Richard de Sourdeval

Sewerby Hall, Yorkshire - Photo © James Cridland, June 1999

The scigneurs de Sourdeval were a branch of the house of Verdun and took the name of La Moigne in Normandy. Richard de Sourdeval accompanied the count of Mortain to the conquest, having come from Sourdeval-la-Barre, near the town of Mortain. He held in capite fifty-five manors, chiefly in Yorkshire, from the aforesaid earl. It was probably his brother Robert de Sourdeval who went with Mark Bohemond, prince Tarentum, eldest son of Robert Guiscard, to the Holy Land on the first Crusade. Richard does not appear to have been a benefactor to the church and probably died soon after the survey, for, in the reign of William Rufus, some of his manors were vested in Ralph Painel in the right of his wife, Matilda, who was probably the sole heiress of Richard. The family continued in England for several centuries. --(This name appears on the Falaise Roll).

Before the conquest the manor of Sewerby was owned by Carle and Torchil. After the conquest the manor passed into the hands of Robert, Count of Mortain. In 1088 Robert's lands were confiscated and it is possible that Robert's under-tenant, Richard de Surdeval, assumed the name de Sywardby at this time. The de Sywardby's aquired numerous lands around Sewerby and further strengthened their position through marriage with the de Martons and de Bucktons. Around 1414, William de Sywardby built a chapel in the grounds of the manor house, Sewerby Hall, as a means of avoiding taxes. He claimed the building was for the pupose of drying herring. Sewerby remained in the possesion of the Sywardby's for nearly 400 years.