Origins of the de Lacy family
Below we share with you, extracts from Roy's
Illustrated Presentation
Illustrated Presentation
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.
Over 700 longboats left Norway that year. Eventually, 350 Longboat's and there crews decided to stay in the North of Scotland. Rollo and his men sailed south. He knew there were greener lands further to the south. They sacked the French town of Rouen and sailed on up the river till 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. High mountains either side of the river.
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.
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.
Having left, a coastal nation, the Norsemen were delighted. Here was the land that they had sailed so far from home to find
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.
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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The Origins re-researched
The research used to collect this version of the early origins of the de Lacy family follows the most accepted history. Credible knowledge is hard to find before the tenth century, Often vague, leading to facts relating beyond royal or paple records being only monastery hearsay or folklore. In this environment, not surprising historians or researchers will sometime offer alternative origins. Here within this website. Within my de Lacy book. Or the popular “de Lacy Chronicles” Facebook page my research “The Origins” has on occasions been challenged at best as containing incorrect facts, at worst as a nice piece of fiction. My project this year was to dig even deeper and wider to at least show the merit of the version I use. If you want to explore further tap or click below for my full “de Lacy Origins” which I hope answers most of these points.
Were the Lacys Norman or Franks? Was Lassy the ancient name of the de Lacys?
Was the village of Lassy in Calvados there long before the de Lacy Family?
Was the village of Lassy in Calvados there long before the de Lacy Family?
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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 Edwards 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.
Follow the outcome of the battle on this amusing animated video version of the Bayeux Tapestry.
To continue the story of Ilbert de Lacy and his dependants go now to the 'Pontefract and Politics'. You can find all about Walter de Lacy and his son Roger on the 'Marcher War Lord's' page
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