At the beginning of the year I said I was going to review my ancestry that pointed back to Charlemagne (747 – 814). And I did just that with a great number of side trips throughout the year. I found a number of hypothesized links, but there was only one that went through a proven “gateway” ancestor. I can claim Charlemagne as my 40 times great grandfather.

Through this line, we meet Adelaide of Normandy, daughter of Robert of Normandy and sister of William the Conqueror. William led the Norman Invasion of Britain and took the island nation as his own kingdom.

But, how did William get from Normandy to England? He sailed on the Ship Mora given to him by his wife Matilda of Flanders. He used this ship to covey the Norman forces to England for the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Why do I mention this? Well, in command of the Mora was Airard Fitz-Stephen, my 28th great grandfather! He remained with William for the battle. So, another line crosses in the history of the European Events.