Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and 3rd Baron of Connaught (English: də-BUR; Latinized to de Burgo; 1240 – 29 July 1326), called The Red Earl, was one of the most powerful Anglo-Norman nobles in Ireland during the late 13th and early 14th centuries and father of Elizabeth, wife of King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.
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Early life
Richard's father was Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster (of the second creation) and Lord of Connacht, who was the second son of Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Lord of Connaught and Egidia de Lacy. Richard's mother was Aveline FitzJohn, daughter of Sir John FitzGeoffrey.
"Richard Óg", means "Richard the Young", which may be a reference to his youth when he became earl in 1271, or to differentiate him from his grandfather, Richard Mór.
Earl of Ulster
Richard Óg was the most powerful of the de Burgh Earls of Ulster, succeeding his father in Ulster and Connacht upon reaching his majority in 1280. Richard fought in the conquest of Wales in the 1280s, and led vigorous campaigns in Ulster. He was a close friend of King Edward I of England, who summoned him repeatedly to attend him in person in the Scottish wars, and ranked first among the Earls of Ireland. He was subsequently made general of the forces in Ireland during these wars. The earl was occasionally summoned to parliament in England. Richard married Margaret, the daughter of his cousin John de Burgh (also spelt de Borough) and Cecily Baillol.