Individual Details

Cecily de Columbers

(Bef 1195 - Bet 1242 and 1260)

[James H. Maloney.ged]

The Origins of the Irelands of Hale" indicates the following:
Philip de Columbers, who died in 1216, married a Cecilia de Vernai "who was certainly alive in 1257" and notes that the Cecily de Columbers associated with Richard de Meath was alive in 1257 and died in 1260. Although the dates are correct, there is noting in the records to associate the two. However, in a footnote the author points out that the arms of the Somerset family 'bear a close resemblance' to the traditional arms of the Cecelia associated with Richard de Meath.

Ancestry of Adam de Ireland, by James H. Maloney
Cecily de Columbers' identity has never been definitely established, but she may have Cecily de Vernai, the wife of Phiilip Columbers of Somerset who died without issue in 1216 [fn 17]. A review of the published Pipe Rolls and Assizes for Lancashire and Cheshire which contains information about Richard de Meath show no one else in those counties with the name of Vernai or Columbers. 'The Origin of the Irelands of Hale,' p. 141 says Cecilia de Columbers "was certainly alive in 1257" (when as Lady Cecilia de Vernai she transferred land to her daughter, Maud), and notes that the Cecily de Columbers associated with Richard de Meath died in 1260. Those dates are consistent, but I have found no other source indicated Cecily de Columbers survived as late as 1257 (see below) and there is noting in the records to associate the two. Moreover, it appears the wife of Phillip de Columbers appears to have continued to use her parental name, not Columbers, probably as it was of greater quality than that of her husband. However, the author of 'The Origin of the Irelands of Hale' points out in a footnote that the arms of the Somerset family "bear a close resemblance" to the traditional arms of the Cecilia associated with Richard de Meath.
[fn 17] The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset Collected from Authentic Records, by Rev. John Collinson, Bath, 1791, has the marriage, indicates Richard died "18 Joh. Leaving issue by Cecilia de Vernai his wife, another Philip.;" Vol. III, p. 551. It also mentions a "Maud de Vernai, daughter of Lady Cecily/Cecilia de Vernai, and wife of Philip de Columbers, lord of Nether- Stowey" to whom Cecily transferred a demsine of half a knight's fee in Hill-Farence in 1257 (41 Henry III), which indicates she survived Richard Columbers by at least forty yeras and which might indicate that de Vernai was the name of her first husband, Vol. 1, p. 253 and Vol. 3, pp 256-7, 437, and 551).

I assume that Cecily de Vernai, widow of Philip de Columbers, is not the partner of Richard de Meath for the 1257 transfer to Maud de Vernai by her mother was made in the name of Lady Cecilia de Vernai. She apparently kept her maiden name as it was more prominent then that of Columbers.

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Events

BirthBef 1195England
MarriageAbt 1215No Marriage - Richard de Meath
DeathBet 1242 and 1260Hale, Lancashire, , England

Families

SpouseRichard de Meath (1169 - 1221)
ChildRichard de Meath (1217 - 1241)
ChildEmma de Meath (1219 - 1292)
ChildGeoffrey de Meath (1219 - 1250)
ChildAdam de Meath (1219 - 1250)
ChildHenry de Meath (1221 - 1261)
ChildCecily de Meath (1221 - 1279)