Lord Mandeville's entrance into political life was remarkable as being the means of ejecting Lord John Russell from the representation of Huntingdonshire, for which his Lordship had sat (together with Mr. Fellowes) during the parliament of 1820-26. This took place at the general election of 1826, when the polling was for Lord Mandeville 968 Wm. H. Fellowes, esq. . . .911 Lord John Russell .... 858 In 1830 Mr. Rooper was proposed on the Whig interest, but without success— Lord Mandeville 1068 Lord Strathaven 990 John Bonfoy Rooper, esq. . . 804 In 1831, on the eve of the Reform bill, the result was different, but Lord Mandeville maintained his seat— John Bonfoy Rooper, esq. . . 841 Lord Mandeville 812 Lord Strathaven 573 In 1832 and 1835 Lord Mandeville and Mr. Rooper were re-elected. At the dissolution of 1837 his Lordship resigned his seat. He succeeded to the peerage on the death of his father March 18, 1843. The duke never took an active part in politics ; but whenever a vote was to be given in support of the Protestant interests of the country, or of our Protestant constitution, the Duke of Manchester's name was sure to be found in the division lists. The duke was the author of several publications, some published with his name, others anonymously. One of the most remarkable of the latter was "The Harmony of the Four Gospels." It was an unpretending little pamphlet, but it was considered particularly happy in reconciling what appear to be discrepancies between the Evangelists ; and several professors at our universities have, in consequence of the publication, altered their teaching, and rendered it in conformity with the Duke's views. His other works were :— Horse Hebraicee ; an attempt to discover how the argument of the Epistle to the Hebrews must have been understood by those therein addressed, with appendices on Messiah's Kingdom, Sec. 1835. 8vo. Things hoped for : the doctrine of the Second Advent, as embodied in the standards of the Church of England. 1837. Hvo. The Times of Daniel, chronological and prophetical, examined with relation to the point of contact between Sacred and Profane Chronology. 1845. Bvo. The Finished Mystery; to which is added an examination of Mr. Brown on the Second Advent. 1847. 8vo. 1 Corinthians xv. 28, a fragment. 1853. Notes upon Daniel viii. and ix. 1853. All these works show great diligence, profound thought, and wide reading. His views on prophecy agreed with the Futurist party. By the Duke's death the Protestant cause has lost one of its most valued and important leaders. Till within about two months of his death his Grace was at the head of the National Club, having occupied that post from its first foundation. During the time when the committee were actively engaged in resisting the encroachments of Rome, whether attempted from the Vatican, or by the Romish priesthood and its parliamentary representatives in the United Kingdom, the Duke took his part in its labours, and by his judicious

His Grace, The Seventh Duke of Manchester, William Drogo Montagu, Titles: 1823-1843 Lord Kimbolton 1843 Viscount Mandeville 1855 7th Duke of Manchester Birth: 15 Oct 1823 Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdonshire Death: 21 Mar 1890 Hotel Royal Naples Campania Italy Parents: 1st son of George Montagu, 6th Duke of Manchester, a Commander in the Royal Navy, and Lady Millicent Sparrow, daughter of General Robert Bernard Sparrow, of Brampton Park Huntingdonshire and the Lady Olivia B Acheson eldest daughter of the 1st earl of Gosford. Marriage: 22 Jul 1852 the Countess Louise Fredericka Augusta von Alten, 2nd daughter of Count Charles Francis Victor von Alten, of Hanover. The Duchess of Manchester was sympathetic to the Evangelicals at court; but had an affair with Lord Hartington, brother-in-law to Lucy Lyttelton (see George Lyttelton). Education: Royal Military College, Sandhurst; Cambridge LLD 1864

Alexander Montagu Sir Charles Montagu, founder of the Bank of England, poet, First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, President of the Royal Society and the founder of the Bank of England (son of The Honourable George Montagu MP, Master of the Royal Foundation of St Katherine, and grandson of Sir Henry Montagu, The 1st Earl of Manchester KB PC KS KC, Guardian of the Realm, Lord Chief Justice, Lord High Treasurer, Lord President of the Council, Lord Privy Seal, Lord Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire and High Steward of the of Cambridge)

Early records of the Duke of Manchester's English manorial estates, by Charles Gervaise Boxall. Includes, facsimiles from records dating from the Domesday Book, 1085-6 to the Grant of Kimbolton to Sir Richard Wingfield and his male heirs in the first quarter of the 16th century. "Privately printed."

	London : Printed by Eyre and Spottiswoods, 1892.
	Manchester, William Angus Drogo Montagu, >  9th Duke of, >  1877-1947.

The Tenth Duchess of Manchester, Nell Vere Stead loved Kenya and preserved the Wildlife there. Kenya was her home as well as All the Dukes and Duchess of Manchester for Centuries. Nell Vere stead and the Tenth Duke of Manchester were married 50 years until Nells death in 1966 they traveled extensively all over the World. They sailed on there Yacht Le Voyageur!

HER GRACE,
THE MOST NOBEL NELL VERE STEAD, The tenth Duchess of Manchester. 
Notice is hereby given pursuant to section 29
Of the trustee act.  (Cap 167). That any person having claim or a interest in THE ESTATE OF THE MOST NOBEL NELL VERE STEAD. DUCHESS OF MANCHESTER, of Kapasrwa Estate. Hoey's bridge and of Hillsborough California United States of America, who died on September 2nd 1966, Is Hereby required to send particulars in writing of his claim in writing to Messers.  Shaw and Carruthers  advocates of PO BOX 112, Eldoret on or the 31st Day of March 1967, after which date the  executors will distribute the Estate among the persons entitled. Thereto having reguard only to the claims and interest of which it has had notice and will not as respects the property so be distributed be liable  to any person of Claim it shall not have notice. 
Eldoret January, 1967

SHAW AND CRUTHERS Advocates for the Executors  PO BOX 112, Eldoret.

The Duke of Manchester,Kapsimotwa Estate, P.O. Box 9, HoeysBridge ; Trans Nzoia District.

The 13th Duke of Manchester at his family seat kimbolton Castle.

The Tenth Duke of Manchester, loved and lived many years in Kenya. KENYA Award colonial special constabulary medal regulations 1958 Pursuant to the provisions of the Royal Warrent Dated April 1st 1957 And the Colonial Special Constabulary Medal Regulations, 1958. His Excellancy the Governor has been pleased to Award the Colonial Special constabulary Medal to the following: 1). Rouldoph Ebineaser Mason Anderson 2). Jan Allen 3). Abdul Mohamad lakhoo 4). Anvarli Mohamedali 5). Ardeshir Dhunjbhoy Godrej 6). Raymond Coverdale 7). George Moir Crabb 8). Cristiovam Luis Jose Sequeria 9). Anthony Christopher lepel Glass 10). Terance Roland Glancy 11). Hayat Mohamad 12). Eric Burchmer Hutton 13). Ian Leslie Hayworth Roberts 14). Vernon Ewart Kirkland 15). John Knowles 16). Jeoffery William Campbell Lincolin Gordon 17). Keith Rutherford McCormick 18). Marcus de la hey Moores 19). Amirali Abdullah Normohamad 20). David Osborne 21). Anthony Ernest Cromwell Prescott 22). Peter Olof Rundgren 23). Walter Susskind 24). George Degorie Seccombe 25). Noel Murray Simon 26). John Murray Start 27). Wellington Shume Munga 28). George William Ulyate 29). John Honor Warren-Gash 30). The Duke of Manchester Dated The 18th day of January 1960, By the command of the Governor. A.C.C SWANN Minister of internal Security and Defense.

The Kenya Police Reserve,
Appointments,
Deputy provisional Comandmmdant, Bridagier P.S
District Commandants,
Mr AE Dorman (27th May 1953).
Major C. E Onslow MC (2nd June, 1953).
LT- Comander, His Grace, the Duke of Manchester
W.I. LANE for Comissioner of Police