Did My Ancestors Live In A Castle?
The castle in question is Nunney Castle in Nunney, Somerset. Those that have visited Nunney couldn't of missed it, as it is such a grand structure and Nikolaus Pevsner has said that it is "aesthetically the most impressive castle in Somerset".
Here is a photo:
Here is a photo:
I ask, as the castle was built by Sir John De La Mere in the 1370's. I have 'Dallimore's' in my tree, from Nunney and you can see over time how the name has evolved. However, the Nunney parish records obviously don't go back that far and begin in 1547 - so it's going to be hard to connect the two but the names are definitely of the same origin. The furthest back my Dallimore's have been traced back to was baptized in 1548 who is appropriately called John.
Nunney Castle was partly destroyed by parliament by cannon on the 18 September 1645 but it wasn't until Christmas Day 1910 that the wall that the cannon destroyed fell. More information can be found on it's Wikipedia Page and on the English Heritage Website.
To conclude, although I don't have concrete evidence and crossing the lines won't be easy. I believe John De La Mere is probably one of my ancestors, going quite far back.
The surname originates from Normandy, France and was associated with the Knight who came over with William the Conqueror who originally lived in a manor in the middle of a lake and was given the surname De La Mere.
Published: 28 August 2014
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*Note - No copyright infringement was intended. If there is a breach in copyright contact me through the 'Contact' section so it can be removed. All photos are Copyright © 2014 Harry Clarke. All Rights Reserved. Apart from the top photo of Nunney Castle and the picture on the 'Home Page' of Nunney Castle which are Copyright © Mike Searle and Licensed under this Creative Copy Licence.