These English Knights are Direct Ancestors of Russia's Last Emperor, Who Is a Canonized Saint
Tsar Nicholas II is a direct descendant of many English noblemen
In the late 14th century, Sir John Wingfield, a direct ancestor of Russia’s last emperor, built St. Andrew’s Church, in Wingfield, Suffolk, near the eastern shores of merry England. With soaring clerestories, a nave roof with arched braces resting on figures of winged angels, a charmingly decorated window tracery of flower petals, a rood loft reached by two stairways, and some of the finest 15th century medieval monuments in England, this stunning church does not disappoint.
St. Andrew’s Church is the final resting place for Sir John, and also for other noble English ancestors of Russia’s last emperor, Tsar Nicholas II.
In 1361, the year of Sir John’s death, his daughter Katherine married Sir Michael de la Pole, the 1st Earl of Suffolk. They had eight children, the oldest of which was Sir Michael de la Pole, the 2nd Earl of Suffolk, who also married a woman named Katherine.
This younger Sir Michael was a supporter of Kings Henry IV and Henry V, and an opponent of King Richard II. He died during the famous Siege of Harfleur in 1415. He and his wife are both direct ancestors of Tsar Nicholas II, and their remains are in England, in St. Andrew’s Church, even to this day.
Sir Michael and his wife Katherine had eight children, including two daughters, Elizabeth and Isabel. Elizabeth is a direct ancestor of Tsar Nicholas II, a canonized Saint. Meanwhile, Isabel is a direct ancestor of me and my family. I suppose it just took our side of the family a little longer to make it over to Russia.
Of course, Tsar Nicholas II had many ancestors among the European nobility. His mother was Princess Dagmar of Denmark (her name was changed to Maria Feodorovna). He was also a direct descendant of King Christian IX of Denmark, King Frederick V of Denmark, King Christian VI of Denmark, Princess Charlotte of Prussia, King Frederick William III of Prussia, King Frederick William II of Prussia, Princess Sophia Dorothea of Prussia, Prince Augustus William of Prussia, King Louis IX of France, King Charles II of England, Princess Mary of Great Britain, Princess Louise of Great Britain (who also was Queen of Denmark), King George II of Great Britain, and many, many more.