“I am Parson Tringham, the antiquary, of Stagfoot lane. Don’t you really know, Durbeyfield, that you are the lineal representative of the ancient and knightly family of the D’Urbervilles, who derive their descent from Sir Pagan D’Urberville, that renowned knight who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, as appears by Battle Abby Roll?” p. 13-14
This is a quotation from Phase the First. It is a Parson telling Tess’ dad that they are related to a wealthy and noble family, the d’Urbervilles. I feel that it is significant to the novel because it is the whole reason that Tess has to go to the d’Urbervilles mansion. Once they find out that they are related, her mother forces her to go there to try and marry Alec d’Urberville. This relates to the treatment of women, because women back then were forced into an arranged marriage by their parents, giving them no choice. This is what later happened to Tess, although she didn’t end up marrying Alec.