king's favour. He was elevated to the peerage as Baron Gerard of Gerards Bromley. He was named as one of 13 peers allowed to enter the privy chamber. The king even visited Gerard's substantial house at Gerrard's Bromley. Another more frequent visitor was Robert Cecil, with whom Gerard pursued their interest in falconry. In 1616 Gerard was appointed president of the Council of Wales and the Marches, which was based in Ludlow and had overall supervision of government in Wales, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. He also became Lord Lieutenant of Wales, a post associated with the presidency of the council. However, it appears that the office was essentially honorary. He stayed in London and did not exercise his authority in the field, resigning in 1617. In fact, Gerard suspected his life was nearing its end and made his will on 6 October 1617. He now owned a very large amount of landed property and goods. He made large bequests to his younger sons, William and John, but mentioned nothing specific for his heir, Gilbert. His second wife was well provided for and he made smaller but still substantial bequests, including £50 for his servant Edward Lloyd. He asked for Christian burial, in the night without a funeral, in the chancel at Ashley, Staffordshire, a village about half a mile from Gerrard's Bromley, where his father had been buried. He died on 15 January 1618 and was buried in accordance with his wishes. A life-sized effigy, in a kneeling position, was placed behind his parents' tomb in the church. Marriages and family Gerard married twice: Alice, daughter of Sir Thomas Rivet of Chippenham, was his first wife. They had three sons: Gilbert, Thomas's heir, who became the 2nd Baron Gerard (died 1622). He married Eleanor, daughter and heiress of Thomas Dutton of Dutton, Cheshire. They had children of whom four survived him. Dutton (1613-1640), who became 3rd Baron Gerard, married firstly, after 18 May 1625, Lady Mary Fane (1606-1634), daughter of Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland. Secondly, he married, on 21 August 1636, Lady Elisabeth O'Brien (d. 1656-1659), daughter of Henry O'Brien, 5th Earl of Thomond. Alice, who married Roger Owen. Frances (d. 1636), who married Robert Needham, 3rd Viscount Kilmorey (d. 1657), son of Robert Needham, 2nd Viscount Kilmorey. Elizabeth (d. 1679), who married, on 6 November 1642, Sir Peter Leycester, 1st Baronet of Nether Tablery, Cheshire. William.