The Greshams, in addition to the McKenneys, were also refugees from the English Civil War. They will join the McKenneys in the Northern Neck of Virginia to create a new life. Not all of the Greshams leave England because there was still a nice place south of London to manage, Titsey Manor.
We need to go back to the beginnings. Way back.
Remember 1066. That was one date your teacher said to remember. It marked the last and only successful French invasion of England. It so happens that Peggy’s ancestor, Ralph Branche was there also.Ralph was a vassel of William de Warrenne. He held in fief from William lands to the north on the Seine estuary in Normandy. William acted as one of Duke William of Normandy’s generals at the Battle of Hastings. It is not known where in the Norman line that Ralph would have fought with his son Richard acting as a squire. We traveled to Hastings to visit the battle site and found Ralph’s name on the battle role of knights.

The battlefield of Hastings. This view is from where the Anglo-Saxon battle line stood. The Normans are down below.
Following the Norman victory, William of Warrenne is granted vast tracts of land in 13 English counties. Ralph Braunche is awarded two knights fees including the town of Gresham in Essex. A knight’s fee is enough land and serfs to support a mounted knight. Gresham like the Pays de Caux in Normandy is on a coastal plain. Ralph would feel right at home especially with those Saxon serfs working to support his lifestyle as a respected knight. By the way, he is Peggy’s 24th great-grandfather.
to be continued…….when we return from France and Spain
Thank you for the grasshopper – this is going to remain one of my favorite pieces of family history. Just wait until the next family trivia game…maybe a grasshopper hat….hmmm
Hi all! My mother’s family are the Grishams (formerly Gresham)! We traced our heritage to this very place. Thank you for posting this!
Hi All, Thanks for this … I am starting a journey to trace my Gresham Line … My name is Noah Micheal Gresham, son of Noah Oliver Gresham, Grandson of Noah Obert Gresham and Great grandson of Noah Morgan Gresham … looking for help! Thanks in advance. noah@tatrasdata.com