The Earliest Matrilineal Ancestor of Queen Elizabeth II

Tracing the matrilineal line to Queen Elizabeth II is a journey that takes us back through generations of women who are part of the history and lineage of the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II, perhaps more commonly known simply as Elizabeth II, has a complex and fascinating history that can be traced back to her earliest known matrilineal ancestor, Mary Garritt.

While some efforts have been made to establish other early matrilineal ancestors, such as Mary Boleyn, who was the sister of Anne Boleyn, the information provided here focuses on the most accurate and detailed lineage available. Mary Boleyn, while a fascinating figure in her own right as one of the mistresses of King Henry VIII, and the mother of two children rumored to have been fathered by him, does not trace directly back to Queen Elizabeth II through her maternal line.

Tracing Back to Mary Garritt

In a recent analysis, researcher Graham Horn has traced the matrilineal line of Queen Elizabeth II to Mary Garritt. This line of descent is documented in the Pedigree Chart for Elizabeth II Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1952- available on the Genealogics site.

Mary Garritt married Francis Webb in 1769 in Stanway, Gloucestershire. She is the earliest known matrilineal ancestor of Queen Elizabeth II. This discovery is significant, as it provides a clear and direct connection to the early British royal lineage.

A Closer Look at the Ancestral Lineage

Going back through the generations, we can see the lineage more clearly. Starting from Mary Garritt, the chart shows that in the seventh generation, there is Ann Newland, who married Edward Garritt in 1735. This lineage is further traced back to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.

Elizabeth II's Matrilineal Lineage

The lineage can be detailed further:

tElizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, born in 1900 and died in 2002. tCecilia Nina Cavendish-Bentinck, born in 1862 and died in 1938. tCaroline Louisa Burnaby, born in 1832 and died in 1918. tAnne Caroline Salisbury, born in 1805 and died in 1881. tFrances Webb, born in 1775 and died in 1862. tMary Garritt, born and married in 1769.Mary Garritt's marriage marked the transition from an earlier generation to the line that eventually led to Queen Elizabeth II.

The Significance of Matrilineal Lineage

The matrilineal lineage is important in understanding the roots of the British royal family. It provides a perspective on the inheritance of royal titles and responsibilities, and how they are passed down through the generations of women. The fact that Mary Garritt is so far back in the lineage but still connects directly to Queen Elizabeth II highlights the importance of every generation in the history of the British monarchy.

In fact, this matrilineal connection helps to trace the ancestry of Queen Elizabeth II to the Anglo-Saxon kings of Wessex. Through this line, we can connect to the legendary figure of Woden, the Norse god, and his wife Frigg. This link provides a fascinating glimpse into the pagan origins of the modern British royal family.