De Vesci family

Soon after the Conquest, the de Vesci family was settled in the valley of the river Aln in Northumberland - a strategic spot, because it controls the road between Berwick and Newcastle, often the site of Border skrimishes. William Tyson held manors called Alnwick and Malton, and he apparently had no male heirs, because we know only of his daughter Alda, who married Yvo de Vesci (lord of nearby Alnot) in 1070. Alnwick was held by the de Vesci family until they sold it to the Percys in 1309; it is still the seat of the Dukes of Northumberland.

Yvo and Alda de Vesci had one daughter, Beatrice, who married Eustace FitzJohn, lord of Knaresborough, later lord of Halton, Constable of Chester. Their descendants would adopt the name de Vesci.

Eustace de Vesci (1169 – 1216) was an English lord of Alnwick Castle, and a Magna Carta surety. His parents were William de Vescy and Burga de Stuteville, daughter of Robert III de Stuteville. He paid his relief on coming of age in 2 Richard I (1191–2). He was with the king Richard I of England in Palestine in 1195. ... more

The Battle Abbey Roll: with some account of the Norman lineages


Alnwick Castle in 1825, by William Turner

  • A1. Yvo de Vesci, lvd:1070, m. Alda Tyson;
    • B1. Beatrice de Vesci, m. Eustace FitzJohn;
      • C1. William de Vesci, Sheriff of Northumberland then Lancashire, d:1184, m. Burga de Stuteville;
        • D1. Eustace de Vesci, lvd:1169/1216, m. Margaret of Scotland;  ==>  House of Dunkeld
          • E1. William de Vesci, d:1253, m. Agnes de Ferrers;  ==>  Ferrers family
            • H2. Juliana de Vesci, m. Sir Richard de Vernon;  <==  Vernon family

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According to the chronicler of Alnwick Abbey, the Barony of Alnwick belonged to Gilbert Tyson prior to the Conquest. His son and heir, William, was killed at Hastings, leaving no issue. His daughter and estates were granted to Ivo de Vesci.