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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1997-02 > 0854821467


From: "Todd A. Farmerie" <>
Subject: William Taillefer, Count of Angouleme (was Re: Dutton descent from Dukes of Normandy ?)
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 1997 13:24:27 -0500


PLD9568 wrote:
>
> Recently I was given information on my ancestor William Taillefer. William
> Taillefer was Count of Perigord and Count of Angouleme, in Normandy.He was
> created as Count by Charles the Bold of France. Supposedly he accompanied
> William the Conqueror in the invasion of England by France, in 1066 and
> died in the Battle of Hastings. If you find, or I find, some connection
> during this time period I would be pleased to share it with you, or vice
> versa. Supposedly there is "Burke's History of the Landed Gentry of
> England" to refer to.

This would appear to connect two (or more) entirely distinct entities.
The Hastings soldier (probably mythical) was an otherwise unknown
Taillefer/Talliofero/etc. who is made by tradition ancestor of various
Taylor families of England and America. This is obviously bogus, as the
name clearly derives from an occupation.

Angouleme is NOT in Normandy, and it's not likely the Count of Angouleme
would have been an ally of William the Conqueror. There are also
centuries of difference between Charles the Bold and William the
Conqueror, suggesting confusion between William, Count of Perigord (son
of Wulgrim, founder of the Angouleme dynasty) and William Taillefer,
Count of Angouleme, who was approximately contemporary with the
Conqueror (I will have to check for specific dates - but he was 2-3
generations back of Isabella of Angouleme, wife of King John).

If you connect to the latter Count William in any way other than through
Isabella, wife of King John and Hugh X of Lusignan, or through her
cousin Matilda, wife of Hugh IX (Painter argued against such a descent,
but recent authors tend to reject his argument), then your descent is
probably invalid. Post it here if you want a specific critique.

ta

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