Le Strange Descendants

Hunstanton, Norfolk, Descendants

Are there any le Strange descendants living today? Yes, the direct descendants are owners of the Hunstanton Estate. Their legacy has descended 32 generations of grandchildren since Ralph fitz Herluin in 1086. Or 31 generations from Roland le Strange who introduced the surname.

Shropshire, Knockin, Descendants

The same branch expanded it’s fiefs and holdings, upon relocating to Shropshire in the 12th century. Their main residence was a fortified residence or castle, located in the small village of Knockin (Knokyn) near Oswestry. Their Baronial title, through marriage was absorbed by the Stanley Earls of Derby and meant that they swapped their castle for stately homes.

By the 1540’s Knockin Castle was said to have been left in a state of ruin. In 1496 a palatial medieval residence built by the Earl had 18 towers, and a tall central one known as Eagle Tower. This was the impressive original medieval Lathom House.

Baroness Joan le Strange 1463-1514 married Sir George Stanley  (Earl of Derby). She was the daughter of Jacquetta Woodville (sister-in-law to King Edward IV) and her Father was Baron John Le Strange, of Knockin (1444–1479). He was Knighted in Westminster Abbey at the Coronation of Edward IV, and Joan appears to be one of the last le Stranges who may have resided at Knockin Castle.

Her parents Jaquetta and John were buried at St. John the Baptist Church, Hillingdon which contains “the oldest most celebrated memorial (CH50 brass relief carving on a slab of marble, made in 1509). The slab was once the Tomb lid of John, 8th Lord Strange, Baron of Knokyn and Jacquetta his wife.

The title ‘Baron Strange’ outlived the ruined Castle by many centuries; originally falling into obeyance in 1594 on the death of Ferdinand (13th Lord Stanley, 5th Earl Derby) whose wife, Alice Spencer of Althorpe survived him.