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RIDDELLS OF NORMANDY AND ARDNAMURCHAN.
FOURTEENTH GENERATION.
Galfridus Ridel¹ (8), eldest son of Galfridus¹³ (7), became ancestor
of the main line of the Ridel family, and succeeded his father as the fif-
teenth in succession in the lordships of Wittering and Cranstown, and in
the barony of Blaye. In the king's writs, summoning him and his father
to attend the army, and bring fifteen men at least with them into the field,
this Galfridus is styled "Galfridus Ridel, junior." He was more than
once entrusted with the important charge of forming and settling the
articles of peace between the two monarchs of England and France,
being chosen on the part of the former. He married the heiress of a large
estate in the island of Oleron (her name does not appear), of which King
Henry III ordered his Seneschal of Gascony to deliver seisin to her in
the year 1234; by her he had two sons, of whom hereafter. He died in
1261, a nobleman justly celebrated for his loyalty and the enjoyment of
the favor of royalty.
Roger Ridel (1), second son of Galfridus¹³ (7), succeeded to his
mother's inheritance and enjoyed it in the lifetime of his father, on
which account he was always designated "Roger Ridel, the son of Galfri-
dus." He also possessed his father's lands in Normandy, where his pos-
terity seems to have settled, and to have become a distinct and celebrated
branch of the Ridel family. One of them, Martin Ridel, was Baron of
More and Plainsevett, grand treasurer in France under Louis XIV.
Some of the descendants of this man settled in the United States, and
spelled their name Riddelle.
Hugh Ridel (5), only son of Richard¹s (2), inherited the estates of
Wittering and Cranstown; but dying without issue, these estates devolved
upon his uncle Galfridus 13 (7), before mentioned.
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Robert Ridel¹4 (1), eldest son of Ralph¹8 (1), having no male issue,
gave his lands of Strixton, which he inherited from his father, to the
church, in 1282; but his estates in Scotland came to his daughter, of whom
hereafter.
Ralph Ridel¹ (2), second son of Ralph¹3 (1), had Risby for his in-
heritance. He married Agnes, heiress of Wildon, in Bedfordshire, by
whom he had two sons, of whom more hereafter.
FIFTEENTH GENERATION.
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Galfridus Ridel¹5 (9), eldest son of Galfridus (8), succeeded to his
father's estate in 1261. In France we find him several times summoned
to meet the king well provided with horses and arms; and in England
and Scotland, as a great benefactor to religious houses. He had issue
three sons, of whom hereafter.
Margaret Ridel (2), daughter of Robert (1), married a daughter
of Henry de Cunningham, and became ancestress of the Cunninghams of
Glencairn, earls. She was her father's heiress and inherited his estates
in Scotland, and her descendants have represented some of the most
worthy families in the realm.
Sir John Ridel¹5 (1), eldest son of Ralph¹ (2), was a knight and lord
of the manor of Wildon in Bedfordshire, in right of his mother, an heiress.
Ralph Ridel¹ (3), second son of Ralph (2), inherited Risby, and
