Eyre legend
Encyclopedia
The legend of the person who was the founder of the Eyre and Ayre families, and who was supposedly previously known by the surname "Truelove" (or "True Love"), is a story that appears in genealogies
. However, there is no definitive historical evidence confirming the existence of this person.
The family legend
states that he accompanied William the Conqueror to Britain
during the Norman Invasion
, and fought alongside him at the Battle of Hastings
(14 October 1066). When William was thrown from his horse his helmet
was driven into his face, suffocating him, but Truelove was able to remove the helmet and save William's life. He suffered dearly for his bravery, sustaining an injury so severe that his entire leg had to be amputated.
After the battle William told him "thou shalt hereafter instead of Truelove be called Eyre because thou hast given me the air I breathe."
Another variation of the Truelove story states that he was called "Heyr" because he was an heir to the English throne. In this version Truelove is a grandson of King Edmund II
and a second cousin of William the Conqueror.
Truelove the "Eyr" or "Heyr" was granted land in Derby
as a reward for his services, together with a Coat of Arms
featuring a "a human leg in Armour
couped at the thigh quarterly argent
and sable
spurred", in reference to the sacrifice of his limb. Some of these features may persist in one of the current Eyre coats of arms
, which features three gold quatrefoils on a black chevron with a white background.
Another variation of the story of the origin of the Eyre crest is that Humphrey le Heyr of Bromham rescued Richard Coeur de Lion
at the siege of Ascalon, at the cost of his leg, and that the leg couped was granted to him in remembrance of the occasion.
Burke's Peerage
of 1937 records seven branches of landed gentry all claiming links back to Truelove. The four separate grants of arms all include a couped leg in armour as their crest
as a reference to the legend.
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
. However, there is no definitive historical evidence confirming the existence of this person.
The family legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
states that he accompanied William the Conqueror to Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
during the Norman Invasion
Norman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
, and fought alongside him at the Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II...
(14 October 1066). When William was thrown from his horse his helmet
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
was driven into his face, suffocating him, but Truelove was able to remove the helmet and save William's life. He suffered dearly for his bravery, sustaining an injury so severe that his entire leg had to be amputated.
After the battle William told him "thou shalt hereafter instead of Truelove be called Eyre because thou hast given me the air I breathe."
Another variation of the Truelove story states that he was called "Heyr" because he was an heir to the English throne. In this version Truelove is a grandson of King Edmund II
Edmund Ironside
Edmund Ironside or Edmund II was king of England from 23 April to 30 November 1016. His cognomen "Ironside" is not recorded until 1057, but may have been contemporary. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, it was given to him "because of his valour" in resisting the Danish invasion led by Cnut...
and a second cousin of William the Conqueror.
Truelove the "Eyr" or "Heyr" was granted land in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
as a reward for his services, together with a Coat of Arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
featuring a "a human leg in Armour
Armour
Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...
couped at the thigh quarterly argent
Argent
In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
and sable
Sable
The sable is a species of marten which inhabits forest environments, primarily in Russia from the Ural Mountains throughout Siberia, in northern Mongolia and China and on Hokkaidō in Japan. Its range in the wild originally extended through European Russia to Poland and Scandinavia...
spurred", in reference to the sacrifice of his limb. Some of these features may persist in one of the current Eyre coats of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
, which features three gold quatrefoils on a black chevron with a white background.
Another variation of the story of the origin of the Eyre crest is that Humphrey le Heyr of Bromham rescued Richard Coeur de Lion
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
at the siege of Ascalon, at the cost of his leg, and that the leg couped was granted to him in remembrance of the occasion.
Burke's Peerage
Burke's Peerage
Burke's Peerage publishes authoritative, in-depth historical guides to the royal and titled families of the United Kingdom, such as Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, and of many other countries. Founded in 1826 by British genealogist John Burke Esq., and continued by his son, Sir John...
of 1937 records seven branches of landed gentry all claiming links back to Truelove. The four separate grants of arms all include a couped leg in armour as their crest
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
as a reference to the legend.