Baron Ratoath

Baron Ratoath was a short-lived title in the Peerage of Ireland.

History of the Barony

The barony was created in 1468 for the County Meath soldier and landowner Sir Robert Bold of Ratoath by King Edward IV, as a reward for his loyal service to the King and his father Richard, Duke of York during the Wars of the Roses, in which he had fought for the House of York both in England and Ireland. At the same time he was granted the manor of Ratoath (described in the grant as "Rathonth").

The Ratoath Inheritance

Lord Ratoath married twice, although little is known of his first marriage. His second wife was Ismay Serjeant, daughter of Sir Robert Serjeant, co-heiress with her sister Joan of the manor of Castleknock, and widow of Sir Nicholas Barnewall. He appears to have had only one surviving child, his daughter Catherine, from his first marriage, and at his death in 1479 without male issue the title became extinct. His estates passed by descent to the Barnewall family, Catherine having married Edmund Barnewall, younger son of her stepmother Ismay and Ismay's first husband Sir Nicholas.

Barons Ratoath (created 1468)

• Robert Bold, 1st Baron Ratoath (died 1479)

References

• Statute of the Parliament of Ireland 7 & 8 Edward IV c.72 "Patent making Robert Bold Baron of Ratoath confirmed".
• Sir John Gilbert History of the Viceroys of Ireland Dublin 1865
• John Lodge Peerage of Ireland Vol. !V Dublin 1754