Gifford of Yester Arms: gules, with three bars ermine

Introduction: The Giffard (Gifford) family of medieval Scotland rose to prominence between the 12th and 14th centuries, and came to an end with the four daughters and heiresses of Hugh Giffard and his wife Joanna Douglas. My personal interest in the Giffard genealogy derives from my own ancestral descent through two of the above named Giffard heiresses. These daughters being Joanna Giffard who married Sir Thomas de Hay of Locherworth, and her sister Alicia who married Sir Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock. Yester, which is in East Lothian near the village of Gifford, was granted to Hugh Giffard by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in a charter written before 1165 and confirmed in 1166 by King William the Lion. The Yester estate today is owned by the composer Gian Carlo Menotti. The ruins of Yester Castle, originally built before 1267 and containing the well known Hobgoblin Hall, lie on the edge of the estate. This study of the Giffard (Gifford) genealogy has been based in large extent on examination of the original writs and charters preserved at Yester house, and the charters of the Kings of Scotland through the periods of the 12th through 14th centuries. Additional invaluable information has been provided in the preserved charters of the medieval abbeys of Scotland. Many major errors have been found in a number of previous pedigrees concerning the Yester Giffards. It is hoped that this document, derived from the original writs and charters, will present a considerable amount of new information and corrections in the dating and sequence of individuals. Although the name of the family is now normally spelled and known as Gifford, all the charters and writs use the medieval and Norman period spelling of Giffard when referring to the individuals of each generation (1166-1400). A link to a companion site on the Morham family of medieval Scotland is provided in the chapter discussing Euphemia Morham, and at the conclusion of page 2. Bruce and Barbara Morrison, 3488 Elmendorf Way, Lexington, Ky. 40517 Contact: jtnu5567 at insightbb.com © September, 2004

Earliest writ (circa 1166) concerning Hugh Giffard and Yester in a charter of King Malcolm IV being confirmed by King William I (the Lion). Willemus . Rex Scottorum . Omnibus probis . homnibus tocius terre sue . Clericus . laicis . Francis . Anglis . Scottis . et Galweiensbus salutem . Sciant presentes et futuri . me concessisse . et hac carta mea confirmasse hugoni Giffard . et heredibus suis . in fewdo et hereditate . omnes terras et teneuras quas idem hugo habet ex donacione Regis Macolmi . fratris mei . et Ade Comitesse . matris mee . et Herberti Camerarij . scilicet Jhestrith per Rectas diuisas suas . et illam partem de laftidune . quam Edolf filius Ginel tenuit . et terram more hadingtun per diusas per quas perambulata . et unum plenarium toftum in linlidqu . scilicet toftum quod toke tenuit . Et Berewaldestune per Rectas diuisas suas quam herbertus Camerarius cum filia sua ei dedit . Et quatuor libratas terre in pottum sicut Walterus de lindesi . te Engelramus clericus ilias ei perambulauerunt . et Aldekathin per rectas diusas suas . Volo itaque et prcipio . ut idem hugo et heredes sui terras . et teneuras prenominatas hereditarie trneant et habeant . ita libere . et quiete et honorifice . sicut Carte Regis . Malcolmi . fratris mei . et Ade Comitisse matris mee et . Herberti . Camerarij . testantur . et confirmant . Testibus Nicolao Cancellario . Richardo de Morevilla constabulario Dauid Olifar . Willelmo de ueteri ponte . Bernardo filio brien Gilberto filio Richerij. Roberto de Costentin . Apud Dunelmum.

Generation I---Hugh Giffard I, Baron of Yester and his wife the daughter of Herbert, Chamberlain of Scotland Hugh Giffard, the first lord of Yester, appeared in Scotland by the mid 1150's along with his brothers William and Walter Giffard. The Giffards certainly evidenced a close connection with the retinue of Ada de Warrene, Countess of Huntington. Ada was the widowed mother of King Malcolm IV, King Wiiliam I, and David, Earl of Huntington. Hugh Giffard had a close association with each of these figures, and possessed a social status which made him one of the most favored of the Anglo-Normans in the royal court of Scotland in the mid 12th century. Yester Writ #1 gives the most important and vital information regarding Hugh Giffard. It provides an accurate dating of when he is an adult and the time of his marriage. He has been put in the wrong generation in some previous studies which has led to errors in dating and lineage. This writ was issued by King William the Lion in 1166 as a confimation of an earlier writ of his deceased brother Malcolm IV (d. 1165). In the writ, Herbert the Chamberlain is giving his daughter in marriage to Hugh Giffard along wih the land of Borrowstoun in his estate of Kinneil. Herbert was Chamberlain to King David the Saint and his grandson King Malcolm IV from 1136 to 1159, and is known to have died in 1161. This indicates that Hugh Giffard received the estate of Yester and other holdings, along with his marriage grant, by 1160 or earlier in the original charter of Malcolm IV and his mother Ada de Warenne. This original charter shows that his birth would likely to have been circa 1130, as he certainly appears to be an adult by the mid 1150's. Hugh Giffard first appears as a witness in a charter of William, Earl of Northumberland (the future King William I of Scotland). The date was 1152-1155 and the charter was done at Edinburgh. (Regesta Regum Scottorum #3). Ada Warrene, mother of William, was also a witness to this charter. The relationship of Hugh, William, and Walter Giffard as brothers may be found in documents of the period 1160-1174. These include a charter of Bernard Balliol done at Bywell, Northumberland circa 1166, and another pertaining to Draughton, Northamptonshire circa 1170. In addition, the three brothers are also found as co-witnesses in a charter of Ada de Warrene granting lands to Alexander St. Martin (Laing Charters). Alexander St. Martin as well as the Giffards would appear to have been vassals of Ada Warrene, Countess of Huntington. Brother William Giffard also appears as a witness along with Hugh Giffard in a charter of William, brother of the King of Scotland, done at Jedburgh dated 1157-1165 (RRS #5). William Giffard is described as a clerk in the court of Ada de Warrene in two of her Northumberland charters. Brother Walter Giffard is found as a witness in charters of King William I, David, Earl of Huntington, Ada de Warrene, and Bernard Balliol. He also accompanied Hugh Giffard on the military invasion of England in the army of David, Earl of Huntington during 1174. No references to brother Walter Giffard have been discovered after the year 1174. The origins of Hugh Giffard of Yester indicate that he and his brothers are the first of the Giffards in Scotland. Given the standing of Hugh with the Huntington retinue, it is very likely that he is a descendant of the well known Norman family of Giffard who held the honor of Longueville-la-Gifart in France. These Giffards were companions of William I, and received large land holdings in England after the conquest. Hugh Giffard appears to have no land holdings in England other than a portion of Potton which was granted by the Huntingtons circa 1160. This makes it most difficult to trace his Anglo-Norman origin in England. It has been suggested he was a son of Osbert Giffard of Brimesfield, but proper dating shows this to be impossible. The father of Hugh Giffard would have had to be born circa 1100, and no viable candidate of that generation of English Giffards emerges to date. I have found a few minor clues which may point toward the line of Osbern Giffard, who was the ancestor of the Brimesfield Giffards. As Hugh Giffard seemed to have no appreciable land holdings in England, it is likely that his father would be a second or unknown younger son of a major line. Speculating that Hugh may have been connected to the Brimesfield (Gloucestershire) line, his father possibly could have been a younger son of Elias Giffard I considering the known date parameters. The family of Hugh Giffard 1st Lord of Yester: As previously stated, Hugh Giffard married the daughter of Herbert the Chamberlain. Herbert was the chamberlain of both King David I and his grandson King Malcolm IV. He was granted the lands of Kinneil in Scotland by an act of King David I, and also had holdings in Lincolnshire, England. Herbert the Chamberlain likely had as many as four sons including Stephen and William. Children of Hugh Giffard of Yester: 1. William Giffard, his eldest son and heir who became the 2nd Lord of Yester. Born circa 1165. (Discussed in the Generation II section). 2. John Giffard of Powgavie, Perthshire. Hugh Giffard of Yester held lands at Powgavie prior to the year 1185 (RRS 202). John Giffard of Powgavie is found as the principal in a charter of Coupar Angus Abbey written circa 1210. Probably the John Giffard who witnesses a Lindores charter c. 1195. Although little information has been found concerning this John Giffard, it seems likely that he may have been a younger son of Hugh Giffard. 3. Jonet Giffard(?). Jonet Giffard of Yester married Adam de Seton, and she is said to have been a daughter of Hugh Giffard I. We believe dating of this couple and their children suggests that Hugh Giffard was more likely to have been her grand-father, and that she was probably the daughter of his son William Giffard. Hugh Giffard I, the first Lord of Yester, appears in over 40 acts and charters during a span of 35 years commencing in 1155. At least 31 of these are as a witness to acts of King William I, King Malcolm IV, Ada de Warrene, and David, Earl of Huntington. He appears in numerous other charters as the recipient of land grants from the four members of the Huntington entourage mentioned above. The acts and charters in which Hugh Giffard appeared can be found in the preserved records of Neubotle Abbey, Incheffray Abbey, Yester Writs, Regestrum Regum Scottorum, Acts of David, Earl of Huntington, Northumberland Deeds, and the Finch-Hatton muniments. Earliest of the lands and tenements granted to Hugh Giffard by Countess Ada and Malcolm IV include: Yester; part of Lethington; muir of Haddington; 1 toft in Linlithgow (all East Lothian); Auldcathie; Borrowstoun (from Herbert the Chamberlain), both in West Lothian; and 4 librates in Potton, Bedfordshire (later forfeited as part of the Treaty of Falaise). All these were granted in the first of the preserved Yester writs mentioned earlier. Included in the Lethington and Haddington portions were Cressewelle, which has later genealogical significance, and the road to Nungate which precipitated a 300 year long dispute with the Nuns of Haddington. Subsequent lands which came to Hugh Giffard included Tealing in Angus; Powgavie in Perthshire; another portion of Yester for one fifth of a knight's service; and Fintry in Angus including pit and gallows for ½ a knight's service. The latter granted by David, Earl of Huntington in 1174. A significant period in the life of Hugh Giffard I began during the years of 1173/1174. This was a result of the war between King William I ( the Lion) of Scotland and King Henry II of England over control of Northumberland. King William I had led an invasion of England which resulted in his capture and being held as a hostage at Falaise in Normandy. Hugh Giffard, as a Scottish baron and knight, was with the military force during the invasion of Northumberland under the command of David, Earl of Huntington, who was King William's younger brother. King Henry II of England demanded harsh terms of the Scots for the release of their King in the 1174 Treaty of Falaise. Included in the treaty terms were the surrendering of Scottish land holdings in England and the loss of a number of strategic Scottish castles. To secure his release, King William had to provide hostages to the English King to gurantee the terms of the treaty be carried out. These hostages included David, the King's brother, Hugh Giffard, and 18 other earls and barons of Scotland. Hugh Giffard, along with the other held barons and earls, in turn had to provide a legitimate son as a hostage for their respective releases. Which son of Hugh Giffard became the hostage is not known. These second hostages were to be held until all terms of the Treaty of Falaise had been met. Another result of the English provisions was that Hugh Giffard had to forfeit his land in Potton, Bedfordshire, which had been granted to him in the first Yester charter. As found in the charters of Neubotle Abbey, Hugh Giffard had his own sheriff during this period of his life. This individual was Alexander de St. Martin, another of the early Anglo-Normans closely connected to Countess Ada de Warenne. 150 years later would see the marriage of their respective direct descendants, Sir John Giffard and Euphemia Morham. Hugh Giffard is often found in charters and acts from 1175 to 1190. By 1185 these often include his son William who would be of adult age. The last apparent charter made by Hugh Giffard is one granting the land of Cressewelle to Neubotle Abbey about 1190. His son William confirms the Cressewelle grant of his father at the same time. Hugh Giffard is not found in any records that can be dated later than the early 1190's, and it is very likely that he has died by the year 1195. Hugh Giffard's major benefactor Ada de Warrene, Countess of Huntington, died in 1178. Her 1st son King Malcolm IV died in 1165, her 2nd son King William I in 1214, and her youngest son, David, Earl of Huntington, in 1219.

Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey was founded by King David I of Scotland. Hugh Giffard was a witness at Jedburgh to a charter of King Malcolm IV and his brother William concerning the Abbey. The date of the charter was between 1157 and 1165. (Photo May, 2000 by Bruce Morrison).

Generation II---William Giffard, 2nd Lord of Yester William Giffard begins to appear in preserved records by 1190, and he is found to be stated in three charters as the son and heir of Hugh Giffard. The apparent earliest of these is one of Hugh Giffard and his son William concerning the grant of Cressewelle to Neubotle Abbey circa 1190. Shortly after this date he appears as a witness to and recipient of numerous charters which confirm that he has succeeded his father as lord of Yester by the mid 1190's. As another early example, William Giffard appears as a witness to a charter of Lindores Abbey dated between 1191-1194 as a co-witness with King William the Lion. From these facts it must be concluded that he had come of age by 1190 or before, making his probable birth period circa 1165. As some sources estimate his birth year as circa 1192, it is important to establish his correct period of birth and age in following the chronology of succeeding Giffard generations. William Giffard, as heir to his father's holdings, is to provide one knight's service for Lethington and Yester (East Lothian), and one knight's service for Tealing (Angus) and Powgavie. These facts are found in grants from King William the Lion in the Yester Writs #6 and #8, which can be dated in the period 1195-1205. In Yester Writ #5 (1196-1199), William Giffard is granted further holdings by King William. The lands granted included one full toft in each of the following: Burgh of Forres; Cullen; Banff; Kintore; Cowie; Kincardine; Castle of Alyth; and Clunie. These to be held in feu and heritage as any other of the King's barons hold their tofts. The King also grants Strachan in Mearns to William Giffard for an annual rent of 9 merks in a charter done at Forfar between 1189 and 1195. Between 1191 and 1206 William Giffard witnesses many acts and charters. He is found acting as a witness for twenty charters of King William I done during this period. Three witness appearances can be dated in 1206, but none are found after the years 1206/1207. Willam Giffard was sent to London in 1200 as an envoy of King William of Scotland to arrange a time and meeting place for the Scottish King and King John of England. He was accompanied on the journey by two other appointed envoys, namely: Henry, the Abbot of Arbroath, and William Comyn. The following is an original charter of King William I to Inchaffray Abbey which William Giffard witnessed in 1202. William Giffard's name appears on the 2nd line up from the bottom in the center portion to the left of the name of Thomas de Colville.

The wife of William Giffard is unknown, as she has not been discovered in any documents to date. The time of his marriage would likely have been circa 1190. In a later Yester writ of 1250 concerning Sir Hugh Giffard, it is stated that his ancestor William Giffard gave the land of Balbohelyn in Tealing to an ancestor of the Tyndale family. Why this gift was made, or if it had any connection to his wife is not known. The further import of this document, which states that Willliam Giffard was the ancestor (not father) of Hugh Giffard II, will be discussed in the next generational chapter. Children of William Giffard: 1. John Giffard, born circa 1190, eldest son and heir discussed in the next generational chapter. 2. Jonet Giffard, who married Adam de Seton. As discussed in the previous chapter, she is more likely the daughter of William Giffard than his father Hugh. 3. William Giffard ? A possiblity exists that a second son named William may account for some information found in the 1240's. However, it is more likely that this individual could be a grandson. After his return from London in 1200, William Giffard is again very active in witnessing charters of King William I including ones done at Edinburgh, Stirling, and Forfar. Shortly after 1200, he receives confirmation from the King of all his father's holdings which were originally granted by Malcolm IV and Ada de Warrene. In a charter of Neubotle Abbey (#84) circa 1205, he was referred to as William Giffard of Lethington. This indicates that his principal residence may have been at Lethington rather than Yester. Lethington is near Haddington, and lies about four miles north of Yester. Known today as Lennoxlove, Lethington remained a Giffard property until sold to the Maitland family by Sir John Giffard in the first half of the 14th century. The great castle at Yester was built by his grandson Hugh Giffard circa 1250, and the early Giffards likely made Yester their major residence closer to this date. As there is no evidence of William Giffard found in any charters or writs after 1207, it seems probable he may have died not long after this date. The Neubotle Abbey confirmation charter of the land of Cressewelle, which was done by his son John Giffard circa 1220-1225, gives further evidence to place the time of his death between 1207 and certainly before 1220.

Generation III---John Giffard I The charters of Yester house normally provide absolute proof of all the direct Giffard generations, clearly stating the father to son and inheritance relationships. The one exception to this is found in the charters occurring in the early 13th century period now being discussed. It has been generally accepted that William Giffard was the father of the well known Hugh Giffard II, the "wizard of Yester". Dating of this possible father to son succession raises a number of doubts when considering the likely birth years of the above named individuals and the available charter information. It was felt that an intermediate and more obscure generation is indicated between William Giffard and Hugh Giffard II. A study of the available writs and charters in the period between 1206 and 1250 shows the existence of such a generation. The Registrum S. Marie de Neubotle (Newbattle Abbey charters) provides the major evidence of this missing generation in John Giffard, son of William and stated grandson of Hugh Giffard I. The Neubotle Abbey charters #81, 82, and 83 which concern the land of Cressewelle, (a portion of Lethington), show the sequence of the Giffards holding lordship in the period 1190 to 1130. In # 81, done prior to 1192, Hugh Giffard I makes his grant to Neubotle Abbey of the land of Cressewelle. In # 82, William Giffard attests to the grant of his father Hugh, this being done the same day with the same witnesses. In #83, John Giffard confirms the original grant of his grandfather Hugh Giffard of the Cressewelle land. Witnesses suggest the date of this document to be circa 1220-1225. In the document, John Giffard clearly states that Hugh Giffard was his grandfather, thus proving an intermediate generation did exist between William Giffard and Hugh Giffard II. John Giffard is certainly of age on or before 1220, and has become the heir of William Giffard and lord of the family holdings at this time. This would place his likely birth date in the period 1190-1195, when his father Willam Giffard is known to be of age. John Giffard is found as a witness to a charter of King Alexander II done on November 8, 1222. This was a charter concerning the son of the Earl of Dunbar and the monks of Coldingham done at Roxburgh. In a Neubotle Abbey charter of William Vallibus, #117, John Giffard appears as a co-witness along with Bernard Fraser and Adam Fraser, son of Udardi Fraser. This document can be likely dated in the period 1230-1235. The Yester charters contain no mention of the Giffards during the period 1206 to 1240 and provide no other clues concerning this generation. A Yester charter of 1250 done by Godfrid Tyndale, concerning the return of early lands to Sir Hugh Giffard II, states that William Giffard was the ancestor (not father) of Sir Hugh Giffard. The birth date of Hugh Giffard II appears to be circa 1220, as evidence shows that he could not have been of adult age much before 1245. The fact that Hugh Giffard II names his eldest son and heir John also suggests that the John Giffard discussed above would likely be his father. We suspect that John Giffard dies at a relatively early age, perhaps circa 1235, while son Hugh was in his minority. The only written evidence of a Yester Giffard found between 1206 and circa 1244 is John Giffard, who was an adult and the apparent lord in the 1220's. Again, this period (circa 1220) is seen to contain the likely birth year of Hugh Giffard II, the next lord of Yester. A William Giffard appears as the probable lord of Yester in four documents all found in the early to mid 1240's. This William Giffard is likely one of the 39 Scots who are guarantors for the Earl of Dunbar's treaty with King Henry III in 1244, and one of the Scottish knights who swear for King Alexander II in a 1244 treaty with King Henry III of England. This also appears to be the William Giffard who witnesses an act of Alexander II concerning Coldingham in 1245. In addition, one Yester charter has this William Giffard acting as a principal. The document can also be dated to the same approximate time period as the preceding three. This William is sometimes considered to be the original William Giffard, son of Hugh I, but age considerations (nearly 80) and evidence cited earlier indicate he died before 1220. William Giffard (circa 1240-1245) has not been found in any earlier documents including the period Hugh Giffard II would have been born, and seems to be lord for a very short time span. Perhaps the most probable identification of this William Giffard, considering all date perameters, would be an older brother of Hugh Giffard II. William Giffard appears to die sans progeny before 1250. Less likely, but possible, he may have been a younger brother of John Giffard I and the uncle of Hugh II. In summary, we suggest that John Giffard I was the father of the well-known Sir Hugh Giffard II,"the wizard", and that William Giffard the earlier 2nd baron was in actuality the father of John Giffard I, and thus the grandfather of Sir Hugh who becomes lord between 1245 and 1250. (Please click on "next page" to continue to the next chapter entitled Generation IV--Hugh Giffard II "the wizard")