Whitmore History
Early years in England-----------
       	What could he more devastating than to have your country invaded and over-powered by an enemy that takes your land, your home, and your wealth! Nothing escaped its treachery! People either fled for their lives to Wales or stayed to bargain for keeping their estates. The ones who kept their estates did so by promising to pay taxes to the King, or to give military service, and in some cases, both. Many were killed rather than surrender their estates. This was the situation in England during the years 1066 to 1069, when William, Duke of Normandy, over-ran the country, had taken its land, its wealth, and its throne. On Christmas day in 1066 he was crowned King of England. His only rival for the throne, a cousin, Harold, had been killed in the battle of Hastings. William had made sure before the end of the battle that he had no rival.
	The brave Norman's who had fought with William were to be rewarded with houses, land or both. The value of the reward being commensurate with the bravery and accomplishments of' the man in battle. 
       	There was a most solemn ceremony to accompany the awarding of these various gifts. The man coming to claim his reward knelt, bareheaded, before the King. Placing his clasped hands within those of the King, he had to give this promise "here my Lord, the King, I become liege-man of yours for life and limb and in every earthly regard and I promise faith and loyalty to you for life and death, so help me God!" The King then kissed him on the cheek and gave him the title-deeds to his lands which would belong to him and his heirs forever. This was the beginning of the feudal system in England. The ancestors of the Whitmore family must have taken this oath before they received an acre of their lands.
	Two of the Norman's so rewarded were Hugo de Boterell and Ricardus Forestarius. Although the estate awarded them were separated by more than a hundred miles, they represent the Paternal and Maternal ancestors of the Whitmore Family.
	There were many spellings used for DeBoterell just as there were later for Whitmore. 
	Hugo de Boterell having served so well was raised by William and was given a huge estate having land in three counties, Cornwall, Devon, and Somerest. The family home for several centuries was Boscastle on the north coast of Cornwall. Only the foundation stones remain to show where the castle had stood.