House of Gordon Australia

The Gordons are a very old and distinguished Family of Scotland but their origins are not Scottish. In fact they go much further back to times before Christ. The earliest official mention dates from 53 BC when Julius Caesar wrote of an encounter with a Brave Celtish Tribe in their defence of Ghent City in Gaul whom he called the 'Gordunii'. Strangely enough it was a common enough name in Rome There was a Roman Emporer names 'Gordonius'. and three named Gordian between 235-244 BC as well as a Gordonio and a Gordonium.

It is believed that the Gordon Celts may have originated in Macedonia where there is place called Gordonia. The Celts generally originated in Mesopatania or Bohemia about 3400 years ago and were split into two groups those south of the Danube who were known to be Blood group "O" and those north were Blood Group "B". The Celts were an extremely complex group. They were nomadic but mined, grew crops, were greatly into trading especially in metals, (jewelery and weapons) and salt. They had a heirachy, and a simple class structure. Nobels, Warriors, Traders and Manufacturers and producers. They had specific occupations and were very learned people of their time. They knew of the importance of cleanliness as they invented soap and women painted their nails, and used early forms of cosmetics, roan to redden their cheeks and berry juice for lipstick. they made exquisit metal jewelery and were equally at home producing metal tools, weapons, cooking utensils (Pots and ladels etc) and parts for chariots. They mined various ores and salt and also grew crops at different times.

Their spiritual nature was one of the reasons for their nomadic nature as they were always moving in search of the "home of the sun".
This is why they found their way to Gaul (France). About 900 AD The Vikings were now the active influence on the known world (who were also originally Celts). In 911 a viking named 'Rollo' sailed up the Seine and forced the French King to cede territory to him. He then stayed, converted to Catholisism and he and his people assimilated with the locals in the area that was later to become 'Normandy'.

By 980 the French lords were all battling for territory becoming almost independent kingdoms until the Norman Dukes instilled a system later to become known as "Feudalism". From the word 'feodelime' meaning a fee of Obligation which created a structure of allegience with Lords and Vasals and fiefs (Obligatory service). One such Norman Duke was John de Goudon who became "Constable of France' and later "High Constable" to the Emperor Charlemagne. He was a powerful and skilled General who is listed along with another John de Goudon as Constables of France. There are five areas of France where Gordons have left their mark and their name.

By the 11th Century land in Europe was now scarce as feudalism had taken over everywhere. By 1060 a Norman Duke, William the Bastard, an illegitimate son of the King of France began looking and preparing to invade England. In 1066 he did just that, defeating Harold Godwinson the last Saxon King of England at Hastings. In William's invasion force were many French and Flemish knights but it was his Norman Knights only who appeared on the Roll of Honour and who were rewarded after the battle. Amoung these were the Armstrongs, Douglases, Johnstons, Stewarts, Grahams, Bruces and the Gordons. All recieved Land Grants in England. Although not listed on the roll an Adam de Gordun was given land near Lincoln and Hampshire and Wiltshire.

The reason for this may be that Adam was probably already in England at the time of the Invasion as he was friends with or in the employ of a Scottish Prince living at the Court in England, Malcolm Caenmore. He may have joined the invasion force too and is why lands were granted but an Adam de Gordun was known to be in England in 1057 when he assisted Caenmore in the defeat of the Usurper 'MacBeth' ( of Shakespears fame) MacBeth had killed Caenmores Father Duncan I so Caenmore fled to england and lived there for some 15 years.