GIFFARD, Sir Thomas b. Abt 1344 Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England d. 25 Sep 1394: Among Our Ancestors

Abt 1344 - 1394 (50 years)

Name	GIFFARD, Thomas [1]
Title	Sir
Birth	Abt 1344	Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England [2]
Gender	Male
Royalty & Nobility	Knight
Web Address	https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Giffard-9
Death	25 Sep 1394
Person ID	I17567	My Genealogy
Last Modified	4 Feb 2024

Father	GIFFARD, Sir John, b. 1301, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England d. Aft 5 Jan 1369 (Age > 68 years)
Relationship	natural
Mother	DE MORTEYN, Lucy, b. Abt 1305, Bedfordshire, England d. Aft 8 Mar 1361, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England (Age > 56 years)
Relationship	natural
Family ID	F12897	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family MISSENDEN, Elizabeth, b. Abt 1345, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England d. 1367, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England (Age 22 years)

Marriage Bef 20 Dec 1360

Children

+	1. GIFFARD, Esquire Roger, b. 1367, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England d. 14 Apr 1409, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England (Age 42 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]

Family ID F12896 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 4 Feb 2024

Event Map

Birth - Abt 1344 - Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England

= Link to Google Earth

Albums

Knights and Nobility (3)
Royals are/were the monarchs and their immediate family. See the following Wiki article re: royalty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_family

Nobles are/were the highest social class and generally held land or an office in exchange for allegiance and services to a monarch or higher-ranking nobleman. See the following Wiki article re: nobility: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobility

Nobility and Knights: Understanding Their Roles and Distinctions

Nobility is a broad social class that includes individuals holding titles, typically hereditary but sometimes granted by a monarch. Positioned immediately below royalty, this class encompasses ranks such as dukes, earls, and counts in the British system. While it's rare for commoners to ascend into nobility, history has seen such occurrences due to factors like wealth, military prowess, or royal favor.

Knights represent a distinct class within the nobility. They were essentially professional cavalrymen, often of high birth, who achieved their privileged military status after undergoing rigorous training as a page and squire. The journey to knighthood involved several stages:

As a Page: A young boy would start learning about horses, hunting, and weaponry.

Becoming a Squire: Around age 14, showing potential, he would assist a full knight, honing his skills with weapons and armor.

Knighthood: Between ages 18 and 21, he could be knighted by a lord or another knight, typically in an elaborate initiation ceremony.

Knights were renowned as the most-feared and best-protected warriors on medieval battlefields. They were expected to uphold the chivalric traditions of bravery, strength, skill in battle, respect for women, defense of the weak and poor, and generosity. Off the battlefield, knights were known for their chivalry, often wealthy and of high status. Their roles extended to guarding a baron and his castle, fighting in wars for their sovereign and the Church, and participating in medieval tournaments.

Notes

Inquisitions Post Mortem:

Inquisition in Preston by Faversham, Kent (1394): An inquisition was held in Preston by Faversham, Kent, on the Thursday before November 20, 1394. The jurors reported that Sir Thomas Giffard, a knight, owned half of a property called Jardynes in Leisdon, Isle of Sheppey. This property was held directly from the King and was valued at 10 shillings annually. Sir Thomas Giffard passed away on September 25, 1394. His son and heir, Roger Giffard, was over 26 years old.

Inquisition in Burcestre, Oxford (1394): Another inquisition took place in Burcestre, Oxford, on the Monday before November 11, 1394. The jurors stated that Sir Thomas Giffard held half of the manor of Somerton from the King, valued at nearly 20 marks. He also jointly held with his wife Sybil (who was still alive) half of the manor of Firyngford, valued at 12 marks annually. Additionally, he owned properties in Bekbrok and Newenton Jewell, valued at 5 and 7 marks yearly, respectively. Sir Thomas died on September 29, 1394, and his son Roger was his next heir, aged over 27 years.

Inquisition in Hertaye by Faversham, Kent (1360): An inquisition in Hertaye by Faversham, Kent, on December 29, 1360, discussed a proposal for John Giffard to transfer a 5-mark rent in Leisdon to his son Thomas and Elizabeth de Musenden, with future rights to John's heirs. This rent was part of the barony of Arsyk and held from the King.

Inquisitions in Ixning, Suffolk, and Oxford (1360): Similar inquisitions in Ixning, Suffolk, and Oxford in December 1360, addressed John Giffard's assignments of the manor of Ixning and his properties in Somerton and Feringford, Oxfordshire, to his son Thomas and others, with various conditions for inheritance and rights.

Inquisition in Dadyngton, Oxford (1367/8): An inquisition in Dadyngton, Oxford, on January 4, 1367/8, discussed granting John Gifford permission to transfer lands in Feryngford and part of the manor of Feringford to Thomas Giffard and Margery his wife. These lands were held from the King and were part of a knight's fee. John Gifford also held other properties in Somerton.

These inquisitions provide a detailed account of the land holdings and familial relationships of the Giffard family in the 14th century, reflecting the complex system of land tenure and inheritance during that period.

Sources

[S1747] Gary Boyd Roberts, The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, (Name: Genealogical Publishing Company; Location: Baltimore, Maryland; Date: 2018;), Volume II; pgs 857-858.
[S2698] The Magna Charta Sureties, 1215, (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.Original data - Weis, Frederick Lewis. The Magna Charta Sureties, 1215. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999.Original data: Weis, Frederick Lewis. The Magna Charta Sure;), Line 163; Location 1991 - 2009, Kindle edition.