Monday 6 February 2017

Englishmen and Englishwomen From the Pipe Roll of 1130

Hail!

In the bookings known as the "Pipe Rolls" [Rotulum scaccarii vel Magnum rotulum pipae ] which truly begin with the kingship of Henry II is the odd hangover from an earlier time which hath been mistakenly infolded in it.   Joseph Hunter (1783-1861) the outlayer of the 1833 thrutching bestoweth upon it the following date:

“... accompts of the year ending in 1130, September 29. This day falling within the thirty-first year of the reign of Henry the First,...”


The English names found in the thirty two shires of England (see) therein I give in what followeth.


Sudsexa.

No English names, but alot of the bookings lost. 


Chent.


“Et in libat Ælferi pbendar du vixit iii. s. 7 iii. d. nuo.” [lf.64]


“Uxor Walti fil Goduini 7 Rob fr Goduin redd copot de c.m. arg ut hant I custodia tra 7 pueros ipsi Walti.” [lf.66]



Sudreia.

“Avicia uxor Colemani 7 pueri sui. Redd copot de dim m. auri. Ut ten I pace tra sua.”[lf.50] 

 
Berchescira .

Aldwin' de Niweb'ia. Deb. x. iii. Arg. p. plac. Thauri” [lf.122]  Newbury.
  “Wills fil Alwardi. Redd Copot de v. m. arg. p. tra 7 Minist' pat's sui.” [lf.124] 
“Wills Croc redd copot de cc m arg 7 ii m auri p filia Herb Camer cu maritag suo.” 
So William Croc wed the daughter of Herbert the  Camerarius or Chammberlain.
Willo fil Ailwardi .xii.s.” [lf.126]


Hamtescira.
 
“Et Ide Vic. Deb. c. li. 7 iii. m. auri. p. custodia tre Walti fil Uluric Venatoris donec heres suus possit tram tene.” [lf.37]
The sherriff hath the keeping of the land of Wulfric the Hunter.

Lf.38 “Osmund Croc redd compot de xlvi. s. 7 viii. d. ut rehat tra sua qa Wils de Calna habebat I Vadun.”[lf.38]
Of the well known kindred of Crux Easton in Hampshire.
“Odo fil Godrici redd copot de iii. m. arg. p. tra 9 Ministio Husbondu forest.” [lf.38]

“Ric fil Wichtlaci redd copot de x s p tra 7 ministio pat's sui.” [lf.38]

 
“[W]alchelin cleric fil Chepingi deb xii. m. auri. 7 I. Unc. 7 dim. Ut exiret de Captione.”[lf.39]



“Et in libat Leovrici Locc donec prexit ad Curia. x. s. nuo.”[lf.40]

“Et in pdon p br. R. … Rob fil Siwardi iii s.”[lf. 41]

“Et in pdon p br. R. …Aldwino forbat xii. d.”[lf. 41]

Wiltescira.


“Ruald Croc red copot de censu foreste. in thauro vi li. 7 vi. s.”

Of the well known kindred of Crux Easton in Hampshire.
 
“Aluric pbr redd copot de vii m. arg. De plac Forestar. ...Uluric forestari redd copot de xx s de eisde plac.”[lvs. 20 to 21]

Two brothers maybe?

 
“Adelardo de Bada iiii. s. 7 vi. d.”[lf.22]
The well known polymath. 
  
Somerset.
Somerset seemingly unbooked or lost.

 Dorseta.

no English names.

Devenescira.
“Osbt' fil Siwardi . deb .v. lii. arg . p tra pat's sui.” [lf.156]
 
“Ailwin' futerell” [lf.154]
 

[Oxenefordscira].



“Ailward’ de Cildhātona . deb .vj. s. 7 .viij. d. de releuat militu Epat’. Linc.” [lf.5]

So an English knight from Childhampton belonging to the Bishop of Lincoln.



“Et in pdon p br. R.... Siwardo de Ardena. X. s.” [lf.6] 
Of the well known Warwickshire/Staffordshire kindred of Shakespeare's mother.



Above: Weapon of the Arden kindred.  It is the witherward of the weapon of the Beaumont kindred who were Earls of Warwick in the aftermath of 1066.  As if a shadow earl?  The blue and gold chess-board is truly the weapon of the Earls of Vermandois sprung from Charlemagne and which the Beaumont's took up (with an ermine chevron) after wedding a daughter of this house. This same daughter, leaving Beaumont, then wed the Earl of Surrey of the house of de Warenne with whom the blue and gold chess-board shield was then also taken up.  Whelme: wikipedia from http://landedfamilies.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/170-arden-of-park-hall-and-longcroft.html



Gloecestrescira.
  
“Teodric molend de Popelicercha deb xv m arg p plac Cerui.” [lf.78]


“Sabricht Canonic redd copot de x li 7 iiii s 7 vi d p plac pecunie Rogi de Berchelai.”[lf.78]
There is a kindred in Gloucestershire called Seabright.

“Alur fil Godrici redd compot de xv m arg p tra 7 ministio pat's sui.”[lf.78]

 
Warwicscira.


 “Osbt de Ardena redd compot de x li p plac Willi Huboldi.” [lf.105]



 “Hugo de Hella redd copot de c s de p calupniis Leourici Locc.” [lf.107]

Rodbricht de Bradewella redd copot de c s de eisd plac ” [lf.107]

Rad fil Goduini de Halla redd copot de x m arg de eisd plac” [lf.107]



“Et in pdon p br. R. …Leurico Loc .ij.s. Siwardo de Ardena .xxx. s.” [lf.108]



“Et in pdon p br. R. …Walto Croc xvii s.”[lf.108]

“Et in pdon p br. R. …Walto Anglico .vj. s. ”[lf.108]

STATFORDSCIRA.
 “Orm de Derlauestona redd copot de xxxiiii. s. 7 viii. d. p. plegio Symon de Sais.” [lf.73] 


Darlaston in Walsall.

“Et Ide Gotso redd copot de xiiii m. arg. P Alwardo de Sumerford.” [lf.73]


“Orm de Acoura deb xiii m. arg. Qa retin hoes Reg injuste.”[lf.75] Orm of Okeover gave 15 marks of silver for that he had unlawfully held up the king's men.
This is the forefather of the Okeover kindred.


 

Above: Weapon of the Okeover kindred. Ermine a chief gules charged with three bezants.


 “Liulf de Aldredeslega redd compot de cc m arg 7 x fug 7 x accipitr p morte Gamel.”[lf.75]


This is the forefather of the wel-known kindred of Audley. 
 

Through wedlock an offshoot of this kindred took the toname and weapon of Stanley whence the Earls of Derby.

“Suein archari deb xx m arg de plac forest.”[lf.75]

“Quida ho Gamel fil Griffin deb xl s p plac thauri.”

“Et in pdon p br. R. …Walto Croc viii.s”
Another one of the House of Croc. 


“Et in pdon p br. R. …Alur arcar vi s”
 
 Londonia.


“Robt- fil Leuestani . rcdd Copot . de .xvj. li. de Gilda Telarioz London.” [lf.144]
“Witso fil Leuestani deb dim m auri p tra 7 ministro pat's sui.” [lf.145]
“Godwin' quachehand . deb .iiij.m. auri . ut habet pace de plac Monet.”[lf.146]
“Otho Alwinessune de ix m.
”[lf.146]
“Hugo fil Vlgeri
”[lf.146]
“Wido fil Vlgeri
”[lf.146]  
“ Vluiet”[lf.147]
“Algar 7 Spracheling
”[lf.148]
“Tierrico fil Dermani
”[lf.148]
“Alurico Grosso
”[lf.148]
“Walts Norrisc
”[lf.147]
 “Rad Hauoc deb ii girfals 7 ii Accipitr norrisc ut habet eande q'etatione q pat suus huit.
[lf.148]
So Hawk.

Midelsexa.

“Adam 7 Samso filii Aldwini Camer.
[lf.148]

Essexa.


“Robt fil Siwardi redd compot de xv m. arg. P. ministio. 7 uxore Hugon chiuilli.” [lf.53]



“Alur de Cheaffeworda redd copot de xl. s. p rustico verbato.” [lf.55] Ælfrīċ of Chafford gave a fine of 40 shillings for "rustic" speaking.  Chafford here is Chafford Heath in Upminster, the moot-stow of Chafford Hundred.
 
“Et in pdon p br. R. …Rob fil Siwardi xiiii s” [lf.56]

“Et in pdon p br. R. …Rad fil Algoti. x. s” [lf.59]

“Et in pdon p br. R. …Rob fil Siwardi xxx.s. 7 vii.d” [lf.60]


Heortfordscira.
 
“Godwin Dancere redd compot. De c. m. arg. p. plac de tra Herv monachi.” [lf.61]
So Dancer.

 “Et in pdon p br. R. …Hardingo svien Regine ix d.” [lf.62]
Harding servant of the queen. 

Bvchingehamscira.
 
“Ailward de Risembgehundr redd copot de I m arg de eisde plac” [lf.100]

Bedefordscira.
No English names.

Norfolc.


“Hagena Jugement redd copot de ii. m. arg. Ut rex edonaret ei qd fugit de captioe 7 habet recta lege.” [lf.91]

"Jugement" seemingly as the king made him "in law" again.



“Ednod 7 Norman fr suus redd copot de v m arg p pace fracta.”[lf.92]

“Edmund de Gepeswic redd copot de v m arg p pace fracta.”[lf.92]

“Gunner de Gurlestona redd copot de xl s de eisde plac.”[lf.92]

“Vlchetell pbr redd copot de cc 7 xlv m arg de eisde plac.

Et in pdon p br R eide Vlchetello cc 7 xx m arg.”[lf.92]



“Goduin de Wichingeha redd copot de xl s de plac Ric bass. De Tietford.”[lf.93]


All from (Great) Yarmouth.

 “Hugo 7 Rog filii Alrici de Gernem redd copot de xx m arg p tra pat's sui.” [lf.91]



“Edstan de Gernemuda redd copot de xxxiii s 7 iiii d p plac thauri.”[lf.91]

“Siuerd de Gernem redd copot de x s p plac thauri.”[lf.92]

“Amund de Gernemv. copot de x s p plac thauri.”[lf.92]





 
Sudfolc.


“Wiuerona vxor Euerwacri de Gepeswic redd copot de iii li 7 I m arg ne capiat viru n que uoluerit.”[lf.96]

Grentebrugescira

“Godwin de Taversham redd compot de ix li. 7 xv. s. p pace fracta.” [lf.45]
 
Huntedonescira

“Robt 7 Alwold de Lectona redd copot de v. m. arg. De plac G. de Clint. In pdon eisde v.m. Arg. P paupate sua.”[lf. 47]
Alwold from Leighton in Bromswold?


“Et Rumfaro xl. s. p. br. R. ad emd. I. Accipitr ad op Reg.” [lf.47]
  
 O.N. Rúmfari "one who makes the 'Rúm-ferð, m-fór', that is the pilgrimage to Rome".
“Uluric bulehals red Copot de ii m arg p defect duelli. In thauro libavit. Et quiet est.[lf.48]

 Wulfric Bulehals "Bull-neck".

 
Norhamtescira.

 “Alur de Orlinberga red copot de I m arg p eode plac.” [lf.84]

Ælfrīċ of Orlingbury.

Rotelanda.


“Edgar de Saitona redd copot de xl s p tra par's sui.” [lf.134]

“Elwi 7 Schipeman redd compot de xm arg p plac thauri.”[lf.134]

Legrecestrescira

  “Brichtwi pbr redd compot de x m arg de plac Ric Basset.”[lf.88]

[Notingehamscira]

“Ernewi’ de Minstertona red Copot de x m arg p recto tra sua. ” [lf.10]
Misterton, Nottinghamshire. 



Lincoliescira.



“Alan fil Wigoti. Redd copot de xx m arg p omi veti debito pat's sui.” [lf.110]


“Outi de Linc. Redd copot de c accipitr norrisc 7 de c Girfals. Ita qd iiii ex his accip deb esse albi 7 vi girfals deb esse aldi. Et si n potit habe iiii Albos accip ic dabit iii albos girfals p iii accip alb. Et inde reddidit xxv girfals grisos. Et viii accip norrisc.” [lf.111]



“Vluiet de Hornecast deb c 7 v m arg p plac duelli int eu 7 hoiem suu.” [lf.112]

“Siward de Cantorp redd copot de x m arg de plac G. de Clint.” [lf.112]

“Godric de Gri[mesbi] redd copot de ii m arg 7 dim p quda thauro.” [lf.112]

“Siwat de Hoilanda redd copot de xii m arg. 7 dim p plac falsonarii.”[lf.112]



“Odo fil Chetelbti deb ii accip 7 ii girfals p tra pat's sui.”[lf.113]

“Wills fil Chetelli de Hornec redd copot de vii m arg p tra f'ris sui.”[lf.113]


“Haldena fil Lelle deb x m arg p pace fracta”[lf.113]

 “Vluerona uxor Vlf redd copot de vii m arg p pleg Toli.”[lf.113]


“Adelard de barou redd copot de lx m arg p plac falsi judicii.”[lf.115]

 “Rad fil Nig. Redd copot de L m arg de plac de Albin brit. Et Leowin de Rowella ho suus de xx m arg. Et Grimbald de Rowella ho suus de lx marg.” ”[lf.115]men of William of Albini




 “Alur fil God deb vii m arg p pace fracta.””[lf.116]

“Robt fil Chetelbti redd copot de xiii m arg p eode plac.”[lf.116]

“Grinchetell Mutere redd copot de v m arg p ...” [lf.116]

“Godric de Belesbi redd compot de v m arg de eisde plac. In pdon p br R eide Godrico xx d p amore Com Brittan.” [lf.116]

“Wills Orewite. Redd copot de x m arg de eisde plac.”[lf.116]

 “Chetell de Toresbi redd copot de x m arg de eisde plac”[lf.117]
“Alwin de Niweport redd copot de ii m arg de eisde plac.”[lf.118]
“Rad fil Godrici deb I equu de lx s ne placitet de tra sua.”[lf.118]

“Godric fil Leflet[lf.118]

“Rad 7 Godric ppositi de Grimesbi”[lf.118]

“Godric pbr Linc”[lf.118]

“Wigot de Hacetorna”[lf.119]

“Vlestan fil Goduini fabri”[lf.119]



“Alsi de Walescroft”[lf.120]

“Chetell de Crochesbi”[lf.120]

“Godric fil Alwini”[lf.120]

“Brand de Cast”[lf.120]

“Vlsi de Cheresbi”[lf.120]

“Ric fil Oswardi ”[lf.120]

“Turold de Estrebi”[lf.120]



Everwicscira.


 
 “Adam fil Sueini redd copot de . m. arg. p. dote mat's sue p' morte ei.”[Lf.25]


“Ivo fil Forn redd copot de c. s. p. tra pat's sui. Et de v. m. arg. De pla de Blida.” [Lf.25]
 This is the forefather of the well known Greystoke kindred.

 

“Benedict fil Aldreti de Everwic redd copot de. Xv m arg. P tra 7 Debitis pat's sui.” [lf.26]

And his brother's daughter maybe:
“Godereda filia Gospat’c fil Aldreti deb x m. arg. P recto de tra pat's sui.” [lf.31]


“Et in pdon p br. R.... Gameli de Hochesworda xx.s.”[lf.28]

“Et in pdon p br. R.... Chetello fil Sueini I. m. arg.”[lf.28]

“Et in pdon p br. R.... Ougrim de Frisemareis xl.s.”[lf.28]
Frismareis lost to the sea. But the FitzAlgrym kindred of some mark.



 
“Turfin fil Turfin. Redd copot. De v. m. arg. p. tra pat's sui.” [lf.32]

“Turbt fil Gamel. Redd copot de xl.m. Arg. Ut rex faciat ei habe saisitione de tra sua de Willo de Albamara.” [lf.33]

“Godric fil Chetelbti redd copot de iii. m. arg. De plac. W. espec.” [lf.33]

Turbert and Chetelbert are mistaken French dreeings at Þórbiǫrn and Ketilbiǫrn.

“Walts 7 Henr fr suus filii Ulchilli. Deb xx s. de eisde plac.”[lf.33]

Old tonames

Kemp(e)

KEMP(E) IS OFTEN AN OLD ENGLISH TONAME. iN THE WITNESS LIST TO CHARTER S1285 (British Museum Add. MS.15,350 f.61b 12th yearhundreds EVENLEDGING) DATED TO 902 in the mean reckoning, where Denewulf, bishop, and the "hiwan" at Winchester, lease to Beornwulf; of 15 hides at Ebbesborne, Wiltshire, we find "Eadulf Cempa".

Old English CEMPA "warrior"
Singular
Nominative - se cempa
Accusative - þone cempan
Genitive - þæs cempan
Dative - þǣm cempan
Instrumental - þȳ cempan
Plural Nominative - þā cempan
Accusative - þā cempan
Genitive - þāra cempena
Dative - þǣm cempum
Instrumental - þǣm cempum

In nomine Domini. Denewulf bisceop 7 þa hiwan in Wintanceastre leton to Beornulfa hiora landes xv hida æt Eblesburnan wið þam gafole ðe he wið bisceop 7 wið hiwan ared: ðæt is xlv scill[ingas] to hærfestes emnihte sie simle agyfen on ða gerad ðæt hine nage nan man of to aceapienne ne his bearn æfter his dege þa [h]wile þe hi ða gerihta forðbringan a magen; 7 eac ælce geare fultumien to þære cyrican bote þe ðet land to hyrð be ðem dæle þe ðet oðer fol[c] do, ælc be his landes meðe; 7 þa cyricsceattes mid rihte agyfe, 7 fyrde 7 brycge 7 festengeweorc hewe swa mon ofer eall folc do. 7 ðis wes gedon on ðara witena gewitnesse 7 ðafunge ðe hiora naman her benioðan standað awritene, ðe geare ðe wes agan fram Cristes acennesse twa winter 7 nigan hund. 7 ðet wes gedon on þære mæran stowe on Wintanceastre. Bisceop lyfde Beornulfe his mege þæt he moste þa inberðan menn hamettan to Eblesburnan. Nu hebbe ic hi hamet - Lufe 7 hire ðreo bearn 7 Luhan 7 his seax bearn. þonne geærendodon me ða hiwan on Wintanceastre ðet þa men mostan on þan londe wunien, hæfde swa ic swa minra freonda swelce hit hæfde. þonne weron þær ðreo witeðeowe men burbærde 7 ðreo ðeowberde; ða me salde bisceop 7 þa hiwan to ryhtre æhta 7 hire team. þis wes gedon ða man þa cyricean halgode æt Hysseburnan, on ðara manna gewitnessa þe hira naman her beneoðan standað: Ærest Denewulf bisceop
And Tata prb
And Beornstan prb
And Wigea diac
And Æþelstan prb
And Eadwulf pr
And Dyrewine pr
And Wulfhere Cidding
And Wulfstan pr
And Eadulf cempa
And Beorhtsige pr
And Windsige pr
And Ælfsige pr
And Denewulf Bisceop
And Tata pbr
And Byrnstan pb
And Eadstan Diac
 And Æþelstan pb
And Eadulf pb
And Ædelstan pb
And Ælfstan pb
And Wulfstan pb
And Wigea pb
And Wulfric pb
And Eahtan pb
And Winsige min
And Wulfred min
And Beorsige min
And Ælfsige min
And Eadulf min
And Wulfhelm min
And Wulsige min.

Awending from Florence Harmer, Select English Historical Documents of the Ninth and Tenth Centuries, no. 17
 In nomine Domini. Bishop Denewulf and the community at Winchester have let to Beornwulf fifteen hides of their land at Ebbesbourne at the rent which he has settled with the bishop and the community: that is, forty-five shillings are always to be paid at the autumnal equinox, on condition that no one be permitted by offering a higher rent to turn him out, or his children after his time, so long as ever they can produce the dues; and they are also to contribute every year to the repair of the church to which the estate belongs, in the proportion that the rest of the population do, each according to the extent of his property; and he shall duly pay the church-scots and perform (?) military service and the construction of bridges and fortresses, as is done throughout the whole nation. And this was done with the cognisance and permission of the councillors whose names are written below, in the nine hundred and second year after Christ's birth and in the famous foundation at Winchester. The bishop gave permission to his kinsman Beornwulf to take into his service (?) the persons born on the estate at Ebbesbourne. I have now taken then into my service (?) - Lufu and her three children and Luha and his six children. Now the community at Winchester has begged from me that these persons might remain on the estate, whether I had it or any of my friends. Moreover there were on it three penal serfs of peasant birth and three persons of servile birth; these the bishop and the community gave me as my rightful property, with their offspring. This was done when the church at Hurstbourne was consecrated, with the cognisance of the men whose names stand written below.

Markworth is that  Wulfhere Cidding and Wulfhere Cidding who sign this are not araught as either priests or deacons, or thanes (ministri).  So among the witan what are they?

Thursday 26 January 2017

What do the English look like?



Hail!

As to what an Englishman doth look like we have the following.

Bede in his Historia Ecclesiastica Book V, chapitle 10 writeth of the Hewalds (awending L. C. Jane), which doth at least tell us they had black and white hair, which would seem to have given rise to the tonames White and Black:

Horum secuti exempla duo quidam presbyteri de natione Anglorum, qui in Hibernia multo tempore pro aeterna patria exulauerant, uenerunt ad prouinciam Antiquorum Saxonum, si forte aliquos ibidem praedicando Christo adquirere possent. Erant autem unius ambo, sicut deuotionis, sic etiam uocabuli; nam uterque eorum appellabatur Heuuald; ea tamen distinctione, ut pro diuersa capillorum specie unus Niger Heuuald, alter Albus Heuuald diceretur; quorum uterque pietate religionis inbutus, sed Niger Heuuald magis sacrarum litterarum erat scientia institutus.

Two other priests of the English nation, who had long lived strangers in Ireland, for the sake of the eternal kingdom, following the example of the former, went into the province of the Ancient Saxons, to try whether they could there gain any to Christ by preaching. They both bore the same name, as they were the same in devotion, Hewald being the name of both, with this distinction, that, on account of the difference of their hair, the one was called Black Hewald and the other White Hewald. They were both piously religious, but Black Hewald was the more learned of the two in Scripture.

And in Book II chapitle i of the English slave boys for sale in Rome where we learn they had white bodies and angel-like anseens:

Nec silentio praetereunda opinio, quae de beato Gregorio traditione maiorum ad nos usque perlata est; qua uidelicet ex causa admonitus tam sedulam erga salutem nostrae gentis curam gesserit. Dicunt, quia die quadam cum, aduenientibus nuper mercatoribus, multa uenalia in forum fuissent conlata, multi ad emendum confluxissent, et ipsum Gregorium inter alios aduenisse, ac uidisse inter alia pueros uenales positos candidi corporis, ac uenusti uultus, capillorum quoque forma egregia. Quos cum aspiceret, interrogauit, ut aiunt, de qua regione uel terra essent adlati. Dictumque est, quia de Brittania insula, cuius incolae talis essent aspectus. Rursus interrogauit, utrum idem insulani Christiani, an paganis adhuc erroribus essent inplicati. Dictum est, quod essent pagani. At ille, intimo ex corde longa trahens suspiria: ‘Heu, pro dolor!’ inquit, ‘quod tam lucidi uultus homines tenebrarum auctor possidet, tantaque gratia frontispicii mentem ab interna gratia uacuam gestat!’ Rursus ergo interrogauit, quod esset uocabulum gentis illius. Responsum est, quod Angli uocarentur. At ille: ‘Bene,’ inquit; ‘nam et angelicam habent faciem, et tales angelorum in caelis decet esse coheredes. Quod habet nomen ipsa prouincia, de qua isti sunt adlati?’ Responsum est, quod Deiri uocarentur idem prouinciales. At ille: ‘Bene,’ inquit, ‘Deiri; de ira eruti, et ad misericordiam Christi uocati. Rex prouinciae illius quomodo appellatur?’ Responsum est, quod Aelli diceretur. At ille adludens ad nomen ait: ‘Alleluia, laudem Dei Creatoris illis in partibus oportet cantari.’

Nor is the account of St. Gregory, which has been handed down to us by the tradition of our ancestors, to be passed by in silence, in relation to his motives for taking such interest in the salvation of our nation. It is reported, that some merchants, having just arrived at Rome on a certain day, exposed many things for sale in the marketplace, and abundance of people resorted thither to buy: Gregory himself went with the rest, and, among other things, some boys were set to sale, their bodies white ( candidi corporis), their countenances beautiful, and their hair very fine. Having viewed them, he asked, as is said, from what country or nation they were brought? and was told, from the island of Britain, whose inhabitants were of such personal appearance. He again inquired whether those islanders were Christians, or still involved in the errors of paganism? and was informed that they were pagans. Then fetching a deep sigh from the bottom of his heart, "Alas! what pity," said he, "that the author of darkness is possessed of men of such fair countenances; and that being remarkable for such graceful aspects, their minds should be void of inward grace." He therefore again asked, what was the name of that nation? and was answered, that they were called Angles. "Right," said he, for they have an Angelic face [angelicam ... faciem], and it becomes such to be co-heirs with the Angels in heaven. What is the name," proceeded he, "of the province from which they are brought?" It was replied, that the natives of that province were called Deiri. "Truly are they De ira," said he, "withdrawn from wrath, and called to the mercy of Christ. How is the king of that province called?" They told him his name was Ælla: and he, alluding to the name said, "Hallelujah, the praise of God the Creator must be sung in those parts."


Godric of Finchale, although he ended up as an hermit at Finchale, came from Norfolk.  This is not from the better known life by Reginald, monk of Durham, but from another handwrit of the saint's life (Harley handwrit 322) given in the foot markings to the 1847 outlaying of Reginald's life : 

“Pater sancti hujus viri dictus est Ailwardus, mater vero Edwenna, fortuna quidem et divitiis tenues, sed justitia et virtutibus abundantes. Qui de Nordfolca nati sunt, et in villa qua; dicitur Wallepol, ... Erat enim animo strenuus et industrius, corpore vero viribus integer et robustus, statura modicus, humeros habens latos, pectus amplum, faciem productam, oculos glaucos et clarissime radientes, hirsuta supercilia, frontem latam, nares patulas et productas, nasum decenter in extreme recurvum, mentum angustum, barbam copiosam et aliquantum longam, os erat decens, labia tumentia moderate, capillatura capitis et barbae in juvenili aetate nigra, in senili per canitiem candida, collum habebat breve sed grossum et in eo tumentes nervos et venas, et tibias modicae quantitatis, plantas pedum incurvas, genua per frequentiam geniculationis callosa et dura, in corpora toto cutis asperrima, sed in senectute tota durities ad mollitiem est conversa.  ... atque in assiduis laborum sudoribus diuturnus et praestantissimus; et quod corporeis viribus explere forte non poterat, artis peritia, quae diuturna experientia laboris didicerat, et providentiae multae circumspecta disciplina, facillimum sibi fore compellebat.  ... Sciebat ex natura maris et siderum vel serenitatem aeris, vel futuras prsedicere tempestates.”

“This holy man's father was named Ailward, and his mother Edwenna; both of slender rank and wealth, but abundant in righteousness and virtue. They were born in Norfolk, and had long lived in the township called Walpole.... For he was vigorous and strenuous in mind, whole of limb and strong in body. He was of middle stature, broad-shouldered and deep-chested, with a long face, grey eyes most clear and piercing, bushy brows, a broad forehead, long and open nostrils, a nose of comely curve, and a pointed chin. His beard was thick, and longer than the ordinary, his mouth well-shaped, with lips of moderate thickness; in youth his hair was black, in age as white as snow; his neck was short and thick, knotted with veins and sinews; his legs were somewhat slender, his instep high, his knees hardened and horny with frequent kneeling; his whole skin rough beyond the ordinary, until all this roughness was softened by old age.... In labour he was strenuous, assiduous above all men; and, when by chance his bodily strength proved insufficient, he compassed his ends with great ease by the skill which his daily labours had given, and by a prudence born of long experience.... He knew, from the aspect of sea and stars, how to foretell fair or foul weather.”

[awending from "Life of St. Godric, " in G. G. Coulton, ed. Social Life in Britain from the Conquest to the Reformation, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1918), pp. 415-420 ].

And Hereward De Gestis Herwardi Saxonis II (awent  by Rev. W. D. Sweeting, M.A., from an original Manuscript, contained in a book compiled by Robert of Swaffham, in the possession of the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough):

“Ex Anglorum gente multi robustissimi memorantur viri, et Herwardus Exul præclarissimus inter præclaros et insignis miles cum insignioribus habetur. Hujus igitur pater fuit quidem Lefricus de Brunne, nepos comitis Radulfi cognominati Scabre et mater Aediva trinepta Oslaci ducis, utroque parente nobilissime progenitus. Puer enim erat spectabilis forma et vultu decorus, valde decoratus ex flavente cæsarie et prolixa facie, oculisque magnis, dextro ab alio variante modicum glaucus; verum severus aspectu fuit, et ex nimia densitate membrorum admodum rotundus, sed nimis pro statura mediocri agilis, et in omnibus membris tota comperta efficacia.”

“Of the nations of the English many very mighty men are recorded, and Hereward the Outlaw is esteemed most distinguished amongst the distinguished, and a famous knight with the more famous. His father was Leofric, of Bourne, grandson of Earl Radulf, surnamed Scabre; and his mother was Aediva great-great-granddaughter of Duke Oslac; most nobly descended by both parents. For he was a boy remarkable for his figure, and comely in aspect, very beautiful from his yellow hair, and with large grey eyes, the right eye slightly different in colour to the left; but he was stern of feature, and somewhat stout, from the great sturdiness of his limbs, but very active for his moderate stature, and in all his limbs was found a complete vigour.”


Ælnoth of Canterbury, Gesta Swenomagni Regis 13.2:

"Exercitu uero conducto tam a Gallis et Brittonibus quam et a Cinomannis aggregato ita urbium edes replebantur, ut uix suis domestici focis assidere uiderentur. Anglis autem, quibus non minimi desiderii Danici exercitus aduentum esse didicerat, barbas radere, arma et exuuias ad instar Romanorum coaptare et ad deludendos aduentantium uisus per omnia se Francigenis, quos et Romanos dici pretulimus, assimilare preceperat. Quod perpauci facere."

"He [William "the Conqueror"] gathered an army from the Gauls/French and Bretons as well as from Maine that when together it seemed the houses in the cities were so filled up that the householders could hardly sit by their own hearths. The English, however, who not in the smallest degree desired the arrival of the Danish host, he ordered to, shave their beards, change their arms and clothes to the likeness of the Romans, and, to delude the sight of the invaders [by seeming] in everything as the French themselves, whom we prefer to call Romans. But very few did."
BUT VERY FEW DID!

Farewell.