My Royal Origins

[samsloan]

What fascinates me is the fact that I believe that almost everybody
who is originally of English origin with a family line going back to
1066 or earlier could prove, if the truth were known, to be descended
from British royalty.

When a politician runs for election over here they often trot our the
fact that they are descended from the British Royal Family, usually
King Edward I, who produced a lot of bastard kids.

They like to say that they are descended from Richard the Lion
Hearted, the good king, and never mention that they are actually
descended from King John, the bad king, even though King John produced
most of the children and therefore most of the royal lines.

Me? I prefer to say that I am descended from Lady Godiva, the true
British Royal.

Sam Sloan

[Ian Goddard]

Post by samsloan
What fascinates me is the fact that I believe that almost everybody
who is originally of English origin with a family line going back to
1066 or earlier could prove, if the truth were known, to be descended
from British royalty.

Prove it.

Post by samsloan
When a politician runs for election over here they often trot our the
fact that they are descended from the British Royal Family, usually
King Edward I, who produced a lot of bastard kids.
They like to say that they are descended from Richard the Lion
Hearted, the good king, and never mention that they are actually
descended from King John, the bad king, even though King John produced
most of the children and therefore most of the royal lines.
Me? I prefer to say that I am descended from Lady Godiva, the true
British Royal.

Prove it.

[polygonum]

<>

Post by Ian Goddard

Post by samsloan
Me? I prefer to say that I am descended from Lady Godiva, the true
British Royal.

Prove it.

Almost did prove that preference. :-)

Whether in any sense descended from her is another matter altogether.

[Evertjan.]

Post by samsloan
What fascinates me is the fact that I believe

That you believe could be a fact, but why the fascination?

To all others it is just hearsay.

[Richard Smith]

Post by samsloan
What fascinates me is the fact that I believe that almost everybody
who is originally of English origin with a family line going back to
1066 or earlier could prove, if the truth were known, to be descended
from British royalty.

I remember reading a paper some time ago that suggested, based on a
mixture of historical data and statistics, that (I think) about 1 in 3
people with mainly English ancestry were descended from Edward I. As
I recall, the paper estimated that a much higher proportion of English
people were descended from Hugh Capet, the 10th century French king.
Unfortunately I can't remember enough about the paper to locate it
now, and in any case, I really can't see what value such estimates
are. How would it affect me, even as someone interested in my family
history, whether there's a 1 in 10,000 chance I'm descended from
royalty or a 9,999 in 10,000 chance? Unless I can identify and
document that descent, it's meaningless speculation.

Richard

[Louis Epstein]

Post by Richard Smith

Post by samsloan
What fascinates me is the fact that I believe that almost everybody
who is originally of English origin with a family line going back to
1066 or earlier could prove, if the truth were known, to be descended
from British royalty.

I remember reading a paper some time ago that suggested, based on a
mixture of historical data and statistics, that (I think) about 1 in 3
people with mainly English ancestry were descended from Edward I.

His grandson Edward III has been called "the ancestor of the English
middle class".

Post by Richard Smith
As I recall, the paper estimated that a much higher proportion of English
people were descended from Hugh Capet, the 10th century French king.
Unfortunately I can't remember enough about the paper to locate it
now, and in any case, I really can't see what value such estimates
are. How would it affect me, even as someone interested in my family
history, whether there's a 1 in 10,000 chance I'm descended from
royalty or a 9,999 in 10,000 chance? Unless I can identify and
document that descent, it's meaningless speculation.

I've seen it stated that it's just about impossible NOT to be descended
from Charlemagne if one had European ancestors in his era.

Post by Richard Smith
Richard

-=-=-
The World Trade Center towers MUST rise again,
at least as tall as before...or terror has triumphed.

[Marcus Aurelius]

Having illustrious ancestors is, probably, very enhancing to one's
status outside of the USA. However, outside of the very highest levels
of society in the USA, having illustrious ancestors is extremely
frowned upon.
The USA is a very Orwellian, Authoritarian, and Machiavellian nation,
culture, and society. As such is the case, the more that you fit the
"Orwellian Pig" norm, the higher you status is.
Now, what about myself?
I belong to the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, the
National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, The Order of
Washington, the Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent,
the Plantagenet Society, the Somerset Chapter Magna Charta Barons, the
Descendants of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (the exact title may
be incorrect) and the Colonial Order of the Crown (Descendants of the
Emperor Charlemagne).
In Europe and outside of the USA, such credentials would probably be
very career enhancing. However, in the USA, mentioning the
aforementioned on your resume could result in your being "black
listed."

[Graeme Wall]

Post by Marcus Aurelius
Having illustrious ancestors is, probably, very enhancing to one's
status outside of the USA. However, outside of the very highest levels
of society in the USA, having illustrious ancestors is extremely
frowned upon.

Then why is it Americans who are principally obsessed with having Royal
ancestry?

[Kathy]

Post by Graeme Wall

Post by Marcus Aurelius
Having illustrious ancestors is, probably, very enhancing to one's
status outside of the USA. However, outside of the very highest levels
of society in the USA, having illustrious ancestors is extremely
frowned upon.

Then why is it Americans who are principally obsessed with having Royal
ancestry?

Lets face it, Americans haven't got much else going for them.

[None]

Post by Kathy

Post by Graeme Wall

Post by Marcus Aurelius
Having illustrious ancestors is, probably, very enhancing to one's
status outside of the USA. However, outside of the very highest levels
of society in the USA, having illustrious ancestors is extremely
frowned upon.

Then why is it Americans who are principally obsessed with having Royal
ancestry?

Lets face it, Americans haven't got much else going for them.
--
Kathy

Indeed. I just can't understand why so many want to emigrate to America.

[Richard Smith]

Post by Marcus Aurelius
I belong to the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, the
National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, The Order of
Washington, the Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent,
the Plantagenet Society, the Somerset Chapter Magna Charta Barons, the
Descendants of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (the exact title may
be incorrect) and the Colonial Order of the Crown (Descendants of the
Emperor Charlemagne).
In Europe and outside of the USA, such credentials would probably be
very career enhancing.

Career enhancing? Seriously? If I encountered a CV that listed all
that, it would be filed with all the other green ink applications.

Richard

[Ian Goddard]

Marcus Aurelius wrote:
%><

Post by Marcus Aurelius
I belong to the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, the
National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, The Order of
Washington, the Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent,
the Plantagenet Society, the Somerset Chapter Magna Charta Barons, the
Descendants of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (the exact title may
be incorrect) and the Colonial Order of the Crown (Descendants of the
Emperor Charlemagne).
In Europe ... such credentials would probably be
very career enhancing.

And they used to say Americans don't do irony! You learn something
every day.

[polygonum]

Post by Ian Goddard
%><

Post by Marcus Aurelius
I belong to the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, the
National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, The Order of
Washington, the Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent,
the Plantagenet Society, the Somerset Chapter Magna Charta Barons, the
Descendants of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (the exact title may
be incorrect) and the Colonial Order of the Crown (Descendants of the
Emperor Charlemagne).
In Europe ... such credentials would probably be
very career enhancing.

And they used to say Americans don't do irony! You learn something
every day.

I'll just add to my CV:

"Descended from King Edward I, possibly - one side or other of the blanket"

Does that go under "Education", "Qualifications"? Or "Experience"?