On the death of his father on 17 November 1706, he succeeded to the baronetcy and inherited a life interest in the Briton Ferry estate.[1] On account of the death of his father, as well as the death of his cousin Thomas Mansel II, he was largely inactive in the period 1706 to 1707. From 1710 to 1711 he was a Commissioner of the Treasury. His interests were attracted by the South Sea Company and Royal African Company.[2]
On 1 January 1712, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Mansel of Margam, and vacated his seat in the House of Commons to sit in the House of Lords. [4] From 1712 to 1714, he was Teller of the Exchequer[5] and from 1714 to 1715 he was Vice-Admiral of South Wales and Governor of Milford Haven. He also held the office of Chamberlain of South Wales from circa 1714. Mansel reduced his participation in politics in 1715, with a proxy attending Parliament in his stead.[2]
Death and legacy
Mansel died on 10 December 1723 and was buried at Margam.[6] He and his wife had six children.
Robert Mansel MP (1695–1723), who married Anne Shovell, daughter of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Cloudesley Shovell, and predeceased his father by a few months
Known for his amorous exploits, Mansel had three illegitimate children by Mrs. Catherine Thomas of Margam at Penrice Castle. One daughter, Elizabeth, married Edward Hancorne, son of Thomas Hancorne, who was agent and solicitor to Lord Mansel.[2]
^Holmes, 264; Boyer, Anne Annals, ix. App. p. 60; Jenkins, 69, 150–4, 201; Beaufort mss at Badminton House, Beaufort to James Gunter*, 10 Jan. 1712; Swift Stella, i. 201, 228–9, 245, 247; ii. 464, 524; Hervey Letter Bks. i. 289; J. Steegman, Portraits in Welsh Houses, ii. 113–14; Orig. Pprs. ed. Macpherson, ii. 631; Feiling, 470.