Count Eustace II of Boulogne

There was a steady trickle of Flemmings into England and Scotland for a long period the main impetus came when Count Eustace, ii. of Boulogne came to England in 1066, his followers were rewarded with land by William, i.

They moved into Scotland as the Flemish influence increased, originally as a result of the marriage of Maud de Lens to David i, of Scotland, and again when Mary daughter of Malcolm iii, married Eustace of Boulogne. When Henry ii of England oppressed those Flemmings who had supported Stephen de Bois, some returned home and some like the Boulonnais from the East Midlands went north to Scotland where they already had relatives and were made welcome.

Tags: Boulogne, Boulonnais, Count Eustace II, Maud de Lens