This roller pedigree probably represents the most valuable document still in existence that originated from the old Jermy family of Norfolk. Most of the other family documents were lost or destroyed after the death of William Jermy in 1752.

The early part of the pedigree dates from the mid 17th century, while the later modifications are 18th century. It traces the Jermy family from Sir William Jermy, knight, who was alive in 1221. His son Sir John Jermy, knight, supposedly married Margery, the second daughter of Roger Bigod, the Earl Marshall of England. It is likely that the first few generations are wishful thinking however, since there is little evidence that the named daughters of Roger Bigod and John Balliol actually existed.

The roller pedigree has been in the possession of the Preston family since 1752, when William Jermy died. It passed from Sir Thomas Preston (1767 - 1823) through several generations to Sir Ronald Preston (1916 - 1999) of Beeston Hall, Norfolk. The current Baronet, Sir Philip Preston, generously gave the roller pedigree to myself. The document has since been donated to the Norfolk Record Office.

The document appears to have been made by professional pedigree artists. The colours are bright and the arms have been drawn with a great deal of detail and care. It is interesting that the Jermy heraldic "beast" appears to have been depicted as a leopard rather than a lion up until Robert Jermy of Norwich (c. 1480 - 29th January 1533). There is a significant difference between the representation of the beast on his shield compared to those of his first cousins Edmond and John Jermy of Metfield. The change in colour of the vellum at this point also indicates that the later section showing the Gunton and Bayfield branches has replaced a previous older section. This later section must have been created by a different artist between 1735 and 1751 since it includes William Jermy's first wife, Elizabeth Richardson, but not his second wife, Frances Preston.

It is possible that the amateurish pedigree by John Jermy of Bayfield was used as an early template for this pedigree of John's son William Jermy. The two pedigrees present identical information down to the 11th generation, after which this pedigree concentrates on the Norfolk branch of the Jermy family.

Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England. Issue two daughters.
Arms: Per pale Or and vert, a lion rampant gules.

Sir William Jermy, knight
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

Thomas of Brotherton, son to King Edward I, was by his brother King Edward II created Earl of Norfolk & Earl Marshall of England in right of his wife.
Arms: Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed and langued azure, with a label argent of three points for a difference.

married:

Eldest daughter of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England.
Arms: Per pale Or and vert, a lion rampant gules.

Margerie, daughter and one of heirs of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England.
Arms: Per pale Or and vert, a lion rampant gules.

married:

Sir John Jermy, knight, son of Sir William and had issue.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

Thomas of Brotherton, brother of King Edward II, County of Norfolk and Earl Marshall of England. In 19th year of Edward II did convey to his brother in law Sir John Jermy, knight, two parts of the Manor of Metfield in Suffolk. The third part to his wife, for assignement of her dower as it appeareth by a deed in the possession of Francis Jermy of Brightwell, Esquire.

Sir John Jermy, knight.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Anne the daughter of Henry Langford of Devon, Esquire.
Arms: 

Sir William Jermy, knight. Lived Ano 5 Ed 3 (1331).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Ellin, daughter of John Balliol, King of Scotland. Ano 1303.
Arms: Gules, an orle, Or.

Sir John Jermy, knight. Lived Ano 13 Ed 3 (1339).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Jane, daughter of Sir Roger Hales, knight.
Arms:

Sir Thomas Jermy, knight. Lived Ano 33 Ed 3 (1359).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Isabell, daughter of Sir John St Alban, knight of Cornwall.
Arms:

Sir William Jermy, knight. Lived Ano 9 Richard 2 (1386).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Elizabeth, daughter of John Hunhall (Hemenhale).
Arms: Argent, a chevron between two fesses sable

Sir John Jermy of Metfield in the county of Suffolk, knight. Lived Ano 10 H 2 (1422).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Margerie, daughter and heir of Arnold de Mounteney, who lineally descended from John de Mounteney, Baron in the time of William the Conquerer.
Arms: Azure, a band Or with six martlets, argent.

Sir John Jermy, knight. Lived Ano 6 Ed 4 (1466).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Elizabeth, daughter of William Wroth of Enfield.
Arms: Argent, on a band sable three lions.

Sir John Jermy, knight. Lived Ano 22 Ed 4 (1482).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Isabelle, daughter of John Hopton, Esquire.
Arms: Argent, two bars sable, each charged with three mullets of five points Or.

Thomas Jermy, second son.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules, with a crescent gules for a difference.

married:

Ann, daughter of William Yelverton.
Arms: Argent, three lions rampant, gules; a chief of the second.

Edmund Jermy, Esquire. Died Ano 21 Hen VII (1506).
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Ann, daughter of William Booth, Esquire.
Arms:

John Jermy, second son.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules, with a crescent gules for a difference.

married:

Jane, daughter of Henry Russell.
Arms:

Robert Jermy of Norwich.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.
(A totally different heraldic "beast". A true lion compared to a leopard?

married:

Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Browne of Norwich, Esquire.
Arms: Argent, a bend voided sable between two pellets.

Robert Jermy of Antingham.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Ann, daughter of Richard Calthorpe, Esquire.
Arms: Checky Or and az a fesse ermine.

John Jermy of Gunton.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Eleanor, daughter of John Jermy of Stutton in County of Suffolk.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

Francis Jermy of Gunton in County Norfolk, first son.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

Robert Jermy of Bayfield in Norfolk.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Christian, daughter of Robert Cock of Ranworth in County Norfolk.
Arms: Quarterly gules and argent.

John Jermy, son and heir.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Alice, daughter of Miles Hobart of Intwood in Norfolk.
Arms: Sable an estoile of six points Or between two flaunches erm.

John Jermy.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Jane, daughter of John Chare of Wandsworth in Surrey.
Arms: Argent, three pickaxes, sable.

John Jermy.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Mary, daughter of William Starkey, Clerk of Pulham in Norfolk.
Arms: Argent a stork sable beaked and legged gules.

William Jermy.
Arms: Argent, a lion rampant guardant, gules.

married:

Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir of William Lord Richardson, Baron of Crammond in Scotland.
Arms: Sable, on a chief sable three lions heads erased of the field, on a canton azure a saltire argent.

Complete coat of arms, helm, crest and motto of William Jermy of Bayfield.

Arms: Qly of four, 1, Argent a lion rampant guardant gules (Jermy), 2, Per pale or and vert a lion rampant gules (Bigod), 3, Argent a stork sable beaked and legged gules (Starkey), 4, Sable, on a chief sable three lions heads erased of the field (Richardson), impaling Qly of four, 1, Azure a bend between six martlets or (Mountenay), 2, Argent three picks sable (Chare), 3, on a canton azure a saltire argent (Richardson), 4, Argent a lion rampant guardant gules (Jermy).