avile, who has herself dug to the roots of the genealogical tree, gives
a different version of their origin. According to her they are descended
from the Dukes de Savelli, who again trace their lineage from the still
more ancient Sabella in Italy. When John Savile, 2nd son of Sir John
Savile, travelled in Italy in the time of James I., the then Duke de
Savelli received him as a kinsman. Of this family were the Popes
Honorius III. and Honorius IV. A MS. Visitation in the British Museum
says "It is conceived, that this family came into England with Geoffrey
Plantagenet, rather than with the Conqueror, because there are two towns
of this name on the frontiers of Anjou, both of which were annexed to the
crown of England when the said Geoffrey married Maud, sole daughter and
heir of Henry I." This is said to have been taken from the Savile
pedigree in the keeping of Henry Savile of Bowlings, Esq., living in
1665. The Saviles of Methley trace their descent, in the male line, from
this Sir John Savile of Savile Hall. One branch, the Saviles of
Thornhill, are now represented in the female line by the Duke of
Devonshire, and the Savile Foljambes, one of whom is the present Lord
Hawkesbury. The Saviles of Copley, now extinct, are represented by the
Duke of Norfolk, and a younger branch by the Earls of Mexborough. The
opinion that they came from Anjou is generally accepted, the authorities
being _Yorkshire Pedigrees_, _British Museum Visitations_, Gregorovius,
uno frio, Panvinio, and other chroniclers.

We now proceed to notice the other persons, of more or less repute, who
were at various periods owners in Horncastle. In the 3rd year of King
John we find Gerard de Camville paying fees for land in Horncastle by his
deputy, Hugo Fitz Richard, to the amount of 836 pounds, which was a large
sum in those days. {26a} He was sheriff of the county, A.D. 1190, along
with Hugo. {26b} The name, however, is more known for the celebrated
defence of Lincoln Castle by Nicholaia de Camville against the besieging
forces of King Stephen in 1191, and again in her old age against Henry
III., assisted by Louis, Dauphin of France. An ancestor of William de
Camville is named in the Battle Abbey Roll, among those Normans who came
over with the Conqueror.

William de Lizures and Eudo de Bavent are also named as paying similar
fees, though to smaller amounts. The de Lizures were a powerful
Yorkshire family, who inter-married with the De Lacy