Brook Bridges, 1st Baron FitzWalter


Brook William Bridges, 1st Baron FitzWalter, known as Sir Brook Bridges, Bt, between 1829 and 1868, was a British peer and Conservative politician.

Background

Born at Goodnestone, Kent, FitzWalter was the eldest son of Sir Brook William Bridges, 4th Baronet, and Eleanor, daughter of John Foote. He was educated at Winchester and Oriel College, Oxford.

Political career

In 1841 FitzWalter claimed the ancient barony of FitzWalter, which had been in abeyance since 1756, as a descendant of Mary, sister of Benjamin Mildmay, 17th Baron FitzWalter. However, the House of Lords decided against terminating the abeyance in his favour. In February 1852 FitzWalter was elected to the House of Commons for Kent East, but lost the seat already in July the same year. He reclaimed the seat in 1857, and held it until 1868. The latter year he was created Baron FitzWalter, of Woodham Walter in the County of Essex.

Family

In 1834, Lord FitzWalter married his first cousin, Fanny, daughter of Lewis Cage and Fanny Bridges of Milgate Park, Kent. They had no children. She died in October 1874. Lord FitzWalter survived her by just over a year and died at Goodnestone Park, Goodnestone, in December 1875, aged 74. The barony became extinct on his death while he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his younger brother, Reverend George Bridges. The original barony of FitzWalter was called out of abeyance in 1924 in favour of Lord FitzWalter's great-nephew, Henry Fitzwalter Plumptre.