Tuesday, January 31, 2012

10th Great Grandma

After doing a little internet surfing Saturday evening - bored with TV - I decided to check out my Philadelphia lines. After finding numerous cousins whom I've never met who have put family tree information on line, I found something new that made me almost fall off my chair. That's when that song just running through my head.

Not only was there a photo of my 10th great grandmother but also a history that took my breath away.  After two days of proofing to make sure that she was indeed my 10th great grandma, I began to read the history. 


Lady Alicia Beconsawe Lisle

No one in my family tree was famous or in office or of worthy note.  Most were farmers, a few Quakers, some in Yorkshire were basket makers so I figure that is why I am good with my hands.

I was shocked to find that Lord Robert Lisle (her husband) was assassinated in Switzerland during 1664. 


When she was in her 70's, she was tried in court for treason against the king by harboring his enemies. Judge Jefferies coerced the jury into finding her guilty and she was sentenced to be burned at the stake. After intercession of the Clergy of Winchester, James II commuted the sentence to beheading at Ringwood Market Square.  She was beheaded in 1685.

Moyles Court family Home near Ringwood - now a school.

Infamous relatives I have, but now it is said that Lady Alicia haunts Moyles Court and at other times the Eclipse Inn where she spent her last few days life.  

What does this mean? If he was a Lord and she a Lady, are they attached to royal lines? I haven't a clue.

7 comments:

Anne said...

What a fascinating story Ruth. How did you find all that out? I never seem to be able to progress back much before the late 1700's, let alone flesh out any stories.

Paulette said...

It is so wonderful that you have a photo of her and this place where she lived!

Sweet Old Vintage said...

I have never had much luck tracing... I would think Lord and Lady certainly meant something..

Helsie said...

Wow, I'm impressed with these illustrious ancestors. You'll have to visit England and go and see the property that is now a school.
On your question about the Photo Scavenger Hunt - everyone is welcome to join in. Just visit http://postcardsfromthepp.blogspot.com.au/p/scavenger-hunt.html
to link up at the end of the month and also to get the list for the month. It should be out tomorrow.
cheers

Shortbread and Ginger said...

John Lisle was one of the judges who ordered the execution of King Charles I. He was a supporter of Oliver Cromwell. When monarchy was restored Lisle ran away to Switzerland where he was found and assassinated. Lots of good information at www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/
civil_war
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

Jo said...

Wow, that's some history, amazing how you found this out. No wonder you nearly fell off your chair.

Unknown said...

Oliver Cromwell's lords were given the title Lord though they were not of royal blood. Alicia & JOHN Lisle were my 10th great grandparents through their daughter who married Rev. Whitaker. 10 yrs or so ago I paid the National Portrait Gallery in London to dig that etching out of storage for me and also commissioned the National Gallery of Sweden to give me a color negative of Alicia's portrait so that I could pair a glycee of it with John's picture. Now I see them EVERYWHERE! There are several books about them. However, your portrait shows more of her body than the portrait in Sweden. Makes me wonder if one of her children had a bigger copy.

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