The History of the Mayne Family

THE HISTORY OF THE

MAYNE FAMILY - By H.J. Mayne VOLUME 1

Preface An earlier version of this book entitled ‘A Mayne Family History’ was first produced in May 2006, and an updated and revised version was reprinted in November 2007.

This book is part of a re-working of those earlier productions, presenting all the details in a more chronological order, and adding in much additional material relating to the early history in France and England, which has come to light in the intervening period.

Although examining the potential history of many Mayne lineages, this work does primarily concern itself with the ancestry of my own family.

This work is now part of a three-volume production. Volume one covers the history of the family in medieval France and their introduction to England, spanning a period between the 8th and 13th centuries.

Volume two details the family history of my own personal lineage, tracing the descent of the family from its known origin in the village of Swimbridge in Devon in the 16th century to the modern day.

Volume three details the lineages of other Mayne families which may, or may not, be descended from the Lords of Mayenne.

The History of the Mayne Family

Index

SECTION DETAILS PAGE

A.1 Origin of the Surname Mayne 4 A.2 Mayne Family Lineage 6 A.3 Ancient History of Maine and Mayenne 8 B.1 Early Counts of Maine 10 C.1 First House of Mayenne 18 C.2 Second House of Mayenne 20 D.1 Mayenne to England 45 E.1 First Maynes in England 46 F.1 Mayne Ancestry and DNA Testing 49

The History of the Mayne Family

A.1 Origin of the Surname Mayne The examination of the origin of the surname Mayne has required reference to many sources. One prime source is the book 'The House of Maine', privately produced in 1939 by Rev. R.H.Main and which, it appears, has been the basis for many writings on the Mayne genealogy since. However, some have noted that he reproduced erroneous links created by others before him, and my own research now calls into question other statements he made. I will outline my view on the history of our surname and will indicate how this compares to other reference sources.

A general view of reference books is that the surname Mayne most often identifies families descended from persons being of Maine, France. The capital of Maine in France was Le Mans, but there were several other towns in the county, including Mayenne.

The spelling of the name Mayne has little significance. Spellings such as Main, Maine, Mayn and Mayne are all found. The spelling of the name would have relied in many instances on how the scribes who kept parish records, legal documents, etc., thought that it should be spelt.

The introduction of surnames only came into being in England in the 11th and 12th centuries, and was prompted very much by the compilation of the Domesday Book in 1086 for William the Conqueror. He had given land to many of those who had accompanied him at the Battle of Hastings, as a reward for their assistance, and he wanted to know what land and assets existed, and who owned them. For identification in the Domesday Book many people had the place of their origin added to their first name.

William the Conqueror was a direct descendant of Rollo the Viking who led invasions of France around the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th. It is thought that Rollo was of Danish stock. He eventually came to an agreement with Charles the Simple, King of France, that in exchange for be granted much land in the north of France he would protect the King and his people from further Viking invasions. The land Rollo was given became known as Normandy (the land of the North men).

William’s inheritance of the Dukedom of Normandy was a complicated affair, and his rule constantly came under threat from neighbouring areas. He waged several minor wars against neighbouring territories, including Maine, the area directly south of Normandy. In a bid to avoid future disputes between these parties, marriages were often arranged between members of the ruling families.

When William launched his invasion of England in 1066 his forces drew heavily upon men from Normandy, Brittany, Anjou and Maine, many of them acting as mercenaries. There is much dispute as to the names of men who may have been at the Battle of Hastings. French sources have supposedly identified 315 individuals, but British historians take the view that evidence only exists to confirm less than twenty of those men as actually having been there.

Only one reference to an individual 'of Maine' has been identified by the French sources. English historians have questioned who such a person would have been - there was at that time a Geoffroy, Lord of Mayenne, but his relationship with William the Conqueror (detailed later) would seem to make it very unlikely that he would have been in the invasion force.

I have been unable to find any direct reference to a person being 'of Maine' in the Domesday Book.

The Rev. Main's book includes references to three 'Mayne' individuals who were supposedly at the Battle of Hastings.

The History of the Mayne Family

First, he mentions 'Ernulphus of Mayenne who, so tradition asserts, was the Conqueror's standard bearer'. I cannot find any reference to this person and would question why such a seemingly important individual is not included on the French list of those at the Battle.

Second, he mentions a 'Walter de Mayenne' as being a companion of the Conqueror. At least one source for the Domesday Book identifies a Walter of Maine as included, but examination of the actual record shows the name of the person purely as Walter – no explanation of his supposed link to Maine is given and, as far as I can see, there is no reason to suggest a link of that Walter to Maine.

Third, and most significantly, he states that 'Judael de Totenais', a man identified in the Domesday Book with major land holdings in Devon, was previously 'Judael de Mayenne, probably the grandfather of Walter Fitz-Joel de Maine'. I believe this statement to be completely incorrect. Modern references say that Judael de Totenais came from Brittany, and that his son was the last male in that family line. Strangely, (as will be explained later) this man did have a connection with the Mayne family.

I believe it is very unlikely that any men of note from Mayenne accompanied William The Conqueror on his invasion of England in 1066, or held land in England at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086.

From my own research, detailed herein, into the families of the Counts of Maine and the Lords of Mayenne, it appears clear to me that the introduction of the name of Mayne into England came through the involvement of the family of the Lords of Mayenne with King Henry I of England, his daughter, the Empress Matilda, and her son King Henry II of England. Exchange of land with Henry I provided the family with manors in Devon and Somerset, and their support for this royal family and their marriages with members of the royal entourage brought them further lands. Since that time the bulk of the instances of the surname Mayne in England have been found in Devon,

I believe the origin of our Mayne ancestry comes from the family of the Lords of Mayenne, a statement borne out by the result of my own DNA test, detailed later. All the evidence that has led me to this conclusion is set out in this book.

The sections of this book relating to the early history of the Mayne family, particularly that part relating to their history in France has been compiled with reference to the following documents;

The House of Maine by Rev. Robert H. Main William the Conqueror by David C. Douglas My Ancestors Came with the Conqueror by Anthony J. Camp Medieval Lands by Charles Cawley Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton The Deeds of Bishop Arnald of Le Mans History of the Lords of Mayenne by Jean Baptiste Guyard de Fosse William the Conqueror by E.A. Freeman The Empress Matilda by M.Chibnall History of Totnes Castle by Charles Oman

Many sections highlight the Prime Source [PS] and Secondary Source [SS] of the details contained therein, and sometimes identify by number [1] the source of a particular record.

The History of the Mayne Family

A.2 Mayne Family Lineage In the course of my research I have discovered that others before me have also sought to find the origins of the Mayne family.

In the 1930's the Rev. R.H.Main did a lot of research and produced his book 'The House of Maine'. That book mostly contains details of the records the Reverend managed to find about Maynes of the past, but there is an absence of much theorising as to the lineage of the family, other than the suggestion that the origins may stem from the Lords of Mayenne, through Baron Joel de Mayne. It seems, though, that he may well have taken this theory from the previous writings of others.

More recently, the 'Mayne - One Name Study' compiled by David Gore draws on information provided by many sources, including the work of other individuals researching Mayne family history. In his work mention is made of two other individuals who sought to identify the Mayne lineage.

The first of these was John Thomas Mayne (1792-1843), a member of the Mayne family of Teffont Evias (near Salisbury). This John Mayne, a lawyer and a man of some wealth, sought to prove his lineage back to the Barons of Mayenne. His pedigree is confirmed back to a Mayne family in Exeter, which may have an earlier connection to the Mayne family of Hatherleigh in Devon, but he apparently put together a family tree that had some questionable links in it, particularly those tying it to the Mayne family of Kent. He also made comments about the Mayne family's involvement in English history that were certainly untrue. In recent times his 'deceptions' have been exposed and he has been criticised for them. He did, though, do some very worthwhile research, and in particular, during 1818 and 1819, he spent much time copying details of wills and pedigrees of Mayne families he found in the records held at Doctor's Commons in London. These provide the possible lineage of the Mayne family of Kent that descends from Walter de Mayenne. These records that he extracted are thought to be accurate.

The other individual who sought to produce a Mayne lineage was John Dawson Mayne (1828-1917). He was also a wealthy lawyer, a member of the Mayne family of Dublin. Around the year 1900 he produced and published a Mayne family tree in which he connected his Irish Mayne family with other Mayne families of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Warwickshire, and then linked all of these back to the Mayne family of Kent and Walter de Mayenne. The family tree he produced (of which I have seen parts) is very large and takes some analysing. However, genealogists who have examined it in recent times have concluded that it contains many questionable links, and are very sceptical of its accuracy.

My own thoughts are that both the above individuals may have, like myself, seen the direction the circumstantial evidence points in, but they have then tried to make the records paint the picture they want to see. Unfortunately, the lack of records in England before the 16th century means it is almost certainly impossible for the Mayne lineage to be fully completed.

All that can be laid out is the circumstantial evidence that possibly points to many of the Mayne families of England (and maybe Ireland) having descended from the Lords of Mayenne.

So, what is the circumstantial evidence? The evidence or questions to be examined, particularly in relation to our own family, are as follows;

1. Most Mayne families in the United Kingdom seem to have ancient roots and are of relatively noble stock. Is this a coincidence or does it suggest a common link between these families?

2. The Coats of Arms of several branches of the Mayne family have striking similarities.

The History of the Mayne Family

3. Most of the evidence of a Mayne family in England in early times is through Juhel de Mayenne (a.k.a. Joel de Mayne), his son Walter de Mayenne, and his grandson Juhel II de Mayenne. Were these the common root of the Mayne families of the United Kingdom?

4. In the earliest parish records in England the large majority of Mayne entries are found in Devon, particularly around the Barnstaple area of North Devon. The Lords of Mayenne held the manors of Black Torrington and Nymet Regis in 1140 and the family held them for some 60 or so years, before being stripped of them by King John.

5. Some old English documents identify the Mayne family as being in Devon during the Middle Ages - these are;

(a) A document, estimated to be of the 14th century, identifies a John Mayne in connection with a lease of land at Swimbridge in North Devon.

(b) A document dated 1447 makes reference to a Roger Mayne, with wife Agnes and son John, holding a house and land in Braunton.

(d) The lease of some land in 1597 refers to, and is signed by, Jasper and Roger Mayne of Werrington (near Hatherleigh).

6. The History of Hatherleigh (in North Devon), produced in 2000, mentions that the Mayne family in 1604 'was of some standing in the district' and puts forward suggestions as to the location of the family home.

7. Christian names found amongst the earliest parish records for Maynes in Devon include Walter, Roger and John - and there are even a couple of instances of a Joel Mayne. The practice during early times of Christian names passing from one generation of a family to the next must give a strong indication that there is some link here to the family of Juhel de Mayne and Walter de Mayenne.

Answers to some of the questions about which Mayne families are connected may well come in the future by means of DNA testing. This may be the ultimate genealogy tool. A male child is determined by it having a Y chromosome, and the DNA found in that chromosome is identical (or very nearly) to that of his father, and his father's will be the same as his father's, and so on. Thus, any male Mayne sharing a common ancestor should have the same Y chromosome DNA. Widespread testing of male Maynes would identify those that share the same ancestry.

My own theory on the Mayne family lineage is as follows;

I think there is little doubt that the Mayne family in England has its origin with the Frankish families of the Counts of Maine and the Lords of Mayenne. The connection to England is then made through the Lords of Mayenne, and their descendants may well be the source of most Mayne families found in England and Ireland.

The result of my own Y chromosome DNA test indicates that a Frankish connection is highly probable.

The History of the Mayne Family

A.3 Ancient History of Maine and Mayenne The current province of Maine takes its name from a tribe that lived in an area that roughly corresponds to that region of modern-day France. They were a Celtic tribe known as the Cenomani (or Aulerci Cenomani).

Maine was a heavily forested area with most of the population living in the eastern half. The western half included the Mayenne river running roughly north to south in a valley through a densely wooded area which was sparsely populated.

The main town of the Cenomani was seized by the Romans in the year 47 BC and was named by them as Vindinium. A Roman road, coming from the south-east, from the town of Argentoratum (now Strasbourg), passed through Vindinium (now Le Mans) and onto Noviodunum (now Jublains) and Legedia (now Avranches). Later Vindinium became known as Civitas Cemomanorum (City of the Cenomani).

Vindinium was situated around the confluence of the Sarthe and Huisne rivers.

Noviodunum lay about 7 miles south-east of Mayenne and was the capital town of the Diablintes tribe, their territory probably falling within the area of the Cenomani. The Romans built a fort of some size at Noviodunum and it developed into a commercial town and political centre for the area.

As the Roman empire faded Maine came under the control of the Franks. These were originally tribes that had been based around the lower and middle reaches of the Rhine river, in what is now the Netherlands and north- west Germany. As Frankish power increased Maine became part of their western empire known as Neustria. In the mid eighth century the Frank rulers created out of part of Neustria an area known as Ducatus Cenomannicus, the Duchy of Maine, centred around the town they named Celmans, later to become Le Mans.

The Duchy of Maine became of considerable importance as it contained the western border of the Frank empire, its ruler charged with defending it against incursions by the Bretons and Vikings. During the period roughly between 900 and 1100 Maine was consistently fought over by the Bretons, Vikings, Angevins and Normans.

It was during this time that Mayenne developed from being little more than a river crossing point. It would seem the town and river also took their names from the Cenomani tribe. Mayenne is pronounced as Maine in the local dialect.

Evidence has now been found that a wooden palace was built on the rocky outcrop on the northern bank of the river at Mayenne. It is thought the castle was rebuilt in stone around the beginning of the 11th century, using stone taken from the nearby Roman fortress at Jublains, which had been abandoned around the 5th century. The castle was established as a defence against intrusions into the area from Brittany, Anjou and Normandy. The establishment of a castle led to the expansion and importance of the town, and it grew further in the 12th century when the then Lord of Mayenne expanded the castle and built a monastery close to its gates.

[PS – Mayenne Castle Museum & various Wikipedia websites]

The History of the Mayne Family

THE CASTLE OF MAYENNE AS IT IS TODAY

The History of the Mayne Family

B.1 Early Counts of Maine In ancient times most of what is now France was part of Gaul, a large territory covering much of Western Europe that was then inhabited by the Celts. Around the 5th century much of this land was invaded by the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes, and the Celts were forced back into Brittany and across the Channel to the British Isles.

(Note: As the rulers of Maine later emerge as Counts and Barons it is interesting to note that most of their names, such as Roger, Hugh and Geoffroy, all have Germanic origin)

The first leader of note of the Franks was Charles Martel (or Charles the Hammer) whose most significant achievement was to defeat the Muslim invasion of Europe at the Battle of Tours in 732. One of his grandsons was Charlemagne (or Charles the Great) who was King of the Franks from 768 to 814. Under his rule he expanded the Frankish Kingdom into an Empire covering most of Western and Central Europe. To maintain control over this large area Charlemagne divided the empire into counties, placing a count in control of each. These counts were often the equivalent of modern-day mobsters, taking their income from the peasants they subjugated, their hired thugs being former soldiers or mercenaries now charitably described as knights. They were always trying to expand their 'realm of influence' either by attacking neighbouring territories or by arranging marriages with other ruling families.

The county of Maine emerged during the 8th century, the territory coinciding geographically with the bishopric of Le Mans, and the first records of a Count of Le Mans (the capital of Maine) appeared during the 700's with a Roger, and his son Herve. It is thought that one of their descendants, Gauzlin, was the father of the first Count of Maine. Gauzlin and his wife Adeltrude were named in a charter of 839 as the parents of Rorgon. The counts of Maine were always based in Le Mans, whose population by 1300 was only around 5,000 persons – in earlier centuries it would have been significantly less.

The progression of the Counts of Maine is as follows. It should be noted that many dates relating to individuals, particularly for births, are best estimates.

1. Rorgon I (780-839) (Count from 832 to 839) Rorgon had been made the Count of Rennes by Louis I, King of the Franks, in 819 and was made the first Count of Maine in 832. Around 824 he had undertaken the restoration of the abandoned Glanfeuil Abbey in the village of Saint-Maur-Sur-Loire. He was a retainer at the court of Charlemagne, by whose daughter Rotrude he fathered a son Louis who later became the Abbot of Saint-Denis, and who was also chancellor to Charles II (the Bald, a grandson of Charlemagne), King of West Francia. He was married to Bilechilde and they had four children; Bilechilde, Rorgon, Gauzfrid and Gauzlin. Rorgon died in 839 – his descendants were known as Rorgonides and were the most powerful family in Maine for many generations.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley]

2. Gauzbert (800-853) (Count from 839 to 853) Thought to be a younger brother of Rorgon, Gauzbert took over as the count in 839 when Rorgon died, as his elder brother’s son was deemed too young to rule. He defended Maine from Viking incursions and battled against Lambert II, Count of Nantes, who he killed in an ambush in 852. Records concerning his death are unclear but some suggest Charles II (the Bald) tried him for killing Lambert and had him beheaded.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley]

The History of the Mayne Family

3. Rorgon II 828-865) (Count from 853 to 866) The eldest son of Rorgon and Bilechilde, he became count in 853. It is recorded that he was killed by Vikings in 866. He did not have a wife or family.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley]

4. Gauzfrid (or Geoffroy) (832-878) (Count from 866 to 878) He became the count upon the death of his older brother in 866 and held the title until his death in 878. The name of Gauzfrid’s wife is unknown but the couple appear to have had several children, including more than one son. His eldest son was too young to rule at the time of his death and the title was put in the care of a member of a female branch of the family, one Ragenold. In 885 Ragenold made an attack on Vikings who were raiding Rouen and he was killed in the fighting.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley]

5. Roger (860-900) (Count from 886 to 893, and from 895 to 900)) As Ragenold’s term as caretaker of the role was nearing its end the title of Count of Maine was confiscated from Rorgon's family and given to Roger, a relative of the French Royal family by marriage. Around 892 Roger married Rothilde of Neustria, a daughter of Charles II of France by his second wife, Richildis. The first husband of Rothilde had been Hugh de Bourges, and there is some suggestion that Roger’s mother was from the Bourges family.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley]

6. Gauzlin (860-914) (Count from 893 to 895) The marriage of Roger and Rothilde was not popular with the old ruling family of Le Mans, and they put forward Gauzlin, a son of Count Gauzfrid, as their nomination as the Count of Maine. Gauzlin, thus, briefly interrupted Roger’s reign as the Count of Maine.

The dispute over the title between the two families was eventually settled when Roger died in 900. The title of Count of Maine was passed to his son Hugh, with Hugh agreeing to marry a daughter of Gauzlin, thought to be named Bilechilde.

Some sources suggest Gauzlin was married to Godehilde, a daughter of Charles II of France by his first wife, Ermentrude, and that this pair may have had eight children, including a son named Aubert who became the governor of Mayenne. There is little evidence to support this.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley]

7. Hugh I (890-960) (Count from 900 to 960) Hugh inherited the title of Count of Maine when his father died around 900 when he was still under 10 years of age. His wife is thought to have been Bilechilde, daughter of Gauzlin, and a member of the Rorgonide family.

Hugh’s sister Judith married Hugh the Great, the then head of the Robertian family, ending the longstanding enmity that had previously existed between the two families. The name of Hugh’s wife is unknown, and the only child attributed to the pair was a son, also named Hugh.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley & Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton]

The History of the Mayne Family

THE COUNTS OF MAINE (Part 1) Most dates shown are estimates Charlemagne, King of the Franks Gauzlin of Maine (747-814) (755-820) & Hildegarde & Adeltrude de Anjou Daughter of Gerold of Kraichgau (Germanic) (760- )

Louis the Pious Rorgon I Gauzbert King of the Franks Count of Maine Count of Maine (778-840) (780-839) (800-853) & Judith of Bavaria & Rotrude, Dau & Bilechilde of Charlemagne (775-810)

Charles II, the Bald Louis, Abbot Bilechilde Rorgon II Gauzfrid (Geoffroy) Gauzlin King of West Francia of Saint-Denis of Maine Count of Maine Count of Maine Bishop of Paris (823-877) (800-867) (824- ) (828-866) (832-878) (835-886) & Ermentrude & Richildis & & 1. Bernard, Count of Poitiers Louis II Rothilde of Neustria 2. Rainulf I of Poitiers Gauzlin King of West Francia Duke of Aquitaine Count of Maine (846-879) (871-929) (860-914) & Adelaide of Paris & Roger, Count of Maine & Godehilde, Dau of Charles II, (860-900) (864-907)

Charles III, the Simple Hugh I Aubert, Govenor Godehilde Bilechilde Godefroi King of West Francia Count of Maine of Mayenne of Maine of Maine *** of Maine (879-929) (890-939) (890-940) (892-923) (895- ) (900-958) & Bilechilde of Maine *** & (895- )

Thibault of Maine (920-994) &

Bertha of Maine (950- )

8. Hugh II (935-992) (Count from 960 to 992) Like his father, Hugh was a vassal of Hugh the Great until the latter’s death in 956. Hugh then allied himself with Fulk II, Count of Anjou, and Theobald, Count of Blois. Hugh is recorded as being at the conference that chose Hugh Capet as the King of France in 987.

The name of Hugh’s wife is unknown, but at least four children to the couple are known. The first, Hugh, would succeed his father as Count of Maine. Two other sons were Fulk and Herbert, the second of which would later act as regent to Hugh IV, Count of Maine. The only daughter identified was Melisende who married Judicael (or Juhel), Count of Nantes.

The naming of a son as Fulk would appear to confirm the close relationship Hugh had with Fulk II of Anjou.

[(PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley & Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton]

The History of the Mayne Family

9. Hugh III (960-1015) (Count from 992 to 1015) Hugh constructed the fortress at Sable and was a supporter of Richard II, Duke of Normandy. He allied himself with Odo, Count of Blois, and the pair fought against the Kings Hugh Capet and Robert II. Like his father and grandfather, Hugh struggled to control the city of Le Mans and was in constant conflict with the Bishops of Le Mans.

There is no confirmation of the name of Hugh’s wife but it is suggested she may have been a sister of Judith of Rennes, the wife of Richard II, Duke of Normandy. It is thought Hugh had four or more children but little is known about any other than the eldest two sons. The eldest, Hugh, appears to have died a few years before his father and thus the family’s title was inherited by the second son, Herbert.

During his time as Count, Hugh would have been a vassal of Fulk III, Count of Anjou.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley & Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton]

10. Herbert I (990-1035) (Count from 1015 to 1035) Herbert sought to rule his estate independently but often had to act as a vassal to Fulk III, Count of Anjou. He was given the nickname of Wake-dog because of his proclivity to lead night-time raids against his neighbours – the raids were so sudden they were said to ‘wake the dogs’.

Herbert was constantly on the alert against intrusions by his Angevin neighbours, and was also engaged in almost constant warfare with Avesgaud, the Bishop of Le Mans. In 1016 Herbert aided Fulk in a war against Odo II of Blois. At the Battle of Pontleroy Herbert’s forces rescued Fulk’s from near defeat and won a resounding victory over Odo. It seems that this later led to a falling-out between Herbert and Fulk, and in 1025 Fulk captured Herbert and imprisoned him for two years. Herbert was released after Fulk had added a significant part of Maine to his Anjou territory.

The County of Maine deteriorated whilst in Herbert’s care. The castle at Sable was relinquished, as was the Chateau-du-Loir which Herbert had built.

The identity of Herbert’s wife is unconfirmed, though one source names her as Paule, daughter of Geoffroy I of Preuilly-sur-Claise. Herbert and his wife are thought to have had four children. Their son became Hugh IV, Count of Maine, and their three daughters were;

(i) Paule of Maine married Jean, Lord of La Fleche. Through their son, Elias, they are direct ancestors of Geoffrey Plantagenet and, thus, many Kings of England.

(ii) Biote married Walter of the Vexin. Walter was later Count of Maine for a brief time before he and his wife were killed by poisoning, possibly on the instruction of William the Conqueror. (See also B.1-13)

(iii) Gersende was twice married but is remembered more for the liaison she later had with Geoffroy II, Lord of Mayenne. (See also B.1-13 and B.1-14, and section C.2-3) By her first marriage to Theobald of Blois she had a son Stephen, whose own son Stephen would become King of England. She was later repudiated by her first husband on his discovery of her infidelity.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley & Wikipedia, various sources]

The History of the Mayne Family

11. Hugh IV (1020-1051) (Count from 1036 to 1051) Hugh was still a minor when his father died, so his great-uncle Herbert was appointed as his regent until he was of an age to inherit. Herbert was a supporter of the Angevins, a fact that upset Gervais du Chateau-du-Loir, the then Bishop of Le Mans. There was a clash between the two men which resulted in Gervais having Herbert expelled from his role. Gervais then declared Hugh was of age to inherit and also arranged a marriage for him.

Maine had been under constant threat from neighbouring territories, particularly Anjou and Normandy, and its rulers were always fighting off unwanted intrusions into their territory. Around 1045, to alleviate these continued pressures, a marriage was arranged between Count Hugh IV of Maine and Bertha, daughter of Odo of Blois, widow of Alain III, Duke of Brittany. Blois was another neighbouring area to which Gervais du Chateau-du-Loir was connected. The rulers of Anjou and Normandy were very upset by this move, not wanting Maine to come under the influence of Blois. This prompted Count Geoffroy II of Anjou to invade Maine. The Normans did not want Maine to be taken over by Anjou, and so they too invaded Maine. A period of confused rule of Maine then ensued.

Hugh and Bertha had a son Herbert, who succeeded his father as Count, and a daughter Margaret.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley & Wikipedia, various sources]

12. Herbert II (1044-1062) (Count from 1051 to 1062) In 1051 Count Hugh IV of Maine died and with Herbert, his son and heir, only being a young boy, the citizens of Le Mans threw open their town to the control of Anjou. Although Anjou now claimed control of most of Maine, the Normans still held much of the land that bordered their territory.

After a few years, around 1056, Herbert fled Le Mans and sought sanctuary with the Normans. Here he came to an agreement with Duke William of Normandy. William would support Herbert as Count of Maine, Herbert would marry one of William's daughters, Herbert's sister Margaret would marry Robert Curthose (one of William's sons) once she was of age, and should Herbert die without issue the title of Count of Maine would pass to Duke William. In 1062, before anything had come of this agreement, the young Hebert died. Margaret also died before a marriage to Robert Curthose took place.

Herbert can be viewed as the last in the direct line of his family to truly hold the title of the Count of Maine. After him some of the Counts had family links but their title as Count of Maine was often nothing more than titular.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C. Cawley & Wikipedia, various sources]

The History of the Mayne Family

THE COUNTS OF MAINE (Part 2) Most dates shown are estimates Roger Robert I Count of Maine Duke of the Franks (860-900) (866-923) & Rothilde of Neustria & Beatrice of Vermandois (871-921)

Hugh I Judith & Hugh the Great Count of Maine of Maine Duke of the Franks (890-960) (895-929) (895-956) & Bilechilde Hugh later married of Maine & Hedwig of Saxony

Hugh II ( Hugh II was at the conference Hugh Capet Count of Maine that crowned Hugh Capet King of France (935-992) King of France in 987 ) (939-996) & & Adelaide of Aquitaine

Hugh III Fulk Herbert Melisende Robert II Count of Maine of Maine of Maine of Maine King of the Franks (960-1015) (963- ) (965-1046) (975- ) (972-1031) & & Judicael Count of Nantes

Hugh Herbert I (Wake-dog) of Maine Count of Maine (982-1013) (990-1035) &

Hugh IV Gersende Paule Biota Count of Maine of Maine of Maine of Maine (1020-1051) (1023-1076) (1025-1059) (1027-1063) & Berthe of Blois & Theobald III of Blois & Azzo II of Este Jean de Beaugency & Walter (1005-1080) (1012-1089) (1009-1098) Lord of La Fleche (1020-1097) Count of the Vexin

Herbert II Margaret Stephen Hugh V Elias I Lancelin II Count of Maine of Maine Count of Blois Count of Maine Count of Maine of La Fleche (1046-1062) (950- ) (1045-1102) (1055-1131) (1042-1110) (1045-1098) & Adela & Matilda & Adelberge Dau of William I of Chateau-du-Loir (1067-1137)

Stephen Ermengarde Adeline King of England of Maine of Beaugency (1095-1154) (1090-1126) (1070-1125) & Fulk V & Walter I Count of Anjou Lord of Mayenne (1090-1143) (1065-1116)

Matilda of Engalnd & Geoffrey V of Anjou Juhel I Granddau of William I (Geoffrey Plantagenet) Lord of Mayenne (1102-1167) (1113-1151) (1090-1161)

Henry II King of England (1133-1189)

The History of the Mayne Family

13. Walter of Mantes (1020-1063) (Count from 1062 to 1063) By the time of Herbert II's death the citizens of Le Mans had regained some independence from Anjou and they put forward their own nomination as rulers of Maine. These were Biota, a sister of Count Hugh IV, and her husband Walter, Count of the Vexin.

At this point Duke William of Normandy decided to take strong action, claiming Maine as his and invading the county with a considerable force. Within a year or two he had gained control of most of the county and laid siege to Le Mans.

Walter and Biota had been found wanting as leaders, and the town had called upon Geoffroy II de Mayenne to defend them. Geoffroy II de Mayenne was probably the most powerful baron in Maine at that time. He is variously described as a 'valiant man' and as 'a nobleman of a very devious nature'. It is suggested his family had close links to that of the Counts of Maine.

William's siege tactics eventually saw the citizens of Le Mans agree to a surrender, but this was against the wishes of Geoffroy. He refused to surrender and withdrew to Mayenne. William followed him and laid siege to that town, eventually taking it by means of fire. William then had control of all of Maine. When Le Mans surrendered William captured Biota and Walter. Soon after, this pair died of poisoning, though it is unclear as to whether or not this was by William's order. Although he defeated and later captured Geoffroy he does not seem to have inflicted any particular punishment on him.

The securing of Maine was a key element in enabling William to launch his invasion of England a few years later, in 1066. William's recent skirmish with Geoffroy de Mayenne would seem to make it very unlikely that Geoffroy was a member of the invasion force.

For the period between 1063 and 1110 the County of Maine was mostly under Norman rule.

[PS – Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton & Wikipedia, various sites]

14. Azzo d’Este ( -1097) (Count from 1070 to 1073) In 1069, with William spending much time in England, the citizens of Le Mans revolted against the Norman rule of their town. Again, with the aid of Geoffroy II de Mayenne, they expelled the remaining Normans and sent word to Italy to invite the Marquis Azzo and his wife Gersende (the sister of Count Hugh IV of Maine) to take up the lordship of Le Mans and Maine.

Azzo accepted this invitation and went to Le Mans with his wife and their son, another Hugh, where he gradually acquired control of the whole of Maine, sometimes by force but mainly by gifts. After a while Azzo recognised that the huge amount of money he had given as gifts had not brought the loyalty of the men of Maine, and he decided to return to Italy. However, his wife Gersende and son Hugh remained in Le Mans in control, but, significantly, under the care of Geoffroy de Mayenne.

Geoffroy became a guardian and tutor to Gersende, and it is believed they also became lovers. It is thought Geoffroy may have seen their liaison as a means of becoming the Count of Maine himself.

In his new role Geoffroy tried to impose new taxes and laws on the people of Le Mans, but did so under the guise of it being done in the name of the young Hugh. In 1072 this led to a further uprising by the citizens of Le Mans. Geoffroy then sent the young Hugh back to his father Azzo in Italy, and he withdrew to his castle. Gersende remained in Le Mans where she plotted how to return the city to the control of her lover.

The History of the Mayne Family

After a while Gersende gained the aid of certain individuals who allowed Geoffroy and eighty of his knights to enter the city. They took control of a small fortress next to the town's cathedral and began to launch attacks on the citizens. The citizens then sought help from other nearby nobles, particularly Count Fulk IV of Anjou. These forces combined to imprison Geoffroy and his men in the fortress they had taken, and then laid siege to it, and attacked it with fire and various military machines.

As his position gradually worsened Geoffroy made his escape from the fortress and fled the area, leaving the majority of his men to surrender to Count Fulk.

Hearing of events taking place in Le Mans, the now King William of England gathered a large army and headed for Maine. He quickly regained control of the county and held a peace conference with the citizens of Le Mans. He agreed to uphold their laws and customs and they accepted his power and authority over them.

It appears Geoffroy returned home to Mayenne. What became of Gersende is unknown. Maine then remained under Norman rule until 1110.

[PS – The Deeds of Bishop Arnald of Le Mans & Wikipedia, various sites]

15. Norman Rule Although under ultimate Norman rule, there were still nominated Counts of Maine between 1072 and 1110. In 1093 the title was given to Elias, a grandson of Lancelin de Beaugency, Lord of La Fleche and his wife, Paule of Maine.

Elias married Matilda, a daughter of Gervais, Lord of Chateau-du-Loir, and they had a daughter named Ermengarde. In 1110, the same year as her father died, Ermengarde married Fulk V of Anjou. Through this marriage Fulk also became the Count of Maine and the houses of Anjou and Maine were joined. Fulk later left Anjou and was the King of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1143.

Fulk and Ermengarde's first son was named Geoffrey, and he would become the origin of a famous dynasty. In 1126, at the age of 13, he was named Count of Maine. He was also known as Geoffrey Plantagenet (the Plantagenet nickname arising from the sprig of the broom plant he wore on his hat as a badge).

Geoffrey was apparently a talented and impressive young man, and reports of him reached King Henry I of England. Henry decided he would be a good match for his daughter, the Empress Matilda, and in 1127 they were married. Henry saw this union as a means of sealing peace between England, Normandy and Anjou (including Maine). Matilda was 11 years older than Geoffrey and their relationship was apparently a stormy one, but she bore him 3 sons. In 1129 Geoffrey became Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou when his father left to become King of Jerusalem.

[PS – Wikipedia, various sites]

The History of the Mayne Family

C.1 The First House of Mayenne There is much argument about the records presented regarding the early history of the Lords of Mayenne. A single source, the History of the Lords of Mayenne by Jean Baptiste Guyard De La Fosse, suggests that the first Lord of Mayenne was Aubert and presents a list of persons holding the title after him. A later examination of Guyard’s work by a member of the clergy points out that there is no evidence that the early rulers of Mayenne held such a title, and that they were much more likely to have just been a governor of the area. That examination further suggests that certain family connections may have been falsely created.

The following three men are those put forward by Guyard as a Lords of Mayenne, and who are collectively referred to as the First House of Mayenne. If they existed, which appears unproven, they were clearly nothing more than a governor of Mayenne. The lifespans shown for these individuals are guesstimates, based on the little detail given about them.

1. Aubert (890-940) The only record of Aubert comes from the book by Guyard, in which he refers to an act of the year 922 whereby Aubert made donations to monks. This act identifies Aubert and his wife Melissende, as well as making mention of an old knight named Geoffroy and his wife Agnes. The detailed date on which the act is supposed to be attested does not match to the calendar for that year. The act was witnessed by several men, and the most notable name which appears is of Geoffroy Berenger. This appears to suggest this man as being Geoffrey Berenger, Count of Rennes; but that man was not born until some 50 or so years later than this act, which he supposedly signed. The problems with the date of the act and names included in it have led to the suspicion that it is a falsely created document.

Guyard states that Aubert was a son of Gauzlin, Count of Maine, and his wife Godehilde, a daughter of Charles II, King of West Francia. Aubert would thus have been a great, great, grandson of Charlemagne. It is also stated that Aubert married Melissende, a daughter of Ruelland (or Ruelan), governor of the Cotentin Peninsula. Ruelland is suggested as a son of Meen of Domnonee.

Domnonee and the Cotentin Peninsula were at that time part of Armorica (now Brittany), a kingdom which had been created by Christian Britons immigrating from the south-west of England, fleeing from the invasion there by the Saxons. Armorica became a homeland for many kings, princes and nobles from Britain, and their people became known as Bretons. The eastern edge of Armorica bordered the western edge of Maine, of which the area around Mayenne was part.

Although he may have had control of Mayenne, it is suggested Aubert lived in the town of Ernee, some 15 miles west of Mayenne, in the castle built around the time of his lifespan. It is further suggested that Aubert founded the Priory of St. Jacques in that town, as well as making substantial gifts to the monks at the priory at Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie, a village some 12 miles to the north of Ernee. These statements are unsubstantiated.

During the time of Aubert’s suggested lifespan Mayenne was a small community developing on hills either side of the River Mayenne. The era was a time when Viking incursions in northern France were prevalent. The year 885 saw Vikings besiege Paris, and in 912 Charles the Simple ceded much of upper Normandy into the control of the Viking leader Rollo. In 924 Rudolf, King of France, ceded control of Maine to Rollo, and for much of the next 50 or so years it was under Viking rule.

Guyard says that Aubert and Melissende had several sons but that the only one who survived their father was named Geoffroy.

The History of the Mayne Family

2. Geoffroy (915-970) There is no substantiated evidence for Geoffroy’s existence.

Geoffroy might be considered a family name here, it being an alternative version of the names of Gauzfrid and Godefroy which were names used within the early family of the Counts of Maine.

The Counts of Maine had gained full control of Maine by the year 929, but the bishops of Le Mans still held allegiance to the previous rulers of the area. The power struggle between these two factions continued for many years, and the weakness it created in the county allowed Geoffrey I of Anjou to step in and take control. In the year 971 he secured the See of Le Mans, and, with it, considerable control of much of Maine.

There was sustained antagonism between the counts of Maine and Anjou for the next 40 or so years, during which period Mayenne was generally under the control of the Counts of Anjou.

Guyard says that this Geoffroy was governor of the provinces of Maine and Anjou, a statement which clearly seems incorrect – the Geoffrey who held such a position around this period would have been Geoffrey I, Count of Anjou.

Guyard suggests that Geoffroy had three sons named Juhel, Aubert and Guerin; though, again, this is totally unsubstantiated.

3. Juhel (940-1000) Juhel is put forward by Guyard as the eldest son and heir of Geoffroy but, like his father, substantiated evidence of his being is not found. Some sources suggest that Juhel was responsible for building the first stone castle at Mayenne and, in so doing, increasing the prosperity and standing of the town. However, it would seem more likely that Fulk III, Count of Anjou, was the man responsible for this.

Guyard states that Juhel married Etiennette, a daughter of the Count of Dol, and that they had a son Geoffroy who succeeded Juhel. No other sources are found to support this statement.

A general problem with the writings of Guyard is that he makes no attempt to identify the possible lifespans of the persons he writes about. In this case the Geoffroy he has as the son of Juhel is clearly identified from the notes about him as being the Geoffroy who was a Lord of Mayenne and whose lifespan is estimated as being between 1005 and 1060; it is almost certainly impossible for Juhel to have been the father of this man. Indeed, as will be shown, the father of that Geoffroy was a Haimon, a name not included in the lineage presented by Guyard.

Other sources have since put forward a scenario that this Juhel was also the father of Meen I, Lord of Fougeres, but there is, again, no clear evidence to support that theory, and it seems very unlikely.

Many family trees found on the Internet include the above three men, some with further family connections attached, but the workings of professional historians tend to exclude them as formal documentation of their existence has not been proven. Many consider the writings of Guyard regarding this era of the Lords of Mayenne to be based upon a fabricated history, a view I would have to concur with.

This does not, though, dismiss the possibility there was a family descended from Gauzlin, Count of Maine, that came to govern Mayenne at some point.

The History of the Mayne Family

C.2 The Second House of Mayenne It is from this point that the history of the Lords of Mayenne becomes a fully proven historical lineage.

Western Maine, of which Mayenne was on the western edge, had never been properly ruled by the Counts of Maine, whose powerbase was further east around the city of Le Mans. Around the year 1000 the Count of Maine was Hugh III, but his overlord at that time was Fulk III, Count of Anjou. Fulk III was regarded as a fearsome warrior with a keen sense of military strategy. He was one of the first builders of stone castles, records suggesting he built around a hundred of them, either as new structures or by the fortification of previously wooden structures. It is suggested he was responsible for the fortification of the wooden castle at Mayenne. [1]

A while after this, a charter of 1014 includes as one of its witnesses ‘Haymonis de Medano’, translated from Latin as Haimon of Mayenne.

A later charter of Geoffroy of Mayenne, known to date from before 1040 (the year Fulk III died) refers to him as; ‘Gaufridus, Hainonis filius’ translated from Latin as Gauzfrid (or Geoffroy), son of Haimon.

The charter includes a statement that Geoffroy had received ‘castrum Medane’ (the castle of Mayenne) from ‘Fulconis Andegavini comitis’ (Fulk, Count of Anjou).

It appears it can be drawn from these details that after fortifying the castle at Mayenne around the turn of the tenth century, Fulk III installed Haimon as the governor of Mayenne, and later inferred a barony on the town with Geoffroy, son of Haimon, becoming the first Lord of Mayenne. Many historians and genealogists have sought to identify the origin of Haimon, but none have found a satisfactory answer. Some sources suggest he was a son of Juhel of the First House of Mayne, and that Juhel was also the father of Meen I of Fougeres, but no evidence appears to exist to support any part of that theory.

Other sources suggest Haimon was a son of Aimon de Chateau-du-Loir; Haimon would have obviously been appointed to his role in Mayenne with the approval of Fulk III, Count of Anjou; Fulk had a long standing enmity towards his neighbour Eudes II of Blois; the House of Belleme had close links with the Blois family, and it would seem inconceivable that Fulk would appoint someone from either of these families into a position from which he would want support and loyalty. There was a reasonably close relationship between the Counts of Maine (Hugh III) and Anjou (Fulk III) at this time which could suggest Haimon may have been promoted for his role by the Count of Maine. Possible support for that theory could come from the fact that Haimon’s son Geoffroy named one of his sons Hugh.

There are some reference sources which suggest Haimon was from a family of importance with close links to the Counts of Maine. With both the counties of Maine and Anjou being of Frankish ancestry, it would seem likely that the appointment of someone to an important role in their sphere would be drawn from a similar background. Another point to consider is that Haimon’s successor was his son Geoffroy, named in Latin as Gaufridus, a possible indication to a link with the Rorgonide family which included names of that ilk.

To summarise, whilst it seems unlikely any confirmation of Haimon’s ancestry will be discovered, there is some reason to believe that he may have had a close link to the early Counts of Maine and the Rorgonide family it spawned. Despite their close relationship with the Counts of Anjou, the primary allegiance of the Lords of Mayenne was to the Counts of Maine.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley, Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton & Wikipedia, various sites] [1 – A History of Medieval Siege by P.F. Purton]

The History of the Mayne Family

REGIONS OF MEDIEVAL FRANCE

Key to the towns; 1. Rennes 2. Nantes 3. Caen 4. Rouen 5. Mayenne 6. Le Mans 7. Angers 8. Tours 9. Chartres 10. Paris 11. Orleans 12. Poitiers

The History of the Mayne Family

The progression of the Lords of Mayenne is as follows. Unless specified in the narrative, the dates for individuals’ lifespans are estimated.

1. Haimon (980-1030) Governor of Mayenne The only details which confirm the existence of Haimon are the two charters mentioned previously, the one he witnessed in 1014 and the one of his son Geoffroy which states that his father was Haimon. Records show that Haimon attended the court of the Count of Maine. Nothing else is known about him.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley & Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton]

The History of the Mayne Family

2. Geoffroy I (1005-1059) Lord of Mayenne As mentioned earlier, charters confirm that Geoffroy was the son of Haimon and that, under the control of Fulk III, Count of Anjou, he became the first Lord of Mayenne. Geoffroy was a supporter of the Counts of Maine and of their overseers, the Counts of Anjou. Geoffroy lived in turbulent times for Maine, the county being constantly involved in power struggles, and he was involved with some unsavoury individuals.

In 1044 William FitzGirole, who had for some time been a vassal of Geoffroy, as well as acting in the same role for both William Talvas of the House of Belleme and the Dukes of Normandy, found himself defending his castle of Montaigu for Geoffroy against an attack by William Talvas. Unable to take the castle, William Talvas captured Geoffroy and imprisoned him until William FitzGirole had razed his castle to the ground. After being released Geoffroy built William FitzGirole a new castle at St. Cenery. This greatly upset William Talvas who later invited William FitzGirole to attend his second wedding. At that event he had William FitzGirole seized and subjected to horrendous torture, including blinding, castration and other mutilations. Incredibly, FitzGirole survived the torture and lived out the rest of his life as a monk. Later, his sons sacked and destroyed the lands of William Talvas, who would not face them on the battlefield. William Talvas was reviled by all for his cruelty, and his son exiled his father from his lands.

In 1040 Geoffrey II succeeded his father Fulk III as Count of Anjou. Geoffrey II is described as being a most wicked and treacherous man. He waged wars against William VII, Duke of Aquitaine, Theobald I, Count of Blois, and William, Duke of Normandy. As a vassal to the Counts of Anjou Geoffroy de Mayenne was called upon to support his overlord. In alliance with Henry I, King of France, the Count of Anjou made numerous attacks upon Normandy.

Around 1053 William, Duke of Normandy, responded by making a serious assault against Maine. William had a fortress built at Ambrieres, close to Mayenne, from which to control the surrounding areas. Geoffroy sought the help of the Count of Anjou to protect him from William’s attack but promises of aid from the Count were not fulfilled. Geoffroy retreated to his castle and resisted William’s forces for a while, but was eventually forced to surrender and was taken to Normandy to make the oath of fidelity to William.

Geoffroy died in 1059. There are no details found about who his wife was. There are also no records to confirm what children he may have had, but chronology and naming tradition suggests the following two sons;

(a) Geoffroy – who succeeded his father as Lord of Mayenne. (See section C.2-3)

(b) Hugh – a charter around the end of the 11th century records Hugh as ‘Hugone supradicti Gaufridi fratre’ translated as ‘a brother of Geoffroy, named Hugh’. The charter identifies the Geoffroy mentioned as Geoffroy de Mayenne.

Records from Angers Cathedral identify that Hugh had a wife named Beatrix and that the couple had a son named Geoffroy who became the Bishop of Angers.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley & Wikipedia, various sites] [SS – The Lords of Mayenne by J.B. Guyard]

The History of the Mayne Family

3. Geoffroy II (1030-1098) Lord of Mayenne Geoffroy’s early life was in a period when Maine was generally under the control of the Counts of Anjou, the power of the Counts of Maine was diminishing, and the Lords of other towns in the County, such as Mayenne, Laval, Vitre and Belleme, were achieving a greater standing. This was particularly the case for the Lord of Mayenne. Situated near a border with both Brittany and Normandy, Mayenne had become a town of significance. During his lifetime Geoffroy became regarded as possibly the most powerful Lord within the county of Maine. He is described as being very rich and very brave, but also of having a deceitful and treacherous side to his nature.

Geoffroy grew up in a time when his father was almost constantly involved in conflict, and the family’s lands were under threat from William, Duke of Normandy. Sources suggest Geoffroy held a deep-seated hostility towards William.

In 1062 Herbert II, Count of Maine died and, as a result of that, William, Duke of Normandy, laid his claim upon Maine. As is detailed in section B.1-13, Geoffroy sought to resist William but by the end of 1063 was ultimately defeated, with his castle at Mayenne being taken and sacked.

At this point Anjou’s control of Maine came to an end, but it was replaced by that of the Normans.

Some sources suggest that Geoffroy accompanied William, Duke of Normandy, on his invasion of England in 1066 but, given his known antipathy towards William and the recent conflict between the pair, this seems highly unlikely. The absence in the Domesday Book of any landholdings to Geoffroy would also point to his lack of involvement at the Battle of Hastings, as he would surely have expected some reward had his service been utilised.

For the period from 1069 to 1072 Geoffroy was involved with the rebellion by the citizens of Le Mans against their Norman rulers (fully described in section B.1-14).

In 1087 William I, King of England, died and the county of Maine was left to the control of his son Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. It is suggested Geoffroy went to see him at Le Mans and offered him his services.

Friendly relations with the Normans ceased in 1092 when Elias, son of Paule de Maine, and grandson of Herbert II, Count of Maine, bought the county of Maine from his cousin Hugh V, Count of Maine. Elias was made Count of Maine and with the aid of Fulk IV, Count of Anjou, they started hostilities against Robert Curthose.

When Robert Curthose went on the First Crusade in 1095 Elias made peace with his brother, William II, King of England.

In the later years of his life Geoffroy seems to have been less involved in any conflicts. He died in 1098.

Geoffroy was married firstly to Matilda of Alluyes as her second husband. A charter records the details of Matilda’s two marriages and the children she had from each.

Matilda was the daughter and heir of Gautier d’Alluyes, and her first husband was William Goet I, Lord of Montmirial, son of Haimon of Chateau-du-Loir and his wife Hildeberge of Belleme. Their marriage unified a region, thence known as Perche-Goet, with the aim to protect themselves from

The History of the Mayne Family

Viking attacks. The area of Perche-Goet bordered Maine to the east. William Goet was also a vassal to Thibault III, Count of Blois.

William Goet and Matilda had three children, a son William and two daughters, Hildeberge and Richilde. William Goet senior is thought to have died in the late 1050s and soon after Matilda was married to Geoffroy. Indications are that Matilda would have brought her three young children with her to her new husband. It is recorded that Geoffroy and Matilda administered the lands and inheritance of William Goet the younger until he reached the age of majority.

William Goet junior, Matilda’s son, married and had five children, one of which, known as William Goet III, the younger, was married around 1122 to Mabel, an illegitimate daughter of Henry I, King of England.

The three children identified to Geoffroy and Matilda were;

(a) Hamelin – estimated to have been born around 1060, he appears to have been the first son to this couple. No record is found of a marriage for him and he seems to have died some time before his father.

(b) Walter (Gautier)) – he succeeded his father as Lord of Mayenne. (See section C.2-4)

(c) Hersende – estimated to have been born around 1070, no further record of her is found and it presumed she died young.

Guyard makes no mention of Hamelin and states that Geoffroy had two sons, Walter (Gautier) and William (Guillaume), the latter dying in England in 1099. It is difficult to ascertain whether the William he refers to is Walter’s step-brother, William Goet, who it is thought did not die before 1117, or it is another son of Geoffroy and Matilda. It seems most likely that Guyard was referring to Geoffroy’s stepson William Goet.

Matilda died in 1079 and sources suggest that Geoffroy was later married for a second time to a woman named Hildeberge. Suggestions for her parentage are that she was a daughter of Hoel II, Count of Cornouaille and his wife, Hawise of Brittany; if so, she would have been significantly younger than Geoffroy. There is no suggestion of any children to that couple.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley, Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton, William the Conqueror by D.C. Douglas & William the Conqueror by E.A. Freeman] [SS – The Lords of Mayenne by J.B. Guyard & Wikipedia, various sites]

The History of the Mayne Family

4. Walter I (1065-1116) Lord of Mayenne It is thought Walter (Gautier) was born around 1065 in Mayenne. His Christian name appears to have been taken from that of his mother’s father, Gautier d’Alluyes.

There is some suggestion that this Walter fought with his father for William I at the Battle of Hastings, but this seems extremely unlikely given his probable lifespan and his father’s enmity with William. Details drawn mostly from Guyard’s book on the Lords of Mayenne would suggest, though, that his life was mostly of a military nature.

Guyard suggests (and there are some facts to substantiate it) that Walter fought for Robert Guiscard, the Duke of Apulia, and Roger Bosso, the first Prince of Sicily, Norman noblemen brothers who, between them, conquered most of southern Italy and the island of Sicily over a period between roughly 1060 and 1090. He also suggests he went on the First Crusade to the Holy Land which took place between 1096 and 1099.

This would suggest Walter established a closer link with the Normans than his ancestors, and this may be borne out by the fact that Walter acted as a witness to a charter by Robert Curthose, son of William I, shortly after he was made Duke of Normandy in 1087.

Guyard further states that Walter supported Fulk V, Count of Anjou, in his battles with Henry I, King of England, including taking part in the Battle of Sees in 1115.

It is unclear as to whether Walter died in the year of 1116 or if he went to Italy on some sort of military campaign and never returned.

There are two suggestions put forward in historical records as to the identification of Walter’s wife. The first is that she was Adeline de Presles (in Calvados, Normandy), daughter of Turstin d’Avranches, possibly a son of Richard le Goz, Viscount of Avranches. The second is that she was Adeline (or Alix) de Beaugency, daughter of Lancelin de Beaugency, a son of Jean de Beaugency and Paule de Maine.

The first option seems rather unlikely in that the family of Avranches were of Viking descent, and Adeline de Presles appears to have little social standing to have brought to such a marriage.

The second option seems more compelling. Adeline (or Alix) de Beaugency was from a Frankish family of some standing, and her grandmother was Paule de Maine, daughter of Herbert I, Count of Maine.

Guyard states that Walter’s wife was Alix de Beaugency, and this is the option I feel most comfortable with.

Records suggest Walter and Adeline may have had up to six children;

(a) Hamelin – estimated to have been born around 1088, Guyard suggests he was Lord of Ernee, a town some 15 miles to the west of Mayenne. There are suggestions Ernee was under the control of Mayenne, but details to support this have not been found. It appears that Hamelin briefly succeeded his father as Lord of Mayenne, a charter of 1116 having him described as such, and witnessed by Juhel, brother of Hamelin de Mayenne.

The History of the Mayne Family

It is also suggested that, during his brief spell as Lord of Mayenne, Hamelin made an agreement with Henry I, King of England, to exchange the families holdings of the manors of Gorron, Ambrieres and Chatilon-sur-Colmont for some in England, those being at Black Torrington and King’s Nymet in Devon, and at South Petherton in Somerset. [1]

It is suggested Hamelin died in 1119 leaving no family, but evidence to support this fact is not found, and it is unclear as to what happened to him. One wonders that if he was the one who did the exchange of manors with Henry I whether he might have gone to England to take possession of them.

(b) Juhel – succeeded his elder brother as Lord of Mayenne. (See section C.2-5)

(c) Matilda – estimated to have been born around 1093, she was married in 1115 to Hugh II, Duke of Burgundy. This marriage probably reflects the standing that the family of the Lords of Mayenne had now achieved. The title of Duke of Burgundy was one of the highest-ranking titles in France, the family at this time having descent from the royal family. The marriage would have created a powerful cross border allegiance between the two families. The couple had some 12 children.

(d) Felicie – estimated to have been born around 1095. Her existence is confirmed by a charter of 1144 (witnessed by Hugh of Laval), but no further details about her have been found.

(e) Constance – estimated to have been born around 1097, she was married around 1120 to Robert II, Lord of Vitre (he also held the title of Count of Mortain between 1106 and 1112). They had at least one son.

(f) Agnes – estimated to have been born around 1100. Guyard states that she married Hugh of Laval. No records have been found to confirm her existence or her marriage. A hint that this link may be correct could be that Agnes was the name of one of Adeline de Beaugency’s sisters.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley, The Lords of Mayenne by J.B. Guyard & Wikipedia, various sites] [1 – Stated by Cawley with reference to the book Domesday Descendants by K.S.B. Keats- Rohan]

The History of the Mayne Family

THE SECOND HOUSE OF MAYENNE (Part 1) Most dates shown are estimates

Haimon Governor of Mayenne (980-1030) &

Geoffroy I Lord of Mayenne (1005-1059) &

Geoffroy II Hugh Lord of Mayenne of Mayenne (1030-1098) (1035-1100) & 1.Matilda of Alluyes (mother of children) (1032-1079) & Beatrix & 2.Hildeberge of Cornouaille (1055- )

William II Goet Hamelin Walter I Hersende Geoffroy Lord of Montmirail of Mayenne Lord of Mayenne of Mayenne Bishop of Angers (1055-1117) (1060-1085) (1065-1116) (1070- ) (1060-1105) & Eustachie Crespon & Adeline of Beaugency (1070-1125)

William III Goet Hamelin Juhel I Matilda Felicie Constance Agnes Lord of Montmirail Lord of Mayenne Lord of Mayenne of Mayenne of Mayenne of Mayenne of Mayenne (1080-1130) (1088-1119) (1090-1161) (1093- ) (1095- ) (1097- ) (1100- ) & Mabel & Clemence & Hugh II & Robert II & Hugh dau of HENRY I of Ponthieu Duke of Burgundy Lord of Vitre of Laval (1090- ) (1110- ) (1084-1143) (1095-1154) ( - )

5. Juhel I (1090-1161) Lord of Mayenne Juhel is estimated to have been born around 1090 in Mayenne, and it appears he succeeded to the title of Lord of Mayenne in 1119, either through the death or disappearance of his elder brother Hamelin.

There are suggestions that in his youth he accompanied his father in fighting for the Counts of Anjou, still overlords of Maine, in their battles against King Henry I of England over the rule of Northern France. Fulk V became Count of Anjou in 1109; he and Juhel were of a comparable age and they were cousins.

The History of the Mayne Family

In 1119, as Juhel became Lord of Mayenne, Fulk V came to an agreement with Henry I that his daughter Matilda would be betrothed to Henry’s son and heir, William. Fulk thus changed allegiances and became a supporter of Henry I, and logic would suggest Juhel followed suit. Almost immediately after this Fulk went on a crusade and became involved with the Knights Templar, leaving Maine under the control of Henry I.

Henry I then continued his battles with his enemies in Normandy, and it seems more than likely that Juhel became part of his entourage. Another who changed to Henry’s support around this time was William III, Count of Ponthieu. His father, Robert II of Belleme, had fought against Henry on several occasions, but in 1119 Henry I restored all his father’s lands to William, making him Count of Ponthieu.

Much of Henry I’s planning for the future was undone in 1120 when his son William lost his life in the White Ship disaster. Later, Fulk V returned to Anjou wanting his daughter’s dowry returned, but Henry said those possessions were already his. Conflict broke out again, and Henry had to return to Normandy to put down the rebellion. In 1127 Henry renewed his alliance with Fulk V by marrying his daughter Matilda, a widow of her first husband, to Fulk’s son Geoffrey.

In 1129 Fulk V set off again for the Holy Land where he would later become King of Jerusalem, reigning from 1131 to 1143. Upon leaving he made his son Geoffrey Count of Anjou and Maine. Geoffrey was also referred to as Geoffrey Plantagenet.

It is difficult to ascertain Juhel’s role during the 1120s, but it does seem he developed a reasonably close relationship with Henry I. There is mention that Juhel owned a cup given to him by Henry I. In 1122 Juhel’s half first cousin William Goet III married an illegitimate daughter of Henry I named Mabel.

There was some discord between Henry I and the husband and wife partnership of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Matilda in the early 1130s, the couple feeling Henry was not doing enough to secure what the couple’s position would be after his death, Henry having indicated that Matilda should be his heir. Around this time a fresh rebellion against Henry broke out in Southern Normandy led by William III, Count of Ponthieu, and Geoffrey and Matilda joined forces with it. Geoffrey was a close friend of William, and it appears Juhel may have been the same, for around 1126 he had married a daughter of William, Clemence of Ponthieu.

William III of Ponthieu was the son of Robert II of Belleme and his wife Agnes of Ponthieu. In 1115 William married Helie of Burgundy, daughter of Odo I, Duke of Burgundy. The full family of William is unclear, but chronologically Clemence could not have been a child of that marriage, and it suggests she was a child from an earlier marriage.

Clemence of Ponthieu is estimated to have been born around 1110, probably some twenty years younger than Juhel. Again, this would have been a marriage to build allegiances between families of power. A charter of 1128 is subscribed as being by Juhel and his wife Clemence and their first-born son Geoffroy, suggesting the couple were not that long married. Clemence had an illustrious ancestry, as the following diagram displays.

The History of the Mayne Family

THE ANCESTRY OF CLEMENCE de PONTHIEU Charlemagne Rollo of King of the Franks Normandy (860-930) & Poppa of Bayeux

William III Duke of Aquitaine (915-963) & Adele of Normandy

Hugh Capet King of France (939-996) & Adelaide of Aquitaine

Yves of Alencon Hugh I Lord of Belleme Count of Ponthieu ( -1005) ( -1000) & Godeheut & Gisele Capet

William Enguerrand I Lord of Belleme Count of Ponthieu (960-1028) (980-1046) & Mathilde of & Adelaide Conde-Sur-Noireau of Holland

Roger William I Talvas Hugh II Lord of Montgomery Lord of Alencon Count of Ponthieu ( -1055) (995-1060) (1000-1052) & ????? & Hildeburg & Bertha Countess of Aumale

Roger of Montgomery Guy I 1st Earl of Shrewsbury Count of Ponthieu (1045-1094) (1025-1100) & Mabel of Belleme & ????? Lady of Belleme

Robert of Belleme 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (1056-1130) & Agnes of Ponthieu Countess of Ponthieu

William III Count of Ponthieu (1093-1172) & ?????

Clemence of Ponthieu

The History of the Mayne Family

It is thought that during the 1120s Juhel instigated the founding of a monastery in Mayenne, building it not far outside the gates of the castle. Apart for any religious reason Juhel may have had for this, there would also have been a financial reason, for monks in the town would increase its prosperity. This is further highlighted by the fact that Juhel also gave permission for the building of a village in the market place.

King Henry I died on 1st December 1135 whilst Geoffrey Plantagenet and Matilda were fighting the royal army in Anjou. Henry’s wishes that Matilda succeed him as ruler of England were disputed and her cousin Stephen of Blois went to England and claimed the throne thereof. Matilda, however, was not going to give up her claim to the throne, and so ensued a long battle between her and Stephen.

It appears that Juhel was already fighting for Matilda at that time, and it is recorded that he gave her great support for a number of years after. In September of 1139 Matilda made the crossing to England, supported by a group of some 140 knights, of which Juhel was a prominent member.

Either as an incentive to retain Juhel’s support or, at some point later as a reward for his support, Matilda returned to the possession of Juhel the manors of Gorron, Ambrieres and Chatilon-sur- Colmont that his brother Hamelin had exchanged with her father.

Once in England, in 1139, Matilda and her forces joined with her main supporters there, including her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester, and her uncle, King David I of Scotland. Her army was put under the control of Miles of Gloucester (later made 1st Earl of Hereford for his services), who placed the City of Gloucester at her disposal. Records show that a Joel de Mayne served in that army. After her arrival England descended into a period of civil war, with Matilda holding much of western England, her base being in Gloucester.

In 1141 Matilda captured King Stephen and imprisoned him. At a church council in Winchester Stephen was declared deposed and Matilda named 'Lady of the English'. Stephen, though, was subsequently released in exchange for Robert of Gloucester, who had since been captured by Matilda's opponents. Stephen re-crowned himself King and hostilities continued. Whilst Matilda maintained her fight in England, her husband Geoffrey secured the whole of Normandy, and in 1144 he was declared Duke of Normandy.

In 1147 Robert of Gloucester died and Matilda decided to leave England, returning to her husband in Normandy. It is unclear as to whether Juhel remained with Matilda throughout her time in England. He was certainly a witness to charters made by Matilda in 1141, along with Humphrey II de Bohun and Guy de Sable. These names are interesting because they highlight that a close bond must have been created among the men fighting for Matilda. Humphrey II de Bohun married Margaret, a daughter of Miles of Gloucester, and their daughter Matilda’s second husband would be Juhel’s son, Juhel. Later, Juhel’s granddaughter Clemence would marry Robert IV de Sable, who was Grand Master of the Knights Templar between 1191 and 1192.

Matilda was obviously pleased with the support Juhel gave her, for she further rewarded him with a piece of land around 15 miles to the east of Mayenne. The land, in a strategic position on the eastern border of Mayenne, included a settlement that was close to the Roman road that ran between Jublains and Lisieux. Juhel built a castle there and the town that grew there took the name of Villaines-la-Juhel.

After her return to France, the struggle for the English throne was then taken up by Geoffrey and Matilda's eldest son, Henry. When Geoffrey Plantagenet died in 1151, Henry became ruler of

The History of the Mayne Family

Normandy and Anjou (including Maine), and a year later he married Eleanor of Aquitaine, the most eligible heiress in Western Europe.

In 1153 Henry went to England to pursue his claim to the throne and, when Stephen's only son died that year, came to an agreement that Stephen would remain King until his death and that Henry would then succeed him. Stephen died just a year later and Henry was crowned King Henry II of England. Henry, with the aid of a talented chancellor (Thomas Beckett) then set about restoring law and order in England. It appears that Juhel’s support of Matilda carried through to her son, Henry II, and that Juhel’s sons continued likewise.

During his time as Lord of Mayenne Juhel built several fortresses or small castles on the land he owned. It is noted that, apart from Mayenne, he also held land in Gorron, Ambrieres, Chatilon-sur- Colmont, Ernee, Villaines-la-Juhel, Couptrain, and Lassay-les-Chateaux. There are suggestions also of ownership of land in Brittany and Normandy, but evidence of this has not been found. The English Pipe Roll of 1157 records Juhel as holding land in Devon and Somerset.

Juhel is recorded as dying on 23rd December 1161, and he was buried in Evron Abbey, as later was Clemence. Both of them appear to have lived to a very good age.

Evron Abbey, shown as is today, was founded as a Benedictine monastery around the 7th century.

The History of the Mayne Family

Juhel and his Clemence are thought to have had, through them being named in an act of 1158, the following children;

(a) Geoffroy – identified as Juhel’s first born son, he is estimated to have been born around 1126. He succeeded his father as Lord of Mayenne in 1161. (See section C.2-6)

(b) Walter (Gautier) – estimated to have been born around 1129. It seems that Walter took over the prime position in the family’s support for Geoffrey Plantagenet and Matilda, and their son Henry, and it appears likely that Walter was among the men who accompanied Henry when he went to England in 1153 to claim the throne thereof.

Around 1162 Walter married Cecily FitzPain as her second husband. Cecily’s father, Pain FitzJohn, had arranged her first marriage to Roger FitzMiles, the son and heir of Miles of Gloucester, First Earl of Hereford, the man who had led the Empress Matilda’s army in England. As a result of Pain’s death in 1137 the marriage contract was delayed until it was sanctioned later that year by King Stephen, who also settled most of her father’s estate on Cecily. It appears that Cecily may have only been a young girl upon the date of her marriage and Roger not much older. Roger died in 1155 and Cecily remained as the Countess of Hereford in right of her dower until 1199.

Some sources suggest that, before her marriage to Walter, Cecily was also married to a William of Poitou, or that she was the mistress of such, but no clear evidence to support this is found, and it seems very unlikely.

In 1164 Henry II, King of England, instigated the Constitutions of Clarendon, an instrument to affirm the state’s control over the Catholic Church in England. The documents were witnessed by ‘the archbishops and bishops and clergy, and the earls and barons, and great men of the kingdom’ – amongst those named in the document as being present to bear witness was Walter de Mayenne.

In the military fee certifications in the Red Book of the Exchequer for 1166 Walter FitzJuhel de Mayenne (Meduana) held a barony in Kent of 21 knight’s fees. A knight’s fee was a measure of land estimated to be required to support a knight and his family, his esquires and servants, and the means to provide horses and armour for himself and all his retinue. Generally, this might relate to a manor of between 1,000 to 5,000 acres.

Kent is measured as being an area of nearly 1million acres, so it could be suggested that Walter may have held some 5% of the county of Kent at that time. Where this had all come from is unclear. Certainly, some came through his marriage, Cecily’s mother was of the Talbot family that owned land in Kent, particularly around the area of Swanscombe and Dartford. There are hints that he may also have been rewarded with land for his service to King Henry II.

Only a couple more mentions of Walter are found. In 1171 he was fined for not joining the 'expedition to Ireland' and in 1186 he was further fined for 'not being with the King's army

The History of the Mayne Family

at Galway'. It is believed Walter died around the year 1190. In 1192, as the widow of Walter of Mayenne, Cecily was assessed in Kent for 29 knight’s fees.

Unfortunately, no record is found about Walter and Cecily's family, but they are certainly credited with being the origin of the Mayne (or Mayney) family that held many manors in Kent throughout the Middle Ages. This branch possibly descends through a son of Walter described as Roger Mayne of Gloucester. (See section E.1-1)

References are also found for this Walter de Mayenne in documents relating to the ownership of the manors of King’s Nympton and Black Torrington in Devon, those obtained from King Henry I by Walter’s ancestor, Hamelin de Mayenne.

Earlier in this book I mentioned that a connection did exist between the Mayne family and Judael de Totenais, and this is where it occurs. Cecily FitzPayn's first husband, Roger FitzMiles, had a sister who was known as Bertha of Gloucester. She married William de Braose, a grandson of Judael de Totenais, and a major landowner in Devon through his lineage. William de Braose particularly had major land holdings in the Barnstaple area.

THE CONNECTION OF JUDAEL de TOTENAIS & JUHEL de MAYENNE

Judael de Totenais (identified as a major landowner Gautier II (a.k.a. Judael the Breton) in Devon in the Domesday Book) de Mayenne (1045-1125) (1065-1116)

All sons Aenor died de Totnes without issue & Philip Miles Juhel I de Braose of Gloucester de Mayenne (1070-1134) (1100-1143) (1090-1161)

William & Bertha of Roger FitzMiles Walter de Braose Gloucester of Gloucester de Mayenne (1115-1179) (1123-1155) (1125-1155) (1129-1190) & & Cecily FitzPayn Cecily FitzPayn (1127-1204) (1127-1204)

Roger FitzMiles became the leader of the Empress Matilda’s forces in England in 1147 and there may have been a close relationship between him and Walter de Mayenne.

The History of the Mayne Family

(c) Hamelin – estimated to have been born around 1131. Guyard says that Hamelin witnessed a charter by Alain of Rohan in 1184, and that Hamelin may have had a son Robert and daughter Clemence, who married Eudes de Montgiroul and that they had children named Rabaldus, Guy, Guillaume and Jean. Evidence to support this has yet to be found.

(d) William (Guillaume) – estimated to have been born around 1133. This name had not appeared in the family before, but it was the name of a brother of his mother Clemence. Guyard says that he married Gilone of Laval, with whom he had a family. By charter he donated property to the Abbey of Fontaine-Daniel ‘for the souls of Juhel, his father, and Clemence, his mother’. He made a further donation to the Abbey of Evron where were buried his parents, Juhel and Clemence, and his other ancestors.

A charter of 1195 made by Juhel II confirms the donation made to Fontaine-Daniel by his uncle William ‘for the souls of his father Juhel, his mother Clemence, and his brother Geoffroy, father of Juhel II’. The date of this charter probably suggests William had died not long before.

It is recorded that a Perronnelle de Mayenne, described as a daughter of Roger Mayne, a grandson of Juhel I, was married to Robin of Benoist. No detail is found as to who was this Roger’s father. He is attributed here to William, who seems the most likely candidate as Roger’s father, but he could be of a sibling of William. Pergente de Mayenne who married Herbert de Mathfelon around the year 1300 is stated to be a descendant of William.

(e) Guy – estimated to have been born around 1135. This name had not appeared in the family before, but it was the name of a brother of his mother Clemence. Nothing further is known about him.

(f) Juhel – estimated to have been born around 1137. Juhel married Matilda de Bohun, daughter of Humphrey II de Bohun and his wife Margaret of Hereford, daughter of Miles of Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford. Matilda, estimated to have been born around 1141, had previously been married to Henry d’Oilly who died in 1163. Later, after the death of Juhel (possibly around 1180), she was married to Walter FitzRobert.

The Bohun family came from the manor of Bohun on the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy. Humphrey with the Beard is the earliest known of this family and he fought with William I at the Battle of Hastings, after which he received land in England. Through marriage the family gained further land and they established an early family home in England at Trowbridge, where they built a reasonably substantial castle. No details are found regarding what family Juhel and Matilda may have had or where they lived, but there seems a strong likelihood that their home was in England.

(g) Aline – estimated to have been born around 1139. Nothing further is known about her.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley, The Lords of Mayenne by J.B. Guyard & Wikipedia, various sites] [SS – The Empress Matilda by M. Chibnall, Lordship in the County of Maine by R.E. Barton, Britain Express History for the Clarendon Constitutions & Medieval Sourcebook for the Collection of Scutage]

The History of the Mayne Family

It is suggested that Juhel I was responsible for the creation of the first coat of arms for the Mayenne family, and that the basis for it was that the shield contained six smaller shields, referring to Juhel’s six sons. Described as gules (red) with six escutcheons d’or (six gold shields), positioned 3, 2, 1.

The History of the Mayne Family

6. Geoffroy III (1126-1169) Lord of Mayenne Geoffroy is estimated to have been born around 1126, based on a charter of 1128 by his father, wherein he is named as the first-born child of his parents. In 1161, around the age of 35, he succeeded his father as Lord of Mayenne.

Little is known of Geoffroy’s life, but it seems very likely that he followed his father in providing support to Henry II, King of England.

Geoffroy’s first wife was Constance of Brittany, daughter of Conan III, Duke of Brittany, and his wife Maud, an illegitimate daughter of Henry I, King of England. Geoffroy and Constance are thought to have had three children before Constance died in 1148.

(a) Matilda - estimated to have been born around 1144. Matilda was firstly married to Andre II de Vitre, who had fought for King Henry II, but their marriage was annulled 1189 for reason of the couple’s consanguinity. They had no children.

Matilda was later married to Thibaut I de Mathefelon, apparently as his second wife. Thibault’s ancestry came from a combination of the families of Champagne and Mathefelon. By his first wife Thibault had a son, also named Thibault. Matilda was probably beyond child-bearing age by the time of their marriage, and no children are recorded to this couple.

(b) Hamon – estimated to have been born around 1146. The only reference to Hamon comes from Guyard who states that he was a son by Geoffroy’s second marriage, and that Hamon accompanied his father when Geoffroy went on crusade in 1163. If Hamon did exist, chronologically to be old enough to accompany his father in 1163, he would have to have been a son by Geoffroy’s first wife.

Guyard further states that Hamon appears to have died on the journey to the Holy Land.

(c) Clemence is estimated to have been born around 1148 – it may be that her birth coincided with the death of her mother. Clemence married Robert IV, Lord of Sable. The couple had a son, Geoffroy, and two daughters. Geoffroy must have died without an heir as, on his death in 1193, the whole of Robert’s estate passed to his daughter Marguerite.

Robert IV de Sable was the Grand Master of the Knights Templars between 1191 and 1192. He went on the third Crusade and was killed in action in Palestine in the September of 1193.

Around 1161 Geoffroy then married Isabelle Meulan, a daughter of Waleran de Beaumont, Count of Meulan and 1st Earl of Worcester and his wife Agnes de Montfort.

Waleran was one of twin sons of Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, a powerful French noble regarded as one of the wisest men of his era. Robert accompanied William the Conqueror to England and became a leading counsel to William and his two sons, Kings William II and Henry I of England. When Robert died his sons were taken into the wardship of Henry I.

Later Waleran contrived to conspire against Henry I, but was beaten in battle by Henry's forces and was imprisoned for several years. For unknown reasons, Waleran was later released from prison in 1129 and was returned to the royal court. His allegiances often changed, fighting on behalf of King

The History of the Mayne Family

Stephen and then switching support to the Empress Matilda. He often travelled between England and France and, at times, he held much land and power in both countries.

Geoffroy and Isabel had one son;

(a) Juhel II is estimated to have been born around 1162. He succeeded his father as Lord of Mayenne in 1169. (See section C.2-7)

Shortly after the birth of his son, in 1163, Juhel left on a crusade to the Holy Land from which he never returned, dying there in 1169.

A year later Isabelle married Maurice II de Craon. He was the governor of Anjou and Maine during the reign of Henry II. He had been on crusade with Geoffroy and married Isabelle shortly after his return from such.

Maurice and Isabelle had some seven children and it is clear that they also brought up Isabelle’s son by her first marriage, Juhel II. They had a daughter Agnes, born around 1175, who went on to marry Thibault II de Mathefelon in 1191. It seems Agnes died around 1204, apparently childless.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley, The Lords of Mayenne by J.B. Guyard & Wikipedia, various sites]

The History of the Mayne Family

(1139-)

ofMayenne

Aline

(1141-)

ofBohun

& Matilda &

(1137-1180)

ofMayenne

Juhel

(1135-)

ofMayenne

Guy

( - ) - (

ofBenoist

& Robin&

( - ) - (

ofMayenne

Perronnelle

( - ) - (

ofMayenne

Roger

( - ) - (

ofLaval

& Gilone&

(1133-1195)

ofMayenne

William

ofMontgiroul

& Eudes&

( - ) - (

ofMayenne

Clemence

( - ) - (

ofMayenne

Robert

(1131-)

ofMayenne

Hamelin

(1190-)

ofKent

Walter MayneWalter

(1164-)

ofGloucester

RogerMayne

(1127-1204)

C'tess ofC'tess Hereford

& Cecily FitzPayn Cecily &

(1129-1190)

ofMayenne

Walter

(1200-1249)

Count ofCount Vendome

& Pierre &

(1203-1264)

ofMayenne

Jeanne

(1182-1238)

deVitre

& Gervais&

(1162-1220)

Lordof Mayenne

Juhel II Juhel

(1144-1220)

ofMeulan

& Isabelle&

Most Most dates shown are estimates

(1205-1281)

d'Avaugour

& Henry&

(1201-1256)

ofMayenne

Marguerite

(1150-1193)

Lordof Sable

& Robert& IV

(1148-)

ofMayenne

Clemence

(1200-1268)

Count ofCount Sancerre

& 2.Louis&

(1167-1249)

& 1.Dreux& deMello

(1199-1257)

ofMayenne

Isabelle

(1146-1164)

ofMayenne

Hamon

(1137-)

& 2.Thibault& deMathefelon I

(1150-1211)

& 1.Andre& deVitre

(1144-)

ofMayenne

Matilda

(1120-1148)

ofBrittany

& Constance&

(1126-1169)

Lordof Mayenne

GeoffroyIII

& Clemence& of Ponthieu(1110- ) Juhel I,Juhel Lord of Mayenne (1090-1161) THE SECOND HOUSE OF MAYENNE (Part 2) 39

The History of the Mayne Family

7. Juhel II (1162-1220) Lord of Mayenne It appears that Juhel was born around the year 1162, a short time before his father left on a Crusade, from which he would not return. Around the year of 1169 Juhel, aged just seven, succeeded his father as the Lord of Mayenne, and for the remainder of his minority he was under the guardianship of Thibault I de Mathefelon, the husband of Juhel’s eldest step-sister.

Juhel’s mother, Isabelle de Meulan, remarried to Maurice II de Craon in 1170 and later events point to the fact that Juhel was brought up by his mother and step-father, with who he seems to have developed a very close relationship. Events in his life, and his own comments about himself, show that Juhel had a quick and fiery temper, was a fierce warrior and held strong religious beliefs.

In 1190, around the age of 28, Juhel joined the Third Crusade, whose leaders were King Philip II of France (known as Philippe Augustus) and King Richard I (The Lionheart) of England. The forces of King Richard departed from Dartmouth in the spring of 1190 with Robert IV of Sable, husband of Juhel’s step-sister Clemence, as one of its leaders.

During the period of 1190 to 1192 the Christian Crusader forces were involved in major battles against the Muslim forces led by Saladin, those taking place in Israel at the towns of Acre, Arsuf and Jaffa. The Crusade did not achieve its aim of recapturing Jerusalem, and the crusaders made their way home during 1192, conquering several towns along the Mediterranean en-route.

From the time of his return from the Crusade Juhel became a regular donor to religious orders, supporting some existing priories and founding new ones. At some point he must also have started work on the major project of his life, building the Abbey of Fontaine-Daniel. This abbey would later be described as being one of the most beautiful in that region of France, and it would have a church connected to it that equalled the size of the Cathedral of Le Mans.

The date of Juhel’s marriage is unclear, but it seems it was probably around 1198. In that year Juhel founded the Priory of Montguion, and the foundation act has his wife as a witness to such. His wife was Gervaise de Vitre, Viscountess de Dinan, the only daughter of Alain de Vitre and his wife Clemence de Fougeres. Alain de Vitre died around 1197 and had been the governor of Brittany; her father’s death may well have prompted the marriage of Gervaise, who appears to have been aged about 16 at that time, some 20 years younger than her husband.

This was the third marriage between members of the Mayenne and Vitre families. A great- grandmother of Gervaise was Constance de Mayenne, a grand-aunt of Juhel. Matilda de Mayenne, a step-sister of Juhel, had been married to Andrew II de Vitre, though their marriage was annulled because of their close consanguinity. Gervaise was the sole heir of her father and marriage to her brought Juhel the Viscounty of Dinan, in Brittany.

When away on the Third Crusade, King Richard of England nominated that his heir to the throne should be his nephew Arthur, son of Richard’s brother Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany, placing him ahead of Richard’s younger brother John. Whilst returning from the Third Crusade Richard was captured and held prisoner in Europe for some two years, and during this period his brother John sought to claim the lands of Normandy and Anjou, and made incursions into northern France.

When Richard was returned to the throne in 1194, he forgave John for trying to seize lands that were part of his realm, and later indicated that John would be his successor, fearing that Arthur would be too young to have the Crown. Richard then set out to recover lands that had been lost in his absence to King Philip of France, particularly Normandy, and thereafter followed many years of warfare between the two.

The History of the Mayne Family

During this period Juhel remained a firm supporter of King Philip and Arthur, who was under the influence of the King. Guyard states that Juhel received lands from this pair as reward for his services.

In 1199 King Richard died and nominated John as his successor. This was, though, something of a disputed decision – although most of the English and Norman nobility supported John, the majority of the nobles of Brittany, Maine and Anjou, with the support of King Philip, supported Arthur. With neither side keen on further warfare, in 1200 Kings John and Philip agreed a peace treaty, in which Philip recognised John as the heir to Richard’s possessions in France, and John accepted Philip as the feudal overlord of his lands in France. At this time King Philip also recognised Arthur as the Count of Anjou, Maine and Poitou.

At the request of King Philip, Juhel travelled to Chinon in 1201 and made an oath of fidelity to King John, yielding to him lands he had been given by King Philip.

It is recorded that Juhel took part in the Fourth Crusade which set off for the Holy Land in 1202, but it is unclear as to what involvement he had. It is noted that there were a large number of desertions to the cause amongst the French crusaders whilst they were en-route, and it may well be that Juhel returned home sometime in 1203.

By 1202 some of King John’s actions led King Philip to withdraw from the peace accord, he declared all of John’s lands in France to be under the control of himself or Arthur, and hostilities between the two parties commenced. Juhel remained committed to King Philip and Arthur and, to punish him for his support of them, in 1203 King John took away lands from him that he held in the Cotentin Peninsula and Anjou.

It appears there is a strong likelihood that around this time King John also dispossessed the Mayenne family of the manors they held in Devon, in England. (See Section E.1-2)

In 1203 Arthur, Duke of Brittany, now aged 16, was captured by King John. After being held prisoner for some nine months Arthur disappeared and was never seen again – a popular theory is that whilst being held at Rouen Castle he was slain by John and his body dumped into the River Seine.

As hostilities continued King Philip gradually gained supremacy and in December 1203 King John retreated back to England, leaving a defensive line behind him. Philip continued to oust John’s remaining forces; as part of this action, in April 1204, Guy De Thouars (third husband of Constance, the mother of Arthur), accompanied by Juhel de Mayenne, led a siege of Mont-Saint-Michel where King John had constructed a fortress manned by English troops. With the defenders refusing to surrender, Guy set fire to the buildings and raised the abbey there to the ground. By August of 1204 Philip had control of all of Northern France.

It was in the August of 1204 that Juhel saw the completion of his long-term project, the building of the Abbey of Fontaine-Daniel. The building had not only been funded by Juhel, but also by donations from many other nobles close to Juhel, from Maine, Anjou and Normandy. The foundation of the Abbey was a major event attended by many high-ranking clerics and nobles. The foundation of the Abbey was ratified by Pope Gregory IX in 1226. The Abbey was built in an area of forest to the south of Mayenne.

The History of the Mayne Family

A drawing of the Abbey de Fontaine-Daniel made around the year of 1695.

In 1209 Juhel is noted as one of the French nobles who went on the Albigensian Crusade, travelling to Languedoc, in southern France, to take on the religious fight against Catharism.

The enmity of Kings John and Philip ever continued, with each planning means of claiming more soil from the other. In 1214 King John set out to invade northern France in allegiance with John’s nephew Otto IV, King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor, and Ferdinand, Count of Flanders. On 27th July 1214 the two armies met in the Battle of Bouvines, Philip’s army numbering some 7,000 men against his opponent’s joint force of some 9,000 men. Juhel again fought for King Philip. The outcome of the battle was in the balance for some time, but the French forces eventually won. Otto IV returned to Germany where he was deposed as Holy Roman Emperor not long after, and Ferdinand was severely injured and taken prisoner. Philip made a triumphant march back into Paris, and John went back to England where his failure led to unrest amongst his barons, leading to John’s signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.

A peace agreement following the battle, in which John ceded land to Philip and paid him compensation was witnessed by many of the French nobles; amongst them is the signature of Juhel de Mayenne.

In 1219, now aged 57, Juhel joined Prince Louis, son of King Philip, on another crusade against the Albigensians. After capturing the town of Marmande, the crusaders laid siege to Toulouse but, after six weeks, were unable to take the town and returned home.

The History of the Mayne Family

It appears that, from Toulouse, Juhel may have set off to join the Fifth Crusade in Egypt. Somewhere along his journey in 1220 Juhel died; different reports suggest he may have died in Toulouse, Tunis or in Egypt. His body was brought back to Mayenne and it was interred in the Abbey of Fontaine-Daniel, in a tomb on which was a gilded copper effigy of Juhel.

The French Revolution eventually brought about the end of the community of monks at the Abbey of Fontaine-Daniel and it was deserted. After this, all the Abbey’s landholdings were auctioned off, but no buyer was found for the Abbey itself. Eventually it was sold to be dismantled for the money the stone of the building would bring.

All that remains of the Abbey today is a small corner of the building which is being used as a barn.

Juhel and Gervaise had no son and this saw the end of the prime branch of the male line of the Mayenne family in France. The couple did, however, have three daughters;

(a) Isabelle – estimated to have been born around 1199, she was married in 1216 to Dreux IV de Mello, Lord of Saint-Maurice-Thizouailles, Loches and Chatillon-sur-Indre, towns to the south of Tours. It appears that Dreux may have been around 50 years of age when marrying Isabelle. Isabelle was heir to Juhel and upon his death took the title of Dame de Mayenne. The couple had no children and Dreux died in 1249. In 1251 Isabelle remarried, this time to Louis I, Count of Sancerre, in the Loire Valley. Isabelle died in 1257. Through her marriages her husbands held the titles of Lord of Mayenne and Lord of Dinan, but neither produced an heir to inherit the title.

The History of the Mayne Family

(b) Marguerite – estimated to have been born around 1201, she was married around 1220 to Henri II d’Avaugour, Lord of Avaugour, in Dinan, Brittany. Henri and Marguerite had at least four children. Marguerite died in 1256 and her husband later married again. After the death of her elder sister in 1257 the titles of Lord of Mayenne and Lord of Dinan passed to Alain d’Avaugour, the eldest son of Henri and Marguerite.

(c) Jeanne – estimated to have been born around 1203, she was married to Pierre, Count of Vendome. This couple are thought to have had four children.

[PS – Medieval Lands by C.Cawley, The Lords of Mayenne by J.B. Guyard & Wikipedia, various sites]

The History of the Mayne Family

D.1 Mayenne to England There are no clear details found about the who, when and where concerning the move of the Mayne family from Mayenne to England, but there is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that the family of the Lords of Mayenne were the source of certain Mayne families found later in England, particularly those in Kent and Devon.

It seems reasonably apparent from the ages of members of the family at that time, and their relationship with William, Duke of Normandy, that no individuals from the house of Mayenne accompanied William on his invasion of England in 1066. This would seem to be borne out by the fact that the family were also not identified as having any landholdings in England in the Domesday Book of 1086, a situation that surely would have been the case if the family had supported William at the Battle of Hastings.

It may be the case that the family then found themselves in an unusual position in that they were surrounded in France by other noble families that all did have landholdings in England. This situation may be what led Hamelin, Lord of Mayenne, to exchange some of the family’s manors in France for some in England with Henry I, King of England, around the year 1118.

Consideration needs to be made as to the implications of this arrangement. Henry had spent a lot of time in northern France and would surely have known the land that was being offered to him by Hamelin, but did Hamelin have any idea of what was being offered as land in Devon and Somerset to him in return? Had Hamelin or another member of the Mayenne family been to England, thus having some knowledge of what was on offer? The most likely answer to this appears to revolve around Hamelin’s step-cousin William Goet III, who had married an illegitimate daughter of Henry I and who appears to have lived in England. Could it have been through this link that Hamelin’s deal with Henry I came about?

It should also be mentioned that it does appear that there may have been further members of the Mayenne family other than those shown on the family tree herein. Occasional references are found of other persons ‘of Mayenne’ whose link to the family is unknown. So, there is the possibility of another member of the family having been to England.

Whether or not Hamelin had any idea of what he was getting in England, did he then set off to take possession of it? After doing the deal with Henry I no further mention of Hamelin is found. One source suggests he died in 1119, but no details are provided of how or where, and no evidence is supplied to support the claim. Could Hamelin have gone to England and become the origin of the Mayne family in Devon?

Hamelin’s younger brother, Juhel I, replaced him as Lord of Mayenne in 1119 and became a supporter of Henry I, and later of the Empress Matilda. Juhel had six sons who appear to have followed their father in supporting Matilda and, later, her son Henry II.

Juhel’s son Walter (Gautier) became an important member of Henry II’s entourage in England. Referred to as Walter de Mayenne (or Meduana), he is considered to be the founder of the Mayne family of Kent. (See section E.1-1) He could also have had an input into the Mayne family of Devon. (See section E.1-2)

Juhel also had a son Guy about who nothing is currently known, and one named Juhel who seems to have been in England, and married a woman of a family based there. Either, or both, of these two sons could also have had an input into the Mayne family of Devon.

The History of the Mayne Family

E.1 First Maynes in England 1. Mayne of Kent The history of the Mayne family of Kent is reasonably well documented, particularly thanks to the efforts of John T. Mayne (mentioned earlier) whose research provides the basis of the probable family tree of Walter de Mayenne. In 1819 John T. Mayne visited the Herald’s Office in Doctor’s Commons in London and copied the pedigree found there of the eleven generations of the family from Roger Mayne of Gloucester (born circa 1165) to John Mayne (born circa 1450). In the book ‘The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent’ completed in 1798 by Edward Hasted, in the section relating to Biddenden, it is stated that the family is descended from Walter de Meduana (or Mayney), who in the Red Book of the Exchequer of 1166 was noted as holding twenty knights fees in that county.

It is interesting to note that the estimated life span of the Roger Mayne of Gloucester would fit perfectly with him being a son of Walter de Mayenne, who married Cicely FitzPain in 1162. The use of customary Christian names within a family is always a strong indicator of links therein, so the fact that Roger Mayne of Gloucester had a son Walter fits nicely, as does the use of both Walter and Roger in later generations of the family. Roger had not been found as a Christian name in the Mayenne family, so one could ask where the name of Roger may have come from. My suggestion would be that Walter and his wife, Cecily, named a son Roger in reference to Cecily's first husband, Roger FitzMiles. Walter and Roger were of a comparable age and both had been in the forces supporting the Empress Matilda and her son Henry II, and they may well have been close friends. It is also interesting to note that Gloucester was the base for Matilda in England, and was also the home town of Roger FitzMiles, so Walter and Cicely’s family may well have been based there as well; hence, a son recognised as Roger Mayne of Gloucester.

As has been mentioned earlier, it is recorded that Juhel I, Lord of Mayenne, had a grandson named Roger, but it is unclear as to whether this was a reference to Roger Mayne of Gloucester. The Roger mentioned as a grandson of Juhel I had a daughter who married in France, which would perhaps indicate that one of Walter de Mayenne’s younger brothers also named a son Roger.

Records of the Mayne family in Kent are found from the 13th century onwards. They became a very wealthy family, and lived in manor houses of some size in beautiful locations. Later, the family name slightly changed to become recorded as Mayney. The more significant homes the family had were found at Biddenden, Staplehurst and Linton. In 1542 the brothers John and Walter Mayney are both listed as having made loans to Henry VIII - at different times, both were later made High Sheriff of Kent. Their father, John Mayney of Biddenden, founded a free Latin Grammar school in that village in 1522 - his memory is maintained by the current day 'John Mayne Primary School'.

The downfall of this family came in the 17th century though the English Civil War. The head of the family at that time was a Sir John Mayney. He was a most staunch supporter of the monarchy and spent the whole of the family's fortune on raising an army in support of King Charles I. He travelled around England fighting for the Royalist army, often in command, and was frequently wounded. Despite the significant support he gave to the Stuart cause, he received no recompense when the monarchy was restored in England in 1660, and in 1676 he died in poverty. None of Sir John's three sons married and all died without issue - his son Walter committed suicide, apparently bought down by the family's destitution. Thus, this branch of the Mayne family came to an end. The family tree included in this section for the Mayne (or Mayney) family of Kent is drawn from the records extracted by John T. Mayne and later parish records. The tree shows only the main lineage or significant individuals, and there are many not included. For example, John Mayney (1480-1541) is recorded as having 14 children, though many died as infants. A more detailed family tree for this branch of the Mayne family can be found in Volume III of this work.

[PS – Mayne One-Name Study by D.Gore & Wikipedia, various sites]

The History of the Mayne Family

MAYENNE TO ENGLAND

THE FAMILY TREE OF KENT

Walter de Mayenne & Cicely FitzPayne (1129-1190) (1127-1204)

Roger Mayne & ????? of Gloucester (1165- )

Walter Mayne & ????? (1190- )

Sir Roger Mayne & ????? Hansley (1210- ) (dau of Sir Robert Hansley)

John Mayne & ????? Roger Mayne (1240- ) (1240- )

John Mayne & Eleanor Eyre Henry Mayne (1270- ) (1270- )

Roger Mayne & ????? William Mayne & E. Cloyne (1300- ) (1300- )

Anna Mayne & Robert Meriot Henry Mayne & ????? Olney (1330- ) (1330- )

John Mayne & Elizabeth Flixinghe (1360- )

Roger Mayne & Isabella Dynyayne (1390- )

Roger Mayne & Agnes Losspeam (1420- )

John Mayne & Flora Tilbury (1450- )

John Mayney & Lettyce Roger Mayne Henry Mayne Thomas Mayne of Biddenden, Kent (1484- ) (1487- ) (1490-1556) (1480-1541)

John Mayney & Margaret Johnson Walter Mayney (1510-1566) (1515-1577)

Sir Anthony Mayney & Bridget Tanfield Walter Mayney Thomas Mayney John Mayney (1543-1611) (1547-1571) (1560-1587) (1561-1590) (died without issue)

Sir Anthony Mayney & Mary Watson (1571-1626) Thomas Mayney Walter Mayney (1565- ) (1567-1582) Colonel Sir & Mary Rycault (died without issue) John Mayney (1608-1676)

Sir Anthony Mayney Walter Mayney Peter Mayney (1637-1706) (1638-1706) (1640- ) (died unmarried) (died without issue (died unmarried) - committed suicide)

The History of the Mayne Family

2. Mayne of Devon There is clear evidence to support the link of the family of Mayenne with the manors they obtained in Devon from Henry I, those of Black Torrington and King’s Nympton. The English Pipe Roll of 1130 mentions Juhel de Mayenne as holding land in Middlesex – it is unclear as to what this relates. The English Pipe Roll of 1157 mentions Juhel de Mayenne as holding land in Somerset and Devon. These mentions of Juhel de Mayenne must relate to Juhel I, Lord of Mayenne, who lived from 1090 to 1161.

A record is held in the National Archives which details the release by Walter de Meduana (Mayenne) and Cecilia, the Countess his wife, to Hamo de Scotot for a debt with regard to Torinton (presumed to be Torrington in Devon) for which Hamo gave Walter 20 marks and a sparrow-hawk and Cecilia 5 marks and a gold ring. This record clearly relates to Walter de Mayenne, son of Juhel I de Mayenne.

In 2006/7 a study was undertaken at the University of Sheffield entitled ‘The Lands of the Normans’ which looked at over 2,000 documents from the period between 1204 and 1244 to analyse the historical effect on the landholdings of Anglo-Norman families during that period. This included the period of the reign of King John, whose actions and disputes with many barons led to the creation of the Magna Carta in 1215.

From the details of the charters, grants and letters analysed there are some 20 items that make mention of members of the Mayenne family. The names and relationships mentioned refer to Walter de Mayenne, Juhel II de Mayenne (son of Geoffrey de Mayenne), and also the heirs of Walter and Juhel. Almost all the details of these mentions of the Mayenne family refer to lands being taken from the Mayenne family and returned to the King, or given to others, these actions taking place during the reign of King John. One letter from King John highlights the possibility of a physical conflict taking place between Juhel II and Ralph de Vautort, who is in the King’s service.

The mentions of land being taken from the Mayenne family mainly refer to the prior holdings of the family at Black Torrington and King’s Nympton, and some of apparent further landholdings at Wonford (then a royal estate in Exeter), Coham (part of Black Torrington), Higher Whiteleigh (near Holsworthy) and Northcott (also near Holsworthy). It would appear that these lands were taken from the Mayne family in England by King John during the period he also took lands from Juhel II de Mayenne in France, clearly indicating the link between the Mayenne family in France and the Mayne family in England.

In 1701 John Prince, a vicar, published his book ‘The Worthies of Devon’ providing historical records about notable individuals and families in his home county of Devon. The book contains two pages with information about Jasper Mayne of Hatherleigh. In this Prince states that the Maynes of Hatherleigh were an ancient family of some standing, sprung from the Joel de Mayne who was given land at Kings Nymet (or Nympton) in 1140.

Beyond the time of King John and King Henry III, the first records found of any Maynes in Devon occur in the 1400s, with mentions of a John, Roger and Walter (referred to in Section A.2) - three of the most common names found in the family tree of the Maynes of Kent. I would submit that the details set out here clearly indicate the historical link that many Mayne families of Devon have with the Lords of Mayenne, and also the close link that exists between the Mayne families of Devon and Kent.

A detailed family tree of my own line of descent, from a family first found in the 16th century in Swimbridge in Devon, can be found in Volume II of this work, and those of other branches of the Mayne family of Devon in Volume III of this work.

The History of the Mayne Family

F.1 Mayne Ancestry and DNA Testing In recent years DNA testing has become a more prominent part of genealogical research. In this section I set out a brief explanation of how DNA testing works in this respect, and make some comments about the result of my own DNA test.

The paternal lineage of a male can be studied by examining the DNA within his Y chromosome. Only males have a Y chromosome (it is basically the trigger that decides that a child will be born male) and they have just a single copy of that chromosome, which is usually identical to that of the child's father, and the father's the same as his father, and so on. Every now and again, perhaps once in numerous generations, a small mutation will occur in the DNA of the Y chromosome, but, basically, the Y chromosome DNA of a male alive today will be almost identical to that of his paternal forebear some 1,000 or more years ago.

Without trying to explain the process of DNA examination, a simplification of the results of a DNA test of an individual's Y chromosome would be to describe them as haplotypes. Further, examination of the haplotype results can identify to which haplogroup the individual belongs.

These results can be used for two prime purposes. Firstly, individuals who share the same surname and have similar haplotype results can be identified as having a shared paternal ancestor. It may even be possible to give an estimate of how many generations back the shared ancestor occurs. Secondly, the identification of the haplogroup to which an individual belongs can identify his deep ancestral roots.

When scientists first started investigating DNA for genealogical purposes, they were surprised to find that all the people in the world today seem to share a common ancestry. This research led to a now commonly held theory about the development of the human race. Briefly, this theory is that the human race evolved from a small group of individuals in North East Africa at some point around 275,000 years ago, possibly even descending from a single male who has been described as the 'Y-chromosomal Adam'.

The males in this group all had similar Y chromosome DNA, and were thus designated to be of the same haplogroup. Over the course of thousands of years this race expanded in numbers and began to migrate around the globe. Over time the bodies of various groups of these people began to alter, mostly as a reaction to the different climate zones and environments they found themselves in. As these changes took place certain mutations also occurred in their DNA.

These mutations were mainly minor and rarely took place. However, their occurrence has enabled scientists to identify how new haplogroups were formed, and this also provided a means of identifying a trail of how certain groups of humans migrated across the continents.

Testing of Y chromosome DNA around the world has now enabled scientists to create a table of haplogroups, showing the migration trail of each to different parts of the globe, and to show where the predominance of individuals from these groups are now found in the modern world.

On the following page is a schedule showing a table of the main haplogroups, now designated by codes from the letters A through to T. These groups have smaller subgroups that have now been identified. This research is very much on-going and will continue to develop as more DNA testing is done.

The History of the Mayne Family

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HAPLOGROUPS Haplogroup Formed Around Now Found Principally In A Oldest group, formed around 275,000 years ago Throughout Africa in N.E. Africa, contains 'Y-Chromosomal Adam'

BT 150,000 years ago in N.E. Africa

B 150,000 years ago in N.E. Africa Throughout Africa

CT (M168) 100,000 years ago - first group moving out of Africa

DE 65,000 years ago in Africa or Asia

D 50,000 years ago in Asia S.E. Asia & Pacific Rim

E 50,000 years ago in Africa Africa, Middle East & Mediterranean

CF 75,000 years ago in Asia

C 30,000 years ago in Asia N. & E. Asia, Oceania & Americas

F 45,000 years ago in S. Asia South India, Sri Lanka, China & Korea

G 40,000 years ago in S. Asia East Europe & West Asia

H 25,000 years ago in S. Asia India, Sri Lanka & Central Asia

IJK 40,000 years ago in S. W. Asia

IJ 35,000 years ago in S. W. Asia

I 25,000 years ago in S. W. Asia or Europe Europe, particularly Scandinavia

I-M253 (prev I1) 5,000 years ago in N. Europe Northern Europe & Scandinavia

I-M438 (prev I2) 25,000 years ago in S.E. Europe Central & South East Europe

J 30,000 years ago in S. W. Asia S. Europe, Middle East & Western Asia

K 35,000 years ago in S. W. Asia Europe & Asia

LT 35,000 years ago in W. Asia

L 35,000 years ago in S. Asia South & Central Asia

T 25,000 years ago in W. Asia Western Asia & North Africa

NO 45,000 years ago in S. E. Asia

N 40,000 years ago in Asia N. & E. Europe and some of Russia

O 35,000 years ago in Asia Most of E. & S. E. Asia & S. Pacific

P 35,000 years ago in S. or E. Asia Europe, Central Asia & Native America

Q 20,000 years ago in Central Asia Central Asia & Native America

R 27,000 years ago in Central Asia Europe and Central Asia

S 35,000 years ago in S. E. Asia New Guinea, Melanesia & E. Indonesia

The History of the Mayne Family

With regard to the Mayne family it would be anticipated that the haplogroup would be one associated with a source from Europe, so a closer look at common European haplogroups is necessary.

The humans that migrated into Europe were heavily affected by the last ice age. This started some 70,000 years ago and reached its peak level around 18,000 years ago. From that time the ice gradually receded until the ice age was deemed over at a point around 10,000 years ago.

Those humans who had moved into Europe whilst the ice age was developing found themselves gradually forced further south as the ice advanced. At the peak point of the ice age it is thought three groups of humans were separately isolated in Southern Europe.

These three groups were apart for such a long period that their DNA picked up certain mutations and they can now be identified as separate haplogroups. The three haplogroups have been given the identifications of groups I, R1a and R1b (sub-groups of R), and about 80% of modern-day Europeans are descended from these three haplogroups. As the ice age started to end these groups each started to migrate north, populating the areas of Western Europe, Central Europe & Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe respectively.

It would appear that the Mayne ancestry is connected with the Franks - these were a mix of tribes that lived around the basin of the River Rhine, mostly in North Netherlands and Denmark. Towards the end of the Roman era they were allowed to settle in the area mostly covered by modern day Belgium. The ancestry of most Franks is found in haplogroups R1b and I-M253 (a sub-group of I).

In the British Isles most people are descended through haplogroup R1b - approximately 70% of men in England, whilst in Ireland, Wales and Scotland it accounts for some 75 to 80 % of the population. This is seen to be mostly as a result of Anglo-Saxon migrations. The second largest haplogroup found in the UK is I-M253, accounting for some 15% of the population in England, its existence attributed to a mix of Anglo-Saxon and Viking migrations.

So, what of my own DNA test? When I had my test done in 2008, I was shown as belonging to the haplogroup I1a (a subgroup of haplogroup I) – since that date the haplogroup was first reclassified as I1 and, later, as I- M253.

What then, is known about haplogroup I-M253? This haplogroup has its greatest frequency in Scandinavia, attributed to some 40% of Swedish men, and over 30% of men from Denmark, Norway and Finland. It is also found in all those places which were invaded by the ancient Germanic peoples and the Vikings.

Researchers are still arguing about the age of this group, the leading researcher into this group (whose own group it is) feels the most recent common ancestor for the group may have lived around 4 to 5,000 years ago in the north west of Europe, perhaps in Denmark.

Outside of Scandinavia there is a significant incidence of group I-M253 males found in Northern France. This is thought to be the result of two factors; firstly, by settlement in the area resulting from Viking invasions during the 8th and 9th centuries (mostly men coming from Denmark and Southern Norway) and, secondly, by the migration of Frankish tribes from north west Germany westwards into Northern France. Descendants of both these groups came to England with the Norman invasion in the 11th century.

For some time, it was thought that the incidence of the haplogroup I-M253 in England was associated with Viking invasions. However, more recent investigation has shown this not to be the case, other than in certain areas of northern England, such as the area around York. It is now thought that most members of haplogroup I-M253 in England are descended from people who migrated west from Germany, through Northern France and across to the British Isles.

The History of the Mayne Family

As research goes on into haplogroup I-M253 it has been suggested that the group may divide into four further sub-groups, identified as follows;

(i) Anglo-Saxon - Highest incidence areas are North Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Northern France and the British Isles.

(ii) Norse - Highest incidence in Sweden.

(iii) Norse-Bothnia - Highest incidence found in Finland.

(iv) Ultra-Norse Type 1 - Highest incidence found in Norway.

Different DNA markers can identify a person as belonging to haplogroup I-M253 and then indicate in which of the four subgroups shown above that person is probably found. These markers are referred to as DNA Y Chromosome Segments, usually abbreviated as DYS numbers.

When the DYS number 455 gives a result of 8 (as does mine) membership of haplogroup I-M253 can be predicted with a certainty of over 99%. Further, when DYS number 462 gives a result of 12 (as does mine) it is thought that person will be a member of the Anglo-Saxon sub-group.

A schedule of my DNA test results, with comparisons to those deemed typical of the four subgroups of I- M253, is presented on the following page.

It would seem that my membership of haplogroup I-M253 would point to my ancestry as fitting very well with the theory offered in this book about the origin of the Mayne family, i.e. that descendants of the Germanic tribe, or tribes, that became referred to as the Franks moved into Maine in Northern France where they gave rise to the Counts of Maine and the Lords of Mayenne, and that of these Juhel de Mayenne I and his son Walter de Mayenne were possibly the genesis of the Mayne family in England.

The History of the Mayne Family

COMPARISON OF HAPLOTYPE RESULTS FOR GROUP I-M253

DYS HJM AS N NB UN No. 19a 15 Key : HJM Test Results for H.J.Mayne 19b - AS Typical Results for I-M253 Anlgo-Saxon 385a 13 13 14 14 14 N Typical Results for I-M253 Norse 385b 14 14 14 14 15 NB Typical Results for I-M253 Norse-Bothnia 388 14 14 14 14 14 UN Typical Results for I-M253 Ultra Norse 389i 12 12 12 12 12 389ii 29 28 28 28 28 390 22 22 23 23 23 391 10 10 10 10 10 392 11 11 11 11 11 393 13 13 13 13 13 426 11 11 11 11 11 437 16 16 16 16 16 438 10 10 10 10 10 439 11 11 11 10 11 441 17 16 16 16 16 442 17 12 12 12 12 444 12 13 13 13 13 445 11 11 11 11 11 446 11 13 13 13 13 447 24 23 23 23 23 448 19 20 20 20 20 449 28 28 28 28/29 28/29 452 31 12 12 12 12 454 11 11 11 11 11 455 8 8 8 8 8 ------A result of 8 for DYS number 455 456 13 14 14 14 14 is almost exclusive to haplogroup I-M253 458 15 15 15 15 15 459a 8 8 8 8 8 459b 9 9 9 9 9 460 11 10 10 10 10 461 12 12 12 12 12 462 12 12 13 13 13 ------A result of 12 for DYS number 462 463 21 19 19 19 19 is thought to indicate the divide between 464a 12 12 12 12 12 the Anglo-Saxon and Norse subgroups 464b 14 14 14 14 14 464c 15 15 15 15 15 464d 15 16 16 15 16 464e - 464f - GGAAT1 B07 11 YCAIIA 19 19 19 19 19 YCAIIB 21 21 21 21 21 Y-GATA-A10 15 635 21 Y-GATA-H4.1 21