O'Neill, Con, 1st earl of Tyrone

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O'Neill, Con, 1st earl of Tyrone [I] (c.1484–1559). Con O'Neill's life was turbulent and his political course fluctuating. He became chief of Tyrone in 1519. He clashed repeatedly with successive lord deputies—Surrey, Skeffington, Grey, and St Leger—but came to terms in 1540, visiting Henry VIII at Greenwich, and being created by him earl of Tyrone in 1542, with remainder to his illegitimate son Matthew. From 1551 his authority was disputed by his legitimate son Shane, and he was driven to take refuge in the English Pale.

J. A. Cannon

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