FRAME FAMILY ORIGINS

Dedicated to the memory of:

A. D. WELD FRENCH

Author of the "Index Armorial," Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Member of the Scottish History Society, and of the Committee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, author of Notes on the Family of Frenche, The Antiquary, vol. viii., 1886.

INTRODUCTION

Frame Family Origins is a 'sketch' of how the family of Frame might have evolved from the Fresnels of Normandy; a series of 'rough notes' that may be useful to others as a starting point of research. These notes are largely based on a scant number of charters that have survived, a written record that can not provide the definitive answers that our modern sensitivities demand. Yet, the Normans left very firm clues as to who they were, for the organisation of their society was based on familial associations: If a great lord held a fief, and had a recorded heir, and that heir and his descendants were served by someone who originated in that fief and his descendants, holding land of them as mesne tenant, and serving them in official capacities, then there is a great probability that the someone was a younger brother of the heir; an association of cousins. The modern sensitivities of seeking certainty I mention are now served by DNA research, which can not be used to disprove the overall authenticity of written records, yet can be used to infer that some records are likely to be incomplete in a very critical way: The 'early' societies we study were full of recorded instances of boys assuming the name of their mother's second or third husband, which can only lead us to suppose a great deal of unrecorded such instances, and in this manner many true male-line descents are hidden. In many instances, therefore, we seek to measure the unmeasurable, and, when we find disparity between the records and DNA results, there is an all too natural tendency to dismiss the record and search for alternative histories of descent, when it would be more relevant to research the existing history more fully, and, if that yields no clue, then to accept that some things are hidden from us. I am not aware of how DNA analysis may or may not validate the written records of the Fresnels, as such as they are, yet, as explained, this may not be relevant, and if such analysis does support in any way what is written then this would be a fortunate event, reflecting an 'open' genealogical record.

ETYMOLOGY

The surname Frame, at least the one associated with Sir Adam Frame alias Frenche or Franche, can be traced to the canton of Pavilly, situated near Rouen, were a Osbern de Freschenes was tenant in the latter half of the tenth-century. This was the site of a famous monastery associated with Saint Frame[childe] alias Franc[hilde], a seventh-century Frankish princess. The first element of the name, whether given with an interchangeable n or m, referred to the Germanic origin of the Saint; the second element probably meaning noble. The monastery gave rise to the nearby settlement of Freschenes, which derived its name from the same root as that of the Saint, for, by substituting the word chênes for the personal element of the name, we have Franchenes, or simlar, from which, in the tongue of the time, as different from present French as is present English from Chaucer, would have been similar to Fre[yn]sheens; hence the derivative Fresheens, thus Freschenes, further contracted to Fresnes, this latter form being interpretted as pertaining to the ash tree. The termination chênes could have referred specifically to oaks, but is more likely to have been used in the general sense [arbor] to indicate "a wooded settlement of the Franks." Etymologists such as Förstemann interpretted the derivative as a Frisian settlement, specifically the abode of someone named Frisco, yet such a view lacks the historical context in which the name developed. Franche and Framche would have had the same conotation, both meaning "free" - as in Franci [free men] from whom Saint Framechilde descended. This is not to say that all those called Fresne or French, as examples, had origins in Pavilly, or that these names did not exist other than as a contraction of another, yet in the specific case of the ancestors of Sir Adam Frame, that they were otherwise known as Fresne [or Freynsh, Frenshe, Freinche, Frainche] was a result of ancient connections to a site associated with the Franks. I give this example - In 1348, John Freyne, the son and heir of "John Freigne," became seized of Moccas, Marden, etc., as on his father's recent decease. At the last period, a Robert Frensh was seized of other lands in Herefordshire, on whose decease, in 1370, the custody of his estate was committed in wardship, " durante minoritate heredis." Antiquaries wrongly thought that this record was one of the many that evinced the transition from Freyne to French, wherehas, in fact, the contraction Freyne and its like had always been Freynshe and its like.

ANCESTRY

Earl William FitzOsbern was the son of Osbern FitzHerfast, that is, Osbern the high-steward, who is also sometimes called Osbern de Crepon, from the name of an estate in the neighbourhood of Bayeux. William of Jumieges calls him 'procurator principalis domus', an office which was only concerned with that branch of the stewardship which regulated the internal service of the palace; his father being Herfast de Crepon, brother of Duchess Gunnor, wife of 'Duke' Richard I.

Osbern FitzHerfast married Emma, a daughter of Count Rodolf of Ivry, who was a half-brother of the said 'Duke' Richard. Through her he inherited a large property in central Normandy, including the honours of Pacy, Jouy, and Cocherel on the Eure, lands dependant on Breteuil and centred on Ivry, the earliest demesne of the Norman 'dukes' [D.C. Douglas, William the Conqueror, pp. 89-90, 1964].[These lands include the fief of Freschenes]. Their son, William FitzOsbern, was probably raised at the court of his cousin and namesake Duke William, and like his father, became one of the ducal stewards. He founded Franche[land] in the Isle of Wight, named after his fief in Breteuil. William FitzOsbern married first Adeliza de Tosni, daughter of Roger I. de Tosni [David C. Douglas, 'The Ancestors of William Fitz Osbern,' English Historical Review, 59 (1944), 62-79]. Their son was Guillaume, 'Guillelmus fillius Guillelmi' [Chronicon Lyrensis], who married Adeline Montfort-sur-Risle; her kinsman, Hugh de Montfort-sur-Risle, gifted jointly with Guillaume de Francheville [Henry Richards Luard, Annales Monastici, lxiv., 1886], suggesting the Franche[villes] were a cadet of the family of Breteuil. The sister of 'Guillelmus fillius Guillelmi', Emma, was the grandmother of Amicia de Gael, who married Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicestershire.

I would reasonably suggest that Osbern de Freschenes was a son of Radulphus de Beaumont [of both Maine, as Viscomte, and Normandy], who took his name from his fief of that name in canton Pavilly, arr. Rouen. This was an era of extreme nepotism, wherein close tenurial associations were based on familial ones, and Osbern de Freschenes, as son of Radulphus de Beaumont, brother of Onfroi de Vieilles, and son of a sister of the Duchess Gunnor, would have been cousin of Osbern FitzHerfast, and his son, Turold de Freschenes, seneschal of Osbern FitzHerfast, would perfectly fit the norm of a junior member of a family assuming an official role in a senior relative's household. The family of Radulphus de Beaumont of Normandy also had a strong familial link to the Bellême family of Maine; his sister, Josseline of Pont-Audemer, married Hugh de Montgomery, of Mont Gomeri, near Lisieux, around which the Crispin family held vast tracts of land; suggesting the Montgomery family to be closely connected to the Crispins. Their son was Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, Arundel, and Chichester, who held Orbec in Normandy [L. C. Loyd, Origins of some Anglo-Norman Families, pp. 68-9, 1975], and who married Mabel Talvas, daughter of William II. [Talvas] de Bellême, son of Guillaume I. de Bellême. The person identified as as Radulphus de Beaumont of Maine married, more likely than not, Godehildis de Bellême, sister of Guillaume I. de Bellême and Avesgaud, Bishop of Le Mans, the latter giving the church of Parigné-l'Evèque and Loué to "unam Hildeburgi sorori suæ primogenitæ et alteram Godehilde germanæ suæ secundæ" by charter dated [1000]. The primary source which confirms her first marriage has not yet been identified. "Rodulfus ... Cenomannus vicecomes ... mee bone coniugis Godehelt … filio Rodulfo" donated property to the abbey of Saint-Victeur du Mans by charter dated to 994 [Château-du-Loir 1, p. I.]. No direct proof has been given that this is the same Godehildis, but it appears likely that this is correct, as later tenurial and familial connections favour [Emile de La Bédollière, Mœurs et vie privée des Français. p. 50, 1835].

Osbern de Freschenes was the ancestor of the family of Ferte-Fresnel, the name suggesting an alliance with the family of Ferte; a title "it is certain which belonged to the house of Bélesme" [Julien Rémy Pesche Dictionnaire topographique, historique et statistique de la Sarthe, p. 314, 1829]; the same source stating that Avesgaud, as above, was the first owner of Ferte, but probably under the auspices of his brother, William. Thus, Bernard de la Ferte of Ferte-Bernard, who succeeded Avesgaud in Ferte, and who gave his name to it, was a most likely son of this William. The family of Giroie were tenants, along with Paganus [Paynel], of Bernard de la Ferte [nephew of Roger de Montgomery; Peche, ibid.], of Ferte-Bernard in Maine; [Aristide Mathieu Guilbert, Histoire des Villes de France, p. 395, 1845]. A Bellême connection to the family of Gournay, of Ferte-en-Brai, is also suggested; in this regard it can be noted that the family of Gournay were to be closely associated with the Beaumonts of Normandy 'Beaumont actuel est le représentant de la branche féminine des anciens sires de Gournay' [de la Mairie].

The later family of Ferte-Fresnel, stemming from Osbern de Freschenes, had very strong links to the Giroe family of Maine; they jointly founded the Abbey of St. Evroult [David Crouch, The Beaumont twins, P. 116, 1986], and, thus, to the family of Bellême: Geroie fought with Guillaume I. de Bellême against Herbert Comte du Maine [Orderic Vitalis, Vol. II, Book III, p. 23]. Guillaume de Jumièges states that Giroie was "issu de deux nobles familles de Francs et de Bretons" and went with Guillaume de Bellême to the court of Duke Richard who granted him the castles of "Montreuil et d'Echauffour" [Guillaume de Jumièges, VII.11, p. 181]. Guillaume de Jumièges also records the marriage of Giroie and Gisela, daughter of "Toustain de Montfort" - a descendant of Hrolf Turstain.

[Guillaume I. de Bellême, was the grandfather of William de La Ferté-Macé, by Hildegarde de Beaumont, great-grandaughter of Radulphus. A grandson of William de La Ferté-Macé, Hamon II Massey, married Eleanor de Beaumont, daughter of Robert de Beaumont, descendant of Onfroi de Vieilles, who is identified elsewhere in this work as the probable true father of Jordan Paynel, ancestor of the Hamiltons of Yorkshire and Scotland].

From the above may be adduced that Radulphus de Beaumont, of the family of Pont-Audemer, if synonomous with Radulphus de Beaumont of Maine, was ucle to both Roger de Montgomery and Guillaume II. de Bellême, with the former marrying the latter's daughter; a typical example from this time of an extremely closely connected kinship network. Neither is Radulphus de Beaumont of Maine precluded from being synonomous with Onfroi de Vieille's brother by any plausible alternative ancestry:

There is no charter evidence to support a claim that the Radulphus de Beaumont fl. c. 1000 was a descendant of any previous mesne-tenant of the Counts of Maine. Supposition that he was semms to be based on nothing more than the chance fact that he shared the same name as a previous vassal lord who was also related to a previous Bishop of Maine; which is as if to claim that someone related to, say, Pope Pious III. was possibly related to someone related to Pope Pious I. - not perhaps the most convincing of arguements, especially when there is no evidence to connect the earlier Bishop, Mainardus, to the Bellême family. Generally, many common genealogical assumptions about the first Viscomtes of Maine seem to be based on nothing more than the number of times a person is mentioned in one of the rare extant charters; and certainly father is confused with son. The assumption that the title Viscomte [of no more accuracy tham describing the first chieftains of Normandy as dukes] was always hereditary has been shown to be false [Hélène Débax, Vicomtes et vicomtés dans l'Occident médiéval, 2008], further adding to a confusion which saw many early accounts of the 'Vicomtes' acknowledging their problematic accuracy, and not commencing detailed reporting until after 1060.

What we can know is that the families of Giroie and Paynel, associated with the Ferte-Fresnels, were feudatories on Bellesme land; Guillaume I. de Bellesme, Radulph de Beaumont's brother-in- law, built Chateau d'Essaye d'Essecourt, situated near Pont-Audemer, from whence the Beaumont family of Normandy originated; the ancient arms borne by the Viscomtes de Beaumont were d'azur au lion d'or, which are very similar to those borne by the [descendants of Onfroi de Vieilles] Beaumonts of Meulan, viz. de sable au lion d'or [Jouffroy d'Eschavannes, 'Armorial universel', 46-7]; Odo de Fraxineto, Radulphus of Maine's grandson, was a signatory to the foundation charter of St. Père, c. 1080, along with Henry de Beaumont, Onfroi de Vieille's son, and Alorius de Pont-Audemer, Henry de Beaumont's cousin, of the said Beaumont family of Normandy; Le Prevost could not account for Radulphus de Beaumont of Normandy being called Beaumont before his family held Beaumont near Pont-Audemer.

To this may be added that accounts of Ferte-Fresnel ancestry, which drew upon pre- Revolutionary documentation [DN. 357, 1773, cit. Histoire Maison de Harcourt et Mémoires de M. de Saint-Georges de Moges], claimed a descent from someone called Turulph, who lived at the time of Rollo; whose son was Radulphus; accounts consistent with Turulph of Pont-Audemer being the father of Radulphus de Beaumont, ancestor of the Ferte-Fresnels.

FRESCHENES AS FRESKIN AND MORAY

The fief of Fresnaye or Fresne-le-Vicomte in Maine, held by the Maine family of Beaumont, was formerly known as Frechines [Lochet, Province du Maine, 1845]; its name also seeming to derive from Freschenes, suggesting a link between the Freshenes families of Pavilly and Maine.

A Robertus de Freschenes appears in acts circa 1160 with members of the de Vaux [Vallibus] family, who were to settle in Dirletown, Scotland, home of the later Halyburtons [Rymer's Faedera, vol. i. p. 40]. It would seem reasonable to suggest that the Freskin whose name appears in a charter by King William to Freskin's son, William, granting Strathbrock in West Lothian and Duffus, Kintrae, and other lands in Moray, "which his father held in the time of King David" [G. W. S. Barrow, The Acts of William I King of Scots 1165-1214 in Regesta Regum Scottorum, Volume II, no. 116, pp. 198-9, 1971] was of the Freschenes vide Fresquienne family. Freskin is a name common to the families of Moray and Douglas. The youngest son of the first recorded Lord of Douglas, William de Douglas, Freskin de Douglas, was parson of the parish of Douglas, before being appointed Dean of Moray. The Freskins of Kerdal, Lairds of Moray, had for their armorial bearings 3 stars, and living side by side with the Douglas, might they not be of the family? The similarity between the heraldry of the Morays and Douglases with the use of "Argent, on a chief azure, three stars of the field" for Douglas, and "Azure, three stars argent, two and one" for Moray,* makes this a compelling notion [Herbert Maxwell, A History of the House of Douglas vol i., 1902]. The name Freschenes or Fresquienne is also synonomous with Friskin or Freskin or Fresquin, as shown in the Acts of William I. of England, 1066-1087, wherein Richard de Friscen[is], in a latinised form, is also noted as Richard de Fresquienne.

It can be further noted that Victorian antiquaries considered the case that Freskin [Fresquin] was a son of William de Fresquienne, alias Freschenis, alias [Ferte] Fresne[l]*, noted in a charter of 1131 of St. George de Bocherville, without finding proof for the case. However, by way of tentative proof: "The Morays were related by marriage to a Lothian family, and the point might be solved did we know the exact relationship between the Morays and the Lundons, as indicated in the "Register of Newbattle." There John de Moravia appears as son of John of Lundon, proof that from this family there apparently sprung a race of Morays,** though probably of illegitimate birth. Why a son of Lundon should be distinguished as "of Moray" may be matter for speculation. It, however, militates against the hitherto accepted theory that all Morays descend from Freskin" [Mr D. Murray Hose, Notes On The Family Of De Moravia, Or Moray; Transactions Of The Gaelic Society Of Inverness, Volume xxv., 19O1-19O8]. The Acts of Henry II., concerning his French possesssions, are witnessed by "Johannes de Lunda, Robertus de Freschenis." Lunda is a latinisation of Lund. Thomas de Lunda settled in Scotland before 1163. A Johannes de Lunda, temp. Edward III., was prebendary of Govan in "ecclesia Glasguensi." If an association can be made between John of Lundon [Lundon vide Lundin, later of Auchtermerny, or, a lion ramp. gu., and Johannes de Lunda, then it would be not be improbable that John of Lundon was the father of a son who took his mother's [Freskin] name of Moray, and that Freskin was of the family of Freschenis [Freschenes] alias Ferte-Fresne or Ferte-Fresnel, and perhaps the son of William Freschenis, as noted.

*The Freschnenes would seem to be synonomous with the Ferte-Fresnels: "In the present and future, know that I, Robert de Fresnes, gave in perpetual offering to Saint-George de Boscherville" [A. Besnard, Monographie de l'église et de l'abbaye Saint-Georges de Boscherville, P. 7, 1899].

**There were more ancient and different families of Moray than the one associated with Freskin; the Morays of Culbin, with the aid of the Registers of Dunfermline (p. 195) and St Andrews (pp. 109, 260, 340), as just one example, can be traced to a more remote antiquity than any other branch. Freskin's son, William, witnessed a charter in 1160, and between 1166 and 1171 had a grant of his father's lands ["Quas terras, Pater suus Friskinus tenuit tempore Regis David Avi mei"] in Strathbrock, Duffus, Rosile, Inshkiel, Kintrae, and Machir, and, in 1190, he had other grants in Moray, from the Bishop of that see. He may have been William Fresekyn, "Sheriff of Invernaryn" named in 1204. William had three sons, Hugh, Lord of Duffus,* William, and Andrew, who is possibly identical with the Andrew de [Moray] who appears in Border charters, and probably became ancestor of the southern Morays. William, second son of William ["Willielmus Filius Willielmi Friskini"], who married the daughter and heiress of David de Olifard, son of Walter de Olifard, justiciary of Lothian, was Dominus de Pettie, Brachlie and Boharm, [and was] father of Walter of Pettie, married to a daughter of Malcolm, earl of Fife, of whom came Sir Andrew Moray, Lord of Bothwell, see anon, Governor of Scotland, who died anno 1338; and Sir John de [Moray], whose representative in the right male-line is Moray of Abercairny; Andrew, Bishop of of Moray; Gilbert, Bishop of Caithness; and Richard of Coulbin.

Hugh, Lord of Duffus, the eldest son of William and grandson of Freskin, was the heir to Duffus and Strabrock. He is referred to as Hugh Freskin* and Hugh de Moravia in documents from 1195 onward. The Bishop of Moray gave him a free chapel in Duffus Castle between 1203 and 1214. By 1211, he also had Skelbo and other lands in Sutherland. Hugh Freskin died before 1222, and was buried in the church of Duffus, leaving three sons, William, Walter, and Andrew: "Hugh was father of Walterus de Moravia, "filius quondam Hugonis de Moravia", so called in an agreement, anno 1366, with Archibald, Bishop of Moray, about a part of the wood and moor of Spynie. He probably married a daughter of the Earl of Ross; acquiring lands of him.

His son "Friskinus filius Walteri" married Joanna, heiress of Strathnavir, who was of the family of the Earls of Caithness. They had two daughters, co-heiresses, viz. Helen, married to Sir Reynold Cheyne,** and Christine, married to William de Federeth. These daughters brought to their husbands one fourth part of Caithness. The family of Cheyne of Duffus ended likewise in two daughters; viz. Mary, married to Nicholas Sutherland, second son of Kenneth, Earl of Sutherland, who was killed at Hallidon Hill, anno 1333; and the other daughter married to John Keith, youngest son to Sir Edward Keith, Marshall of Scotland, and with her got Inverugie lands in Buchaa, and a part of Duffus. Thus Duffus was divided into the King's part, Duffus' part, and Marshall's part. Alexander Sutherland [gules three stars or], grandson of Nicholas, married Morella, the heiress of [Robert] Chisholm of Quarrelwood [grandson of Sir Robert Lauder of Urquart Castle/ Abercrombie], which greatly increased his fortune; and the family purchased Marshall's third, and had an opulent estate" [Shaw, Hist. Province Moray, pp. 99-100, ed. 1827].

*Hugh Freskin, acquired the territory of Sutherland, that is, Southerland, as lying south of Caithness, forfeited by the Earl of Caithness, in his rebellion of 1197, which rebellion Freskin had assisted to suppress. His eldest son, William, is believed to have been the first Earl of Sutherland, in this direct line. His son, William, second Earl of Sutherland, was one of the Scottish nobles who attended the parliament of Alexander III., at Scone, in 1283-4, when the succession to the crown of Scotland was settled. He was succeeded by his son, Kenneth, the third Earl of Sutherland, as above. His eldest son, by a daughter of the Earl of Marr, was William, the fourth Earl, who made an incursion into England, with the Earl of March, in 1340. He married Margaret, eldest daughter of Robert I. by his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgo, and full sister of David II., who created the earldom of Sutherland into a regality, in honour of Earl William and Margaret his wife, in 1345. The ancient territory of Petty and Brachly, comprehending at least the whole modern parish, first occurs in record as part of the possessions of a branch of the great family of De Moray, who seem to have held these lands as tenants of the Crown, from the end of the twelfth-century; and, early in the thirteenth, Walter de Moray conferred the parsonage tithes of the churches of Petty and Brachly on the cathedral church of Moray, of which they thenceforward formed one of the prebends, the patronage remaining with the family of the granter.

In 1226, Bishop Andrew enters into an agreement with Walterus de Petyn, relative to the lands of Ardtrillen, Lunyn, Duldavy, and Croyn, which lands his father, William, it is said, had held, and affirmed that they belonged to him by hereditary right. It is not improbable that Petyn had been possessed by Freskyn himself. In charter 61 of the chartulary of Moray, which establishes prebends in Elgin cathedral, this is said to be done as to Pettie and Bracholy, with the consent of Walter de Moray, then patron. In the preface to the chartulary we have an account of successive possession of these lands by Sir Andrew Moray, as above, the celehrated patriot, and Archibald the Grim, effective founder of the Black Douglas dynasty, third Earl of Douglas [ermine a heart gules, on a chief azure, three mullets argent, the change from metal to fur being a regular difference adopted by cadets of the Douglas family; illigitimate son of Sir James Douglas, and cousin of William, first Earl Douglas], by his marriage with the heiress of Bothwell and Pettie, who would appear to be Joanna, daughter, most like, of Thomas Moray of Bothwell, second son of Sir Andrew Moray, above mentioned.

It has been suggested that the young Archibald spent time with his cousin William at the court in exile of King David II. at Chateau-Gaillard in Normandy.

**"In the chartulary of Kelfo, there are donations by Adam de Gordun, fon of Adam, by Richard de Gordun — by his fon, Thomas Junior — by his fon Thomas junior — by his heireff and daughter Alicia, to 'the abbacy of Kelfo.' Thefe donations are prior to 1270; and it is probable, that the donors were the anceftors of Sir Adam Cordon warden of the Marches — Rymer, vol. II. p. 870 [who was] given in 1296 the forfeited lands of John Comyn, Dominus de. Strathbolgie. In 1376 Robert II. renewed the grant to Sir John Gordon, fon of Sir Alexander, fon of Sir Adam. Prior to this laft grant of Strathbolgie, David Bruce had given the foreft of Enzie and Boyne to that Sir John Gordon, who was flain in 1388. His fon, Sir Adam, was flain at Hamildun in 1401. This Sir Adam left no iffue but a daughter and heireff, Elizabeth, who married Alexander Seton, fon of Sir William Seton of Winton. Of this marriage was Alexander, who in 1421 and 1439 is called Alexander de Seton, dominus de Gordon; and it was not till 1449, that the family refumed the furname of Gordon, when created Earl of Huntly. Alexander, fon and heir of Elizabeth Gordon, was thrice married. By his firft wife he had no children. By his fecond, Egida Hay, daughter and heireff of John Hay of Tullibody, he had a fon, Alexander Seton de Gordon" [John Grant, William Leslie, A survey of the province of Moray, p. 16, 1798]. Sir Reginald de Cheyne married Helen, daughter of Freskin de Moray, whose daughter, Christian Cheyne, married Alexander de Seton de Gordon.

THE GORDONS AS SETONS OF YORKSHIRE

"The fee of Brus originated in the grant by Henry I, during the first decade of his reign, to Robert de Brus of about eighty manors which had formed part of the "Terra Regis" at the Survey of 1086. When William count of Mortain lost his English fee in 1104 some thirteen manors which had been held under Robert count of Mortain by Richard de Surdeval were probably included in the fee which Brus thereafter held directly of the Crown. Robert de Brus attested a charter of William count of Mortain to Marmoutier, made during the period 1103-1IO6; he did so no doubt as a tenant of the fee of Mortain in Normandy, and possibly in England also" [William Farrar]. Guisborough Cartulary: "Adam de Brus II. notifies to the king his confirmation of lands to Guisborough, 1170-90; the same Adam confirms Adam de Setun held land of him in Skelton, 1170-95. Peter de Brus I. confirms that Adam de Seton held land of him in Southburn, 1196- 1212." [Seton = Sethuna, Setton, Saiton; three carucates of land, held before the Conquest by Uctred as a 'manor,' were in the hands of Richard de Sourdeval, tenant under the Count of Mortain, in 1086. The under-tenants were a family called Seaton whose identity with the ancestors of the great Scottish family of Seton of Seton in East Lothian has been suggested. Although there are difficulties with this suggestion - those suggesting a seamless connection claim that Sir Christopher Seaton of Whitby Strand, who married the sister of Robert Brus, had a bother named Alexander, ancestor of the Scottish family of Seton. Whilst this is only a possibility, it does seem probable that the Scottish family of Seton shared some common origin with the Setons of Yorkshire. By this notion, the family of Gordon as Seton had historic tenurial associations with the Yorkshire families of Brus, Hamelton, and Fresnel - to borrow from what follows in more detail: "Mathilda de Sourdeval, his daughter, Ralph Paynel's wife, and sister, as said, of the wife of Robert Brus II., was a likely former mistress of Robert de Beaumont. It is not a case that nineteenth-century accounts of the Hamiltons being descended from the Beaumonts were wrong, it rather seems the case that such accounts wrongly assigned this association to later generations, and did not take into account the relevance of Gervase Paynel's arms, and the strong likelihood of his brother being the progenitor of the Hamiltons of Scotland ----- Guisbrough Priory: The surnames of Fraunceys [Ferte-Fresnel] and Brus, identified with this district, were found in the Cotentin of Normandy at an early period as grantors or as witnesses to charters; making likely some familial connection. Robert Fraunceys was one of the few recorded knights of the second Robert de Brus, who founded this priory in 1119, near his castle of Skelton, the name of this Robert Fraunceys, knight, appearing soon after the death of the first Robert de Brus, in circa 1100, as one of the witnesses to a charter to the neighboring Abbey of Whitby." At this time, tenurial associations were usually based on familial ones, and it is far from improbable that the family which held Seton under Richard de Sourdeval were of his family; or at least of a connected family, such as those of Brus or Fresnel.

1. Adam de Seton.

1.1. Ivo de Seton, witness to Adam Brus II. in Yorkshire & Robert Brus II. in Annandale.

1.1.1. Adam de Seton II., ob. ante 1234, sp. Mathilda de Turp [Thorp] of Castle Eden, seneschal of Peter Brus I.; granted lands in Skelton [EYC, ii. 26 & 431].

1.1.1.1. Ivo de Seton, lost many family possessions [CDS, i. nos 1216].

1.1.1.1.1 Adam de Seton III., held land in Seton for knights service [EYC, xi. 205].

1.1.1.1.1.1. John de Seton, "undoubtedly identical with the John de Seton who was a knight of Robert Brus V." [Ruth Margaret Blakely, The Brus family in England and Scotland, 1100-1295, p. 139, 2005, cit. Yorks Inq. iii., 99-100].

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Christopher Seton, sp. Chrstine, daughter of Robert Brus VI., tennant in Annandale, hanged and drawn in 1306 for supporting the rebellion against Edward I. Christopher's mother is unknown - There is no evidence which indicates that Ermina de Seton was the mother of Sir Christopher de Seton. Rather, it appears Ermina was the step-mother of Sir Christopher de Seton. There is an abstract of a petition of Ermina de Seton in the National Archives in which Ermina de Seton mentions Christopher de Seton by name but does not call him her son. Rather, she refers to him only as the son and heir of her late husband, John de Seton. The same is true of Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1301–1307 (1898), 465, where Christopher de Seton is identitied as the son and heir of John de Seton, but Ermina is not called his mother. A name mentioned in the petition is that of Brabazon.

Freskin.

William Fresekyn "Sheriff of Invernaryn."

Hugh Freskin of Duffus = dubh-uisg, meaning "dark water" or "black water."

Walter de Moray; great-niece sp. Archibald, third Earl of Douglas = Dubh-glas, meaning "dark water." Freskin de Moray, sp. Johanna de Strathnavir.

Helen de Moray, sp. Reginald de Cheyne.

Christian Cheyne, sp. Alexander de Seton de Gordon.

FROM THE DARK WATER

The name of Duffus comes from the lands of Duffus in Morayshire and is probably from the Gaelic words, dubh and uisg, meaning "darkwater" or "blackwater". Once the region was below sea level, and the Loch of Spynie and stagnant pools were a conspicuous feature of the area.

1.1.3.3.1.1.3.1.2. Sir George Douglas, who married his "cousin" Elizabeth Douglas.

1.1.3.3.1.1.3.1.2.1. Sir David Douglas, Earl of Angus; sp. Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Sir John Hamilton [Illegitimate son of James 1st Earl of Arran & Beatrice Drummond, as above] & Janet Home, daughter of Alexander, 3rd. Lord Home.

Margaret Hamilton m [1] John Johnstone, Laird of Johnstone, and had issue, Janet Johnstone, m [2] Alexander Abernethy, Lord of Saltoun and Abernethy [SCT], [3] William Kerre of Ewinstoun.

RUTHERFORDS OF FLANDERS

Surnames often have an emotional context, and are often given origins that most suit the needs of those researching them. This has certainly been the case with many Scottish surnames, for very understandable reasons, yet, with great credit, some family historians seek to go beyond myth and fantasy, and seek out what is more likely to be true. Such a historian is Gary Rutherford Harding, who, concerning some previous research into his family, observes "Mark Twain said, "History tells us that the truth is not hard to kill, but a lie told well is immortal ...... the internet harbors many "genealogists" busy achieving their immortality" [Gary Rutherford Harding, "The Rutherfords of Roxburghshire", privately published, lat. ed. 2002; cit. Kenneth Rutherford Davis, The Rutherfords in Britain: a history and guide, Alan Sutton Publishing, Gloucester, 1987]. Mr. Rutherford Harding clearly shows that the Rutherfords who settled in Scotland were of Flemmish extraction. To summarise his main points:

[1] "Under David I [1124-53] and Malcolm IV [1153-65] the Flemish counts, Thierry de Alsace [1128-63] and his son Philip de Alsace [1163-91] cooperatively developed a program to settle Flemish immigrants in various areas of Scotland, including Roxburgh." The purpose of this settlement policy was to establish a defensive zone between England and Scotland; hence the ancestors of many knightly families occupied border regions.

[2] "Counts Thierry de Alsace and Philip de Alsace were also the overlords of the Seigniory of the Court of Ruddervoorde in West Flanders. In 1128 Lambert de Ridefort [Ruddervoorde] served as a witness for Count Thierry de Alsace. In 1154 Lambert de Ridefort and his brother Eustachius [Eustache] served as witnesses to Gerald, Bishop of Tournai and Count Thierry de Alsace. Sir Gerard de Ridefort [de Ruddervoorde] - 10th Grand Master of the Knights Templar - accompanied Thierry de Alsace, Count of Flanders on his 4th crusade to Outremer in 1164, at which time, Gerard entered the service of King Amaury I of Jerusalem...... By the year 1230, the lordship of Ruddervoorde belonged to Lamkin van Ruddervoorde after the death of his father Knight Haket who received it from the Dean of St. Donatian church in Bruges."

[3] "At about this time, Robertus dominus de Rodyrforde, first appears in the Scottish records. Robertus dominus de Rodyrforde witnessed a royal charter in 1140 granted by King David I of Scotland to Gervasius de Rydel...... It is interesting to note, the third syllable was spelled "ford" with the Flemish ending of "e" and almost identical to the Flemish toponymic name of Ruddervoorde in West Flanders, Belgium...... Ruddervoorde or Ridervoorde means "a knight's river crossing" and interestingly the Gervasius de Rydel mentioned about has a surname with a similar etymology ...... The hamlet of Rutherford enters into the Scottish record during the reign of William the Lion shortly after 1165. Since the time of James Rutherfurd II the Rutherfurd chieftains have always been from Edgerston which is to the south of Rutherford on the Jed River flowing through the town of Jedburgh."

[4] "Central to Rutherford genealogy in Scotland and to the Hunthill Rutherfords specifically is the family’s connection and descent from the powerful "Black Douglases" and their kin, the Glendonwyns...... The Rutherfords and Glendonwyns were the [seneschals] to the Douglas family along with the Home and Hoppringle families. Sir Robert Rutherford’s wife, Margaret Glendonwyn, was the grand daughter of both Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of John Stewart, King Robert III of Scots."

[5] "Margaret Glendonwyn’s father was Sir Simon Glendonwyn of Glendonwyn and Parton (a 1455) who was married to Elizabeth Lindsay daughter of Alexander Lindsay, 2nd Earl of Crawford and Marjory (Margaret) of Dunbar a descendant of Gospatrick the great earl. Alexander Lindsay's aunt, Agnes Dunbar, was the wife of Sir James Douglas - 1st Lord of Dalkeith and as such was also the great great aunt of Sir Simon Glendonwyn. The Hunthill coat of arms carries a charge of three passion nails which came from the Douglas of Morton coat of arms. Margaret Glendonwyn, daughter of Sir Simon Glendonwyn married Sir Robert Rutherford of Chatto (a 1484, d before 05.1495) and acquired the land in Roxburghshire that is called Hunthill through marriage. Sir Robert Rutherford had confirmation of his late father's gift of Nether Chatto on November 21, 1429 from Archibald 4th Earl of Douglas, as "his dear esquire", with a Crown confirmation on March 25, 1439."

[6] "The hamlet of Ruddervoorde, the origin of the modern name of Rutherfurd/Rutherford, was part of the political and military structure of the beautiful city of Bruges [Brugge]. Cities like Bruges had a mixed population; noblemen and freeman merchants who ran the powerful guilds. David I of Scotland used these free burghs as the model for Jedburgh, Roxburgh and Berwick on the Scottish Borders. The most important social distinction in a burgh was not between nobles and merchants, or between merchants and craftsmen, but between those who held the status of burghers and those who didn't. The Ruddervoordes enjoyed a unique position as freemen, burghers and ministeriales.[Ernest, Gilliat-Smith, Medieval Towns - Bruges].

[7] "Desiderius Hacket [i.e. Harcourt? - M.S] Chatelain of Bruges, was head of the house of Erembalds ...... under suspicion for the assassination of Count Charles ...... The Hacketts of County Kildare, Ireland, are also known as the de Ridelsford family of Lincolnshire. The name Haket means "hooks", which is also a type of fish. Haket was a prominent Christian name of this family and along with Lucy [also a fish] evolved into surnames in Britain with very similar coats of arms...... On July 29, 1128 Count Thierry d' Alsace and a large army of Knights took the Erembald city of Ypres. The people of Bruges and the knights also plundered Ruddervoorde...... with increasing frequency the young Erembalds of Ruddervoorde began to migrate to Britain. They disappeared from Flanders at the same time the "Rutherfords" began to appear in England, Scotland and Ireland. The English county of Gloucester has a town called Ruddeford listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Yorkshire wapentake of Austhorpe also lists the town of Redeford. Both properties were owned by Roger de Busli [of Markham ancestry - M.S] who, like the Rutherfords, was from the coastal area of Flanders called Bray. Roger de Busli was the master of Tickhill Castle with which the Rutherfords were long connected."

Mr Rutherford Harding then claims that the relationship in Scotland between the Rutherfords and the families of Douglas, Bruce, Stewart, Lindsay, Hay, Bethune, Lyle, Erskine and Crawford stem from previous associations in Flanders and Normandy. This contention, whilst possibly true, can not be proven, for, as in all these cases, it would be necessary to define who these families were prior to settling in Scotland before claiming more ancient associations with them.

Previous associations in Flanders are on a sounder footing. On etymological grounds, a strong case can be made for associations with the family of Ridelsford. That the Ruddervoordes used the name Hacket points to associations with that family, and might suggest they stemmed from the Harcourt family. On grounds of ancient heraldry, the Rutherfords of Scotland can claim to have married into the family of Wavrin. Centuries of debate have not determined who the Wavrins were descended from; all that can be adduced is that they married into the families of Bethune & d' Alsace. Roger, lord de Wavrin, obit. 1169, seneschal of the comte de Flandre is regarded by us as the first lord de Wavrin. Land at Lille was held by Roger de Wavrin through his marriage to Emma, the heiress of Pierre d' Alsace, son of Thierry d' Alsace, comte de Flandre; Malannoy came later to the same family by the same means. [See Chesne: l'Histoire de la Maison Bethune]. Thus, it made great sense, at a time of upheaval, for the Wavrins to marry into the ruling family of Flanders, and equal sense for Ruddervoordes to marry with them. The Rutherford's heraldric charge is the reversed tinctures of the de Wavrin family of Flanders. This fact has been most wrongly used to claim that the Rutherford's were descended from the Bailleuls, who bore the exact same charge; wherehas all that can be adduced as fact is that both families married into the Wavrins.

Of relationships in Scotland; early charters show members of the Rutherford family to be co- signatories with the family of Valoniis alias Lundin, of the family associated with the Freschenes. They are also recorded as "kin" of the Gordon family of Seton [Nancy S. McBride, Gordon kinship, p. 22, 1973]. In the lineage chart that follows, the Gordon family of Seton [of Yorkshire] are intricately connected to all the families connected to the Rutherfords.

ELLIS CONNECTIONS

Mr Ellis, who is quoted within this account, was one of those learned Victorian gentlemen who never claimed to know exactly who his ancestors were, but who gave much information as to whom they were probably related, and to infer a particular progenitor. He traced the ancestors of William Alis of Domesday to the parish of Alisay [Ferte-Alais], district of Beauce. He traced the holding of Ferte-Alais to "William de Gommeth", who is named in two charters, dated 1043 and 1067, and infers that he was the likely brother of Geoffrey de Gomet, named in a charter of 1065 [De Brequigny, Receuil des Charles, vol. ii. p. 98]. Mr. Ellis states that [at a later date] this family bore arms of "argent on an escocheon vert two fleurs de lis in pale within an orle of eight fleurs de lis gules." He then equates this family with that of Hommet: "The distinguished family of Hommett, or Humet, or Humez, are known to have borne three fleurs de lis for their arms", which "sprung from Robert de Humet, who, before 1025, founded the priory of St. Fromond." Mr. Ellis makes the point that "Gommett, or Ghomett, becomes Hommett, as easily as Gherlotta or Gerlotta does Harlotta, or Ghersendis or Gersende, Hirsende.

More anciently, Mr. Ellis shows that "The fleurs de lis of the early Counts of Blois were probably used by the Norman Counts." "The arms of the baronetical family of Blois are a bend vaire between two fleurs de lis." "Vaire would seem, therefore, to have been another of the bearings of this race."

He further points out the fleur de lis and vaire were all borne by Goz, or synonymous families (D'Anisy, Seals, plate 8, No. 16); then gives the example of the Rochefort family sharing similar arms to that of Alais [three bars wavy, and of another branch a fess between three martlets] to infer descent from "William, brother of the first Amfridus de Goz." Thus, there is a slight suggestion that the family of Ellis derive from Guillaume de Bec, son of Heriulfr Turstain, and father Crespin Ansgot [Crispin de Bec], who married Gerlotte de Blois. [These being my ancestors].

To comment. The above proposition is as feasible as any, but more importantly introduces the wider subject of what is known in genealogical terms of the first Viking colonisers of Normandy. This subject is the cause of much concern to many, for, although nothing is known as fact, supposition is treated as such on countless websites. The academicians of today state what was written about early colonisers of Normandy stemmed from the folklore of sixteenth-century France. Msr. la Rocque, when stating that Torf le Riche was a son of Bernard the Dane, merely repeated this mythology. It is not based on any charter evidence. The cartulary of Mont Saint Michel apparently contained evidence of Crespin Ansgot and descendants, that is, as recorded by those who saw it prior to its destruction during the French Revolution. Early antiquaries would have known that the holdings of the de Vieilles family came from a chieftain called Heriulfr [a subject I have written about previously], so, to connect this family to that of the "celebrated" Bernard the Dane,they probably used the usual genealogical devise of claiming that a son of his, "Torf" [no proof] married a grandaughter [Ertemberge] of Heriulfr. The said Ertemberge is unknown to real history, as is any proof that connects Torf to Bernard. The most logical explanation of events is that Torf was the son of Heriulfr, for the de Vieilles inheritance appears substantially larger than would have been given as dower, and also includes lands held by Amfridus de Goz, an unlikely grantor. The truth is, we do not know. Neither do we know who was the father of Robert "the Strong" de Harcourt. Msr. Le Prevost only guesses.

When the point is made that the Rutherfords likely stemmed from a brother of Gerlotte de Blois, what is implied is that they stemmed from someone who would have overwhelmingly [to an inbred degree] shared the DNA profile of others "of this race." This point is made by many researching this area; that the ruling elites of Normandy and Boulogne were essentially of the same family. What I feel should happen is that where there is doubt of exact ancestry, a statement such as "descended of the ducal family and its ilk" would serve better than unprovable supposition.

If I could travel back in time, I might ask Mr. Ellis to discuss the semee de fleurs de lis of the family of Maine, and give him my reason for doing so, recounting connections of this family to that of Freschenes, yet, at the end of our conversation, we would only agree that what we had discussed was feasible, nothing more. The scalpel of DNA can not dissect the extreme closeness "of this race" a thousand years past, and the few clues open to us are those of charters that affirm marriages, and donations to religious houses. The later family of Freschenes is remarkably served by such evidence. The Ellis and Frame families were "of this race" - as I suspect were those of Harris, Douglas, and Gordon. Kindred.

THE EXALTED COUSINSHIP NETWORK OF THE FRENCHE FAMILY OF THORNDYKES II.

Patricke de Dunbar, "Counte de la Marche", sp. Margery Comyn. daughter of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and Elizabeth de Quincey.

1.1. Patricius de Dunbar, "comes Marchie et Morauie." He married his cousin, Lady Agnes Ranulph, daughter of Sir Thomas Ranulph, first Earl of Moray. At the death of her brother, John Ranulph, third, Earl of Moray, 17/10/1346, she succeeded to his estates, including Annandale and the Isle of Man.

1.1.1. Agnes Dunbar, sp. Sir James Douglas, Lord Of Dalkeith.

1.1.2. Margaret Dunbar, sp. [cousin] Alexander de Lindsey, given certain Crawford lands of "Henrici de Pynkeney, fratris et heredis Roberti de Pynkenoy defuncti."

1.1.3. George, Earl of Dunbar & March, sp. Christiana de Seton, daughter of Sir William Seton alias Gordon. George Dunbar was a close friend and ally of the Percy family of England.

1.1.3.1. Lady Elizabeth Dunbar, sp. Robert Frenche, 1st. Laird of Thorndykes.

1.1.3.2. Lady Janet Dunbar, sp. Sir John de Seton de Gordon; their daughter, Janet, marrying John Halyburton.

1.1.2.1. David de Lindsey, "Dominus de Crawford, filius et lucres quondam Domini Alexandri de Lyndessay."

1.1.2.1.1. Sir James de Lindsey, "Jacobus de Lyndesay, filius David de Lyndesay, militis."

1.1.2.1.1.1. Thomas de Lindsey, "filio meo .... Jacobo de Lindesey."

1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Lady Jane Lindsey, sp. John de Fregne; her cousin, Euphemia de Lindsey, sp. Sir John Herries of Terregles, desc. of William Heriz, fl. 1059, of Notts.

1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Robert Frenche, the first Laird of Thornydykes.

1.1.3.1.1. Adam Frenche, 2nd. Laird of Thorndykes, sp. Janet Roule, daughter of Andrew Roule, alias Rowle, lord of Primside; her brother, George Roule married Margaret Kerre, daughter of Andrew Kerre of Altonburn.

1.1.2.2. Beatrice Lindsey, sp. Sir Archibald Douglas.

1.1.2.3. Elizabeth Lindsey, sp. Sir Simon Glendonwyn.

1.3.2.3.1. Margaret Glendonwyn, sp. Sir Robert Rutherford [mother was Janet Douglas; this Rutherford pedigree is quite well documented from "Robertus dominus de Rodyrforde" onwards, although some inheritors are given as sons who were most likely nephews; they were to marry into the above Kerre family].

What is quite evident is a Douglas connection to the Heriz family.

Sir William "le Hardi" Douglas, sp. [2] Eleanor of Louvaine, obit. post 3/5/1326, bur. Dunmow Priory, widow of William de Ferrers, b. Woodham Ferrers, obit. 20/12/1287, Groby Old Hall, 1.1. Sir Archibald Douglas [half-brother of Sir James Douglas]; held Terregles; tennants were the Herries family, descendants of the Heriz family of Notts., sp. Beatrice Lindsey, daughter of Sir Alexander Lindsey of Crawford, Leicestershire, whose sister, Katherine Ferrers, married Ralph Vyvian; their son was Richard Vyvian, who married Constance Peverel, descendant of William Peverel I. of Notts; their daughter, Joan Vyvian, was the wife of John Harryes of Devon [descendant of the Heriz family of Notts., and ancestor of the Harris family of Radford]; her grandmother, thus, being the sister-in-law of Archibald Douglas's mother; a connection which would have been very well known to her. This Harris connection to the Ferrers family, in general, continuing in the instance of their 'Cornworthy branch' being situate at Cherston Ferrers, com. Devon, following the Ferrers of St Hilaire du Harcouët. Sir William's son, Sir Archibald Douglas, as above, was overlord of the Herries family of Terregles, desc. from the Notts. Heriz.

Bruce A. McAndrew points to the fact that not all incomers to Scotland in the eleventh-century were Flemish, yet he specifically mentions the family of Seton as being of Flemish extraction [B.A. McAndrew, The Flemish Connection, The Double Tressure, 1993, 15, 43].

The early Rutherford coats of arms displayed black martlets. The martlet is the martin or swallows of Palestine, and indicates that an ancestor had been upon a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The martlet was used in the twelth-century only by the family of Boulogne, as an indication of birth order, i.e. the third son of the Count of Boulogne. It might naturally follow that the Rutherford family were of the Boulogne family.

At the time of of Flemish occupation of Scottish borderlands, Ernisius de Seton bore this sign. The Setons and the Rutherfords were, thus, of the same family group.

"Ernisius the Crossbowman" held land in Seton, Rutlandshire, in 1130. Robert de Tosni [Lindsey connection] held one hide and one bovate in Seton with one virgate in Barrowden in 1086. Seyton. Gules a bend argent between six martlets or.

The connections between the various branches of Seton in England and Scotland has always been contentious, with some nineteenth-century analysts stating that the Yorkshire Setons were the ancestors of the Scottish ones; it is more probably the case that the Setons were "of the same ilk" - closely related in ways now lost to us.

A genealogy may be as follows: Ardolph (d. after 996), Count of Guines and husband of Mathilde of Boulogne, the sister of Arnold II and Eustace I of Bologne. He was also the son of Sigfried, Count of Guines, who married Elstrude the daughter of Arnold "the Old" of Flanders. He may have been Count of Bologne as well after the death of either Arnold II or Eustace I. He is possibly the same person who is identified in other sources as Guy of Guines. His sister, Heloise of Guines, was the wife of Crispin de Bec, ancestor of the Crispin family, who became de Colleville, and then Stanhope, and grandson of Heriolfr Turstain. In my work Descendants of Ragnar I attempt to show a possible relationship between Heriolfr, Bernard The Dane, and Sigfried, Count of Guines.

(?-1033) - Baldwin II, Count of Boulogne (d. 1033), said to be a son of Guy. [Possible cousin of Gilbert Crispin I.]

(1033-1047) - Eustace I, Count of Boulogne (d. 1049), possibly the son of Baldwin II., sp. Maude de Louvain. [Possible second-cousin of William Crispin I.]

(1047-1054) - Lambert, Count of Lens (d. 1054), son of Eustace I. One source argues convincingly that Lambert was actually killed in 1047 at the Battle of Cassel, and was succeeded as Count of Lens by his son, also named Lambert, who was the one killed in 1054 at the battle of Lille.

(1054-1072) - Eustace II, Count of Boulogne & Lens (d. 1093), son of Eustace I. and brother of Lambert of Lens. Eustace II was the father of three heroes of the First Crusade. His eldest son, Godfrey of Bouillon (d. 1100), became Duke of Bouillon. The second son, Eustace III (d. 1125), succeeded his father as Count of Boulogne; and the youngest son, Baldwin I (d. 1118), became Count of Edessa and King of Jerusalem. Their father, Eustace II, was an ally of the Duke of Normandy, and he followed William the Conqueror on the invasion of England in 1066. Later, Eustace became an important landholder in Norman England, a reward for services rendered to William during the invasion. He was also related to Raoul de Tosni II., and was a friend of Roger de Montgommery & Robert de Mortain.

1. Lambert of Lens.

1.1. Lambertus de Ridefort, possible father of the Grand Master, first Officer of the Kingdom, Sir Gerard de Ridefort [de Ruddervoorde], Eustace de Ridefort [de Ruddervoorde], and Robertus dominus de Ridefort [de Ruddervoorde], ancestor of the Scottish Rutherfords. [Follows accepted naming patterns].

1.2. Seier de Seton de Lens, held near Staithes, Whitby, Yorkshire, and on the Firth of Forth. Scotland.

1.3. Walter de Seton de Lens.

1.3.1. Ernisius de Seton de Lens.

SOURDEVAL/FOUGERES/MOIGNE/AUDLEY/POLE/COUVERT/COLDHAM

Raoul de Sourdeval [of indeterminate relation to Richard de Sourdeval] of Saint-Hilaire-du- Harcouët was also Radulph [Raoul] de Fougères. 'Les anciens seigneurs de Sourdeval, autre chef-lieu de canton du même arrondissement, avaient pris le nom de Le Moigne. Ils étaient d'une branche cadette de la maison de Verdun. Raoul de Fougères gave to the abbey of Savigny 'totum dominium suum de Verduno', dans l'Avranchin, that is, all the land he held in Verdun, including half the lordship of Ferrière in Mortain [Société linnéenne de Normandie, p. 170, 1828]. The same source states that this fief was formerly 'Ex dono Hugonis filii Ausketilli terram suara de Verdun.' This family of Verdun were strongly connected to the Laceys: In the time of the Conqueror, Bertram de Verdun held Férucham in the county of Buckinghamshire; his son, Nicholas, married Joan de Lacey; their daughter, Rohese, married Theobald le Boteler, of West Dereham, Norfolk; their daughter, Maud, married John FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel, and their son, John, married Margaret Lacey. A branch of this Verdun family became seigneurs d'Aldithley, which became known in England as Audley. Thus, it can be seen how tenurial associations were transferred from St Hilaire du Harcouët to England, with Yorkshire being a particular hub in this process: Ilbert de Lacy [Domesday]; his son was Hugh de Lacy, abbot of Selby. Ilbert held the manor of Hamelton [Hambleton Hough; wooded hill; also known as Hammelton/Hamilton], and gave tithes to Selby [Morrel's Selby]. Hugh de Lacey, obit. 1242, married Lesceline de Verdun; his tenant was Alured de Fresne, of one-third knight's fee.

The families of Couvert [of castle du Porte] and Coldham seem connected to the Fougères in England: Hasted in his "History of Kent,'(loco Capell) says — "COLDHAM is a manor in this parish which appears by records to have been anciently the patrimony of owners of the same name, who bore for their arms Gules, a fess ermine between three martlets Argent; but before the reign of Richard II, they had passed it away to a family of the name of Baker." These are the identical arms of Covert [Couvert] except the tincture of the martlets which is Or. In the visitation of Sussex, 1634, there is a pedigree of Coldham, the arms being a mullet. In Manning and Bray's Surrey (II., 441) it is stated that "temp. Henry II. Sir Richard Covert, son of Sir Bartholomew, who came into England with the Conqueror, had great possessions in Sussex, and was Lord of the Manor of Chaldon (in Surrey) and Patron of the Advowson; "the authority for the statement being Harl. MSS. 1500. The Domesday undertenant of Chaldon was Ralph de Felgeres [Fougères], who also held the Manor of Tadworth in the same county. The Manor of Bockham in Surrey was held at the Domesday Survey, by Halsar (Hansard?) of William de Braose. In the thirteenth- century Chaldon (the lordship in chief), Tadworth, and Bockham, were held by the family of Hansard, who were also owners at an early period of land in the Rape of Bramber.

Various coats are assigned to the Hansards; the prevalent ones being three mullets of different tinctures, and on different fields; one branch bearing three estoiles; another coat is three martlets. From all this it would seem, that the Coverts, the Hansards, and the Coldhams had a common origin of some kind; that the changes of name and of arms, common at early periods, occurred with some of these families; but with which, or if with all, and under what circumstances, at present it does not seem easy to ascertain.

The three estoiles borne by Courthope and Cruttenden appear from the foregoing to have been derived from the Coverts, who probably at an early period bore mullets, and were the progenitors of the Courthopes and Cruttendens. Ralph de Fougères held land in Cuddington, co. Surrey, at the time of the Domesday Survey. The subsequent owners of the manor, the Cuddingtons, were nearly related to the baronial family of FitzAlan of Bedale, co. York, whose coat was, Barry, as was the Hansards; Brian FitzRalph (who, Mr. Bray thinks, was Ralph de Fougères), being the relative. The arms of FitzRalph are Barry in chief three buckles. Ermine, on a fess gules, three buckles or, were the arms of the Norman family, De Covert, in 1738 — the date of the publication of the "Armorial de la France," which contains their pedigree (L, 158).

Ralph de Fougères had a daughter married to William de St. John (Collins Peerage vi., 270). The ancient arms of St. John were two mullets on a chief. From the ermine in both the coats of Covert; the buckles in that of the Norman family; the mullets in that of St. John; and a presumed ancient coat of Covert containing mullets, and the other circumstances mentioned, it may be safely conjectured, that all the families in question were tenants, or undertenants (at one period or other) and relatives of the Dukes of Brittany; and therefore of one blood and kindred.

The family of Fougères were also closely associated with the family of de Poillé [Pole]. In 1195, Leonisius de Fougères, grandson of Leonisius de Poillé, grand bailli de Mortain et seigneur de Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, claimed the church of Brécey. The family of Poillé were connected to the Fresne family, in the guise of Plessis, in Maine: 'Plessis, nom d'habitation, fort commune dans le Maine et particulièrement dans la Sarthe le Grand et le Petit-Plessis, en Poillé ...... et ...... nom d'une ancienne châtellenie, située à Cherreau (v. cet art.), près la Ferte-Bernard. Le nom de Plesse, que portait aussi une ancienne seigneurie de l'Anjou, appartenant à la famille de Montmorency, est dérivé de Plexitium, qui, dans la basse latinité, signifie une enceinte formée de haies [Julien Rémy Pesche, Dictionnaire topographique, 445-9, 1836]. 'Cette famille des de Poillé était originaire des environs de Fougères ...... famille d'Ercé-près-Liffré [trois bezans, a rare charge, so likely to be of the same family as Herissy-Fierville], Bretagne, originaire environs de Fougères [MSAC. 523, 1883]. The families of Poillé and Fougères held in Bretagne of the Counts of Dol. Radulph de Fougères was seneschal of Brittany; cousin of Duke Geoffrey. Thus, a number of closely connected families held land over a wide geographical and political area.

[Poillé signifies a coppersmith: Poillé - grands baillis de Mortain et seigneurs de Saint-Hilaire-du- Harcouët. Villedieu les Poêles derives the adjunct to its name from the number of coppersmiths working there, as in 'cheminées et de poêles en faïence' [fireplaces and tiled stoves]. Villedieu- les-Poêles is between Granville and Avranches].

COUVERTS EN NORMANDIE

The Couverts were a noble family of name and arms, which formed several branches, both in France and in England. the name derives from the Parish of Couvert, which is close to Bayeux in Basse-Normandy. The family also gave their name to two other strongholds, one located in Bayeux, and the other in Caen, parish of May, near the Abbey of Fontenay. The first recorded of this name is Gullaume de Couvert, Lord of Couvert near Bayeux, who held the patronage of the church of Couvert in 1258 with the Prior of the Hospital of Bayeux [Cart. de Sémin]. Jean de Couvert, Lord of Couvert in Caen by an act of 1330 [Extr. Reg. Bayeux, fol. 80] is believed to be the father of Guillaume and Jean de Couvert: I. Guillaume de Couvert, Lord of Couvert, married Alexis Piquod, daughter of Andre, Seigneur of Russy-Saint-Honorine, Colleville and Percy. They were both alive in 1391 and 1401; she was widowed in 1411. Of this marriage was Simon de Couvert, Lord of that place, and priest of Gouberville in the Côtentin, fl. 1407 and 1441. By his death, the Seigniory of Couvert passed to I. Jean de Couvert, brother of Guillaume, Lord of Couvert, a man of Robert, Lord de Beaumesnil. Jean De Couvert had issue: - I. Roger; - & Jean, sire of a branch in England. Sir Roger De Couvert, Lord of Couvert and Estrehan-Perreux, married Alix de Vaubadon, widow of Guillaume Baratte. He was of the number of men assembled in 1419, with Jean de Saint-Fromont, Raoul de Argouges, Robin de la Haye, Guillaume de Louviers, who shared the lands of Jeanne de Vassy, widow of Henry de Hotot, Lord of the manor of Beaumont-le-Richard. His issue were: - I. Raoul, Knight, Lord of Couvert, d' Estrehan-le- Perreux, who married Jeanne Hamon, widow of Jean Danisy, daughter of Guillaume Hamon, Lord of Campigny; II. Jean; III. Jean De Couvert, Lord of Couvert, Estrehan and Tancarville in 1455, who married Marie de Mont [Hardie en Belmeis; Belmeis = Bellesme]. They had issue: - I. Isabeau, Lady of Couvert and d' Estrehan-le-Perreux, who married by contract of September 7, 1464, Guillaume de Hericy [trois besans]; the Norman branch of Heriz], Lord of Fierville, Creulet and Cauches, who died in 1511. She died without issue, and the family of de Hericy inherited the estates, which later passed by marriage to the Collevilles [M. Stanhope, transl. D.N, pp. 274-5, 1772]. A close link to the family of Hayes d'Espinay Saint-Luc is suggested: 'Jean des Hayes d'Espinay Saint-Luc: écartelé au premier et dernier d'hermines à la face de gueules chargée de trois boucles d'or, au deuxième et troisième d'argent au chevron d'azur chargé de besans d'or' [Vertot, Histoire des chevaliers, p. 200, 1830].

THE HAMELTONS

The Hameltons of Yorkshire were in some way closely connected to the family of Fresnel [in the guise of Franceys], in that a Franceys was executor of William de Hamelton's will.

William de Hamelton, Dean of York, and chief Chancery officer, was patron to a number of Chancery officers who originated within a few miles of his home in Brayton, Selby. They may have been in some way related. One of these officers was Adam de Osgodby, of a family that were to serve as officers with such as William de Airmyn [Armine] - they were the same family: The Airmyns came from Osgodby, 6 miles from Brayton. At William de Hamelton's death his executor [usually related] was John le Franceys [canon of York].

A Frame crest is: 'On a mount vert an ermine ppr.' This crest is identical to that of the family Armine. It would seem certain that those who eventually became Frame were represented in the environs of Selby by a family which were connected to the Gois/Avranches family of Heriolfr Turstain, establishing itself under the Paynels near Sourdreval, before continuing that association in Yorkshire; with a branch of the Paynels becoming de Hamelton.

"But who, then, was the first Hameldun or Hamelton who actiwlly held lands and had thus settled in Scotland anterior to Walter Fitzgilbert de Hameldun, the hitherto earliest discovered founder of the family? This may be a material preliminary to fixing their original ancestry, and, as it happens, is all in statu that we may be enabled to ascertain.

The writer believes he can answer the preceding question by adduction of an original quit-claim by "Roger de Hameldun" of his right to a carrucate of land in Oxenham, in Roxburghshire, which held of the Crown of Scotland, to John, Abbot of Whitby, in Yorkshire. It is without date, but must have been between 1245 and 1258, when the latter can be proved to have been Abbot.

The preceding we may conclude also to have been the "Roger de Hameldun," who is established by other Whitby deeds to have possessed Geker in "Hamelton," along with the woods of "Hamilton," which formed a manor in Yorkshire and hence must have been the foyer of these Hamiltons; while they further disclose, as we may infer, a previous kindred Roger, son of a William de Hamilton. [Of Selby? - a son of the Dean's brother, Adam? M.S].

It hence follows that the first of the surname (for there is no prior notice of it there elsewhere) who had settled and actually held lands of the Crown in Scotland, was the preceding "Roger de Hameldun, "as proprietor of Oxenham, in Roxburghshire, between 1243 and 1258; and, singularly, of an English family, who, precisely like the Scottish eventually, had an estate named Hamilton, and who, in Scotch parlance, might be styled the Hamiltons of that Ilk in Yorkshire. This Roger may have been cotemporary with the "Roger de Hameldun" already mentioned, who (with his brother Robert) test a deed, though only connected with Northumberland, shortly after 1223, in the Chartulary of Melrose — a coincidence worth remarking, though not yet identified with him.

The above, consistently with what was stated, is all that can as yet be safely offered touching the origin of the Anglo-Scot Hamiltons, we not being able to connect the same Roger or his kindred with the Walter Fitzgilbert de Hameldun in 1296, though they possibly enough — considering, too, the extreme rarity then of this English surname in Scotland — may have been related' [John Riddell, Comments in refutation p. 259, 1860].

To add, it would seem incongrous with what we know of closely-Knit medieval family networks if these Hameltons were not the one so favoured by land grants in Scotland by the Brus family, if, indeed, as seems likely, a Jordan de Paynel [whose family held Hamelton] was synonomous with Jordan de Hamelton, ancestor of these Hameltons, whose father married the sister of the wife of Robert Brus II. These land grants, as will be shown, of Cadder, Cambusnethan, Kilbryde, and Dalserf, as examples, were also settled by the Fresnes as Frauncey/Frenche, who, to repeat, were feudatories of the Brus in Normandy: "Robertus de Bruse et tres de suis militibus Rogerus de Rosels, Wydo de Lofthous et Robertus Fraunceys" - and likely kin of the Hameltons in Yorkshire.

THE PAYNELS

"The surname of this family, Painel or Paynell, in the Latin of the time "Paganellus," is a diminution of Pain or Paganus, and, as was the custom of the time, was no doubt first applied for distinction to a Pain Fitz Pain during his father's life-time, and happened, as in this case, to be perpetuated as a surname by his descendants." — A. S. Ellis.

"Paienal des Moustiers-Hubert" is mentioned in the Roman de Rou as fighting side by side with Avenal des Biarz and Robert Bertram [baron of Briquebec] at the battle of Hastings: "Many men," it is added, "fell before them." His fief was in Calvados, near Lisieux, where the site of the castle of Moustiers-Hubert may still be traced. Ordericus tells us that William Paganel was one of the great men who died about the same time as the Conqueror. It is, however, Ralph Paganel, presumed to be his younger brother [his son, M.S] who appears in Domesday as one of the tenants in chief of the King: "and from this it seems likely that William, desiring to remain in Normandy, got as his reward those lands in the Cotentin which his descendants enjoyed: the Conqueror, moreover, it is known, gave his wife as dowry the fief of Briqueville-sur-Mer (Cart. Mont. S. Michel). Briqueville, as Briquebec and Brécey, a fief a Scandinavian chieftain called Brico.

[The Seigneur de Biarz is twice mentioned by Wace in his Roman de Rou. First in company with Richard d'Avranches -- "D'Avranchin i fu Richarz Ensemble od li cil de Biarz" ( l.13,600-1), and subsequently thus -- " Des Biarz i fu Avenals" ( l. 13, 632); Les Biards being a bourg on the banks of the Selune, canton of Isigny, arrondissement of Mortain. The Avenels were seneshals to the Mortains. What is more, La Rocque believed the Verdun family [of Fougeres] to have originated in the fief of Biars [Biarz] canton d'Isigny. The intertwined nature of these family's connections remain lost to us - M.S].

"What Ralph obtained was the entire estate of Merlesweyn, who had been Sheriff of Lincolnshire the year King Edward died, of which the bulk was in Lincolnshire, but some portions in the South, and ten manors were in Yorkshire. Drax he seems to have fixed upon as his residence in Yorkshire, as there was a castle here in King Stephen's time which he may have built" [Cleveland, Battle Abbey Roll, vol. ii., 1889].

The ensuing ia abridged from Thomas Christopher Banks', The dormant and extinct baronage of England, pp. 154-5, 1807:

PAGANEL, BARON OF DUDLEY

Arms — a Cinquefoil Ermine, a Crefcent for Difference. (1) O. Two Lions paffant Az. (2)

'By the Conqueror's furvey, it appears that Ralph Paganel held at that time ten lordfhips in Devon, five in Somerfet, fifteen in Lincoln, and fifteen in Yorkfhire ...... This Ralph had divers fons: viz. Gervafe, William, Hugh, Adam, Jordan, and Alexander. Whereof ...... Gervase Paganel ...... married Ifabel, daughter to Robert earl of Leicefter, widow of Simon St. Liz, earl of Northampton; by whom he had iffue a fon, called Robert, who probably died young, as Hawyfe, his daughter, on his deceafe, became his fole heir, and married, firft, John de Somery ...... ; and, fecondly, Roger de Berkeley, of Berkeley, in com. Glouceft ...... Some authorities ftate Gervafe Paganel as a younger fon of Robert Boffu, earl of Leicefter,* and fay he married Felice, daughter and heir of Athelstan Dodo, fon of Geffery, fon of Athelftan Dodo, founder of Dudley caftle, from whom it was fo named; and in allufion to this defent are the arms (1) which he is faid to have borne.** Thofe (2) being the fame as ufed by Paganel of Bahuntune ...... Having thus done with Gervafe, we now come to William, his brother ...... founder of the priory of Drax ...... married Julian, daughter and heir of Robert de Bahuntune ...... which William ...... was fucceeded by another William*** ...... Which William, the 2d Henry III. gave £167, 12 s. for livery of his lands; and, in 12th of Henry III. going a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, affigned Alice de Moyun, his wife, fifter of William Briwere [whose likely dau. m. Ivo de Heriz of Notts. - M.S] ...... This laft William deceafed the 33d Henry III. being then feifed of the manor of Bampton, leaving Auda, his fifter and heir, then wife of John de Balun, or Baalun; Vid. Balun.'

Clearly, the Paynels were associated with the family of Beaumont, and this association was variously assigned by antiquaries to Gervase Paynel marrying a Beaumont or being the son of one; I would suggest the latter to be the case, he being a possible son of Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester, the father of Robert Bossu. [This would make chronological sense; also see *** below]. I would further suggest that Jordan Paynel was also the son of Robert de Beaumont, in that, to repeat, he was the likely ancestor of Hamelton family of Yorkshire [Ralph de Paynel, his possible step-father, holding Hamelton, and the ancestor of these Hameltons being a Jordan de Hamelton], who were to establish themselves in Scotland. Gervase Paynel bore the early arms of Beaumont [gules, a single cinquefoil ermine]; the arms of the descendants of his brother, by the above analysis, being identical, except in the number of cinquefoils. Thus, Mathilda de Sourdeval [Fougeres], Ralph Paynel's wife, and sister, as said, of the wife of Robert Brus II., was a likely former mistress of Robert de Beaumont. It is not a case that nineteenth-century accounts of the Hamiltons being descended from the Beaumonts were wrong, it rather seems the case that such accounts wrongly assigned this association to later generations, and did not take into account the relevance of Gervase Paynel's arms, and the strong likelihood of his brother being the progenitor of the Hamiltons of Scotland.

*Robert Bossu was the son of Robert de Beaumont* and Elizabeth de Vermandois; Robert de Beaumont being the son of Roger de Beaumont and Adeliza de Meulan; Roger being the son of Onfroi de Vieilles and Aubrey de la Haie; Robert Bossu was married to Amice de Gael, grandaughter of William FitzOsbern. *Robert de Beaumont had first married Godehildis de Tosny, William FitzOsbern's niece. *His first wife was Godehildis de Tosny, niece of William FitzOsbern.

**'A cinquefoil ermine appears on the seal of Robert de Bellomonte (or Beaumont) Earl of Leicester, in the earliest days of heraldry' [John Woodward, A treatise on heraldry, British and foreign, p. 340, 1896].

***'In Anderfon's Hiftory of the Houfe of Yvery (Vol. II. p. 77), he is reprefcnted as the fecond fon of William Paganel and Julian Bahuntune, his wife, and to have married Avice, daughter and coheir of William de Mefchines ...... and widow of Robert de Curcy, by whom he left one fole daughter and heir Alice, who married Robert de Gant, of Folkingham' [Banks, ibid.].

The strong association of the Paynels to those stemming from Heriolfr suggests that they were of the same family network; they came, as said, from the Crispin caput of Lisieux, and held in Briquebec [before holding in Hambye] a fief of Heriolfr's son, Anslac, eventually becoming its lords [Clay, The Paynel Fee, 1939].

MOCCAS

Returning now to other descendants of the Fresnels in England:

Walter de Fresnes, who held three knights' fees in Herefordshire, is of unknown parentage, but seemingly of the family of Fresnel. It can be speculated that he was most likely a son of Richard Fresnel, son of William Fresnel, as above, who attests three charters of Robert Earl of Leicester, temp. Stephen, and who was confined to England by the loss of the honor of Breteuil [University of Birmingham, Midland History, p. 11, 1987]. [Normannus de Pleidiz is of some connection].

Richard Fresnel married Emmeline de l'Aigle, daughter of Richer, Baron de l'Aigle. He was the son of Gilbert de l'Aigle, who held the honour of Pevensey in 1106 of the Count of Mortagne, and who was overlord of Odo de Fraxineto's son in Pevensey. Gilbert de l'Aigle was a son of Judith le Gois d'Avranches, daughter of Richard de Gois d'Avranches, lord of Creully, cousin, as stated, of William d'Avranches, whose daughter married William Paynel. Gilbert de l'Aigle's wife was Julienne de la Perche, daughter of Geoffrey, Count of Perche; a son of Adelaide de Bellême, grandaughter of Guillaume I. de Bellême. [The Beaumont family of Maine were also connected to the de l'Aigles; Richard de Beaumont, Viscount of Maine, marrying one of that ilk after 1194.

DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM FRESNEL

1. William I. Fresnel, married daughter of Roger de Tosny [charte de Conches].

1.1. Richard Fresnel.

1.1.1. William II. Fresnel [eldest son].

1.1.1.1. Richard II. Fresnel, sp. Emma de Laigle - she was a member of the de Laigle/Mortagne alliance, an example of "foedus inter consobinos heredes" in which inheritance passed down "lines of [in this case,Laigle/Mortagne] cousins" - she being the likely mother of Walter Frene explains the close association of the English Frenes with the Mortagnes; the superior lords in the alliance.

[cousins of the wife of the King of Scotland; who was grandson of David I. King of Scotland]

1.1.1.1.1. William III. Fresnel, about whom nothing is known.

1.1.1.1.2. Simon Fresnel, of the Chambray branch, later to marry into the Harcourts.

1.1.I.I.3. Robert Fresnel, signatory with the family of de Vaux, 1160-4.

1.1.1.1.4. Richard Fresnel, about whom nothing is known.

1.1.1.1.5. Walter Fresnel of Herefordshire, ancestor of the Frames.

1.1.1.1.6. Matthew Fresnel, sp. Gundred Paynel, niece of Gervase & Jordan Paynel.

DESCENDANTS OF FULBERT DE L'AIGLE

1. Fulbert de l'Aigle, sp. unknown.

1.1. Seigneur Engenulf de l'Aigle, 2nd. Baron de l'Aigle, sp. Richvaride.

1.1.1 Berthe de l’Aigle, sp. Henry de Feriers.*

1.1.2. Richer de l'Aigle, 3rd Baron de l'Aigle, sp. Judith le Gois d'Avranches.

1.1.2.1. Gilbert de l'Aigle, 4th Baron de l'Aigle; Seigneur du Perche, sp. Juliana du Perche, daughter of Geoffrey, Count of Mortagne, obit. ante 10/1132. Juliana's sister, Margaret du Perche, sp. Henry de Beaumont, a younger son of Roger de Beaumont, son of Onfroi de Vieilles, brother of Radulphus de Beaumont.

1.1.2.1.1. Richer II. de l'Aigle, 5th Baron de l'Aigle, held Crepon, arr. Bayeux [H. de F. 709a], sp. Beatrix; bu. Chaise-Dieu, "où l'on voyait leurs tombeaux."

1.1.2.1.2. ---- de l'Aigle, sp. William de Ferte-Arnaud, better known under the name William de Ferrières; became vidame of Chartres c. 1115 by his marriage with Elisabeth, daughter of Guerric.

1.1.2.1.1.1. Emmeline de l'Aigle, sp. Richard de Ferte-Fresnel, brother of Matthew de Ferte- Fresnel, sp. Gundred Paynel [niece of Gervase & Jordan], parents of William de Ferte-Fresnel, sp. Margaret de Briwiere, dau. William de Briwiere II. & Beatrice de Vaux.**

1.1.2.1.1.2. Lucy de l'Aigle, sp. Richard I de Beaumont, Viscount of Maine* [Cokayne, C.P.]; issue: Ermengarde de Beaumont, sp. William "the lion", king of Scotland, and Constance de Beaumont, sp. Roger IV. de Tosny, son of Ralph V. de Tosny [lord of Flamstead, Herts.] and Margaret de Beaumont, daughter of Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl Leicester [without foundation called "Bossu"], the son of Robert de Beaumont, 1st. Earl Leicester, eldest son of Roger de Beaumont, son of Onfroi de Vieilles, brother of Radulphus de Beaumont. *Carte No. 247-254, St. Andre-en-Gouffern, founded by the Talvas family, and supported by their hommines, c. 1194, "Richard, vicomte de Beaumont, atteste que Herbert dé La Porte, Ameline, sa femme, et Gilles, leur fils , ainsi que Drocon, frère dudit Herbert, ont donné à l'abbaye sept sommes, de vin à prendre tous lés ans dans le clos du vignoble de ...... La Ferté. Il déclare en outre que ce même La Ferté a donné quelques pièces de terre à ladite abbaye." This charter clearly affirms a connection between the families of Ferte-Fresnel and de la Porte; similarly - No. 248-255, "Herbert de La Porte confirme la vente d'un quartier de vigne situé dans le clos La Ferté ...... par Raoul de La Vallée et Odeline, sa femme." GERMAIN-DE-LA-COUDRE, Election of Mans, near Beaumont, held by the family of Fresne; Herbert de la Porte held the tithes of l' Eglise of S. Germain-de-la-Coudre [Cartul. l'Egli. Mans. Cenomania MS.]. 1.1.2.1.1.3. Isabella de l'Aigle, sp. William de Courcy.

1.1.2.1.1.4. Richer III. de l'Aigle, 6th Baron of de l'Aigle, obit. 1176, sp. Odeline de Beaumont de Sainte-Suzanne le Mans, lady of Crepon, bu. church "des religieuses tomb Chaise-Dieu."

1.1.2.1.1.4.1 Gilbert II. de l'Aigle, 7th Baron de L'Aigle, last lord of Pevensey, obit. 1231, sp. Isabel de Warenne Plantagenet, widow of Robert de Lacy, obit. ante 30/11/1234.

[n.b Of the Fresnes - "villam de Bellysme, castrum et villam de Fresney" - "Jean de Bellisme, ou Belmeis , mort moine à Clairvaux, Jean Bellesmains, ...... floris dans le 12 siecle. Quelques-uns ont cru qu'il étoit de la maison de Beleme, & fils de Guillaume dit Talvas, comte d'Alençon" [Jean François, Bibliothèque générale]; that is, Jean de Bellisme, or Belmeis, who died a monk at Clairvaux, lived in the twelth- century. Some believed him to be of the house of Beleme, & son of Guillaume Talvas, count d' Alençon. The logic of this ascertion seems sound - Belmeis seems a natural contraction of Bellesmeius, by which name he was also known. He became treasurer of York in 1152, bishop of Poitiers from 1162 to 1181, and archbish. of Lyon from 1181 to 1193. Guillaume III. Talvas was the son of Robert II. de Bellême, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury, and Agnes of Ponthieu].

*Father of Robert de Ferrers, Earl Derbys. **Probable parents of first wife of Ivo de Heriz of Notts.

'In the important survey taken, in the reign of Henry III., of the Knights' Fees in certain counties in England and their tenure, commonly styled the 'Testa de Nevil,' the heirs of Thos. De Freigne were found seized, in 1277, of half a fee in 'Parva Covarne.' In that county, at the same period, Hugh de Freigne was seized of Sutton and Masham, half a fee in the same county, and, yet more, of half a fee in Moccas, also in that county, as recorded in the same survey. In further corroboration of their tenure here being, as alleged, of ancient grant, Walter de Freigne was certified, in 1166, as holding three Knights' Fees 'of his Barony in the county of Herefordshire; while Alured de Freigne, a younger member of the house, was on the same occasion recorded as holding the third part of a Knight's Fee.

The above Hugh of Moccas was evidently the descendant of Walter of 1166; and in 1277, after doing suit before the Earl Marshal at Worcester, his military service of forty days was by the King transferred to be performed in West Wales, under his Majesty's brother, Edmund, Earl of Lancaster; and in 1291 the same individual had a charter for free warren in his lands at Moccas and Sutton, in two years after which he had a royal license to castellate his manor house at Moccas. The armorials assigned to him, in the Roll of Knights serving King Edward I. in his wars, are described as 'de argent et de azure les bendes endentes.' In 1302, Gerard de Freigne was sent Ambassador to the court of Holland and Zealand. Another Sir Walter Freigne, probably a son of Sir Hugh, served in these wars with him; and having married Alice, the heiress of Alexandre le Secular, about the year 1291, acquired with her the manor of Marden, also in Herefordshire. In 1305, he was returned as Knight of the Shire for Hereford, at the Parliament of Carlisle, and immediately after obtained a royal order for his expenses in attending same. He was also returned Knight of the Shire to the Parliament of Northampton, in the year 1307; to that of London in 1311; to that of Westminster in 1313; and to the Great Council, convened by general proclamation to be present at the latter place, in 1324: while a William le Freigne, who was knighted in 1306, was returned Representative for Herefordshire in 1309. In 1316, the Lord- ship of Moccas was vested in John de Freigne, the son of Henry de Freigne, who in 1329 obtained the Royal License for holding a fair and market there.

The memoir has thus long attached itself to Herefordshire, in belief that the line thus far illustrated may be considered common to all the numerous branches that subsequently diverted from it, as well in England as in Ireland and Scotland, and that it was about this period that the migration took place which founded in Ireland a sect of the highest influence and respectability, which has given a tribe to Galway, Parliamentary representatives to every county in which they have settled, and has been in two instances ennobled in the Peerage. A few events, however, of more than family interest, connecting subsequently with the house of Moccas, may not be irrelevant, occurring, as they chiefly do, while the connection between the Irish settler and his English ancestry was morally and politically maintained. In 1337 (10 Edward III.) took place the celebrated tournament of Dunstable, where, on the roll of the knights who tilted there, appears the name of 'Monsieur Hugh de Freigne.' There is reason to believe he was a near relative of John of 1316 and 1329. [Perhaps his cousin, a son of Sir Walter de Freigne, who was of the Warenne household - "Walterus de Frenes qui est de familia comitis Warrenn" [Record Series, 21-24, 1962], "who in 1295 had free warren in Sutton St. Nicholas [and] enjoyed the protection of John de Warenne to go to Scotland" [Lord Rennell, Valley on the march: a history of a group of manors on the Herefordshire, pp. 145-6, 1958].

In 1334, he had been appointed Seneschal of Cardigan for the term of his life; and was, in the year 1336, summoned to Parliament by express writ, as one of the Barons of the Realm. He it was who married Alice, daughter and heiress of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, then a widow; and in her right he claimed and assumed the title of Earl of Lincoln. He at the same time obtained livery of the Castle of Buelt, in Wales, which had been granted to her former husband, Eubulo le Strange, a younger son of John, Baron Strange, of Knockyn. It having been, however, represented to King Edward that this Hugh had obtained his said lady by her abduction from the Castle of Bolingbroke (probably owing to some court jealousy, with possibly a desire on the part of the King to increase his possessions), the royal indignation directed a seizure of all their lands, goods, and chattels, and a further order for their personal arrest; immediately after which, and most probably affected by his sovereign's displeasure, Hugh died, leaving no issue by her. In 1348, John Freyne, the son and heir of John Freigne, became seized of Moccas, Marden, etc., as on his father's recent decease. At the last period, a Robert Frensh was seized of other lands in Herefordshire, on whose decease, in 1370, the custody of his estate was committed in wardship, 'durante minoritate heredis.'

This record is one of the many that, even at this early date, evince the transition from Freyne to French. In 1376, Richard de Freigne was Lord of Sutton and Moccas, after which the records of their inheritance there cease; the Lordship of that fine residence having passed by a female to the Vaughans of Bridwardine, and from thence similarly to the Cornwalls, in whose right it is held by Sir Velters Cornwall, Baronet. It stands in a delightful situation on the southern bank of the Wye, within ten miles of Hereford. Other individuals of the name of Freyne (or French) are traceable by territorial and historic notices in Norfolk, from 1209; in Kent, from 1270; in Yorkshire, from before 1276; in Sussex, from 1278; in Buckingham, from 1279; in Northamptonshire, from 1313; in Shropshire, from 1323; in Essex [where they gave name to the 'Manor of Franches'], from 1351; in Somersetshire, from 1360; in Dorsetshire, from 1399; in Berkshire, from 1422; in Worcestershire, from 1446; in Bedfordshire, from 1461; and in Oxfordshire, Devonshire, Cornwall, Surrey, and Somersetshire, from the time of Queen Elizabeth, as also in Scotland to the present time. There are also memorials extant of 'Frenches' at sundry periods in London, Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, and in Calais, to which this allusion is made only as an indication of the great and influential extent to which the name has branched' [A. D. Weld French, ibid.].

SOLLERS NENE

To the above can be added: 'Eustachia Le Poer, the eldest daughter, as I believe, of Baldwin le Poer, married * * * * de Solariis, and had by him a son John de Solariis, or else her husband himself was John de Solariis. The former is the statement on Record, the latter much more probable on chronological grounds. Eustachia's husband, whatever his name, seems to have enfeoffed a Tenant in his share of Neen, viz. one Jordan de Alneto. Hence a Feodary of about the year 1210, gives Jordan de Alneto, Ranulf de Solers, and Engeram de Fraxino, as each holding one-fourth of a Knight's-fee in the Honor of Richard's Castle.

At the Inquisition of Overs Hundred (November 1274) each of the three Feoffees of Neen were on the Jury, viz. William de Clifford, Hugh de Frene, and Roger de Solars. They also occur on a local Jury in August 1278, and the Feodary of 1284 gives them as holding Neen Solers by one knight's-fee under Edmund de Mortimer, who held under Robert de Mortimer. I must now return to speak of the other daughters of Baldwin le Poer, and their descendants:

Petronilla Le Poer, probably the second of these daughters, married * * * de Fraxino, or de Frene. Her son (or, as I think, her husband) Ingeram de Fraxino, occurs under the dates of 1203, 1210 and 1221. Ingeram's successor was Hugh de Fraxino, the same, I imagine, as he who, in 1243, held two hides in Sutton St. Nicholas (afterwards called Sutton Frene) and Marden, both members of the Honour of Kington, and situated in Herefordshire. These he held by half a knight's-fee. He also held half a knight's-fee in Moccas, of the Earl of Hereford, and of the same honour of Kington. Like William de Esse, his Coparcener in Neen, this Hugh de Femes, as he is written, was sued by Richard de Harlegh in Easter Term 1250, for one carucate, less five aeres, in Nene. Like William de Esse, he pleaded his tenure in Coparcenery, and showed that Richard, son of William de Solers, the third Coparcener, and a necessary party to the Suit, was under age. [I take this Hugh de Frene to be synonomous with the one named above - M.S].

Elena Le Poer, presumed to have been youngest daughter of the "Childe Baldwin," married ------de Solariis. Her son, or husband, Ranulph de Solariis has occurred above under dates of 1210 and 1221. The son and heir of Ranulph de Solariis was named William. He was called William fitz Rauulph, to distinguish him, I presume, from two cotemporaries of his name. He was dead in 1250, and his son Richard, then a Minor, was the third Coparcener on whose account Richard de Harley's Suit of that year was postponed. Roger de Solariis, his heir, I take to have been his younger brother. In 1272, John de Arundel prosecuted Hugh de Frene and Roger de Sollers for disseizing him of common-pasture in three carucates in Sollers Nene' [Robert William Eyton, Antiquities of Shropshire, pp. 290-299, 1857].

The following table may help to clarify the most probable line of descent from from Walter de Fresnes; it also shows the continuing relationship between the families of Bellesme and FitzOsbern, and the continuing position of the Fresnes within it. Any number of degrees of cousinship may be adduced from it; a worthwile thing, perhaps, in that from such analysis an idea of who sat at the same feasting table may be gained; their conversations about future marriage alliances; their hopes and fears may be imagined: For without such imagination, genealogy can become an arid and meaningless catalogue of unexplained events; one which simply states who begat who. The aim of any history, even a small one as this, should be to stir interest and appreciation, for without that all study of the past is dead and labour lost.

AN EXTENDED FAMILY

1. Roger Marmion, sp. dau. Urse d'Abitot, see previous.

1.1. Robert Marmion, sp. Millicent de Rethel, daughter of Gervais, Count of Rethel, and Isabel of Namur.

1.1.1. Robert de Marmion, sp. Maud de Beauchamp, dau. William de Beauchamp, sp. Maud de Braose,* issue: Geoffrey de Marmion.

1.2. Albreda de Marmion, sp. Walter de Cormeilles; a descendant of Ansfrid de Cormeilles, who held land in Hereford under William FitzOsbern, who founded the Abbey of Cormeilles. Cormeilles is near to the Crispin caput of Lisieux. Walter de Cormeilles held under the Laceys, and was in some way related to "Ranulfi Poer vicecomitis de Hereford" - Fasti Ecclesiae, vol. viii.

1.2.1. Albreda de Cormeilles, sp. Johannes le Brun.

1.2.2. Sibilla de Cormeilles, sp. Hugh Giffard, issue: [1] Walter Giffard, Archbishop of York. [2] Margaret Giffard, sp. William Devereux.

1.2.3. Margaret de Cormeilles, sp. Hugh le Poer.

1.2.3.1 dau., sp. Simon de Solariis - Taylor in his MS. collections for Herefordshire, mentions "Rogerius de Bruge. This," says he, "was I believe first owner of Bruge [Brugge-upon-Wye, now called Bridge Solers], but it being devolved into the family of Solers, it had that addition from them."

1.2.3.2. Baldwin le Poer, sp. unknown.

1.2.3.2.1. Elena le Poer, sp. Radulphus de Solariis [son of 1.2.3.1.].

1.2.3.2.2. Eustachia le Poer, sp. Johannes le Poer [son of 1.2.3.1.].

1.2.3.2.3. Petronilla le Poer, sp. Ingeram de Fraxino, fl. 1203-1221; probable son of Walter de Fresnes.

1.2.3.2.3.1 Hugh de Fraxino; in 1243 held two hides in Sutton Frene.

1.2.3.2.3.1.1. Sir Hugh de Freigne; c. 1277 was seized of Sutton and Masham, half a fee, and of half a fee in Moccas.

1.2.3.2.3.1.1.1. Sir Walter Freigne, probably a son of Sir Hugh, sp. Alice, heiress of Alexandre le Secular.

1.2.3.2.3.1.1.1.1. Hugh de Freigne, sp. unknown.

1.2.3.2.3.1.1.1.1.1. Humphrey de Frayne, sp. Arabella Harley, heiress of Charles Harley.

Millicent de Rethel, sp. [2] Richard de Camville; issue: [1] Isabel de Camville, sp. Robert de Harcourt,** son of Ives de Harcourt, son of Wlliam de Harcourt, sp. Agnes de Ambroise, son of Robert the Strong de Harcourt; [2] William de Camville, sp. Albreda de Marmion, daughter of Geoffrey Marmion [see 1.1.1. - Close Rolls, 1227-1231, p. 14].

* William de Braose, of Briouze, sp. Eve de Boissey [married firstly Anchetil de Harcourt, father of Robert the Strong de Harcourt]; issue: Philip de Braose, Lord of Briouze and Bramber, sp. Aenor de Totnes, dau. of Juhel de Totnes; their issue: Maud de Braose, sp. Sir William Beauchamp, son of Sir Walter de Beauchamp and Emmeline d'Abitot, dau. Urse d'Abitot.

** Robert de Harcourt and Isabel de Camville had issue: Alice de Harcourt, sp. Waleran de Newbourg, Earl of Warwick, son of Roger de Beaumont, Earl of Warwick, sp. Gundred de Warenne; son of Henry de Beaumont, sp. Margaret de Perche; this line tracing, as shown previously, to Onfroi de Vieilles, brother of Radulphus de Beaumont.

Some connection between the Moccas family and the Fremes of Gloucestershire is also suggested:

FREMES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE

"The author of the 'Norman People' (quoting Lobineau, Hist. Bret. ii. 117) says they were the sons of Hasculph, Viscount of Nantes in Brittany, and this opinion is supported by the fact that Enisand Musard had vast grants in Yorkshire from Alan le Roux of Brittany, Earl of Richmond, with the feudal dignity of Constable of Richmond. It was his grandson Roald who founded Easby Abbey in 1152 (Mon. ii. 649); and from him, it is. suggested, descended the Yorkshire families of Richmond and Burton: the latter name having been taken from the seat of their seigneurie. Hasculph, the elder brother, was seated in Derbyshire, where his son Richard was Baron of Staveley, and his grandson, Hasculph II., on the occasion of the marriage of Henry II.'s daughter, certified that he held fifteen and a half knight's fees. This latter Hasculph died 33 Henry II., and was succeeded by Ralph, who was High Sheriff of Gloucester 17 John, and continued Sheriff till 9 Henry III. His home was at Misarden or Musarden in that county, which had taken its name from the Musards, and continued in their possession for about two hundred and forty years; that is, from the Conquest till the end of Edward I.'s reign" [Cleveland, Battle Abbey Roll, 1889]. 1. Hasculph Musard, held Stavely, Derbys., temp. Domesday.

1.1. Matilda Musard, sp. Godfrey de Foljambe.

1.2. ------Musard, sp. "Richard fil Urso", son of Urse d'Abitot: William Harryes, obit. 1428, son of John Harryes by his first wife, Johanna de Godolghan, C.P.R. 1391-1396, before Escheator Nicholas le Brun, shows him to be a tenant in Madresfield, later home of the Lygon family, and Powick. At Domesday, Madresfield was part of the large manor of Powick, and was held by Urse de Abbetot [his daughter, Emmeline, married Walter de Beauchamp]; it passing to his descendant, William de Beauchamp [V.C.H. Worc. i. 301].

1.3 Ricardus Musard, held Stavely [par Lyson].

1.3.1. William Musard, settled in Missendon, Gloucestershire.

1.3.2. Hasculph Musard, obit. 33H2.

1.3.2.1. Radulphus Musard, obit. 14H3, Sheriff of Gloucestershire; Justice Itinerant of Herefordshire, married, secondly, Isabella, relict of Jollan de Neville, second husband of Sarah de Heriz: John de Heriz I., son of Ivo de Heriz II. --- who, the 16th of king John, gave 300 marks for certain lands of Ralph Basset. But of him nothing memorable is mentioned, only that he deceafed the 3Oth of Henry III., leaving Sara his wife surviving, who afterwards married Jollan de Neville [Rot. Fin., I. 363, 426]. Radulphus gifted to Wellbec 4H3, the principal witness being William de Heriz, brother of John de Heriz I., and son of Ivo de Heriz II., and also ancestor of the above mentioned William Harryes.

1.3.2.2. Amicia Musard, sp. Anker de Frechenville,* nephew of Ivo de Heriz II., who had married, secondly, Mabel de Criche. Ivo was "custodia nostra" of Anker de Frechenville's son, Ralph; the "Heriz inheritance", as the barony of Criche, later devolving to Bellers. *Anker de Frechenville was also known as Anker de Frisca-Villa, which strongly supports him being of the Freschenes family, with Freschenes, as stated, being the vil of someone named Frisco; thus, he may have had common origin with the family of Ferte-Fresnel, and with the Fresnes/Frenes/Fraxinos of Hereford, which stemmed from them.

1.3.2.1.1. Ralph Musard "de Fresne", "de Fraxino" [Reg. Thomas de Cantilupe, Archb. Hereford, 1275-1282]; witnessed a Gloucestershire i.p.m. 56H3 with Robert de Solers [Solariis]; possible second-cousin of the Sir Hugh de Freigne, who circa 1277 was seized of Sutton and Masham, half a fee, and of half a fee in Moccas. It may be reasonable to assume some familial connection between Ralph Musard and the Fraxino family of Moccas.

There was a number of Fraxinos in Gloucestershire, which borders Herefordshire, at this period; a Geoffrey de Fraxino witnessing a i.p.m 1E1 concerning land in Siston. There was also a number of dignatories by the name of Frenshe [John, Robert, and William, as examples] recorded in the cartulary oF Gloucester Cathedral; and it seems most likely that they were synonomous with the Fraxino/Fresne family, paralleling the situation in Scotland, see anon, were the Fresne family were also known as Frenshe, both being contractions of Freschenes. Circa 1275, a Walter de Fraxino held in Eldesfield ["which John de Fraxino at one time held"] and Bisley [Mary A. Rudd, Historical records of Bisley with Lypiatt, Gloucestershire, p. 18, 1977]. Bisley was the site of a number of mills, powered by a fast-flowing tributaries of the River Frome; thus, since Bisley parish registers began recording the name Freme in the 1560s, it has been assumed this name necessarily arose from Frome. It may be that many called Freme owe their name to this source, yet it can be remembered that the family of Frene/Fresne, stemming from the Ferte-Fresnels of Normandy, were also known as Fresme, so to ascert that the name Freme derived from any one source may be questionable, especially as a family of Freme also held in Bisley [Rudd, pgs. 104, 248, 255]; and a John de Freme was a fellow witness with Robert Belowe [vide Bellers] in a Gloucestershire i.p.m. 11E1 [Sidney J. Madge, The Index Library: Abstracts of Inquisitiones Post Mortem for Gloucestershire, p. 123, 2008]. THE HARLEYS

Sir Robert de Harley, obit. 1349, Sheriff of Herefordshire, a man of Sir John de Lacey [whose daughter, Joan, married Sir John's son, Gilbert de Lacey], who was the son of Walter de Lacey and Margaret de Braose, daughter of William Braose of Abergavenny. Sir Robert married Margaret de Brampton, the King's Ward. She was the daughter of Brian de Brampton, obit. 28/12/1294, and Eleanor de Hereford, daughter of Robert de Hereford, of Harley, Shropshire. The manor of Harley at Domesday consisted of the parishes of Harley, Danus, Rowley, and Blakeway. Margaret de Brampton's sister, Elizabeth de Brampton, was the wife of Edmund de Cornwall, son of Richard Plantagenet, Count of Poitou, and first Earl of Cornwall; a son of King John. Brian de Brampton was the son of John de Brampton and Maud, widow of Roger de Mortimer, and daughter of William de Braose and Eva, daughter of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, and Isabel, daughter of Richard Strongbow and Eva, dau. of Dormach Mac Morough, King of Leinster. Strongbow was the son of Gilbert de Clare, a direct descendant of 'Duke' Richard I. and the Duchess Gunnor. William de Braose was the son of Reginald de Braose and Grisold de Briwere, dau. of William, lord of Torbay. Reginald was the son of Phillip de Braose and Berta, daughter of Walter, Earl of Hereford, and Sibil de Newmarche, dau. of Bernard, Lord of Brecon, and Nesta, princess of South Wales. Phillip was the grandson of William de Braose I., close kinsman of Odo de Fraxineto. William de Braose I. married Agnes, daughter of Waldron, Earl of St. Clare.

Of the next generation of Sir Robert de Harley was Sir Charles de Harley, whether a son of Sir Robert, who had at least two other children by Eleanor de Hereford, or nephew, is difficult to determine. 'The statement from the O'Luinin collection cited by Hardiman seems more full than that of Burke. The former states "that Sir Herbert or Humphrey de Frayne [son of 'Monsieur Hugh de Freigne' by a first wife] married Arabella, daughter and heiress of Charles Harley, Knight, of Orniuch in Wales, and by her had issue, five sons and two daughters, viz., Christopher, Walter, Patrick, Nicholas, John, Mary, and Julia French; that from Christopher and Walter are descended the family of Ffrench in England, and from Patrick and Nicholas those of Ireland. John de Fregne, the fifth son of Sir Humphrey, is stated to have settled in Scotland, where he married Jane, a daughter of, a consideration of charter evidence would suggest, Thomas Lindsey, younger brother of James Lindsey, earl of Crawford; from whom are descended the family of Frenches in Scotland. 'D'Alton rather concludes, from the inferences of history and record, that the first who bore the name in Ireland was neither a Herbert nor a Humphrey, but a certain Fulco de Freyne, who is admittedly of the line (this implies, as I understand, of the Herefordshire line), and is the first who appears noticed in the Patent Rolls, in 1286, and then not in connection with Wexford, but what will be found much to confirm this opinion as Seneschal of Kilkenny.

*LINDSEY AND BALLIOL - FITZOSBERN CONNECTION

The early ancestry of the Lindseys is contentious, yet a very well documented account of it is given by Alexander Crawford, Lindsay Crawford, Robert Lindsay, Colin Lindsay, James Stair Lindsay, and John Lindsay in 'Lives of the Lindsays', pp. 401-410, 1858, which I noew abridge: 'That the De Limesays, otherwise occasionally styled De Lindsays, of Normandy and England, were a younger branch of the De Toenys, — 1. The foundation charter of the Priory of Hertford by Randolph de Limesay, ante 1093, is witnessed by "Robertus de Stafford, nepos Domini" [Dugd.] ...... This Randdolph de Limesay's wife was Hawisa, daughter of William FitzOsborne [Clutterbuck, History Hertf. vol. ii. p 505], and Robert de Stafford's wife was Avice de Clare [Dugd. Monast. tom vi. p 231] ...... thus whether nepos implied nephew or cousin german the relationship was on the male side ...... and Randolph was a Toeny. Limesay was not Toeny property, but held of the Viscounts of Arques, and therefore most probably came through marriage of Randolph's father with the heiress [of Arques]* ...... Hugo de Limesay appears as Sire de Limesay in 1060 (Cart. S. Trin. du Mont de Rouen, ap. Coll. des Cartulaires de Fnmce, tom. iii. p. 433); and ancient pedigrees of the English Limesays derive their descent from a baron of that name contemporary with the Conquest [Harl MSS. 1555, fol 61]. I conclude therefore that Randolph was a son of Hugo, younger brother of Roger Sire de Toeny [who held near Freschenes - M.S]...... The names of Limesay and Lindsay were in practice frequently interchanged and applied to the same families and individuals ...... That the Lindsays of Scotland bore originally the same arms as the Limesays [see] Camden, Britannia, p. 610, edit. 1722 ...... That the religious sympathies of the two families (as likewise of the Toenys) were with the same Abbey of St. Alban's; while it may be added, that the Abbey of St. Evroul, to which Baldric de Lindsay granted lauds c. 1086, was the favourite monastery of the Toenys in Normandy ...... [In] Scotland, the families reunited themselves by marriage, and the Scottish Lindsays succeeded to one half of the Limesay inheritance in England through that alliance.'

EARLY ARMORIAL BEARING

"To refer again to the lions, I think this bearing may have [been] first used to indicate the further descent from English royalty, when Roger de Toni or matched with Constance Beaumont, the grand-daughter of Henry I. Certainly the arms of Robert Thorn of St. Albans, their lineal descendant (see Harl. MS., several places, and Rymer's Foedera), are not a bad copy of the royal bearing; they are azure, a fess between three lions passant guardant or" [Senex, N&Q, P.137, 1861].

[*The Arques family stem from Osbern de Bolbec and a sister of the Duchess Gunnor. It can be recalled that William FitzOsbern's grandfather was Gunnor's brother, and that William FitzOsbern married a daughter of Roger de Tosni. It was to this very tightly-knit 'ducal' cabal that the Fresnels were attached. When the so called laws of consanguinity are cited as preclusion to such close alliances, it is without knowledge of charter evidence that detail such alliances, and the realpolitik of the rich and powerful having one law for themselves [often aided by clerics who were related to them] and another for others, albeit that dispensations for close-kin marriages were often secured by bribes].

I will commence an account of the Lindseys with Sir Walter de Lindsey, obit 1221, who held Lamberton. [He was the younger brother of Sir William Lindsey of Crawford]. His son was William Lindsey, obit. 1224-7, who married the heiress to the barony of Kendal. This branch of the Lindseys were very much connected in some way to the Balliols, as witnessed by their coat of arms - Gules, a voided escutcheon vair [Glover's Roll] - which is very similar to the arms borne by Balliol. This association was further strengthened by his son, William Lindsey II., marrying Ada, sister of John Balliol, King of Scots. Sir William Lindsey of Crawford, as above, had a son by that title and name who was steward to the Steward of Scotland. His son, Sir David Lindsey, held Byres and Barnweil. His son, also David, was Chamberlain to Alexander III. His son was Sir Alexander Lindsey, whose seal bore a fess chequey for Lindsay, and who was granted the Crawford lands once held by the Pinkenys.

The Frene family of Herefordshire were well-to-do, descending from the barons of Ferte-Fresnel, and marrying into such families as le Poer and de Solariis, connected to the de Bruges, yet for a son of this family to marry a heiress of the Lindsey House of Crawford, and for a descendant of theirs to to marry into the House of Gordun, adopting their arms, points to connections of the Herefordshire Frenes unknown to us. However, if Friskin, the Scottish settler, was of the same family as the Frenes, that is, of the family of Freschenes alias Fresquienne, as some evidence suggests, then the Lindsey marriage is explained as one within a closely-knit kinship network; a norm of the times.

1. Sir William "le Hardi" Douglas, sp. [2] Eleanor of Louvaine, widow of William de Ferrers, son of William Ferrers, 5th. Earl Derbys., and great-grandson of Margaret de Beaumont, daughter of Robert, 3rd. Earl. Leicster. William de Ferrer's sister married into the family of Vyvian; intimately connected to the Harris family of Radford, Devon, descendants of the Notts. Heriz.

1.1. Sir Archibald Douglas, half-brother of Sir James Douglas; held Terregles in Dunfriesshire; sp. Beatrice Lindsey, daughter of Sir Alexander Lindsey of Crawford.

1.1.1. Sir William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, sp. Margaret, sister and heiress of Thomas, Earl of Mar.

1.1.1.1. Sir James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas and Mar, sp. Isabel Stewart, daughter of King Robert II.

1.1.1.1.1.1 Sir Archibald the Grim Douglas [illigitimate], sp. Joanna de Moray, descendant of Friskin.

1. Alexander de lindsey, given the Crawford lands of "Henrici de Pynkeney, fratris et heredis Roberti de Pynkenoy defuncti."

1.1. David de Lindsey, "Dominus de Crawford, filius et lucres quondam Domini Alexandri de Lyndessay."

1.2. Beatrice Lindsey, sp. Sir Archibald Douglas.

1.1.1. Sir James de Lindsey, "Jacobus de Lyndesay, filius David de Lyndesay, militis."

1.1.1.1. Sir James de Lindsey of Crawford, "Jacobo de Lindesay, filio et haeredi quondam Jacobi de Lindesay, militis." Charter by Sir James Lindsay, the second, of Crawford, temp. Rob. II., confirming a donation of William de Moray, cited by Crawford, MS. Collections, Adv. Lib.

1.1.1.1.1. Euphemia de Lindsey, sp. Sir John Herries of Terregles, desc. of William Heriz, fl. 1059, of Notts.

1.1.1.2. Thomas de Lindsey, "filio meo .... Jacobo de Lindesey."

1.1.1.2.1. Jane Lindsey, sp. John de Fregne.

1.1.1.2.1.1. Robert French, the first Laird of Thornydykes.

To repeat:

Freskin.

William Fresekyn "Sheriff of Invernaryn."

Hugh Freskin of Duffus = dubh-uisg, meaning "dark water" or "black water."

Walter de Moray; great-niece, Joanne de Moray, sp. Archibald, third Earl of Douglas = Dubh-glas, meaning "dark water."

Freskin de Moray, sp. Johanna de Strathnavir.

Helen de Moray, sp. Reginald de Cheyne.

Christian Cheyne, sp. Alexander de Seton de Gordon.

Many degrees of cousinship can be deduced from the above, and it may be the case, as was common to these times, that these relationships were based on the families involved being anciently related, and closely so, in ways now lost to us.

That Sir James, the second, of Crawford died without male issue, leaving two daughters, coheiresses to his unentailed estates, — 1. Convention, 4 Feb. 1402-3, between "Domina Mergareta de Lyndesay," described as "una heredum et senior filia bone memorie quondam Domini Jacobi de Lyndisay, militis, Domini de Bouchan," and widow of the late Sir Thomas Colville, &c., and Sir Henry Preston of Fermartine, concerning the castle of Fyvie [Collections Hist. Aberd., p. 501]. 2. Charter by Sir John Herriesof Terreagles and Euphemia de Lindsay his wife, daughter of Sir James, selling to Sir Henry Preston and Dame Elizabeth their portion of Fermartine.

ROBERT FRAME

Fulco de Freyne was Seneschal in the County of Kilkenny (under Gilbert, Earl of Gloucester, who married the daughter of King Edward the First). 'In 1302, not less than three Royal Letters of Credence were directed to him, as one of the Fideles of Ireland, concerning the state of Scotland and the services required for the war there." His son Fulco, and an Oliver de la Freyne, were in 1335 summoned, as magnates of Ireland, to attend the King's wars in Scotland, and were present at the Battle of Hallidown. [The Deeds of the Earls of Ormond confirm that: Fulco de Freigne was buried, as well as all related Freignes, in the Friary of Carrickbeg, near Carrick-on-Suir. Fulco died in 1349. Robert de Freigne was Seneschal to James, Earl of Ormond, c. 1380, being overseer to all the Earl's lands. In his own right, he received a grant of the manor of 'Chalagh' from Walter [de Sancto, i.e. Brito] Albini' In 1577, Robert Frame of Carrick-on-Suir was a noted tenant of the Earl of Ormond, showing a natural transmutation of Fresnes/Fresmes into Frame. [A. D. Weld French, ibid.].

THE FRESNES OF THORNDYKES

Abridged from: SURNAMES OF FRANCUS, FRANCEIS, FRENCH, ETC., IN SCOTLAND, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE FRENCHES OF THORNYDYKES BY A. D. WELD FRENCH Author of the " Index Armorial," Fellow of the Society of Antiquitaries of Scotland, Member of the Scottish History Society and of the Committee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

John de Fresne and Jane Lindsey had issue;

'Robert French, the first Laird of Thornydykes on record, received, according to Nisbet, a principal charter from George Dunbar, Earl of March, Lord of Annandale, "upon his resignation in the Earles hands for a new infeftment to himself and his wife Elizabeth in conjunct fie and the heirs of their bodie, which failyeing to Adame French sone to Robert, and his heirs male, which failyeing to airs whatsomeever." "In which charter the Earle designes the said Robert French of Thorndyke Clarissimus consanguineus noster."

[Thornidicke, Thorne Dykes, Thornydyke, or Thorndie Castle or Tower in the district of Thornydykes was a place of defence. A later description gives it besides a manor house, gardens, orchards, dovecots, with estates in tenancy and service of free- holders, mills, mill lands, mill fees, etc. Its location was in the Merse, near the foot of the Lammermoor Hills, in what is now called the parish of Westruther; of old, it was near the religious houses of Wedderlie and Bassendean, in the extended parish of Home; at the Reformation, which began in 1560, it became part of the parish of Gordon. The site of this tower was to the south of Spottiswood, on the northern side of the road leading from Greenlaw to Lauder].

Adam French, second Laird of Thornydykes, succeeded his father Robert in the reign of Robert III. [1390-1406]; and Nisbet makes the following allusion to the succession: "This appears by ane other charter upon resignatione of his mother Elizabeth French [who is surnamed French in this but not in the former] in favour of his [Robert's] son and his spouse, Jonet Rule, of the same contents with the former [charter] in the hands of the foresaid George, Earl of March, and Lord of Annandale and Man." In the time of Robert III. is a charter to Andrew French of the lands of Boudington, within the barony of Cunynghame.

[THREE STARS OF STANE: This Andrew French is most likely a uncle of the second Laird of Thorndykes, mentioned in the following: "Charter by Robert, Steward of Scotland, Earl of Stratherne and Lord of Conynghame, to Alexander of Blare, his heirs or assignees, of the annualrent of four chalders of oatmeal and one pound of pepper, which Alan le Suche and William of Ferrare, Knights, were accustomed to receive from the lands of Stane and Buretres in Conynghame, then belonging to Andrew Fraunceys: To be held of the Steward and his heirs for giving a pair of gilt spurs, or twelve silver pennies, at Whitsunday yearly, if asked. Dated 10th December 1363." He was succeeded in Conyngham by "William Frawncies of le Stane," who occurs in the charter of the Duke of Albany 24th July, 1417. The family of Frances was connected by intermarriages with the best in the district. It, however, failed in the male line in the beginning of the sixteenth century, when the heiress was married to a younger eon of the Earl of Eglintoun. William Montgomerie of Greenfield, third son of Hugh, first Earl of Eglintoun, married, in 1508, Elizabeth, only daughter and sole heiress of Robert Frances of Stane, with whom he got the barony of Stane, St. Bride's Kirk, and Bourtreehill. The arms of the Stane family, according to the seal of Robert Frances, appended to the contract of marriage between Montgomerie of Greenfield and his daughter, were a mascle between three stars" [William Frazer, Memorials of the Eglintons, 1859]. The three stars of the Stane family may allude to a familial connection to the family of Douglas; it may also be recalled that the same bearings were sported by the family of Fougeres in Yorkshire from the earliest of times.]

About this period Adam Gordon, William Baird, and Adam French became conspicuous among the border chieftains; for at a meeting held in 1398 between the Commissioners of the Scotch and English marches, appointed to arrange about border difficulties, prisoners, etc., an exception was made to the release of these persons.

Robert French, third Laird of Thornydykes, was son of Adam French. He succeeded to the forfeited estates of his father, as it appears by a charter to him from King Robert III. of the lands of Thornydykes in the shire of Berwick, and Pitcokes in the shire of Edinburgh, located near Dunbar Castle, in the barony of Bele and earldom of March, and about seventeen miles from Thornydykes. His eldest son was Robert, who succeeded him; but the Frenches of Frenchland record for him a younger son, James, who is represented as their ancestor.

Robert French, the fourth Laird of Thornydykes. On the 22d of October, 1478, "the Lordis decretis that Johne Hume of Cralin, Robert Fransche of Thornydikis, Johne of Quhitsum, Alexander Hume, Patric Michel, James Fransche, and Jok Lawsoun, sail restore and deliver againe to Dene William Rothuen, chanoun of Driburgh, for twa horssis and twa sadillis, that thai spulzeit fra the said chanoun."

Robert French, fifth Laird of Thornydykes. "On the 8th of March, 1490, in the action and cause pursued on behalf of our soverign lord and Archibald Boid in Smalem, against Thomas Rutherford, Robert Franche of Thornydike, and others, the lords of council decern and ordain, if it please the said Archibald, that the inquest be changed to a new day."

Adam French, sixth Laird of Thornydykes, had saisine of Thornydykes and Pitcox in 1494. Another record appears of him on the 16th of December, 1503, in the action and cause pursued on behalf of the king against Adam Franch of Thornydikes, and others serving upon a breive of inquest impetrate by Walter Haliburnton by the decease of William Haliburnton of Mertoun, upon land lying in the town of Merton and sheriffdom of Berwick, for their wilful error and unjust deliverance that the said lands were held in blenchferme. Their decreet is therefor held as of no avail, force, or effect in time to come. There is a certain amount of suspicion that this Adam French may have retired, and entered the church; for in the year 1526, as hereafter stated, he was succeeded in the estates of Thornydykes by Robert, the seventh Laird; and in this same year you find Sir Adam Frenche prebendary of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity. It very much appears that Chaplain Sir Adam Frenche, sixth laird of Thorndykes, was one and the same person as Chaplain Sir Adam Frame, who is often cited as one of the first ever with the surname Frame, who witnesses here he for the same Walter Haliburton, case previously noted, and this time recorded in the Protocol Book of James Young, 1485-1489 as Chaplain Sir Adam Frame: 'Instrument narrating that Humphrey Culquhone of Luss passed to the dwelling-house of Walter Haliburtone, in the town of Leith, and there made this statement: "You know that I have set that land in tack to you for an annualrent of ten merks, and it has been decreed by the lords of council that you ought to make me an annual payment, I finding pledges to keep you scatheless of the payment of any other annualrent furth of the foresaid land; I have found you John Burgun, burgess of Edinburgh, as a pledge, with whom you are content; and now I have lacked annually ten merks for the seven terms past from the date of the said decreet of the lords of council, extending to 35 merks, and for the lands of Kelloure and Mensklatemure five merks, extending in all to the sum of forty merks. "Of this sum of forty merks the said Humphrey asked payment from the said Walter, and when he could not have payment, as he asserted, he protested for remedy of law. Done in the said dwelling-house, 10 Feb 1488/9. Witnesses: William Maw, Humphrey Layng, Patrick McGregour, Humphrey Douglas, sirs Gilbert Stevinsone and Adam Frame, chaplains, and Patrick Barry, notary.'

Children of the Sixth Laird. First, Robert French, who succeeds. Second, John French, who is referred to in the Regist. Secreti Sigilli as follows: "Ane lettre maid to Johnne Franche, bruthir to umquhile [deceased] Robert Franche of Thornydykis, his airis and assignais, ane or ma of the gift of the Releif of the landis of Thornydykis, and Petcokis with partis and pendiclis thairof, and all thair pertinentis, and of all vthir landis quhilkis pertenit to the said vmquhile Robert aucht and pertening to our souerane Lady for sesing gevin or to be gevin to Adam Franche, sone and air of the said umquhile Robert of the samyn. And als of the gift of the manage of the said Adam, sone and air foirsaid, and failzeing of him be deceis vn- marut the manage of ony vthir air or airis, male or female, of the said umquhile Robert that sal happin to succeid to him in his landis and heretage with all proffittis of the said manage, with power, etc. At Edinburgh the XXV. day of Januar, the yeir of God one thousand five hundred and forty-eight." Third, Alexander Frenche.* At Edinburgh, on the 20th of February, 1539, the name of Alexander Frenche appears among the witnesses to a charter of Jacobus Striveling de Keir, which was confirmed by the queen on the 18th of April, 1550. Fourth, George Franche. His name appears as a witness to the charter of the 8th of June, 1540. He was on the side of the Kers in the feud existing be- tween them and the Scotts, and was designed of Thornydykes on Dec. 3, 1549, in a summons at the instance of Walter Scott of Branxholme.

[*Alexander Frenche provides a link to the Frenche/Frame families of Cadder: Letter to Sir John Stirling of Keir, 1529: 'Ane Letter of Gift maid to Johne Striviling of Keir, knycht, Ms aires and assignais, ane or mair, of ye manage of Jonet Striviling, dochter and aire of umquhile Andro Striviling of Cadder, &c. failzeing, &c. with all profittis, &c. Apud Edinburgh xxii day of Julii ye zer forsaid.' [Privy Seal Record, Book viii. fol. 69]. [The family of Stirlings of Cadder were a branch of the Comyn family]. Decreet in favour of Janet Stirling, Heiress of Cadder, Octauo Julii, Anno 1535. 8. July: 'heritor of ye landis and lardsehip of Gadder, aganis Johnne Striveling of ye Kere. Knycht, and James Striueling his soun:— That quhare ye said Johnne havand hir marriage, and ye dispositioun of hir ward landis, causit ane pretendit matrimony to be maid betuix ye said James and her' (Acts of the Lords of Council and Session, Book VI., folio 165.) The Stirlings of Calder or Cadder, whose name appears in the Ragman's Roll, 1279: John Striveling or Stirling of Craigbernard [Craigbarnet] is witness to a deed in 1468. Kincaid, Laird of Kincaid of Stirlingshire, for his valiant service in recovering of the Castle of Edinburgh from the English, in the time of Edward I., via made constable of the said castle, and his posterity enjoyed that office for a long period, carrying the castle in their armorial bearings in memory thereof to this diy. here is an old broad sword belonging to a branch of the family, upon which ire the arms, gules on a fesse ermine, between two mullets in-chief, or.

The concentration of Frenche/Frame families in Cambusnethan strongly points to a shared ancestry: Cambusnethan Parish Communion Roll 1640 Part 4 - parish Netherton ...... William French/Margaret Bryce; John French/Marion French; James French/Isobel Morrison ...... parish Pather ...... Thomas Smellie/Marion Cleland; John Frame/Janet Smellie. [Smellie = Smillie?]. Andrew Frame is mentioned in a testament here of 1596 [Register of Testaments for Hamilton and Campsie, the district including the parishes of Hamilton, Dalserf, Govan, Gorbals, East Kilbride, and Shotts, in the county of Lanarkshire; the parish of Campsie in the County of Sterlingshire; and Renfrew, in Renfrewshire [British Record Society, Scottish Section, 1898]. Cambusnethan was also associated with the Lindseys: "Joannes Lyndesay curatus de Cambusnethane subscribes the testament of Lady Cambusnetbane", Aug. 21. 1552 [Com. Нес. of Glas]. What appears most evident is a long-standing association between the families of Brus, Hamilton, Lindsey, and Frenche, dating in England, it can be suggested, from the common Yorkshire links above descibed:

In a testament dated 12/6/1564 [British Record Society, ibid.], Robert Frame is mentioned as being of Torrens, parish Kilbryde. [His spouse was Margaret Abercorne, possibly related to 'Lord, James erle of Abircorne'- an executor of James Hammiltoun of Garen, obit. 1610]. "KILBRYDE is a great pariih lying betwixt the parishes of Avendale to the foutheaft, Blantyre [and Cambuflang to the north, Carmunock and Egleihome to the fouth. This baronie and paroch was given by King Robert Bruce, as ane part of the manage portion of his daughter Marjorie, to Walter the Great Stewart of Scotland [his steward was a Lindsey - M.S]; and heth been alwayes reckoned fince as a part of the Principalitie; and the feverall families therein are faid to be old, yett I hear not of any writts older among them than from John Earle of Carrick, grandchild to King Robert, thereafter called Robert the Third. This great parish (anciently two) was called Kilbryde and Torrence, but long fince united in one, and now called the pariih of Kilbryde. In it ther is ane hanfome church, feated in a village of that name [Descriptions of the sheriffdoms of Lanark and Renfrew, William Hamilton, John Fullartoun, PP.7-19, 1831] ...... The castle of Dunrod was situated in the paiish of Innerkype, Renfrewshire, and appears to have been very early possessed by this branch of the Lindsay [Ure, History of Kilbryde].

In a testament of 3/12/1603 [British Record Society, ibid.], James Frame is mentioned as being the late husband of Isobel Cooper in Dalserf: DALSERFE - "It heth intirely belonged to the family of Hamilton fince the year 1312, that they got ane grant of it from King Robert Bruce, upon the Refignation of John Comyn; fince which tyme, there has much of it been given out by them to gentlemen of their name, defcended of their family" [Descriptions ibid.]. Similarly, a testament from the same source, dated 18/4/1618, names a Andro Frame in Mylneburne, parish Dalserf: "Milbourn, alfo of the name of Hamilton, who heth a convenient houfe at the Altoun, not far from Deferfe. There are fome other finall heritors in this paroch, and all of them hold of the Dukes of Hamilton" [Descriptions ibid.]

Also from the same source, a testament of 12/4/1676 names Jonet Frame as spouse of John Hamilton, in Meadowhead, parish Hamilton. "HAMILTON - This lordihip was anciently the propertie of the Kings of Scotland, there being feverall old charters be Alexander the Second and Alexander the Third, kings of Scotland, dated "Apud caftrum noftrum de Cadichou," call'd afterwards the caftle of Hamilton. The precife tyme when this lordihip was given to the Duke of Hamilton his prediceflors is not clear; but there is ane chartor extent, granted by King Robert Bruce, in the 7th year of his reigne, 1314, to Sir Walter, the fone of Sir Gilbert de Hamilton, of this baronie and the tenendry of Adelwood, which formerly belonged to his father, Sir Gilbert, and heth, without any interruption, continued in that familie fince ...... This lordihip and baronie of Hamilton and Edelwood, togither with the baronies of Machanihyre [i.e Dalserf - M.S] Kinneil, Harbor [Larbert ?], Brunadie, Alcathie, Hamilton's Ferme and Coribaiket [Corsbasket] were all ereoled in one lordihip, to be call'd the lordihip of Hamilton in all tyme thereafter, in anno 1445" [Descriptions ibid.].John Hamilton of Haggs is executor in the test. of John Franche of Thowhill, "maid at Muffilburgh ...... viij day of Sept. 1547]."

Robert French, seventh Laird of Thornydykes, succeeded his father, Adam. "Came in possession of the estates, according to Chancery Books, in 1526"; found among the barons and lairds of Berwickshire in 1530; on May 20, 1538, he is on an assize in apprising of lands in Graden, in Berwickshire; mentioned again on the 10th of April, 1546; and appears to have died before the 25th of January, 1548. Robert French married Anne Hume, a member of the patriotic, poetical, and religious family living at Polwarth, near by in the same shire. Her aunt, Margaret Hume, was lady abbess of North Berwick. Her brother, Patrick, the fifth baron of Polwarth, "left specimens of poetry which seem to have been popular in the court of James VI., to which he was attached."

Children of the Seventh Laird, First, Adam French, his heir who succeeded. Second, Henry French, who evidently went to the north of Scotland very early in life; for he is found at Orkney on the 28th of October in the year 1544, and then among the many witnesses to a charter of Bishop Robert Reid to the cathedral church of Orkney, where it was dated. Third, Patrick French. His name appears among the witnesses to the marriage contract of the year 1549. He is mentioned again as a witness, with his son, James French, to a charter dated at the burgh of Haddington, on the 31st of March, 1568, of Patrick Cockburn, prebendary of Petcokkis, belonging to the Collegiate Church of Dunbar, wherein he grants in gratitude and in free farm to Alexander Cockburn, his own brother (sons of Cockburn of Langton, county Berwick), and Alisone Vaus, his wife, one acre of arable land in the said prebend, at Freirland, in the western part of the territory of Dunbar, one acre in the northern part of the prebend of Beltoun, as well as other land, including common of pasturage in the southern part of the village of Dunbar, in the constabulary of Haddington, in the viscounty of Edinburgh. Fourth, Peter French. On Nov. 13, 1552, "Queen Mary pardons Adam French," eighth "Laird of Thornydykes, James French, and Peter French, for the attacking and killing of William Halyburton of Gogar." Fifth, Hue French. About ten miles from Thorny- dykes, the ancestral home of the Frenches, was the Abbey of Dryburgh, which was particularly identified with the family of Erskines. Three of this name were here commendators, and probably John Erskine (who afterwards became Lord Erskine) held the same title. Hue French was in the service of this lord prior to the year 1565 (when he became Earl of Mar), during which period he had an annual income conferred upon him by John Menteith of Kers and Al- wath (with the consent of Robert Menteith, his father), out of the lands and barony of Alwath, in the county of Stirling. On the 19th of December, 1567, the chamberlain of Dryburgh Abbey reports "that Hue French remained there sick after my lord's departure." Apparently, he was a pensioner of Dryburgh Abbey, as a reference is made to the pension due him for the year 1573. Hue French died in the month of October of the year 1574; and his will appears to have been given up on the 25th of the preceding month, in the house of John Gillespy, within the burgh of Stirling, in the presence of John Gillespy, John Wilson, Patrick Bauchap, and John French, his brother's son. It confirms the royal patronage, refers to some nephews, nieces, and a half brother and sister. By this will he appoints Christopher Murray, Constable of Stirling Castle, and Adam French, Laird of Thornydykes, as his executors. Sixth, Alexander French, who appears as a witness, on July 2, 1567, to several tacks by John Lermonth, vicar of the parish church of Gogar, of the diocese of St. Andrews. He is mentioned in the year 1569 as one of the ex- ecutors of his brother Henry French, and is found again as a witness as late as the year 1573. Seventh, Robert French, who is called in the year 1569 brother german of Henry French, and is sup- posed to have been the minister who lived at this time in Berwickshire. There is a record of him at Eccles in 1567, at Lammas in 1571; and after the death of Sir Andrew Turnbull (of the Bedrule family) the vicar of Greenlaw, King James conferred upon him on April 23, 1573, that vicarage. Eighth, Jonet French, who is mentioned in the wills of her brothers Henry and Hue French. She mar- ried first Robert Watson of Yiflie, in Westruther, county Berwick, who appears to have died before February 5, 1546. He left a son of the same name, to whom his uncle Henry French refers as his sister's son. The record of the year 1546 shows "that she was then married to Robert Cranstoun of Broxmouth," in the parish of Dunbar, in Haddingtonshire. On Sept. 25, 1550, Janet French renounces her right of conquest and life rent of the third part of the lands of Iverlie, in the parish of Westruther, in favor of her son Robert Watson. Ninth, Margaret French, who married first George Nesbit of Raclewcht (near Thornydykes). The following is the agreement for the marriage: The auchtene day of May, in the yeir of God J ra V c fourty and nyne yeris, it is appoyntit aggreit contrakkit and finalie endit betuix thir honourable men and parteis, that ar to say Alexander Franche, Johnne Franche, brethir to vmquhile Robert Franche, lard of Thorniedikis, Robert Rankyn, Johnne Pacok, Johne Boyd, Archibald Burnle, Johnne Bell, and Margreit Franche on that ane part, and George Nesbit in the Raclewcht on that vther part, that the said George Nesbit godwilland sail compleit and fulfill the haly band of matrimony with the said Margreit Franche, in maner effect and forme as efter followis: That is for to say the saidis Alexander Franche and Johne Franche for thair partis of the completing of the said band of matrimony betuix the saidis George Nesbit and the said Margreit Franche bindis and oblissis thame thair airis executouris and assignayis conjunctlie and severalie, be the fathis and trewthis of thair bodeis and be the tennour of this present writting bindis thame for to content and pay the sowm of ane hundreth pundis of gud and vsuale."

Adam French, eighth Laird of Thornydykes, the eldest son, was a minor on the death of his father. John French, his uncle, had the gift of the relief of the estates, as well as that of his marriage. He succeeded to his inheritance before April, 1549. On the 1 8th of May of that year he is mentioned as Adam French of Thornydykes, and again on the 13th of November, 1552. On the 9th of December, 1552, the Register of Acts and Decreets shows that he was summoned in an action as the son and heir of his deceased father, Robert French. On the 8th of February, 1555- 56, Queen Mary grants a charter to Adam Franche of Thornydikes, and Margaret Hoppringill, his spouse, of the lands of Thornydikes, with manor place, mills, etc., in Berwickshire, and of a tenandry of the land in the toun of Petcokkis, in the constabulary of Haddington, on the resignation thereof by the said Adam, personally, in the hands of the queen. 23d of February, 1582-83. Action at the instance of Margaret Hoppringill, relict of Adam Frenche of Thornydykis, cessioner and assignee donatrix in and to the ward lands of the mains of East Gordoun and mill of the same, lying in the sheriffdom of Berwick, against Cuthbert Cranstoun of Thirlstanemains. Children of the Eighth Laird. First, Robert French, who succeeded. Second, James French. He is mentioned in 1569 as the second son, and Hue French calls him in the year 1574 his nephew. He was appointed by his mother in 1582 as executor to her will. In 1583 he instituted proceedings against Andrew Home, abbot of Jedburgh, and died s.p. soon after his brother Robert. Third, John French. He was a nephew of Hue French, who was "Controller of Horse" for King James VI. On the 25th of September, 1574, he was present at Stirling at the making and giving up of this uncle's will. His name is mentioned again by his mother on the 19th of March, 1582; and possibly he may have been the Royal Palefrenier of this name who had the grants of escheats. One of these gifts of the crown came as late as the year 1588-89. Fourth, Alexander French, He succeeded as tutor or guardian of Thornidykes on the death of his brother John. He was a turbulent character, mixed up with the political troubles of the Earl of Bothwell, and committed other lawless acts, and finally came to an untimely end on March 13, 1612. One of his sisters appears to have married Wicht, and had a son, James Wicht. Fifth, Thomas French. He is mentioned as early as the year 1574. If judged by the many escheats and other marks of royal favours conferred upon him over a series of years, they would indicate he was a favorite with his sovereign. On Nov. 4, 1595, he was appointed to the "office of only keeper of his majesty's outher chamber door," with a yearly salary and allowance for his livery, which position he appears to have held for many years. Sixth, Margaret French, who is named in the will of her mother, Lady Thornydykes. Seventh, Christiane French, who is also mentioned in the will of her mother. Her name is also found on the nth of January, 1593, in the will of Margaret Trumbell, the first wife of Robert French, ninth Laird of Thornydykes, her brother. Eighth, Jonet French, who is referred to on the 25th of September, 1574, in the will of her uncle, Hue French.

It can be noted that Adam French, eighth Laird of Thornydykes makes mention in a charter dated 29/3/1577 of his half-brother and sister, David and Janet Seton.

Robert French, the ninth Laird of Thornydykes, succeeded his father, Adam French, and is stated to have entered heir after the death of his mother in 1583. He is referred to in the will of his uncle, Hue French, who died in 1574, and mentioned again as the son of the late Adam French on the 16th of December, 1578. He is called Robert French of Thornydykes, on Nov. 13, 1587; and in the will of his mother, Margaret Hoppringill, who died the 21st of March, 1582, she refers to him as her eldest son. "He was juror on the service of Robert Lauder of that Ilk, on the 7th of April, 1584."

Robert French died in 1603, and appears to have been the last tenant of the king of the direct line of the Frenches of Thornydykes. He married prior to the 14th of June, 1589, as his first wife, Margaret, only daughter and heiress of the late William Turnbull, Lord of Bedreule, in the vis- county of Roxburgh. Her mother was Margaret, daughter of Sir John Home of Coldenknowes; and her uncle was James Home of Coldenknowes. She died the 20th of June, 1593. In her will of the nth of June of the same year it is found that her execu- tors were "Robert Frensche of Thornidykis, hir spous, Williame Home in Bassindene, and Mr. Thomas Cranstoun of Morestoun." She refers also to "my sone, his appeirand air," who must have soon after died, and makes bequests to "Alexander, Thomas, Barbara, Elizabethe, Agnes, and Issobell Cranstounes sones and dochteris lauchfull to the aforesaid Mr. Thomas Cranstoun." The second wife of Robert French was Margaret, daughter of Mark Home of Hardiesmylne, and sister of William Home, of the same place. His wife survived him, as appears by a record of the 7th of February, 1605; and by this marriage he had all his surviving children: First, Adam French, his heir. Second, Jean French, who married John Cranston, brother of William, Lord Cranston, and succeeded with her sisters as heirs portioners of her father and her brother. Third, Alison French, who married, first, Thomas Cranston of Huntliewood, and, second, William Marjoribanks of Stainerig. Fourth, Margaret French, who married Robert Brownfield of Totrig, county Berwick.

Adam French, tenth Laird of Thomydykes, son of Robert French, the ninth Laird, and Margaret Home, was born in the year 1599, and was baptized on the 12th of November, 1601. On the death of his father in 1603, being a minor, he became a ward of the crown. His uncle, James, not being able to dis- charge the administration of his nephew's affairs, made choice of their mutual friend and kinsman, Sir Johnne Home of North Berwick; and "King James VI. on the 3d of October, 1603, presented Sir John Home of North Berwick, with the gift of the ward and nonentry duties of the lands of Thornydikes, manor place, houses, etc., and of the lands of Petcoks, since the death of Robert Frenche of Thornydykes, and until the entry of the rightful heir, with the gift of the marriage of Adam Frensche, son and apparent heir to the said Robert." It appears, however, that Sir John Home held only nominally the position of donator; but the active duties were performed by James French until his decease, when he was suc- ceeded by his brother, John French. After his de- mise Sir John Home assumed the active duties of donator, as we ascertain by his sending Adam French to the school at Haddington, to be placed under the charge of William Bowrie, the schoolmaster of that place. At the time of the forcible abduction and marriage of Adam French, William Home of Hardiesmylne, his uncle on the maternal side, took him away from the house of William Bowrie, with the plausible excuse of visiting Margaret Haitlie, his "guidame and sisteris," but with the real intention of marrying him, and that without the consent of Sir John Home, the donator to the gift of his ward and marriage. From Haddington this uncle carried him to Rymmeltonelaw in the Merse, the dwelling- house of Alexander Cranstoun of Moristoun. From thence he was conveyed, by William Home, Alexander Cranstoun, John Cranstoun, brother of William Lord Cranstoun, and William Moffet, to the place of East Nesbit, and therefrom out of the realm of Scotland to the town of Berwick, in England, where he was secretly married, on Nov. 16, 1615, to Jean, daughter of Sir Patrick Chirnesyde of East Nisbet. In consequence of this abduction and marriage a trial ensued on Nov. 8, 1616, of which Pitcairn gives a long account. The parties interested were required to keep the peace under heavy penalties, and the marriage of Adam French to Jean Chirnesyde was eventually gifted by the king ; but there was no issue by it, and the young husband died in wardship in February, 1617, which brought to an end the ancient direct male line of the Frenches of Thornydykes.

The estates of Thornydyke and Petcoke remained in the hands of the crown until the 26th of January, 1619, when they were given by a charter of King James to Adam Frenche of Frenchland, in Dumfriesshire; the pedigree of his family showing he was a descendant of Robert French, third Laird of Thornydyke, who died some time prior to the year 1478. This Adam French of Frenchland did not long retain possession of the estates; for in the year 1633 he conveyed them to George Brown (the second son of the Laird of Colston), who is afterwards called the Laird of Thornydyke, and the Frenches of Frenchland thereafter only designed themselves as lineal representatives of the Frenches of Thornydyke.'

[A WELSH CONNECTION: 'Walterston (i.e. Walter's town), derives its name from Walter de Lacy, who held it soon after the Norman conquest. Walterston is a component part of the great manor of Ewyas Lacy, which was held after the Lacys by the Verdon family, of whom Theobald possessed it at the close of the thirteenth- century [Powell's History of Wales]. In this parish is situated Alterynnis, the ancient seat of the Cecil family. The name has undergone various alterations in its orthography. — At an early date it was written Sitsylt, afterwards Sicelt, Seycil, Seisel, Cicil, and at length Cecil.

In the year 1015, Llewelyn ap Sitsylt (i.e. the son of Sitsylt), raised a great army against Aedan, who had obtained by force the principality of North Wales, and slew him, with his four sons, in battle. This Llewelyn was descended from the kings of Wales, by his mother's side, whose name was Trawst: she was daughter of Elise, second son of Anarawd, who was eldest son of Roderick the Great, who reigned over all Wales, from A. D. 843, to 876.

In the year 1091, Robert Sitsylt, a descendant of that family, now excluded from the throne, was one of those who joined Fitzhamon in the [Welsh] expedition. He was rewarded with a portion of the conquered lands, and afterwards married the heiress of Alterynnis, by whom he acquired that property, together with large possessions in the county of Glocester. He had issue Sir James Sitsylt, baron of Beauport (since Beaupere), in Glamorganshire. James was succeeded by his son, John Sitsylt, who, after the death of his father, engaged in the same wars with Roger Earl of Hereford, and Constable of England. He married Maud, daughter of de Frene of Moccas [safely assumed to be Walter - M.S] in this county, and had issue, Eustace, who married Eleanor, daughter of Sir Walter Pembridge, knt. and had issue, two sons, Baldwyn and John, and four daughters, one of whom was wife of Sir Thomas Fitzneale. Sir Baldwyn was knighted by Henry II. and had issue by his first wife, who was daughter of Maurice de Brompton, five sons and two daughters, viz. Gerald, Eustace, Henry, John, Walter, Catherine, who married Hugh ap Meredith Muredake [Meurdac? - M.S] and Eleanor, who married Walter Wallis. By his second wife, Margery, daughter of Sir Stephen Radnor, knt. Baldwyn had also issue four sons, Stephen, Roger, Hugh, and David, and three daughters, of whom Mawde, the eldest, was a nun; Joan, the second, married John de Solers, and Ann, the third daughter, married Owen ap Meredyth. Baldwyn gave lands, now called Kingston Grange, together with freedom of common and pasture in his woods, &c. and other privileges, to the abbey of Dore. He joined with Henry II. in his wars against the Welsh, and was slain at the siege of the castle of Cardiff.

Gerald, his eldest son succeeded, and married Mabel, daughter of Sir William Moigne, knt. and had issue three sons and three daughters: 1. Gerald, who died an infant; 2. Robert, who married and had children ; 3. Owen, who became a monk in the abbey of Dore; Catherine, who was first the wife of Sir Griffin ap Yoreford, next the wife of David ap Evan, and lastly the wife of Geffrey, son of Sir Walter Bret, knt. Ann, the second daughter of Gerald Sitsylt, was wedded to Robert, son of Richard Bromwich: and Ellen, the third daughter was wife of John, who according to Dr. Powell, was father of Sir John Abrahal, knt. but, according to other authorities, was son of Sir Richard Abrahal, knt. Robert, son of Gerald, succeeded his father, and married Alice, daughter of Sir Robert Tregoz, knt. by whom he had issue four sons, viz. 1. James, 2. Gerald, 3. Thomas, and 4. Baldwyn; also two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth' [John Duncumb, Collections towards the history and antiquities of the county of Hereford, PP. 304-8, 1812].

CADDER AND CORSBASKET

When a later Thomas Frame married a Janet Hogg – the Hogg surname aappears in Cadder from as early as 1665; the Hogg coat of arms includes three boars' heads - it would seem most likely that Thomas married some degree of cousin who shared a common ancestry within the Fresne/Frenche family of Thornidikes and Frenchland. n.b. The Lindsay family held the castle of Corsbasket [Crossbasket], and land about, of the Hamiltons [Robinson's Ind. 125].

THE WALLACES

The association of Fresne with Thornidikes and Frenchland seems significant. They shared this abode with the family of Wallace [Anglo-Norman Valens]: Wallace of Asholme, Knaresdale, and Featherstone Castle, Northumberland, and also to that of French of Frenchland and Thorndykes, in Scotland - the arms of these Scottish Wallaces, quartering those of Lindsay of Craigie. This Wallace family held extensively in Northumberland - In 1550, Henry Wallace is enrolled in a MS. in the British Museum, as one of the gentlemen inhabiting the Huddle Marches in Northumberland. They seem strongly connected to the Fresnes/Frenche family - John Wallace, Esq. long resident at Bedcop House, Kent, and in Golden Square, baptised 26 March, 1733 [2nd son of Thomas Wallace, of Asholme and Brampton, and only brother to the attorney-general], was an eminent contractor In London, in the commission of the peace fur the co. of Middlesex, and treasurer to the New Westminster Lying-in Hospital He married 6 March, 1764, Elizabeth, only child of Robert French (son and heir of David French, of Frenchland, M.P. for the borough of New Galloway, in the Scotch parliament of 1702, and lineal representer of the Frenches of Frenchland and Thornidykes, in Annandale and the Merse), by Elizabeth, dau. of Christopher Hull, of Brampton.

THE HAMILTONS OF MILNEBURNE

There was also an obviously strong connection between the 'later' Fresne/French family and the Hamiltons of Milnburne:

February 9 -— Decreet pronounced Dec. 1668.— 'David French, as having comprised the estate of umquhil [deceased] Robert Hamilton of Milnburne, in anno 1667, and thereupon charged the Duke and Dutchess of Hamilton, superiors of the said lands, to infeft and sease him therein, — intents a summons for mails and duties against the tenants of Milneburne. At the calling of the action compears Mr. William Hamilton, advocate, and craves to be admitted for my Lord Belheaven, and his cautioners, who stand infeft in a part of the lands of Milnburne, ay and while the payment to them of the sum of 10,000 merks. He declared likewise that he compears for John Hamilton, bailie of Arran, and craved that he might be preferred to the lands wherein he stood infeft. In like manner compeared Sir George Lockhart, Mr. John Cuninghame, and Mr. John Harper, advocates, as procurators for the Duke and Dutchess of Hamilton, as superiors of the said lands, and for Mr. Robert Black of Silvertounhill, the donatar to the ward and non-entries of the said lands; and for clearing of the dispute underwritten, they produced the charge of horning given at the instance of the said David French, pursuer, together with an instrument upon the back of the same, bearing the said Duke to have offered to have obeyed the charge, upon such satisfaction of composition as is usual in such cases, if not, protested that any useless procedure therein might be void and null' [Mungo Ponton Brown, William Maxwell Morison, Supplement to the Dictionary of the decisions of the Court of Session, p. 450, 1836].

ARMS

'On the arms of the seventeen families of French mentioned by Burke are quite a variety of armorial bearings, the dolphin and fleur-de-lis being most conspicuous, and the changes from these are doubtless somewhat owing to alliances with other families. Of the seventeen arms, eight have dolphins on escutcheons or as crests; three have fleurs-de-lis as crests or as part of the crest; one has a fleur-de-lis as crest, as well as on the escutcheon; while, on the latter, two have a lion rampant, two have a wolf, and two have boars' heads.

HONOURS

Of the name and honours of the house, a few of may be here alluded to. *Pierre du Fresnay, ecuyer, was a celebrated hero of France in the fourteenth-century. Claud du Fresnes is mentioned by Anselm with distinction. Laine, in his 'Archives Genealogiques de France,' notices 'Seigneurs des Fresnes' as long settled in Artois, and afterwards amongst the nobility of Champagne and Picardy; while Caurcelles, in his genealogical work, records, as existing in later years, the following ennobled individuals of the surnames, De la Fresnaye,' Marquis de St. Aignan; du Fresne, Baron de Villiers; Fraine, Compte de la Villegentier, Baron, Pair de France,' etc. Nor has the name in that country been less promising in the walks of literature. In the sixteenth-century, Jean Vaquelin de la Fresnay was an eminent satiric poet; in the seventeenth- century, Charles du Cange du Fresne was a laborious writer and profound scholar; Charles Riviere du Fresney was the author of many dramatic works at the close of the same century, and the enumeration might be considerably increased if requisite' [A. D. Weld French, ibid.].

CONCLUSION

Conclusions are difficult in genealogy, for definitive answers to all that we seek are hidden from us by so many factors, yet I think it reasonable to assume that the surname of Frame had its genesis from the name of a chieftain called Frisco, who held land in ancient Normandy and Maine; whose name lent itself to the Frankish spelling of Freschenes, from which was derived Fresne or Fresnel; from a family bearing that name, marrying into some of the most prestigious medieval families, came descendants who settled in Frenchland and Thornidykes, in Annandale, Scotland; one of their ilk becoming known as Frame. c. Michael Stanhope 2009