Random stories from the pages of the two de Lacy books,
James Harry Lacey (GINGER LACEY) was born in February 1917 in Wetherby, Yorkshire, and died in 1989 (aged 72) in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England. Ginger Lacey, DFM & Bar, was one of the top-scoring Royal Air Force fighter pilots of the Second World War and the second-highest-scoring RAF fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain. Lacey was credited with 28 enemy aircraft destroyed, five probables, and nine damaged. Second World War Battle of France On 10 May 1940, the Squadron moved to Bétheniville in France. On 9 June, his aircraft was damaged in combat, and he crash-landed and almost drowned in a swamp. Before the squadron was withdrawn to England on 19 June, Ginger Lacey claimed nearly 60 kills. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre during his operational duties in France with No. 501 based at RAF Gravesend or RAF Croydon. Lacey became one of the highest-scoring pilots of the battle. Ginger Lacey was one of the few RAF pilots who performed operational duties on both the opening and closing days of the war. 
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James Harry Lacey (GINGER LACEY) was born in February 1917 in Wetherby, Yorkshire, and died in 1989 (aged 72) in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England. Ginger Lacey, DFM & Bar, was one of the top-scoring Royal Air Force fighter pilots of the Second World War and the second-highest-scoring RAF fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain. Lacey was credited with 28 enemy aircraft destroyed, five probables, and nine damaged. Second World War Battle of France On 10 May 1940, the Squadron moved to Bétheniville in France. On 9 June, his aircraft was damaged in combat, and he crash-landed and almost drowned in a swamp. Before the squadron was withdrawn to England on 19 June, Ginger Lacey claimed nearly 60 kills. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre during his operational duties in France with No. 501 based at RAF Gravesend or RAF Croydon. Lacey became one of the highest-scoring pilots of the battle. Ginger Lacey was one of the few RAF pilots who performed operational duties on both the opening and closing days of the war. Oct 24th 2025: 1135, Gilbert de Lacy fighting for King Stephen to hold the English throne24/10/2025 By late 1135, Gilbert de Lacy was fighting to maintain King Stephen as the rightful holder of the English throne against the claims of Empress Matilda. Gilbert had reclaimed some of his father's estates, including Weobley Castle, but still did not hold the Barony of Lord of Weobley and Ludlow, as he failed to secure King Stephen's backing for his claim to the de Lacy titles, along with that of his cousin Geoffrey Talbot. Gilbert changed sides and championed Empress Matilda in her attempt to take the English throne; Gilbert led his forces to Hereford in 1138, and there, following a short battle with the supporters of King Stephen, he took control of the town in the name of Empress Matilda. King Stephen retaliated and sent a superior force to reclaim it. Only by besieging Hereford for several months was the army of King Stephen eventually able to take Hereford Castle. Geoffrey Talbot and Gilbert de Lacy escaped and made their way to safety at Weobley Castle. The forces of King Stephen were soon in hot pursuit. Gilbert de Lacy and Geoffrey Talbot were again under siege at Weobley. Once more, they made good their escape and headed to Bristol. They were now in an area under Matilda's forces' control. By the late 1140s, Gilbert de Lacy had recovered most of the remaining de Lacy Estates, which had been passed from his father, Roger, to his Uncle, Hugh de Lacy. But despite carrying the title of Baron, he had yet to regain the full title he coveted of Lord of Weobley. Wikipedia link to the Anarchy https://w.wiki/FF$p The de Lacy barons had the power to grant Knights' fees and used them to reward de Lacy family members who had loyally served them since 1069. The early de Lacys of Limerick were de Lacy Knights. These are the Royal terms to be met to grant this privilege. Knight's fee. A King or feudal Anglo-Norman overlord with sufficient status and landholding within England or Ireland had the right to grant the title 'Sir' and a knight's fee in perpetuity. The size of the rent-free fee required acreage that is able to produce a good crop or revenue, depending on its location, the richness of its soil, and the local climate, as well as the presence of other exploitable resources such as fish-weirs, rock quarries, or mineral mines. If a knight's fee includes a manor, the average size would be between 1,000 and 5,000 acres. However, upon granting, it may also contain forest and yet-to-be-developed moorland, as well as the title, Sir, and be regarded as Squire. Ho often served as the local magistrate. In return, the Knight paid homage and fealty, giving a vow of loyalty to his overlord, either by offering a significant internal role or, in most cases, military service. A knight was required to maintain the dignity of knighthood, which meant that he should live in suitable style and be well-turned out in battle, with the necessary number of esquires and retainers to serve him and his horses. All the de Lacy barons granted many Knights' Fees throughout England and Ireland. Most were given to loyal de Lacy cousins. They became the eyes, ears and caretakers for de Lacy interests away from the castles. October 14th, 1066, Hastings, England: William, Duke of Normandy, and his Barons stepped onto the English shore. With time to spare, they disembarked the entire Norman army. They then prepared for the upcoming battle with King Harold's forces. Walter and his sons, Roger and Hugh, all had command and fought under the overall supervision of Duke William's close cousin, William FitzOsbern. They faced the English soldiers head-on, fighting with extraordinary valour in the centre of the battle. Under the command of William’s half-brother Bishop Odo, Ilbert de Lacy led repeated cavalry attacks on King Harold’s flanks. The de Lacy family played a vital role in the day's victory over Harold's exhausted English army. King William, having defeated King Harold’s armies, claimed the English throne for himself. William was well aware by 1067 that he still needed to conquer the West and North of England. King Harold may have been king, but he frequently suppressed Anglo-Saxon uprisings outside Wessex and Mercia. Harold had never subdued the Welsh Britons. Even fewer Jutes, Franks, and Angles lived along the East English coast. In the Fens, only a Viking treaty kept the fragile peace. Northern England was constantly under attack by Viking raiders. The Anglo-Viking population was Franks and Angles along the East English coast. In the Fens, only a Viking treaty kept the fragile peace. Northern England was constantly under attack by Viking raiders. The Anglo-Viking population was likely to pay homage to one or another, but not to a new third power. The de Lacy family was now in England and would remain there. Here is a short link to the Wikipedia relevant page: https://w.wiki/3ksP Llanthony Priory: In 1108, William de Lacy, a knight in the service of his Overlord, Baron Hugh de Lacy. He carried out a patrol in the remote Honddu valley on the opposite side of the Black Mountain to his home Castle at Longtown. A devout man, William felt moved by the remoteness and peace surrounding the derelict Anglo-Saxon Church where St David was said to have lived as a hermit. He sought the permission of his overlord to forsake the world and his life as a soldier and become a hermit there himself. Llanthony Priory was one of the earliest houses of Augustinian canons to be founded in Britain and is one of only a handful in Wales. It is chiefly famous today for its wild and beautiful setting, far up the Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains. The priory's remoteness in the Welsh hills was its undoing, however, making it vulnerable to attack. Giraldus Cambrensis described it, in the late 12th century, as being 'fixed amongst a barbarous people'.The 4th Lord of Weobley, Baron Hugh (II) de Lacy, in circa 1155, provided men, land, and support to restore Llanthony Priory in the now-named Vale of Ewyes. The restoration was carried out for many years by Baron Hugh de Lacy, and upon his death in 1181, by his son, Baron Walter (II) de Lacy, who continued to receive support and funds from as far afield as Ireland. Further pictures and facts can be found here. https://castlewales.com/llantho.html |