_Baronets of Ireland_ (Vol. iv., p. 44.).--The two following extracts
may throw some light upon the origin of the title of baronet. James I.
probably adopted this title, which he found to have been so long
existing in Ireland, for the new order of nobility he was about to
establish. And it should be remembered that the order of baronet was
instituted for the purpose of promoting the plantation of Ulster.
The names mentioned in the second extract are probably those of the
baronets whom Spenser mentions as being, in existence in his time. There
was, thirty years ago, a "Baron of Galtrim;" perhaps there is still.
EUDOX: "You say well, for by the increase of Freeholders, their
numbers hereby will be greatly augmented; but how should it passe
through the higher house, which still must consiste all of Irish?"
IREN: "Marry, that also may bee redressed by ensample of that
which I heard was done in the like case by King Edward III. (as I
remember), who being greatly bearded and crossed by the Lords of
the cleargie, they being there [_i. e._ in the Parliament of
_Ireland_] by reason of the Lords Abbots, and others, too many and
too strong for him, so as hee could not for their frowardnesse
order and reforme things as hee desired, was advised to direct out
his writts to certaine Gentlemen of the best ability and trust,
entitling them therein Barons, to serve and sitt as Barons in the
next Parlament. By which meanes hee had so many Barons in his
Parlament, as were able to weigh down the Cleargie and their
friends: the which Barons, they say, were not afterwards Lords,
but onely Baronets, as sundry of them doe yet retayne the
name."--Spenser's "View of the State of Ireland," in the _Ancient
Irish Histories_, Dublin Edition, 1809, pp. 223, 224.
"BARONETS.
"Seint Leger, Baronet of Slemarge, meere Irish.
Den, Baronet of Por man ston, waxing Irish.
Fitz Gerald, Baronet of Burnchurch.
Welleslye, Baronet of Narraghe.
[Ancestor of the Duke of Wellington.]
Husee, Baronet of Galtrim.
S. Michell, Baronet of Reban.
Marwarde, Baronet of Scryne.
Nangle, Baronet of Navan."
Campion's "Historie of Ireland," written in the yeare 1571, p.
12. (In the _Ancient Irish Histories_, Dublin edition, 1809.)