Geva de Burci, Dame de Falaise

Martin, the founder of this family, married Geva, daughter and heiress of Serlo de Burci, a tenant in chief at the time of the Domesday Survey in Somerset and Dorset. Martin was dead by 1086, for his widow had already married William de Falaise, who had the manor of Worspring with her.

~Cokayne's Complete Peerage, 2nd Edition, (Martin) Vol. VIII, p. 530

Keats-Rohan in Domesday Descendants has Sibilla de Falesia as younger daughter of William de Falaise and Geva de Burcy. "She was given in marriage to Baldwin de Boullers by Henry I, who described her as his 'nepta', i.e. kinswoman". Sources: Johnson/Cronne, RRAN II, App. no. cccix; Tremlett and Blakiston, Stogursey Charters 1949 (no 1)

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Burci-2

Geva de Burci, was one of the two daughters of Serlo de Burci and his unnamed wife.[1] Geva's sister, who is also unnamed, became a nun at Shaftesbury during her father's lifetime, which meant Geva became the principal heir, when her father died about 1086.[2]

First husband and child

The only thing known about Geva's first husband, is his name Martin. It has been suggested that he may be Martin(us) de Walis, the first witness of the foundation charter of Totness Priory[3] but although this would be in the right geographical area, it would place the foundation of that Priory earlier than expected.[4]

The idea that he is Martin 'de Tours' (Martinus de Turribus), founder of the Abbey of St Dogmael and buried in the choir there, comes from a very late source and there is no early evidence, besides which other factors make it impossible that this happened within Martin's time frame.[5]

The only child of this marriage is:

1. Robert FitzMartin, who is definitely named as the grandson of Serlo de Burci in a charter from early in the reign of Henry II[6]

Martin must have died before 1086 when his wife Geva is named as the wife of William de Falaise.[7]

Second marriage and children

Research Notes

Robert FitzMartin seems to be the only child of Geva and her first husband Martin the other FitzMartin children attached to this profile need further investigation.

1. Nicholas FitzMartin
2. William FitzMartin
3. Avice and Avice Alice FitzMartin (presumably the same person)

Also Sir William Martyn, is either an incorrect name for Geva's first husband Martin, or a completely different person who has been attached as her husband. Again this need investigation.

Notes

http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~martinknowles/genealogy/individ/deto...

Martin de Tours, son of Nicholus de Caineis?, was born in 1020 in Tours, Bayeaux, Normandie, France. Martin may also have been known as William Martin de Tours, Kemys William Martyn de Tours, Lord Combe-Martin, Martinus of Combe, and Martin de Walis de Tours.

Alternate DOB: 1030, 1063, 1052

Martin married Geva de Burci (daughter of Serlo de Burci, b. 1108, d. 1175) and fathered four children:

1. ROBERT FITZMARTIN b: 1070 in Cemmaes,Machynlleth,Powys,Wales
2. NICHOLAS FITZMARTIN
3. WILLIAM FITZMARTIN
4. AVICE FITZMARTIN

Serlo de Burci was a tenant-in-chief in Somerset and Devon at the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086 in England. He held, at the time of the Domesday Survey, Low Ham, Pylle, Hornblotton, etc., of the Abbot of Glastonbury, in Somerset and Devon in 1086 in England.

Martin may have had a castle called Holwell Castle built.

"Holwell Castle (Grid Ref: SS669446): This is a Norman motte and bailey castle built to guard the junction of the east-west and north-south trade routes. Its motte and ramparts were built of earth with timber pallisades for defence and a one or two storey wooden dwelling. It was probably built by either Martin de Tours the first lord of Parracombe, William de Falaise (who married Martin's widow) or Robert FitzMartin."

Martin died in 1075 in Kemrys, Pembroke, Wales. Alternate date of death: 1096. He is supposedly buried at Abbey St. Dogmael, Kemeys, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Perhaps Martin de Tours was related to Saint Martin de Tours.

Martin may have been a General in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He may have come from Normandy with William the Conqueror.

References

• http://cybergata.com/roots/3668.htm