The surname of BEAUDETTE was a baptismal name 'the son of Baldwin'. The name means 'bold protector'. It was not a common name among the Anglo-Saxons, however, a frequent occurrence of the name in the Earldom of Flanders, caused the province to become known as 'Baldwinus Lane'. It was an extremely popular name among the Normans in the Middle Ages as it was the given name of the Crusader, who in 1100 became the first Christian king of Jerusalem, and of four more Crusader kings of Jerusalem. It was also borne by Baldwin, Count of Flanders (1172-1205), leader of the Fourth Crusade who became the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople (1204). During the 17th century surnames were brought to Britain, North America and southern Africa by French Huguenot exiles. The Huguenots were French Protestants, and in 1572 large numbers of them were massacred in Paris on the orders of Queen Catherine de'Medici. Many of the survivors sought refuge in England and elsewhere. Although the Edict of Nantes (1598) officially guaranteed religious toleration, persecution continued, and the Edict was revoked by Louis XIV in 1685. It was then the trickle of emigration became a flood. Many migrated to England, while others joined groups of Dutch Protestants settling around the Cape of Good Hope. Others sailed across the Atlantic to establish themselves in North America. A notable member of this name was Palmer Thayer BEAUDETTE, born 2nd August, 1914. His appointments included from 1936-1940, Publisher of the 'Californian'. The President of 'Beaudette Enterprises Inc', and his publications include 'Pacific Naturalist'. He resided at Moss Landing, California. In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armoured warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe. |
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