History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 84

DAVID I AND THE FLEMINGS
Under the Scottish kings David I (1124-53) and Malcolm IV (1153-65) a program was
devised with the Flemish counts, Thierry (1128-63) and his son Philip d' Alsace (116391) to settle Flemish immigrants in Scotland in order to build up urban cloth centers in
Scotland, as existed in Flanders. Malcolm's daughter Marie married Eustache III,
Count of Boulogne brother of Godfroi de Bouillon, conqueror of Jerusalem, creating a
dynastic link between the court of Scotland and that of Jerusalem. Malcolm's
successor, his brother William I (1165-1214), known as "the Lion", continued the
Flemish settlement policy, as well as utilizing Flemish aid in other matters: In 1173,
when William invaded northern England, he was reinforced by a Flemish contingent
sent by Philip d' Alsace, Count of Flanders. Count Thierry and his son Philip d'Alsace
were the overlords of the Ruddervoorde family in Flanders.
Although some Normans ventured into Scotland at the time of Malcolm III and the
Battle of Alnwick, there was no effective penetration until the reign of King David I
(1124-53). But even then this controlled immigration was engineered for specific
reasons when David invited the sons of Norman and Flemish aristocracy to his realm.
The resultant settlement was far more Flemish than Norman, even though some of the
noble families of Flanders (like those of de Brus and de Balieul) had been granted
lands in Normandy before the conquest of England. King David (the Saint) recognized
that, during the recent years of turmoil, Scotland had fallen behind the European
countries in many ways; her systems of government, trade, manufacture and urban
development were all outmoded, and the economy was suffering. Flanders, on the
other hand, was at the forefront of a significant commercial urbanization, which
provided substantial rental and mercantile income. The Flemings were also advanced
in agricultural expertise, and had a greatly superior weaving industry. All in all, David
deemed their knowledge and updated techniques necessary to aid Scotland's survival
on the international stage. The Normans too had grown in matters of government and
land management. King David, therefore, sought their aid in all manner of
administrative affair s: sheriffdoms were created, new communication networks were
developed, and the powers of the judiciary were considerably strengthened. Also, the
prerogatives of the Crown were redefined so as to be more socially effective and
financially viable. Generally, the incoming nobles of Flanders and Normandy married
into Celtic noble families, and conversely King David married Maud de Lens of the
Flemish House of Boulogne.

The Flemish Laws of Nobilitas
Flemish law forbade noble men and women to marry outside their own class. This law
followed the Flemish nobility wherever they were. Its effects were especially apparent
in Scotland where the Flemish and Norman aristocracy were closely related. The very
fact that Rutherford knights were marrying the daughters of Flemish noblemen is proof
that they were both Flemish and noble themselves. Initially knights like the
Rutherfords were not considered members of the nobility. They were called 'miles' or
'caballarius'. Knights were seen as mere soldiers. In Scotland, the laws of nolilitas
continued, but with the lessons of the Flemish wars and the Erembalds weighed and
considered. Knights like the Rutherfords, were given small Scottish estates in return
for guarding castles, keeping the peace and accompanying their Home and Douglas
lords on campaign.

84