Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire,England.
With thanks to Charlie Trivett, Colyton, Devon, my cousin. He contacted my mother Hilda E. Trivett nee Gore. now deceased, about 1980 giving information to do with the Trivett origins. This caused me to have an unquenchable need to find out as much as I can in my lifetime about our family history. I have collected the following information and I think you will find it interesting.
We were of VIKING origin. Our VIKING NORSEMEN ANCESTORS took the section of France now called Normandy (ie. Men of the North) in the 8th century. Their cousins took and lived in Northern Germany (Saxony) at a much earlier date and hence were called Saxons. Harold ie. 1066 was William the Conquerors' cousin. Our name is really 'TRIV' ett being a title probably influenced by the French/Norman language.
For more details on Blackmoor Manor/Farm today, click here.
From left to right- Charlie, his wife Muriel and Me.
First I went to Battle Abbey and sure enough there was the shield and mention of the Trivetts. Next I had to search all the different county Domesday books. My brother-in-law David Ewens mentioned out of interest that he had noticed an area just outside of Bridgwater, Somerset called Trivett. That was an important tip. I got hold of the Somerset Domesday book and soon found an area called Chilton Trivett. (Chilton meaning Officer to the King.)
Although there are the Trivetts who stayed behind in Dives Normandy previous to 1066 and whose descendants are still there I sincerely believe that all Trivetts be it Canada, America, England or Australia etc. are descended from William and his family 1066. Names may differ, be it Trivett, Trevett, Trevatt, Tryvett, Tryvethan etc. Names were not always copied correctly often spelling was guessed.
Going back further I found a grant of arms shield to a Trivett given in pre conquest Dives, Normandy. I went to Dives a few years ago, well worth a visit. The ships were built here and with contradiction against the departure point the main attack force left from here. There is also a Cathedral Des Conquest giving all the names of the men at arms displayed in magnificence on a wall in the Cathedral.
On first visiting the lands that William the Conqueror had awarded Sir William and Sir ? ( either father brother or son) it seemed like walking back in time 930 years. Militarily we were here to protect against any attack from Harolds Danish cousins in Ireland via Bridgwater Bay. (which incidentally did happen). Adjacent to our land is Blackmoor Farm recently changed to Manor. According to Domesday they bred beef and horses. If we didn't originally own it we did at a later stage. I will explain---- about 1199 it was seized by King John for non-payment of taxes. I do not think we were very well off at that stage in time, our big windfall was to come a little later! After the seizure Blackmoor was purchased from the crown by Geoffrey of Durleigh in 1201 and given to his son Geoffery of Brymore. By 1214 it was owned by Philip De Burcy, Thurston De Burcy 1295. By 1350 it belonged to Lucy d.c.1370 widow of Richard Malet. She was succeeded by her daughter Margaret, a minor who married in turn (1) Richard Cressebien, (2) Thomas Hatfield,(3) Nicholas More, and finally John Kenne d 1438. Margaret was dead by 1440 when Blackmoor was held by her son Hugh More. By his Will Hugh gave Blackmoor to his wife Gillian for life, and then to the churchwardens of Cannington for one year with reversion to his half brother Robert Kenne d. 1453 and his son John Kenne. He sold the manor in 1476 to Sir Thomas Tremayle (Tremail) d.1508 son of John Tremayle, grandson of Margaret Trivett, wife of Roger Tremayle.
Chilton Trivett manors stayed in our ownership definitely upto c1422 and thereafter by marriage of a Trivett daughter into the Compton family with the manors etc. as dowry. One of our biggest mistakes was not to make the marriages joint names!
Stogursey Castle was built at a later date as a fortress. Well worth a visit. It was in disrepute in 1216 and King John ordered its destruction. In 1537 Stogursey lands passed by gift to the crown. Then granted to a Richard Gresham, then Henry Courtenay , Marquis of Exeter who was disgraced in 1538. Then it was granted to Queen Catherine Howard in 1541, Henry VIII's wife and later to Queen Catherine Parr until her death in 1548. The castle was then called Wyndeats.
Bridgwater Castle Manor
Bridgwater Castle Manor merged with the crown to Queen Elizabeth who married King Henry VII. Then to Catherine of Aragon as Princess of Wales, then to Anne Boleyn d.1536, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard d.1542 and Catherine Parr the only one to outlive Henry the VIII. Bridgwater was once a very popular royal residence. The local authorities could very well use this information to increase the income of holidaymakers to the area! The only remaining structure of the Castle is the Watergate which is now part of a public house next to the river. It is unfortunately not kept with any respect as you will see from my photo. The other picture of it was made about 1900.
Domesday Record 1
DD2
DD3
DD4
Old Somerset Map