History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 97

"William de Graham, who was an English Baron and famous soldier, accompanied
King David I, also a Norman, to Scotland and, as first Justicar of Scotland witnessed
the charters for Holyrood Abbey (1126) and the chapel (1128). He was given the
baronies of Dalkeith and Lothian, south of Edinburgh. From this family came all the
future Grahams who comprised the "Great Historic Family of Grahams" in Scotland,
the Grahams of Montrose and Menteith being the most prominent.
"Twice they married into the royal family. From them came many notable men,
including Sir John de Graham, right-hand man to the Great Wallace, killed in the battle
of Falkirk in 1298; the Great Marquis, religious leader, poet, but above all, the most
distinguished soldier of his time. He was martyred in 1650."

Evidence of a Flemish Origin
The last theory we present to you on the origins of the Grahams was first presented in
an article written by Claire Brooks and published in the official newsletter of the Clan
Graham Association (UK) in 1998. In it she forcefully advances the possibility of
Flemish beginnings. The late Roger Graham, then-chairman of the Association
introduced the article as "... a masterly piece of original historical research, drawing
together the many and various strands of the story, producing this lucid and readable
account."
The article states that "William de Graham was attending King David I of Scotland in
his coronation procession in 1124. Many questions arise about the ancestors of
William. Nine centuries later, the Grahams believe that he was a Norman and the son
of a Norman, Ralph de Tancarville, Hereditary Chamberlain to the Dukes of
Normandy.
"Recent research and writing by Mrs. Be