A History of the Holbeche Family of Warwickshire and the Holbech Family of Farnborough

This volume is an account of the Holbeche (Holbech) family of Warwickshire. It begins with the family’s origins in medieval times at Holbeach in Lincolnshire where they were knights and landowners. The reasons for the relocation of the family in late medieval times to Warwickshire are explored in detail. Then the rise of the family in local society is outlined until the end of the nineteenth century. The Holbeche family is associated with many Warwickshire locations including Fillongley, Solihull, Knowle, Warwick, Maxstoke, Stoneleigh, Farnborough and Sutton Coldfield. A description is given of each branch of the family which includes important national links to Oliver Cromwell, Charles I, the British monarchs of the eighteenth century, Cambridge University and the London distilling industry. The story of this fascinating family illustrates many of the religious changes undertaken by the country after the English Reformation initiated by Henry VIII. It stretches from the battlefields of the Wars of the Roses until Victorian times. The family also includes the only person to record the beginnings of rugby football and the exploits of William Webb Ellis.