FIRST GENERATION

1. Matthew de HOLLAND ⁽¹⁾ was born about 1175.⁽¹⁾ He died about 1224 in Upholland, Lancashire, England. ⁽¹⁾ Matthew de Holande (Latin, Mattheum de Holande) is known to be one of the earliest progenitors of the family in Lancashire. Holand or Holande was the spelling used prior to the 15th century. The family settled in Upholland, a village about four miles west of Wigan. The manor of Upholland is listed in the Domesday Book as "Holland". The ancient township of Upholland at one time was numbered among the market towns of Lancashire. A castle and priory adorned this place when the de Holandes were its lords. The castle has disappeared. The church remains, along with diminutive ruins. All that remains now of the Monastery buildings are fragments of some ivy clad ruins, but the Chapel of the old Priory still exists, and is now a Parish Church of Upholland.

From "The Lancashire Hollands" by Bernard Holland C.B., 1917. "There has existed no family in Lancashire, whose career has been so remarkable as that of the Hollands. Playing an active part in the most picturesque and chivalrous period of English history, they figure among the founders of the Order of the Garter, allied themselves with the royal family, and attained the highest rank in the peerage."

"The Lancashire Hollands" by Bernard Holland C.B. is a most fascinating history of the early Holland family. It is highly recommended reading by all Holland researchers.

Matthew de Holland first appears in a 'final concord' made at the Lancaster Assizes dated November 5, 1202. In this deed Uhetred de Chyrche releases his right in fourteen oxgangs of land to Matthew de Holland. This would be about 120 acres of arable land together with rights of meadowing and pasturage, perhaps the manor as a whole. Two years later deeds show that Matthew de Holland died and was succeeded by his son Robert. (Researcher - Jasper Land Holland, II).

In the Domesday Book it is recorded Steinhulf held two plough lands (about 210 acres of arable land) in Holland worth 64 pence. In 1202 this land passed to Matthew de Holland whose descendants gained wealth and power by marriage. Matthew's grandson, Thurston, made three profitable marriages and his grandson Robert became 1st Baron Holland. He also made a great match which brought him several manors in the Midlands. His second son, Thomas married Joan, Grand-daughter of King Edward I and their posterity became Earls of Kent and Huntingdon and Dukes of Surry and Exeter.

He was married to (Unknown) [de HOLLAND] date unknown. ⁽¹⁾ (Unknown) [de HOLLAND] was born about 1175.⁽¹⁾ Matthew de HOLLAND and (Unknown) [de HOLLAND] had the following children:

+2 i. Robert de HOLLAND.