Talk:William Fitz Allan, Lord of Oswestry

It seems a good idea to merge the two pages, but who decides how to spell his name? Different on each entry: William Fitz Allan or William Fitz Alan. Some non-wikipedia sources spell it William FitzAlan or Fitz-Alan. The Owen and Blakely reference, here the source for his actions during the time of King Stephen, spells the name Fitz Alan, for example. And who rewrites the text to make the merge? Things over my head, the details of merges!

Prairieplant (talk) 06:32, 2 March 2013 (UTC)


 * This sounds a very good idea and the spelling seems a secondary matter. There is actually more on the other page but I've long been unhappy with the title. It seems a bit churlish to call a man who kept his oath to Henry I to support Matilda a "rebel" against King Stephen. It is at least arguable that the latter was a rebel and usurper. I'd rather have a more neutral title. If no-one else is prepared to act, I'll return and amalgamate the text in a few days. Sjwells53 (talk) 20:09, 10 March 2013 (UTC)
 * That would be great if you did that. Fitz Alan, per some sources, accepted his appointment in Shropshire from King Stephen, then swung back, perhaps generating the name rebel.  Yet many changed their loyalty in the long Anarchy, including Stephen's brother, Henry the bishop of Winchester. Stephen besieged the castle in Shrewsbury, and Fitz Alan left the country for many years, coming back only with Henry II.  I think it is wise to avoid name-calling of both King Stephen and Fitz Alan in that tumultuous era.  Better to tell the story of Fitz Alan, including his escape from the siege when so many were hanged. Definitely a neutral and descriptive title is appropriate for the merged article.  Is there an easy way to keep present links to either article feeding to the newly titled article?  That was my worry with the many spellings of his name.  In our modern times on computer, spelling is too precise! I could not discern an authoritative source for the spelling.   Prairieplant (talk) 10:05, 14 March 2013 (UTC)