Sir Roger Fiennes: Sheriff of Surrey

Sir Roger Fiennes is an 18th Great Grandfather. Roger was born on September 14th, 1384 in Hurstmonceaux Castle, Halisham, Sussex, England.1 Roger's father was Sir William de Fiennes Sheriff of Sussex and his mother was Elizabeth Battisford. His paternal grandparents were Sir William de Fiennes and Joan de Saye; his maternal grandparents were William Battisford and Margaret Peplesham. He had three brothers named William, Richard and James. He was the oldest of the four children. He died at the age of 65 on November 18th, 1449 in Hurstmonceaux Castle, Halisham, Sussex, England.1

He served as Sheriff of Surrey in 1423 and again in 1434. In 1440, he built Herstmonceaux Castle, the first castle in England to be built in brick. Over the years it fell into ruin, but was restored by later owners during the early part of the 20th century. It is now the site of the Royal Observatory.