TWO German descendants of an Englishman who fought in the Civil War have visited the village where he was a prominent resident more than three-and-a-half centuries ago.

Catrin Baumbach, of Leipzig, and Renate Majewski, of Bielefeld, are descended from Captain Edward Place who, for the last half of the 17th Century, lived at Well, near Bedale.

During the English Civil War of 1641-52, Cpt Place took part in five battles, including Marston Moor, nine sieges, including York, and was twice taken prisoner. After such excitement, he settled at Canswick Park, Snape, now Watlass Moor Farm, and became master of the hospital - or almshouses - at Well.

Cpt Place had eight children and started a dynasty. One of his great-great-great-grandsons was Dr Francis Place who did his medical training in Germany and married a German girl.

The recent German visitors are descended from this branch of the family and stayed at Snape to research Cpt Place's connections. They were assisted by Dr David Severs of Northallerton, whose research for his doctorate included the manor of Snape and Well and who has a card index covering all the residents of the two villages in the 17th and 18th centuries, and they attended a meeting of Snape History Group. The group's annual exhibition in August will be about the First World War, and they offered to provide some exhibits.

Dr Severs said: "It is remarkable that two German descendants of an Englishman who fought in the Civil War should visit the village where he was such a prominent resident some 360 years ago. The visitors appreciated the friendly welcome given by the villagers of Snape and elsewhere in North Yorkshire, particularly at the Castle Arms and by members of the village history group."