This web page has been created for the benefit of all TRIVETT(s)' and differentials Worldwide whom I believe all originate from this one Trivett family in England c1066.

Compiled by John E. Trivett of Sandringham, Walford Road, Ashfield, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5PQ. England.

Ross-on-Wye,Herefordshire,England.

With thanks to Charles Trivett, Colyton, Devon, my cousin. He contacted my mother Hilda E. Trivett nee Gore. now deceased, about 1980 giving information to do with the Trivett origins. This caused me to have an unquenchable need to find out as much as I can in my lifetime about our family history. I have collected the following information and I think you will find it interesting.

From left to right- Charlie, his wife Muriel and Me.

First I went to Battle Abbey and sure enough there was the shield and mention of the Trivetts. Next I had to search all the different county Domesday books. My brother-in-law David Ewens mentioned out of interest that he had noticed an area just outside of Bridgwater, Somerset called Trivett. That was an important tip. I got hold of the Somerset Domesday book and soon found an area called Chilton Trivett. (Chilton meaning Officer to the King.)

Although there are the Trivetts who stayed behind in Dives Normandy previous to 1066 and whose descendants are still there I sincerely believe that all Trivetts be it Canada, America, England or Australia etc. are descended from William and his family 1066. Names may differ, be it Trivett, Trevett, Trevatt, Tryvett, Tryvethan etc. Names were not always copied correctly often spelling was guessed.

Going back further I found a grant of arms shield to a Trivett given in pre conquest Dives, Normandy. I went to Dives a few years ago, well worth a visit. The ships were built here and with contradiction against the departure point the main attack force left from here. There is also a Cathedral Des Conquest giving all the names of the men at arms displayed in magnificence on a wall in the Cathedral.

On first visiting the lands that William the Conqueror had awarded Sir William and Sir ? (either father brother or son) it seemed like walking back in time 930 years. Militarily we were here to protect against any attack from Harolds Danish cousins in Ireland via Bridgwater Bay. (which incidentally did happen). Adjacent to our land is Blackmoor Farm recently changed to Manor. According to Domesday they bred beef and horses. If we didn't originally own it we did at a later stage. I will explain---- about 1199 it was seized by King John for non-payment of taxes. I do not think we were very well off at that stage in time, our big windfall was to come a little later! After the seizure Blackmoor was purchased from the crown by Geoffrey of Durleigh in 1201 and given to his son Geoffery of Brymore. By 1214 it was owned by Philip De Burcy, Thurston De Burcy 1295. By 1350 it belonged to Lucy d.c.1370 widow of Richard Malet. She was succeeded by her daughter Margaret, a minor who married in turn (1) Richard Cressebien, (2) Thomas Hatfield, (3) Nicholas More, and finally John Kenne d 1438. Margaret was dead by 1440 when Blackmoor was held by her son Hugh More. By his Will Hugh gave Blackmoor to his wife Gillian for life, and then to the churchwardens of Cannington for one year with reversion to his half brother Robert Kenne d. 1453 and his son John Kenne. He sold the manor in 1476 to Sir Thomas Tremayle (Tremail) d.1508 son of John Tremayle, grandson of Margaret Trivett, wife of Roger Tremayle.

Blackmoor Manor

Chilton Trivett manors stayed in our ownership definitely upto c1422 and thereafter by marriage of a Trivett daughter into the Compton family with the manors etc. as dowry. One of our biggest mistakes was not to make the marriages joint names!

Stogursey Castle was built at a later date as a fortress. Well worth a visit. It was in disrepute in 1216 and King John ordered its destruction. In 1537 Stogursey lands passed by gift to the crown. Then granted to a Richard Gresham, then Henry Courtenay , Marquis of Exeter who was disgraced in 1538. Then it was granted to Queen Catherine Howard in 1541, Henry VIII's wife and later to Queen Catherine Parr until her death in 1548. The castle was then called Wyndeats.

Bridgwater Castle Manor

Bridgwater Castle Manor (which we previously half owned along with William Brewer and his son William) merged with the crown to Queen Elizabeth who married King Henry VII. Then to Catherine of Aragon as Princess of Wales, then to Anne Boleyn d.1536, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard d.1542 and Catherine Parr the only one to outlive Henry the VIII. Bridgwater was once a very popular royal residence. The local authorities could very well use this information to increase the income of holidaymakers to the area!The only remaining structure of the Castle is the Watergate which is now part of a public house next to the river. It is unfortunately not kept with any respect as you will see from my photo. The other picture of it was made about 1900.

  

Onto the story -- Battle Abbey Roll states for many successive descents the Manor of Bridgwater Castle in Somersetshire was held by the Trivetts. It was in fact half shared by Sir Thomas Trivett and Sir William Brewer. The Trivett Arms appeared on the coping of the ancient bridge which was started by Sir Thomas Trivett Bridgwater Manor c1200-1270 and completed by the instruction and direction of his son Sir Thomas Trivett 1238-1281 in the time of Edward the 1st.1272-1307. Sir Thomas devised a slogan ,Wisdom Begets Wealth, and had it inscribed into the bridge wall. In 1256 Sir Thomas married a young lady called Eleanor Braunche' daughter of Joan Braunche' grand daughter and heir of Wandrill de Courcelles, descendant of Baron Roger de Courcelles( original name Roger Whiting of Courcelles) who owned approximately 87 manors and estates in Somerset. As a dowry I believe Sir Thomas received approx. twenty manor houses estates and land etc. Better than any win on the pools today. He became a very wealthy and powerful man. Can you imagine the wedding in those days, no doubt the King etc. attended? ( I have made a seperate list of the properties). Sir Thomas was an itinerant Justice to the King, later to become Lord Chief Justice of England, one of the highest positions in government next to the King. He was a close friend of Edward the 1st. I have found a number of interesting court cases he controlled along with his associate and friend Salomon de Roff also a Justice. They travelled far and wide including this locality Hereford. One of his grandsons William c1259 became Courtier to Edward the 2nd. His great grandson Sir Thomas Trivett 1330-1388, fell out of favour with other ruling Lords supposedly due to his conniving with the King, Richard the 2nd to take their powers away from them.

Trivetts Bridge

Sir Thomas was the son of Sir John Trivett who represented parliament and nephew to Sir Mathew Gourney.( Present day Gurney Manor, Cannington next to Chilton Trivett, was most likely the home of Sir Mathew Gourney.) Sir Thomas and his brother Sir John served in the expedition to Spain in 1367.

Thomas was in the Black Prince's company at the battle of Najara on the 3rd April 1367.

John accompanied Edmund earl of Cambridge, to Aquitaine in 1369 and served under Sir John Chandos and Sir Robert Knolles during that year, and in Poitou in 1372; Under the Black Prince the uncrowned Edward the IV, Sir John Trivett was one of the leading knights who took King John of France prisoner at the battle of Poitiers on Sepember 19th 1356. He was rewarded for his bravery and success with a gift of two thirds of the manor and lands of Fordington, Dorchester.(Whilst At Warwick Castle this last year 1996. I found that the same King John had been put into the dungeons here by the Black Prince to die a horrible death in a cell so small he could hardly move a limb. Harsh days!)(This differs from the history books, but they vouch for it at the Castle.) At a later date,1385 he was given the whole estate for his lifetime by Richard the 2nd. Sir John died in 1386 leaving lands at Fordington, Dorset. Sir Thomas Trivett also served in Poitou, for when the English cause in that province seemed nearly lost he went there to serve under Sir Thomas Catterton in the Contentin. He continued there for two years, and in 1375 took part in the defence of St. Sauveur and the return of its garrison to England. Sir Thomas Trivett obtained a grant 40 ? per annum for his services.

He was commissioner for array for Somerset in July 1377. Commissioners for array were appointed by the Crown to survey the able bodied men between the ages of sixteen and sixty in each hundred, township and shire under the authorization of the Statute of Winchester 1285. The commissioners were normally men of the knightly class who knew what they were looking for and may be presumed to have chosen well. On the 10th March 1378 he was engaged to serve under Sir Mathew Gourney in Aquitaine with eighty men at arms and eighty archers. The fleet assembled under baron John de Neville at Plymouth reaching Bordeaux on the 8th Sept. Trivett was then engaged to serve Charles of Navarre in charge of Tudela. In October he left Bordeaux with three hundred lances. Marching through Dax, where his uncle Sir Mathew Gourney was captain, he was asked by him to stay and help rid the country of the Breton and French soldiery. The castles of Montpin, Claracq and Pouillon were thus reduced, when in response to an urgent summons from Charles of Navarre, Thomas resumed his march and joined the king Richard the 2nd at St Jean Pied-de-Port. With Charles he marched to Pampeluna, and then the English were sent out into winter quarters at Tudela. But Trivett not wishing to lose a favourable opportunity offered by the mild winter, determined on a raid into Spain. Setting out on the 24th December he proposed to surprise the town of Soria but they lost their way in a snowstorm and the attempt failed. Trivett however, advanced to Cascante and in January made an attempt on Alfaro on the Ebro, but was repulsed by the valour of its women!?? This raid won Trivett much favour with Charles of Navarre; but though the English were eager for fighting, peace was concluded and in the summer of 1379 Trivett was paid off with 20,000 francs and he returned to Bordeaux.

On his arrival in England Sir Thomas Trivett was well received by the king and in October was one of the knights appointed to go with Sir John Arundell to Brittany. Sir Thomas Trivetts' ship escaped the storm which destroyed most of the fleet and he returned in safety to Southampton. On 20th March he was commissioner for array in Somerset. He then joined the expedition under Thomas of Woodstock which landed at Calais in July. Throughout the march to Brittany Thomas Trivett served with distinction in the advance guard, taking prisoner the Seigneur de Brimeu at Clery-sur-Somme and routing the Burgundians in a skirmish at Fervaques.

He accompanied Sir Thomas Percy and Sir Robert Knolles on their mission to the Duke of Brittany at Rennes in October. Subsequently he served at the seige of Nantes, took part in the second mission to the duke and fought in the skirmish before the town on Christmas eve. He returned to England in April.

He was commissioner for array for Kent on the 14th May 1381. Sir Thomas Trivett was one of the knights who served in command of the so called crusade of Henry de Spencer. With the other soldiers he compelled de Spencer to lay seige to Ypres. The operations were unsuccessful and Trivett, like others of the knights in command, was accused of treachery. After the seige was raised on the 9th Aug. Trivett and other military officers opposed de Spencer in his wish to invade Picardy and withdrew to Bourbourg. After de Spencer was compelled to retire, Trivett and his companions were beseiged at Bourbourg. Knighton relates a story how Trivett proudly thanked the French king for the compliment he paid them by coming to beseige such a small company of English with so great an army. The general report accuses Trivett along with the other commanders of having accepted a bribe from the French to agree to terms.

On his return he was accused of treachery and being convicted of having taken bribes, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London! But he obtained royal favour and was released!

Sir Thomas Trivett had property in Kent and Somerset and in 1386 he was King's Admiral of the South and West .

In 1385 Richard the 2nd quarrelled with William Courtenay, the archbishop of Canterbury, Trivett is said to have restrained the king from open violence. Richard retorted by taunting him as a notorious traitor.

Trivett however continued his connection with the court and is said to have advised the king to take the field against the other lords and knights who were rebelling against him as king in 1387. He was accordingly accused by these lords as one of the kings supporters and was arrested on 4th Jan 1388 and committed to prison at Dover Castle. Trivett was not brought to trial and obtained his release on 31st May under sureties. In the following October while the Parliament were sitting at Cambridge, Trivett whilst riding with Richard the 2nd towards his hunting lodge, was thrown from his horse at Barnwell. His horse then stumbled and rolled on him bursting open Sir Thomas's stomach. He died nine hours later. That same day 6th Oct it had been proclaimed in parliament that if any wished to bring charges against him for his treachery or other notorious crime, they were to appear on the morrow. Many rejoiced at his death by reason of his overweening bearing as well as his evil advice to the king. Two years later his widow Elizabeth daughter of Sir Philip Tymbury was robed by the King as one of the Ladies of the Garter. An unusual distinction.It was and still is the highest honour that can be awarded by the Crown.

It is noted that Sir Thomas Trivetts heirs had to pay a heavy fine before they could obtain their inheritance and lands.

I wish to make a statement in protection of our unfairly judged ancestor Sir Thomas Trivett , we are only hearing one side of the story, we are not hearing his side. The most obvious thing to note is that he was a close father like friend of the king and apart from a few arguments stayed his devoted ally right to the end, the king must have thought the same as he would hardly have been riding with him at the time of his death if he had had any mistrust. Eleven years after Thomas's death the king was deposed imprisoned and murdered by his lords in parliament!

Prior Nicholas Trivett 1258-1328. was Chronicler and friend to Edward the 1st. He reported on the life and events of the king. I obtained one of his books entitled Annals Sex Regum Anglia. The book is in the charge of Exeter University. I have taken a copy of the preface. This chronicle extends from 1136 to 1307. The 'Chronicle' has considerable merit as a literary production, and as a history it is judicious and accurate. Its chief value is for the reign of Edward the 1st, during which period it is a contemporary narrative. His other subjects consist of (1) Theology--The science of God, his attributes, his relations to the universe, the study of divine things or religious truth. (2) Philology--The study of written records, the establishment of their authenticity, and the determination of their meaning.(3) Historical. He became Prior to an order of Dominican monks in London. He did his training as Chronicler at Oxford College University and also in the University of Paris. I must mention St. Andrews Priory Stogursey because he may well have had connections there. On looking at the list of vicars etc. the time of Nicholas's life 1258-1328 is blank. It was also a place used by the De Verney family that we married into and passed on one of our estates. There are a number of tomb effigies of their family. On the local Stogursey school building is a sculpture of our shield with slight variation. Lingards History of England often refers to his chronicles. Nicholas especially wrote a book for one of King Edwards daughters Mary giving history of Royal line from Jesus Christ to the 14th cent. She eventually became a nun at Amesbury. ( The site of Nicholas's Dominican Convent and Church in London was a commodius area nr. Castle Baynard. His body is buried there ). I have now found he had connections with my local Cathedral Hereford where there are some books of his in chains. It is indicated that he wrote and devised a book of psalms together with an illustrated book on musical instruments.

Further to the opinion of the graves of King Arthur and Guinivere being at Glastonbury.----- King Edward the 1st is reported to have definitely known that Arthur and Guinivere were buried at Glastonbury Abbey. Having recently made new treaty with the Welsh and established Conway Castle. He thought it a good idea in 1278 to take up the remains of Arthur and Guinivere making it well known to the Welsh, that their hero was dead! Their bodies were sumptuously reinterred at the top of Glastonbury Tor. Not only that but to proclaim victory over the Welsh Edward established a form of tournament called the Mesna Rotunda held in honour of Arthurs Round Table, which was a tournament with certain combatants taking the lists in the character of some of Arthurs knights. In 1284 one of these events took place at Nevin in Caernarvon. At this ceremony the crown of the famous King Arthur, which the Welsh held in the highest honour was ceded to Edward the 1st. Thus the glory of the Welsh against their will, was transferred to the English. This information comes from a book written by Elizabeth Jenkins called The Mystery of King Arthur.The reason I am interested in it is because she mentions a story book relating in a very detailed fashion about King Arthur, Guinivere and Lancelot at Glastonbury. She also states that the person who wrote this was French but somehow knew the area intimately. The writers name is unknown. She was advised by the writings of William Nitze who is a supposed authority, that he assigns the book to between 1191-1212.

My suggestion was this -- repeating some of what is written above. -- Telling about our family history and of Prior Nicholas being personal chronicler to Edward the 1st. At Easter 1278 when King Edward and Eleanor his wife visited Glastonbury which as you probably all know is next door to Bridgwater Prior Nicholas would have been 20 years of age, I have no doubt Nicholas would have been in close communication at that time. Wouldn't it have been a brilliant opportunity and a good idea for promoting the Kings endeavour against the Welsh, for him to have written Perlesvaus and a good way to start his life as Chronicler to the King. Prior Nicholas and family would still have been speaking French at that time. I did put this suggestion to Elizabeth Jenkins but she politely rejected it because of the supposed date. My argument is this, Nicholas specialised in writing about the period 1136-1307, which definitely covers the period stated.

Our family colours are black representing repentance or vengeance, and white representing serenity and nobility. our shield shows the Trivett emblem ( Stands sure in fire) fire in those days meaning war!! Interesting point--- The name for the metal stand used in the fireplaces and hearths today must have derived from us. Our seal was always green wax.

There are about five generations from 1080-1200 which I don't think need to be proved. I have obtained all available records of births and marriages through the Church of Jesus Christ, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. I have indexed and numerically filed all the records.

| have copied a map showing the south west of England, on this I have indicated when the Trivetts were first in each area. This makes it easy to see the movement of the family from area to area Our ancestors were very wealthy noble persons, but as we all know wealth can change to poverty as social status and events of life alter from generation to generation. Look at poor Elizabeth Trivett b 1741. Her father died when she was two years old and her mother when she was fourteen. Its no wonder she had a child out of marriage!!

Fairfield House

At the beginning of the 15th century c1422 in the reign of Henry 6th we lost all our large estates and properties by marriage of daughters. The Durborough estate to the Norman Des Verney family, Bridgwater to the Pym family, and Chilton Trivett to the Compton family. A time of tragic sad loss. The Trivetts were also seated at Stone in Devonshire.( I discovered where this was in 1996 ie: Sandhouse Manor, Sidbury, Sidmouth, Dev. Trivett/Tremail.) They lost this at the same time 1422 again through marriage to the Tremail family. I had better mention that only the name was lost through marriage the properties became shared ownership!

Sandhouse Manor

All details of lands and estates are held at the British Museum Gt. Russell St. London. British Library, Manuscript Room. Tel. 071-323- 7513.

These were very hard and Bloody times. We were continuously at war with the Welsh, Scottish and French. As knights to the Kings we would have been on call whenever needed. Fighters that we were with all the luck in the world could not have stopped a few of us being killed. The Crusades to the Holy Land, Saladin and the Moslems. Crecy, Agincourt, Portugal, Knights Templar. There were also the tournaments. Jousting on horseback was a common occurrence. Many a disagreement between persons was settled by armed combat!!

It is perhaps not a bad thing that we stayed at the knighthood level, from what I know of these times Earls and Barons were in favour one minute and not next. As kings changed etc. an easy solution to most problems was execution.

Matter of interest- ETT after all names like Bennett, Trivett etc. It is an old French title. The name really being Triv ETT.

An Archibald William Carter had a son Earl out of marriage by Mary Ann Trivett b1854 daughter of William & Sarah Trivett. Mary went to Barnett to live. Archibald returned to the States. Earl his son went much later. He married in States. One of his sons was President Jimmy Carter.

As you will see from the family tree in the next section, the family continues in one line up to 1400. I have found no other line before this date. The family does then begin to divide which 99-9% proves that all Trivetts are from this family. Wherev'er you are in the world, we are all Cousins!

Doddington Hall

Oswald held Durborough of the Abbey in 1066 and Roger de Courcelles in 1086. In 1256 Sir Thomas Trivett married Eleanor Braunche' granddaughter and heir of Wandrill de Courcelle. Thereby becoming Lord of Durborough Manor (Doddington) and estates. Known as Durborough Doddington by 1514. Sir John Trivett c1332 – c1396. lived here and the last person I record in our family to be here was Eleanor Trivett d1400 wife of John Pokeswell daughter of Sir Thomas Trivett cousin to Sir John . During this period we held twenty three(+) Manors and estates mainly around Bridgwater, but also in Devon and Dorset.

A book, The Ancient Borough of Bridgwater, in the county of Somerset by the Rev. Arthur Herbert Powell 1907. He mentions our family and states The Trivett badge ( shield ) is still to be seen on the porch of Doddington Church and in Doddington Hall. ( I visited the church and unfortunately the shield, due to time and erosion, is no longer visible, and worse still the inscription inside the church noting detail of the shield does not mention our family and incorrectly assigns it to another family.)

Doddington Church

Doddington Church Porch

Sir John Trivett's badge of three trivets was affixed to the coping of the Bridgwater bridge and the old structure was called Trivett's Bridge. It was in existence in 1265 and right up to 1795 when it was replaced.

The Murder of King Edward the 2nd. by Sir Thomas Gourney
at Berkeley Castle, Gloucester. England.

Sir Thomas Trivett bc.1290 d.1316 m Joan ? His widow Joan Trivett then married Sir Thomas Gourney/Gurney that same year.

Edward 2nd B1284 -King 1307 – 1327 was disliked by the majority of Barons and Lords and certainly was not favourite of the people of the country whom he cared little for. This was caused by his constant actions of enjoying himself to extremes i.e. indulgent eating and drinking. His obvious liking of men as to women, with his favourites being Gaveston and Spencer. After the death of his father Edward 1st, he was made King and married Isabella daughter of Philip King of France ( supposedly the most beautiful woman in France) she bore one son, the future Edward 3rd. It soon became apparent to her that he preferred the company of his male favourites as to her, he also physically abused her quite often. Isabella became closely acquainted with Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore and Chirk. He had also gained Ludlow and half Meath by marriage, and made himself Earl of the Marches, and justiciar of Wales for life, which was to end on the gallows at Tyburn in 1330.

Isabella soon had an ongoing affair with Lord Mortimer and found an excuse, much to the dislike of the king, to go back to France with her son and secretly with Mortimer. They gathered an army together paying for it with a betrothal between Edward and Philippa of Hainault. They crossed to England in September 1326, by November they had the king prisoner.

In 1327 Sir Thomas Lord Berkeley owner of Berkeley Castle was joined with Sir John Maltravers with the commission of guarding the captive monarch Edward the 2nd. Lord Berkeley was called away in Sept of that year and Sir Thomas Gourney together with William Ogle was put in charge of the situation of watching over the King.

One night the inmates of the castle were alarmed by the shrieks which came from the kings apartment. The king was found dead. His death had been brought about by the insertion of a red hot iron into his bowels. One wonders whether this may have been a disgust of his lifetime activity. Sir Thomas Gourney and William Ogle were accused of his murder but they made their escape. I don't know if Ogle was ever found, Sir Thomas was detained in Spain and was brought back to England, but I can find no record of his punishment, if there was any. Maltravers was falsely accused of this crime but he was executed for a similar offence elsewhere.

It is obvious that the murder or execution? of Edward the 2nd by Sir Thomas Gourney and William Ogle was orchestrated by a much higher authority than them such as Mortimer and Isabella the Queen. After the kings death there was little remorse, especially from the people of the country.

Ref: Lingards History of England. 1883 Vol.111.
A History of England. Keith Feiling. 1948.
Harmsworth History of the World. 1909.

The writer accepts no liability for any mistakes or misinformation that may or may not have been taken from Reference books etc. in the production of the Trivett Family History.

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