Course:History 344 Nasty Families/Longstride Family

History

The Longstride family has long been settled in Nottinghamshire, and in particular within Sherwood Forest. The Longstrides’ have always been accomplished outdoors people, preferring the wind and sun on their faces. They are skilled archers and swordsmen which has been passed down generation to generation, despite the fact that it has gone out of style. The family also has a book of ballads, pertaining to their family history. The Longstrides’ have long kept the neighbourhood merry, and continue to spread their giving nature.

The family motto is officially “aufer a divitibus da pauperibus”, though their unofficial, revised motto is "Ego furto de divitibus et canibus feminibus meas." Green has always been a favourite and unofficial colour of the family.

Deceased Family Members

Father - Robin Longstride

Wife - Violetta Ivy Wood

Religion

Church of England

County

Nottinghamshire

Purchased gardens.

First Generation Longstrides

William Longstride is an avid outdoorsman who has attempted to raise his family’s status within gentry circles. He has also attempted to gain wealth through diversification of investments. He loves his children very much, and is not a fan of the Sheriff of Nottingham, but hides it well. William is highly regarded among the poor population of Nottinghamshire, but is generally disliked among the well-off. He has managed to keep the family out of the Civil War.

Jane Longstride (nee Gisbourne, daughter of Guy Gisbourne) was at first welcomed into the family with trepidation. During the early years of the marriage, she devoted herself to the gardens, but after saving Williams life through her knowledge of flora, she became an integral member of the family.

Robin Longstride, the eldest son, has always been the serious son. He has studied to be a lawyer, and has utilised the connection of local lawyers that his brother brought to the family with marriage. Robin is not happy married to a wife that he largely seems to ignore, instead preferring to go riding with his many gentlemen friends or work, in particular his neighbour, Little John. However, they have managed to have children born in 1625 (boy), 1626 (boy) and 1628 (girl).

Robin has gone into horse trading, importing Arabians and cross breeding them. By the end of the First Civil war this was progressing well, with quality horses sold to both sides.

John Longstride, the second son, has always been a romantic fool so when he fell in love and married the daughter of a local lawyer, there were no surprises when a child was born 5 months after the wedding. John is very involved in breeding racehorses and is well known as a wicked Pall Mall player.

Marianne Longstride is married with dowry of £525 to Joseph Steele. She was known as a lovely girl who enjoyed exploring the Forest, much to her Mother’s concern.

Second Generation Longstrides

Boy, born 1625. Grammar school and university.

Boy, born 1626. Staying at home, learning to be a sportsman with his uncle.

Status

Rank: 4.

Claim to fame: The longstrides are county gentry well known for their social events and general horse sense.

House and Garden: Improved gardens with stables and a fashionable hedge maze.

Estate: Besides the ancestral estate, Jane Gisbourne brought in land equal to another half estate in dowry. The second son has gone into horse trading and is successful in selling and racing horses.

Investments: Massachussets Bay Company, £2000.

Cash on hand for the current phase

4000

Points Spent

96 out of 96