‘ r ‘ : : x , b % ‘ 5 . ? Ty “ * : "* } iM , ud. he y : 4 re t ts bet i ~ 4 ; \ ae } i , as HISTORY OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS CLUB INSTITUTED SEPTEMBER 22, 1831 “MARE ET TELLUS, ET, QUOD TEGIT OMNIA, C@LUM” VOL. XXVIII. 1982, 1983, 1934 EDINBURGH PRINTED FOR THE CLUB BY NEILL AND OO. LTD., 212 CAUSEWAYSIDE 1935 — COA A Tg 10. Le 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. HISTORY OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB. CONTENTS OF VOL. XXVIII. PART I.—19382. PAGE A Fen Sanctuary: Annual Address by the President, the Rev. Canon Hrnry RopeErson, M.A., delivered 5th October 1932 . ‘ , P j : : : P , | - Some Recent Border Publications . ‘ : : < oe Wek . Reports of Meetings for 1932:— (1) YETHOLM MAINS ro KIRKNEWTON : ‘ eee (2) PRESTON TOWER . ; 2 : ; 5 ES (24) DURHAM . : ‘ ‘ ; , . +14 (3) BRANXHOLME anv HARDEN 2 , 5 : 4 6 (4) NORHAM ann THE UNION BRIDGE ; : aS (5) THE DIRRINGTONS anp EVELAW TOWER . «S39 (6) BERWICK anp DUDDO . : , ; ' i 220 . Appointment of Vice-President : , , ; , . 26 . Transactions of the Hawick Archeological Society . : sor 25 Norham Castle. By C. H. Hunter Buarr, M.aA., F.S.A. : ; 27 . Preston Tower. By G. G. Baker CRESSWELL of Preston Tower 76 . The Geology of the Dirringtons. By Attan A. FALCONER » #2 . Neolithic Cairns in Northumberland. By J. Hrwar Craw, F.S.A.SCOT. . , : : : : = a0 Evelaw. By FrEpERIcK R. N. Guides, w.se : : oy” sSk Ancrum Bridge. : : : . . . 83 Duddo Stone Circle. By J. ae Retest F.S.A.SCOT. : 84 Scottish Borderers of the Sixteenth aaa By Co Hi: sand Bualr, M.A., F.S.A, : ‘ Ses Note on the Poleanta Font. By Joun W. M. i é . 101 A House-martin Incident. By Colonel C. T. MEnzrEs : . 102 The Wolf in Berwickshire. By AtLan A. FALCONER : - 103 ill iv Wie 18. if). 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. oonrtna ar w 10. ll. CONTENTS On a Snowy Owl. By Ayan A. FaLtconer . : : : 105 Pied Blackbirds. By Atuan A. FALCONER : : : . 106 Ornithological Notes. By A. M. Portrous, Jun. : : SOY Exotic Mammals on the Border. By J. H.C. . : : = 108 Obituary Notices :— (1) James Alexander Somervail of Hoselaw. By the Rev. JAMES I’. LEISHMAN, M.A. . : : : F = 109 (2) Thomas Gibson, 3.p. By J. H.C. . ; ; ; ar iy (3) William Douglas. By J. H.C. , , : ee lela (4) Adam Anderson, Galashiels. By A. A. F. ; ; - 12 Meteorological Observations in Berwickshire during 1932. By the Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . SUS Rainfall in Berwickshire, 1932. By the Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . 5 = LG Treasurer’s Statement for the year ending 30th ee 1932 117 PART II.—1933. . A Shooting Trip in Baltistan: Annual Address by the President, Major G. J. Locan-Homg, delivered 4th October 1933 . 119 . Reports of Meetings for 1933 :— (1) THE CATRAIL, rrom ROBERT’S LINN to THE DOD 134 (14) PRESS CASTLE anp COLDINGHAM MOOR ‘ . 134 (2) INGRAM, GREAVES ASH, anp LINHOPE : » 136 (3) HALIDON HILL anp BERWICK : 137 (4) ROMAN ROAD (JEDFOOT), CAPPUCK, anp CESS. FORD CASTLE : 138 (5) ANCRUM MOOR, PENIELHEUGH, AND MONTEVIOT GARDENS 3 : = 139 (54) THE SHORE AT ROSS, NORTHUMBERLAND . . 140 (6) BERWICK (ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING) . . 140 . The Story of Cessford Castle. By Provost W. WreLtts Mason . 145 . The Wolf in Berwickshire. By At~an A. FALCONER ; . 154 . Cappuck. By Dr Jamus CuRLE ; ; ; 5 : . 155 . The Battle of Ancrum Moor, 1545. By Major G. J. Locan-Homr 159 . The Battle of Halidon Hill, 1333. By R. H. Dopps, m.c. . . 166 . The Yellow Gowan Tree. By ANNE HEPPLE . ; 17] . Cinerary Urn found at Blackburn Mill, oo anger 1934 . 2 3 : : uf LES ‘Common Trout. Two Records. By R. H. ineioet M.C. . bi yl Ornithological and other Notes. By A. M. Porrzovs, Jun. Tlie CONTENTS 4 PAGE 12. Obituary Notices :— (1) Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.c. By R.C. BosaNnquET. 177 (2) J. Hewat Craw. By Dr J. M‘Wuir . 182 13. Meteorological Observations in Berwickshire during 1933. By tid Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . . 189 14. Rainfall in Berwickshire, 1933. By the Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . : e190 15. Treasurer’s Statement for the year ending 30th eeptdanies 1933 . 19t ERRATA. Centenary Volume, page 61. Last line, for 391 read 390. Vol. XXVIII., Part I., page 94, note 7, line 7, for 1483 read 1583. PART III.—1934. 1. Address by the President, Dr J. S. Murr, delivered 4th October 1934 . j : : : ; ‘ . 193 2. Reports of Meetings for 1934. see Miss M. I. Hopzr:— (1) OAKWOOD TOWER, DUCHESS’S DRIVE, anp NEWARK CASTLE . 3 . : : . 204 (2) HOLYSTONE anp HARBOTTLE. ‘ : : . 205 (3) RUBERSLAW anv SPITAL TOWER . : : . 205 (4) LENNEL, LEITHOLM PEEL, CROSSHALL, anpb COLDSTREAM. : ; 207 (5) BRANXTON CHURCH anp ' FLODDEN 208 (54) ELWICK ror AUTUMN MIGRATORY BIRDS 209 (6) ROUGHTINGLINN anp BERWICK 209 SECRETARY’S REPORT 211 TREASURER’S REPORT 213 3. Harbottle Castle. By C. H. Hunrrr Biair 215 4. Some Sculptured Stones on Ros Castle. By O. cee . 232 5. Longlee Moor. A Link in the Bradford Kame. By G. A. BURNETT, B.SC... 2 s : . 204 6. The Military Aspect of the Flodden Campin By Lt.-Col. G. F. T. Leatuer y : ; ’ ; . 240 7. Blue Stalks. By A. W. Barrier’ . , 245 8. Bronze Age Burial at Rigfoot, Longformacus Parish. By A. cS FALCONER . : : ; : : . 247 9. On the Slakes. By J. M. Seiswins : : 5 : : . 248 10. Ornithological Notes. By R. Crarcs : . : : . 254 11. Landlocked Sea-Trout. By R. H. Dopps : ; ‘ . 255 CONTENTS . A Sixteenth-Century Plan of Norham Castle. By C. H. Hunrrr a Bair : é F ; - ON . History of the Logan Paintaty! [= " sh ssh } . 259 . Obituaries (a) Rev. J. J. M. L. Aiken. By Rev. M. — ee 2601 (b) Rey. Canon H. Roberson. By Rev. M. M. PIDDOCKE ; : . 265 (c) George Bolam. By T. eeu Gonomna f . 266 . Meteorological Observations in Berwickshire during 1934. By Rev. A. E. Swinton. : : : : é . 213 . Rainfall in Berwickshire, 1934. By the Rev. A. E. Swryron of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . : ‘ : : i Bia . Treasurer’s Financial Statement for 1934 . ; ‘ . 275 . Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club Rules and Reociaiies i ~ 256 . List of Members. : : ; : . : d 2 249 Index . 3 : : ‘ 4 : : : : . 290 ILLUSTRATIONS PART I.—1932. . Duddo Tower . Earthworks of Norham Cau in 1909 . Buck’s View of Norham Castle in 1728 . Norham Castle: the Keep and the Drawbridge . Norham Castle: Casemates and the Inner Bailey Shields of the Keepers of Norham Castle . Evelaw Tower . Duddo Stone Circle . Plan of Duddo Stone Circle ‘ Map of West Marches of Scotland in 1590 : . Polwarth Font . Mr Adam Anderson . PART ITI.—1933. . Memorial Stone, Halidon Hill . Seal of Andrew Ker of Attonburn . Cinerary Urn, Blackburn Mill, Goeinaimcath . Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.G. . Mr J. Hewat Craw PART III.—1934. . Oakwood Tower, Ettrick, Selkirkshire . Harbottle Castle Shields of Arms . Sculptured Stone on Ros Castle Longlee Moor . . Seale of Landlocked Sea- ees. . Norham Castle . Rev. J. J. M. L. Aiken . Rey. Canon H. Roberson . . George Bolam Vii » 60 pages 61 to 75 page 82 », 145 2 JUL 1935 oF NC fe ( 28 MAR 53 | HISTORY OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB INSTITUTED SEPTEMBER 22, 1831 “MARE ET TELLUS, ET, QUOD TEGIT OMNIA, CHLUM” VOL. XXVUI. Parr y 1932 EDINBURGH PRINTED FOR THE CLUB BY NEILL AND CO, LTD., 212 CAUSEWAYSIDE 1933 OFFICE-BEARERS Secretary M. 1. HOPE (Miss), Wide Open, Morebattle, Kelso. (Tel. Morebattle 24.) Editing Secretary J. HEWAT CRAW, F.S.A.Scot., 5 Merchiston Gardens, Edinburgh. (Tel. Edinburgh 62544.) Joint-Treasurers R. H. DODDS, M.C., Avenue House, Berwick-upon- Tweed. (Tel. Berwick 50 or 79.) A. M. PORTEOUS, Jun., Easterhill, Coldstream. (Tel. Coldstream 5.) Librarian J. B. DUNCAN, 6 Summerhill Terrace, Berwick- upon-T weed. : HISTORY OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB. CONTENTS OF VOL. XXVIII.—PART I. 1932. en vk PAGH 1, A Fen Sanctuary: Annual Address by the President, the Rev. Canon HENRY ROBERSON, M.A., delivered 5th October 1932 . 5 : : : : : : : : 1 2. Some Recent Border Publications . : : ‘ : = El 3. Reports of Meetings for 1932 :— (1) YETHOLM MAINS to KIRKNEWTON _. : 4 12 (2) PRESTON TOWER . : : : : ; EOS (24) DURHAM . : é : : : : ‘ ye (83) BRANXHOLME anp HARDEN . : ; ; ~ AG (4) NORHAM ann THE UNION BRIDGE : , = Ss (5) THE DIRRINGTONS anp EVELAW TOWER . ee (6) BERWICK anp DUDDO ... : : : ‘ ue, 20) 4. Appointment of Vice-President : : ‘ : ; = 26 5. Transactions of the Hawick Archeological Society . : . 26 6. Norham Castle. By C. H. Hunter Briar, M.aA., F.S.A. : | Sok 7. Preston Tower. By G. G. BAKER CRESSWELL of Preston Tower 76 8. The Geology of the Dirringtons. By AtLan A. FALCONER Seam. 9. Neolithic Cairns in Northumberland. By J. Hewat Craw, F.S.A.SCOT. . . - - - : - - = 30 10. Evelaw. By FrepErick R. N. CURLE, w.s. . ; : + ol 11. Ancrum Bridge . : ‘ : ; : ; ‘ a9, Se 12. Duddo Stone Circle. By J. Huwat Craw, F.S.A.SCOT. : . 84 13. Scottish Borderers of the Sixteenth Century. By C. H. HunTER BualR, M.A., F.S.A. : : : ‘ : : 3 87 22. 23. 24. CONTENTS . Note on the Polwarth Font. By Joun W. M. Loney . A House-martin Incident. By Colonel C. T. MENzIEs . The Wolf in Berwickshire. By ALLAN A. FALCONER . On a Snowy Owl. By Atian A. FALCONER . Pied Blackbirds. By Auuan A. FALCONER . Ornithological Notes. By A. M. Portzous, Jun. . Exotic Mammals on the Border. By J. H.C. . . Obituary Notices :— (1) James Alexander Somervail of Hoselaw. By the Rev. JAmEs F. LEISHMAN, M.A. . ; (2) Thomas Gibson, J.P. By J. H.C. (3) William Douglas. By J. H.C. ; : (4) Adam Anderson, Galashiels. By A. A. F. Meteorological Observations in Berwickshire during 1932. Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . Rainfall in Berwickshire, 1932. By the Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . Treasurer’s Statement for the year ending 30th September 1932 . PAGE 101 102 103 105 106 107 108 109 110 Heleh 112 115 116 117 Wit. VIII. ILLUSTRATIONS PART I.—1932. . Duddo Tower Earthworks of Norham Castle in 1909 . . Buck’s View of Norham Castle in 1728 . . Norham Castle: the Keep and the Drawbridge . Norham Castle : Casements and the Inner Bailey . Shields of the Keepers of Norham Castle . Evelaw Tower Wal Duddo Stone Circle Plan of Duddo Stone Circle Map of West Marches of Scotland in 1590 Polwarth Font Mr Adam Anderson pages 61 to 75 page 82 » 84 ie me on: a ae oF ig + Pies ik ae fe ie om - rc Pin ae Si PROCEEDINGS BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB —o <> — Address delivered to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club at Berwick, 5th October 1932. By the Rev. Canon Henry Roperson, M.A. A FEN SANCTUARY. THE time has arrived for me to lay down the office to which you did me the honour to elect me a year ago. It is of special interest to me that the year of my presidency is the first year in a new century of the Club’s history. Before proceeding further I desire to express my sincere thanks to the Council and members for the unfailing kindness and courtesy with which I have been favoured. -To me, personally, very great assistance has been given by our excellent Secretary, Miss Hope, and I am grateful for the way in which she has made my task a very pleasant and easy one. The Club is under great obliga- tions to her. If everything in the Club’s experience has moved smoothly and pleasantly for the members, it is due to the minute care our Secretary has given to details. However exacting her duties, she has always managed to come before us with a bright and cheery face. This slight testimony to her work is less than her due, and my best wish for the Club is that Miss Hope may long remain its Secretary. Now I turn to my task. I confess at once that I have VOL. XXVIII, PART I. ih 2 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS not found it easy to select a subject. Past Presidents in the long history of the Club have dealt with almost every subject that can be classed under the term “‘ Nature.” But I take heart from the very great variety of matters which have come under review. Dean Inge quotes Alt of Lille as saying “‘ Authority has a nose of wax,”’ which may be inclined in any direction needed. As our Club has dealt with history, archeology, or genealogy, as well as with the sciences generally understood as ‘“‘ Natural,” a cynic might say that the Club has a “‘nose of wax,” which may be inclined to any of the above subjects at will. Yet we may claim that “‘Nature” covers a wide field which does not exclude humanity. All that we call Nature — birds, beasts, and plants—has been tremendously modified by man, as a hunter, a tiller of the soil, a farmer or a gardener, or a sportsman, while geology has done much to modify man’s handling of the earth’s surface, and astronomy has taught him many a lesson. I now give the title of my subject as “A Fen Sanctuary.” I ask you to carry your thoughts to an area of about 521 acres, called Wicken Fen, lying half-way between Ely and Newmarket. ‘These acres, with exceptions of small parcels, are the property of the nation and under the guardianship of the National Trust, of which Lord Grey of Fallodon, one of our ex-Presidents, is the Vice- President. This area of the fens has become the pro- perty of the nation through the interest and liberality of a number of individuals, many connected with the University of Cambridge, the name of the donor being attached to the portion of the property which he has given. Among such we find “Trevelyan’s Field,’ which has a north-country sound. There are still portions of the area which are not yet owned by the Trust, and the Trustees have a fund set aside for further purchases as the income allows. I wish at this point to acknowledge the courtesy of Mr H. S. Hamer, the Secretary of the ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 3 National Trust, in kindly granting me a permit to visit Wicken Fen on four days. Unfortunately, I could only avail myself of this on one occasion in August last, but that one visit was full of interest. The subject of this address may seem somewhat removed from the sphere of the Club’s activities, but I hope to show that there are points of contact which are not without interest. To me, personally, there are interests of a family kind. My mother inherited from her father fen property not far from Wicken. This she sold to her eldest brother at the time of her marriage. This brother and two others were large owners in the same neighbourhood. For the last three generations the family has had much to do with the various: boards and corporations concerned with the important question of fen drainage. Generations ago the family was repre- sented on commissions connected with the draining of Lincolnshire fens. Two were thus commissioned by Edward III in the fourteenth century; another by Henry IV in the fifteenth century. The last-named, who died in 1419, was a Judge and Baron. He married Margaret Umfraville, one of the family who held such important posts in these northern parts and have left their mark in Northumberland at Prudhoe and Har- bottle. I crave pardon for this family reference, but it was that connection which first brought the subject to my mind. There are other and more important points of contact. It will be remembered that on our first field day this year we heard, at Kirknewton, of the presence of Queen Ethelburgha with Edwin and Paulinus in Glendale. After Edwin’s death at Hatfield Chase his Queen escaped by sea with Paulinus, a soldier, and her step-children, to her father, Anna, King of East Anglia. Now Ethelburgha had a sister, Etheldreda, who also married a King of Northumbria—Egfrid. History asserts that the marriage was never consummated, and 4 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS that Etheldreda, having no taste for royal estate and a great longing for the religious life, made her escape to Coldingham, where she received the veil at the hands of Wilfrid. The King was not minded to lose his Queen, and followed her to Coldingham. She escaped in the garb of a poor woman and, with two companions, -walked the long distance to her father’s kingdom on the south of the Humber. Previous to her going north, Etheldreda had been given the Isle of Ely as her own. Here, surrounded by the fens, she established a monas- tery, where she continued to live till her death in 4.D. 671. This monastery is represented to-day by one of our most beautiful cathedrals, which is unique among our abbeys in having the great tower at the west end. “Ely’s stately fane”’’ rears its head aloft, visible for many miles over the fens surrounding it, in certain states of the atmosphere appearing like a mighty ship sailing over the sea. Thus Etheldreda, Virgin Queen of Northumbria, would often look over the fens lying to the east of her monastery. These fens included Wicken Fen, the subject of this paper. In order to estimate the value and uniqueness of Wicken as a nature sanctuary it is necessary to say something of that great level area extending from Lincoln to Cambridge, an area 75 miles by 32, of which Wicken is a part, but which has some unique points of its own. We find from history that this great part of our eastern counties has, from the dawning of our his- tory, called forth the efforts of one after another with a view to reclaiming it from its marshy condition to the food-producing condition in which we find it to-day. Indeed, it is claimed that this great land is the richest of all food-producing areas in the kingdom. When it is stated that no less than 680,000 acres have been re- deemed from swamps to crop-bearing soil, it can be seen how extremely important the work of reclamation has proved to be. When the great victory over tide and ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 5 flood was nearing its issue the fens were, perhaps, much like the Norfolk Broads to-day, where we find deep, slow-moving rivers making their way through flat, marshy surroundings and now and then widening out into meres or lakes, giving to the Norfolk meres the name of “‘ Broads.” Though this was probably much the condition of that vast 680,000 acres in recent times, it was not always so. Both geology and incidental history present other aspects. One travelling through the fens to-day, by road or rail, would hardly go into raptures about it, especially if it were winter-time with a fog or drizzle in being. Nothing in scenery could be much more depressing. Yet even to-day there are occasions when the eye may scan on a sunny day vast areas of golden corn or other crops extending as far as the eye can reach. A real vision of beauty. At one time its outward con- dition was evidently somewhat different. I have come across quotations of an early date. Henry of Huntingdon, himself a fen-man, wrote of it in the reign of Stephen (11386) as “adorned by woods, grass plains, pleasant lakes, and fruitful islands,’’ while William of Malmes- bury, just after, in the reign of Henry II (1154), could _ wax eloquent on the subject: “‘It is a very paradise: in pleasure and delight it resembles Heaven itself; the very marshes themselves do abound in trees whose length, without knots, do emulate the stars. The plain is as level as the sea, which, with the flourishing of the grass, allureth the eye; in some parts there are apple-trees, in others vines.”” While making allowance for William’s estimate of Heaven and the height of the stars, the soil itself bears some testimony to the truth of his descrip- tion. Out of it have been dug trees of noble size, in- cluding oak, yew, alder, etc. The geological formation throws light upon this. It has been found that at the depth of 8 or 10 feet a soil of glacial gravel exists. This proves that the fen substance is later than the glacial 6 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS period, although it is prehistoric. On examination it is found that a layer of silt, a mixture of mud and sand, is lying on this glacial gravel. The silt is the result of tidal inundation. Over the silt lies a layer of peat, due to flooding from the higher ground inland. In some places these layers—silt and peat—are repeated, as if by a kind of see-saw between tides and land floods the fens were sometimes under the dominion of the one, some- times of the other. Some of these floodings must have been catastrophic in effect, for not only is there evidence that oaks and other trees were overwhelmed, but some of these were felled by the hand of man, whose tools have been found near the felled trees. In one place hay was found lying in swarths almost as fresh as when cut, whilst ancient scythes were found near, as well as skeletons of the hay-makers. To return for a moment to the general appearance of the fens, it seems that the effect of the ice period was not to leave the great level with no excrescences, but ridges were left here and there, and gave the effect of islands scattered over the area. The greatest of these was the Isle of Ely or the Isle of Hels. On these small islands grew trees and shrubs, the seeds of which had been carried there in times of flood. Apparently man found some source of living on the islands, which had fruit trees growing upon them, besides grass, and perhaps some amount of tillage was carried on, while the fens around provided quantities of fish for food, besides reeds and sedges for housing and litter. Indeed, there is historical evidence that the greatest opposition to the drainage of the fens came from those living a careless and lazy life on these islands. The Isle of Ely played an important part in the history of early days. Roman barges have been dug up in the. ditches in recent years, while in the time of the Conquest Ely became a true ‘“‘camp of refuge,’ as Kingsley has brought out in Hereward the Wake. The ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 7 Conqueror made a causeway of faggots across the fens to enable him to get at the Isle of Ely. The efforts to reclaim this great plain from the dominion of the waters is too long a story for this paper. The question was constantly coming up before kings and councillors. We can only here give a rapid survey of the efforts. The Romans, with their accustomed practical turn of mind, made attempts. They made an embankment at King’s Lynn on a basis 25 feet wide to keep out the tidal waters, and where inland the higher ground gives way to the level area they made an artificial cutting of some miles in length, known as Cars Dyke, to arrest the flood water and guide it into the natural rivers. These rivers, however, were not able to cope with the extra water, and it still overflowed. Generation after genera- tion, efforts were made and various experiments tried. That some of these helped towards a solution we cannot doubt, but it was the practical good sense of James I (1605-6) which began the great work which was finally successful. A company or Corporation of Adventurers was formed, who were given ten years in which to complete the work. They moved too slowly for the King, who said he would himself be the chief undertaker _ and would claim as his reward 120,000 acres. However, politics were too pressing, and James never completed the work nor received his thousands of acres. During the reign of Charles I (1630-1) a scheme was at last launched. Forty-seven commissioners were appointed, and these made a contract with a Dutch engineer, Vermuyden, whose reward was to be 95,000 acres of the rescued land. After Charles’ death Oliver Cromwell supported the work, the labour being provided by Dutch and Scottish prisoners—another point of contact with the north! Vermuyden’s plans were well developed when he suddenly demanded a further 5000 acres, making 100,000 altogether. Whether he thought his reward was not a 8 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS sufficient return for his work, or whether he thought that he had the English on a forked stick, we cannot say. The employers refused his demand and sent him off. In 1649 the work was again taken in hand, with the Earl of Bedford as head of a Commission, and was finally completed. Briefly the scheme was this—to cut first one artificial river, called the Old Bedford Level, from Earith to Denver, and after a time another, the New Bedford Level, parallel to it, with a considerable space between which served as a wash during excessive rains. When not awash this area provides pasturage for cattle. It attracts a great number of snipe. The late W. G. Grace, the cricketer, used to stay with relations of mine for shooting snipe. These Bedford Levels had high banks to enable them to carry water above the level of the surrounding land. The same method was applied to the natural rivers, the Ouse and others. At right angles to these channels were main drains, themselves intersected by numerous smaller drains. Powerful engines were erected, driven first by wind power, then by horse power, and afterwards by steam. These are used to pump the water out of the drains and convey it to the sea. After pumping had gone on for some time the peat began to dry up, and in course of time the surface was cultivated, and the rich soil produced, and produces still, abundant crops. Of this great system Wicken is a part, though a comparatively small part. It has been drained to a certain extent, but is unique in that the drainage com- missioners found it would be a suitable area in which to gather the waters and convey them into the river Ouse. This feature is due to the effect of some of those ridges or islands already mentioned. Because of the use thus put to, Wicken Fen has never been cultivated. Herein lies its special value as a sanctuary for plants, birds, insects, etc. Some of these are to be found only in this area and a few others. Time does not allow of more ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 9 than the briefest mention of some of the most interesting inhabitants. Among the Lepidoptera stands in the forefront the swallow-tail butterfly (Papilio machaon). The most famous of the fen insects, it exists here in goodly numbers, although it is still more plentiful in the Norfolk Broads. The only English specimen I have myself seen was in the Broads in my young days. I was fortunate enough to catch it with my straw hat and to preserve it in good condition. When I visited Wicken in August I was apparently a day too late for the autumn flight, as I saw none, although the curator told me they were in considerable numbers the day before. The Large Copper, by some considered the most beautiful of butterflies, had become extinct, but the Trustees are trying to re-establish it. It has already bred again, and there are hopes of succeeding in bringing it back. Among the moths are the rare Wainscot Moth (Meliana flammea) and Gelechia lathyri, which depends upon the marsh pea, late specimens of which I found in bloom. J was struck with the absence of birds; in fact, I hardly saw any during the hours I spent in the fen. Aquatic birds do, however, visit in goodly numbers and _ variety in the breeding season. One bird which is of special interest is the bittern. You remember Kingsley speaks of the “booming of the bittern in the marsh.”’ This bird was practically annihilated about 1868. Eggs were gathered and the birds shot till none remained. In 1914, however, the bittern again returned, and it is hoped that the atmosphere of the fen will encourage it to stay. Doubtless some will have read the very interesting article in The Times last June, written by Lord William Perey. He has revealed some of the mysteries of the bittern’s toilet. The following is from The Guardian newspaper in reference to the article: “He gives us the explanation of the powder-down patches which it carries on its breast and thighs, and which 10 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS were supposed to be luminous for the attraction of fish at night. Bitterns, in common with herons, which also carry these patches, live on eels. After the prey has been killed the feathers of the bittern become covered with a sticky substance from the eels’ bodies, and this must be got rid of quickly to restore the feathers to their natural ‘free’ and waterproof state. The bird rubs its sticky limbs against the powder patches, which have the required chemical action. When the powder is dry, the bird is able to brush off both powder and sime by a vigorous combing with the feet.’ Mr Elmhurst, referring to this account, points out that the central claw of both bittern and heron is serrated and acts as a useful comb. The flora of the fen is full of interest. The multitude of aquatic plants afford a rich means of study for those who can visit the place. Among other plants is the rare Liparis Loeselit, an orchid found in few other places. One of the most interesting features of the place is the Sedge Fen of about 200 acres. This sedge grows so thickly that neither animal, bird, nor other plant could exist were it not kept in check. It is therefore necessary to cut it once in every four years. This is not the only thing that must be checked. If any part is left un- tended for any length of time, shrubs of various kinds spring up with most vigorous growth. Hawthorn, buckthorn (Rhamnus), Guelder Rose, and other shrubs seem to find here a congenial soil. Left to themselves they would soon convert the area into a dense jungle, which would kill all other growth. The Trust is there- fore put to some expense to keep things in their due proportion. This paper has grown to a sufficient length. I can only say, in conclusion, that any member of the Club touring in the eastern counties would be fully rewarded by a visit to Wicken Fen. It is easily approached from Ely and from Newmarket. -The Trustees are anxious ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 11 that students of nature should make use of the oppor- tunities given here. The Secretary of the Trust, 7 Buckingham Palace Gardens, 8.W.1, will grant a permit. Collectors are allowed to take specimens of flowers and insects, including even the Papilio machaon, in restricted numbers. It would be of great interest to me if this imperfect sketch were to arouse interest sufficient to persuade members of the Club to pay Wicken Fen a visit. SOME RECENT BORDER PUBLICATIONS. Natu, G. H.—Sea-Trout of the River Tweed (1930). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. lxv (1930-31). Mason, W. D.—“ Prehistoric Man at Tweed Bridge, Selkirk.” Archeologia Aeliana, 4th ser., vol. ix (1932). Bosanquet, R. C.—‘‘ Cavaliers and Covenanters: the Crookham affray of 1678.” Newsicin, EH. R.—‘‘ Notes on a series of unrecorded incised rocks at Lordenshaws.”’ REAVELL, G.—‘‘* Warkworth Castle.” Transactions of the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Natu- ralists’ Society. Linpsay, Mrs Broun—‘“ The Barony Court of Colstoun.”’ Natural History Magazine, vol. iii, No. 18 (April 1931), pp. 50-51. “The Newstead Meteorite of 1827.” The North-Western Naturalist, vol. vi, No. 2 (June 1931), pp. 71-74. “ Fossil Wood from Lennel Braes.”’ 12 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 Reports of Meetings for the Year 1932. 1. YETHOLM MAINS TO KIRKNEWTON. THE first meeting of the year 1932 was held on Thursday, 19th May. In spite of heavy rain in places and showers round about, the 60 members and friends who attended to meet the President —Canon H. Roberson—were favoured by dry conditions both overhead and underfoot during the whole time occupied by the walk of some five to six miles over that well-defined track through the hills known as the Staw Road. The weather was, in fact, almost ideal, and the peaceful silence and changing hill views were full of charm. The Halter Burn—which here forms the dividing line between England and Scotland—was followed a short way, and then turning eastward along the side of Shotton Hill the track took over to the Kilham Burn. Presently the way passed between the Staw Hill and Mid Hill, and so after a short climb the ridge was gained and an imposing number of the larger Cheviot shoulders came into view. Here Dr M‘Whir spoke of the origin of the name Staw, suggesting that it might well come from the Scots word stey, as found in the proverb “Set a stout hert tae a stey brae.”’ Speaking of place-names, it was interesting to note that while Kirknewton and Kilham were English names, tor—meaning rounded hill—as in Newton Tors, was Celtic. Drwm—meaning ridge—as in Mindrum, was also Celtic. It was worthy of note, Dr M‘Whir added, that drum was not found in any place-name in Roxburghshire or Berwickshire, although it occurred in every other Scottish county. After this the way was continued down the slope to West Newton. From there members drove to Kirknewton, where, ~ in the unavoidable absence of the Vicar, the Rev. M. M. Piddocke, the President, Rev. Canon H. Roberson, read some notes which Mr Piddocke had prepared. The President pointed out that it was interesting to note that Kirknewton was REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 13 dedicated to St Gregory, being one of the 30 churches (out of some 20,000) which bear the name of this Saint. After this members filed into the churchyard to stand by the almost austerely simple grave of Josephine Butler. Here in this quiet spot, with the hills on every side keeping silent watch and ward, the Club had the privilege of listening to a few heart- felt words to the memory of his beautiful, dignified, and cour- ageous mother from their valued member Mr George Grey Butler of Ewart. A move was then made to the Cottage Hotel, Wooler, where 27 sat down to tea with the President. A specimen of the Black Horehound (Ballota nigra) gathered at Kirknewton was handed round. The following were elected members: Miss Antoinette Beatrice Dandford, Hawthornden, St Boswells; William Weston Hope and Mrs Hope, Braehead, St Boswells; Rev. A. S. Archibald, St Aidan’s Manse, Morebattle ; Miss Helen Suther- land, Rock Hall, Alnwick; Mrs HE. M. Tuke, Hundalee Cottage, Jedburgh ; Mrs HE. M. G. Leadbetter, Knowesouth, Jedburgh ; Mrs Pringle, Torwoodlee, Galashiels ; J. P. Simpson, Ferrysyde, Alnwick ; James Hood, jun., Linhead, Cockburnspath. 2. PRESTON TOWER. The second meeting of the year 1932 was held on Thursday, 2nd June. The weather was pleasant, and 150 members and friends met the President at Preston Tower. Mr G. G. Baker-Cresswell, the owner, read some interesting notes on the fifteenth-century tower; the south wall and the south-east and south-west corner turrets still stand in good preservation. The gardens and grounds were greatly enjoyed. On the way to Rock a pause was made at Swineclose Wood, on the Doxford estate. This interesting remnant of ancient forest was visited in order to see two well-preserved examples of “hollow ways,” but the beauty of the twisted oaks in their warm spring dress of golden green and the dense carpet of deep blue hyacinths added ten-fold to the pleasure of the short time spent there. Mr E. R. Newbigin spoke, comparing the hollow ways which had been seen last year on the moors above Rothbury with those 14 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 at present under observation. It was interesting to note that the deep and wide tracks which are so pronounced a featuze in the wood are completely lost outside, showing both the antiquity of what has remained untouched and the power of cultivation to obliterate much of the writing left on the land by those who have gone before. Mr Bosanquet was able to give members the welcome assur- ance that The Right Hon. Walter Runciman, although keenly interested in up-to-date forestry, intended to preserve at least a representative part of Swineclose Wood in its present state. The Secretary was asked to convey to Mr Runciman the Club’s appreciation of his decision. Considerable interest was taken in Swineclose as a new station for Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia) ; several specimens, in flower, were found. A move was next made to Rock church, where Mr Bosanquet very kindly took the place of the Vicar, who was to have spoken. ‘ The richly ornamented west door and beautiful round-headed chancel arch are Norman, the windows on the south side being Karly English. The visit to Rock Hall was much enjoyed. The grounds and gardens were inspected, after which Miss Sutherland showed an interesting collection of pictures in the modern experimental stage of British painting. Some thirty-five members and friends sat down to tea with the President in the Blue Bell Hotel, Belford. Mr H. H. Cowan gave a short outline of the collecting of data in regard to summer and winter thunderstorms, and suggested that some members might be willing to become observers. Two new members were elected: Mrs H. T. Boxwell, High Mousen, Belford; and Mrs Gilbert, Gladstone Terrace, Gates- head. 24. DURHAM. A special meeting was held on Thursday, 23rd June. In perfect weather 43 members and friends met the President at the Norman church of St Margaret’s—originally one of four chapelries of the parish of St Oswald. St Margaret’s was built 1140-1190; not until 1345 was it enlarged. This beautiful little church was of especial interest to members in that it was the charge of Canon Roberson during what he REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 15 described as 234 of the best years of his life. It was therefore with affection, as well as knowledge, that the President gave an outline of the church’s history and of the famous men con- nected with it. Members then walked up South Street—the only “ street’ in ~ the old town and probably of Roman origin—and then by way of the Prebend’s Bridge to the Cathedral. It had been hoped that the Dean—Bishop Weldon—would be able to tell the Club something of the interesting history of his beautiful and im- pressive Cathedral, but as he could only spare time to greet them they were taken round in two parties by well-informed vergers. The foundation-stone was laid in 1093, and the body of St Cuthbert placed in its shrine behind the High Altar in 1194. On the north door the knocker was observed with interest. The Cathedral possessed in ancient times the right of sanctuary, and a criminal who laid his hand upon the knocker might remain safely in the Cathedral for 37 days. The remains of the Venerable Bede—first scholar, first theologian, and first historian in England, who died at Jarrow in A.D. 735—were brought to Durham in the eleventh century. Time, unfortunately, did not permit of members seeing the Deanery; the drawing-room, hall, and dining-room of which were once the Prior’s sitting-room and the monks’ dormitory. The kitchen has been in continuous use. Mr K. C. Bayley, the Cathedral Librarian, had a large number of very old and valuable books and manuscripts laid out that members might see some of the treasures housed in what was once the refectory and later the dormitory. A short walk brought members to the foot of Observatory Hill, where the warm sunshine made a short pause greatly appreciated. After lunch those who wished to do so had time to reach the higher ground, from which they enjoyed a remark- ably fine view of the city. A return was then made to the Castle, where Major Macfarlane- Grieve, the Bursar, spoke in the Great Hall and explained both the history and architecture of the Castle, after which he took members on a most interesting tour of inspection. The erection of this ancient fortress was due about 1070 to Waltheof, a friend of Bishop Walcher. To Bishop Pudsey 16 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 (1153-1195) the Castle owes much of its present interest, while the work of succeeding Bishops—Anthony Beck, Thomas Hat- field, Richard Fox, and Cuthbert Tunstall—can still be traced. The Bishop of Durham mostly resided here, and the place was rightly considered impregnable, as at no time was it taken by the Scots. Since the death of the last Prince-Bishop (1836) the Castle has been used for the purposes of a University College. In what was formerly the Bishop’s Palace rooms are now reserved for the visiting Bishop and His Majesty’s Judges. Thirty-seven sat down to tea with the President in Carrick’s Café, Sadler Street. The following were elected members: Lady Frances Godolphine Osborne, Ord House, Berwick-upon- Tweed; Mrs J. D. Davidson, Beal House, Beal; and Mrs Robson, Buston House, Alnmouth. °3. BRANXHOLME AND HARDEN. The third meeting of the year 1932 was held on Wednesday, 13th July. In spite of a gloomy morning, which developed into excep- tionally heavy rain, some 50 private cars, as well as the official bus, arrived at Branxholme, bringing 170 members and friends to meet the President. Situated on the north bank of the Teviot, Branxholme— which has belonged to the family of Buccleuch since the reign of James I—is now a combination of ancient and modern archi- tecture. The western tower, the vaulted banqueting-hall, and some remnants of masonry are now all that remain of the build- ing immortalised in The Lay of the Last Minstrel. It had been intended that members should gather in front of the house to hear a brief outline of Branxholme and its history given by Mr James Wilson, but the persistent downpour made it necessary to find shelter in the banqueting-hall. And here members must have been reminded that only “ Nine and twenty knights of fame hung their shields in Branxholme Hall,’ while even if the “‘ Nine and twenty squires of name ”’ and the like number of “ yeomen tall,” were all in that vaulted room at the same time, they were not many more than half the number now attempting to enter it by way of the long dark passage from the western tower. Mr James Wilson very kindly repeated his REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 . 17 remarks, as it was found necessary to divide the party into two portions. By the time the outside of the building came to be inspected the rain was somewhat less heavy, and clearing gradually allowed an outline of the surrounding hills to suggest in some slight measure the now hidden beauty and extent of the view of the hill and moorland embracing the valleys of Teviot and Borthwick which it had been hoped to enjoy. Time and the unfavourable weather conditions did not allow of the party reaching the higher and more interesting group of the Chapelhill forts which have already been described and figured in our History,* but two at a lower level were visited, the party being led by Mr Thomas Wilson. The drive was then continued to Borthwick Wa’—a pre- Reformation graveyard by the roadside in which are stones bearing the names of many old Border families. One of the stones bears the representations of a fowling-piece, a dog, and two game-birds, with a skull, an hour-glass, and cross-bones below. The inscription reads: ‘“‘ HERE LYS|WILLIAM CROU GUNER|WHO DIED AUGUST THE 4 1671|aGE 52|ALSO MARGARET MURRY HIS|WIFE WHO DIED SEPT THE 6|1707 HER AGE 77|ALSO MARIAN SCOT SPOUSE TO|JAMES CROU WHO DIED MAY|THE 2 1707 HER AGE 42.” The sun was appearing by the time members reached Harden. Although altered to make a comfortable modern residence Harden still retains outwardly much of its old-time austerity, the magnificent position making every tale of the famous Wat o’ Harden a simple matter to believe. The Master of Polwarth spoke on the Terrace, giving an interesting outline of Harden and its history. By the kindness and hospitality of the Master and Mrs Scott, ' members and friends were entertained to tea in the house, after which the rooms of historic interest were inspected. The gardens were afterwards visited and then a return was made to Hawick by those going by train. A small bush of the Burnet- leaved Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia) was noted in the hedge at the corner where the road to Harden leaves the Roberton-Hawick road. = Volaxad p. 391. VOL. XXVIII, PART I. 2 18 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 4, NORHAM AND THE UNION BRIDGE. The fourth meeting of the year 1932 was held on Thursday, 4th August. Perfect weather, added to the interest of the day, brought 240 members and friends to meet the President. With the exception of the meeting at Hume Castle last year, on the occasion of the unveiling of the Indicator, this was a record attendance. Members visited what is probably the finest parish church in Northumberland, where the President—and Vicar—spoke and pointed out the main features of interest. Among these were several pre-Norman fragments, including a piscina and a cross- shaft.* A move was then made to the castle, where Mr Hunter Blair spoke.t Norham was last visited by the Club in 1922, but since then it has been gifted to the nation, and so much excavation has been done under the supervision of H.M. Office of Works that a further visit seemed not only justified but necessary. Buildings and foundations have been laid bare, and much additional knowledge has been brought to light in the last few years. Tea was in readiness at Dudgeon’s Café, Norham, after which 75 members and friends drove to the Union (or “ Chain”’) Bridge, and there embarked in a motor-boat and two other smaller craft to make the remainder of the journey by river. The Tweed is tidal as far as the bridge, and the beautiful banks, no less than the calmly majestic river, were seen to the best advantage from mid-stream on this beautiful evening. It was good to find that many members chose this not merely as a means of transport, but rather because all who live on the Borders should know and love the Tweed. As Will Ogilvie sings of it : ““O wide and winding river, You bring, it seems to me, The glamour of the Lowlands As gift unto the sea : The clink of spur and stirrup, The gleam of bit and lance, The spoil of all the Border, In riches of Romance !”’ * See vol. xxiv, p. 373. t See p. 27, below. eS ———e hell REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 19 5. THE DIRRINGTONS AND EVELAW TOWER. The fifth meeting of the year 1932 was held on Wednesday, 14th September. The 80 members and friends who met the President on the Duns—Longformacus road at noon were again fortunate in the weather. September at her best has no rivals, especially among the hills, and the wonderful expanse of country spread out to the eye from the top of Dirrington Great Law was appreciated by all. The full glory of the heather was over, but patches still stood out here and there in brave reminder of what had been an unbroken sea of purple. The great Dirrington is 1309 feet above sea-level, and on the top there are three clearly marked cairns or Bronze Age burial mounds which Mr J. Hewat Craw told members have never been dug over in any way. A point of difference in these cairns from others on the hills round about is that while stones on the other cairns have obviously been gathered from the surface of the hills, those on Great Dirrington have been quarried, and it is clear that the stone for one of the cairns has been taken from the trench which surrounds it. It was interesting to know that in those early days when man had only bronze implements to work with he was able to quarry out the stone used for the building of the burial cairns. In regard to the name Dirrington, Mr Craw suggested that it was possible this was a form of Doddington. He pointed out that an old local rhyme connected with Doddington in Northum- berland spoke of the “ Dorrington lads ’’—a form between which and Dirrington there was considerable similarity. Pointing out the heights round about, Mr Craw located to the north-west Lammer Law, 1733 feet, regarded at one time as the highest point of the Lammermoors, until the Ordnance Survey had revealed that Seyes Law was 17 feet higher. A little more to the west was Seenes Law, and in the nearer distance the Twin Law Cairns which were excavated by Lady John Scott. The valley of the Dye water was clearly marked and also more to the north Spartleton Hill. To the east was seen the sea at Berwick- upon-Tweed. To the south the whole range of the Cheviots extended in the far distance, and nearer at hand lay the two tarns on Hule Moss—part of Greenlaw Moor. A move was then made towards Dirrington Little Law. This was the steepest part of 20 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 the walk, and only some thirty of the party attempted it, the others taking the less strenuous way of keeping to the right and rejoining the climbers after their descent from the top. There is only one Bronze Age cairn on the Little Law. From here the Eildons stood out clearly, with Earlston Black Hill so placed in front that they looked like one group. The walk then continued over lower ground—the heather being left behind—until the farm of Evelaw was reached. The tower is now used as part of the outbuildings, and was described by Mr F. R..N. Curle (see page 81). A bronze pot which had been dug up in the vicinity of the tower some years ago was exhibited. A return was then made to Duns, where tea was in readiness at the Swan Hotel. Some thirty members sat down with the President. Points of interest seen during the day included White Heather and Cowbe..y (Vaccinium Vitis-idea), both very plentiful on the Great Law. In former days the Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi) was reported from the district, but as it has never been found again this would seem to have been in error. A Blue or Mountain Hare (Lepus variabilis) and an Adder (Coluber natrix) were also seen. The following new members were elected: Sir Christopher Furness, Netherbyres, Eyemouth; Mr J. Thornton Trevelyan, Weetwood Hall, Wooler; Mrs Lavinia Rea, Berrington, Ancroft ; and Mrs MacLaren, Fordell, Melrose. 6. BERWICK AND DUDDO. The annual business meeting was held on Wednesday, 5th October. The morning was cloudy and suggested rain, which, however, only fell very slightly during the outdoor part of the meeting. Some 50 members and friends met the President at Duddo Tower (Plate I). This is a fine landmark in the surrounding country, as it stands conspicuously on a hard red and white freestone escarpment. Mr Hunter Blair said that there was very little history con- nected with the tower. It was formerly under the Bishops of Durham and belonged to the Riddells of Tillmouth. James IV ‘WHMOL OdGGNd “ISVE-HLAOG FHL WOUT “LSHM-TLOOS FHL KOOL [apip ap “ond [To face p. 20, *ITIAXX “JOA ‘Qn ra fe\\. MUS 28 MAR 33 NAT Ao? REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 21 destroyed Duddo about 1496 on one of his raids when he espoused the cause of Perkin Warbeck. In 1541 the tower is known to have been in ruins, little being left standing. As far as it was possible to judge, the present building dated from the sixteenth century, probably about 1584, and may have been built about the same time as other towers in North N orthumber- land, such as Doddington and Coupland. About a mile to the north-west of the tower a small stone circle was next visited. There are five stones, the highest being 74 feet, all deeply grooved or furrowed with the weather, and narrowed near the foot, giving the rough impression of giant hands projecting from the ground. Mr Craw gave a short account of the monument, which is one of the few circles of the Bronze Age on the eastern Borders.* A return to Berwick was then made, where lunch was served in the King’s Arms Hotel. Thereafter members adjourned to the small Assembly Room, when the President, Canon H. Roberson, after delivering a most interesting address under the title of “‘ Wicken Fen,’’ nominated as his successor in office Major G. J. N. Logan Home, of Edrom, Berwickshire. This nomination was greeted with applause. Major Logan Home in accepting office said he was not only diffident about doing so but surprised that Canon Roberson should have nominated a Home and a soldier! but added that he thought he could promise that English sheep and cattle would be quite safe even when he Jed the Club in its raids over the Border. Major Logan Home then cordially thanked Canon Roberson for his address and for the conscientious way in which he had carried out his Presidential duties during the past year. Canon Roberson in reply said that he wished to present to the Club the first part of The History of Wicken Fen and also A Guide to Wicken Fen. The Secretary’s Report was read as follows : The exceptionally fine summer has been enjoyed on -the occasion of all save one of the six field meetings held by the Club. Attendances have been good at all meetings, and notably so at Norham, where there was an attendance of 240.. A special meeting was held in June to visit Durham. This, considering the distance, was well attended, and was of particular * See p. 84 below. 22 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 interest this year in that the President is an Honorary Canon of Durham. Since the last business meeting the Club has lost by death 12 members: Mr Hugh Leadbetter; Mr Charles EK. Purves ; Mr David H. W. Askew; Mr William C. Millar; Mrs L. S. Briggs ; Mr James A. Somervail; Mr E. Brewis; Rev. George Campbell; Dr Henry Hay; Mr Thomas Youl; Mr Thomas Darling, F.C.S.; Mr W. B. Dickinson; Mr W. R. Caverhill ; and Mr J. L. Greig. Twenty-two new members have been added during the year. The following records have been handed in. Ornithology.—A Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) was killed by the telegraph-wires at Ord Hill, Northumberland, in January of this year. Waxwings (Ampelis garrulus), a Shore Lark (Otocorys alpestris), and a Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans) were seen at Waren (Northumberland) in December 1931. Jays (Garrulus glandarius) : several were seen at Haggerston, Northumberland, in December 1931. Five Waxwings were seen on 15th December 1931 at Reston, Berwickshire. From the same place is reported the unusual occurrence of a Golden-crested Wren caught in a mouse-trap set for its ordinary purpose in a back kitchen. A Barnacle Goose (Bernicla leucopsis) and a White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) were shot at Ross, Northumberland, in February of this year. A Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is reported as seen west of Roxburgh Castle on 20th July of this year. ~ A Heron’s nest, built in a fallen willow-tree only some 7 feet above the water, is reported from Pawston, Northumberland. It was seen in September of this year. The nest did not appear to have been used. There is a small heronry at Pawston Lake. Waxwings were seen feeding by the roadside at New Road, Berwick, on 10th, 11th, and 12th December 1931; also eight or ten at Horncliffe early in November. A male Hen-Harrier (Circus cyaneus) was seen moving over the moor between Newlands Hill and Moss Law, near Gifford, on 15th April of this year; another at Pease Dean at the beginning of July. | REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 23 A Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) was shot at Byrecleugh in January of this year. A Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris) was picked up injured in May at Manderston, Berwickshire. Crossbills (Loria curvirostra) were seen at Oxendean, Berwick- shire, on 14th June of this year. The early date suggests that the birds may have been British-bred rather than Continental migrants. A white Swallow was seen at Blanerne. A Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris) was shot at Tillmouth early in this ear. : A newly laid Pheasant’s egg was found at Edgerston, Rox- burghshire, on 17th January. ; Entomology.—Mr R. Craigs reports his capture of a Cloaked Pug moth (Eupithecia togata) at Catcleugh on 10th July; this would seem to be the first record for Northumberland. The identification has been duly confirmed. Botany.—Chickweed Wintergreen (Trientalis Europea) is re- ported as abundant on the south-east slopes of Chatton Law. Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia) was found sparingly in Swine- close Wood in June of this year. Several specimens showed a fifth leaf. Mr R. H. Dodds reported that on the actual year’s working there was a debit balance of £1, 14s. 10d., but the Club had a balance of approximately £7, 19s. 9d., after allowing for the cost of the Index and the printing of the Hvstory for the year. Included in the expenditure was an item of £23, 19s. 5d. for the pedestal of the Indicator erected at Hume Castle in 1931; this by a mistake had not been included in last year’s accounts. Mr J. B. Duncan reported that only a limited number of members had taken advantage of the reduced price offered during the centenary year for back numbers of the Club’s History. He also regretted that more use was not made of the Library which, though a small room, was adequately heated and lighted by electricity. He hoped, however, that the Index which Mr Craw was at present engaged upon would be a great help when finished. The Transactions of many other Societies were also to be seen in the Library. 24 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 Mr Craw reported that the Index was nearing completion, and would in all probability be ready in the spring. He had had to deal with almost 25,000 slips, and these had to be revised ; also scientific names required modernising and cross-references given for synonyms. This would still necessitate a considerable amount of work. The present Office-Bearers were unanimously re-elected. Colonel Leather, having given notice of the motion, moved an amendment to Rule 10. The rule at present reads: ““The Office-Bearers of the Club are a President, who is nominated annually by the retiring President ; a Secretary, an Editing Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Librarian, who are elected at the annual business meeting, and who shall form the Com- mittee of Management of the Club.” He moved that it be amended to read as follows : “The Office-Bearers of the Club are a President, a Vice- President, a Secretary, an Editing Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Librarian. These shall form the Committee of Management of the Club. The President shall hold office for a year, and shall be succeeded by the Vice-President. The Vice-President shall be nominated annually by the retiring President. The other Office-Bearers shall be elected at the annual business meeting.” Mr Hunter Blair seconded, and after discussion the alteration was carried unanimously. Mr Craw moved that Rule 15—requiring members at meetings to hand their card to the Secretary—be deleted. The rule was now obsolete as, owing to the large increase in attendance, names were no longer published in the History. Dr M‘Whir seconded ; the motion was approved. A suggestion was put forward that meetings should be arranged with more consideration for the owner-driver. An expression of opinion was asked for. Mr Craw pointed out the difficulty of arranging meetings, and Mr Hunter Blair said he saw no reason to alter the present arrangement, and moved that no alteration be made. This wasagreed to. Miss Gibb and Mr H. H. Cowan wrote suggesting that a Traffic Controller with considerable powers should be appointed. Dr M‘Whir thought that such an appointment was unnecessary. The Secretary said that on two occasions during the present year the police REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 25 had been asked to direct the traffic, and this had been found very successful. It was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the Secretary, as before. The following suggestions for places of meeting for next year were sentin: The Catrail, Peniel Heugh, Greaves Ash, Flodden, Purves Hall, Wooler and district, Middleton Hall, the Roman Road by Jedfoot, Cessford Castle and Kirkbank, Halidon Hill, and Berwick. — Mr T. B. Short said he was glad that Cessford Castle was included in the list. This was a notable stronghold and the home of the Kers. He thought the attention of H.M. Office of Works should be drawn to the advisability of preserving the Castle. Canon Roberson thanked Mr John Bishop for acting as the Club’s Delegate at the York meeting of the British Asso- ciation, and asked him to act again next year. Mr Bishop accepted. Mr Dodds reminded the Club that in 1933 there would be celebrated the 600th aniversary of the Battle of Halidon Hill, and suggested that they should place some Memorial on the actual field. He would suggest something quite simple, with the words “ Halidon Hill, 1333.” He thought that a subscrip- tion fund might be opened for this purpose for members and the general public, and would himself be glad to act as Treasurer. Those present agreed unanimously to the suggestion. Mr Short drew the attention of the Club to the fact that four statues, which he had reason to believe had come originally from Berwick Castle, had been sold during the disposal of Haggerston and removed to the south. Mr Craw agreed that it was very desirable that such matters should be recorded in the History of the Club, and suggested that Mr Short might help in finding out where the statues now were. This Mr Short under- took to do. Mr Craw said it had been suggested to him that addresses given at meetings should be printed and sent out to members within a short time of the meeting at which they were given, as this would be considerably more interesting than waiting until the Club’s History was issued in the following spring. He thought that, perhaps, some members were not aware that excellent reports of all the Club’s meetings were given by the 26 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1932 Berwick papers, and he considered that members could not do better than procure these. The following new members were elected: Mr Maxwell Walker, Springwells, Greenlaw; and Miss J. A. I. Blair, Abbey Green, Jedburgh. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-PRESIDENT. The Council met at Berwick on 26th October and unanimously agreed to ask Dr John Stuart Muir, Selkirk, to be Vice-President of the Club for the year 1933. The office was instituted by the amendment of Rule 10 at the Business Meeting.* Dr Muir has intimated his acceptance of the office. He first became a member of the Club in 1883, and renewed his member- ship in 1925. TRANSACTIONS OF THE HAWICK ARCHAOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 1932. Cure, A. O.—‘“‘ The Prehistoric Forts of Scotland.” KirKPATRICK, Rev. R. 8.—‘* Yarrow Kirk.” Witson, Mrs 8. C.—‘‘ The Barony of Hawick si the Lovell Family.” PRINGLE, Dr J.—“‘ George Borrow and the Scottish Borders.” Witson, W. E.—‘‘ Robert Shortreed’s Account of his Visits to Liddesdale with Sir Walter Scott.” EpeGar, JAMES—‘‘ Common Riding Finances 85 Years Ago: the Festival of 1846.” CricHton, GEorGE—“ Sir Walter Scott and Galashiels.” Gray, W. FornEs—‘ Bicentenary of Thomas Boston.” Littey, Rev. P. W.— A Spiritual Pepys.” (Boston.) * See p. 24, above. SS Tough NORHAM CASTLE. By C. H. Hunter Brarr, M.A., F.8.A. ABBREVIATIONS. Archeologia Alliana, series i—iv. Calendar of Letters and Papers relating to the Borders of England and Scotland, edited by Joseph Bain, 2 vols. Edinburgh, 1894. Calendar of Close Rolls. Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland, edited by Joseph Bain, 4 vols. The Complete Peerage, by G. E.C. New edition. Vols. i-viii. Calendar of Patent Rolls. Durham Seals, Archeologia Aliana, 3rd series, vols. vii-xvii. Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis, SS, 58. History of Northumberland, by John Hodgson. Norham Castle, by H. E. H. Jerningham. The County Palatine of Durham, by G. T. Lapsley. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII. (State Papers.) A History of Northumberland, vols. i—xiii. Proceedings of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, series i—iv. A History of North Durham, by Jas. Raine. Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense, 1311-16, edited by Sir T. D. Hardy, 4 vols. History of the County of Durham, by Robert Surtees. The Scalachronica of Sir Thos. Grey, translated by Sir Herbert Maxwell. Publications of the Surtees Society. The Last Years of a Frontier, by D. L. U. Tough. It is very fitting that our Club should visit Norham castle in this the centenary year of the death of Walter Scott, the greatest of all Borderers. It was here that he placed the opening scenes of Marmion,’ and here that lord Marmion, received with “ herald, pomp and state,” was— ““, . . hailed lord of Fontenaye Of Lutterward and Scrivelbaye Of Tamworth tower and town.” 1 The name was probably suggested to Scott by the chivalrous tale of Sir William Marmion told in Scala, see post, p. 40. 20 28 NORHAM CASTLE In the public mind Norham is best remembered for its associa- tion with this poem, its ruined Great gate is still popularly called “‘ Marmion’s gate.” We recall this association to-day and—for remembrance—quote once more the well-known opening lines of the poem : ‘* Day set on Norham’s castled steep, On Tweed’s fair river, broad and deep, And Cheviot’s mountains lone ; The battled towers, the donjon keep, The loophole grates where captives weep, The flanking walls that round it sweep, In yellow lustre shone.” It is only a few years since our Club was at Norham, but it is well that another visit should be made so soon. In the interval, the castle has come under the care of H.M. Office of Works, who have excavated and strengthened against further decay its ruined tower, walls, and “ lodgings,’ reopened the moats and revealed the great strength of the inner bailey which once and again resisted all enemy assaults after the outer bailey had fallen. The historical account which follows does not, except very slightly, deal with the architectural history of the castle. It is to be hoped that such an account, with a detailed and dated plan, will soon issue from the Office of Works, when much that is now obscure may be made clear. The county palatine of Durham was, until 1836, a great franchise or regality within which the bishops of Durham as lords palatine exercised, normally, the rights and privileges which the sovereign enjoyed in the rest of ae kingdom—quicquid rex habet extra episcopus habet infra.1 This authority reached its greatest development in the fourteenth century. A letter, of 17th July 1376, from Edward III to Alexander Neville, archbishop of York, ordering him not to visit officially the bishopric of Durham, tells how wide and independent the authority of the lords palatine (or earls palatine—comes palatinus—as the bishop is called in this letter *) within their palatinate then was. EDS; i, sya: 2 quamquam venerabilis pater Episcopus Dunelmensis comes palatinus existat, jurisdiccionemque temporalem in omnes et singulos subditos suos libertatis Dunelmensis auctoritate regia habuerit, ipseque et predecessores sui, episcopi Dunelmenses jurisdiccionem hujusmodi in subditos suos ejusdem NORHAM CASTLE 29 That part of the county of Northumberland, known until modern times as North Durham, formed part of this franchise. It consisted of Norhamshire or the district around Norham, Islandshire, comprising Holy Island and the adjoining mainland, and the small enclave farther south surrounding Bedlington, known as Bedlingtonshire. The first two of these, with Bamburghshire and Glendale, formed the East Marches of England towards Scotland. North Durham was therefore an outwork of which the county of Durham, with the great castle of its bishops, formed the citadel; this was specially so when in the twelfth century Northumberland and the district of Carlisle were claimed by the kings of Scotland. “In the hands of a strong ruler this little principality . . . might well fulfil the expectations of the English kings by presenting itself as a murus lapideus contra Scottos.” ? The chief castle in North Durham was Norham ; it guarded one of the many fords of Tweed, and with the royal strongholds of Berwick upon Tweed—“ the strongest hold in all Britaine ”’ —and Wark kept watch over the frontier. The castle and its liberties were, in early days, governed by a constable appointed by the bishop, who often combined with that office the functions of the other important officials of the shire.*? In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the office seems to have become more or less hereditary and remained in one family for many years.* In later years the governor was sometimes called “ keeper” or “ warden” (custos) and later still ““ captain,’ when the constable appears as an officer under him. In times of national emergency (e.g. after Bannockburn) -or when the king had cause to doubt the bishop’s loyalty (e.g. in 1174 in bishop Puiset’s time) the castle was lent to the king and received a royal garrison under a constable appointed by him. It was, however, always stipulated that the loan was made without prejudice to the rights of the bishop and, the danger being past, the castle with its liberties unimpaired would be libertatis a tempore predicto semper hactenus, tanquam persone privilegiis regalibus insignite per ministros suos exercuerunt. Scrip. Tres, p. exliii (SS, 9). See also RND, p. 7. Pear, 1,76. 2 Laps, p. 37. 3 See Laps, p. 91, and list of governors, post, p. 61, ff. * See post, pp. 44-5. 30 NORHAM CASTLE returned to the bishop. It was also in the king’s hands, with the other temporalities of the bishopric, during a vacancy in the see. The natural strength of its site doubtless appealed to bishop Ranulph Flambard, when, in 1121, he caused a castle to be built there—in the place formerly called Ethamesforda.2 The continuator of Symeon’s History of the See of Durham amplifies this bare statement: “He (Flambard) built a castle upon a steep cliff which overhangs Tweed that he might thereby curb the incursions of robbers and the inroads of the Scots, for until his time this place which was situated upon the borders of England and Scotland was entirely exposed to the incessant harrying of these thieves nor had any garrison been fixed there to restrain their attacks.” 3 The plan of the earthworks given on page 31? shows the great natural strength of the site. It is guarded on the north and west by the steep cliff which here forms Tweed’s southern bank, on the east a deep ravine cuts it off on that side, whilst a depression deepened by art sweeps around the south until it joins the river on the south-west. Flambard’s castle, like others of this date, was probably of the early Norman type known as “ mound and bailey.” > This consisted of a high artificial mound, or, as at Norham, of a natural hill, where the engineer’s art had only to strengthen nature, surrounded by a ditch with a palisade upon its inner edge. Upon this “ high-place”’ a wooden tower or house was built, also palisaded, access to which was obtained by a wooden ladder. To this central stronghold a bailey or outer court 1 RPD, ii, 1108. 2 Ranulfus Dunelmensis episcopus . . . castellum apud Northam incepit super ripam Twedez in loco qui Ethamesforda dicitur (Symeon of Durham, Rollsed., ii, 260). In another place, vol. i, 361, ‘“‘ad Northam que antiquitus Ubansforde dicebatur.”’ 3 The Historical Works of Simeon of Durham, p. 766, trans. rev. Jos. Stevenson. 4 This was made before the excavations recently done by the Office of Works. 5 For this type, see The Larly Norman Castles of the British Isles, by Ella S. Armitage. It should, however, be noted that the vaults in the basement at Norham are of a very archaic style for c. A.D. 1157. They resemble the vault under the refectory at Durham of c. 1090. 6 See castles of Dinant and Bayeux, shown on Bayeux Tapestry, and method of attack by firing the palisades. ~~, = = NORHAM CAS TAKE oe NORTHUMBERLAND fMhh a 8 x & N (DL, ; 5 A SCALE 2 S INCHES 70 THE MIKE VISITED AND EXAMINED BY £.4.DOWNMAN, AUG. 1909 (Ee Ay , RIAN E aN B : S WAEe ess D NWS WEB, oo cH Ys ic i ZY Poot fyi) Abii IN «\ a SLT \ Si fy LOUTH NW ify WMT in a Ss —=—— rr eg ibid = £90 LZ aia Cony ; DSN NA Sib a eon AF STRE4 Owes UbFD 7. SCALE ywteéer | 7) 210 420 630 (ee BE a er THE PERPENDICULAR SCALE 1§ SLIGHTL We 4LXAGCCERATED. TH EMEASUREMENTS Of THE SECTIONS ARE IN FEET, AND START FROM AN /MAGMVAAY BASE $O ae BELOW THE DITCH OR S CARP. EARTHWORKS OF NORHAM CASTLE IN 1909. 32 NORHAM CASTLE was joined, also defended by a ditch with palisade. The lines of the two inner ditches shown on the plan on p. 31 are doubt- less the same as those of the mound and bailey of Flambard’s castle. These early earthen castles were quickly built, as witness the great numbers made and destroyed during the anarchy of Stephen’s reign, but they were unable to resist a prolonged siege. For some fifteen years after its completion we hear nothing of Norham ; it probably fulfilled its purpose by curbing the “incursions of robbers,”’ and the Scots did not trouble it. Then in 1136 David of Scotland resolved to go to the assistance of his niece the empress Maud to whom he, with the other great barons of England, had taken the oath of allegiance during the lifetime of her father. This act of chivalry was not improbably also inspired by his own interests. He, no doubt, hoped that in the anarchy then reigning in England he would recover the district of Carlisle which he claimed as of right, as well as the earldom of Northumberland which he considered to be his by inheritance of his wife the daughter of earl Waltheof and grand- daughter of earl Siward. He invaded Northumberland, and quickly captured Norham as well as the similar castles of Wark, Alnwick, and Newcastle upon Tyne. They were all restored shortly thereafter upon the signing of the treaty by which David’s son Henry was made earl of Huntingdon and received the lordships of Doncaster and of Carlisle. Peace did not long endure; in 1138 David again entered Northumberland and devastated the whole north of England with the greatest barbarity. Norham was again captured, it was weakly garri- soned and, though defended bravely by nine unnamed knights assisted by the townspeople, it was soon compelled to surrender, and this time David totally destroyed its fortifications.t The inroad was ended by the battle of the Standard fought at Cowton Moor, near Northallerton, on 22nd August 1138, when the northern barons, encouraged by the example and exhortations of the aged Thurstan, archbishop of York, led by Bernard of Baliol and fighting under the banners, fixed upon 1 Rex David Scotie . . . inde (t.e. Newcastle) divertens ad Norham castrum episcopi Dunelmensis quod obsideri fecit et citius oppidanos ad deditionem compulit ipsumque oppidum subrui precipit (Symeon of Durham, Rolls ed., ii, 291). The oppidum obviously refers to the fortified area of the castle. NORHAM CASTLE 33 one standard, of St Peter of York, St John of Beverley and St Wilfrid of Ripon, totally defeated the marauding Scottish army, who thereupon retreated to their own country. Peace was once more signed, at Durham, on 9th April 1139, when David’s son Henry at length received the coveted earldom of Northumberland. North Durham was, however, specially exempted from dependence upon the earldom, and Norham was therefore restored to the bishop (Geoffrey Rufus). It seems probable that during the remainder of Stephen’s reign comparative peace reigned on the Border, and that the forti- fications of Norham were not restored, but like those of Newcastle and Bamburgh remained in a very dilapidated state.t A new era began in the history of Norham when, in 1157, Henry II regained possession of Northumberland and of the district of Carlisle. One of his first cares was to strengthen the northern frontier by rebuilding, this time in stone, the castles of New- castle upon Tyne, Bamburgh and Wark. About the same time bishop Hugh of Puiset,? who had been consecrated bishop of Durham in 1153, built the tower of Norham and strongly fortified the castle. Geoffrey of Coldingham says that Puiset found it to be weakly fortified and he made it secure by the building of a very strong tower.? The work was done under the direction of the bishop’s master-mason (architect) Richard of Wolviston called Ingeniator,* a citizen of Durham whose name and skill were famous in the district. The basement (if it is not earlier) and the first and second stories of the present keep (excepting the west and part of the south walls), part of the lower masonry of the gates, the lines and portions of the stonework of the walls of the outer and inner baileys, and the arrangements for the wet moat of the inner bailey represent to-day the work of Puiset’s architect. The keep was afterwards heightened and altered, towers 1 Pipe Roll, Henry II. 2 A cadet of a noble family, viscounts of Chartres, whose name came from Puiset thereby. Stubbs describes him ‘“‘a man of grand stature and singularly noble face, eloquent, energetic, a mighty hunter, a great ship- master, a magnificent builder, an able defender and besieger, a consummate intriguer and a very wary politician ”’ (Hist. Intro. Rolls Series, pp. 210 ff.). ® Castellum de Northam quod munitionibus infirmum reperit, turre validissima forte reddidit (Geoffrey of Coldingham, SS, 9, p. 12). 4 Reginaldus Dunelmensis, SS, 1, 111. Sehoud.. poll2. VOL. XXVIII, PART I. 3 34 NORHAM CASTLE were added to the rebuilt walls of both baileys, the gateways were restored once and again, but though often repaired and in places entirely rebuilt the plan of the castle remains substantially that of Ricardus Ingeniator. The work must have been com- pleted before 1174, for in that year bishop Puiset, implicated in the rebellion of the king’s (Henry IT) sons and accused of making a secret treaty with William the Lion of Scotland, was forced to surrender his castles to the king. Norham received a royal garrison under the command of Roger Conyers,! who was succeeded in 1177 by William Neville ; it was still in the king’s hands in 1186 ? and may have remained so until the vacancy following Puiset’s death was ended by the appointment of Philip of Poictou in 1197. In the latter year Gilbert fitz Reinfrid and Richard Briewere received £29, 6s. 8d. for keeping the castle whilst in the king’s hands.? It was restored to the bishop shortly thereafter. Norham was not attacked in the fierce foray which William the Lion led into the northern counties of England in 1173-74, so graphically described in the chronicle-poem of Jordan Fantosme.4 The raid was abruptly ended by the capture of William,® in a surprise attack whilst besieging Alnwick castle on 13th July 1174, by a band of northern knights led by the Justiciar Ranulph of Glanville and Odinel of Umfraville lord of Prudhoe. The treaty of Falaise which followed brought peace to the Borders and to Norham for some years. During this time of comparative quietness king John visited Norham whilst in Northumberland in 1209, when William the Lion came to him there, did homage and agreed to pay tribute ; ® two years later the treaty then made was confirmed at the same place. Norham was then in the king’s hands, bishop Philip had died in 1208 and, by reason of John’s quarrel with the church, the see of Durham was vacant until the consecration of Richard Marsh in 1217. During these years considerable sums of money were spent upon the castle; in the years 1208-11 the large amount of £372, 13s. 1ld. was expended on work “in the 1 CDS, i, 20. 2 Ibid., p. 26. 8 Ibid., p. 38. Sel 5 Fantosme, p. 83 (SS, 11). 6 £4, 6s. Od., by the king’s writ, for the carriage from Norham to Notting- ham of 7000 marks of the king of Scotland’s fine (CD§, i, 84). NORHAM CASTLE 35 castles and houses of the bishopric” at Norham and Tweedmouth.t Alexander II succeeded to the throne of Scotland in 1214, and in the following year he invaded Northumberland to en- force his claims to the earldom of that county and to the lordship of Cumberland which the northern barons had promised to him in return for his help against John. He laid siege to Norham and beleaguered it for forty days without success. The strength of its defences and the skill of its constable, Sir Robert Clifford, forced him to raise the siege. The invasion roused John to one of his bursts of energy. He came north with a large army in the early part of 1216 and captured and burnt the castles of the barons of Northumberland in one week ; coming to Norham he passed over Tweed and harried all Lothian. Alexander retreated to his own country. John’s death, in October 1216, completely altered Alexander’s pros- pects of profiting by the troubles of his southern neighbour. The northern barons rallied to the young Henry III, and Alexander’s chance of the coveted earldom vanished. A treaty was signed in 1219, when Pandulf the Papal legate and Sir Stephen Segrave the Justiciar met Alexander at Norham and agreed upon terms of peace which lasted until the claims of Edward I (Malleus Scottorum), in 1291, caused the Scottish War of Independence, and the centuries of Border warfare ended only by the Union of the Crowns in 1603. There is little recorded history of Norham for some years after the peace signed there in 1219. Its buildings and defences were doubtless maintained in good repair, and its garrison, under its constables, kept in an efficient state. In the earlier part of the century a hall, kitchen, and other necessary buildings would probably be built in the inner bailey in accordance with the need for more and better accommodation than the keep could provide. The castle was in the custody of the king’s commissioners, Adam Yeland, William Blokele and Thomas Bendeges,” during the vacancy of the see following the death of bishop Richard Marsh, and in 1227 the king ordered Bartholo- mew Peche to give its custody to Stephen Lucy,? who on 22nd July 1228 * delivered it to the new bishop, Richard le Poore. 1 CDS, i, 84. 2 CPR, 1226, p. 28. 3 I[bid., 1227, p. 141. 4 CCR, 1237, p. 66. 36 NORHAM CASTLE The latter died in 1237, when John son of Philip was appointed, by the king, guardian of the castles of Durham and Norham, and John of Rumseye, then constable, was ordered to deliver them to him.!- Norham remained in the king’s hands until the vacant see was filled by the appointment of Nicholas Farn- ham in 1241, when Henry Neketon was ordered to deliver the castle to him. On 20th June 1241 the Barons of the Exchequer were ordered to allow Nicholas de Molis, then guardian of the bishopric of Durham, 28s. 94d. which he had expended upon a certain stable and oxhouse within the castle of Norham.? Bishop Farnham resigned the see on 8th February 1249, and in the following year Peter Chacepore was ordered to give his successor Walter Kirkham seisin of his castles of Durham and Norham.? The factious strife in Scotland around the boy-king Alex- ander III, whose child-wife was Margaret daughter of Henry III of England, had resulted by 1257 in the victory of the party led by Walter Comyn, earl of Menteith, over the rival faction of the Bruces led by Alan Durward the Justiciar. The victorious party secured the person of the king and allied themselves with the Welsh then at war with England. In face of this Henry prepared for war to restore the Durward and Bruce influence. The effect of this national menace was at once felt at Norham ; on 2nd April 1258 bishop Walter Kirkham, at the king’s request ‘‘ on account of the war and disturbance in Scotland,” delivered the castle to be occupied and provisioned by the sheriff of Northumberland (Robert Neville, lord of Raby) for the king,* but it was agreed that the tower and inner bailey were to remain in the possession of the bishop’s constable and sergeants.> Neville was also commanded at the same time to receive Alan Durward and Walter Moray within the castle as they require “ safe retreats.” ® Bishop Kirkham died 9th August 1260, when the king committed the vacant see to John Mansell as guardian, and ordered the constable of Norham to deliver the castle to him ;? in the following year Mansell is ordered to deliver Norham to the new bishop, Robert Stichell.® 1 CPR, 1237, p. 180. 2 CDS, i, 281. 3 CPR, 1249, p. 51. 4 Ibid., 1258, p. 621. 5 CCR, 42, Henry III. 6 Tbid., 5th April, 1258. 2 CPR, 1260, p. 90. 8 Ibid., 1261, p. 139. NORHAM CASTLE 37 No notice appears of the castle during the episcopates of bishops Stichell (1261-74) and Robert de l’Isle (1274-83) nor during the earlier years of the warrior-bishop Antony Bek (1283-1310). In the fateful year 1291 Norham was the centre and scene of great historical events. It was in the castle that in the early summer! Edward I, with many of his barons and high officers of state, lived, when, as arbi- trator and claiming to be the overlord of Scotland, he heard the claims of the thirteen competitors for the vacant throne of that kingdom. The decision in favour of John Baliol was given in Berwick castle on 17th November 1292, and three days later Edward was again at Norham when John did homage and swore fealty to him in the church there. The king’s house- hold roll from 20th November to 7th December records a total expenditure of £40, 7s. 3d. spent there between the pantry, buttery, kitchen, scullery, salsary, hall, chamber and wages, with, in addition, 90 lbs. of wax and 147 sesterces of wine.? Norham took no prominent part in the battles of the early years of the Scottish War of Independence, it was not attacked when Wallace raided Northumberland after the battle of Stirling in 1297, when he threatened the citadel of the pala- tinate, Durham castle itself, nor is it mentioned in the campaign of the following year ended by Edward’s victory at Falkirk (22nd June 1298), where Antony Bek, the palatine lord of Norham, led the “ii bataille ’’—“‘ C’est la bataille ’evesk de Duresme la secound—Antoyn Beke.” ® The reason for this immunity may have been that the warlike bishop had seen to it that the fortifications of the castle were such as the latest military science could devise ; the round towers defending the great gateway shown on Buck’s engraving of 1728 (Plate IT) may be of this date, as well as the towers on the curtain wall of the outer bailey, semicircular towards the field, the bases of which have been exposed by the recent excavations. The great lowland stronghold of Roxburgh was the gathering place of the English army which Edward led into Scotland in the summer of 1303. He went as far north as the shores of * Letters patent and close are dated at Norham from 9th May to 28th June. ; ODS, 153. * Roll of the Battle of Falkirk (The Reliquary, xvi, 30 ff.). 38 NORHAM CASTLE Moray firth, spent the winter of 1303-4 at Dunfermline, stormed Stirling castle 20th July 1304, and by the capture of Wallace in the following year ended the war for a time. During at least part of this time Edward’s young queen Margaret of France lived at Norham castle ; on 28th November 1303 she writes from there requesting that 12 tuns of wine be sent to the castle to make up the amount that she had used for her household from the bishop’s stock. Quietness, or at least the armed, vigilant, uneasy peace of the Borders, now came to Norham for some years. Edward died at Burgh-on-Sands 7th July 13807. On 3rd March 1311 the warlike bishop Antony Bek died. His successor, Richard Kellawe, received the tem- poralities of the see 20th May 1311, and on the 5th June following appointed William Ridell constable of Norham castle and bailliff of the honour. Meantime Robert Bruce had been crowned king of Scots at Scone 27th March 1306; the death of the great Edward in the next year brought fresh hope to Scotland, the worthless character of his successor was well known, and Bruce renewed the war with great vigour ; he first subdued the Comyn faction in the north, and afterwards turning south raided Northumberland and Durham in the years 1311 and 1312, capturing Roxburgh castle in February 1312-13. Then followed Bannockburn (24th June 1314). Norham was not attacked at this time, but, strong though it was, the king’s government must have doubted the power of the bishop’s officers to defend it, for on 25th May 1314 bishop Kellawe granted it to the king, at his request, for a term of three years: “for the defence of himself, his people, and his land.” ? It had only been in the king’s hands for two months when it was ordered by writ directed to Sir Wiliam Ridell, constable (2nd August 1314), to be restored to the bishop, though the term had not elapsed,+ to be held by him “as freely as he and his predecessors have held it before this time.” ° On 15th August 1314 the bishop appointed William of Denum, - 1 CDS, ii, 371. 2 RPD,i, 20. On 14th April 1312 Patrick Kellawe, the bishop’s brother, was ordered to deliver up to William Ridell, for himself and his wife, the lower hallin the castle (i.e. in the bailey), with chambers and the kitchen, to dwell there at the bishop’s will until there was better peace in the march (RPD, i, 173). 3 RPD, i, 666. 4 CPR, 1314, p. 163. 5 RPD, i, 667. ScLI NI WLLSVO NVHYON HO {- psliery yp VOM UP SL —AYPIRM JO GMA NY fl. HY I VY ML JO TP ALORM? ARM “pe PPh PYM MRIMY SO PAYDAY PUPP UI SVM YY YY] LEY MUaYSIEAE ADR IMB D AYPP DIY Oeil ut AHO whey) (14, “te MME DODO Yt tt fd p Ue Puy - %y me Yeuley, Wbi2, Vv CB. yy PPM AGL A PA Y VY BY ta While) “. Mi poruibyp Y Jie diy LL “py " vy 0d JO: Up £ LY) LY USO ULL Yd i, WALA YAHUMLIRP HOY PYOUZ LYS PUYE RC YIA M2] Wate RM OY MOY 2p, Poa PTE tp 22M POR Me Ubrdy Uayf? YOY UYapey lds Wig Pru} LAMY? SO YUNG LYE MD BT: lta LLY YO: eZ LB PUOWANAE Yb ee a OYf WIELD PIaH 5 PY fT R06 26 t fOMPMDIDN: ddpeg 2d U4 Spe ff CUBE PRLIDAN Yt ff aha » ALLA Paps YIOY Wregs BJO M04 2Yf UI UOYAN GT. fo t oy Mat YY) OP UY LUM YPERI STM A Keygens WR RE eS Be “WLLSVO. = WVILION. © AO ‘TT Givi1g MAIA S.MONE 7776. ie TA 2) Ply ge? 41 yy,’ pocjoap 747 YYLOO fig) “MANLY LY, {COGN py Cty Uj uiy 4) CELE MY EMS vs (LD, Ys ya gus < fo CaM) bi [To face p. 38. ey TSW =ILL/IOS CIEAL ‘THTAXX “TOA ‘qnyg SisyvunnN arysyonuag fo fsojsd7T NORHAM CASTLE 39 Geoffrey of Edenham, and Robert of Sokpeth his attorneys, to take over the castle from Sir William Ridell, with all its stores! On the same day Sir Robert Clifford received its custody from the bishop by the hands of Sir William Ridell.? An interesting inventory of “ les armures et les vitailles ” then in the castle is printed by Raine. But peace seldom stayed long at Norham: in June 1315 king Robert Bruce again crossed Tweed and ravaged the whole bishopric. Norham was not attacked, but the government were evidently nervous, as on 23rd November 1315 the castle was again granted to the king; on the 30th of that month he declared by writ that this grant was only for the safe custody of the march of Scotland against the unfriendly Scots and rebels and should not be to the prejudice of the bishop ; * at the same time the king thanked the bishop for the reception of Sir Henry Beaumont in the castle “ for the safety of the marches.” It was returned to the bishop on 23rd May 1316, on which day he issued a commission to Walter of Goswick and others to receive the castle and its contents from the king. Walter undertook the custody of the castle, “at his own cost in all things, in peace and in war, on the peril that there- unto appertaineth,’ for one year from the day of Pentecost (1316) until the feast of St Michael in the year of grace 1317, and safely to surrender it to the bishop at his will . . . for 200 marks silver, payable half-yearly. . . . The bishop grants to Walter issues belonging to the bishop that shall be reasonably levied in the shires of Norham and Island. Bishop Kellawe died 9th October 1316, and two days after- wards the king by writ ordered John Wrysham, keeper of Berwick upon Tweed, and John Weston, chamberlain of Scotland, to allow Walter of Goswick, to whom he had com- mitted the custody of Norham castle, the see being void, to carry back there the armour, victuals, and other things which had lately been carried from that castle to Berwick for safety.® On 13th January 1316-17 Sir Robert Hastange is commanded to deliver the castle to John Darcy le Cosyn with all its “‘ arma- ture and provisions,” it being in the king’s hands by reason of 1 RPD, i, 586. 2 Ibid., i, 598, 670. 3 RND, p. 285, and RPD, i, 598. 4 RPD, ii, 1108. 5 Ibid., ii, 815, and iii, 531. 6 CCR, 1316, p. 369. 40 NORHAM CASTLE the voidance of the see.1 A mandate of 3rd May 1317 illus- trates the devastation which the continuous Scottish raids of these years had caused ; in it the king commands the constable of Norham to remit the rents of his tenants as they are so utterly impoverished that they cannot pay.? On the following day the temporalities of the see were restored to the new bishop, Lewis Beaumont, and John Darcy, keeper of Norham, was ordered to render up the castle and honour to him. The appointment early in 1318 of Sir Thomas Grey of Heton as constable of the castle and sheriff of Norhamshire was the prelude to stirring events in its history. Berwick fell to the Scots on 28th March of that year, and in May Sir Thomas Randolph, earl of Moray, invaded and burnt all that was left to burn in northern England, whilst Robert Bruce himself laid siege to Norham ? castle with a strong force of artillery stationed at Ladykirk and near Norham church. The outer bailey was captured, but retaken again after three days by the heroic defenders. The siege lasted nearly a year; the greatest efforts of the Scots were foiled, and the castle remained untaken as it did in a second siege of seven months’ duration in the following year. During these sieges the castle was twice provisioned and relieved by “the lords Percy and Neville.”4 It was during the latter siege that Sir William Marmion came to the castle in obedience to the orders of his lady, as the most dan- gerous place in England, to make famous the golden-crested war heaume his lady love had sent to him.® The sequel to the “‘ commaundement”’ is graphically told in Scalachronica *&— Marmion, “all glittering with gold and silver, marvellous finely attired, with the helmet on his head,” galloped gallantly alone into the midst of “the most spirited chivalry of the Marches 1 CDS, ii, 644. 2 Tbid., iii, 144. 3 “They had subdued all Northumberland . . . so that scarcely could the Scots find anything to do upon these Marches except at Norham, where Sir Thomas Grey was in garrison with his kinsfolk.’’ (Scala, ed. Maxwell, p. 61.) 4 Scala, p. 64. 5 *“*Qne ladye broght a Heulme for a Man of Were with a very riche Creste of Golde to William Marmion knight with a lettre of Commaundement of her Ladye that he should go in to the daungerust place in England. . . so he went to Norham.” (Leland’s Collect., ii, 548.) & Scala, pp. 61-62. NORHAM CASTLE 4] of Scotland,” led by Sir Alexander Mowbray ; he was unhorsed, wounded, and in danger of death when he was rescued by Sir Thomas Grey, the constable, charging at the head of his men- at-arms. Though Norham successfully resisted these repeated assaults, Wark and other Border strongholds were captured, and so Randolph and Douglas were able to mask it by a small contain- ing force whilst they again ravaged the north of England. They went as far south as Mitton on Swale in Yorkshire, where on 20th September 1319 they met and defeated an English army. The battle, from the number of clergy killed there—said to have been three hundred—was called the ‘‘ Chapter of Mitton.” The bitter struggle continued, the Scottish barons declaring in a letter to the Pope, of 6th April 1320, that “so long as a hundred remain alive we never will in any way be subject to the dominion of the English since we fight not for glory, riches or honour but for liberty alone.” + In July 1322 Robert Bruce once again invaded England, this time by the western Marches; he was unopposed and laid waste the country as far south as Lancaster before retiring. Meanwhile Edward II in a sudden burst of unwonted energy had defeated the insurgent barons of England at Boroughbridge on 16th March 1322. In August of the same year he invaded Scotland by the East March, but the Scots had laid waste the Lowlands, removing all cattle and food, and though Edward reached Edinburgh, pestilence and famine decimated his army and he was obliged to retire to Newcastle upon Tyne. He was ~ back there before 8th September; upon that day he wrote thence to the bishop (Lewis Beaumont) telling him that he had offered Sir Thomas Grey, the constable, and Sir Henry Beaumont who was with him, to increase the garrison at Norham with men-at-arms and victuals at the king’s cost. Wherefore the king reminds the bishop that he holds Norham in the name of the church of Durham from the king himself, and orders the bishop to see that the castle is well provided and garrisoned as he shall answer the king at his peril.2. On the 13th of the same month Sir Thomas Grey, the constable, was himself in the king’s presence at Newcastle and undertook to find twenty men-at-arms and fifty hobelars for the defence of Norham, in 1 The Scottish Kings, by Dunbar, p. 136. 2 CDS, iii, 143. 42 NORHAM CASTLE addition to the bishop’s men already there.t Four days later (17th September) Sir Thomas Grey was besieged for the third time in Norham castle. On that day the king wrote to him from Newcastle; he has heard that Sir Thomas is besieged in Norham, he sends him money to pay the garrison and prays him to assure the people that their losses in goods and crops will be made good.?, On 20th September the king summoned John of Brittany, earl of Richmond, eight other earls, and thirty- three barons ‘“‘ to come to him with horses, arms and footmen, in as much power as possible,’ to Newcastle by the Eve of St Luke (17th October) to set out with the king against the Scots rebels “who have entered the realm and besieged Norham.” 3 Edward appears to have retired then to Byland abbey in Yorkshire for the winter with the intention of resuming the campaign in Scotland in the spring. Again he had reckoned without Robert Bruce who, secretly crossing the Border, suddenly and by surprise attacked Edward and the troops he had with him on a hill between the abbeys of Byland and Rievaulx, totally defeated him there, taking John of Brittany prisoner, Edward himself barely escaping capture by flying to Bridlington. The fortifications of the castle must have suffered severely from these incessant assaults and sieges. In March 1323 the constable (Sir Thomas Grey) has protection whilst in the king’s service on the munition of the castle,* and in June of the same year he has licence to go to Scotland to buy animals for the maintenance of himself and his men and for replacing ploughs and carts, for the castle and honour of Norham, which had been destroyed.°® Meantime the fruitless campaign of 1322 and the defeat at Byland later in the year caused Edward II to sue for peace ; he acknowledged Robert Bruce as king, and in 1323 a truce was made for thirteen years, but it was a restless peace, for on 26th June in the same year the bishop (Lewis Beaumont) was ordered to provision Norham and to guard it carefully, as the king willed that the castles in the Marches of Scotland be provisioned and guarded against all contingencies, notwith- 1 ODS, iii, 143. 2 Ibid., p. 144. 3 Ibid., p. 679. 4 CPR, 1323, p. 260. 5 Ibid., 1323, pp. 261 and 299. NORHAM CASTLE 43 standing the conclusion of the truce.t In 1325 the bishop was again ordered to fortify Norham and to array his men to keep the Borders whilst Edward was in France.? Again, on 29th April 1326, the bishop was ordered to fortify his castle at Norham against ‘‘ some recent attempts of the Scots rebels to surprise the castle’; 3 this probably refers to the unsuccessful siege of that year when it was in charge of Sir Robert Maners of Etal, who had succeeded Sir Thomas Grey shortly before that date. The first year of Edward III (1327) saw an end to the nominal truce, the policy of the English government re- mained unchanged and the demand for the return of Berwick to England prevented peace. LHarly in that year the Scots, again under their famous guerilla leaders Sir Thomas Randolph and Sir James Douglas, crossed the Border and, unresisted, ravaged the north for some weeks. Froissart gives a lively description of the gathering of the army the young king raised to attack the invaders and of his attempt to locate them in the wilds of upper Weardale, and how, when at last he had found them, they eluded him near Stanhope by retreating in the night, leaving their camp-fires burning. He graphically describes how the Scots travelled and adds, “‘ wherefore it is no great wonder that they make greater journies than other people do.” 4 Hdward decided not to pursue the retreating raiders, but ordered ‘“‘that the whole host should follow the marshal’s banners and draw homeward into England, and so they did.” > The result was that, their retreat being unmolested, the Scots besieged Norham on their way home. It had stood inviolate during four sieges, but this time it was taken by storm; almost the last military event of the War of Independence. The treaty of 17th March 1327-28, concluded at Edinburgh and ratified at Northampton on 4th May 1328, ended the war, and Norham was returned to its lord. Neither the renewal of the war that followed upon Bruce’s death in 1329 nor the fighting which ended disastrously for the Scots at Halidon Hill in 1333 troubled Norham. Nor was it molested in the campaign of 1346—the year of Crecy and Calais 1 COR, 1323, p.663. 2 Ibid., 1325, p.399. 3 Ibid., 1326, p. 476. 4 Chronicles, trans. Berners, ed. 1814, i, 74-75. 5 Op. cit., i, 63-64. 44 NORHAM CASTLE —when David II, the catspaw of France, invaded England ; his army was defeated and himself captured at the Red Hills close by the city of Durham (Neville’s Cross), where the host of the northern barons fought beneath the sacred banner of St Cuthbert—the spiritual lord of Norham. At this time the castle must have been kept in good repair and energetically governed by Sir Robert Maners and his suc- cessor Sir Thomas Grey II, the son of him who had suffered and victoriously withstood three sieges. The second Sir Thomas was less fortunate than his father. In August 1355 he and his son were taken prisoners, near Nisbet, in an ambush craftily laid by Patrick earl of March, whilst he (Grey) was pursuing a company of spears under Sir William Ramsay who were raiding in sight of Norham. He was held prisoner for two years in Edinburgh castle and occupied his time in writing the chronicle called Scalachronica.1 For the next century there is no record of any considerable fighting at Norham. It doubtless shared in the continual excursions and alarms of the restless life of the Borders, but the records tell only of building and rebuilding to make it suitable for the more civilised life of the fifteenth century. In 1380 Sir John Heron of Ford was appointed keeper for life, and the castle and honour were held by him and by his son Sir Gerard Heron until the end of the century, when Sir Thomas Grey III was keeper for a short while. In the early fifteenth century Sir Robert Ogle was keeper, when it seems probable that the office became “hereditary in the Ogle family” ;* it remained with them until circa 1475. Previous to this the bishops had appointed from time to time their constables or keepers of the castle and honour, who usually, as has been said, also held the offices of sheriff, coroner and escheator. Bishop Langley, in 1435, departed from this system and leased the castle and honour to Sir Robert Ogle for twenty years, committing to him also the offices of steward, sheriff and escheator within its liberties and in Islandshire. The 1 The ladder chronicle. The title refers to the ladder badge of the Greys used in canting allusion to their name (O.F. Gré, a ladder). Their crest was a ram’s head ; the use of the ladder as a crest is quite modern. 2 Laps, p. 147. NORHAM CASTLE 45 terms of this indenture are given by Raine and need not here be detailed. Sir Robert Ogle the lessee of 1435 was succeeded by his son Robert, first lord Ogle. In 1481 bishop Dudley granted another lease, similar in terms to that of his predecessor, to Henry earl of Northumberland and Roger Heron ; ? followed ' in 1483 by yet another granted by bishop Sherwood to Sir Thomas Grey and Robert Collingwood,? which was renewed in 1484 for seven years; such was the government of the castle in the fifteenth century. During the first quarter of this century many important alterations and rebuildings took place. Raine * quotes at length documents from the archives at Durham giving details of the work done ; here it will be enough to summarise them as briefly as possible. In 1404-5 the “outer bridges’ were re- paired and also the roofs of the hall, great chamber, the chambers, kitchen, and of all the towers; the “ outer-bridge ”’ was repaired by contract at a cost of £26, 13s. 4d. In the following year the ‘“ Westgate”? was cleared of litter and opened up, and all the walls of the castle except the great tower were repaired. In 1408 the “ Westgate’ was rebuilt from the ground, the operations lasted from 16th February to 8th December 1408, and cost £37, 6s. 7d. In 1422-23 £89, 12s. 8d. was expended on building the “new tower” within the castle, and about the same time the west and part of the south wall of the tower were refaced externally and windows of Perpendicular style inserted, and a newel stair or vice with doorway made in the thickness of the west wall to give direct access to the south chamber. A few years later new latrines were built to the west of the tower and a window opening in the south chamber made into a doorway to give access to them. About the same time a doorway was made in the west wall opening to the vaults of the basement. Smaller repairs continue to be recorded until the end of the century. The fighting in Northumberland during the Wars of the Roses, which followed the landing near Bamburgh on 24th October 1462 of queen Margaret and a small French force under Pierre de Brézé, did not at first reach Norham. The battles and sieges of that year centred around the castles of 1 RND, p. 8; Laps, pp. 147-148. 2 Op. cit., p. 10. 3 Op. cit., p. 11. 4 RND, pp. 286 ff. 46 NORHAM CASTLE Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh. In the summer of 1463 a combined army of English, French and Scots with king Henry and queen Margaret besieged Norham for eighteen days, when the siege was raised by the earl of Warwick and lord Montagu—they “put them in devyr to resceue the sayde castelle of Norham and so they did and put bothe kyng Harry and the kyng of Schotys to flyghte.” 4 Their retreat across Tweed was very precipitate, and much of their camp and equipment was left behind; it is said that only one piper dared face the Yorkists—“‘ on manly man that purposyd to mete with my lorde of Warwycke, that was a taberette, for he stode apon an hylle with hys taber and his pype, taberyng and pyping as merely as any man myght by hym selfe tylle my lorde come unto hym he wold not lesse his grownd.” 2 The earl of Warwick, it is said, afterwards took him into his own service. Karly in 1464 Norham was captured by the Lancastrians, probably owing to treachery within. The battle of Hedgely Moor, where Sir Ralph Percy was killed, was fought on 25th April, and shortly thereafter the Northumbrian castles were retaken and Norham quietly surrendered about the same time—the end of the Wars of the Roses in Northumberland. In 1476 Edward IV ordered the repairs at Norham castle to be examined, and on 13th May 1480 he issued a commission to John Maklowe to take “ bombards cannon and other habili- ments of war by land and water from Nottingham castle to Norham for the defence of the same and of the Marches against James, King of Scots.” % This probably refers to the raid Archibald, earl of Angus (Bell-the-Cat), made into Northumber- land in the spring of that year when he set fire to Bamburgh, an incident in the Border warfare occasioned by the support Edward IV gave to Alexander duke of Albany in his treasonable attempts against his brother James III]. Norham, however, escaped attack. The rebellion in Scotland of the confederate lords against James III and the murder of the latter after the battle of Sauchieburn, llth June 1488, would account for a commission issued by Richard III on 19th July 1488 to muster the able hobelars and archers in the castle of Norham to inspect .1 Gregory’s Chronicle of London, p. 220 (Camden Socy., 1876). 2 Op. cit., p. 220. 3 CPR, 1480, p. 213. NORHAM CASTLE 47 them and to supervise the bombards, artillery, and munitions of war in its fortification.1 Sir Thomas Grey III was at this time constable of the castle and lessee of the shire. The wise and politic bishop Fox, who succeeded to the see in 1494, reverted to the old system of government, appointing his own officers for the castle and honour. He materially strength- ened the fortifications of the castle and saw carefully to its munitioning and victualling made necessary by the threat of yet another Scottish invasion. This came in August 1497 when James IV, in support of the pretender Perkin Warbeck, invaded England and invested the castle of Norham. The siege lasted little more than a fortnight, the new artillery of James was not successful, and the garrison, encouraged by the presence of bishop Fox, who was himself in the castle at the time, and led by his captain Thomas Garth and his lieutenant John Hamerton, successfully resisted all assaults until the siege was raised upon the approach of a large English army under the earl of Surrey. The bishop granted an annuity of 5 marks each to Garth and Hamerton in reward for their gallant defence.2, Much new building and repairs were done in the closing years of the fifteenth and in the early part of the sixteenth century. Raine ? gives the particulars in considerable detail ; in the year 1509-10 the repairs cost £153, from the 19th of May to 28th July 1510 the large sum of £3438, 4s. 6d. was the total expended, and the amount for 1510-11 was £154, 6s. 8d., so that a great amount of building must have been done in these years. These new fortifications show the anxiety of the ‘bishop to be prepared for the Scottish war whose shadow was already over the land. The truce which followed the war of 1497 lasted uneasily until the death of Henry VII in 1509. His son left the cautious policy of his father, and by November 1512 war with France was imminent. In the following June Henry invaded France. James IV resolved to invade England and sent Lyon King of Arms with a declaration of war to Henry at Therouenne. Before June ended James and his army were 1 CDS, iv, 315. 2_RND, p. 48. See also a letter from Fox to the prior of Durham, Thomas Castel (Letters of Richard Fox, p. 23, ed. by P. S. & H. M. Allen, Oxford, 1929). Fox was again at Norham on 25th September 1498 (Bishop Fox’s Register, SS, 147, p. 112). 3 RND, pp. 289-290. 48 NORHAM CASTLE over the Border, and by 22nd August 1513 Norham castle was besieged and Mons Meg and the Scots’ train of artillery were battering down its walls. The barbican and the weak defences of the outer ward were destroyed in two days and the outer bailey taken by storm. The inner bailey, though capable of a longer defence, ran short of ammunition and, failing relief, surrendered on 29th August. James went on to his fate at Flodden (9th September 1513) and in less than three weeks Norham was again in English hands. The capture of his castle caused the bishop (Thomas Ruthall) great distress; it was unexpected as he was quite confident of its powers of resistance. On 4th August 1513 he wrote to Wolsey that he had ordered “‘ such things as were necessary for the defence of the castle.” He had sent 200 sheaf of arrows and 100 bows to the constable there and hears “ that it is in good case.” 1 His confidence in these obsolete or at least obsolescent weapons against the fine Scottish ordnance is pathetic. On 18th September 1513 he again wrote to Wolsey that he was afraid “‘ to be the first to write of the lamentable chances which have occurred,” the king of Scots had stormed Norham castle, ‘“‘ which news touched me so near with inward sorrow that I had lever to have been out of the world than in it”; especially as he had been assured of its security, he will “‘ never forget it or recover from grief.” He will, however, in the next five years ‘“‘ spend 10,000 marks upon it, though he take penance and live a more moderate life.” The letter was written before the news of Flodden had reached him, and he adds a postscript that he had kept it back “in hope of better tidings which God hath now sent.’ 2. Two days later he writes, also to Wolsey, that the dungeon (tower) stands and part of the wall, but the castle has been razed to the ground, the gates and ordnance taken away, and the lodgings (i.e. buildings in the bailey) destroyed. The Scottish ordnance was at Htal and “it is the finest that has been seen.” ? He says that the Scots had a large army and much ordnance and plenty of victuals, he would not have believed that their beer was so good had it not been tasted and viewed “ by our folks to their great refreshing.” He is, however, contented to bear the pains of the injury done to Norham considering what has . 1 LP, Henry VIII, i, 654. 2 Op. cit., p. 672. 3 Op. cit., pp. 673-674. NORHAM CASTLE 49 ensued. . . ‘‘ they might have done much more injury if they had not attacked the patrimony of St Cuthbert.” * The bishop energetically began the work of rebuilding. On 24th October 1513 he writes to Wolsey from Auckland castle that as to Norham the dungeon and inner ward will shortly - be renewed and he hopes that by Whitsuntide it will be in a better case than ever. Smiths are working on the iron gates and doors, carpenters upon the roofs, and masons are rebuilding the dungeon and inner ward. He proposes to apply to the king for commissions to take men for the work of re- edifying, on which he will spare no money, but “live a poor life” till it is finished. He goes on, “ but Maister Almonser the hospitalitie of this countray agrethe not with the buyldyng so greate a worke; for that I spend here wold make many towns and refreshe my ruynous houses, the lyke I trow never Christenman lokyd on onlesse they had be pullyd down by men of warre.” ‘Till it be finished “I purpose not to keep any great sail but get me to a corner and live upon you”’! He had brought with him eight tuns of wine, “and our Lord be thankyd I have not two tuns left at this howse and this is fayre utterance in two monethys. And schame it is to say how many beefis and motons have been spent in my hows sens my cummyng besides other fresh meats, whete, malt, fysche and such baggages. On my faith ye wold marvayle . . . for 300 persons some day is a small number and some- times 60 or 80 beggars at the gate—and this is the way to keep a poor man in state.” 2 Spite of this lavish hospitality ‘of which he complains so. bitterly the bishop kept his promise and Norham castle again arose from its ruins. Large sums were spent and much work done in the years after 1513—in 1514-15 no less a sum than £1108 was paid for “ re-edifying and amending” its defects as well as large amounts in the years following. Raine records in detail the work done. The renovations were chiefly under the direction of William Frank- lyng, treasurer, archdeacon, and then chancellor of Durham, who received a grant of arms “for recoveryng the Castell of Norham owte of the Scottes handes by his prowes and pollice.” 4 1 LP, Henry VIII, i, 674, Nos. 4461, 4462. 2 Op. cit., pp. 688-689, No. 4523. 8 RND, pp. 291 ff. 4 SS, 41, p. 31. MOL. XXVIII; PART I. 4 50 NORHAM CASTLE On 29th August 1515 Franklyn was able to report that the castle was well fortified with “‘ contremures and murderers.”’ The long wall from south-west of the dungeon to north- west of the kitchen was 44 yards in length, 30 feet high, and with the contremures 28 feet thick, and the chapel walls had been rebuilt.1 In the years 1518-19 £37, 11s. was paid to Franklyn for divers repairs to the castle, and in 1520-21 the large sum of £252, 13s. was disbursed. In 1521 Thomas lord Dacre and his brother Philip, deputies for William Dacre lord Greystock, captain of Norham, report that the castle is in good repair, “the inner ward is fynshed and of that strenth that wt help of God and the prayer of St Cuthbert it is unprignable ”’ ; more work is yet to be done, but the place is well provisioned though more artillery is needed especially for the gatehouses and the outer ward, better gunpowder and more bows and arrows are required. The long wall from the Westgate to the inner ward was finished and ready for the battlements. Thomas Wolsey was appointed to the see of Durham by papal bull on 26th March 1523 and received the temporalities of the see on 30th April following. In September of that year the earl of Surrey, then warden- general of the Marches towards Scotland and leutenant- general of the army against Scotland, reports to Wolsey that he has visited Norham and tells him of certain improvements that he has devised for its defence “ but the outer ward could not be held for one day.” 4 On 1st October he reports, also to Wolsey, that he has fortified both Wark and Norham, and again on 11th October assures him that he will take orders for the defence of Norham “and will put in it the most expert gunners that come from Portsmouth.” ° On 26th October he reports that Albany is approaching England but Norham is safe.6 The events referred to in these letters were the invasions of England by John duke of Albany, “the lord-governor of Scotland,” during the minority of James V. He had invaded the western Marches in August 1522 and was threatening Carlisle when he was bluffed into a truce by lord Dacre, dis- 1 LP, Henry VIII, ui, 235. 2 RND, p. 294. - 3 For document printed in full, see RND, p. 294. 4 LP, Henry VIII, iii, 1400. 5 Ibid., p. 1425. 6 Ibid., p. 1445. NORHAM CASTLE 51 banded his army, with whom the remembrance of Flodden’s fatal field was a very potent force, and returned to France. In reprisal for this the earl of Surrey—‘ the scourge of the Scots ’’—son of the victor at Flodden, ravaged the Scottish borderland so that he could report to Wolsey that “there is left neither house, fortress, village, tree, cattle, corn, nor other succour of man.” Later in 1523 Albany returned to Scotland with French troops and artillery and again called Scotland to arms. He besieged Wark castle, but again the memory of Flodden was too powerful and his army melted away at the approach of Surrey. This withdrawal is reflected at once at Norham, on 11th December 1523: the garrisons of the Border fortresses are “‘ mostly discharged,” Norham being left with only 80 men.! On 14th December in the same year lord Dacre tells the constable Sir John Bulmer to discharge 20 of his men “so that there will remain 70 men and 10 gunners with his father’s 100 at 6d. a day.” ? On 9th February 1524 Dacre orders Bulmer to discharge 10 men from Norham “ since there are 10 gunners of Candish’s retinue at Berwick.” ? On Ist April 1524 Dacre tells Wolsey that he has not discharged any of the garrison of Norham, “which consists of 20 gunners, 70 archers, 100 horse, and 7 or 8 countrymen for watchers.” 4 On 20th August 1526 Wolsey leased Norham to Sir William Dacre lord Dacre of Greystock and Sir Christopher Dacre for one year. In the following year a similar lease was granted to Henry earl of Northumberland.® The castle at this time must have been falling rapidly into decay, the complaints as to its ruinous condition are insistent and continuous. On 26th March 1526 Sir Christopher Dacre writes to Cardinal Wolsey begging him to have the castle repaired and furnished as there is nota house in it that keeps out the rain, the timber-work and main walls are rotten and no part of the outer-ward is finished as it should be except one gatehouse; there is not half enough ordnance, guns are undecked, the gunpowder useless, and bows and arrows rotten through damp. Two years later Sir Thomas Strangeways, governor of Berwick, asks Wolsey for the captaincy of Norham. If he can have it for life he “ will 1 LP, Henry VIII, iii, 1504. 2 Ibid., p. 1507. 3 Ibid., iv, 38. 4 Ibid., iv, 88. 5 RND, pp. 12-13. & LP, Henry Vill, iv, 922. 52 NORHAM CASTLE make it so strong that it will have few fellows.”’ Few repairs have been done since the departure of the bishop (Ruthall died 1522). The request was evidently not granted, as it remained in the hands of the earl of Northumberland for the years 1527-29.1 About the same time William Franklyn, the chancellor, writes to ask Wolsey what is to be done with Norham as “‘ the garrison has left and Sir William Bulmer wishes to be dis- charged of his offices.” * These tales of woe seem to have been useless as nothing appears to have been done until in April 1537 the duke of Norfolk (Surrey had succeeded as third duke 21st May 1524) reported to the bishop, Cuthbert Tunstall, who had succeeded Wolsey in 1530, that he had viewed Norham and that if he will bestow £200 in fortifying it he (Norfolk) has made plans and furnished it with some artillery so that “in three months it shall be tenable.” 3? Considerable repairs must have been done in the ensuing years, as in 1542 Sir Robert Bowes in his Survey of the Borders reports that “‘ the castle of Norham .. . is in very good state both in reparacions and fortifications, well furnyshed and stuffed with artyllery, muny- cions and other necessaries requyste to the same.” 4 Meanwhile Border warfare continued to be endemic. The disastrous Scottish defeat at Solway Moss on 24th November 1542 broke king James’ heart, he retired to Edinburgh and thence to Falkland, where the news of the birth of a daughter (Mary, queen of Scots) came to him on 8th December; mur- muring, “it came with a lass and it will pass with a lass,” he died there on 14th December 1542 and once again the crown of Scotland came to an infant. Henry VIII prepared to act towards Scotland as Edward I had done in 1290. The confused state of Scottish affairs is at once reflected on the Border; as early as 22nd August 1542 Henry orders Thomas Maners, earl of Rutland, warden-general of the Marches, towards Scotland, “‘ to furnish and victual ”’ Norham,’ and about the same time bishop Tunstall reports to the Privy Council that he had caused a certain hole ® in the 1 June 1529 “‘ Master Leisence’’ (Roger Lascelles), ‘‘ captain of Norham under the earl of Northumberland ’”’ (LP, Henry VIII, iv, 2527). 2 [bid., iv, 2124. 8 Ibid., xii, i, 356. 4 RND, p. 296. 5 LP, Henry VIII, xvii, 366. 6 Probably refers to the arches in the outer wall—the gun platforms in which have been uncovered by the recent excavations (NCP, 4th ser. iii, 53). NORHAM CASTLE 53 new wall of the outer ward made “to laye out a porte pece lowe by the grounde” to be stopped up, though it was hardly necessary as the wall was ‘rampired’ with earth 183 feet thick. In September 1542 the Privy Council Commissioners are evi- dently nervous about Norham; they write to the duke of Norfolk to inquire as to treachery in the garrison there and an intended betrayal of the castle by an Englishman to the Scots.t The report made by the captain (Sir Brian Layton) of his examination of the garrison gives a very vivid account of the castle and its defences at that time. He has not been able to find the traitor and ‘“‘ though a certain John Coke is a great thief there are no other grounds or suspicion of him.” Coke was, however, arrested by Norfolk, but the route he had said might be used to scale the walls was impracticable, it would need too long ladders and was besides under observation by the watch on Clapham’s tower ?—the small bastion jutting out from the wall of the inner bailey, so called after Christopher Clapham, captain in 1512-13. Henry VIII declared war on Scotland in December 1543, and in May of the following year, in order to protect his Scottish flank in the then imminent war with France, he despatched a strong force under the lord warden-general of the Marches, the earl of Hertford, to invade Scotland by sea. Hertford landed at Leith 4th May 1544, harried and burnt Edinburgh and the abbey and palace of Holyrood, and laid waste the whole district for many miles around. In February 1545 Sir Ralph Evers,® lord-warden of the Middle Marches, without waiting for reinforcements from the bishopric,* crossed the Border with the intention of de- stroying Melrose. This he appears to have done, but on his homeward march he was intercepted at Ancrum Moor by a Scottish army, under Archibald Douglas, earl of Angus, and disastrously defeated there on 27th February—“ a miserable overthrow,’ — 1 LP, Henry VIII, xvii, 465. 2 Ibid., pp. 526 and 554. 3 He was the son of Sir William Evers, first lord Evers. Sir Ralph was warden of the Middle Marches, whilst his father was warden of the East Marches. His death occurred in his father’s lifetime; he therefore did not succeed to the barony. His wife was Margery, daughter of Sir Ralph Bowes of Streatlam. 4 LP, Henry VIII, xx, i, 106. 54 NORHAM CASTLE oe . . . where Ancram Moor Ran red with English blood ; Where the Douglas true, and the bold Buccleuch, *Gainst keen lord Evers stood,” the lord-warden was “ piteously slain”? as well as Sir Brian Layton, captain of Norham, together with many other leaders, a large number of prisoners were also taken by the Scots. This disaster, brought about apparently by the carelessness of the English and treachery on the part of the men of Tiviotdale,? caused great anxiety on the Borders and despair at Norham. The day after the battle Cuthbert Layton writes, at 2 a.m., from Norham castle to bishop Tunstall— “My lord Warden of the Middle March and my brother are both slain together and all my brother’s men taken or slain with him ; so that we are under 12 persons here that we dare trust. My cousin William Redman keeps the inner ward and I the outer, and we pray you to send us your mind in all haste. Most men of reputation are either taken or slain, and ‘ we lack more than 20 of his household servants. We might as well have been slain ourselves, for our great friend is gone.’ ”’ § The bishop appointed the writer of this letter, who is styled “one of the King’s pensioners and late of the House of St John’s,” as captain temporarily in place of his late brother. At the same time he sends to the king a list of the men “ most meet to occupy the room,” and begs to know which of them the king thinks “‘ meetest to be captain.” 4 The names given are Sir George Bowes, Richard Norton, Richard Bowes and Cuthbert Layton. The king having “seen your letters my lord of Duresme”’ names Sir George Bowes “‘ as meet for the office of captain of Norham.” A threatened invasion of England by a French auxiliary force added to what was evi- 1 “* A great number of gentlemen being the most active men on all the Borders are prisoners in Scotland ’’ (LP, Henry VIII, xx, i, 436). 2 “* By all men’s tales the occasion of the overthrow was disorder and partly the treason of the Tividales ’” (LP, Henry VIII, xx, i, 142). ‘“‘Suspect it has been caused through too much adventure or some disorder or else through trusting such Scots as through fear only, entered the King’s service ’’ (ibid., p. 130). For the Scottish account of the battle, see Appendix to The Eve of St John, - but Sir Ralph Evers was not summoned to Parliament (Minstrelsy of Scottish Border, iv, 196 ff.). * LP; Henry Vill xx 119. 4 Ibid., p. 155. 5 Ibid., p. 172. NORHAM CASTLE 55 dently a bad scare on the Borders. On 26th April 1545 Sir Ralph Sadler complains of the incapacity of the captains of the Border fortresses, they are ‘“‘ honest and good gentlemen for the king’s service” but “lack experience and have no knowledge of keeping a fortress. Nothing can better declare their insufficiency than the disfurniture of their fortresses which have been kept more like gentlemen’s houses.” ? In May 1545 the king’s Council appoints the earl of Hertford lieutenant and captain-general in the north and orders him to “repair down with speed to view the fortresses and strengthen weak places with ‘rampares’ of earth and otherwise as the shortness of time will Suffer.” 2 The French force landed in Scotland in May, and in August (1545) a combined Scottish and French army crossed the Border but did little damage. Later in the year Hertford with a strong army pitilessly ravaged the Scottish Marches,* leaving a devastated burnt-out country behind him on his retiral ; even the lands and buildings of the church were not immune as the smoking ruins of the abbeys of Kelso, Melrose, and Dryburgh testified. The last and bloodiest of the battles between the two king- doms was fought at Pinkie on 10th September 1547, when Hertford (now duke of Somerset) defeated the Scots under the earl of Arran. Peace followed in March 1550 when, after eight years of warfare, Scotland recovered her old frontiers and came under the protection of France. During these restless years Norham was kept well garrisoned. In 1547 it was occupied by 150 men, but little can have been done to its fortifications. In 1549, and again in 1550, the earl of Rutland, lord-warden of the East and Middle Marches, was ordered to repair the castle quickly, to survey it, consider as to its fortifications, and make a “ platt”’ (plan) of it. Spite of these repeated orders little can have been done, for in 1551 Sir Robert Bowes in his Book of the State of the Frontiers and 1 LP, Henry VIII, xx, i, 282. * Ibid., p. 351. Similar orders are repeated once and again later in the ear. : 3 It was in this campaign that Patrick Hume was captured by Sir John Ellerker, ‘‘ thought to be the man that slew the late captain (Layton) after he was yielded prisoner.”” He remains in Norham castle and Hertford would like to know what to do with him (ibid., p. 432). 56 NORHAM CASTLE Marches betwizt England and Scotland! gives a lamentable account of its defences, for lack of continual repair it is in much decay, the outer walls along the side of Tweed are “ much corrupted,” the outer ward is guarded only by a “ very old thynne and weak wall,” the dungeon is in a very bad way ““ whereof almoste the one halfe hathe been decayed and fallen long sithence.” He suggests many repairs and more scientific fortification generally. The suggestions were ignored and nothing appears to have been done, though in 1554-55 the small amount of £31, 4s.? was expended on repairs and the bishop is recorded to have repaired the castle in various places. On 29th May 1553 Edward VI, apparently ignoring the rights of the bishop, granted the office of captain of Norham to Richard Bowes who was to have under him at the king’s service, a constable, a janitor called “‘yeman porter,’ another called a “‘ groome porter,” four vibrellatores called ‘“‘ gonners,” ten equites called “ light horsemen ”’ and four vigallatores called “‘ watchmen,” to guard the said castle “against the borders of Scotland and the thieving of the Scots.”’ Their total wages (including £40 for his own fee) amounted to £163, 6s. 8d., payable by the tenants “within the liberty called Norhamshire lately parcel of the possessions of the bishopric of Durham.” 4 On 7th June 1557 queen Mary declared war against France in support of her Spanish husband Philip, and as usual the French incited Scotland to invade England; nothing resulted except the usual scare on the Borders. Richard Norton, then captain of Norham, writing in that year from Alnwick to the earl of Shrewsbury,® gives a sad account of the once great fortress. He hears that the Scots will not fail to besiege Norham, and for his own “ discharge”’ he thinks it right to declare the true condition of the castle. ‘‘ There is but pouder two barrels: a last is too little as good gunners say. There is but one guner 1 See RND, pp. 296-297, where the report so far as Norham is mentioned is printed in full. 2 For particulars, see RND, p. 298. _ § Castrum etiam apud Norham diversis in locis reparavit (Scrip. Tres, SS, 1839, p. 155). 4 CPR, ed. vi, vol. v, p. 6. He was also to have a lease of the demesne lands of Norham at a yearly rent of £10. 5 RND, p: 299.- . P NORHAM CASTLE 57 that my Lord of Durham sent yesterday and one that was ther befor who has discharged himselfe because he saw no helpe and is offred better entertainment and two gunners are too fewe besyde him. If a siege cam there lacks weapons, bills and pikes, with baskets; there are none neither for the walls nor to carry to fill up breaches. Noe balls nor trunks to amuse the enemy with,” he does not know what garrison he shall have. He will do his duty, but it is but a casting away of the castle. Another letter of the same year from the earl of Westmorland, also to Shrewsbury, tells of a successful attack by the Scots upon his troops before Norham. This took place between the castle “ bridge and the iron gates”’ and “ there was not past four men within the castle, who shot not so much as one harque- bash to relieve any man.” In ancient times in time of raid “all the country brought their goods and chattels into the hollow ditches under the walls where they were quite safe”’ as no Scot dare come near, but “now they (Scots) went into the ditches where they took 30 and more sheep” and no man cast even a stone from the walls at them. The Scots threat petered out but nothing was done to improve the defences of the castle. In 1559 bishop Tunstall was deprived for refusing to take the oath of supremacy to Elizabeth. The temporalities of Norham and Island shires were then alienated from the see by act of Parliament. They were exempted from the restitution of the temporalities to bishop Pilkington in 1560 and were specially reserved to the crown at the restitution to each suc- ceeding bishop. It will have been seen that for many years (since 1542) the castle had been more or less ruinous and ill- provided for, but henceforward there seems to have been no attempt even to make it habitable. Elizabeth granted the alienated shires and the captaincy of Norham to her kinsman Henry Carey, lord Hunsdon, K.G., who was governor of Berwick in 1568 and warden of the East Marches 1571. In that year, writing to Cecil he says that he has been to Norham and it is in such decay that without repairs no man could lie in it, and though there was some ordnance there was neither powder nor shot, bow nor arrow, pike, arquebus nor bill ‘‘ to make defence if need be.” ? In 1580 it is reported that the castle is 1 Jer, p. 264. 2 NCP, 3rd series, iii, 140. 58 NORHAM CASTLE “so greatly in ruyne and decay, as no man dare dwell in it and if speedy remedy be not had it will falle flatte to the grounde.” 4 About this date William Camden visited it and thus describes it: “in the utmore whereof which is of greater circuit, are placed sundry turrets in a canton towards the river: within there is another enclosure or wall much stronger in the midst whereof there riseth up the keepe of great heigth: but the secure peace of our age hath now a long time neglected these fortifications albeit they stand on the borders.” 2 In 1584 the commissioners appointed, under statute 23 Elizabeth, to inquire into the state of the Border counties report that Norham is “ decaid by want of reparacion of long contynuance but whether to be repaired by her majestye or the bishoppe of Duresme we cannot certainly understand. .. . The castle or fortress we doe thinke to be one of the most fit places to be repared ... the charges of which reparacion with the five decayed turrettes upon the wall of the utter ward as the same hath been before we esteeme to a thousand two hundred pounds and without the same five turrettes which we think not greatly needfull to eight hundreth pounds.” ® William Carey, lord Hunsdon’s fourth son, was his deputy at Norham until his (William’s) death in 1593, when he was succeeded by his younger brother Sir John Carey who seems to have found the accommodation very bad. In that year he writes to lord Burghley to be allowed £40 or £50 to make a lodging for himself, he does not desire to make great buildings or fortifications but only a lodging and such stabling as shall be fit for a servant or two to lie in. “I only desyr to have a lodging there for a man to lye drye in.” 4 In 1594 John Crane (probably lieutenant at Norham) writes to Burghley: ‘‘ And for Norham castell, it is altogether so rewynated, that there is never house or lodging left standinge in it but only two chambers of the gatehouse where the con- stable of the castell lyeth. But for any place to set horses in, there is but one stable whiche will holde not passing three or foure horses; and all the gates therof are in suche decaye, 1 BP, o0- 2 Camden’s Britain, p. 816, trans. Holland, London, 1637. 3 AA xiv, iil. SB Psi, O02 NORHAM CASTLE 59 that if theye be not tymelie repaired it will lye all open to the surpryse of the ennymie if any service should happen; and as for thordynance of the same castell dothe lye altogether dismounted, and when it is repaired and mounted there is no place set (?) that maye be conveniente platformes for them, which is a great pytie, bothe Warcke and it beinge the two greatest strengthes and places of defence in this countrie.”’ + In 1595, in spite of Sir John Carey’s vehement protests, lord Hunsdon superseded him at Norham and gave it to his tenth and youngest son Robert Carey, who was deputy-warden of the East March under his father, and warden after the latter’s death in 1596. Sir John was very indignant at his treatment and writes strong protests to Burghley begging him to interfere, “it would be a disgrace to me serving her majesty here to have it pluckt out of my handes especially by mine own brother at whose mercy I must be if he get it”’ ; 2 but all to no purpose, the queen confirmed the grant and Norham passed to Sir Robert Carey. In December 1595 John Crane and others, ordered by “Sir Robert Carey Kt. now captain,” send a report to Burghley upon the state of the castle. It is made with the advice of Leonard Fairely master carpenter, James Burrell and other skilled artificers, and consists mainly of a melancholy tale of ruin and desolation—the outer gatehouse alone remains, all the rest is fallen down, though part of the dungeon still stands. To “re-edify all in their former pro- portion and forme” would cost Her Majesty about £1800 at least, but if only those parts are repaired which are most needful for the captain and his retinue, of which details are given, then £830 is the estimated cost. Again nothing was done in spite of Sir Robert Carey’s repeated appeals to Burghley. In March 1595-96 he writes, “if you think £800 too much, set down what rate ‘ yow think the Queene wyll best be drawne to’ and it shall be ordered proportionately, but, ‘good my lord,’ let some house or other be built.” 4 Elizabeth characteristically refused to be “‘ drawne”’ to anything. In July Carey moderates his appeal and begs Burghley for a grant of £300 and timber from Chopwell wood, and “I will build a poore cotage within the walls for me to lie in—though not as it should be being the 2 BPS, 529° 2 Ibid., ii, 14 ff. $ Ibid., pp. 91 ff. 4 Ibid., p. 117. 60 NORHAM CASTLE Queen’s castle and the chiefest strength on the borders. It would comfort the country to see their officer amongst them and encourage their rising—no house is so fit as Norham.” 1 His appeals were in vain. Elizabeth’s “resolute answer ” was that she will give nothing for Norham, saying “ my lord ” (z.e. Hunsdon) should build it himself seeing the “ great commodytie ” he had by it, to which Carey replies that “ my lord” has under £150 a year from it of which he pays the Queen £58 yearly. The “remayne wold hardly buyld a howse.”’ 2 In the end 54s. 9d. was spent in 1596 on a powder house! 2 So Norham remained a ruin but its “strength” was not now needed, for, though there was much raiding and counter- raiding during the remaining years of the sixteenth century, it was on a small scale. The Borders were on the whole quiet and their state improving.4 The great Queen died on the last day of the year 1602-3, and there were no more Borders. Sir Robert Carey, disappointed in his hope of immediate pre- ferment under James, remained captain of Norham, and having “nothing else to live on” sold it to George Home, earl of Dunbar, for £6000, “‘ which was truly paid and did me more good than if I had kept Norham.” 5 The long watch was ended, the Borders as Borders had ° ceased to be. Norham castle, once the most dangerous place in England and for centuries the “ chiefest strength” of the Borders against the Scots, passed peaceably, such is the irony of history, into the possession of a Scottish borderer. He is described as “ a man of deep wit, few words and in his Majesty’s service no less faithful than fortunate ” ;® a worthy successor therefore to the great bishops—lords-palatine—whose names live in its story—Flambard, Puiset, Bek and Fox—and to those men of Northumberland, its guardians—Greys, Maners, Herons, Percys, Ogles and Dacres—who had for so long defended it against his countrymen.’ ! BP i, 147. 2 Ibid., p. 154. 3 Ibid., p. 194. * Tough, pp. 264 ff. (RRND; p. oi. § Peerage of Scotland, by Douglas, ed. Wood, i, 455. ” Plate II and the plan on page 31 are reproduced by the kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. ‘AHILSVO NWVHAON “ALVY) LSE CHOTA avNdIvaMVvVuq, 40 AUYNOSVIA “M‘'S WOoud ADTIVG YANN] GNV dod Ye . 60, face p [To sr AVY *IOA £0779 SISUIDINID AT ANUS IUNA , QN". M US ( 28 MAR 33 MAT ND History of Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. xxviii. CAaSEMENTS IN N. WALL OF OUTER CURTAIN. Photo., Peter Hunter Blair.] Inner BatLEy AND WEST GATE FROM THE KEEP. NORHAM CASTLE. [To face p. 60. 23 MAR 433 NORHAM CASTLE 61 APPENDIX. CONSTABLES, KEEPERS AND CAPTAINS OF NORHAM CASTLE. The constable of Norham usually executed the functions of all the other officers of state and the office showed a distinct tendency to remain in one family for long periods.+ In this list the capital B after a name denotes he was appointed by the bishop, K by the king. Roger Conyers K 1174-75. Pipe Roll, 21 Hy. II. Son of Roger Conyers a baron of the bishopric. He gave the churches of Sockburn and Bishopton to Sherburn hospital and was constable of Durham Castle in 1177 (Pedigree, SD, ii, 24). Arms—Azure a maunch gold. K 1177 &1186. Pipe Roll, 32 Hy. Il; RND, 285. He was the second son of Geoffrey Neville and younger brother of that Geoffrey who married Emma dau. and heiress of Bertram Bulmer lord of Brancepeth. In 1201 he fined for licence to marry the dau. and heiress of Walter Waterland. In 1203 he was keeper of forests in Hants and in 1209 Sheriff of Wilts. Died c. a.p. 1224. The later arms of Neville were gules a saltire silver. Sir Henry Ferntincron B_ 1190-96. FPD, 234-35. In Attestaciones de Placitis (A.D. 1228) (SS, 58, p. 235) he is styled knight (miles) and states that he was constable of Norham for about seven years in the times of bishops Hugh (Puiset) and Philip (Poictou). He witnesses many charters of the late 12th century. Arms—Sable a fess indented of five fusils gold. 1 Laps, p. 91. 62 NORHAM CASTLE Siz Ropert Cuirrorp B 1214-15. RND, 45. He is styled dominus, his wife was Maria daughter of Roger of Whitwell, Co. Durham (NCP, 3, iii, 43). His son or grandson, another Robert, succeeded Adam Gaugy in the barony of Ellingham, Northumberland, in 1279 (NCH, ii, 229, 234-35). Arms—Silver three spread eagles gules. Sir BartTHoLoMEW PEcHE K_ 1227. CPR, 1227, p. 141. Probably grandfather of Sir John Peche who in 1347 sued the provost of St Mary’s, Oxford, for the next presentation to the church of Colby (Genealogist, NS, x, 33). Arms—Gules crusilly and a fess silver. SterpHEeN Lucy K 1227-28. CPR, 1227, p. 141. s Probably that Stephen Lucy who was a justice itinerant with Hugh de Bolbec in 1227-28. He is styled magister in LP. He does not appear in the pedigree of the northern family. Arms—Gules three luces silver. RicHARD HENREDE B_ 1230. RND, 45. Cannot identify. Ocrr TyEis B ce. 1233. DS, 2480. In Durham treasury, Miscellaneous charter No. 1101, he is styled “‘ constable of Norham.” He is probably the same man who in 1223 was given the church of Ancroft by bishop Marsh which he resigned in 1233 to the prior and convent of Durham. Arms unknown. Srr Joun RumMsEYE B_ 1237. CPR, 1237, p. 180. He appears as constable of both Durham and Norham and is styled dominus in the deeds he witnesses in the early 13th century (FPD, s.v.). He was steward (senescallus) of Durham in the later years of bishop Poore and during Farnham’s episcopate. Arms—Silver a fess gules (?). NORHAM CASTLE 63 JOHN FITZ PHintIp K_ 1237. CPR, 1237, p. 180. Probably that John son of Philip whose son John had a grant of the manor of Kynefare in 1293, who was summoned to the council at Gloucester in 1287 and who served against the Scots in 1301. Arms unknown. Str Wiuu1am Cotvitte B 1243. DS, 674. He was the son of Philip Colville and Engelina his wife, who was steward to bishop Hugh of Puiset. He held a moiety of Budle and Spindlestone by military service of the barony of Alnwick (NCH, i, 177, 181). ey Arms—Gold a fess between three mill-rind crosses gules. Str Rospert NEVILLE B_ 1258. CCR, 1257-58. Lord of Raby and Brancepeth, justice itinerant, 1262-63, governor at different times of the castles of Wark, Norham, Scarborough and Pickering ; died 1282. Arms—Gules a saltire silver. Siz Simon Heppon B ec. 1260. Sherburn Deeds, 7; NCP, 3, iii, 42. He witnesses a deed of Robert Clifford and Maria his wife as “‘ Dns. Symon de Heddon ”’ then constable of Norham. Nothing more appears to be known of him, but a ‘‘Simon de Hedon”’ was sheriff of Notts. in 1258. Arms unknown. Sir Joun Fitz MARMADUKE B_ 1275. RND, 45. Son of Marmaduke fitz Geoffrey, lord of Horden. Knight of Edward I; at siege of Caerlaverock in 1301 where he is described as ‘‘ prince e duc’”’ and bore a banner of his arms. He died at St John’s Town (Perth), of which he was governor, in 1310. Arms—Gules a fess between three popinjays silver. Rosert KirkHam B_ 1275. RND, 45. In a document in Durham treasury (DS, 1521) he is described as commissionary of the bishop of Durham. Arms unknown. 64 NORHAM CASTLE fCCR, 1297, p. 24. Siz WALTER oF Rovupiry B 1284-95 and 1305. LRED; iv;.43. In a document of 1286, to which his sea! is attached (DS, 2125), he is styled lord of Crokesdal’ (Croxdale) and is the earliest recorded owner of that manor. His name is sometimes given as Routhbery. Arms unknown. Str THomas Ricomonp B 1310. (1) CPR, 13810, p. 78. Son of Roald fitz Alan of Richmond. A knight of Edward I, fought in Scots’ wars and at Caerlaverock in 1300 where he bore a shield of hisarms. At Berwick in 1301 and in the wars of 1312 and 1314. Died 1318. (PH, 35.) Arms—Gules two bars gemelle and a chief gold. Patrick KELLAwE B 1312. RED a Lis. Brother of bishop Richard of Kellawe. A soldier and man of note in the Palatinate. Seal is DS, 1477 attached to a deed of 1313. Arms—A lion rampant—blason unknown. Sir Wittiam Ripert B 1311-14. RPD, i, 19 and ii, 10138. Lord of Tillmouth, which in 1230 was held by Jordan Ridell at half a knight’s fee. At William’s death in 1325 his estates were divided among his co-heiresses and Tillmouth went to Sir Alan Clavering. Arms—Gules a lion rampant and a border engrailed silver. RPD, 1; 6145s a; WALTER oF Goswick B_ 13]2, 1314, 1316-17. { bby Gell FPD, 614. A noted man in the Palatinate and much employed in his business by bishop Kellawe. Some later notices of the family appear in RND, 183. Arms—Vert a fess between three geese silver. NORHAM CASTLE 65 Sir Rospert CoLtvittE B 1314. RPD, i, 543 ff. ; iv, 383. Grandson of Sir William Colville, constable in 1243. Arms as before. E ao Str Ropert Crirrorp B 1314. RPD, i, 670. He held the barony of Gaugy in 1304; of the same family, probably his grandson, as the Robert Clifford constable in 1214-15. See ante, p.62. Hissealis DS, 640; IPM, 1339. Arms as before. Sir Epmunp MavitEy K _ 1314 (?). RPD, iv, 497. Younger son of Peter lord Mauley III, served in > Scottish campaign of 1301, granted manor of Seton 1306, steward of royal household, governor of the ES castles of Bridgenorth, Bristol and Cockermouth, lord of the liberty of Tyndale in 1314 (RPD, i, 291), drowned E> in the pursuit after Bannockburn. Buried at Bainton, Yorks., where his effigy is in the church. Arms—GCold on a bend sable three wyverns silver. Sir Joun Darcy, ‘“‘lecosyn” K 1316-17. CPR, 1317, p. 616. Lord Darcy, styled in contemporary documents, le neveu, le cosyn and later le piere. He was son of Sir Roger Darcy of Oldcoates and Styrrup, Notts. Fought at Crecy and Calais and held many official posts temp. Edw.IlandIIl. His first wife was Emmaline daughter of Sir William Heron of Hadstone. Died 3 Mar. 1355-56 (CP). Arms—Azure crusilly and three cinquefoils silver. VOL. XXVIII, PART I. 66 Sir THomas GREY NORHAM CASTLE I B_- 1318-27. RND, 45. Scala, 61. Of Heton, Northumberland, was taken prisoner at Bannockburn 1314 (Scala, 141-42), petitioned the King for forfeited lands of John Mautalent for his good service in Scotland 1318-19 (CDS, iii, 635), had grant of lands for life in Howick, Northumberland (ibid., 881), died shortly before 12 Mar. 1343-44. His wife was named Agnes. Whilst constable he was besieged three times. See ante, pp. 40-42. Arms—Gules a lion rampant and a border indented silver a baston azure. {ox 1321, p. 571. Sm Rosert Maners B 1327-45. CPR, 1335, p. 78; RND, 45. Sir THomas GREY Lord of Etal, Northumberland, son of Robert Maners, of the same place, who was distrained for knighthood in 1278. Crenellated his house at Etal, 1341, was ordered to deliver the castle of Norham and the offices of sheriff and escheator to Sir Thomas Grey II, circa 1345-46. Died 28 Sept. 1354. For further notices of him, see NCH, xi, 446 and passim. Arms—Gold two bars azure and a chief gules. II B_ 1345-46-69. RND, 45. Son of Sir Thomas Grey I, did homage for his lands 1343-4 and in the same year had letters of protection going abroad in the retinue of the king. 20 Apl. 1344 had grant from the king of the manor of Middlemast Middleton for good services and in 1366 had a grant also of the manor of Upsetlington West beyond Tweed. Was taken prisoner in a skirmish near Norham and whilst in prison wrote Scalachronica. Married Mar- garet daughter of William of Pressen. Died shortly before 22 Oct. 1369. Arms—Gules a lion rampant and a border indented silver. Str Nicnotas DagwortH K_ 1370-73. CPR, Rich Wiane 2: Lord Dagworth of Blickling son of Sir Thomas Dag- worth of the same place. Much employed in em- bassies and other important offices by Edward III and Richard II. Died 2 Jan. 1401-2. Brass still remains in Blickling church, Norfolk (CP). - Arms—Ermine on a fess gules three bezants. NORHAM CASTLE 67 Sm Joun Heron B_ 1374-86. CPR, 1380, p. 12; RND, 46, 305. Second son of Sir William Heron of Ford. Sir Nicholas fh Dagworth resigned his office to him in 1374. Bishop Q &\, | Hatfield appointed him constable of the castle and steward, sheriff, justice and escheator of Norhamshire and Islandshire for life, a grant confirmed in 1375 by the Prior and Convent of Durham. He died in 1409, seised of the manor of Thornton. Arms—Gules a chevron between three herons silver. GERARD HrrRon B_ 1386-95. RND, 46. Son of the above Sir John Heron, he was appointed to his father’s offices in Norham, etc., 14 July 1386, saving the rights of Sir Nicholas Dagworth. Arms—Gules three herons silver in chief a ring silver (ring is omitted in illustration). Sir Tuomas Grey, III B 1395-1400. RND, 46. Son of Sir Thomas Grey II, was aged 10 in 1369. In 1398 had licence to acquire Wark from Ralph earl of Westmorland. His wife was Joan probably daughter of John lord Mowbray. He died c. 26 Nov. 1400. Arms as his father’s. Sir WILLIAM CarnaBy B_ 1401-3. RND, 46. He was of Halton, Northumberland, being heir to his mother Margaret daughter of Sir John Halton of Halton. Appointed constable of the castle and steward, sheriff, justice and escheator, in the two shires, for three years in 1401. He was knight of the shire for Northumberland in 1404, chief steward of Hexhamshire 1405 and died 1407 (NCH, x, 408). Arms—Silver two bars azure and in chief three roundels azure. 68 NORHAM CASTLE Str Ropert OGLE B 1403-36. RND, 46. Son of Sir Robert Ogle and his wife Joan daughter and co-heiress of Sir Alan Heton of Chillingham, his wife was Maud daughter of Sir Robert Grey of Horton. He was appointed constable of the castle and to the other chief offices of the shires for seven years Feb. 1403 and for life on the following 6 Sept. He was much employed on the Borders and in the Scottish wars; died 1437 (HN, II, i, 383). Arms—VSilver a fess between three crescents gules. Str Ropert OGLE, LORD OGLE B_ 1436-69(?). RND, 46. Str Roger HERON Of Bothal and Ogle, eldest son of the above Sir Robert. Was appointed to all his father’s offices in the two shires for 20 years in 1436 and for life 1 Feb. 1439. Warden of East Marches 1438-39, conservator of truces on the Borders, warden-general of East Marches 1461, lord of Redesdale and Harbottle 1462, died 1469 (HN, II, i, 384); summoned to parliament as lord Ogle 1461. Arms—Quarterly, I & IV, silver a fess between three crescents gules; Il & III, gold an orle azure. B 1475-81. ; RND, 47. Eldest son of Sir John Heron of Ford, who was killed at Towton in 1461. He was appointed constable of the castle and to the other chief offices of the shires for life 20 April 1475 (RND, 305; NCH, xi, 378). Arms—Gules three herons silver. Sir Henry PERCY, EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND B 1481. RND, 10 & 47. a He was appointed with Sir Roger Heron for one year 15 Sept. 1481. He was the fourth earl; murdered at Cocklodge 1489. Arms—Quarterly, I & IV, gold a lion rampant azure ; Il & III, gules three luces silver. NORHAM CASTLE 69 RoBert CoLtingwoop B= 1482-83. RND, 11. Probably of the family of Eslington, but I have not SC been able to identify him. a Arms—Silver three bucks’ heads couped gules. Str JoHN MIppDLETON B_ 1482. RND, 47. Of Belsay, Northumberland, knight before 1469, sheriff of the county 1489-90, will proved 11 May 1502 (NCH, xiii, 26). On 25 Mar. 1482 styled cousin of the bishop (Dudley). Arms—Quarterly, I & IV, gules and gold a cross patonce silver in the quarter; II & III, sable crusilly and three covered cups silver. a foe | (mete Sir THomas GREY IV B_ 1483-94. RND, 11 and 48. Of Heton and Chillingham, knighted 22 Aug. 1480, banneret 1482. Married Margaret daughter of Ralph lord Greystock; died c. 1500 (RND, 326). Arms as before. THoMAS GARTH, esquire B 1497. RND, 48. Captain during siege of 1497, when bishop Fox himself seems to have been present. Fox granted him and his lieutenant John Hamerton an annuity of 5 marks “‘for such service as they have doo for me. . . especi- ally in the castle of Norham.’ He may have been founder of the family of Garth of Headlam. Thomas Garth at the head of their pedigree was living in 1502 (Walbran’s, Gainford, p. 110). Arms—The family of Headlam bore later gold two lions passant between three crosses crosslet fitchy sable. 70 NORHAM CASTLE Sir RicHarpD CHOLMELEY B_ 1501-7. RND, 12 and 48. Son of John Cholmeley of Golston, appointed keeper of the castle for five years 10 Nov. 1500, escheator in 1502 and a justice of the two shires by the king in 1501. Died March 1521-22 (SS, vol. 133, p. 132). Arms—Gules two helmets silver in base a sheaf gold. JoHN AYNESLEY, esquire B 1508-11. RND, 48, 49; LP, 13, p. 392. Styled in 1538 ‘‘ Captain of Norham a long time back.”’ Steward in 1507, escheator and coroner in 1507, sheriff 1508. In 1538 Clement Muschance porter’s deputy of Berwick is stated to have been “‘ one of the principal murderers of John Aynesley then captain of Norham.” He was probably of the Northumbrian family afterwards of Shaftoe and Little Harle Tower. Arms—Gules on a bend silver three molets azure. CHRISTOPHER CLAPHAM, esquire B 1512-13. RND, 49. Captain of castle and escheator for shires 1512. Com- manded during siege of 1513 when he was captured. Son of William Clapham of Beamsley, Yorks; died 1540. (Ped. Visits. Yorks, ed. Clay, ii, 473.) iGo on a chevron gold between three bezants three crosses crosslet fitchy sable. WILLIAM LORD DacrRE AND GREYSTOCK B_ 1520-26. RND, 49; LP, iv, 904 & 922. Son of Thomas lord Dacre of Gilsland and his wife Elizabeth baroness Greystock. He became lord Grey- stock on the death of his mother in 1516. Warden of West Marches 1527-34, 1549-51, and 1555-63, of Middle Marches 1553-55; died 18 Nov. 1563 (CP, iv, 21-22). In 1526 the bishop leased the castle to him during pleasure, he undertaking to defend it against the Scots at his own cost. Arms—Quarterly, I & IV, gules three escallops silver; II & III, checky gold and gules. NORHAM CASTLE 71 Sir CHRISTOPHER Dacre B_ 1520-26. Ibid. Younger brother of Thomas lord Dacre and uncle of the above William with whom he was associated in the above-mentioned leases. Arms—Gules three escallops silver, with due difference. THOMAS LORD DacRE B JLP, iv, 904. Sir Partie Dacre B \RND, 294. Deputies to William lord Dacre and Greystock who is styled “‘ captain.”” Thomas was the father of William, he died on the Borders 24 Oct. 1525. Philip was William’s younger brother ; in 1531 he is styled knight and appointed steward, sheriff and escheator in \is21. Bedlingtonshire. Arms—Gules three escallops silver, with due difference. Henry SwinHoE B_ 1522-23. RND, 296. Constable of the castle under William lord Dacre who is styled captain. He was a younger son of Henry Swinhoe of Rock and Scremerston, married Margaret daughter of John Maners of Cheswick, IPM, 18 Nov. 1544. (RND, 230 and 237.) Arms—NSable three swine passant silver. Sir JoHN ButmerR B_ 1523-24. LP, iii, 1519. Constable under lord William Dacre. The eldest son of Sir William Bulmer of Witton; attainted after the Pilgrimage of Grace (1536) and all his lands confiscated. Arms—Gules billety and a lion rampant gold. 72 NORHAM CASTLE Sir Wiiu1am Bubtmer, the Younger B 1525. LP, iv, 807. Styled 5 Dec. 1525 “‘ Young Sir Wm. Bulmer captain of Norham.’’ He was the younger brother of the above Sir John, lord of the manor of Cowton in right of his wife Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir William Elveden and co-heiress of Sir Rich. Conyers of Cowton. Arms as above with due difference. Str Henry PERCY, EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND B_ 1527-28. Hd TA Dr eyeye Tbid., iv, 2114. In 1527 he had a lease of Norham from the bishop, during pleasure, he was then warden of the Hast Marches; in 1527-28 he was appointed by three separate patents, sheriff, escheator and coroner of the two shires. In 1528 he is called “‘ captain of Norham.” He was the sixth earl of Northumberland; died 1528. Arms—Quarterly, I & IV, gold a lion rampant azure; II & III, gules three luces silver. RoGceErR LascELLES B= 1528-29. LP, v, 21144, 2527. Deputy to the earl. ‘‘ Northumberland has placed Roger Lascelles in Norham castle who will let none enter but the Douglasses”’ (ibid., p. 1528). James V writing to Henry VIII (June 1529) says “ all is in good order on the Borders except in the east where Maister Leisence Captain of Norham has charge under the earl of Northumberland.’’ He was probably of the family of Escrick, Yorks. (Visits. of Yorks, Forster, p. 61.) Arms—Silver three chaplets gules. Sir Witt1AM Evers B_ 1537-38. Ibid., xii, 482. Son of Sir Ralph Evers of Witton. Sheriff of Northum- berland 1527, captain of Berwick and warden of the East Marches 1538, created lord Eure of Witton 24 Feb. 1543, died 15 March 1547-48. Arms—Quarterly, gold and gules on a bend sable three escallops silver. NORHAM CASTLE 73 Str Brian Layton B_ 1539-45. Ibid., xiv, 250. Styled “‘ captain of Norham,” knighted by the earl of Hertford 11 May 1544, at Leith “‘ at the burning of Edinburgh ”’ then called ‘‘ of Lancashire.”’ Killed at the battle of Ancrum Moor (1545). See ante, p. 53. Arms—Silver a fess between six crosses crosslet fitchy sable. CuTrHBERT LAYTON B_ 1545. Tbid., xx, 1, 155. . Brother of the above Sir Brian, acted temporarily after his death. See ante, p. 54. Arms as above with due difference. Sir Grorce Bowrs K_ 1545. LP, Hy. 8, xx, i, 172. Son of Richard Bowes and his wife Elizabeth Aske ; k f t x lord of Streatlam, knighted by the earl of Hertford at the burning of Edinburgh 1544, sheriff of Yorks 1562 ; i k x died 1580. Arms—Ermine three long bows in pale gules. ‘RIcHARD Bowrs B_ 1546-(?) 1553. Ibid., xxi, i, 630. Fourth son of Sir Ralph Bowes of Streatlam and of his wife Margery daughter and co-heiress of Sir Richard Conyers. He was the younger brother of Sir Robert Bowes, warden of the Marches. He was lord of the manor of Aske and died 10 Nov. 1558, seised of the manor of Cowton. Arms—Ermine three long bows in pale gules, with due difference. 74 NORHAM CASTLE RicuaRD Norton B_ 1557-58. LP, vi, Add. 468. Of Norton Conyers, a leader in the Rising of the North | (1569) for which he was attainted and died abroad at a great age. In 1558 it was reported ‘“‘that he had dis- posed of Norham to Sir Henry Percy and made him captain ”’ (ibid.). Arms—Azure a maunch ermine over all a baston gules. Sir Henry Percy B_ 1558-70. Ibid., vii, Add. 183. Brother of Thomas, earl of Northumberland, who was attainted in 1569 after the Rising of the North and beheaded at York, 1572. He succeeded his brother as eighth earl in 1576. Arms as before. THomas CLAVERING K_ 1570. RND, 299. Styled “the capten of Norham Mr Thomas Clavering.”’ Probably a younger son of the family of Callaly, but I am unable to identify him. Arms—Quarterly, gold and gules a baston sable. Guy CaRLeTon 1570. RND, 299. Styled “‘ constable,’ probably acting under Sir Henry Percy. Raine says he was the father of George Carleton, bishop of Llandaff 1618, and of Chichester 1619-28. Arms—Ermine on a bend sable three pheons silver. NORHAM CASTLE 75 Srr Joun Setpy 1590. BP, i, 365; ii, 21. Captain under lord Hunsdon. He was of Twizell, son of John Selby, gentleman-porter of Berwick. He was knighted by the Queen in 1582 at Nonesuch; died 1595. (Ped. RND, 315.) Arms—Barry ermine and sable. Henry Carry, torD Hunspon, K.G. 1560 (?)—-1596. Son and heir of William Carey and his wife Mary daughter of Thomas Boleyn. He was cousin to queen Elizabeth. In January 1558-59 created baron Huns- don of Hunsdon, K.G. 1561, governor of Berwick and warden of East Marches 1568, and captain-general of the forces of the Border 1580-81; died 26 July 1596. (CP.) Arms—Silver on a bend sable three roses silver. WILLIAM CaREY ?-1593. BP, ii, 14. Fourth son of lord Hunsdon, deputy for his father at Norham before 1593, in which year he died. Arms as before with due difference. Sir Jonun Carey 1593-95. BP, ii, 14. Fifth son of Henry, lord Hunsdon, knight-marshal of Berwick, governor of Berwick, warden of East Marches 1601, succeeded his brother William as captain of Norham, succeeded as baron Hunsdon 1603; died 1617. See ante, pp. 58-59. Arms as before with due difference. Sir ROBERT CaREY 1595-1605 (?). BP, ii, 68; OF. Tenth son of Henry, lord Hunsdon; deputy warden of the East Marches, warden 1597, supplanted his brother John as captain of Norham. Created lord Carey of Lepprington 1622, earl of Monmouth 1626; died 1639. Sold Norham to George Home c. 1605. See ante, p. 60. Arms as before with due difference. GEORGE Homi, EARL OF DuNnBAR c. 1605. RND, 31. Fourth son of Alexander Home of Manderston. A favourite of James VI, high-treasurer of Scotland 1601, created lord Home of Berwick 1604, and earl of Dunbar 1605 ; died 1611. Arms—Vert a lion rampant silver. PRESTON TOWER. By G. G. Baker CrEssweE i of Preston Tower. THE townships of Ellingham and Preston* are very fully described in the 2nd vol. of the County History, but some of the boundaries mentioned in the old charters are difficult to follow. The road over the Long Nanny burn, which is now crossed by the bridge called the Black Bridge on the Ordnance Survey, was doubtless the via redarum and via rubrum of the ancient charters. “‘ Rede” I have always understood to have been a ford, and if this was so, the monks translation into Latin explains easily the via rubrum. The steep hill from the school to the bridge is known as Morley Bank, and derives its name from the “moor and pasture of Moriley,” mentioned in a lease by John de Clifford to the Convent of Durham in 1342. The present highway from the bridge to the foot of Preston Bank was formed, within the last two hundred years, with material from the = excavation just below the old tower. The stream crossed by the Black Bridge is the present Long Nanny burn, called in the Survey of 1567 the “‘ medowe burn.” The name Nanny, it is suggested, is derived from an old word, meaning a burn or stream, but when first applied to this one there is no record. It rises at Doxford, to the south side of Swineclose, at the “Carse Well,’ according to the Survey of 1567, but now lost sight of, and follows a very tortuous course till it flows into the sea at Beadnell Bay. Preston, in the barony of Alnwick, came into the possession of Robert Harbottle at the end of the fourteenth or beginning of the fifteenth century. He was Constable of Dunstanburgh in 1403, and acted as sheriff of the county in 1408 and again in 1413. He died in 1419, having acquired by purchase the manor of Preston and lands in Ellingham. He was doubtless * See also vol. xiii, p. 277; vol. xxiii, p. 31. + See the new History of Northumberland, vol. ix. 76 PRESTON TOWER We the builder of the tower, which is included in the list of fortalices of 1415. All that remains of the original structure is the south front with corner turrets at the angles, the north side is closed with modern masonry. The original building probably extended to the north, and had a similar front and corner turrets, the space between being enclosed and available for the protection of cattle in the time of raids. The present entrance is by a plain doorway cut through the south front, probably at the end of the seventeenth century. A modern wooden staircase leads up to the three floors, on each of which there is a small chamber in each turret. Three of these chambers are occupied by water-tanks supplied from a hydraulic ram in the valley below, and deliver the water by gravity to the house and various parts of the estate. The tower has many of the mason’s marks of the builders, similar to those found on other towers in the county. Up to 1862 the farm buildings and steading of Preston Mains were round the tower, and the marks of the attachment of the buildings are still prominent. They were probably erected about the same date as the modern house, as several stones in the stable buildings have the mason’s marks and no doubt were taken from the tower. From the Harbottles the Preston estate, together with the manor of Ellingham, passed to the family of Armorer, who in 1687 sold it to Edward Haggerston, in whose family the manor of Ellingham still remains. Preston was sold by Thomas Haggerston of Ellingham in 1719 to Thomas Wood of Burton, ' who agreed never to pull down or deface the tower, but to put a new roof upon it, and to permit the manor court to be held in it. From Thomas Wood it passed to a female line, and was eventually sold in 1805 to Edmund Craster. Preston Hall was burnt to the ground in January 1782, and was rebuilt by Edmund Craster, who had a lease of Preston prior to the purchase in 1805. A stone in the stables bears the inscription ““ Kdmund Craster 1802” and the Craster crest of a raven. A lintel at the south end of the stables has the date 1803. The estate eventually devolved to a niece of Edmund Craster ; she dying unmarried devised it to her kinsman Charles Atkinson, by whom it was sold in 1861 to Mr A. J. Baker Cresswell. 78 PRESTON TOWER At this time the buildings round the tower were removed and the new steading erected at the foot of the hill on the road to Chathill ; at the same time the two clock-faces were inserted in the tower walls. One of these fills what was originally a fine window recess, said to have formerly contained a square-headed transomed window of two cusped lights. In 1864 the clock was installed, made entirely by hand by the late Henry Robert Baker Cresswell, striking on a bell weighing 54 cwt., cast by John Mills & Sons of Newcastle-on-Tyne. The gardens and grounds contain various shrubs and plants of interest. Berberis over twenty varieties, including hookeri, knighti, pruinosa, wallichiana hypoleuca, verrucolosa, stapfiana, sanguinea, sargentiana, gagnepainu, and Mahonia trifoliata; Ceanothus rigidus and vettchi, Daphnephyllum glaucesens, Osmanthus delaveyi, Choisia ternata, Pittosporum colensoi and mayi, Jamesia americana, Skimmias, Sarcococcus, Abelia floribunda and rupestris, Puptanthus, Viburnum (various), Ilex perni, Rhamnus alerternus (a fine evergreen), Tulip and Walnut trees; a large bed of Romneya coultert and a plant of Paeony wittmanniana are worth attention. , Oxalis acetosella (pink var.) grows beside the front door. It came originally from near Alnwick, collected by the late Mr Boyd of Faldonside and given to me by him. The large Cupressus in the tower ground mentioned in the Club’s History * has developed a remarkable character, the lower branches having taken root and thrown up separate growth all round the parent stem. Paris quadrifolia is fairly plentiful in the Preston woods. Preston lies in the dry zone extending from about Alnmouth to Tweedmouth, due probably to the configuration of the hills to the west. The house is four miles from the sea at Beadnell, and stands at an elevation of 150 feet. The rainfall is very variable, the average for the last sixteen years has been 29-81 inches, with extremes of 35-59 in 1916 and 22-57 in 1921. No deduction can be drawn from these returns, which have been carefully kept day by day, as to relative fall in corresponding months of successive years. * Vol. xiii, p. 266. THE GEOLOGY OF THE DIRRINGTONS. By Autan A. Fatconer, Duns. Tue geology of the Dirringtons and the adjoining Blacksmill Hill is interesting. The rock is felsite. Hitherto the accepted view has been that they are isolated bosses, presumably of Lower Old Red Sandstone age, penetrating the Silurian strata and enwrapped unconformably by the Upper Old Red Con- glomerates. Sir Archibald Geikie associates them with various bosses of massive rock outside the limits of the Old Red, which may be plausibly referred to the volcanic phenomena of that period, though they cannot be proved to be part of them ; among others he mentions being Cockburn Law and the Priest- law mass. He says: “ These bosses present some points of structure in common with true vents. They come like great vertical columns through highly folded and puckered strata, and, as they truncate the Llandovery and Wenlock formations, they are certainly younger than the greater part of the Upper Silurian series. They must be later, too, than the chief plica- tions and cleavage of these strata, but they are older than the Upper Old Red Sandstones or basement Carboniferous rocks which contain pebbles of them. Their date is thus narrowed down to the interval between the later part of the Upper Silurian period and the beginning of the Upper Old Red Sand- stone.” * Elsewhere he notes in regard to these bosses that no proof has yet been obtained that any of them was the site of an eruption, and no trace has been detected around them of any lavas or tuffs which might have proceeded from them.t Quite recently a different theory of the age and character of the Dirrington rocks has been put forward by Mr John Irvine, B.Se., Ph.D., Trin. Coll. Camb., Carnegie Research Fellow, who spent some time investigating the igneous rocks of Berwick- shire in 1929. He summarises his conclusions as follows : * Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain, vol. i, p. 290. + Ibid., vol. i, p. 341. 79 80 THE GEOLOGY OF THE DIRRINGTONS “The three masses of Dirrington Great Law, Dirrington Little Law, and Blacksmill Hill consist of riebeckite felsite closely allied to the rock of the neighbouring Hildon Hills, and most probably contemporaneous with it, 2.e. they are of a Carbonifer- ous age. They may represent the denuded remains of a lacco- lith which has been intruded into Upper Old Red Sandstone Conglomerate.” * He arrives at his conclusions largely on petrological grounds; the Dirrington Law rock is almost identical with the quartz riebeckite felsite of the West Eildon, and is quite different from the “ felstones ” which are intruded through the Silurian tract adjacent to the Berwickshire coast and the Lower Old Red Sandstone in the neighbourhood of Eye- mouth. He also points out that the surrounding Conglomerates do not, as Sir Archibald Geikie considered, contain numerous “ felstone ”’ pebbles derived from the Dirrington rock ; examina- tion of sliced specimens under the microscope showed these “felstone ’ pebbles to have been probably derived from the igneous intrusions in the Silurian and from Old Red lavas and andesites, while pebble analyses showed that their percentage does not increase as the masses are approached. Direct evi- dence is practically awanting; there are no contacts visible ; three exposures of igneous rock among the Upper Old Red Con- glomerates and Sandstones of Kippetlaw Burn he regards as dykes or thin sills, offshoots from the main mass. NEOLITHIC CAIRNS IN NORTHUMBERLAND. By J. Hewat Craw, F.S.A.Scot. Last year I drew attention in our History ¢ to a long cairn near Byrness. Shortly afterwards, while indexing our volumes, I found that this and another cairn had been already recorded. f The latter is situated about 100 yards south-east of the top of Bellshiel Hill and 14 mile north-north-west of Birdhopecraig. I examined it last spring and found it to measure 369 feet in length by 52 feet across at the east end, with a maximum height of 6 feet. It may have been of the horned type. ” * “ Four ‘ Felstone’ Intrusions in Central Berwickshire’ in Geological Magazine, vol. |xvii, No. 798 (December 1930). + Vol. xxvii, p. 329. t Vol. ix, p. 473 (1881). EVELAW. By Freperick R. N. Cure, W.S. (Plate V.) THE farm of Evelaw has from earliest records been a property by itself. The lands belonged to the Abbey of Dryburgh,* and are mentioned in the rental lists given in the Liber de Dryburgh, from about 1535 onwards. The abbacy lands were in post- Reformation times erected into the temporal lordship of Cardross, which was granted to the Earl of Mar. In 1550 * Jonet Frainche, wife of Robert Crenstoun, in Broxmouth,”’ held the lands under the Abbey, and renounced her right in favour of Robert Watson, her son by Robert Watson, her deceased spouse. In 1576 Henry Wood in Flas, with consent of his son David, sold the lands to William Douglas in Cold- branspeth. Itis probable that the tower was built by William Douglas shortly after his coming into possession. The lands continued to be held by the family till they passed by an heiress to the Sinclairs of Longformacus. In 1731 Sir John Sinclair sold them to Archibald Smith, tenant of Collilaw, from whose brother, Rev. Alexander Smith, minister of Cumbrae, they were bought in 1771 by John Somerville, tenant in Hillhouse. The ‘farm was bought by my grandfather from Andrew Somerville, son of John, in the year 1836. The name occurs in its modern form in Armstrong’s Map of Berwickshire, 1771. The present local pronunciation is identical with the older form—lIvelie,f which is found from 1577 to 1771. The early name of the parish of Westruther was Woolstruther, and it is undoubtedly tempting to think that Evelaw was Ewelaw and Wedderlie, next door, Wedderlaw, keeping up the * A full account of the lands is given by Dr Hardy in his Report of the meeting at Evelaw in 1885. See Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xi, p. 71. ft Other forms of spelling are Yfle, Yflye (c. 1535), Yiffle (1540), Iflie (1540-1570), Ifly (c. 1580), Ivilie (1577), Iwilye (1634), Ivellie (1632) and Evelie (1630-1637). Woh. SX VIIT, PART I. 6 82 EVELAW ovine connection. It is, however, difficult to reconcile this with the various old spellings of the name, which in the eigh- teenth century took the form of Evelaw. About the old tower I am sorry I cannot get much informa- tion. It appears to be fortunate in having no history; any history attaching to such buildings in the Border is usually an unhappy one. It was possibly too small and too remote. Up to a year ago the tower was covered with an exceptionally strong growth of ivy, the roots of which can still be seen, but as it threatened to destroy the stone-work, I reluctantly had it cut down. For the repairs I think my father was mainly responsible. Mr Ian Lindsay, who has been living at Wedderlie, has been kind enough to give me the following report on the architecture of the tower. Plans have been published in the Berwickshire Inventory. The ruined tower of Evelaw (Plate V) is an L-shaped structure of a type common over most of Scotland. It consists of a main block 33 feet by 22 feet and a wing 14 feet 6 inches by 11 feet. Its condition is somewhat ruinous along the north side, but the west wall, which had a huge rend down the middle, has been well patched, some of the windows restored, and a wide new doorway opened to give access to the ground floor. The south wall has also been repaired in order to make the wall- head level along its original height. These patches can best be seen from the inside, for the new wall has not been made so thick as the old. The external angles of the building are all rounded, a feature common in Aberdeenshire, where the hard granite made it easier to build a rubble corner on the round thanacut one. However, there are one or two examples nearer at hand, namely, Cranshaws, Johnscleuch, and Corsbie. The original entrance was doubtless in the wing facing east in order that it might be covered by a shot-hole in the main block at right angles to it, an arrangement which may still be seen in the similar towers of Greenknowe at Gordon and Hillslap (or Glendearg). At Evelaw this part is so ruined and the site of the door in part built up with modern masonry to support the superstructure, that there are little or no traces of these features. There are still shot-holes, however, in the middle of the east and south walls. To the left within the entrance (which was doubtless guarded History of Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. xxviii. IPR, WY EVELAW TOWER FROM SOUTH-WEST. [To face p. 82. From photographs by H. H. Cowan, Esq.| ~~, 28 MAR 23 } vay. woy EVELAW 83 by an iron “ yett”’ as at Greenknowe) was a door to the at-one- time vaulted ground floor, while in front a wide wheel-stair led to the hall on the first floor. From this level upwards a small wheel-stair, of which but one step remains, corbelled out from the re-entrant angle, led to the upper floors. In the main block there was one more floor and an attic above the hall, each probably divided by wooden partitions into two rooms. The wing had two small apartments above the hall level. The upper of these two was vaulted: in fact, about half this vault remains. The supporting corbels of a parapet walk round the top of the wing are still in place, but the main block never had a parapet, and was finished with an ordinary sloping roof with crowstep gables at the east and west ends. The tower is very like one or two others at no great distance in its general plan and features. Greenknowe and Hillslap, both mentioned before, are two. The former is more elaborate but it has the same plan and is nearly the same size, its main block being 33 feet by 25 feet as against the 33 feet by 22 feet of Evelaw. Hillslap is also about the same, being 30 feet by 22 feet, with a wing of 16 by 12 feet (Evelaw wing 14 feet 6 inches by 11 feet). They too have a wide stair to the hall level and a narrow one corbelled over the re-entrant angle to the floors above. With these and several other like features it may be taken that they are all nearly contemporary, if not even by the same builder. Greenknowe and Hillslap are both dated, the former 1581 and the latter 1585, so I think it would be safe to assume that Evelaw was built between 1580 and 1590 or 1600. ANCRUM BRIDGE. REFERENCE was recently made in our History * to a church- door collection made in 1698 for the repair of Ancrum Bridge. The following is an extract from the Kirk-Session Records of Ayr, being taken from a list of collections made :— 1666—For ye Kirk of Jedburgh and the Bridge of Ancrum. In 1684 there is the entry— For the town of Kelso whereof three hundred and six families had their homes burnt. * Vol. xxvii, p. 268. DUDDO STONE CIRCLE. By J. Hewat Craw, F.S.A.Scot. (Plate VI.) THE stone circle of Duddo, visited by the Club in October 1932, lies in a cultivated field three-quarters of a mile north-north- west of Duddo, and half a mile north-east of Grindonrigg. It occupies the flattish top of a large knoll which rises some 40 feet above the level of the adjacent ground, and commands a good view of the surrounding country, including the Cheviot Hills to the south. In size the circle is small, measuring internally only 29 by 28 feet in diameter, but it is impressive on account of the bulk and character of the stones composing it. Of these, five are erect, measuring in height from 5 feet to 7 feet 6 inches, in breadth from 3 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 1 inch, and in thickness from | foot 6 inches to 2 feet 6 inches. Three smaller stones lie on the ground, having been probably dragged to their present positions to be out of the way of cultivation.* The stones are the coarse sandstone of the district, such as may be seen in the outcrop at Duddo Tower. They are deeply grooved by the rains of many centuries, and are much wasted near the ground. Their irregular outline is shown in fig. 1, * The measurements of the stones are as follows, numbering them in the same order as in Tate’s paper of 1884 (Hist. Ber. Nat. Club., vol. x, p- 542, pl. v) :— No. 1. Height 7’ 2” Breadth 5’1” Thickness 2’ 5” yo a aha Omen oe 3 67 os 1 62 3 Oe ose OMe 5 4’ 5” 7 1” 6” soit Wicsueace Od 5D 5’ nf 1 64 sar NOs aneoe om a 3’ 4” KS ZG" The prostrate stones (indicated by shading in fig. 1) measure : Length 3’ 8” Breadth 1’ 8” Thickness 1’ 2” 9 2’ 3” 29 Lig 6” 9? fe re ee” ge: Sere IK - is «84 Prats VI. History of Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. xxviii. DUDDO STONE CIRCLE FROM N.N.E. Phoio., J. H. Craw.) [To face p. 84. “4 a] DUDDO STONE CIRCLE 85 where the plan of each stone at ground-level is shown in black, an outline indicating the upper part. On stone No. 2 are several cup-shaped markings, but these may be natural. No. 5 MAG. N. @ S) O FEELS 10 15 20 (Ce ——————EE—_E—_————E— J.H.C.1931 Fig. 1.—PLan or Duppo Stone Crrcte. would seem to have been set up quite recently. Dr M‘Whir tells me that the local name of the monument is The Four Stones ; the fifth must have fallen previous to 1849.* I have been unable to find out when it was re-erected, but Mr J. R. * See Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ii, p. 344n. 86 DUDDO STONE CIRCLE Wood, Castle Heaton, tells me it was still fallen in 1903. From Tate’s measurements and from the drawing given in his paper it seems to have lain some 10 feet north of its present position, having probably been moved to the position in which Tate shows it to allow of cultivation across the circle. Its present position is probably very near to that which it originally occupied. Our member, Mr Robert Carr, informs me that forty or fifty years ago he carried out some digging at the circle with the permission of Mr Friar of Grindonrigg, who owned Duddo at that time. He found at the north-west part of the circle two cavities from which stones had been removed. The approxi- mate positions of these are marked XX on the plan. He also found at the centre of the circle a depression some 6 to 8 feet in diameter containing much charcoal and bones; the latter, on being sent to Canon Greenwell, were pronounesd to be incinerated human remains. Raine, writing in 1852,* says: “The remains of an outer circle were a while ago discovered at the usual distance.” Mr Carr could find no trace of this. Raine also mentions “a small barrow, at the foot of the hill on the north side, much levelled by the plough.” Mr Carr tells me that a large stone deeply furrowed like those of the circle is built into the wall at the roadside to the north of Grindonrigg. His suggestion that it may be part of one of the missing stones is not improbable. The tradition connecting the stones with Sabbath-breakers punished for their desecration has been dealt with in a paper by Dr W. J. Rutherfurd.t A similar tale is attached to a row of upright stones close to the fort of Hounam Rings in Roxburgh- shire; this row is probably the remains of the wall of an enclosure connected with the fort. A comparison between the Duddo circle and other circles in Northumberland shows that at Doddington Moor an incomplete circle of five stones measures 40 feet across, the tallest standing- stone being 5 feet 8 inches high; { while at Threestoneburn thirteen stones form a circle 113 feet in diameter, the stones varying from 2 feet 9 inches to 4 feet 5 inches in height.§ * North Durham, p. 318. + Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xxiv, p. 98. t Ibid., vol. xxv, p. 204. § Ibid., vol. xxvi, p. 112 (fig.). SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. By C. H. Hunter Buarr, M.A., F.S.A. Tue list which follows is bound up in a volume of manuscripts bought by the writer at the Lambton Castle sale in the spring of 1932. The contents of the volume consist in the main of genealogical material such as pedigrees, historical notes upon various families, and extracts from records written by different hands, probably collected by a sixteenth-century herald. There is no clue to its original owner, but at least one section of it belonged to William Camden, antiquary, historian, and herald, whose autograph is upon it—Wualliam Camden, Claren- ceulz Kinge of Armes in Partibus Austral. He was created Clarenceux in 1598. The folios preceding this list contain other Scottish material, one being The Nobilitie of Scotland 1601, with pedigrees and the names of the castles and houses they then owned; these are, however, in a different handwriting and on paper with a different watermark from those of this list, which is either a Scottish one or copied from a Scots one, probably the latter. The writer uses throughout the letter “ Z”’ for the Scots “ Y” or “ Yod” sound such as still persists in such names as Cadzow and Dalziel. Examples of such use are Zettane for Yetholm, Zerbyre for Yerbyre, Rinzian for Rinyan, a Scots form oi Ninian. He also uses the Scottish Quh. for the Wh. sound as Quhitten for Whitten and Quhitauch for Whitaugh.! The manuscript is written in double columns on a page with the surnames divided between the different Marches and Dales, ending with those of the Debateable Land ; the names of the members of each family being ruled off separately. The individuals are described usually as “ of ” or “in” such 1 For this and other help the writer is indebted to Professor W. L. Renwick of Durham University. 87 88 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY a place. The former means “ owner of” or is simply descrip- tive, as in such a phrase as “of the Hill”; the latter means “dwelling in.” It might possibly also describe the owner, but “tenant of ” is its probable meaning. The word “ Tutor ”’ is used in one place, and means “ guardian ”’ (curator bonis) of a minor. “ Goodman” occurs occasionally, and may mean either owner or tenant ; it corresponds roughly to the English word yeoman. So far as the writer can find, this list has not before been published. Sir Walter Scott, in Appendix XII of Border Antiquities, prints A Roll of the Names of the Landlords and Baillies of Lands on the Borders in A.D. 1587, and on p. xc he refers to another list published in Moneypenny’s Chronicle of 1597 and 1603, which also differs from this one. Sir Walter adds a list of “foraying or riding clans” not found in the Parliamentary roll of 1587. This resembles the present list in some respects, but it is not the same. The present list apparently dates about the decade 1585-95, as may be seen from the notes added by the present writer, particularly to the surnames of the Western March who lived and raided, killed and were killed at that time. For example, Sim Armstrong “laird of Mangerton”’ and “ The Laird’s Jok,” his son, are both named in a letter! from Sir Thomas Musgrave to Lord Burghley written towards the end of 1583, whilst David Gasse of Barch in Annandale was slain in November. 1583.2, Many other of the names are also mentioned in this letter in which Sir Thomas Musgrave sent a detailed account of the West Marches to Lord Burghley, who, he says, “‘was not well acquainted with the names of the waters and the dwelling- places of the riders and ill-doers.” The names also agree in the main with a list of March 1595? contained in an award to Sir John Forster, lord warden of the Middle Marches, made between certain surnames of the Borders wherein he decrees that all blood feuds and disputes should be referred to arbi- trators so that “these deadly and detestable feuds should cease, whereby the original offenders being slain and justified, the innocent unborn when the quarrel began, are cruelly mur- dered and so from generation to generation, casting the laws of God and all other politick laws over.” An example of this bloodthirstiness is seen when, in 1596, Sir Robert Kerr’s men 1 Border Papers, i, 120-127. 2 Ibid., p. 147. 3 Tbid., 11, LIT. Tt wy = SY a a BY Wo Hobbie of saerd\ oe ee ss ; 3 Linda ta ( Garferfon. ' Vs Burne ree haisoh ant a de Ai \ pcad NE A Hichel 9°¢ Shee Sy CMilholme B SN: B Daxidy Baitses BF pu reLor. eh bus s) ABS Crookes f cs : oe we sterbers | (GArcleton “Cole awes eye whithang | {; Le bsg OE “xa \ Z ¢ {es Ey ean ee i N eg omy 722 Sea AN ate = f8 Rv er, prde harlawe thuath a3 Sze Ti wilh Tower) ‘ ate ay, 7128 hreselofob es Sy as op , al ' wea UB hire atrik, S — Zl | ( ee o Ca 2 Con —. ve ye b & Ni a thomwhathlle f © dowibrone ap AS) Map or West Marcues or ScornuanpD In 1590. From Archeologia, vol. 22. 90 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY raiding in Norhamshire and not finding the men they were looking for, drove away some cattle instead; Sir Robert sent the cattle back to their owners saying that it was “ not goods but blood he desired and he would be revenged ere he had done.” 1 The absence of notes to the names of the men of the East Marches in this list would seem to prove that they then lived quietly, minding their own affairs and practising the arts of peace. They, especially the dwellers in the Merse, certainly gave little trouble to the opposite English warden ; and, where history is silent, one may infer peace and quietness. The condition in the Middle and West Marches, particularly in Tiviotdale and Liddesdale, was very different. Camden ? says of the former, “it is inhabited by a warlike nation... alwaies most readie for service and sudden invasions.” It was from these dales that the most notorious thieves and raiders came, though it is true that they chiefly raided and spoiled each other. The Borders as a whole were quieter in these last years of the sixteenth century than they had been for centuries; the raids were on a smaller scale and were mostly the “riding ”’ of “ broken” or “‘ loose”? men. After the union of 1603 they enjoyed “a quiet and order which they had never before experienced.” 3 THE NAMES OF THE PRINCIPALL CLANNES AND SURNAMES ON THE BORDOURS NOT LANDED, AND CHEFE MEN OF NAME AMONGST THEM AT THIS PRESENT.* ABBREVIATIONS. AL The History of Liddisdale, Eskdale, Ewesdale, Wauchopdale and the Debateable Lands, by Robert Bruce Armstrong, 1 vol., 1883. AJ History and Antiquities of Roxburghshire, by Alexander Jefirey, 4 vols., 1864. May 1590 Archeologia, xxii, 161. Ante, p. 89. BP Calendar of Border Papers, 2 vols., 1560-1603. 1 Border Papers, ii,.191. 2 Britain, Scotland, p. 9, trans. Holland. 3 Tough, p. 273. 4 IT am indebted to our editor, Mr J. Hewat Craw, for help in identifying the place-names, and to Mr R. C. Reid for facts relating to Annandale. SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 91 Tough The Last Years of a Frontier, by D. L. W. Tough, 1 vol., 1926. P Parish. B_ Berwickshire. R_ Roxburghshire. D Dumfriesshire. EAST MARCHE.1 BRUMFIELDES.2—J ohn Brumfield,? Tutor, of Greenelawdeyne. Greenlawdean, Greenlaw P, B. Adam Brumfield of Hardaikers. Eccles P, B. Brumfield of Pittilesheugh. Pittlesheugh, Eccles P, B. Alexander Brumfield of Hasilton maynes. MHassington Mains, Eccles P, B. James Brumfield of Whithouse. Mertoun P, B. The Laird of Todderike. Todrig Hume P, B. Alexander Brumfield of Gordon Mains. Gordon P, B. Trotrer.—The Laird of Pentennen. Printonan, Eccles P, B. William Trotter of Foulschawe. Fogo P, B.4 Cuthberd Trotter in Fogo. Village and P, B. Tome Trotier of the hill. Fogo Hill, Fogo P, B. Dicxsons.—The Goodman on Buchtrig. Eccles P, B. The Goodman of Bolchester. Belchester, Eccles P, B. Dickson of Hassingron. Hassington, Eccles P, B. Dickson in new bigging. Eccles P, B. RipPetus.—Thomas Ridpeth of Cruming. Crumrig, Greenlaw P, B. Alexander Ridpeth of Angellraw. Greenlaw P, B. HaitiLei1s.—The Goodman of Lambden. _Greenlaw P, B. John Haitlie of Brumehill. Greenlaw P, B. George Haitlhe in Hordlaw. Hurdlaw, Greenlaw P, B. Laurence Haitlie in Haliburton. Greenlaw P, B. GRADEINS.—Jasper Graden in Ernislaw. Eccles P, B. 1 The East Marches of Scotland at this time included the county of Berwick from Berwick Bounds westwards to a short distance above Carham on the Tweed, and northwards to the Lammermuirs and Dunglass Burn. ? Called ‘“‘ Gentlemen of the East Marches”’ in 1583. Also Trotters, Dicksons, Craws, and Crimstones (B P, i, 166). 3 Scottish equivalent to guardian of a minor (curator bonis). * Now part of Fogorig farm. 92 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY Younas.—James Young of the Criffe. Will Young of Otterburne. Morebattle P, R. David Young of Oxemsyde. Oxnam P, R. William Scot of Feltershawes.1 Morebattle P, R. Davisons.—Robert Davison of Symeston. Morebattle, P, R. Jok Davison Quhitton. Morebattle, P, R. James Davisone of Byrmrig.? ? Burnirig, Hounam P, R. George Davison of Throgdan. ? Frogden, Linton P, R. PRINGILLS.—James Hoppringle of Towner. Wat Hoppringle of Clifton. Morebattle P, R. John Hoppringle of the Bente. David Hoppringle of Morbottle. Village and P, R. Tates.— Will Tate in Stankfurde. David Tate in Cheritreis.4 Yetholm P, R. David Tait in Bairers.6 Yetholm P, R. Will Tait in Zettane. Yetholm village and P, R. MippELMAISTES.—Robin Middelmaist in Milrig. Morebattle P, R. Burnes.*—David Burne of Elisheuch. Morebattle P, R. Ralph Burne of the Coit.? ? Cliftoncote, Morebattle P, R. 1 James Young of Feltershaws was a pledge for Tiviotdale in 1587 (B P, ii, 350); 29 Oct. 1588 Dande & James Young ‘“‘ Feltershaw’s sons ”’ stole 18 oxen from Edmund Craster and Nicholas Forster (zbid., i, 361). 2 Burnyrig. He raided West Newton with others in 1596 (B P, ii, 147) and Wark in another raid of same year (zbid., ii, 148). In 1587 he took part with 200 men in a fray, taking 80 oxen and kine, 240 sheep, 10 horses, burnt 10 houses and took six prisoners (ibid., i, 357). ; 3 In the early sixteenth century William Pringle of Torwoodlee had a charter of lands there, and in 1615 John Pringle of Tofts held lands there (A J, iii, 300). 4 In 1605 William Tait of Cherrytrees sued James Tait of Kelso for the murder of his son on the green at Cherrytrees (A J, iii, 262). 5 George Tate of “‘ Bareasse ’’ with David and Will, his son and brother, raided 8 oxen from John Fynch of Twisell House in July 1596 (B P, ii, 165). Later, Thomas Grey, constable of Wark, made David Tate of Bairers prisoner in his own house, took him to Berwick and spoiled him of gold and silver rings worth £500 Scots (ibid., p. 182). 6 A noted family of raiders called ‘‘ Cessford’s men.” In 1598 plundered Hethpool & Harbottle and slew John Selby of Pawston (B P). 7 Ralph of the ‘“‘ Coat’ pledge of Cessford (Sir Robert Kerr) for East Tiviotdale in April 1600 (B P, ii, 646). In March 1598 he was one of a gang who. broke out of York castle and was captured and put in irons (7bid., ii, 594-595). In Sept. 1596 one of the clan was taken red-handed by Sir dS SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 93 Dacuescuis.—Jok Dagleisch of Bank. Eckford P, R. Robert Dalgleish in Wideopen.1 Yetholm P, R. GincuRIsTIs.2—Hew Gilchrists called of Cowben. Will Gilchrists in Cavertone. Eckford P, R. MIDDLEMARCHES.? Hatu.t—John Hall of Newbigging.»5 Oxnam P, R. George Hall called Patsgeordie ther. Andrew Hall of the Sykes.6 Oxnam P, R. Thom Hall in Fowlschiels.7, Oxnam P, R. Pyiz.2—George Pyle in Milkheuch.® Millheugh, Oxnam P, R. John Pyle in Swynside.. Oxnam P, R. Robert Carey and hanged. In revenge Norhamshire was raided and cattle taken, but Kerr of Cessford sent them back saying it was “‘ blood he wanted not goods and he would have his revenge ere he had done ”’ (B P, ii, 191). 1 Dagleish of Wideopen, a noted raider and horse-thief at the end of six- teenth century. Sir John Carey in July 1596 sent 50 horsemen to take him ; they broke into his house at Wideopen and “‘ cut him all to pieces.”’ Called ‘“* Cessford’s man”’ (B P, ii, 149-150, 160 ff.). 2 “Gentlemen and surname ”’ of East Tiviotdale in 1583 (B P, i, 166). 8 The Middle March of Scotland included the counties of Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles. It extended from a little above Carham on Tweed to the Hanging Stone on Cheviot, and thence to a few miles below Kershopefoot. 4 There were families of this surname on both sides of the Border; these named here are of Tiviotdale, a hard-riding, raiding clan to whom in 1598 no quarter was given (B P, ii, 557, 560). See also The Halls of Newbigging, Hist. Ber. Nat. Club., ix, 224, and xi, 98. 5 Jock of Newbiggin, with his brother Andrew in a raid of 1590, took 7 oxen and “ spoilt a house value £10 sterling ”’ (B P, ii, 364). 6 Andrew Hall of the ‘‘ Sickes,”’ called ‘‘ Jenettes Andrew,” raided 18 *““ yewes ’’ from Callaly at Christmas 1587 (B P, ii, 362). 7 Another raider styled ‘‘ of Foulsheiles ’’ on 12 Aug. 1588 raided Monk- ridge, and again on 12 Jan. 1589 he raided Elizabeth Thornton of Stanton Shields (B P, ii, 362, 364). 8 A surname in Liddisdale in 1583 (B P, i, 166). ® George “‘ Pile the elder of Milnheughe’”’ was security for bond of the “laird of Ferniehurst ’’ to the “‘ lord-warden’”’ of the Middle Marches (Sir John Forster) in 1590 (B P, i, 358). At Michaelmas 1587, he with George his son and others raided 24 oxen from ‘‘ Percivell Eldoun of the Mote,”’ and again at Midsummer 1588 they raided Thomas Hall of Stichel (ibid., pp. 360, 363). In 1596, they with Youngs, Halls & Aynsleyes raided Hagger- stone of 30 neats, 5 nags & hurt 4 men to death (ibid., ii, 148). _—— 94 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY Roseson.—Ralph Robeson in Prenderlech. Plenderleith,Oxnam P, R. Rinzian Robeson. Howston,! Oxnam P, R. ANSLEI.— William Anslei of Fawlaw.2 Oxnam P, R. Lancie Anslei of Oxnem. Village and P, R. OxtiveR.— David Oliver of Hynhancheid.? Hindhaughhead, Southdean P, R. Will Oliver of Lustruther.4 Southdean P, R. George Oliver in Clareley. Clarilaw, Wilton P, R. ee Ooo La1pLo.—Ryne Laidlow in the Bank.’ Eckford P, R. John Laidlow in Sonnyside. ? Cavers P, R. LIDDISDALL.® The Laird of Mangerton.” Castleton P, R. 1 Rinzian=Rinian, a Scots form of Ninian. On 13 Oct. 1587 Ralph Robson of -Owston and Rinian his brother raided ‘“‘ Whawton”’ of 28 kye and oxen and a horse; at St Bartholomew 1588 they with Halls raided Thornton of 6 oxen and a mare (B P, ii, 358, 362). 2 At Michaelmas 1587, he with his son Andrew and others raided ** Percevell Elsdoun of the Mote ”’ (B P, i, 360). 3’ Hindehaughheadin BP. In Sept. 1583 William Fenwick of Wallington complains that he (Oliver) with others to the number of 200 persons raided his servants of 24 kyne and oxen as well as 16 horses, goods to the value of £10, and took 16 prisoners (B P, i, 109). 4 Indicted for raid 15 Oct. 1589 (B P, i, 363). 5 Raided John Salkeld, March 1588 (B P, i, 358). 6 See B P, i, No. 197, for a letter from Sir Thomas Musgrave to Lord Burghley at end of 1583 giving an account of the Border Riders of Liddis- dale. Liddisdale below Kershope, Ewesdale, Eskdale, Annandale, Nithsdale, and Wauchopdale, or in other words the stewartries of Kirkcudbright and Annandale with the sheriffdom of Dumfries formed the West March of Scotland. 7 Sim Armstrong was lord at this time ; his wife was a daughter of John Foster of Kyrsope foot (B P, i, 121). Beneath the shield of Sim Armstrong on his ruined tower at Mangerton are the initials SA-EF. Scott (Border Minstrelsy, ii, 99) read the last letter E for Elliot, but her name was Foster and the last letter therefore F (see also Hist. B.N.C., vi, 21, and xxvii, 12). He was chief of his surname and “ special evildoer and procurer of the spoils of the March.” Taken prisoner at his own home Jan. 1483-84 and lodged in Carlisle; ‘‘ his taking is greatly wondered at for it was never heard that a laird of Mangerton was taken in his own house either in peace or war without the hurt or loss of a man .. . it will have good effect and keep the others quiet’ (B P, i, 127). On 13 Jan. 1590 Bothwell and others promised to deliver him to the King “‘ to abide the law ”’ (ibid., p. 374). . He was afterwards hanged. SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 95 The Lairds Jok.1 Castleton P, R. Chrystie of the Syde.2 Castleton P, R. QuarTHaucH.’—The Lord of Quhitauch.4 Castleton P, R. Jonie of Quhitauch.* Sym of the Maynes. MERIETON QUARTER.® Archie of West Burntlaw.’ Wanton Sym in quhitley side.6 Castleton P, R. Will of Powderlanpat.® Castleton P, R. Extots. REepDHEUCH.!°—Robert Ellot & Martyn Ellot.+ Castleton P, R. 1 Son of above Sim. His tower was on right bank of Liddeil below Mangerton. ‘‘ The Lordes Joke dwelleth under Deyshill beside Kyrsope in Denisburn and married Anton Armstrongs daughter of Wylyave in Gilsland’’ (B P, i, 121). See also the ballad Jock o’ the Syde (Border Minstrelsy, ii, 79). 2 On right bank of Liddell opposite Mangerton. He was another famous Armstrong raider, brother to ‘‘ Jock o’ the Side,”’ nephew of the Lord of Mangerton and cousin to the “‘ Laird’s Jock.”’ 3 Whithaugh on left bank of Liddell below its junction with Hermitage. 4 A chief offender and evildoer of the March, worse than the laird of Mangerton (B P, i, 127). In 1583 Lance Armstrong is called the “ olde lord of Whetaughe’”’ and Sim Armstrong ‘“‘the yonge lord his sonne”’ (B P,i, 122). For his many exploits, see ibid., s.v. Whithaugh. 5 In 1590 he is styled “‘ son to the laird of Whithaughe ”’ (B P, i, 352). 6 On right bank of Riddell water. See list of Armstrongs of that place (B P, i, 122). 7 Westburnflat is on the left bank of the Liddell near the junction of Hermitage Water. 8 On right bank of Liddell below Mangerton. ‘‘Sime Armstrong called Whetlesyd marryed two English women, the first was Robin Foster’s daughter the second Thome Grayme’s daughter” (B P, i, 122). 9 In 1583 styled ‘‘ Will Armestronge called Will of Powterlampet ”’ (B P, i, 122). A tower on left bank of Liddell between Castleton and Whithaugh. Called Potterlamyorl on Map 1590. 10 On Hermitage a little above junction with Liddell. The Elliots, a clan as important and as great raiders and thieves as the Armstrongs. In 1583 Robin Elliot of Redheugh was chief of the Liddisdale clan. The various ““ graynes’”’ are given in B P, i, 122. 11 The “grayne’”’ of Martyn Elliot of the ‘‘ Bradley Hyghe in Lyddall”’ (B P, i, 122). The family dwelt between Hermitage and Whithaugh Tower (ibid.). 96 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY THOIRLISHOP.—Rob of Thorlishop.1 Castleton P, R. Arture Fyre the Brayes.? GORRUMBERIE.?—Archie Keene. Gorrenberry, Castleton P, R. Will of Mosspatticks Hop.* Moorpatrickhope, Castleton P, R. ParK.5—Jone of Park. Castleton P, R. Gray Will.? BuRHEID.2—Gawins Jok. Castleton P, R. Ade Cowdais.® WetsHAaw.— Will Colithis Hob. Hob of Bowholmes.1° Castleton P, R. Nixksons.11—John Nikson of Laiest burne.!2 Castleton P, R. Georgies Harie Nikson. Cleme Nikson called the Crune. 1 Called ‘‘ Hob of Thorleshopp ’’—a noted raider (see B P, i, 346 ff.). In 1584 he and ‘“‘ Fire the Braes’’ and another “ assure for the hole branch of the howse of Thorlosope ”’ (ibid., p. 170). See note 4 below. 2 Called ‘‘ Archie Ellot Fyre the Braes,”’ one of Robin Elliot’s men, daily at his commandment ; end of 1583 (B P, i, 121). 3 Gorrenberry on Hermitage a little above the castle (Map 1590). 4 On 18 Dec. 1584 Sir John Forster lord warden of the Middle Marches took ‘‘ assurance’ from the principal inhabitants of Liddisdale ‘‘ because I could get no redress these 10 years from King, Council or Warden ”’ (B P, i, 169). For form of this assurance, see ibid., p. 170. This man and two others assure ‘‘ for an hole branch of Gorambery.”’ 5 One of the “‘ graynes ”’ of the Elliots was so called (B P, i, 121). 8 John of the Park was a well-known raider c. 1583 (B P, i, 346-347). 7 One of the Park “ grayne ”’ in 1583 (bid., p. 121). 8 A “ orayne’’ of the Elliots called the ‘‘ Borneheedes ”’ (B P, i, 121). 9 Adam Elliot called ‘‘ Condus”’ (ibzd.). 10 The ‘‘assurers’’ of 1584-85 for the Elliots of ‘‘ Hewghehouse ”’ excepted one man called ‘‘ Hobb Bowholms dwelling in Tividale ’’ (B P, i, 170). 11 A surname of East Tiviotdale in 1583 (B P, i, No. 166). ‘* Within the Ruttligis dwell the Nyxons on both the Levens ”’ (bid., p. 124). 12 Larriston Burn: on left bank of Liddell below Riccarton. John was a raider in 1589-90 (zbid., i, 346-347, 356). George and Clement were com- mon names in the clan, but do not appear on record with the above nick- names, SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 97 Crosars.1—Hob Crosar, called Hob of Ricarton. Castleton P, R. Martine Croser.? Cokkis John Croser. Nebles Clemeis Croser.* HeENDERSONS.—Rinzian Henderson in Armil-tonburne.* Jenkyne Henderson in Kartley. DEBAITEABLE LAND. Sanders Barnes Armestrans. Will of Kinmonth.® Knystie Armesirang. John Skynbanke.? Larrpis Rinzzans Gane.’—Lairds Rinziane. Lairdis Robbie. Rinzan of Wauchop.® 1 Of upper Liddisdale near Eliots and Nixons, the chief of the name dwelt at Riccarton. 2 Indicted for raiding 1590 (B P, i, 358-359). His tower was on right bank of Liddel above Castleton (Map 1590). 3 Clemey Crosier called “‘ nebles Clemey,’’ with more than 100 others, was indicted in May 1584 for running an open foray on the Middle Marches and stealing 300 oxen, 49 horses, “‘spoiling’’ 30 “‘sheles”’ and taking 20 prisoners (B P, i, 138). 4 ? Helcaldenburne on right bank of Liddell above Castleton (Map 1590), or Arkilton Burn, Ewes P, D. 5 Where the bounds were ‘‘in debate in divers places where the two realms touch.” The largest area was between the two West Marches where some 7403 acres were divided in 1552 (Tough, p. 23). In Map of 1590 it is marked between Liddell and Sark. ' § William Armstrong of Kinmonth in Liddisdale on left bank of Sark, the most renowned Borderer of his time. On 28 Sept. 1583 Lord Scrope the warden of the West Marches complains to Wolsingham that he “‘ his sons & complices’”’ ride nightly and are not reprehended by the Warden for their doings (B P, i, 109). For his notorious raids see ibid., s.v. index, and ibid., vol. ii, passim. He was taken prisoner on a day of truce in 1596 and lodged in Carlisle castle. The ballad Kinmont Willie tells of the exploit of the “ bauld Buccleuch ”’ Keeper of Liddisdale who, with his men, scaled the walls of the castle and set Will free (Border Minstrelsy, ii, 32 ff.). ? John Armstrong called ‘‘ Skinabake,”’ a raider in 1583 (B P, i, 123). 8 Rinyan=Ninian. ‘‘ Runyon Armestronge called the lordes Runyon dwelleth in a place called the Thornythwaite”’ (B P, i, 121, a.p. 1583). Thornythwaite in Eskdale on bank of Glenzier Burn (Map 1590). ® Wauchop Burn joins Esk on right bank at Langholm. VOL. XXVIII, PART I. 7 98 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY GRAHAMES.1—Priors John & his Bairnes.? Hector of the Harlaw.* Canonbie P, R. The Greive and Cuts of Harlaw. EWISDAIL.* Armistrans of the Gyngills.5 Langholm P, D. Ekke of the Gingills.® Andrew of the Gingills. Thome of Glendoning.? Langholm P, D. Scorrrs.2—Thome the Flower. Ante the Busse. E.Lots.2—John the Portars Son. Will of Devisleyes. Ewes P, D. Will the Lord. ESKDALL.?° Batisons " of Cowghorlae. David Batie. 1 The largest surname of the West Marches, occupied southern part of the Debateable Land and on the Liddell and Esk about Canonbie. See account of Grahams by Musgrave in 1583 (B P, i, 134). 2 On Map of 1590 Priors John’s tower is placed on right bank of Esk above Canonbie. 3 In the Map of 1590 his tower is placed on the right bank of Liddell above Canonbie. In 1592 lord Maxwell complains that certain Grahams had been wrongfully and violently in possession “‘ of divers lands in the West March called the Haire law & Cannonby . . . using same at their pleasure for 25 years past ”’ (B P, i, 422). 4 Ewes Water joins Esk at Langholm. The inhabitants in 1592 were “a sivill peopple and never ride in England ”’ (B P, i, 394). 5 Gingills or Zingles on right and left banks of Ewes water above Lang- holm (Map 1590). In July 1583 there were 300 “‘loose’’ men of the Gingills (B P, i, 106). 6 A raider in 1584. Many other Armstrongs of the Gingills are men- tioned in B P, i, passim. 7 “ Old’? Tom and ‘‘ Young’”’ Tom of Gingles were noted raiders as well as ‘‘ Tom of Glendennengs”’ in the years 1583-84 (B P, i). 8 A distinct branch of the Scots who depended upon the Earl of Morton as Buccleuch declined to be answerable for their conduct (B P, i, 26, and A L, p. 185). 9 A branch of the larger clan of Liddisdale. ‘‘ All these Ellotes and many more of them . . . dwell betwixt the Armytage & Whethough ”’ (B P, i, 121). i0 ** Hske is a fayre ryver and cometh throughe Esdall and is Scottische inhabyted with Battesons of Esdell until it cometh neare a place called Langhalme ” (B P, i, 122, letter of Sir Thos. Musgrave to Burghley 1583). 11 Described as “‘ loose men ”’ in 1583 (B P, i, 106). SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 99 Hew Battie. Mungoes Arthure. Adame of the Burne. BATISONS OF THE SCHEILL.1—Wicholl of the Scheill.2 Langholm P, D. Andrew of Zerbyre. Yetbyres, Eskdalemuir BSD: John the Braid. Wat of the Corse.® JounEs.—John Armstrong of Hailhous.4 Hollows, Canonbie P, D. John Armstrong of Thornequhat.> Canonbie P, D. Will Armstrong of Tersnilil. Litrets.°—John Littell of Cassoke. Ewes P, D. Thom Little of Finglen. Fingland, Eskdalemuir P, D. Ingrahames Archie Littell. ANNANDALL. Edward of Bonschaw.? Kirkpatrick Fleming P, D. Lang Ritchies Edward. Holyn the Young Duke. Chrystie the Cothquhat. ? Cowthat, Ecclefechan P, D. Willie of Grartnayhill.8 Gretna (Graitney) P, D. 1 On left bank of the Esk above Langholm. 2 His tower shown on 1590 Map on left bank of Esk above Langholm. 3 Corseholm is on Wauchope Water, above Langholm. 4 A tower on right bank of Esk above Canonbie (Map 1590). ‘‘ John Armstrong of the Hollus married Water Graymes sister of Netherby ”’ (B P, i, 122). A raider in 1587-88 (zbid., p. 350). 5 On left bank of Esk opposite Hollus (Map 1590). 6 A small clan in Eskdale whose chief was lord of Mickledale in Ewesdale. 7 A tower on right bank of Kirtle above Kirkpatrick (Map 1590). In 1583 Lord Scrope to “‘ bind’ with Edward (Irwin) of Bonshawes and his followers. The house was besieged by lord Maxwell in 1585 and burnt (5 May) (B P, i, 321,425). 11 July 1592 Edward Irwen of the Bonshaw gave up his home to the King, but says he has no confidence in the King’s word (ibid., i, 760). A surname “‘ of proper men ”’ long at feud with the Bells & Carlisles (ibid., i, 394). See also ibid., i, 123. 8 A raider in August 1588 (B P, i, 423). ‘‘ Betwixt Esk & Sark dwelleth the Johnsons called Johnsons of Greatney ”’ (ibid., p. 394). 100 SCOTTISH BORDERERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY Betuis.1— Will Bell of Aloy. Albie, Middlebie P, D. John Bell of the Thorne. Mathie Bell called the King. Andro Bell called Lokkis Androw. Will Bell Reidcloke.? CaRLILLes.—Adam Carlile of Bridekirk.2 Annan P, D. Alexander Carlile of Egleforhame.t Hoddam P, D. GRAHAMES.>—George Grahame of Reupatrick.6 Gretna P, D. Arthor Grahame of Blawoldwood.? Blaatwood, Gretna P, D. Richie Graham called the Plump. Tomsons.— Young Archie Thomson. Sym Thomson in Polloden. ? Poldean, Wamphray P, D. Romes.—Roger Romes in Tordoeth.® Gretna P, D. Mekle Sandy Rome Ther. Gassis.—David Gasse in Barch.® Gretna P, D. John Gasse Michaels soune in Big. ? Rig, Cummertrees P, D. 1 A great surname long at feud with the Irwins (B P, p. 394). In 1584 ““theves & disordinit pepill now presentlie ressett ”’ (abid., p. 174). 2 Will Bell of Blackethouse, known as ‘‘ Red Cloak,” chief of the Border Bells, flourished 1578-1623. He was son of Jok Bell of Albie, and was succeeded by a son John, known as “‘ Hingmow.” 3 On right bank of Annan above the town of Annan. A “ great surname in Bridekirk.”’” (See B P,i, 174 and 394.) See note 1 above which includes the Carliles with Bells. 4 Heclefechan. 5 For account of this clan, see B P, i, 125. & July 1584 ‘‘ Umquhill (late) Geordie Grahame of Reupatrick” (B P, i, 147). Redpatrick now Redkirk on coast west of Kirtle mouth. 7 ** Admitted a Scotsman” in 1564 (Privy Council Records, i, 301), and described as “‘ of Blawotwood”’ in 1569 (zbid., ii, 69). He was son of Fergus Grahame, and married Bessie Grahame. 8 Now Tordof on Solway between Annan and Kirtle. ® In Noy. 1583 ‘‘ The Steward of Burgh barony came to the Barche and there took 40 oxen, 6 horses, 120 sheep & ‘ gait’ & slew Davie Gask”’ (B P, i, 147). The family was centred in Cummertrees and Ruthwell, and was also represented in Eskdale. NOTE ON THE POLWARTH FONT. By Joun W. M. Loney. (Plate VII.) In the middle seventies of last century, when I was a small lad, I was hunting for birds’ nests on the wooded slope lying to the south of the churchyard and leading down to the Swerdan burn. Partially buried in the clay soil and under a bushy shrub appeared the upper edge of a peculiarly shaped stone. When I told my father (the late Peter Loney, who was for many years Steward at Marchmont) he had the stone dug up and taken up to the churchyard, where it was put in a corner on the north side of the church. When the late Dr Hardy came to Marchmont to make arrangements for the visit of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club on 7th August 1879 my father pointed out the font to him, and at his instance had it removed (from where it had stood for only two or three years) to its present site.* As it looked somewhat insignificant standing on the grass, the two circular stones now forming the base were taken from below the “ Boxwood Hedge ” at Marchmont to make a fownd.t In those days (and perhaps still) there lay about a number of such stones which I believe had been brought there fifty odd * The font is thus described in the Berwickshire Inventory: ‘‘ A plain but complete example of a baptismal font stands within the churchyard, near the gate. The bowl is circular, and externally it tapers slightly towards the base. There is no stem proper, the bowl standing on a circular slab, which rests on another and larger slab forming the base. The total height from the ground is 2 feet 9 inches, the external diameter of the bowl is 2 feet 4 inches, the diameter of the orifice 1 foot 10 inches, and the depth of the orifice 1 foot 2 inches. The font dates probably from the thirteenth century.” + References bearing out my statement may be found in (a) Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, 1879-81, p. 40; (6) Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, 1890-91, p. 163; and (c) Miss Warrender’s Marchmont and the Humes of Polwarth, 1894, pp. 13-14, 50, and 53. 101 102 NOTE ON THE POLWARTH FONT years before when the Lynx Lodge at Rowiestone had its gates taken away. My point is, that the font is the basin only, and that the base is no part of the original structure. It is unfortunate that Mr Russell Walker in his paper to the Society of Anti- quaries * should have dealt with the base as he did, and included it in his illustration, to which my attention was only drawn in the course of last year. * Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot., vol. xxi, p. 361 (1886-87). A HOUSE-MARTIN INCIDENT. By Colonel C. T. MEnzizs. SwaLLows and house-martins were late of arrival at Kames this year—about seventeen days after their normal time. I returned home, after a week’s absence, on 14th May, and was rejoiced to find our full complement of swaliows and martins busily engaged in building operations. I went from home again on 17th May, and that day observed a martin in a curious attitude in the corner of a window; but, as its mate was frequently flying to it, I concluded that the two were building the nest - between them, and that the mate was bringing the clay while the other was acting as bricklayer T again returned home on 24th May, and was surprised to find the martin still in the same curious attitude in the window corner, and the foundation of the nest still in the same early condition. I then found that the martin had one leg outstretched, being fixed by the foot to the clay of the nest. To my knowledge, the bird had been snared in this position for seven days, though it may have been longer. Its mate, which I thought was bringing building materials, was in reality bringing food, and feeding it as the old bird does the young. I took measures to release the imprisoned bird, and the nest was duly completed. History of Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. xxviii. Puate VII. Photo., J. UW. Craw.) POLWARTH FONT. [To face p. 102. [EMD { 28 MAR 33 MAT ND THE WOLF IN BERWICKSHIRE. By Autan A. Fatconer, Duns. Many years ago the history of the Wolf in Scotland was so fully dealt with by Dr Hardy in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club that subsequent writers have been practically compelled to follow in his footsteps.* Notwithstanding the exhaustive character of Dr Hardy’s papers, the local references therein contained are comparatively few. It is all the more desirable, therefore, that any further gleanings, however trivial, on this interesting subject should be put on record. In a Precept in Chancery of date 1756, giving direction for sasine in favour of Sir James Cockburn, now of Cockburn, Baronet, of the lands and barony of Langton, among the places named are Borthwick, Easter and Wester; Wolfeland; Gruel- dykes ; Cumledge ; Burnhouses ; Oxendin; Easter Winschelis, etc.’ + The place-name Wolfeland in this document may be recognised in the slightly disguised form of Woolforland, which pertains to three fields formerly on the estate of Langton, but now incorporated in Duns Castle estate. These lie on the sunny slopes of Borthwick Hill, on which formerly stood the steadings of East and West Borthwick referred to in the Precept. Dr Hardy mentions that in 1769 there was a place called Burnbrae and Wolfland in Nenthorn parish, and suggests that the name seemed to imply that it had been land held in former times by the tenure of hunting the Wolf.t The name of the Langton Wolfeland may have had a similar origin. I have been told that Lady John Scott of Spottiswoode used * “ History of the Wolf in Scotland,” Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iv, p. 268; and “‘ History of the Wolf in Scotland. A Supplement,” vol. vi, p. 129. t+ The House of Cockburn of that Ilk, p. 328. t Dr Hardy, loc. cit., vol. iv, p. 290. 103 104 THE WOLF IN BERWICKSHIRE ‘ to say that the last Wolf in Westruther district was killed near Hurdlaw, the exact spot being on the north side of the Duns- Westruther road where it is crossed by the infant Blackadder.* A solitary tree is said to mark the spot. The name of Killmade Burn, on the march between Berwick- shire and East Lothian, has been held to preserve the memory of an early church dedicated to St Modan. This theory of its ecclesiastical origin had the sanction of the late Mr John Ferguson, F.S.A.Scot., Duns,} and is made fascinating by the fact that in the fort at Friar’s Nose, in the angle between Kill- made Burn and the Whitadder, there was discovered, by the present Editing Secretary of the Club, traces of a rectangular structure, properly oriented, which conceivably may have been a place of Christian worship.{ In many place-names of Gaelic origin, however, the syllable ‘“‘ kil” or “ kill” represents, not “oil” =“ church” but “coil” =‘‘ wood.” With some diffi- dence, for the path of an amateur etymologist is a perilous one, I venture to suggest that the true derivation of Killmade may be “ coil” =‘‘ wood ” +‘‘ madadth,” ‘‘ a Wolf” (cf. Craig-Vad in Perthshire, and Craig-mad in Peeblesshire). The earliest form in which the name is met with is “‘ Kelnemade ”’ ; it is so it appears in the charter by John Fitz-Michael in favour of Melrose Abbey, where it is used in a way that suggests a dis- trict, the exact words being “‘ to the head of Kelnemade and thence by the stream which runs in Kelnemade to Witedre.”’ || In this its earliest form there seems to be preserved the Gaelic connective ‘na’ =“‘ of the,” making it read “the wood of the Wolf.” It may be recalled that Killmade is within a short distance of the ruined tower of Gamelshiel, one of the few places on the Eastern Borders to which a Wolf tradition is attached. In conclusion, it may be noted that, curiously and unaccount- ably, Dr Hardy omits from his paper any mention of a tradition with which he was bound to be familiar—that which tells how * Hx inf.,Mr Adam Hunter, Duns. But I have heard the story long ago, possibly from the late Mr Walter Lockie, Gateside. + Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xvi, p. 9. { ‘‘ Notes on Berwickshire Forts,” by Mr J. Hewat Craw in Proc. Soc. Ant. of Scotland, vol. vii, 3rd series, p. 240. § Dr Hardy, loc. cit., vol. iv, p. 290. \| Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xvi, p. 57. 4 my THE WOLF IN BERWICKSHIRE 105 Penmanshiel Woods were infested with Wolves in olden times, and narrates the story of the “‘ two fair ladies (sisters) who in a path of that wood, since named from them Sisterpath, were destroyed by these ferocious animals.” * * New Statistical Account of Berwickshire, ‘“‘ Cockburnspath and Old Cambus,”’ p. 299. ON A SNOWY OWL. By Attan A. Fatconer, Duns. A Snowy Owt (Nyctea scandiaca Linn.) was shot on Dyehead Moor, on the farm of Byrecleugh, Longformacus, and near the county boundary, about the middle of January 1932. From its size and markings Mr A. M. Porteous, jun., who examined it after it_had been set up by a Kelso taxidermist, came to the conclusion it was a young female of the darker type—the Snowy Owl is dimorphic. Although a regular winter visitor to the north of Scotland and an occasional wanderer farther south, this bird has not hitherto been recorded from Berwickshire. Mr Bolam, in Birds of Northumberland and the Eastern Border, records only two occurrences in Northumberland; they were within a few days of each other in 1823, a male at Elsdon and a female at Rothbury. He mentions that one was shot at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in 1858. PIED BLACKBIRDS. By Auutan A. Fatconer, Duns. Ir is well known that no bird is more prone to colour variation than the Blackbird; albinos are tolerably frequent, and pied birds may almost be described as common. The appearance of pied birds is, however, as a rule sporadic, but I have for a long period of years observed such birds so frequently and regularly in this neighbourhood that I am almost compelled to believe that what might be termed a “strain” of Blackbirds in which colour variation constantly recurs exists here, and I have a strong suspicion that it originated about Langton. The first pied Blackbird I recollect observing I saw about half-way between. Duns and Langton about forty years ago, and since then I have seen one, two, or more almost every year, mostly, though not always, in winter, and many of them in the hedge- rows or plantations to the west of Duns, though not infre- quently about the town. Many years ago I was informed by an employee on Langton estate, to whom I happened to mention that I often saw pied Blackbirds out his way, that he had seen such birds about Langton “all my time,’ which carries their existence there wellnigh twenty years farther back than my first observation. In the winter of 1923-24 I had the pleasure of seeing no fewer than four Blackbirds with beautifully varie- gated plumage at once from one of the windows of Langton West Lodge, where they had been regularly fed by the then occupant of the house ; they were almost certainly members of the same brood. More recently two beautifully marked birds frequented my garden together, and as I write (October 1932) a very regularly marked male, with white flight-feathers in each wing, is doing the same. The occurrence of a pied Black- bird certainly would not be worth recording ; but the existence, as it would appear, of a strain in which colour variation con- stantly recurs is curious and interesting. 106 ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 1931, April 21. 1932, Jan. 3. . Snowy Owl shot near Byrecleugh. 35 OWL (circa) Mar. June 30. July 16. Aug. 28. Sept. 2. oy Loe By A. M. Porteous, Jun. Rose-coloured Pastor Duns (T. Smart). Thrush singing near Coldstream. seen near Mild weather—reports of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Wagtails nesting—a fair rise of Trout on Tweed at midday. . Swans collecting nesting material at Tweedmill, Lennel (A. Taylor). . Larks singing—Birgham. . Two Badgers killed at West Learmouth. Age 14. April 14. eon oe . Swifts—Kelso. . House Martins—Coldstream. . Cuckoo—Hirsel. . Garden Bramblings—Duns. Waxwing feeding on thorn hedge near Duns, Swallow—Coldstream. Little Owl reported—Hirsel (D. Earsman). Warbler, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, White- throat, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Haw- finch, Bullfinch, Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Great Spotted Woodpecker—Hirsel. Nesting of Great Spotted Woodpecker—Hirsel. Albino specimen of Spotted Flycatcher reported in Hirsel grounds. This bird was subse- quently photographed by the Honourable Henry Douglas Home, the photograph appear- ing in the Field. Greenshank—Hirsel. Three Greenshanks—Lennel. Specimen of Blue Sawfly (Szrex cyaneus) pro- cured—Hirsel (W. Jackson). 107 108 ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES 1932, Sept. 20. Kingfisher—Coldstream. Gaggle of Wild Geese seen (G. Hardy). ,» 26. Young Goldfinches—Coldstream. » 930. Black Tern—Kelso (R. Hogarth). This bird was first seen in company of a Common Tern. It remained on the same stretch of Tweed for some ten days, giving many a chance to watch it whilst it was engaged in hawking insects. At roosting time it came to a stick standing about a foot above Tweed’s surface and some distance from the bank. Oct. 2. Green Sandpiper—Lees, Coldstream. Nov. 20. Two Jays—Hirsel. EXOTIC MAMMALS ON THE BORDER. Tue Musquash and the Grey Squirrel have not yet come to our district, but I have from Mr Taylor of Pawston the following particulars of the appearance of another foreigner. The animal was caught in a rabbit-trap on Pawston Hill on 19th March 1930, and on being sent to the Natural History Department of the British Museum was identified as an American Mink, Mustela (Lutreola) vison. Where the animal came from remains a mystery. It is preserved at Pawston. Some eighty years ago another stranger was killed by a farmer’s dog near Fogo. It was described to me a few years ago as being in appearance between a fox and a polecat; on going to the house where it was preserved at Whiterig near Ayton I found it to be a Racoon. Of simpler explanation was the experience of a Cheviot shepherd. Going home from Wooler one night he saw a huge form standing in the middle of the hill-track in front of him, with two large green eyes gleaming in the dark. On getting close to it he gave a sudden shout, when, with a terrific roar, the form cleared the adjacent dyke at a bound and disappeared. The shepherd fled all the way to his house and learned the next morning that a Lion had escaped from a passing show ! Joke. OBITUARY NOTICES. JAMES ALEXANDER SOMERVAIL OF HOSELAW. By the Rev. James F. Lersuman, M.A. In Mr Somervail of Hoselaw, if regularity in attendance be any criterion, the Club has lost one of its most zealous members. Few figures were more familiar at its field meetings. Only son of Alexander Somervail of Hawkslaw, near Coldstream, he was born under his father’s roof on 24th January 1851. Edu- cated at the Edinburgh Institution, Dr Ferguson, its then headmaster, is said to have pronounced him one of the cleverest boys who had passed through his hands. This verdict was sustained by his successes at Edinburgh University, where he obtained prizes in Latin, Greek, Mathematics, and Natural Philosophy. He also won distinction in Chemistry. In after days, however, Botany and Geology were his favourite subjects. His marriage to Isabella Fulton of Hatchetnize in April 1883 gave him a congenial helpmeet. Settling at Broomdykes, a farm on the Houston Boswell estate in the Parish of Edrom, the larger portion of his life was spent in the Merse. But after his purchase of the estate of Hoselaw in 1901 he crossed the Tweed, leaving Broomdykes to the care of his elder son, and - took up residence in the Parish of Linton. In early life Mr Somervail took a great interest in church matters, and for many years sat in the General Assembly as a representative elder for the Presbytery of Chirnside. Admitted a member of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club in 1897, the Diamond Jubilee year, he was seldom absent from its meetings. Although latterly much driven in upon himself by deafness, he remained to the last a diligent reader and keen observer of Nature. The death of his younger son, William Fulton Somervail, D.8.0., M.C., a distinguished officer in the 2nd Scottish Rifles, who fell in France in October 109 110 JAMES ALEXANDER SOMERVAIL OF HOSELAW 1918, was a blow from which he probably never wholly re- covered. In 1917, the fourth year of the War, Mr Somervail was elected President of the Club, but, owing to difficulties as to transport, all field meetings that summer were cancelled. Field meetings were, however, happily resumed in 1918, and at the close of the season Mr Somervail gave a thoughtful address from the Chair dealing with the probable deviation of the river Tweed, during the glacial period, into its present course at Carham. In private life Mr Somervail, a shrewd silent Scot, proved himself a good neighbour, an excellent landlord, and a capable man of affairs. He was unable to be present at the Centenary Meeting of the Club in September 1931. One of his last public appearances was in the same month at the Semi-jubilee celebra- tion of the restored Hoselaw Chapelry, an appanage of Kelso Abbey since 1421. The site on which the present building stands on the Chapel Knowe was granted by Mr Somervail, under a fresh Feu Charter, in 1905. He died suddenly, after a brief.illness, on the morning of Easter Tuesday, 22nd March 1932. THOMAS GIBSON, J.P. A son of the Merse and a keen lover of the Borderland has passed away in the person of Mr Thomas Gibson of Edinburgh. Mr Gibson was for thirty-three years on the reporting staff of the Edinburgh Evening News, and for five years he was chairman of the Edinburgh District of the Institute of Journalists. He retired from his profession in 1919, when he received a silver cigar-case from the members of the Edinburgh Town Council, with whom he had come much in contact in the course of his work. He took an active interest in church, political, and temperance work, and at the time of his death was preses of the congregation of Argyll Place Church. He was an ardent Volunteer and a good marksman, representing his company on several occasions at Wimbledon. At the recent jubilee celebration of the “ Wet Review” of 1881 he was called on to act as chairman of committee. THOMAS GIBSON 111 Mr Gibson edited his father’s collection of notes and MSS. dealing with the history of his native town of Greenlaw,* being helped in the work by his brother, Professor George A. Gibson, who for eighteen years occupied the Chair of Mathematics in the University of Glasgow. He later contributed to the Berwickshire News a series of articles entitled “ Greenlaw’s Vanished Past.” In 1911 he was admitted to the membership of the Club, and in 1928 contributed a paper on “ The Story of the Foul Ford: A Lammermoor Tragedy.” + Tall, spare, and athletic in appearance, he preserved his characteristic activity of body and mind to the last. He looked forward to the meetings of the Club, and was present so recently as September last, when the meeting was at Branx- holme and Harden. He died on 24th January 1933, in his eightieth year. Je Et C3 WILLIAM DOUGLAS. Mr Wiiu1AmM Dovctas, who died on 6th December 1932, became a member of the Club in 1921; he was a not infrequent attender at the meetings and contributed four papers to the History. The Berwickshire coast had a great attraction for him. He visited it frequently for over thirty years, and knew the cliffs in their wildest parts intimately. Being an accomplished climber and a member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club, of whose Journal he was editor for many years, he had explored _ from top to bottom every heugh and carr that it was possible to reach. Along with a friend he had examined the recesses of the cave. below Fast Castle, when they satisfied themselves that the traditional stair leading to the castle above could never have existed. The bird-life of the coast had a wonderful charm for him, which he has conveyed in words to a description of St Abb’s Head printed in our pages. He was the first to report the coming of the Fulmar Petrel to the Berwickshire coast, and yearly watched its increase with close interest. * An Old Berwickshire Town, by Robert Gibson, 1905. tT Vol. xxvi, p. 318. 112 WILLIAM DOUGLAS In 1921 Mr Douglas contributed to the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland a paper on Fast Castle—the most illuminating and picturesque account that has been written of that sinister yet attractive ruin. He was much interested in Scottish history, and had brought together a good collection of charters referring to lands in various parts of the country. In the study and deciphering of these he took much pleasure. In business Mr Douglas succeeded his father, Mr David Douglas of Messrs Douglas & Foulis; his connection with the publication of books brought him into contact with many well-known figures in the literary world. He was of a gentle and retiring nature, and was held in much esteem by all who knew him. The following are his contributions to our History :— 1924. Logan of Restalrig as a Letter-writer, vol. xxv, p. 261. 1926. The Institution of Mr Andrew Stevenson: The Kirk of Dunbar, 1639, vol. xxvi, p. 68. 1929. The Owners of Dirleton, vol. xxvii, p. 75. 1930. St Abb’s Head in May 1930, vol. xxvii, p. 266. ADAM ANDERSON, GALASHIELS. By the death of Mr Adam Anderson, formerly of Cumledge Mill, which took place at Galashiels on 27th March 1932, the Club sustained the loss of a highly esteemed Associate Member. Born at Lintlaw Burn House, in the parish of Bunkle, most of his working life was spent as an employee at Cumledge Mill, where, for a considerable time, he occupied a position of some responsibility. After the death of his wife, who was a sister of Thomas Watts, the ““ Broomhouse poet,’ he went to reside with a married daughter at Sanson Seal, and afterwards at Berwick, and a few months before his death he took up residence with one of his sons at Galashiels. He was eighty-two years of age. Adam Anderson was the younger of two brothers who were self-taught students of nature and attained no small proficiency in the branches of knowledge which they cultivated, and whose achievements were recognised by their successive election as ADAM ANDERSON 113 Associate Members of the Club. John, the elder brother, must have taken up the study of botany while still quite young, for in the early ’60’s of last century he had acquired a thorough knowledge of the flora of the district in which he lived. It was probably his discovery in 1862 of Goodyera repens in Bunkle Wood that brought him under the notice of Dr Hardy, who encouraged him in his studies ; almost certainly it was through Dr Hardy’s influence that he was induced to take up the study of the local mosses ; in Dr Hardy’s “ Moss Flora of the Eastern Borders”’ in the History for 1868, his name is given as the authority for numerous habitats. Later in his career he had the good fortune to add another to the limited number of stations for Linnea borealis in the Club’s area by his discovery of it in Fawside Wood, between Brockholes and Drakemyre. He was also a keen collector of butterflies and moths, and for some years contributed lists of his captures to the History. When at the Annual Meeting in September 1868 the Club for the first time admitted Associate Members, John Anderson and William Shaw, another capable working-man naturalist, were - the first to be elected as such. The subject of our notice followed in his brother’s footsteps. As an indoor worker, he had not the same opportunities for observation as his brother, who was a forester on Bunkle estate, but he made good use of his leisure hours in the pursuit of similar studies. Spare of frame and athletic, in his younger days and till advancing years laid their heavy burden upon him, no day’s tramp was too long for him, and many a “ lang Scots mile ”’ he must have trudged in search of rare plants or insects. On his brother’s death in 1893, after a long and painful illness endured with heroic fortitude, it was felt that it was fitting that he should take his place as an Associate Member. He was elected at the Annual Meeting in October 1894, Capt. Norman being his proposer and Mr F. Muirhead his seconder. He had already contributed to the History some lists of Lepidoptera; the earliest occasion on which his name appears is in connection with a “ List of Lepidoptera taken mostly in 1873,” contributed by his brother to the History of that year, for which he furnished several records, but in the following year and again in 1875 he sent in lists of his own; and in 1893 he contributed a “ Tist of Some Rarer Plants found chiefly in Berwickshire.” VOL. XXVIII, PART I. 8 114 ADAM ANDERSON In 1895 he made an incursion into a different field with a brief notice of a “‘ Camp ”’ discovered by him in the Bank plantation, on the farm of Primrosehill, and in 1914 he compiled for the Club’s Hzstory a “ List of the Less Common Plants in the Area of the Club ’’—really an index of the Club’s records of rarer plants from 1831 to 1911. He was ever ready to help his fellow-members of the Club and to further its objects; particu- lar mention may be made of the assistance he gave to Mr Francis Lynn, F.8.A.Scot., Galashiels, in his survey of the forts and earthworks on Bunkle Edge, the results of which appear in Mr Lynn’s paper in the History for 1895, in which Mr Anderson’s services are duly acknowledged. One of the most modest of men, Adam Anderson was inclined to be somewhat reserved, as men of his tastes are rather apt to be, but in congenial company he was a truly companionable man, and his sincere, simple-hearted, kindly ways endeared him to those who were privileged to know him intimately. He lived a most blameless life, and his memory is cherished by all who « knew him. A.A. F. History of Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. xxviii. Prate VILE. Mr ADAM ANDERSON. [T'o face p. 114. -< 283 MAR 43 VAT WNOZ 115 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR 1932 *S90I} JO OpeYs 94} 0} SUIMO MOT 004 ST OSNOF{ UOJUIMG 4B OUTYSUNS Jo soy jo JoquINnu oT], “OS ON WT “V'W “UOPULMS JO NOLNIMY “y “VY “Aoy 9 Aq poptdu0p ‘C66T ONIUNG AYIHSMOIMUAA NI SNOILVAUASAO TVOINDOTOUOALAN G 18°91} 16Z e-ez0y 666 | 6- FEST] LLE | G-6CETl EL | C6 | 19 | 68 | LO |LOT ES | 1G | FS | FZ | FS | ZZ] O8 | €8| 18 | 08 | Z8| ZS duo €GE8S FPL |SLT [LT |GIh JOT |9-€€ JOT/EL|6 [6 | L [ST | 9Z| LZ] 8Z| O€ | 8Z| GZI Ge} FE! 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XXVIII. Parr II. 1933 EDINBURGH PRINTED FOR THE CLUB BY NEILL AND CO. LTD., 212 CAUSEWAYSIDE . 19384 M. P) OFFICE-BEARERS Secretary |. HOPE (Miss), Beechwood, Selkirk. Selkirk 33.) Editing Secretary B. HERBERT, M.A., The Cottage, Christon Bank. Joint-Treasurers Tweed. (Tel. Berwick 50 or 79.) M. PORTEOUS, Jun., Easterhill, Co (Tel. Coldstream 5.) Librarian . B. DUNCAN, 6 Summerhill Terrace, upon-T weed. (Tel. Fallodon, . H. DODDS, M.C., Avenue House, Berwick-upon- Ildstream. Berwick- HISTORY OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB. CONTENTS OF VOL. XXVIIT.—PART II. 1933. PAGE 1. A Shooting Trip in Baltistan: Annual Address by the President, Major G. J. Loagan-Homg, delivered 4th October 1933 . 119 2. Reports of Meetings for 1933 :— (1) THE CATRAIL, rrom ROBERT’S LINN to THE DOD 134 (14) PRESS CASTLE anp COLDINGHAM MOOR ‘ . 134 (2) INGRAM, GREAVES ASH, anp LINHOPE : - 136 (3) HALIDON HILL anp BERWICK ; : 137 (4) ROMAN ROAD (JEDFOOT), CAPPUCK, anp CESS- FORD CASTLE 5 ; 5 138 (5) ANCRUM MOOR, PENIELHEUGH, anp MONTEVIOT GARDENS : : ; ; . 139 (5a) THE SHORE AT ROSS, NORTHUMBERLAND . . 140 (6) BERWICK (ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING) . 2 140 3. The Story of Cessford Castle. By Provost W. Watts Mason . 145 4. The Wolf in Berwickshire. By Attan A. FaLconer . : . 154 5. Cappuck. By Dr Jamus CurRLE . : . 155 6. The Battle of Ancrum Moor, 1545. By Major 6 G. J. Logan-Home 159 7. The Battle of Halidon Hill, 1333. By R. H. Dopps, m.c. . . 166 8. The Yellow Gowan Tree. By ANNE HEPPLE . 2 ‘ 2) Lae 9. Cinerary Urn found at Blackburn Mill, ec January 1934 . : ; : ; . Lis 10. Common Trout. Two Records. By R. H. Dodds, Mice 5 . 174 11. Ornithological and other Notes. By A. M. Portsrovs, Jun. we WS CONTENTS PAGE 12. Obituary Notices :— (1) Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.c. By R.C. Bosanquet . 177 (2) J. Hewat Craw. By Dr J. M‘Wuir : - 83 13. Meteorological Observations in Berwickshire during 1933. By the Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . ame 189 14, Rainfall in Berwickshire, 1933. By the Rev. A. E. Swinton of Swinton, M.A., F.R.MET.SOC. . ; q : . 190 15. Treasurer’s Statement for the year ending 30th aoa 1933. 92 ERRATA. Centenary Volume, page 61. Last line, for 391 read 390. Vol. XXVIII., Part I., page 94, note 7, line 7, for 1483 read 1583. ILLUSTRATIONS PART II.—1933. . Memorial Stone, Halidon Hill . Seal of Andrew Ker of Attonburn . . Cinerary Urn, Blackburn Mill, Cockburnspath . Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.G. . Mr J. Hewat Craw page 137 29 9° PROCEEDINGS OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB ow Address delivered to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club at Berwick, 4th October 1933. By Major G. J. LoGcan-HomeE. A SHOOTING TRIP IN BALTISTAN. As the Borders have been well described in former years by many of our Presidents, I propose to take you to a different country, and will tell you of an exploring and shooting expedition which I undertook through Kashmir and Little Tibet to the Karakorum Mountains in Central Asia. — A short time after I arrived in India, when quartered with my regiment at Rawal Pindi in the Punjab, I got three months leave, and started with my wife and family for Kashmir. They preceded me as far as Murree, three marches into the hills, and I followed them in a tonga, a low two-wheeled vehicle with four seats back to back, two in front for the driver and groom and two behind, the luggage being securely tied on each side over the wings. Two half-broken ponies draw the vehicle, and they are changed at each stage—about twelve miles. They are driven off at a gallop, and trot and canter for the whole stage, the driver blowing his horn to warn every one to clear out of the way. They have bells on their harness, which make a constant jingle as they dash along. VOL. XXVIII, PART IL. 120 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS They are often somewhat difficult to manage, and rear and kick about at starting, but when once off they generally settle down and go well. We got on all right for the first three stages and were glad to get away from the heat and dust of the plains of India, travelling through the lower ranges of the Himalayas and gradually rising to about 6000 feet above the sea at Murree. The road went through woods of chestnut, evergreen oak, pines, and firs, which clothe the hills, with precipices on one side of the road—there are no fences, only a big boulder occasionally to mark the edge of the road. As we rounded a bend in the road, a flock of huge monkeys suddenly jumped out of the trees above our heads, swing- ing from branch to branch across the road. They startled the tonga ponies, who shied violently and upset the tonga over the precipice. I was sitting at the back and managed to roll out as the vehicle and ponies went over. The groom, driver, tonga, and ponies rolled down the hill, but. they stuck in the trees growing there. The groom was not much hurt, but the unfortunate driver had the whole skin of his forehead torn off, and it hung over his eyes, completely blinding him. We dragged him out from under the tonga and got him on to the road, where there was a little stream. I bathed his head and washed his wounds, and turned back the skin of his forehead from over his eyes, as he groaned and thought he was blind for life. I bound up his head with a strip of his puggaree or turban, and he was so pleased at re- gaining his sight that he fell on his knees at my feet and said I was a god. The groom and I disentangled the ponies from the trees and harness, and got them on to the road again. Leaving the groom to take care of the driver and ponies, I walked to Murree, about two miles distant, and sent down another tonga to bring in my luggage andthe driver. He, I am glad to say, recovered all right from his injuries in a few weeks’ time. I had to wait at Murree for a few days as the road into ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 121 - Kashmirwas still blocked with snow. Mywife and I took advantage of the delay to explore the neighbourhood on our ponies. We were riding one day through the forest, along a narrow track, in single file, there being only room for one, thick bushes growing on the hill above the path and on our left a sheer drop of over 1000 feet into a rocky valley. On rounding a turn in the path—without any warning—out of the bushes above, and a little in front of us, burst a herd of huge buffaloes. They turned along the path towards us, and would have swept us over the precipice. I dugin my spurs, and my pony and I dashed forward, whacking the leading buffalo over the head with my hunting crop, and I managed to turn it, and the rest followed, herded by a little naked boy about four years old. My wife’s pony shied violently as the buffaloes crashed out of the bushes, but fortunately her pony’s near hind-leg struck against a boulder, which was on the edge of the precipice at that point, and stopped her going over, there being no fence. We had a narrow escape and continued our ride with no further adventures. Thick forests of firs cover these hills, and the scenery is very beautiful. Intelligence came in a few days that the road into Kashmir was open, and we proceeded on our journey. At this time of year the snow is melting and many bridges are washed away, so at several places we had to ford dashing torrents. At one place the ponies had to be taken out of our tonga and four strong ropes attached, fore and aft, manned by twenty men on each bank of a roaring red torrent; the two ropes in front were then thrown across and those behind kept tightly held to steady the vehicle, and let out as we were dragged over; the tonga floated and the water splashed inside as we crossed, but we landed safely on the other side where fresh ponies awaited us. At the end of our journey by road at Baramoola we found two Kashmir boats ready for us and our servants and baggage, and we embarked 122 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS on them to cross the large Woolar Lake to Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. These boats are 30 feet long and 6 feet beam, flat bottomed with thatched roofs to keep off sun and rain, and straw mats hang down all round and divide the space. There is a small platform in the bows and also in the stern, where the crew of six men with paddles propel the boat, keeping up a monotonous chant. We went some distance up the Jhelum river, which flows through the lake, and tied up our boats for the night. Our camp beds were set up in the centre part of the boat and we had our dinner in the bows. The stern is divided off by straw mats, and on this part of the boat the boat- men and their families work and eat and sleep. We crossed the Woolar Lake next dayand arrived at Srinagar, camping for the night in one of the large grassy en- closures planted with fine big plane trees on the banks of the river. We laid in a stock of food for three months, and this was packed in wicker baskets covered with leather, holding about 80 lb. each (which is a coolie load, or two for a pack pony). Our coolies to carry our baggage arrived at daybreak, and after a great deal of chattering, as each one tried to get the most comfortable and lightest load, we at last started off on our journey up the Sind valley doing a twelve-mile march each day, the ladies and children riding. The scenery was very beautiful, the main valley of Kashmir being surrounded by forest-clad hills gradually rising up to 18,000 feet, to perpetual snow; and side valleys, of which the Sind is one, radiate from the central valley in all directions. Our track lay along the banks of a fine dashing river, the hills on each side wooded with fine trees; the lower ones huge planes, chestnuts, mulberries, walnuts; and pines, firs, and deodars higher up—and above, green hills rising up tier above tier to the snows. On arriving at the head of the Sind valley I established my wife and family with two lady friends in camp in a forest glade, near the village of Soonamarg, where there ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 123 is a post-office. The camping ground was carpeted with beautiful flowers of great variety—columbines, salvias, erigerons, inulas, senecios, iris, monkshoods, blue poppies, larkspurs, and primulas rosea and denticulata in great masses, also gentians of various kinds in profusion. In the woods, ferns also of many kinds, under huge cedars and fir trees. Next day I started at 2 a.m. to climb the Zogila Pass, 12,600 feet, into Little Tibet. In early spring it is not possible to go by the usual track, which is buried in deep snow, so I had, with coolies and baggage, to climb up a narrow gorge, between great precipices, half filled with huge rocks and masses of snow, which had fallen in avalanches from the mountains above. In starlight, with a few lanterns, we scrambled with difficulty, especially for the coolies with loads, up this steep ravine, and arrived at daybreak at the top of the pass. Then we had to hurry on, for when the sun gets up it melts the crust on the top of the snow, and in the afternoon we sank deep in the soft snow at each step, so it was late when we got to our destination at the far side of the pass, and were quite ready for bed after a very long and tiring day. Fortunately there is here a rest house so we had not to pitch camp. We were now in Little Tibet, a bare, treeless, and mountainous country, the only trees being a few apricots growing along the irrigation channels at the villages, which are few and far between. The in- habitants are short and thick-set, and capable of carrying 80 to 100 lb. on their backs. They bring down to Kashmir in summer various things over the passes. The population in this desolate region is small; there are many lamas or monks who live in lamaseries or monas- teries; their religion is Buddhist. They build long walls about their country with texts written on them, and they call them “praying walls.’”’ Each monk as he walks along a path carries a “prayer wheel’ in his hand. Round the wheel is written a prayer, and it is mounted 124 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS on a stick; as the wheel turns round it recites the prayer for him. The monks have a curious dance at certain seasons called a “‘ Devil dance” during which they dress up with enormous heads on their shoulders and perform a very quick dance with an accompaniment of tomtoms or drums. The cattle and sheep are very small and stunted looking. There are wild cattle called yaks that have huge bushy tails which are much prized by the rajas as fly whisks. These yaks are captured and tamed, and used as beasts of burden. In the east and north-east of Ladakh, or Little Tibet, there are several kinds of wild sheep—Ovis ammon, with very fine massive horns; Ovis nahura, a smaller animal; and Ovis vignei or orrial, which latter I have shot in India, but as I only passed through a small part of Little Tibet on my way to Baltistan I did not see these animals, except the tamed yak. The natives of Baltistan are all Mohammedans. As I was anxious to get to my stalking ground I decided to do double marches of about twenty-five miles eachday. On the third day, on arriving at my camping ground, I saw across the Sooroo river a herd of ibex, and amongst them a buck with fine horns, so I got my rifle and, shooting across the river, bowled over my first ibex. I soon came to where the Sooroo river joins the Indus and where the track to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, crosses the river. Farther on I saw a lot of men busy with pick and shovel, digging for gold in the hillside and washing the gravel they dug out of the pits. I had my lunch beside a little stream in which were particles of bright shining gold—even the little caddis worms had adorned their jackets with it. I collected as much of the shining metal as possible, but on my return to civilisation I found it was not worth preserving. The track so far had been fairly good as it was the main _ one to Leh, but after leaving that road it went along the banks of the Indus till it ended in a precipice rising eighty ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 125 feet abovethe water. The path was then along single long fir trees laid in clefts along the face of the rocks, which overhung it in some places, making it more difficult to walk along. Farther on the path descended for a time to near the river level, but it gradually got much worse and ended in a scramble up and along the face of a cliff in a deep gorge through which the mighty Indus poured over huge rocks, and there stretched across the boiling flood was a rope bridge or “‘jula”’ quite a hundred feet above the water, and descending at a very steep angle of quite forty- five degrees from the cliffs on each side. It was made of three ropes of twisted birch twigs; one to walk on, and one on each side to hold on by. The centre rope was made of strands of birch just tied together every few yards by a twig of birch, and unless one placed one’s feet at right angles across it, they opened out and one’s feet slipped through; the descent on the rope was so steep that one’s feet had no hold on it. I did not like the look of it, and was told that one Englishman had to be blindfolded and carried over on the back of a coolie. I determined, however, to trust to my own hands and feet, so took off my shoes and went in my stockings, and holding on mainly by my hands, which were torn by the jagged ends of the birch, I commenced to cross. At every six feet a stick, forked at each end, was placed across to keep the two side ropes from closing together, and I had to stand on one foot on the centre rope and lift my other leg over this stick—a very risky performance, as the whole bridge swung about in the wind blowing through the chasm; it also had an undulating motion caused by people crossing it. Only two people were allowed on it at once as it was rather rotten, and a few weeks after I heard it had broken and fallen into the river. I was very glad to get safely to the other side, where I was received by the local Raja, who congratulated me on my performance on the tightrope. I soon after arrived at Kiris, where the Shyok river joins the Indus. There 126 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS I had to cross this big river on a raft composed of twenty inflated goat skins tied together in a square frame of four poles. A rug was folded and placed in the centre, and on this I sat while two men with poles rowed us over. These poles not being very efficient oars, we drifted quite half a mile down the river before reaching the other side. The men then lifted the raft out of the water, placed it on their heads, and carried it half a mile upstream before returning to the other side again. I promised to bring them paddles next time I came, to save them time and labour. In this part of the country there are no trees, so wood is very scarce. A few rose bushes, pink and white, grow on the hills, and at the villages, where there is irrigation, scanty crops of rice and wheat grow along terraces dug out of the hill-sides, and also a few apricot trees at each village. The apricots they dry in the sun on the flat mud roofs of their houses. They are excellent, and I lived on cold chicken, eggs, and dried apricots for lunch daily for three months. While I was waiting at the ferry I saw a cavalcade of men on ponies approaching, and when they arrived I heard that it was the Raja of Iskardu, who was going to play a polo match with the Raja of Kiris across the river. He invited me to witness the polo, and I gladly accepted. They swam their ponies across the river, the men sitting on the rafts and holding the halters while crossing. They are wonderfully strong little ponies, for they ride them eight or ten miles to the ferry, play them hard at polo, and go back again the same distance in the evening. We were given seats at the polo ground, which is a long narrow terrace with stone walls on each side for a touch-line, and goals marked at the centre of each end. The polo sticks used have short bamboo handles about three feet long and short thick heads. This part of the country is the original home of polo, but their rules are somewhat different to ours. They hit off by throwing the ball up in the air and hitting ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 127 it as it falls. When a goal is hit, the players all dismount and rush after the ball, and try and hit it against the wall at the end behind the goal-posts. The Raja of Kiris | had a band which played during the games. It had rather weird and curious instruments. ‘There were two huge trumpets eight feet long, and when the Raja of Kiris hit a goal they blew a terrific blast on them. There were several reed pipes and curious stringed instruments and the usual tomtoms or drums. After the polo I marched for several days up the north bank of the Shyok river towards Kapalu. On nearing the capital of this state I was met by several chiefs and officials with a pony which the Raja had sent for me to cross the Shyok river. They conducted me over the river, which was then low, and up to a large apricot tree under which the Raja was seated. He advanced and welcomed me to his state, and held out his hand full of silver rupees, which it is the custom to offer and for the visitor to touch and remit back again, as officers are not allowed to accept presents. The Raja motioned me to a seat on a cushion beside him, and we sat down under the tree with the chief men in a circle round us. A hooka was produced and lighted, and handed round for each one to take a whiff of the tobacco. I produced my pipe and tobacco-pouch, which I offered to the Raja, and we sat and smoked and conversed for a few minutes. A camping ground was pointed out to me, and my baggage having arrived, my tent was pitched and made ready for the night. The Raja asked me to show him my rifles and gun, and also asked me if I could hit with my rifle a small white stone about 6 inches in size 100 yards off. Ishot, and by great good luck hit it in the centre. He congratulated me on the shot and hoped I would have good sport during my visit to his dominions. During my stay there he very kindly sent a man with me to keep me supplied with eggs and chickens and dried apricots, and to bring letters to me while in the wilds. 128 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS I marched next day to a valley north of the Shyok river in the Karakorum Mountains. These are some of the highest in the world—20,000 to 28,000 feet— Mount Godwin-Austin, 28,250, the second highest among them. Two others, called Masherbroom and Gwasher- broom, over 26,000 feet, were quite close, and some of the largest glaciers in the world (apart from the arctic regions). There were very few inhabitants, just a few stone huts in the valleys here and there, only occupied in summer, when a few goats are brought up from the lower ground. My first camp was in a valley 13,000 feet above sea-level, with cliffs rismg 5000 feet straight up in one place. In order to stalk the ibex I rose daily in the dark at 4 or 5 a.m., and after a good breakfast of porridge and eggs, etc. (being a Scot I carried a bag of oatmeal), I climbed 4000 or 5000 feet up to the ibex ground. These animals in early morning and in the evenings come down to the patches of grass grow- ing below the highest cliffs and in ledges amongst the rocks. In the middle of the day they retire to an in- accessible ledge of rock and there go to sleep till the evening, so the native hunters and I used to find as comfortable a place as possible and do likewise. I took a paint-box and block with me, and after lunch used to try and sketch the scenery, which was very grand—huge snowy and rocky peaks, glaciers, and rivers flowing from the glaciers. And in the afternoons great waterfalls poured over the cliffs, fed by the melting snow; these at night froze into gigantic icicles. I only once suffered from mountain sickness; that was on the first day I climbed to over 18,000 feet. I only felt an oppression on my lungs and want of breath, and had to sit down after climbing a few yards. After that day I got used to the high altitudes. After shooting some fine ibex in this valley I moved on to another. There was no track; we just had to scramble along the face of a precipice, so I could take no tent, just a few blankets and ground ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 129 sheets. I found a sheltered place near a giacier river, and built a low oval wall over which I spread a water- proof and curled up in my blankets and kept quite warm at night, though it froze hard directly the sun went down. Before daybreak, much to the amazement of the natives, I used to walk down to the river, break the ice, and have a cold bath, and found it most refreshing! One day while high up on the snow slopes the sun came out and was quite dazzling on the new-fallen snow. As I had forgotten to take my dark glasses I got snow blindness and was in my tent for seven days in great pain. By fomenting my eyes with hot water, however, I got all right in a short time. To explore the country I moved into a new valley with a great glacier at its head, out of which rose a conical peak of bare rock, one side of which was quite smooth descending to the glacier. I stalked an ibex buck on this peak, but it beat me by going along this smooth face of rock where I thought nothing but a fly could stick on, so I climbed on up a ridge to the top and was rewarded by a magnificent view of the giant peaks allround. I found out that this peak was 21,000 feet, so I made a sketch of it from another one opposite. Another valley I visited was narrow, with very high perpendicular cliffs on each side. In the afternoons, when the sun melted the snow above, huge avalanches of rock and snow crashed down into the valley with a roar like thunder, filling the valley with a mist of powdered snow. I only stayed one night there and moved on to another one which had wonderful cliffs like cathedral spires. A big glacier filled its end, and I hoped to find a new pass into Turkestan over this. I heard that a native of India had tried to do so, but he never appeared again, so must have perished down a crevasse or starved to death. My hopes of getting over this glacier were, however, doomed to fail, as the weather broke and it snowed hard 130 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS for fourteen days. I had only a small tent and slept on the ground. The men had to clear the snow off my tent twice a day to prevent its breaking down. There is no firewood to be got in this region, only bits of a small shrub lke a wallflower, so I was very cold. As my stores began to get very low I was reluctantly compelled to give up this exploring expedition. When the snow at last stopped I saw a fine ibex on top of a rock above the glacier, so I at once started a stalk over the glacier crevasses, on snow bridges, and up the rocks beyond. After a stiff climb I got near the place where the ibex was, and saw by the footmarks in the snow that an ounce or snow leopard was also stalking the ibex before me. JI had to climb up asteep rock, and handed my rifle to the shikari climbing just behind me. Raising myself slowly at the top, I saw within twenty yards the leopard sitting on the rock where the ibex had stood; before I could get my rifle it had bounded away, so both ibex and leopard escaped.. These leopards are very nocturnal in their habits, and this one was the only one I saw. We had sorrowfully to return, sitting down on a steep snow slope and tobogganing down at a great pace, steering with our alpenstocks, and stopping quickly at the edge of a precipice. The only birds we saw at these high altitudes were the big snowcocks (T'etraogallus homalayensis), something like a large grey goose; they used to sit on the edge of a precipice watching me stalking an ibex, and then get up with a loud scream, frightening the ibex away. There were a few lammergeiers also, or bearded vulture, differing from all other vultures in that the head and neck are clothed with feathers while the nostrils are clothed with long bristles; beneath the bill also hangs a tuft of bristles, hence its name of bearded vulture; it has as well a remarkable rim to its eyes. It lives partly on living animals and partly on carrion, bones being especially relished; these it breaks by dropping them SO ee ee eee ee ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 131 from a height on the rocks below to get at the marrow. It is a fine-looking large bird with majestic flight, and it is wonderful how soon, when an ibex has been shot, that it comes soaring round the cliffs, though none have been seen anywhere about. In the lower valleys there were snow pigeons, which nest in the rocks; their plumage is grey and white. They are very good as pigeon pie and a welcome change of diet, but I could only shoot them when leaving a valley on account of scaring the ibex. I tried once to eat ibex in acurry, but found it far too goaty. My men, however, enjoyed it. On my way back I passed a few small huts, and some people suffering from sore eyes came and asked me for medicine. I prescribed fomenting with hot water, which cured me, but this was far too simple a remedy, and they never wash, so they were not satisfied till I gave them a quinine pill which had a nasty taste, and they went away quite happy. When I got back to the Raja’s village of Kapalu, I found there a letter from my wite telling me that there was a terrible outbreak of cholera in Kashmir, and she had great difficulty in getting supplies of food. I there- fore determined to return to Kashmir as quickly as possible. It was a three weeks’ journey, so I bade good- bye to the Raja and got two men to take me on a raft of twenty inflated goat skins down the big and rapid Shyok river, then in flood from the melting snows. A thick folded blanket was placed in the centre of the raft, and on this the shikari and I sat, the water splashing up between the skins. One man had to be continually blowing up the skins and tying them up again, while the other piloted us down the river, steering us with a long pole past huge rocks and down the rapids. After a somewhat perilous voyage we arrived at the mouth of the river where it joins the Indus. I passed on my way back a place where the whole side of a big hill had slipped down into the valley, damming up the stream usually 132 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS flowing there and forming a big lake. This would eventually burst the dam and cause a huge flood in the Shyok river, which would go down to the Indus, sweeping away crops and villages eventually in India. I saw lately in the Scotsman an account of one of these dams bursting in the Shyok river and doing this. I proceeded by double marches, doing twenty-five miles a day, through Baltistan and Little Tibet, and at last I determined to do the remaining stages of the journey, more than seventy miles, over the Zogila Pass allin one day. After a good breakfast I started at 5 a.m. alone (with a compass to guide me), taking a cold chicken, bread, and some dried apricots. Irode thirty miles on a native saddle, which was so uncomfortable I left the pony and walked on over forty miles farther, up over the pass and down the other side. At 8 p.m. [ arrived at the place in the forest where my wife’s camp had been, quite ready for a good dinner and bed, but there was not a sign of any camp. It was then pitch dark. I shouted and yelled, but got no answer but the echoes of my own voice, so I had to return two miles back to the village, where I got a man who knew where the camp was to guide me to it. I was glad to find all well at the camp when I eventually reached it, except that the watchman had died of cholera in the previous camp, so they had to move to a new place in the forest. My son, a boy then about seven years old, when asked next morning if he had heard me calling on the previous night, said he had heard a noise, but thought it was a new and peculiar kind of jackal. We soon after left Kashmir and the cholera, which was now subsiding, and got back to our bungalow at Murree. There we found all the people had fled and were camped out on the hills all round, as several people had died suddenly of cholera after a dance held at the club. We had experienced such a lot of risks of cholera that ~ we decided to remain in our bungalow, and there was no further outbreak. ———_ ere i ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 133 The result of my expedition was some fine trophies of ibex now at Edrom. This expedition was undertaken forty years ago, and there is now a good motor road into Kashmir as far as Srinagar, and instead of it being a journey in a tonga for seven or eight days it can now be done in a car in one or two. There are also greatly improved house-boats. 134 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 Reports of Meetings for the Year 1933. 1. THE CATRAIL, FROM ROBERT’S LINN TO THE DOD (WALK). THE first meeting of the year-1933 was held on Wednesday, 10th May. In spite of a damp morning and threatening clouds later, 60 members and friends met the President—Mayjor G. J. Logan- Home—at Robert’s Linn Bridge. After welcoming members, Major Logan-Home called upon Mr J. Hewat Craw, who gave an interesting talk on the Catrail.* This earthwork has been the subject of controversy for more than two hundred years. The party then divided, some 40 undertaking the strenuous walk to follow the well-marked line of ditch and mound over rough and steep hill and moorland for some six or seven miles. The weather improved and the sun came out, which made the day very pleasant for walking. The fine views and wide solitudes added character to a very enjoyable day, the only regret being that Mr Craw was unable to take part in the walk owing to a disabled foot. It had been arranged that those members who did not care to undertake the walk should return to Hawick and visit the museum. Unfortunately this arrangement was not quite successful owing to trouble with the official transport, which kept members over two hours at Robert’s Linn. The President accompanied the museum party, while the Vice-President— Dr J. 8S. Muir—went with the walkers. All met at tea in the Crown Hotel, where the President asked for a vote of thanks to Mr Craw and also to the Secretary of the Hawick Archeological Society and to the Curator of the museum. 1a. PRESS CASTLE AND COLDINGHAM MOOR. An informal meeting for the study of birds and flowers was held on Thursday, 25th May. * See vol. xxvi, p. 395. REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 135 Members coming from Berwick and the South reported very heavy rain, but there was no sign of this on Coldingham Moor when 27 members and friends met the President at the gates of Press Castle. Major Logan-Home, before starting, gave a list of the more unusual birds which have from time to time been re- ported from this district. Members then spent nearly two hours in the Grange Woods under the guidance of Mr Adam White, formerly head gamekeeper there, who has an intimate know- ledge of the movements and nests of the wild birds. Unfortun- ately members were not very successful in seeing or hearing many of those mentioned by Major Logan-Home, no sign of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Nightjar, or Blackcap being had. But those seen included the Wood Wren, Woodcock, Coal Tit, Gold Crest, and Long-tailed Tit. In spite of the Secretary’s effort to make the day one of the few now devoted to natural science, members expressed so much desire to see Press Castle that permission was obtained and curiosity satisfied by wandering through the neglected remains of a rather dull old house and garden. Press was at one time an inn on the then post road between Berwick and Dunbar. Robert Burns is said to have come late at night, after a masonic meeting at Eyemouth, and been refused admittance, only to be welcomed and given the best room in the house once his identity was known. After the opening of the present post road the inn lost its position as such and was afterwards converted into a mansion house, but again, whether owing to the times or the reputed walks of a white lady carrying a candle, it has become derelict. The only points of natural interest were the quanti- ties of the Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum pardalianches) and Lords and Ladies (Arwm maculatum). Cars then took the party some two miles west, after which about a mile of moorland walking revealed a tiny loch where the Blackheaded Gulls have found one of their many inland nesting places. The whin and broom in full flower made a really lovely and wonderful sight and scent. All the usual wild flowers were recorded, while the Chickweed Wintergreen (Trientalis Europea) was gathered on two separate parts of the moor, and the Lesser Twayblade (Listera cordata) was also found. VOL, XXVIII, PART II. 10 136 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 2. INGRAM, GREAVES ASH, AND LINHOPE. The second meeting of the year 1933 was held on Thursday, 15th June. A beautiful day brought 97 members and friends to meet the President at Ingram Church. On a low terrace above the river Breamish stands this ancient Church of St Michael. The low massive tower and narrow windows tell that the church is a relic of the days when strength was the first essential even of a church. The architectural features and old Northumbrian families connected with the church were pointed out and de- scribed by Mr Thomas Wake, Librarian to the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries. Members:then walked about a mile up a grassy hill to the south-east-of the church to see what is sug- gested as being the base of an ancient cross. Whether this was a sanctuary cross or merely a wayside cross is not quite certain, though Mr Bosanquet, in speaking of it, considered that the latter would seem the more probable as it stood where once ran, and to this day remains, a track across the hill from one valley to another. Although warm and bright, there was unfortun- ately a considerable haze which prevented a clear view of the hills lying round the valley of the Breamish, which were pointed out by the Rector of Ingram. On returning to the cars a short but most enjoyable visit was paid to the very charming garden of Ingram House ‘before pro- ceeding up the valley some four miles to visit Greaves Ash. The remains of this fortified Celtic town lie close to the road and cover an area of some twenty acres. They occupy a plat- form of level but rocky ground on the southern slope of Green- shaw Hill. These remarkable remains still show foundations with flagged and paved floors, and also several gateways, and were, as Mr Wake reminded members in the course of his inter- esting talk, first excavated by the Berwickshire Club. The walk to Linhope Spout about a mile up the Linhope Burn was by an attractive woodland path and open hillside. The heat and shortness of time prevented all reaching the water- fall, which is considered to be the finest in the district, with a fall of 56 feet over the brown porphyritic crag into a pool some 7 feet across and 15 feet deep. The long continuance of dry History of Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. xxviii. Puate IX, [Z'o face p. 137. REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 137 weather made the fall less impressive on this occasion than is usually the case. A return was then made to Ingram, where 32 members sat down to tea with the President. A small leveret of the Mountain or Blue Hare was found during the day, and also a plant of the Red Spurrey. The following new members were elected: Miss Isabel Mitchell and Miss Alice Mitchell, Chiefswood, Melrose; and W. de Lancy Aitchison, Killingworth Hall, Northumberland. 3. HALIDON HILL AND BERWICK. The third meeting of the year 1933 was held on 19th July. A beautiful morning of brilliant sun, blue sky, and fine white clouds brought, in spite of the Northumberland County Show at Alnwick, 150 members and friends to meet the President at the Battle Stone. The battle of Halidon Hill began in 1333 on the 19th of July at the hour of noon. It was fitting therefore that the stone, one rough block, taken from the famous Doddington quarry, which the Club has placed to mark this historic ground six hundred years later, should be unveiled at noon on the 19th of July. The simple ceremony was performed by Major Logan-Home as President of the Club, who, after a few appropriate words, drew aside the Union Jack which had covered the stone. The in- scription is “‘Halidon Hill, 19th July 1333.” Standing as it does in the hedge on the right-hand side of the Berwick—Foulden road, the stone should be a guide and reminder to all of the battle which placed the town of Berwick-on-Tweed finally under English rule. Under the guidance of Mr R. H. Dodds, members climbed the hill to a vantage-point from which it was possible to see what had been the movements of both armies, and Mr Dodds gave a powerful and dramatic account of the battle (page 166) which held and fired the imagination of his hearers. Mr Dodds was applauded and congratulated on all sides after speaking for half an hour. The fine view of Berwick and the surrounding country from the Cheviots to the Hildons and Selkirkshire hills was spread out in sunlit beauty as members returned to the cars for lunch. 138 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 A move was then made to Berwick, where on the Gallow Hill overlooking the Tweed, and facing the remnants of what was once Berwick Castle, the Rev. Dr Hull gave a detailed account of much that had been wellnigh forgotten in regard to the history of this interesting and war-ravaged fortress. Two re- constructed pictures belonging to Mr T. B. Short were on view and added to the interest of the proceedings. A move was next made to the Brass Mount, where Dr Hull pointed out the walls and towers and the covered way, making an interesting suggestion that what is now known as the Cow- port Gate was originally the Co’pot Gate, or gate to the covered way. Dr Hull had much information to impart, and it was only lack of time which made it necessary to end his talk. Thanks. were again due to Mr Short for pictures of the subject. A short visit was paid to the underground interior of the Brass Mount. Nearly 40 sat down to tea with the President in the King’s Arms Hotel, when an interesting piece of black bog oak, sent by Mr Robert Carr, also a specimen of Wall Rocket (Brassica tenuifolia) from the Brass Mount, were handed round for in- spection. The following four new members were elected: Charles William Hornby, East Ord Schoolhouse, Berwick-on-Tweed; Walter Kerr Neilson and Mrs Theophila Neilson, Lintalee, Jed- burgh; Mrs Annie Hepple Dickinson, Berwick-on-Tweed. 4, ROMAN ROAD (JEDFOOT), CAPPUCK, CESSFORD CASTLE. The fourth meeting of the year 1933 was held on Wednesday,,. 23rd August. The fine morning brought a good attendance of members and friends prepared to begin the day with a walk of some three miles to follow a section of the Roman road known as Watling Street from Jedfoot to the Roman camp of Cappuck. The grass-covered road is well marked though much overgrown by wild raspberries, sloes, whin, broom, and heather. Wild flowers, owing to the long-continued drought, were practically over, but traces of all the usual moor and grassland plants were gathered. REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 139 Dr James Curle gave a most interesting address at Cappuck, where a considerable number joined the walking party. A short drive brought members to Cessford Castle, where the attendance increased to 150. Much interest was taken in this fine Norman tower which stands on a tributary of the Kale Water, and, though a comparatively small Border keep, was considered by the Earl of Surrey to be one of the strongest fastnesses in Scotland. The Dukes of Roxburghe trace their descent from the Kers of Cessford. Mr Wells Mabon gave a detailed and interesting account of the fortress and the great names associated with it. After driving to Kelso some 50 members sat down to tea with the President at Ednam House Hotel, where a cannon-ball from Cessford was shown by Mrs Cowan, Yetholm. The following were elected members: Mr C. Seton Dixon, Advocate, Edinburgh; Miss Pape, Grindon; Mrs Georgeson, Lauder; Miss G. Ross-Taylor, Mungoes Walls; and Mrs Jardine, Chesterknowes. 5. ANCRUM MOOR, PENIELHEUGH, MONTEVIOT GARDENS. The fifth meeting for the year 1933 was held on 7th September. A perfect day of brilliant sunshine brought 220 members and friends to meet the President at Lilliard’s Edge. A walk of half a mile eastwards under the finely grown and well-spaced Scotch firs that crown the edge was undertaken to reach the stone where lies the Fair Maiden Lilliard, who, according to tradition, fought so valiantly at the Battle of Ancrum Moor in 1545. A wide stretch of country was seen on every side, and the very unusual sight at so early a date of bare fields and stacks of safely gathered corn was noted with interest as adding yet another wonder to a marvellous year. Moving on to an adjoining field which allowed a view of the marshy ground which the English Army had to cross, members sat down on the high ground over which the battle was actually fought. The President gave an interesting and detailed ac- count of the complicated events which led up to and resulted in the battle of Ancrum Moor. After a short drive members walked by way of a pleasant 140 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 woodland path to the open hilly ground on which stands the well-known landmark Penielheugh. The monument was erected in 1835 to commemorate the battle of Waterloo. A wide ex- tent of country lies spread out below on every side, and the Vice-President pointed out the many hills and places of interest. A return was then made to the cars which took members to Monteviot, where a delightful hour was spent wandering through the gardens where nature and art have worked so happily together that the grass-covered slopes intersected by rich and colourful borders and broken by old apple and pear trees wander down to the river’s encircling arms in a picture of such peace and loveliness under the September sunlight that it will long remain in the memory of all. Some 40 members and friends sat down to tea with the President in the Buccleugh Arms, St Boswells. The Celery- leaved Crowfoot (Ranunculus sceleratus) and Mare’s Tail (Hippuris vulgaris), which had been gathered in the marsh, were handed round. One new member was elected: Miss Stoddart, Kirklands, Melrose. 5a. THE SHORE AT ROSS, NORTHUMBERLAND. An informal meeting for the study of birds was arranged for 22nd September. But when, the day before, the tragic news came through of the death of Mr J. Hewat Craw, the Editing Secretary, on the 20th, while on holiday in Mull, it was felt that as a mark of re- spect the meeting should be cancelled. As time did not allow members to be notified, all the officials attended at Ross, and the President formally cancelled the meeting, after which the officials left for home. 6. BERWICK (ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING). The business meeting was held on Wednesday,4th October 1933. Owing to the great loss which the Club had sustained in the tragic death of Mr J. Hewat Craw, it was felt that members would wish, as a mark of their respect, that all but the necessary business part of the meeting be abandoned. Members there- fore met in the King’s Arms Hotel at 2.30 p.m. REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 141 The President delivered his address and formally appointed the Vice-President, Dr J. 8. Muir, as his successor in office. Dr Muir in accepting said he felt very highly honoured and could only hope that he would be able to live up to the high standard of previous presidents. Dr Muir then nominated the Rev. Morris M. Piddocke, Vicar of Kirknewton, to be Vice- President. The following business was then transacted :— SECRETARY'S REPORT. This has been a summer of practically continuous sunshine. All growing things have flowered and become ripe, and been harvested fully a month—in some cases more—in advance of the usual date. It is in no way remarkable, therefore, that the Club has been fortunate in having perfect weather for all its field meetings this season. Attendances have been good, reaching 200 on the occasion of the visit to Ancrum Moor, Penielheugh, and Monteviot Gardens in September. This is the first season in which the Club has had a Vice- President, the office having been created at the general meeting _ last year, and the position has been filled by Dr J. S. Muir, Selkirk. ; Since the last business meeting the Club has lost by death 8 members: Viscount Grey, Mr J. Hewat Craw, Mr A. R. Levitt, Mr John Grey, Mr John N. Simpson, Miss Kathleen C. Scott, Mr John W. Stewart. This death-roll is one of the smallest for many years, but to the County and the Club it is a very heavy one. Two were ex-presidents of the Club, and as experts and enthusiasts in its activities were well known far beyond its borders, the one as a naturalist especially interested in bird life, the second an archeologist with interests touching all the many sides of the Club. As Editing Secretary Mr Craw has done invaluable service to the Club. His final great work was indexing the History, the last details of which were just completed and all instructions in the hands of the printer before his tragic death. Twenty new members have been added during the year. The following points of interest have been reported during the year: 142 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 Ornithology.—A Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) was seen in a wood at Byrness on 12th January 1933. A Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), thought to be an immature male, is reported from Dunglas. A Hawfinch (cock) (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is reported from Fallodon in the end of February, and a hen in December. A Little Auk was picked up at Fallodon on 23rd February. A Waxwing (Ampelis garrulus) was picked up on the door- step of Ord House on 27th December 1932. Several Jays (Garrulus glandarius) are reported from the Belford, Northumberland, district at the end of January of this year, and a pair at Kelloe throughout the winter, spring, and summer. Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis): several pairs were observed in May and June in the neighbourhood of Duns. Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) : a specimen is reported as being seen at Duns Castle Lake on 21st June. Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla) has been observed near Burnhouses, Duns, this season. Botany.—Masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium) is reported from the mouth of the Biel Burn, East Lothian. A variety (Carduus setosus) of the Creeping Thistle (Carduus arvensis) is reported from Thornton, East Lothian. This is new to the Club’s area. Sea Holly (Eryngium maritumum) is reported to be established near Dunbar. Also between Marshall Meadows and Berwick. The Linnea (Linnea borealis) is still established near Grants- house and was gathered in flower. Spreading Hedge Parsley (Caucalis arvensis) is reported from near Duns on the Duns-Berwick road. This has not before been recorded from the Club’s area. Entomology.—A specimen of the Convolvulus Hawk Moth (Sphinx convolvult) was captured in the North British Rayon Factory at Jedburgh in the end of August 1933. Another is reported from the Duns district. In connection with the very unusual number of the Red - Admiral Butterfly (Pyrameis atalanta) reported from all over the country this summer, it may be of interest that one was ee EO REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 143 seen on the wing in a fir wood at Philiphaugh, Selkirkshire, on 28th May, when it settled with great persistency on the white dress of the observer. The Humming Bird Hawk Moth (Macroglossa stellatarum) is reported from several gardens in the Duns district, one from Selkirkshire, and one from Roxburghshire. The Treasurer reported that the Club was clear of debt and in a better position than it had been for some time, having a eredit balance of £7, 12s. 1d. It was agreed that the Secretary write a letter of thanks to Mr Joseph Fleming, who had audited the accounts for over twenty years. The Office-Bearers were re-elected, and the appointment of an Editing Secretary was left in the hands of the Council, acting as a sub-committee with powers to co-opt members thereto. Mr R. C. Bosanquet said he had been honoured by being asked to move that the Club place on record their sense of the enormous loss they had sustained by the death of Mr J. Hewat Craw, who had filled the offices of President, Secretary, and Editing Secretary to the Club. Mr Bosanquet also paid tribute to Mr Craw as an archeologist who was entering a wider sphere of scientific usefulness and authority at the time of his death. Mr G. G. Butler seconded the motion, and members stood in silence to endorse it. On the motion of Canon Roberson, seconded by Colonel Leather, it was agreed to honour Mr Craw’s widow by asking her to become a Life Member of the Club. Canon Roberson explained that in view of Mr Craw’s many services to the Club, and especially the great and valuable work of indexing the History, only just finished at the time of his death, they had proposed to honour him in this way. Colonel Leather said that the Army gave them a very good precedent in that when a man died in the service his medals were handed to his wife. A long list was sent in by members of places of meeting for next season. The selection was left in the hands of the Council. Mr J. Bishop was heartily thanked for acting as the Club’s delegate to the British Association’s Meeting at Leicester, and was reappointed to attend at Aberdeen next year. Mr Dodds handed to each member of the Council a copy of 144 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1933 the Index, fresh from the printer’s hands, and reported that every member would receive their copy by post the following morning. The cost of the Index had been less than was anticipated owing to Mr Craw’s voluntary work ; it was £173, and this was paid. It was agreed that the cost of the Index to new or non- members be 10s., this being the sum paid by each member in the centenary subscription to enable the work to be undertaken. Mr Dodds reported that the Club was 7s. in pocket on the Halidon Hill Battle Stone, the cost of which was £47, 10s. He pointed out that by the Rules of the Club they were not allowed to hold property, and suggested that they should hand over the custody of the Memorial Stone to the Borough of Ber- wick-on-Tweed to mark the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Halidon Hill. Dr M‘Whir seconded, and the meeting agreed. The Treasurer was authorised to give donations of £2, 2s. each to the North of England Excavation Committee and the County History of Northumberland. The following new members were elected: Mrs Dunlop, Whitmuir, Selkirk; Mr T. R. Clark, Rothbury; Mrs Sprott, Riddell; Miss Stirling, Westwood, Grantshouse; and Rev. G. S. Alexander, Coldstream. A nomination of special interest was that of Mr Henry Craw, Mr J. Hewat Craw’s eldest son, who is still at school. It was desired to keep the family connection with the Club, the late Mr Craw’s father having also been a member. The Club was represented at the funeral of Mr J. Hewat Craw at the Crematorium, Edinburgh, on Saturday, 23rd September, by the President, Treasurer, and several members.