ANCIENT NORMANDY FIEF DE BLONDEL
A LEGAL FIEF OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS - BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY - A CROWN
DEPENDENCY OF THE DUKE OF NORMANDY ! A 1,000 Year Old Fief Tradition
!
" THE SEIGNEUR OF FIEF THOMAS
BLONDEL
ET FIEF DE
L'EPERONS "Est. 1020AD
Greetings from the Ancient Lords, Dames and
Seigneurs of Private Fief Blondel Est. 1179 - "Le Seigneurs de la Fief Thomas Blondel & Fief de L'Eperons
including Fief Bouvée Duquemin in Torteval
On July 16th 2024 - The Guernsey Feudal Lords paid
homage to King Charles III in French. We thank His majesty the King for the Crown's mutual
recognitions. We would like to thank Seigneur de Sausmarez for paying official homage for all of the
fiefs and Seigneurs and Dames of Guernsey in July 2024. This effectively allowed the Seigneurs and the
King to acknowledge each others ancient legal rights officially receiving or maintaining their Titles
and Styles Directly from the King. Mr De Sausmarez said: "I’ve been very privileged to be chosen to
represent all the Seigneurs en Chefs to do homage to His Majesty King Charles. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/crgkldkgznxt?page=2
The Seigneur of Fief Blondel wishes King Charles
III "The Duke of Normandy" and the Queen a Great Thanks for visiting the people and Seigneurs and
Dames of Guernsey. King and Queen to
visit Guernsey next month July 2024 | Guernsey Press
The Fief of Thom. Blondel is One of the Last Great Private Fiefs of Normandy registered
directly with the Crown's Royal Courts in Her Majesty's Crown Dependencies.
This is one of the last Fiefs in Europe to be privately owned with Beaches and Foreshores and Seasteds including
international Waters.
Fiefs became well known during the Kingdom of the Franks with Carl the Great also known
as Charlemagne (crowned Emperor in 800 AD) With the partition of the Frankish Kingdom, West Francia became the home
to Normandy and Guernsey Channel Islands or "Îles de Normandie".
Fiefdom In
feudalism, a fiefdom (also called a fief, feud, feoff, or fee) was a property or right that an overlord,
seigneur or Lehnsherr (sometimes granted directly from a King or Queen) gave a vassal in exchange for fealty or
service. This property, of whatever size, could be inherited by the Lord's heirs.
Some Fiefs are Free Fiefs registered directly from the Sovereign such as this ancient Norman
Fief. The Lords of the Guernsey fiefs were originally all:
" liberi homines " and " franc-tenans
", free men, or free tenants. In other parts of Scandanivia, Frankonia, Germania, the name is Free
Lord, Free Tenant, or Feudal Lord.
Friherre af Fief Blondel, Kanaløyer Est. 1179 - "R.Frhr." or "RFrhr."
History of the Viking Norman Seigneur &
Fiefdoms
481–843 Kingdom of the
Franks (Latin: Regnum Francorum), Frankish Kingdom, Frankland or Frankish Empire - Merovingian rise and decline,
481–687; Clovis's sons; Chlothar; Francia split into Neustria, Austrasia, and Burgundy; Rule of Chlothar II;
Dagobert I; Dominance of the mayors of the palace, 687–751; Death of Pepin; Umayyad invasion; Carolingian empire,
751–840; Divided empire, after 840
843–987AD - Kingdom of the
West Franks - The Channel Islands were held by Frankish Kings until Rollo the Viking conquered Normandy in
911AD
911AD - ROLLO the
VIKING - The Norse Channel Islands of France's Normandy were conquered by the Vikings before
911AD. As a concession to the invaders, Fiefs of the Channel Islands begin with the Grants by King Charles the
Simple. In 912, Charles the Simple, King of France, ceded to Rollo, the great Norwegian Viking Chieftain, the
province of Neustria, now called Normandy, and Rollo became the first duke of that province. On his baptism and
marriage with Gisele, daughter of Charles, he also received Brittany, for which Juhael Berengier, Earl of Rennes,
did him homage.
911AD.
The Great Viking Chief Rollo Göngu-Hrólfr or Gaange Rolf is first Seigneur of
Normandy. Chief Rollo was a Viking Warrior who became the first
ruler of Normandy, a region of France. He is sometimes called the 1st Duke of Normandy and speculations point to
Denmark as Rollo's birth place. Guernsey, second largest of the Channel Islands. It is 30 miles (48 km) west of
Normandy, France, and roughly triangular in shape. With Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, and associated islets, it
forms the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The reigning Queen or King of England is still known as the "Duke of Normandy" to
all those in the Channel Islands. This fief was held directly from the Crown which would imply that the title
appying to the Fief Blondel during the Norman Age was Reichsfriherre. The common Dane/Germanic acronym for
"Reichsfreiherr" is "R.Frhr." or "RFrhr." for short.
During
the 9th century A.D., Norman invaders hailing from Scandinavia descended upon the northwestern shores of France.
Settling primarily along the lower reaches of the River Seine, they bestowed upon the region its enduring moniker:
Normandy, aptly named as the land of the Northmen. Through a series of conquests and raids, they gradually expanded
their sway, seizing Rouen in 841 and conducting further incursions along the Seine valley up to Paris. The
indigenous Franks found it challenging to stem the Norman tide, leading to a pivotal agreement in 911 between
Charles the Simple, King of the West Franks, and Rollo, the Norman leader. This accord saw the King relinquishing
territory around Rouen to the Normans, recognizing Rollo as Duke of Normandy in exchange for fealty. However, the
Cotentin peninsula and the Channel Islands remained beyond Norman control until Rollo's successor, William
Longsword, integrated them into his domain in 933. Thereafter, the Channel Islands became an integral part of the
Duchy of Normandy, evidencing Norman administrative and legal influence that endured through the ages.
Ecclesiastically, the islands fell under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Coutances, while legally, they
constituted the domain of the Norman Dukes, who granted estates as fiefs to monasteries and
nobles.
933AD the islands were granted to William I Longsword by Rudolph, also known
as Rudolph of France or Rudolph I. He reigned from 923 to 936, the King of West Francia, and annexed to the Duchy
of Normandy
1020AD - The Fief de Blondel or Fiefdom of Thomas Blondel came about through
the medieval fragmentation of Fief Au Canelly and consequently, of the initial half of Guernésiais or Guernsey
given by Duke Richard II in 1020 to Neel, Vicomte of the Cotentin.
Fief Blondel was part of Fief Canelly and Fief of the Cotentin
of Torteval and Fief of Bessin ( or Bayeux ) which was in St. Pierre-du-Bois, and Blondel may have had territory in
the Fief of Ansquetil.. Thus, Blondel is one of the only fiefs which has territory in all of the great
fiefs.
The holders of the
property title of the Fief Blondel territory were Counts or Viscounts of Contentin and Bessin.
The definition of a vicomte is a French nobleperson, ranked just above a baron. This fief Blondel was held directly
from the Crown which would imply that the title appying to the Fief Blondel during the Norman Age was
Reichsfriherre. The common Dane/Germanic acronym for "Reichsfreiherr" is "R.Frhr." or "RFrhr." for
short.
In 1066, William the Conqueror mandated Norman Feudal Tenure
into England and the Channel Islands and divided it up into 700+ baronies or fiefs. The Lord Barons were called
Seigneurs Normands who were part of the new Kingdom of William the Conqueror.
In 12th Century Kingdom of France, the term baronnie or Baron was generally
applied to all lords or seigneurs possessing an important fief, but laterin
the
13th century the title of Baron meant that the holder
held his Fief directly from the Crown and was thus more important
than a count since counts were typically vassals. Several Knightly Orders were created - Order of the Genet 726AD - Order of the Star 1022AD - Order of the Thistle of Bourbon 1370AD. These three orders are still maintained by the Seigneur of Fief
Blondel
AD
1179 - We find Legal Reference of Lord Seigneur of Thomas Blondel, a noble fief, in a charter
of 1179AD when he is witnessing a grant to St. Michael's Mount. He is Robert Malmarchie (Thomas
Blondel).
1204
AD - Fief Blondel and other Ancient Fiefs were Forfeited to the Crown with separation of
Guernsey from France and Normandy and given to loyal Seigneurs and Dames who were Feudal Lords to the Sovereign of
the UK Crown.
1200's AD - The Parish of St. Andrew in which Thomas Blondel lies contained a
group of four late 12 century ecclesiastical Fiefs, one held by the Bishop of Countances, the second held by the
Abbot of Cormery, Tours, the third held by the Abbot of La Croix St. Lewfroy, Evreux, and the fourth held by the
Abbess of Trinity, Caen. The Fief Thomas Blondel derives its name, as we have already observed from the family
of
Malmarcher or Malmarchy who are
recorded in the charters as existing in Guernsey in the 12th Century. Today, The region of The Fief de Thomas Blondel lies in both St Pierre du Bois (St. Peter of the Wood) and of the Parish of Notre Dame de
Torteval along with the Blondel Dependency Fief de l'Eperon of
Torteval Parish of the Island of
Guernsey.
In 1270,
on the death of Sir Henry Le Canelly, the great Guernsey fief Fief Au
Canelly was divided between his daughters. Guilemette, the wife of Henry de Saint Martin obtained a
considerable part of the island originating the Fiefs of Janin Besnard, Jean du Gaillard, Guillot Justice and Fief
Thomas Blondel. This was confirmed by the tenants and officers of the Fief in letters patent issued by Guernsey's
Royal Court under the Bailiwick Seal in 1463. The original noble, Thomas Blondel was a jurat of Guernsey’s Royal
Court from 1421-45. The Blondel family has given several jurats to the island. Later the Columbines and Fiotts were
the holders of the title. For a time, the rights over the Fief were divided in two.
In 12th Century Kingdom of France, the term baronnie or Baron
was generally applied to all lords or seigneurs possessing an important fief, but later in the
13th century the title of Baron meant that the holder
held his Fief directly from the Crown and was thus more important
than a count since counts were typically vassals.
-
France Held Guernsey
1338-1345 - The islands were invaded by the French in 1338, who held some territory
until 1345.
-
Edward III of England granted a Charter in July 1341 to Jersey, Guernsey,
Sark and Alderney, confirming their customs and laws to secure allegiance to the English
Crown.
-
1378 Guernsey Charter Liberties and
Tax Treatment - The young King Richard II of England reconfirmed in 1378 the
Charter rights granted by his grandfather, followed in 1394 with a second Charter granting, because of
great loyalty shown to the Crown, exemption for ever, from English tolls, customs and
duties
A 1440 Record of the Fiefdom Deed of the Fief of Thomas
Blondel which the deed is still at University Leeds, shows the parishes
of St Peter of the Wood and Torteval, Guernsey, made by Janet Blondel to Thomas de la Court. attested by Jean
Bonamy and Jacques Guille, jurats. According to the Deed, the Fief Blondel further
includes the: Fief Blondel territory in the parishes of St Pierre du Bois (St. Peter of the Wood) and of Notre Dame
de Torteval along with the Fief de l'Eperon of Torteval, the Bouvée Phlipot Pain, lying in the
said parish of St Pierre duBois, and the Bouvée Torquetil and Bouvée Bourgeon lying in the said parish of
Torteval.
SEE DIGITAL FIEF MAP
1848 - French Nobility and
Titles are eliminated while the Fief Seigneurs of Guernsey continue to exist under Ancient
British Norman Laws.
1919 - Nobility eliminated
in Germany and Austria. Since 1919 nobility is no longer legally recognized in Germany. Under
the Law on the Abolition of Nobility, Austria eliminated its noble classes in 1919. However in Guernsey, the
ancient property titles of Fief Seigneur or Free Lord of a Fief continued to exist.
A few of these Guernsey fiefs are still registered directly with
the Crown where a treizième or conge was paid in Royal Court to Her Majesty. A lawyer must be hired to
register the fief in French. Conge is
part of the feudal past when a due (representing one thirteenth of the property price) was charged on the property
changing hands and was paid to the Seigneur of the fief upon which the property sat. It remains due and payable to
the Receiver General in respect of the conveyance of fiefs. The owners of Fiefs maintain the legal right to be styled with the ancient title
of: Seigneur or Dame.
Today, there are roughly only 24 private lords left in
Guernsey totaling 46 fief lordships surviving in this ancient feudal system , except
that two of these 46 seigneuries are indivision between several owners. It appears that only 15 or so
Private Fiefs own Beachfront, Foreshore and Maritime Rights. These may be the last privately
owned maritime port Fiefs in the world.
In the case of the Fief Blondel, the fee was paid by the
Seigneur of Fief Blondel directly to the Crown of the United Kingdom. There may be only a few legally recognized
feudal fiefs in the world left at this time which are legally allowed or directly registered with a Sovereign King
or Queen.
The Noble Fief of Blondel is one of the island's few
"private fiefs" or" feudal titles" not held by the King and Queen.
The Feudal Lord's of Blondel - Approx. Chronology of
Free-Lords who Held the Norman Title.
-
1st Count of Normandy -The Viking Seigneur Duke
Rollo 911AD
( C
omes Normanniae
) - Feudal Duke & Lord - Great Viking Chief Rollo
Göngu-Hrólfr or Gaange Rolf - Le Seigneur of the Noble Fief including Fief Blondel a Norman
Freeholder Lord of property, region, and land rights over small palatinates. Also known in Northern, Viking, & Scandanavian Countries as:
Free Lord - Friherre - The Fief Thomas Blondel
-
2nd Seigneur - 933AD - Siegneur
Ranulf Fitz Anhetil & Duke Robert the Magnificent
- As
far as Guernsey is concerned, Siegneur Ranulf Fitz Anhetil, Viscount of Bessin, was part of the Norman Court of Duke Robert
the Magnificent [an heir of Rollo] when the latter took possession of the Channel Islands in 933.
Anhetil was appointed to rule over the northern fief in Guernsey comprising the parishes of the
Vale, Catel, St. Saviour and St. Pierre du Bois.
-
3rd
Seigneur 1032
AD - Seigneur Monastery of Mont St. Michel - In 1032 this fief was passed over to the Monastery of Mont St. Michel but
was restored to the
-
4th Seigneur
1042 - Viscount Ranulf de
Briquessart, in
1042.
-
5th Seigneur and
Duke - William, Duke of Normandy
1066
(Viscount or C
omes Normanniae
)
-
6th Seigneur or Count -
Vicomte de Cotentin - Néel de Saint-Sauveur was also known as: (Niel, Nigel) II (III)
de Saint-Saveur, Vicomte de Cotentin born in 1016 and died around
1073.
-
7th Seigneur of Blondel - Geoffrey Count of Anjou - Geoffrey Plantagenet and Princess Mitilda 1145-1150
- According to Seigneur Lenfesty, Count Anjou granted the guernsey fiefs the title or status of "Free
Tenants" or Free Lords which have the status of Barons when baron titles were later
introduced.
-
8th Seigneur -
Abbots of the Famous Mont St. Michel
-
9th Seigneur- King John Duke of
Normandy - 1204/5AD - Separation of
Guernsey from Normandy, The loss of Normandy by King John in 1204 isolated the Channel Islands from
mainland Europe where up to today, Guernsey is an independent crown dependency. Self governing
but loyal to the Crown of England
-
10th Seigneur - King Henry 1254
AD -
-
11th Seigneur Edward I - In 1254 Henry granted the Islands to his son, the future Edward I, but at the
same time stipulated that the Islands were never to be separated from the English
Crown.
-
12th Seigneur of the Fief Blondel and
(Feudal-Free-Lord) The Family Le Canelly until
1270 - Fief Blondel and other Fiefs are Forfeited to
the Crown with separation from Normandy and given to loyal Seigneurs and
Dames.
-
13th Seigneur or Dames - In
1270AD , on the death
of Sir Henry Le Canelly, the large
Guernsey fief "Fief Au Canelly" or 'Le Kenele' was divided between his
daughters. Guilemette, the wife of
de Saint Martin obtained a considerable part of the island
which originated the fiefs of Janin Besnard, Jean du Gaillard, Guillot Justice and Thomas
Blondel.
-
-
The Assize Rolls of 1309 and 1320, and a deed at Warwick
Castle throw light on this last entry, as they show that Drouet de St Martin had
married Dame
Guilemette, and Thomas de
Vic, Dame
Lucie, daughters
and
co-heiresses of Sir Henry Le Canelly, Knight, Seigneur of Le Canelly, an important Guernsey manor which
stretched over part of the parishes of Torteval, St Peter-in-the-Wood and St
Saviour.
-
At the Assizes held in Guernsey, 1309, The de St Martin
brothers declared that Henry de St Martin and Avice de Vic held the inheritance of 'Le
Kenele' or Fief Cannely between them in the parishes of Torteval and St Peter-in-the-Wood,
suit of court, the right of chase and court of their tenants. This inheritance passed in
moiety to the Fief Blondel and other fiefs within Fief Cannely
-
14th Seigneur of Fief Blondel -
Sir William De
Chesney 1284- Sir William De Chesney
is named as the Seigneur of the Fief Thomas Blondel
in 1284 AD which is 740 years
ago
that this noble feudal fief has existed under the direct relationship with the Crown of
England.
-
15th Lord Seigneur
- Thomas Blondel 1421-1440 and later Le Dame Janet Blondel and Blondel Family until 1440.
Thomas Blondel was born in 1422 in Guernsey. His father was Guillaume Blondel, of La Perelle.
Thomas Blondel's son Nicholas BLONDEL is listed in some websites as the Seigneur of: (Fief
Thos. Blondel of Fief Canelly). A John Blondel was bailiff of Guernsey in
1483.
-
16th 1440 - Seigneur of Fief Blondel -
Sieur Thomas De La Court under the protection of Prince & Duke of Gloucester, Lord of the
Islands at the time. Seigneur De La
Court purchased: fief Thomas Blondel and Fiefs de
l'Eperon lying in the said parish of Torteval and likewise all and such seigneuries, dignities,
liberties, graces and franchises as to the aforesaid fiefs and each of them attach and belong with a
certain dinner which the said Jenete takes and owns annually for an estate of inheritance, she claims,
on the fief of the Prior of Lihou. De La Court was the
Bailiff of the Island 2 times.
-
1481 - Papal Bull in 1481 directed against attacks on the islanders that had the effect, beneficial to
trade, of making Guernsey protected by the Vatican .
-
17th 1595 Lord Dame
Marie de La Court
-
18th Seigneur of Fief Blondel -
George S. Le Couteur Freeholder-Feudal-Lord &
Friherre/Freiherr) , Seigneur of Fief Thomas Blondel
-
19th 1644 Lord Seigneur
Guilliume De Beauvoir and heirs
Pierre Beauvoir and Pierre Fiott
-
20th 1775 - Seigneur Thomas de
Guille
-
21st Lord Seigneurs or Freeholder-Feudal-Lord
& Friherre or Freiherr) Seigneur Daniel Hardy & Le Dame
Marie Guille in the 1700's until year 1800.
-
22nd Lord - Seigneur Pierre Robillard of
Maison de Pleinmont, Torteval, was the Seigneur of Fief de Thomas Blondel. The rights over the Fief
again joined during the XIX century as shown in documents of 11/10/1800 (Reg Tome 26, p 420) and
19/05/1798 - Pierre Robilliard obtained the Fief from Daniel Hardy & Marie Guille.
1800 "Monsieur
Pierre Robilliard, Seigneur des fiefs Thomas Blondel,
Guillot Justice, Bouvee du Quemin, et fief La Cour Ricard
-
23rd Seigneur 1901 - Nicholas Le
Huray of Pleinmont
-
24th Seigneur - Mr. George S. Le
Couteur 1921
bought and became Seigneur of fief Thomas Blondel. Some other minor fiefs may have
remained to Dame Mary Robilliard, wife of M. Le P. Coquierre, and so passed to their daughter, Miss Le
Coquierre.
-
German Socialist
Empire - Fief Blondel, Guernsey, occupied by
Military WarLords of Germany, 1940-1945.
-
25th Seigneur ( Count Julio Emilio Marco Franco of
Spain ) The rights of Fief Thomas Blondel acquired from Le Couteur Family by (Count & Seigneur Dr. Marcov of Spain)
from Sept. 2000 until December of 2017.
-
26th
Free Lord & Seigneur - Commissioner & Counselor Dr./Jur George Mentz JD
MBA, KSG, D.M.S.M.K.D., Seigneur
of Fief of Blondel et L'Epersons ) on the island of
(Dgèrnésiais - Guernsey French)
in Dec. 2017, the rights of the Private Fief of Thomas Blondel were
acquired by George Mentz, Esq of the United States. Acquired by conveyance and payment of: Duty, Treizième & Congé, and
Jurats fee, and Fief Permission Fees to the HM/Crown and Receiver General, HM Clerk Greffier and Courts
** Mentz is an international advocate lawyer
who studied  Common, Civil and French/Latin Law who has a keen interest in maintaining the
Feudal Courts of the Fief Blondel because it is one of the oldest feudal courts in the
world. Mentz is also the titular feudal Lord Baron of
Ancient Longford-Westmeath in Ireland through acquisition from the original sale from Earl and
Lord Westmeath. The Seigneur of the Fief of Thomas Blondel also holds the ancient
Fief of Spurs or The Fief à Eperon as a dependency. George Mentz, Seigneur of Fief
de Blondel (A Norman Fief) is a direct descendant of William the Conqueror and Rollo the Viking,
1st Duke of Normandy. Mentz traces his roots from the McConnells to the Flemings, Ker, Drummond
Campbell and Stewart Families. From there up to the Kings and Queens of England to the
Plantagenets. George Mentz is also a direct descendent of Henry V The Blondell (1216 –
24 December 1281) The Count of Luxembourg - The Counts of Luxembourg are descendents of the
Count of Arlon and Dukes of Limburg which was a dynasty in present day Belgium and
Luxembourg.
-
Mentz is The TLAS The Last American Seigneur
™ International
Advocate.
-
The Seigneury of the Fief of Blondel historically over the last 700 years
contains about seven
bouvées of land called the Bouvée Phlipot Pain, lying in the said parish of St Pierre
duBois, and the bouvées Torquetil and Bourgeon
along with the Fief de
l'Eperon lying in the
said parish of Torteval and likewise all and such
seigneuries, dignities, liberties, graces and franchises
as to the aforesaid fiefs and each of them attach and belong with a certain dinner
annually supplied by the fief of the Prior of Lihou.
Commissioner Mentz, Seigneur of Fief Blondel et Eperons at the Steps of the Fief Court at the Church
of St. Pierre Du Bois or St. Peter in the Wood - Mentz is the Lord Chancellor of the WAC
Worldwide Anglican Church ( Anglican Orthodox Church )
2017 to Present Day - The Goverment's Court of
Chief
Pleas is an ancient Court and is constituted in the
same way as a Full Court. Nowadays it will typically sit only once per year. It is attended by the Full Court, the
Law Officers of the Crown, Advocates and the Fief Seigneurs and Bordiers owing suit to the Court. The Feudal Lords
of the Fief are recognized directly by registration with the crown and royal courts. Many esteemed lawyers and
officers are in attendance each year at Michaelmas which is a Christian festival observed in some Western
liturgical calendars on 29 September. In some denominations a reference to a fourth angel, usually Uriel, is also
added. Michaelmas has been one of the four quarter days of the financial, judicial, and academic year. Michaelmas
annual Court in Guernsey is usually on the first Monday of October accompained by government meetings, roll calls,
traditional march parade, and dinner of legal, governmental, and feudal dignitaries.
Commissioner Dr. Mentz, Seigneur of Fief Blondel attending
Chief Pleas
Fief Blondel Territory - Free Lords and
Counts
The Fief territory itself is spread over areas in the parishes of St. Pierre-du-Bois
and Torteval and contains within it ancient buildings, beachfront, foreshore, ocean access, & port lands of the
island. The private Fief Blondel may be one of the few Legal Fiefs in the World that does not require or demand
annual or periodic fealty or oaths to and from the Crown. Thus, it is an independent and free fiefdom and one of
the oldest surviving fiefs and lordships in the world. The Lord of a Channel Island Fief would be called a Seigneur
or Dame or in other languages a Feudal Lord, Lehnsherr (Germanic), Friherre (Viking/Danish), or føydalherren
(Norwegian). As this free lordship direct from the Crown is Norman and predates typical baronial titles, it is one
of the most ancient fief titles in continuous use in the world. The term baron was not used or created until 1387
by Richard II when he created Baron of Kidderminster and in 1433, the second baron was created "Baron
Fanhope".
Ancient Feudal Court of Fief
Blondel
The Chief Pleas of the Seignorial court of Seigneurial court of
Fief Thomas Blondel were originally held annually at the mounting block or steps (perron) of the Church of St.
Pierre-du-Bois. Now the Cheif Pleas Annual Court is held at the Old Government House and is led by the Government
of Guernsey where all of the Seigneurs and Bordiers attend and make procession in the streets of Guernsey as they
have done for over hundreds of years.
The Fief Blondel is a private fief dating back to 1179 in the
Crown Holding Island of Guernsey where the owners of a fief directly from the Crown are called a Seigneur according to present
law.
Where is Fief
Blondel
Fief Blondel – is a feudal area of land for which residents once
paid fees or rendered services to the Lord Baron or Seigneur in return for the right to use the land in commerce.
The Free Fief Blondel is in two parishes or counties of
Torteval and St. Peter of the Wood. The Fief sits on the Eastern part of the island and includes areas in the
North, Central and South East Sections of the Island including: beach, woods, buildings, common areas, sacred
lands, and other commercial buildings and farm land along with potentially including small islands offshore of the
fiefs beach and foreshore. The Fief Blondel has foreshore in Roquaine Bay and Portelet Beach where " The Bissets "
Rock Islands are considered part of the Fief Thomas Blondel.
Historically, fiefs and small baronnies of land, were granted as
a form of over-lordship, giving the Free-Lord or Seigneurs the rights over the people and property on that land
under the ancient Northman/Norman feudal system.
Style of
Seigneur - As per the The Feudal Dues (Guernsey) Law, 1980 Style of Seigneur of a fief etc.
Section 4. The foregoing provisions of this Law shall be without prejudice –
(a) to the right of any person to use, in the case of a male person, the style of Seigneur and, in the case of a
female person, the style of Dame, of a fief,
(b) to the feudal relationship between Her Majesty and any person holding an interest in a private fief on or at
any time after the commencement of this Law, or to the feudal relationship between any person holding an interest
in any fief and any person holding an interest in a dependency of that fief, and
(c) to the right or obligation of any person by virtue of that person holding an interest in any fief which is not
a right to which those provisions apply or any obligation correlative thereto.
www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=71301&p=0
Most of the legal rights formerly enjoyed by the Seigneurs of
fiefs having been abolished by law in 1966 but international law and custom still pertains to the rights of
beaches, airwaves, underground, common areas, foreshore, and other rights such as hunting and
fishing.
A fief owner does register the title in an act of legal title
conveyance with Her Majesty's Receiver General much like the transfer of land rights, mineral rights or water
rights and the fief buyer pays special consideration of Treizième & Congé fees to the CROWN for the transfer
and rights. The Fief holder can be styled Seigneur (or Dame) du Fief de la .....
Generally speaking, the title is not normally used except in
formal settings. A fief, in legal theory, is held directly from the Crown. However, this fief does not owe homage
or any other services but does maintain rights to conduct customs and formalities such as creating
honorific Fief Officers and Courts or possibly representing the
Fief in any unclaimed area of law such as foreshore, airspace, seasted, ECS extended continental
shelf, airwaves, water rights, hunting and fishing rights
etc.
The International Court of Justice Addresses many issues of
Normandy, The English Crown, and ownership of the Channel Island Fiefs in various
cases.
During the Dane and Viking expansion of 800-1100, Guernsey is
even mentioned in the Edda. Guernsey was subject to Brittany until 933 when they were added to the Duchy of
Normandy. Many of the Fiefs were owned by Norman Seigneurs and thus the fiefs of Guernsey are Norman titles. King
Philip declared the islands forfeited in 1204 to England and King John. In 1568 after being Catholic for hundreds
of years, Guernsey was attached to the diocese of Winchester England. The Bailiwick of Guernsey dats from about
1290 where there is a Lieutenant Governor and bailiff and royal court presiding for the Crown. Guernsey is not
bound by parliament unless specifically named.
English……... Free Lord
or Baron of Feudal Baron
French……… Sgr. Seigneur or Dame
Italian………. Seignor/Barone Baronessa
German……. Frhr. Freiherr Freifrau
Swedish……. Frhr. Friherre Friherrinna
Norwegian…. Frhr. Friherre Friherrinna
Dutch………. Frhr. Vrijheer Vrijvrouw
Danish……… Frhr. Friherre Friherreinde
One of the Oldest Noble Grants and Territories in Continuous Existence with Continous Crown Recognition -
Since 1179
Fief Blondel appears to be older than the Seigneurs of Monaco as the Grimaldi family settled in Monaco in 1297 and
Fief Blondel is also older than ancient Sheikhdom of Kuwait, Kingdom of Moscovy Russia 1362, Kingdom of Spain 1479,
Kingdom of Bohemia, Kingdom of Belgium. Fief Blondel may also be older than the Ottomon Empire, Habsburg Empire,
and the Kingdom of Lithuania.
The
Fief de Thomas Blondel
produced “
Livres de perchage
” in 1595, 1644, 1680, 1709, 1775, 1809, 1844, 1876, 1901, 1921 and 1968. The contents of the
“
Livres de perchage
” reveal something of the history of the properties of the Territory and Fief boundaries.
** The fiefs of Thomas Blondel, Guillot Justice, Bouvee Duquemin adn Cour Ricard total about 238/9 vergees in
Torteval and St. Peter in the Wood. They are parts of the ancient Fief au Canelly. In 1890 the Seigneur of Fief
Blondel was Pierre Robilliard (Pleinmont). His Brother T Robilliard (Pleinmont) held the Torteval Fiefs Duquemin,
Fief Guillot Justice and Fief Cour Riqua or Ricar. In the Livre de Percharge of Fief Thomas Blondel year 1968,
Bouvee Duquemin is included as part of Thomas Blondel again.
Order of the Genet -Order of the Start Est. 1022-Knights of the
Thistle of Bourbon
Description of the Lords of The European Fief of Blondel and Eperons - Est. 1179
Commissioner George Mentz is the Seigneur of the Fief Blondel & Eperons of Normandy which is an 800 year old
territory on the Norman Islands. From the great Viking Rollo to the present day of the rule of King Charles, these
islands have allowed feudal law and courts on the fiefs and island shores. The Fief Blondel and Eperons and its
Seigneur are registered directly with the Royal Courts of the Crown and The Duke of Normandy and King Charles. Much
like the Seigneurs of Monaco, the lords of French Andorra, Sovereign Gozo of Malta, the Sovereign Military Order of
Malta (SMOM), The Papal Monarch of the Vatican City, and The Lord of Sark, The ancient Fiefs in the Channel islands
are recognized by both nobility law and international law. Commissioner Dr. George Mentz was elevated as the 26th
Free Lord & Seigneur of Fief of Blondel et L'Epersons) on the island of (Dgèrnésiais - Guernsey French) in Dec.
2017. Mentz also registered the fief direct with the courts using the feudal legal system of Conge and Tresieme
which is the official way to transfer a fief from one noble leader or peer to another owner. The Fief of Thom.
Blondel is One of the Last Great Private Fiefs in Europe to be privately owned where the lord owns the Beaches,
Water, Foreshores and Seasteds including international Waters. In other local cultures, the free-lord Seigneur is
known as a Frhr. Friherre in Sweden, a Frhr. Vrijheer in Dutch, and a Frhr. Friherre in Denmark.
The Lords of Fief Blondel et Eperons appear to be older than the Seigneurs of Monaco as the Grimaldi family settled
in Monaco in 1297 and Fief Blondel is also older than ancient Sheikhdom of Kuwait, Kingdom of Moscovy Russia 1362,
Kingdom of Spain 1479, Kingdom of Bohemia, Kingdom of Belgium. Fief Blondel may also be older than the Ottoman
Empire, Habsburg Empire, and the Kingdom of Lithuania.
French: Le commissaire George Mentz est le seigneur du fief Blondel & Eperons de Normandie, un
territoire vieux de 800 ans situé sur les îles normandes. Du grand Viking Rollo jusqu'à l'époque actuelle du règne
du roi Charles, ces îles ont permis l'application du droit féodal et des tribunaux sur les fiefs et les côtes des
îles. Le fief Blondel et Eperons ainsi que son seigneur sont enregistrés directement auprès des Cours Royales de la
Couronne, du Duc de Normandie et du Roi Charles. Tout comme les seigneurs de Monaco, les seigneurs de la France,
Andorre, le Souverain Gozo de Malte, l'Ordre Souverain Militaire de Malte (SMOM), le Monarque Papal de la Cité du
Vatican et le Seigneur de Sark, les anciens fiefs des îles de la Manche sont reconnus à la fois par le droit de la
noblesse et par le droit international. Le commissaire George Mentz a été élevé au rang de 26ème Seigneur Libre et
Seigneur du fief de Blondel et L'Epersons) sur l'île de (Dgèrnésiais - français de Guernesey) en décembre 2017.
Mentz a également enregistré le fief directement auprès des tribunaux en utilisant le système juridique féodal de
Conge et Tresieme, qui est la manière officielle de transférer un fief d'un noble leader ou pair à un autre
propriétaire. Le fief de Thom. Blondel est l'un des derniers grands fiefs privés en Europe à être la propriété
privée où le seigneur possède les plages, l'eau, les rivages et les estrades maritimes, y compris les eaux
internationales. Dans d'autres cultures locales, le seigneur libre Seigneur est connu sous le nom de Frhr. Friherre
en Suède, un Frhr. Vrijheer en néerlandais, et un Frhr. Friherre au Danemark. Les seigneurs du fief Blondel et
Eperons semblent être plus anciens que les seigneurs de Monaco car la famille Grimaldi s'est installée à Monaco en
1297 et le fief Blondel est également plus ancien que l'ancien émirat du Koweït, le royaume de Moscovy Russie 1362,
le royaume d'Espagne 1479, le royaume de Bohème, le royaume de Belgique. Le fief Blondel pourrait également être
plus ancien que l'Empire ottoman, l'Empire des Habsbourg et le royaume de Lituanie.
German: Kommissar George Mentz ist der Seigneur des Fiefs Blondel & Eperons der Normandie, das
ein 800 Jahre altes Territorium auf den Normanneninseln ist. Von dem großen Wikinger Rollo bis zur heutigen Zeit
unter der Herrschaft von König Charles haben diese Inseln feudales Recht und Gerichte auf den Lehen und Inselküsten
ermöglicht. Das Fief Blondel und Eperons sowie sein Seigneur sind direkt bei den Königlichen Gerichten der Krone,
dem Herzog der Normandie und König Charles registriert. Ganz ähnlich wie die Seigneurs von Monaco, die Herren von
Frankreich, Andorra, dem Souveränen Gozo von Malta, dem Souveränen Militärorden von Malta (SMOM), dem päpstlichen
Monarchen des Vatikanstaats und dem Herrn von Sark werden die alten Lehen auf den Kanalinseln sowohl vom Adelsrecht
als auch vom Völkerrecht anerkannt. Kommissar Dr. George Mentz wurde im Dezember 2017 zum 26. Freien Herrn &
Seigneur des Fiefs von Blondel et L'Epersons) auf der Insel (Dgèrnésiais - Guernsey French) erhoben. Mentz
registrierte das Lehen auch direkt bei den Gerichten unter Verwendung des feudalen Rechtssystems von Conge und
Tresieme, das die offizielle Art und Weise ist, ein Lehen von einem adligen Führer oder Peer auf einen anderen
Eigentümer zu übertragen. Das Fief von Thom. Blondel ist eines der letzten großen privaten Lehens in Europa, das
privat besessen ist, wo der Herr die Strände, das Wasser, die Küsten und die Meeresstädte einschließlich der
internationalen Gewässer besitzt. In anderen lokalen Kulturen ist der freie Herr Seigneur als Frhr. Friherre in
Schweden, ein Frhr. Vrijheer im Niederländischen und ein Frhr. Friherre in Dänemark bekannt. Die Herren des Fiefs
Blondel et Eperons scheinen älter zu sein als die Seigneurs von Monaco, da sich die Familie Grimaldi 1297 in Monaco
niederließ und das Fief Blondel auch älter ist als das alte Scheichtum Kuwait, das Königreich Moscovy Russland
1362, das Königreich Spanien 1479, das Königreich Böhmen, das Königreich Belgien. Das Fief Blondel könnte auch
älter sein als das Osmanische Reich, das Habsburgerreich und das Königreich Litauen.
Italian: Il commissario George Mentz è il signore del Feudo Blondel & Eperons della Normandia,
un territorio di 800 anni situato nelle isole normanne. Dal grande vichingo Rollo ai giorni nostri sotto il regno
di Re Carlo, queste isole hanno permesso l'applicazione della legge feudale e dei tribunali sui feudi e sulle coste
delle isole. Il Feudo Blondel ed Eperons e il suo signore sono registrati direttamente presso i Tribunali Reali
della Corona, il Duca di Normandia e Re Carlo. Molto simili ai signori di Monaco, i signori della Francia, Andorra,
il Sovrano Gozo di Malta, il Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta (SMOM), il Monarca Papale della Città del Vaticano e
il Signore di Sark, gli antichi Feudi delle isole del Canale sono riconosciuti sia dalla legge nobiliare che dal
diritto internazionale. Il commissario Dr. George Mentz è stato elevato al rango di 26° Signore Libero &
Signore del Feudo di Blondel et L'Epersons) nell'isola di (Dgèrnésiais - Guernsey French) nel dicembre 2017. Mentz
ha anche registrato il feudo direttamente presso i tribunali utilizzando il sistema giuridico feudale di Conge e
Tresieme, che è il modo ufficiale per trasferire un feudo da un nobile leader o pari a un altro proprietario. Il
Feudo di Thom. Blondel è uno degli ultimi grandi feudi privati in Europa a essere di proprietà privata, dove il
signore possiede le spiagge, l'acqua, le rive e le città marittime, comprese le acque internazionali. In altre
culture locali, il Signore libero Seigneur è conosciuto come Frhr. Friherre in Svezia, un Frhr. Vrijheer in
olandese e un Frhr. Friherre in Danimarca. I Signori del Feudo Blondel et Eperons sembrano essere più antichi dei
Signori di Monaco, poiché la famiglia Grimaldi si stabilì a Monaco nel 1297 e il Feudo Blondel è anche più antico
dell'antico sceicco del Kuwait, del Regno di Moscovia Russia 1362, del Regno di Spagna 1479, del Regno di Boemia,
del Regno del Belgio. Il Feudo Blondel potrebbe anche essere più antico dell'Impero Ottomano, dell'Impero degli
Asburgo e del Regno di Lituania.
Spanish: El comisionado George Mentz es el Señor del Feudo Blondel & Eperons de Normandía, un
territorio de 800 años en las Islas Normandas. Desde el gran vikingo Rollo hasta la actualidad bajo el reinado del
Rey Carlos, estas islas han permitido la aplicación de la ley feudal y los tribunales en los feudos y las costas de
las islas. El Feudo Blondel y Eperons y su Señor están registrados directamente en los Tribunales Reales de la
Corona, el Duque de Normandía y el Rey Carlos. Al igual que los Señores de Mónaco, los señores de Francia, Andorra,
el Soberano Gozo de Malta, la Orden Militar Soberana de Malta (SMOM), el Monarca Papal de la Ciudad del Vaticano y
el Señor de Sark, los antiguos Feudos de las Islas del Canal son reconocidos tanto por la ley nobiliaria como por
el derecho internacional. El comisionado Dr. George Mentz fue elevado al rango de 26º Señor Libre y Señor del Feudo
de Blondel et L'Epersons) en la isla de (Dgèrnésiais - Guernsey French) en diciembre de 2017. Mentz también
registró el feudo directamente en los tribunales utilizando el sistema legal feudal de Conge y Tresieme, que es la
forma oficial de transferir un feudo de un líder noble o par a otro propietario. El Feudo de Thom. Blondel es uno
de los últimos grandes feudos privados en Europa en ser de propiedad privada, donde el señor posee las playas, el
agua, las costas y las ciudades marítimas, incluidas las aguas internacionales. En otras culturas locales, el Señor
libre Señor se conoce como Frhr. Friherre en Suecia, un Frhr. Vrijheer en holandés y un Frhr. Friherre en
Dinamarca. Los Señores del Feudo Blondel et Eperons parecen ser más antiguos que los Señores de Mónaco, ya que la
familia Grimaldi se estableció en Mónaco en 1297 y el Feudo Blondel también es más antiguo que el antiguo jeque del
Kuwait, el Reino de Moscovia Rusia 1362, el Reino de España 1479, el Reino de Bohemia, el Reino de Bélgica. El
Feudo Blondel también podría ser más antiguo que el Imperio Otomano, el Imperio de los Habsburgo y el Reino de
Lituania.
Lord Kinnear on Fief Territorial Waters
Lord Kinnear, in Smith v. Lerwick Harbour Trustees said about the Crown's property rights: "If the solum of
Shetland as a whole is not originally the property of the Crown, I know of no authority, and can see no reason, for
holding (saying) that part of it which is called the foreshore is Crown Property". This statement could equally
well be applied to the seabed, especially since the foreshore is regarded as part of the seabed in English law.
Under this international law, the Fief Blondel has declared that it is the inheritor of the West Francia Courts,
Rights, and Honors whereas nobody else has ever made such a claim.
Mentz
is a blood descendant of the following Kings or Emperors of Normandy, France, Rome, and
England
. Henry KING OF ENGLAND, DUKE OF NORMANDY I 29th mggf, 1070 - 1135AD, Philip IV "The Fair" King of France
1268 - 1314AD, William the Conqueror, Robert II ("The Pious" King of France) Capet 0972 - 1031, King Robert I Capet
the strong Count of Paris and Poitiers of France de Marvals 866 - 931, Hugh Capet King of France 0915 - 1031AD,
Robert I 'The Magnificent' 'The Devil' KING OF NORMANDY,DUKE I 17th ggf 999 - 1035AD, Henry KING OF ENGLAND, DUKE
OF NORMANDY I 29th mggf 1070 - 1135AD, Phillippe III le Hardi "The Bold" King of France Capet Capet 1245 -
1285AD, Louis IX Capet de Bourbon, King of France 1465 - 1500AD, Louis VIII King of France 1187 - 1226, Philip II
of France King of France 1165 - 1223AD, Henry I of France - King of Franks 1008 - 1060AD, Louis VIII King of France
1120 - 1180AD, King Louis VI King of France 1081 - 1137AD, Philip I of France King of Franks 1052 - 1108, Louis
VIII King of France 1187 - 1226AD, Louis IX of France King of France 1214 - 1270, Henry II of France 1519 -
1559, Rollo The Viking Chief Duke of Normandy 870–932 BIRTH 870 DEATH 932 30th great-grandfather, Nicola
Orsini Orsini ( 3rd Count of Nola, grand Justiciar and also Grand Chancellor of the Kingdom of Naples descendants
of first 5 Roman emperors who controlled West Francia and Gaul.
English
Comm'r Mentz holds a noble title of Datuk Seri that is generally equivalent to a Graf or Viscount. In Indonesia,
Brunei, and Malaysia, the Datuk Seri is above a Datuk or Dato', making it one of the highest state titles. It
doesn't fit neatly into the British system, but if we were to loosely translate, it's like a Viscount, higher than
a Baron but not as high as an Earl.
French
Le Commissaire Mentz détient un titre noble de Datuk Seri, généralement équivalent à un Graf ou un Vicomte. En
Indonésie, au Brunei et en Malaisie, le Datuk Seri est au-dessus d'un Datuk ou Dato', ce qui en fait l'un des
titres d'État les plus élevés. Il ne correspond pas exactement au système britannique, mais si nous devions
traduire librement, ce serait comme un Vicomte, supérieur à un Baron mais inférieur à un Comte.
German
Kommissar Mentz trägt einen Adelstitel des Datuk Seri, der im Allgemeinen einem Grafen oder einem Viscount
entspricht. In Indonesien, Brunei und Malaysia steht der Datuk Seri über einem Datuk oder Dato' und gehört damit zu
den höchsten staatlichen Titeln. Es passt nicht genau in das britische System, aber wenn man es lose übersetzt, ist
es vergleichbar mit einem Viscount, höher als ein Baron, aber nicht so hoch wie ein Earl.
Italian
Il Commissario Mentz detiene un titolo nobiliare di Datuk Seri, generalmente equivalente a un Graf o a un
Visconte. In Indonesia, Brunei e Malesia, il Datuk Seri è superiore a un Datuk o Dato', rendendolo uno dei titoli
statali più alti. Non si inserisce perfettamente nel sistema britannico, ma se dovessimo tradurlo liberamente,
sarebbe simile a un Visconte, più alto di un Barone ma non quanto un Conte.
English
Datuk Seri George Mentz KSG, Seigneur of Fief Blondel Normandy, has been knighted by Karl von Habsburg (Archduke
of Austria, Head of the House of Habsburg) into the OSG Order of St. George or St. Georgs-Orden von Millstatt,
Wiener Neustadt, and Carinthia, founded by Emperor Frederick III von Habsburg in 1468 and confirmed by Pope Paul II
on January 1st, 1469. The OSG is sometimes referred to as the Ritterorden St. Jörgens, St. Georgs-Ritterorden, or
the KSG Knightly Order of St. George.
French
Datuk Seri George Mentz KSG, Seigneur du Fief Blondel Normandie, a été fait chevalier par Karl von Habsburg
(Archiduc d’Autriche, chef de la Maison de Habsbourg) dans l’OSG Ordre de Saint-Georges ou St. Georgs-Orden von
Millstatt, Wiener Neustadt, et Carinthie, fondé par l’empereur Frédéric III von Habsburg en 1468 et confirmé par le
pape Paul II le 1er janvier 1469. L’OSG est parfois appelé Ritterorden St. Jörgens, St. Georgs-Ritterorden, ou KSG
Ordre chevaleresque de Saint-Georges.
German
Datuk Seri George Mentz KSG, Seigneur von Fief Blondel Normandie, wurde von Karl von Habsburg (Erzherzog von
Österreich, Oberhaupt des Hauses Habsburg) in den OSG Orden des Heiligen Georg oder St. Georgs-Orden von Millstatt,
Wiener Neustadt und Kärnten aufgenommen, der 1468 von Kaiser Friedrich III. von Habsburg gegründet und am 1. Januar
1469 von Papst Paul II. bestätigt wurde. Der OSG wird manchmal als Ritterorden St. Jörgens, St. Georgs-Ritterorden
oder der KSG Ritterorden des Heiligen Georg bezeichnet.
Italian
Datuk Seri George Mentz KSG, Signore del Feudo Blondel Normandia, è stato nominato cavaliere da Karl von
Habsburg (Arciduca d’Austria, Capo della Casa d’Asburgo) nell’OSG Ordine di San Giorgio o St. Georgs-Orden von
Millstatt, Wiener Neustadt e Carinzia, fondato dall’Imperatore Federico III von Habsburg nel 1468 e confermato dal
Papa Paolo II il 1º gennaio 1469. L’OSG è talvolta chiamato Ritterorden St. Jörgens, St. Georgs-Ritterorden o
l’Ordine Cavalleresco di San Giorgio (KSG).
KINGDOM OF WEST FRANCIA
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