[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

THE NOBLE FAMIIt OF MONTGOMERIE.
In heralds 'books' your ensigns flower'd
And counter-flower'd maintain.
This ballad is supposed to have been written about one hundred years
ago. It gives to the noble family of Montgomerie a Roman origin. This
may be regarded as somewhat hypothetical, however probable ; but there
can be no doubt that Roger de Montgomerie, the first of the name in England,
came over from Normandy with the Conqueror, and that he commanded
the van of the invading army at tlie decisive battle of Hastings.
What was the precise relationship between William and Montgomerie does
not appear from the genealogical records ; but that the connection was
intimate may be inferred from the fact that he had no less than "one
hundred and fifty lordships in various counties, including neai'ly the whole
of that of Salop," conferred upon him as a reward for his services, or rather
as his share of the rich kingdom which their Norman swords had won
for them.
The family, however, did not long enjoy their inheritance and
honours in England. Robert, the ddest son of Roger, and who succeeded
him in his titles and estates, having taken part with the Duke of
I
Normandy against Henry I. in his claim to the Crown, forfeited the whole
•
of his possessions. He, notwithstanding, retained the property in Normandy,
which descended to his son, he having been himself first banished
and afterwards imprisoned. This occurred in 1113.
" Then Pldlip into Scotland came "
Says the ballad, and obtained a gift of lands in the Merse, which he afterwards
exchanged for Eastwood and Fonoon.
This does not accord with
the descent of the family as given in the various " Peerages."
Walter,
and not Philip, Montgomerie, a grandson it is supposed of Earl Roger,
settled in Scotland on the invitation of King David I., by whom he was
.created Lord High Steward, and had many favours showered upon him.
Walter appears to have died without issue.
Robert de Montgomerie, the
immediate ancestor of the Eglintoun family, who came along with Walter,
obtained the manor of Eaglesham, in Renfrewshire ; which property continued
in the possession of his descendant until the present Earl of Eglintoun
sold it a few years ago. The death of Robert occurred in 1177.
John de Montgomerie, the Uneal descendant of Robert, acquired the baronies
of Eglintoun and Ai-drossan, in Ayrshire, by marriage with the heiress