Why ‘Thancard’?
The settlement of Thankerton has ancient origins. It is named after a Flemish knight, one of many who settled in Scotland at the invitation of King David I sometime after he came to the throne in 1124.
The King wanted to improve his Kingdom and introduced new laws and the ‘Feudal system’, a new way of managing land and people that was quickly establishing throughout European kingdoms. Thancard was a well regarded knight and supporter of the king and for his services he was granted title to the lands near the current village.
He was joined by others, including Colban (who founded Covington) and Baldwin (Biggar).
The name Thancard can also be read as ‘Tancred’ in some sources, he had a well regarded son Thomas Thancard, who went on to be granted further lands that are now Dunfermline Abbey.
What’s with the Gorilla?
Mr Gorilla joined the community council in 2020 to help promote the consultation at the time. With regular vider appearances to help promote a questionnaire…He apparently lives in Covington Tower and loves bananas 🙂
