Appendix

This excerpt is transcribed from “Genealogy and History of Some Stebbins Lines” “A supplement to a previous Vo. by the same Author, John A. Stebbins, Data to 1972

The Stebbins are descended from Herfast, Prince of Denmark and younger son of Harald Blaatand (Bluetooth) King of Denmark from 940 to 985 A.D. Since King Harald became a Christian in 965, the Stebbins have been Christians for about 1005 years. Herfast’s sister the Princess Gunor of Denmark married Richard I, Duke of Normandy from 942 to 996. Herfast settled in Normandy and his son Walkelin became 1st Lord of Ferrieres-St. Hilaire, with his castle near Bernai, in Normandy, France. Herfast’s grandson Henry fought in the battle of Hastings in England in 1066. He settled in England, and became Henry de Ferrers.

Herfast’s great grandson, Robert de Ferrers became 1st Earl of Derby. John Ferrers de Stebbing was a younger son of William de Ferrers 6th Earl of Derby, Herfast’s 5th great grandson. Lady Agnes Meschines de Chester was 6th great granddaughter of Herfast’s sister, the duchess Gunor of Normandy, who before her marriage was the Princess Gunor of Denmark.

William De Ferrers 6th Earl of Derby, married Lady Agnes Meschines de Chester.

Danish, Scandinavian, Norman Lineage from 818 B.C. To Herfast

Names annotated with (*) represent a Stebbins ancestor. The following abbreviations used in this original genealogy have been replaced as follows: (d) daughter, (f) father, (k) killed, (m) married.

818 B.C.* Radding King of Denmark (m) Princess Ragnhild (d) of King of the Nitherians, Hakon, in Norway. Radding had a son Frode and two daughters Princess Swanhild and Princess Ulfhild. Frode I. King of Denmark. Frode’s sister Ulfhild (m) Scot and founded the Scottish name. Frode’s sister Swanhild (m) Ragnar King of Sweden. Frode captured London, but perished fighting his son-in-law Ragnar, King of Sweden. Frode had three sons, Halfdan, Ro and Skat.

687 B.C. Halfdan, King of Denmark was very cruel but died of old age, had two sons, Ro and Helge.

631 B.C.Ro, King of Denmark killed in battle Hothbrodd, King of Sweden.

628 B.C. Hothbrodd, King of Sweden had two sons who both became Kings of Sweden, Ath Athisal and Rother.

628 B.C.Helge, King of Denmark annihilated the Swedes and killed Hothbrodd in battle and had a son Rolf.

568 B.C. Rolf, King of Denmark killed Athisl in battle.

527 B.C.* Rother, King of Sweden and Denmark married Nanna daughter of Gewar, a fosterling King of Norway. Rother was killed in battle but had a son, Roric Slyngeband (swing bracelet).

485 B.C.* Roric Slyngeband, King of Denmark had a son, Wiglek and Princess Gerutha who married Rorendil and had a son Amleth.

431 B.C.* Wiglek, King of Denmark had a long peaceful reign and left a son Wermund.

431 B.C. Amleth killed the King of England and married the King’s daughter. He also married Hermentrude Queen of Scots, killed his uncle Feng and returned to Denmark with both wives, where he was killed in battle by King Wiglek.

398 B.C. Guitalohus, King of Denmark.

356 B.C.* Wermund, King of Denmark married daughter of Frowin, King of Sleswik and had a son Uffe who killed the Prince of Saxony, adding Saxony to Denmark.

295 B.C.* Uffe, King of Denmark had a son named Danus.

265 B.C.* Danus II, King of Denmark was father of

228 B.C.* Hugleik, King of Denmark, defeated Homod and Hogrin, Kings of Sweden, was father of

176 B.C.* Frode II, King of Denmark, was father of Danus III.

146 B.C.* Danus III, King of Denmark conquered Saxony and forced it to pay tribute. Had a son, Friedleif.

77 B.C.* Fridleif I, King of Denmark, defeated the Olanders and captured Dublin, Ireland, had a son, Frode.

37 B.C. Hanefus, King of Denmark and brother Saurticke who was king of the Saxons.

37 B.C. Frode III, King of Denmark married Princess Hamund daughter of the King of the Huns, then put Hamund away and married the Princess Alfhild. Frode then destroyed the Huns in a seven-day battle. Erik killed Alrik, King of Sweden and became Eric III, King of Sweden. Then joined Frode in conquest of Norway. Frode conquered Brittan. Frode had two sons, Fridleif and Alf and one daughter Princess Eyfura who married Arngrim, a Swedish champion and had 12 sons. Frode was killed by a woman sorcerer, when his oldest son was traveling in Russia. The birth of Christ was during Frode’s reign.

19 A.D. Hiarn, King of Denmark was elected by the people.

21 A.D. * Fridleif II, King of Denmark killed King Hiarm, then killed Amund King of Norway and married daughter of Grubb, a commoner and had a son Olaf. Then married Princess Frogertha daughter of the dead King Amund, and had a son Frode.

33 A.D. * Frode IV, King of Denmark had a son Ingild. Frode was treacherously slain by Swerting.

79 A.D. * Ingild, King of Denmark had three sons killed in war but his fourth son survived.

102 A.D. * Olaf I, King of Denmark had two sons. Frode who married a Princess Ulfhild daughter of Siward, King of Sweden and Harald who married Princess Signe daughter of Karl, King of Gothland.

112 A.D. * Harald I, King of Denmark had two sons Harald and Halfdan. Harald was killed by his brother Frode, who became King.

117 A.D. Frode V, King of Denmark was burned to death by the two sons of murdered King Harald.

128 A.D. * Halfdan II, King of Denmark preferred roving to being King and turned the throne over to his brother after three years.

131 A.D.Harald II, King of Denmark was killed in battle with the Swedes under Swedish King Eric, son of burned to death King Frode IV.

141 A.D.* Halfdan II returned to the throne of Denmark after the death of his brother Harald II. He defeated and banished Eric IV, King of Sweden and became King of Sweden. He married Thorhild daughter of a Swedish Chief and their son Asmund became King of Norway and ancestor of the Kings of Norway. He appointed Kugwin King of the Goths, to become King of Denmark at his death.

155 A.D. Yngwin, King of Denmark had a son Siwald. Yngwin was overthrown by rival Ragnald, King of Norway.

177 A.D.* Asmund, King of Norway had a son Ragnald.

190 A.D.* Ragnald, King of Norway and Denmark had a daughter Princess Drota but was overthrown in Zealand, Denmark by Siwald.

155 A.D. Siwald I, King of Denmark married a sister of Ottar and had two sons Sigar and Alf, and one daughter Princess Gurid.

177 A.D. Sigar, King of Denmark was killed in battle by the Kinglet Hamund. Denmark then divided into four Provinces: Skaane, Funen, Zealand and Jutland.

190 A.D. Siwald II, King of Denmark apparently reunited Denmark.

201 A.D.* Princess Drota of Norway married Borgar a Champion and had a son Halfdan, who became King of Denmark.

201 A.D.* Halfdan, King of Denmark married Princess Gurid and had a son Ivar Vidfadme.

201 A.D.Halfdan was killed in battle.

Unspecified* Ivar Vidfadme, King of Denmark created a mighty Danish Kingdom around the Province of Skaane probably with the town of Lund as capital, has a daughter whose name was lost.

Unspecified* Daughter of Ivar Vidfadme had a son Harald Hyldetand and several daughters.

261 A.D.Harald Hyldetand III. Rebuilt the mighty Danish Kingdom. Harald killed two sons of Alver, King of Sweden and married one sister to Ingild, Alvers third son who became King of Sweden. Their son Hrolf became King of Sweden and he killed his uncle in the battle of Bravalla, which was fought between Denmark and Sweden. Harald defeated Ubbe, King of the Frisians and married another sister to King Ubbe. Harald married a third sister to Siward, King of Norway.

327 A.D.* Granddaughter of Ivar Vidfadme and sister of Harald Hyldetand married Siward, King of Norway and had a son, Olaf, who became the next King of Denmark and Norway.

327 A.D.* Olaf II, King of Denmark. After the death of Harald Hyldetand, Olaf became King of the Province of Skaane. Hetha who may have been Olaf’s aunt, became Queen of the rest of Denmark. Eventually King Olaf forced out Queen Hetha and became King of a united Denmark. Olaf was killed by Starkad, but left a son, Omund.

Unspecified* Omund, King of Denmark and Norway killed Hring, King of Sweden and married Hring’s daughter. Omund conquered Norway, which was ruled by Queen Rusla, made Thorias Prince of Norway and put Norway under tribute.

341 A.D.Omund was father of Siward, King of Denmark and was killed fighting Simon, Governor of Skaane under Gotar, King of Sweden and lost Skaane and Jutland. Siward’s son Jarmerik was in a Sclav prison. Budle, Regent of Denmark and Brother of Siward turned Denmark over to Jarmerik when he returned.

367 A.D.* Jarmerik, King of Denmark married Princess Swanhild, overthrew Gothar, King of Sweden and conquered the Sclavs but was killed in battle with Hellespontines. Jarmerik had a son, Broder.

Unspecified* Broder, King of Denmark was father of Siwald.

Unspecified Siwald, King of Denmark was father of Snio.

Unspecified * Snio, King of Denmark married the daughter of the King of the Goths. Snio conquered the Goths and reunited Skaane to Denmark. Famine made Denmark barren and many Danes crossed over the Baltic to Rugen becoming the Tribe of Lombards, which eventually settled in northern Italy. Snio was father of Bjorn.

Unspecified Various kings mentioned: Volsung King of Denmark, Sigmund King of Denmark, Helge Hundingbane King of Denmark, Hnaef King of Denmark.

449 A.D. Hengest, King of Denmark was presumably the King of the Jutes (Danes from Jutland) who landed on the shores of England and established the Jute Kingdom of Kent. This Kingdom eventually included Kent, Essex, Middlesex, Sussex, London, Surrey, and the Isle of Wight. Simultaneously the Angles (Danes from south Jutland on Kiel bay) established the Kingdom of East Anglia in England which became permanent and gave England its name.

520 A.D. Hugleik, King of Denmark, also known as Chocilacius, killed in trouble with the Franks in Europe.

Unspecified Stoerkodder, King of Denmark.

Unspecified* Bjorn, King of Denmark was father of Harald Baldrus, King of Denmark.

Unspecified* Harald V, King of Denmark was father of

Unspecified* Gorm I, King of Denmark was father of Sigfred. Ongendus, King of Denmark.

Unspecified* Sigfred, King of Denmark. Sigfred’s sister married Widukind, a Saxon Captain. Sigfred was father of Gudfred.

792 A.D.* Gudfred, King of Denmark was the daughter of Gaut, King of Norway. He defeated the Saxons and subdued Friesland and was preparing for an invasion of the Franks, who were ruled by Charlemagne when he was murdered by the sword of an assassin. They had two sons, Olaf and Hardeknud.

801 A.D. Olaf, King of Denmark died in 810 A.D. and was King for a few months but became the ancestor of the Lund Family. He is also believed to be the ancestor of the Lunds having Prefixes or suffixes to their name, such for example, Berglund, Chindlund, Ekelund, Lundberg, Lundgren, Lundquist and etc.

812 A.D.Hemming, King of Denmark was a nephew of King Gudfred. He made peace with Louis, King of the Franks and died in 812 A.D.

817 A.D.Sigurd Ring, King of Denmark was son of Sigurd, King of Norway, who married Gudfred’s sister and was killed fighting his cousin Ring in Jutland. Two of his sons were Ragnar Lodbrok and Harald Klak.

817 A.D.Ragnar Lodbrok, King of Denmark left the throne to become the most famous of all the Vikings. He raised ten famous Viking sons.

817 A.D.Harald Klak VI, King of Denmark left the throne to pursue Viking enterprises and made several unsuccessful efforts to regain it. He had several famous Viking sons.

Unspecified* Hardeknud, King of Denmark, younger son of Gudfred ruled Denmark effectively. He advanced up the Elbe river against Louis, King of the Franks about 837. He was compelled to share the throne with two nephews for two years before he was killed in a three-day family battle in 854. He had a son Hardeknud, the younger.

859 A.D.* Hardeknud, the younger King of Sweden died in 959 A.D. leaving an infant son, Gora.

859 A.D.Sigurd and Halfdan were joint Kings of Denmark, sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, and chosen by the people. Sigurd died leaving a young son, Eric.

864 A.D.Eric, King of Denmark married a granddaughter of Harald Klak and had a son, Canute.

869 A.D.Canute, King of Denmark had a guardian Ennie-gnup because of his youth. He had a son Frode.

879 A.D.Frode VI, King of Denmark had a son Gorm, who was born in England.

881 A.D. Gorm II, King of Denmark married Princess Sida of England had Harald VII, King of Denmark married Princess Elgiva daughter of Alfred The Great, King of England, 671 to 900 A.D.

896 A.D. Rollo the Dane appeared in Normandy, France and began the conquest of Normandy in 898.

901 A.D.* Gorm III (the old), son of Hardeknud, the younger King of Denmark. Rollo the Dane completed the conquest of Normandy and became Duke of Normandy.

911 A.D. Rollo’s son William Longsword became Duke in 927, and his son Richard I became Duke when his father was murdered in 942. Gorm married Princess Thyra, daughter of Ethelred, King of England jointly with his brother Alfred until Ethelred 890. Gorm and Thyra had Harald VIII.

940 A.D.* Harald VIII Blaatand (blue tooth), King of Denmark married a Princess Cyrid of Sweden. Harald invaded Normandy and defeated and captured Louis IV of France at the battle of Dives in 945, and forced Louis to recognize Richard I, as Duke of Normandy. Richard I later married Princess Gunor, daughter of Harald VIII. Harald VIII had a son, Sweyn, who became King of Denmark in 985 and a younger son Herfast who settled in Normandy. Herfast, Gunor and Sweyn are Stebbins ancestors.

Other References

The following are some of the sources of information used in this book:

• Danish Line, Rollo to William The Conqueror. Ordericus Vitalis Vol. 3
• Gibbons Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire, Vol. 3
• Banks Extinct Peerage, Vol. 1
• Baddesley Clinton, by Norris, London, 1897
• Norman People by King, London, 1874
• Burke’s Landed Gentry
• Wright’s Essex County
• Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 2, 1889
• Americans of Royal Descent, 1883, 1891, 1911
• Anglo Saxon Chronicle, American Origins, Pine
• General Armory of Great Britain, Burke
• The Norman People and their Descendants
• Cambridge Medieval History
• Conquest of England, Linklater
• Military History, Western World
• The Vikings, American Heritage
• Dictionary of National Biography
• Domesday Book, William The Conqueror
• Stebbins Family, by Greenlee, 1904
• Dugdale’s Baronage

References

• Two lines of Descent from Alfred The Great, Americans of Royal Descent Editions of 1883, 1891, 1897 and 1911
• Royal Ancestors of Magna Carta Barons, Collins 1959
• History of Denmark, Paula Lauring
• Heimskringla, Snorri Sturluson
• Danish History, Axel Oirik
• Saxo Grammaticus, Vol. 1 to 9
• Encyclopedia Americana, Denmark

These to be found in the Pennsylvania Historical Society Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• Back to Rollo the Dane, 1st Duke of Normandy 911 A.D., and the Swedish Kings. See Americans of Royal Descent, Vol. II, 1897 Pedigree CCXLVI, Page 825, Book Number F A M 36 c Penn. Historical Soc. Philadelphia.
• Back to Charlemagne, Emperor of the Franks and Romans 742 A.D. and the Carolingian Kings. See Americans of Royal Descent, 7th Edition, 1911, Page 467, Book number F A M 36 e Penn. Historical Soc. Philadelphia.

Saxon and Danish kings ruled England beginning with Egbert in 827 A.D. to and including Harold 2nd in 1066.

The Norman line began with William, Duke of Normandy, who became William I. or William the Conqueror in 1066 to and including King Stephen in 1135.

Ancestral Homes of the Stebbins Family

Lund became the first known Stebbins ancestral home, about 210 A.D. when Danish King Ivar Vidfadme (Stebbins ancestor) established Lund as capital of Denmark.

Bernai in Normandy, France became the Stebbins ancestral home about 300 A.D. (or later) when Walkelin (Stebbins ancestor) grandson of Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark, was made Lord of Ferrires-St. Hilaire, with his castle near Bernai.

Stebbing, England became the ancestral home after William the Conqueror (also a Stebbins ancestor) conquered England in 1066 A.D. and established Henry de Ferrers, son of Walkelin (a Stebbins ancestor) at Stebbing. The town of Stebbing has probably been in existence since about 600 A.D.

John Ferrers de Stebbing, 4th great grandson of Henry de Ferrers, held the Manor of Stebbing during the reign of John, King of England (1199-1216) and was the first to take Stebbins or Stebhing for his family name.

Descent from Herfast Plus Two Parallel Lines

* John Ferrers de Stebbing – John de Stebbing or Stebbins ancestor of the Stebbins, born A.D. 1200.

Notes: William 5th Earl of Derby was killed in the Crusades. Walkelin the Norman was sometimes spelled Walchelin and Gualcheline.

Other References

• Banks Extinct Peerage, Vol. I, page 160 reads: Ranulf Peverel married Maud, concubine of William the Conqueror. Her son William, begotten on her by the Conqueror before the conquest had the name William Peverel. William Peverel had custody of Nottingham and was one of the chief commanders at the Battle of Northallerton. His son, William poisoned Randolph, Earl of Chester, his lands were seized but his daughter Margaret bought Higham with her marriage to William Ferrers 3rd Earl of Derby.
• The only copy of Baddesley Clinton, with the account of the Family of Ferrers (1897) 169 pages by H. Norris, published by London Art and Book Co. is in the Library of Congress.
• Elizabeth, Lady Ferrers of Groby, married 2nd Sir John Bourgchier and died Jan. 23, 1482. Before her death the following statement was prepared: “By a fine John Bourgchier and his wife Elizabeth Ferrers conveyed the Manors of Groby and Stebbing to Thomas Bourgchier.” Thus the Stebbing Manor was owned by the Ferrers from 1066 to 1482. John De Stebbing was born on the estate about 1200.
• Battle Abbey Roll, Vol. 11, page 25, London, by John Murray, Albermarle St. 1889 says that the site of the Castle of the Lords of Ferrieres – St. Hilare is still to be seen near Bernai, Normandy, France. It says also that Henry Lord of Ferrieres – St. Hilarie and the Lord of Tillieres both bought large companies of Cavalry to the Battle of Hastings. They both charged the English together. Henry was noted for his knowledge and integrity, His two older sons Engenulph and William died young. States that William De Ferrers, the 6th Earl of Derby married Lady Agnes Meschines De Chester and they were married for 75 years. John de Stebbing was their son.

Stebbins Ancestral Lines Starting with Alfred The Great

Line 1, From Alfred the Great

Alfred The Great King of England married Lady Ethelbirth, had Princess Ethelfleda married Ethelred, Earl of Mercia, had Lady Elfwina of Mercia married Edulf, son of Ordgar, Earl of Devon, had Leofwine Earl of Marcia married Lady Alward of East Anglia, had Leofric the Great, Earl of Mercia married Lady Godiva of Coventry-town (who when wearing no clothes rode a horse thru the streets, protesting the condition of the people). They had Algar, Earl of Mercia married Lady Alversa Malet, had Edwin last Earl of Mercia, killed in battle in 1071, was father of Lady Lucia of Mercia married Randle de Meschines, first Earl of Chester, had Randle, Earl of Chester married Lady Bertred de Evereaux, had Lady Agnes Meschines de Chester married William de Ferrers 6th Earl of Derby, had John Ferrers de Stebbing, born about 1200, ancestor of the Stebbins and Stebbings.

See Americans of Royal Descent.

See second Stebbins line on next page.

Line 2, from Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great, King of England, married Lady Ethelbirth, had Princess Elfrida married Baldwin II, Count of Flanders in France, had Arnulf I, Count of Flanders married Lady Alisa de Vermandois, fifth in line of descent from Charlemagne, had Baldwin III, Count of Flanders married Lady Matilda of Saxony, Germany, had Arnulf II, Count of Flanders married Princess Rosala, daughter of Berengar II, King of Italy, had Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders married Lady Eleanor, daughter of Richard III, Duke of Normandy, had Baldwin V, Count of Flanders married Princess Adela, daughter of Robert II, King of France descended from Hengist, King of Saxony about 500 and from Woden, had Lady Matilda of Flanders, married William 7th Duke of Normandy Conqueror of England in 1066 and as King William I of England, and descended from Woden through Fornjot, King of Finland about 500 and Adelie the Great, King of Sweden about 600, had Henry I, King of England, was father of Robert de Mellent, a distinguished soldier made Earl of Gloucester, was father of Lady Gloucester married Randle Earl of Chester, had Hugh, Earl of Chester married Lady Bertred de Evereaux, had Lady Agnes de Meschines de Chester married William de Ferrers 6th Earl of Derby, had John de Ferrers de Stebbing, born about 1200, ancestor of the Stebbins and Stebbings.

Rollo the Dane was a Norwegian that was outlawed from Norway and became a Dane. He required from 898 to 911 to conquer Normandy in France and became the 1st Duke of Normandy under Charles III, King of France.

The Lords of Ferrers-St. Hilaire could not have held their title on a hereditary tenure unless they did homage to the Duke, were related to the Ducal House, and rendered the Duke military service when the Duke requested it.

Walkelin, Lord of Ferrires St. Hilaire was related to William, 7th Duke of Normandy, when he was killed fighting in a duel in 1031. William later became William I, King of England and known as William The Conqueror.

William Peverell, Baron of Nottingham, is said to be a natural son of William I, King of England (William the Conqueror). His mother was a daughter of Ingelric, founder of the collegiate Church of St. Martins-le Grand, London. His granddaughter Margaret married William de Ferrers 3rd, Earl of Derby.

William the Conqueror’s Ancestor, Rollo the Dane (our 30th great grandfather) was a very handsome and distinguished person according to the statue of him in Rouen, Normandy, France. Rollo is rated as second only to Alfred the Great, King of England 871 to 899, among our ancestors of more than a thousand years ago.

During the time that Rollo continued to conquer the land in northern Gaul. They did not plunder and ravage like common Vikings, but spared the towns and treated all the country between Brittany and the river Epte as if it were their own.

Charles III, King of France came to an agreement with Rollo. He pledged if Rollo would accept him as his King, he would give him possession of the lands he had conquered, as “Duke of the Northmen.” Rollo actually would hold these lands in fief for the King, just as some 300 years later John Ferrers de Stebbing estate in fief for King John in England.

Rollo had to take his oath by kissing the King’s foot. Since Rollo could not bear to stoop to kiss the King’s foot, the King allowed him to pay homage by deputy.

Rollo ordered one of his Knights (the ancestor of the Anglo-Norman Baliol family) named Bailleul, to kiss the King’s foot. Instead of bending, Bailleul lifted the King’s foot to his lips so that King Charles III was upset backwards, throne and all.

Rollo’s son, William Longsword Duke of Normandy 927 to 942 was murdered in 942 by the Count of Flanders when his son Richard was only seven years old. Louis IV, King of France 936 to 954 went to Rouen, declared himself Richard’s right guardian, and carried him off to Laon, and there treated Richard so harshly that it was plain that there was an intention of getting rid of the child.

Osmond de Centeville, Richard’s squire, rolled Richard up in a bundle of straw and carried him to the stable like fodder for his horse, then galloped off with him to Normandy. A great war started and Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark 940 to 985 (our 29th great Grandfather, and first great grandfather of Henry de Ferrers) landed on the continent, made his headquarters at Cherbourg, and advanced to Bayeux.

The Normans hurried to join them on the banks of the Dives river in 945, he met Louis IV in battle, defeated him, took him prisoner, then having re-established young Richard as Duke of Normandy, Harald Bluetooth retired to his own country.

Lothair, King of France 954 to 986 and Richard 1st, Duke of Normandy had differences. Severe fighting developed in Normandy and Harald Bluetooth intervened again and effected a settlement between Richard and Lothair at Gisors in 965.

Harald Bluetooth’s daughter Gunor married Richard 1st. Four more of his daughters, Princesses Wevia, Avelina, Senfrie and a fourth (name not known) married Norman Knights. A fifth daughter, Princess Thyra married Olaf, King of Norway and a sixth daughter, Princess Gunnhild married a Danish Knight named Pallig, was murdered in England on St. Brice’s Day in 1002, and his brother Sweyn, King of Denmark, 985 to 1014, swore implacable revenge by conquering England in 1014. His son, Canute becoming King of England in 1016.

Harald Bluetooth’s son, Prince Hakon settled in Normandy with the name Herfast, whose grandson was Henry De Ferrers, our ancestor that came to England with William the Conqueror.

William de Ferriers, 5th Earl of Derby accompanied King Richard the Lion-Heart to the Holy Land in the 3rd Crusade where he lost his life at the siege of Acre during June and July, 1191. The five plates on the Coat of Arms designate service in the Crusades.

• The Domesday Book, page 112.

The Stebbing estate was given to Henry de Ferrers, Ralph Peverell, Count Eustace and the Abbey of St. Mary de Torni by William The Conqueror (William I, King of England).

• Dugdale’s Barronage, page 257.

Henry Ferrers was commissioned by William The Conqueror to make the Great Survey of the Realm (Domesday Book). Only one of highest knowledge and integrity could be trusted with so great and important project. That Henry was a person of great wealth is shown by the fact that he held 210 Lordships, among the best in all England. His chief seat was Tutbury castle, near which he founded a Monastry for Clunie Monks and amply endowed it. Henry was with William in the battle of Hastings Oct. 14, 1066.

• Freemans Norman Conquest III, page 301 & 503.
• Ellis Introductory to Domesday Book I, page 418.
• Lewis Topographical Dictionary of England 1835.
• Wright’s History of Essex 1836 II, page 48.

The Stebbing estate was originally 4383 acres and 6 acres of water and was divided into districts, Brands end, Duck End, Church End, Stebbing, Green and Stebbing Ford. Stebbing Green is now an open park of about 30 acres and one half mile from the village. A brook flows through the village towards Chelmsford. In recent years the trend of the younger generation to the cities has reduced the village to its present size.

Gibbons Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire states near the bottom of page 491 in Vol. 3 that William de Ferrers was one of the English Nobles who was killed in the 3rd Crusade at the siege of Acre. This was William de Ferrers 5th Earl of Derby, grandfather of John de Stebbing.

graph TD
    %% Main line from 818 BC
    Radding["Radding King of Denmark, 818 BC"] --> Frode["Frode I King of Denmark"]
    Frode --> Halfdan["Halfdan King of Denmark, 687 BC"]
    Halfdan --> Ro["Ro King of Denmark, 631 BC"]
    Ro --> Rother["Rother King of Sweden & Denmark, 527 BC"]
    Rother --> RoricS["Roric Slyngeband, 485 BC"]
    RoricS --> Wiglek["Wiglek King of Denmark, 431 BC"]
    Wiglek --> Wermund["Wermund King of Denmark, 356 BC"]
    Wermund --> Uffe["Uffe King of Denmark, 295 BC"]
    Uffe --> Danus2["Danus II King of Denmark, 265 BC"]
    Danus2 --> Hugleik["Hugleik King of Denmark, 228 BC"]
    Hugleik --> Frode2["Frode II King of Denmark, 176 BC"]
    Frode2 --> Danus3["Danus III King of Denmark, 146 BC"]
    Danus3 --> Fridleif1["Fridleif I King of Denmark, 77 BC"]

    %% Continue main line
    Fridleif1 --> Bjorn["Bjorn King of Denmark"]
    Bjorn --> Harald5["Harald V King of Denmark"]
    Harald5 --> Gorm1["Gorm I King of Denmark"]
    Gorm1 --> Sigfred["Sigfred King of Denmark"]
    Sigfred --> Gudfred["Gudfred King of Denmark, 792-810 AD"]
    Gudfred --> Hardeknud1["Hardeknud King of Denmark, d.854 AD"]
    Hardeknud1 --> HardeknudY["Hardeknud the Younger, d.959 AD"]
    HardeknudY --> Gorm3["Gorm III the Old, 901 AD"]
    Gorm3 --> Harald8["Harald VIII Bluetooth, 940-985 AD"]

    %% Branch to Herfast
    Harald8 --> Herfast["Herfast Prince of Denmark, c.985 AD"]
    Herfast --> Walkelin["Walkelin 1st Lord of Ferrers, d.1031"]
    Walkelin --> HenryF["Henry de Ferrers, 1066 AD"]
    HenryF --> Robert1["Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby"]
    Robert1 --> Robert2["Robert de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby"]
    Robert2 --> William3["William de Ferrers, 3rd Earl of Derby"]
    William3 --> Robert4["Robert de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby"]
    Robert4 --> William5["William de Ferrers, 5th Earl, d.1191"]
    William5 --> William6["William de Ferrers, 6th Earl of Derby"]

    %% Parallel line through Gunor
    Harald8 --> Gunor["Gunor Princess of Denmark, c.985 AD"]
    Gunor --> Richard2["Richard II Duke of Normandy"]
    Richard2 --> Richard3["Richard III Duke of Normandy"]
    Richard3 --> AliceN["Lady Alice of Normandy"]
    AliceN --> RalphC["Ralph Earl of Chester"]
    RalphC --> RandleC1["Randle Earl of Chester"]
    RandleC1 --> RandleC2["Randle Earl of Chester"]
    RandleC2 --> HughC["Hugh Earl of Chester"]
    HughC --> AgnesC["Lady Agnes de Chester"]

    %% Marriage connection
    AgnesC --> William6
    William6 --> JohnS["John Ferrers de Stebbing, c.1200 AD"]

    %% Parallel line through Sweyn
    Harald8 --> Sweyn["Sweyn King of Denmark, 985-1014 AD"]
    Sweyn --> Estrith["Estrith Princess of Denmark"]
    Estrith --> MargaretN["Lady Margaret of Normandy"]
    MargaretN --> MaudeA["Lady Maude d'Auveranche"]
    MaudeA --> RalphC

    %% Style nodes
    classDef default fill:#f9f9f9,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    classDef marriage fill:#e1d5e7,stroke:#9673a6;
    classDef mainLine fill:#dae8fc,stroke:#6c8ebf;
    
    %% Apply styles
    class JohnS,William6,AgnesC marriage;
    class Harald8,Herfast,Walkelin,HenryF,Robert1,Robert2,William3,Robert4,William5 mainLine;