Genealogy Chat

Lou... You might have tried this, but how about tapping 'Katherine Swynford John of Gaunt' into google search engine? There are lots of sites with info when I tried. This one has info devoted to her: http://www.saradouglass.com/kat.html It says... "Katherine Swynford was born Katherine Roet, daughter of an impoverished knight; her sister Phillipa (Pippa) is married to the poet Geoffrey Chaucer. At sixteen Katherine married Sir Hugh de Swynford, and bore him two children. During the time of her marriage to Sir Hugh Katherine served as lady-in-waiting to Blanche , Duchess of Lancaster, and it was then that John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster first fell in love with her. After the deaths of Blanche and Hugh, Katherine became Lancaster's mistress and governess to his children by Blanche and, later, by his second wife, Constance of Castile. She has borne Lancaster two children, Henry and Joan Beaufort (now married to Ralph Neville, Baron of Raby and Earl of Westmorland). Katherine and John of Gaunt have finally married, to the joy of all who know and love them, and their two children have now been legitimated by act of Parliament (on the understanding that they both step out of the line of succession to the throne of England)." About John of Gaunt it says... "John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, is the fourth born (and second surviving) son of Edward III, King of England, and Phillipa of Hainault. He is the most powerful man in England, his wealth and influence surpassing that of his father, as of his elder brother, Edward, the Black Prince. He was born in Ghent (on one of his mother's travels with Edward's army), thus the popular name 'of Gaunt'. Lancaster is a tall, spare, but well built man who is somewhat conservative in his politics, somewhat radical in his religion (as shown by his support of the all-but heretic, John Wycliffe). Lancaster was first married to Blanche of Lancaster, who brought him the duchy of Lancaster as dowry, and who gave him his only legitimate son, Henry (Hal) Bolingbroke. After Blanche died during a renewed epidemic of the bubonic plague, Lancaster married Constance of Castile - Constance brought him the titular office of King of Castile. With Constance Lancaster has two daughters, both of whom have married into Spanish nobility. Constance is also dead. Katherine of Swynford has long been Lancaster's mistress. She has given him two children, Henry and Joan Beaufort, on whom Lancaster dotes (as he dotes on their mother). Lancaster has many residences and estates, but his principal residences include the Savoy Palace in London, and the lands and castle of Kenilworth in Warwickshire. Lancaster particularly loves Kenilworth, transforming what was once a cold and heartless fortress into a welcoming and warm home (that remains, nevertheless, impregnable). " -Kat

gary burgess do you know about other figures from history aswell i have always been interested in john of gaunt and in particular one of his wifes kathrine swynford do you have any interesting facts anout her or do you know where i can find out more? lou

LOL It's from his Mothers side hahahah need I say anymore? Tupperware? is that POSH now adays? LOL

And you'll have to buy some tupperware!!!

I wouldn't trace it if I were you Deborah! Soon as hubby knows he has royal blood he'll have you waiting on him hand-and-foot! Before you know it, you'll be squeesing his toothpaste onto the brush every morning! he he he Good Luck! -Kat

My husband has a document written by his 4xg aunt detailing that 5xg grandmother LENA ASHWELL was the paramour ( mistress ) of George iv and thus his 4xg grandmother was the love child of this affair. Having a hard time proofing it though as we can't trace some of the family named!!

That depends on how many times I miss...! ;0P -Kat

Kat, At least I would be in less pieces :-)) Paul

(Paul - how'd you fancy the guillotine instead of quartering?!) Re: Catherine Parr: Yes, I've heard the same thing. Many people say that the Parr families are all connected to Catherine. There was a Parr family in Portsmouth (Wymering)and they claim such heritage I believe. They owned Wymering Manor for a while (which passed through royal hands many times in the early years). It is recorded as early as 1084 when it was given to William Maldwith by the current King. Robin is quite right, however. Such claims must be nearly impossible to prove - moreso for those descended rather than related through numerous marriages. Prince William doesn't know how lucky he is - we were all taught his family tree at school! he he he. All very interesting though. -Kat

i must be related to king george,known as the mad king.he had an illness called porphyria along with mary queen of scots.my mum,brother and other members of my family also have this illness.it is hereditary. so i'll be moving into the castle soon i hope!!...lol the reason its in my family is probably because a servant from downstairs had a bit of hanky panky...lol susie

See, I said it would bring out bits of information!!! Julie (Tebb) - the first names Catherine and Louise/Louisa don't come in to your Parr line by any chance?? Paul

Hi According to my mother, her grandmother had her family tree profesionally researched in London (whatever that means) many years ago. There is supposed to be a connection to Ann Bolyn. Im a bit doubtful but I supose anything is possible. Unfortunaly I'm not sure which line it went down and as I have only gone back as the mid 1800 on my mothers side, I think it will be a long time before I find out one way or another. Michelle

I expect Eddie's baby knows who he is though Katrina's original question was about finding royals by genealogy. My feeling is, they're all lurking behind the brick walls -- if they were traceable, we'd already know

Hey, Paul, C/Katherine Parr is actually buried in the grounds of Sudeley Castle, just north of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. There is also reputed to be a descendant of the royal family living in Berkeley in Gloucestershire, apparently Edward VII left behind more than his signature in the visitors book of Berkeley Castle.

Catherine Parr married four times: 1. John Nevill 3rd Baron Latimer he died in 1542 leaving no issue by Catherine who was his second wife. He had two children by his first wife. 2. Edward Borough, 2nd Baron Borough. Do not know if there was any issue from this marriage. 3. Henry VIII Kng of England he died 1547 leaving no issue by Catherine. 4. Thomas Seymour 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley he died without living issue. Therefore does not look like anyone could be descended. Any Parrs would have to be connected to her father Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal. Gary I can bore on medieval and tudor history as well!

i've got a Parr in my tree, maybe I'm the royal link! The rest of you are imposters to my regal crown! now when can i move into the palace!!!! sorry, just fancied having a bit of fun!!!! julie T:)

Catherine Parr(Seymour)died in childbirth.Her daughter was called Mary(born aug 30 1548) Her father was Thomas Seymour,Catherines 4th husband Anna

I didn´t think that Catherine Parr or Seymore had any children even though she was married 4 times. I´m not absolutely sure ´cos I´m at work at present and cannot look it up in a book that I have at home. Jeannie

Surely any decendants of Catherine would be Seymores?

Partly a question of wording. "Related to royalty" is a very weak claim if it allows for chains of marriages. "Descended from royalty" would be a lot harder to believe. The Parr claim is stronger, but it still only says that the name Parr had a single point of origin. If it did, then all the Parrs are related, and if it didn't, they aren't. Not unlikely, many surnames did have single points of origin. It doesn't mean that your Parr ancestors in Tudor times would have been recognised relatives of Catherine, they could have been umpteenth cousins with no traceable link