Greystoke family

In 1069, following the Norman conquest the Saxon chieftain Llyulph de Greystoke was re-granted his land and he built a wooden tower surrounded by a pale (or pele). The first stone structure on the site was built in 1129 by Ivo, his grandson. The building grew to become a large pele tower and in the 14th century after William de Greystoke obtained a royal licence to castellate it, the castle was further enlarged.

The title Baron Greystock (or Greystoke) has been created twice in the Peerage of England. It was first created when John de Greystock was summoned to parliament in 1295 and it became extinct on his death. It was next created for Sir Ralph de Greystock in 1321, and went into abeyance in 1569, after passing into the Dacre family.

From the Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire: This barony the Earl of Ranulph de Mechines gave to one Lyolf, or Lyulphe, and King Henry I. confirmed the same unto Phorne, son of the said Lyulphe, whose posterity took their surname from the place, and were called de Graystock. Phorne was succeeded by his son Ivo, who was father of Walter; his son, Ranulph died 12th King John, and was succeeded by his son William, whose son and successor, ... more

The history of Greystoke Castle begins in the 12th Centrury when Ivo, grandson of local Saxon chieftain Llyulph, created the first stone structure on the site of the present castle in 1129. This building grew to become one of the border chain of fortifications, creating the huge Pele Tower, which in 1338 William de Greystoke obtained Royal Licence to castellate.

• A1. Lyulphe de Greystoke, lvd:1069;
  • B1. Phorne de Greystoke, lvd:1110/1135;
    • C1. Ivo de Greystoke;
      • D1. Walter de Greystoke;
        • E1. Ranulph de Greystoke;
          • F1. William de Greystoke;
            • G1. Thomas de Greystoke, lvd:1245, m. Christian de Viteripont;
              • H1. Joan de Greystoke, m. Ralph Fitz-William;
                • I1. William FitzRalph of Grimthorpe;
                  • J1. Ralph, Lord FitzWilliam, Governor of Carlisle, d:1316;
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  • K1. Robert FitzRalph, d:1317, m. Elizabeth Neville of Stainton;
    • L1. Ralph de Greystoke, 1st Lord, lvd:1299/1323, m. Alice de Audley;  ==>  Audley family
      • M1. William de Greystoke, 2nd Lord, lvd:1320/1369, m. Joane FitzHugh;
        • N1. Alice de Greystoke, lvd:1377, m. Robert de Harington;  <==  Harington family
        • N2. Ralph de Greystoke, 3rd Lord, lvd:1353/1418, m. Catherine de Clifford;  ==>  Clifford family
          • O1. Sir John de Greystoke, 4th Lord, lvd:1299/1323, m. Elizabeth de Ferrers;  ==>  Ferrers family
            • P1. Eleanor de Greystoke, m. Ralph Eure;  <==  Eure family
            • P2. Joan de Greystoke, m. John d'Arcy;  <==  d'Arcy family
            • P3. Sir Ralph de Greystoke, 5th Lord, d:1487, m. Elizabeth FitzHugh;
              • Q1. Sir Robert de Greystoke, m. Elizabeth Grey;
                • R1. Elizabeth de Greystoke, lvd:1471/1516, m. Sir Thomas Dacre;