First Generation  

1. Robertus DE DEN [22593] was born in 1042. Another name for Robertus was Robert DENE.

General Notes: Robert was Pencerna, or Butler to Edward the Confessor. Edward ruled from 1042 to 1066. He, Robertus, held Lands in Romney Marsh in Kent, Buckhurst in Sussex and the Duchy of Normandy.

In a Document provided by Janet Denne in November 2009, she stated:
This Ancient Family was Norman as believed, and settled in Normandy with Rollo the Dane which may be inferred even from the Christian Names Robert, and Ralph, alias Rolo, or Rolloph, at this period much in Fashion in Normandy and France; also by the particle De: furthermore the two Roberts first in this Pedigree, as also Ralph, had large possessions in Normandy, (as see Collins His) besides if they had been Anglo Saxons it is not probable they would have retained their estates when those of the English throughout the Country were confiscated, and given to Normans by William the Conquerer; nor is it likely that they were of the Danes at this period settled in England, as Edward the Confessor would surely not have taken a Dane into his service and Household so soon after Massacre & Banishment of the Danes by his father Ethelred in 1002.

There is every reason to believe that Robert De Den came over with Edward the Confessor, and his Brother Alfred, from Normandy, where they had been taken by their Mother Emma Daughter of Richard 1st Duke of Normandy, and widow of Ethelred to protect them against Canute, who had put their brother to death, and at which they resided some years, during which Robert De Den (whose family at that period were it 'appears' Noble and there from of some note wealth and influence) was probably taken into Edwards service it seems further probable that this family were amongst those to whom Estates and Honors were granted to his Countrymen by Rollo the Dane, first Duke of Normandy who was a Prince of Denmark and to whom Charles of France ceded the Country of Normandy Ella Daughter of Ralph marrying De Sackwell a Norman confirms the opinion in some measure

* Robert Pincerna is named in the list of Noblemen followers of William the Conqueror. see Duchesne's History of Normandy page 1030 in the British Museum.

Noted events in his life were:

• Service: Pencerna, or Butler to King Edward "the Confessor".

Robertus married someone.

His children were:

+ 2 M    i. Robertus DE DEN [22342] .

Robertus married someone.

   3 M    ii. Radulphus DE DEN [22594] . Another name for Radulphus was Ralph DENE.