It was created for the first time in 1621 for Francis Norris, 1st Earl of Berkshire.

His mother was Katherine, daughter of Sir Henry Knyvett of Charlton in Wiltshire.

He had already in 1640 been summoned to the House of Lords through a writ of acceleration in his father's junior title of Baron Howard of Charlton.

He had no sons and on his death in 1679 the titles passed to his younger brother, the third Earl.

He also died without male issue and was succeeded by his great-nephew, the fourth Earl.