James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, was the son of Robert Lowther and Catherine Pennington. He was born on 5th August 1736 and grew up to be a very strange and notorious character.
In his middle years he was decorated with many noble titles including Baron Lowther, of Lowther, Baron of Kendal and the 1st Earl of Lonsdale.
At the age of 56, Lowther’s arrogance led to a major dispute during some riots in London. Captain Cuthbert, of the Guards, refused to allow Lowther’s carriage to pass through Mount Street, where the rioting had taken place. Lowther was affronted by this and asked Cuthbert, “Don’t you know who I am?” This led to an angry exchange of words which resulted in Lowther challenging Cuthbert to a duel. The two men fired their pistols at each other, and despite a pistol ball passing through Cuthbert’s coat neither man was injured. They even managed to conclude the duel with a handshake.
Wicked Jimmy
His reputation wasn’t helped when William Wordsworth’s father sued him for £5000 that the Earl owed him.
Variously known as the ‘Bad Earl’, the Gloomy Earl, ‘Jimmy Graspall’ and Wicked Jimmy, Lowther was married twice and had a string of mistresses. However, he fell in love with the beautiful daughter of one of his tenants and she became his mistress. He kept her in a luxurious lifestyle on his Hampshire estate but sadly she missed her family and humble background so much she died of a broken heart.
Wicked Jimmy couldn’t bear to be apart from his mistress. Legend has it that he kept her body dressed, either sitting at the dining table or lying in bed. The smell became so unbearable she was eventually placed in a glass topped coffin that was kept in a cupboard. Her final resting place was a cemetery in Paddington, London.
Lowther’s own death was a strange affair. He died on 24th May 1802. at his funeral, when his coffin was being lowered into the ground the earth shook so violently that the vicar almost tumbled to the ground…
such was the power of Jimmy’s wicked spirit!
One of his descendants, the fourth Earl, St George Henry Lowther (1855 – 1882) helped establish the rules of boxing. As head of the National Sporting Club he founded and presented the Lonsdale belts for boxing. So the family name lives on.
Tasting Notes
A coppery, hoppy bitter at 3.6% Abv with creamy head and fruity aroma from Bramling Cross hops.