his unknown Dillingham exists solely to tie Thomas and William together. Probably born circa 1380, during the reign of Richard II. He presumably knew of the Wars of the Roses, although it has been said that few commoners were affected. Henry of Bolingbroke deposed Richard II in 1399. The House of Lancaster survived in Henry IV, V and VI until 1461. It was during the reign of Edward III (r.1327-1377) that surnames were required of Englishmen, so this man’s father may have been the first Dillingham. [DILLIN.GED]

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