For many centuries the Family documents would grow to fill the brim of many medieval trunks. They were housed in the Muniment Room at Hunstanton Hall. The earliest in the Family’s own collection was dated back, by Eyton, to the mid 13th Century, circa. 1250-1275 suggesting that the document itself had remained onsite since that time.

From various sources including Court Rolls, their loyalty to the Crown is evidenced, and their entire documented history spans over 939 years to today’s date (2025). 

The landed Knights and Barons were familiar in Royal circles until into the 21st Century. Their continuity after establishing themselves at Hunstanton during the post Norman Conquest era (by 1086) proved an unbreakable allegiance. When 12th Century politics necessitated their relocation to Shropshire (200 miles west of Hunstanton), they were to play pivotal roles on the front-line where in the Marches of Shropshire they raised their Families whilst continuing to hold their propriety at Hunstanton.

Not only as royal castle keepers they kept their own castles too. (see the Monuments). Today they gained an entry in the book: Keepers of the Kingdom: The Ancient Offices of Britain by Alastair Bruce, which focuses on their junior branch at the Seat of the Hunstanton Estate.

Having once rode out as medieval battle leaders displaying banners and silk flags with their motto: Mihi Parta Tuerri illustrates how their determination in land defence was consistent and adherent.

The le Stranges of Knockin and Hunstanton (as well as the Irish) are all related, and in the year 1310 the Heir of Knockin & Hunstanton created an amical (and legal) diversion of the original Hunstanton inheritance which was allocated to a younger brother from the elder Knockin Castle branch.

As Hunstanton Estate & St. Mary the Virgin’s Church required renovations, this younger brother, Hamon,  began. The Hunstanton Family is now referred to as the Junior branch.

While on the surface it appears that no member of the Shropshire le Stranges survived - this is deceptive. Knockin Castle was abandoned by the Barons, and through marriage, the Earls of Derby absorbed the Baron Strange Title. Naturally, the le Stranges of Knockin survived well under this guise rendering them perhaps ‘less’ strange than le Strange!

In contrast, today’s connection between the Hunstanton Family & the Earls of Derby is in the form of a Cousinship stemming back via Family marriage c. 1480 and additionally, another Lordship line with the Lords of Mostyn of North Wales dates back via marriage in 1866 via my Great Grandmother Katherine Mostyn. 

One may also be familiar with the Portrait Sketches of Henry VIII’s court of the 1530’s by Hans Holbein the Younger. Sir Thomas le Strange, Esq. to the Body of Henry VIII can be found in part this Royal Collection and now hangs at Windsor Castle. Sir Thomas le Strange (my 14th G-Grandfather) was bound by court life in which Anne Boleyn featured prominently in his life. He was buried at St. Mary the Virgin’s Church, Hunstanton.

For many, this Church at Old Hunstanton, is a museum for the le Strange Family. Housing Tombs, polished plaques, and memorials, as well as the Family graves in the Churchyard outside, the church received much investment over centuries from the Family who saved it from ruin. The Norman font itself stands witness to nearly 1000 year’s worth of le Strange Family, whose generations include many Christenings which have continued till modern times.

This ancient Family history is evidence based. References from many sources via the Family records kept at the Norfolk Records Office, British Museum, Debretts Peerage, The Le Strange Records book by Hamon le Strange, and many more, and Court Rolls of Monarchs.

Website Publication Date 2025

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