One evening, on his way home from Shaston to the village of Marlott, Jack Durbeyfield met Parson Tring ham Good evening, parson,' said Jack. Good evening, Sir John Jack looked at the parson in surprise. 'Why do you call me "Sir John"?' he asked. 'You know that I am plain Jack Durbeyfield, the haggler The parson hesitated for a moment, then replied, While I was researching the history of this county, I discovered that your ancestors are the d'Urbervilles, an ancient noble family. Your ancestor Sir Pagan d'Urb erville was a famous knight who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror'