Marchington the Village |
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The name Marchington is mentioned in the Domesday book. Being the Village of
Marchington, within the shire of Staffordshire. The entry is as follows: LAND
OF HENRY FERRERS Latin name as given in the Domesday entry for Marchington: Merchametone Origins of the
Village Marchington
Marchington Village is
described in The Oxford Dictionary of English Place
Names, by A.D.Mills as:: March: merece ; old English, meaning a place between two territories / places. Or a
marshy field containing wild celery.
Origins of the Marchington Surname The first mention of
Marchington's to date are mention in the Peak Forest area and are stated as being; de
Marchington, It is therefore probable that the family originated from the village of Marchington and as such took the name or was given the name as being from Marchington while under Norman rulers. It must be understood that surnames were not used in this time and the method of naming someone after their Christian name was one of distinguishing someone from an other, if you moved about your local area, you were inevitable known by that local community as being 'Robert from the village of Marchington' and as such the surname was born as being Robert de Marchington in Norman times and Robert Marchington in modern times. People were also named after their Trade i.e. Robert the Blacksmith, and after time this would be shortened to 'Robert Smith. Possible Peak Forest connection
Note: William Peverel held no lands in Staffordshire. William was related to Henry Ferrers.
c. AD 600. The village of Machington was situated in the Mercia kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons. Anglo-Saxons being tribes descending from the present day regions of northern Germany, Denmark & Holland. The Saxons introduce the basics of English law, setting up local courts. King Offa c.789 made the Mercia's more powerful and extended its region in England from the Kent coast to the river Humber & Mersey borders. The Saxons extended their influence across the entire country by the year 800. c.800. The Norse raiders attack east coast English towns. By 996 settlements of these tribes have established themselves in and around the eastern side of England and small pockets scattered elsewhere contrary to popular believe most were just farmers looking for land and not marauders. c.1008. Large parts of England including all the south are under Danish control. c. 1013. The break up of the Mercia kingdom gives way to the new creation of the middle English Shires, created as new administrative units by the new Danish rulers. c.1016. The Saxon rulers have gained control of most of England. There is much marriage between the Kings of Europe to forge alliances and as such some kind of peace existed. However this lead to power vacuums when one ruler died, has most royal families of Western Europe laid claim to the vacant thrones. At the time of the death of King Edward "the confessor", in 1066 one such power vacuum started. The Normans lead by the duke William of Normandy, invaded England to fight King Harold Goodwin (Earl of Wessex) who according to William was not the rightful heir to the throne of England. William lead claim to the throne and was assured of his succession by the previous King, Edward "the confessor", owing to the fact that Edward had no son to succeed him and he was half Norman and related to William. Earl Goodwin of Wessex brother in law to Edward, who was exiled returned to England and ravages the south coast with his fleet of ships. In 1066 King Edward died. Harold Goodwin claimed the crown, in-aiding on the promise he delivered to William on behalf of Edward "the confessor". William seeked to gain the throne of England and as such he invade and confronted Harold. The battle swung in each others favour but William made the most of his reserves and Harold made the fatle mistake of leaving the high ground and the result being that Harold's entire army was slaughtered along with Harold. Harold contra to popular belief was actually hacked to death and not killed by a single arrow to the eye. William took no prisoners at the battle. William march on to London and claimed the Crown with little opposition. William's revenge on all those who opposed his right to the Crown was server and as such all Lords and major land owners who were fought to have opposed him were deposed of their land and stock and banished into exile. William split the spoils of war with his loyal men and as such bestowed upon his generals large estates throughout England. The Domesday book gives an exact account of the lands he took from the original owner and bestowed upon his favorite Generals & friends. The Peak Forest areas were given to William Peveral and Henry Ferrers. Henry Ferrers also was given the Lordship of Marchington. Henry Ferrers & William Peveral bestowed upon their loyal soldiers positions & offices of importance one such position being 'hereditary, Keeper of the Royal Forest. 'Forester'. William Duke of Normandy, did meet opposition in the Lancashire area. He took a large section of his army to Lancashire and laid waste to the entire area, meaning he destroyed and pulled down all buildings, burnt all crops and slaughtered those who opposed him.
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