History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 99

reprieved, provided he fought a judicial duel and won, and that he surrendered some
of his English assets and some of his Flemish assets, and also that he agreed to join
the First Crusade, all of which he accepted. He left his children in Chipping Norton
Castle. In 1098, he was killed at the siege of Antioch. The closest relatives of the
children were almost certainly from the de Ghent family of Alost, some of whom had
settled at the Manor of Folkingham near Grantham. His son, Walter, was to return to
Flanders and succeeded to the de Hesdin Compte; Avelina was married; and it is a
reasonable possibility that William joined his relatives near Grantham, which may help
the question of the ‘Graham.’ Both Mrs. Platts and the local historian from Grantham
confirm that in the medieval period Grantham people ignored the ‘nt’ in the name
Grantham and, in fact, called it "Graham" and it was pointed out that Norman writers
frequently left out the ‘nt.’ All of the Flemish nobles who emigrated to Scotland took
more appropriate surnames for their new country. It is more than reasonable to accept
that William did seek his relatives and settled in the Grantham area and remained
there until his emigration to Scotland. His de Ghent relations took the surname of
‘Lindsay’ and William chose ‘Graham.’
"Finally, it is submitted that Ralph de Tancarville never set foot in England, as he
remained loyally at his post as Chamberlain in Normandy, and his absence from
England is confirmed by David C. Douglas in his book William the Conqueror, first
published 1964.
"The research of Beryl Platts has rendered much important knowledge for the Scottish
people about their incredible Flemish heritage and for genealogists around the world
who have Scottish ancestry. She has listed at least 29 Scottish Clans which originated
in Flanders, and there were more."
Well, you can see that the many hours spent by scholars pondering our origins have
only entrenched their resolve in the correctness of their own theories. The several and
varied ideas presented here will allow you to draw your own conclusions and,
perhaps, encourage you to prove your further research and arrive at the answer you
find most fitting.

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