ALLEN COUNTY PUBUJj iWi'^iVft'iii'i
m
3 1833 01239 9355
OENEAL-OGY COLLECTION
ii^bEBY
^ Mo. 160 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Wee. Sc^^/ij S
Bear Sir:
By this mail, per registered post, I have much pleasare in forwarding you y^ui^ copy/
JVo. .... Jr..2_ , of my privately printed work
"Motes on the surnames of Fr uncus, Franceis, French, etc., in Scotland, with an account of the Frenches of Thorny dykes," and beg to remain.
Yours truly,
/
NOTES
SURNAMES OF FRANCUS. FRANCEIS. FRENCH. Erg.. IN
SCOTLAND, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE
FRENCHES OF THORNYDYKES
A. D. WELD FRENCH
A utkor of the " Index A rmorial,' ' Fellow of the Society of A ntiquaries of Scotland, Member
of the Scottish History Society and of the Committee on Heraldry of the
New England Historic Genealogical Society
k
BOSTON
9 9^^ -^ PRIVATELY' PRINTED
1893
y |r^e7^|^v
Only th?-ee hundred copies printed, of which this is No.i^^Col.,...
GEORGE H. ELLIS.
\'
1158972 ■ti PREFACE.
V- The authorities consulted in this work were the
abbey records, the principal antiquarian authorities,
-and published and unpublished public records.
-T^ In regard to the early use of these surnames in
^ France and Scotland, some remarks seem appropriate
' in this place. From the Latin word " Francus," with
the addition of the suffixes, we have the following
^v^ compound words, — " Franc-ensis," " Franc-iscus," and
\J " Franci-gena."
The change of Francensis to the modern Les Fran9ais is not only interesting as regards the changes of a word in the language of France, but also of some value as bearing on the commencement and continued use of these surnames.
The suffix ejisis in Franc-ensis implies nationality in Latin ; and we observe, according to M. Brachet, that by reducing the ns to ^ we have Francesis, then Francisis in the seventh century, Franceis in the tenth century, at its end ei becomes 6i, and we have
4 PREFACE.
Fran96is, by the end of the twelfth centur}^ oi be- comes 6e ; and we have Fran96es, then Fran9oes and Les Fran9ais.
We have also from Francos the French surnames of Le Franc and Le Franceis ; * and at later periods, owing to the changes in the orthography of the lan- guage, Le Fran9ois and finally Le Fran9ais came into existence.
The surname of Le Franc is more frequently found in France, but it does not often occur in the records of Great Britain. Its nearest approach, of which there are numerous records, are Franc or Le Frait'c. This mark of abbreviation indicates a contraction for Francus or Le Franceis.
Surnames came into existence in France toward the end of the tenth century. In the following cen- tury are found the names of Gualterius Francus and Hugo Franco. About the middle of the twelfth cen- tury the records of the Cotentin show the names of Rannulfus Francus and Ricardo Franco.
* This name passed through many orthographical changes in Great Britain before the anglicization period. In Scotland the Coldingham charters, of which abstracts are hereafter given, show sufficient illustrations, of which the following may be mentioned; namely, Franceis, Fraunceis, Franceys, Fraunceys, etc. Some illustrations of the early anglicized surname of French in Scotland are found in the latter part of the fifteenth and earlier portion of the sixteenth century in the records relating to the family of Johannes France, Burgess of Linlithgow, where it appears in the year 1487 under the form of France, in the year 1535 as Frans, Franss, and Franche, while under the date of 1538-39 this surname is found first in this family under the form of Frensch.
PREFACE. 5
M. Pinckmeier and M. Bain translate Franciscus as French. Their opinions have the confirmation of M. Du Cange, who gives the following illustrations, " Franciscus habitus, Cuspis Franciscus, Miles Fran- ciscus, Franciscus mos, and Francisca lingua."
From Franciscus we have Francisco, which we find synonymous with Le Franceis in the Coldingham charters. In one of the charters of Robert de Brus, circa 1218, we find William Franceis; and at the same period, in another of his charters, apparently the same individual has his surname latinized into Willielmus Franciscus.
As regards Francigena and Franceis being synon- ymous, we have the record of the parson of Coldebec, in Cumberland, who is mentioned in 1231-33 as John Francigena, and again in this same period as John Le Franceis. M. Stapleton evidently took this view, as his French translation of Walterus Franci- gena, who is mentioned in the Norman Roll of 1 203, was Walter Le Franceis ; while Roger French is given by the Rev. Eyton as the English translation of Rogerus Francigena, who is mentioned in England in the early part of the thirteenth century.
There remains now the pleasant duty of thanking those who have aided in this work, without whose co-operation and help it could not have been com- pleted. My obligations are due to Dr. Thomas Dickson, Curator of the Historical Department H. M. General Register House at Edinburgh, who,
6 PREFACE.
on learning of my wish, kindly placed at my disposal for examination his valuable unpublished records ; and I must specially acknowledge the interest he showed in the work during its progress. To my friend, Rev. Walter MacLeod, the antiquary, I must express my gratitude for his interest, perseverance, care, and the most satisfactory results of his examina- tions of the archives and manuscripts of Scotland. With the Norman charters, of which translations are given, my special thanks are due M. Fran9ois Dolbet, the Registrar of the Archives of La Manche, at Saint-Lo, France, who, on being informed of my desire to have the abbey manuscript records of La Manche examined, kindly offered to make a search among these ancient archives. With great anti- quarian zeal he completed the examination of these records from their foundations down to the time that King John of England by his feudal delinquency lost the Duchy of Normandy. Some additional charters are given by him, showing the continuance of this surname in the Cotentin after its confiscation by King Philippe of France.
The remaining Norman charters presented were obtained from the published records. In conclusion I must acknowledge the thanks due Mr. George H. Ellis of this city for the typography of the work.
A. D. WELD FRENCH.
1 60 State Street, Boston, Mass., U.S., December 15, 1893.
PART FIRST.
NOTES
ON THE SURNAMES OF FRANCUS, FRANCEIS, FRENCH IN SCOTLAND.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
The earliest vestiges in Scotland of the surname of French are found in the records of the old monas- teries, as well as in ancient individual charters, where its prototypes will be observed under the forms of Francus, Franciscus, Francigena, Franceis, and Franke. These ancient surnames may be seen in the Chartularies of Coldingham, Coldstream, Cam- buskeneth, Kelso, Melrose, and Newbottle; in the charters of Bruce, Normanville, and others. In my preface to the " Index Armorial " in the part relating to England, reference has been made to the Albe- neios, Bruces, Foliots, and the Valoines, as originally coming from the Cotentin in Normandy. In Scot- land you find the Morvilles and Franceis as well as the Bruces and Valoines, whose surnames all appear in the records of the Cotentin in the early part of the twelfth century.
The Bruces held Annandale in Scotland, the Mor- villes held most of Lauderdale as well as large pos- sessions in Teviotdale. These families, as well as the Valoines, were among the early benefactors to the Abbey of Melrose ; while Hugh Morville was at
lo NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
least a very e^rly benefactor of Dryburgh Abbey, if not the original founder.
The system of early colonization in Scotland is well illustrated by " the charter of Thor-longus, who settled there in the time of King Edgar. He had a grant of Ednaham, which was then a waste, and which he improved by his own money and people." Chalmer, referring to the system of English coloniza- tion in Scotland, " states that a baron obtained from the king a grant of lands which he settled with his followers, built a castle, a church, a mill, and a brew- house, and thereby formed a hamlet, which in the practice of the age was called the Ton of the Baron." This, we judge, was not only the method of the English, but about the same system pursued by the Anglo-Norman colonists in the time of King David I.
We will now proceed to take up more specially the records in connection with Scotland and Normandy ; and as a preliminary, owing to the feudality existing at a later period with the Bruces of Annandale, the record in connection with Robert de Brus of York- shire has more than usual significance. Reference is here made to a charter of Alanus de Percy, the son of Willielmus de Percy, which the Rev. J. C. Atkinson states was certainly executed between the years 1097 ^^^ iioi. In this document, as found in the manuscript of the Cartularum Abbathiae de Whiteby at the British Museum, it will be observed that amono: the witnesses were " Robertus de Bruse
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. n
et tres de suis militibus Rogerus de Rosels, Wydo de Lofthous et Robertus ffrminceysy *"
This is the earliest record the writer has thus far discovered of one of the name of Fraunceys bearing a pra:nornen, or baptismal name, in Great Britain, as well as the first instance thus far coming under his observation of one of this surname having feudal relations with the Bruces. Here we have a name first appearing about one-third of a century after the conquest of England, with feudal relations with the second Robert de Brus, who obtained possessions in Scotland, the son of one of the companions of William the Conqueror; and it is well authenticated that the surnames of Brus and Franceis were both identified with that part of the Cotentin of Normandy called the district of Valognes, in which was located Chateau d'Adam, the castle of Brix. Here, also, was the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, which was so well endowed by the Bruces.
The Franceis were specially identified with the Abbey of Saint -Sauveur-le-Vicomte. Ranulphtis Franc7is held land of this abbey ; and Ricardus Francus once appears as a witness on behalf of the monks, and again as a witness to a charter in favor of this abbey.
* In the printed cartularum of this abbey the orthography of this surname was Frangais, hence the reason for its insertion in this latter form in the preface to my " Index Armorial " published in 1892.
12 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
Charter No. i, that of Rannulfus Francus, is ex- ceedingly interesting, as locating a family. By it it will be observed that he had sons, as well as a daughter of marriageable age, to whom he gives the land which he held in fee of this abbey. This seems to imply that he had other possessions of which the abbey were not overlords ; and, as there is nothing thus far discovered to the contrary, it is inferred that he held his other possessions directly from King Stephen of England.
Mr. Dolbet fixes the date of this charter of Ran- nulfus Franais from 1147 to 1153, at which period Hugo was abbot.
The remaining charters to this and other abbeys of the Cotentin, where the surname of Franceis appears, are arranged by abbeys chronologically. Charters numbered two and three in favor of the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur were made by members of Anglo-Norman families who are particularly identi- fied with what may be called the Valognes district of the Cotentin. The records confirm that the early Franceis of the Cotentin were from this district; and there is nothing in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae to show that Willielmus Franceis and Rogerus Franceis, with records respectively of the years 1180 and 1195, were of any other location than this district, the latter Christian names, as already stated in the preface to my " Index Armorial," appear- ing in Scotland after the confiscation of Normandy,
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 13
in 1 204, by King Philippe II. of France. The charters numbered six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven, found among the records of the Abbeys Caesarisburgus and Montebourg, as well as the archives of the Abbey of Cerisy, specially show that this surname continued in the Valognes district of the Cotentin after the confiscation.
In charter No. 4 Hzigo Frmicus is a witness, be- tween the years 1 1 1 3 and 1 1 5 1 , to a charter of Guido, Lord of Lavalle, to the monks of Savigny.
In the charter numbered six, in favor of the Abbey of Cherbourg, of the year 1234, will be found the name of Willelmo Fraficesto, Canon of Cherbo2irg.
Charters Nos. 8 and 9 are both identified with the viscounty of Valognes. The first of these charters is in favor of Mathieu Le Franceis and Rose, his wife. The other charter \oq.2X^^ Johan Le Fra7ic as belong- ing to the parish of Cherbourg, and mentions his wife fuliane.
Charter numbered ten is dated in the year 1316, and is found among the archives of the Abbey of Montebourg : in this Michiel Le Franc is the grantee of a piece of land in the parish of Saint Floissel.
The charter numbered eleven is that of Alain Le Francois of the parish of Tessy, in favor of the Abbey of Cerisy ; and in it he mentions his wife Tho7nasse.
14 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
Charter No. i .
Confirmation charter of the Abbey of Saint- Sauveur-le-Vicomte, to a charter of Rannulfus Fran- cus, made between the years 1146 and 11 54.
To all persons, as well present as future. Know that Rannulfus Francus, with the consent of his sons, has granted to Gaufridus Britonus, with his daughter, as a marriage portion, the land he held of the abbey, reserving for said abbey one " mina " of grain ; and the said Gaufridus shall hold it peace- fully and freely, without any other service than giving the grain. This donation is granted, sealed, and con- firmed by Abbot Hugo, with the consent of his chap- ter. Witnesses: Johannes, prior; Petrus, subprior; Willelmus, capellanus ; Paganus, presbiterus ; Rog- erus de Hulmus; Robertus, son of Hamelinus ; and many others.
Charter No. 2.
Charter of Robertus de Magnavilla* to the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, circa 1 1 36.
Robertus de Magnavilla and his wife Hadevisa and his son Radulfus grant to the Abbey of Saint Sal- vator ten acres of land in the ville of Radulfus (Rauville-le-Bigot in the arrondissement of Valognes), and " seipsos " after their death with everything they
* There is a commune of Mandeville in the arrondissement of Valognes in the Cotentin.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 15
possessed. His witnesses : Radulfo Sueno, Osmundo de Brichebot, Ricardo Franco, and for the abbey's part Radulfo de Blihou and Ricardo, son of Radulfus.
Charter No. 3.
The donation of the church of Saint- Jean- des- Chenes by William de Vauville to Saint-Sauveur-le- Vicomte, circa 1155, namely, —
May it be known to all, as well present as future, that I, William de Vauville, have given to the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur the church of Saint-Jean-des-Chenes, which is situated in the Island of Jersey, with all tithes and rents belonging to same. I have also given to the said Abbey of Saint-Sauveur all that I had in the church of Saint Pierre de Fonteneio, near the ford, with all tithes and rents belonging to the same, with the consent of my wife and my sons, Richard and Leone. Witnesses for my part : Ricardo, presby- ter of Vauville; Roberto de Pert; Balduino, son of Adde; Philippe de Fonteneio; and, for the parts of the monks, Malgero de Fonteneio, Ricardo Franco, Petro, presbyter of Saint-Sauveur.
Charter No. 4.
Abbey of Savigny.
Charter of Guido de Lavalle to the donation of Gaudinus Rahier, M. Dolbet attributes this charter to Guy" de Laval, who lived from 11 13 to 1151.
1 6 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
To all the sons of Holy Mother Church, Guido, Lord of Lavalle, Greeting.
All of you know that Juhellus de Crapon, knight, granted to God and the monks of Savigny the land which Gaudinus Rahier had given them in perpetual alms, freely and quietly, and that the said monks therefor shall pay yearly 1 1 shillings (solidos Euron- ensium) on the day of Saint John the Baptist. Given in our presence, and in order that this charter may always remain irrefutable we have appended our seals. Witnesses : WillelmiO de Clarisvallibus, Ful- querando de Altenosra, Hugone Franco, Gaufrido de Monte gaucheir, Guoslino de Cormeriis, Hugueto P., decano de Sabolio, et pluribus aliis.
Additional Charters, Nos. 5, 7, 8, and 9, of the Abbey of Cherbourg, from the work of M. Dubosc.
Charter No. 5.
Twelfth century. Sainte-Genevieve. Gatteville.
Charter of Amaury, son of Raoul. He grants to the canons of Notre-Dame-du-Voeu all his land of Guenestorp with house, and all the rents due him, with all the lands he possessed in the parish of Arre- ville and in the parish of Gatteville. The said dona- tion is made for the welfare of the soul of Empress Matilde, of pious memory, and for the welfare of the soul of his father, mother, and ancestors. The
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 17
canons shall perpetually have in their society a canon of his family, or another who may be designated, who shall serve God in their house for his soul and those of his ancestors. Witnesses: Petro, sacerdote de Reiborne ; Alexandro Canuto ; Hugone, filio Richeri ; Willelmo Drubec ; Roberto de Bosevilla ; Ricardo Francesio : Godefrido, filio sacerdotis.
Charter No. 6.
Abbey of Cherbourgh. a.d. 1234.
May it be known to all, as well present as future, that I, Richard Des Moutiers (de Monasteriis), son of Robert Des Moutiers, have assigned and transferred to the Abbot and Convent of Cherbourg (C^esaris burgus) certain land in the parish of Saint Petrus de Alumna, which is situated on the mountain near by the place where the river descends from the hamlet of Bosquelle (hamello Bosquelli) and the mill of Ketefri, which land was measured out in the presence of Ricardus de Kerquevilla, prior of La Taille, and Willelmo Francesio, his companion, canons of the said abbey, and in my presence with many others. I have made this conveyance and assignation to the said abbot and convent in exchange for certain land, which they held by donations of my ancestors, sit- uated on the bottom of the valley, near the said mountain, which land the aforesaid abbot and con- vent on my petition exchanged with me for the pur-
i8 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
pose of overflowing as a fishpond. But, if it should be found that the aforesaid exchanged land in the valley cannot be flooded with water, it shall be used for pasturage, and be common as well for me as those who hold land of the said abbot and convent, either divided or in whole. And I and my heirs warrant this exchange to the aforesaid abbot and convent in perpetuity; and, that the present charter may always remain irrefutable, I have appended my seal, anno Domini m°. cc°. xxx. quarto.
Charter No. 7.
Year 1252. Official charter of the archdeacon of Paris, making known that before him Richard de Cherbourg (Ricardus de Caroburgo), son of the late Odoii Le Franc, has given in pure and perpetual alms to the abbey of Cherbourg all that he received as successor of his father and mother, the anniversary of which shall be held every year in the said abbey.
Charter No. 8.
Year 1298. Sainte-Genevieve.
Letter of the Viscount of Valognes, making known that before Vincent Surel, clerk of the said viscounty, was present Henri Godel, of the parish of Cantelouf, who acknowledo^ed that he had sold to Mathieu Le
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 19
Franceis and Rose, his ivife, and their heirs, " diz sous de tornois " yearly rent at the feast of Sainte Perronele, with a loaf of bread and a hen at Christ- mas, to be eiven as the homasje from the hand of Estyenne Ouieret, besides two pieces of land sit- uated in the parish of Sainte-Genevieve, the first adjoining the land of Guillame Le Rous and the manor which belonged to Nicole Durdenier. The second is that of Cavees de Hotot, adjoining the land of Unffrey Lengleis, the land of Guillame Le Bel, extending to the land of Guillame Hubert and the road to Barfleu. Price of this sale was " six livres de tornois." Given in 1298, the Wednesday after the feast of the Nativity of Sainte- Marie- Virge.
Charter No. 9.
Year 1309. Letter of Robert de Conflans, keeper of the seal of the viscounty of Valognes, making known that before Vincent Surel, clerk of the said viscounty, were present /<9//^;/ Le Franc, of the parish of Cherbourg (Chieresbourc), and Juliane, his wife, to whom he gave authority, as hereafter stated. They acknowledged that of their own free will they had exchanged, quitted, and delivered to the religious persons, the abbot and convent of Notre-Dame-du Voeu, near Cherbourg, a piece of land, situated in the parish of Esqueudreville, near to Le Machon,
20 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
adjoining the land of the said convent, for a yearly rent * of a bushel of wheat, measure of Cherbourg, to be delivered at Saint Michiel, a loaf of bread valued at a denier and a hen at Christmas, to be paid yearly to the said couple by the hand of the granetarius of the said convent.
Charter No. lo.
Abbey of Montebourg. Year 1316.
To all who see or hear this letter Jehan de Baudian- court, keeper of the seal of the Viscounty of Valognes, Greeting. Know that before Vincent Surel, sworn clerk of said viscounty, were present Richard de La Lande of the parish of Montebourg, and Perronele, his wife, to whom he gave authority as hereafter stated, they freely and without being constrained having sold, quitted, and transferred to Michiel Le Franc all their right to a piece of land situated in the parish of Saint Floissel, near the bridge of Colin du Marest, adjoining the lands of Colin Poignant and Richart Henry; and this exchange was made for twelve shillings (soulz de tournois). This letter is sealed with the seal of the said viscounty in the year of our Lord 1316, the Saturday after the feast of Saint Gregory.
* Year 1334. — Sale of the above rent to the monks by Thomas Le Franc for a price of " trente sous de tournois."
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 21
Charter No. 1 1 .
Abbey of Cerisy.
To all, as well present as future, know that I, Alain Le Francois, of the parish of Tessy, with the consent and will of Thomasse, my wife, have sold, conceded, and assigned to the ecclesiastical persons, my lords, the abbot and convent of Cerisy, one " sex- tier" of barley, measure of Tessy, to be taken every year from my fief, which T hold of them, in whichever place it may be, charging the said fief with the rent aforesaid, secure and without any prejudice to other revenue and boons, which the said ecclesiastical per- sons shall have as aforesaid from the said fief, which I, Alan aforesaid, and my heirs hold of them, and which is to be assigned every year for holding and enjoying it freely, quietly, and without being dis- turbed by the said ecclesiastical persons; and there will not be any trouble or disturbance on my part or my heirs or my wife in any manner whatever. And I am obliged to indemnify and guard from damage the said ecclesiastical persons, and in their interest have taken the oath of my wife. By this agreement the said ecclesiastical persons have paid 70 shillings (tournois argent), which is a good arrangement, be- cause before I could not sell or alter the said heritage without their consent. In order that this charter may always remain irrefutable, I have appended my seal. Given in the year of our Lord 1272 the Sun-
22 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
day and feast of Saint James and Philip the Apostles before all the people of the parish of Tessy.
Chalmer refers to " Robert de Brus obtaining the grant of Annandale," and goes on to state, " As the charters of King David established a tenure by the sword, we may easily suppose that Bruce brought with him into the Annandale knights and yeomen from Yorkshire, as indeed might be shown by tracing to their origin some respectable families of Dumfrie- shire," so that it is not unreasonable to suppose that this Robert Fraunceys or one of his sons may have been an original settler with Bruce in the Annandale, and particularly so as you find a feudality existing, to which reference has already been made, according to the Scotch Records circa 1218, wherein it is stated " that Roger, son of William Franciscus, quit-claims to Sir Robert de Brus, Lord of Annandale, land which the grantee held of him in the territory of Annan, towards Weremundebi, for the excambion of land in the territory of Moffat, which William Fran- cisciis, the grantee's father, formerly held* of Sir Robert de Brus."
In this same epoch Roger French {Francisco) is a witness to a grant of Robert de Brus, Lord of Annan- dale, to William de Heneville. The grant is de- scribed as thirty-five acres of the grantors demesne in the ville of Moffet, lying between the land of Sir
* This implies an earlier date of William F.'s possessions in Scotland.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
23
Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, on one side, and the meadow of Sir Humphry de Kirkepatric on the other. This reference to the Earl of Dunbar recalls an agreement made on the nth of November, 12 18, "between" (the first) "P"(atrick), " Earl of Dunbar, and C "(hristina ?), "the Countess, and Sir R"(obert) "de Brus " (prob- ably son of William de Brus), wherein the considera- tion is that Sir Robert shall pay the money to the said earl and his said mother, C, the countess. In another charter, circa 12 18, there is a resignation made to Robert de Brus where the name of William Frauceis appears among the witnesses. At this period there is also a grant of the same Robert de Brus to Hum- phrey, son of Simon, where you find again among the witnesses William Franceis. The reference at this period to the possessions of Earl Patrick of Dunbar at Moffat in the Annandale and the relationship of his countess to Robert de Brus may account for the after feudal relations between the Dunbars and Frenches ; and probably the first recorded mention of the name, appearing as a witness to a charter made by a member of the Dunbar family, was that of Will- iam Franke de Pitcokyr* of which the following is an abstract, found in the cartulary of the Abbey of Cold- stream, edited by Rev. Charles Rogers.
* Pitcokyr gave at an earlier period the surname to a family which were vassals of the earls of Dunbar, but the reference to this place in this charter is the first instance the author has found wherein it is identified with the surname of Franke.
24 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
" Mariota, Lady of Hume, formerly spouse of Sir Patrick Edeger, in her lawful widowhood, has granted and quit-claimed all her right within the vill of Lay- nail and without it, — namely, of the 'Northtun,' with all its pertinents, to God and the Blessed Mary of Caldestrem, and the nuns there serving God, — as freely as any widow in the kingdom of Scotland in her viduity could grant or give, for a certain sum of money paid to her in her urgent necessity." Wit- nesses : " Domino Villelmo, vicario de Assinden, tunc magistro de Caldstrem ; Villelmo Franke de Petcokyr ; Malcolmo de Haukyrstun ; Villelmo de Ardros, ca- pellano ; Thoma de Derchester ; Alano Vyte de Der- chester; et aliis."
Mariota, Lady of Hume, is recorded as the second wife of William de Hume, great-grandson of Cospat- rick, third of this name. Earl of Dunbar. He was a son of William de Hume, who, after his lands, as- sumed his surname. Mariota afterwards, prior to the year 1284, married Sir Patrick Edgar. By the fore- going charter it appears that Mariota was then the widow of Sir Patrick Edgar; and, judging on the basis of the chronological rotation of this abbey's charters, it must have been made some time prior to the year 1289, the date of the death of Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, who is mentioned in the succeeding charter.
This is earlier than existing records of the Frenches of Thornydykes ; and, from the fact that the Lairds
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 25
of that place had possessions in Petcoks in after years, it is suggestive that William Franke may have been an early member of the same family tree.
On the 28th of August, 1 300-1, the records show that William Fraunceys was a valet to Lord Patrick (8th), Earl of March ; and on the i8th of September of the same year Lord William le Fraitnceys was a knight of the son of the Earl of Dunbar.
After the battle of Bannockburn, which took place on the 24th of June, 1314, King Edward II. took shelter in the first place of strength that was friendly, which was the castle of Dunbar, where its lord was still on the side of England ; and it must have been at this time that William Fratmceys rendered at Dunbar the good service in King Edward's presence for which he was rewarded by that monarch with an annuity, as appears by a record on the 24th of April, 1 31 5.
Retracing our steps, it is found that the prototypes of this surname in Scotland are discovered in the reign of King William the Lyon ; and probably the first recorded early charter in Scotland in this king's reign wherein the surname of Franceis is found as a witness is that of Grim to the Abbey of Melrose, of which the following is the translation: To all the sons of the Holy Mother church as well present as future. Grim son of Guido " caretarii de Roxburgh." Greeting. Know that I for the welfare of my lord Willielmus de Sumeruilla, and for my soul and for
26 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
the souls of my father, mother, and all my ancestors, have conceded and granted to God and the Holy Mother church of Melrose and the monks serving God there, the whole toft in Berwick, which I held of the said Willielmus as stated in his charter to me. And I have granted this land with all its appurte- nances in the burgh and outside it, in free and per- petual alms, as freely, quietly, and fully as any other alms can be held, excepting only what is due lord Willielmus de Sumeruilla and his heirs by me and my heirs for the same land. And as I have no seal of my own for confirming and testifying to this my donation. Master Adam de Eccles has with my con- sent appended his seal to this my present charter. Witnesses : Magister Adam de Eccles ; . . . capel- lanus; Ricardus de Dunst; Rogerus, filius Henrici; Randulphus de Cellario; Reinald de Hoyland; Wil- lielmus clericus ; . . . clericus ; . . . Portman ; Gocelli- nus Lunoc ; Williclnnts Franceis ; Willielmus Albus ; Johannes Niger; Willielmus Heem.
The next charter of interest in the " Liber Sancte Marie de Melros " is that of William de Haucces- testun, Richard, his brother, and others, conveying land in the territory of Innerwick (in Haddington- shire) to the church of St. Mary of Melrose. Here, again, among the witnesses, apparently, is the name of the same, William le Franceis.
Three other charters without dates are found in the reign of this same king, in which the grantor was
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 27
Jocelin, Bishop of Glasgow. He was consecrated on the ist of June, 1175, and died the 17th of March, 1 199. These charters were in favor of the churches of Saint Mirini de Passelet and Saint Jacobus de Passelet, and all were witnessed by " Wilelmus Fran- cigena, capellamis Glasgiiensisr
Arnaldtis Francigena is mentioned, circa 1200, in a charter of Arnaldus, the son of Peter de Kelso, to the church of St. Mary of Kelso. In describing the gift in the ville of Berwick, it is stated that the land is situated between that of Arnaldus Francis^ena and that of William de Bernahme.
In a charter of Herbert, son of Herbert of Chal- mers, conveying land at Donipace to the church of St. Mary of Cambuskenneth,* in Clackmannanshire, about one-half a mile from Stirling, executed about the year 1200, Adam Franceis appears among the witnesses.
In another charter made in favor of the church of St. Mary of Melrose, circa 1200, by Hugh de Nor- manville and Alina, his wife, among the witnesses is the name of William le Franceis.
About the beginning of the reign of King Alexan- der II., and not later than 1227, A. Francigena was a witness to a charter of David Olyfard, to which his wife is a party, conveying the mill and certain land at Caders to the church and bishop of Glasgow.
* It was founded in 1145, ^"^ its canons came from Artois in France.
38 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
Circa 1232 Willielmus Fraucus {Franco) is one of the witnesses whose name is attached to a charter of John de Normanville, whereby he conveys to the church of St. Mary of Melrose and to the monastery in the same place all the lands, common of pasturage, and other easements which it claimed within the manor of Mackestoun under his father, Hugh de Normanville.
In another charter of about the same period the church and monastery of Melrose receive another grant from John de Normanville, Willielmus Francus appearing again among the witnesses.
Alan Franco is a witness to a grant by John de Crawfurd to the church of Newbottle of a portion of his land of Crawfurd, for the souls of his sovereign lord Alexander, King of Scots, and William, Mal- colm, and David, his predecessors, etc. Not dated, but temp. Alexander II. (1214-49).
These charters are all in favor of abbeys and churches ; and, with the exception of the churches of Glasgow and Passelet and the abbeys of Cambes- kenneth and Newbottle, all are located in Tiviotdale, on the river Tweed, about ten miles to the southward of Thornydykes.
1 291. Among the citizens of Berwick who took the oath of allegiance to King Edward I. on the 3d of June, 1 291, was Henricus Franccys.
1294. Andrew Franses is a witness to a confirma- tion by James, the High Steward of Scotland, to the
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 29
Abbey of Paisley in Renfrewshire, of a quarry in that shire. The confirmation is dated at the Steward's manor of Blackhall in Renfrewshire. The witnesses are named in this order : Robert, Bishop of Glasgow ; John Steward, the grantor's brother; Andrew Frans ; John de Soylus ; Nicholas Campbell ; Reginald de Crawfurd ; Arthur de Donnon ; knights, etc.
The name of Sir William Fraunceys, knight, is found several times about this period. One of this name swore fealty in the year 1296. There is also an agreement made in 1302 with Sir Rauf de Man- tone, Sir Richard Siward, and the Council, in which Sir William Fraunceys arranged to keep the castle of Kirkintilloch until Christmas. Among his twenty- eight men at arms he had Sir Henry de Pinckeney, Thomas de Rameseye, and Gilbert de Menetethe. Be- sides, he had sixty foot soldiers, with a chaplain, petty officers, and artificers to repair the gate, drawbridge, and other defences, and the services of the tenants of the barony of Kirkintilloch on forays. He had his pay advanced until Christmas ; and, whenever war should commence, he was to provide the castle with all necessaries. In 1304 he is mentioned as warden of this castle, and constable in 1305, and is again mentioned in 1306-7.
Roll of s7ibmission and fealty, in the year 1296, of John de Balliol, King of Scotland, with the clergy, nobles, and community of Scotland, to their liege lord, King Edward I. of England, renouncing the
30 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
league with the King of France. In this roll at Forfarshire on July 4 appears the name of Sir Will- iam Fraunceys, knight. Afterward, on August 28, in this same year and roll, in the Parliament of Nobles and Prelates of both realms, held at Berwick-on- Tweed, the same nobles, prelates, knights, and others who had done homage ut stcpra at an earlier date, with those hereafter named, again renounced the league with France and did homage. Among these of the surname were the following : —
^ohn Fraunceys of Long Neiiton, comity of Roxburgh, jfohn Fraunceys of Benestim, county of Edinburgh. William le Fraunceys, county of Edinburgh. Symon Fraunceys, county of Roxburgh. William Franceys, county of Fife. Aleyn Fraunceys, county of Roxburgh.
An order for restoration seems to have been issued by King Edward I., in the twenty-fourth year of his reign, of the lands of John Bailiol, formerly King of Scotland, and that of other lords and under-tenants.
On Sept. 3, 1296, a writ was issued to the sheriff of Roxburgh to restore the lands of Alan le Fraun- ceys and John le Fraunceys of Long Ne7iton.
At this same date Symon de Fraunceys, tenant of John Comyn of Badenagh, mentioned in the previous roll, had his lands in county Roxburgh restored.
After the death of John Comyn there is still a record of a Symon Franceys, whom we find in the
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 31
year 1306-7 among the four esquires of Sir Thomas de Multone, Lord of Egermund, in the barony of Couplaunde in Cumberland, who were for twelve days in the month of April of that year on an expedition to Glentrool * in search of Robert de Brus.
1 3 1 1 -1 2. Richard Fraunccys and David Frauncis, shield-bearers of Lord William de Kautone, knight, coming from Ireland on the mandate of the king, his lord, to the Scottish wars, with twenty-five men at arms, etc.
In 1 31 2 King Edward II. of England, then at York, appointed the following plenipotentiaries to treat of a peace with King Robert Bruce, which at that time was not accomplished, namely: —
William, Bishop of St. Andrews,
David, conte d'Asceles (Athole),
Patrick de Dunbar, conte de la Marche,
Alexander de Abernethy,
Adam de Gordon,
Gerard Salveyn, and our dear clerks Meistre Robert de Pykeryng and Meistre Johan Franceys, canons of the church of St. Peter of York.
1 31 2-1 3, March 14. Taking of Edinburgh Castle.
" The castle of Edinburgh had for governor Piers Leland, a knight of Gascony. Sir Thomas Ran- dolph [nephew of King Robert Bruce] blockaded it
* A wild mountain lake in the upper part of Kirkcudbright.
32 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
SO closely that all communication with the adjacent country was cut off. The garrison, suspecting the fidelity of Leland, thrust him into prison, and chose another commander in his stead. Matters were in this state, when William Frank, a soldier, presented himself to Randolph, his commander, and offered to show him how the walls of the castle might be scaled. The road, although amidst perilous precipices, had become familiar to him. Randolph, with thirty men, undertook the enterprise of scaling the castle at mid- night. Frank was their guide, and the first who ascended the scaling ladder. Barbour states that ' Sir Andrew Gray followed him, and that Randulph himself was the third that mounted the ladder.' Be- fore the whole party could reach the summit of the wall, an alarm was given, the garrison ran to arms, and a desperate combat ensued ; but, their governor having been slain, the English yielded."
1313-14. Royal mandate, dated at Westminster, 1 8th of March, 131 3-14, in regard the navy to be en- gaged in the war with Scotland.
William Frauuceys appointed chief of the royal vessel called "la Rodecogg."
1 31 7. Mariota Frauuceys had her right of dower in all lands at Paxton, near Berwick-on-Tweed, for- feited by John de Cheseholme.
1306-29. James Fraunces, in the reign of King Robert I., held some feudatory rights over the lands of Burtries in the barony of Cunynghame and shire
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
33
of Ayr, which had been granted by charter to Roger Blair.
King Robert Bruce (reign, 1306 to 1329) grants a charter to William Franceis of the 20 1. land of Sproustoun in Roxburghshire, which were in the king's hands by forfeiture of William Rict, Henry Drawer, Thomas Alkoats, John, Thomas, and William, sons of Alan, Hugo Limpetlaw. And the same king granted the barony of Sproustoun to his son, Robert Bruce. After the decease of this natural son the king granted the land of Sproustoun to William Francis. This latter charter was in the sixteenth year of his reign (1321-22).
1 32 1. Thursday next before the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Inquest before the bailies of Berwick for the right of the Abbey of New- bottle to an annual rent of twenty shillings from tenements in Berwick. Adam Frances is on the inquest.
1329. Master Francisco had a donation from the king, and his expenses paid from Berwick to Dun- barton.
1335. Adam FrensJi was among the Scotch patriots who were pardoned by King Edward HI., at Berwick, on the loth of October, 1335.
1335-36. Among the Scotch men at arms was Johanites Frances.
1335-36, In the account of this year of John de Stryvelyn, Viscount of Edinburgh, a yearly rent came
34 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
from the land of William le Frenshe, of Craumond, in the viscounty of Edinburgh.
1336-37. Among the men at arms in the garrison of Edinburgh was John Fratinceys.
1337. Among the persons who contributed to the bridge at Berwick-on-the-Tweed were Richard Fraunceys and John Fraunceys, they giving both a certain yearly rental from tenements in the ville of Berwick.
Aytoii,
This place lies about twenty miles to the eastward of Thornydykes and about nineteen miles from the castle of Dunbar, and was included in the shire of Coldingham, in which was located the priory of that name " whose records commence at an earlier period than those of any other monastery in Scotland." Among the many donators to this priory, the old Earls of March were particularly conspicuous, as it is to be observed by the many charters made by them in its favor; but David, the Baron of Quixwood, a territory adjacent to Coldinghamshire, seems to have outvied in his liberalities by charters most of the other donators. In the three charters herein re- corded, it is noticed that Adam Franceys was a wit- ness to all. As this search in the records of this priory is mainly confined to charters particularly
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 35
identified with the name of Franceys, whose posses- sions were at Ayton, this portion of the work will have the title of _ . ^
1158972
Franceys of Ayton.
Adam Franceys name appears among the witnesses to a charter of David, Baron of Quikiswde (Ouixwood), in favor of the church of Coldingham in Berwickshire, wherein he grants land in the territory of Coldingham, near to Stanlaulethe. As Bertram, prior of Colding- ham, was also a witness, the date of this charter is the latter part of the twelfth century, about the year 1 188, at which time he was prior.
Adam Fratcnceys appears again as a witness to the following charters, to wit : —
Charter of Ricardus, son of Giliane de Lamberton, to Stephanus, chaplain of Lamberton.
Charter of David de Quickesyd to the prior and convent of Coldingham of land in the field of Cold- ingham, near Benerig.
Charter of Patricius, son of Helye Dunning, to St. Mary of Coldingham of land in the ville of Rening- ton, etc.
With the last three charters many of the witnesses appear in the first charter herein named of David, Baron of Quixwood, and in a record of 1235.
Charter of Symon, son of Thomas, of land at Eyton to the ofhce of almoner. The first witness to this charter is Thomas, prior of Coldingham, which evi-
36 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
dently refers to Thomas Nisbet, who was prior from 1219 to 1239.
In the year 1235 we have a record of the services due the prior of Dunelmum (Durham) from Colding- hamshire ; and among the individuals in this shire by whom such services should be rendered was Adam le Fraunceys and his heirs, for their land at Upper Ayton.
In the four succeeding charters, Adam Fraunceys is found again among the witnesses.
Charter of Willielmus de Lummesdene, with con- sent of Ermiger, his wife, of land in the territory of Coldingham to the monks in the same place.
Quitclaim given by Michael de Aldengrawe, son of Edward, to the prior and convent of Coldingham of land in the ville of Aldecambus.
Charter of David de Ouickiswde of land in Dune- knol to the church of St. Mary of Coldingham, The first witness to this charter was Lord Anketino, the prior of Coldingham. This places the date of this charter during the time he held this office ; and his occupation, according to M. Raine, was in 1239. The next prior seems to have been Richard, of which we have the date of 1245.
Charter of Richard, son of Elie de Prendergest, to Walter, his brother, of the husbandry of Leyroft.
With the preceding charters you find the orthog- raphy of these names, Franceys, Fraunceys, Fraun- ceis, and Frances.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 37
Adam Franciscus and Thomas, his son, are both witnesses to a charter, in favor of Willielmus Frere- man, of land in Coldingham, etc., granted by MabiHa, daughter of Constantinus.
In another charter of this same Mabilia, who is therein mentioned as a widow, land is given in Flores, in the territory of Coldingham, to the monks of Coldingham ; and among the witnesses the names of the same individuals as are found in the pre- ceding charter are given, as Adam Fraunceys and Thomas, his son.
This is the last record among these charters wherein the name of Adam Fraunceys appears; but in the year 1247 the name of his son, Thomas Fran- ceys, only appears. This record, together with the fact that Richard, prior of Coldingham, was the first witness to this present charter, to whom M. Raine assigns the date of 1245, places the date of this charter at about that period.
Thomas Franceys.
Manumission in the year 1 247 of Reginaldus, pro- positus of Adam de Prendirgest, with the consent of Henricus, his son and heir. Among the witnesses to this document is Thomas Franco.
Charter of Willielmus, son of Beatrix de Swinton, wherein he granted to God, St. Ebbe, and the prior and monastery of Coldingham all the land, with ap-
38 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
purtenances, which Walter (son of Leolphus), his grandfather, once held in the ville and territory of Swynton. Given in the full court at Ayton the day next after the feast of St. Martinus, anno gregori- ense 1271. Witnesses: Dominus Henricus de Pren- dergest; Dominus Petrus de Morthintona, milites; Magister Hugo de Hertilpole ; Willielmus Bel, tunc vicarius de Lamberton ; Gilbertus de Lumisden ; Thomas Frances; Alan de Swyntona; et alii.
Thomas and Richard Franceys of Ayton are wit- nesses to the charter of Alanus de Swinton (of Kirke- croft, in the territory of Swinton, wherein he men- tions his wife Lucie) to the prior and monastery of Coldingham.
Charter of Henricus de Prendergest of land in Raynigton to the prior and convent of Coldingham, in exchange for the land which they gave him in the ville and territory of Prendergest. Dated at Ayton in the prior's court the seventh day of March, anno gregoriense 1275. Among the witnesses to this charter were Richard Fraunc of Ayton and Thomas Fraunc of Ayton.
Thomas Franceys of Ayton is a witness to a char- ter of Thomas, son of Robert, son of Mathew de Aldengrawe, granting land in the ville of Aldengrawe to the prior and monks of Coldingham. Given at the court of Ayton the day next before the feast of St. Dennis, in the month of March, 1275.
Charter of Willielmus, son of Willielmus Cantor
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 39
(chantor), in which he grants one toft with croft, etc., in Parva Ryston, to AHce, daughter of his sister Agnete and Augustinus. To this charter Thomas Francys of Ayton is among the witnesses.
Thomas Franceis of Ayton is among the witnesses to the charter of Nicholas Lambe, of land and tene- ment in Aldecambus : Know that I, Nicholas, son of Thomas of Aldecambus, have given and quit- claimed to God and the Holy Mary of St. Cuthbert, and to the prior and convent of Coldingham, all the land which I possess and will inherit in the ville and territory of Aldecambus, with escheat.
Quitclaim of the ville of Esteriston by Johannes, son of Bertramus of Esteriston, to the prior, etc., of Coldingham, in the year 12S1. With the free will and consent of Robert, his son and heir, he quit- claims and restores the ville of Esteriston, with the lordship of same ville, etc., to the prior, etc. Thomas Franc of Ayton in this document appears as a wit- ness.
In the rental of the possession of the monastery of Coldingham, which seems to have been empiled im- mediately after the year 1298, it is found that in Ayton Superior Tho^nas Fraunceys held two and one-half ploughlands, assessed for looi-. Forfeited, and in the prior's hands.
40 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
Richard Fraiiceys.
This name appears among the witnesses to the charter of Nicholas, son of Thomas, son of Dun- canus de Renington, in which he granted to Hen- ricus de Prendergest, knight, all the land he possessed in the ville of Renington.
Pleading between Melrose and Coldingham. Anno gregoriense 1272, the day before Epiphany, was held a pleading between the monks, prior, and convent of Coldingham on one part, and the abbot and con- vent of Melrose on the other part, concerning the tithe to the fishery in Berwyc Stream, etc. Among the witnesses to this document is Ricardo de Fran- cisco of Aytoji.
Charter of Alice, formerly wife of Robertas, son of Mauricius, of Ayton Superior, in which she granted to Walterus, son of Robertus Purroc, and his heirs, all the land in the ville and territory of Ayton Su- perior which she had received as a dowry. Given at the full court of the prior of Ayton the day before the feast of Saint Mary, a.d. 1276. Here, again, you find Ricardus Franc of Ayton as a witness.
Ricai^diis Franceys of Ayton is among the wit- nesses to the charter of Emma, daughter of Elie Dunning, to Alanus carpentarius : —
Emma, daughter of the late Elye Dunnyng. Greeting. To all people, know that I have given, etc., to Alano carpentario and Mabille, his wife, my
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 41
niece etc., one toft and croft in the ville of Colding- ham, near the wall of the monastery of Coldingham to the south. Given at the court of Ayton the day of March next after the feast of Saint Dennis, anno gregoriense 1278.
Charter of Ade de Camera of land, with toft in Ayton, to the prior and convent of Colding- ham. Given at Ayton, the feast of Saint Gregory, the Pope, in the month of March, anno gregoriense 1279. To this charter Ricardus Fraiuiceys is a witness.
Charter of Robertus Hopp' (er) and Patricius, his son, wherein they granted one acre of land in Cold- ingham, called Stampardesaker, to Stephanus de Hoveden, then sexton of the church of Coldingham, in free, etc., alms, for the sustenance of the chapel of St. Ebbe, on the mountain. Ricardus Frmuiches is a witness. The first witness to this charter was Lord Henry de Horncastle, then prior of Colding- ham, which fixes the date of this charter not later than 1276-96.
Charter of Thomas, son of the late Robertus Sene- scallus of Coldingham, wherein he granted to the monastery of Coldingham land in the moor toward Lummesden, which formerly had been occupied by Godricus, son of Willielmus Cocus, and all his land in the same moor called Stiwardflattis. Among the witnesses is Ricardus Frattnccys.
Charter of Lord Ricardus Frau7zcays of Ayton
42 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
Superior, wherein he granted his messuage with toft and croft in Ayton Superior for his maintenance (pro sustentacione sua) in the house of the monastery of Coldingham. Witnesses Dominis Henrico de Pren- dergest et Petro de eadem ; Willielmo de Rokes- burgh, tunc senescallo de Coldingham ; Johanne fiho Ade. Johanne Gray de Ayton ; et ahis. This charter is most probably executed the latter part of the thirteenth century.
In the Rental of the Possessions of the Monastery of Coldingham, which seems to have been compiled immediately after the year 1298, it is found that in Ayton Superior Ricardus Fraujiays held six oxgangs of land, valued to ^s. yearly, which are in the hands of the prior.
Johannes Fratmceys.
Willielmus Ridel, Lord of Flemington, confirms the charter in which is granted one oxgang of land, with all that belongs to it, in the ville and territory of Flemington to Willielmus Stobbe, burgess of Ber- wick-upon-Tweede. Given at Flemington the fifth day of May, a.d. 1307. The name of Johannes Fraunceys appears among the witnesses.
Agreement of Johannes de Ayton with the monks of Coldingham. Given at Coldingham the day after the feast of Saint Laurence in the month of March, A.D. 1327. Among the six names given as witnesses attached to this charter was Johannes Frankes.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
43
In 1350 Adam Ic FraMiiceys"^ appears to have held land under William de Scaresburgh, prior of Cold- ingham. His widow Margaret at a later period gave four and a half acres of land in Flores to the arm's house of the priory.
On the 17th of August, 1403, King Henry IV. of England grants Alexander Franc he some tolls of Ber- wick ; and in 1407 Alexander Fraiiche and his re- tainer Herteramus were both retainers of George, Earl of Dunbar, while in England. This same Alex- ander Franche is evidently referred to by King James I. in a charter of the i8th of February, 1426, as the grandfather of James Frajiche. In this charter the king grants to James Franche the land at Ayton, in the barony of Coldingham and county of Berwick which his grandfather Alexander had forfeited, prob- ably at the same time as the forfeiture of George, Earl of March.
France oj Linlilhgow.
Johannes France, according to " Redditus Altarium Olim situat. infra Parochiam de Linlythgow," was a fuller by profession. He also held the office of Biir- gess of the Bicrgh of Linlilhgow on the 2 2d of April,
* It is most probable this was the same person who is men- tioned as Adam Francis on the inquest in the year 132 1, in regard to tenements at Berwick, and again as Adam Frensh, who was pardoned in the year 1335 by King Edward III.
44 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
1487, as appears by the " Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum." The situation of some of his tenements in this burgh are described in the " Red- ditus " to be found at the Advocates' Library, one of which is bounded on the north by the royal village, on the east by the land of William Hill, and that of Johannes Jak on the west. The inscription, formerly in the north aisle of the church of Linlithgow, evi- dently refers to this same individual :
Heir lyes Ihon Franch, fadder to Tomas, Master
Mason of Brig of Dee. Obiit anno Domini MCCCCLXXXIX.
Tho7nas Fj^anche, the son, was the second Master Mason to the Crown of Scotland. He was appointed under the Privy Seal. The following is the grant conferring upon him the office of Master Mason, given by King James V. at Kelso on April 30, 1535 :
" Ane letter given to thomas franche xVi2^2.\iA him maister masoun to oure souverane lord for all the dais of his lif wyth power to the said Thomas to vse and exercise the said office in all and by all thingis as ony vtheris vsit or exercit the samin in ony times bigane And therefor to haue yeirlie induring his liftyme of our said souerane lord the soume of £^^0 to be pait yeirlie be our souerane lordis treasurer now present and being for the tyme. — 30th April 1535.
Per signaturam."
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 45
Rev. Robert Scott Mylne, in his work on the "Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland," pub- lished in 1893, gives the pedigree of this family of Franch, with an account of Thomas Franche. The pedigree shows that the first of this surname was John Franche, who died in 1489; that Thomas Franche, his son, was Master Mason to the Bishop of Aberdeen for buildinor the Brido-e of Dee, and Master Mason to King James V. in 1535. This Thomas appears to have had three sons.
ist, Thomas, who died in 1530, and was buried in Aberdeen cathedral, where is found his epitaph. 2d, John, and, 3d, Robert, both masons, as appears by John Scrymgeour's account of 1538-39, under the heading of "Falkland" (the royal residence). This same account also mentions George Frensch.
Thomas Franche, senior, "after the death of his son Thomas, returned to his native town, and began to work for the King on the Palace of Linlithgow."
On the 2 2d of April, 1535, the King issued a war- rant to the Master of Works to pay him a gratuity of ^20 Scots for the satisfaction given in his work for the past year, to wit: "At Linlithgow, 22d April 1535. — Master of our wark, for samekyll as Thomas Franche maison hes beyne continuallye in our ser- vice for the completing our Palis of Linlithquhow sen Merche wes ane yeir and hes done us for his part greit pleasour thairintyll quhilk we think de- servis revard. Heirfor it is our will and als chargis
46 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
you incontinent to deliver to the said Thomas £20 for his bontay and the samyn salbe weil allowit to you in your comptis. Subscrivit be us at LinHth- quhow, the xxij day of Aprile, and of our regne the xxij yeir. James R."
On the 30th of April of this same year, as pre- viously stated, he received the appointment of Master Mason.
"Accounts of the Master of Works, 16 May 1535. One pound Scots to the Master Mason, weekly, and Masons 16'. and 12'. weekly."
" The compt of the masonis that wrocht at the palis of Linlithgow as ef tir followis : — The first day of Februar the yeir of God j'"v''xxxiiij yeris the entres of Thomas Franss * masoun with ten masonis and four barrowmen with him. And tha continewit to the xvj day of Maij in the year of God j^v'^xxxv yeris, the quhilk is 1 5 vokkis. To the said Thomas Frans * voklie 20', and, to four of his masonis ilkane of thame 15^ vokle and to sax of his masonis ilkane of thame 12' voklie, and to ilkane of his barrowmen vokle, 5' Summa to the said Thomas Frans * and his servandis vokle ^8: i6\ Summa of thir personis forsaidis vagis in the haill ^132."
"Item, to the said Thomas Frans * at the command of our Soverane lordis precept ;^20."
* This orthography is given in Mylne's "Master Masons," but Frans (or Franss) is evidently a contraction for Franses. Records show that Robert France of the Stane had his surname written Franses and Francys.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 47
" In 1537 work was recommenced on the Palace of Falkland," and "at first Thomas Franche plays an important part in the royal undertaking." In March, 1537-3S, works were undertaken on the Garden Dyke, by the King's command.
In the year 1538-39 you find a record of two of his sons, in which the orthography of this surname is Frensch.
Thomas Franche was living on the 31st of July, 1 55 1, and appears to have died the same year.
There appears to have been a John Franche identi- fied with Falkla7id, the Royal Residence, most prob- ably a relation. Under the date of the 7th of No- vember, 1592, is the following entry: —
" Gift to John Franche for his true and thankful service done to the King, of the office of building and upholding the park dykes and meadow dykes of Falkland, for life."
George Frensch, to whom reference is made in this present article, may have been the same person who held land in or near Aberdeen on the loth of Feb- ruary, 1474-75-
Before closing these general remarks, reference will be made to the following records of the border counties of England, which historically are much in- terwoven with Scottish history.
In December, 12^,1^ John Francigen a gives the K.
48 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
20 marks, to have for life the close of the border (costera) of Warnel, which the abbot of Holcoltram enclosed and held in hand, and the ten acres of said wood which the abbot assarted and cultivated by the K.'s license, for half a mark to be paid to the K. annually, as the abbot paid for the same, as fully con- tained in his charter; and Thomas de Muleton is commanded, after taking security, to give him seizin.
On Dec. 26, 1231, the K. grants to the church of the Blessed Kentigern of Caldebec, and John Franci- gena, parson thereof^ and his successors, the close of the " costera " of Warnel, which the abbot of Holm- coltram, by the K.'s license, enclosed and held during pleasure, paying half a mark to Exchequer annually.
Cumberland. — Walter, Bishop of Carlisle (Thomas fitz John for him), renders his account: John Franci- gena accounts for 20 marks to have in perpetuity a close of the " costera " of Warnelle, which the abbot of Holcoltram enclosed and held in hand, and to have ten acres of same wood which the said abbot cleared and cultivated by the K.'s license, for half a mark to be paid to the K. annually, as the said abbot paid for these acres and close, as more fully contained in the K.'s charters, and in his own charter thereof, a transcript of which is attached to the " Originale " of the 17th year, bearing that the said close and ten acres of land shall forever remain with the said John and his successors, parsons of the church of the Blessed Kentegern of Kaldebec. He
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
49
has paid it into the treasury, and is quit. (Pipe, i6 Hen. III. [1231-32], Rot. 15, dorso.)
On the loth of February, 1232-33, Thomas de Muleton of Egremund is commanded to take in the K.'s hand the ten acres of the border of the K.'s wood of Warnel, and the close, which the abbot of Holcol- tram held and the K. afterwards gave to John le Fran- ceis, parson of Caldcbec, by charter, and hold them till further orders. Westminster.
Pleas at Westminster in the octaves of Saint Michael, before Robert de Lexington and other jus- tices. Westmoreland : John le Franceys appears ver- sus Johanna de Veteripont in a plea that she should restore him the custody of William de Pinkeny's land and heir, whereof she unjustly deforced him. She is absent. Judgment, — let her be attached for the octave of Saint Hilary. (Coram Rege, 26 and 27 Hen. ni. No. 55, m. 6.)
Pleas at Westminster (in a month from Holy Trin- ity). Westmoreland : John le Fraitnceys appears by attorney versus Robert de Veteripont in a plea that the latter should acquit him of service which John de Bayllot exacts from him for the freehold he holds of Robert in Maldesmebrunne, whereof Robert as the " medius " between them should acquit him, Robert is absent. Attached to attend on the morrow of Saint Martin. (Coram Rege, 34 Hen. HI. No. 82, m. 14, dorso.)
On the 30th of September, 1251, in the pleas of
so NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
the assizes of the county of York, it is found that Robert, son of Ivo de Veteripont, acknowledged that he had granted to John de Baylof * (Balliol) and his heirs the homage and service of John le Fraunceys t for Florliswrth in the county of Leicester, and like- wise the homage and service of said John for the moiety of the nia^tor of Sotireby \ in Fames in Gallo- way (Galewaythe), as more fully contained in the writ- ing made between them.
On the 2d of April, 1255, in the division made of the possessions in Northumberland by the king's escheator of the lands of Isabella de Forde, which she had inherited from her grandfather Robert de Muscamp, through his eldest daughter, Cecilia, it is found that her heirs were her aunt Isabella, the wife of William de Huntercumbe, and her two cousins, Muriel and Margery, daughters of her aunt Margery, who had married Malise, Earl of Stratherne. These possessions were divided in two portions, the records
* He married Dervorgilla, youngest daughter of Alan, Lord of Galloway. She was the mother of King John Baliol and Margory, who married John Comyn of Badenach.
t John Le Fraunceis was the son of Hugh Le Fraunceis. He held land in some of the northern English counties, one manor at least under Robert de Veteripont. His name appears again in the records of the county of Cumberland in the years 1253 and 1258.
X The church of Great Soureby was granted to Dryburgh Abbey at the end of the twelfth century by Ivo de Veteripont, in pure alms, and was confirmed to it by Roland, Lord of Galloway, under whom Ivo de Veteripont held the land of Great Soureby.
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 51
of the first showing that Robert le Franceys held of the said Isabella de Forde possessions in the burgh of Wllouer (Wooler) in Northumberland.
Among the Cumberland records under the date of the 26th of May, 1256, it is found that Nicholas Ic Fraunceys was among the men of Alan de Moleton (Muleton) and Alicia, his wife, daughter of Richard de Lucy and Ada Moreville, who afterward married Thomas de Multon, of Egermund.
On the 1 8th of August, 1268, Gilbert le Fraunceys is among the belted knights who were, with others, on the inquest held at the castle of Maidens in the king's forest of Engilwode, before Roger de Lancastre, then seneschal of the king's forests ultra Trent, and William de Dacre, then sheriff of Cum- berland, and others of the king's lieges, in regard to certain rights of King Henry III. in Cumberland.
A Gilbert le Fratmceys is mentioned in the records of Cumberland, in the year 1259, as the son of Richard le Franceys. From the year 1273 to 1278 there are records of Gilbertns le Franceys holding large posses- sions in Chester, Cumberland, Derby, Leicester, and Westmoreland.
As this account is so general on these surnames in Scotland, with a special and long account of the Frenches of Thornydykes, it seems only appropriate that some additional allusion be made to two other families, — those of Francys of Stane and the Frenches of Frenchland. The last of the line of Stane was
52 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
Elizabeth, only daughter and sole heiress of Robert Francys, or France, of Stane, or Stonanrig, in the parish of Irvine, in Ayrshire, who married, in 1508, William Montgomery of Greenfield. An interesting account of this family is found in the " History of the County of Ayr," by James Paterson.
In regard to the Frenches of Frenchland, in the
o
Annandale, those interested can easily refer to that admirable work called ''^Alexander Nisbcfs Heraldic Plates','' so sticcessfully completed by Messrs, Ross and Grant, members of the Lyon Office.
As a prelude to the introduction of the Frenches of Thornydykes in Berwickshire, one of the border counties of Scotland, it seems an appropriate occa- sion to revive in our memories what Sir Walter Scott says about this historic and picturesque region. His name has a special interest to those of the surname of French, from the fact that he had, as one of his tutors, fames French.
The border of Scotland, in which was the home of the Frenches, is described most interestingly by Sir Walter Scott : " The Scotch Border has charms to fascinate all those who delight in romantic enter- prise and poetic fancy. This boundary between two warlike and long hostile kingdoms became naturally the great theatre on which the achievement of the feudal ages were performed. The habitual hostility, too, with which the inhabitants of the opposite side of the March view each other, gave rise to constant
NOTES ON THE SURNAMES. 53
scenes of minor exploits, which, though they could not find a place in history, kept alive the habits of activity, enterprise, and daring valour, which held men's minds in a state of perpetual excitement. The same causes which rendered the Borders the theatre of war rendered it also a land of song ; for true and native poetry is the result, not of monastic and stu- dious seclusion, but of those eventful circumstances which fire the imagination, and melt the heart."
A descriptive account of the Merse is given by Mr. Browne in his "Glimpses in Lammermuir": "Before leaving the shelter of the old firs of Hardens Hill, Willie gazed down into the Merse. There it lay before him, with its long and broad sweep of farm- land, dotted with villages, farm steadings, mansions, and wood, and bounded on the far south by the grey Cheviots, at whose feet, thirteen and fifteen miles away, if his ear could have carried sound as his eye did sight, he might have heard the Tweed roaring through the bridges of Coldstream and Norham, and then rushing between its banks at Ladykirk, and on- wards to the sea, where the waves on the Berwick beach rolled up as if in joy to meet it. If the dusk had come suddenly down, Willie, in his statuesque position, might have started at the appearance of a flaring light far away on the Fame Isles, to caution the watch at the forecastle of the labouring ship miles away at sea, as he gazed forward into the dark and heaving billows. But now, as he reached the highest
54 NOTES ON THE SURNAMES.
point of the road, and as he left the lowland land- scape behind him, another and not less striking scene, but of a diverse character, burst upon his view. Spread out before him, as if by the hand of an en- chanter, was a wild and extensive piece of Highland scenery, and, as he rounded the road and pressed forward, its extent increased. The Lammermuirs, in rolling billows of heather hill and pasture land, stretched for many miles on three sides, and con- spicuous in the distance on the left was the ancient castle of Hume, and the three peaks of the Eildon Hills due south-west, seventeen miles away."
PART SECOND. FRENCHES OF THORNYDYKES.
FIRST LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Robert French^ the first Laird of TJiomydykes * 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 whatsome- ever." " In which charter the Earle designes the said Robert French of Thorndyke Clarissimus consaii- guineus iioster.'"
* 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.
fThe earldom of March was confirmed to him by King David II. on the resignation of Patrick, ninth earl, July 25, 1368.
SECOND LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Adam French^ second Laird of Thomydykes, suc- ceeded his father Robert in the reisfn of Robert III. (19th April, i390-4th April, 1406); and Nisbet makes the following allusion to the succession : " This ap- pears 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."
About this period Adam Gordon,* William Baird, and Adam French became conspicuous among the border chieftains; for at a meeting held in 1398 be- tween the Commissioners of the Scotch and English marches, appointed to arrange about border difficul- ties, prisoners, etc., an exception was made to the release of these persons. At that the Scotch Com- missioners gave heavy bonds in the name of their
* The history of the Gordon family at this period shows only one of this Christian name, that of Sir Adam Gordon, Lord of Gordon and Huntly, who was killed at the battle of Homildone Hill in Berwickshire, Sept. 14, 1402.
SECOND LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 59
king for their appearance before the ensuing meet- ing of the Lord Commissioners of both realms, and agreed they should not violate the truce in the in- terval. Evidently owing to the complications grow- ing out of the frontier difficulties, in which the border lords of both countries were generally equally respon- sible, the ill feelings engendered by their constant attacks on each other, often without even the provo- cation of open warfare, and with the apparent in- ability or indifference of the two kings to suppress at times these local troubles, which often involved the peace of both kingdoms, with these lawless but not unusual state of affairs for these early days, and with the apparent desire on the part of King Robert III. to preserve peaceful relations with his formidable neigh- bor, King Richard II., Adam French is presumed to have been among those selected as an example ; for he suffered the penalty of the forfeiture of his estates of Thornydykes and Pitcoks. George, Earl of March, the direct feudal lord of Adam French, renounced his allegiance to King Robert III. in 1399; and it must have been about this period, after the forfeiture of his estates, that Adam French abandoned the Scottish king. Earl George, Gaweyn, his son, and Adam French about the same period became liegemen of King Henry IV. of England ; and all received annu- ities from him. It is not at all unlikely that Adam French went to England in 1400 in the company of his overlord, the Earl of March ; for on August 2 of
6o ADAM FRENCH.
that year George of Dunbar, Earl of March, received from the English king safe conduct and protection for himself, his wife, and his children, with a retinue of eighty persons coming to England. The exact date of his becoming liegeman is not known ; but on April 7, 1402, there is a record of Adam French of Scotland, showing that he was then in the service of the Kinsf of England, and that he had been granted an annuity, and on the 17th of July, 1403, he received from King Henry IV. a prest of his annuity for his good service. There seems to be nothing to show the exact date when Adam French returned to Scotland ; but he evidently seceded from England, and came back to his Scottish allegiance. After the forfeiture of Adam French, Robert French, his son, had a charter from King Robert III. of Thorn3^dykes and Pitcoks ; but Adam French, the father, became repossessed of these estates, as appears by a charter of confirmation of King James I., dated at Edinburgh on the sixth day of January, 1433, and he must have soon after died, as his son Robert suc- ceeds him, as appears by the inquest held in the latter part of January of that year.
Notes on individuals of this surname, etc,
Andrew French. In the time of Robert III. (1390-1406) is a cliarter to Andrew French of the lands of Boudington, within the barony of Cunynghame and shire of Ayr.
Gilbert Franche was a witness at Edinburgh on the 7th April, 1401, to an instrument of assignation by Thomas de Altoun of a tenement at Musselburgh to Henry BoUow, burgess there.
Gilbert Franche is also among the witnesses to a public docu- ment dated at Edinburgh on the 8th of January, 1437.
THIRD LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Robert French, third Laird of Thomydykes, 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 Petcokkis t in the shire of Edinburgh. As Lord of Thornydykes, he appears as a witness to the confirmation of a charter to the church of Cavers, dated at the church of Makerston (both located in the county of Roxburgh), on July 29, 1406. Allusion has been made to Adam French, his father, temporarily gaining possession of these estates in 1433 ; but Robert French came again in posses- sion of the estates of Thornydykes and Pitcoks, as appears by the following record of the inquest : —
" Robert succeeds his father Adam, and is served
* In his reign owners of land were required to show their char- ters for land held.
t Pitcokkes, Petcokyr, Petcoke, Pitcoks, or Pitcox, w^as located near Dunbar Castle, in the barony of Bele and earldom of March, and about seventeen miles from Thornydykes (now in Stenton Parish). This estate, in the reign of King James VI,, comprised manor house, dovecots, workshops, breweries, mill land, mill fees, game and fish preserves, peat bogs, coal, ponds, stream, woods, meadows grazing, and pasture lands, stone quarries, and lime pits.
62 ROBERT FRENCH.
and retoured to him the 29 of Januarie, 1433,* at Dunbar."
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 an- cestor.
* Johannes de Fraunce.
About this period — namely, in the years 1429 and 1431 — safe conduct and protection was granted by Henry VI. to Johannes de Fraunce ; and in the second record he is mentioned as John Fraunce. In both these documents, he is named as retainer of Andrew Keith of Inverugie, on his way to England to see his lord, who was one of the hostages for King James I. of Scotland.
A Johannes Fraunce is found in an account of John Maxwell, Steward of Annandale, given at Perth the tenth day of July, 1459, of all the income and expenses of his bailiwick from the twenty- seventh day of June, 1458, to the day of this account. It is found that Johannes Fraunce was fined for being absent from court.
FOURTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Robert French, the fourth Laird of Thor7iydykes. 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 as^aine to Dene William Rothuen, chanoun of Driburgh, for twa horssis and twa sadillis, that thai spulzeit fra the said chanoun VIJ.''*" and that thai sail for the contempcioune done to the Kingis Hienes in the takin of the said horssis and strikin of the said chanon, entir thair personis in warde in the Castell of Blacknes and remayne thair
Notes on individuals of this surname, etc.
Lord Johannes Franche. In several charters of William Striveling of Keir, in the viscounty of Perth, having the confirma- tion of King James III., Johannes Franche, chaplain, is among the witnesses. In the first two charters, dated at the manor of Ker on the 28th of July, 1477, he is called Lord Johannes Franche. In the charter of the 27th of September, 1477, dated at the same manor, he is called Johannes Franche, chaplain. In the two charters dated at Edinburgh on the 25th of June, 1479, he is called Johannes Franche, chaplain.
Lord Nicholas Franche. Confirmation charter by King James IV. to a charter of the late Thomas de Carmichell, vicar of the parochial church of Stirling, in favor of Lord Nicholas Franche,
64 ROBERT FRENCH.
on thair avin expenssis quhill thai be fred be the king."
chaplain, and his successors, the chaplains, who shall serve God at the altar of St. Michael the Archangel, in the parochial church of S. Cross, in the burgh of Stirling. Dated at latter place I St of April, 1471.
On the 15th of November, 1475, marriage was solemnized in face of the kirk between Duncan Aquhonam and Agnes Makcal- pyn, by Sir Nicholas Franch, curate of the parish church of Strive- lin, within the parish church of the Holy Road of the burgh, the parties giving oath as above : whereupon an honorable man, William Stewart of Baldoran, and Malcolm M'Clery of Garten, gave their corporal oaths that the said Duncan was of lawful age to contract marriage with the foresaid Agnes M'Calpin. Done in the said church the fifth hour before noon or thereby.
In the Records of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, under dates of the 3d of March, 1476-77, and the 5th of May, 1477, may be found the name of Sir Nicholas Franche, curate of Stirling.
William Franche. 1480, June 23. The Lords decern that William Franche shall pay to Franskin Fersandris, procurator for Merlin Puis, viij''^, due by his obligation, and ordain that letters be written to distrain him for the said sum.
1480, June 30. The lords of council decern that William Franche shall pay to copin Van Re, procurator for Peter Dens- mond, the sum of iiji'^, due by the said William Franche.
Sir Jhone Franche. 1484, July 27. In the actioun by Sir Jhone Franche, chaplain, against Robert Noble of the Ferme, for the spoliation of half of the lands of Ballioffra, etc., the lords decern against the said Robert Noble, etc.
There appears to have been a Sir John Franche who is men- tioned on the 22d of June, 1492, in the action pursued by Malcolm Drummond and Mergaret Muschet, spouse of John the Graeme, against James Muschet of Tolgart, etc. It was alleged for the said James Muschet that the assignation under the sign of Sir John Franche was given with an antedate after the said Mergaret had discharged him of the sum of xxjj'" merkes.
FIFTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Robert French, fifth Laird of TJwruydykes. On the 8th of March, 1490, in the action and cause pur- sued 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 Archi- bald, that the inquest be changed to a new day.
Notes on individuals of this surname, etc.
George Franche. In a charter of Henry Munduail (Mund- well) confirmed by the king, dated at Bigare, Lanark, on the 30th of September, i486, the name of George Franche appears among the witnesses. This charter conveys land in the ville of Mertoun, in the viscounty of Berwick, to Johannes Hume of Quhutrig.
A George Franch is recorded in 1508-9, 5 February. Action at the instance of Margaret Gordon, daughter to Alexander, Earl of Huntlie, against RoUand Leirmontht, Robert Brone, Alexander Wod, Patrick Wod, Alexander Wod, younger, Thomas Alexander son, Patrick Home, George Franch, and Thomas Huntle, for the wrongous occupation of her lands lying within the lordship of Gordon. Continued till 4 March next.
SIXTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Adam French, sixth Laird of Thoimydykes, had saisine of Thornyd3ds:es and Pitcox in 1494.
Another record appears of him on the i6th of December, 1503, in the action and cause pursued on behalf of the king against Adam Franch of Thorny- dikes, and others serving upon a breive of inquest impetrate by Walter Haliburnton by the decease of William Haliburnton of Mertoun, upon ^20 worth of 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.
A record appears again on the 19th of December, 1505, in an action and cause pursued at the instance of the king, and of George, Master of Angus, against James Aldincraw, Sheriff Depute of Berwick, Adam Franch of Thornidikis, James Spottiswod of that Ilk, and the remainder of the persons that were upon the serving of a brief of inquest impetrate by George Roule by the decease of George Roule, his father, of the lands called Edmondis field, lying within the sheriffdom of Berwick.
SIXTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 67
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
Notes on individuals of this surname, etc.
Thomas Franche, marshal. In the Exchequer Rolls of Scot- land, David Hoppringle of Smailhame, ranger of (the warden) the Tweed, renders his account from the 6th of July, 1497, to the 4th of July, 1498, wherein a payment of 20 pounds is made to Thomas Frainche, one of the marshals of the royal household. In the account rendered in 1499 ^y Sir Duncan Forrester, knight, Thomas Franche, marshal, again received compensation. The account rendered at Stirling on the 12th of March, 1499-1500, by Sir Patrick Hume of Polwarth, knight, shows another payment made to Thomas Franche, marshal. John Striveling of Crag- bernarde shows, in his account of 1503, an entry of a payment made to Thomas Franche, marshal. A similar payment was made in 1508; and in the statement of Alexander, Lord of Hume, chamberlain of the land of the barony of Haliburton, given at Edinburgh on the nth of July, 1509, 10 marks in feod are given to Thomas Frainche, marshal. There is still another account which was rendered in the same year by Sir Duncan Forrester of Garden, wherein it is recorded that 20 marks were allowed to Thomas Franche, marshal.
William Frank. In 1502 Willielmus Frank has saisine of Frankysland in Pebles.
Thomas Franche. Thomas Franche had a gift from King James IV. on the 23d of December, 1506, of the movable goods, etc., of the deceased John Setoun, alias Cuke.
Thomas Frank, chaplain. Among the records relating to the High School of Edinburgh, which was located in the Vennel of the church of St. Mary in the Fields, under the date of August, 1508, Magister Thomas Frank is among the witnesses, and again a witness on the 23d of October, 15 12. By another docu- ment, dated the 24th of January, 15 16, it is found that Johannes Irland, bailiff, transferred a certain j-early rental to a discreet man, Master Thomas Frank, chaplain, one of the prebendaries of the said Collegiate Church of St. Mary in the Fields, for a mass
68 ADAM FRENCH,
stated, he was succeeded in the estates of Thorny- dykes by Robert, the seventh Laird; and in this same year you find Sir Adam Frenche * preb-
to be celebrated yearly on a certain day at the altar, founded by Master David Vocat, for his soul and those of his parents. On the 25th of September, 1526, Master Thomas Frank, chaplain, is among the witnesses to a record relating to the aforesaid High School of Edinburgh.
Megote Franche. The name of Megote Franche appears in a charter of the 20th of May, 151 1, dated at Dumblane, in Perth- shire, wherein it is stated she held some property in that city.
Sir William Franche. 12th of June, 1521. Election of Sir David Yhong to the first prebend in the church of St. Giles at Edinburgh, vacant by the death of Sir William Franche,
*Sir Adam Frenche. 12th of April, 1526. Sir Adam Frenche is a witness to an act of the chapter of the Holy Trinity Col- legiate Church.
1 53 1, May I. Sir Adam Franche is a witness to charter by John Dingwall, provost of the Kirk of the S. Trinity, near Edin- burgh, and clerk of the parish of Soltie.
King James V. confirmed a charter of Jonete Kennedy, Lady of Bothuile, wherein she, with the consent of M. Richard Bothuile, provost of the Collegiate Church of Blessed Virgin Mary in the Fields, with its prebendaries and chapter, and King James and Jacobus, archbishop of St. Andree, for the soul of her late hus- band, etc., founded a prebend in the Collegiate Church under the walls of Edinburgh, and granted for its maintenance the land formerly a tenement of the late Hugo Bar, together with the land and houses to the south of the royal village in le Nudryswynd, etc. To this charter, dated at Striveling the i6th of May, 1531, Adam Frenche, prebendary of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity, was among the witnesses.
Sir Adam Frenche, chaplain, 12th of February, 1543-44.
1544, Nov. 29. Adam Frenche signs grant with the other clergy of the Collegiate Church of Trinity.
Charter by Adam Frensche, sacristan and prebendary of the Collegiate Kirk of the Holy Trinity near Edinburgh, in favor of
SIXTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 69
endary of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity.
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 vmquhile 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 vmquhile Robert of the samyn. And als of the gift of the mariage of the said Adam, sone and air foirsaid, and failzeing of him be deceis vn- marut the mariage of ony vthir air or airis, male or female, of the said vmquhile Robert that sal happin to succeid to him in his landis and heretage with all proffittis of the said mariage, with power, etc. At
Isabelle Cokburn, relict of John Wardlaw of Ricarton, and now spouse to David Kincaid of Coates, of the lands of Hill in the barony of Balerno and shire of Edinburgh. At the said college the 2ist of February, 1545-46.
Sir Adam Franche appears as a witness to an act of the chapter of the Holy Trinity Collegiate Church on the 17th of March, 1548-49.
70 ADAM FRENCH,
Edinburgh the XXV. day of Januar, the yeir of God one thousand five hundred and forty-eight.
Per signaturam."
John Franche was party to a marriage contract in the year 1549.
Thii'd, Alexander Fj^enchc. At Edinburgh, on the 20th of February, 1539, the name of Alexander Frenche appears among the witnesses to a charter of Jacobus StriveHng de Keir, which was confirmed by the queen on the i8th of April, 1550.
Alexander Franche (and George Franche) are among the witnesses to a charter of Jacobus Strive- Hng, son and heir of the late Johannes Striveling de Kere, knight, in favor of David Huntar of Newtoun, and Magaret Wod, his wife, of land of Balcarres with tenancy and mill, etc., in the lordship and viscounty of Fiffe, dated at Edinburgh on the 8th of June, 1540, which the king confirmed at Falkland on the 14th of August, 1 54 1.
Again the name is found as a party to a marriage contract on May 18, 1549, which was recorded on the 23d of June following.
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.
SIXTH LAIRD OF THORN YD YKES. 7 1
This name occurs among the witnesses on the 3d of November, 155 1, to a charter of William Lindesay, son and heir of the late Robert Lindesay, burgess of Edinburgh, in favor of Johannes Hammiltoun and his heirs and assigns, of the land of Strikfeild, in the vis- county of Peblis, this charter having the confirmation of Queen Mary on the iSth of November following.
Note. Katrina Franche was one of the nuns who signed the election of Jonet Hoppringill as prioress of Coldstream on Feb, 23, 1537-38-
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Robert French, seventh Laird of Thomydykes, succeeded his father, Adam. "Came in possession of the estates, according to Chancery Books, in 1526"; found among the barons and lairds of Ber- wickshire in 1530; on May 20, 1538, he is on an assize in apprising of lands in Graden, in Berwick- shire; mentioned again on the loth 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, Mar- garet 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. He was a great promoter of Reforma- tion, and on the breaking out of the Civil War he sided with the young king." Adam Hume, a younger brother, distinguished by his virtue and probity, was the first Protestant rector of the church of Polwarth, while Swinton in his privately printed
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 73
work on the " Men of the Merse " states that another " brother, Alexander, was the author of a volume of hymns and sacred songs breathing a spirit of piety worthy of his calling as a minister of the gospel, which he exercised for eleven years at Logic, near Stirling," on the river Forth. Margaret Home, her sister, married John Baillie of St. John's Kirk, in county Lanark.
Her father was Patrick, fourth baron of Polwarth, and her mother, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Patrick Hepburn of Wauchtoun, in county Haddington.
Hue French, the son of Robert French, in his will of 1574 mentions a half brother and sister, David and Jonet Swinton. There are no indications that Anne Home was a widow Swinton before she married Robert French, or that he married a widow of this surname ; but it is most probable that on the demise of Robert French, whose death took place prior to 25th of January, 1548, that his wife, Anne Home, married a Swinton, and had these children.
Notes on individuals of this surname, etc.
Robert Franche of Francheland. At Edinburgh, the 9th of December, 1527, King James V. conceded to Johannes Marjory- bankis in Moffet, for his service as warden of the royal tent, and his heirs and assigns, 7 pounds 13 shillings of the lands of Francheland, in the Stewardry of Annandie, which had been occu- pied by Robert Franche of Francheland,
James Franche. James Franche is among the witnesses to a charter of Jacobus Leirmonth of Levingstoun, in favor of Gawi- nus Hammyltoun of Drumalbane, and his heirs and assigns, of land of Levingstoun, in the viscounty of Linlithgow, dated at
74 ROBERT FRENCH,
Children of the Seventli 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 Ork- ney, where it was dated.
Bishop Robert Reid was evidently referred to in the will of Henry French as " my lord of Orkney," from whom he " gat ane coit of Franche blak," which " he left to the abbot of Kinlos " * (who was at that time Walter Reid, a nephew of Bishop Reid), "and desirit his lordship to deliver the same to the Laird of Thornydykis, with ane velvet cap."
The name of Henry French again appears as a witness to the following charters, namely : —
Linlithgow on the 7th of October, 1535, and confirmed by the king at Striveling on the 8th of May, 1536.
James Frank. At Edinburgh, the 4th of September, 1546, Queen Mary, with consent of James, Earl of Aranie, and Lord of Hammiltoun, her tutor and gubernator, grants to James Frank, son of a certain William Frank, and his heirs and assigns, " terras Frankislandis nuncupatas " in the viscounty of Peblis, which before had been enfeoffed to the said William, but in the trouble- some times he was deprived of it. Reserving for the said William 6 capita and the half-part of the infeoffment.
* The monastery of Kinloss was founded by King David I. by establishing in it a colony of his favorite Cistercians from Melrose Abbey.
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
75
First, on the i8th of September, 1550, at Edin- burgh, to a charter of John Stewart of Minto to the parochial church of Aberdeen.
Second, to a charter of Patric Mowet, Lord of Boquhellie and Freschwik, wherein he makes a grant to M. Malcolmo Halcro, prebendary of the cathedral church of Orkney, dated at Elgin on the 2 2d of Feb- ruary, 1553.
Henry French appears to have acquired fishing rights on the river Spey. He died in the month of January, 1569; and by his will, given up on the 26th of January of this same year, it appears he was a brother of Adam French, the Laird of Thornydykes.
Among those named in his will were the execu- tors of the Laird of Innes (William) and Patrick Menzeis of Abirdene; and you find Sir Andro Currie of Bassendean, James Wemis of Bowhouse, and Jonet Morray mentioned among his legatees.
" He left his saule in the handis of Almychtie God and his banes to be bureit in the muldis of Bas- sinden."*
* Bassendean was located in the southern part of Westruther, about two miles from Thornydykes. Previous to the Reformation it belonged to the nuns of Coldstream. It was most probably the burying-place of the Frenches, as it was at one time the resting- place of their neighbors, the Edgars of Wedderlie. x^fter the Reformation Sir Andro Currie, the vicar, conveyed this place to William Home, third son of Sir John Home of Coldenknows, in Earlstone ; and King James VI. gave him a charter of it on Janu. 11,^573.
76 ROBERT FRENCH,
" Item the silver contenit in his purs to give thame meit and drink that hes him to the erd." Sir Andro Currie, the vicar of Bassendean, and Patrick French, his brother, were both witnesses to this ancient docu- ment.
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 Pat- rick 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 Ed- inburgh.
Besides James French, this Patrick French appears to have had another son, George French. He is mentioned in the will of Henry French immediately after Patrick French, whom he calls his brother.
A George French is found as a witness to a docu- ment dated 8th of December, 1569, in which the contracting persons on the one part were Adam
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 77
French, eighth Laird of Thornydykes, Margaret, his wife, and James, their second son. There is another record of a George French, who is found on the 3d of September, 1576, in the service of James Sande- landis, eldar of Santmonanis.
" Patrick French is styled in the will of his brother, Adam French, as Sir Patrick French."
The three followinor records are found of Sir Pat- rick French, in relation to the vicarage of Linlith- gow: —
Oct. 26, 1574. Letters purchased at the in- stance of Patrick Kenloche, minister at Linlithgow, against Sir Patrick Frenche, pretended titular of the vicarage of Linlithgow, and all and sundry parish- ioners, charging them to make payment to him of the teind sheaves for crop and year 1574.
13th of January, 1574-75. Action by Patrick Frenche, titular of the vicarage of Linlithgow, against Patrick Kenloche, minister of Linlithgow, in refer- ence to the teinds of the said vicarao^e.
In the Register of the Privy Council, under the date of Nov. 13, 1587, is a Complaint of Alex- ander Dalmahoy of that Ilk, as follows : Sir Patrick Frensche, having been provided to the vicarage of Lynlythqu, set, during all the days of his lifetime, the same in tack to the late Mr. Andro Hereott, son of the late James Hereott of Trabroun, which tack the said Mr. Andro assigned to the complainer, so that, by virtue of the said assignation, the said complainer
78 ROBERT FRENCH,
has possessed the duties of the vicarage without any question. But now he is informed that Nicoll Corn- wall of Ballinhard, "quha is debtbound in the maist parte of the fruitis of the said vicarage," has " movit the said Sir Patrik to dimitt the said vicarage in his Majesteis hands, and that, upoun the said dimissioun, his Hienes hes presentit Patrik Kenlowy, minister at Lynlythgow, thairto." In these circumstances the complainer prays that the Keeper of the Privy Seal shall be discharged from passing the said presenta- tion till such time as the said Patrik, the presentee, confirm the said tack and assignation thereof made to the complainer, " and mak securitie that the said dimissioun sail nawayes be hurtfull or prejudiciall thairunto."
Sir Patrik Frenshe, Nicoll Cornwell, and Patrik Kenlowy having been cited, and only the two last appearing, while the complainer appears personally, the Lords remit the matter to the Lords of Council and Session, as only judges competent thereto.
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."
* A James Franche was a witness at Corsby on the 4th of September, 1556, to a charter wherein John Cranstoun grants to his wife, Elizabeth Swyntoun, the land and barony of Bown, in the viscounty of Berwick, and other land in the viscounty of Edinburgh.
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 79
Peter Franche (French) was a legatee in the year 1569 of Henry Franche, in whose will he is designed as Elder, a distinction from the following legatee: " Peter Franche, my bruthir sone," evidently imply- ing that he was the son of Peter French, " Elder."
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 con- ferred 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 Alvvath, 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 pen- sion due him for the year 1573. Soon after the coronation of King James VI. it is supposed by the influence of his patron, John Erskine, now Earl of Mar, that he entered the royal service as " Controller of his majesties Horse" ; and it is most probable that he held this position at the time of his decease, for at that time he was still in the service of King James.
8o ROBERT FRENCH,
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. In the Acts and De- creets of the 6th of July of this same year were "Let- ters purchased at the instance of Robert Frenche against Alexander Brounfield in Eastfield and Ninian
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 8i
Brounfield, and all others the parishioners of the vicarage of Greenlaw, lying within the diocese of St. Andrews and sheriffdom of Berwick, for payment of the fruits and teinds thereof, the collection of the same having been gifted by the king to the said Robert. Decerned against the said defenders." He was translated to Home about 1574, when Stit- chell, Gordon, Eccles, and Greenlaw were also in his charge. He is mentioned of Eccles on the 12th of September, 1577, and again in 1583. In 1589-90 he with David Hume and Johanne Clappertoun were the ecclesiastical commissioners appointed for the shire of Berwick to put an act of Parliament in force against the Jesuits. Legerwood was conferred upon him by the king on May 18, 1592. He returns to Eccles in 1596, where he appears as late as 1601.
There is a record of a John French at Eccles in 1599, who may have been his son.
Eighth, Joiiet 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
82 ROBERT FRENCH,
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.
Jonet French is mentioned as late as the year
1574.
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 jm yc 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 Nes- bit 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
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 2>^
money of this realme of Scotland, and the saidis sowmes of money to be payit betuix the dait of this present contract and obhgatioun and the feist of Sanct androis day nixtocum ; and Robert Rankyne, Johnne Pacok, Johnne Boyd, Archibald Brunle, and Johnne Bell for thair partis bindis and oblissis thame as said is conjunctlie and severalie ane as all and all as ane thair airis executouris and assignais for to con- tent and pay the sowm of ane hundreth merkis of gud and vsuale money of Scotland. And the said sowm to be payit within five yeris nixt efter the dait of this present contract, and attour we the saidis Alexander Franche, Johnne Franche, Robert Rankyn, Johnne Pacok, Johne Boyd, Archibald Brunlie, and Johnne Bell, we bind ws as said is for to fulfill content and pay the sowmes abonewrittin in and to the said George Nesbit his airis, executouris, and assignais, at the dayis and termes abonewrittin, and attour for the mair securite that the said contract salbe registrat in the bukis of counsale on the said George Nesbittis expenssis, within xv dais nixt efter the dait of this present contract and obhgatioun, and attour this beand done ather of the saidis parteis bindis thame that the said band of matrimony within xv dais salbe compleittit and fulfillit or ellis the party brek- and sail content and pay to the party kepand the sowm of five hundreth merkis gud and vsuale money of Scotland, the quhilk sowm salbe payit within the space of ane yeir nixt efter the dait heirof, and attour
84 ROBERT FRENCH,
in tyme to cum gif thair movis ony mater twiching ony consanguinite or affinite of blud the party movand the samyn sail bring hame gif neid beis dis- pensatioun or dispensations on their awin expenssis and forder all thir parteis abonewrittin bindis thame as said is to fulfill all the poyntis and artikillis of the said contract, and for the mair securite and verifica- tioun of the samyn we haif subscrivit this our present contract and obligatioun with our handis at the pen the said day, tyme, and place abonewrittin befoir thir witnesses Johnne Hume of Blacater, Adam Franche of Thornydikis, Thomas Hume, Johnne Hoppringill, and Patrik Franche with vtheris divers. Sic sub- scribitur.
Alex' Franche w* my hand at ye pen.
Johnne Franche w' my hand at ye pen.
Robene Rankyn w' my hand at ye pen.
Johne Pacok w' my hand at ye pen.
Johne Boyd w* my hand at ye pen.
Archibald Burnle w' my hand at ye pen.
Johnne Bell w' my hand at ye pen.
Ita est Robertus Lyell presbyter eiusdem diocesis ac notarius publicus omnibus et singulis premissis.
George Nesbit of (Nether) Racleuch, died before Dec. I, 1564, at which date Margaret French, his wife, is mentioned, as well as their sons John and George Nesbit.
The second husband of Margaret French was an-
SEVENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 85
other George Nesbit, as appears by a record as early as the 2 2d of March, 1566-67.
John Nesbit, the son of Margaret, is mentioned the 26th of November, 1567.
Under date of the 21st of June, 1576, may be found the name of John Nesbit, Margaret French, his mother, and George Nesbit, spouse to the said Mar- garet.
Margaret French is again recorded on the 27th of May, 1583, as well as her son, Robert Nesbit.
Tenth, Elspeth French, who is mentioned as a legatee, in the year 1574, in the will of her brother. Hue French.
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Adam French, eighth Laird of Thomydykes, 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
Note. On the 8th of January, 1556, a William Franche is mentioned as occupier of a cottage and land in Whittinghane, Haddingtonshire.
Christall Frenche is witness to a charter to Andrew Ker of Hirsell, of the lands of Lessuden, dated at Dryburgh Abbey, loth of April, 1567.
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 87
thereof by the said Adam, personally, in the hands of the queen.
Abstract of a contract dated at Edinburgh, 27th of August, 1563, between "Johnne Home of Coldane- knawis and Williame Home, his sone, portionar of Kelso, and the said Johnne Home acting for his son," on the one part, " and Adame Franche in Thorne- dykis, David Spottiswod of that ilk, Henry Wod in Flas, Johne Wod in Flas, and Johnne Alexander in Hekspeth," on the other part. " That is to say, ffor- samekill as the said Williame Home, portioner foir- said hawand assignit to him the boUis of meill vnder- written for the teind schewis of the landis vnderspeci- feit Hand within the parochin of Gordoun in part of payment of his said pentioun quhilk he hes of the said Abbace of Kelso," " the said Johnne Home of Coldinknowis, Williame, his sone, and the said lard takand the burding vpoun him for his said sone, hes sauld assignit and disponit lik as thai be the tennour heirof sellis assignis and disponis the foirsaid bollis respective as followis : —
" That is to say the said Adame Frenche of Thornedykis, his said xviij bollis meill quhilk suld be payit for his teindis of his saidis landis of Thorne- dykis, and to the said David Spottiswod of that ilk his said ten bollis meill quhilk suld be payit yeirlie for the teindis of his landis of Spottiswod, to the said Henry Wod four bollis of meill quhilk suld be payit yeirlie for his teindis of Ywelie, and sewin fur-
88 ADAM FRENCH,
lettis meill for the teindis of the said Henryis part of the wast syd of the Flas, and to the said Johnne Wod sewin furlettis meill quhilk suld be payit for his part of the wast syd of the Flas, and to the said Johnne Alexander four bollis meill quhilk suld be payit for the half of Hekspeth yeirlie and ilk yeirlie sa lang as the said Williame Home lies rycht to the saidis teindis and to vptak the same."
" The said Johnne Home and Williame, his sone, bindis and oblissis thame and thair airis to warrand acquiet and defend the foirsaidis personis and thair airis of all th^ meill and prices thairof quhilk thai sal happin to ressave fra thame for thair teindis of all yeiris be vertew of this contract."
Witnessed by Maister Johnne Abircrummy, advo- cat; Johnne Edzer of Wadderle ; Alexander Banner- feild; Johne Young, writter; and Williame McCart- nay, notar, with vtheris divers.
Among the contemporaries of Adam French, in Berwickshire, in the year 1565, were the following persons : —
John Home of Blacater.
David Home of Wedderburn.
John Lumisden of Blanerne.
George Home of Ayton.
Patrick Cockburn of Lans^tone.
John Swinton of that Ilk.
Alexander Cockburn of that Ilk.
John Rantoune of Billie.
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 89
Pat. Lleigh of Cumledge. William Chyrnside of East Nesbitt. John Sinclair of Longformacus Thomas Ridpath of that Ilk. John Haitlie of Mellerstaines. James Ker of Mersington.
17th of July, 1567. Action by Adam Fransche of Thornydykes, against Margaret Hepburn and George Haliburtoun of Over Gogar, her spouse; Archibald and James Hoppringle, sons to the said Margaret ; and William Hepburn, tutor and curator to the said Archibald ; and Henry Frude, pretended occupier and tenant of the lands of Petcokkis belonging to the pur- suer, who had warned them to remove therefrom, but they had refused. The lords now ordain them to flit and remove from said lands.
Note. 1567, April 26. Charter of Robert Stewart of Or- cadia, then perpetual commendator of Saint Crux, in which it convenants and grants, in gratitude and in free farm, to John Frenche, his servant, the inheritance of a garden with a house in the same (newly built and taken in possession by the said John), situated in the northern boundary of the monastic cemetery (near the way to the monastery, the village of Leith, the royal garden, and land occupied by David Levingstoun). Besides, he receives another garden (formerly occupied by George Hannay) in the regality and barony of Brochtoun, in the viscounty of Edinburgh. Reserving annually for the monastery 3 shillings, 4 pennies, with actual sasine to John Logane. Witnesses, M. Alexander Chalmer, chamberlain of the said monastery, Magister David Makgill, Will- iam Pennycuik, the rector of the monastery, Thoma Robesoun, servant of the commendator.
go ADAM FRENCH,
2ist of November, 1567. Margaret Hepburn and Geo. Haliburton, her spouse, against Adam Franche of Thornydykes, for suspension and summons of removing the suspenders, having found caution that they should remove from Petcokkys.
6th of December, 1567. Adam Fransche of Thornydykes, against Stevin Bourhill, Alexander Fairbairn, John Broune, John Burnett, James Mich- ill, and others, pretended tenants of the pursuer's lands of Fawnes, Langriggs, and Thornydykes in the shire of Berwick, to remove therefrom. The lords decern accordingly.
Octavo Decembris, anno Domini J'" V^ lxix° In presens of the lordis of counsale comperit personalie Andro commendator of Jedburgh, and Matho Home of Rowchlaw, and Jhone Couser, burges of Edin- burgh, as cautioneris and sverteis for him on that ane part, and Adam Frenche of Thornedikis for him self and Margaret Hoppringle, his spous, on that vther part, and gaif in this contract and appunct- nament vnderwrittin subscrivit with thair handis and desyrit the samin to be insert and registrat in the bukis of counsale, to haif the strenth, force, and effect of thair act and decreit in tyme tocum, and lettres and executorialis to be direct apoun ayther of thame partis and souerteis foirsaidis for fulfilling thairof in all pointis in maner specifeit thairintill. The quhilk desyre the saidis lordis thocht ressonable, and thair-
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 91
foir hes ordanit and ordanis the said contract and appunctnament to be insert and registrat in the saidis bukis, to haif the strenth, force, and effect of thair act and decreit in tyme tocum, and hes inter- ponit and interponis thair auctorite thairto, and decernis and ordanis lettrez and executoriahs to be direct vpoun ather of the saidis partiis and thair souerteis for fulfilhng thairof in all pointis in maner specifeit thairintill in form as efferis off the quhilk the tenour followis: At Edinburgh, the sevint day of December, the yeir of God J™ V^ Ixix yeiris. It is appunctit aggreit and finalie concludit betuix thir honourable personis : To wit, ane venerable man, Andro Commendator of the abbay of Jedburgh, fewer of the landis vnderwrittin on that ane part, and Adam Franche of Thornidikis, Margaret Hopp- ryngle, his spous, and James Frenche, thair secund sone, on the vthair part in maner following: that is to say, fforsamekill as the said commendator be thir presentis grantis hym selff to haif ressavit fra the said Adame and his said spous partlie at this present tyme and of befoir the sowme of threttie hundryth merkis vsuale money of this realme quhairof he haldis hym weill content satisfyit and payit and exoneris quytclames and dischargeis the said Adame and his said spous thair airis executouris and assign- ayis thairof for ever be thir presentis. Thairfoir the said commendator bindis and oblissis hym and his airis to mak seill subscrive and delyver ane sufficient
92 ADAM FRENCH,
chartour and precept of sesing of alienatioun titulo oneroso maid be hym to the said Adame and his said spous the langer levir of thame twa in lyferent for all the dayis of thair lyfetyme and to the said James thair secund sone his airis and assignayis quhatsum- ever heretable of all and haill ane annuelrent of sevin score merkis and sextene vsuale money of this realme yeirlie to be vpliftit at twa termeis in the yeir Wit- soneday and Mertiemess in wynter be equall por- sionis of all and syndre the said commendatoris few landis vnderwrittin or ony part thairof. To witt of all and haill the toun and landis of Vlstoun over manis of Vlstoun the landis of Greithillis Pryour medowis Chepmansyde with the wod of the samin the landis of Spettelstanis the thre husband landis in Nethir Craling Togidder with half ane husband land in Over Nisbeth ane husband land in Nethir Nysbeth the landis of Plowlandis the landis of Fyn- lawis callit Newhall the landis of Haucheid and land in Cesfurdburyne the landis of Justicielie with the teyndis thairof the landis of Auld Jedburgh and landis of Rowcastell ane pece land in Langnewtoun the landis and toun of Abbotisrewle and landis of Bowatsyde the landis of Grange with the mylne of the samin the landis of Foderly the landis of over Bunchester nethir Bunchester with the woddis of the samin the landis of Maxsyde the landis of Gathouscott with the woddis of the samin the landis of Hartishauch the landis of Lano;raw with the
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 93
teyndis thairof the landis and toun of Rapperlaw the landis of Firth with the teyndis and woddis of the samin the landis of Westbarnis with the teyndis thairof the landis callit the Brewlandis in Rapperlaw the landis of Belcheis with the mylne of the samin the landis and toun of over Ancrum with the mylne and coittageis thairof the landis of Henhousfeild the landis of Castelwod and Castelhill with the woddis of the samin Togidder with the aikeris lyand besyde the Freiris of Jedburgh and the Kirklandis of Spit- tell callit crucur Spittell and manor place thairof with mylnis teyndis and all vtheris thair pertinentis lyand within the Sherefdome of Roxburgh All and haill the tenement of land bak and foir with the per- tinentis lyand within the burgh of Jedburgh on the south syde of the Kingis streit thairof in the barronie of Vlstoun within the Sherefdome of Roxburgh betuix the tenement of umquhile James Ryddell and now of Robert Rutherfurd on the south the watter of Jed- burgh on the west syde the clos of the said abbacie on the eist and the Kingis streit of the said burgh on the north To be haldin of the said commendator his airis and assignayis in fre blensche heretable and in lyferent as said is for payment yeirlie of ane pennie in name of blensche ferme gif it be askit with sufficient claus of warrandice contenit thairintill oblissand the said commendator his airis and assign- ayis to warand acquyet and defend the foirsaid annuelrent fre fra all wardis nonentress releifis for-
94 ADAM FRENCH,
faltouris recognitionis purprusionis alienationis con- junctfeis ladyis tercels takis or vtheris inconvenientis or perrellis quhatsumever bigane and to cum in the maist sure forme as may be devysit be the law and this infeftment to be maid seillit subscrivit and dely- verit as said is with all diligence ffor the quhilk caus the said Adame his said spous and James thair sone sail mak seill subscrive and delyver to the said com- mendator ane sufficient Lettre of Reversioun maid be thame to hym his airis and assignayis contenand the said sowme of xiij" merkis as said is for re- demptioun of the said annuelrent to be payit in the nethir Tolbuyth of Edinburgh vpone fourtie dayis wairning as vse is with this provisioun to be contenit thairintill That it sail nocht be leissum to the said commendator his airis and assignayis to redeme the said annuelrent be payment of the said sowme for the space of thre yeiris nixt eftir the dait heirof and that all byrun annuellis be fullelie payit with the said principale sowme at the redemptioun thairof befoir the samin be grantit lauchfulle redemit And for the sure payment of the said annuelrent yeirlie and termelie quhill the lauchfull redemptioun thairof as said is the said commendator and Matho Home of Rochlow and Johne Cosser burges of Edinburgh as souerteis for hym be thir presentis bindis and oblissis thame conjunctle and severale thair airis executouris and assignayis to content pay and thankfulle delyvir to the saidis Adame his spous the langer levir of
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 95
thame twa and to the said James his airis and as- signayis the foirsaid annueh-ent of sevin score xvj nierkis money foirsaid at the termes abonewrittin unto the lauchfull redemptioun thairof begynnand the first termeis payment of the samin at the feist of Witsoneday nixttocum and the saidis commen- dator and Matho oblissis thame conjimctHe and severalie thair airis executouris and assignayis to releif and keip skaythles the said Johne Cosser his airis executouris and assignayis of the premissis at the handis of the saidis personis abonewrittin And for the mair securite heirof the said parteis and souerteis foirsaidis ar content and consentis that this present contract be actit and registrat in the buikis of our soverane lordis counsale and decernit to haif the strenth of ane decreit thairof with executorialHs of hoirnyng or poynding to be direct thairupone in forme as effeiris And to that effect makis constitutis and ordanis Maister Johne Abircrumby and ilkane of thame conjunctle and severalie thair verray lauch- full and undowtit procuratouris committand power to thame to compeir befoir the lordis of counsale quhat- sumever day or dayis place or placeis lauchfull and to consent to the registring of thir presentis pro- mittentes de rato In witnes heirof the saidis parteis hes subscrivit this present contract with thair handis as efter followis day yeir and place foirsaidis Befoir thir witnes George Cranstoun of Corsbie, Alexander Carstairis, Barnard Haitlie, Thomas Trotter, Georg^e
96 ADAM FRENCH,
Frenche and Maister Williame Broun with vthairis divers sic subscribitur.
Andro Commendator of Jedbur'.
Adame Frensche of Thornydykis w* my hand.
Matho Home of Rowchlaw.
Johne Cosser w' my hand.
Margarett Hoppryngle abonewrittin with my hand at the pen led be the notar underwrittin.
Ita est Magister Georgius Freir notarius publicus manu propria.
February 4, 1574-75. Action at the instance of William Hume, son to the deceased John Hume of Coldounknowis, knight, against Adam Frenche of Thorniedykis, Ninian Spottiswod of that Ilk, son and heir of the deceased David Spottiswod of that Ilk, Henry Wod of Flas, John Wod there, and John Al- exander, in Espeth, touching the spoliation of and intromitting with the teind-sheaves of their lands lying within the parish of Gordoun and sheriffdom of Berwick. Continued till 12th of March next.
The will of Adam French is mentioned as being dated at Thornydyke Castle on the 3d of October,
1570.
In the Register of Acts and Decreets reference is made to "a contract between John Baillie and Adam French, dated the ist of April, 1576," so that Adam French must have died soon after this date, as his will is stated to have been recorded in February,
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
97
1578, and Margaret Hoppringle is called relict of Adam French on the following i6th of Decem- ber.
Under the date of the 23d of February, 1582-83, is an action at the instance of Margaret Hoppringill, relict of Adam Frenche of Thornedykis, and Robert
, son and apparent heir of the said deceased
Adam, and executors testamentars confirmed to him, against Cuthbert Cranstoun of Thirlstanemains, Thomas Cranstoun, in Rymmiltoun, his son, William Nesbit in Bellielaw, George Young in Ledgirtwod, and Robert Scot in Rymmiltounlaw, for the violent spoliation from the lands of Jordanhill, mains of Thornydykis and Langriggis, lying in the sheriffdom of Berwick, pertaining to the pursuers, in 1569 and 1573 of diverse oxen, kye, horses, sheep, goods, and gear.
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 Ber- wick, against Cuthbert Cranstoun of Thirlstanemains, Thomas Cranstoun in Rimmiltounlaw, his son, Pat- rick Hallyday in Farnyngtoun, William Schort in Bel- lielaw, George Johnstoun in East Gordoun, Thomas Aymeir there, George Broun there, and William Mil- lar in Bow, for the violent ejection of the said Mar- garet and servants out of the said lands and mains of
98 ADAM FRENCH,
East Gordoun, mill thereof, and Bowhouse in Sep- tember, 1 58 1.
" Lady Margaret Hoppringill, Lady Thornydykis, relict of vmquhile Adame Frensche of Thornydykis within the scheriffdome of Beruik," her brother was Robert Hoppringill, and she was the daughter of the Laird of Blindlie,* in Selkirkshire, a descendant from John, whose father was James Hoppringle or Pringle of Smailholme and Galashields. She died March 21, 1582. It seems quite evident, that Margaret Hop- pringle was a widow French at the time she married Adam French ; for in her will, before mentioning any of their children, she specially makes the following bequests to " hir dochters Bessie and Katherine Frensche " : " Item thair wes awand be the said vmquhle Margaret Hoppringill, Lady Thornedykis, to Alexander Cauldcleuch in Horsupcleuch for the rest of tocher gude promittit be the defunct to him with Bessie Frensche, hir dochter, the soum of Twa hundreth Ixxx merkis. Item to Alexander Carrik in Northberuik for the rest of his tocher gude promottit be the defunct with Katherine Frensche, hir dochter, the soume of twa hundreth and fiftie merkis."
In this will she mentions "James Frensche, my sec- und sone, my onelie executour," " Robert Hoppringill of Blindlie, bruther germane, and Johne Dicksoun of Belchester" "lauchfull administratouris tutouris
* Blindlie was near Galashields. As late as 1878, it was spoken of as "Blindlie Birks," but more commonly as "The Birks."
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 99
gydaris and governouris " of certain children. Fur- ther, the aforesaid Margaret, Lady Thornydykis, " or- dinis Andro " (Home), " Commendatar of Jedburgh, ouirisman to the saidis haill barnes and to se the equall destributioun of the gudis and geir abonemen- tionat amangis thame and that na thing be done be the saidis James Frensche executour foirsaid Robert Hoppringill and Johne Diksoun without the speciall licence and assent of the said Andro Commendatar of Jedburgh had obtenit thairto Attoure I the said Margaret levis and disponis my haill wering clathis to be devidit and pairtit equalie betuix Margaret and Cristiane Frensches alanerlie and siclyk levis and disponis the haill plennesing and insycht to be equalie and proportionalie devidit and pairtit betuix the said James, Johne, Alexander, Margaret, and Cristiane Frensches, and that at the sicht and discre- tioun of the said Andro Commendatar of Jedburgh, Robert Hoppringill of Blindlie, and Johne Diksoun of Belchester ouerismen foirsaidis."
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
loo ADAM FRENCH,
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.
After the decease of his brother James he became tutor of Thornydykes. In 1598 William Lauder, the royal bailiff of the burgh of Lauder, called Williame of the West Port, in the king's residence of Lanark was attacked and killed, and the royal residence burnt by a party consisting of Alexander, Earl of Home; Lord John Home of Huttone Hall, knight; Master Samuel Home, his brother; Thomas Tyrie, tutor of Drumkilbo ; Alexander and John Frenches, brothers of Robert French of Thornydykis ; Joh Home, in Kello; Robert Home, in Huttone; Robert Auchincraw, servant of the said earl of Home ; John Cranstoun, son of John Cranstoun of Morestoun ; Ninian Chirnesyde, servant of the said earl ; Walter Trumble of Ramflat; Robert Home, son of William Home of Aytoun ; William, Ninian, and Archibald Homes, sons of the late William Home of St. Leon- ardis ; and John Carutheris. But on the 1 7th of
EIGHTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. loi
November, 1607, King James pardons and forgives them all for those crimes and offences.
He was served heir of his brother James on April 4, 1605, and on May 6 of the same year was one of the jury on the service of Thomas Cranstoun of Morristoun, in county Berwick. He died between the years 1609 and 161 2.
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, 161 2.
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 " ofifice of only keeper of his ma- jesty's outher chamber door," with a yearly salary and allowance for his livery, which position he appears to have held for many years. He was in the king's ser- vice in 1599, and a pension was granted him on No- vember 2 2d of that year out of the lands of Hirsell, in Berwickshire. He is recorded servitor of his majesty on March 6, 1600, and is mentioned on the 19th of September of the following year as the usher of his
I02 ADAM FRENCH.
majesty's outer chamber. There is a record of his being in royal service in 1604, and on the i8th of April of that year Alexander Livingston of Dony- pace calls him his "guid freind."
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.
Ninth, Euphan French, who is named by some writers as being another daughter.
NINTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Robert French, the ninth Laird of TJwmydykes, 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 i6th 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." A feud sprang up between the Spottiswoods and Frenches, which resulted in the death of Ninian Spottiswood of that Ilk, on the 15th of November, 1588, for which Robert French of Thornydykes, James French and John French, his brothers, and Robert Quhippo, his servant, obtained a respite on the 19th of February,
1594-95-
This time was a period of much trouble in Scot- land. The conditions of affairs were described by King James when " he professes to be scandalised at
I04 ROBERT FRENCH,
the state of the commonweal altogether disorderit and shaken louss by reason of the deidly feids and controversies standing amongs his subjects of all de- grees, and in order to help matters the Privy Council ordainit letters to be sent charging the various parties to make their appearance before the king on certain days, each accompanied with a certain number of friends who might assist with their advice, but the whole party in each case to keep their lodging after their coming, till they be specially sent for by his majesty." According to these regulations of the 23d of December, 1595, among the letters ordered to be sent by the Privy Council were those to John, Earl of Montrose, and Robert French of Thornydykes, the latter being allowed 24 persons as his retinue.
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
NINTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES. 105
to " my sone, his appeirand air," who must have soon after died, and makes bequests to " Alexander, Thomas, Barbara, EHzabethe, 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 Wilham 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.
Children of the Ninth Laird.
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 Mar- joribanks of Stainerig.
Fourth, Margaret French, who married Robert Brownfield of Totrig, county Berwick.
TENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
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-
TENTH LAIRD OF 7H0KNYDYKES. 107
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 Har- diesmylne, 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, Alexan- der Cranstoun, John Cranstoun, brother of William Lord Cranstoun, and William Moffet, to the place of East Nesbit, and therefrom out of the realm of Scot- land to the town of Berwick, in England, where he was secretly married, on Nov. 16, 161 5, to Jean, daughter of Sir Patrick Chirnesyde of East Nisbet. In consequence of this abduction and marriage a trial ensued on Nov. 8, 16 16, 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
io8 ADAM FRENCH,
February, 1617, which brought to an end the ancient direct male line of the Frenches of Thornydykes.
Soon after the demise of Adam French it appears that the estates of Thornydyke and Petcoke reverted to the crown because of feudal delinquency, of which we have the following explanation from the Registry of the Great Seal : —
" The estates of Thornydyke and Petcoke belonged of inheritance to Jane, Alice, and Margaret French, daughters and heirs in common of the late Robert Frenche of Thornydyke, or to the late Adam French, their brother, or to the said the late Robert
French, their father, or to the late French of
, their grandfather, or to the late Frenche
of , their great-grandfather, or to certain other
of their ancestors, by them or some one or more of them held directly from us and our illustrious progen- itors per servitium warde et relevii [a feudal tenure] and now belong to us and have fallen and come into our hands and within our disposition by the privilege of our crown and under the laws, and after the cus- tom and practice of the said Kingdom of Scotland, because of the alienation and disposition made by the aforesaid Jane, Alice, and Margaret French, and by the said their late brother, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, or any other of their ancestors whomso- ever to whatever person or persons of the lands, and other property aforesaid with their appurtenances or of the largest part thereof, or of the annual income of
TENTH LAIRD OF THORNYDVKES.
109
said lands and other property aforesaid with the ap- purtenances annually to be accrued."
"Which lands and the annual income thereof, alienated and disposed of as is permitted, exceed the largest part of the annual rent, profit, and produce of the lands and other property respectively specified above with their appurtenances, and this without our consent, permission, or approval, or that of our pre- decessors first before had and obtained."
" Wherefore, all and singular the estates and other property aforesaid with their appurtenances now be- long to us, and have fallen and come into our hands by reason of the recognizance as aforesaid."
The estates of Thornydyke and Petcoke remained in the hands of the crown until the 26th of January, 1 61 9, when they were given by a charter of King- James to Adam Frenche of Frenchland, in Dumfries- shire, a very distant kinsman of Jeane, Alice, and Margaret French, 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 Thorny- dyke.
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