<< BACK
Subject: ORIGINS OF THE CUMMIN(G)S/COMYNS NAME - 2 Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 19:51:19 EDT From: Chascum@aol.com Subj: Cummingsology Date: 96-09-03 23:51:36 EDT From: CHASLAR To: comings@mcs.net CC: Chascum, Pammy43324, CHASLAR A note that might be of interest to some from "Scottish Notes and Queries" , September, 1935. Vol. XIII, No. 10. James Cumming, Keeper of Lyon Records. James Cumming was appointed Herald Painter in 1770 and Lyon Clerk Depute from November 17, 1770-1773. He married, by Proclamation, August 2, 1761, Marion, daughter of Robert Dallas, Wright in Edinburgh, and widow of Andrew Buckner, Writer in Edinburgh. She died March 27, 1785, and he on January 22, 1793. He was Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries; also Secretary of Canongate Lodge No. 2, whose records may show his parentage. -------- More from "Scottish Notes and Queries" CUMMINGS OF BIRNESS---- Alexander Cummings of Brunthill, afterwards I of Birness, married, and was the father of Robert Cummings II of Birness, as mentioned by Dr. John Malcolm Bulloch, in the Huntly Express, January 28, 1920. Robert Cumming II of Birness was twice married, and had issue of whom we have the following particulars, viz.:-- I. John Cumming (by first wife). He witnessed the baptism of Anna, daughter of Robert Cumming, Laird of Birness, and Mary Skene, June 11, 1708. II. Elizabeth Cumming (by first wife). Alexander Gordon, Laird of Logie, in the Parish of Crimond, contracted marriage, May 28, 1714, with Elizabeth Cumming, daughter of Robert Cumming, Lasird of Birness, in this Parish, and was married July 29 following (Slains Register). III. Mary Cumming (by first wife). Alexander Fraser, advocate, sone of Alexander Fraser of Powis, contracted marriage with Mary Cumming, second daughter of Robert Cumming of Birness, July 5, 1728, and was married August 20, following (ibid.). IV. Anna Cumming (by his second wife, Mary Skene), baptised by Master William Dunbar, Minister of Cruden, June 11, 1708; godmothers: The Countess of Erroll; and the deceast Ann Johnston, Lady Dyed; witness John Cumming, son of the said Robert Cumming, Laird of Birness, and Alexander Philip (Slains Baptismal Register). V. Margaret Cumming (by his second wife), baptised May 8, 1710, before witnesses ---- Margaret Cumming and Isobel Moir, spouse of Mr. William Dunbar, Minister of Cruden (ibid.). VI. Barbara Cumming (by his second wife), baptised December 22, 1711. Designed after the Laird of Achorties sister, and daughter of the said Laird; witnesses ---- John Buchan of Auchmacoy, and Master Alexander Stewart, Minister of the Gospel at Slains (ibid.). She was contracted August 30, 1731, and married September 21 later to Dr. James Gordon, lawful son of Dr. James Gordon of Hilton ---- cautioner for man Dr. Donaldson, and for the woman James Gordon of Banchory (St. Nicholas Marriage Register, Aberdeen). Barbara Cumming died at Aberdeen, December 16, 1779, in the sixty-eighth year of her age, her husband having pre-deceased her (Aberdeen Journal. Notes and Queries, Vol. II, p. 6). In the "Diary of John Row, Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, we read: "1663: The Laird of Birness Lindsay, in the parish of Logie, stabbed by Newtown Gordoun: so he gored him down." ROBERT MURDOCH LAWRANCE, ----------- >From "Scottish Notes and Queries", Vol. XI, 3rd Series. THE CUMMINGS OF CULTER This family, like that of Menzies, has been strangely neglected by northern genealogists. The handiest account of it is given in G. E. C.'s "Complete Baronetage" (v. 370-1), which shows that the baronetcy became dormant about 1793, when Sir Alecander Cummings, who had been refused admission to the Charter House, died "in great indigence near Red Lion Street, Whitechapel," at a date not stated. The baronetcy was assumed by an Airdrie man, Robert Cumming, whose great-grandson, Keneth William Cumming (b. 1837), army surgeon, assumed it in an advertisement to the Times in 1877. The first baronet, Alexander, created 1695, was ruined by the South Sea Bubble. There are some documents bearing on his collapse in a four-volume collection of Scots Law cases in the British Museum (1831: c. 3: vol. 1). There is a "Memorial for the creditors of Sir Alexander Cuming (sic) 1st bart. July 16, 1725": and there is also a "Memorial for Dame Elizabeth Cumming (his second wife, a daughter of William Dennis of Pucklechurch, Gloucester) relict of Sir Alexander Cumming (sic), James, Mris Dorothy, Jean, Mary, Cassandra and Emilia Cummings, children of Sir Alexander Cumming of Coulter." Lady Cumming died before 1739. His daughter Dorothy married an English parson; Jean married Alexander Gordon, Aberdeen, said to be her cousin, and had one son who died in infancy. Mary (1716-65) married George Walker (1705-1772), advocate and afterwards land waiter at the port of Aberdeen. Cassandra married Cumine of Kininmonth. The early history of the Cummings as decended from the Earls of Buchan is given in Nisbet's "Heraldry" (appendix in vol. II, 59-60). A most elaborate account of the family after this, and beginning with Alexander Cumming of Culter (d. 1523) is given in "A Table shewing the families descended from Sir Alexander Cumming of Coulter (sic), Aberdeenshire, who was created a Scots baronet in 1695, and indicating sources of information about many of the ancestors, compiled in 1868-70 and brought down to 1877." The table, a large folding one, was the work of Henry Barr Tomkins (b. 1844), I.L.M., of Trinmity Hall, Cambridge, a barrister of the Middle Temple, whose father, Samuel Tomkins (1810-78), a banker, married Jane Walker Leith, the sistger of John Farley Leith, M.P. 1808-1887), descended from the Leiths of Leith-hall. Tomkins presented a copy of his table to the Brtitish Museum (press mark, 9902, h. 40) making many corrections and additions in manuscript. The table includes the descent of several Aberdeenshire families, including those of Leith and Udny. Curiously enough, there is hardly any information about the Cummings of Culter in Miss M. E. Cumming Bruce's huge "Family Records of the Bruces and Comyns" (Edinburgh, 1870). There is a very brief note on the family in the Scottish Nation (I. 740), which biographs at some lenght the second baronet, Sir Alexander Cumming (1690-1775), son by his first wife of the first baronet, who became chief of the Cherokee Indians. He is also dealt with in the D. N. B. ----- J. M. Bulloch. I hope this may be of some interest to a few of you, if not let me know. Chaslar From the "Scottish Notes And Queries", Vol. VI, 3rd Series, August 1928, by D. J. F. Campbell, F.S.A. Scot. This is not to be confused with the Battle of the Standard (August, 1138), when David I of Scotland was signally defeated at Northallerton by the English under the Bishop of Durham. The Battle of the Lost Standard was but another of the family feuds which were so common in the olden days, and was engaged in between the Cummings of Dunphail and their near neighbours, the Morays of Darnaway. A spot on the Findhorn, near Dunphail, is still pointed out as "Randolph's Leap," which is one of those curious perversions of history. It was not Randolph's Leap, but "Cumming's Leap," and was accomplished during the skirmish which came about in this way, and is known as the Battle of the Lost Standard. The Cummings, hotly pursued, were retreating before the forces of Randolph, Earl of Moray. They got to the banks of the river Findhorn, which barred their way. That in itself would not have been an unsurmountable object, as the river was not wide, but they found large numbers of the enemy facing them on the opposite bank, and they were at the same time being harrassed by more of the enemy on the rear. They were thus penned in on all sides and their position was desperate. The Cummings attempted to swim, the river, but before they could get a footing on the opposite bank, they were cut down. They were reduced to their last half-dozen men, and, as a last hazard, young Alistair Bain Cumming threw his banner among the enemy, and called out "Let the boldest keep it." In the scramble that took place among the Morays to obtain possession of the coveted prize, he and five of his companions leaped over the river and made good their escape to the cave of Sligannan. Their freedom was only short-lived. Bloodhounds were put on the trail and they were soon discovered by the Morays. They refused to surrender and could have held their natural fort against much superior numbers until hunger would have put an end to their siege. But Moray was not disposed to waste time towards that end, and he ordered his men to fill up the entrance to the cave with heather, bracken and branches from the trees and set them alight, so that the pungent smoke would penetrate the cave, hoping by that means to compel them to surrender. But surrender not in the blood of the Cummings, buried their heads in their plaids,and died by suffocation, thus preferring to meet their doom by what they regarded as a more honourable death by their own hands rather than be suffocated like bees in a hive. When the smoke cleared away, the pursuers entered the cave and cut off the heads of the half-dozen dead men. The head of young Cumming was conveyed, not reverently, to his father's castle of Dunphail and thrown far over the castle wall, with the message, "Your son gave you meal, here's now beef for your bannocks." Some days previously, Alistair, and the men who died with him in the cave of Sligannan, succeeded, by the subterfuge of disguising themselves as farm labourers, to deliver a supply of meal to the beleagured garrison, and it was to that exploit that Moray alluded. It is said that the old chief, undaunted and unrepentant, tenderly kissed the blood-stained face of his son and sent back a message to Moray, "It is a bitter morsel you have given me to eat, but I will gnaw the last bone before I surrender." History does not relate whether he did or did not surrender eventually, but it would appear that an incident somewhat on those lines may have been a likely one, as, some few years ago, six headless human skeletons were unearthed near Dunphail at a place known as "Alistair's Grave." Whether they were those of Alistair and his men is, of course, only a matter of conjecture, and it is possible that only the number leads to the theory that they were those of the brave men who refused to surrender even against heavy odds. Incidents of that kind throw a lurid light on the neighbourly amenities of the past. Again, I hope this is of some interest Cummings enthusiasts. Chaslar.. ---------- Subj: THE CUMMINGS OF CUTLER Date: 96-09-10 12:30:52 EDT From: BNJ4417 To: Chascum CC: CHASLAR Reference: HISTORY OF THE CHEROKEE INDIANS AUTHOR: E.STARR PAGE 25 . Starting with 3rd paragraph In 1729 ,Sir Alexander Cumming , of England was led, by a dream of his wife's to undertake a voyage to America with the object of visiting the Cherokees. He sailed on September 13 th , arrived in Charleston on December 5 th , and on March 11,1730 began his journey to the Cherokee country. (and on) June 5th,1730 he landed back in Dover , England -with seven Cherokees. In a letter from South Carolina bearing date of June 12th and published in the Edinburgh Weekly Journal of September 16 , 1830 Sir Alexander was accused of having defraude the settlers out of large sums of money and other property by means of fictitious promissory notes. He did not answer these charges and his chimera collapsed . The Indian delegation was loaded with presents by the government and returned to Charleston. (Among his schemes , was one for paying off eighty millions of the national debt by settling three million Jewish families in the Cherokee mountains to culivate the land , and for relieving the American colonies from taxation by establishing numerous banks and a local currency , but he could foind no one to take his schemes seriously. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subj: Re: CUMMIN(G)S,COMYN'S/FAMILIES Date: 96-09-18 05:40:19 EDT From: Rurik1 To: Chascum All: The Cummings of Culter are, or were, direct descendants of William Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan by his son Jardine Comyn. If you can find any back history on the Cumming of Culter you mention [I have a reference to him. The story is true.], I' d appreciate hearing from any of you.TIA. AEA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- Subj: cummins Date: 96-09-18 22:23:49 EDT From: Gracems1 To: Chascum Hello, I just returned from a trip to England and I had a little time to check out the Cummins name and this is what I found along with other books and related articles. Robert de Comyn came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066 and was made Earl of Northumberland in 1069. His grandson Richard Comyn, came to Scotland at the invitation of King David I. He married the king's daughter, King Donald III. (Reigned 1093-1097) Donalbain of Shakespeare's Tragedy Macbeth and their son William (d.1233) became Earl of Buchan through his second wife, Marjory. His eldest son by his first wife was Richard (d. 1244) whose son John (d. 1273) was Lord of Badenoch and Chief of a Clan whose members included not only Earl of Buchan, but the Earls also of Atholl and Menleith (Mentoith) So it came about that when Scotland was without a Monarch after the abdication of King John I (Balliol) in 1296, the Lord of Badenoch grandson John, known as the Red Comyn, had a considerable claim to the throne by reason of his descent from King Donald III and the fact that John Balliol was his mother's brother. This added up to at least as legitimate claim as that of Robert the Bruce, who invited the Red Comyn (John) to meet him in the church of the Grayfriars in Dumfries in 1306. Here an argument took place and the Red Comyn (John) received a stab wound where upon Bruce's followers finished him off. The Cummings of Altyre are descended from the Red Comyn's Uncle Robert, The Cummings of Inverallochy from Alexander, Earl of Bachan (d. 1289) son of William and Marjory Cummings, who was constable of Scotland (1275-89). I also found the Cummins Tartan and Crest. I bought a certified copy of the Cummins line from the Government of Scotland. I tried to scan it but it did not scan very readable. Hope this is of interest to you. Marilyn -------------------------------------- Subj: Re: CUMMIN(G)S,COMYN'S/FAMILIES Date: 97-01-11 11:42:28 EST From: Amrondees To: Chascum Hi again, I keep running into information which includes CUMMIN(G)S,COMYN'S/FAMILIES. Doing some research on Scotland, trying to tie my gkids BRYCE to a clan thought maybe BRUCE. Anyway the following is from Encarta and I have printed in bold the pertinent information. Notice that John Comyn was a nephew of King John de Baliol....just a tidbit for those who want to tie into royals. :) You might want to edit the article for others, Charlie. It is long. Best wishes, amron. --------------------------------------------------------- Bruce, Robert (1274-1329), liberator, and, as Robert I, king of Scotland (1306-29). He was originally named Robert de Bruce, and to distinguish him from his father and grandfather, who had the same name, he is often referred to as Robert de Bruce VIII. He is also called Robert the Bruce. As earl of Carrick he paid homage to King Edward I of England, who, in 1296, defeated King John de Baliol and thereafter refused to acknowledge another king of Scotland. Bruce later abandoned Edward's cause and joined other Scottish leaders in taking up arms for the independence of his country. In 1299, the year after the Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace was defeated by Edward at Falkirk, Bruce, then still in favor with Edward, was made one of the four regents who ruled the kingdom in the name of Baliol. In 1305 he was one of those consulted in the decision to make Scotland a province of England. In 1306 he met an old enemy, the Scottish patriot John Comyn, who was the nephew of Baliol; a quarrel occurred, and Bruce stabbed Comyn. Bruce proclaimed his right to the throne, and on March 27, 1306, he was crowned king at Scone. Bruce was deposed, however, in 1307 by Edward's army and forced to flee to the highlands and then to the little island of Rathlin on the coast of Antrim (now in Northern Ireland). In his absence all his estates were confiscated, and he and his followers were excommunicated. He continued to recruit followers, however, and in less than two years he wrested nearly all of Scotland from the English. Bruce again defeated the English in 1314 in the Battle of Bannockburn (see BANNOCKBURN, BATTLE OF), twice invaded England, and in 1323 concluded with King Edward II of England a truce for 13 years. After the accession of King Edward III in 1327, war again broke out, and the Scots won again. In 1328 they secured a treaty recognizing the independence of Scotland and the right of Bruce to the throne. In his later years Bruce was stricken with leprosy and lived in seclusion at Cardross Castle, on the northern shore of the Firth of Clyde, where he died. He was succeeded by his son, David II. Bruce's nephew, Robert II, who succeeded David, was the first king of the Stuart house of English and Scottish royalty. "Bruce, Robert," Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright (c) 1994 Microsoft Corporation. Copyright (c) 1994 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation.,,,,, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Cummings claim descent from Richard Cumyn, a Norman noble whose descendants migrated into Scotland, from England in the reign of David I, 1124-53. William de Comyn received a grant of land in Roxburgh and in 1133 he was appointed Chancellor of Scotland by David I. A later descendant, William married the heiress , Marjory, Countess of Buchan in 1210 and became Earl of Buchan. His son became Earl of Menteith and acquired the Lordship of Badenoch by grant of Alexander II. His nephew, John known as "Red Comyn" was the father of "Black Comyn" who was one of the six guardians of Scotland during the minority of the Maid of Norway and later became a competitor for the Crown of Scotland. He married Marjory, sister of John Baliol and their son John was also known as "Red Comyn". John followed Baliol in the struggle against King Robert the Bruce and was killed by the King's followers in the church of the minorities in Dumfries in 1306. From then on the power of the Cummings declined and they never again regained that power. Their estates were forfeited and the main line died out with John, son of John, the"Red Comyn" in 1325. The Comyns of Altyre became the chiefs of the clan and through the 19th century marrying the Gordons of Gordonstoun this name became Gordon-Cumming. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx here is some thing that might interest you---- Surnames With Soundex "C552" CAMENISCH CAMENZIND CAMENSINO CAMENZULI CAMINIS CAMINNECI CAMMANS CAMMINS CAMUNAS CAMUNES CANANZI CANENCIA CANNING CANNINGS CANNINGTON CANNONS CANONACO CANONGE CANONICA CANONICI CANONICO CANONIZADO CEUNINCK CHAMINGS CHAMMINGS CHAMMING CHANONHOUSE CHEING CHIMENZ CHIMONAS CHINONIS CHOMENKO CHOWNING CHUNMING CIEMINS CIEMINSKI CIMINNISI CIMMINGS CINNINGHAM COMANESCU COMANIC COMANICI COMANS COMANZO COMENS COMENSOLI COMIANOS COMING COMINOS COMINS COMINSKEY COMINSKY COMMANS COMMENS COMMING COMMINGS COMMINOS COMMINS COMMONS COMSINOS COMYNS CONENS CONING CONINGHAM CONINGSBY CONINX CONNING CONNINGHAM CONNINGTON CONYNGHAM COOMANS COOMANSINGH COUMANIS COUMANS CUMING CUMINGS CUMINS CUMMING CUMMINGER CUMMINGHAM CUMMINGS CUMMINS CUMMINSKEY CUMMONS CUNINGHAM CUNINGHAME CUNNINGHAM CUNNING CUNNINGAHM CUNNINGHAME CUNNINGHAN CUNNINGMAM CUNNINGNAM CUNNINGS CUNNINGTON CUNNINS CUNNNINGHAM CUNNUNGHAM CZAMANSKI ---------------- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subj: Re: CUMMIN(G)S,COMYN'S/FAMILIES Date: 97-04-13 22:30:34 EDT From: Henry1398 To: Chascum Dear Charles, You asked for information for your great Bulletin Board. Here's some genealogical indormation which will probably interest most of your readers. What is the origin of the Cummings family? There are some "traditions" which attempt to provide an explanation of the undocumented period from 1300 to 1600. I present this as a very plausible possibility, worthy of further investigation. During the first several centuries after the birth of Jesus, the Cummings family lived in Lombardy, located in he northrern part of Italy. After that, and prior to the fourth century, they traveled over the Alps and settled in the southern part of France. As years passed they migrated to the north of France, to the borders of Belgium. There they founded the town of Commines. It appears that most of he family joined with William the Conqueror, as he formed his armies of Normans to attack England. Since the English were no match for the Normans, the invaders won. Thus, William the Conqueror became the King of England. Published material indicates that one of the Conqueror's successful commandrs was Robert de Comyn (1), born about 1020 in France. He became the Earl of Northumberland in Scotland in 1069. He was slain in 1070, leaving two sons, John (2) & William. John Comyn (2) was born about 1045, married the daughter of Adam Grifford of Fonthill in Wiltshire. He died in about 1135 in the wars between Queen Maude and King Stephen. They had a son named William (3). William Comyn (3), born about 1070, maried Maud Banaster (or Basset). He died before 1140. They had three sons, William, Richard (4), and Walter. Richard Comyn (4) was born about 1100, maried Hextilla, who was the grand daughter of King Donald Bane of Scotland. They resided in the Castle of Northallerton. It s interesting to know that they gave the lands of Slipperfield in Peebles to the Augustine friars of Holyrood. Richard died between 1176-1182. Their children were John, William (5), Odo, Simon, and David. William Comyn (5) was born about 1140 and inherited his father's estates in Northumberland. Married to the daughter of Robert Fitzhugh, he had three children, Richard (6), Walter, and Jean. In a second marriage to Marjory, the Countess of Buchan, he became the Earl of Buchan; they had six children, Alexander, William, Fergus, Idonea, Elizabeth, and Agnes. Among his titles were Justiciar of Scotland and Great Lord of Kilbride. It is said that he was the chief builder of of the Glasgow Cathedral. He died before the construction was finished, and Marjory finished the work in loving faithfulness. Richard Comyn (6), born about 1190, was one of he magnates of Scotland who were surities in 1244 for King Alexander II in his contract with Keng Henry III of England. He died before 1249, leaving three sons, John (7), William, and Richard. Incidentally, Alexander, the step brother of Richard, was the Keeper of Urquhart Castle and Tarwedale Castle, and he served as Sherrif of Wigtownshire and Aberdeenshire. John Comyn (7) was born about 1215 and was called "the Red" Comyn. He had great wealth and influence. He was a nephew of King Alexander through his grandmother. From his ather he inherited the Earldom of Buchan. When his uncle Walter died, he became the Earl of Badenoch. He was appointed to be Justiciar of Gallway in 1258. At his time, there were 32 knights in the Comyns Clan, making it the mightiest in all f Scotland! By mariage to Alicia, he had three sons, William (8), John (who became "the Black" Comyn, and another son also named John. He died after 1273. The story of John "the Black" Comyn is very noteworthy. In 1286 he was appointed to be one of the six guadians of the Scottish Kingdom, and he was sent as an ambassador to the King of Norway to arange for the marriage of the Maid, Margaret, the King's daughter to marry the King of Scotland. Unfortunately the Maid of Norway died while traveling to Scotland. John left only one son by he name of John "the Red" Comyn, who subsequently had only one son, Adomar, who died in his youth, leaving no heirs. After this, there is no known documentary evidence for the next thirteen generations. The next Comyn/Cummin/Cummings appears as Isaac Cummings, born 1601 in England, and immigrated to America in about 1630/1633. He lived in Ipswich and Topsfield, Massachusetts. He died in 1677, leaving four children, John, Isaac, Elizabeth, and Ann. I hope this has been helpful. Let's stay in contact. Pete Cummings (henry1298@aol.com) -------- LAWS OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. (Normans conquered England in 1066. William died 1087.) Here is set down what William, king of the English, established in consultation with his magnates after the conquest of England: 1. First that above all things he wishes one God to be revered throughout his whole realm, one faith in Christ to be kept ever inviolate, and peace and security to be preserved between English and Normans. 2. We decree also that every freeman shall affirm by oath and compact that he will be loyal to king William both within and without England, that he will preserve with him his lands and honor with all fidelity and defend him against his enemies. 3. I will, moreover, that all the men I have brought with me, or who have come after me, shall be protected by my peace and shall dwell in quiet. And if any one of them shall be slain, let the lord of his murderer seize him within five days, if he can; but if he cannot, let him pay me 46 marks of silver so long as his substance avails. And when his substance is exhausted, let the whole hundred in which the murder took place pay what remains in common. 4. And let every Frenchman who, in the time of king Edward, my kinsman, was a sharer in the customs of the English, pay what they call "scot and lot", according to the laws of the English. This decree was ordained in the city of Gloucester. 5. We forbid also that any live cattle shall be bought or sold for money except within cities, and this shall be done before three faithful witnesses; nor even anything old without surety and warrant. But if anyone shall do otherwise, let him pay once, and afterwards a second time for a fine. 6. It was decreed there that if a Frenchman shall charge an Englishman with perjury or murder or theft or homicide or "ran", as the English call open rapine which cannot be denied, the Englishman may defend himself, as he shall prefer, either by the ordeal of hot iron or by wager of battle. But if the Englishman be infirm, let him find another who will take his place. If one of them shall be vanquished, he shall pay a fine of 40 shillings to the king. If an Englishman shall charge a Frenchman and be unwilling to prove his accusation either by ordeal or by wager of battle, I will, nevertheless, that the Frenchman shall acquit himself by a valid oath. 7. This also I command and will, that all shall have and hold the law of the king Edward in respect of their lands and all their posessions, with the addition of those decrees I have ordained for the welfare of the English people. 8. Every man who wishes to be considered a freeman shall be in pledge so that his surety shall hold him and hand him over to justice if he shall offend in any way. And if any such shall escape, let his sureties see to it that they pay forthwith what is charge against him, and let them clear themselves of any complicity in his escape. Let recourse be had to the hundred and shire courts as our predecessors decreed. And those who ought of right to come and are unwilling to appear, shall be summoned once; and if for the second time they refuse to come, one ox shall be taken from them, and they shall be summoned a third time. And if they do not come the third time, a second ox shall be taken from them. But if they do not come the fourth summons, the man who is unwilling to come shall forfeit from his goods the amount of the charge against him -- "ceapgeld" as it is called -- and in addition to this a fine to the king. 9. I prohibit the sale of any man by another outside the country on pain of a fine to be paid in full to me. 10. I also forbid that anyone shall be slain or hanged for any fault, but let his eyes be put out and let him be castrated. And this command shall not be violated under pain of a fine in full to me. --