Riding The Fence

      Amazement, wonder, and gratitude are things that continue to motivate me as this tree climbing experience opens many windows to past generations. Starting from around 800 A.D., is no small vista. Original documents from the same time period being explored provide assurance that your not climbing out the wrong tree limb. For Tudor Trevor (JC-1), son-in-law to Hywel Dda, documents exist that were recorded during their lifetime. But first, let me give you some context. The following cover is one set of these types of documents.

      The Anglo-Saxons certainly had a bit to say during the lifetime of both of these fellows listed above.  On page 119 of this text, translated and collated by Anne Savage, The date stated is 927 A.D., and it is recorded: "...King Aethelstan received the kingdom of Northumbria, and all the kings on this island were brought under his rule: first Hywel, king of the West Welsh; Constantine, king of the Scots, Uwen, king of the people of Gwent...".

      Under the rule of the Saxons since 927 A.D. is clearly the context for the son-in-law of Hywel Dda, Tudor Trevor (JC-1). The formal word for this rule is suzerainty, meaning overlordship but, it still allowed for each vassal state to have authority over its own internal affairs. It would likely be during this time frame that Tudor (JC-1) married Anghard (JC-2) and began their own family located geographical between the Welsh and Saxons. Welsh Maelor was northwest and, the English Maelor was southeast. Riding the fence even at this early date for my Jones surname family, somehow, was to continue as an exercise for generations yet to be.  

P.S. Mike Ashley in his book British Kings & Queens page 472 states that Athelstan was "King of the English, 17 July 924-27 October 939." [see post dated 20th February, 2022] The book cover shown above is from Savage, A., The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, Crescent Books, N.Y., 1995. 

                       

Place of Birth

       The grandson of Cadforch (JA-1) and, the son of Ynyr (JB-1), is perhaps the most well known and well recognized of all the family members at this top of my Jones family tree. His name is fairly different since he has been called by two names placed together before there are any descriptors listed. He is named from his place of birth, and then any additional labels follow. He is one of the few fellas that follow this pattern among the many different surnames that are connected. His place of birth was Trevor (Vale of Dee) and, his given name was Tudor. Put together, he became known through the pages of history as Tudor Trevor. Using the coding system being followed he would be JC-1. It is the third generation down the branches which is a little surprising since he is usually identified as the founder of the tribe. Much has been written and, still will be written, perhaps because he was married to the daughter of the much more famous and world renowned Hywel Dda. Her name was Anghard (JC-2) and she is usually not listed among the many writers of Hywel Dda's story.

        Rhiengar(JB-2) the mother of Tudor Trevor (JC-1), had a second son named Ynyr Frych Abador (JC-3) who is rarely listed among this generation of folks and, was certainly a surprise when discovered. He carries that ancient Celtic name (Ynyr) from his father, and inherited his future position through his mother Rhiengar (JB-2) a heir to Hereford. You can imagine the number of research notebooks that document this generation. But, let's start at the place of birth, Trevor.

      A good place to start was to ask did this place, Trevor, actually exist? Well, after digging around, this map was found dated 4/24/05:

      The location of Trevor is shown in the middle of this map. there is also listed a Garth Trevor, Trevor Hall, and Trevor Tower noted by the yellow color. Now, the following map helps place this area with a little more geographic information with the river Dee shown outlined in blue.

      The river Dee runs along the southern border of Trevor which indicates the Vale of Dee. Well how about that, right smack in Maelor the homeland of Dad (JB-1) and Grandpa (JA-1).

On Documentation

      Before moving on down the family tree, a few words regarding the documentation seems appropriate. Several genetic genealogist have contacted me wanting to know what evidence there is to prove the assertions being claimed regarding my Jones surname family tree. What an essential question to any genealogist or genetic genealogist. What proof do you have to show the individuals you name actually existed, and belong in your kindred group? This information which was collected during, and following many, many years of tree climbing and, much of this proof and documentation, has been collected, organized and stored in a series of research notebooks. This research as been outlined in a blog. The title of the blog is:

                                        "The Jones Genealogist Research Notebooks"

                                         (https://tjgresearchnotebooks.blogspot.com) 

      This blog was started July 6th, 2012, and gives the content (proof) by subject, topic, surname, and individual/etc. Each notebook generally contains the same information/references on a related topic or surname. The notebooks are numbered and identified as RN# [Research Notebook #] from #1 to #275. The contents that each notebook contains by subject is given. The whole blog can be searched by subject using the search engine found above the right column of each post. The research contained to my Jones surname family tree can be discovered here. Give it a try. The following picture shows the beginning string of notebooks starting RN #1.

P.S. there are 274 total notebooks. A bit of my tree climbing results are here.

Words

       Life's navigation is often assisted by labels. Stop/Go, On/Off, Push/Pull, Fire Escape, Sale, and the many other words that affect the selections we make. During my childhood days in the 1950s, a common emotional self-defense was "Sticks and stones may break my bones but, words will never hurt me". This was often not the case, but you could still vacate the scene with your pride intact. Likewise, one word frequently discussed in my Church going clan was the word Lord. Now this word was not to be used in vain, but respectfully used in songs and sermons. You can certainly imagine what impact the use of this word "Lord of both Maelors, Oswestry, and Whittingham" would have on my Spiritual bones. Say what! My ancestors labeled as Lord? Blasphemy! 

      A few family tree branches were broken as my genealogy hunts expanded. How was this word (Lord) being used so many years in the past? There must be some explanation in the fields of time. Here is what was discovered.

      The word lord is derived from the French half and the Old English hlaford, both meaning loaf. Now my frequently used and, frequently abused Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary p. 674 adds "+ weard keeper". What? another word to understand?  Interestingly, HYWEL DDA THE LAW p. 113 writes:

"A mill and a weir and an orchard are called the three precious things of a kindred, and there is no right to share these or to alienate them, but their fruits are shared to those who are entitled to them."

      Wow, a weir (in Welsh Cored) is a fishing place. My old faithful dictionary p.1319 gives:

                               "a fence or enclosure set in a waterway for taking fish"

      Unbelievable, loaves and fish! Sounds like one of those miracles to me. [book of Matthew 14:15-20] Let's see now. A Lord is the one who is responsible for putting food on the table. Hum...Lord of both Maelors, Oswestry, and Whittington gives a new concept to my spiritual bones. There would be lots of food needed here.

      P.S. A well written and very helpful reference titled "THE ROOTS OF LANGUAGE"--"How modern speech evolved from a single, ancient source" U.S. News & World Report, November 5, 1990. The discussion of the Proto-Indo-European root starts page 60 and goes to page 70. Must be from the maternal side for it is titled "The Mother Tongue".

References

      The genealogical notes to Ynyr(JB-1) and Rhiengar(JB-2) are: 

Dwnn, L. (Ed.) Meyrick, S.R., Heraldic Visitations Of Wales and Part of the Marches Between The Years 1586 and 1613, Longman & Co., London, Vol II, p. 307, first published 1846.

Nicholas, T., Annals and Antiquities of The Counties and County Families Of Wales, London, Vol II, p. 354, first published 1872.

Burke, B., The General Armory Of England, Scotland, Ireland And Wales; Comprising A Registry Of Armorial Bearings From The Earliest To The Present Time., Harrison, London, p. 1035, first published 1884.

      The books are discussed in prior post 20th March, 2023 for Dwnn. For Nicholas and Burke see post of 27th February 2023 and 26th March, 2023. This information is given for the harden genealogist out there who want to see for themselves the documentation. Not sure that many of us still remain above ground.

Foundations

       Roots are a foundation to all trees that help them stand against the many winds that blow across their paths. Likewise, ancestors are the roots of the many generations that helped the family trees survive the winds {some might say hurricanes} of time. For my own Jones surname family tree, these roots begin as geographic locations. As discussed in the last post, these roots were described by labels attached to the names of those identified. [Listed as the second generation (JB)] These labels are shown again in a somewhat different light since understanding the geographic locations are paramount to finding and clarifying many of my Jones surname ancestors. 

      Both Maelors are shown outlined in red. Note that the river Dee (colored blue) divides these locations down the middle with the NW side labeled Welsh and, the SE side tagged English. Also, remember in the last post, Offa's dyke runs north to south forming a distinct boarder between the Welsh and the Saxons. Due south the locations of Whittington and Oswestry are shown in relationship to Maelor. Both locations are east of Offa's dyke which would place them under Saxon influence.  How much more complicated can one get? 

      Now for the big, big, picture...drum roll please...

      This figure reminds everyone the real Celtic roots that Ynyr(JB-1) is given his name. Place the first drawing over the second and, the two Celtic tribes that occupied the Maelors, Whittington and Oswestry are the Deceangli (Welsh Maelor) and the Cornovii (English Maelor). What a deal!

A Descriptor

       At the day of birth, the name given to the next male in line of descent, must have been made with some reasons in mind. Ynyr (JB-2) was certainly an old and perhaps special Celtic name. From this point on down the family tree [down from the top], many individuals discovered have a special label attached to the name. For example; George, "the red head"; Pete, "the very short one"; or Charles, "who was born in Iowa", are given to describe a special characteristic or item of interest to distinguish the individual. For our Ynyr (JB-1) it was "Lord of Both Maelors, Oswestry, and Whittington". For his wife named Rhiengar (JB-2), her label was "Heir to Hereford". Now the Welsh laws are yet to be collected and written, but when written (see post of April 4, 2022) the following is given: "If an owner of land has no other heir than a daughter, the daughter will be heir of all the land". (p. 107) Thus Rhiengar (JB-2) must have been the only remaining child of her family. The tag following our Ynyr (JB-1) names several geographic locations which are shown in the following:

      The locations named are shown in relationship to Offa's Dyke. Most of the sites are east of the dyke and must represent the kindred's family origin. Riding the fence between two distinct cultures (Saxon and Welsh) continues to demonstrate itself down the various branches of my Jones family tree. Many descriptors are yet to come.