Breton - Armorica

Breton - Armorica

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Breton - Armorica

My interest in Brittany is 3-fold: Conan II who appears on the Bayeux Tapestry, the Helion (Hellion) family and a connection of a decendant of Botetourt (Zouch) families.

Bayeaux Tapestry

The depiction of Conan II, Duke of Brittany and the Battle of Dinan is quite an intriging inclusion in the tapestry. This is another illustration that the story is more than just the invasion of England.

The Helion/Botetourt/Zouch familes

Here we have the marriage of a Botetourt to a Helion. John Helion and Allicia (Alice) Swynborne. Allicia was the daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Swynborne.

There is possibly a tomb under the aisle in the church of St. Mary's Belchamp Walter that had a brass depicting Sir Robert.

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The Helion Family and Brittany

In a recent email conversation with a descendant of the Hillion (Helion/Hellion) family

Hervé de Helion, and a Roger de Hillion. Here, in Brittany, Hillion is translated into Breton as Helion-war-Vor, (Hillion on sea), and in Latin texts: Aula Helioni (the court of justice of Hillion).

One question remains: the exact etymology of Helion. Immigration to Armorica (5th to 7th century) was mainly Welsh.
And it is perhaps, quite simply, in the language, and the Welsh-English dictionary, that we discover this origin: hil, hillion: race.n. hil hilion: descent, stock...

Breton - Armorica

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