Kingsale (Lord), allowed to wear his hat in the presence of royalty. In 1203, Hugh de Lacie treacherously seized Sir John de Courcy, lord of Kingsale, and King John condemned him to perpetual imprisonment in the Tower. When he had been there about a year, King John and Philippie Auguste of France agreed to determine certain claims by combat. It was then that John applied to de Courcy to be his champion; and, as soon as the giant knight entered the lists, the French champion ran away panic-struck. John now asked his champion what reward he could give him for his service. “Titles and estates I have enow,” said de Courcy; and then requested that, after having paid obeisance, he and his heirs might stand covered in the presence of the king, and his successors.
Lord Forester had the same right confirmed to him by Henry VIII.
John Pakington, ancestor of Lord Hampton, had a grant made him in the 20th Henry VIII. “of full liberty during his life to wear his hat in the royal presence.”
Kingship (Disqualifications for). Any personal blemish disqualified a person from being king during the semi-barbarous stage of society; thus, putting out the eyes of a prince, to disqualify him from reigning, was by no means uncommon. It will be remembered that Hubert designed to put out the eyes of Prince Arthur with this object. Witi´za, the Vizigoth, put out the eyes of Theodofred, “inhabilitandole pāra la monarchia,” says Ferraras. When Albuquerque took possession of Ormuz, he deposed fifteen kings of Portugal, and, instead of killing them, put out their eyes.
Yorwerth, son of Owen Gwynedh, was set aside from the Welsh throne because he had a broken nose.
Count Oliba of Barcelona was set aside because he could not speak till he had stamped thrice with his foot, like a goat.
The son of Henry V. was to be received as king of France, only on condition that his body was without defect, and was not stunted.—Monstrelet, Chroniques, v. 190 (1512).[(1512).]
Un Conde de Gallicia que fuera valiado,
Pelayo avie nombre, ome fo desforzado,
Perdio la vision, andaba embargado,