armion is of Norman origin (see Fontenay-le-Marmion)
and the theory is they were the same family of Marmion in England and later in Ireland.There has been much debate as to the family's history and which lands they held, we here are not about to get into this confusing debate. We will present as many sides as are available and it is up to each individual to make up their own minds and do their own research.
So the family story goes:
During the time of William the Conqueror, the Marmions lived in Normandy, the Marmions and William had a common ancestor in Rollo the Granger. The Marmions acted as Champions to the Dukes of Normandy. When William arrived in England, he did so with his Champion, Sir Robert Marmion, the Lord of Fontenay. For his services Robert received grants of land in Lincoln, Gloucester, Warwick and Hereford, this also included Tamworth Castle. In England as in Normandy Robert acted as the King's Champion. After the Battle of Hastings, Scrivelsby
was added.
By the end of the reign of Henry I, Robert fell into disfavor and died penniless; Henry had stripped him of all he had. However, possibly because of how he treated the father, Henry gave Robert's son Roger back all he had taken from his father, and gave him even more. Included in these were Gloucestershire, Middelston, and also the barony in Carmarthenshire called Llanstephan. When Roger died, his son Robert inherited and he used his wealth for great works of charity. Yet for all his charitable works, his contemporaries did not like Robert in the least and felt he was impossible to get along with. He died young, in an accident, having set a trap for someone he was once again quarreling with and fell victim to it himself. His son Robert followed and he had a son Robert, whom he married to the daughter of Sir William Beauchamp, regaining Tamworth which his father had lost. This Robert was very likable and became quite famous during the time of Richard I, becoming the equivalent of a modern day Lord Chief Justice. He was Sheriff of Worcestershire as well. During the reign of King John, instead of joining the other Barons in a revolt, he left for Normandy, upon his return to England he decided to sign the Magna Carta with the other Barons, the King was angry by the betrayal and threatened to take most of his possessions away as well as destroy Tamworth Castle. This never came to pass and Robert died of old age, he had three sons, Robert, Robert and William. Robert the elder had the Normandy properties and these were seized by the French and Robert the younger held the English properties. The two countries separated, but the brothers made an agreement, that they would divide the lands in England amongst the three. Some time later Robert the elder needed to return to Normandy and passed all of his lands for a term of seven years to Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, as well as the guardianship of his son and heir Phillip. His guardian was also allowed to marry Phillip to whom he though suitable, he married Phillip to Joane.
The next Sir Phillip was the most famous of all the nobles of the court of Henry III. After the battle of Evesham he acquired more lands, Kenilworth Castle, lands in Nottingham, Derby, Warwick, Lincoln, and Leicester. The family had become very wealthy as well as powerful. Phillip died without a male heir so his lands were divided up between 4 heiresses, which were Joan, Joane, Margery, and Maud. Joan married William Mortein, Margery married Ralph Cromwell and Maude married Ralph Boteler. Margery's daughter Joane married Alex Faeville.
During the Invasion of Ireland
it was one of the Norman Barrons, a Robert Marmion who wanted to seek even more fame and fortune, who joined Richard de Claire. It is believed, this is how the Irish Marmions came to be.
Click: Because Marmion is of Norman origin,
there is no "Clan" nor is there a head of the Marmion sept or clan (the word sept is used in Ireland instead of the word "clan" which is used in Scotland) , nor is there an Irish title in the Marmion family, becsue of the family's Norman origin. Since many of us
were confused on this, getting conflicting info. We contacted those who would be
"in the know" on this subject. Click to read their response.
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