Henry Belasyse, 2nd Earl Fauconberg

Fauconberg was the son of Thomas Belasyse, 1st Earl Fauconberg and Catherine Betham.^[2]

He sat as a Member of Parliament for Peterborough from 1768 to 1774 as a member of the Whigs. Following his succession to his father's title in 1774, Fauconberg assumed his seat in the House of Lords. He was a Lord of the Bedchamber from 1777 until his death in 1802, and was Custos Rotulorum and Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire over the same period.^[2] In 1779 he raised a Yorkshire regiment of fencible infantry, 'Lord Fauconberg's Regiment' or 'Fauconberg's Fencibles' of which he was Colonel. They were disbanded in 1783.^[3] He was also commissioned as colonel of the North York Militia on 18 November 1779 and remained in command until he resigned on grounds of ill health 25 May 1797.^[4]

On 29 May 1766, he married the Hon. Charlotte Lamb, the daughter of Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet and sister of Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne. Together they had four daughters:

• Lady Anne Belasyse (1760–1808), married Sir George Wombwell, 2nd Baronet in 1791 and had issue.
• Lady Charlotte Belasyse (1767–1825), married Thomas Edward Belasyse-Wynn. No issue.
• Lady Elizabeth Belasyse (1770–1819), married firstly Bernard Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk in 1789 and had issue. Married secondly Richard Bingham, 2nd Earl of Lucan in 1794 and had issue.
• Lady Harriet Belasyse (1776– died young).

On 5 January 1791 he married Jane Cheshyre, daughter of John Cheshyre, Esq., of Bennington co. Hertford. She died 4 April 1820 and they had no children.^[5]

As Fauconberg had no sons, his earldom became extinct upon his death. He was succeeded by his cousin, Rowland Belasyse, in his viscountcy and barony.^[5] Through his wife he was the uncle of the Whig Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne.