EARLS OF

ULSTER  . The earldom of Ulster was the first title of honour in Ireland of English creation, and for more than a century was the only one . By many authorities John de Courci (q.v.), the conqueror of Ulster, is held to have been the first earl of Ulster; " it is, however, certain," says J.H . Round, " that this title was the invention of a late chronicler, and that it first appears in the Book of Howth, where we read of " Sir John Courcey, earl and president of Ulster." The confusion probably arose from the words of a charter, dated the 29th of May 1205, by which King John confirmed to Hugh de Lacy, whom he then created earl of Ulster, a grant of Ulster " as John de Courci held it on the day when Hugh conquered and took him prisoner in the field "; these words referring not to the earldom but to the lands held by de Courci, and possibly also to the authority which he had exercised in the king's name . The earldom therefore dates from this grant to de Lacy in 1205 .