Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club (Volume 22) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901. Excerpt: ... 'N venturing-to submit to the members of the Dorset Field Club a few somewhat superficial notes on some of the baronial, knightly, and manorial families, whose memory is preserved A f f through their names being associated with many ancient manors in Dorset, I must candidly admit that my object is to stimulate enquiry into this subject with a view to obtaining supplementary information rather than to attempt a series of original memoirs. Perhaps I should at starting apologise for the unusual and unattractive word that appears at the head of this paper. In self-defence, I can only say that it was no choice of mine, but seemed to be the only term that offered to convey in one word the meaning intended, for, if some such coined word as "Name-giving" were substituted, too much would be implied by it, since the quality we wish to indicate is that of name-adding rather than name-forming. The families in question were probably all, in some sense, "Baronial," ranging from the very minor baron, with no status beyond his own manor, like the "Lairds" of the North, to those opulent and powerful nobles who, like the Nevilles, could make and unmake kings. But the term " Baron," after a vigorous and influential existence, has lost force with lapse of years, and a short biography of this historic title may not be out of place Baronies By Tenure. The designation "Baron" or " Man" (the Norman equivalent of "Vir") in its widest sense was applicable to every lord of a manor holding'directly from the King, as it was a policy of necessity for the King to retain in touch with himself all those "King's Men" who, in their own persons, or that of their ancestors, had helped to found the Feudal Norman Monarchy in this country. All dignities were, after the Conquest, atta...