Baron Ratoath

Baron Ratoath was a short-lived title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1468 for Sir Robert Bold, who died without male heirs in 1479.

Robert Bold, Baron Ratoath

The barony was created in 1468 for the English-born soldier and landowner Sir Robert Bold of Bold, St Helens, Lancashire and 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"). He served as High Sheriff of Meath 1470 and 1472. In 1470 he was sent to England by the Privy Council of Ireland to report to the King on the state of the Irish government, and returned with a list of instructions for improving its efficiency.

Background

Bold was born in Bold, St Helens, in present day Merseyside, a younger son of the ancient family of Bold (or Bolde) of Bold Hall, who were Lords of the Manor of Bold from the twelfth to the eighteenth century.

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, and co-heiress with her sister Joan of the manor of Castleknock; she was the widow of Sir Nicholas Barnewall, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Ratoath had only one surviving child, his daughter Catherine, by his first wife, 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, the younger son of her stepmother Ismay by 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 Thomas Gilbert History of the Viceroys of Ireland Dublin 1865
  • Thomas Leland The History of Ireland from the Invasion of Henry II Vol. II Philadelphia and New York 1774
  • John Lodge Peerage of Ireland Vol. IV Dublin 1754
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