JOHN BEAUFORT
The eldest son of John of Gaunt was created Marquess of Dorset in 1397.
EDMUND BEAUFORT (d.1455)
John's brother, was created Earl of Dorset in 1442.
THOMAS GREY, Lord Ferrers (d.1455), 2nd Marquess of Dorset
The stepson of Edward IV and an opponent of Richard II, was created Marquess of Dorset in 1475.
HENRY, (d.1455), 3rd Marquess of Dorset
Thomas's grandson, Henry was created Duke of Suffolk in 1551, but beheaded for his participation in the Wyat rebellion of 1554 and the title became extinct.
THOMAS SACKVILLE, Lord Buckhurst, (c.1530 - 1608), 1st Earl of Dorset
Sackville was created Earl of Dorset in 1604 and was Lord Treasurer under James I. He wrote A Mirror for Magistrates and, with Norton, the first English tragedy (Gorbudoc, or Ferrex and Porrex, published in 1560).
CHARLES SACKVILLE, (1638 - 1706), 6th Earl of Dorset
A courtier in the time of Charles II, he is reputed (by Samuel Pepys) to have lured Nell Gwyn from the theatre. A patron of literature, he is remembered for the poem To All You Ladies now on Land which he wrote during the Dutch War of 1665.
LIONEL CRANFIELD SACKVILLE, (1688 - 1765)
his son, was created Duke of Dorset in 1720.
CHARLES SACKVILLE GERMAIN, (d.1843), 5th Duke of Dorset
On the death of the fifth duke, the title became extinct.
