Friday 15 December 2006
The last Cummins stronghold....
Click on my favourite links at the bottom of this page to see images of Inverlochy Castle, Fort William. At the base of the mighty Ben Nevis. The last castle held by my ancestors before being defeated by Robert the Bruce.
We weren't always Irish.....
Although my parents and everything in living memory behind them are very proudly Irish, hence my visits and attachment to the place. It wasn't always so, the Cummins surname finds its roots in the lands of Normandy (Home of the Northmen), France. Our earliest ancestors were followers of Rollo the Viking, who signed a treaty with King Charles the Simple in 911 A.D. The treaty gave the Norseman a permanent home on French soil, and they soon began to intermarry with the local girls and even adopted the French language. Rollo's descendants became Dukes of Normandy, and his Viking Leaders became Knights who controlled their own local fiefs from wooden castles on earthen mounds. Soon the trans-planted Norsemen had absorbed the local culture so thoroughly that their sons had to be taught Norse as a second language.
The Normans became Christians and built many Abbie's and monasteries. They established a feudal society and became renowned throughout Europe for their military prowess. They wore conical helmets with distinctive nose guards, mail shirts, battle axes and the now infamous Kite Shields. They were proficient horsemen and had an extremely effective cavalry in France.In 1066 William the Conqueror, Rollo's Grandson, brought an army of 8,000 to England in Viking long ships intent on conquering the island. After victory at the Battle of Hastings, William proclaimed himself King of England and rewarded his noble followers with grants of English land. The Norman noble Robert de Comines became the Earl of Northumberland. Robert took his name from his former fief, Comines, located near the Belgian border. His fellow Normans soon punned his territorial title into "Cummin", an aromatic herb. In fact, the Coat of Arms bears three sheaves of wheat, which were originally bundles of this herb. The name Comyn became an integral part of early Scottish nobility. Willelmus Comyn was the Chancellor to King David the First. He was a churchman, and was assassinated with poison over disputes with his fellow clergymen. William de Comyn married the granddaughter of King Donald III in 1144 and thus his descendant became one of the competitors for the Scottish throne in 1291. His nephew, Richard de Comyn, married a grand-daughter of King Duncan I. Through "careful alliances and beneficial marriages the Comyn held three earldoms by the 13th century; Monteith, Mentieth and Atholl and Buchan." By the 13th century the Comyn clan was the most powerful clan in Scotland, claiming nearly one quarter of all the earls. In 1306 Robert the Bruce, another claimant to the throne, invited John "The Red" Comyn to the church of the Grey Friars in Dumfries to discuss an alliance between them against the English Crown. John Comyn either refused to cooperate or threatened to expose Robert de Bruce's intentions for Robert summarily stabbed "The Red" Comyn, killing him. The Bruce was later excommunicated for the act. A feud commenced, and Bruce and his allies scattered my ancestors, who began to take on even more variations to the spelling of the family name. Some of the more common variations include: "Comin", "Comyn", "Cumins", "Cummings", "Comins", "Commins","Cummine" or "Comine".John Comyn's son was later killed at Bannockburn, fighting for the English Crown. The family lands of the Badenoch Comyns were forfeited and distributed to allies of Bruce.
The Normans became Christians and built many Abbie's and monasteries. They established a feudal society and became renowned throughout Europe for their military prowess. They wore conical helmets with distinctive nose guards, mail shirts, battle axes and the now infamous Kite Shields. They were proficient horsemen and had an extremely effective cavalry in France.In 1066 William the Conqueror, Rollo's Grandson, brought an army of 8,000 to England in Viking long ships intent on conquering the island. After victory at the Battle of Hastings, William proclaimed himself King of England and rewarded his noble followers with grants of English land. The Norman noble Robert de Comines became the Earl of Northumberland. Robert took his name from his former fief, Comines, located near the Belgian border. His fellow Normans soon punned his territorial title into "Cummin", an aromatic herb. In fact, the Coat of Arms bears three sheaves of wheat, which were originally bundles of this herb. The name Comyn became an integral part of early Scottish nobility. Willelmus Comyn was the Chancellor to King David the First. He was a churchman, and was assassinated with poison over disputes with his fellow clergymen. William de Comyn married the granddaughter of King Donald III in 1144 and thus his descendant became one of the competitors for the Scottish throne in 1291. His nephew, Richard de Comyn, married a grand-daughter of King Duncan I. Through "careful alliances and beneficial marriages the Comyn held three earldoms by the 13th century; Monteith, Mentieth and Atholl and Buchan." By the 13th century the Comyn clan was the most powerful clan in Scotland, claiming nearly one quarter of all the earls. In 1306 Robert the Bruce, another claimant to the throne, invited John "The Red" Comyn to the church of the Grey Friars in Dumfries to discuss an alliance between them against the English Crown. John Comyn either refused to cooperate or threatened to expose Robert de Bruce's intentions for Robert summarily stabbed "The Red" Comyn, killing him. The Bruce was later excommunicated for the act. A feud commenced, and Bruce and his allies scattered my ancestors, who began to take on even more variations to the spelling of the family name. Some of the more common variations include: "Comin", "Comyn", "Cumins", "Cummings", "Comins", "Commins","Cummine" or "Comine".John Comyn's son was later killed at Bannockburn, fighting for the English Crown. The family lands of the Badenoch Comyns were forfeited and distributed to allies of Bruce.
Thoughts from Dublin......
Its rainy and cold in the Emerald Isle at the moment. Took a wander around the city today and visited my favourite places. I can recommend the Metro Cafe, just off Grafton St on the corner of South William St. Take a high table near the entrance and watch the buzz of the city go by. I have actually been going there for over 4 years now. If you are lucky the Music School across the road will be in full swing and you will have the chance to hear jazz, chamber, orchestral, any number of quality music arrangements drifting from the windows being played by eager and talented students.
If you have never been to Dublin I would not allow yourself to miss the Long Room at Trinity College when you do visit (see image above). If you have been and missed it, shame on you. It houses the ancient Book of Kells below it and if you have any interest in history or literature of any description I would not let yourself miss it. I make it a compulsory part of every trip here as it is one of those rooms you just walk in and stand in awed silence.
Heading down country with my good friends and hosts, Glen and Maria this weekend. Will hopefully have some photos of the trip soon.
If you have never been to Dublin I would not allow yourself to miss the Long Room at Trinity College when you do visit (see image above). If you have been and missed it, shame on you. It houses the ancient Book of Kells below it and if you have any interest in history or literature of any description I would not let yourself miss it. I make it a compulsory part of every trip here as it is one of those rooms you just walk in and stand in awed silence.
Heading down country with my good friends and hosts, Glen and Maria this weekend. Will hopefully have some photos of the trip soon.
Wednesday 13 December 2006
Welcome to this work in progress
Welcome to the first blog report by me. Still in the UK and currently based in Sheffield but all over the place a lot as usual at the moment. Currently typing this in Dublin whilst visiting on my yearly trip to friends here. This site is still under construction and hopefully will take some shape over the next few weeks. i will try and get some updated pics on for you and cover what is going on in the life and times nowadays. watch this space!
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