Norman Families
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In reply to:
Re: John Bye 1500
Henry Sutliff 1/02/01
Dear Henry,
I totally agree with you on the documentation aspect of Genealogy.It is vital to proper research!
I thank you for the sources you mentioned, I will be sure to check them out.
The 22 families that I mention were of the upper hierarchy of the original Normans who existed in Normandy before the conquest of 1066.The families that held Baronies prior to the conquest of England in 1066 were few in number, much less than the 100 or so you mentioned.After the conquest William granted many more baronies to faithful knights and followers that helped him win victory.
Many of the new baronies upset some of original Baron's in Normandy, as it appeared to weaken their power with the King, as he depended on these new Baronies to carry out his orders in England, while the Baronies in Normandy had little sway except when William was present in Normandy.
While there were certainly more than 22 families involved in the Conquest, not all were of Royal Descent and were in fact under the leadership of a baron such as his knights etc., however the families that were of Royal Descent also held baronies in Normandy as was established before the conquest.When you trace the baronies in England for instance, very few of these baronies also had title in Normandy as well as in England, those that did have both usually had Royal Heritage of some ilk.
The 22 families that I mention were of Royal descent, and were already known and recgonized as such long before 1066. These were families with counts, viscounts, etc. that were indeed related to William in some way.
As a result of the conquest, Norman tradition was carried over to England, and much of the land holdings there before the conquest was in fact nullified and given to the favored of King William. This included his cousins, uncles, and other members of his very extended family, some that I have traced were 3rd and 4th cousins that he acknowledged as his family that were given extensive land holdings.
It is safe to say that King William was in fact well aware of his familiy ties, and many of the Baronies in England reflected that acknowledgement of their relation to him and his family.
This is in fact one of the things that were done by the Normans in Normandy from the begining, the very people whom came to Normandy were in fact of the Royal houses in the lands of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and some of the other contributers to establishing a new kingdom.Rolf himself being the son of Royalty, and many of his knights were in fact his cousins whom descended from his fathers uncles whom held kingdoms and lands in other places.
This is in fact an ancient Norman tradition, and had been for untold years.When ever a man with his army conquered a land, including in Russia and other places where the Vikings once held land, they in fact after securing the land with a victory would settle the land with their own families.
These sort of relations is what gave rise in the first place to William claiming the throne of England after Edward the Confessor died and resulted in fighting Harold, who was in fact his cousin.
It can certainly be complicated to say the least!
Best Wishes!
-Darren