Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/33

 COURCY. 29 in the field under the royal standard displayed, which was the most distinguished manner in which knighthood could be conferred. He died at an advanced age in 1599. ALMERICUS COURCY, Twenty-third baron Kinsale, was much in favour with King Charles II., from whom he received a pension of 300l. a year. He was also in favour with James II. by whom the pension was continued. In 1690, he com manded an independent troop of horse in his service, and was afterwards lieutenant-colonel to the Earl of Lucan's regiment of horse, for which he was outlawed in 1691; but soon after, the outlawry was reversed, and he took his seat in the house of peers, October 25, 1692. Being very handsome in his person, and of a tall stature, h i s lordship one day attended King William's court, and being admitted into the presence-chamber, asserted the privilege o f being covered before his majesty, b y walking t o and fro with his hat o n his head. The king observing him, sent one o f his nobles t o inquire the reason o f his appearing before him with his head covered: t o whom h e replied, He very well knew i n whose presence h e stood, and the reason why h e wore his hat that day was, because h e stood before the king o f Ireland. This answer being told the king, and his lordship approaching nearer t o the throne, was required b y his majesty t o explain himself, which h e did t o this effect:-‘‘May i t please your majesty, my name i s Courcy, and I am lord o f Kinsale, i n your kingdom o f Ireland; the reason o f my appearing covered i n your majesty's presence, i s t o assert the ancient privi lege o f my family, granted t o Sir John d e Courcy, earl o f Ulster, and his heirs, b y John, king o f England, for him and his successors for ever.” The king replied, that h e remembered h e had such a nobleman, and believed the privilege h e asserted t o b e his right, and giving him his