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DE MERLAY, Lord Ralph

DE MERLAY, Lord Ralph

Male Abt 1118 - Bef 1157  (< 38 years)

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  • Name DE MERLAY, Ralph  [1] 
    Title Lord 
    Birth Abt 1118  Morpeth, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Royalty & Nobility Lord of Morpeth 
    Web Address https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpeth,_Northumberland 
    Web Address https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newminster_Abbey 
    Web Address https://homepages.rpi.edu/~holmes/Hobbies/Genealogy2/ps22/ps22_319.htm 
    Web Address https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Merlay-3 
    Name Ranulph 
    Religion 1137  Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Founded Newminster Abbey (Cisterian) in Northumberland 
    Death Bef 1157  Morpeth, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I17581  My Genealogy
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

    Family DUNBAR, Juliana of,   b. 1112   d. 1160 (Age 48 years) 
    Children 
    +1. DE MERLAY, Roger,   b. 1140, Morpeth, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1188, Morpeth, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 48 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F12903  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - Abt 1118 - Morpeth, Northumberland, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsReligion - Founded Newminster Abbey (Cisterian) in Northumberland - 1137 - Northumberland, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - Bef 1157 - Morpeth, Northumberland, England Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Morpeth Castle Gatehouse    		Morpeth Castle Gatehouse

    Albums
    Knights and Nobility    		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 
    • The first written mention of the town of Morpeth is from 1080, when the de Merlay family was granted the barony of Morpeth. The meaning of the town's name is uncertain, but it may refer to its position on the road to Scotland and a murder which occurred on that road. The de Merlay family built two castles in the town in the late 11th century and the 13th century. The town was granted its coat of arms in 1552. By the mid-1700s it had become one of the main markets in England

  • Sources 
    1. [S1747] Gary Boyd Roberts, The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, (Name: Genealogical Publishing Company; Location: Baltimore, Maryland; Date: 2018;), Volume II; pgs 857-858.


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