Baron Cobham

The title Baron Cobham has been created numerous times in the Peerage of England; often multiple creations have been extant simultaneously, especially in the fourteenth century. The earliest creation was in 1313 for Henry de Cobham, who hailed from the county of Kent. The eleventh baron was attainted in 1603, but the peerage became abeyant instead of becoming extinct. In 1916, the attainder was removed and abeyance terminated in favor of the fifteenth baron. Note that the twelfth through fourteenth barons never actually held the title. This creation became abeyant again in 1951.

In 1324, Sir Ralph de Cobham was summoned to parliament as Baron Cobham, but this creation became extinct roughly a year later on his death. In 1326, Sir Stephen de Cobham was summoned to parliament, again as Baron Cobham. This Cobham came from Rundale, and was apparently of no relation to Sir Ralph. This creation became abeyant no later than 1429. A further creation came in 1342, when Reginald de Cobham was summoned to parliament. However, this creation became extinct on the death of the second baron in 1403.

There was not another creation until 1645, when John Brooke was created Baron Cobham, but this title became extinct upon his death in 1660.

There was final creation in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1714 for Richard Temple, who was created Viscount Cobham four years later, with which the barony has remained merged. He was grandson of Sir Peter Temple, 2nd Baronet and his wife Christian, daughter of Sir John Leveson and his wife Frances, daughter of Sir Thomas Sondes and his wife Margaret, daughter of the tenth Baron Cobham.