"This book documents lines of descent for approximately 190 seventeenth-century North American colonists from the Plantagenet dynasty that ruled England from 1154 to 1485. This dynasty was founded by Geoffrey Plantagenet (died 1151), Count of Anjou. The book has been compiled for three basic audiences: (1) For those who desire a reliable reference work for events and individuals in the colonial and medieval time periods; (2) For those interested in their personal family history who seek information regarding their more remote ancestry; and (3) To help readers better understand English history from the viewpoint of family dynamics."--P. viii, v. 1.

I intended to title the book Our Ancestry but we have cousins and second cousins and third cousins in Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world. The title became Your Ancestry ,make a connection and we become cousins. Are your ancestors Major, Spearpoint, Warman and more? Connect to a Kent fishing community and stories of smuggling? Are your ancestors Lamb, Caffrey, Morgan, Brady and more? Connect to the north east and stories of legendary Irish princes and the truth staff of a saint? Are your ancestors Sharp, Simmons, Dawson, Austen, Boys and More? Connect to a line leading to the kings and queens of the Plantagenets? Connect to characters in the tv Series “The Last Kingdom”, Alfred the Great, Hywel Dda, Sigtrygg (Sitric Cáech)? Make this : YOUR ANCESTRY

Edward I and his offspring, especially Edward II, are not shrouded by the mists of time. Edward I’s two sons and daughter by his second marriage are lesser known, especially the eldest, Thomas Plantagenet of Brotherton. He made no particular impression on history, despite being Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal, but Thomas did father three children. Of these, only one is usually remembered: Margaret of Norfolk. Indomitable, defiant, respected and fiercely intelligent, she defied her cousin Edward III more than once and outlived most of her family. Her brother Edward of Norfolk died young but her sister, Alice of Norfolk, survived childhood. But not for long. In 1338, by the time she was fourteen, Alice was married to Sir Edward Montagu, younger brother of the famous earl of Salisbury, William Montagu and Bishop of Ely, Simon Montagu. Edward was a warrior knight at Crecy, involved in the wars with Scotland, loyal to his brother and his king. The marriage produced five children within a decade, but by 1350 Edward Montagu was showing his dark side and was part of the knightly criminal gangs that terrorized local areas. One day in June 1351, Alice of Norfolk paid the price. Despite being a Plantagenet, daughter of an earl, granddaughter, niece and cousin to kings, Alice of Norfolk has mostly been forgotten. Even looking at contemporary records, Alice hardly features apart from land and property dealings with her husband. A dusty reference to the unfortunate circumstances of her death marks the end of her life and one which will more than likely remain a mystery.

Illegitimate son to Edward IV and the uncle of Henry VIII, Arthur Plantagenet’s life is an intriguing story. Raised in his father’s court, he then became a trusted member of Henry VII’s household and after his death, was a prominent figure at the court of Henry VIII. Henry VIII treated his uncle well in the early years of his reign, making him vice-admiral and then Lord Deputy of Calais in 1533. Arthur did the best he could in his new position in Calais over seven years, including trying to maintain a relationship with Thomas Cromwell against a background of religious change, but there were numerous complaints about him and his paranoid nephew’s suspicions over his loyalty grew – culminating in Lisle’s arrest and imprisonment for two years with no legal reason. Arthur was released from the Tower in 1542, yet tragically died after receiving a diamond ring from his nephew. He was so excited that his heart – that ‘gentlest living heart’ – failed soon after. We owe much of what we know about Henry VIII’s uncle to the seizure and preservation of the Lisle Letters, an impressive collection of correspondence obtained at his arrest that has miraculously survived. Not only do they give details of Arthur’s life, but they are an amazing insight into the religious, political, culture and social background of the 16th century. Placed as he was, Arthur Plantagenet’s story gives a whole new, fresh perspective on a turbulent yet vibrant period of history.

The life of the beautiful Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, through her own words and letters and the correspondence of those who knew her.