Ancestry: The Roman Empire Line & the connection of Gauls and Celts

First we must start with a quick lesson.....

A lesson on ‘Descents from Antiquity’

Ancestry is never concrete once you hit a certain point.  Often after a certain time records were not accurately taken, and, therefore, genealogies become reliant on family bibles, wills and in some cases, like those for ancient ancestries, scholarly research on possibly genealogies.  If you are connected to the royal family of King Henry I of England (and many others in his line), you are more than likely connected to Charlemagne at some point.  Now, here is the tricky part: the ancestry of Charlemagne is not set in stone but is only presumed by scholars.  But they’ve done extensive research and some of the ancestral links are pretty widely accepted.  Yet, others are still only a tenuous guess and are, therefore, only conjecture. With that being said, I present the Roman line:

"Romans vs Gauls"by Angelo Todaro

Although not from the Gaul region I'd like to think Boudicca might be what my Celtic ancestors would've looked like! Plus I love Boudicca, she is one of my favorite heroines. "Boudica's husband Prasutagus ruled as a nominally independent ally of Rome and left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman emperor in his will. However, when he died his will was ignored, and the kingdom was annexed. Boudica was flogged, her daughters raped, and Roman financiers called in their loans," (Wiki Boudica).  She led an uprising against Rome and although she was not successful, she was a leader in her own right. 

The Roman Empire Line by Way of France, Germany, Italy, and Roman-occupied Gaul

1. Me
2. Mom
3. Evelyn Velma Scates
4. Velma Tanner (1890 in Nebraska – 1986 in Lancaster, CA)
5. Mary Hygiana Deuel (1852 in Beloit, WI – 1930 in Ventura County, CA)

Deuel Sisters in Fullerton, California in about 1915: Mary Hygiana, Angelina, Antoinette, Elnora & Estelle

6. Theodore Cross Deuel (1824 in New York – 1909 in Fullerton, CA)
7. Betsy Cross (1799 in Weare, NH – 1891 in Afton, WI)

Reuben and Betsy Cross in 1892 in Afton, Wisconsin in 1892 "when they were both 92"

8. Theodore Cross (1765 in Methuen, MA – 1833 in Antwerp, NY)
9. John Cross III (1711 in Haverhill, MA  – 1769 in Methuen, MA)
10. John Cross II (1681 in Methuen, MA – 1746 in Methuen, MA)
11. John Cross I (1644 in Ipswich, MA – 1697 in Methuen, MA)
12. Robert Cross (1613 in Charlinch, Somersetshire, England  – 1693 in Ipswich, MA) *Immigrant*
13. Thomas Cross (1580 in Somersetshire, England  – 1640 in Ipswich, MA) *Immigrant*
14. Anghard Ellis (1565 in Charlinch, Somersetshire, England   – 1682 in England)
15. Mary Dutton (1516 in Dutton, Cheshire, England  – 1580 in St. Giles Cripplegate, London, England)
16. Eleanor Legh (1480 in Adlington, Cheshire, England  – 1522 in Adlington, Cheshire, England )
17. Katherine Savage (1458 in Clifton, Cheshire, England  – 1515 in England)
18. Knight: Sir John Savage, Lord of Clifton (1403 in Clifton, Cheshire, England  – 1463 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England)
19. Knight: Sir John Savage I (1370 – 1450; b/d in Clifton, Cheshire, England )
20. Margaret Danyers (1347 in Cheadle, Cheshire, England – 1428 in Clifton, Cheshire, England)
21. Isabel Baggiley (1325 – 1364; b/d in Cheadle, Stockport, Cheshire, England )
22. Sir William de Baguley (1305 – after 1325; b/d in Cheadle, Stockport, Cheshire, England )
23. Lucy Corona (illigimate daughter but claimed*) (1250 – 1316; b/d in Cheshire, England)
24. King Edward I, Plantagenet (1239 in Westminster Abbey, London, England – 1307 in Burgh by Sands, Cumberland, England)
25. King Henry III, Plantagenet (1207 in Winchester, City of Winchester, Hampshire, England  – 1272 in Westminster, City of Westminster, Greater London, England)
26. King John “Lackland” Plantagenet (1166 in Beaumont Palace, Oxfordshire, England  – 1216 in Newark Castle, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England )
27. King Henry II, Plantagenet (1133 in Le Mans, Sarthe, Pays De La Loire, France – 1189 in Chinon, Departement d'Indre-et-Loire, Centre, France)
28. Matilda, Holy Roman Empress, Queen of France & Germany (1102 England – 1167 Rouen, France)

Portrait of Empress Mathilda, from "History of England" by St. Albans monks (15th century); Cotton Nero D. VII, f.7, British Library

29. King Henry I (1068 Selby, England – 1135 Saint-Denis-en-Lyons, France)
30. Matilda of Flanders (1031 France – 1083 Caen, France)

Matilda of Flanders, very beautiful image. Born 1031 in France and died 1083 in Caen, France

31. Baldwin, Count of Flanders V (1012 Arrast, France – 1067 Lille, France)
32. Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders (980 France – 1035)
33. Rozala of Italy (937 Italy – 1003 Ghent, Belgium)
34. Willa of Tuscany (911 Arles, France – 970 Bamberg Castle, Bamberg, Germany)
35. Boso, Margrave of Tuscany (885 – 936)
36. Princess Bertha of Lothrainga (863 – 925 Lucca, Italy)
37. King Lothair II, King of Lothrainga (835 – 869 Piacenza, Italy)
38. King Lothair I, King of Lothrainga (795 – 855 Prüm, Germany)
39. King Louis, the Pious, the Fair, the Debonair (apparently, he was hot) (778 Chasseneuil-du-Poitu, France – 840 Ingleheim am Rheim, Germany)
40. Charlemagne (Otherwise known as Charles the Great or Carolus Magnus) (742 Francia – 814 Aachen, Germany)
41. Pepin, The Short (714 Francia – 768 Saint-Denis, France)
42. Charles Martel (686 Herstal, Belgium – 741 Quierzy, France)
43. Pepin of Herstal II (635 – 714 Jupille-Sur-Meuse, Belgium)
44. Ansegisel van Herstal (610 Austrasia – 679)
45. Saint Arnulf of Metz (wife is Saint Doda) 582 Lay-Saint-Christophe, France – 640 Remirement Abbey, Remirement, France)
46. Bishop Arnoald (Sometimes called Arnoldus) of Metz (560 Metz, France – 611 Metz, France)
47. Ansbertus, Gallo-Roman Senator (505 France – 570)
48. Ferreolus of Rodez, Gallo-Roman Senator of Narbonne (born c. 470) – Ancestry continues at bottom.  His mother is Industria, wife of Tonantius Ferreolus, thus she begins at 49.
49. Tonantius Ferreolus, Gallo-Roman Senator (440 – 511) **** see note about mom’s lineage below 
50. Tonantius Ferreolus, Praetorian Prefect of Gaul (405 – 475)

Tonantius Ferreouls (born 405 A.D. - died 475 A.D.

51. Syagria (her name based on father as researched by scholars) (born c. 390 AD)
52. Flavius Afranius Sygarius, Roman Politican, Praefectus Praetorio Italia and Proconsulo of Africa (345 – 399 Lyon, France)

****Tonantius Ferreolus’s mother was Papianilla.  Scholars disagree about the exact parentage of Papianilla.  Some believe she is the niece of the Roman Emperor Eparchius Avitus, while others believe she is his daughter. I believe she was his niece as there were two Papianillas, and it wouldn’t have been uncommon to name a daughter after another woman in the family.  

48. Ferreolus of Rodez, Gallo-Roman Senator of Narbonne (born c. 470)
49. Mother: Industria of Narbo (born between c. 450-465)
50. Flavius Probus (born between c. 420 – 430)
51. Flavius Magnus, Consul of Rome, Praetorian of Gaul, Roman Senator of Narbo (Powerful politician at in  the last days of the Western Roman Empire) (born c. 405)
52. Possibly General Patrician Flavius Felix, Consul of Rome (380 – killed 430)
53. Ennodius, Proconsul of Africa (b. 355 – died sometime after 395)

Now a little background.  "Roman Gaul consisted of an area of provincial rule in the Roman Empire, in modern-day France, southern Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, western Switzerland and western Germany. Roman control of the area lasted for more than approximately 500 years. The Roman Republic began its takeover of Celtic Gaul in 121 BC, when it conquered and annexed the southern reaches of the area. Julius Caesar completed the task by defeating the Celtic tribes in the Gallic Wars of 58-51 BC. The Gaulish language became extinct from the fifth century AD onwards. The last vestige of Roman rule was effaced by the Franks at the Battle of Soissons (486); displacing the Visigothic kingdom of Toulouse in 507 A.D. The city of Lugdunum (now Lyon) had long been the capital of Gaul" (Roman Gaul)

Map of the Tribes of the region during the Time of Caesar, image by NationalVanguard

An early map of Gaul by Athena Pub

"Gallic Warriors at the Battle of Alesia," Image provided by Sierra Toy Soldier)

For further research about the Ferreolus line here is the lineage, however, the parentage of Papianilla is not be accurate in my opinion: (link: Ferreolus of Rodez Image and Info)

The end of the line for research at the moment ends with the Roman Senators of Gaul.  I imagine that they had many ancestors within the area, such as the Goths or Celtic tribes of Gaul.  However, there are no records showing such a connection so that is just my guesstimate.  I am sure some Romans moved to the region after occupation but I imagine some were already in the area and used their influence to become elite members of Roman society, and/or they married the local population and had children so there might also be Goth or Celtic blood in this line some place as not every women's name is recorded and there were some instances of multiple wives and concubines. 

I have always been fascinated with archaeology as well as anthropology.  How did these people live their day-to-day lives, what did they do, and what did they eat?

In pre-Roman times the Gauls & Celts in the area lived in thatched roofed style homes much like this reconstructed version below.  I like to think of my pre-Gaul or Celtic ancestors living in a thatched roof cottage, living simply off the land and with one another. 

Pre-Roman Gaul Home Example Gaul Home Image

After the conquest by the Romans in the area, many of the homes were constructed much like the counterparts in Rome, itself. The villas usually started out small and were added onto as time went on, and as the owners had larger families and more money.  Here is an example of a Roman villa found in England:

© Historic England (illustration by Ivan Lapper) Great Witcomb English Heritage Villa Image 

I like to imagine my Gaul Roman Senator ancestors living in something like the above, and, drinking mulsum, like the recipe below: 

From The Fine Art of Feasting, comes a recipe from Roman Gaul, "An aperitif such as mulsum, consisting of warm, spiced wine, would be served at the beginning of the meal. Among the various delicacies might be patina, a custard-like baked mixture of savory ingredients such as meat, chicken, or fish, herbs, olive oil, nuts, and wine. A sweet version with pears, eggs, honey, and spices could also be served," (recipe and info from The Fine Art of Feastin in Roman Gaul). 

"To taste for yourself a little of Roman Gaul, here’s a recipe for spiced honey wine. Cheers!"

Recipe for Mulsum (Also known as Conditum paradoxum, from Apicius’s De re coquinaria)

Mulsum, an ancient Roman honey wine

Ingredients

1 bottle dry white wine

¾ cup (6 ounces) clear honey

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

2 bay leaves

Pinch saffron threads

Directions

1. Pour 2/3 cup of the wine and the honey into a 2-quart saucepot and bring it to a boil.

2. Remove the saucepot from the heat and add seasonings to the hot wine; set it aside for 5 minutes.

3. After 5 minutes, add the rest of the wine.

4. Serve mulsum warm or transfer the mixture to a glass jar, cover, and refrigerate. As a modern variant, this drink can also be enjoyed cold over ice.

This has been a fascinating journey into my Western Roman Empire heritage, which has actually ended in Africa.  I find the occupation of Africa highly interesting as I did not know much about it! I plan to do some research on the Roman occupation in Africa at a later date.  

So, in the end I will leave you with a picture of King Louis, the Pious, King of Aquitaine, Franks and co-Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire with his dad Charlemagne.  He was supposedly good looking, however, he wasn't the best ruler. 

King Louis, very Debonair as he was called!

What a looker!! Well, gotta run! Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

TheHistoryGirlHousewife

P.S. And another picture of Boudicca, just because I can!

Boudicca by Fluxen on Deviantart (Image Link)

P.S.S. I come by way of my link to the Roman-Gaul-Celtic Line on both side of my family. So here goes my dads version: (Once it hits #25 on the list of the above then you can link up to the same lineage. I guess my parents are cousins about a billion times removed, but who isn't when you go back far enough)!!

1. Me

2. Dad

3. Grandma

4. Marge Marie Williams (1924 - 2007)

5. Elsie Della Hart (1892 Montana - 1962 Klamath Falls, OR)

6. Daniel Mose Hart (1856 Montana or Idaho Reservation - 1938 Klamath Falls, OR)

7. Moses W Hart (1833 Indiana - 1909 Westfall, OR)

The Moses and Mary Hart Stone House is on the National Register of Historic Places in Malheur County, Oregon near Westfall.  It is a Vernacular-Italianate style. (Wiki)

8. Pleasant Hart (1798 Kentucky - 1837 Illinois)

9. Moses Hart (1766 South Carolina - 1823 Indiana)

10. Captain Aaron "the Elder" Hart (1733 Pennsylvania - 1810 Hardin, Kentucky)

11. Thomas Hart (1686 Pennsylvania - 1790 South Carolina)

12. Susannah Rush (1656 - 1725 Pennsylvania)

13. Captain John "Old Trooper" Rush (1623 England - 1699 Pennsylvania) *Immigrant Ancestor*

From here until the end of dads line these are all English born, raised and died (after dads line links up please refer to places of birth and death):

14. Thomas Rushe III (1593 - 1635)

15. Priscilla Cloville (1542 - 1593)

Many of my Cloville ancestors were born in or near Cloville Hall, pictured is Cloville Hall.

16. Sir Francis Cloville, Knight (1516 - 1562)

17. William Cloville (1489 - After 1516)

18. Henry Cloville (1463 - 1513)

19. Margery Allington (1442 - 1467)

20. Sir William Allington, Knight (1397 - 1487)

21. Joane Burgh (1350 - 1445)

22. Mary Plant (1310 - 1377)

23. Earl Henry Plantagenet, of Lancaster (1281 - 1345)

24. Edmund Crouchback, 1st Earl of Lancaster (1245 - 1296)

Edmund's nickname, "Crouchback" (meaning "crossed-back"), refers to his participation in the Ninth Crusade (Wiki). 

25. King Henry III (please see #25 on the above list)