The Flemings, who became Lords of the Barony of Slane County of Meath, Ireland, descended from Archibald Fleming, who went from England to Ireland A. D. 1173 with Richard FitzGilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke and took part in the Norman invasion and conquest of Ireland. The Lords Fleming of Slane Castle numbered successively twenty-three. This branch of the family came also originally from Flanders with William the Conqueror, whose wife is known in history as Matilda of Flanders.