Miles de Courcy, 1st Baron Kingsale

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Miles de Courcy, 1st Baron Kingsale is believed to have being an illegitimate son of John de Courcy, who himself may have being an illegitimate son of the de Courcy family of Stogursey (Stoke Courcy), Somerset, England. Miles became the 1st Baron Kingsale, and died about 1230. The title has descended directly in the male line to the present incumbent, the 36th Baron Kingsale.

The bearer of the title had the unique privilege of remaining hatted in the presence of the Kings. This honor, which is shared by no other peer of any rank, has remained vested in his heirs right into the 21st century. The story of how it was obtained is as follows.

Around 1205, Philip Augustus, King of France, proposed to settle disputes between England and France via single combat of two champions. The French King named his champion. King John thought no subject of his had sufficient strength and valour except the John de Courcy, who had imprisoned at that time. The King proposed that he become his champion but de Courcy rejected the proposal, correctly noting the ingratitude of the King for his past services. He was at length prevailed on, for the honour of the nation, to take up the Frenchman's gauntlet. The French champion, at the last charge of the trumpets, set spurs to his horse and fled, leaving the victory to John de Courcy. King Philip of France desired some proof of John's reputed strength. He laid a helmet on a block of wood, which John cleft asunder, and with the same blow struck so deep into the wood that no person present but himself could withdraw his sword.

For his victory and prowess, John de Courcy won the privilege from King John of remaining covered (that is, wearing his hat) in the presence of the King.

Preceded by New Creation

Baron Kingsale

Succeeded by Patrick de Courcy