Almeric de Courcy, 23rd Baron Kingsale facts for kids
Almeric de Courcy was an important Irish nobleman who lived from 1664 to 1720. He held the title of the 23rd Baron Kingsale. He was also known as a Jacobite, which meant he supported King James II and his family.
Quick facts for kids
Almeric de Courcy
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| Baron Kingsale | |
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Detail from the portrait below
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| Tenure | 1669–1720 |
| Predecessor | Patrick, 22nd Baron (a child) |
| Successor | Gerald, 24th Baron Kingsale |
| Born | May 1664 |
| Died | 9 February 1720 |
| Buried | Westminster Abbey |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Dring |
| Father | John, 21st Baron Kingsale |
| Mother | Ellen MacCarthy Reagh |
Contents
Early Life and Family
Birth and Family Background
Almeric de Courcy was born in May 1664. He was the second son of John de Courcy and Ellen MacCarthy Reagh. His father was the 21st Baron Kingsale.
The de Courcy family were Old English. This means they were descendants of Normans who came to Ireland a long time ago. They traced their family back to John de Courcy, who arrived in Ireland in 1176. Almeric's first name, Almeric, was a nod to Almeric Tristram. He was a loyal supporter of John de Courcy many centuries ago.
Almeric's mother, Ellen, came from the MacCarthy Reagh family. They were a powerful Gaelic Irish family. They were related to the MacCarthy-Mor line, which included medieval kings of Desmond.
Almeric had two brothers and at least one sister. You can find more about them in his father's article.
Becoming Baron Kingsale
Almeric's older brother, Patrick, became the 22nd Baron Kingsale in 1667. Patrick was only seven years old at the time. Sadly, Patrick's time as Baron lasted only two years. In 1669, Almeric became the 23rd Baron Kingsale.
King Charles II had given Patrick a yearly payment of £300. This payment was then passed on to Almeric when he became Baron.
Education and Early Challenges
Almeric was raised Catholic by his parents. However, he was sent to Oxford to receive a Protestant education. He studied under Doctor John Fell, who was a very important person at Oxford.
In 1678, Dr. Fell wrote a letter complaining about Almeric. He said Almeric loved playing tennis and didn't like studying Latin. He also mentioned that Almeric would sometimes kick or boss around his sisters. Dr. Fell thought Almeric believed his noble title was enough, and he didn't need to study hard.
A Duel and Royal Service
On December 6, 1681, Almeric fought a duel with Charles Livingston, 2nd Earl of Newburgh. A duel was a formal fight between two people, usually with swords. Patrick Sarsfield was Almeric's "second," meaning he helped arrange the duel and stood by Almeric.
When the Catholic King James II became king in 1685, he continued Almeric's yearly payment. Almeric served as a captain in the Irish army. He later became a Lieutenant Colonel in Patrick Sarsfield's regiment. In 1689, he was a member of the House of Lords in the Patriot Parliament.
In 1691, Almeric was "attainted." This was a legal punishment that meant he lost his rights and property. But in 1692, he managed to get this punishment reversed. He then took his seat in the House of Lords of the Irish parliament on October 25, 1692.
The Privilege of Remaining Covered
In 1692, Almeric did something very unusual in front of King William III. He used a special privilege that his ancestor, John de Courcy, was supposedly granted in 1203. This privilege allowed him to remain wearing his hat in the presence of the king. He likely did this in London, as King William had left Ireland in 1690.
Marriage
On March 2, 1698, Almeric married Anne Dring. She was the daughter of Robert Dring from Isleworth, Middlesex. They were married in an Anglican ceremony at St Martin, Ludgate, in London.
Later Life and Death
Almeric continued to be involved in politics. He sat in the House of Lords again during the Irish Parliament from 1703 to 1713. He took his seat on May 20, 1712.
Almeric de Courcy passed away on February 9, 1720. He did not have any children. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a very famous church in London. His wife, Anne, died a few years later on April 25, 1724.
In her will, Anne asked for a monument to be built for her husband. This monument is a large mural with a life-size statue of Almeric. It can still be seen in Westminster Abbey today. Its large size might be because the person in charge of the Abbey at the time, Francis Atterbury, had some sympathy for Jacobites.
After Almeric's death, his cousin, Gerald de Courcy, 24th Baron Kingsale, became the next Baron Kingsale. Gerald was the son of Miles de Courcy.
Images for kids
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Shield of the de Courcy family
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Monument to Almeric de Courcy in Westminster Abbey
