Like everyone, however, our medieval ancestors included individuals from all levels of society. Some were royalty, while others were knights, and others were peasants. This was a time when market towns and urbanization was occurring throughout all of Europe. Our ancestors from this time came from England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland - and even Russia! Because of this, we can trace some of our lines of ancestry during this period -- while unfortunately others disappear into unrecorded history. The advantage of having ancestors of royal descent is because vital statistics were recorded about them - making it possible to trace one's ancestry. We also have ancestors that came from a single place in England (such as Pitsminster) over generations. Since in England local church kept records of baptisms and deaths, we can trace some of our ancestors in this way.