ENGLAND'S ONLY GRANDEE

Shannon News, 6 July 1926, Page 3

ENGLAND'S ONLY GRANDEE

PEER'S UNIQUE PRIVHiEGE

Many of his Majesty's subjects enjoy special privileges by the Royal favour, but few people know that a certain peer of the United Kingdom —the 33rd of his line —has the right, which passes to all his successors, of wearing his hat in the King's presence. This privileged person is Lord Kingisale, the primer baron' of Ireland. The right, which has des* cended to him, is the reflected glory of the valiant deeds of his ancestor, Sir John de Coourcy, who conquered Uuster in the days of King Henry 11. He remained lord of that province until the accession of King Jonn when he was taken prisoner deprived of his province and estates, and condemned to perpetual imprisonment in the Tower.

History relates that after he had been in confinement for a year a dispute relating to the Duchy of Normandy arose between England and France, and the decision was referred to single combat. Sir John de Courcy offered his strong arm for England, and met the French champion in the lists. The latter, having viewed his redoubtable opponent, was seized with panic, and fled "from the arena, whereupon the victory was awarded to England. King John re- f warded Sir John by restoring his estates, and offered also to grant Mm anything else within his gift. The modesti champion asked only that his successors, their obeisance having first been paid might have the privigege of remaining covered in the presence of his Majesty and all future kings of England','a request that was immediately granted. There are records that many of Sir , John's successors, who later became barons of Kingdale, claimed this right and were confirmed in it by the reigning monarch. The 23rd baron appeared covered in the' presence of William 111 ,and George 11. and George 111, in 1762, acknowledged the right to order Lords' Kingsdale.

The present Lord Kingsdale told the Central News that tllte right had been acknowledged by seven different monarchs, the last of whom was Queen Victoria. "Of course, we never think of insisting on it nowadays,!" he ad« ded, "but the right still remains."