George Clifford, 3rd Earl Of Cumberland

Sir George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, 13th Baron de Clifford, and 13th Lord of Skipton, was born on 8 August 1558 at Brougham Castle in Westmorland, England. He was the son of Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland, and Anne Dacre, daughter of William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre. Upon his father's death in January 1570, Clifford succeeded as Earl of Cumberland and Baron de Clifford at the age of 12. His wardship and marriage were granted by Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, who arranged for Clifford to marry Lady Margaret Russell in 1577, a union that was planned during their infancy.

Clifford’s early life was centered around court, where he gained a reputation for his skill in jousting, especially during the Accession Day Tilts, which were significant annual events at Queen Elizabeth I's court. He was known for his personal appearance, courtly dress, and participation in knightly exercises. He built Londesborough Hall in 1589, in East Riding of Yorkshire, although he neglected his northern estates, including Brougham Castle, which was eventually abandoned. A courtier of considerable presence, Clifford was described as handsome, active, and accomplished in martial pursuits. Despite his courtly reputation, he was known to be a gambler and a spendthrift, and his personal life included periods of separation from his wife.

In 1592, Clifford was appointed as Queen Elizabeth's second Champion, succeeding Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley. A portrait miniature by Nicholas Hilliard, circa 1590, depicts him in tilting attire with a favor from the Queen, emphasizing his status. That same year, he was invested as a Knight of the Garter. Clifford participated actively in naval and military expeditions, particularly during the Anglo-Spanish War. In 1588, he commanded the galleon Elizabeth Bonaventure in the conflict and was involved in notable engagements such as the Battle of Berlengas Islands in 1591, and the Battle of Flores in 1592, during which the Portuguese ship Madre de Deus was captured. His naval career included expeditions to the Azores, and he gained fame for briefly capturing Fort San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during an attack in 1598. His ventures often involved considerable personal risk and effort, and he invested in building his own ship, the Scourge of Malice.

Clifford’s life was characterized by a love of adventure and risk-taking, including involvement in piracy, which later drew scrutiny. In 1599, the Admiralty Court investigated allegations that the vessel Swann, a pirate ship, was owned by him, although no action was definitively recorded. His naval activities were complemented by his participation in courtly life, including his presence at the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots.

In his personal life, Clifford married Lady Margaret Russell in 1577. They had children, but both of his sons, Robert and Francis, died young before age five. His only surviving child was Lady Anne Clifford, born on 30 January 1590, who became suo jure 14th Baroness de Clifford and was the primary heiress. Clifford's estates and titles became subjects of lengthy legal disputes upon his death, primarily due to his daughter's inheritance rights and the restrictions on female inheritance under his patent. He died on 30 October 1605 at the duchy house of the Savoy in London. His remains were embalmed and interred in the family vault at Skipton Castle in Yorkshire, where a black marble altar tomb was erected by his daughter. An additional monument is located in Holy Trinity Church, Skipton.

The title of Baron de Clifford, originally created in 1299, was inherited by his daughter after a prolonged legal process, which was ultimately concluded in 1678 when Nicholas Tufton, 3rd Earl of Thanet, was recognized as the fifteenth Baron de Clifford.