THE FAME OF THE NAME OF VENABLES

11th century. The creation of the Fief of Venables dates from 1018; during the transfer to the bishopric of Beauvais of certain personal property that Roger de Beauvais (1002-1022) owned on the Madriacensis pagus (currently Plateau de Madrie).

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In 1055/1058 Gilbert received the fief of Venables. In 1066 Gilbert and his neighbors Hugues and Guillaume de la Mare enlisted in the army of Duke William the Conqueror to conquer England.

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For their good and loyal services, and following the Duke's promises, they will be endowed with lands in the County of Cheshire attributed to Hugues d'Avranches. Gilbert will make his home there. William de la Mare dies during the Battle of Hasting, his brother Hugues will be named Hugh of Delamere(1) .

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In 1901, Dorothy Mary Faith Venables was the first known person to visit the village where she met the Lambert family with whom she corresponded. These letters are now part of the CCGVenables archives.

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In 1972, a distant descendant of Gilbert,Robert Venables coming from England, stopped in the village. He meets the mayor at the time who introduces him to Bernard Oger.

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In 1975,Steve Venables, coming from California (USA), in turn discovered the village. All these successive visits mean that Bernard Oger, passionate about the history of his village, discovers that there are other families who bear the name of the village. A name that has been perpetuated throughout history and throughout the world.

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In 1986, Bernard Oger decides to create the first convention of Venables families. Since this great adventure which will take place every five years bringing together the Venables families for a few days. To date, more than 4,800 people spread across five continents bear the name “Venables”.

 

1)"Normans at Middlewich and Venables" by Tim Strickland and Patrick Lequette:   (ISBN 09876544332)