ANNALS OF DE NORMANDIE Preface - Page 3.
Replies: 7
ANNALS OF DE NORMANDIE Preface - Page 3.
| Jacqueline4242 (View posts) | Posted: 19 Sep 2007 7:21PM GMT |
Classification: Biography
Surnames: DE NORMANDIE
ANNALS OF DE NORMANDIE
PREFACE
A few copies of this book have been made, with a view of preserving the data and documents it contains, by printing what has had in existence in a single manuscript only.
It is not pretended that the book contains a narrative, nor would it be desirable to attempt to construct one from the materials here given. These materials explain themselves in the light of history, and especially after a study of the ancient government and polity of Geneva.
To such as are descended from the DE NORMANDIE this book will be valued, as containing incontestable evidence of their relation genealogically to families and personages of the highest distinction, and their ancestral connection with the Reformation, that most notable event since the fall of the Roman Empire.
ARTHUR SANDYS
Bermuda Islands,
January 1, 1901.
INTRODUCTION
P. 1.
It may with truth be said, that no family in America represents more of what is interesting than does that of DE NORMANDIE.
This interest does not depend on great public services rendered by its members to the colonies, or later to the United States, nor does it share in that lustre and unique
Distinction enjoyed by such families as represent the first planting of European civilization in this western world; yet its noble origin, feudal traditions, splendid
Alliances; its ages of patrician position, of polite and gentle living and finally that supreme quality of distinction inherent in its members, do appeal to our entiment an warrant the claim we have made.
Apart then from the genealogical interest naturally felt by those who are descended from the family of DE NORMANDIE, there is much of historic value in its annals which can engage the attention of others. The former importance of the family can be deduced from its name, as also from its rank and alliances during the feudal age, but since 1460 we have data which outline clearly, and as time goes on define more and more fully
P. 2.
The history and role of DE NORMANDIE. To comprehend the history of the DE NORMANDIE family, we must study principally such of its annals as are included within the period that dates from 1460 and ends with the year 1707; because it is during that term of two hundred and forty-seven years, that the family took a part, as active as brilliant, in that great drama called the “Reformation of Religion.” Especially must we study its history during the years between 1548 and 1788, at which latter date died LUCRECE ANGELIQUE DE NORMANDIE, the wife of M. GAULIS DE CASSONAY, and so extinguished in the highest degree, of two hundred and forty years.
That during the middle ages DE NORMANDIE was a seigneurial family we are assured. The claim that it descends from that of the DUKES OF NORMANDIE through a cadet line is well founded, and is sustained by high authority in Europe, as well as by the universal law in feudal times, - that the landed families derived their name and rank from their principal seigneuries, and thus the LORDS OF NORMANDY alone with their descendants bore the name of DE NORMANDIE.
Among the annals of the family we find that in or about the year 1470, when GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE was the King’s lieutenant and seneschal of Noyon in Picardie, he deposited the records and charters of his family in the Hotel de Ville of that city, and, - as DAVILLA in his old history further relates, ‘ “ during the civil wars of
P. 3.
the kingdom, between the Huguenot and Catholic lords, the Hotel de Ville and other public buildings were burned,” and thus by the loss of those ancient documents we are no doubt deprived of many evidences relating to the DE NORMANDIE of a remote period. These are now beyond our reach, but circumstantial proof regarding the position of the family during the middle ages is sustained by traditions that may be accepted without reserve, if one considers the name, the offices held, and the alliance made by GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE.
The sources from when I have obtained the data here presented are the following:
Firstly, a number of parchments and papers, which were brought from Geneva by ANDRE DE NORMANDIE, when in the year 1708 he came to America. To only a small part of these I have had access. On the death of ANDRE in 1724, they were no longer kept together, but were distributed among his descendants. Such as fell into my hands were those that were given to or bequeathed by DR. JOHN ABRAM DE NORMANDIE to his niece, the wife of DR. SAMUEL BARD, of Hyde Park, N. Y.
They consist of treaties of marriage and commissions under the great and privy seals of HENRY 1V. of France and Navarre, which last are signed by the king and countersigned by the secretary of state. There are wills and genealogies of the family, together with historical notes and letters in autograph, from FREDERICK WILLIAM 1, King of Prussia, to ANDRE DE NORMANDIE.
P. 4. (to be continued)
PREFACE
A few copies of this book have been made, with a view of preserving the data and documents it contains, by printing what has had in existence in a single manuscript only.
It is not pretended that the book contains a narrative, nor would it be desirable to attempt to construct one from the materials here given. These materials explain themselves in the light of history, and especially after a study of the ancient government and polity of Geneva.
To such as are descended from the DE NORMANDIE this book will be valued, as containing incontestable evidence of their relation genealogically to families and personages of the highest distinction, and their ancestral connection with the Reformation, that most notable event since the fall of the Roman Empire.
ARTHUR SANDYS
Bermuda Islands,
January 1, 1901.
INTRODUCTION
P. 1.
It may with truth be said, that no family in America represents more of what is interesting than does that of DE NORMANDIE.
This interest does not depend on great public services rendered by its members to the colonies, or later to the United States, nor does it share in that lustre and unique
Distinction enjoyed by such families as represent the first planting of European civilization in this western world; yet its noble origin, feudal traditions, splendid
Alliances; its ages of patrician position, of polite and gentle living and finally that supreme quality of distinction inherent in its members, do appeal to our entiment an warrant the claim we have made.
Apart then from the genealogical interest naturally felt by those who are descended from the family of DE NORMANDIE, there is much of historic value in its annals which can engage the attention of others. The former importance of the family can be deduced from its name, as also from its rank and alliances during the feudal age, but since 1460 we have data which outline clearly, and as time goes on define more and more fully
P. 2.
The history and role of DE NORMANDIE. To comprehend the history of the DE NORMANDIE family, we must study principally such of its annals as are included within the period that dates from 1460 and ends with the year 1707; because it is during that term of two hundred and forty-seven years, that the family took a part, as active as brilliant, in that great drama called the “Reformation of Religion.” Especially must we study its history during the years between 1548 and 1788, at which latter date died LUCRECE ANGELIQUE DE NORMANDIE, the wife of M. GAULIS DE CASSONAY, and so extinguished in the highest degree, of two hundred and forty years.
That during the middle ages DE NORMANDIE was a seigneurial family we are assured. The claim that it descends from that of the DUKES OF NORMANDIE through a cadet line is well founded, and is sustained by high authority in Europe, as well as by the universal law in feudal times, - that the landed families derived their name and rank from their principal seigneuries, and thus the LORDS OF NORMANDY alone with their descendants bore the name of DE NORMANDIE.
Among the annals of the family we find that in or about the year 1470, when GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE was the King’s lieutenant and seneschal of Noyon in Picardie, he deposited the records and charters of his family in the Hotel de Ville of that city, and, - as DAVILLA in his old history further relates, ‘ “ during the civil wars of
P. 3.
the kingdom, between the Huguenot and Catholic lords, the Hotel de Ville and other public buildings were burned,” and thus by the loss of those ancient documents we are no doubt deprived of many evidences relating to the DE NORMANDIE of a remote period. These are now beyond our reach, but circumstantial proof regarding the position of the family during the middle ages is sustained by traditions that may be accepted without reserve, if one considers the name, the offices held, and the alliance made by GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE.
The sources from when I have obtained the data here presented are the following:
Firstly, a number of parchments and papers, which were brought from Geneva by ANDRE DE NORMANDIE, when in the year 1708 he came to America. To only a small part of these I have had access. On the death of ANDRE in 1724, they were no longer kept together, but were distributed among his descendants. Such as fell into my hands were those that were given to or bequeathed by DR. JOHN ABRAM DE NORMANDIE to his niece, the wife of DR. SAMUEL BARD, of Hyde Park, N. Y.
They consist of treaties of marriage and commissions under the great and privy seals of HENRY 1V. of France and Navarre, which last are signed by the king and countersigned by the secretary of state. There are wills and genealogies of the family, together with historical notes and letters in autograph, from FREDERICK WILLIAM 1, King of Prussia, to ANDRE DE NORMANDIE.
P. 4. (to be continued)