The marriage of Sir Francis Bryan and Joan Fitzgerald in 1548 unified
the scions of two royal houses:  the one English, the other Irish.  Their
descendants are from the distinguished line of English Bryans, as well
as the noble Geraldine line, the ancient Dalcassian line of Irish kings,
and the Plantagents and Saxons.

Sir Francis Bryan was a direct descendant of Edward III, 1312-1377.
His mother, Margaret Bourchier, who married Sir Thomas Bryan was
related to Anne Boleyn through the Duke of Norfolk.  She was
descended from the Saxon line of Cerdic, who founded the kingdom of
Wessex A.D. 519.  Lady Margaret Bryan was the foster
mother and governess for Henry VIII's children.
She was very devoted to them and mch beloved by them
all:  Mary, Edward, and Elizabeth.

Sir Thomas Bryan, father of Francis, was a diret descendant of Engelbert I,
Seigneur de Brienne, who died in 990.  Thirteen generations later there was Lord
Guy de Bryan, who did important civil and military services during the reigns of
Edward III and Richard II.

Joan Fitzgerald was descended through the Earls of Desmond from Walter Fitz-                       Bryan Family
other, living in 1100, and from Cas, b. 347, whose descendant Brian Boru was                           Morgan Bryan
the 175th monarch of Erin, fifeeen generations from Cas.                                                             Peter Bryan
                                                                                                                                                          William Bryan
home                                                                              continued