Baron Slane was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1370 for the Fleming family but forfeited in 1691.
Origins
The Flemings of Slane descend from Erchenbald, otherwise referred to as "Archembald le Fleming", of Bratton Fleming, Devon, who was alive in 1087. Archembald derived his surname due to his birth in Flanders, and came to England during the reign of William I. He was succeeded by his son, Stephen, whose son, Archembald, arrived in Ireland with Henry II in 1171 and participated in Hugh de Lacy's plantation of the Kingdom of Mide. On the west side of the hill of Slane there are the remains of a 12th-century motte and bailey which was the settlement, destroyed by the Irish in 1176. Succeeding Flemings were Stephen, and Baldwin. Baldwin's son, Richard, is the first of whom some substantial information exists. He married Mary/Maria Martin, daughter of Sir Nicholas FitzMartin the Younger. Richard died in 1301, but it is unknown when his wife died. Their son, Baldwin, married Matilda/Maude de Genville, daughter of Sir Simon de Genville of Trim. They were the parents of Simon Fleming, 1st Baron Slane, who died on 13 September 1370. An unusual feature of the title was the ability of the holder to petition the Crown to transfer it: after the death of the 12th Baron in 1625, the 13th Baron successfully petitioned the Crown to transfer the title to his younger brother, since as a Roman Catholic priest he did not expect to live on or manage the family estate. He became Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.
Peerage Case, 1835
In the case "Slane Peerage case" brought before the House of Lords in 1835, evidence was submitted by the agent of the petitioner.
New creation
The 17th Baron, Christopher, was attainted in 1691 for fighting against William III. The title became dormant after the death of the 19th Baron in 1771, but claimants from junior lines continued to advance their claims into the 19th century. One such was James Ellis Fleming of Tuam, County Galway, who, in 1824, claimed descent from John, third son of Christoper, who succeeded in 1612. The title remains dormant.
Barons Slane (created c. 1370)
Simon Fleming, 1st Baron Slane
Thomas Fleming, 2nd Baron Slane
Christopher Fleming, 3rd Baron Slane, son.
Christopher Fleming, 4th Baron Slane, grandson, son of John Fleming who predeceased his father. Died without issue.
David Fleming, 5th Baron Slane, younger son by a second wife of Christopher Fleming, 3rd Baron Slane, thus uncle of half-blood to Christopher Fleming, 4th Baron Slane.
Thomas Fleming, 6th Baron Slane, only son, died without issue.
