Courcy & Kingsale

• Introduction
• Lodge's Peerage of Ireland
• The MacLysaght pedigree
• Debrett's
• Current Peer and collateral branches
• Controversies

INTRODUCTION

The de Courcy family holds the Barony of Kingsale. Although there is some controversy over its exact origin and the number of peers, there is universal acknowledgement that Kingsale is the premier barony of Ireland. The four main sources of reference are Lodge’s Peerage of Ireland, the MacLysaght pedigree registered at the Irish Genealogical Office, the Betham pedigree from the British Museum, and Debrett's. Lodge's pedigree is reproduced in full and the others are summarised below. There is also a section looking at the various points of controversy in the Kingsale pedigree and a further section on sources and suggested reading.

The exact number of titleholders is the most obvious point of contention.  According to Lodge's pedigree, the present holder would be the 36th Lord Kingsale.  On MacLysaght's reckoning (he leaves out Edmund, Lodge's 4th peer), the present Baron would be the 35th.  Debrett's list of titleholders, however, does not begin until Lodge's 6th (MacLysaght's 5th), making the present peer the 31st holder of the title.

LODGE'S PEERAGE OF IRELAND (Dublin, 1789)

Lodge's descriptions of the history of the de Courcy family in Europe before its arrival in England and of the career of Sir John de Courcy are reproduced, respectively, in the "Origins" and the "Sir John de Courcy" sections of this website.  This section on the Barony of Kingsale includes Lodge's research from the death of Sir John up until the time of the 26th Baron, John de Courcy, who succeeded to the title in 1776:

[Sir John de Courcy] married Africa, daughter of Godred III (made King of the Isle of Man and the western isles of Scotland in 1144, King of Dublin in 1147, and died in November 1187, descended from Godred, the son of Styric, who by the Danes, Norwegians, and other people of the North, who had taken the Isle of Man from the King of Northumberland, was ordained the first King thereof in the year 1065, and died the year after) and by her he had Miles (Milo) his successor [13] who was kept out of the earldom of Ulster by Hugh de Lacie, to whom King John had granted it upon his father's apprehension; and when he claimed the earldom as heir to his father (which further confirms him to be his lawful son) Lacie replied, that he would maintain the King's grant of it to himself, since Earl John never returned to make the claim in person; and Lacie being then much esteemed by the King, and very powerful in Ireland, Miles was forced to drop his pretensions; but to make some requital, King Henry III conferred on him the barony of Kingsale, to hold per integram Baroniam, and confirmed all the lands of Ulster to Lacie by patent, dated 29 May 1223, 7 of his reign: After which, Miles, by his tenure being obliged to reside in Ireland, neglected to claim the barony of Stoke-Courcy, and dying not long after, was succeeded by his son.

Patrick, the second Baron, who 17 July 1221 (5 Henry III) was joined in a commission, dated at Westminster, with Thomas Fitz-Anthony, the Kings of Conaught, Leinster, and Munster, and divers of the nobility, empowering them to remove Sir Geoffry de Marisco from the office of LJ, and to substitute in his room Henry de Launders, Archbishop of Dublin [14]. - He married the daughter and heir of Miles de Cogan, one of the first and principal reducers of Ireland [15], by whom he left Nicholas de Courcy, the third Lord, who divided the chief-rents of his barony of Kingsale with the Bishop of Cork [16], and by Mabella his wife (who after married Symon de Cantilupe) and had issue three sons, Edmond, the fourth Lord, who had letters of credence from Edward I, dated by the King at Morpeth, 23 February, 30 Edward I, concerning his Scottish war, together with Richard de Burgo Earl of Ulster, Maurice Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond, John de Barry, Robert Perceval, Reginald de Dene, and other Peers of Ireland, to attend him about the end of harvest in that expedition, [17] but his Lordship dying without issue, was succeeded by his brother John, the fifth Lord, who with his brother Patrick and most of their followers, were slain in the island of Inchidwiny, in the year 1295 (but rather in 1301) by Daniel Oge Mac-Carthy Reagh, and the Irish of Carbery, whereby great part of the estate was lost to the family.

His son Miles succeeding, was the sixth Lord of Kingsale, lived in the reigns of Edward II and III; and by Johanna his wife, who survived him, [18] he had three sons, the two youngest of whom were slain in 1339, with David de Courcy [19] and other nobles, and Miles, the eldest, became the seventh Lord. – He was present in the Parliament, holden at Dublin 13 Edward III, sitting as the first Baron of the kingdom; and received a summons from the King, dated 10 July 1344, to attend him with ten men at arms, and thirty hobelars at Portsmouth, to fight Philip of France, for his breach of the truce between the two kingdoms; [20] after which service he overthrew Florence Mac-Carthy More, with his numerous followers, in a battle near Ring-Rone, driving them into the river of Bandon, where Mac-Carthy, and many of them were drowned. His wife was Honora O’Brien, and he died in 1358 (32 Edward III) leaving

John de Courcy, the eighth Lord, then under age, who dying about the 10 year of Richard II 1387, was succeeded by his son William, the ninth Lord, to whom that King in 1397 (20 Richard II) granted a special licence, by write of Privy Seal, to purchase a ship, to pass and repass therein, betwixt England and France, whenever he pleased [21]; and by patent, dated at Westminster 1 January that year, gave to him (by the name of William Courcy, Chivalier) and Margaret his wife, a pension of 100l a year, issuing out of the Exchequer, during their respective lives, in consideration of their good services to him and his Queen Isabella. He had also the grant of a licence, 2 April 1399, to import into England or Ireland 2000 bushels of corn, custom free, to be sold for the king’s use, and by the letters patent of that King received a confirmation of the honours and titles of Baron of Kingsale and Ringrone.

His son and heir Nicholas, the tenth Lord, was living in the reign of Henry IV, whose son Patrick, the eleventh Lord lived in the reigns of Henry V and VI and died 15 Edward IV [22] during the civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, when many English Lords left Ireland to assist their friends in that fatal dispute, and thereby so weakened the country, that the Irish repossessed great part of their lands, Lord Kingsale was driven out of his castle and lands of Kilbriton by Mac-Carthy Reagh. – He founded the convent of Augustine Friars in the city of Cork, and left issue two sons, Nicholas, his heir; and Edmund a Fransican Friar and professor of divinity, who was advanced to the See of Clogher 18 June 1484, and consecrated the ensuing year. He was highly esteemed for his approved loyalty and fidelity to K Henry VII, whose title and interest he strenuously asserted against Simnel and Warbeck; so that when Sir Richard Edgecombe arrived from the King on the coast of Dublin, in order to settle the country, and take new oaths of allegiance, with ledges from the chief men of the kingdom, this Bishop was the first person sent for, to advise with in his proceedings; and such an opinion was conceived of his inviolable loyalty, from his unexceptional behaviour in those times of danger, that when the new oath was imposed and the pledges required, he was exempted from any such obligation. – He is accounted the first, of English descent, that filled the see of Clogher, from which he was translated to Ross 26 September 1494; and deceasing, in a very advanced age, 14 March 1518, was buried in a monastery of his own order at Tymoleague in the country of Cork, of which he new built the steeple, dormitory, infirmary, and library, by the assistance of his nephew, James, Lord Kingsale, being also in other respects a great benefactor to it.

Nicholas, the twelfth Baron of Kingsale, married Moyria (Mary) daughter of O Mahony, chief of his sept, descended from Corcadius, or Corc, King of Munster in the year 370; and his Lordship dying in February 1474 (15 Edward IV) left issue four sons, viz James, his successor; David, who succeeded his nephew in the title; Nicholas, who married the daughter of O Lerie, and had William and John, who both died without issue; and John, whose only daughter Catharine, was wife to Teige Mac-En-Ostassie, or Ostilesse.

James, the thirteenth Lord, sat in the parliament of 6 Henry VII, and being attached to the House of York, abetted and promoted the designs of Lambert Simnel in Ireland, who being routed at Stoke in the county of Nottingham by the King’s army, on 6 June 1487, he Majesty sent Sir Richard Edgecombe the year after, his commissioner, to take new oaths of allegiance from the Irish, and bind them in recognizances for the performance thereof. He arrived in Kingsale harbour 27 June 1488, where he purported to receive the oaths of fidelity on board his ship, from the inhabitants of that part of the country, and then sail to other places; which being made known, Thomas, Lord Barry, went on board, did homage for his barony, and took the oath; but James, Lord Kingsale, acknowledging no authority to be vested in Sir Richard from the King, until he landed in Ireland, refused to go on board, and so obliged him the next morning to land at Kingsale, when his Lordship, in the chancel of the church, did homage for his barony, and, with the townsmen, took the oath, and entered into the recognizances: Sir Richard in the afternoon set sail towards Waterford, and 5 July arrived at Dublin. – Simnel continuing to disturb the King in England until taken prisoner, confessed the whole imposture, after which his majesty sent for the Irish Lords, to reprove them for their misconduct [23], who being admitted to his presence at Greenwich, he received them into favour and granted them pardons under the Great Seal of England. – He married Ellena, daughter of David (More) Lord Viscount Fermoy, and dying in 1491 (or 1499) had two sons, Edmond, his heir; and Richard, who died before him.

Edmond, the fourteenth Lord, dying without issue, the honour devolved on his uncle David de Courcy, as before observed, the fifteenth Lord, who married Joan, daughter of Edmond Roche Esq uncle to the said Lord Fermoy, who left issue five sons, John, his heir; Edmond, whose grandson John succeeded to the title in 1599; James; Nicholas; and Maurice.

John, the sixteenth Lord Kingsale, was seized of all the honours, manors, royalties, and services of the manor of Ringrone, and died at Downemac-Patrick, other wise the Old Head of Kingsale in 1535, leaving issue by Seyve (Sarah) daughter of Donogh Mc-Carthy of Dowallagh, an only son Gerald, the seventeenth Lord, who commanded an Irish regiment at the siege of Bologne in France, under King Henry VIII and being very influential in reducing the place, he was knighted by the King in the field, under the royal standard and displayed the most distinguished manner of receiving Knighthood; but by his great expenses in serving the Crown he considerably lessened his estate. - He was present in both parliaments of Queen Elizabeth's reign, in 1569 accompanied the L.D. in his Munster expedition; and died in a very advanced age, anno 1599, having issue by his wife Ellen ny-Cormac, daughter of Cormac Mac-Donogh Mac-Carthy of Carbery, and only daughter Mary, married first to Donogh O'Driscol, and secondly to John Galway of Kingsale esq.  His Lordship was succeeded by his second cousin John de Courcy, grandson of Edmond, his father's brother.  Which Edmond Fits-David de Courcy lived at Killnacloane, in the county of Cork, and by Juliana (Shelah) daughter of the Lord Barry of Inishowen, had Edmond Oge of Killnacloane, who married Juliana, daughter of Dermoid Mac-Teige O Hurley, chief of his ancient sept, and was father of the said

John de Courcy, the eighteenth Lord of Kingsale, who in 1601 behaved with great bravery against the Spaniards at the siege of Kingsale, and being in great favour with King James I, was made gentleman of his bedchamber, and procured from his Majesty's Privy Council, a letter dated Wilton 28 October 1603, directing LD Carew, to restore him to certain lands, which the corporation of Kingsale held from him; wherein his Majesty took notice of the antiquity of the family, never blemished with disloyalty, and the services of him and his ancestors to the crown [24].  In regard of which services, nobility, and loyalty (says the King) and because his estate, being decayed by the change of times, was nothing answerable to the dignity of his birth, his Majesty, 6 November 1608, pursuant to Privy Seal from Greenwich 27 May before, for life, from the 1st of that month, granted him a pension of 100l a year, English money [25]; which by Privy Seal, dated 30 January 1611, he ordered to be enlarged to 150l; but no patent for some time after being passed, although the same had been made to him accordingly, the King was further pleased, at the suit of him and his son Gerald, "and especially in consideration of the willing conformity of the said Gerald to the Christian religion, and rites and constitution of the church, established in all his Majesty's domains and kingdoms," in order the LD by Privy Council dated at Westminster 18 February 1614, to grant by letters patent, the pension of 150l a year to the said Gerald the son, during life, for his better maintenance and enablement to do the King service [26], from the feast of St Michael the Arch-Angel, last past [27].

But for as much as the King was informed that the said Gerald, by reason of his continual abode in England, has not had the benefit of his Majesty's said letters in his behalf, was pleased to direct by Privy Seal, dated at Greenwich 28 June 1619, the Lord Deputy to accept a surrender from the said John, Lord Courcy of the said patent and grant of 100l pension, and of his relinquishment and giving up of his interest in the said intended increase and augmentation of 50l; and thereupon to make an effectual grant of one annuity or yearly pension of 150l English, to his said son Gerald, in consideration of his long and faithful services done to the King, to hold from the feast of Michaelmas next ensuing, for his life; Lord Courcy made the surrender of the said pension, accordingly, 28 June 1620, and the patent passed granting the said said pension of 150l a year to his son Gerald, 8 July following. [28]

His Lordship married to his first wife Catherine, daughter of William Cogan Esq by whom he had no issue; and secondly Marcy, daughter of Cornelius of Cormac O Cruley of Carbery in the country of Cork, Esq, chief of his sept, and dying 25 July 1628 [29], was buried in the abbey of Timoleague, having issue one daugher Ellen, married to Randal Hurley of Ballynacargy, Esq and four sons, Gerald, his heir; Edmond, who died childless; Patrick who succeeded to the title; and David, who, against his father's consent, married Abigail, daughter of Mr Coache, merchant of Cork, by whom he had a son Anthony Courcy of Bandon, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Mr Vicary (or Vizard) of Carbery, and had three sons, viz Anthony, who died without issue male; Miles, (who by Elizabeth, daughter to Mr Williams of Rhode Island in North America, left three sons, John, heir apparent to the barony of Kingsale, on failure of issue male in Gerald, twenty-fourth Lord Kingsale; James, and William, all in his Majesty's sea service;) and John, who resided at Bandon, and had no issue.

Gerald, the nineteenth Baron of Kingsale, was of full age at his father's death [30], and a gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Charles I [31], in whose first parliament, 14 July 1634, he took his seat in the House of Lords [32], but died in the year 1642, and by Hellen [33], eldest daughter of Sir John Fitz-Gerald of Dromona in the county of Waterford, (who remarried with Randal Hurley of Beallana-Carigy in county of Cork) left an only daughter Mary, married to Sir Patrick Gough of Killmanchine in that county; so that the honour devolved on his brother Patrick, the twentieth Lord, who, in consequence of Cromwell's scheme for transporting the Irish into Conaught, was ordered, among others, to retire into that province; but his Lordship procuring several certificates of his good and peaceable behaviour during the troubles, which he represented in a memorial to the Protector, he procured an order of council, dated 19 May 1655, to prevent his transplantation, and to allow him the peaceable possession of his ancient inheritance.  And to him and his son, John, in consideration of the many services, done by their ancestors to the crown, and that a yearly pension of 150l was anciently granted to them for life, successively, K Charles II by Privy Seal from Westminster, was pleased to confirm the same 20 March 1662, during their respective lives.  - At the age of 48 years he married Mary, sister to his elder brother's wife, then of the age of 14, and deceasing in 1663, had issue by her 23 children (without twins) who survived their baptism, of whom four sons and three daughters lived to maturity, and were John, his successor; Edmond, who died unmarried; Miles, father of Gerald the twenty-fourth Lord Kingsale; Gerald, who left no issue; Ellen (or Alice) married to Dermoid Mac-Teige Mac-Carthy of Aglish in the county of Cork, Esq; Elizabeth, the second wife of David, Viscount Killmallock (son of William, Viscount Killmallock; son of Sir Dominick Sarsfield, Baronet, chief justice of the Common Pleas, created Baron of Barrett's-Country and Viscount of Kingsale, which he quitted for Killmallock, 8 May 1625) who died without issue in 1687; and Margaret, was married to Philip Barry Oge.

John, the eldest son, and twenty-first Lord of Kingsale, took his seat in parliament 9 November 1665 [34], married Ellen, eldest daughter of Charles Mac-Carthy (Reagh) by his wife Eleanor, sister to Donogh, the first Earl of Clancarthy, and dying of the small pox 19 May 1667 [35], left two sons, Patrick and Almericus, successive Lords of Kingsale; and a daughter Ellen, married to Sir John Magrath of Allevollan in Tipperary, created a Baronet 5 June 1630.

Patrick, the twenty-second Baron, was only seven years old at his father's death [36], and enjoyed the honour but for a short time, deceasing in 1669; so that his brother Almericus became the twenty-third Lord, being then five years of age. - He was much in favour with K Charles II, from whom he had a pension of 300l a year; and also with K James, who 1 January 1687 continued the pension [37], and in 1690 he commanded an independent troop of Horse in his service, being, afterwards L Colonel to Patrick, Earl of Lucan's regiment of horse, for which he was outlawed in 1691, but soon after reversed the outlawry, and 25 October 1692 took is seat in the House of Peers [38], as he did again 20 May 1710 [39].

Being very handsome in his person, and of a tall stature, his Lordship one day attended K William's court, and being admitted into the Preference-Chamber, asserted the privilege of being covered before his Majesty, by walking to and fro with his hat on his head.  The King observing him, sent one of his nobles to inquire the reason of his appearing before him with his head covered.  To whom he replied, he very well knew in whose presence his stood, and the reason why he wore his hat that day was, because he stood before the King of England.  This answer being told the King, and his Lordship approaching nearer the throne, was required by his Majesty to explain himself, which he did to this effect.  "May it please your majesty, my name is Courcy, and I am Lord of Kingsale in your kingdom of Ireland; the reason of my appearing covered in your Majesty's presence, is to assert the ancient privilege of my family, granted to Sir John de Courcy, Earl of Ulster and his heirs, by John, King of England, for him and his successors for ever."  The King replied, that he remembered he had such a nobleman, and believed the privilege he asserted to be his right; and, giving him his hand to kiss, his Lordship paid his obeysance, and remained uncovered.

He died on Tuesday 9 February 1719, without issue by his Lady, who died 27 April 1724, and was buried in Westminster Abbey; so that the honour devolved to his first cousin Gerald, the son of Miles de Courcy, third son of Patrick, the twentieth Lord. - Which Miles was a member of K James's parliament in 1689, for the borough of Kingsale; and married Elizabeth, younger daughter, and at length heir (after her brother's death 13 December 1693) to Anthony Sadler of Arley Hall in the country of Warwick, Esq and by her, who died there 18 January 1722, he left two sons and one daughter, Gerald Lord Kingsale, John who died unmarried, at the Old Head, 24 October 1750; and Mary-Priscilla.

Gerald, the twenty-fourth Lord of Kingsale, met with some opposition in succeeding to the title, which he removed by his position in the House of Peers, 2 October 1721, setting forth, "That his ancestors had been time out of mind Peers of this realm, and sitting members of that House, that last of which was Almerick, the late Lord Kingsale, to whom he was cousin-german and heir, and who took his seat in that house in the year 1710.

"That one Mrs Miles, who pretended to be widow to the late Lord Kingsale, had entered a Caveat with the Right Honourable the Lord Chancellor, to prevent the petitioner's having his writ of summons to parliament, under pretence that the petitioner's father, Colonel Miles de Courcy was outlawed in the revolution of 1688.

"That his said father in the year 1688, and some time before, was a person in power, and lived in Courcy's country in the country of Cork, and a known protector of the Protestants in the country till the siege of Kingsale, at which time he was obliged to leave his habitation, and was absent about twelve months, and in that time was outlawed, and the crown had Custodium of his estate; but was afterwards restored by the Articles of Limerick, and took out his adjudication, by virtue whereof he had possession of his estate restored to him by the Custodees of the crown: And praying their Lordships would be pleased to make such order for placing him in parliament, in the seat of his ancestors, as to their Lordships should seem just."

Hereupon the house (4 October) unanimously resolved, that Gerald, Lord Baron of Kingsale, and Baron Courcy and Ringrone, is entitled to his seat in parliament, and that the Lord Chancellor do issue a writ of summons for him accordingly.  Which being done, his Lordship took his seat the day following [40].

On 19 June 1720 he was presented to K George I, by the Duke of Grafton, LL of Ireland, when he had the honour to kiss his Majesty's hand, and to assert the privilege of being covered in his presence; and 22 June 1727, being introduced by the Lord Carterer, then LL, to K George II, his Lordship received the same favour, and was covered in his royal presence. - In January 1743 he was called into his Majesty's Privy Council; from whose bounty in 1748 he received a pension of 300l a year.

On 13 May 1725 his Lordship married Margaretta, only daughter and heir to John Effington of Ashlyns in the county of Hertford, and of Grossington Hall in the county of Gloucester, Esq [41], and by her, who died at the Old Head in October 1750 and was buried in the same grave with his Lordship's brother, in the church of Templetryne near Kingsale, one son, born 12 April 1731, who died young, and four daughters, viz.

(1) Mary, born 1 April 1726, and married 28 March 1751 to John O'Grady of Ballinscoola in the county of Limerick, Esq [42] eldest son of Thomas Grady of Kilballyoen in the county of Limerick Esq.

(2) Margaretta, born 31 March 1727, died at three weeks old.

(3) Elizabeth-Geraldina, born 12 November 1729, married in 1751 to Daniel McCarthy of Carrignavar in the county of Cork, Esq who left her a widow in September 1763 [43].

(4) Eleanor-Elizabeth-Anne, born 8 December 1732.

His Lordship deceasing at the Old Head, 1 December 1759 was succeeded in the honour by his second cousin John de Courcy, eldest son of Anthony, only son of David fourth son of John, the eighteenth Lord.

Which John, the twenty-fifth Lord, took his seat in parliament 1 February 1762 [44], and 15 September following being presented to his present Majesty by Francis, Early of Hertford, had the honour of asserting the ancient privilege of his family, by wearing his hat in the royal presence. - 26 October 1746 he married Martha, daughter of Mr Heron of Dorchester, and deceased 3 March 1776, having had issue by her who was living in 1784, five sons and three daughters, viz John, his heir; William in the royal navy; Michael, also in the navy; James, in the army, who lost his right arm in the action of Brandywine in North America, and is now Lieutenant-Governor of Tilbury Fort; Gerald, in holy orders; Mary, married to Rev Richard Meade of Kingsale; Martha, and Elizabeth, unmarried [45].

John, the twenty-sixth and present Lord Kingsale, sat first in the House of Peers 28 October 1777 [46].  He married Susanna, daughter of Conway Blennerhassett of Castle Conway in country of Kerry, Esq and by her had issue four sons and three daughters [47].

THE MACLYSAGHT PEDIGREE

The principal point of difference between MacLysaght and Lodge is over Lodge's 4th peer, Edmund, and his brother John, listed by Lodge as the 5th peer.  MacLysaght notes:

"The known facts are:

a) John de Courcy was dead before 9 July 1302 (Close Roll 30 Edw I, GO Report IV, p6)

b) His heir, at that date, was a minor (Ibid)

c) John de Courcy is stated to have been slain in 1295 or 1301

d) Edmund de Courcy represented the house of Kingsale in the Scottish wars of Edward I.  He was summoned on 30 February 1302.

"Therefore John could not have succeeded Edmund [as Lodge contends].  Edmund may have succeeded John.  But unless the summons of Edward I explicitly refers to Edmund as Baron or Lord Kingsale it must be taken that Edmund went to the Scottish wars as representative (as acting head of the family, as it were) of Kingsale.  Alternatively, one may adopt the very reasonable view put forward by the Complete Peerage (GEC), to wit, that Edmund was the 4th Baron and was succeeded by his nephew Miles.  This view is supported by the important fact that Gerald (succeeded in 1720) refers in his will to John (succeeded 1599) as the 17th Lord, that is to say, the succession was Nicholas (3rd Baron), Edmund or John (4th Baron), and Miles (5th Baron) and so on."

DEBRETT's

Debrett's lists Miles, Lodge's 6th peer and MacLyshacht's 5th, as its first.  It justifies this as follows:

"The origin and early descent of this Peerage is obscure.  In 1489, when eleven Irish barons were summoned to Greenwich, this Barony ranked after Athenry and before Gormanston.  The Complete Peerage considers that Miles de Courcy, born about 1286, may have become Lord Courcy of Kinsale about 1340, buts adds a footnote 'it is more probable that the family acquired peerage rank 50 years later'.  In 1397, William de Courcy received a licence, as Dominus et Baro de Courcy, to buy a ship in England and sail it to France.  Precedence of the Barony in the Peerage of Ireland had been given from this date.  A list of Peers present at the Irish Parliament 1490 includes Dominus de Kinsale, but until the 17th century, Lord Courcy, of Ringrone and Kinsale was the style more usually adopted.  Patrick de Courcy, whose parentage is uncertain, but who was most probably a descendant or close relative of Sir John de Courcy, Baron by tenure of Kinsale prior to 1205: m a da of Miles de Cogan; d before 1261.  His son, Miles d c 1290.  His son John was killed 1291.  His el son (1) MILES, 1st Baron, b c 1286..."

Debrett's takes up the pedigree from where Lodge ends (Lodge's 26th, Debrett's 21st) as follows:

"(22) Rev Thomas, 22nd Baron... [further material to be added]

CURRENT PEER AND COLLATERAL BRANCHES

CONTROVERSIES

1.  The descent from Sir John de Courcy

[to be added]

2.  When Peerage status was obtained

[to be added]

3.  Numbering of the peers

The different numbering of the various authorities is as follows:

________________________________________
For notes 1-3 see the "Origins" section of this website.  For notes 4-12 see the "Sir John de Courcy" section.
[13] Giraldus Cambrensis, in his history of the conquest of Ireland, and others from him, assert that the Earl died without lawful issue; but there reason to pronounce them mistaken in this point, from the foregoing record of King John, where he son seems to be mentioned the first hostage for his appearance, viz Milo, filius Johannes de Curcy, Juvenis. Miles, the son of John de Curcy, a youth; unless it be supposed that Milo was the son of his (the Earl's) natural son John de Courcy, Lord of Rathenny and Kilbarrock in the county of Dublin, whom Walter de Lacie, Lord of Meath, and Hugh de Lacie, Earl of Ulster, basely caused to be murdered in the year 1208, suspecting him to be a spy over their actions, and to have made grievous complaints of them to the King; on account whereof great confusions ensued, and obliged the King in person to come over, to restore peace, or banish the Lacies, which he did in 1211. - Had Milo been the son of John, Lord Rathenny and Kilbarrock, he must have succeeded to those honours, which he never did; but what puts it beyond doubt, that the Earl left a son, is that the privilege of being covered in the King's presence (which he demanded for himself and his issue male) is to this day enjoyed by the Lord Kingsale, as the lineal heir male of his body.
[14] This commission is preserved among the records in the tower of London (Rot Clanf, de Anno 5to Henry III M 6 Derso) of which the Lord Kingsale has an attested copy.
[15] He was grandson to Netta, daughter of Rhaesus ap Tudor, prince of South-Wales; and to him and Robert Fitz-Stephen, and their respective heirs, King Henry II in a parliament, holden at Oxford Anno 1177, granted the entire Kingdom of Cork, from the river Bride, running between Lismore and Cork, to Knock-Brandon near the Shannon, and so to the sea, except the city of Cork, (of which he had the custody) and the Cantred adjoining, which belonged to Oestmen, to be held of him and his son John, Earl of Mortaigne, by the service of 60 knights fees. The half of this kingdom, namely four cantreds westward of Cork, and an equal share of the tribute of the other 24 cantreds, which remained undivided. Patrick, Lord Kingsale possessed in right of his wife; forin 20 Henry III, he was styled Dominus Medietatis Regni Careagiae; and this continued the inheritance of his family, until the Irish, taking the advantage of a division among the English, expelled them, and recovered the country to themselves.
[16] Court Roll, penes Episc Cork
[17] Rot. Claus. A. 30 Edw I. M. 16 D and Rymer’s Fed II 898
[18] A writ dated by LJ Ufford at Drogheda, 6 December 1344 (18 Edward III) was directed to Roger Darcy, Escheator of Ireland, to permit her to receive a reasonable dower out of all the estate, whereof her husband died seized, and held of the crown in capite, and which, by reason of his death, was then in the King’s hands.
[19] From this David (we presume) descended Miles de Courcy, who by inquisition, taken at Kingsale on Tuesday after the feast of St John the Baptist, 46 Edward III, appears to have been a baron by tenure, and to have died without issue; for a division of his estate, whereof he died seized in the county of Cork, which was held in Capite by the service of one barony, was made by Roger Hakinsaw, the King’s escheator, at Ringrone, on Monday and Thursday next after the feast of St James the Apostle 1372 (46 Edward III) between his four coheirs, Sir William, son of David de Barry, and Margaret his wife, sister of Miles; Richard L’Enfant, son of Joan, his second sister, within age; John de Cantilupe, and Margaret Carrue, daughter of Catherine, his third sister; and Margaret Courcy, daughter of Anastasia, his fourth sister.
[20] Rymer, V 417
[21] This grant being of a very singular nature…
[22] Totnes ?
[23] It is observed in the Irish Compendium under this title 'That in a solemn procession, when they attended the King to Church, the Lord Kingsale not being there that day, lost his precedency of first baron of Ireland, which the king gave to Lord Athenry, who was a great Lancastrian; whereas Lord Kingsale was the reverse, a great Yorkist.' - This assertion seems to be confirmed by an original letter of the great primate Ussher to Gerald, eldest son of John, Lord Kingsale, dated at Drogheda 12 December 1626; wherein his grace tells him, that 'he had made a search in such books and writings as came next unto his hands at that time, and found a letter written by the inhabitants of the county of Cork, in King Henry the fourth's days, signifying that then the Lord Courcy, of Kilbretton his yearly revenue, besides havens and creeks, was 1200l sterling; and find another letter written by the Earl of Sussex, with his own hand, to Ulster King of Arms, dated Arbrakan 13 October 1563, to send him presently a roll of the names of all Earls, Viscounts, and Barons in Ireland, and how every of them by ancient right ought to fit in parliament.  For answer to which a certificate (as far as he then knew) was returned by the said King of Arms touching the places of the then viscounts and barons in Parliament as follows, the Viscount Barry, the Viscount Roche, the Viscount Gormanston, the Viscount Baltinglas, the Viscount of Mountgarret, the Lourch Coursey, the Lord Bermingham of Athenry, the Lord of Kyrrey, the Lord of Slayen, the Lord of Killeen, etc.' - And what further shows the Lord Kingsale to have lost his precedency of that time is that in the very first parliament after Simnell's imposture, held at Dublin 6 Henry VII, Thomas, Lord Athenry is placed before him upon the Roll.
[24] Which he conveyed and mortgaged to several persons, namely 6 May 1554 the ferry of Kingsale to Philip Roche, for 40l; 24 June 1556 the royalty of the fief of Fifth(?) in Kingsale, to William Galway; 6 December 1567 all his seignories, courts-baron, and other perquisites there, to Richard, son of Patrick Roche; 31 December 1584 the castle and town of Downemac-Patrick, to Sir Eugenius Mac-Carthy, in mortgage for life, at 5 shillings a year; 30 April 1592, with his wife and daughter, for the sum of 200l, he granted to Philip Roche and his heirs the lands of Balleyneydony, Ballycor, Dromwabeggg, and Corrygibyn, rendering a red rose yearly; 9 March 1592 he released Florence, son and heir to Sir Donogh Mac-Carthy, Knt, the manors of Ringrone, etc; and 9 August 1594 granted to him the town of Downemac-Patrick, alias the Old Head of Kingsale etc.  By his will dated at Downemac-Patrick 6 June 1524, he bequested all his lands etc to John (son of Edmond de Courcy) his successor in the title.
[25] Rot A I Jac I. I p D
[26] On 30 November 1620 his lordship surrendered to the King (pursuant to privy seal, directing the same to be done, dated at Hawnes 22 July 1619) the manor and castle of Ringrone, the castle of the Old Head, alias Down mac-Patrick, and divers other lands, for which he passed a new patent of confirmation 13 December following, to hold to him and Gerald his son, their heirs and assigns, in Capite, by knight's service, with the privileges of free warren and chase, courts, etc, in the manor of Ringrone, a Thursday market, and two fairs on 14 September and 23 May and the day after each, at Ballyspidall, at 20s rent. - K Charles I, in the first year of his reign, having created Sir Dominick Sarsfield Viscount of Kingsale, the Lord Kingsale and his son, by petition to his Majesty, complained thereof as an unjust usurpation of their right; whereupon the King in 1627 referred the examination of the difference between the said parties to the Lord High Treasurer of England, the Lord President of the Council, the Lord Steward of the Household, the Earl of Totness, the Viscount Grandison, and the Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster, who returned their report to his Majesty "That according to his pleasure, and reference for them to hear and report what they thought touching the title of the Barony of Kingsale, and the said Sir Dominick Sarsfield, created by his Majesty, Viscount Kingsale, upon full hearing of council learned on both sides, they found it apparently proved, both by ancient records, entries in parliament, deeds under seal, both ancient and of later time, letters and certificates from the council of Ireland, that the Lord Courcy and his ancestors, had not only been styled and named barons of Kingsale, but that it appeared also by the records and deeds, that the Lord Courcy was not only Lord Courcy, but Baron of Kingsale, and also of Ringrone, and on the other side, that that which was alledged against his right and title to the barony of Kingsale was, that in some records and deeds he was found to be named Lord Courcy, and Baron Courcy only, and the other baronies not named; which argument being grounded only upon omission, they held to be of little force, considering it is usual, where divers baronies are in one and the same person, there the baron hath used to name himself by his chief barony only, and to forbear the naming of the rest: Yet, that they found that his lordship was often named Lord of Courcy, and baron of Kingsale also; and that in reputation, as well as appellation, he had always been called and compted baron of Kingsale, long before this question was stirred.  And, that this appearing unto them so clearly as it did, it was then endeavoured on the Viscount's part to avoid his lordship's right, both in course of descent, by carrying the barony to another line, and also by attainder, which should cut off the title from him; but that both these allegations were answered, and clearly avoided.  Then it was alledged, that both these titles might stand together, one to the baron, the other viscount of Kingsale; touching which they conceived, that this confounding of titles of honours, if way should be given thereunto, would beget many questions, and be of ill consequence, and that it was without precedent either in England or Ireland; and that therefore they could not advise his Majesty to suffer it.  Yet, to satisfy, that his grace intended to Sir Dominick Sarsfield should be effected, they were of opinion that he might retain the degree of honour, which he then had, taking his name from some other place, if his Majesty pleased, or else to be called Viscount Sarsfield, for that at the granting of the former patent, his Majesty was not then informed, that the style and barony of Kingsale was formerly settled in any other baron; which the new patent might recite, declaring the Viscount Sarsfield to hold and retain the same place and precedence that had by his former patent, and that all suits, then depending in Ireland between their lordships touching the title of Kingsale, should be withdrawn, and that all future acts, to be done by the said Lord Viscount, should be styled by that new honour of Viscount, and not by the name of Kingsale.  This report (made 19 April his Majesty having read and considered of, did, with the advice of his privy council, ratify and conform in all points by his letter from Westminster, dated 9 May 1627, requiring the LD Falkland to put the same in full and due execution; namely by publishing that his pleasure, and giving order according to the ???, for the viscount to retain the degree of honour and place he then had, and to be called Viscount Sarsfield, until he might pass his new patent of ???, which he should have, with the declaration mentioned in the said ???, as also fro withdrawing all suits depending in Ireland, concerning the said title of Kingsale, and that the said Viscount might forbear in all future acts the style and title of Kingsale, and take that of Viscount Sarsfield, of Ross-Carberry in county of Cork, or any other place he should chose to be styled by; by privy seal dated Westminster, 24 July 1627, and his lordship choosing the title of Kilmallock, letters patent ??? thereof accordingly to him and his heirs male, dated 17 September 1627.  And the King by another letter of the sake date, authorized his deputy at the suit of his lordship and son, in consideration of their faithful service, and for the fine of 100 mares English, of the arrears of his pension of 150l a year, to grant a release by patent to them, and their several heirs, of all fines and alienations without licence done by them, or either of them, of any lands or hereditaments, before 27 March, in the last year of K James.  Lodge and Rolls.
[27] Rot A 6 Jac I 2 p f
[28] rot A 18 Jac I p D
[29] Chancery Bill filed 6 February 1764
[30] Inq post mort
[31] Privy Seal, 9 May 1627
[32] Lords Jour I 2
[33] Ulster
[34] Jour I 381
[35] Inq post mortem taken at Kingsale, 4 October , which finds him to die a Roman Catholic, seized of the said pension, and of manor of Ring-rone.
[36] Idem
[37] Civil list then commencing
[38] Jour I 462
[39] Id II 318
[40] Lords Journals II 699
[41] He was descended from the ancient family of Essington of Cowley in Gloucestershire; was member of parliament for Aylesbury in the reign of Q Anne; married Margaretta, daughter of John, and sister and heir to Thomas Godfrey of London, Mercers, and died suddenly 21 October 1740, by eating of grapes.
[42] Chancery Bill, filed 6 February 1764
[43] Idem
[44] Lords Jour IV 234
[45] Debret
[46] Lords Jour V 14
[47] Debret