General Notes

Notes: Following tradition, the Mari family lived in the co
mmunity of St. Come du Mont (Normandy). There was a Mari St
reet named after Ralph, first sire de Mari, friend of the s
ire of Sainte Marie du Mont and the dukes of Denmark.
According to legend, Ralph was secretly married to the daug
hter of the lord of Mont Haguez. They had a son, Richar
d I de Mari, or Richard the Old, who is attributed with th
e founding of the churches of Sainte Come du Mont, de Bohon
, and de Meautis in 950.
Richard de Mari (or Meri) married Billeheude (Billeheust)
. This information comes from a document concerning the Boh
on priory. Billeheude is sometimes considered the daughte
r of a certain Richard de Billeheust or Richard de Saint Sa
uveur. In the family we find a Bileud or Bilelde, but a
t a later date she is considered the daughter of Neel II o
f Saint Saveur, one of the principal barons who revolted ag
ainst William the Bastard during his youth.
Because of the uncertain relations with the Norsemen who la
nded at Contentin and their chief, Rollo, there was a stron
g desire to unite the conquering and native peoples. The Ma
ri family also desired to hold onto their Christian origin
s and remain loyal to the dukes of Normandy. Richard de Mar
i had three sons: Richard, Humphrey, and Enjuger.