THAT ILK OR TORSANCE

THE SURNAME

THE surname Hoppringill or Pringle, dating, as it does, from the reign of Alexander III is one of the oldest on the Scottish Border. It is a place-name, that is, is derived from the name of a place. This place is situated in the Parish of Stow, on the left side of Gala water, about ten miles above Galashiels. It lies about half a mile up from the bank of the river, on the southern slope of a ridge that separates the valleys of the Armet and Todhole burns. This ridge with its level crest -at present well wooded- abuts at its western extremity on the Gala in a remarkably rounded knob some 300 feet above the level of the river, which winds round its base in the form of a semicircle. It is this round or ring-like boss, no doubt, that gave the place its name of Hoppringhill, as we occasionally find it written in the older records.

The first syllable in the name, hope, hopp, op, or up, derived from the same root as the O1d Norse hop, a haven, denoting a small enclosed valley branching off a larger, is found abundantly in place-names in the south-east of Scotland and the north-east of England, and as far south as Hereford. It occurs as a prefix in Hopprew, Hopkailzie, and Hopcarton in Peeblesshire, Hopkirk in Roxburghshire, Hoprig, Hopefoot in Haddingtonshire: but it is best known as a suffix; some three dozen place names, it is said, ending in hope in Selkirkshire, and some six dozen in Northumberland, as Kirkhope, Stanhope, Rattlinghope, etc. As to the other two syllables in Hoppringill we find ring, or rink, which is the same word, as the name of a hill in Wrinklaw in the Lammermoors, and Rink Hill in Selkirkshire. It will be noted that these names are always descriptive. Thus Hoppringill means simply the hope of the ring or round hill. The rotundity of this hill is well seen from the carriage windows of the trains that pass below, and is well A

brought out by the contour lines on sheet 25 of the 6-inch maps of the Ordnance Survey. As a surname Hoppringill, like Hopkailzie (now Kailzie), could readily afford, as a trisyllable with its accent on the second syllable, to drop its scarcely audible prefix, but it continued to be by far the dominant form for three hundred years. Indeed the chiefs of the clan never gave up its use and the last of them in his Will, dated 1737 speaks of himself as "John Hoppringle of that Ilk". About 1590, however, Pringill (a "p" being retained through its affinity for "r"), which had appeared only occasionally before, begins in the records to take its place, and becomes the dominant form till about 1650: when it in turn begins to give way to Pringle, following in this the example set by such words as tempill, singill which became temple, single. Throughout these changes, however, the pronunciation remained the same: it always was, and is still, in Scottish Hopp-ring-ill, Pring-ill: there never was any gill sound in the name; that only appears when we speak in the modern or book fashion.

As regards the spelling of Hoppringill and Pringill in the old records, we soon find that that depended "upon the fancy of the speller". What with the dropping of this "p" or that "l", with or without the favourite substitute of a "y", and occasionally of an "e" or an "a" for this or that "i", the forms resulting are numerous enough; but they need not be here recapitulated, as they will duly appear in the narrative.

The first of the name to be found in the records is ROBERT DE HOPPRYNGIL. He appears in a charter contained in the Chartulary of Soltre, published by the Bannatyne Club in 1861: in which charter Edward de Alba Fonte (Quhytwell) grants to the House of Soltre and its brethren certain lands in Quhytwell, Swaynistoun, Temple and Bothclyd, for the services of a brother to pray three times a week for his soul and the souls of his predecessors and successors, some such purpose being usually given for such grants in those times. The witnesses to the sealing of the charter are "Adam de Gulyne, archdeacon of the Lothians, Sir William de St Clair, Sheriff of Edynburgh, Sir Alan de Ormystoun, William and Adam, Chaplains, Robert de Hertished, Robert de Hoppryngil,

et alii." Unfortunately the charter, like so many others of that time, is without a date; hence we must have recourse to the other witnesses. We find from the Chartularies that William de St Clair appears in some seven charters dated between 1261 and 1292, Alan de Ormiston in a charter with William Wishart, bishop of St Andrews 1272 to 1279, and in a charter dated 1279. But for our purpose Adam de Gulyne (Gullane) is the best witness: as Thomas de Carnoto was archdeacon of the Lothians in 1267, Robert Wishart in 1270, and William de Frer in 1281, his archdeaconsy must have fallen either before 1267, or between 1270 and 1281. Thus, whatever be the date of this Soltre (Soutra) charter, whether about 1265 or 1275, it is evident that Robert de Hoppryngil was contemporary with Alexander III, whose happy reign has been commemorated in our oldest specimen of Scottish verse: -

Quhen Alysandyr our king was dede

That Scotland led in love and le,

Away was sons of ale and brede,

Of wyne and wax, of gamyn and gle.

The Monastery or Hospital of Soutra, founded by Malcolm IV in 1164 for the entertainment of pilgrims travelling over the hills by '' Malcolm's road '' to and from the Border abbeys, and richly endowed, stood on a crest of the Lammermoors overlooking the Lothians. It was three miles distant from Hertished (Hartside), and four and a half from Hoppringill, which lay to the south.

ELIAS

The second and only other Hoppringill to be met with in this century is Elys de Obrinkel, presumably son or heir of the above Robert. The spelling is similar to Obendrit and Obbaris for Hopebendrit and Hopebarris in Shropshire of the same period, while rink for ring is only the less guttural form. He appears in the famous Ragman Roll, in which are inscribed the names of all the landholders of Scotland, some 2000 in number, who, rattler than lose their lands, submitted to the would-be usurper Edward I of England. Elys, and thirteen others, including Robert and Thomas de Burnhouse, his immediate neighbours, all tenants of the bishop of St Andrews ("tenantz

le evesque de Seint Andreu '') in Midlothian (which includes Stow), had their names entered at Berwick on the 28th August 1296. In those days, when the art of writing was almost exclusively confined to clerics, subscriptions to and attestations of documents were effected by bless of wax, affixed in a peculiar way, and stamped with a seal on which was engraved the name of its owner preceded by S. for Sigillum (seal). Among the "Seals connected with Scotland unattached, or only to fragments,'' of the thirteenth or fourteenth century, enumerated in the Calendar of Documents, vol. ii. we find No. 188 described as " Oval; a hunting horn, S. Helias de Hoprigkil.'' There is a crack across the wax (Chronicles and Memorials, Scotland; or Calendar of Documents re Scotland, vol. ii.).

To one familiar with the contractions constantly practised in the Latin of the old Registers the omission of the N in the seal will be quite regular, its absence being indicated by a stroke above its place. If this was not the above Elias then it must have been a successor in the first half of the fourteenth century.

THOMAS AND ADAM

For the next hundred years the history of the Hoppringills is the history of the Earls of Douglas 1357 to 1455; as in turn the history of the Douglases is for the time the history of Scotland, so prominent was the part they took in public affairs (D. B.) The next Hoppringills we come to are two, Thomas and Adam. Thomas was squire (scutifer) to William 1st Earl of Douglas, and Adam, both to him and to his son James the 2nd Earl, the hero of Otterburn. Sir William Douglas, son of the regent Archibald who was killed at Halidon, and nephew of the Good Sir James, succeeded to the lordship of Douglas, the Forests of Ettrick, Selkirk and Traquair, Lauderdale, the Forest of Jedburgh, etc., in 1342, on the resignation of his uncle Hugh, a churchman, and returned from France about 1347, probably on attaining his majority. David II, captured at the battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, was then a prisoner in England, and remained so till 1357, when he was set free by the treaty of Berwick; and at the end of the year Sir William,

who had distinguished himself by his exploits, especially in again driving the English out of Teviotdale and the Forest, was created Earl of Douglas. Between January 1358 and 1361 the Earl made frequent journeys into England, having probably to report himself as one of the six principal hostages. In all his expeditions, and on all important occasions, he would be constantly attended by a retinue of knights and squires, whose names we find in the charters. On 10th January 1359 Thomas de Hoppringill witnesses, along with Sir Archibald de Douglas (afterwards 3rd Earl), Sir William de Gledstanyis, William de Dischington, and others, a, charter in which the Earl grants to John de Towers the farm of Rutherglen; while about the same date Adam de Hoppringill witnesses, along with the Earl, Sir Archibald de Douglas, and others, a charter granted by John of Erth of certain lands in the barony of Haltoun. In 1363 the Earl, along with the Steward and the Earl of March, was in arms against King David; but at the end of the year he and the King, who was secretly plotting to get a son of Edward III appointed his successor, were at the English Court together, when the Earl took occasion to visit the tomb of Thomas à Becket at Canterbury; and on 15th December we find King Edward granting safe conducts in a list reading, " Thomas Hoppringill, Johannes de Douglas, Willielmus de Douglas, Adam de Hoppringill, Andreas de Vallance, Willielmus de Calabre, Johannes Whit, Willielmus de Gledstanis, Sir Hugo de Eglynton, Jacobus de Douglas, Johannes Abbas de Dymfermelyng,'' each with six mounted companions, and to thirteen others with fewer companions each, to enter England and to remain there a year. On 20th June 1366 Thomas de Hoppryngel de Scotia has again a similar letter of safe conduct, probably in connection with King David's ransom, which was being paid by annual instruments (R. S., R. F.). In February, in the 39th year of his reign, King David confirms a charter granted by Lindsay de Ormiston of his lands to his daughter and heiress, on the occasion of her marriage to Alexander de Cockburn, the witnesses to which were the Abbots of Holyrood and Newbattle, Sir Archibald and Sir James of Douglas, Sir Walter and Sir Alexander of Haliburton, Sir Patrick Hepburn, Thomas of Oppringyl (spelt Hopprynghil in a duplicate copy in a different hand) and others. In March 1368, in a charter dated at

Cavers, Thomas de Balliol resigns to William, Earl of Douglas, certain lands including Yarlsyde, Singlee, and Penchryse, the witnesses being Sir Duncan Wallace, William de Lindsay, Simon de Glendinning, Thomas de Cranston, Adam de Hoppringill, and five others. In a charter before 1369, granted by John de Gordon of that Ilk of his half of the lands of Ligertwood to Thomas de Borthwick, the witnesses are the Bishop of St Andrews, the Abbots of Kelso and Dryburgh, the Earls of Douglas, Moray, and March, Sir Walter and Sir Alexander de Haliburton, Thomas de Hoppryngill, and others. In an undated charter by Sir Alexander de Dalwolsey the witnesses are William, Earl of Douglas, Sir James of Douglas of Dalkeith and his brother Sir Henry, Thomas of Hoppryngill and four others.

David II died in February 1370-71, and was succeeded by Robert II, grandson of Robert the Bruce and first of the House of Stewart. Earl William was made Warden of the East Marches, and Justiciary south of the Forth. In June, at Tantallon Castle, he grants a charter to Melrose Abbey of the patronage of Cavers Church, to which the witnesses are James, his son, Sir Henry de Douglas, Sir John de Edmondston, Sir John de Towers, knights, and William de Creichton, Alan de Lauder, and Adam de Hoppryngill, squires (scutiferi). In 1377 the death of Edward III left England in the hands of Richard II, or rather of his guardians. Border troubles and disputes arose. Earl William and Sir Archibald Douglas defeated an English force at Melrose, and captured its leader. In the first half of 1380 he raided Cumberland and Westmorland, bringing away 40,000 head of animals of various sorts, and the English retaliated. The fourteen years truce expiring in February 1384, two days afterwards he and the other two Scottish Wardens captured Lochmaben Castle, which had been in possession of the English since 1346, and razed it to the ground. Between this and May following he once more drove the English out of Teviotdale, Jedburgh and Roxburgh Castles excepted. This was his last exploit; he died in the beginning of the month.

Earl William was succeeded by his son James as 2nd Earl of Douglas, who in 1373 at the early age of 15, had married Isabel daughter of the king, Robert II. Some French knights

having arrived Earl James raided Northumberland along with them, while the Percies in turn raided Scotland as far as Edinburgh. In 1385 Jean de Vienne, Admiral of France, arrived with 2000 men, 1400 complete suits of armour and money. A Scottish army advanced to the Borders to meet the huge army advancing under Richard, and when the English ravaged the whole east of Scotland, including Melrose, Haddington, and Newbattle Abbeys, and Edinburgh, in what was long afterwards remembered as "Burnt Candlemas,'' the Scots endeavoured to make good by harrying Cumberland. Some time between 1384 and 1388 while an opportunity for a counterstroke was being watched, we find Earl James confirming by charter to William, with reversion to Archibald (his natural son), the lands already given to him of Drumlanrig, the witnesses to which are Sir Archibald of Douglas, Lord of Galloway, Sir James of Douglas, Lord of Dalkeith, Sir James of Lindsay, Lord of Crawford, Sir William of Lindsay, Sir Robert Colville, Sir William of Borthwick, Adam Forester, Adam of Hoppringill, and Alan Lauder. The battle of Otterburn, fought on the 15th August 1388, and the ballads that celebrate it, are known to every schoolboy. Never was there nobler fight than this of Otterburn, says Froissart. " How is it with you? '' asked one of Earl James's followers who came up. " Ill; but few of my fathers have died in their beds. Raise my banner '' - with its bearer it had fallen - "Cry ' Douglas,' and tell not where I am to friend or foe."

" My wound is deep - I fain would sleep –

Take thou the vanguard of the three,

And bury me by the bracken bush,

That grows on yonder lily lee."

Earl James was buried, beneath his tattered banner, in Melrose Abbey. In this battle apparently fell also Adam Hoppringill the Earl's squire (The Douglas Book, 4 vols., Sir William Fraser).

WILLIAM

We come now to William, who was contemporary with Adam, and is the only other Hoppringill in this century mentioned in the records. In the Great Chamberlain's Account

for the year ending March 1391, we read: "et per solucionem factam quondam Willelmo Hoppringill, pro feodo sue, per literas regis de precepto, et ipsius quondam Willelmi, £15 '' ; that is, William Hoppringill was dead., but he had received his fee of £15 granted by the King, as shown by the receipt of the late William himself. This fee was a big one for the time. Immediately following is a somewhat similar fee paid to the Constable of Edinburgh Castle, while just before and after are the sums disbursed for the funeral expenses of the late King, and for the maintenance of the new King, Robert III., at Linlithgow, and his coronation in August at Scone. Thus whatever office William Hoppringill held it was an important one, and was too well known to require mention. As we shall see presently, he was the first Hoppringill designated of That Ilk.

Thus from the above charters we see that Thomas Hoppringill acted as squire to William, 1st Earl of Douglas, for some ten years, and Adam to him and Earl James for some thirty. But, as for ten years after William's return from France the south of Scotland was practically in possession of England, and the granting and confirmation of charters in abeyance owing to the captivity of King David in England, Thomas may have been associated with Earl William from his first appearance in 1347. Thus it is as likely as not that Thomas was the son or grandson, of Elias, and that he was the father of William of that Ilk, and of Adam who succeeded to, or had been granted by the Earls, lands in Lauderdale, as Pilmuir, Kirktonhill, and Glengelt.

ADAM 1

The hero of Otterburn was succeeded as 3rd Earl of Douglas by Sir Archibald the "Grim" of Galloway, natural son of the Good Sir James, then over sixty years of age. Warden of the West Marches in 1364, and Lord of Galloway in 1369, he had, since 1357, distinguished himself as a warrior, and in affairs of State, not less than Earl William himself; and we have seen that he was often associated with Thomas and Adam Hoppringill in witnessing charters. The Earl Marshal of England shortly afterwards approaching the Border with a force, Earl Archibald, notwithstanding his age, challenged him to fight him in single combat.

Peace ensued between the two countries for some ten years, till 1399, when Henry IV fruitlessly invaded Scotland, and besieged Edinburgh Castle; and at the end of the year the Earl died at his Castle of Thrieve.

He was succeeded as 4th Earl of Douglas, Lord of Galloway, Annandale, Ettrick, Lauderdale, etc., by his son, Archibald, surnamed "Tineman '' (loser of battles), then about twenty-eight years of age. Robert III during the whole of his reign had only the name of king, as owing to his poor health his brother, the Earl of Fife, had acted as Guardian most of the time. On the King's death in 1406, his son James I having been captured at sea by the English at the age of twelve, and detained in England for eighteen years, till 1424, the Earl of Fife, now Duke of Albany, was appointed Governor of the kingdom, and held the office till his death in 1420, Earl Archibald was married to a sister of the Governor, and Sir Walter Haliburton of Dirleton to a daughter. This introduces us to the following charter:-" Know all that I, Walter Haliburton of that Ilk have given, conceded, and by this my charter confirmed to Adam de Hoppringle, son of the late William de Hoppringle of that Ilk, all my lands of Fawnys (Fans) with pertinents lying within the earldom of March, to be held by the said Adam and his heirs or assignees, paying to me and my heirs a pair of gilt spurs annually at Whitsunday in name of blench, if asked only, in place of a11 other services or demands which by me or my heirs could be exacted of said lands '' : the witnesses are Sir John Seton, Sir William de Hay, Sir Walter de Bikirton, Alexander, George, Fergus, and John de Haliburton, and William de Spens. The charter is undated. The lands were called Yerlsyde ; and we have quoted the charter in which they were conveyed to William Earl Douglas in 1367, to which his squire Adam de Hoppringill was witness. Whatever was the date of the charter, whether granted years before, or shortly before, it was confirmed by Governor Albany at Falkland Palace on the 9th May 1407 in a charter in which he speaks of Sir Walter de Haliburton as "noster filius'' (our son) (G. S.). These lands of Yerlside (Earlside) or the fourth part of Fans, Lauderdale, continued ever afterwards to be the property of the Hoppringills of that Ilk.

Adam had issue :

1. Thomas, who in 1461 resigned lands in Philiphaugh, Selkirkshire, of which John Murray of Falahill received a charter from the King, his descendants thus becoming cc-proprietors with the Turnbulls who had received lands therein from Robert Bruce.

2. Archibald, who in 1461 with thirteen Lauderdale lairds sat at Lauder under Cranston of Corsbie Sheriff-depute of Berwickshire, and retoured William, son of the late Lord Abernethy in the lands of Lyleston and Oxton (MSS. C. Reg. House). The seals remain nearly entire, including Archibald's, which is described as, "On a bend two escallops, legend, ( S. Archibaldi de Pringil ' (M. S.).'' In 1479 Elisabeth Hoppringle, relict of the late Archibald, claimed as against Sir William Borthwick the tack of Pirnaiton and Viewshiels, and the Lords Auditors appointed a day for hearing the case; while they declare that Lord Borthwick and his son William had done no wrong in putting Adam Hoppringill's goods out of the same.

3. Sir Andrew Hoppringill, chaplain, who in 1457 acted as attorney for John de Gordon at his sasine in Stitchill. In 1471 the Lords Auditors order the restoration to Sir Andrew and John Spottiswood of the specified wool, lambs, and cheese of the teinds of the kirk of Stow of which they were tacksmen.

MARIOTTE OF THAT ILK

was a daughter of Margaret Turnbull Lady Hoppringill, relict apparently of the late Adam's son Thomas. Left a ward of the king he granted in 1458 the casualty of her marriage to William, first Lord Borthwick ; to whom, having conceded her lands of Glengelt, he nine years afterwards granted them to his son James Borthwick for his services (G. S.). Mariotte's mother having married as her second husband one Hog, she and her son William Hog occupied, by agreement with her daughter Mariotte, two-thirds of Hoppringill as the equivalent of her terce of the remanent lands ; but in 1480 the Lords of Council cancelled the agreement in favour of Adam of that Ilk,

who had already asserted his rights to the said two-thirds and the mails thereof.

In 1473 the Lords Auditors confirmed Mariotte and her spouse John Mowbray in the lands of Kirktonhill and Muir House, against Robin Hoppringill who claimed the lands, and in 1486 her son William Mowbray, with her consent, sold the lands to Andrew Mowbray, Burgess of Edinburgh (G. S.).

ADAM 2 (ROYAL GUARDSMAN)

Adam Hoppringill, grandson of Adam I, and apparently son of Archibald, appears first in 1467, as a witness to the charter above-mentioned in which Lord Borthwick granted to his son James the lands of Glengelt. In 1471 the Lords Auditors order Rutherfurd of that llk to restore to Adam the complete stand of harness he had borrowed from him, as good as he received it, or else pay him £20 ; also in 1473 they ordered the five persons wrongfully occupying his lands of Yerlsyde, Fans, to quit the same incontinently. In 1474 the King (James III.) granted to Adam Pringill de Burnhouse, " familiaris armiger suus '' (Household Guards), the lands of Caverton, Roxburghshire, forfeited by Robert, Lord Boyd (G. S.). In 1476 the pay of Adam as one of the Guards is mentioned as £50 (L. A.). In October 1479 the Lords Auditors declare that, having seen their tack from the Archbishop, Lord Borthwick and his son William had done no wrong in putting Adam's goods out of Pirntaiton and Shiels ; and in November they order him to restore at, once the six cattle he had taken out of Pirntaiton and poinded. In 1480, as noted above, Adam recovered the two-thirds of Hoppringill, as apart, from lady Hoppringill's third. In 1483 the Lords declare the Colonel's summons against him void.

Thus Adam's life as one of the Guards of James III is reflected in the history of the reign. He saw the rapid rise and fall of the Boyds, the King's marriage with Margaret of Norway, the treason of the Duke of Albany, the King's brother, the hanging of the King's favourites at Lauder bridge, the temporary restoration of Albany to favour in 1483, but how much more we do not know. There is no further mention of

him till 1494, six years after the death of the King in 1488 at Sauchieburn, when he is referred to as " the late Adam Hoppringill of that Ilk '' (L. A.). Adam had issue :

1. Alexander, his heir.

2. .Elizabeth, marr. William Spottiswood of that Ilk - killed at Flodden.

3. Margaret, marr. apparently Patrick Crichton of Lugton.

4. Isabella, Prioress of Coldstream,

ALEXANDER

In December 1494 the Lords Auditors found - as regards the summons raised by Alexander Hoppringill, son and heir of Adam of that Ilk, against Master Thomas Borthwick and John Borthwick of Crookston, anent the destruction and downcasting of the tower-house and place of Burnhouse - that he should show by what right the said house, lands, and goods belonged to him, but that the Borthwicks were justly called upon to answer to the charge ; and Alexander, Lord Home, became surety that Alexander "should never come in contrair of the summons" on account of non-age, under pain of the sums contained therein and 200 merks expenses (L. A.). Four days afterwards the action of Alexander and Ms mother and sisters against the said Borthwicks is excepted from those to be postponed. In 1504 Alexander de Burnhouse witnesses at Haddington the charter granted by William Cockburn of Langton to his brother Christopher of the lands of Choicelee, Duns (G. S. 1603). In 1526 Alexander and his sons, John, James, and George, with James Hoppringill in Newbattle, are respited for art and part in a slaughter (P. S.). In April 1529, along with his eldest son, he witnesses a sasine of the Prioress of Coldstream (q.v)..

Alexander died before 20th May 1530. He had issue :-

1. John, his heir.

2. James, of Tynnes (q.v).. keeper of the " goods '' (farm stock) of James V.

3. George, household servant of James V. (T. A.).

4. William, household servant of James V. (T. A.).

5. Robert, prebendar of Arniston-issue Robert and James. Died 1568.

6. Margaret, marr. Christopher Cockburn of Choicelee, Duns. See George of that Ilk below.

7. Agnes, marr. John Houston of that Ilk.

8. . Jonet, Prioress of Coldstream.

9. Isabella, marr. George Preston of that Ilk, and was mother of Simon Preston, Provost of Edinburgh, in whose house Queen Mary was lodged on the night of her surrender to the Lords at Carberry (P. B., H. 1555).

THE COURT OF JAMES IV.

In 1473 Wille Pringill is mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls as an official in the household of James III.

Sauchieburn was fought on 11th June 1488, and in the following month James IV., now King, granted to Thomas Pringill, Trumpeter, for his services, the £10, lands of Ballencrieff in fee, with power of occupying or letting them to tenants, and in 1498 confirmed the grant when in camp in Kintyre (G. S.). Between 1502 and 1508 Thomas was allowed to export annually, free of duty, certain quantities of wool, hides, and salmon (T. A.). In 1506 he got the escheat of the goods of Sir William Lindsay-now pertaining to the King through his treason (P. S.). In January 1507 the King issued this edict: " We have for certain reasons, and for the good rule of our Port of Grace (Newhaven), constituted our lovit familiar servitour, Thomas Hoppringill, Baillie of our said port, as well of sea as of land, and to use the office of Justiciary within the bounds of the same ". It was here that the King built his famous ship, the Saint Michael, the greatest of the age, with sides of oak 10 feet thick, and carrying, besides the crew, 1000 men-at-arms. On 9th September 1513 at Flodden, Thomas, as principal Trumpeter by his master's side, would sound the charge, as by his master's side he died.

“ …their tread alone,

At times one warning trumpet blown,

At times a stifled hum,

Told England from his mountain throne

King James did rushing come.''

On the death of Thomas in 1513 Ballincrieff was transferred to John Drummond, the principal Gunner, for his pay ; but the lands continued to be referred to as the late Thomas Hoppringill's up to 1552, as did those he held in Newhaven, up to 1533.

Another of the five Trumpeters of James IV was John Hoppringill, apparently Thomas's brother. There are numerous entries in the Exchequer Rolls relating to these Pringills. In 1488 £10 is given to Pringill and his marrows for the composition of an unlaw in Peebles when the King was there in November; in 1489 given to Pringill to make him a banner, £2 10s. ; in 1491 given to Pryngill, King of bene, i.e, as finder of the bean inserted in the Twelfth-day Cake in the evening's festivities, 36s. The liveries of the Trumpeters were striking affairs ; in 1489 dressed lambskin for a gown for Pringill ; in 1491 gowns of English red for Pringill and Carrick ; in 1494 tan Rouen cloth and satin for John Pringill, and English red hose, when he went to Flanders with Sir Andrew Wood of Largo, the famous sea-captain ; for Pringill and Carrick when the King revisited the Isles in May , red and white silk for loose coats and taffeta for doublets ; in 1503 liveries of Bruges satin for Thomas and John Hoppringill ; in 1507, two black, two white and two scarlet bonnets for Thomas Hoppringill, bought by the King himself. On festal anniversaries as Yule, New Year, and Pasche, the Trumpeters regularly received money gifts (T. A.).

John Pringill is also mentioned as accompanying the King on a pilgrimage to Whithorn Monastery, and as going on special errands for him. He appears for the last time in 1504.

Thomas Pringill, younger, son of the above Thomas, appears first in the Rolls in January 1502, and after several of the usual appearances for livery and gifts there is this entry, "Jan. 1508 to Thomas Hoppringill's son and one man to pass into France, 4 French crowns.'' There is also this entry, " 1512 to Besse Hoppringill, 3 crowns of wecht '' (T. A.).

THE COURT OF JAMES V.

George Hoppringill, son of Alexander of that Ilk, is mentioned in the E. R and Lord High Treasurer's Accounts a dozen times between 1529 and 1540. As Master Cook or

Yeoman of the Pantry he had a livery, 35s. for the keep of a horse, etc. In 1535 he had an outfit on going into England to buy horses for the King, In September 1540 he and Andrew Whyte received between them £20 for shearing the King's sheep and work connected therewith, also £129 for their expenses anent the shearing, the storage of the wool in the town of Selkirk, and its carriage to the port of Leith, etc. For George's wardship of the lordship of Burleigh, see under James of Tynnes, his brother.

William Hoppringill, another son of Alexander of that Ilk, was also attached to the Pantry in the household of James V. He appears as a witness to the King's confirmation of some eight charters. He died in December 1547, and his testament was registered as late as 1574 by Archibald Hoppringill, burgess of Edinburgh; he left in money £250.

JOHN 1

In 1530 John Hoppringill of that Ilk gets a gift of the non-entry of the quarter lands of Fans (Yerlside), also in 1539 of that of Caverton ; and in 1540 the King confirmed to him the charter of the lands of Caverton as granted by his father, James IV., to John's grandfather Adam Pringill (G. S.). At Whitsunday 1541 John got from the Archbishop a 5-years' tack of Torsonce, Torsonce Mill, and Crunzian, paying a grassed of £65 ; while his mother gets a similar tack of Cordlain, paying a grassum of £40 (R. A.). At Whitsunday 1544 Walter Ker of Cessford pays a grassum to the Cardinal for the feu of Torsonce, Crunzian, Plenploth, and Stow mill (R A.). During the devastation of the Scottish Border perpetrated at this time by Henry VIII., John Carr of Wark Castle, in 1544, raided Legerwood and took away 50 cattle and 100 merks worth of household furnishing, and burned Fans ; in 1546 Carr raided Fans a second time (H. L.). On 8th October 1548 John took part with the Assured Scots and the English in invading., burning, and plundering the lands of the Scotts (S. B.). In May 1549, John appeared before the Lords of Council, stating that his neighbours were encroaching on his lands of Hoppringill, Burnhouse, Langmuir, and Kittyflat, which were his by heritage and had belonged to his predecessors past memory-

knowing that the evidents of his bounds were burnt and destroyed by the English army in Edinburgh after the battle of Pinkie : the Lords order the sub-Prior of St Andrews Priory, where the said evidents were registered, to give John an authentic copy at his expense. In 1551 and 1552 John, with William Cockburn of Choicelee, was present as a witness at Coldstream Priory, q.v.

John's Will was registered on 14th June 1555. He had issue :-

1. Thomas, his heir.

2. .Michael.

3. .James, in the Bow ; Tutor.

4. Archibald of Torquhan.

5. Elizabeth, Prioress of Coldstream.

6. Margaret, marr. Clement Mauchan of Pilton, Cramond.

THOMAS

In 1555 a dispensation of marriage was granted in favour of Thomas Hoppringill and Isabella Hoppringill daughter of George of Torwoodlee within the fourth degree of consanguinity, " propter hoc ab alique non rapto fueris '' (T. W.). On 19th October 1555 at Edinburgh in virtue of a contract whereby Walter Ker of Cessford alienates to him the lands of Torsonce, Crunzian, Cordlain, the mill of Stow, and free entry to the commons of Stow and Muirhouse, used and wont, John signs and delivers a Bond of Manrent, in which he binds himself and his heirs " to be lele and true men and servarndis '' to the said Walter and his heirs, " our allegiances to our Sovereign Lady only excepted,'' witnesses, the Clerk Registrar and Andrew Ker of Fawdonsyde ; seal attached, on the shield a bend charged with 3 escallops, legend round the circumference S. THOME HOPPRYNGILL (C. I.).

" On 21st Sept. 1558 at even a messenger starts from Edinburgh with letters to charge the laird of Traquair, Patrick Murray of Hangingshaw, and the whole of the Hoppringills and Scotts to be in Melrose on the 24th inst. for resisting our auld enemies of England '' (T, A.). "

In Jan. 1562 a messenger is sent from Edinburgh, with a charge of the Queen's Grace (Mary of Loraine) to Thomas

Hoppringill of Torsonce and his servandis to bring and present Ellot and Crosser before the Justices within 3 days'' (T. A.). Have we here the reason for the murder by the Elliots six years afterwards of Lady Torsonce's father, George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee?

In 1564 Thomas, along with David Spottiswood of that Ilk acts as an arbitrator between Walter Ker of Cessford and James Ormiston of that Ilk anent certain lands (S. B.). In July 1566 he borrows £1000 from Adam French of Thorny- dykes, whose second son, Robert, is to hold Yerlsyde and Hoppringill in security till repayment (A. D.). For the charter of certain lands granted to the late Thomas on 23rd December 1566, and afterwards declared null and of no avail, see below.

Thomas died in the last quarter of 1566. By his spouse Elizabeth of Torwoodlee he had issue: -

1. James, his heir.

2. George.

JAMES

In 1567 sasine, proceeding on a precept of Clare Constat granted by the Archbishop of St Andrews and directed to Robert Hoppringill prebendary in the College of Crichton, is given to James Hoppringill, son and heir of the late Thomas of that Ilk, in the lands of Hoppringill, Langmuir, Burnhouse, and Kittyflat, also of Bow and Cathie, in the Regality of St Andrews; reddendo for Hoppringill and Langmuir l stone of wax, if asked, for Burnhouse and Kittyflat 7 shillings Scots in name of blench, and for Bow and Cathie 16 merks yearly in name of feu; reserving the usufruct of Burnhouse and Kittyflat to Isabel Hoppringill, the said James's mother, for life; witnesses to sasine the said Robert Hoppringill, James Sandilands in Nettlyflat, Robert Douglas in Hoppringill (L. C., 824).

At James's instance, when he was fourteen, his paternal and maternal uncles appear before the Lords in February 1573 and desire that his Curators till the age of twenty-one should be William Ker of Cessford, William Lauder of Halton, Patrick Crichton of Lugton, James Hoppringill of Whytbank, and Robert Lawson of Humble (A. D.). In May 1575 James and his uncle and Tutor James in the Bow, are two of the twelve Hoppringills summoned to appear re the Hoppringill-Elliot

feud ( See Torwoodlee). In 1575 James is called upon by the Lords to produce the charter of certain lands round Coldstream granted by the Prioress to "the late Thomas,'' his father, and Sir Walter Kerr of Littledean to produce the charter in which James granted the said lands to his father, the late Sir Andrew Ker of Hirsel, who again granted them to him: the Lords declare the said charters null and void (A. D.).

In December 1580 James, as heir of Adam Hoppringill, his abavus (great-great-grandfather), is retoured in Yerlsyde and Spencerland, or the quarter of Fans, and on sasine pays £845 to the Exchequer through the lands having been in the hands of the King for eighty-four and a quarter years at £10 feufarm, also two pairs gilt spurs (E. R.). In May 1581 James contracts to marry Elizabeth Edmonston, relict of Nicol Elphinston and daughter of Eupham Wauchope, Lady Edmonston, he first to get himself infefted in his heritable lands, and her specially in Hoppringill, the Fans lands, and the mill of Stow, which shall be worth to her annually respectively f200, 40 merks mail, 50 bolls heir, and 50 capons, and 40 bolls heaped meal; the marriage to be in holy kirk; cautioner for James, George Hoppringill of Newhall (A. D.).

In November 1582 James, being now twenty years of age or thereby, registers an Interdiction prohibiting himself, for the space of nineteen years to come, from entering into any bond or obligation affecting his lands, tacks, feints, or goods, without the consent of Sir James Edmonston of that Ilk, John Ker of Littledean, James Hoppringill of Whytbank, and John Hoppringill of Buckholm, or any two of them, Sir James or John Ker being one: the 5-years tack of half Hoppringill to James Hoppringill and his spouse Elizabeth Douglas to remain in full strength for reasons known to the surname : subscribed " James Hoppringill of that Ilk '': Hoppringill witnesses, Malcolm of Cortleferry, George, brother to Whytbank, George of Newhall, and James in Bow (A. D.). In July 1591 the Hoppringills of that Ilk, Buckholm, and Whytbank appear among other Border lairds before the King and Council at Kelso, and give their oaths faithfully to serve the Wardens of East and Middle Marches, and Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm, especially in pursuit of Francis, Earl of Bothwell (P. C.). In November 1591 the Hopprinngles, viz., James of

that Ilk, James of Whytbank, Blindlee, George of Newhall, and caution for one another in various sums, according to the general band, to keep the King's peace. In 1597 James subscribes the Mutual Bond of Manrent of the Hoppringles (see Smailholm).

James died in June 1606. His inventory made in 1617 by his daughter Eupham specifies the live stock and crops on Torsonce, teinds and feu duties owing by him, also £36 for the rent of Torquhan and Plenploth, leaving free gear £918 (T. E.) By his spouse Elizabeth Edmonston, James had issue:

1. John, his heir.

2. Robert.

3. Eupham, marr. in 1599 George, son and heir of Patrick Brown of Coalston (G. S., 1614). John of Buckholm, George of Thomas of Trinlyknowe become

In 1608 Eupham, as her father's executrix, summons George, son of the late James, in half Hoppringill, alleging that his father at his death in 1603 owed twenty-one years rent at £44, and that he himself had paid nothing since. George produced an acquitance dated June 1603; and the Lords order him to pay to Eupham the rents since amounting to £264, with £20 expenses. Following thereon, caution is found in sums varying from £1000 down to 100 merks, not to harm Elizabeth, relict of James of that Ilk, by the Pringills in Heriotmill, Buckholm, Mitchelston, and Tynnes, and Alexander Dickson in Airhouse; while Elizabeth on her part finds caution not to harm George Pringill in Hoppringill (A. D.) The said Elizabeth died in January 1618 at her daughter Eupham's house of Coalston. Eupham was alive in December 1649.

JOHN 2

In September 1606 Robert Pringill, John's brother, is one of twenty Pringills finding caution not to harm Sir Robert Stewart of Shillinglaw (see Buckholm). In May 1607 John, as heir to his father James, gets sasine, according to the ceremony practised on such occasions, in the lands of Torsonce, Cordlean, Crunzian, with pasturage and entry in the commons of Stow and Muirhouse, Stow mill with its lands and astricted multures, and the lands and mill of Plenploth with pasturage in Lugate common - all held blench of Lord Roxburgh, the superior, and of the Archbishop of

St. Andrews for payment of £40 feu duty and attendance at his three principal courts in Stow. Similarly John gets from the Archbishop, of whom they are held in chief, sasine of the lands of Hoppringill, Langmuir, Burnhouse, Kittyflat, Bow) Cathie, and Torquhan; paying for Hoppringill and Langmuir a stone of wax, if asked only, for Burnhouse and Kittyflat seven shillings Scots in name of blench only, and for Bow and Cathie 16 merks, and Torquhan £6 Scots, feu duty, and attending the three principal courts held in Stow (Secy's Reg.). In 1614 John gets a royal fen charter of his Fans lands, called Spencerfield and Yerlsyde (G. S.).

Anna Heriot, John's first wife, died in December 1614, and as father of their bairns, James and Elspeth, he registered the farm stock, corn, etc., as worth £ 1920, and, among items owing, £50 as the fees of George Pringill "the laird's gentleman,'' (uncle).

In March 1620 John Hoppringle of that Ilk, William Borthwick of Crookston, and the tenants in Gala Water, are summoned by " the keeper of the haill waters besouth the Forth," who had put them to the horn at a court held at Lauder, for alleged slaying of red and black fish, smolts and fry of salmon, art and part receipt thereof, and contravening the Act of Parliament; but the said keeper not compelling the Lords annull the horning (A. D.).

In 1625 John is gazetted a J.P. for the shire of Edinburgh; also on a charter from the Archbishop he is infefted anew, with his son James, in the above-mentioned lands and rights (G. S.).

In November 1627 a threat of horning is issued against certain persons in some eighteen parishes in the shire of Edinburgh, including John Pringill of Torsonce for the parishes of Stow and Heriot, unless they inform themselves of all the fencible persons within their parishes, and make a perfect report thereof in writing, and compear personally with it before the Lords at Holyrood House (P. C.). In 1627 John takes part in assessing the parish for 300 merks to repair the church of Stow, and in 1631 is authorised "to build an aisle at the back of his own seat in the kirk '' (C. B.). From an action in 1628 it appears that John had a residence in Edinburgh on the north side of the High Street (A. D.). In 1630 John Chisholm sues John Pringill of Torsonce, and William and John Pringill in Cathie, because the latter had put him to the

horn and apprised his sheep at Stow instead of the market cross of Edinburgh or of Kirkliston, the head burghs of the county, and of the regality; defenders having shown that it had been the custom for thirty years past to make all apprisings at the Kelloch yett in Stow, the Lords assoilzied them (A. D.).

In May 1631 a contract of marriage is made between James, John's eldest son and heir, and Margaret, daughter of Sir George Ramsay of Wylliecleuch - brother of John Ramsay who, for his defence of James VI against the conspirators in Gowrie House, was created successively Viscount Haddington, Lord Melrose, and Earl of Holderness (S. P.). Before May 1632 Elizabeth, John's daughter, married Sir Walter Murray, some- time of Colmslie Hill and later of Livingston, third son of Sir Gideon, first of' Elibank (S. P.). In April 1633 Eupham, another daughter, is infefted, as the future spouse of George, eldest son of James Pringill of Muirhouse, in the lands of Pirn, half Mitchelston, Muirhouse and Caldrope.

John died on 27th August 1626. His Testament, registered by his widow, Margaret Pringill, gives as the inventory £3536, and as owing to Robert Pringill, brother, and ten other servants, etc., £578, leaving free gear £2958 (T. E.).

John had issue by Anna Heriot (who died in 1614);

1. James, his heir.

2. Elizabeth, marr. Sir Walter Murray of Livingstone, before May 1632.

And by Margaret Pringill of Whytbank

3.Thomas, apprenticed in 1642 with George Wauchope, merchant, Edinburgh.

4. William.

5. John, in Watherston, issue - Janet born 1664, James born 1665, William born 1672.

6. Eupham, marr. George Pringill, younger, of Muirhouse, in 1633.

7. Jonet.

8. Jeane, marr. (1st) William Scott in Linton, (2nd) Walter Scott of Satchells (A. D., 1667).

9. Margaret, marr. George Keir in Hatton Mains in 1635.Her daughter, Katherine (Mrs Johnston in Ravelston), was retoured her heir in 1698.

JAMES 2

In July 1634 James had disponed to him for certain sums of money, and for acting cautioner for great sums of money, by Sir George Ramsey, the 12 husbandlands of Wylliecleuch, excepting the alienation made by him of the said lands in January preceding for 5000 merks to John Trotter, burgess of Edinburgh, to the reversion of which, granted him by the said John, he made the said James assignee (S. E.). In 1645 the said lands, now belonging to John Ramsay of Bewick, Sir George's grandson, were apprised by James for 9130 merks, and assigned by him to Patrick Brown of Coalston. Litigation on the matter took place between the parties also in 1654 (A. D., Scott).

In 1639 a bond for 3000 merks, granted to the late John by Sir David Crichton of Lugton in 1631, was claimed by the assignee of a bond of the same amount granted by the said John (to buy up the teinds of his lands) to his near kinsman Andrew Ker, son of the late Sir John of Littledean in 1636; but James Pringill of Buckholm declaring that the latter bond was undoubtedly intended by the late John, who was too ill to make a will, for the benefit of his widow and children, the Lords assigned the bond to James (A. D., Scott.). Also in 1639 James gives his wife, Margaret Ramsay, who had a tocher of 4000 merks, sasine of the Hoppringill, Bow, Torquhan and Fans lands (S. E.).

In 1648 James was appointed a commissioner for war for Edinburgh and Berwickshire (A. P.).

In these times when there were no banks, landholders who wanted money for tochers for their daughters, or other purposes, obtained it by granting bonds to lenders on the security of their lands. They often got into difficulties thereby, and not infrequently got warded in the Edinburgh Tolbooth till they paid up. In this way we find James excusing his non-compearance in an action because "he was lying sick under the doctor's hands," being prisoner in the Tolbooth from February 1657 to March 1658. At this time his son, Captain George, was abroad soldiering in Prussia.

"In July 1659 George Pringle, fear of Torsonce, now at home, subscribes a contract with the right worthy James

Hoppringle of that Ilk, his father, in which, in consideration of his father having disponed to him all his lands and teinds of Gala Water, and certain great sums owing to him by certain debtors, he undertakes to keep his father skaithless at the hands of his creditors, to wit, Wm. Mure, 5500 merks, Jn. Edmonston, minister, 1500 merks, George Pringle; brother to the said James, 1000 merks, Andrew Pringle, Nenthorn, 600 merks, and certain others specified, and all sums owing by him up to date, as also skaithless of all impositions civil and military on the lands, under a penalty of 20,000 merks; reserving always to his father the lands of Fans, Hoppringle, Langmuir and Kittyflat, and the right to cut the woods of Torsonce, Bow, and Torquhan, at his pleasure; and further in June 1661 George binds himself to pay his sister Margaret 6000 merks, his sister Elizabeth 4000 merks, his brother John 6000 merks, and his brother William 1500 merks, or the ordinary rents of the same from Martinmas next: the contract to be executed by 1st October next under a penalty of 20,000 merks to be paid by the failer to the observer '' (R. D.).

In January 1664 James moves for suspension of a horning against him, because, it was obtained at a sheriff court when he was a prisoner in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh from November 1662 to February 1663, and could not attend (A. D., Durie.).

James died in 1669. His farm stock was estimated at £1320, and he left a bond for 800 merks granted to him by his son George (T. L.).

James had issue by his first wife Margaret Ramsay of Wylliecleuch: -

1.George, his heir, who marr. in 1654, Agnes, daughter of William Borthwick, 3rd of Soutra (S. P.).

2 William, born 1637

3. James of Rowchester, born 1639.

4. John, factor to the Earl of Lauderdale.

5. Margaret, marr. George Keir, tenant in Hatton Mains, late in Ravelston.

6. Elisabeth, born 1641, marr. George Pringle of Halltree,

By his second wife, Elisabeth Scott, marr. 1658, James had no issue.

GEORGE

George Hoppringle, during his father's lifetime, was a Captain under the Chancellor, the Earl of Loudon, who took an active part in levying men for the Royalist, Scots, who marched into England and were defeated at Worcester in 1651, and who afterwards in 1653 joined the Earl of Glencairn's army that held out for Charles II in the Highlands. Scotland having quietened down for a time under the rule of General Monk, many young Royalists went abroad and took part in continental wars; and we next hear of George in the following entry in the Calendar of Deeds: - "On 24th April 1657 at Thorn in Prussia, Anthony Haig of Bemerside grants him to be indebted to George and James Hamilton under the command of Captain Wm. Ramsey in the regiment of Wm., Lord Cranston, in the sum of £13 sterling for meat, drink, clothing, and other necessaries, which he as principal and Captain George Pringle fear of Torsonce as cautioner, bind themselves conjunctly and severally to repay by Whitsunday 1658, with £4 sterling liquidation expenses : he further binds himself to keep skaithless the said Captain George, and as he is far distant from the kingdom of Scotland where his tutors and governors dwell and cannot receive their consent, and is near his majority, and solemnly sworn, he further binds himself and them never to quarrel or impugn this his bond, and to have it registered in the books of Council and Session '' (R. D.).

William, and Lord Cranston, here referred to, took part as an " Engager '' in the battle of Preston in 1648, also in that of Worcester in 1651, when he was captured and lodged in the Tower of London. In 1656 he got a licence from the Protector Cromwell to levy 1000 men for service under Gustavus Adolphus in Poland, and in April a regiment of six companies landed at Stade, in northern Germany, and another followed in August.

In April 1657, after many of his men had deserted for other services for want of pay, Lord Cranston received orders " to lie in Thorn with ten companies.'' Thorn on the Vistula was occupied by the Swedes from 1655 till 1658, when after a desperate defence it was captured by the Polish and Austrian forces, the garrison at the time consisting of 2500 men. Lord

Cranston returned home after the Restoration in 1661. He was esteemed the best swordsman of his day (S. P.).

In 1667 George gets from Marion, spouse of Lord Cranston, sasine of four husbandlands in the East Third of Smailholm (S. E.).

In September 1664 at Edinburgh a Birth-Brief is granted to Edmond E Cockburn, son of Daniel, son of Adam of the Scottish Body Guard of the King of France, son of William, son of Christopher Cockburn of Choicelee by Margaret, daughter of Alexander Hoppringill of that Ilk (G, S.).

As an example of a farm lease of the time, we have the following: -" 1671. It is agreed between George Pringle (now) of Torsonce and Robert Forsyth tenant in Torsonce Chapel; and he lets to him his lands and steadings of Torsonce, Bow and Crunzian, arable and outfield, and commonties as now possessed by him, together with teinds, for three years from Whitsunday next; George to have for his own use the hails house of Torsonce, high and low, under and above, within the yetts, with the parks and bounds thereof, with liberty to quarry any place of the ground he pleases for winning and leading stone) together with the feeding of 20 ewes, 20 gimmers, and 2 cows along with said (Robert's own beasts : Robert to pay yearly £830 Scots, half at Whit. and half at Mart. with one dozen kayne fowls, half hens and half capons, to till the ground within the packs yearly with his ploughs and beasts, to lead peats, slate, and lime with the rest of the tenants, and to help to "ca'' the water with them (for salmon).''

In 1675 George is ordained by the Lords to pay the 2240 merks borrowed by him in 1664 at an annual rent of £ 89 to be uplifted from Cathie; also the bond for 1000 merks granted by his grandfather in 1635 to his daughter Margaret, now spouse of George Keir, Hatton Mains (A, D., Durie).

In May 1676 George Hoppringle of Torsonce is appointed Lieut-colonel of the Militia Regiment of Foot whereof the Duke of Monmouth (and Buccleuch) is colonel, in place of Sir Francis Scott of Thirlestane (State Papers). In January 1681 the Duke, his Lieutenant George and other Militia officers are ordered to give in lists of heritors who absented themselves from the army (at the battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679) (P. S.).

In 1683 the Lords order George to pay to his brother John the annual rents, £240, left unpaid since his investment in 1672.

George died in October 1684. His executor, George Pringle of Halltree, his brother-in-law, gave in the inventory of his goods as £346, and as owing by him two bonds, for which the said George was cautioner, amounting to £1833 (T. E.).

George and his wife, Agnes, daughter of William Borthwick, 3rd of Soutra (S. P.), had issue:

1. John, his heir.

2. James, in Fans, and later in Yair.

ROWCHESTER

In 1659 James Pringle, 3rd son of James Hoppringle of that llk and Torsonce, married Agnes, second of the four daughters, heirs-portioners of the late Robert Trotter; and in 1660 Helen, the eldest daughter, gave him sasine of the half of the lands of Rowchesterrig and Cowrig, Berwickshire, to descend, failing children, to any his heirs; also he got from the other two sisters-in-law sasine of the other half of the lands for payment to each of them of 240 merks annual rent (S. Berwick). In 1684 at the Merse Circuit he was fined for a contravention of his office as Sheriff-Substitute of Berwickshire (P. C.). In 1685 and 1704 he appears as a commissioner of supply for the county.

James died in August 1705. His sister Elisabeth, wife of George Pringle of Halltree, gave in the inventory of his goods as £266, and as owing to him a bond for £1119 granted by the Earl of Home to George Pringle, Bailie of Kelso, and assigned to him, and other bonds, totalling £2717 (T. Lauder).

James and his wife Agnes Trotter left no issue. In 1707 James's nephew, John Hoppringle of that Ilk, was served his heir general, and heir special in Rowchester, Cowrig, and Bankhead (S. H.).

JOHN 3

In September 1681 a contract of marriage was made between John Hoppringle, younger, of Torsonce and Grissell, eldest daughter of Hugh Scott of Galashiels, who was to be infefted

in an annual rent of 1800 merks furth of his lands ; witnesses, Patrick, Master of Polwarth, John Pringle, younger of Stitchill, Francis Scott of Mangerton, Mr Walter James, the young laird's brother, and others (S. E.). Hugh Scott, who was a grandson of Sir James Pringle of Smailholm, was prominent among the Scots who planned the rising under the Earl of Argyll in 1685 against James VII prior to his expulsion from the throne in 168 : Hugh had, besides John, another son-in-law, Walter Scott of Raeburn who was killed in a duel with Mark Pringle of Crichton at Selkirk in 1707.

In 1696 in an action before the Lords between John and younger, of Stitchill, Pringle, advocate, Mr James Borthwick who claimed immunity, proved that the whole barony was thirled and astricted to the mill of Stow, and that the right thereto had been disponed to his ancestor in 1543 by Andrew Ker of Cessford who was the immediate vassal of the Bishop of St Andrews (L. D.).

In July 1698 John was appointed a commissioner of supply for Edinburgh and Berwick shires (A. P.). In September his father-in-law, Hugh Scott having acquired certain adjudicated lands disponed them to him; and John, now in possession of the whole, received a new Royal charter of them, paying the feu duties to King William instead of the Archbishop; and in December he and his spouse got sasine of the same with delivery of earth and stone (S. E.).

In December 1712 John Hoppringle of that Ilk nominates as Curators of Margaret, his only daughter, during her minority, Sir John Pringle of Stitchell, bart, Sir Walter Pringle and Mr Robert Pringle, advocates, Thomas Pringle, W.S., George Pringle of Greenknow, and Thomas Scott, brother of Sir James of Gala, her uncle; with a commission by the said John to the said Curators to sell his whole lands and estate, and after payment of his debts to apply the surplus for the benefit of his said daughter (S. W.). Between 1693 and 1704 John had had eight children, all of whom were dead except Margaret, with whom, as his heiress, the long descended Hoppringles of that Ilk would come to an end-a fate that had already befallen the Pringles of Smailholm, Blindlee, and Buckholm. In August 1732 an instrument of sasine having been made in favour of the creditors of John Hoppringle in his lands, on trust disposition by him, with the rental; and articles and minutes

of roup, they were sold to Thomas Pringle, W.S., advocate, for £800, about twenty-two years purchase. In September 1733 a contract of marriage was made between Gilbert Pringle, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh (brother of the said Thomas and Robert of Stitchill), and Margaret Hoppringle (S. W.),

John died in Edinburgh on 21st December 1737. His testament and the inventory of his goods, gear, debts and moneys, made by himself in December 1712, was given up in February following by Gilbert Pringle on behalf of his spouse Margaret Hoppringle, only daughter to the deceased, appointed his sole executrix and legatrix, the inventory being an exhaustive account of everything in the house of Torsonce, in the easter and wester lower and the easter and wester upper rooms, the high stair room, the garret, the kitchen, the milk house, the brew house, the old Tower, the stable with three blouses, the barn, etc., of the total value of £437 ; debts owing to deceased £3285, including £2129 in the hands of Mr. Walter Pringle, advocate, recovered by him from James Davidson, the purchaser of Halltree, as the proceeds of a debt due by Pringle of Halltree (T, E.).

In Walter Scott of Satchell's Metrical History of the Scotts and Elliotts there is a poem dedicated "To the very honourable and right worshipful generous gentleman John Hoppringil, laird of Torsonce'' beginning-

" Since Providence has given you wit in store,

Live as your worthy father did live you before-''

MARGARET (DAUGHTER)

Only daughter of John Hoppringle of that Ilk survived him only three months and died at Torsonce in March 1738, aged forty-two years. Her testament was given up by her husband Gilbert Pringle, to whom in December 1737 she disponed and assigned all debts and moneys that pertained to her father or herself, the debts owing to them amounting to £ 6243; Mr Andrew Marjoribanks, and her cousins James Pringle, wright in Edinburgh, and his sisters Janet and Margaret, consenting and confirming Gilbert as only executor in and to the said debt (T. E., 1740).

Gilbert Pringle survived Margaret many years, and died at his seat of Torsonce on 3rd September 1765. He left a daughter Frances, to whom his brother Sir Robert of Stitchill, his sole executor and legatee, was to pay £300 sterling (T. E., 1766).

JAMES (BROTHER)

James Pringle, brother german of John Hoppringle of that Ilk, who appears first in Fans and later in Yair, died before April 1728. By his spouse Christian Pringle he had issue-

1. Thomas, his heir.

2. James, wright, burgess of Edinburgh.

3. Margaret, born at Fans in July 1703; marr. Mr David Duncan, minister of Stow.

4. Janet, marr. James Hunter, merchant in Queensferry.

Christian Pringle, James's widow, died in April 1755. She left legacies of 2000 merks Scots each to the Charity Work- house, the Orphan Hospital, the Merchant Maiden Hospital, and the Royal Infirmary, all in Edinburgh, to be paid the first Whitsunday after her decease-the surplus of her estate, if any, to belong to James Pringle, one of the Principal Clerks of Session, brother of George of Torwoodlee (T. E., 1756).

The testament dative and inventory of James Pringle, wright, burgess of Edinburgh, was also registered and given up by the said James Pringle of the Court of Session in June 1756, according to which he inherited the £ 2731 annual rents due to his mother, Christian, and a bond for 5000 merks that had been granted to his brother Thomas in 1718 (T. E.).

The testament of Margaret Pringle, wife of the minister of Stow, was registered in January 1749 by the husband of her sister Janet, her only executor dative as nearest of kin, and according to her marriage contract of 1739 her husband, there being no children, had to return to her heirs one-third of her tocher (T. E.).

NOTE

Reference must be made to the early genealogists, Mackenzie, Nesbit, Douglas, and Robertson. Most of their fictitious statements with regard to the early Hoppringills have been discarded; but their identification of Roger Pyngle of Whitsome

and Adam Pyngle of Aberdeen with the Hoppringills has been accepted up to the present day. Their method was simple.

Totally ignoring the fact that in the numerous occurrences of the names in the ancient records no Hoppringill had ever been found spell Pyngle, nor a Pyngle spelt Hoppringill, they altered the spelling of Hoppringill into Hop-Pringle, and of Pyngle into Pringle, when, presto, the identification was complete! Hence the long procession of semi-decapitated Hop-Pringles in Douglas's " Baronage'' and the wholly decapitated Hop Pringle of " The Outlaw Murray.''

The fact is that English surnames are constantly to be met with in Scotland during the reigns of Robert and David Bruce. Englishmen had flocked into the country under the Norman knights, and among them came this Roger Pyngille or Pyngel. King Robert divided Whitsome between him and Nicholas Fouler; but he afterwards forfeited these lands, along with those of Bonjedworth, under King David (G. S., R. S., Robertsons Index). Contemporary with Roger was William Pyngill, mentioned as an official in 1329 in the royal household (E. R.): while in the Percy Chartulary we read that on the 7th January 1332 " Earl Percy, with the Earl of Cornwall and Lord Neville, overtook at a ford and slew Thomas Pyngel, who with 200 horsemen had been pillaging Redesdale,'' " quidam proditor,'' a certain traitor, the English chronicler calls him. - We to and come now Adam Pyngle. He was practically contemporary with our Adam Hoppringill, squire to William James, the first Earls of Douglas, and was a prominent figure from 1360 till 1386, before when he died. The same or not as the Adam Pyngle of the Percy Chartulary who held lands in Northumberland and the Adam Pyngle of the Coldingham Chartulary who held fishings on Tweed, Adam appears some two dozen times in the Exchequer Rolls between 1360 and 1384 as " Custumar,'' or customs officer, of Aberdeen, collector of contributions for King David's ransom, bailie of Formartin, and Tutor of the heirs of William Scott. In the Great Seal he appears as a holder of lands in the shires of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Perth, and as a witness. On the 18th September 1363 Adam Pyngle, " mercator de Aberdene,'' has a, safe conduct to enter England with his goods and merchandise, with 4 companions, on horseback, and trade there for a year, taking back only the same horses that he brought (Rotuli Scotiae).

From the Registrum Episcopatus Aberdomensis we see his transactions in lands, and his foundation of a chaplaincy under the bishop of Aberdeen; and it is interesting to find him present

at a bishop's court on the 24th October 1321 along with William Earl Douglas himself, who had succeeded his brother-in-law in the earldom of Mar in 1374 and consequently was often north in Aberdeenshire; also that he had been a fellow-witness with Archdeacon Barbour, author of The Bruce, and that he had an Anniversary celebrated in the cathedral church of Aberdeen on the 14th of July. From " The Acts of Parliament '' we learn that, along with John Mercer-whose " inestimable wealth '' the English Walsingham speaks of - and other burgesses, he was specially called to the Parliament of Perth, 13th January 1364, to consider King David's ransom; and again on 18th February 1369 to consider contradicted judgments, questions, and quarrels. Adam Pyngle married, before May 1861, Marjorie de Blackwater, daughter and heiress of William, called Ingramisman of Kincardineshire - not a daughter of the Earl Marischal, as recent authorities still keep repeating (G. S.). He had at least one son, Adam, who was alive in 1380 (E. R.). From The Antiquities of Aberdeen and Banff we find that his two daughters, his heirs, with consent of their husbands, wadset their respective halves of Blackwater, Katrina in 1400, and Isabella in 1402. In the Townhall of Aberdeen there can be seen an old undated plan of the city showing " Edie Pingle's Croft " still marked at Gerard-street. The statement that this Adam Pyngle, merchant, and customs officer for twenty years of Aberdeen, was the same as our Adam Hoppringill, squire to the Earls of Douglas, is thus absurd.

Finally, we find from the English Close Rolls, and the Subsidy Records of Sussex, Suffolk, and Yorkshire, that Pyngle or Pingel was a widely spread English surname when the first Hopprlngill appeared.. We note Robert Pingel, Hants, 28th February 1274; William Pingel, Hants, 1275; Gilbert Pyngel, Norfolk, 1275; John and Alexander Pingel, Yorkshire, 1297 and 1302 ; John Pyngle, Hants, 1305 ; Thomas Pyngel, Worcester, 1309; Simon Pyngil, Derbyshire, 1311; Alan Pyngel, Hants, 1325; Petronilla Pingel, Suffolk, 1327 ; William Pyngel, Suffolk, 1340, who, along with John Moigne and others, is apprehended for imprisoning the Archdeacon of Essex-reminding us of the above Adam Pyngle and his contemporary, Sir Walter de Moigne, sheriff of Aberdeenshire ; William Pyngel, Gloucestershire, 1348 ; William Pyngull, Worcester, 1401 ; and Richard Pyngill, vicar of Edlingham, Northumberland-possibly of the same stock as the Scottish Pyngles-1418.

BUCKHOLM

James V was only a year and a half old when his father died at Flodden on 9th September 1513. A year thereafter his mother, Margaret, sister of Henry VIII of England, married the young Earl of Angus. The Duke of Albany, son of the Duke of Albany, brother of James III, who was expelled from the Kingdom as a traitor, was chosen Regent, and arrived from France in May 1515, to supersede Margaret. He found Scotland so difficult to govern that after two years he returned to France, and left the Scots to manage their own affairs. The rivalry between the two greatest nobles in the country, as to which should now have the chief power, came to a point in April 1520, in the streets of Edinburgh in the battle of “ Clear the Causeway" in which the Earl of Angus and the Douglases routed and drove from the town the Earl of Arran and the Hamiltons. After an absence of four years the Regent returned to Scotland in December 1521. In the following year he threatened Carlisle with a large army, but finding the Scots averse to crossing the Border he again retired to France in October. Henry VIII, who persistently endeavoured to detach Scotland from France, offered the hand of his daughter Mary for the young Prince, but the Scots would not have her; and in the autumn of 1523 his troops wasted the Scottish Border. On 24th September, Surrey and Dacre burned Jedburgh town and Abbey. When the Regent arrived from France with troops and artillery, he summoned all Scotland to meet him on 20th October; but failing to take Wark Castle, and unable to rely on the Scots, he retreated to France in 1524, never to return. In July 1524 Henry, having failed to kidnap his political opponent Archbishop Beaton, succeeded in getting James, now thirteen, who, " by practice, could with alacrity draw a man's sword," erected. Margaret, who now hated her husband Angus and wanted a divorce, (lad set her heart on marrying Henry Stewart, the second son of Lord Evandale, and this caused her, always a waverer, to join the French party.

JAMES 1.

This introduces us to James Hoppringill of Tynnes, who was a son of Alexander of that Ilk. On 23rd October 1524, Norfolk, writing from Newcastle to Wolsey the Scottish news, says: " I assure your Grace my servant Hals doth say that the Queen, the Earl of Arran, and Lord Maxwell have their only trust in France, but that they are of small power, and that the return to Scotland of the Earl of Angus was universally desired, and he was no Frenchman; and that upon Wednesday sunlight at night the Earl of Lennox, the Master of Kilmaurs, and divers others, to the number of 500 tried horsemen, assembled within three miles of Edinburgh and, if one Jamys Pryngle, that was counsel thereof, had not been, they had not failed to have slain the Earl of Arran in his lodging within Holyroodhouse, and I think the King and Queen had gone with them. Their scaling ladders were ready; and the said unhappy Jamys so prevented a good deed to have been done for the wealth of Scotland and England, as I and others do think." (H. S.). Another letter referring to the incident stated that " had it not been for James Pringle, they would have taken the King and the Queen '' (H. L.). (Owing to their difficulty with the aspirate, English writers of those times dropped the prefix in Hoppringill.) In November following, the Earl of Angus, who had returned from France to England, was allowed by Henry to cross the Borders, and was successful in the struggle for power that ensued. The death of Francis I, in 1525, led to a, 3-years' truce between England and Scotland, signed in March 1526, and in June following King James's legal majority was proclaimed; but Angus, who came first in the rotation of eight peers, appointed his guardians, practically kept him prisoner. In July he accompanied Angus to the Borders to punish breakers of the peace, and on their return they found Buccleuch, whose object was to set free the young King, barring their passage over Melrose Bridge (Pringill's drawbridge), with 1000 Borderers. Buccleuch's attempt was a secret suggestion of the King's conveyed by his servant, our James. Hence, in reply to an enquiry of Angus before the battle, he said that " he knew the King's mind as well as he did". The Western Borderers were routed, but in the pursuit " gallant Cessford's

lifeblood dear reeked on dark Elliot's Border spear". In December 1527 a remission was granted to Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm, John Cranston of that Ilk, James Hoppringill, and 9 Scotts and two Turnbulls, for mustering their retainers at Melrose bridge and (later) at Linlithgow. This exceptional appearance of a Hoppringill on the side of the Scotts against the Kers afterwards led to attacks on Buckholm by the Kers and James's own clan. It was not until June 1528 that King James managed to escape from the Douglases, when, " I vow,'' he said, " Scotland will not hold us both’’; and he got Parliament to forfeit and banish them the Kingdom.

On 19th October 1529 King James V, with consent of his mother, etc., granted to James Hoppringil and Sibilla Carmichael, Lady Calderwood, his spouse, the lands of Tynnes, with the tower, manorplace, and wood, in the lordship of Ettrick Forest, and to their heirs male, whom failing, to the senior of their heirs female without division; paying to the King's mother, and after her decease to the King, £50 yearly, and building a mansion with policies (G. S.).

Attached to a Lothian charter of 16th May 1530 is a, Seal described as " On a bend 3 escallops with a stag's head couped in chief legend, S. ' Jacobi ' Hoppringill,'' no doubt James's; (M S.).

On 21st August 1531, Margaret Hoppringill, daughter to James of Tynnes, has a, gift of the ward of all lands, etc., which pertained to the late David Balfour of Burleigh, with all mails, profits, and duties thereof, until the lawful entry of the righteous heir; and also of the marriage of Michael Balfour, son and heir of the late David (P. C.). This David Balfour had succeeded his father in the royal household as Carver to the Queen in 1525 or 1526, and his widow Agnes Forrester, who was left with three sons and a daughter, married James Hoppringill, younger, of Tynnes. Hence the gift to Margaret of the ward of her brother's the step-son. In 1532 Sibilla Hoppringill is one of the ladies of the Court receiving a livery.

In September 1536 King James sailed for France, and on New Year's day was married to Madeleine, daughter of Francis I, with much splendour. She was very delicate in health and died in July following. Two years later, in 1538 he married another Frenchwoman, Mary of Guise.

13th April Edward Aglionby, writing from Carlisle to the English Warden, after meeting Lord Maxwell, says: " He told me that about Easter he goes, with the master of Kilmaurs, two or three knights, and about 300 of the best they can try in all Scotland, to bring home the Queen of Scots. James Pringle, the King's servant, told me that 20 Pringles must go" (H. L.). Mary of Guise landed at St Andrews, and the marriage took place in the cathedral there.

In 1537 an entry in the Treasury Accounts reads: " 2 pack- needles and a pound of pack-thread sent to James Hoppringill to gather the King's wool" In February 1540 James witnesses the confirmation by the King of a charter.

On 6th June 1540 the King, with consent of his mother, who held the lands of Ettrick Forest in liferent, granted to James Hoppringill, son of James of Tynnes, the lands of Fastheuch in Ettrick Forest, in feu farm; to be held by him and his heirs male, whom failing, by the senior of his heirs female without division; paying yearly to the King's mother, and alter her decease to the King, £30; also building a mansion with policies (G. S.). Fastheuch lies on the opposite side of the Yarrow from Tynnes) a little lower down.

In 1541, according to the Forest rentals, James was paying for Tynnes only £20 instead of £50, and for Dryheuchshiel in the Ward of Ettrick only £8 instead of £15-a reduction probably granted him as the King's Herdsman or Factor of the Forest. Margaret, the Queen-Mother, died in October of this year.

War broke out between the two countries in 1542. Henry VIII, " who had always been the most cruel and ruthless intriguer against his nephew, a suborner of spies, rebels, and desperadoes.'' in fact, kept up a constant “casus belli". King James, whom he urged to give up sheep-farming and take to robbing the church, deterred by his nobles, failed to keep his promise to meet him at York. An English raiding force of 3000 men was defeated at Hadden Rig, with the loss of many prisoners of note, including John Horseley, Captain of Bamborough Castle, taken by David Hoppringill of Slegden. The English ravaged the Scottish Border, and wrecked the beautiful Abbey of Kelso. King James mustered a large force at Edinburgh, but his nobles, hearing that the English had

86 withdrawn, refused to march. With another army on 25th October he attempted a counter invasion of England on the West Border, but the Scots, thrown into confusion by the sudden elevation of a favourite of the King to the leadership, were dispersed at Solway Moss by a few English horsemen, with the loss of 1200 prisoners. King James, who lay the night before at Lochmaben, retired slowly to Falkland. He merely retained hold of life. Mary Stewart was born at Linlithgow on 6th December 1542; on the 13th her father died, " of a broken heart if ever man did", in the thirty-first year of his age.

Of the prisoners taken at Solway Moss " 9 men of honour and gentlemen '' ware retained and sent up to London, viz., the Earl of Glencairn, Lord Fleming, Lord Erskine's son and heir, the others, including " James Pringill, scorer of the King's sheep ''-styled in another list " chief storer of the King's goods, and in his favour '' (H. L.). They reached London on 19th December, were lodged in the Tower, and next day billeted on the nobles. Henry entertained them on Christmas Day, presented them gold chains, money, and horses-and on the 27th got them to sign an agreement to promote the marriage of the infant Princess Mary and his son Edward, and her delivery into his custody, and to re-enter prisoners to the English Wardens next Palm Sunday (H. L.). They started for Carlisle on the 29th, having their travelling expenses paid, and grants of money according to their rank. A list dated 1st January 1543 contains their names, the names of the persons to lie in Pledge for them, and the names of the noblemen and gentlemen to whom the Pledges are to be committed; thus, James Pringill's Pledge, his son and heir, is to be committed to Sir Thomas Curwen, keeper of Sheriffhutton (H. L.). On 19th January some of the prisoners were delivered to the Wardens of the West Marches: the Pledges had come, but not James’s.

George Hoppringill of His Majesty's household, had obtained the ward and marriage of Michael Balfour of Burleigh, his brother James of Tynnes's step-son, and had sold the same for 500 merks to the late John Keaton of Creich, who married him to his daughter Christian. The money was lodged with George Home, Keith. In January 1543 Margaret, James of Tynnes's daughter, claimed it as being intended for the benefit

of her father, " James of Tynnes presently taken prisoner in England." On Home saying that he feared to hand it over without James's authority, compeared James Carmichael, burgess, Edinburgh, and bound him to keep Home skaithless (A. D.).

In April 1543 James Hoppringill, younger, in the Tynnes, and Agnes Forester, Lady Burleigh, his spouse, have a tack of all and hails the lands thereof, with the mansion manorplace, and pertinence, in the ward of Yarrow, in liferent, paying yearly £50-evidently to take up his father's Forest duties (P. S.).

On 1st July 1543 it was agreed between the Governments that the prisoners taken at Solway Moss should be liberated on paying certain sums, of whom James Pringill was to pay 400 merks; they were to provide hostages, and give bonds to pay or return to captivity by a certain date (H. L.). In March 1544 King Henry threatens the Scottish Privy Council that if the prisoners, now 21 in number, including James Pringill, are not delivered, he will revenge it not only on the hostages, but on every Scotsman that comes into his hands (H. L.). However, the Scots made good on 27th February 1545 at Ancrum Moor, where they routed an English force, slaying 800 men and taking 1200 prisoners. An exchange of prisoners took place, and on 26th December 1545 the English Privy Council wrote to Sir Thomas Wharton of the West Marches " to deliver James Pringle taken at Solway Moss in exchange for Parson Ogle'' (H. L.). This Parson Ogle was a prominent Northumbrian, and, curiously, we shall find him pleading elsewhere for the life of John Pringill of Clifton who had captured him at Hadden Rig in 1542.

In February 1546 the Scotts, Turnbulls, Cranstons, and James Hoppringill of Tynnes, on the one part, and the Kers on the other, agree, before the Lords of Council with regard to the present discord between them, to concur together, and not to harm one another in their persons or goods during the present war with England (H. L.). In March 1546, James Hoppringill of Tynnes, who in 1543 had sued the Kers of Yair, Kippilaw, and Linton, Robert Ker, vicar of Lindean, and Andrew, brother of Walter Ker of Cessford, for the spoliation of his mailing of Buckholm, and the taking away of 24 score ewes with their lambs, and divers

other goods, now sues George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee for doing the same thing; for although the Kers had been compelled by the Council to desist, yet in July last, when his goods were coming to Buckholm to pasture, the said George and his servants chased them from the place, and last of all he had driven his servants out and put in his own : the Lord ordain George to desist, and in case of disobedience within six days, to be warded in Blackness Castle (A. D.). These attacks on James were no doubt reprisals, now that the King, his master, was dead, for the part he played in the fight at the Bridge in 1526: -

" When gallant Cessford's life blood dear

Reeked on dark Elliot's Border spear."

James died apparently in 1546. By his spouse, Sibilla Carmichael, Lady Calderwood, he had issue, James, his heir, and a daughter, Margaret.

JAMES 2

In March 1547 a charter is granted by James, Commendator of the Monastery of Melrose, to James Hoppringill of Tynnes and his spouse, Agnes Forester, in liferent, and to their son John in fee, of the lands of Buckholm, for the services of the said James in defence of the Catholic Church of Scotland, and especially of our Monastry in times of war, and insurrection within the Kingdom, and for sums of money paid by him, to be held in feu for payment of £10 yearly : witnessed by the Prior and nine monks including dean David Hoppringill (R. M.).

In July 1547 Margaret, James's sister, bought from Archibald Beaton of Capildra, Fife, the east half thereof for 500 merks or £20 annual rent (A. D.).

In March 1548 James Hoppringill of the Tynnes gets a gift of the escheat of all the goods movable and immovable that pertained to George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee and Robert Hoppringill of Blindlee, through their being fugitive of the law or at the horn for their treasonable assistance of Englishmen, and for the masterful and violent aggressions committed by them against the said James in forecasting his house of Buckholm, cutting his woods, and pasturing and daily occupying his fields and houses (P . S.).

In December 1552 James is one of the four Commissioners appointed by the Privy Council to enrol the Selkirkshire footmen going to France to support the King (Henry II) (P. C.).

In March 1554 James is granted by the Queen dowager a fresh tack of Tynnes for 9 years (P. S.); also by the Archbishop of St Andrews a tack of the £5 lands of Catpair (T. W.).

In 1555 he is an Arbiter on behalf of Melrose Monastery in the dispute between it and Andrew Haig of Bemersyde, re the marches between the lands of Redpath and Craig (R. M.).

In 1556 he pays to Kelso Abbey for the mails of the Kirk of Carluke for 3 years bypass £200 (L. K,).

Agnes Forester, by her first husband, David Balfour of Burleigh of the royal household, had issue before 1531:-

1.Michael Balfour of Burleigh, who was Commentator of Melrose Abbey for a few years before 1569, when he was succeeded by his grandnephew James, 2nd son of Sir William Douglas of Lochleven (nephew of the famous Regent Murray).

2. 3. Walter and Robert.

4. Margaret, who married Sir Robert Douglas, great grand- father of Sir William of Lochleven Castle, who was served heir in 1555, the Keeper of Queen Mary.

Agnes Forester, by her second husband, James Hoppringill of Buckholm and Tynnes, had issue:-

1 James, of Tynnes.

2. John of Buckholm.

3. Malcolm, of Cortleferry.

4, Alexander, in Little Catpair and partner with Sir James Hoppringill.

5. David, apothecary burgess of Edinburgh.

6. Margaret, marr. Ninian Crichton of Achintagart in 1575.

7. Elizabeth, marr. 1st, Alexander Stewart in Tynnes, 2nd, William Scott of Whithaugh (R. D.).

James 2 died before 26th August 1561. His spouse was alive in 1569.

JAMES 3

I 1563, on the termination of the late James's tack, Alexander Lord Hume acquired the superiority of Tynnes (A. D.). In 1575 Elizabeth Hoppringill, relict of Alexander Stewart in Tynnes, marries William Scott of Whithaugh, her cautioners being her son James Stewart, and her brother James in Tynnes (R. D.). In 1593 Alexander, Lord Home, sells Tynnes with tower manorplace to John Hume, the King's Master Hunter, 3rd son of Alexander Hume of Manderston; paying yearly to the King £ 50 (G. S., 1594). Again on 20th July 1600 the said John sells the same to James Pringill fear of Buckholm (S. P.).

James died before 1606; by his wife, Christian Cockburn, he had issue :-

1.John, in Tynnes.

2. Andrew, servant to John Hume, the King's Master Hunter.

3. James, servant to John Hume, the King's Master Hunter,

4. Thomas. In 1609 James's relict resumed from Alexander Pringill Little Catpair, of which she was liferenter (A. D.).

In 1620 James Pringill in Tynnes, and spouse, Joneta Tod, sold the lands to George Pringlll of Torwoodlee.

THE STEWART AND PRINGILL FEUD

In February 1606 James Stewart in Tynnes, whose decreet of removal at the instance of John Hume was transferred to the new proprietor James Pringill, and confirmed by the Lords, still refuses to leave. In March and April following Sir Robert Stewart, Tutor of Traquair, his brother William, and John Stewart in Foulshiels, on the one part, and the Pringills of Buckholm, that Ilk, Newhall, Heriotmill, Cortleferry, Torwoodlee, Whytbank, and Milkiston, to the number of two dozen, on the other part, fled caution not to harm one another (P. C.). ln December James Stewart and his cautioner, Robert Scott of Thirlestane, are decerned by the Lords to pay £100 caution money within 6 days (A. D.) It was apparently about

this time that Andrew, brother of John Pringill in Tynnes, slew David, brother of James Stewart, there. In January 1608 Alexander, James Stewart's son, for not finding caution not to harm the Pringills of Torwoodlee, Buckholm, Wrangholm, John Pringill of Tynnes or James or Thomas his brothers, is apprehended by the Guard and his goods inventoried ; and in February, Sir Robert Scott of Thirlestane, for not paying £100 caution money receives a similar sentence (P. C.).

In September 1615 Anent the ants of James Pringill of Buckholm and Alexander Stewart of Fauldshope, who on the 13th inst. lawlessly convocated their friends and kinsmen in great numbers, armed with hackbuts and pistolets, and came to Tynnes, the one to shear the corn, the other to prevent it, when further consequences were stopped by the arrival of the Sheriff of Selkirkshire; the Lords order them to compear under a penalty of 5000 merks on 4th October, when in St Giles Church the case was heard before Arbiters. Their decreet was not delivered till 5th October 1616. Sir Robert Stewart dealt immediately with his nephew of Traquair anent the offer of assythement for the slaughter of David Stewart by Andrew Pringill ; and in March 1618 being urged to deliver the " Letter of Slains,'' and finding that John, the late David's son, and his cousin german Alexander, James Stewart's son, would not subscribe it nor compear, the Lords order them to be denounced rebels (P. C.).

JOHN

John Hoppringill son of James 2 of Tynnes and Buckholm succeeded to Buckholm. He appears first in 1574 as tacks-man of the kirk of Carluke. In 1575 he is one of the 12 Hoppringills summoned to appear before Regent Morton and Council re the Hoppringill-Elliot feud. In September 1578 precept of Clare Constat is issued in his favour as heir of the deceased James of Tynnes in the lands of Buckholm ; paying £10 yearly (R. M.). In 1582 he is appointed an Interdictor by James Hoppringill of that Ilk against selling his lands ; and in 1568 one of the four tutors of James Hoppringill of Smailholm. He is twice surety for persons not to harm others, also along with James Hoppringill of Whytbank for Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh and 12 other Murrays not

to harm Robert Scott of Haining. In 1591 John is one of the Border lairds jiving their oaths before the King and Council at Kelso to assist the Wardens of the East and Middle Marches and Walter Scott of Branxholm, especially in the pursuit and expulsion of Francis, sometime Earl of Boswell (P. C.). In 1593 John, who apparently inherited the teinds of the kirk of Carluke from his grandmother, Sibilla Lady Calderwood, sold them to her grandson Sir John Carmichael, now concurs in the sale of them by Sir John for 900 merks (R. D,). In June 1594 John and his son James get a tack of the teinds of Buckholm for their lifetimes and 19 years thereafter: witness, Alexander, John's brother (R,. M.). In 1596 he and his brother Malcolm of Cortleferry find caution not to harm James Govan of Cardrona or his sons.

On 20th July 1600 John's son, James, buys Tynnes, the ancestral lands, from John Hume, the King's Master Hunter (S, P.).

In October 1602 John subscribes at Jedburgh the General Band of Border lairds against thieves, murderers, and oppressors (P. C.). In 1608 he sits in the Bailie court at Melrose to determine the "carriages'' to be paid by the 20 tenants to Walter Scott of Buccleuch. In 1619 he appears as a tutor of the children of the late Alexander Stoddart ln Over Shiels. In 1625 he witnesses his son James's Precept of sasine to James Pringill in the lands of Muirhouse. In 1631 as assignee of a Bond granted by the Homes of Cowdenknowes and Whitrig in 1612 which he bought in 1619, the Lords grant him against their heir, James Home of Cowdenknowes, in defect of movable goods, approval of his lands to the value of 6108 merks (A. D.Gibson).

John died apparently in 1633. A stone from Buckholm Tower, said to be at Torwoodlee, inscribed " I. P., N. P., '' would seem to indicate that his wife was a Pringill. He had issue:

1. James, his heir.

2. John.

3. George, Sheriff-depute of Haddington.

Alexander Hoppringill, brother of John of Buckholm, appears as a witness in 1591, 1594, and 1605, and in 1609

vacates Little Catpair. In April 1606, as cessioner and assignee of James Pringill of Galashiels, he has half the money in the decretes of apprising of the lands of Halltree, Cumlarig, Symington, Bangrub, and Watherston, from John, now Lord Borthwick, apprised at the instance of William Sinclair of Roslin, and assigned to the said James Pringill; and is given sasine on 20th May following (S. E. Sec's,). In June 1610 he sues the tenants in Fernihirst, Houliston, Gilmerton, Pirntaton, Blockhouse, and Cumlarig, for taking away the teind sheaves, In December 1613 James Pringill is summoned by Lord Borthwick to fulfil the contract made between him and Mark Earl of Lothian in June 1602, whereby he bound himself to surrender his own and Alexander's rights to the lands on a marriage with a, daughter of the said Mark and the payment of 11,000 merks; which being paid to him James surrenders his rights and writs (see Smailholm).

JAMES 4

James appears first in 1594 as fear of Buckholm. He soon became a more public figure than his father. In 1602 he married Agnes Renton, daughter of John of Billie and his spouse Alison Heriot, widow of William Pringill of Torwoodlee. In March 1605 he gets a charter of the lands of Muirhouse, Caldrope and Pirn, to be held of the King hereditarily, paying the old feu duties of £10 and £6, with grassums and augmentations, in all, £27, 14s. 8d. (R. M.); and in July he gives the tenants notice to quit; but see Muirhouse and Pirn. He is a principal figure in the above-mentioned Stewart-Pringill feud, 1606 to 1618, in which also appear his brothers John and George.

In March 1619 James sold Tynnes, the ancestral lands, to Walter Earl of Buccleuch for 20,000 merks, paying to the King £50 feu duty (G. S.).

About 1620 James is appointed by the Earl of Haddington Bailie-depute of the Lordship of Melrose.

In March 1621 he and his spouse, Agnes Renton, and her brother James, sue John Renton, now of Billie, to fulfil the marriage contract of Alison Heriot, the said Agnes's mother, of which he was cautioner (see Billie) (A, D., Scott.).

In May 1621, Thomas, Earl of Haddington, wrote to Mr John Knox, minister of Melrose, asking him and the parishioners to prepare a stent roll for the expenses to be borne by them in rebuilding and repairing the church, James Pringill, fear of Buckholm, to give consent in his name to pay what his proportion extends to; and "as for the brig, I shall have care of it in good time, and give all my best helps to these good public works '' (MSS., Had.).

In December 1621 the King granted to James and his spouse the lands called the barony of Lamberton, apprised in September last for 4860 merks, redeemable within 7 years (G. S.).

In October 1623 James, as a J.P. of Roxburghshire, is present at a meeting in the kirk of Jedburgh (P. C.). In July 1624 a commission under the Signet is given to James Pringill, Bailie-depute of the Regality of Melrose, to try Hob Elliot and Adam Drippo, two confessed and notorious thieves, whom he has lately apprehended, and who have confessed to stealing 18 lambs from Chapel, and 8 sheep from Housebyre, all in one night (P. C.).

About this time charters are granted by the Earl of Haddington to James of three half husbandlands in Lessudden; also the garden called the Grass-yard with the stone dykes round it, and the dwelling-house with garden and croft adjoining, feu duty £10 ; and two other gardens, all within the precincts of Melrose Abbey (R. M.).

In January 1625 on a charter granted by James, James Pringill of Mitchelston gets sasine of Muirhouse and Caldrope, to hold irredeemably; present George Pringill, servitor to the Earl of Melrose, John Pringle, James's son, and Thomas Pringill in Buckholm (S. E.). ln July 1622 James and two other Roxburghshire J.P.'s meet by command at Jedburgh " for tryall of the prices of nolt, scheep, and wool" and send in a report on the same to the Privy Council (P.C.). In February 1629 a commission under the Signet is given to James Pringill, fear of Buckholm, and five other persons to try five women long suspected of witchcraft; similar commissions follow to try 2 men, and in June 1630, one to try 4 women and 1 man (P. C.).

In October 1632 the King granted to James the lands and barony of Forgund, Perthshire, which pertained to Sir James

Oliphant, one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and were apprised in September for 10,650 merks; redeemable within 7 years (G. S.). In January 1633 James, who had been infefted in July 1631 in the Spital of St Leonards, Ednam, and in Fala, Falahill, and Brothershiels, pertaining to it, sues the tenants, 23 in number, who refused to pay the rents because there was another claimant; in February following, the Lords order the rents to be paid to James (A. D., Scott.).

In 1633 on the death of his father, James, hitherto fear, now becomes laird of Buckholm.

In June 1635 a number of goods having been stolen from the poor tenants of Gattonsyde by certain lymmars called the Egyptians, of whom a man and woman, old decrepit bodies, and a woman with a bairn at her breast, had been apprehended, the Lords of Council determine that they shall be burnt on the cheek, publicly scourged, and banished the kingdom, and for this purpose commission James Pringill of Buckholm, Bailie depute of the Regality of Melrose, to hold a justice court in the tollbooth there, make clerks and other things needful) pronounce the said doom publicly, and have special care to see it executed, they upholding him in all he may do thereanent (P. C.). In August 1643 England being unable, owing to internal distractions, to support, according to promise, the Scottish army of 10,000 men now in Ireland, Parliament, to supply its pressing needs, ordains an assessment of one million merks Scots, and James is appointed one of the collectors for Roxburghshire (A. P.). In January 1645 James gives to his junior son, George, sasine of the lands of Buckholm and Williamlaw, his own liferent being reserved; and in April, his senior son, John, gets a gift of the escheat of all goods, gear, and movables that pertained to him at the time of his denunciation to the horn at the instance of Thomas, Earl of Haddington, in September 1643, for not paying him termly £27, 11s. for each of the 6 terms of the taxes granted in 1633 for Buckholm and Williamlaw (P. S.). In April 1647 James Pringill of Whytbank, having a contract with precept of sasine perfected at Billie and Torwoodlee in March last between him and James, with consent of his son George, gets sasine of Buckholm and Williamlaw, with delivery of earth and stone (S. E.).

James died in 1647. By his spouse, Agnes Renton of Billie he had issue: -

1. John of Williamlaw, marr. Catherine Ramsay of Wylliecleuch.

2. George of Buckholm, marr. Margaret Pringill.

3. Joneta, marr. in 1631 Alexander Home of Blackhill ; to have an annual rent of 1200 merks.

4. Alison, marr. in 1633 John Pringill of Cortleferry, to have an annual rent of 480 merks.

5. Elisabeth, marr. Mr James Urquhart, minister of Galashiels.

GEORGE

George is mentioned as in Billie in 1631. In 1638, on the death of his uncle, James Renton of Billie, he is granted under the Privy Seal the ward and marriage of his cousin James, the young laird.

In June 1644 George gives in a supplication to Parliament: "that he resolved to desert his service of attending the Earl of Forth these two years, repass home to Scotland, join with my country for defence of religion, laws, and liberties, and prove so far as in me lies a good patriot on all occasions”; which supplication having been read in audience of Parliament, and George having sworn and subscribed the National Covenant, and the Covenant and League betwixt the three kingdoms, the Estates discharge all proceedings against him in any process for the cause above specified in time coming. As the Earl had bought Yair on the Tweed in 1636, it was probably more as a neighbour than a Royalist that George acted as a Captain at the battles of Edgehill, Brentford, and others, and when in 1643 a Scottish army of 20,000 men entered England on the opposite side, that he retired rather than fight against his own countrymen.

April 1648. Anent the supplication given in to Parliament by Mr James Urquhart, minister of Galashiels, George's brother-in-law, against James Scott of Galashiels, bearing that when Montrose's army was in the south of Scotland, John Pringill of Cortleferry sent a chest containing £1000 and his Writs to Buckholm Tower for security, and when it was assaulted the

chest was conveyed to Galashiels to his wife, who delivered it to the said John, her brother-in-law ; notwithstanding, James Scott, claiming the money and averring that it was 2500 merks, purchased a warrant for uplifting the sum from him, and caused incarcerate him in the tolbooth of Selkirk for eight weeks, till he granted him a Bond for that amount, which Bond still hung over supplicant's head contrary to all conscience and reason ; parties having appeared before the Committee of Bills, and John Pringill having declared on oath that he had received back the money, James Scott promised to give Mr Urquhart back his Bond, the right to proceed against the said John and others for money being left to him (A. P.).

In August 1649 the King confirms George's charter of Buckholm, to be held by him, and his heirs masculine, whom failing by any "vir generosus '' bearing the cognomen Pringle, nominated by him even on his deathbed (G. S.).

In 1663 the Bailie of the Regality orders George to repair the dykes of his Melrose Abbey property, sufficiently and whatever person thereafter is found in his orchard taking his fruit is to be detained, and whatever beast is found pasturing on his ground is to be poinded, the person or owner is to pay 6s. 8d. for each offence (R,. M.).

In 1678 George is appointed a Commissioner of Excise for Roxburghshire (P. C.).

In July 1679 John Durie of Grange complains that having come with the heritors of Fife to Bothwell Brig where the rebels were defeated on 22nd June last, and having on his way home overtaken a Melrose party baiting their horses, they attacked him, wounding him in the face with a sword, and carried him to within four mites of Edinburgh, when a party of dragoons picked them up and took them to the Castle, whence on finding caution to compear, they were set free; on this day the Lords ordain the defenders to restore to complainer his gun, and cloak bags, and pay a fine towards his expenses and cure - each of them to pay for their relief , viz. : Andrew Fisher of Housebyre, 300 merks, and George Pringle of Buckholm, William Cairncross of Hillslope, Alexander Linlithgow of Drygrange, Francis Scott of Colmslie, Robert Fall, bailie of Melrose, George Pringle of Blindlee, and Andrew Darling of Appletreeleaves, 100 merks, and either to pay the same

instantly or go to prison till they obeyed. A few days afterwards, on 3rd August, the Lords finding that the said persons were present in the King's army at Bothwell Brig, and were by mistake cited to compear before them as absentees, discharged them (P. C. Papers).

In September 1685 George grants sasine of Buckholm, Williamlaw, and Ladhopemoor to his second son George, and his heirs, male or female, whose heirs will assume or take the cognomen of Pringle, and will carry or bear the insignia of the House of Buckholm. In June 1686 Sasine is given by George, younger, to his elder brother James of the said lands, sold to him under conditions and reservations (S. E.) In August 1686 David Pringle, apothecary, burgess, Edinburgh, gets sasine of an annual rent of £120 furth of Buckholm lands.

On 14th April 1687 Sir John Lauder writes: " James Pringle, younger, of Buckholm, gives in a complaint against his father, that being seduced by bad counsel he was cutting the whole planting and policy about the house, though he was only liferenter, and being riotous and having imprisoned him in Melrose tolbooth, he craved he might be discharged'' (L. H. N.). This was a struggle between a royalist father, aged 72, and a son who was an ardent Covenanter.

In 1691 a bond of corroboration mentions that by a marriage contract between Mr James Gellie and Janet Pringle of June 1678, she was to have a tocher of 3000 merks, with an annual rent of 300 merks till payment, with consent of her father, George of Buckholm, and her brothers James and George; that James Gellie of Sandyford and John Pringle, litster, Edinburgh, were cautioners for her brothers James and George's debts amounting to 5666 merks and a bond for 3000 merks granted by George, elder, to Walter Pringle, advocate, and that her said brothers bound them to infeft Mr Nellie, for further security, in Buckholm, Williamlaw, and Ladhopemoor (S. E.).

In 1692 died George's wife, Margaret Pringle, only child of James Pringle of Torwoodlee by his first marriage, and paternal sister of George Pringle, the Covenanter, and on 12th April was buried in Greyfriars churchyard.

George appears often in the Records of the Regality of Melrose as pursuer or defender in actions before the Bailie Court mostly relating to farming matters.

He died in 1693, and was buried in Melrose Abbey, His tombstone is under the great eastern window in the north-east corner, and reads : " Here Lyes George Pringle of BuckHolme who deceased the 5th of March 1693, aged 78 years ''-in eleven lines. George had issue :

1. James, his heir.

2. George.

3. Janet, marr. in 1678 James Gellie, advocate.

4. Also a natural son George, quoted as a tenant in Westhouses in 1668 and 1673, who had a son James Pringle who, in March 1675, for wounding with a, sword, setting fire to a house, and not compearing, was declared fugitive, escheated, and forbidden to be reset by anybody in the Regality (R. M.).

JOHN OF WILLIAMLAW

Williamlaw adjoined and stood on higher ground than Buckholm. John was senior brother to George of the latter place. In 1642, having had a natural daughter Marion Pringill, by a Margaret Pringill, to whom in 1636 he granted a bond for 300 merks, he was ordained to pay it with annual rent, notwithstanding his expense on the girl's education and his gift of £45 to the mother on her marriage. On 16th May 1647 he took part in the riot at Overshiels (which see). In April 1648 he gets sasine of Williamlaw, and his wife Katharine Ramsay (apparently a sister of Sir George of Wylliecleuch) sasine of an annual rent furth of the same; and in July he gets renewal of a bond for 200 merks granted by Alexander, son of the deceased Andrew Pringill of Hounam, which was lost when Montrose's army was in the district. In 1663 John is appointed a J.P. for Roxburghshire. In 1668 he pays to the collector of the stent imposed in 1664 for the repair of the kirk of Melrose £7, 17s.

John died in 1675 and was buried in Melrose Abbey. His tombstone, alongside his brother George's reads: "Here Lyes John Pringle of Williamlaw who deceased the 24th of April 1675, aged 72,'' in seven lines. A similar tombstone alongside reads: " Here Lyes Catharin Ramsay spouse to John Pringle of Williamlaw, who deceased the 26th of April 1680, aged 76," in eight lines.

JAMES 5

In January 1683 James Pringle, fear of Buckholm, appearing at the Bailie Court, Melrose, denies that he is a heritor, but is only a tenant to his father, of Buckholm, but has frequented house and field Conventicles and constantly withdrawn from Church since the Act of Indemnity, and is fined, conform to the Act, £50, and ordained to remain in prison till payment. In December following, James, being convened at the Fiscal's instance for withdrawing from the Church since he was last fined, and of being at a Conventicle at Newmills in November last, and appearing personally, confessed having constantly withdrawn from the Church, but denied the said or any other Conventicle ; and four of his servants deponed they had heard or seen nothing of the said Conventicle (R. M.).

After the Revolution, in 1690, James is appointed a Commissioner of supply for Roxburghshire.

In August 1698 Mr William Hall, Advocate, gets sasine of an annual rent of £500 furth of the lands of Buckholm and others. In October following, James gets a Royal charter, with new infeftment, of the said lands, which were resigned in his favour by his father in April 1687 (P. S.).

In 1706 James was chosen representative Elder for the burgh of Selkirk at the General Assembly (C. B.).

James, the sixth and last of the Pringles of Buckholm, died in Edinburgh in January 1714. His only sister, Janet, widow of James Gellie, advocate, died in September 1718. Her husband who died in March 1716 had left to her all his goods movable and immovable, except 3000 merks in favour of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, S.P.C.K. She left owing to her £1447, and an Inventory of £438, total £1885 (T. E., Secy.).

In January 1719 Lewis (or Ludovick) Pringle of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, was served heir general to his cousins german James Pringle of Buckholm, and Janet Pringle, widow of James Gellie, advocate. Lewis was a grandson of James Pringle of Torwoodlee and his wife Janet, daughter of Sir Lewis Craig of Riccarton ; but by which of their sons, James or Alexander, is not apparent. Lewis Pringle had a 3-life lease of Rinkippin, Tuam, and certain leaseholds in County Mayo.

He died in 1731, leaving a son John (see Ireland).

David Preston of Craigmillar, the superior, of the half lands of Halltree that formerly belonged to William Pringill of Cortleferry, then to his son and heir John who resigned them, together with his half of the lien of 12,000 merks on Halltree.

On 4th January 1653 is registered the renunciation by Alexander Pringill, portioner of Cortleferry, with consent of his mother, Jean Johnston, of his half of the lands in favour of John Pringill. John had lent Alexander 5650 merks in 1647, and Alexander had disponed to John his half in security of the loan, and now John pays a further sum of 2350 merks and buys up Alexander's right of reversion, and becomes sole possessor of the whole lands of Cortleferry.

In December 1655 John, having a charter with precept of sasine from the Earl of Haddington, the superior, gets sasine, of Wooplaw, Colmslie, Wester Langlee, and Merton Mill, apprised by him from James Cairncross, the proprietor, for £25,780, and 1243 merks expenses.

John, who died in 1659 or 1660, and his spouse Alison Pringle had no issue. Alison survived her husband, and appears in a list of Gala Water landowners in 1665. John's heirs were his two sisters Isabella and Mariota, mentioned above. In 1664 John Pringle of Williamlaw was retoured his heir masculine in half Cortleferry. On his death without issue in 1675, the two sisters became heirs portioners of Cortleferry, Corsehope, and Colmslie. In 1680 Mariota having acquired her sister Isabella's half of Colmslie, her daughters, Christian Hunter, wife of Francis, brother of James Scott of Gala, and Helen, wife of James Pringle of Craigend, get charters of the lands.

In 1692 Alex. Cairncross, late Archbishop of Glasgow, gets sasine of half Colmslie conceded by Christian Hunter.

John Inglis, Isabella's son, who married a Marie Pringle, gets sasine of West Langlee.

COLDSTREAM ABBEY

The Chartulary of the Cistercian Abbey of Coldstream, edited by the Rev. Charles Rogers, LL.D., was published in 1879. In a note in the Preface he says : " Three members of the family of Pringle or Hoppringill, Margaret, Isabella, and Jonet, were in succession Prioresses of the convent. The family of Hoppringill of Whitsome were zealous supporters of Robert the Bruce". There was however a fourth Hoppringill prioress, and there never was any Hoppringle of Whitsome.

MARGARET

In June 1489 John Liddel of Lennel, at Coldstream, grants to Margaret Hoppringill, prioress, and the convent of nuns at Coldstream, a charter of sale of a ploughgate of land (104 acres) in Lennel, to be held of the King, for payment of a pair of hawking gloves, or 12 pennies, yearly, if asked (G. S.). In February 1490 a letter was sent from Westminster to the English Wardens signifying the royal protection to the prioress and convent of Coldstream and all their possessions for seven years, and that a servant or two of the Abbey with two attendants might pass into England to buy lead, wax, or other merchandise needful for its reparation (Calendar of Documents re Scotland). In December 1491, after meetings held at Coldstream between Scottish and English Commissioners, a five-years' truce between the two countries was ratified. Coldstream Abbey was in fact in constant use for international meetings.

Henry VII. was determined to have his daughter Margaret married to James IV. of Scotland. The negotiations, which began in 1499, ended successfully, and at the age of fifteen she was married to James at Holyrood on 8th August, 1503.

Margaret Hoppringill died in 1506, after having been prioress for at least eighteen years. As offices like this tended

to be hereditary in certain families, and as the succeeding prioresses were undoubtedly daughters of the house of that Ilk, it is very likely that this Margaret was a sister of Adam Hoppringill of the King's Guard.

ISABELLA

On 6th June 1506 at Edinburgh a precept is granted under the Privy Seal of the admission of Dame Isabella Hoppringill as Prioress of Coldstream (P. S.). When a prioress died the office had to be filled within a month thereafter, and this was done by the nuns meeting in chapter and appointing the new prioress from among themselves. Isabella was apparently a niece of her predecessor, and aunt of James Hoppringill of Tynnes, and his brothers George and William, who were prominent members of the household of James V.

Seven years after Isabella's appointment occurred the battle of Flodden. According to Godscroft, George Hume, younger of Wedderburn, having been, urged by his relatives before the battle to return home, as the heir, called on the way at the Abbey, when Isabella spoke so disparagingly of his action that he returned to the battlefield, where he was killed, along with his father David. In the following year Queen Margaret, now a widow, married the Earl of Angus.

In 1515 Henry VIII. issued an edict, addressed to the English Wardens, for the protection of the prioress and her convent , and when in the same year Queen Margaret and her husband fled from Regent Albany, on their way to England, they found in Isabella an intelligent and congenial hostess.

Situated on the border line of the two kingdoms Isabella had a difficult part to play. Devoted to the interests of the Abbey she had to side with the English party of the time, and especially with the Queen-Mother, her avowed and powerful protectress. In 1523 the French party maintaining the ascendancy in Scotland, and the Scots refusing the offer of the hand of King Henry's daughter Mary to their young Prince, her cousin, that King sent an army to waste the Scottish Border. In April the English Warden of the East March wrote to Henry that Queen Margaret had written to Surrey and to himself to save the Abbey from burning, and

that they had granted her request, and "because the prioress is one of the best and assured spies we have in Scotland," of whom, at this time of Scottish distraction between an English or a French alliance, an English Warden boasted he had 400. When in October Regent Albany approached the Border and laid siege to Wark Castle, Isabella wavered in her party allegiance, and the Earl of Surrey, hearing of her defection, having threatened to burn the Abbey as he had recently burned Jedburgh town and Abbey, Queen Margaret again wrote to him, on 22nd November, earnestly entreating him to spare it; and on the 26th Sir John Bulmer, Captain of Norham Castle, wrote to Surrey that by her request he had met the Prioress at Gradenford, gives him her Edinburgh news and, evidently won over by her, ends with the words, " Haste post, haste, haste." (H. L.).

Among the British Museum MSS. is a letter to the prioress from Edinburgh, undated, but perhaps written in October 1523, giving the Court news, how the Governor (the Duke of Albany) had just come to town, and had had a quarter of an hour's interview with the Queen-Mother, how the King had been reviewing the French troops at Linlithgow, and Albany had given him a gown of cloth of gold, and one of cloth of silver, and licence to ride about Stirling at his pleasure. The writer, who signs himself her Kynsman, and was probably one of the nephews referred to above, adds: " They say in this town that you are an Englishwoman, as you were before, and the rest that are in your company. The Earl of Murray is very ill content at you, but 1 cannot tell wherefore".

Having saved the Abbey from the flames Dame Isabella was henceforth an unflinching supporter of the English policy and that of her patroness the Queen-Mother.

In the following year, in a letter from Newcastle to Wolsey, dated 23rd-october 1524, it is stated that " Jamys Pringle had, unfortunately, saved the King and Queen from being captured by the Earl of Lennox's party in Holyrood,'' and that the Prioress was in Edinburgh. In January 1525 Magnus, writing from Edinburgh, warns Wolsey that he is informed by the good Prioress of Coldstream that watch is to be kept for the capture of letters coming across the Borders, he suspects by Buccleuch, but purposes to send feigned letters to find out;

and in August following in another letter he says : " the bearer is Mr John Chisholm coming into England for sundry causes, and specially with his sovereign lord's letters to your King's highness for a safe-conduct to himself for a year to pass and repass with merchandise," and adds, " when I durst trust neither post nor other, he hath done my letters safely and most surely to be conveyed to your Grace, with the help of his good aunt the Prioress of Coldstream '' (H. S.).

On 6th September 1528 James V. considering that the Prioress and Convent of Coldstream had shown great hospitality to, and were always ready to receive hospitably, English and foreign ambassadors, as well as Scottish and other honourable persons attending March meetings, therefore in aid of their great costs, with consent of his dearest mother the liferentrix, grants in feu-farm to Dame Isabella Hoppringill, the Prioress, and convent, and successors, the lands of Hirsell, and the third part of the lands of Graden, with its fishings near the monastery ; paying annually to his mother £40 (G. S.). The sasine, given in April 1529, was witnessed by Alexander Hoppringill of that Ilk and his son John, Ninian Spottiswood, Stephen and Edward Broomfield, James Spens in Chirnside, Robert Dickson in Hassington Mains, John Galbraith, etc (MSS. R).

In 1535 the King confirmed the charter of sale by Alexander Ellem of Butterdean to the prioress and convent of his half husbandland in Hirsell. In 1537 the prioress received a gift of the escheat of Alexander Heriot in Darnchester, fugitive of the law for a slaughter.

Isabella Hoppringill, prioress, died on 26th January 1537.

JONET HOPPRINGILL

On 23rd February 1537 Dame Jonet Hoppringill was elected prioress of the convent; her fellow nuns, who voted for her unanimously, being Dame Isabella Rutherford, sub-prioress, Katherine Fleming, Joneta Brown, Mariota Rutherford, Joneta Kinghorn, Elizabeth Hoppringill, Christina Todrig, Katherine French, Joneta Shaw, and Helen Riddell; present as witnesses were Mr Robert Hoppringill, rector of Arniston, William Cockburn of Choicelee, Archibald and James Hoppringill, etc.

(The Chartulary) In 1838 the Queen-Mother grants the prioress a receipt for the mails of Spylaw ;. and at Christmas the prioress sends her a present of rabbits, partridges, butter, etc.

In December 1539 Sir Ralph Eure, the English Warden, writes that Dr Hillyard, chaplain to Bishop Tunstall of Durham, in escaping from England to Scotland by Coldstream, not finding the prioress at home, asked for her brother Robert, who writes that the Dr escaped because he had been advising religious houses not to submit to the King, and that when he went down to the ford and asked his servant to bring across the horses as his master was going to ride to Lauder that night, the bailie of Cornhill's servants would not allow him. Eure adds that he hopes to learn more of Hillyard's doings and sayings in Scotland through the prioress and her family, provided her communications and name are kept secret (H. S.). King James's refusal to surrender this refugee was one of the causes that led to war and the disaster of Solway Moss on 24th October 1542.

On 30th November 1542 Ralph Bulmer writes to the Earl of Hereford that Sir Ralph Eure and he have fulfilled his command to burn Coldstream, and have gotten much cattle, sheep, and prisoners. They kept the purpose secret till they came to Crookham Moor Stone, and there declared it to the captains under charge of secrecy. They desired to send Francis Bulmer with 80 men to demand the house in the King's name so that, if that were denied, they might put all to the sack, and with more slaughter requite the death of Somerset herald. But the prioress had warning and sent away all who could not safely remain, with horses, harness, 2000 sheep, and a great drove of cattle. Hugh Paitt of Cornwall had given warning, and had taken the prioress's brother and others prisoners before they came. They were met at the gate by the prioress and priests bearing the Cross, so that they could not for shame do any slaughter, and would not have burned, but that Hertford was so earnest to have it burned. As it was, the nuns sat on their knees, singing psalms, while Eure and he fired the house. The writer then set fire to the Church and the corn-which the Captain of Berwick estimated at a great sum-and went near being himself burnt ; for Master Douglas (Sir George), setting fire to the town, raised such a smoke that, with the church on fire behind and the Abbey and barn on

either hand, he wist not which way to take. Afterwards he and his cousin Harry Eure, who is a very free burner, burned many stacks and kilns. He is sorry for Hertford's departure, for if he tarried till midsummer they would waste the whole Merse from Jedburgh to Coldingham. He will, if commanded, bring up Paitt with the prioress's brother and other prisoners (to York) ; also he will search the house of the laird of Cornhill, between whom and the prioress he suspects some " pakkyn,'' to find out what stuff came from Coldstream. Eure next describes the division of the spoils among the men, and the squabbling it gave rise to (H. L.). The protector of the Abbey, the Queen-Mother Margaret, had died in 1st October, the year previous.

In January 1543 a letter of an English Warden Lisls, states that "a certain nun and two of her sisters came lately to Berwick and lodged in a widow's house. Four or five days afterwards the widow came to Alnwick and sued that the said nun and her sisters might again inhabit their old cloister called Coldstream,'' saying the Earl of Angus had promised the nun to put her in her house again, and bringing letters to Sir Ralph Eure from Sir George Douglas and the Porter of Berwick to permit it (H. L.). In December 1543 licence was granted by the Duke of Suffolk, Lieut.-General of the north of England to Robert Pringle, Scotsman, with 12 servants, 16 oxen, 8 kine, 300 sheep, and 8 horses, till Easter next, to remain and abide upon the town fields of Coldstream ; and the names of the servants, including Adam and Dave Hoppryngill, were handed to the deputy Wardens, captains, and garrisons, and others on the English Border, who are warned that any contravention of this licence will be visited with extreme punishment. Shortly afterwards this licence was extended to midsummer (H. L.)

Henry VIII. failed to get the infant Queen Mary and the Scottish strongholds handed over to his keeping, and the war continued. Sir Ralph Eure was slain by the Scots at the battle of Ancrum Moor on 27th February 1545, and Hereford, now Duke of Somerset, after his long career with fire and sword in south-east Scotland, was executed in London in 1552.

In 1550 Sir Andrew Ker, son of Mark of Littledean, who had got sasine of Hirsell and other lands, having had his goods refused admission to Sunwick by the prioress and Humes,

passed to Todrig and Graden, "where there was nothing but waste walls '' (P. B.). In December 1551 the Prioress and Convent, finding it in their interest to have a bailie to administer justice among them, appoint to the office Alexander Lord Home; witnesses, John and James Hoppringill of that Ilk, William Cockburn of Choicelee, etc. In February 1552 Sir Andrew Ker of Hirsell, representing the Queen-Mother, and John Hoppringill of that Ilk and William Cockburn of Choicelee representing the Prioress and Convent, agree, with regard to the right and title to all lands debateable between them, to abide by the decision of Lord Home and Walter Ker of Cessford, who were to deliver judgment by 20th April (L. C.).

In October 1559 a feu charter of the lands of Lees, Braidhauch, and others, is granted by the Prioress and Convent to James Hoppringill of Langmuir, presently occupying them; paying yearly 18 merks; subscribed, " Jonet, prioress of Coldstream, with my hand, Isabell Rutherfurd sub-prioress, Marion Rutherfurd, Margaret Logan, Joneta Kinghorn, with our hand at the pen led by the notary: legend of seal, " S. Jonete Hoppringil prioress de Calstreme '' (MSS., R.). In March 1560 another charter is granted by them to Archibald Hoppringill of Torquhan of the 20 husbandlands of Lennel, occupied by their tenants; paying to the Monastery £24 feu duty: witnesses, Robert Hoppringill, rector of Arniston, and his brother James, Alexander Hoppringill, etc. (G. S., 1565). In April 1560 a third charter is granted by them to Alexander Home of Muirdean of the lands of Little Todrig and Hatchedknowes, for great sums of money paid for the reparation of the Monastery, in great part burnt by the English (MSS., R.).

In 1560 Alexander Home of Huttonhall agrees to pay to the Treasurer the portions of the nuns of the Convent, whatever amount the Lords Auditors find due: witness, David Hoppringill, apothecary, burgess, Edinburgh (E. R.)

Jonet Hoppringill died in 1566.

ELIZABETH

On 26th June 1566 Elizabeth Hoppringill received a grant of all and whole the benefice and Monastery of Coldstream, vacant by the decease of the late Dame Jonet Hoppringill, last

Prioress, whose niece she was (P. S.). In 1567 Isabella Broomfield sues the Prioress and Alexander Lord Home, tacksman of the Abbey, averring that her name had been omitted in the decree securing to the nuns and sisters of the Abbey the yearly pension of £20 granted to them by the Queen; the Lords ordain them to pay her the pension for three years bypass and in time to come (A. D., Scott).

In June 1575 the King's Advocate, mentioning the Act of Parliament of 1572, that any person who had a benefice, and was therefore under discipline of the true kirk, and participated not in the sacrament thereof, shall in presence of a bishop of the diocese subscribe the articles of religion and bring a testimonial thereanent, claimed that the prioress Elizabeth in failing to do so had lost her benefice. In May 1576 James Hoppringill of that Ilk for not appearing to give evidence is declared rebel; and in October certain witnesses in Stow that testified they had seen the Prioress at the Communion Table, confessed they had deponed contrary to their conscience, thinking it better to preserve her benefice than declare the truth. Elizabeth however managed to get over the difficulty somehow (A. D., Scott).

About 1578 Elizabeth, Prioress of Coldstream, for moneys paid to her, granted to Alexander Home of Huttonhall the teindsheaves of Lennel for life, and after his decease, to his heirs for twice 19 years; also the lands of Wylliecleuch and Todrighill; paying in all yearly £ 58, 10s. (MSS, Had.).

In February 1579 at Stitchill three charters are granted by the Prioress and convent: One to Alexander Home of Huttonhall, of the dominical lands of Coldstream, and 16 husbandlands in Skatemuir, paying £55; another to Alexander Home of Manderston, of land in Sunwick and in Simprin ; paying £83, 6s. 8d. (G. S., 1582); and a third to John Ker, son of Walter of Littledean, of the lands of Auld Hirsell; other lands on the Leet, Lees, Braidhauch, Deadrig and others, Fireburn and Coldstream mills devastated by the English, with power to rebuild; paying £54 ; teinds and fishings included : the charter subscribed, " We, Dame Elizabeth Hoppringill, prioress, Helen Riddell, Jonet Shaw, and Jonet Kinghorn, conventual sisters of the said Abbey, with our hands led on the pen, at our command, because we cannot write ourselves '' (G. S., 1583). Finally, in October 1583, for favours during their trials, and

money paid for the reparation of the Monastery, they grant to John Cockburn (son of the late William of Choicelee), one of the bodyguard of the King of France, 10 husbandlands in Simprin ; the feu duty of £13, 6s. 8d. payable only in time of peace between England and Scotland (G. S., 1584). All these charters were confirmed by December 1584.

Elizabeth Hoppringill the last of the prioresses of Coldstream appears to have died in 1588.

MARK KER, PRIOR

In May 1588 the King constituted Mark Ker, son of Walter of Littledean, Prior and Commendator of Coldstream for life, giving him the benefice thereof with the teind sheaves, the other teinds, privileges, etc., without prejudice of the Act of Annexation; vacant by the remission or decease of the late Dame Elizabeth Hoppringill. Mark died by February 1615 (G. S.).

THOMAS HOME, PRIOR

In June 1615, Thomas Home, second son of the late Patrick of Polwarth, who succeeded as Prior, had to summon the heritors, feuars, tenants, and occupiers of the priory lands for not paying to him the teind sheaves, mails, kaines, fruits, and duties pertaining thereto, for the crop and year 1615 : defenders not compelling, the Lords order them to pay (A. D.).

JOHN HAMILTON, PRIOR

In July 1618 John Hamilton, son of the Earl of Haddington, now Prior of Coldstream, and the King's advocate summon Sir John Ker of Jedburgh (formerly called of Hirsell) to produce his tack of the teind sheaves of Hirsell, granted to him in July 1586 by Dame Elizabeth Hoppringill, prioress of Coldstream, and assigned by him to the Earl of Home ; and in December following the Lords declare the tack to be of no avail or force because made without the consent of two conventual sisters living at the time, and because all tacks of teinds made at less than the former, are illegal (A. D.).

Not a fragment of the Priory of Coldstream now remains. In clearing, in 1834, a piece of ground said to have been formerly part of the burying ground of the Priory, a trench was discovered full of human bones, probably the remains of persons of note who fell in the battle of Flodden, whose corpses were brought in carts to Coldstream by order of the Lady Prioress, Isabella Hoppringill, for burial in consecrated ground.

LEES

IN June 1543 William Hoppringill gets from the queen-dowager a tack for 11 years of the 10 husbandlands in Graden, occupied by his sister Jonet, extending to the third part thereof, together with the third part of the fishings (P. S.).

JAMES

In October 1559 Jonet Hoppringill, prioress of Coldstream and the Convent thereof of the Cistercian order, for the augmentation of their rental, and for money paid for the reparation of their place destroyed by the English, grant in feu to James Hoppringill of Langmuir and his heirs the lands of Coldstream called Lees and Braidhauch, with the salmon fishings; presently occupied by him; paying yearly 18 merks (MS., R.). See Coldstream Abbey.

James appears to have died in 1575. By his wife Jonet Hoppringill, he had issue, Alexander, his heir.

ALEXANDER

In 1576 Alexander has a transumpt made of the notary's account of the sasine of his father in the above lands, at which James Hoppringill, younger, of Tynnes acted as bailie ; also the charter of the said lands granted to Thomas Hoppringill of that Ilk and transferred by him to Sir Walter Ker of Littledean is declared null and void. In 1578 the prioress and convent of Coldstream having disobeyed the royal letters to infeft Alexander Hoppringill, son of the late James of Langmuir, in the lands of Lees, Braidhauch, and others, in Coldstream, John Cockburn, Sheriff-depute of Berwickshire, on precept of Chancery grants him sasine therein: witnesses, John Hume in Manderston, George Hoppringill in Coldstream (MSS., 11.),

In 1579 Alexander married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Ramsay of Wylliecleuch (R. D.).

In April 1580 Jonet, Alexander's mother, being summoned by John Ker of Hirsell for intromitting with the teind sheaves of Lees, Braidhauch, and Deadrigs, of which he was tacksman, objects to the case being tried by William Cranston, Commissioner of Lauder, because he was brother to Cuthbert of Thirleston Mains who was at deadly feud with Alexander Hoppringill of Slegden, her cousin, through his accompanying Alexander Hume of Manderston to the Mains where they killed two of Cuthbert's servants : the Lords order the case to be tried before the commissioners of Edinburgh (A. D.). It appears that Jonet and her cousin Alexander of Slegden were grandchildren of William first of Torwoodlee, and that her son Alexander was cousin to a Hoppringill of Newhall. In April 1581 Jonet having married as her second husband William Brown, burgess of Haddington and tenant of Lethington, her son Alexander becomes her tenant of her half of the lands of Coldstream, paying her yearly 32 bolls victual (A. D.). In 1581 Alexander and the brothers of Alexander Hume of Manderston are freed by the Lords from a horning at the instance of Robert Logan of Restalrig, the Gowrie House conspirator, who had wrongly accused them of breaking into his barns at Netherbyres (P. C.).

On 4th November 1587 died Jonet Hoppringill, Alexander's mother.

In 1611 Adam Hope of Newtoun complains that he and two of his sons were attacked with swords and wounded by John and Lancelot Pringill of Lees and three sons of the late Thomas Ramsay of Wylliecleuch : the Lords and John Pringill and Alexander and Thomas Ramsay guilty, and ward them in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh (P. S.).

In July 1631, the Lords of Council, before they give decision as to the lands claimed both by Alexander Pringill and the Earl of Home, appoint the lairds of Redhouse, New Abbey, and Newhall to visit the lands, take all manner of trial by witnesses respecting the marches and possession of the said lands, and report to them on 1st November (A. D.).

Alexander appears to have died in 1632. By his spouse Margaret Ramsay, he had issue :

1. Lancelot, his heir.

2. John.

LANCELOT

In 1626 Lancelot Pringill, servitor to the Earl of Holderness (his cousin) summons David Crichton of Lugton and his son to pay him a sum of money they owed him (A. D.). The Earl (who was the second son of Sir Robert Ramsay of Wylliecleuch) made his fortune by rescuing the King, James VI., from the conspirators in Gowrie House.

In March 1633 Lancelot, son of the late Alexander Pringill, gets sasine of Lees, Braidhauch, and others; present John Pringill, younger, of Buckholm (spouse of Catherine Ramsay) : and in 1634 Lancelot grants sasine of the same to his spouse Joneta Ker, daughter of the late William Ker of Linton (son of Sir John Ker (S. E.). ln August 1636 the King granted and gave anew to Lancelot and his heirs the 5-merk lands of the half of the barony of Clifton (G. S.). In September, the Lords of Council, hearing that in English districts on the Borders “ the contagious sickness of the Pest “ was prevalent, commit intercourse with them to the care of the Sheriffs, etc., including Lancelot (P. C.). In July 1641 the Earl of Lothian writing to his father, the Earl of Ancrum, from Newcastle, where the army of the Scottish Covenanters lay, says: “ My Lord, my last letter to you since coming here was sent by Lancy Pringill “ - who, no doubt, was soldiering under him.

In 1647 Robert, Lancelot's second son, on a precept of his father's of 1645, gets sasine of the lands in Clifton, while James, the eldest son, is given sasine of Lees. In June 1647 the Bailie of Melrose Regality decerns Thomas Pringill in Longhaugh to return to Lancelot a " rapier sword with a black sheath hilt '' as good as he received it, or pay him 200 merks, the price thereof, he is also to pay expenses within 6 days or be put to the horn and poinded. (A. D.).

In 1648 the Lords ordain the Homes and Kers and Alexander to possess the lands in dispute between them, as they have done for 70 years bypass, as after the visitation in 1631 there was no need for further probation (A. D., Scott).

Lancelot died before June 1652. By his spouse Jonet Ker he had issue:

1. James, his heir.

2. Robert.

JAMES

In 1662 Sir James Home of Eccles is ordained by the Lords to pay to James Pringle of Lees a bond for 1000 merks granted by him to James's father, who assigned it to his son Robert Pringle, who was then in London (A. D., Durie). In July 1697 the Lords ordain James to pay to Robert Innes, W.S., a bond for 1000 merks, of which he was assignee, granted in 1631 by Alexander Ramsay (physician to James VI.), Nicol Ramsay, eldest brother to the late John, Earl of Holderness, Lancelot Pringill of Lees, and Alexander Dickson in Upsetlington - all of whom were legators to the late Earl of Holderness who died in 1626 (A. D.). In July 1698 James, who was accused of dilapidating his estate, having ref used to enter help to his father, the Lords adjudge the whole of the lands, Lees, Braidhauch, and others in Coldstream, to belong to Innes in payment of the debt, now amounting, principal and interest, to £4151 Scots, and ordain the superior to infeft him therein (A. D.).

In September 1697 in virtue of a, heritable bond granted to him by James Pringle of Lees, elder, with consent of Helen Trotter, his spouse, and James their eldest son, for the causes therein mentioned, amounting to £3253 Scots, George Clerk gets sasine of an annual rent of £195 furth of Lees, Braidhauch, and others in Coldstream, with the malt kiln and barn belonging thereto; redeemable at Regent Murray's tomb in St Giles, on 40 days' premonition (A. D.).

James died ….., leaving by his spouse Helen Trotter :

1. James, his heir.

2. Robert, died in 1674 ; buried in Greyfriars.

3. Helen.

JAMES (SURGEON)

In April 1688 James Pringle, surgeon-mate in Colonel Wauchope's Regiment, is made burgess and guild-brother of Edinburgh by right of James of Lees his father (City Records).

In the Douglas Cause-the Duke of Hamilton against the son of Lady Jane Douglas (who died in 1753), sister of the late Duke of Douglas-the famous lawsuit that excited all Scotland 1761 to 1769, one of the witnesses, Mrs Hewit, " deponed that during Lady Jane's sickness in London she was attended by

Mr James Pringle, Surgeon to the Guards, and, after he left the city, by Mr Fordyces, and that both these gentlemen declared that Lady Jane's disease was a broken heart."

James died at Little Queen Street, London ; by his spouse he had issue :

1. James, his heir.

2. Helen.

JAMES

Helen Pringle died in Edinburgh, and in May 1765 her brother german and executor James Pringle of Lees made her testament, showing £50 addebted to her - part of £200 sterling bequeathed to her by James Marjoribanks of Lees (T. E.).

In August 1769 James died at the house of Lees, unmarried. He left a Will conform to a disposition whereby he gave and conveyed to Edward Marjoribanks of Hallyards, his cousin, all his heritable and movable property, " for the favour and affection I have and bear to him." He left 20 shares, £700 paid on each share, in Bank of Scotland stock, amounting to £14,000 Scots (T. L.).

Edward Marjoribanks of Hallyards, West Lothian, was for many years a wine merchant in Bordeaux, and returned to Scotland in 1770 ; when he was served heir to his father, James, in the lands of Lees, and to James Pringle in the lands and barony of Wylliecleuch. Edward's son, John Marjoribanks, was born at Bordeaux in 1762, became a Captain in the Coldstream Guards, bought the estate of Eccles, improved it and sold it to the Greigs, removed from Lees to Edinburgh, became partner in a banking firm, Lord Provost 1814-1815, a Baronet in 1815, M.P. for Berwickshire, and latterly lived chiefs at Lees, where he died in 1833.

GALA WATER

LEFT BANK OF THE GALA

Hoppringill

THIS was the residence of the Hoppringills of that Ilk before they moved down to Burnhouse and Torsonce (see Mariotte, Adam, and Alexander of that Ilk).

In 1573 James, son natural of John Hoppringill of that Ilk, and Elizabeth Dalgliesh, his spouse, are tenants, and James Hoppringill, the laird's tutor, is ordained by the Lords to protect them from Isabella Hoppringill the laird’s mother, now spouse of John Scott of Burnhouse, who had forcibly invaded their land though they had paid her her tierce (A. D.). In 1584 James is involved in a local feud, in which he takes part with Robert Blaikie of Heriotmill and the Turnbulls of Symington, who, all armed, invaded and harried the lands of their neighbours; and he with Preston in Camron becomes surety in 500 merks for Blaikie and 300 for the others, that they will cease their molestation (P. C.). In 1603 James is absolved from buying a complete stand of arms. He died in 1603. His Testament is detailed. He left free gear £1667; and was succeeded by his eldest son George.

In 1606 the interdictors of James Hoppringill of that Ilk having summoned George to produce the tack of 1582 wherein the lands of half Hoppringill were let to his mother Elizabeth in conjunct fee, the Lords find the lands were let for twice 19 years, and that she and George are free of the Interdictors. For the action of Eupham, daughter of the late James of that Ilk, against George anent his rent, in 1608 (see that Ilk, A. D., Scott). In 1608 George, and Elizabeth Edmonston, widow of James Hoppringill of that Ilk, find caution not to harm one another. In 1621 George acquired the half lands of Halltree (q.v).

Burnhouse

Burnhouse may have lent itself to subdivision.

In 1652 George Pringle appears, and has issue, Alexander, born 1654 ; John, born 1657 ; Sibilla, born 1664, Thomas Pringle, issue George, born 1654 ; Margaret, born 1656.

James Pringle, issue George, born 1655 .

John Pringle, issue Margaret, born 1669.

George Pringle, issue George, born 1684 ; Robert, born 1685 ; a daughter, born 1686.

Andrew Pringle, issue George, born 1691.

George Pringle, issue James, born 1693 ; Alexander, born 1695; a daughter, born 1696.

William Pringle appears as a witness in 1706.

See further the parish register, which begins in 1628.

Kittyflat

John Pringle appears as tenant in 1598. In 1621 he was retoured heir to his brother James in an annual rent of 130 merks furth of a tenement in Edinburgh. His daughter Bessie married John Mule, tailor burgess there. John died in 1622.

Longmuir

In 1559 James Hoppringill thereof is granted by Joneta Hoppringill the Prioress and the Convent of Coldstream, a feucharter of the lands of Lees (G. S.).

The testament of John Pringill in Longmuir is registered in 1610 (T. E.).

In 1727 and 1733 Alexander Pringle appears there.

Pirncado

In 1578 James Hoppringill of Whytbank exchanges with Nicholas Cornwell his lands of Dechmont, Westlothian, for the latter's lands of Pirncado (G. S.). In 1603 the said Nicholas, with consent of the said James, sells to Walter Scott of Harden, the said lands, and his son Sir William Scott had a charter of them in 1642. In 1604 Gideon Scott of Highchesters| is served heir to his father in the lands (S. P.). They consisted of three farms, as at present, viz., Easterton, Middleton, and Netherton

Easterton. - In 1599 David Hoppringill, brother of Michael in Whytbank, is tenant. He died in 1616 (T. E.). Sons, Robert and John, twins. Robert succeeds, and dies in 1625. His son, Alexander, follows, and is mentioned in 1636, 1637, 1643, 1647 (A. D., Gibson).

Middleton .- In 1573 David Hoppringill is tenant. In 1637 George Pringill there is present, with Alexander, at the sasine of John Pringill, surgeon, in Little Catpair. In 1719 and 1730, Thomas Pringle appears in Middleton.

Netherton - In 1596 George Pringill, brother of James elder of Whytbank, is tenant. He appears in 1608, 1611, 1619, 1621 with his son James, and 1632. In 1754 Robert Pringle appears with his sons George and Richard.

Mitchelston

Blindlee half - In 1575 George Hoppringill in Mitchelston, John in Muirhouse, Dean David of Melrose, and David, Apothecary, witness the Will of George Hoppringill of Blindlee (T.E.). In 1582 George is one of a party of 50, including 11 Learmonths and 3 Hepburns, who, all armed and on horse, invaded Stonelaws and Linton Mill in Haddingtonshire, wounding the servants, and destroying the corn of Adam, Bishop of Orkney; and George (called the Cokir), not appearing for trial, is one of 8 denounced rebels (P. C.). In 1590 he witnesses, at Torsonce and Selkirk, the bond of caution by James Hoppringill of that Ilk and William Borthwick of Crookston for Robert Scott of Haining, and 11 citizens of Selkirk, not to harm Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh (P. C.).

George died in 1608. According to the inventory, made by his relict, he was the tenant of the Goodman of Blindlee. In 1626 Robert Pringill of Blindlee gets sasine of the half lands of Mitchelston, and in 1650, in fulfilment of a contract, grants sasine of them to William Pringill in Watherston, irredeemably (S. E.).

Buckholm half - In 1578 James Hoppringill is mentioned as a tenant having a tack of the place for 9 years from Whitsunday 1569 (A. D.). He died in 1596 (T. E.). He was succeeded by his son John, who as tenant of William Hoppringill, litster, Edinburgh, had his stead violently attacked by night by one Quhippo and Hardie (see Blindlee). In 1603 John

is one of 8 neighbours who appeal successfully against the demand of Sir Michael Balfour that they should buy a complete stand of arms (P. C.). In 1608 James Pringill in Mitchelston and Robert his brother, also the above George there, find caution not to harm Elizabeth Edmonston, relict of James of that Ilk. In 1625 James gets from James Pringill, fear of Buckholm, sasine of the half lands of Muirhouse, Caldrope and others, to hold irredeemably, and he gives his spouse, Margaret Pringill, sasine of half the said lands in life rent (see Muirhouse). In 1665 William Pringle was a portioner of Mitchelston. He had a brother Henry (1659); and a son James, born 1655.

Muirhouse and Pirn

Muirhouse Tower stood on high ground about a mile and a half from Stow on the right of the road between that place and Lauder. The site, in the corner of a field, is marked by a few trees.

1. In 1489 a lease of the lands of Muirhouse is granted by the Archbishop of St Andrews to William Hoppringill (P. C.).

2. At Whitsunday 1540 John Hoppringill is granted by the Archbishop a 5-years' tack of Muirhouse, Cardrope, and Pirn (A. D.). In December 1544 John Carr writes to Lord Evers (Eure) the English Warden: " On Monday night the garrisons of Wark and Cornhill, along with the Dicksons and other Assured Scots made a foray to the head of Lauderdale and brought away 30 score of sheep -- head of cattle, 30 horses, some prisoners, and much household stuff; and as they came through Lauder, a Hume of Blackadder, John Pringill of Muirhouse and his son, and a French of Thornydykes, came in and shot arrows among our men, and struck a man through the arm, and hurt a, horse, and then our men gave chase and took French, and struck to the ground John Pring ill, who was rescued again by the men of Lauder '' (H. L.).

In 1555 a contract of marriage is made between John, son of John Hoppringill of Muirhouse, and Agnes, sister of John Haldane of that Ilk (R. D.). John sits on several assizes; in 1563 on Lyell Hall, sentenced to be hanged on the Boroughmoor for horse-stealing and acting as a guide to English thieves (P. C. T.); in 1573 on the retour of James Borthwick as heir of his brother Master William who died in 1570; and in 1579 on the incest

of Margaret Scott and her brother-in-law Lord Borthwick (P. C. T.). In 1575 he witnesses the Will of George Hoppringill of Blindlee, and is one of the 12 Hoppringills summoned anent the Hoppringill-Elliot feud. In February 1584 Sir John Foster the English Warden writes in a dispatch: " There was a, great conspiracy wrought of late against the King of Scotland by certain persons who thought to have slain him, as I am informed by Fernihirst. . . . There is great vengeance likely to arrive among them". Among the five lairds mentioned was that of John Hoppringill of Muirhouse (B. P.). In March following Andrew Ker, appt. of Fernihirst, became caution in £1000 that John Hoppringill shall remain in ward with Sir Thomas Ker, Warden of the Middle March, till released by the King; and therefore the Lieutenant of the Guard, who now keeps him, is ordered to release him (P. C.). In 1587 a contract of marriage is made between George, fear of Muirhouse, and Agnes Lauder, sister of William of Balbardies, according to which £ 500 of her tocher of £1000 is to be used to pay off the lien of William Hoppringill, litster, burgess, of Edinburgh, on the lands of Cardrope and Pirn (R. D.). In 1591 John and his son George find caution that they will compear before the Council anent the slaughter of David Tailor (see Torwoodlee). John died before 1599, as apparently did his son George, fear, leaving no children.

3. In March 1605 John Pringill is retoured heir of John Pringill, his uncle, in the lands of Muirhouse, Caldrope (or Corscruik) and Pirn ; while on the 5th following James Pringle, younger, of Buckholm, gets a charter of the said lands, now belonging to the King by annexation (P. S.) ; and in July following he summons Agnes Haldane in Muirhouse, John Pringill there, and Agnes Lauder in Pirn, to remove, as per his warning before Whitsunday. The former, showing that she had a tack from pursuer's tenant of which there were several terms to run, is absolved ; while Agnes Lauder failing to prove that she was infefted in Muirhouse by her father-in-law John, is ordained to remove, with her sub-tenant John Pringill in Caldrope. In 1608 Agnes Lauder presenting to the bailie of George Archbishop of St Andrews a charter made to her and her spouse, the late George Pringill, and to the longer liver of them, of his lands of Caldrope and Pirn, gets sasine on her

life rent of the same (S. E.). Thus both widows asserted themselves (S. E.),

4. In 1625 James Pringill, younger, of Buckholm, grants to James Pringill of Mitchelston a charter with precept of sasine of the lands of Muirhouse, Caldrope and Pirn; and in 1629 Margaret Pringill the latter's spouse gets sasine of the lands in life rent. In 1681 Mariote their eldest daughter marries James Pringill eldest son of George of Newhall; while in 1633 their eldest son George, on marrying Eupham, daughter of John Hoppringill of that Ilk, is infefted in their said lands and half Mitchelston (S. E.). In 1636 James, having been repaid the 3000 merks borrowed by John Cranston of Corsbie, renounces the lands he held in security. In 1649 John Pringle, son of George the only son of James of Muirhouse, is granted by his grandfather sasine of Muirhouse, the life rent being reserved to his father. In 1653 Eupham George's wife is granted an annual rent of 600 merks for life furth of Muirhouse (S. E.). In 1654 James and his son George having borrowed 1600 merks from James Pringle of Halltree grant him sasine of Muirhouse and Cardrope (S. E.). James and Margaret Pringle had an only son George, and four daughters are mentioned. George fear of Muirhouse died in 1653. He and Eupham Pringle had a son, John, born 1635, a son, James, born 1637; also George, tenant in Burnhouse, and Robert, tenant in Little Catpair.

5. John Pringle, eldest son of George, fear of Muirhouse, succeeded his father in Pirn. He died there in 1720, and his widow, Janet Cockburn, at Stow in 1727. Their children were George, born 1667; John, born 1672 ; Alexander, born 1677 ; James ; William ; David, born 1683 ; and three daughters.

6. In 1722 George Pringle of Pirn is retoured heir of George Pringle of Muirhouse, his grandfather, in the lands of Pirn; and at the same time served heir special of his father, John, tenant and occupant of Pirn, in 4000 merks thereon (S. H.). George seems to have tenanted Burnhouse (see Burnhouse). George's brother James and his spouse Lilias Mitchelston, who, between 1705 and 1723, appear successively in Pirn, Cortleferry, Easterton, and Pirn again, had issue, John, born 1705 ; James, born 1708 ; Samuel, born 1712; James, born 1716; Thomas, born 1719, and three daughters.

Torquhan

In 1540, George Hoppringill (son of Alexander of that Ilk) gets from Cardinal Beaton a tack for five years of the lands of Plenploth, with common pasturage in Lugate moor, paying a grassum of £25.

1. Sir Walter Ker of Cessford, who in 1544 had got certain lands from the Cardinal in feu in Stow regality, sold of them Plenploth to Archibald Hoppringill of Torquhan, his heirs and assignees, who in turn " By the faith and truth of his body binds himself and his heirs in Manrent to the said Sir Walter and his heirs," witness, Thomas Hoppringill of that Ilk (brother), etc. (C. I.). In 1560 Dame Jonet Hoppringill, the Prioress, and Convent of Coldstream grant to Archibald (nephew of Prioress), 20 husbandlands in Lennel with their fishings; (G. S., 1565) and in 1565 at Edinburgh, Archibald sells them to Thomas Scott of Haining, paying £24 yearly feu duty to the Convent, seal appended (MSS., R.), " On a bend sinister 3 escallops with a star in sinister base," with the legend -
S. ARCHIBALDI HOPPRINGILL (M. S.)

In 1573 Archibald was appointed a Curator of his nephew James of that Ilk. In 1576 he pays £9 1/3 as his proportion of a certain pension of £40 granted by the Archbishop, upliftable from the lands of Stow. He appears latterly as a burgess of Edinburgh. He died in 1588 ; when his widow Jonet Graham claimed against his son George, and nephew of that Ilk, that her husband gave her sasine in Torquhan in life rent in 1570, and that the instrument taken was lost or burnt by the notary in Lauder, who in 1571 became non compos mentis ; the Lords find it proved, and ordain the tenants of Torquhan and Plenploth to pay their mails to her (A. D., Hay).

2. In 1591 George Hoppringill of Torquhan appears indebted to his cousin James of that Ilk. George appears in one or two transactions, but in 1508 the said James had become proprietor of the lands, while in 1608 William Pringill is tenant there to his son John of that Ilk; and pays £6 Scots feu duty for Torquhan.

Little Catpair

In 1540 James Hoppringill gets a 5-years' tack from the Archbishop of the £5 lands of Little Catpair (R. A.).

In 1609 Christiane Cockburn, widow of James Hoppringill of Tynnes, is liferenter of the lands, while Alexander Hoppringill, Buckholm, is tenant (A. D., Gibson).

In 1620 George Pringill of Torwoodlee gets sasine of Little Catpair which had been disponed to him by James Pringill of Tynnes.

In 1627 John Pringill, surgeon, Edinburgh, succeeds his three sisters, daughters of the said George who had granted them the lands, redeemable for £6000 Scots (S. E.).

In 1733 James Pringle of Torwoodlee is served heir to his great grandfather George in the lands, and in 1744 his son George is served his heir special in them (S. H.).

Craigend

In 1551 George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee is granted by the Archbishop a feu charter of Craigend. In 1571 Alison Heriot is liferenter of the lands; and ln 1627 her third son, James Pringill in Torwoodlee, gets sasine thereof.

In 1665 James, son of James of Torwoodlee and younger brother of George the Covenanter, holds the lands. James married Helen Hunter, of Cousland, co-heiress with her sister Christiane of John Pringle of Cortleferry, Colmslie, etc. In 1679 she and her daughter were summoned before the Privy Council for attending a Conventicle in Galashiels parish surprised by Claverhouse. In 1683 Helen appears as a widow. In 1684 she granted to John Pringle of Craigend the half lands she had inherited (S. E., vol. 49). She died in 1687, and was buried in Greyfriars.

Stow Town

In 1574 William Hoppringle of Torwoodlee is proprietor of Derniks lands in Stow. In 1598 William Borthwick gets from his brother Lord Borthwick the lands of Stow (L. Ch., 1362). In 1604-09 three Pringills in Stow are mentioned ; and in 1633 among 28 tenants, five were Pringills.

On 9th June 1679 was fought the battle of Bothwell Brig between the royal troops and the Covenanters, which ended

disastrously for the latter. About 1200 of them were taken prisoners and escorted to Edinburgh, and imprisoned in inner Greyfriars yard, with a penny loaf a day from the Privy Council, and a man to distribute equally the food brought by the public. On 29th June orders were sent down from London to banish three or four hundred as white slaves to the plantations, and prisoners signing a bond not to take were let up arms again go; on 4th July the number of prisoners fell to 338. A list of 30 of those who refused to recognise the rising as a rebellion, or the slaughter of Archbishop Sharp as a murder, were ordered to be proceeded against criminally, including Thomas Pringle of Stow parish. At the end of October a few wooden huts were put up in the yard by the public. On 5th November five prisoners were gibbeted on Magus Moor where Archbishop Sharp was slain. On 15thNovember the remainder of the prisoners, and others from the tolbooths of Edinburgh and Canongate who would not say it was rebellion, or sign the bond, to the number of 257, were marched down to Leith and put on board the Crown,, one prisoner escaping en route, and a brother taking the place of another . The ship had not gone far on its way when it became a wreck at Mule Head of Durness, and of the prisoners, who had been battened down under the hatches, only 50 escaped, the 300 that were drowned, including Thomas Pringle, Parish of Stow, and John Pringle, Parish of Castleton (Cloud of Witnesses, 1714).

Stow Parish

Between 1628 and 1757 Pringle must have been the dominant name in the parish, as between these dates the births of some 200 children of the surname appear in the parish register.

The Bow

In 1523 James Hoppringill in Torsonce, tutor of James Hoppringill of that Ilk, his nephew, now 14, is one of the relatives summoned to appoint curators to him. In 1575 he is one of the 12 Hoppringills summoned anent the Hoppringill-Elliot feud. In 1582 a dispute having arisen as to whether his brother Thomas of that llk had left him certain goods, his nephew calls upon him or James in Hoppringill to

produce the decreet arbitral on the matter made by Thomas Hoppringill of Milkiston, James in Tynnes, and William in Mersington ; and later gets a decreet of removal from the Bow against him, or warding in Dumbarton Castle (A. D,, Gibson), but the two were apparently soon reconciled. In 1601 James's spouse Elizabeth Heriot died, leaving three sons and two daughters, with the lairds of that llk and Torwoodlee for tutors. James was killed: and in April 1605 Walter Scott of Whitslaid, Roxburgh, " The Hawk" got remission for art and part in the slaughter of James Pringill in the Bow and other crimes (G. S.).

James was succeeded in the Bow by his eldest son William Pringill, who with his spouse Rachel Mitchell and James Mitchell, minister of Stow, granted to William Cairncross of Colmslie in 1605 the reversion of Meikle Catpair on the payment to each of them of £1000 Scots (R. M,). In 1611 William is one of the tenants in Stow summoned for not having for years past sent their corn to be ground at Sir Gideon Murray's mill of Langshaw at one peck for every five firlots (A. D., Scott). In 1615 he is appointed by the kirk session of Stow to act as arbiter in a case " anent the going back of a parishioner after being thrice proclaimed, and all things ready".

RIGHT BANK OF THE GALA

Heriotmill

1. In 1591 James Hoppringle of Halheriot and James Hoppringle of Hoppringle are tacksmen of Heriotmill and mill lands, and two husbandlands (A. D., Hay). In 1603 the former is a witness to the testament of the latter. In 1608 James in Halheriot and his spouse Jean Blaikie, mother of William Borthwick, hereditary proprietor, got from him in conjunct fee a charter with sasine of half Halheriot, with pasturage in period common (S, E., Sec.). In 1613 his son John is denounced rebel for attacking a servant in Nethershiels (P. C.), In July 1617 on King James visiting Edinburgh, Midlothian had to supply 100 carts with 4 horses to each to convey H.M.'s luggage from Seton to Edinburgh. Heriot

GALA WATER - RIGHT BANK

parish's quota was 12 horses, and. James Pringill of Heriotmill was appointed Constable (P. C.). In 1618 James was on the jury that tried Mr Thomas Rose, minister of Cargill, who, when visiting Oxford, fixed on a church door there a thesis in which he averred " that all Scotsmen ought to be shot forth of the Court of England except the King, his son, and a, few others, and that the English were mightily blinded that they should suffer such a pernicious multitude and filthy off-scourings of people to radge and domineer within their bowels and entrails,'' etc. Rose pleaded that he did it in a fit of insanity. He was beheaded ; and his head was fixed on " ane prik '' on the Netherbow (P. C. T.). In June 1620 at Lord Borthwick's Court held in Borthwick kirk James Pringill, his son James, and his son-in-law William Borthwick attacked in the churchyard Thomas, son of George Adniston of Carcant, with swords and " left him as a dead man." The Lords committed the two Pringills to Edinburgh tollbooth. In July the Pringills, averring that the Adnistons refused assythment, meaning to keep them in prison, and Thomas with his two doctors appearing in court, the Lords ordain the Pringills to pay him 300 merks, the treasurer £20, and the doctors' fees, which when paid they were to be set free, and reappear in two days ; when the Pringills went on their knees asking forgiveness of the Adnistons, which being granted they shook hands (P. C.). James died in 1621. The inventory of his goods amounted to £1075, the free gear to £809. He had three sons, James, his heir, John, and David.

2. In 1621 James Pringill was retoured heir of his father James in Over and Nether Ruchswyres, half Halheriot, and Haughhead, with pasturage in Heriot common. In 1624 John Ker complained that John and David, James's brothers, raided his lands of Shoestanes, threatened his servants with drawn swords, threshed out and carried away some of his corn. The Lords absolved David who appeared, but John who did not they denounced rebel (P. C.). In 1631 William Borthwick, James's half-brother, pays him £500, the redemption money for half Halheriot, and James and his servants vacate the place (S. E.). In June 1632 King Charles I. came north to Scotland, and the quota of horses to be provided by Heriot parish to convey H.M.'s luggage from Seton to Dalkeith and thence to

Edinburgh was 18, and James was appointed Constable (P. C.). In 1645 James and his brother David took part in the Overshiels riot (see Blindlee). James died in December 1661, leaving free gear £628. He was succeeded by his son George.

3. In June 1663 George Pringle gets from John Lord Borthwick sasine upon a precept of Clare Constat, of Over and Nether Ruchswyres, as heir to his grandfather-to whom the lands had been wadset in 1614, and who in 1616 had sold the half thereof to the late William Borthwick, redeemable for 2000 merks (A. D., Dalrymple). In 1665 George summoned William Borthwick, heir of the said William, to receive the redemption money, and on his refusing, offered it on the tomb of Regent Murray in St Giles ; whereon the Lords declare the redemption fulfilled, and order Borthwick to vacate the lands and give to George his charter, instrument of sasine, and all right and title (A, D.).

Halltree

In 1594 James Lord Borthwick conveyed to his son John, Master of Borthwick, the lands of Houliston, Symington, Watherston, Halltree, and Brockhouse, with pendicles, which were granted to the late John Lord Borthwick, his grandfather, by the late David Archbishop of St Andrews (L. Ch., 1279). In 1601 William Pringill in Halltree enquires which of the four claimants to the mail of the part of Halltree occupied by him for 1600 has the best right, and is referred to the Sheriff of Edinburgh (A. D.). In 1614 John Lord Borthwick having redeemed the above mentioned lands from the Pringills of Smailholm and Buckholm, gets a fresh charter of them from George, Archbishop (L. Ch., 1700).

1. In 1621 George Pringill in Hoppringill (which see) and William Pringill of Cortleferry (q.v,) get sasine of the lands, town, and tower of Halltree, on a charter granted them, equally between them, by David Preston of Whitehill; also the said William gets from James Mitchelson a charter of half Corsehope (S. E.). In 1620 George summons John Lord Borthwick, whose father had granted his father and heirs a 19 years' tack of Over and Nether Ruchswyres, 1594-1613 ; but he was forced to vacate the lands in 1597 ; besides he had been refused entry in half Corsehope though assignee thereof ; the Lords award

him 9600 merks damages, and in 1622 he gets a grant under the Privy Seal of all Lord Borthwick's lands to that amount (P. S.). In 1641 David Preston repays the two Pringills the 12,000 merks they lent him on Halltree, and resumes the lands (S. E.) ; and later George Pringill gets from him and his son George, as superiors, a half of Halltree, while John, son of William Pringill of Cortleferry gets the other half. In November 1642 James Pringill, George's eldest son, and his future spouse Anna, daughter of the late Alexander Cranston of Morriston, gets from his father, with consent of his mother Joneta Mitchelston, sasine of all and whole the lands of Halltree; Joneta to have 500 merks and Anna 450 yearly for life furth thereof : witness Henry Cranston, brother of John Lord Cranston, etc.; also they get sasine of half Corsehope (S. E., vol. 51, 510, 574). George died shortly afterwards. He had issue, James, his heir; John, apprenticed in 1634 to John Fleming, merchant; and William, apprenticed in 1647 to John Pringill, merchant,, Edinburgh.

2. In 1645 James Pringill is retoured heir of his father George in the barony of Heriotmuir which he had apprised from Lord Borthwick, and sasine thereof was given him by the Sheriff of Edinburgh at Borthwick Castle (S. E. vol. 33, 141). In 1647 he also gets from Lady Borthwick sasine of Corsehope, including the half resigned by John Pringill of Cortleferry. In 1649 Sir George Preston of Craigmillar having repaid to James the lien of 12,000 merks on Halltree agreed on in 1620, James resigns the lands to him, including the half John Pringill of Cortleferry had assigned to his father, the late George (S. E., vol. 32, 2). In 1668 at Halltree a contract of marriage is made between Janet, James's eldest daughter, and John Home of Blackhills, Coldingham - her tocher to be £1000, and her annuity furth of the lands 400 merks (Godscroft). About November 1681 in a list of heritors and liferenters in the shire of Edinburgh who had subscribed the Address but had not taken the Test, occurs " The Laird of Halltree absent". This was the infamous Test planned by the Papist Duke of York. James was succeeded by his son George.

3. In 1684 George Pringle of Halltree, as cautioner for bonds granted by his father-in-law James of that Ilk, whose daughter Elizabeth he had married, acts as his executor dative.

In 1696 he and his spouse get a grant in conjunct fee under the Privy Seal of the town, lands, and manorplace of Halltree, also of Crichton Chapel. In 1600 George Clerk, merchant burgess, Edinburgh, as assignee of four several bonds granted by George, now amounting to £5655, is granted by the Lords adjudication of the lands of Halltree to that amount. In 1700 a bond for 4000 merks granted by George, called a very easy man, to his son John payable at his death, and in the meantime to maintain him in bed and board, etc., or infeft him in an annual rent of £160, having been assigned to John Duncan, writer, Edinburgh, he also gets a similar adjudication (A. D.) George died in May 1706. By his spouse Elizabeth of that Ilk he had issue, George, his heir, John, and William (coppersmith in Canongate) (T. E.).

4. In 1707 George, Lieutenant in Colonel Ferguson's Regiment (Cameronians), serving in Flanders, was served heir general to his father George. He died in October 1709 probably at Zwolle; and his brother John, to whom he had granted a bond, was declared his executor dative.

5. In October 1710 John Pringle is served heir general, and heir special in Halltree and Kirkcolton Chapel, to his brother, Lieut. George (S. H.). From the testament of John Hoppringle, last of that Ilk, it appears that John Davidson, bookseller, Edinburgh, bought Halltree, and that he received from him, for his security, a receipt for his claims on the estate (T. E.). John and his spouse, Margaret Murray, had issue, John, born 1707; James, born 1708; George; and five daughters.

In 1724 a bond of thirlage to the town's mill of Port Glasgow was written by George, son of John Pringle on Halltree (B. R., Glasgow); and in 1777 at Edinburgh died John's daughter Margaret Pringle, widow of James Gray of Dalduff (S. M.).

Parish of Heriot

Between 1686 and 1750 Pringle must have been a dominant name in the parish, as between these dates the births of forty-seven children of the surname are entered in the Parish Register.

Symington

In 1642 Thomas Hoppringle, son of the late John of that Ilk, was apprenticed with George Wauchope, merchant burgess

of Edinburgh. In 1657 he married Catherine Walker (S. R. S.). In 1669 he bought from Lord Borthwick the lands of Symington and Bangrub. Thomas died in 1684, and was buried in Grey- friars (S. R. S.). He had issue:-

1. Robert, his heir. 2. John

3. William. 4. Elizabeth.

.In 1685 Elizabeth. Pringle, daughter of the late Thomas of Symington, and her brother and curator Robert, get adjudication for payment of a bond for 1000 merks granted to their father, while their brother John gets the same for a similar one for 2330 merks. In 1655 John renounces an annual rent £80, having received the principal (A. D.). In 1688 Robert obtains decreet against some twenty persons for not paying to him debts owing to his father; also against Robert Pringle, tenant for several years of Symington, for £1138, and certain debtors of Alexander Pringle in Fernihirst, of whom he was assignee (A. D.). In 1690 Robert arrested in the hands of John Rutherford, writer, Edinburgh, 500 merks belonging to a debtor to his father for that amount. In 1694 William, 3rd son, obtained decreet for payment of a bond of 1000 merks. Robert died in Edinburgh in April 1738. The inventory of his estate, made by his daughter Alison, amounted to £11,450, plus £9000 omitted and added afterwards (T. E.). He and his spouse Anna Rutherford, whom he married at Channelkirk in 1687, had issue:

1. Thomas, heir. 2. John. 3. William.

4. Robert, who emigrated to Charleston, S.C. (for whose descendants see America).

5. Alison, who married John McDowell.

Thomas Pringle, writer, Edinburgh, succeeded his father Robert, merchant burgess, in Symington. The late Robert, who possessed lands of the yearly value of £95 at the time of his marriage and made provision of 12,000 merks for the children thereof, left personal estate amounting to 17,000 merks, which, as his two younger sons renounced all claim to it, when put to employment with suitable provision, fell to his daughter Alison, his executrix; when Thomas, to whom, while an infant, his father in 1698 disponed his lands, claimed a share of the said 12,000 merks provided for the children of the marriage

and, being non-suited, appealed to the House of Lords (T. E.). In 1747 Thomas, now constituted executor to his father Robert, on behalf of himself and in place of Alison deceased, gives in, children the £9000 of debt owing to him, but omitted in his testament (T. E.). Thomas died in June 1761; and his widow Jenny, daughter of Mr John Blair, surgeon, Edinburgh, in March 1790, at Bristol Hot Wells (S. M.). They had an only son Robert, and a daughter Elizabeth.

Robert Pringle, who succeeded, appears to have been commissioned Ensign in the 27th Regiment in October 1762. In 1771 as Lieut. in the 90th Regiment of Foot, he is served heir to his father Thomas, in Symington, Bangrub, and Fernihirst (S. H.). Robert died in December 1793. His Testament was made by his eldest son John, only executor, to whom in 1785 he assigned Symington and Bangrub, together with Fernihirst (which he feued to George Innes, Esq. of Stow in 1771), and his house of Coates Hall near Edinburgh (T. E.). On 1st May 1795 Isabella, daughter of the late Captain Pringle of Symington, married Phillip Taylor, spirit merchant, Edinburgh.
Major - General John Pringle was born in September 1774. When aged 19 he entered the army in March 1794 as 2nd Lieut. in the 26th Regiment. In November 1802 at Edinburgh he married Christian, daughter of Samuel Watson, solicitor-at-law. In November 1828, writing from Cherry Bank, Newhaven, Edinburgh, in reply to an official circular requiring information from half-pay officers, he enumerated his promotions in the army up to August 1826, when he became unattached as Lieut.-colonel on half -pay, showing 8 years service on full pay, and 16 on half ; and adds, " I am eligible for any service for which I may be selected, and most desirous of employment, and purchased my unattached Lieut.-Colonelcy solely with that view." The Major-General died in December 1861, aged 87 (G. M.); and his wife in July 1853, aged 74. They were buried in the Grange cemetery. They had issue, a son Robert, born September 1803, and three daughters.
Robert Pringle who succeeded to Symington, who was born in 1803, was apprenticed with John Tait, W.S. In 1835 he married Mary, eldest daughter of F. A. S. Knox, Royal Artillery; second; in 1839, Eliza, eldest daughter of James McFarlane, Surgeon, 91st Regiment. He died in 1868 (G. M.).

Pirntaiton

In 1608 Pirntaiton was wadset by James Pringill of Smailholm, and redeemed in 1618. Between 1641 and 1708 there was a continuous succession of Pringles among the occupiers.

Overshiels and Nethershiels

In August 1612 James Turnbull, servant to Alexander Stoddart in Overshiels, when coming out of his master's house, was violently assaulted by John Pringill of Nethershiels, and in December John was fined for the offence at the court of the Regality at Stow. In September Alexander and four other Stoddarts came to Nethershiels and assaulted the said John Pringle and his servant John Thomson, who in turn on Lugate moor assaulted Alexander and James Stoddart with drawn sword and lance. In November John Pringle, younger, of Buckholm, and John Pringle, younger, of Heriotmill, came to Nethershiels, the former with a great Lent, and the latter with a drawn sword, and wounded Thomson in various parts of his body: the Pringles, being summoned, and not compelling, are denounced rebels (P. C., 1613). In 1619 the children of the late Alexander Stoddart and their tutors, John Pringill of Buckholm and their uncle John Stoddart, receive from William Pringle of Cortleferry the profits of their farm since 1614.

In May 1645 Overshiels was the scene of a remarkable raid (see Blindlee).

Watherston

In May 1606 Alexander Pryngill, brother germen of John of Buckholm, gets sasine of Halltree, Symington, and Watherston) apprised from John Lord Borthwick.

In 1645 William Pringle, called before the kirk session of Stow to explain his presence in Montrose's army, declared that he was warded by them and could not get away (C. B.). In 1664 John Pringle, son of John of that Ilk and his spouse Margaret Pringle of Whytbank, is tenant. He arts as witness at the baptisms of his nephews John Pringle in Pirn, George in Burnhouse, and Robert in Little Catpair.

Issue:-

James, born 1665 ; William, born 1672 ; and a daughter Margaret, born 1664.

Ferniehirst

In 1633 John Pringle gets a decreet arbitral for the payment to him of 1000 merks by John Chisholm of Pirntaiton. In 1708 died Robert Pringle, sometime in Ferniehirst, thereafter in Bowshank, leaving goods worth £2100, and a share in the Darien Company now worth £724, beside the heritable bonds assigned in 1705 to his eldest son Alexander and other children (T. E,).

Dryburn

In 1615 John Pringle in Dryburn and George Ker in Linton are sought for on the charge of murdering Robert, son of Thomas Ker of Priorhall; and in August 1617 William Lord Cranston and the Sheriff of Roxburgh are commissioned to try John Pringle, then lying in Jedburgh tolbooth, on the charge (P. C.).

Bowland

In 1697 Bowland, including Bowshank and mill with cultures, Crumside, and Windidoors, were sold by Andrew Riddell of Haining to Robert, second son of John Rutherfurd of Edgerston (P. B., Don). In 1769 Rutherford of lowland sold the lands to James Pringle, son of James of Torwoodlee, a Principal Clerk of Session (1748-1776), who in 1780 succeeded his uncle George in Torwoodlee, and in 1788 sold Bowland to an Edinburgh merchant, who in 1808 sold it to General Walker.

SMAILHOLM

ROBERT

ON the death of James, 2nd Earl of Douglas, at the battle Otterburn in 1388, the earldom devolved on Archibald Douglas, natural son of Sir James the Good, Lord of Galloway, who since 1357 had taken a leading part in the affairs of the country. His tenure of the earldom was a time of peace. He died at an advanced age, in his Castle of Threave, in December 1400.

The history of the Earls of Douglas is also the history of the Hoppringills of the time. For Thomas and Adam, the first Douglas Squires, see that Ilk (The Douglas Book, 4 vols., by Sir William Fraser).

He was succeeded as 4th Earl by his son Archibald, surnamed "Tineman'', loser of battles. Born about 1372 he married at an early age Margaret, daughter of the King Robert III.; while his sister married the Duke of Rothesay, heir to the throne, and a year after his death took in 1403 as her second husband Sir Walter Haliburton, younger, of Dirleton. In September 1402 the Scots having invaded Northumberland to avenge a reverse at Nisbet Moor) were defeated at Homildon, when the Scottish leaders, including the Earl, were taken prisoners. So thick flew the English that the Earl, notwithstanding he wore a suit of armour arrows which is said to have cost three years' labour to make, was wounded in five places, including the loss of an eye. The captivity of the Earl, who fought on the side of the Percies at the battle of Shrewsbury, nominally lasted till 1413, but a considerable portion of it, was done by proxy. He would be in Scotland for periods from two to twelve months at a time, while certain of his sons, kinsmen, or men of high social condition, would take his place in England as hostages. In April 1408 he had a safe conduct till June, and was granting

charters in Edinburgh in May. Returning to England in June he was detained only a few days, till the 20th, when, on leaving four hostages, he left finally for Scotland. This introduces us to his charters.

In June 1404 Robert Ker of Attonburn had a charter from Archibald, Earl of Douglas, of the lands of Smailholm and others, to be held blench of the Earl, who was then a prisoner in England. In January 1407, at Westminster, Henry IV. grants a safe conduct to Sir Thomas de Murray, Sir William de Dalziel, William de Towers, Hugh Campbell, Robert Pryngil, and 50 their companions, in company, now in the north of the kingdom, to come and go in England till the feast of Purification (R. S.). They were probably to act as a convoy to the Earl in returning to Scotland in that year. On 20th March 1408 at Edinburgh, a charter (" a, little razed in the date ''), is granted by Archibald, Earl of Douglas, to Robert de Hoppringill of the lands of Pilmuir, Lauderdale, to be held ward (A. P., L. W., 1661). At Edinburgh a charter, undated, but confirmed by the Ear1 of March in February 1413, is granted by the Earl of Douglas to David Hume, his squire, of the lands of Wedderburn ; making one suit annually at the Earl's principal court of the regality of Lauder : witnesses, William de Hay and William de Borthwick, knights, and Robert de Hoppringill, George de Rutherford, and William de Saint Clair, esquires (Mi1ne Home). In May 1418 at Inverkeithing, and in November at Dunfermline, charters are granted by Robert, Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland, to his son John Earl of Buchan, and Elizabeth, daughter of Archibald Earl of Douglas, his future spouse, of certain lands in Ayrshire: witnesses to former charter, Sir William de Lindsay, Sir William de Borthwick, Robert de Pringil, and others ; to the latter, the bishop of Aberdeen, chancellor, Sir William de Borthwick, Robert de Hoppringil, and others (G. S.). In September 1414 at Edinburgh, a charter is granted by Archibald Earl of Douglas to Sir William Hay of Lochorwart of certain lands in Wigtownshire; witnesses, the Earl of Orkney, William Douglas de Drumlanrig, William de Borthwick, John de Moubray, John St Clair, knights, and Adam de Hepburn of Hailes, Robert de Livingston, Robert de oppringil, William de Edmonston, and William de Saint

Clair, esquires (D. B.). In December 1414 at Bothwell, an instrument of Collation by Matthew, bishop of Glasgow, is witnessed by the archdeacon and the sheriff of Teviotdale, Robert de Pringyle, and others.

In June 1418 the Customs officers are called upon to state on oath what, and what kind of goods, had been exported without payment of the customs during the account, and they give in 24 cases, including James de Douglas of Dalkeith, Robert de Borthwick, and Robert de Hoppringil, who exported, respectively, 4, 9, and 8 sacks of wool, also the Earl of Douglas, Sir Walter de Haliburton, etc. (E. R.).

In May 1419 the Duke of Bedford and Council grant to Robert de Pringil and John de Wells of Scotland a safe conduct to last till 1st August next, about to travel into England with twelve persons in their company, horses and goods, coming, stopping, and returning, for paying the ransom of James de Douglas, son of the Earl of Douglas ; and in July, the date of their stay in England is extended to 31st August, and a safe conduct is granted to James de Douglas about to travel to Scotland ; and in November a further extension is granted to them till the feast of Purification (R. S.).

During the reign of Henry V., 1413-22, we find Earl Douglas himself having safe conducts into England in connection with the ransom of James 1., who had been seized at sea and held captive since 1406 ; and also taking part in the encounter on the Borders consequent on the persistent attempt of that king to conquer France, the old ally of Scotland. The Duke of Vendome came on an embassy to Scotland, with the result that the Earls of Buchan and Wigtown, that is to say, the Earl's son-in-law and elder son, in 1419 sailed for France and landed at Rochelle with 7000 men-at-arms. Regarded at first as " nothing better than drinkers of wine and eaters of sheep,'' they took a prominent part in bringing central France under the Dauphin. In March 1421 they routed the English at Beaugé, killing the Duke of Clarence, King Henry's brother. But in July 1423 the allies met with disaster at Crevant, 3000 Scots, it is said, being killed or captured. Consequent on this defeat, Buchan, now Constable of France, and Wigtown returned to Scotland, and succeeded in getting Earl Douglas himself enlisted in the cause. Landing in the Spring of 1424 at

Rochelle with 10,000 knights and soldiers, he was created Duke of Touraine, and the city of Tours held fête on his entry on 27th May, presenting him 12 hhds. wine, 7 oats, 50 sheep, 4 fat oxen, and 100 lb. wax torches. It was not long till he met with disaster. Going to the relief of the Castle of Ivry, besieged by the Duke of Bedford, and finding his position too strong, the allies retreated to Verneuil, and there, on 17th August 1424, having attacked the English in a strong position, instead of following the Earl's advice and waiting their attack, they were totally defeated. It had been agreed between the English and Scottish that no prisoners were to be taken on either side; and it is generally stated that in this battle the Scottish contingent was all but exterminated. The Earl and his younger son James, who were both killed, were buried in the middle of the choir of Tours Cathedral. In this battle fell also Robert Hoppringill, the Earl's Squire.

Robert apparently had issue :

1. George, Douglas Squire.

2. Robert, of Wrangholm and Smailholm.

3. Alexander, Douglas Squire.

4. David, of Pilmuir and Smailholm.

GEORGE AND ALEXANDER

Archibald, Earl of Wigtown, succeeded his father as 5th Earl of Douglas, then about 34 years of age. At the end of 1423 and the beginning of 1424, he took part in the proceedings connected with the return to Scotland of his uncle, James 1., who had been a prisoner in England since 1406. This introduces us to George and Alexander Hoppringill, who acted as squires not only to him but to all the succeeding Earls of Douglas till their forfeiture in 1455. In November 1425 George and Alexander Hoppringill were on an Assize of 13 which, in presence of the Earl, as lord of the regality of Lauderdale, perambulated and determined the boundary between the lands of Redpath belonging to Melrose Abbey and those of Bemersyde belonging to John Haig (G. S.). In September 1427 George de Hoppryngile is at Jedburgh on an Inquest of 15 that retoured William Douglas as heir to his father, Sir William Douglas of

Drumlanrig, in the barony of Hawick. In January 1430 George performs a similar duty in the retour of Thomas of Fothringham in the third part of the lands of Caverton. On the 2nd November 1433 Archibald, Duke of Touraine (titular) and Earl of Douglas issues letters from Edibredshiels (Auldwark) granting lands in Sprouston to the Carthusian convent of the Charterhouse, Perth, to which the witnesses are the bishops of St Andrews, Brechin, and Dunkeld, the abbot of Melrose, the Earls of Angus and Mar, James Douglas of Balveny, the Sheriff of Teviotdale, Nicholas of Rutherfurd, George Pringill, and Alexander Pringill, squires. The Earl now having a dispute with the Earl of Athole about the lands of Dunbrenny and Pitcaithly in Perthshire, James I. settled the matter by taking possession of them himself ; but on the King's assassination in the Charterhouse, Perth, in February 1437, and the execution of Athole for complicity therein, the Earl, now created Lieu- tenant-General of the kingdom, resumed possession ; and in November 1437 he issued " Letters of Bailiary appointing George de Hoppringill his Bailie of the lands of Dunbrenny, in the sheriffdom of Perth, to endure for the Duke's will.'' In July 1438, in the church of the Blackfriars, Edinburgh, commissioners acting for the Earl drew up a notarial instrument securing Gilbert de Lauder in his lands in the town and territory of Lauder, to which the witnesses are George de Pryngill, squire, and others. Earl Archibald died at Restalrig of a fever in June 1439.

Within six months after Earl Archibald's death his son younger son William, aged 17, now 6th Earl of Douglas, and James, were with murderous intent invited to Edinburgh Castle, and there, in presence of their cousin the boy king, James II., aged 10 , summarily beheaded, after a mock trial.

The succession as 7th Earl of Douglas now devolved on the 4th Earl's brother, James, surnamed " the Gross, " who for forty years had taken an active part in State affairs. He died in the beginning of 1443, leaving six sons, of whom William became 8th Earl of Douglas at the age of 18.

Earl William appears to have favourably impressed James II., who made him Lieutenant-General. In 1445 he married his cousin “The Fair Maid of Galloway,'' thus reuniting in himself the lordship of Galloway and other Douglas lands that had

fallen to her on the murder of her two brothers. On 1st March 1447 in an open court held at Newark in the great hall "before a mighty and potent lord, William Earl of Douglas," George of Hoppringill and four others are witnesses to a notarial instrument treating of the superiority of certain lands in Roxburghshire. In November 1450 at a Justice Ayre held at Dunbar, at which King James II was present, the King, at the intercession of George de Hoppringill grants remission to Hugh de Duns of a fine of £10. After the downfall of the Livingstones, Earl William, set out in August 1450, with a, princely train of attendants, via Flanders, for Rome, to which the Papal Jubilee was attracting visitors from all parts. At Rome he received a flattering reception, being honoured above all other visitors to the city. He returned via Calais and England, and at the English Court was highly honoured. His letters of safe conduct of the 23rd April 1451, issued on the 12th May, included his hundred attendants, of whom 37 are given by name, viz., Sir James Douglas, the earls of Moray and Ormond, his brothers, Lord James Hamilton, Sir Alexander Home of that Ilk, George and Alexander of Hoppringill, David Hoppringill (respectively l4th, 15th, and 16th in the list), etc. (R. S., and Calendar of Documents re Scotland, vol. iv.). During his absence the King, James II., had, for some unknown reason, invaded his lands and destroyed Douglas Craig on the Yarrow, but a reconciliation was effected in June. At this time the earl of Crawford was in rebellion, and it was believed that Earl William was in compact with him. He was invited to Stirling Castle under a safe conduct, and there on the evening of the day after his arrival, because, it is said, he refused to break this compact, he was foully done to death by the King and his attendants, 22nd February 1452.

James, the brother of Earl William, succeeded him as 9th Earl of Douglas and 3rd of Avondale. He had taken an active part with his brothers in the Border war of 1449, when, in retaliation for the burning of Dunbar and Dumfries, they had burned Alnwick and Warkworth, and won the great battle of Sark; and he had jousted with the Burgundian knights in the tournament at Stirling. Within a month after his brother's death, he, Ormond, and Lord Hamilton entered Stirling with 600 men and, after a simultaneous blast of 24 horns, proclaimed

the king's Council dishonoured; displayed the safe conduct with its seals, and then dragged it through the town on a board at the tails of horses. A Parliament was held, and the Earl renounced his allegiance on the Parliament door, However, peace was made at Douglas Castle in August 1452. Having got a Papal dispensation the Earl married his brother's widow, the " Fair Maid of Galloway,'' and in April 1453 he was a commissioner to treat for a peace with England. At length, tired, it is said, of the intrigues of the Earl, the King in 1455 laid siege to Abercorn Castle, took it after a month's resistance, and hanged the defenders; Lord Hamilton and other adherents of the Earl, who had come with him for its relief, having deserted to the King. The Earl fled to England, and at Arkinholm, on 18th August 1455, his brothers were defeated by the Border clans led by George Douglas 4th Earl of Angus Moray being slain, Ormond taken prisoner, and Balveny escaping. On 10th June the Earl was declared forfeited: Ettrick Forest, Galloway, Ballencrieff etc., were annexed to the Crown, and Angus was rewarded with the lordships of Jedburgh Forest and Liddesdale.

Such were the eventful times and stirring scenes in which George and Alexander Hoppringill played their parts.

On the partition of the forfeited Earldom in 1455, the lordship of Ettrick Forest was annexed to the Crown, and for the purpose of management was divided into three wards, Ettrick, Yarrow, and Tweed; at the head of each of which was a Master Ranger and a Ranger (Magister Cursorum and Cursor). The Ward of Tweed included that part of the Forest that lay along the north side of the river from the mouth of the Gala up to Walkerburn, and from the river up the Gala to Crosslee, and the Caddon to its head. It consisted, much as at the present day and under the same names, of some 18 farms or "steids,'' let on nominal leases for certain years to " kindly tenants,'' who paid the rents partly in money and partly in a few cattle and sheep. The duties of the master rangers, who received the same pay as the rangers, are not apparent; perhaps they acted as referees in disputes. The rangers did all the work, collecting the rents and the frequent fines for killing deer, tilling land, and cutting trees, advancing money on order to Government officials, and at the end of the financial year

accounting to the Controller of the Exchequer, at Edinburgh, Stirling, or Perth, as might happen, Fee of the master rangers and the rangers the same, viz., £9.

The first Master Ranger (Magister Cursorum) or factor of the Ward of Tweed was George Pringill. He probably owed his appointment to the Earl of Angus, head of the " Red Douglases,'' Warden of the East and Middle Marches.

In April 1456 the Earl issued Letters acquitting Andrew Ker of Cessford of traitorous dealings with Englishmen ; this being the verdict of a jury that sat at Selkirk, and included George and Sandy Hoppringill.

George died apparently in 1459, nor is Alexander again mentioned.

ROBERT 2 (OF PILMUIR)

succeeded George as Master Ranger of the Ward of Tweed, and apparently also in the lands of Wrangholm and Smailholm, of which he got sasine in 1459 apparently as George's brother (L. R.).

On l5th January 1463-4 Alexander Lord Kilmaurs appeared before Parliament and complained of malicious rumours of his having assisted and favoured the traitor James of Douglas, and pointed out that he had, in February last, been by royal letters patent declared innocent of any such grime, especially the entertaining of George de Pringill, an adherent of the said traitor ; and on his knees he offered to purge himself, just by assize of his peers, second by the judgement of 100 knights and squires, or third with his own hands against whosoever might call upon him (MSS. R. 377).

Robert's tenure as Master Ranger ended in 1470, when he was succeeded in area by William Douglas de Cluny of Traquair (E. R.). In 1473 Mariote de Hoppringill is confirmed in the lands of Kirktonhill and Muir House, as against Robin Hoppringill who had put in a claim to them (L. A.) In November 1474 at Holyrood Robert witnesses a charter by George Home of Wedderburn.

DAVID 1 (OF PILMUIR AND SMAILHOLM)

In 1440 David Hoppringill acts as attorney at the sasine of William de Gordon in the lands of Stitchill (S. W.). To a charter of the fourth part of Blans in Haddingtonshire granted

by him in 1445 his seal is appended, showing " On a bend 3 escallop shells," and. the legend –

S. DAVID DE HOPPRYNGILLE (L. S.).

In 1447 in a letter James II. charges him and two others under penalty of treason not to reply, or give any money, to Patrick, son of Adam Hepburn of Hailes, who had seized and held in Dunbar Castle John Oll, the Prior of Coldingham (C. C.).

In 1450 David, like George and Alexander, the Douglas squires, was one of the brilliant retinue that accompanied William the last Earl of Douglas to the Papal Jubilee at Rome (see above).

David was the first Ranger (Cursor) of the Ward of Tweed, holding the office from 1455 to 1466, under George and Robert Hoppringill, Master Rangers.

On 7th December 1457 at Jedburgh, George, Earl of Angus, Warden of the East and Middle Marches, make an indenture appointing Andrew Ker of Cessford his Bailie of Jedburgh Forest during their mutual lives : in witness of which the Earl set his seal to one part of the indenture, while to the other part was set the seal of David Hoppringill of Pilmuir, because Andrew Ker had no seal of his own present : witnesses, Sir Walter Scott, David Scott, etc. (D. B., Charter 431).

In 1463 at Selkirk, David is on the jury that retoured Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus, in 19 husbandlands near the town (D. B.). In 1464 at Galashiels, David Pringle of Smailholm, with James Pringil, and others, witnesses a charter granted by William Douglas de Cluny of Traquair.

In November 1468 David Pringill resigned into the hands of the King, James III., the lands of Pilmuir, which the King gave back to him " by staff and baton '' (G. S.).

In 1469, on the marriage of James III. to Margaret of Denmark, she obtained as part of her dowry the lordship of Ettrick Forest with the fortalice of Newark, and held the same till her death in 1486.

In 1470, in St Margaret's Chapel in the Castle of Edinburgh, William Douglas of Cluny resigned in favour of Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus, the ward of the lands of Tantallon and earldom of Douglas : witnesses, David Scott of Buccleuch, James, Lord Hamilton, David Pringil, etc. (D. B.). In 1471 at Borthwickshiels, David witnesses, along with David and William Scott,

the infeftment therein of Walter, son and heir of Andrew Ker of Cessford.

In the action between Oliver of Lauder and David Pringill touching the thirling of the lands of Pilmuir to the mill of Lauder the matter is referred to a Jury (L. A.).

In September 1473 expenses are paid by the Exchequer to a messenger passing with letters to David Pringill to the Forest ; and later to a courier passing to David Hoppringill of Smailholm and Tom Ker (Fernihirst) with letters under the Signet, to cause them to come to Edinburgh (E. R).

In 1476 David and his two sons James and Adam are witnesses to the execution of a summons against the Lords Auditors at the instance of Sir John Swinton of that Ilk.

Over the doorway of the old house of Galashiels is said to have been this inscription-

Elspeth Dishington Builted me.

In syn lye not :

The things thou canst not get,

Desyre not.

This Elspeth appears to be the ancestress referred to by John Hoppringill of Smailholm and Galashiels in his Will, 1564, where he mentions that £66 of tocher money was still owing to him and his heirs by the heirs of Sir William Dischington of Ardross. Sir William, who married Elizabeth, sister of King Robert Bruce, was succeeded about 1360 by his son, also Sir William, who, as cousin of King David, was seneschal in the royal household. Thus it came about that the latter's daughter, the above Elspeth, who married David Hoppringill, built the old house of Galashiels, as after his appointment in 1455 as Keeper of the Ward of Tweed, they would have to live there.

It is owing to this royal connection no doubt that we find the early Hoppringills of Smailholm, David 1, James 1, and David 2, taking the leading part they did in the Border affairs of their times.

David died before May 1480. He had issue :-

1. James, his heir.

2. Adam, of St John's Chapel (Chapel on Leader).

3. Thomas, of Wrangholm.

JAMES 1

On the resignation in 1466 of David, as Ranger or Factor of the Ward of Tweed, he was succeeded by his son James, who held the office for a quarter of a century, till 1492, during which time Robert Hoppringill, William Douglas of Traquair, David and Patrick Crichton were in succession Master Rangers.

In 1470 Redhead (Whytbank), one of the 18 steads of the Ward, which paid a rent of £6, 3 cattle, and 20 lambs each, was attached to the office of Ranger as fee; and in 1474 James got a, lease of Blindlee.

In May 1480 on a precept of Chancery, proceeding on a retour, James, as heir of his late father David, gets sasine of the lands of Pilmuir. In June in Edinburgh Castle he is on a jury to decide on the claims of the Abbots of Kelso and Dunfermline as to certain fishings on the Tweed: also the Lords of Council ordain James and his spouse Elisabeth Murray to restore to Jonet, Lady Edmonstone, a matin book-which it was proved the said Elisabeth had-or twenty French crowns.

In 1482 Patrick Murray of Falahill and James are sued by Margaret, daughter of the late Andrew Ker, to pay her 300 merks-the rest of a marriage portion-but the Lords find James and Thomas Ker to be the parties liable (L. A.) In 1484 at Jedburgh James, and David Scott of Branxholm, Robert Gladstone, etc., are on a jury that retoured James Douglas, as heir of his father, the late William of Drumlanrig, in the barony of Hawick (S, B.).

On 12th October 1487 the two steads of Galashiels and Mossilee-hitherto in the hands of the late Queen-and the stead of Blindlee, are leased to James Hoppringill for 19 years by King James III., and confirmed in the following year by James IV. (E. R.).

In 1489, in an action before the Lords of Council anent the ward lands of the late Oliver Lauder belonging to the King, James claimed them as a gift of the King, the proof of which he had not present to show ; the Lords said he could take a summons if he pleased.

In 1494 at the Justice Ayre, Selkirk, David Walsh, Bedrule, produced a remission for art and part in the theft of 26 oxen and cows from James Pringill out of Pilmuir.

James appears to have died in the spring of 1495. By his spouse Elisabeth, daughter of Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh, he had issue :-

1. David, his heir.

2. William: first of Torwoodlee

3. Alexander, first of Trinlyknowe,

4. John, first of Blindlee.

5. Isabella, marr. David Home of Wedderburn.

6. David of Tynnes ; a natural son, called "senior."

DAVID 2

David's first appearance is in the Exchequer Rolls in his father's Account, 1478, in which he gets remission of £10, the fine imposed on him for having killed a stag, on the occasion of his marriage in 1473.

In 1483 the Lords Auditors ordain David Pringill to restore to Lord Borthwick and Marion, Archibald, and Thomas Hog the sheep, cattle, and horses, taken by him, as it was proved, out of Halltree and Brockhouse, or pay the price thereof £198, and £14 for the skaith and wanting of the goods (see Adam of that Ilk).

In 1485 Redhead (Whytbank) is occupied by David with consent of his father.

In April 1490 anent the action pursued by David and William Hoppringill before the Lords of Council against Mr Thomas and John Borthwick of Crookston for the wrongous occupation by the former of the lands of Pirn, and by the latter of the lands of Cortleferry, lands set to the said David and William by the Archbishop of St Andrews under his seal and the common seal of St Andrews: the Lords summon witnesses for the 10th May, when they will settle the matter (see Alexander of that Ilk).

In June 1495 David gets sasine of Pilmuir, Halcroft, and Smailholm.

On 1st October 1496 David, who had acted latterly as keeper for his father, gives in the Account also of Lord Home, Keeper of the Ward of Yarrow.

On 1st October 1498 Alexander Lord Home, Great Chamberlain, who since 1488 had been Ranger of the Ward of Yarrow,

was appointed Receiver of the whole Forest, the offices of Ranger and Master Ranger being abolished.

On 8th August 1502 James IV married the Princess Margaret of England ; and on 1st June 1503 she got from John Murray, Sheriff of Selkirkshire, per her English attorneys, sasine of Ettrick Forest and the Tower of Newark : done near the manor of Galashiels in the presence of Walter Scott of Buccleuch, David Hoppringill of Smailholm, William-Hoppringill, William Ker, etc (Calendar of Documents re Scotland, vol. 4).

In December 1503 David Hoppringill of Smailholm, David in Tynnes' Thomas in Wrangholm, and Adam in St John's Chapel are on a jury together (L. C.).

In the Forest Account ending June 1509 Galashiels and Mossilee are let to David Hoppringill of Smailholm, Margaret his spouse, and David his son and heir, one half of Blindlee to Isabella Murray his mother, and himself and son David, and the other half to John Hoppringill and his son Roger (E. R.).

On 28th| August 1510 at Edinburgh in the Exchequer once, Redhead (Whytbank) is let in feu to David Hoppringill of Smailholm and Margaret Lundie his spouse in conjunct fee, and their heirs male, whom failing, the senior of their heirs female without division; building a mansion of stone and lime, stable, pigeon house, bee house, orchard, oak plantation, etc., also bridges for the passage of the lieges (by the Girthgate and the Tweed), and the King grants to David and his heirs the following annual rents from lands in the bailiary of Lauderdale, viz., 13s. 4d each from Dalcove, Merton, and Addinston ; 40s from Gladswood ; 26s. 8d each from Trabroun and Pilmuir; 30. from Whitelaw ; 6s, 8d each from Airhouse, Bowerhouse, and Collie- law, in all £9, 13s. 4d. ; the precept of sasine being directed to Thomas Hoppringill of Wrangholm (G. S.), see under 1574, 1593 below.

In December 1510 at the Justice Ayre, Selkirk, the Hoppringills of Smailholm, Torwoodlee, Tynnes. Blindlee, and Trinlyknows, and John Murray, Sheriff of Selkirkshire, are convicted of the destruction of the wood of Ettrick Forest and have their fines of £3 remitted on composition; also the said five Hoppringills are admitted to composition for assisting and communicating with George, John, and Alexander, sons of
Adam Hoppringill of St John's Chapel (their relatives), rebels and at the horn.

In the Controller's Account ending July 1513 David pays £100 of the debt left by the late David Hoppringill of Tynnes (E. R.).

On 9th September 1513 was fought the battle of Flodden, in which David lost his brothers, his eldest son David, and his brother-in-law Sir David Home, father of the " Seven Spears of Wedderburn.''

In August 1515 Lord Dacre, English Warden of the West Marches, writing from Etal to Andrew Ker, Scottish Warden of the East Marches, remarks that he had received a letter from the Commissioners by David Pringill (H. L.).

In 1519 in a dispute between Andrew Ker of Fernihirst and the Earl of Angus, Andrew Ker of Cessford, who was on the side of Angus, met at Kelso, routed, and chased into Hume Castle, Sir James Hamilton with the loss of four of his men. On 30th April 1520 in Edinburgh, where Parliament was sitting, took place the battle of " Clear the Causeway," in which the faction of Angus, aided by 800 horsemen under the Homes of Wedderburn, routed and swept from the city that of Arran and the Hamiltons. On 10th July 1520 James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, Regent, and other Hamiltons, on the one part, and Andrew Kerr of Cessford, other Kers, and John Hopprlngill, on the other part, appoint as arbiters to meet at Glasgow and compose their differences, the former, Arthur Hamilton, Provost of Hamilton, and Alexander Baillie of dauphin, the latter, Sir Alexander Jardine of Applegarth, and David Hoppringill of Galashiels : the decreet arbitral, which was that Cessford should take the Earl of Arran's part in all his affairs, and ride and gang with him against the Earl of Angus, and that the Earl should take the part of Cessford and his friends in all their affairs, was signed on the 19th August by the parties, in the presence of John Earl of Lennox, James Lundie of Balgonie, James Hoppringill, etc. ; the John and James Hoppringill here mentioned appear to be David's sons (M.S.S.., Duke of Hamilton).

In 1522 Henry VIII., incensed at the Scots refusing to break with France and depose their Governor, the Duke of Albany, sends Lord Dacre to invade Scotland, who burns
Kelso and 18 towers. In the beginning of August Albany advanced on Carlisle with an army, but is wheedled into an armistice ; and on the 10th there is this entry in the Exchequer : " Delivered to a messenger three letters under the Signet, charging the Laird of Buccleuch, Mark Ker, and David Hoppringill, to come to my Lord Governor, incontinent."

In 1523 the Scots having refused the offer of the Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII., for their young King, the English in the summer again ravaged the Scottish Border. In July Lord Dacre has occasion to write to the Laird of Cessford, Mark Ker, and David Pringill, " Right worshipful Sirs, I commend me to you, and according to the accommodation between us, send you my bond and my son's under our seal and sign manual, not doubting but you will do the same; and I pray you to give credence to the bearer as to myself '' (M.S.S.., British Museum). In September the Earl of Surrey ravaged the Merse, and burned Jedburgh with its Monastery, while Dacre after reducing Fernihirst Castle sacked Kelso. This led to the return from France of Albany, bringing with him a force of 6000 Frenchmen, horses, and artillery, collecting an army of 40,000 men he marched down the north bank of the Tweed (crossing and recrossing Pringill's bridge at Melrose by the way) and laid siege to Wark Castle with his French troops; but as the Scots would not cross the river he retired to Edinburgh, disgusted, and in May 1524 left for France, never to return.

This opened the way for the return of the Earl of Angus to Scotland, where he soon became supreme in affairs. He was appointed Warden of the Marches, and a bond to support him in the office, was signed in March 1525 by the Border barons and lairds, including in Selkirkshire Walter Scott of Buccleuch, John Murray of Philiphaugh, David Hoppringill of Galashiels, etc. In January 1526 the English ambassador, writing to Wolsey with reference to the 3-years' truce about to be signed at Berwick, says that the Lords Wardens are to meet on the 16th and 17th, and that " All Scottish subjects who have been injured are to send in their bills with all diligence, for causes touching Teviotdale, to Davy Pringill at Kelso, or to the Abbot " (H. L.).

In May 1526 a letter of pardon to the Scotts, Kers, Hoppringills, Turnbulls, and others, is issued under the Privy Seal, for their treasonably coming with the Homes and others our rebels to Edinburgh and thence to Stirling against James Earl of Arras, then Lieutenant to us. The list of 148 persons included 9 Hoppringills, viz., John of Redhead (Whytbank), and James, his brother, James in Fawdonsyde, George of St John's Chapel, Robert of Blindlee, and James his brother, George of Torwoodlee and James and David his brothers, together with 57 Scotts, 9 Turnbulls, 10 Rutherfords, 11 Dalglieshes, etc. ( S. B.).

In July 1526, with the object of freeing the boy King from the Douglases who kept him a prisoner, the Borderers attacked Angus at Pringill's bridge on the Tweed, but were defeated (see Buckholm). In 1528 the young King, James V., now 17, managed to escape by his own strategy, and the Douglases were banished.

In August 1534 at Galashiels William Veitch of Dawick, for a sum of money paid to him, granted to David Hoppringill of Smailholm, his spouse Margaret Lundie, and their son James, hereditarily, the lands of Lour and the western side of Easter Dawick, Peeblesshire : witnesses, Mr Robert Hoppringill, rector of Morham, George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee and David his brother, etc. In December following at Edinburgh David, for love and favour, with consent of his spouse, granted to his son James a charter of his half of the barony of Mennar (G. S., 1534-5).

It follows from the above correspondence that David was a, Warden-depute. He died apparently in 1535. Issue by his first wife:-

1. David, killed at Flodden 1513.

2. John, his heir.

By his second wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Lundie

3. James, of Woodhouse and Whytbank (see Whytbank).

4. William.

5. Jonet, marr. George Brown of Coalston; alive in 1575.

DAVID OF TYNNES

David Hoppringill was tenant of Tynnes on the Yarrow, under Alexander Lord Home, who held the lands as the fee of his office as Ranger of the Ward, and who in 1498 was made Receiver of the whole Forest. David, who appears to have been a natural brother of David of Smailholm, and consequently is often called " senior '' for distinction, was a not less prominent figure in the affairs of the Forest than David himself.

In 1485 the Forest stead of Torwoodlee appears as let to him and his spouse Mariota (apparently of Philiphaugh), and was held till 1501. ln December 1499 Seathope, Caddonhead, Eldinhope and Douglascraig, furnished with 1400 of the King's own sheep are let to him and John Murray of Philiphaugh for 9 years, at £200 ; the same number of sheep to be restored as good as received when they vacated the steads (E. R.). In 1500 Caddonlee is let to David and William, sons of the late James Hoppringill of Smailholm, for 9 years, and the Haining lands to David and John Murray for the same time. In April 1510 when the leases of the Forest lands were altered into feus, Seathope and Craigdouglas were granted to David at £50 duty each, but resigned by him a year thereafter in favour of the Lord Treasurer, while with his consent Caddonhead, Garlacleugh, and Blackhouse leased to him in 1509, are feted to Stewart of Traquair, David himself retaining the feus of Tynnes and Glengaber.

David of Tynnes was a familiar figure at the Justice Ayres on the Borders. Between 1494 and 1510 he became surety in a dozen cases where remission for offences was obtained, that the terms agreed on should be fulfilled. He was a juryman on half a dozen Retours; and while he occasionally had to pay, like other tenants, for tilling and sowing Forest land and cutting wood (see David above) he got compensation for a theft of his farm stock. He also had acted as deputy for Lord Home in Yarrow.

On 10th October 1508 " For singular love towards David Hoppringill of Tynnes Mr James Henrison, burgess of Edinburgh, Clerk of Justiciary, granted to William Hoppringill, son of the late James of Smailholm, and his heirs, his fourth part of the lands of Clifton, Rox." (G. S., 1509).

David died in 1512, s.p. In July 1513 David of Smailholm and William of Torwoodlee, his half brothers, paid to the Exchequer £240 indebted by him.

JOHN

John succeeded his father David in his lands of Smailholm, Pilmuir, and others, and his leases of the Galashiels lands, while Redhead (Whytbank) was claimed by Margaret Lundie, relict of his father, and her son James. John's seal, described as " on a bend engrailed 3 escallops, foliage at the top and sides of the shield, diameter 1 1/4 inch," appears appended to an indenture between him and James Heriot of Trabroun, dated May 1537 (L. S., 827). The charter granted by him in 1541 to his spouse Margaret, daughter of Sir James Gordon of Lochinvar, of the lands of Blackchester, Muirhouse, and others, in Lauderdale, is confirmed (T. A.).

In May 1542 he is one of several sureties that John Hume of Blackadder will remain in Dumbarton and a mile there- around, under a penalty on £20,000 until released (P. C. T.).

In July 1542 a contract of marriage is made at Edinburgh between Isabella, John's daughter, and William, son end- heir appt. of William Gordon of Crauchlaw, who grants them a, charter of 7 1/2 , mark lands in Wigtownshire (G.S.).

The disaster of Solway Moss and the death of King James V now took place, and Henry VI1I., exasperated by his failure to kidnap or get delivery of the infant Princess Mary, set about ravaging the Scottish Border. In May 1543 the Treasurer pays a messenger " passing with letters to discharge the Kers or the Hoppringills to ride (on a foray) or make convocation (of their surname) '' (T. A.). In November 1544 the Tynedale and Redesdale men with certain Assured Scots “ took up Smailholm, Smailholm Craig, Merton, and Redpath, and took 100 prisoners, and brought away 600 cattle, 100 horses, and much household furnishing '' ; also John Carr with his company in Wark Castle " ran a foray to Smailholm town and about the castle, and got 123 nolt and 8 nags '' (H. L.). In Feb. 1545 at Ancrum Moor the Scottish Borderers made good, slaying and capturing nearly 2000 of an invading army. In June 1546 the garrison of Wark ran a foray to Smailholm Craig, and there got 60 cattle and

4 prisoners; and in the following month the said garrison with that of Cornhill ran one to Smailholm Tower, and another to Stitching, and got 6 cattle H. L.). Evidently there was little farm stock left hereabout, or the people had removed it else- where for safety.

In 1547 the Hoppringills of Smailholm, Torwoodlee, and Westhousebyre become surety for the ransom of Hugh Rose of Kilravock, captured by the English at the battle of Pinkie (see Westhousebyre).

In October 1548 Lord Grey, the English Warden, guided and assisted by the Kers and other Scots, burned, in time of harvest, the towns of Hawick and Selkirk, destroyed the whole steadings pertaining to Walter Scott of Buccleuch and his kin on the Yarrow and Ettrick, and burned Catslack Tower with the said Walter's mother (herself a Ker) therein, also Newark Castle. These Scottish Borderers who on this occasion accompanied Grey, had been forced, after the disaster of Pinkie, in self-preservation to transfer their allegiance to England. Amongst them were the Kers, who were at feud with the Scotts, the Rutherfords, the Hoppringills, including John of Smailholm (S. B.).

In May 1550 John gets sasine of the whole Southquarter of the lands of Mellerstain, which he bought from Henry Haitlie (P. B., Corbet).

In October 1550 at Edinburgh, Francis Tenant, the Provost, borrows from William, son of the late David Hoppringill of Galashiels, eleven score and twelve crowns of the sun, usual money of Scotland, to help relieve Patrick Houston of that llk and pay the composition for his ransom granted for art and part in the slaughter of the late Robert Mure of Caldwell, and binds him to repay as received, the said crowns to the said William, before Martinmas next (L. C.).

In September 1550 John's niece, Margaret Brown of Coalston, contracts to marry Robert Lawson, younger, of Humbie. In November Andrew Hoppringill, John's son, acts as attorney for John Gordon at his sasine in the lands of Stitchill (S. Lev.).

In April 1555 the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee, presently possessed by John Hoppringill of Smailholm and his spouse Margaret Gordon, are let anew to them by the Queen, with consent of her mother Mary, the Regent, for 9 years (E. R.).

As appears from a record Margaret Lundie, widow of the late David Hoppringill, was alive in 1555.

In 1557 at Holyrood William Hoppringill resigns Sandirsdail, Haddingtonshire, pertaining to the Abbey, in favour of George Brown of Coalston and his spouse Jonet Hoppringill (P, B., Robeson).

The struggle of the Regent, Mary of Lorraine, with the Lords of Congregation was now proceeding; and on 20th September 1558 the Exchequer pays " four boys passing furth of Dunbar with closed writings of the Queen's Grace to the Scotts and Hoppringills,'' and on the following day " a messenger passing furth of Edinburgh at even with letters to charge the lairds of Traquair and Hangingshaw, and the whole Surnames of Hoppringills and Scotts to be in Melrose on the 24th inst. for resisting our auld enemies of England '' (T. A.).

In March 1559 the Queen granted to David, son of John Hoppringill, and his spouse Margaret Gordon, and his heirs, the lands of Halcroft and the dominical Mains of Smailholm, with their tower fortalice, husbandlands, and cottages, which the said John resigned, reserving free tenement : further Andrew, John's senior son, or heirs, to have regress to the lands whenever he or they paid to David or his heirs 900 merks in the Church of St Giles, Edinburgh, on 40 days' premonition (G. S.).

In April 1561 at Galashiels, Margaret, John's daughter, contracts to marry Andrew Rutherford, younger, of Hundalee (R. D.).

On 7th November 1561 John's tack of Galashiels and Mossilee is altered into one in favour of himself and Andrew, his eldest son, for all and whole the space of nineteen years following the date hereof (P. S.).

John died in December 1564. His will showed goods and gear in Galashiels, Mossilee, and Stitchill worth £761 ; money owing to him for the teind sheaves of Stow for the years 1556 to 1564 inclusive £333, and for those of Torquhan and Plenploth £ 8, and of Torsonce £20, by respectively John Lord Borthwick, Andrew and Thomas Hoppringill, and by the late Sir William Dischington of Ardross and his heirs, for the rest of tocher money £66, total £1107 ; and owing by him the rest of tocher to Andrew Haliburton of Muirhouselaw £100, and Andrew Rutherford of Hundalee £200 and for the half year's

mail for Galashiels £45, and Stitchill mill and lands £12, and to 15 servants at Galashiels, etc., total £513, leaving free gear £594 (C. B.) .

John and his spouse, Margaret Gordon, daughter of Sir James Gordon of Lochinvar and Stitchill, had issue :1.

1. Andrew, his heir.

2. David of Bardarroch.

3. James.

4. Isabella, marr. William Gordon, younger, of Crauchlaw, Wigtownshire, 1542.

5. Margaret, marr. Andrew Rutherford, younger, of Hundalee, 1561.

6. ------ , marr. Andrew Haliburton of Muirhouselaw.

7. ------ , marr. - Borthwick (see Andrew's Will below).

8. ------, marr. - Inglis.

9. Bessie.

John's widow, Margaret, married as her second husband, John Hoppringill of Wrangholm (which see).

ANDREW

On 26th June 1566 the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee within the lordship of Ettrick Forest, formerly belonging to his ancestors on lease, and now to him, are granted to Andrew, alias Dand, Hoppringle of Smailholm, to be held of the King and Queen (Darnley and Mary), hereditarily, in fen, duty £ 90 ; Andrew having paid for infeftment £400 (P. S.). In April 1568 Andrew having paid the 900 merks stipulated in his brother David's charter of Halcroft and the Mains of Smailholm, with the tower fortalice, the Lords order David to give up to him the lands and the charter (A. D.). In June Andrew infefts his spouse Mariota, daughter of the late Lord Borthwick, in the lands and mills of Galashiels.

On 6th February 1572 the Regent sent officers of arms with letters to the market crosses of the Border burghs to charge all men between 16 and 60 years of age, with six days' provisions; to address them within 24 hours to Lord Ruthven at Jedburgh, under pain of life, lands, and goods, to defend that burgh against Sir Thomas Ker, sometime of Fernihirst,

who was threatening it with a force of men of war and broken Borderers. On 12th February, at Jedburgh, was sub- scribed a General Band to rise against Fernihirst and his accomplices, or the thieves of Liddesdale and Annandale, present them when found before the Justice or Warden, and rise at any bale or warnings made for the relief of those oppressed by them. The Band was subscribed in 1571 by 59 Border lairds, including 9 Kers, 7 Rutherfords, 4 Hoppringles (Smailholm, Blindlee, Torwoodlee and Whytbank), 4 Turnbulls, 2 Scotts, 2 Humes,

etc. (P. C.).

In October 1573, in the tolbooth of Lauder, Andrew is detoured heir of his father in the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester.

On 1st February 1574 Andrew granted to George Hoppringill of Wrangholm (suus consanguineous|) a charter of fen of 2 husbandlands with 3 cottage lands, and the hill lying from Smailholm Tower towards the west ; to be held by the said George and his heirs male, whom failing to return to Andrew and his heirs male ; paying yearly 4 bolls oatmeal and 2 bolls barley, and the customary service due when required against all, the King excepted : provided that, if the said Andrew or his heirs should come to the Tower and stay there, they should be allowed 12 sheep on the grounds of the said lands, with pasturage of 4 horses, whilst in person they remained there. Thus Andrew, who lived at Galashiels, still retained the famous Tower (G. S., 1609).

In June 1574 the Lords, overruling John Bryden, and Andrew's mother, now spouse of John Hoppringle in Stitchill, order a transumpt to be made and given to Andrew of the instrument on the protocoll book of William Bryden, notary, taken in October 1510, when certain annual rents from places in Lauderdale were given to Andrew's grandfather David and his heirs.

In June 1575 Andrew appears first in the list of 12 Hoppringills summoned by the Privy Council to meet the 6 Elliots re the feud (see Torwoodlee).

In 1576 he summons his mother and her second husband to deliver to him his father's evidence and charters of his lands and annual rents in Lauderdale ; and he has to get an order afterwards for their removal from Smailholm Tower, into which they had entered and refused to leave (A. D.).

On 10th March 1580 at Stirling Castle the King granted a letter of legitimising in favour of James Hoppringle, natural son of Andrew Hoppringle of Smailholm (G. S.).

In 1582 Andrew, having summoned his brother David to exhibit his tack of the tends of the kirk of Stow, half of which by contract with David belonged to him, the Lords found Andrew entitled to the half from the date of the tack Lammas 1573, but not in time coming (A. D.). In March 1582 George Preston, sometime Tutor of Craigmillar, summoned Andrew Hoppringill and 13 tenants of the cornmills, waukmills, and mill lands of Galashiels, to vacate them, as let to him by the Controller ; but Andrew's procurators show that the mills and lands had always been included as pertinents of Galashiels, and had never been let separately past memory of man : the Lords repelled the claim, and order Preston to pay Andrew's expenses (A. D.).

In March Andrew appears in a, list of 37 Border lairds summoned to appear before the Privy Council on the 10th inst., under pain of rebellion, to give their advice anent the quieting of the present troubles and disorders in Teviotdale and Liddesdale : the list included 7 Kers, '7 Scotts, 3 Rutherfords,

3 Turnbulls, 6 Elliots, James Hoppringill of Whytbank,

etc. (P. C.)

In March 1583 Andrew grants an obligation to Isabella, his only daughter, also to his son Robert (R. D.).

The Testament of the late Andrew Pringill of Smailholm, who died on the last day of February 1585-6, made by Elizabeth and Robert, his bairns, and their Tutors, inventory, upon the lands of Galashiels, Pilmuir, Halkerland, and Blackchester £1817, debts owing to him, for teinds by the Pringills of Muirhouse, Cortleferry and Trinlyknowe, and by the tenants of Smailholm and Mossilee, and of Pilmuir and Blackchester, total £1987. Latter Will - Commits his soul to the eternal God, and his body to the ground to be buried in the Abbey of Melrose in his tomb made there by himself , and nominates Walter Riddell of that Ilk and his son Robert, and John Pringill of Buckholm, Tutors to his bairns : legacies-to James Inglis and his sister (my sister's children) £20 each, to John Borthwick, my sister's: son, £ 20, and to Bessie Pringill my sister in ... £20 (T, E. 1586).

The memorial to Andrew in Melrose Abbey consists of a life-size effigy of him sculptured in relief on a sandstone slab lying on the floor of the Galashiels chapel, bearing the legend –

Heir leis ane honorabil man Andro

Pringil, feuar of Gallowshiels,

Quha decessit ye 28 Februare, an. dom. 1585.

Andrew and his spouse Mary Borthwick, daughter of John, 5th Lord Borthwick, had issue :

1. James, the heir.

2. Robert of Houliston.

3. Isabella, marr. George Pringill of Blindlee.

Andrew's widow marr. 1st, Robert Pringill, Tutor of Blindlee ; 2nd, John Hume,

DAVID OF BARDARROCH, KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE

son of John Hoppringle of Smailholm, gets from him in 1559 a charter, under conditions, of Halcroft, Smailholm Mains and Tower (for which, and their redemption in 1563 by his brother Andrew see under Andrew above). (In 1576 he sues all and sundry the parishioners of Stow, mentioning that he ha- s a tack from the late John, Archbishop of St Andrews, of all and whole the fourth part of the three-quarter part of the teinds, fruits and emoluments of the kirk of Stow for 19 years following his entry thereto at Whitsunday 1574, yet the said parishioners say they will not pay unless compelled : these trends amounting yearly to 80 bolls victual (one-third heir and two-thirds heaped meal), 80 lambs at £16 the score overhead, 12 stone teind wool at £3, and 10 stone cheese at £1-to the half of which his brother Andrew by contract with him had right : the Lords order the parishioners to pay the teinds to David. They also confirmed David's grant of the teinds of Sunderlandhall. ln 1593 Thomas; son of the late John Hoppringill of Wrangholm who was spouse of David's mother when she died, is ordered to deliver to him her goods, jewellers, etc., within the Tower (see Wrangholm). In 1615 David, who had tenanted Bardarroch in the parish of Anwoth, Kirkcudbrightshire, is granted by William McCullough a charter

of the 2 1/2-merks land thereof with mansion) and four 5-merk lands adjoining, under reversion ; to be held of the King (G. S.).

David died before May 1622. He had issue, two natural sons, John his heir, and James of St John's clachan, Dalry.

In 1622 John Pringill, who had appeared in 1601 as a witness anent the lands of Newhall, is retoured heir of his father David in the lands of Bardarroch) the 5-merk land of Newton of Cardinnes, and another ; and shortly afterwards the lands are redeemed by an assignee of William McCullough (G. S,).

In 1637 John Pringill and his spouse Margaret Fullerton, with their son William and his spouse Margaret Logan, get from John Gordon, the superior, sasine of Newton of Cardinnes, under reversion.

In 1646 William, son of John Pringill, is in Shawloch.

In 1665 William, son of William Pringill, is retoured his heir in Shawloch.

SIR JAMES, KNIGHT

In April 1584 a charter is granted to James Hoppringill, son and heir apparent to Andrew Hoppringill of Smailholm, of the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester, with pertinents, also of the lands of Halcroft and dominical lands of Smailholm, resigned by the said Andrew by staff and baton in the hands of the King, his immediate superior, at Holyroodhouse ; to be held by the said James and his heirs male of the King and his successors (P. S.).

In May 1586 in the tolbooth of Selkirk, before Patrick Murray, Sheriff-Principal, James Hoppringill is retoured heir of the late Andrew his lather in the lands and steads of Galashiels and Mossilee, to be held of the King, paying yearly £90, 5s. feu duty, sustaining two horsemen-one with lance and other necessary arms, and the other a pack horse to do the King's service in war and hostings - and upholding mansions, etc., corresponding to the estate (MSS., R., 2837).

In 1588 Walter Riddell of that Ilk and his son Andrew, and Mr Robert Hoppringill in Langshaw, Tutors of James, summon John Hoppringill of Buckholm, his fourth Tutor, stating that the said. James was past the age of eight years or thereby and was now able to be put to school, yet the said John was allowing him to lose his time, keeping him therefrom, and intromitting

with his whole living and rents as he thinks expedient to his own personal advantage : the Lords of Council order both parties to give in an account of their intermissions ; and in December, with the consent of both parties, ordain James to be put to school in Edinburgh and boarded with David Hoppringill, apothecary burgess. .A. year thereafter the said David summoned the Tutors, especially John Hoppringill, to pay for James's board and expenses for the year : the Lords order the said John to pay within ten days or to be put to the horn (A. D.).

In 1591 James's Curators, now Andrew Riddell, younger, John Cranston of Morriston, and David Hoppringill of Bardarroch, point out to the tax collector that James's proportion of the barons' tax for his 18 husbandlands of Smailholm had already been paid ; also with consent of James, and Lady Galashiels, her mother (now spouse of John Home), they make a contract of marriage between Isabella Hoppringill and George Hoppringill of Blyndlee (R. D.).

In 1593 James is retoured heir of his great-grandfather David in an annual rent of £9, 16s. 8d. from eleven farms in Lauderdale, and of a mark each from eight holdings in the town of Lauder (E. R.).

In 1595 for the better security of James and his heirs male in the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee the King grants him a new charter thereof (P. S.).

In 1597 James on the one part and Marie Borthwick and her spouse John Home on the other, find caution on £1000 not to harm one another (P, C.).

On 26th July 1597, at Galashiels, is subscribed a Bond of Manrent between James Pringill of Smailholm " taking the burden on him for the haill name of pringill cumit of his hous" and James Hoppringill of that Ilk " for himself and taking the burden on him for sa mony of the name as ar cumin of his hows, quhais names ar undersubscryvand - James pringill of Smailholm, George Pringill of Torwoodlee, James pringill of Woodhouse, George pringill of Blindlee, James Hoppringle of that Ilk, James Pringill, yr. of Quhytbank, George pringill yr. of Newhall '' (S. W.).

In August 1597 the King grants a charter of the lands of Newhall, formerly belonging to George Pringill, elder, and now to the King, to James and his heirs male, whom failing, to

his heirs male whomsoever bearing the surname and arms of Pringill (G. S.).

In November 1598 James Hoppringle of Galashiels and George Hoppringle of Blindlee appear before the Privy Council to answer for their bearing and shooting hackbuts and pistolets contrary to the laws, for instance, at one another in September last at the house of Blindlee : having heard their excuses, the Lords order James to enter in ward in Edinburgh Castle, and George in Blackness Castle, within 24 hours (P. C.) : two days afterwards Andrew Riddell of that Ilk and Alexander Horsburgh of that Ilk became cautioners in 3000 merks for James to underlie the King's will in the matter ; and in November 1599 James and George are ordered to appear before the Council prepared to submit the feud between them to amicable arbitrament of friends to be nominated by them (P. C.). The origin of the feud between the two brothers-in-law, which led to the slaughter of Robert Pringill, Tutor of Blindlee, by Andrew Ker of Linton, is obscure (but see under Blindlee).

On 1st June 1602 a contract was made between Mark Earl of Lothian and James Pringill of Galashiels that if a marriage should take place between a daughter of the Earl and John Lord Borthwick, or, if deceased, with his brother James Borthwick, then in that case, and that only, James should resign to Lord Borthwick, on being paid 11,000 merks, the lands that had first been apprised by Lord Roslin and later assigned to him. In April 1605 James got sasine, on a charter of alienation granted by the Earl of the lands, viz., Cribbilaw, Over and Nether Shiels, Over and Nether Lugate, Gilmerton, Pirntaiton, the town and lands of Stow, also of the justiciary and bailiary of the Regality of Stow (A. D., Hay). In March 1610 James gets a confirmatory charter of the lands from the superior, George Archbishop of St Andrews, paying the feu duty of £90, also a second charter granting to him and his eldest son David, and to their successors, the teind sheaves and teinds great and small, of the lands of Hangingshaw, Crookston,

Cortleferry, Pirn, Muirhouse, Bowland and Crumside, Newhall and Knowes, and the west side of Caddonhead, estimated to be five-sixteenths of the teinds of the kirk of Stow, paying therefor £43, and his share of all expenses and taxations connected therewith (A. D., Dalrymple).

In January 1610 James feus Smailholm Craig to George Pringill (see Wrangholm) (A. D., 1635, Scott).

In November 1610 James Pringill of Galashiels is appointed a Commissioner of Peace for Selkirkshire. In August 1611 the Commissioners write to the Privy Council that they had begun the charge given to them by appointing constables and choosing stentors and collectors of taxation for the poor. With regard to the order for suppressing sturdy and idle beggars, and supporting the truly poor, they point out that the county consisted wholly of store farms and of sub-tenants who have neither export abroad nor get any price at home, and were subject to dear mails, feu duties and continual taxation, and were scarcely able to maintain themselves far less to help others, and they suggest that the Council should appoint some common work in every parish, as the making of highways or such like, whereby the idle may be forced to work and the willing get employment, and that the fines obtained for riotous ants should be employed for the purpose in view : signed 'by Galashiels, A. Pringill, Sir John Murray, etc. (P. C.).

In June 1613 John, Lord Borthwick, having married Lilian Ker, daughter of the Earl of Lothian, fulfils the contract of 1602, pays James the stipulated 11,000 merks; who, taking the burden for his partner's in the apprised, restores to him his lands, and resigns the teinds of the kirk of Stow, and the Bailiary of the legality (A. D., Gibson).

On 2nd October 1617 the King confirms the charter of Sir James Pringill of Galashiels and his heirs masculine bearing the surname and arms of Pringill, and their assignees whomsoever, of the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee, with the mansion, grain and waulk mills, fishings, and burgh of barony of Galashiels, the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester, the lands of Halcroft and the dominical lands of Smailholm with fortalice and permanents. Moreover, the King ratifies all the charters made thereupon to the said James's predecessors, and gives the lands to him anew, together with the salmon and other fishings on both sides of the Tweed between the bridge of Melrose and the mouth of the Ettrick ; also, with consent of the minister and vicar Mr Patrick Urquhart, the allocation of the vicarage of Lindean with the teinds ; incorporates the whole in the free barony of Galashiels, and anew erects the town of Galashiels

into a free burgh of barony, with power of holding a market every Wednesday, and two public fairs annually, on Midsummer and Michaelmas day : reddendo for Galashiels £90, 5s., and finding two horsemen, one with a lance, the other with a work horse, for the ridings of the King ; for Craigleith (Newhall) £29, 13s. 4d., and for the rest the rights and services due and wont (G. S,).

In 1619 Sir James had 1 tenant, John Home in Houliston, 11 in Smailholm and Halcroft, 5 in Pilmuir, 2 in Blackchester, and 1 in House of Muir. About 1620 he is granted a charter of Cellarershaugh, Galashiels (G. S.).

In December 1620 a contract of marriage is made between Isabella Pringill, Sir James's eldest daughter, and Sir James Murray of Philiphaugh, she to have in liferent the lands of Cranston Riddell (G. S.).

In March 1621 Jean, another daughter of Sir James, contracts to marry Hugh, second son of Walter Seott of Harden, " Auld Wat," and his wife Mary Scott of Dryhope, " The Flower of Yarrow '' (S. P.). In September 1621 David Pringill, Sir James's eldest son, contracts to marry Margaret, daughter of the said Walter Scott of Harden and his second wife Mary Edgar of Wedderlie, who after David's death married William McDougall of Makerston (S. P.).

In June 1621 Sir James Pringill of Galashiels, and James Pringill of Torwoodlee are appointed M.P.'S for Selkirkshire (A. P.).

On 28th August 1622 Sir James compeared personally before the Privy Council and accepted the once of Sheriff-principal of Selkirkshire (P. C.).

In November 1622 he took part in the discussions initiated by the Privy Council as to sending surplus wool to England or manufacturing it in Scotland (P. C.).

In October 1623 the first Quarter Session of the J.P.'S of Selkirkshire was held in the tollbooth of Selkirk, and they instructed Sir James as convener to write to the Privy Council a letter practically treating of the same matters and making the same suggestions as in their letter of 1611, quoted above.

In July 1626 the burghs of the kingdom having complained bitterly to the Privy Council of the misery caused by the export of wool and the consequent heightening of its price at home, the Council called for information from those specially interested,

and at a meeting of the J.P.S held in August in the kirk of Selkirk Sir James is instructed to reply, giving the prices current for wool and the various kinds of cattle and sheep, adding that prohibiting their export had stopped Englishmen coming in and giving a full price to the poor folk, but had not stopped their export by the richer sort : and as to the bearing of hackbuts (hand-guns) and pistolets there were none forbore to wear them, at least beyond Tweed (P. C.).

During 1628-9 commissions are given to Sir James along with certain other J.P.'S to try 9 persons, men and women, in Selkirkshire for witchcraft (P. C.).

In June 1629 the King granted to James, son and heir apparent to Sir James Pringill of Galashiels and to Jean, daughter of Sir John Scott of Scotstarvit, Director of Chancery, his future spouse, the parts of the lands of Galashiels called Mains and Boldsyde, in conjunct infeftment; also the rest of the lands and barony of Galashiels as granted to his father Sir James in October 1617, Sir James's liferent reserved; also to Jean Ker, Sir James's spouse the liferent of Mossilee and Stockbrig with their teinds; in exchange for Halcroft and Smailholm (G. S.).

On 9th January 1632 the King granted to James Scott, son of Hugh (son of Walter of Harden) and his spouse Jean Pringill, daughter of Sir James, the lands and barony of Galashiels and Mossilee, as granted to Sir James on 2nd October 1617, which the said Sir James, with consent of his sons John and George and the said Hugh Scott and his spouse Jean, resigned, reserving to the said Hugh the liferent and to the said Jean an annual rent of £1000 therefrom ; and declaring not comprehended in the charter Craigleith (Newhall), Pilmuir, Blackchester, Halcroft and the dominical lands and Tower of Smailholm, with their pendicles (G. S.). Thus passed to Sir James's grandson James Scott, first of the Scotts of Gala, the lands of Galashiels, which the Pringills of Smailholm had held of the Sovereign since 1486.

On 21st July 1632 Sir James assigned and disponed to John Lord Hay of Yester, the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester, for 18,500 merks (G. S.), who thereupon assigned and disponed them to John, Earl of Lauderdale. The Pringills had held these lands of the Douglases and the Sovereigns since at least the

time of Robert Hoppringill who was killed at the battle of Verneuil in 1425.

In July 1635 Sir James, who in 1610 had feued parts of the Mains and Hill of Smailholm to George Pringill of Wrangholm, now sues him for failing to fulfil the terms of the feu, and the Lords, finding this proved, order George's goods to be poinded and apprised and the lands restored 'to Sir James (A. D., Scott).

Sir James died on 20th August 1635, aged 60. By his spouse Jean Ker of Linton he had issue:

1. David, marr. Margaret, daughter of Walter Scott of Harden, died s.p.

2. James, marr. Jean, daughter of Sir John Scott of Scotstarvet, died s.p.

3. John, his heir.

4. Mr George, Sheriff-depute of Selkirkshire, alive in 1637.

5. Jean, marr. Hugh, son of Walter Scott of Harden, in 1621.

6. Isabella, marr. Sir John Murray of Philiphaugh in 1620.

7. Margaret, marr. Thomas Campbell, a minister in England.

8. Anna, marr. James Hamilton, a minister in Edinburgh.

Memorial of Sir James in Melrose Abbey

on the wall of the Galashiels chapel.

Hic jacet Dominus

Jacobus Pringall

us a Gallosheils

Eques : qui obiit

vicesimo die Au

gusti An. Dom.

1635) aetatis suae

60.

From Our Journal into Scotland, 5th November 1629, from Lowther, Cumberland, made by C. Lowther and two companions on horseback, published among the MSS. of the Earl of Lonsdale, we take the following remarks about Sir James. The travellers had an introduction to him from Robert Pringill who had been many years resident at Baitingbush on the Esk as bailie to the Earl of Buccleuch, and had just bought Stitchill.

They crossed the Tweed half a mile below the Ettrick, " and to Sir James's house did we go, and were wondrous courteously entertained. He is one of the best husbandmen in the country, as appeared by his planting, and by his requiring his tenants to plant 6 fruit trees or 12 others, or, if they did not, pay him 4d. per tree. He keeps 2 waulkmills and 2 corn mills. The town is a burgh of barony. He has been Sheriff of Selkirkshire for three years together, is a Commissioner, with a status similar to one of our Judges on Circuit, and Conveener of the Justices of Peace. He is a great man in this country. There are Pringills for some 8 miles up Gala Water, gentlemen all having pretty seats.

" On the Sunday, as soon as we came to town, we alighted and went to church, to Sir James, who took us into his own seat, one on the one side of him, and the others on the other. We heard a good sermon, both in the forenoon and afternoon. The seats were the finest I have ever seen, and the church the orderliest.

" Beside him is the Meigle Hill, which word Meigle is a watchword to gather a company dispersed in war. He hath a very pretty park with natural walks, and artificial ponds and arbours now a-making. He hath neat gardens and orchards, and, through his care, so have his tenants, He hath also abundant cherry trees bearing a black cherry, a great store of sycamores, firs, and others he calleth silk trees. I saw there the finest gun I ever beheld, which had belonged to the King of Spain.

" He gave us great respect, and said he had heard of my father. In Scotland wives alter not their surnames. They served up dinner and supper with their hats on before their masters, each dish covered with another. There was a basin set to wash our hands in before we sat down. When seated, Sir James said grace. Their cheer was big pottage, long kale, bow or white kale, which is cabbage, powdered beef, roast and boiled mutton, venison pie, then cheese in small bits on a pewter platter, and cheese uncut. Then the table cloth was taken off a large towel, ewer and basin to wash provided, and a green cover laid on, whereon were set cups of beer with little lawn serviettes and a glass of hot water. Then be 3 boys to say grace, the 1st the thanksgiving, the 2nd the paternoster,

and the 3rd a prayer for a blessing to God's Church, the Goodman of the house, his parents, kinsfolk, and the whole company. They then do drink hot waters. So at supper ; when to bed, a collation, which is a stoup of ale. And also in the morning, and at other times, when a man desireth to drink, he is given beer, and a narrow serviette to dry his mouth, and a wheat loaf and a knife, in observance of the good old rule, " Incipe cum liquido, sicco finire memento," Begin with the liquid, and finish with the solid.

" When we came away in the morning, after a walk in the park, gardens, and places about, and having done well at breakfast, Sir James, having given us letters of introduction in Edinburgh, along with his eldest son, set us 2 miles on our way, and his youngest more than 4.

" The Pringles glory in that they were never but on the King's side in all the troublesome times, and amongst landowners were envied because they never leapt out with any of the Lords, nor were attainted. England and Scotland wooed roughly before they wedded.

" A little below the junction of the Gala with the Tweed hath been a very strong fortified bridge, having the tower yet standing, which was the gate to the bridge in old times.''

JOHN

John Pringill and his sister Margaret acted as executors to their father the late Sir James.

In November 1636 the King granted to Robert Pringill of Blindlee, Hugh Scott of Galashiels, John Haliburton, younger, of Muirhouselaw, and William Inglis, W.S., proportionately to the sums for which they were sureties for the late Sir James Pringill and his son John, the West Mains of Smailholm, called the dominical lands, with Tower and mill, Halcroft, the 6 cotlands, and the husbandlands, which the said Sir James and his son John resigned on 8th August 1635; redeemable for 27,000 merks (G. S.).

In July 1640 the Governor of Berwick wrote to London that Sir Andrew Ker of Greenhead (son-in-law of Scott of Harden) and certain other Kers having joined the Earl of Lothian, a Covenanter, and left Lord Ker, whose regiment was

incomplete, the latter had sent a number of musketeers to attack Sir Andrew in Smailholm Tower, who, however, having as many in the house drove them back again (S. P. E.).

In 1645 the King granted the whole of Smailholm lands to Sir William Scott of Harden and Melton, brother of the above Hugh of Galashiels (G. S.). The Pringills had held these lands since at least 1459.

ROBERT PRINGLE of HOULISTON, Sir James's brother, appears to have died in 1653, when Jean Lady Galashiels (alive in 1660), her two daughters Margaret and Anna, and John Murray, eldest son to Isabella Magill Lady Philiphaugh, become heirs portioners of Houliston (Retours, Berwick, 1039).

A. D.	Acts and Decreets of the Lords of Council and Session
A. P.	Acts of Parliament.
B. E.	The Border Elliots.
B. P.	The Border Papers,
B. R.	Burgh Records.
C. B.	Craig Brown's History of Selkirkshire
C. C.	Coldingham Charters, Raine's History of North Durham
C. I.	Cosmo Innes Transcripts.
C. P.	Chambers's History of Peeblesshire.
D. A.	Chambers's Domestic Annals of Scotland.
D. B.	The Douglas Book, Sir William Fraser.
E. R.	The Exchequer Rolls.
G. M.	The Gentleman's Magazine. Gunn's Cross Kirk, Peebles, 1560-1590.
G. S	The Great Seal.
H. L.	Henry VIII Letters and Papers.
H. P.	Brenan's House of Percy.
H. S.	Henry VIII, State Papers.
L. A.	Acts of the Lords Auditors.
L. C.	Acts of the Lords of Council.
L. Ch.	The Laing Charters.
L. D.	Sir John Lauder's Decisions.
L. H. N.	Sir John Lauder's Historical Notices.
L. K. .	Liber de Kelso.
L. R,	Liber Responsionum.
L. S.	Laing's Scottish Seals
L. W.	Earl of Lauderdale's Writs in Parliament 1661
M. S.	Macdonald's Scottish Seals.
MSS., C	Sir H. H. Campbell.
MSS., Had	Earls of Haddington.
MSS., Ham	Duke of Hamilton.
MSS.,	Milne Home.
MSS., R	Charters, Register House.
MSS., Rox	Duke of Roxburgh.
MSS., S	Marquis of Salisbury.
P.B.	Protocoll Books.
P.C.	Register of the privy council.
P.C.T.	Pitcairn's Criminal Trials.

P. S.	Register of the Privy Seal, Renwick's Historical Notes on Peeblesshire.
R. D.	Calendar and Register of deeds.
R. F.	Rymer's Fœdera
R. M.	Records of the Regality of Melrose
R. S.	Rotuli Scotiae
S. B.	The Scotts of Buccleuch, Sir William Fraser.
S. E.	Sasines, Edinburgh (also Berwickshire, Roxburghshire).
S. H.	Service of Heirs.
S. M. .	The Scots Magazine.
S. P. .	The Scots Peerage.
S. P. E. .	State Papers, England.
S.P S. .	State Papers, Scotland.
S R S	Scottish Record Society. Marriages, 1595-1700; Apprentices, 1583-1666 ;Interments in Greyfriars, 1658-1700; Edinburgh.
S.W.	Stitchill Writs.
T A.	The Lord High Treasurers Accounts
T.E.	Testaments, Edinburgh (also Lauder, Peebles, St Andrews).
T.W.	Torwoodlee Writs. Tancreds Annals of a Border Club. The Times, Obituary notices.

	Page
THAT ILK OR TORSONCE	1
BUCKHOLM	32
CORTLEFERRY	51
COLDSTREAM ABBEY	55
LEES	65
GALA WATER: LEFT BANK	71
GALA WATER: RIGHT BANK	80
SMAILHOLM OR GALASHIELS	89
WRANGHOLM	123
SMAILHOLM TOWN	126
THE OLD BRIDGE AT BRIDGEND, MELROSE	126
EAST TEVIOTDALE	129
WESTHOUSEBYRE, MELROSE	155
FERNACRES NORTHUMBERLAND	156
KELSO AND DISTRICT	162
CLIFTON AND HAINING	169
CRAIGLEITH OR NEWHALL	181
STITCHILL	186
GREENKNOWE	200
TORWOODLEE	206
WHYTBANK AND YAIR	229
TRIINLYKNOWE	245
PEEBLESSHIRE	249
BLINDLEE	256
LAUDERDALE	270
EAST BERWICKSHIRE	280
THE LOTHIANS	286
EDINBURGH BURGESSES	288
PENCAITLAND	300
FIFE AND ELGIN	309
THE LAW	311
THE ARMY	319
THE NAVY	325

	Page
THE CHURCH	330
EAST INDIES	333
FRANCE	337
ENGLAND	339
IRELAND	340
U.S.A.	344
CANADA	348
ARGENTINA	349

PREFACE