_Waltheof--De Combre Family--Ilda._--In _Waltheof, or the Siege of
York_, an historical drama published at York, 1832, one of the _dramatis
personæ_, Judith, the niece of the Conqueror, and daughter of the
Countess of Albemarle, is made to say,--
"When gallant _Waltheof, as his country's champion_,
On bus'ness of high import and high matters,
_Oft at my royal uncle's court appeared_,
...
"We married privately.
Two years and more have passed since this has happened,
And one sweet pledge of love has crowned our vows."
Now I am anxious to know,
1. Whether there be any historical authority for Waltheof being sent as
envoy to William? and, if so, on what mission?
2. Is it not the more correct account, that the Conqueror gave his niece
Judith in marriage to Waltheof _after_ the surrender of the city, [at
the same time that he conferred other honours upon him, out of respect
for his brave defence of the city; creating him, first, Earl of
Northhampton and Huntingdon, and afterwards Earl of Northumberland, A.D.
1070.] And if so, as Waltheof could certainly not have had any "pledge
of love" _before_ the siege of York; so neither is it probable that he
had any issue at all by Judith, as in the same year, 1070, he was
beheaded by William, for supposed participation in a conspiracy at York.
The above drama is said to be "by a descendant of one of the _dramatis
personæ_," viz. of "De Combre, one of William's generals;" being written
by Rev. Thomas Comber, of Oswaldkirk, Yorkshire. This De Combre is
represented as having married _Ilda_, a daughter of King Harold, and
sister of _Edgar_. Can any of your correspondents furnish me with
information as to the origin and antiquity of this family of Comber? I
learn from the present representatives of this family, that they have no
recorded pedigree which goes higher than the reign of Henry VI., but
that the family tradition has always been, that their ancestor came over
from Normandy with William, and married Ilda, daughter of Harold. It
seems that the name of Ilda is at this very day borne by one of the
family. In the _Memoirs of Dr. Thomas Comber, Dean of Durham_, this De
Combre is said to have had the manor of Barkham, in Sussex, given to him
by the Conqueror. What family had King Harold II.? Had he any daughter
Ilda? and, if so, is there any record or mention of her husband's name?