14S 



<$\x tfjc lEavlg descent of tfjc jfrncra. 



By John Booth, Shotley Bridge, co. Durham, 

 V.- P. Surtees Society. 



|N the last volume* an outline pedigree of the descent 

 of the early generations of the great Ferrers family, 

 with some account of the first seven Earls, was given 

 to illustrate the account of Dufneld Castle. There are various 

 points in the early Ferrers' pedigree that have not yet been cleared 

 up. As a contribution to further definite knowledge in this 

 direction, I give extended copies of two early Ferrers charters 

 that have not hitherto been published, and which are in my 

 possession. 



The first of these, which is undated, is of so much interest that 

 a fac-simile representation is given on Plate V. The witnesses 

 supply some links, hitherto unknown or uncertain, in the pedigree. 

 Mention is made amongst the witnesses of Robert de Ferrers, 

 brother of the Earl, and also of the two uncles of the Earl, Robert 

 and Henry. William, Earl Ferrers, of the body of the charter, I 

 believe to be the second of that name; he succeeded his father, 

 who died at Acre in 1190, and died, it is said, of gout in 1246. 

 Lucian and Ralph de Seila, of the charter, may be the family of 

 Shirley, who were subfeudatories of the Ferrers, and afterwards 

 became Ferrers of Chartley and Tamworth. 



The following is an extended transcript : — 



" Willelmus Comes de Ferrarius Omnibus hominibus suis et 

 amicis clericis et laicis. Francis et Anglis presentibus et futuris 

 Salutem. Sciant omnes me concessisse et hac presenti carta mea 



* Derbyshire Archaological Society's Journal, Vol. iv., pp. 118-135. 



