Hi - In my researching I read that the title, Marquis in France (as well as other countries), was often bestowed upon a "lesser royal" or socially significant, extremely loyal subject, by the King. While the title of Count was usually an inherited title, they usually functioned in much the same manner for the King. They were either given or inherited a chateau, castle, near or, on one of the country's borders. They were literally considered the king's first line of defense and were very important to the safety of the land, and formed an intelligence network for the king. Gruyere, Switzerland is not far from the French border. That might be one reason for the crane in the coat of arms. Signifying the Gruyere family as always vigilant, never letting their guard down, even in sleep, in their protection of the people and land. Has logic to it! Shelley
Hi... just for fun... if you want to look at some photos of the area, check this out: http://www.mrfs.net/trips/2002/Switzerland/Gruyeres/Gruyeres.html Enjoy. Renee ps still working on that list of DeGruy sites.... could take forever. Maybe what I should do is list what I have and let you guys add to it..... it can grow like a coral reef! Shelley Dedman wrote: >Hi - > >In my researching I read that the title, Marquis in France (as well as other >countries), was often bestowed upon a "lesser royal" or socially >significant, extremely loyal subject, by the King. While the title of Count >was usually an inherited title, they usually functioned in much the same >manner for the King. >They were either given or inherited a chateau, castle, near or, on one of >the country's borders. They were literally considered the king's first line >of defense and were very important to the safety of the land, and formed an >intelligence network for the king. >Gruyere, Switzerland is not far from the French border. That might be one >reason for the crane in the coat of arms. Signifying the Gruyere family as >always vigilant, never letting their guard down, even in sleep, in their >protection of the people and land. > >Has logic to it! > >Shelley > > > > > > > > >