Edward Herbert, Viscount Clive of Powis Castle (1785-1848)

Born as Edward Clive, he changed his name in order to inherit the Powis estates as part of the terms of his uncle's will. His father Lord Clive was made earl of Powis and the estates were managed by him until the son came of age in 1806. At the time of the trial of the "Newtown Three", Edward Herbert was the M.P. for Ludlow - a seat he was to hold until inheriting the earldom in 1839 - while his father was a Tory peer and opponent of the 1832 Reform Bill in the House of Lords. In other words, although not yet the earl, he was the landlord of the Powis estates.

Lord Clive spent his own money on public works like improvements to the Welshpool parish church and the town halls of Welshpool and Montgomery. He was Lord-lieutenant for Montgomeryshire and Chairman of the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company. He led the opposition to the movement to amalgamate the sees of Bangor and St. Asaph in 1846, and the following year narrowly missed being elected Chancellor of Cambridge University when he was defeated by Prince Albert. He died in 1848 after a tragic shooting accident at Powis Castle, when he was shot by one of his own sons and died a few days later. (This son was apparently afterwards known to other members of the family by the nickname of "Bag Dad".)

For more information on the other JPs in the case, click here:
The Reverend G.A. Evors
The Rt. Hon. Charles Watkins Williams Wynn

Or,

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Text and documentation supplied by Powys County Council Archive Department