St Mary's Church porch in the village of Speldhurst in Kent has an interesting coat of arms over the door. It is that of Charles, Duke of Orleans.
In 1415, at the Battle of Agincourt, the Duke of Orleans was wounded and he lay under a pile of dead French soldiers who had perished during the barrage of English arrows. The story goes that my ancestor, one Richard Waller, discovered him and took him home to his manor at Groombridge in Kent, but how long he was a prisoner of my 15th great grandfather I have yet to discover.
The Duke spent over twenty years as a hostage in England in such famous places as the Tower of London and Pontefract Castle, until he finally returned home to France in November of 1440. So, as not to let history forget this great event, Richard Waller, or one of his descendants restored St Mary's to its former glory, placing his coat of arms, which had been granted to him by the duke, to quarter with his own, upon a stone over the South Porch. What a great story.
My Waller ancestors were not the most important family in this part of Kent but their fortunes did change for the better in later years, I wonder if this is because of this episode in the family’s history? Not everyone captures a member of the French aristocracy, it must have given them a bit of a boost socially but it certainly didn't increase their wealth (a ransom was never paid for the duke’s release.) Their money was made in the iron industry.
My Waller ancestors were not the most important family in this part of Kent but their fortunes did change for the better in later years, I wonder if this is because of this episode in the family’s history? Not everyone captures a member of the French aristocracy, it must have given them a bit of a boost socially but it certainly didn't increase their wealth (a ransom was never paid for the duke’s release.) Their money was made in the iron industry.
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