Looks like it's true, eh.
I knew the name Patchet was French, and that the Patchet/Patchett line originated in Normandy, where the name was spelled Pachet. They left Normandy for England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and settled mostly in Oxfordshire after Duke William of Normandy granted them land after the Battle of Hastings in thanks for their "distinguished assistance."
They Anglicized the name by adding a middle t, but other spellings evolved including Paget, Pagett, Pagit, Pagitt, Pagget, Paggett and Persnickety. (Okay, I made up the last one, but it's not that far-fetched if you know us.)
Our motto is: Per il suo contrario
Translation: Puerile contrarians rule!
(Okay, I made that up, too. The translation is really "By its reverse" but I think mine is more accurate.)
But the really cool news? I learned that my five times great-grandmother was a Scoville, a descendant of Sir Ralph de Scoville. Sir Ralph.
An actual knight.
The Scoville line came from Escoville, France ("of Escoville" or d'Escoville" which was shortened to Scoville.) Sir Ralph was listed as a landowner in 1205 and a knight in 1215, which means he was born around 1130 - 1150. He is listed in the roll of the king's court in 1194 Trinity Turn Buckinghamshire. From A Survey of the Scovils (or Scovills) in England:
"Hammond Passeewe, one of the three Knights who ought to elect the twelve to make the great assize between Walter de Las Haie and Hammond de Gernum excused his absence by Robert, son of William, pledging his faith against the coming of the Justices to those parts. But a day is given to the Knights who came, to wit: Ralph de Scoville, and William Raviel and Ralph Dairel."
Also:
"Ralph de Scoville was one of those manorial lords who joined with the great barons of England in forcing their King John to sign the Magna Carta."
In 1215. If this is true, then it is likely he fought in the Third Crusade under the leadership of Richard the Lionheart and alongside the Knights Templar to "free" Jerusalem.
And...
Scottish historian John Major wrote in 1521 that Robin Hood operated in 1193-4, the time of Richard I.
Many writers have agreed with Major (as well as the novels and movies made about Robin Hood) including Sir Walter Scott. And while Richard wasn't the king mentioned in the early ballads about Robin Hood, he is the one most closely linked with the outlaw along with his brother King John, who followed him. Some Robin Hood stories maintain he even went on the crusades with King Richard.
So my 25 times great-grandfather likely fought in the Crusades with Richard the Lionheart, the Knights Templar, and Robin Hood.
Sure makes history a whole lot interesting.
I'm going to be ticked if my cousin doing the family research tells me she made a mistake and we're not related to Sir Ralph Scoville the knight, but Ralph Scumberbutt the waste disposal expert.
Actually, if I found out we were descended from this guy, that would make total sense:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
LOL! I LOVE "Puerile Contrarians Rule!" I think you should keep it, even if it does bend the translation a tiny bit. ;)
Oh that is funny and thanks for the Monty Python clip - forgot how outrageous they were!
Linda, don't you think? I like it way better.
Francie, my grown kids and assorted hangers-on (all twenty-somethings) were watching AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT yesterday and we were all howling. Monty Python stands the test of time.
Isn't it awesome to find out that some of those skeletons in the closet are worth talking about? ;o)
I think you should put the "Puerile Contrarians Rule" under your site title. George Elliot has nothing on that line.
As a side note, I'm still trying to figure out how I managed to fall in love with a man who doesn't understand, nor does he find anything funny about, Monty Python! And today marks 30 years with this man...
Nightsmusic - Opposites attract?
*snort*
Apparently in this instance. I love to dance, he hates it, I love epic movies, he hates them, I could go on and on...
Epic movies? Which ones.
Oh, wow...I'm pretty eclectic. The Ten Commandments to Cleopatra to GWTW to Titanic to 300 (he loved 300 until the end..."They died! They all DIED! WT*???" "But honey, it's history." "Well, what the h*** would they make a movie from history where the ending sucks?") All sorts of movies like that. The big, gigantic production ones that you don't realize are 4 hours long until they're over.
You'd think he'd like the big battle scenes like North and South, but no.
Really. This is the man who's father is still excavating little green army men from the back yard after 50 years...
HAHAHA! Guess he didn't like BRAVEHEART then.
Ha! I am a Scoville!!
Hey! I am also a Scoville descended from the illustrious Sir Ralph. Fun fact: not only was Ralph a Templar and a knight, but he was a powerful baron as well. He owned three great estates in England: one at Brockley, one outside of Bath, I think, and one right outside Corfe Castle.
Sir Ralph is recorded as being one of three knights hand picked by the king to preside at a judiciary trial in the 13th century. He was indeed one of the Barons who forced King John into signing the Magna Carta. In retaliation, the is a manuscript that shows that King John took Sir Ralph's estate in Brockley and gave it to a more loyal supporter. As soon as young King Henry took the throne, though, Ralph petitioned for his estate to be returned, to which King Henry acquiesced.
Another Sir Ralph De Scoville descendant here in Michigan..My grandfather was Stanley Scovel Smith..nice to meet ya!
Great info about Ralph D'Escoville. I too am related and was astonished to learn how long the line actually is. Does anyone by chance have any information prior to Ralph? Somewhere along the line, there also seems to be some French blood too. This is fascinating stuff, but harder than heck to fin.
Best,
Mike
Post a Comment