The Seneschals of Dol

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The Seneshals of Dol were the dapifers (French for stewards), a powerful Breton family from the village of Dol, near Mont-Sant-Michel on the northern coast of France. When William of Normandy attacked and conquered Britain at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Alan FitzFlaald, heir of the Dapifer line, was listed as one of his companions. As such, Alan was given a grant of land at Oswestry at Shropshire. A few years later, the course of history took some peculiar turns, leading David, Prince of the Cumbrians, to become King of Scotland. The "Dapifer" family, being loyal to King David, were granted the title "Steward, " along with substantial grants of lands and castles. Alan's son Walter became the first High Steward of Scotland. Eventually his grandson Walter (the third High Steward) took on the surname Stewart, which has been used in various spellings until the present day. This volume traces some of the prominent members of the Stewart family through the ages. It begins with one of the first settlers in Massachusetts Bay Colony, and ends with his descendant, the author of this volume. The subtitle "Histories and Mysteries" gives the reader an idea of the content, which is largely fictional, though always "factual fiction." Delving into the past, especially where that past is not well documented, often turns up strange contradictions. In this volume, the author attempts to rectify those differences, and wherever possible, to propose possible solutions to historical enigmas, especially where the written record is silent. Even if the written record speaks, it has been the intent of the author to provide possible reasons why events unfolded as they did. Keeping in mind that "it takes two to tango, " a good half of this tome is dedicated to the "better half" of the Stewarts, that is, the women whom they married. Readers may be surprised to find connections that hitherto seemed impossible.