THURSTAN BASSET

In the Conqueror's survey, Thurstan, a Norman, held six hides of land in Drayton, co. Stafford, and this Thurstan, according to Dugdale, was eternal ancestor of the several families of Basset, which rose into power and distinction very shortly after the Conquest. Ralph Basset, the illustrious founder of their greatness, is said (Ordericus Vitalis) to have been raised by Henry I. from a lowly condition, and to have been "exalted above earls and other eminent men." True it is he was constituted Justice of England, and invested with the power of sittin in whatever court he pleased, and were he might list, for the administration of justice; but it is not equally certain that he was of so humble an origin, for we find his son, in the reign of Stephen, "abounding in wealth, and erecting a strong castle upon some part of his inheritance in Normandy." The son having such an heritable property, would clearly indicate that the family was of importance in the Dukedom, prior to the conquest of England, and strongly supports the assertion of the Battell Abbey Roll, that its patriarch in this country came over with the Conqueror. It is not, however, of much consequence, for Ralph Basset required none of the artificial aide of ancestry to attain distinction. A law-giver, a statesman, and an unsullied judge, he had within himself powers sufficient at any period to reach the goal of honour, but particularly in the rude age in which he lived. Of his descendants, we may enumerate the Lords Basset of Weldon, the Lords Basset of Drayton, the Lords Basset of Sapcoate, the Bassets of Umberleigh, in Devon, and the Bassets of Tehidy.

--(This name appears on the Battle Abbey roll)