DE LACY CHRONICLES NORSEMEN TO DE LACY BARONS
  • de Lacy Origins
  • Marcher & Ireland Lords
  • de Lacys of Limerick
  • de Lacy Honour of Pontefract
  • de Lacy Abbey’s and Churches
  • de Lacy Family Tree
  • de Lacy Origins
  • Marcher & Ireland Lords
  • de Lacys of Limerick
  • de Lacy Honour of Pontefract
  • de Lacy Abbey’s and Churches
  • de Lacy Family Tree
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de Lacy Origins
Viking Norseman to Norman Barons

The de Lacy Origins introduces you to the remarkable de Lacy family.,
From invading Norsemen through Normandy to England in 1066

On the second page, the de Lacy Marcher Lords established themselves first on the
English-Welsh border before aiding the King of England in opening Ireland to the Norman conquest.


At the end of the de Lacy baron's era, de Lacy's descendants continued to prosper as the
de Lacys of Limerick up to the days of the Tudors to Oliver Cromwell, who brought ruin to Ireland.


Returning back fo the eleventh century, you will find the impressive page, Ilbert de Lacy, founded the
Honour of Pontefract Castle his family were leader in English wars and Royal politics.
 

If you are related to the
de Lacy family, the de Lacy family tree page will answer many of your questions.


The de Lacy Origins introducing  you to the remarkable de Lacy family.,
Using ​Slides and the relevant facts from my de Lacy presentation days

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The ninth century was a turbulent time for Norway. To larger a population fighting over too few resources from the sparse land. Out of this chaos, Harald Fairhair on taking the throne decided that rather than fight each other those brave enough should make a fresh start beyond Norway.​

​The ninth century was a turbulent time for Norway.. Norway, which comprised many small kingdoms crowded upon the Western and Southern Coast with constant feuds and bitter fighting between Clans (Tribes) for fishing or farming land? The primary food source was fish from the Fiord inlets or the open sea. The Norse people became adept fisherman tackling the stormy Norwegian Seas. From their mastery of the waters came a whole new era. The development of the Longboat.
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Out of this chaos, Harald Fairhair King Harald Fairhair  (Haraldr Hálfdanarson) Born 850 Died 933. The first High King of all Norway on taking the throne Consided how to put an end  to this  bitter fighting over land, safe harbours and best fishing areas. He decided that rather than fight each other those brave enough should make a fresh start beyond Norway.​  The Viking longboat would be Norways  salvasion. In 875AD, he called together his chief Jarl’s. Who of you will be brave enough to gather together your clans and set sail for Greener richer  lands

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​Over 700 longboats left Norway that year. Eventually, 350 Longboat's crews decided to steer to the North of Scotland. Rollo and his many clans including the lassey clan sailed south. Rollo He knew there were greener lands further to the south.

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They sacked the French town of Rouen and sailed up the river until they neared Paris, where they found stiff resistance from the French Army. Rather than lose men, Rollo withdraws, knowing their prospect back downstream would be better. They found an ideal riverside base between the coast and Paris, with high mountains on either side of the river.
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​Here, they were able to see all boats passing up and down the river while guarding their own defences. All French attempts to move them from this strong position failed. Life was good,   and they were in no hurry to move.​​

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​The new King, Phillip III, knew that force was not the answer   to the problem. Weighing up the costs of all French losses     from  these Norse raiders. He decided to tempt them out.

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The Norsemen were delighted. Here was the land they had sailed so far from home to find.

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The Red square below donates the land Yarl Lassy, and his kinfolk were to settle and start a new life. In turn, Lassy gave Manors and farms to all who had sailed with him.

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The area was fertile farmland, and the Lassy Kinsmen prospered. They followed Rollo's lead and married local French girls. Adapting the men into a more civilised French way of life. The name Lassy gave way to a mix of French/Latin to become Lassi and then de Lacy



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William, the Duke of Normandy, had been promised the Throne of England by the childless Edward the Confessor, his first cousin once removed. However, on Edward's death, the Throne of England was taken by ​the powerful English Earl Harold Godwinson. William was determined to go to war to gain what he thought was due to him.




Walter de Lacy and his son Roger led their men to the centre of the action, the heart of the hand-to-hand fighting. Ilbert de Lacy led his cavalry in charge after charge on the flanks of the battle.  
​Follow the outcome of the battle on this amusing animated video version of the Bayeux Tapestry.

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"Ilbert de Lacy you will stay here and build defences to defend the south from rebelling Northumbrians and Viking attacks

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With mountains and thick forest to the West the Humber estuary to the East leaving Castleford the only way to the South.  Use Fire arrows to defend against Viking longships. The best position to make a stand.

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​The Normans were able to conquer England faster by the use of Motte and Bailey castles. More Motte and Bailey castles, were built on the Welsh border than in the whole of the rest of England. ​A motte and bailey castle is made up of a huge mound of earth (called a motte). Often a wooden tower was built on this, giving a good view of the surrounding countryside. A courtyard (called a bailey) is surrounded by a ditch, a bank and a wooden palisade (strong fence). In this, the horses, supplies and weapons were safe.

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The chronicle of Ilbert de Lacy continues on page "de Lacy Honour of Pontefract"


​Walter de Lacy was dispatched to his overlord, Baron FitzOsborne, on the English-Welsh Border. King William had plans for Walter de Lacy who was dispatched to his overlord, Baron FitzOsborne, on the English-Welsh Border. King William had plans for him, too.​

Walter de Lacy's story continues on ​the de Lacy Marcher Lords page


More pre-history about the earliest days of the Lasse clan and the Norsemen click or tap below.

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Within this "de Lacy Chronicles" Website' pages we have added the visual impact of pictures and videos of the
Castles, Churches etc. which  we were unable to do in a popular-priced book. 
On the 'de Lacy Chronicles' Facebook page' we have married both, into a fast-moving panorama of illustrated
​de Lacy history with posts appearing in a random but possibly  relevant dates in history.

Go now to page: 
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de Lacy Origins  - Marcher to Ireland Lords - de Lacys of Limerick

​The Honour of Pontefract - Pontefract Religious Houses - de Lacy Family Tree
 

The de Lacy Chronicles and de Lacys of Limerick books are available now on Amazon worldwide
​Tap or click here for more details

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The de Lacy Chronicles website is a not-for-profit site. Any income over costs from the sales of the “de Lacy Chronicles” book is used to subsidise the website costs. You can submit comments or ask “de Lacy Family tree” questions or offer answers on our de Lacy Chronicles Facebook page from where others can respond to them. Please remember I am neither a historian nor a genealogist, just very interested in the history of the de Lacy family. 
For your enjoyment in following the de Lacy family history, we have added links to other websites and YouTube videos. While we have approved of the portion we have linked you too, these sights are independent of de Lacy Chronicles. We take no responsibility for their content. Enjoy your visit Roy A Lacy, Author &  Webmaster
  • de Lacy Origins
  • Marcher & Ireland Lords
  • de Lacys of Limerick
  • de Lacy Honour of Pontefract
  • de Lacy Abbey’s and Churches
  • de Lacy Family Tree