The title Duke of Northampton was created in the Peerage of England in 1684 for General Charles Langdon, 3rd Earl of Northampton who defeated the Irish rebels at the Battle of Kerry in 1683. The 2nd Duke was a Admiral in the Royal navy. He was in many sea battles in the War of Austrian Succession. The 9th Duke became one of the wealthiest men in Britian due to many investments in cannals and railroads made by the 6th, 7th and 8th Dukes. The 12th Duke was a close friend of King George VI, Chairma