Since ancient times, a dramatic pattern has repeated: civilizations rise, prosper, and then decline into chaos. In The Le Strange Tapestry: Weaving through European History with One Notable Family by Robert Strange, we explore one thousand years of this epic cycle through the eyes of a single, resilient family-the Le Strange. The journey begins before Rome, among the Celtic and Frankish warrior cultures, and follows the family's ancestors as they emerge from the turmoil of the Dark Ages and Viking invasions.
From stewards in Brittany to key players in the Norman Conquest, the Le Strange family rose to become powerful Marcher Lords on the turbulent Welsh border. Their story provides a unique and personal perspective on the great events of the era: the signing of Magna Carta, the endless wars against the Welsh and Scots, and the Crusades.
We then witness how the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death tore the fabric of feudalism apart, following the family through the decline of its baronial lines and the survival of cadet branches who transitioned into the gentry and merchant classes. This is a panoramic view of life, war, faith, and survival across a millennium.
This book blends genetics, climate, politics, and more. This holistic approach relives ancient and medieval Europe's rise and fall with relatable, cross-disciplinary stories. Perfect for readers passionate about family origins and European history.
Autorentext
Robert P. Strange has been combing the archives for decades, building on a family tradition of investigating how their forebears experienced - and contributed to - history. Robert grew up on an equestrian farm, training and selling hunters and open jumpers. After serving as an officer in the Air Force, he developed a career as a Professional Civil Engineer in the United States, Europe and Japan, then served the V.A. as Senior Engineer in charge of all historic Civil War facilities. He lived and worked for years in Europe, touring the regions he writes about, conducting research on his family origins and the context in which they evolved.
Robert Strange is a member of the Stewart Society headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. His published articles include "Le Stranges, Fitzalans and Stewarts: Shared Origins," The Stewart Society Magazine 26, no. 4, 2023; and "The Eleventh Century Hereditary Stewards of the Archbishop of Dol, Brittany: Historical Impact of Their Descendant Le Strange Family on Medieval England." New England Journal of History, Fall 2024, Vol. 81, No. 1.