Martyn de Tours, Gen. and 1st Baron of Kemys

Not a known son of Nicholas de Caineis

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

Notes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FitzMartin

The earliest well-documented progenitor of this family was Robert, whose charter to the monks at Montacute from around 1121 names his parents, Martin and Geva. Geva is known to have been the daughter and heiress of Serlo de Burci, bringing the lands of her father to her marriage, which included Low Ham, Pylle, and Hornblotton. By her second marriage to William de Falaise, which had occurred by 1086, she was to pass to her son and heir, Robert, additional land in Devonshire. From the patronymic of this Robert fitz Martin ("son of Martin") subsequent family members took 'fitz Martin' as a surname, independent of the names of their fathers, until in the mid-13th century, when they began to use simply Martin.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Unknown-446427

What is known about Martin is his single name (no surname), his wife Geva, and his son Robert.

Research Notes

Lyte gives perhaps the fullest explanation of the two main proposals for the identity of Martin.
Lyte recounts how the 16th century antiquarian Leland wrote two notes asserting without explanation that Martin was actually "Martin of Tours". (Which happens to be the name of a famous dark ages writer.) There seems to be no known evidence, and this idea is not widely accepted.

More worth discussion, Lyte explains that the famous genealogist J.H. Round suggests that "Martin de Tours" may be the "Martinus de Walis" who figures first among the witnesses to the foundation of Totnes Priory. In support of this it may be noted that Geva de Burci's home in Devon was close to Totnes and that her home in Somerset was not far from the south-eastern coast of Wales.

Sources

1. Cockayne, Gibbs et al., Complete Peerage, 2nd ed., Vol.8, pp.530ff.
2. Keats-Rohan, K.S.B. Domesday People, pp.418-9
3. Lyte, Sir Henry Maxwell (1919) “Burci, Falaise and Martin” in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeol. and Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. lxv, pp.1 -27.
4. Sanders, English Baronies, p.15

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_fitz_Martin

Robert fitz Martin (c. 10?? – c. 1159) was a knight from Devon whose father, Martin de Turribus, was the first Norman Lord of Kemes, in what had previously been the Dyfed part of Deheubarth. Fitz Martin inherited the Lordship of Kemes from his father, and founded St Dogmaels Abbey c. 1118. He was the first of the FitzMartin line. His descendants continued to hold lands in England and Wales until the 14th century.

http://www.1066.co.nz/Mosaic%20DVD/text/people/tours.htm

The Norman family of Martin probably came from Tor or Tour in the vicinity of Bayeux. The individual here indicated was Martin d'Amfreville, sire de Tour, who came to England at the conquest and conquered Cameys in Wales. It was erected into a palatine barony, which he governed as lord marcher, having his castle at Newport, where the ruins still exist.

He was a great benefactor to religious houses and began the foundation of a Benedictine abbey at St-Dogmael's, annexing it as a cell to the monastery of Tyrone in France. His son Robert Fitz Martin gave the endowment, which charter was witnessed by Henry I. Shortly after the compilation of Domesday he was in possession of the honour of Dartington and other lands, formerly belonging to William de Falaise. William Fitz Martin of the next generation married the daughter of Rhys-ap-Griffith, sovereign of South Wales. William's grandson acquired the honour of Barnstaple by marriage with Maud, daughter of Guy de Brian and Eva his wife, heiress of Henry de Tracey, lord of that barony. She brought him large possessions in Devonshire, where he already had great estates. The family later held considerable possessions in different parts of England, among which were Seaborough and Althelhampton in Dorset; Compton-Martin in Somerset; Comb-Martin in Devon, and Long Melford in Suffolk. --(This name appears on the Falaise Roll).

Family

https://groups.google.com/g/soc.roots/c/lhdDEycYyxQ?pli=1

Special to Martin Researchers who may be interested in Early Martin Lineage. We are attaching the first ten generations listed in our book "Some Martin Families, Descendants of Martin de Tours and Geva de Burci, 1033-1991" which we compiled in 1991: SOME MARTIN FAMILIES, DESCENDANTS OF MARTIN dE TOURS AND GEVA dE BURCI 1033-1993

Martin de Tours married Geva de Burci, d/o Serlo de Burci, who married (2) William de Falaise. Four children listed below, not necessarily in the order of their births.

• A. Nicholas FitzMartin (2).
• B. William FitzMartin (2).
• C. Avice FitzMartin (2), married Lucas de Hoda.
• D. Baron Robert FitzMartin (2), succeeded his father as Lord of the Barony of Keymes. He also possessed the Barony of Dartingham where he lived. He and his successors were summoned to the King's Council as Barons of Keymes, and were Lords of the English Parliament. He married (1) Maud, widow of William Perverell (Purvill), d/o Lord Nottingham, who was a Captain in the Army of William, the Conqueror. He married (2) Alice de Nonant, d/o Roger de Nonant. Three children, listed below, not necessarily in the order of their births. …

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http://www.geneajourney.com/martin.html

NOTES:

a. The earliest progenitor of this family is shown in the charter of his son, Robert, to the monks at Montacute, around 1121, wherein are given the names of Robert's parents, Martin and Geva. Little else is known of this Martin, but his wife Geva is known to have been the daughter and heiress of Serlo de Burci. Thus, Geva de Burci brought the lands of her father to her marriage, which included Low Ham, Pylle, and Hornblotton. By her second marriage to William de Falaise, which had occurred by 1086, she was to pass to her son and heir, Robert, additional land in Devonshire. It should also be noted that the surname Martin was not used in this family until the generation of Nicholas Martin (d abt 1260), and individuals previous to Nicholas were almost always recorded as "son of", but confusingly, successive early generations were recorded, irregardless of the father's first name, as for example, Robert son of Martin (father of) William son of Martin. Thus, they are shown here as Fitz Martin (something which even CP gives way to intermittently) in an attempt to simplify their entry in the index, as well as to minimize confusion.

b. He succeeded to the lands which Serlo de Burci had held in 1086, and also to land held by his stepfather. He was a benefactor to various monasteries, giving land at Compton to Goldcilffe, the church of Blagdon to Stanley in Wiltshire, and the manor of Teignton to Montacute Priory in Somerset. He founded the abbey of St. Dogmael about 1118. Not later than 1120, Robert Fitz Martin and Maud Peverel, his wife, granted to the abbey of Savigny land at Vengeons (la Manche) which had belonged to William Peverel. In 1134, he joined with other Norman lords in South Wales in resisting the sons of Gruffydd, and witnessed several charters of the Empress Maud, to whom he was adhered. In 1155, Henry II confirmed to him the lands of his grandfather, Serlo de Burci, with all their liberties. Maud predeceased him, and he secondly married Alice de Nonant, who survived him and remarried in or before 1175.

c. Son and heir by his father's second wife, he was sometimes referred to as William son of Robert son of Martin. Sometime between 1170 and 1183 he granted a messuage and land in the manor of Blagdon to the canons of St. Augustine's in Bristol, and also confirmed to the church of St. Michael a grant of land in Uphill. In 1198 he made an exchange of lands in Combe Martin, Devon, with Warin de Morcells, who had married his sister, Sibyl. While he married Ankaret, daughter of Rhys ap Gruffydd, this did not keep the Prince of South Wales from expelling William from his castle of Nevern, which Rhys then gave to his own son. His widow survived him.

d. In 1209 he had letters of protection while staying in Wales. In 1212 he held Blagdon, Dartington, and other manors. He died while still a relatively young man before 15 Feb 1215/16, when the custody of his lands and his heir was granted to Fulk de Breaute. His wife, Avice de Toriton was likely a sister of Fulk. After his death, Avice married Nicholas de Bolewill and was apparently still living in 1246.

e. As noted above, he was a minor at his father's death and his custody and lands in the wardship of Fulk de Breaute. In 1222, while still under age, the King granted him licence to have a fair at his manor of Combe Martin in Devon, every year until he should come of age, which occurred before Sep 1231. In 1245 he was ordered to take action against the King's enemies in Gloucestershire, and in 1253 he had orders to attend "diligently" to the King's affairs while he was abroad. In 1257 he had custody of the castles of Cardigan and Kilgarran, but in that year was taken prisoner by the Welsh, and his tenants were used by the King to contribute to his ransom. The following year he was constable of Carmarthen. In 1268, being a justice in Surrey, he was allowed 50 marks out of the fines of that county for his expenses. The King's son, Edmund, in 1271, gave him custody of the castles and counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan, and in 1278 he was one of the justices appointed to hear and determine complaints concerning the Bishop of St. David's in Wales. The name of his first wife is not known, and he secondly married, around 1259 or 1260, Isabel, widow of Hugh Peverel.

f. Son and heir apparent, he died in his father's lifetime, being probably in his early forties. His widow, Maud, daughter of Guy de Brian married Geoffrey, Lord Canville, whom she also survived.

g. Grandson and heir, he was aged 25 in 1282, and received livery of his inheritance 1 Apr 1282. About this time he was charged to have no dealings with the Welsh rebels, and in this and subsequent years was frequently summoned to service against the Welsh and was ordered to continually dwell in the Welsh marches. He was summoned to Parliament from 24 Jun 1295 to 24 Sep 1324, whereby he became Lord Martin. In Nov 1290 he came to an agreement with William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, as to the disputed rights in Kemeys. He served in Gascony 1295-1297, and in Sep 1297, while staying at Ghent on the King's service, he made an agreement with John de Hastings, Lord of Abergavenny, by which William, son and heir of said John de Hastings was to marry Eleanor, elder daughter of William Martin, and Edmund, son and heir of William Martin should marry Joan, elder daughter of John de Hastings. This was confirmed by the King 3 Nov 1297, and on 10 Apr 1298, he was granted custodies and marriages, in recompense for his losses in a storm at sea while coming with the King from Flanders. In 1300/01 and later years, he was commissioner of oyer and terminer in Devon, and in 1304 he was one of a commission to treat with the Scots. In Dec 1307 he was one of the keepers of the peace in Devon during the King's absence. In Sep 1308, after the death of Geoffrey, Lord Canville, he succeeded to the inheritance of his mother. In 1309 he joined in the Barons' letter to the Pope and in 1310 he was chosen as one of the fifteen ordainers to draw up ordinances for the reform of the kingdom. He was conservator of the peace for Devon in 1314, and in Feb 1314/15 he was appointed justice of the West and South Wales and keeper of the castle of Carmarthen and other of the King's castles there. In 1318, he was a member of the standing royal council and in Nov of that year he was in the King's service in the marches of Scotland. In Nov 1321, he and Hugh de Courtenay were ordered to attack any who might rise against the King in Cornwall and Devon, and he was also ordered to abstain from the meeting of the "good peers" convened by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. The following Feb he was ordered to Coventry to resist the Earl of Lancaster. He died before 8 Oct 1324, when the writ to the escheator was issued. His son and heir, William, died s.p. bef 4 Apr 1326, when the Barony of Martin fell into abeyance between his surviving sister, Eleanor (wife of Philip de Columbers and widow of William de Hastings) and James, Lord Audley, (son of his younger sister Joan, who had first married Henry de Lacy, and secondly, Nicholas de Audley).

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SOURCES:

CP: Vol VIII[530-537]; AR: Line 63A[31], Line 71[33], Line 122[32].

Excerpts from 'The HIstory of the Martin Family', by W. G. Willis Watson, Exeter, 1906.

"Martin de Tours was a general officer in the army of William I, and a bold and warlike adventurer. HIs name, entered as 'Le Seig. de S. Martin', is included in a table of all 'the noble capteins and gentlemen of name as well Normans as other strangers, which assisted Duke William in the conquest of this land.' And it is also repeated in 'the Roll of Batell Abbeie.'

Martin de Tours fully shared in the grants which were made by his Royal master. First he became possessed of lands in the maritime parts of Somerset and Devonshire.

The gifts probably, included the manor of Dartington, in Devonshire, an estate associated with noble families. William de Falesia is recorded as its owner when Domesday was compiled."

Now, to paraphrase a few events described in Watson's book...

King William's generals and lords declined to do battle with the population of Wales. Martin de Tours acccepted the task, and successfully subdued the Welsh population by delivering his forces by sea, meeting minimal resistance. He landed at Fishguard, marched into Cronllwyn, and was victorious at the Battle of Morvill. The Welshmen submitted to his authority. It's noteworthy to say Martyn de Tours timing couldn't have been better. The native prince, the son of Rhys ap Tewdwr, was then a minor.

Martyn built a monastery for Benedictine monks at Saint Dogmael's, in Cemaes. At his death, Martyn was buried there. The monastery was annexed as a cell to the Abbey of Tyrone, in 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. In1066 He was a General in the army of William, the Conqueror, Note; A Norman with The Conqueror. Baron Martyn de Tours was born in 1030 -1033 - he came over from Normandy with William the Conqueror....he was a General in William's army and was at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He was Lord of the Courts , also made Lord of Combe-Martin of Martinshire in the northern part of Devon. In Wales he was called Camais or Kemys. One writer said: He was Cemais or Keymes in Pembroke Co. England about 1077. Martin de Tours founded a monastery for Benedictine Monks near Cardigan. This institution was endowed with lands by his son and successor Baron Robert Fitz-Martin (born 1080) and his successors were summoned to the King's council as Barons of Cammaes and continued to be Lords of the English Parliment.L. and M. Collier 1992, Some Martin Families: Descendents of Martin de Tours and Geva de Burci 1033-1991, p. 1. Le Seigneur de S. Martin or Marteine de Turribus. Supposedly a direct descendant of Bishop Martin de Tours, but unproven. A General in the army of William the Conquerer. For service at the Battle of Hastings, he received a grant of land in North Devonshire and was made Lord Combe/Martin of Martinshire. Received the Barony of Dartingham in South Devonshire in 1088. He seized Cemeas (Keymes) in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in 1094, becoming first Lord of Keymes. He founded the Benedictine monastery at St. Dogmaels near Cardigan, Dyfed, Wales. Also named Lord of Courts with the privileges of a Lord Marcher. McNaught, Clark and Allied Families, typescript in the Family History Library, Salt Lake City. Baron Martin de Tours (1030/1033 - ) of Darlington House, Devonshire, England, a direct descendant of Bishop Martin de Tours of France. Founded a monastery for Benedictine Monks near Cardigan.Descendents of Martin de Tours and Geva de Burci 1033-1991, p. 1. Le Seigneur de S. Martin or Marteine de Turribus. Supposedly a direct descendant of Bishop Martin de Tours, but unproven. A General in the army of William the Conquerer. For service at the Battle of Hastings, he received a grant of land in North Devonshire and was made Lord Combe/Martin of Martinshire. Received the Barony of Dartingham in South Devonshire in 1088. He seized Cemeas (Keymes) in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in 1094, becoming first Lord of Keymes. He founded the Benedictine monastery at St. Dogmaels near Cardigan, Dyfed, Wales. Also named Lord of Courts with the privileges of a Lord Marcher.

References

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lords_of_Cemais
• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~martinknowles/genealogy/people/detou...
• The Monks of Tiron. By Kathleen Thompson. Page 84. < GoogleBooks >
• http://cybergata.com/roots/3659.htm