The Seagraves Family, The California branch: who we are and where we came from.: Segrave's in Finglas Ireland

Thursday, March 31, 2005

Segrave's in Finglas Ireland

In the Parish of Finglas is the remains of an Elizabethian house, and it bore the the arms of the Segrave family. It was built on the lands that had been granted in 1552 by Archbishop Hugh Curwen to James Segrave and Patrick Sarsfield.

In 1609 to John, son and heir of Walter Segrave, Walter Segrave had held the land and house some 15 years earlier.

For several generations the Segrave family had been very prominent on the Irish episcopal and judicial benches, and the commercial life of Dublin, where Walter Segrave and his father had both been Mayors of Dublin (Ireland folks). And Walter was also the sheriff of Dublin as well.

They both were alied to the Roman Cathlic church, but owing to thier "good and kindly dealings" with Englishmen, they enjoyed Archbishop Loftus's freindship, and through his wife, who was a sister of Walter Ball of Ballygall, Walter was closely allied to Protestants (in other words he had a foot in each camp).

Apparently this was quite a nice house! The chief apartments and the parlor, and the great bed-chamber were wainscoted, and some of the bed chambers were provided with cornices of wood from which tapestry was suspended. In the hall where the coat of arms of the Segrave impaled with those of those of Ball were carved, there was a high table at which the family took their meals seated on squar stools, and round the walls were ranged five court cup boards, on which plate and china were displayed.

Throughout the house much of the furnature included; 12 bedsteads, many coffers, one was bound with iron and locked with three keys for the keeping of deeds. And in many of the rooms were rugs, tapestries, canopies of silk or taffeta, curtains and valances of mockado or white stuff, and cushions covered with wrought-velvet or needlework.

On the walls were hung two calverts(paintings), head pieces, and halberts, as well as "the day of judgement in oil work" and "Christ and the twelve Apostles in tables," and in the palor a pair of virginals in a frame that bespoke the accomplishments of Walters Segrave's daughter.

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Seagraves Family HistSeagraves Coat of Arms / Seagraves Family Crestory

The surname of SEAGRAVES was a locational name 'of Seagrove' a spot in County Leicestershire. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Early records mention Thomas de Segraua, 1180, County Leicestershire. William Seagrave was documented in County Notttingham in the year 1300. Edward Segrave of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The name is also spelt Seagrief, Seagrove and Seagrave. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times, although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing Coats of Arms first became hereditary. It is known that in the reign of Henry V (1413-1422), a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the use of heraldic ensigns to all who could not show an original and valid right, except those 'who had borne arms at Agincourt'. The College of Arms (founded in 1483) is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings.