Royalty Descent (How can I find more information on ancestors)?

Question

I was reasearching my family history and I'm the direct descendant of several famous royal figures. Can someone tell me how to find me information on them? Thanks.

Ansegisel, son of Saint Arnulf, bishop of Metz and his wife Saint Doda

Pepin of Herstal, Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, Neustria and Burgundy

Charles Martel

The First Angevin Dynasty (House of Plantagenet)

Geoffrey of Anjou

Henry II of England

Henry III of England

Also the surname Gosnell/Gosnolde/Gosnold that had something to do with Otley Hall

Please help. Thanks.

Answer 1

I hate to burst your bubble, but according to some genealogists, up to 60 percent of Americans (150 million of us) are descended from royalty, primarily from "a cluster of Medieval  kings--Plantagenets from England, Capetians from France, and Hohenstaufers from Germany."  Indeed, 30 million Americans are distantly related to Princess Di.  

Then again, statistically speaking all of us are also descended from slaves and peasants as well. However, on a personally note, I hope no one makes me take back my kinship with Davy Crockett, my fourth cousin, five times removed.  That packs a lot more status than hearing that I'm a distant cousin to Spanky McFarland (the fat kid on "The Little Rascals").

P. S. & LOL-- Approximately, 80 percent of all Europeans are descended from royalty as well.  Now how many generations back is Henry III?  

Like you, I was pleased when I found royal ancestors (in my case, the Stewart Kings), but from what I have read, I also don't think that it is all that unusual to have descended from royalty.  Of course, it makes history more interesting, if we can find a personal tie to it.

And yes, I know the difference between kinship and descent  and that Crockett wasn't royalty.

Answer 2

Remember everyone on earth is the decendant of both royalty and slaves.

Alos AS The Bishop of Metz could not marry you are decended from the b*****d children of that relationship.

Mayors are not Royalty.

Do a little (very little will be taken) reaseardh into the brief time period you are looking at.

Answer 3

try genealogy online ro try and contact a country and see if they have a book of records online.

My partner is a viscount and directly related to 5 royal houses and another 6 thru marriage.

Thats how he found out his entire history line

Answer 4

Another member wrote, "As the Bishop of Metz could not marry you are decended from the b*****d children of that relationship."

It is true that the Catholic Church has historically required its bishops to be celibate (unmarried). But "celibate" means only "not currently married"; it need not mean "never married." By the time a man reaches his 40s, 50s, or 60s, he may be single, but he may _once_ have had a wife and children. It may be that the lady has died, leaving the husband a widower, and free either to remarry or to enter the Church.

In other cases, couples who have been married for a number of years have mutually agreed to separate in order to devote themselves to the Church.

Such was the case with Saint Arnulf of Metz (circa 580 - 640) who married the lady Doda, by whom he had two sons, Anseghisel and Clodulf. After some years, Arnulf and Doda chose to separate so that Doda might enter the convent and Arnulf was appointed Bishop of Metz in 611.

In an age with few schools and little access to books or other means of education or communication, it was customary that the children of the nobility were sent to live away from home in places where they might receive an education and make contacts advantageous to their future careers. From the age of seven or so boys might live in a monastery where they would be educated; they might also live with various noble relatives and friends in whose homes they would be expected to learn the courtly and military arts as well as the art of government.

Arnulf and Doda's son Clodulf later served as Bishop of Metz, while Anseghisel was in the service of the State. He became the father of Pepin of Heristal, the founder of the Carlovingian dynasty.