Author Archives: genealogy1066

1. Nigel de Gresley (Nigel de Torp), tenant of Henry de Ferrers in 1086. He was possibly Nigellus Camerarius, the chamberlain of earl Roger de Poictou, 1.1. William FitzNigel. Greisley juxta pontem de Burton, in the deanery of Repindon, was … Continue reading →

1. Ranulf, the Moneyer. 1.1. Waleran fitz Ranulf, sold mill at Vains in 1061, sold land at Caen and mill at Amblie in 1066. 1.1.1. John fitz Waleran. 1.1.1.1. Juliana ‘filia John fitz Waleran’, of of Herstmonceux and Warberton, Sussex, … Continue reading →

The wise men of old sometimes pointed in the general direction when trying to make sense of relationships between families, but they tended to take a more direct route than was the fact, and this was probably the case when … Continue reading →

The following list consists of those families that intermarried with the Harris family of Nunney/Mells (left column), and of those families that intermarried with them – a grid of cousinship – which may be a very general guide to some … Continue reading →

More than any other feature of their lives, I suggest, the issue of arranging marriages for political and economic gain was paramount to the Norman elite. The example of the Montforts L’Amaury evidences this. It was not always the case … Continue reading →

1. Count Hilduin (Herluin) II. of Montdidier. 1.1. Count Manasses de Dammartin, sp. “Constance” (possibly de Capetian); killed in battle at Ornel, October 15, 1037.(Mon. Germ. Script., viii). Robert II. King of France confirmed the donation of “Manasses comes” to … Continue reading →

The upper echelons of Norman/English society were not only connected by intermarriages, per se, for they brought about political attachments. Society of the early middle ages was a former-day mafia, where powerful families alligned themselves to the monarch, or who … 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). This … 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). This … Continue reading →

COPY OF THE SETTLEMENT MADE BY EDWARD COLSTON, Esq., FOR THE MAINTAINANCE, EDUCATION, Ac, OF ONE HUNDRED BOYS IN HIS HOSPITAL ON ST. AUGUSTINE’S-BACK, IN BRISTOL. The importance of this deed is that it lists many metrchant families of Bristol, … Continue reading →

1. George Millett. Shelbery v Bould. Plaintiffs: John Shelbery and Joan Shelbery his wife (executrix of George Millett). Defendants: William Bould, Edmund Marsh and John Williams. (C 2/JasI/S9/45. 1603-1625). Leonard Tarrante v John Pomfrett and Richard Shelbery: money matters, Middx. … Continue reading →

1. George Rodney. 1.1. Maurice Rodney, Esq., m. Joan, dau. of Sir Thomas Dyer of Somerford, Co., Wilts. 1.1.1. Dorothy Rodney, m. Rice Davis of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Esq. He m. (2) Isabel, da. of Henry Lygon … Continue reading →

Armies conquer lands. An army is composed of battalions. They are composed of individuals, of all ranks: the foot soldiers of the great army of life, the sergeants and captains; the majors and generals. Thus it was in Virginia, colonised … Continue reading →

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, 31 Aug. 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset. 1.1. Richard Harris, m. (8 Oct. 1594), Eleanor Bennett, of Wiveliscombe; sister of (1) Thomas Bennett, who had issue: (1) Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe, … Continue reading →

When old books about English peerages are consigned to the bin, and the principles on which English kinship groups operated is understood – their associations were of a continuous nature – some progress may be made in constructing reasonably accurate … Continue reading →

1. John Meriwether. Will of John Meriwether, Yeoman of Great Cheverell, Wiltshire. October 25, 1583. PROB 11/66/70. 1.1. John Meriwether the elder of Worton in Potterne (Wiltshire), yeoman. 30 miles from Wedmore, Somerset; 30 miles from Bristol, Gloucestershire. 1.1.1. Christopher … Continue reading →

1. Ribauld de Chateauneuf, Lord of Brezolles, Regemallard, Sorel, Fontaine-le-Riboux (to which he gave his name), who held considerable land in Dreux, with him sometimes being named Ribauld de Dreux. 1.1. “Fidelismus Alberius filius Ribaldi, Nobilissimi viri”; or “Nobilissimi Ribaldi … Continue reading →

We can look back in time through different prisms, each giving a slightly different perspective. One such perspective can be gained through John Seward, a Bristol-born merchant, who held land in Somerset, and who was involved in the headright trade … Continue reading →

The Norman chroniclers were propagandists of elite families, each of which claimed descent from the Duchess Gunnora or her (suspiciously) numerous nieces. They treated tenure and lineage as equivalents when composing their accounts, so as to enhance the veracity of … Continue reading →

La charte dont on va lire un extrait indiquera les rapports qui existaient entre différents membres de la famille des Crespins dont parle Robert de Torigni. ‘Ego Goscelinus Crispinus … confirmavi Deo et sancte Marie Becci … omnes donationes quas … Continue reading →