1.  Between 1180 and 1240, a man nicknamed "Blisse" lived in England.  When surnames were required, the man's son adopted the nickname as "an additional description of himself."  This Blisse probably tilled soil and may have resided on a manor in Buckinghamshire.

2.  The Domesday Book (first national accounting of England's wealth) of 1086 contains no surname of Blisse. 

3.  The "Hundred Roll" conducted by Edward I in 1272 shows two Blisses:  

- County of Buckingham: Bunstone Hundred, Parish of Tyringham-cum-Filgrave.  John Blisse (and 20 others) holds 6 acres and one rood.  Would John have worshipped at St. Peter's in Tryringham-cum-Filgrage? (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

- County of Cambridge: Hundred of North Stowe, Town of Waterbeche.  John Blisse holds one messuage and pays yearly 3 shillings, 3 pence (along with Ralph, a merchant, and Geoffrey, a merchant.  The messuage contains three roods of land.

Waterbeach is 45 miles downriver from Tyringham.  The author reasons that the John Blisse who lived in Waterbeach is probably a son of the John Blisse in Tyringham. Would John Blisse have worshipped at St. John the Evangelist church at Waterbeach?  (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

4.  John Blisse of Tyringham was a feudal serf or "villein" with few rights. The oath of fealty caused him to fight wars and pay homage to his lord.  By 1400, laws limited the rights of villeins.  No child of a villein could be apprenticed or attend university.

5.  Thirteenth and fourteenth century records show the following:

William and John Blisse reside at Little Sampford, Essex, 1307

William Blisse of Abbots Salford, Warwickshire, was sued for false arrest in 1297

Reginald Blisse of Abbots Salford, Warwickshire, was taxed in 1327 and 1333.

Gilbert Blisse of Salop (Shrewsbury), Shropshire, was sued for trespassing in 1306.  Would Gilbert have worshipped at St. Giles in Shrewsbury,  an 11th century church?  (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

William Blisse of Little Sampford, Essex, was sued for trespassing in 1306.

John Blisse of Little Sampford, Essex, was sued for breach of contract in 1307.

Would William and John have worshipped at St. Mary the Virgin church in Little Sampford?  (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

Thomas Blisse of Little Bardfield, Essex was taxed in 1341. Would Thomas Blisse have worshipped at St. Katherine church in Little Bardfield?  (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

William Blisse of Cranfield, Bedfordshire is listed on tax roll in 1325. Would William have worshipped at the 13th century church of SS Peter and Paul at  Cranfield? (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

Philip Blisse of Wootton, Northamptonshire, was assaulted in 1356. Did Philip Bliss of Wootton attend St George the Martyr in Wootton? It is a 13th century parish church, restored in 1991.  (double-click on the thumbnail to open.)

William Blys of Dore, Derbyshire is listed in a charter in 1325.

6. County Map of England, Scotland, Wales