Governor and Chief of the Annaly - The Title of Captain of a Country

During the time of Queen Elizabeth in the 1558-1603, other regions of the English Empire had Captainships or Captaincies which were similar to being a Governor or Indigineous Chief of a Country.  Queen Elizabeth I was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty, which ruled England between 1485 and 1603. Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Mary I of England reigned from 1553 to 1558.

Nov 22 1565 - Captainship of Slewghte William in Annaley (Longford) or CLAN LIAM to Baron Delvin and the Island and Abbey of All Saints. Also known as: Captaincy of the Sleaught - William in the Analy which is the region near Ardagh. Also known as the Custody or Captainship of Slewaght or Clans within the Analy. A clan captaincy or chiefship was similar to being granted the title of Prince or Lord of a Country or Nation.

• 1565 Oct 20 - Captainship of Dungarvan to Henry Stafford
• 1566 May 14 - Captainship of Trenmenagh Tippary to Baron of Dunboyne
• 1559 Feb 15 - Captainship of Connaught to the Earl of Clanryeard
• 1543 - Morrough O'Brien - Captainship of his Country by Tanistry - became 1st Baron of Inchiquin
• Sept 29 1573 - Captainship to Ulster to the Earl of Essex
• The Isle of Wight had various Patents granted for it's Captaincy.

The roles of "custody" and "captainship" during Queen Elizabeth I's reign were indeed synonymous with what we might now refer to as a governorship. These terms were used interchangeably to describe the authority granted by the monarch to govern a specific region or country. The individual appointed as custodian or captain would essentially hold the position of governor, responsible for the administration, defense, and representation of the crown's interests in the designated area. They would exercise executive authority, enforce laws, and oversee various aspects of local governance, much like a modern-day governor. This practice was common during the Tudor period and was a way for the monarch to delegate power and ensure control over various territories within the realm. In some cases such as Baron Delvin "The Earl of Westmeath", this honor was also a hereditary patent and grant pertaining directly to the Annaly Longford in the Ardagh areas for the Slewght William which was a Claim Chief of the Country honor but also symbolic of the Clan William or Clan Liam !

Individuals holding positions of custody, captainship, or governorship during the Tudor period, including Queen Elizabeth I's reign, were addressed with titles of respect such as "Your Lordship." This was a common form of address for those holding positions of authority and rank, especially if they were part of the ruling heirarchy or were granted titles by the monarch. "Your Lordship" was a courteous and respectful way to address individuals in positions of governance or authority, regardless of whether they held noble titles or not. It was a form of address that acknowledged their authority and status within society.

Captains of The Annaly

In 1565, there is the grant in the patent rolls of the Captainship and Chief status of the Slewght William of the Annaly. Slewght William is Gaelic for Clan Liam, and the Captainship is a Chief title for the Clan. The grant is made by Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. The Sleughtwilliam historically includes the Ardagh and Edgeworthstown regions. This grant by the Queen Elizabeth to Lord Delvin Christopher Nugent was effectuated on 22 Nov 1565. Further, the possessions and the captainship of Slewaght (Ardagh Diocese) within the Analy were granted to Lord Devlin in 1565 with the Abbey of All Saints, and the custody or captainship of Slewaght within the Analy.[2] Lord Delvin was also granted the abbey lands of the island of Inishmore or Inchemore in County Longford where the famous St. Columb lived before leaving to convert the Scots.

https://books.google.com/books?id=BuxDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA39&dq=captainship+governor+fortress+patent+%22queen+elizabeth%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDgoKaqJ-FAxVDCTQIHUy8CH0Q6AF6BAgUEAI#v=onepage&q=captainship%20governor%20fortress%20patent%20%22queen%20elizabeth%22&f=false

https://books.google.com/books?id=lvsRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA420&dq=%22slewght+william%22+grant+delvin&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijyunD4KGFAxU_ATQIHZwXBOoQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=%22slewght%20william%22%20grant%20delvin&f=false