29 Generations from King William 1 to Kenneth Dewhurst

https://irelanddecourcydewhurst.blogspot.com

29 Generations from King William 1 the Conqueror to 

Kenneth Henry Dewhurst    

I regularly share with my friend Ken Dewhurst my latest discoveries with my family history. He has often responded with a "throw away line" that his Grandmother said she had traced their family back to "William the Conqueror and 1066".  The sad thing is that the family threw out all her boxes of research after she died in 1981.

I was intrigued so decided to spend some time researching and I found that there are in fact 29 generations between King William I and Ken. My research has not been extensive but I did achieve my goal to trace the generations back and I have added a few diversions for interest.  Quite an impressive heritage Ken!


                                                                                                                                       

King William 1 the Conqueror (1028-1087), known as Duke of Normandy from 1035 and reigned as the 1^st Norman King of England 1066-1087. 

At the start of 1066 England was ruled by King Edward the Confessor.  By the end of the year a Norman, William the Conqueror was King after defeating Edward’s successor King Harold 11 at the Battle of Hastings.  Many Historians view 1066 as the start of Medieval England.  The Domesday Book was written in 1066.   

King William 1 (1028-1087) married Matilda of Flanders (1031 – 1083) in 1051 and they had at least 9 children including King William 11 (1056-1100) the King of England and King Henry 1 (1068-1135) the King of England.

Generation 1:   
King William 11 (1056-1100) was King of England 1087-1100.  He did not marry.  He died after being struck by an arrow while hunting.  His brother Henry became King of England.

Generation 2:
King Henry 1 of England (1068-1135), known as Henry Beauclerc married Matilda of Scotland (1080-1118) in 1100. 

They had about 4 children including Empress Matilda (1102-1167) and King Henry 1 had lots of illegitimate children.  King Henry 1 had a second marriage in 1121 to Adeliza of Louvian but without issue.

Generation 3: 
Empress Matilda (1102-1167) married 1 - Henry V (1086-1125) in 1114. He was King of Italy 1098-1125, King of Germany 1099-1125, Holy Roman Emperor 1111-1125.

Interesting to note up Empress Matilda’s line from Henry V to Henry IV to Henry 111:     

Henry V’s father was Henry IV (1050-1106).  He was King of Germany 1053-1105, Holy Roman Emperor 1056-1105 and King of Italy 1056-1105.

Henry IV (1050-1106) married 1 - Bertha of Savoy (?-1087) in 1066. They had 3 children including Henry V.  After Bertha of Savoy died in 1087, Henry IV married 2 – Eupraxia of Kiev in 1089 but divorced in 1095. 

Henry IV’s father was Henry 111 (1017-1056). Was King of Germany 1028-1056, King of Italy 1039-1056, King of Burgundy 1039-1056, Holy Roman Emperor 1046-1056.

Henry 111 married 1- Gunhilda of Denmark (?-1038) in 1036.  Henry 111 married 2- Agnes of Poitou (1025-1077) in 1043.  Agnes of Poitou was Queen Consort of Germany 1043-1056 and Empress Consort of Holy Roman Empire 1046-1056.  Henry 111 and Agnes of Poitou had 5 children including Henry IV.

After Henry V’s death in 1125, Matilda married 2 - Geoffrey V Count of Anjou (? - 1151)in 1128.  They had 3 children including King Henry 11.

Generation  4:                                                                                                                                 
King Henry 11 of England (1133-1189) was known as Henry Curtmantle.  He reigned as King Henry 11 1154-1189.

King Henry 11 married Eleanor of Aquitane (1137-1204) in 1152.  They had 10 children including King Richard 1 (1157-1199), and King John (1166-1216).

Generation 5:                
King Richard 1 (1157-1199), also known as King Richard 1 the Lionheart reigned 1189-1199. (He had an illegitimate son, mother not known).   After King Richard 1 the Lionheart died, his brother King John (1166-1216) was crowned.

Generation 6:                                                                                                                                  
King John (1166-1216) also known as John Lackland and became Lord of Ireland 1177-1216 and King of England 1199-1216. Magna Carta was signed on 15 June 1215 between King John and 25 rebellious barons.  It inspired notions of individual liberty in the charters of the English colonies in North America and later the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

King John married Isabella FitzRobert, Countess of Gloucester 29 August 1189 in Marlborough Castle, England, but that marriage was annulled in 1199.  He married Isabella, Countess of Angouleme in 1200.  John and Isabella had 8 children including King Henry 111.

Generation 7:                                                               
King Henry 111 (1207-1272) reigned 1216-1272.

He married Eleanor of Provence (1223-1257) in 1235. King Henry was 28 and Eleanor was 12.  They had 5 children 1239-1253, including King Edward 1 of England (17 June 1239-7 July 1307). 

Generation 8:    
King Edward 1 of England (17 June 1239-7 July 1307) was known as Edward Longshanks.  He reigned as King (1272-1307). 

King Edward 1 married Eleanor of Castile (1241-1290).  They had 15 children including King Edward 11 (1284-1327).

Generation 9:  
King Edward 11 of England (1284-1327) was Lord of Ireland. 

King Edward 11 married Princess Isabella of France (1295-1358).  They had 4 children including King Edward 111 (1312-1377).

It is interesting to note that Robert the Bruce (1274-1329) was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329.

The Battle of Bannockburn June 1314 was a Scottish victory against King Edward 11 of England.  Also Berwick in 1318, but King Edward 11 refused to renounce his claim to the overlordship of Scotland.  1320 Robert was declared rightful Monarch of Scotland.  In 1327 the English deposed King Edward 11 in favour of his son King Edward 111 and peace was concluded between Scotland and England with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, at which King Edward 111 renounced all claims to sovereignty over Scotland.

Generation 10:     
King Edward 111 of England (1312-1377) married Philippa d’ Avesnes, Queen Consort of Hainault (1311-1369). 

They had 9 children including - their first born Edward (15 June 1330-8 June 1376), known as the Black Prince, but he died before his father, King Edward 111, so his son Richard 11 took up the Crown. 

Generation 11:  
King Richard 11 (1376–1400), son of Edward, the Black Prince (1330-1376), was also known as Richard of Bordeaux.  Richard was aged 10 years when he became King of England from 1377 until he was disposed in 1399.  His successor was King Henry IV of England (1367-1413), son of Prince John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster.

Prince John of Gaunt Plantagenet (1340-1399) was the third of 5 sons.

Generation 12:  
It is worth noting that Prince John of Gaunt Plantagenet had 3 marriages and in his down line were many Kings. 

Prince John of Gaunt Plantagenet married 1 - Blanche of Lancaster (1345-1369) in 1359 and they had 7 children including King Henry IV (1367-1413), with King Henry V and King Henry VI in later generations.

King Henry IV (1367-1413) married 1 - Mary de Bohun (1369-1394) 27 July 1380 and they had 7 children including Henry V (1387-1422).  King Henry IV (1367-1413) married 2 – Jeanne d’Evreux (1370-1437) on 7 February 1403.

King Henry V of England (1387-1422) married Princess Catherine De Valois of France (1401-1437) on 2 June 1420. 

They had 1 child King Henry VI (1421-1471).

Prince John of Gaunt Plantagenet married 2 - Constance of Castile (1345-1394) in 1371 and they had 2 children.

We need to follow down the 3rd marriage with Katherine de Roet.

Prince John of Gaunt Plantagenet (6 March 1340-3 Feb 1399), known as Duke of Lancaster married 3 - Katherine (Swynford) de Roet (25 Nov 1350-10 May 1403) in 1396. 

Katherine de Roet had previously married Hugh Swynford and had 3 children.   

Katherine had been the Duke’s lover for many years before their marriage in 1396.  Their descendants were members of the Beaufort family.  The Beaufort surname reflects the castle and manor at Beaufort in France.  The Beaufort children were declared legitimate twice by parliament during the reign of King Richard 11 of England in 1390 and 1397.  Even though they were grandchildren of King Edward 111 and next in line of succession after their father’s legitimate children by his first two wives, the Beauforts were barred from succession to the throne by their half- brother Henry 1V (1367-1413.

Prince John of Gaunt and Katherine had 4 illegitimate children before their marriage in 1396, including John Fairborn De Beaufort (1373-16 March 1410) and Joan de Beaufort (1375-1440). 

We will take a look at John Fairborn De Beaufort as he had King James 1, King James 11 and King James 111 down line to him.

John Fairborn De Beaufort (1373-16 March 1410) was the 1^st of the 4 illegitimate children of John & Katherine. He married Margaret De Holland (1371-1439) 28 Sept 1397 and had 6 children including Joan De Beaufort (1406-1445).

Joan De Beaufort (1406 – 1445) married 1 - King James 1 of Scotland (1394-1437) on 2 February 1424.  They had 8 children including James 11 (1430-1460). King James 1 reigned as King of Scotland (1406-1437).

Joan De Beaufort (1406-1445) married 2 – Sir James (the Black Knight of Lorne) Stewart (1383-1451) in 1437 and had another 3 children.

King James 11, King of Scotland (known as The Fiery Face) married 1- Marie Von Guelders (1432-1463).   They had 6 children including King James 111 (1451-1488).

King James 11 married 2 – Margaret De Denmark (1456-1486).     

King James 111 (1451-1488) married 1 – Cecily Plantagenet (1469-1507) and married 2 – Margaret De Denmark).

It is interesting to follow the next 4 generations down from King James 111.

We have King James IV (1473-1513) who reigned 1488-1513.

And King James V (1512-1542) who reigned 1513-1542.

His daughter Queen Mary of Scots (1542-1587) was just 6 days old when she took the Throne. She reigned 1542-1567 and was beheaded in 1587. In 1567 she abdicated to her son King James VI and I (1566-1625).

King James V1 and I (1566-1625) was known as King James VI when he reigned as King of Scotland from 1567-1625. 

He was known as King James 1 and King of England and Ireland 1603-1625.

This King James I (1566-1625) was responsible for the Authorised King James Bible.

Back to our generations from William the Conqueror to Dewhurst.

Generation 13:  
Joan de Beaufort (1375-13 Nov 1440) married 1 – Robert De Ferrers (1372-1396) 30 Sept 1390 and they had 2 children.

Joan de Beaufort (1375-13 Nov 1440) married 2 - Ralphe de Neville (1364-1425) 29 Nov 1396.  They had 13 children including Edward (Sir) Neville (1417-18 Oct 1476).

Generation  14:   
Edward (Sir) Neville (1412-1476) 3^rd Baron Abergavenny married 1 – Elizabeth (Lady) de Beauchamp (1415-1448) and had 6 children including George Neville (1440-20 Sept 1492). 

Sir Edward Neville married 2 – Catherine Howard (1414-1478) 15 October 1448 and had 1 child, George Neville.

Generation 15:                                                                                                                               George Neville (1440-1492) 4^th Baron Abergavenny  married 1 – Margaret Fenn and No2 - Elizabeth ?.  Between them they had 7 children including George Neville (1469-13 June 1535).  
         

Generation 16:  
George Neville (1469-1535) 5^th Baron Abergavenny had 4 wives – Joan Fitz Alan, Margaret Brent, Mary Stafford, Mary Brooke. They had 10 children between them. 

George Neville and Mary Stafford had Ursula Neville (1522-1575).

Generation 17:   
Ursula Neville (1522-1575) married Sir Warham St Leger (1525-1597). They had 5 sons and 4 daughters. They had Dorothy Jane St.Leger (1586-1650).

Generation 18:    
Dorothy Jane St.Leger (1586-1650) married Col William Kingmill (born 1596). They had Mary Kingsmill (1634-1733).

Generation 19:   
Mary Kingsmill (1634-1733) married Right Rev Ulysses Burgh.  They had 8 children including Thomas (Col MP) de Burgh (1670-10 Dec 1730).

Generation 20:   
Thomas (Col MP) de Burgh (1670-1730) married 1 – Mary Burgh and married 2 – Catherine Burgh. Thomas and Mary had Catherine de Burgh (1724-1797).

Generation 21:   
Catherine de Burgh (1724-1797) married Rev John Alcock and they had John Dormer (Lt Col) Alcock (1750-20 Jan 1797).

Generation 22:  
John Dormer Alcock (1750-1797) married Henrietta Ashe and had Frances Susanna Alcock (1770-1822).

Generation 23:                                                
Frances Susanna Alcock (1770-1822) married Dr John Mongan MD and they had Frances Susanna Mongan (1794-?).

Generation 24:                                                                                                                                Frances Susanna Mongan (1794 - ?) married Rev Thomas Carpenter Carr (1785-1850). They had Sophia Mary Carr (1821-27 Nov 1875).

Generation 25:    
Sophia Mary Carr (1821-1875) married Richard Davies Ireland (27 Oct 1815-11 Jan 1877).  They had 11 children including Edmund Arthur (Ned) Ireland (15 Oct 1859-14 June 1922). 

Generation 26:  
Edmund Arthur Ireland (1859-1922) married Emily Lawton (1863-1947) in 1882.  They had 5 children including Hilda Jane Ireland (1886-1981).

Generation 27:  
Hilda Jane Ireland (1886-1981) married Reginald Benson Harris (1888-1963) in 1911.  They had 2 children - Hilda May Harris (1912-?) and Reginald Harris.

Generation 28:  
Hilda May Harris (1912-16 March 2007) married Henry Dewhurst.  They had 4 children - Kenneth Henry Dewhurst (b 1934), Ian Gilbert Dewhurst, Joan Dewhurst and Helen Dewhurst.

Generation 29:  
Kenneth Henry Dewhurst (born 15 Dec 1934) married Joyce Rogers (3 Oct 32-2 May 2016) on 22 February 1964.  They adopted Robert Kenneth Dewhurst (17 July 1969 - Oct 1995) and Leanne Joy Dewhurst (11 September 1971 – 9 January 2014).

Now for some family photos!

King William 1 of England, the Conqueror (1028-1087)

1st Generation. King William 11 of England (1056-1135).
His brother Henry inherited the Crown. 

2nd Generation. King Henry 1 of England (1068-1135).

3rd Generation. Empress Matilda (1102-1167) married Henry V (1086-1125), King of Italy, Germany
 & Holy Roman Emperor.  Matilda had 3 children including King Henry 11.

4th Generation. King Henry 11 of England (1133-1189)

5th Generation. King Richard 1, Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199)
After Richard died, his brother King John took the Crown.

6th Generation. King John of England (1166-1216).
He signed Magna Carta on 15 June 1215.

7th Generation. King Henry 111 of England (1207-1272)

8th Generation. King Edward 1 of England (1239-1307)

  

9th Generation. King Edward 11 of England (1284-1327)

10th Generation. King Edward 111 of England (1312-1377).
 Known as the Black Prince but died before his father so his son Richard 11 took the Crown.

11th Generation. King Richard 11 (1376-1400).
Richard was 10 when he became King of England.

King Richard 11's successor was King Henry IV (1367-1413).
Son of Prince John of Gaunt (1340-1399), 3rd of  King Richard's 5 sons.

12th Generation. Prince John of Gaunt Plantagent (1340-1399).
 3rd son of King Richard 11.
Married No.3 Katherine de Roet 91350-1403).
Prince John had 3 wives with Kings Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI descendants.

13th Generation. Joan de Beaufort (1375-1440) married Ralphe de Neville.
Joan de Beaufort's brother John Fairborn de Beaufort (1373-1410)
 had some interesting descendants which included
Kings James 1, James 11 and  James 111 of Scotland.

 James 1 King of Scotland (1394-1437)

James 11 King of Scotland, known as The Fiery Face (1430-1460)

James 111 King of Scotland (1451-1488)

Sir James (the Black Knight of Lorne) Stewart (1383-1451)

Queen Mary of Scots (1542-1587).
Mary was 6 days old when she took the Throne
Her father was King James V (1512-1542).
Mary abdicated to her son King James VI and I.
Mary was beheaded in 1587.

King James VI of Scotland and King James I of England (1566-1625).
Son of Queen Mary of Scots (1542-1587)

Raby Castle, built by John Neville 14th century in County of Durham.
Cecily Neville, mother of Kings Edward IV and Richard III was born at Raby Castle.
Raby Castle was taken into Royal custody 1569.

If you have any comments, corrections or additions to make, please contact the author, Joy Olney by email: joyolney@gmail.com.

Short History of the De Courcy Family

https://irelanddecourcydewhurst.blogspot.com

Short History of the DeCourcy Family

 (as found on Google)

Many family names can be traced back to a country of origin looking back just a few generations.

The DeCourcy name however has documented roots that go way back through Ireland, England, Normandy and eventually to the Carolingian Kings of France.  This noble family is one of the best documented in history. The name itself may date to 925 A.D., just a few generations after Charlemagne consolidated an empire which enveloped most of Europe. The village of Courcy in the Champagne area of France near Reims was a location near the court of the reigning monarch King Charles III. Some suggest his third son was named Charles of Courcy (DeCourcy) in reference to this location. If so, his elder brother would inherit the crown as King Louis IV. Others suggest Charles De Courcy arrived a generation later as the second son (or grandson) of Louis IV. Either way, he and his descendants were royalty, attendees at court, and contenders for the crown.

There were a number of individuals in the DeCourcy line that made their mark on history and continued the heritage and family reputation. Around the year 1000, Baldric (the Teuton) moved east to assist the Duke of Normandy in military command. His third son, Lord Robert DeCourcy established the family homestead in Normandy at Courcy, (Calvados) a few miles from Duke William’s base in Falaise, Normandy.

In 1066, William the Conqueror successfully invaded England with a group of royal Norman knights which included Richard DeCourcy, then Lord Courcy. Shortly thereafter, the family was rewarded with lands at Oxford and a larger estate in Somerset, England – the latter referred to as Stoke Courcy. A town remains where the family was based; its name; Stogursey, is an anglicized version of its prior form.

Later, in 1177, John DeCourcy ventured from his English home to Ireland as part of the Norman invasion. He individually claimed most of Northern Ireland, building numerous castles including the massive Carrickfergus which remains to this day. A subsequent English King (King John I) becoming jealous of DeCourcy’s growing power, had John DeCourcy removed and imprisoned in the Tower of London. They reconciled at the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and his deeds were eventually rewarded; he was given right to reclaim his lands. 

A generation later the barony of Kingsale (recognized as the premier barony of Ireland), near Cork was granted to his heirs along with additional titles and privileges. The Lords of Kingsale remain to this day with their titles intact. The current title holder, born in 1958, is The Right Honorable Nevinson Mark DeCourcy, 36th Baron Kingsale, (Peerage of Ireland, 1223), Baron Courcy, Baron of Ringrone, and Premier Baron of Ireland.

Because of the prominence of this family, its history is quite well documented and provides a very colorful glimpse of noble life through the middle ages. As referenced in Lodge’s Peerage of Ireland, "The noble family of Courcy (Courci, Curcy, Cursie, Courcie etc) is allied to most of the Princes of Europe, deriving its descent in the male line from the house of Lorraine, of the race of the Emperor Charlemagne, who died in the year 814, and in the female line from Rollo, William, and Richard, the first three Dukes of Normandy.” A document accompanies this writing provides a rich database of the lineage of the DeCourcy line with its many intermingled family connections.

Background

It should be noted that surnames as we now know them did not exist in the middle ages. First names were assigned, with a pseudo-surname(s) that might indicate a title, father, characteristic or place of birth. These might change through a (noble) person’s life as additional titles were gained. Most titles, along with estates and wealth, would generally pass to the eldest male heir. Younger sons and daughters were often “provided for” by the new title holder but seldom rose to the level of the favourite son. Daughters were valuable however as power could be fostered through marriages with other notable families. Sons could hope to improve their lot through marriage as well or through military service. Power existed not so much in law as in relationships.

Charles III and French origins

A few generations after Charlemagne, Charles III of France ruled from 898 through 922. He was continually challenged for the throne as he had inherited his rights as a child before being able to take up the mantle.  The intervening years provided opportunity for other royal families – who eventually succeeded in overthrowing the Carolingian line a few generations later. In history, he was often referred to as Charles the Simple, which is not an affront, but merely an English translation of what might more aptly be described as Charles the “straight-forward” when interpreted from its Latin roots. Charles signed a treaty with the Norsemen who had been attacking the northern coast of France, ceding Normandy to the new Duke along with a daughter in marriage, in return for loyalty.

With his second wife, the Princess Eadgifu of England, they bore three sons, one of whom, as mentioned, would succeed him as King Louis IV. Charles, the third son, was born in 925 during travel through the village of Courcy in the Champagne-Ardennes area of the empire, near Reims. Not being in direct line for the title, he became known as Prince Charles De Courcy and also Seigneur Charles DeCourcy as he would be granted lands in the area, a common custom.

Though the light would shine on his brother and his heirs, Charles’ grandson Baldric became quite prominent some years later, marrying well and moving to Normandy to support the Duke who favoured him with estates. Having lived in what is today part of Germany, he was known as Baldric (DeCourcy), the Teuton. He had six sons all of whom achieved notable levels of influence in Normandy. As his first son took on the new titles of Lord Baqueville en Caux, the DeCourcy name and new estates went to the third son Robert who established home at Courcy-sur-Dives in the Normandy area. Many believe this to be the origin of the DeCourcy name. There are also other towns in France bearing some version of the Courcy name.

Robert’s son Richard became childhood friends with the future Duke, eventually known to the world as William the Conqueror, and acted as one of his generals for the invasion of England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. In preparation for the invasion, the knights supporting William the Conqueror gathered at the Church of Notre Dame in Dives-sur-Mer, Normandy, where their names are carved in the interior above the entrance. Richard DeCourcy was rewarded for his services with a number of lordships in England including estates in Oxford and in Somerset where he settled with his English wife. The French line continued in power from their base at Courcy where ruins of the castle remain.

England

The Domesday book (pronounced “Doomsday”), an historical accounting of all the landholders in England, was ordered as a census by William the Conqueror after assuming the English crown. (He was the first English king crowned at Westminster Abbey). The numerous holdings of the DeCourcy family are well represented. The Somerset homestead provided some quiet years, but within three generations, we come across another second son, John DeCourcy. Displeased with his secondary position, he seeks adventure fitting his status and approaches the King of England about supporting efforts to establish greater control of Ireland. Given a free hand, he sets out for Dublin to make his fortune.

Ireland

A power vacuum exists in Ireland upon his arrival given the recent death of Strongbow, the prominent Norman presence up to that time. DeCourcy’s youth hinders his ability to garner sufficient support to challenge for local control, so he sets his sights on the northern parts of Ireland not currently under English control.  With only 22 knights joining him, (and approximately 300 soldiers), he starts his long march northward to Ulster. Given his inferior numbers, he is advised to play on the superstitions of the locals. He designs a new Coat of Arms with three birds, and rides a large white horse, adapting to a legend attributed to Merlin that a conqueror will come in this fashion.

In battle after battle, he is victorious. This is in part due to his training and skill but also due to the far superior weaponry and tactics of the small but trained group of Norman knights. Within a few months he has conquered the lands of Ulster and Antrim in the north. He builds a castle at Dundrum (1177) and the Carrickfergus fortress (1178) near modern day Belfast. The latter, now a national museum, still stands today as an ominous symbol of his power. He consolidates his lands and marries Afrecca, the daughter of the King of (the Isle of) Man and in doing so establishes his own navy. He acquires numerous titles including Justiciar of all Ireland (equivalent to Governor) and was Ireland’s most powerful individual by the late 1100’s. When he begins issuing his own coinage, this defiance of English law pushes the limits of power too far. The new English King, John, revokes his titles and authorizes a rival, Hugh DeLacy, to take DeCourcy’s possessions. A battle ensues and, overwhelmed in numbers, John DeCourcy is captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London – where he remained for many years. (His armor is on display there today.)

John DeCourcy elevated the status of Saint Patrick in Ireland. He was responsible for securing the relics and establishing a formal burial site with the approval of Pope Urban III. The current name of the town, Downpatrick (Dún Phádraig, “Patrick’s Fort”) and the association with Ireland’s patron saint did not appear until John de Courcy’s conquest of the town in 1177. Down Cathedral was initially built by de Courcy in 1183.

Legend of John DeCourcy and the so-called DeCourcy Privilege.

A legend persists, as reported in Burke’s Peerage and retold in verse and many other documents including Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, that John DeCourcy was later called on by the same King John who had imprisoned him. A single champion was required for England to settle a property dispute with France. The French king had sent a champion but England could not decide on any man worthy of this high stakes single combat other than John DeCourcy. The king finally agreed to this selection only to be repudiated by John DeCourcy who preferred imprisonment to fighting for a king who had stripped him of his lands and titles without honor. Finally, an independent noble persuaded John to fight for England – not its king. He took the battlefield with such force and presence that the French champion yielded and flew the field. The French king demanded a display of his fortitude and strength. With a single blow John split the shields and helmet his opponent had left behind. King John, now grateful and apologetic for his prior actions, asked what he could do for him in addition to restoring titles and estates. The request –which was granted, was that DeCourcy and all his heirs would never have to bow down (remove one’s hat in tribute) to an English monarch again. This extraordinary right – effectively acknowledging the family need not be subservient to the king, became known as the unique “special privilege” accorded only to the DeCourcy family.

The legend is disputed by many, yet there are numerous references to the exercise of this special privilege and acknowledgements by various English kings, throughout history. The lands in the north of Ireland were never restored. Though John was given the right to take them back – he could not overthrow DeLacy  as he was unable to overcome the defenses (Carrickfergus) he himself had built. However, in 1223 the Barony of Kingsale near Cork was bestowed by Henry III upon John’s son (possibly grandson or nephew) Myles DeCourcy who became the first Lord of Kingsale. The castle at “Old Head” (a prominent coastal point southwest of Cork – a geographical reference to “the head of the sea”) became the DeCourcy homestead after 1223. (The lands known as DeCourcy Country were received in marriage by Myles to the daughter of Milo DeCogan).

Lords of Kingsale   (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Kingsale)

Kinsale is an area southwest of Cork which became the DeCourcy home after 1223. (Once known as Kingsale, it is derived from Gaelic Cionn-saile meaning “head of the sea”). The Barony of Kingsale is recognized as the oldest barony in Ireland, and thus the current Lord Kingsale is still referred to as the Premier Baron of Ireland. The barony has been dated as early as 1223, but was affirmed years later (~1397) causing some confusion as to its date of origin and the numbering of the titled lords. (See http://www.courcy.com/baronyofkingsale.html) Thus, the Kingsale Lords are often referred to from two (sometimes three) dates of origin. The current Lord Kingsale is referred to as the 36th Lord (using the 1223 numbering system). The town of Kingsale is a fishing village and popular tourist destination found in the area.

The special privilege of the DeCourcy family has endured. Whether legend or fact, this privilege of the DeCourcy family has been exercised, recognized and documented on numerous occasions. The Barons of Kingsale have exercised this right from time to time throughout history, most notably by Almericus DeCourcy, 23rd Lord of Kingsale, in 1691 in the presence of King William III and Gerald DeCourcy (in front of King George II about 1750) and again by Lord John DeCourcy in 1821 (George IV).

The so called "De Courcy Privilege" of keeping a hat on in the presence of royalty was apparently used frequently by Almericus although the historical evidence for this privilege has never been proved.  The family took their name from Courcy-sur-Dives in Calvados, France and they were Lords of the Manor of Stoke Courcy in Somerset.

England’s most notable citizens and royals are buried in Westminster Abbey in London. There, inscribed on the large tombstone of Almericus DeCourcy, is a statement of the rights of this special privilege, protecting it for as long as history allows. (See Westminster tomb link)

Tomb of Almericus DeCourcy, 23rd Lord of Kingsale at Westminster Abbey.

Here lyes the body of the Right Honourable 

Almericus de Courcy.

Lord Courcy of Courcy County and Baron Kingsale of the Kingdom of Ireland defended from the famous John DeCourcy, Earl of Ulster who in the Reign of King John in consideration of his great valour, obtained that extraordinary privilege to him and his heirs of being covered before the  King.

This Lord was much in favour with King Charles the 11th and King James the 11th and commanded a troop of horse under the latter.  He married Ann, daughter of Robert Dring of Isleworth, in the County of Middlesex, England by order of whose Will this monument is erected to the memory of her late Lord by dying without issue.

The said Lady left divers Charitys to the Parish of Isleworth. Particularly 300 Pounds to the Almes- House, 200 Pounds to the Charity School, 100 Pounds to Poor House Keepers and is interred by her said husband, who dyed February the 9th 1719.  Aged 57.  (Lady Kingsale was buried 1724.  She married Almericus in 1698).

For a period of time the lands south of the Bandon River were referred to as Courcey country.

The Old Head Castle at Kinsale did not survive the centuries of wars.  Only a few remnants remain.  With the decline in family fortunes and mounting costs of upkeep, the Old Head lands were finally given to the town of Kinsale by the 35th Lord in 1986.  It is now an ultra-exclusive private golf course, ranked as the number one "most spectacular course in the world" by Links magazine.  It's five star restaurant is called the DeCourcy dining room and the club holds the prestigious DeCourcey tournament each year with players invited worldwide.

Remains of the De Courcy family's Ringroan Castle at the Old Head of Kingsale near Cork, Ireland.

So why interest in the DeCourcy name? 
Was it an opportunity to pass down the name of a noble man?

When you read my Blog "Ireland family" by Ros Escott, you will observe the DeCourcy name is used a lot, starting with James Stanley Ireland (1781-1856) and Matilda Louisa Davies naming their daughter Nanny Olivia DeCourcy Ireland (1829-1865).

James & Matilda Ireland's son Richard Davies Ireland (1815-1877) and Sophia Mary Carr named their son De Courcy Ireland (1845-1935), who named his son Percy Markham De Courcy Ireland (1893-1976). De Courcy also named his daughter Lucie De Courcy Ireland (1869-1965).

Richard & Sophia Ireland's daughter Selina Caroline Ireland (1841-1879) & William Kearsey Hughes named their son William Edward De Courcy Hughes (1869-1941).

Richard & Sophia Ireland's son Charles Warburton Ambrose Ireland named his son DeCourcy Ireland (1877-1957).

Richard & Sophia Ireland's son Edmund Arthur Ireland (1859-1922) named his son Edmund Arthur De Courcy Ireland (1893-1969).

If you read my Blog "10 Generations - William Ireland to Kenneth Dewhurst" you will see William Ireland (c1630-1689) married Margaret de Courcy, dau of Henry de Courcy, first cousin of Earl of Kinsale.

The article above says Almericus De Courcy was the 23rd Lord of Kingsale.

More research is needed to understand William Ireland's past!

Ancestry indicates Margaret De Courcy (born 1620? and died 1706) was the sister of Almericus, married to William Ireland with a son De Courcy Ireland and daughter Judith Ireland.

"Irish deCourcy-Wheeler Family" records Harry Wheeler's father William Ireland de Courcy-Wheeler, known as Surgeon Wheeler, was the eldest son of George Nelson Wheeler and his wife, Williamza Florence Ireland of Annesborough House, Robertstown, County Kildare, Ireland.  Williamza Florence Ireland was the daughter of William Ireland of Low Park, County Roscommon.  He is turn was descended from William Ireland, who married Hon. Margaret de Courcy, sister of heiress of Almercus, 23rd Baron of Kingsale, by his wife Dorothea.  William Ireland Wheeler, assumed the name de Courcy-Wheeler in 1897.  The de Courcys hail from the one Richard who was a General with William the Conqueror in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.  (Almercus' wife differs to the tomb inscription above.  It says Ann).

King John 1 is noted in "29 Generations from King William 1 the Conqueror to Ken Dewhurst" at Generation 6.  King John signed the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215 with 25 rebellious Barons, including John de Courcy.

If you have any information about the de Courcy family, please email the author of this Blog, Joy Olney on joyolney@gmail.com