_Coronet._--That of a Baron. _Supporters._--2 lions erm., each charged on the neck with a fess dancetty vert. _Motto._--PRODESSE QUAM CONSPICI. [_Common Prayer._ Oxford, 1700.] [Illustration] _Variety._--Used between 1688 and 1697. _Arms._--Vert, a fess dancetty erm. _Crest._--A coat of mail hanging on a laurel tree ppr. _Helmet._--That of a Knight. [ECHARD. _Roman History._ London, 1695.] John Somers (born 4th March 1650, died 26th April 1716) was son of John Somers of Clifton-on-Severn. He was educated at Worcester and Oxford, and became a Bencher of the Middle Temple in 1689. Mr. Somers became Solicitor-General in 1688, when he received the honour of Knighthood, and he represented Worcester in Parliament. Sir John was sworn of the Privy Council in 1693, and shortly afterwards was made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Speaker of the House of Lords, and Lord Chancellor. In 1697 he was created Baron Somers of Evesham. Lord Somers was President of the Royal Society. In 1701 he was impeached in the Commons for various supposed misdemeanours, but the charge was dismissed. The Barony of Somers became extinct at John Somers' death in 1716, but it was revived in 1784 in the person of Charles Cocks of Castleditch, M.P. for Reigate, who was a descendant of a sister of the first Lord. [Illustration] SPENCER, CHARLES, THIRD EARL OF SUNDERLAND _Arms._--Quarterly; arg. and gu., on the second and third quarters a fret or, over all on a bend sa., 3 escallops of the first. _Spencer._ _Motto._--DIEV DEFENDE LE DROICT. _Note._--Used before 1702. [CAMDEN. _Britain._ London, 1637.] [Illustration] _Crest._--Out of a ducal coronet or, a griffin's head arg., gorged gu., between 2 wings expanded of the second. _Spencer._ Charles Spencer (born c. 1674, died 19th April 1722) was the son of Robert Spencer, second Earl of Sunderland, and succeeded his father in 1702. He was from an early age a great lover and collector of books, which he kept at Althorp. In 1695 he was Member of Parliament for Tiverton; in 1706 he was a Secretary of State for the Southern Department, and became of much political importance as a Whig leader. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1714. In 1715 Lord Sunderland was made Lord Privy Seal, and shortly afterwards Vice-Treasurer of Ireland. He also held the posts of Groom of the Stole and Gentleman of the Bedchamber to George I. Lord Sunderland was a great book collector, and a rival in this respect to most of his contemporaries. He was a great gambler, and his library was at one time pledged to the Duke of Marlborough, and in 1749 it was removed to Blenheim. The library was sold in 1881, and the books belonging to it were widely dispersed.