Herbert
Dennis Herbert I, Master of the Cordwainers in the City of London, started life as Dennis Harbottle, but he and his brothers shortened their name, first to Harbert and then Herbert. We're not sure why.
Maybe it was in honour of Admiral Herbert, who brought Charles II back to the throne from Holland.
Dennis Herbert III, was virtually disinherited by his grandfather because he went on the stage, which was not very respectable. He also drank rather a lot – 92 half-pints of ale a day!
No wonder he often forgot his lines and got confused over whether he was supposed to win his on-stage duels or not. His wife Mary sorted him out thoroughly when she found him pilfering the day's takings to buy more ale!
Dennis Henry Herbert, his great grandson was very respectable – Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and the first Lord Hemingford. But he couldn't find out anything about his actor ancestor and fell out with the College of Heralds because he insisted that he was entitled to the Herbert arms even though he could not prove it. What would he have done if he had found out he was a Harbottle?
Maybe it was in honour of Admiral Herbert, who brought Charles II back to the throne from Holland.
Dennis Herbert III, was virtually disinherited by his grandfather because he went on the stage, which was not very respectable. He also drank rather a lot – 92 half-pints of ale a day!
No wonder he often forgot his lines and got confused over whether he was supposed to win his on-stage duels or not. His wife Mary sorted him out thoroughly when she found him pilfering the day's takings to buy more ale!
Dennis Henry Herbert, his great grandson was very respectable – Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and the first Lord Hemingford. But he couldn't find out anything about his actor ancestor and fell out with the College of Heralds because he insisted that he was entitled to the Herbert arms even though he could not prove it. What would he have done if he had found out he was a Harbottle?
