Interesting Karl. I haven't come across that expression before, and sometimes the context suggests a meaning. In this case, it didn't, but I've put the question to another group and I'll let you know if anyone comes back with an explanation. Ruth > > -----Original Message----- > > Hi all, > > > > William Malbank (c. 1125-1176), baron of Nantwich, gives > notice that > > he has received of Robert de Bracy, his black nephew, homage and 3 > > knights' fees. > > > > Anyone know what is meant by 'black nephew' ? > > regards > > Karl L Held > > Hi Ruth, > > The sources for this are: > > http://www.1066.co.nz/library/battle_abbey_roll1/chap01.htm > (scroll down to Bracy surname) > > > http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=n8U_AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA822&lpg=P A822&dq=%22his+black+nephew%22&source=bl&ots=dNQW_udlA5&sig=> 3O4K_au0UvAgN9GcqmppcaZLJp8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_I9JU-TdEan17AakwoDQ Bg&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22his%20black%20nephew%22> &f=false > Magna Britannia: Being a Concise Topographical Account of the > ..., Volume 2 (page 822) > > http://genforum.genealogy.com/bracy/messages/81.html > > regards > Karl > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > CHESHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >