Monthly Archives: September 2017

1. Torf. According to Robert of Torigny (GND, viii. c. 37), Torf was the father of Turold and Turchetil (see also OV ii. 12). It is wrongly assumed that this Turchetil was a forefather of the Harcourts; he died childless, … Continue reading →

1. Thomas Harrys of Mells, carpenter, b. 1494. “Thomas Harrys”, a tenant of Glastonbury Abbey, who is recorded thus: Harrys v Dyar. Plaintiffs: Thomas Harrys. Defendants: Thomas Dyar, knight. Subject: Tenement in the late abbot of Glastonbury’s manor of Greinton. … Continue reading →

1. Gilbert Crispin I., held the border fortress of Tillieres as vassal of Gilbert de Brionne. He m. Gunnora d’Anet (I suggest), which would answer M. Le Prevost’s statement that there was an apparent association between the Crispin and FitzOsborn … Continue reading →

As in the colonisation of Virginia by English settlers, the colonisation of England by Norman settlers was achieved by the transplantation of kinship groups. The Norman elite’s control of England was through a ‘mesh’ of interrelated families; a form of … Continue reading →

The Harris family of Nunney, Somerset, were synonomous with their namesakes at adjoining Mells. This is evidenced by a deed of the Whitchurch family, which descibes property in Nunney being tenanted by “Harris of Mells”. (Nunney deeds, ref. DD\BR\ls/8). 1. … Continue reading →