Baron Lavenham

The title Baron Lavenham, in the County of Suffolk, is one derived from the ancient title of the Lords of the Manor of Lavenham in the Peerage of England, held by the Spring family since the early middle ages. It was created in 1641 for William Spring, High Sheriff of Suffolk and a great-great-grandson of Thomas Spring III, by Charles I. William, heir to the family fortune which had been made in the cloth and wool trade, provided large amounts of money for the King during the Civil War, and was rewarded for his loyalty with the title. He was the first to be styled Lord Lavenham.
The patent creating the original barony was lost, so it was assumed that the barony was created by writ, meaning that it could descend to heirs-general, and not only heirs-male. However, several authorities, including Burke's Peerage, agreed that the assumption was erroneous, and that the original creation was by patent.
Upon the death of the death of William, 1st Baron, on 4th December in 1688, the title passed to the eldest of his three children, also William. He died childless in 1693, and so the title passed to his nephew Robert, who became 3rd Baron Lavenham. He was in the Diplomatic Service and like his uncle, died childless. The title almost became extinct, however William Spring V, the only son of the 2nd Baron’s sister, became baron. His descendents have held the title ever since.
The family home is currently Bidenly Hall in Suffolk, seat of the barons since the 7th Baron bought the property in 1845.
Barons Lavenham
*William Spring III, 1st Baron Lavenham (1601-1688)
*William Spring IV, 2nd Baron Lavenham (1634-1693)
*Robert Spring, 3rd Baron Lavenham (c.1662-1728)
*William Spring V, 4th Baron Lavenham (1696-1735)
*John Spring III, 5th Baron Lavenham (c.1726-1807)
*Henry Spring, 6th Baron Lavenham (1762-1812)
*Henry Spring II, 7th Baron Lavenham (1805-1882)
*Basil Spring, 8th Baron Lavenham (1834-1914)
*Michael Philip Spring, 9th Baron Lavenham (1859-1916)
*Thomas Alexander Leigh Spring, 10th Baron Lavenham (1892-1960)
*Anthony Alexander Gregory Spring, 11th Baron Lavenham (b.1928)
The Heir Apparent is the present holder’s son Hon. Hugh Spring (b.1958)

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