New Zealander Discovers He Is Descended From Two Very Early Kings

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 December 1949, Page 5

New Zealander Discovers He Is Descended From Two Very Early Kings

(From E. G. Webber, Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent) LONDON, Dec. 12 (Rec. 6 pm).—As the result of inquiries made through “De Brett’s Peerage,” a resident of Otaua, near Waiuku, Mr. Gordon Deed, has succeeded in tracing his family descent, not only from two of the most famous families in English history, the De Veres and the Fitzalans, but in proving that he is also directly descended from King Edward I. of England and from King David I. of Scotland.

Mr. Cyril Hankinson, editor of I “De Brett,” describes an investi-1 gation conducted in connection j with Mr. Deed’s claims as the most interesting in his long experience of genealogy. “I have never encountered a case that has proved one-tenth as interesting as that of Mr. Deed,” said Mr. Hankinson. “I should imagine his family tree is unrivalled in New Zealand. Mr. Hankinson has discovered that the Deeds’ family, until 1800, was known as Dade, and that it is directly descended from Audrey de Vere, a nobleman of Brittany, who was one of the chief supporters of William of Normandy when he invaded England. For his services the Conqueror granted de Vere large estates in Essex, including Castle Hedingham. Audrey de Vere’s son was appointed Chamberlain and Chief Justiceiar of England, but was slain in a riot in London in 1140. This office of Chamberlain, now styled Lord Great Chamberlain, became hereditary in the de Vere family and the present holder, the Earl of Lancaster, derives his right, to it through descent in the female line from the de Veres. Another notable family to whom Mr. Deed’s relationship has been traced is the Fitzalans, Earls of Arundel. In this case his descent has been traced back to Allan Fitz-Flaad, who accompanied Henry I from Brittany to England, and whose father was steward of Doi, in Brittany. These Fitzalans were as famous as the de Veres, and it is stated that

when Richard Ritzalan, sixth Earl of Arundel, was beheaded in Cheapside in 1397 for taking part with the Duke of Gloucester against the king, he met his death “with no more shrinking or changing colour than if he was going i to a banquet.” Not content with proving this distinguished ancestry for Mr. Deed, the “De Brett's” research staff has discovered that he can trace' his descent back through 19 generations to I Eleanor, daughter of Edward I, by her (marriage with Humphrey de Bohun. | Earl of Hereford and Essex, and Lord High Constable of England. Now the “De Brett” staff is following another line of inquiry which links the Deeds’ family tree with Sir John Wingfield, who has descended from King David I of Scotland. One of these Wingfields, Sir Anthony, was made Knight of the Garter by Henry VIII for gallant conduct in France and was left £2OO by I the King when he died. j Mr. Deed first began his inquiries (when he read in New Zealand papers i that “De Brett” had succeeded in I tracing missing heirs of titles Jo families now living in New Zealand. I Mr. Deed possessed a number of in- | teresting family records which he believed would be useful to “De Brett,” hut which he was unable to follow further without expert assistance. The checking of these has revealed a distinguished descent which has been proved by one of the most, interesting genealogical investigations carried out by the staff of “De Brett” for many years. When he gave these facts to the New Zealand Press Association representative, Mr. Hankinson added a

warning that not every inquirer who seeks to establish connection with distinguished families is successful.

“Not very long ago,” said Mr. Hankinson, “a lady asked me to trace her great-grandfather. I did this and found a certificate of his marriage in Tasmania on which he was described as a convict. Fortunately, the lady concerned took this news very calmly and admitted she always suspected something of the sort.”