Earls of Ormond
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Title given to Theobald Fitzwalter by Prince John Lord of Ireland (later King John of England). The Fitzwalters were cousins of Thomas a Bekett, the murdered Archbishop of Canterbury.
They were given the title of Lord Butler of Ireland and given a share of wine taxes and thereafter adopted the surname Butler and the title Earl of Ormond, later merged with the higher title of Duke of Ormonde, and held palatine rights in county Tipperary until the county palatine of Tipperary act 1715
They were guiven substantial land grants in County Tipperary and purchased substansial lands in county Kilkenny their original headquarters was at Nenagh but ultimately their centres of power were Clonmel and Kilkenny.
