CRAVEN, William (c. 1700-39)

Craven succeeded to the title while still at school. His precise date of birth is not certain but at least one newspaper reporting his succession described him as being ‘about 12 years of age’ at the time. Post Boy, 11-13 Oct. 1711. During his minority management of the orphaned peer’s estates was exercised by his aunt, Elizabeth Craven, though he seems also to have come under the influence of his uncle and guardian, Sir Fulwar Skipwith^‡. His inclusion in a list of May 1712 as having voted in favour of the opposition-inspired address to overturn the ‘restraining orders’ preventing James Butler, 2nd duke of Ormond, from waging an offensive campaign against the French must be an error. C. Jones, ’The Vote in the House of Lords’, PH, xxvi. 177-81. The following year, the support of Craven’s tenants (through Skipwith’s mediation) was sought for the Whig Henry Newport* , styled Lord Newport (later 3rd earl of Bradford), during the latter’s successful campaign to secure re-election for Shropshire in 1713, though it seems more likely that the Craven interest would have backed the Tory candidates. Staffs. RO, D1287/18/15, Sir J. to Sir O. Bridgeman, 3 Jan. 1713. During the same election Skipwith secured his own return at Coventry thanks, largely, to the employment of Craven’s interest there on his behalf. In March Craven may have been one of a party including the lord treasurer, Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, and other members of Oxford’s family hosted by Rev. Henry Brydges, brother of James Brydges, later duke of Chandos. SCLA, DR 671/89, Brydges Diary, 24 Mar. 1713.

During his short career in the House Craven espoused the Tory interest and, perhaps reflecting his own experience as someone orphaned early in life, he was also one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Foundling Hospital. Although he died before its inauguration, his role was recognized by his inclusion among the list of founding governors. Full details of his post-1714 career will be covered in the next part of this work. On his death in 1739 without direct heirs, Craven’s barony descended to his younger brother.