Hugh (Cromwell) de Cromwell (abt. 1154)

Doubleday, H.A. & Lord Howard de Walden, The Complete Peerage, 1936 . 3:551

Ralph I Cromwell living 1183 is the first of this family group that can be confirmed. Ralph I appears to be have been suceeded by three successive generations until 1289 who did not hold lands in chief until Ralph IV married the widow of Ralph IV Basset of Drayton who was slain at Evesham in 1265, Margaret Somery. There also appears to be lack of information about the family with BHOL for the 12th and 13th century so therefore one can only speculate as to the time frame for each generation. Ralph, living 1212-1225 was a justice, though gaining in seniority, was probably still inexperienced thus placing his age rage of 30-40 years, therefore the Ralph living 1183 was of a previous generation. Ralph, living 1257, may have been another generation due to the absence of entries in the Close or Patent Rolls, as unlikely that one did not suddenly disappear from the rolls if they were a justice, combined with that when a person is given an exemption, there is usually some indication of his death within two or three years, so more than likely that the Ralph living 1240-1257 was the father of Ralph who died 1289, the father of Joan, wife and Alexander Freville.