A house in a swamp was an attraction in those days. You had an extra big moat around your home that did not cost money to build or to keep in repair. A "Pole" is also a pivot in Old France. maybe the house was the pivot of the Hore family who have never been important in Wexford since the Marshall of that name in the 1170 attack.
Sir Robert de Furlang (son of Richard) must have done his share of the fighting the Irish tribes but he found time to start a family and carry out his duties in the system of Norman life. we find records between 1278 and 1293 of his activities which include his wife Clara. We see the note about her son Philip which indicates that Phillip was born around 1300.
Women in those days could hold property in their own right and for a minor, this can also be observed in the English records around 1066. later women were treated like slaves and their property taken over by their husband.
The first Furlong i can find is in connection with the accounts of Earl Roger Bigod for 1282-3 when 10/-s was received of the tenement of Connough for feudal service for quarter fee by the hand of Master Robert Furlong. In 1278 Robert Furlong again paid 103/- for the same place as a quarter fee. By 1293-4 he was dead for in that year 29s 8d was paid by Clara Furlong for the farm of two parts of the land of her husband. being in Earl Roger Bigod's hand by reason of wardship.
This entry presumably refers to this fee, and the heir, then a minor, was presumably Philip Furlong who in 1307 held the 1/4 fee here.
Building or repairing castles or fighting must have occupied a lot of their time. No doubt they tried to use local "forced labour" but history shows that the native Irish were not suited for slave labour. They are too independent and fled to the hills.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Furlong's of Ireland- Part 5
Over in England the source of all these attacks, the barons of England were doing their best to control the Kings dictatorial style and build up their own. They forced King John to sign the Magna Carta which gave barons more rights and common people less.
Sir Richard (Furlong), son of Thomas, also has little personal records to date. The Furlongs owned most of Shelimier West, west of the River Slaney according to records of the time. Richard owned 1500acres at least and no doubt there were other branches of the family who owned land also. We have a few fragments to date of other families. However I suspect that they would not own big places. It is my experience that the rich and most powerful member of the family would absorb or take the most profitable land in the family.
The old Forth Barony ryme reads " Proud Devereux, Stiff Stafford, Dogged Lambert, Gay Rochford, Laughing Cheevers, Obstinate Hore, Cross Cafer, False Furlong and Showy Synnot and Gentleman Brune"
We do know it was considered the act of a traitor to marry into an Irish family. This was because it ended with identity with the Irish tribes. We also know that some Furlongs did intermarry with Irish because we have Irish first names in some families. If so the Furlongs would not have continued to be in the Royalist camp. Maybe only some of them were "false" or should we suggest "sensible".
In the course of time the Furlongs became a very powerful and influential family. They engaged in many rebellions and fights with the government forces and in the old Barony of Forth doggerel they are alluded to as "Valse Furlongs". They generally sided with the Irish MacMurrough, Kavanaghs, hense the description "False".
Sir Richard (Furlong), son of Thomas, also has little personal records to date. The Furlongs owned most of Shelimier West, west of the River Slaney according to records of the time. Richard owned 1500acres at least and no doubt there were other branches of the family who owned land also. We have a few fragments to date of other families. However I suspect that they would not own big places. It is my experience that the rich and most powerful member of the family would absorb or take the most profitable land in the family.
The old Forth Barony ryme reads " Proud Devereux, Stiff Stafford, Dogged Lambert, Gay Rochford, Laughing Cheevers, Obstinate Hore, Cross Cafer, False Furlong and Showy Synnot and Gentleman Brune"
We do know it was considered the act of a traitor to marry into an Irish family. This was because it ended with identity with the Irish tribes. We also know that some Furlongs did intermarry with Irish because we have Irish first names in some families. If so the Furlongs would not have continued to be in the Royalist camp. Maybe only some of them were "false" or should we suggest "sensible".
In the course of time the Furlongs became a very powerful and influential family. They engaged in many rebellions and fights with the government forces and in the old Barony of Forth doggerel they are alluded to as "Valse Furlongs". They generally sided with the Irish MacMurrough, Kavanaghs, hense the description "False".
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Furlong's of Ireland- Part 4
Sir Thomas, Son of Robertus, is hidden in the mist of time up to date. We do know the native Irish continued to fight the invaders from time to time. We can be sure that the society was on a war footing throughout the lifetime of Thomas. He would have built and lived in a moated grange or square fort because every Norman lived in them in this period. These preceded the building of castles which were very expensive and long term projects. The Anglo-Normans built these sixty square foot mounds, some were oblong, as a defence point and to protect their families and cattle. The mound had a ditch all around filled with water from a stream and a palisade of heavy vertical timbers. The native Irish used similar forts but they were round.
These moated homes cost about $30.00 at that time, of which the moat cost $8.00 and the palisade cost about $20.00. These early homes were timber buildings on one floor and were used up to the 1400's in a few cases. Thomas may have had an income of $4000 per year if he was lucky. He would have to pay servants, field hands, and armed retainers and feed his family out of that. An idea of the value of money may be obtained from the fact that 240 acres of prime arable land could be rented for $3.00 per year.
About this time 3 monasteries were built at short distances from the traditional Furlong estate. Dunbrody Abbey was founded by a uncle of Strongbow about 9 miles west, Tinturn Abbey about 10 miles south and Graigguenamanagh Abbey to the north. Dunbrody for example still stands in ruined splendor with a 200 foot nave and fine stone window tracery. It was not unknown for Normans of property to resign and give their son the estate and spend their old age in an abbey. We do not know of any Furlong of this period doing the same.
Prince John invaded in 1210, a second attack in a few years and again the country must experience killing, burning of homes etc. Wexford became known as "Land of the Foreigners" by the rest of Ireland because it was the landing place for the many invasions. Of course the vast majority of the Irish people were Celts, a race who have lived in Ireland since just prior to the birth of Christ.
The Furlongs, like other foreigners, have since intermarried with these families and are part of the society. It is worthy of note however that the Furlongs like the other "old Anglo-Normans" did not normally intermarry with the Irish for about 400 years (1650). Another interesting point is the fact that the names of the early invaders are still to be found in the owners of farms within 30 miles of Bannow Bay.
These moated homes cost about $30.00 at that time, of which the moat cost $8.00 and the palisade cost about $20.00. These early homes were timber buildings on one floor and were used up to the 1400's in a few cases. Thomas may have had an income of $4000 per year if he was lucky. He would have to pay servants, field hands, and armed retainers and feed his family out of that. An idea of the value of money may be obtained from the fact that 240 acres of prime arable land could be rented for $3.00 per year.
About this time 3 monasteries were built at short distances from the traditional Furlong estate. Dunbrody Abbey was founded by a uncle of Strongbow about 9 miles west, Tinturn Abbey about 10 miles south and Graigguenamanagh Abbey to the north. Dunbrody for example still stands in ruined splendor with a 200 foot nave and fine stone window tracery. It was not unknown for Normans of property to resign and give their son the estate and spend their old age in an abbey. We do not know of any Furlong of this period doing the same.
Prince John invaded in 1210, a second attack in a few years and again the country must experience killing, burning of homes etc. Wexford became known as "Land of the Foreigners" by the rest of Ireland because it was the landing place for the many invasions. Of course the vast majority of the Irish people were Celts, a race who have lived in Ireland since just prior to the birth of Christ.
The Furlongs, like other foreigners, have since intermarried with these families and are part of the society. It is worthy of note however that the Furlongs like the other "old Anglo-Normans" did not normally intermarry with the Irish for about 400 years (1650). Another interesting point is the fact that the names of the early invaders are still to be found in the owners of farms within 30 miles of Bannow Bay.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Furlong's of Ireland- Part 3
"According to tradition the manor and demesne of Carrigmannon was granted to the Furlong family, under the following circumstances. A gentleman of the name of the Furlongs of Furlong in Devonshire was in the train of Henry II during his visit to Ireland in 1172 when that monarch was passing a few days in Wexford. He was one day riding with some followers to chase the deer in the great oak forest of Glynn. Furlong was one of the party, and was so fortunate as to kill an immense boar which had attacked the King. The sovereign knighted his preserver at once and bestowed on him a large tract of land in the neighborhood. The Irish branch of the family assumed for their arms, the bearing of a boar issuant from an oakwood. The seat of the family was held by the curious tenure of sending a birch broom and paying suit of court yearly."
The Furlongs of County Wexford by William H. Jeffery
We do know that the Norman invasions (they continued for years) was a violent and continuous period. The Normans were better organised and had a professional army. The Irish were spare time soldiers with experience only in tribal fighting. the Normans won every battle or almost all of them. They beat the Irish in each area they came to as they toured Ireland and when they got back to the start they found the tribe ready to fight again. So they never did get them all down at the same time. In addition they had to fight the Norse in all the towns of Ireland. The Norse had been in Ireland for several hundred years and had built and held all the coast towns. The Irish had finally beaten them in 1014 in the Battle of Clontarf.
So, for a hundred years or more after Robertus landed we have Normans touring the country fighting the Irish tribes. Wexford was no doubt the strong point from which they issued forth to engage the tribes in battle. It was very convenient for warrior such as the Normans. Only forty miles across the sea from their Welsh supply bases. They had control of Bannow Bay which was in between Wexford City and Waterford City, both cities had Norsemen in large numbers and Bannows shallow bay suited their Viking type ships.
Today the names of those recorded with the 1169 invasion are still to be found in the list of owners of farms within forty miles of Bannow. Prince John invaded Ireland in 1185 and Henry died in 1189. More killing and burning of Irish homes. The record shows it was to continue for eight hundred years.
The Furlongs of County Wexford by William H. Jeffery
We do know that the Norman invasions (they continued for years) was a violent and continuous period. The Normans were better organised and had a professional army. The Irish were spare time soldiers with experience only in tribal fighting. the Normans won every battle or almost all of them. They beat the Irish in each area they came to as they toured Ireland and when they got back to the start they found the tribe ready to fight again. So they never did get them all down at the same time. In addition they had to fight the Norse in all the towns of Ireland. The Norse had been in Ireland for several hundred years and had built and held all the coast towns. The Irish had finally beaten them in 1014 in the Battle of Clontarf.
So, for a hundred years or more after Robertus landed we have Normans touring the country fighting the Irish tribes. Wexford was no doubt the strong point from which they issued forth to engage the tribes in battle. It was very convenient for warrior such as the Normans. Only forty miles across the sea from their Welsh supply bases. They had control of Bannow Bay which was in between Wexford City and Waterford City, both cities had Norsemen in large numbers and Bannows shallow bay suited their Viking type ships.
Today the names of those recorded with the 1169 invasion are still to be found in the list of owners of farms within forty miles of Bannow. Prince John invaded Ireland in 1185 and Henry died in 1189. More killing and burning of Irish homes. The record shows it was to continue for eight hundred years.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Furlongs of Ireland- Part 2
Robert must have come from knights stock and or was fluent in Norman French and or fought well in the the invasion battles. He also must have shown previously some organizational ability to be knighted and given such influence. Henry would have given his rescuers a few hundred acres and a cottage if he did not see some advantage to himself to put this man in a position of local power. He also must have seen him as loyal to himself and his family. We must remember that the 1500 acres must have been stolen from some other landowner. One crime leads to another.
At 30 years of age Henry was one of the most cunning and long sighted of all the Norman leaders. Consider his moves to gain the English throne. He used his influence with an English member of the Papal Administration (Beakspear) to obtain a letter from the Pope. The letter prevented the son of Steven getting the throne & placed Henry on the position to take it. He rewarded the cleric who conveyed the letter, Thomas Beckett, with the best clerical position in England. With Beckett he assisted the English member of the Papal Administration to the Papal throne. This Pope Adrian the Forth was the only English man to be Pope out of 200 popes and 2000 years. He is said to have issued a "Bull" that authorized Henry to invade Ireland. Some historians consider the "Bull" was forged. Ireland has contributed far more to the Christian structure of Europe in the previous century than England had done before or since.
The fact that Henry gave Robertus this authority in spite of his being an Englishman and thus suspect compared to the Norman knights is an example of his judgement. Time confirmed him. Sir Robertus and his family remained loyal to the English kings to 1650 as we shall see, we know that a family castle was built at the Pole or manor of Pole and afterwards called Pole de Hore at a later date.
At 30 years of age Henry was one of the most cunning and long sighted of all the Norman leaders. Consider his moves to gain the English throne. He used his influence with an English member of the Papal Administration (Beakspear) to obtain a letter from the Pope. The letter prevented the son of Steven getting the throne & placed Henry on the position to take it. He rewarded the cleric who conveyed the letter, Thomas Beckett, with the best clerical position in England. With Beckett he assisted the English member of the Papal Administration to the Papal throne. This Pope Adrian the Forth was the only English man to be Pope out of 200 popes and 2000 years. He is said to have issued a "Bull" that authorized Henry to invade Ireland. Some historians consider the "Bull" was forged. Ireland has contributed far more to the Christian structure of Europe in the previous century than England had done before or since.
The fact that Henry gave Robertus this authority in spite of his being an Englishman and thus suspect compared to the Norman knights is an example of his judgement. Time confirmed him. Sir Robertus and his family remained loyal to the English kings to 1650 as we shall see, we know that a family castle was built at the Pole or manor of Pole and afterwards called Pole de Hore at a later date.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Furlongs of Ireland by J. Furlong- 1981- Part 1
"There is good reason to believe that the first Furlong in Ireland was one Robertus de Furlang and that he was a son of the "Furlong" estate in Devon owned by John de Furlang. The earliest written history of the house located to date is 1616 when the daughter of the owner at that time, John Helman, married John Carew of "Antony" Cornwall. Today the house stands in approx. 100 acres of fine farm land with a drive up to the front door from the road of approx. one third of a mile.
The English Furlongs have a coat of arms in heraldic records but we do not know if the Devon family was the holder. Only one person holds a coat of arms. it is considered bad manners to use arms held by another. Every descendant is required to have the arms confirmed by the Chief herald. Only the eldest son may use the same arms. A slight change must be made for other members of the same family. The arms of the English family "Furlong" is given as; two bars between 8 marlets. Crest one eagles head erased ppr. Motto is " Liberaltis" ie Liberality. Eventually symbols were used on grave stones and became a sign of status. we do know the English land owners of prime property after 1066 were liable to have their land taken from them by the Norman conquerors any time. For several hundred years the Normans continued to exercise a tight control on government and property. We can imagine that their sons could expect very little if they were not part of the "in" group and or spoke Norman- French.
Robertus might have been one of the younger sons. Only eldest sons received the property on the death of the holder in those days. No doubt he hoped to improve his fortune when he joined Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, to invade Ireland. Strongbow's army consisted of Norman knights, Flemish troops, Welsh archers and a few Englishmen. We can imagine how exciting it was, the horses being led on to the long low Viking ships to be rowed and sailed fifty miles across the Irish Sea to Bannow Bay in Wexford. Milford Haven in South Wales is one of the finest and biggest natural harbours in the world. Most of those going on the trip and those watching on shore would remember the 1066 invasion when all those who assisted the Norman William to win received rewards big enough to make them rich. The 1169 attack is one of the best reported early invasions in history. We have two descriptions, both by Normans. One " The Conquest of Ireland" by Gerald the Welshman and "The Song of Dermot and the Earl" by an unknown writer. Both accounts are easy to read and very accurate in detail. Gerald was a relative of most of the knights who were in the invasion. The war party of 600 men landed in Bannow Bay about 10 miles from our old family property.
There were several invasions into Ireland between 1169 and 1172 as the Normans reinforced their footing in Wexford. We do not know at which of these dates Robertus landed but we do know he was knighted when he saved King Henry the Second life from a wild boar in the Forest of Glynn near Wexford City in 1171. Henry the Second, King of England was also a Norman prince who held more land in France than the King of France who's power he threatened. As a boy between eight and twelve years of age he had spent 4 years in Bristol, England. It is revealing that he was able to spend that period there and never learn to speak English. He never did speak any English ( or Irish either) although he was King of England for thirty five years (1154-1189)
After Strongbow's army had been in Ireland several years Henry became concerned in case Strongbow set himself up as king and independant so he hurried over in 1171. He also was in hot water in England due to the murder of Thomas Becket so it was convenient to be out of the public eye for a while. It was on this visit that Robertus saved his life. I suspect the Normans were macho types who expected their leaders to engage in such sports. He may have fallen off his horse or dismounted to spear the boar when it charged him. He was hunting deer it is said. However Robertus was in the right place at the right time and he received a knighthood and a demise called " Carrigmannon" of 1500 acres that his family held until 1638.
The English Furlongs have a coat of arms in heraldic records but we do not know if the Devon family was the holder. Only one person holds a coat of arms. it is considered bad manners to use arms held by another. Every descendant is required to have the arms confirmed by the Chief herald. Only the eldest son may use the same arms. A slight change must be made for other members of the same family. The arms of the English family "Furlong" is given as; two bars between 8 marlets. Crest one eagles head erased ppr. Motto is " Liberaltis" ie Liberality. Eventually symbols were used on grave stones and became a sign of status. we do know the English land owners of prime property after 1066 were liable to have their land taken from them by the Norman conquerors any time. For several hundred years the Normans continued to exercise a tight control on government and property. We can imagine that their sons could expect very little if they were not part of the "in" group and or spoke Norman- French.
Robertus might have been one of the younger sons. Only eldest sons received the property on the death of the holder in those days. No doubt he hoped to improve his fortune when he joined Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, to invade Ireland. Strongbow's army consisted of Norman knights, Flemish troops, Welsh archers and a few Englishmen. We can imagine how exciting it was, the horses being led on to the long low Viking ships to be rowed and sailed fifty miles across the Irish Sea to Bannow Bay in Wexford. Milford Haven in South Wales is one of the finest and biggest natural harbours in the world. Most of those going on the trip and those watching on shore would remember the 1066 invasion when all those who assisted the Norman William to win received rewards big enough to make them rich. The 1169 attack is one of the best reported early invasions in history. We have two descriptions, both by Normans. One " The Conquest of Ireland" by Gerald the Welshman and "The Song of Dermot and the Earl" by an unknown writer. Both accounts are easy to read and very accurate in detail. Gerald was a relative of most of the knights who were in the invasion. The war party of 600 men landed in Bannow Bay about 10 miles from our old family property.
There were several invasions into Ireland between 1169 and 1172 as the Normans reinforced their footing in Wexford. We do not know at which of these dates Robertus landed but we do know he was knighted when he saved King Henry the Second life from a wild boar in the Forest of Glynn near Wexford City in 1171. Henry the Second, King of England was also a Norman prince who held more land in France than the King of France who's power he threatened. As a boy between eight and twelve years of age he had spent 4 years in Bristol, England. It is revealing that he was able to spend that period there and never learn to speak English. He never did speak any English ( or Irish either) although he was King of England for thirty five years (1154-1189)
After Strongbow's army had been in Ireland several years Henry became concerned in case Strongbow set himself up as king and independant so he hurried over in 1171. He also was in hot water in England due to the murder of Thomas Becket so it was convenient to be out of the public eye for a while. It was on this visit that Robertus saved his life. I suspect the Normans were macho types who expected their leaders to engage in such sports. He may have fallen off his horse or dismounted to spear the boar when it charged him. He was hunting deer it is said. However Robertus was in the right place at the right time and he received a knighthood and a demise called " Carrigmannon" of 1500 acres that his family held until 1638.
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