Publisher's Synopsis
Ragemer: When the "Duke" of Normandy (William the Conqueror) armies finally met at Hastings, England "Williams" army numbered somewhere between 7,000 to 12,000 soldiers and Knights versus somewhere between 5,000 to 13,000 for King Harold's army. Among Williams Knights was "Knight" (Ragemer) a servant and body guard to Lord Gilbert. After the conquest "Ragemer" was rewarded for his bravery and service, with about 1750 acres of land, two mills, and 31 villans (villagers) and their families who became his serfs. Another 24 sokemen (free peasants) rented land from him which they farmed as tenant farmers. This was not the most lavish reward he would get. He would also receive two Mansions and the Title of "Sub-Lord Ragemer de Welles" still in the service of Lord Gilbert. But this was enough to make Ragemer a wealthy landlord so long as he continued to serve Lord Gilbert with fidelity. He was now not merely "Ragemer" but now Ragemer of Welles. By the time his grandsons, the family was known as "de Welles" His descendants became Lords, Knights and rulers of Welles as well as other territories as time went on. From France to now England they would eventually come to America to Hadley, Hampshire, Massachussetts inthe 1640's one (Thomas Wells) 1620-1676 as an early settler who would have 17 children.
