The surname of Harman is a patronym "the descendent of Herman or Hariman", a personal name of Germanic origin meaning "warrior" - early historic example is Alexandra Filius Hermanni in the 1191 pipe rolls.

The blazon coat of arms for Harman is recorded in Bunce's General Armouries. In my collection is a copy of the coat of arms which originated as motifs borne on the shields of knights in armour that they could be identified on the battle field. The language of heraldry is of great antiquity. These armorial's were formalised and recorded by heralds from 13th century onwards, far before the start of my narrative.

When Henry VII was battling with Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth for the English throne in the year of our lord 1488 there lived in East Grinstead an Edward Harman who we believe to be the father of Richard Harman. Much information on the Harman's came from many of the East Grinstead and Rotherfield parish records that survived. There are also manorial records that the steward recorded for the lord of the manor on all freemen, tenants, and surfs within his lord's estates. It is from these record's that we know that Edward Harman existed as he was a juror for East Grinstead from 1552-1562.

Unfortunately there are no birth or marriage records for Richard and Clemencia. If Richard's father was Edward then he was a freeman, which meant he could be selected to serve as a juror at manorial gatherings to sit in judgement on those brought before the lord for all manner of offences.

Richard and Clemencia lived in East Grinstead and there they lived and raised a family. Richard was by comparison reasonably well off as he was a mercer dealing in textile fabrics, especially silks and other costly materials. It is also recorded that he was a part owner of Parrock Forge near the parish of Hartfield.

Richard and Clemencia had eight children who survived to a reasonable age. Elizabeth, Alice, George, Edmund, Edward, Nicholas, Johanna, and lastly, Rowland. They were all to marry in the future years with the exception of Alice and Johane where no further information has been found.

Richard carried on with his merchandising by travelling to London or Bristol to collect textiles brought in by traders from the North of England or overseas. He in all probability travelled by horse as the prime means of transportation of goods was mainly carried out by horse and mule trains. Roads were none existent.

Richard and Clemencia's family was complete by 1544 with the five boys and the three girls and they lived we hope happily and raised a fine family of healthy children, at Middle Row, at East Grinstead. But misfortune was to strike when Richard died at the age of 52 in the year 1556 and was buried at East Grinstead, leaving Clemencia with the children. The eldest girl Elizabeth was about twenty-seven and married to a Mr. Melpham and Rowland the youngest boy was twelve.

Clemencia continued to live at Middle Row as was officially recorded in the year 1562. A Cecile Harman was found in the parish records which recorded her burial as a widow on the 27th august 1576. I believe this could be, in actual fact, Clemencia's death as there were only these two of five people shown in the East Grinstead records that coincided with Richard Harman.