FIEF OF ANNEVILLE - GUERNSEY

Anneville before the Conquest

Anneville and Ansquetil

In another part of this site we delve in the connection between Anneville and Anquetil (Ansquetil)

The two articles below, published by "The Star" in 1891 discuss the historical origins and connections of the Fief Le Comte, also known as d'Ansquetil, tracing its lineage back to the Norman heritage in Normandy, specifically to the hamlet and chateau of Carrel (with various spellings) near St. Pierre sur Dives. They highlight the Norse name Ansquetil and its connection to notable individuals and families, such as Richard, son of Anquetil de Carel, who married into the Tancred de Hauteville family, a significant line that eventually became the Norman Kings of Naples and Sicily.

The first article outlines the ancestry and notable descendants of the Ansquetil line, connecting them to various historical figures and events, including military and noble endeavors across Europe, particularly in Italy and England. The second article expands on the connections between the Fief Le Comte and other Norman lineages, suggesting that Le Comte was originally part of Anneville, a larger fief, before being sold in the 17th century. It further delves into the intricate web of familial and noble connections across various regions and times, highlighting the Carrel family's enduring influence and their ties to the broader Norman aristocracy.

Guernsey Historical

This article is interesting as already in the original fief of Anneville was present a "house of Anquetil" that was donated by a d'Anneville to the Abbey of Lessay.

GUERNSEY HISTORICAL

A correspondent sends us the following information respecting the Fief le Compte, alias d'Ansquetil, which may interest some of your readers : — The Norse name of Ansquetil, according to the Norman people, was connected with the hamlet and chateau of Carrel, Carel, Caril, or Cariel at St. Pierre sur Dives in Normandy. Richard, son of Anchetil de Carel, married a daughter of Tancred de Hauteville, he held the Principality of Capua. Richard Carel, his son,

was deprived of his Principality by Roger, his uncle, King of Sicily. Robert Carrel

held the Castle of St. Ceneri for William Rufus, 1088. The Tancreds of Hauteville

was the most interesting in Europe being a branch of the Norman Kings of Naples and

Sicily, Hialt, (Holt) 920 was its founder.

Third in descent was Tancred, born, 980-990.

Sire de Hauteville, in the Court of Richard IL, was leader of ten knights in the Dubr6s

Service, married and had Unifridus, Galfridus, SerU, Malger, Alured, William, Hum-

bert, Tancred and Roger, the most renowned warriors of their age. They joined

the Norman chivalry in Apulia, where William Bras de Fer was leader and lord of

Ascoli ; Drogo, lord of Venoso. In 1043 William was Count of Apulia. He was suc-

ceeded by his brother Drogo de Hauteville, Count of Veuosa, who was succeeded

by his brother Humphreie, 1057, who dying was succeeded by Robert de Hauteville,

Duke of Calabria, Apulia and Sicily, and from him descended the de Hautevilles,

Kings of Naples- and Sicily. A branch of this Royal House became seated in England,

Geoffry de Hauteville, who remained in Normandy, was father of Ralph de Haut-

ville, who in 1086 held a barony in Wilts (Domesday). His descendants were a re-

nowned race of warriors. Sire John accom Sanied Edward I. to Palestine. In 1316

ohn de Hauteville was baron of Norton-Hauteville, in Somerset. The Carrels, or

Carres, doubtless, originally descended from the Ansquetel de Carrel above mentioned.

In early documents, in Guernsey, the name Ansquetil occurs ; and in Jersey a family of

that name still exists.

The Star - Thursday 26 March 1891

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LE COMTE.

Sir, - The information concerning the Fief Le Comte (not Le Compte) in your issue of March 5, is so valuable and interesting, that the more I read it, the more it fascinates me. "Le Comte, alias d'Anskettle,' clearly establishes the connexion with Anneville, of which Fief it originally formed a part, before George Fachin sold it to the Priaulxs in 1630. Your correspondent casts ths horoscope of Anskettle bringing it into conjunction with the planet of Carrol, and it is a singular Fact that, to this day, one Carrel is Seneschal of the Fief d'Anneville ! The elaborate revelations which follow clearly demonstrate that the Tancreds of Hauteville were associated with Anneville, and, perhaps, with Montville as well. Of this there can be no possible doubt whatever. When Le Marquis des Canichers established himself, along with the redoubtable Grand Bosq, in the island of Garnezy, in 947, he intermarried with the Carrels, of St. Pierre Port, a family well known in this island at the present time, and so ennobled an already illustrious race sprung from a distinguished ancestry connected with the Fief Le Comte. It is not generally known that the Duke de la Vingtunieme Boisellee was united to the eldest daughter of the Count Du Quartier du Camp Rouf, having issue Bequepee, Huchon, Bulleuzere, &c., men who established themselves in history and founded the families of Cabots, Du Quartrier des Goubles, Du Camp des Hais, and Gouies (St. Sauveur). To those acquainted with the dependencies of Le Comte, these names will at once be familiar. Mauxconvenants is another celebrated branch of the Fief, intimately connected with that of Mauxmarquix. The Hautevilles by their union with the families of Bertozerie, Havelet, Les Terres, (a celebrated race of landed gentry as their name implies,) largely increased their store and multiplied into so many branches that it would be manifestly impossible to chronicle them all. The Count de la Petite Marche, the Baron de Mont Durand, and General Ville au Roi all claim descent from one of these. It is curious to trace the connexion of some branches of the Hautevilles in their wide ramifications. For example, it is abundantly clear that the Pont Reniers sprung from tbe issue of the families of Ruettes Brayes and Charroterie and were nearly allied with that of Pierre Percee (anglice Peter Percy). The family of Rouge Huis may similary be traced as forming a connecting link between the Candies and the Gibauderies precisely in the same manner that the good old family of Les Gravies have united the Choisi stock with that of the Rocquettes, also* and this a very remarkable fact* have continued the connexion to the Rohais ! By a parity of reasoning it could be argued with substantial force that the ancient and knightly family who, for so many centuries have ruled at Castle Carey were closely associated with the proud race of L'Hyvreuse, the haughty Cotils, and even with the Amballes of a lower grade. Further instances might be quoted, but enough has been written to substantiate the contention that the Carrels, or Carres, owe their origin to Anskettle of Le Comte, and there can no longer exist the smallest doubt that William Rufus was indebted to Robert Carrel, King of Sicily, for marrying Unifrida Galfrida, &c.., &c , who joined the Norman Chivalry in Apulia with Bras defer m Vallambrosa, and with Drogo, Duke of Calabria, Apulia, and Sicily (from whom descended the illustrious Hautevilles) began a race of warriors who accompanied Edward I. to Palestine in the Punic Wars, held a barony in Domesday-book, and, by that same token, achieved imperishable lustre for the Carrels, or Carres, of Le Comte. I am, dear Sir, Your obedient servant. TRACHEPOUR March 86, 1691.

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