The latest results of research into Midsomer Norton’s medieval history will be the subject of the Society’s talk by local historian, Monica Evans, tonight, Thursday, 13th October, 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall. The talk will go backwards in time to explore the ancestors of the Forz Vivonne family before moving forwards to trace their descendants over the next few generations.

Last year, the Society began with a trip to France to find out more about the town’s 13th century medieval lord, Hugh de Vivonne. This, in turn, led to the discovery in Autumn 2015, thanks to the work of French historian, Joel Bibonne, that Hugh de Vivonne and his brother, William de Forz, are almost certainly the medieval tomb effigies in Shepton Mallet Parish Church. Since then, the trail has led the Society north to Skipton and Bolton Priory at the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Monica Evans’ talk will share not only fascinating details of the ancestors of Hugh de Vivonne’s family, but also of some of their descendants. Details unearthed, for instance, include the fact that Hugh’s troublesome elder brother, William de Forz, is one of only sixteen illustrious individuals to have their coat of arms displayed in Westminster Abbey in recognition of the contribution he made towards its construction under Henry III.

He was a troubled young man, referred to by historians as one of the worst examples of self serving unruly barons. In later life he tried to atone for his sins by making

donations to other religious foundations, and by taking the cross as a Crusader. However, he was never to make it to the Holy Land, dying at sea from dysentery on Good Friday 1241. His body was dismembered and packed in salt to be brought home for burial. It seems there was a partial interment at Shepton Mallet, the parish church of his brother Hugh’s main fief, but the greater part of his remains would have been

returned to one of his foundations in the North. It might possibly have been Bolton Priory, where a statue of him dressed as a pilgrim about to depart on crusade reminds us of his close association with that religious house.

This is a rare opportunity not to be missed also to gain insights, based on new

research, into the generations following Hugh de Vivonne and William de Forz, including a link to the Midsomer Norton Knight and a connection to the Royal Family itself. The talk is open to members and non-members alike. All are very welcome.