Descendents of the Bidlake family came from all over the world to their ancestral home in Devon recently, to commemorate 750 years since the land was first bought by their forebears.
Many of the far-flung family, from two years old to 86, met each other for the first time at the anniversary at Great Bidlake Manor in Bridestowe.
The weekend event was planned by the manor house’s current owner, James Bidlake, who in 2015 brought the Elizabethan property back into the family after 68 years.
James used the power of social media and ancestry.comto involve family members across the globe, even if they couldn’t personally make the trip to Devon.
He said: ‘When I clocked we were coming up to 750th anniversary I immediately realised it was the best of reasons for a family get-together. I am thrilled so many people came from so far away.’
The festivities had a strong historical theme. Author and historical archivist Elly Babbedge launched her new book on Great Bidlake and the historian Ian Mortimer, best known for his ‘Time Traveller Guides’, enlightened everyone with an A-Z of what it life would have been like in Devon in the medieval period.
Ian said: ‘The family sold the house just after the Second World War and James, when he saw the house as a child, resolved then to buy it back when he grew up. A few years ago he did just that. I find the story so inspiring I just had to join in.’
The weekend included a falconry display from Dartmoor Hawking and an interactive presentation by Swords and Spindles, which saw guests in costume, firing muskets. It culminated in an Asado-style feast cooked over an open fire and a fancy dress party with plenty of knights in shining armour.
At the planting of a commemorative tree, James’ father Gordon said it was remarkable not only for one family to have such a long connection with a place, but that also present at the celebrations was Warren Kelly, a direct descendant of one of the witnesses on the original purchase deed in 1268.
For many, it was the first time they had visited the manor. Erin Bidlake from New Brunswick, Canada, said: ‘Meeting with our living relatives and getting to know more about our ancestors in this very special place, I feel as though an important part of my history’s puzzle has been put into place.’