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I first met Marilyn Roberts when I was Curator at Epworth Old Rectory, and during one of her visits there showed her a copy of the Sarum (Salisbury) Magna Carta, which was on display. I was aware that the Mowbray family had at one time lived on the land at the rear of the Old Rectory – we had an ancient floor tile bearing the Mowbray lion on display in one of the rooms – and I was also aware that there was a connection between the Mowbrays and the Magna Carta.

This was the start of Marilyn’s extraordinary and enthusiastic research into the Mowbray family, which has resulted in the publication of this magnificent book. She has travelled many miles and spent endless hours researching and confirming the information and I am amazed at her stamina and tenacity that have at last paid off with the revelation of hitherto little-known facts, including references to royalty, and important American connections.

The Mowbrays, who had control of the Isle of Axholme for nearly four hundred years, have proved to be one of the most notable and interesting families in the history of this country and I strongly recommend this book, which will add considerably to the fund of local knowledge.

Visitors from as far afield as York, Derby, Nottinghamshire, Whitby and Gainsborough joined nearly 100 local people at St. Andrew’s Church on Saturday for the launch of the new book The Mowbray Legacy by local historian Marilyn Roberts.

The Mowbrays were ancestors of many famous people of our own times including the Queen, Prince William, Sir Winston Churchill, George W. Bush and Audrey Hepburn, as demonstrated by detailed charts and genealogical tables.

Peter Frost, Head Librarian at the Mechanics’ Institute, told guests that the book was the first major work on the Isle of Axholme since those by Stonehouse and Read were published in the mid-nineteenth century, and that a copy would be placed in the Houghton Archive with already established works on the area. Visitors, and the author, were delighted when he predicted that in time signed copies would become valuable collectors’ items in the way that original copies of Stonehouse are today.

Andrew Milson, former curator at the Old Rectory, whose interest in the Mowbrays was the original inspiration for Marilyn’s research, and who wrote the foreword, travelled from his Whitby home to be at the event and was so impressed with the finished book he said he envied people who were about to read it for the first time.

Author Marilyn Roberts thanked all those local people who had been so generous with their help and time over the past three years or more, and extended special thanks to Helen and Arthur Beaumont of Epworth and Christine and Peter Hopwood of York, presenting bouquets to the two ladies as a token of her appreciation.

Marilyn said that without the services and expertise of a good printer all an author’s efforts were in danger of coming to nothing and thanked Michael Hall and the staff of the Babash-Ryan division of Shadow Line Publishing based in Gainsborough for their advice and support.

Andrew Milson, former Curator of the Old Rectory at Epworth, home of the Wesleys.

This is the first major work on the Isle of Axholme and the Mowbrays since Stonehouse in 1839.

The author makes a full and detailed study of this family. Additionally, trouble has been taken to show that such diverse people as Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana and George Bush can be traced back to the Mowbrays.

It was to have been put away for my winter reading, but I can't stop dipping into it now!

I am a US citizen visiting in the York area. I went to Epworth to tour the Wesley home and found and bought a copy of your book The Mowbray Legacy…

I would suggest your book would be a big boon to American descendants who want detailed information on their family history…

I haven't absorbed all the details in your book and appendixes yet. But it is an important reference that I am proud to have in my library and will heartily recommend.