Bugle horn: The horn dates from 12th century. It is the symbol of the hereditary Master Forestership of Delemere. It was given to Ranulph (Ralph) Kingsley by Sir Randall, Earl of Chester, in 1123 A.D. (Pg. 14)
Apparently a descendant of Ranulph named Maretta Hartshorn of Washington D.C. visited Ardene Hall in Tarpoley, where the horn was in possession of the Hamilton family in 1938. She was able to see the actual bugle shown in this illustration. "... A male servant was very courteous and showed her the bugle given by the Earl of Chester to Ranulph (Ralph) Kingsley more than eight-hundred years ago." (pg. 18)
In September of 2001, my wife and I visited the city of Chester where, in the Grosvenor Museum, we found the Kingsley Horn. We would encourage anyone interested in Kingsley family history to visit this museum.
ReplyDeleteThe museum was founded in 1871 largely because of the work of the Chester Society for Natural Science, Literature and Art which was founded by Charles Kingsley - the author, naturalist, and cantor of the Chester cathedral - and descendant of Ranulph Kingsley. A large area in the museum is dedicated to his work and there is a very nice bust of him as well.
R. Kingsley - Corrales New Mexico