Montfitchet family facts for kids
The de Montfitchet family was a powerful and important family from Normandy, a region in France. They likely came from a town called Montfiquet.
Their story in England began with Robert Gernon, also known as Robert of the Moustache. He was given large areas of land in Essex as a reward for his service. This happened before the Domesday Book was written in 1086. The family then settled in Essex, making their home at Stansted Mountfitchet Castle.
The de Montfitchet family was important for about five generations. The family line ended when Richard de Montfichet passed away in 1258 without any children to continue the family name. Over time, the family's name was spelled in different ways, like Munfichet or Mountfiquit.
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Family Achievements and Legacy
The de Montfitchet family achieved many notable things during their time.
Founding Stratford Langthorne Abbey
One of their biggest accomplishments was founding Stratford Langthorne Abbey. An abbey is a type of monastery, a place where monks live and worship. This abbey grew to be the fifth largest in all of England, showing how influential the family was.
Places Named After the Family
Even after the de Montfitchet family line ended, their name lived on in different places.
- The family's special symbol, their coat of arms, was used in the official signs of the County Borough of West Ham.
- You can find Monfichet Road in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, which is named after them.
- Montfichet's Tower in London also carries their name.
- The town of Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex, where their castle once stood, is named after them. You can still see parts of the reconstructed castle there today.
See also
- Cavendish family, another important historical family
