20 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



enjoyed the favour and confidence of two Scottish monarchs, two popes, and 

 a king of France — from each of whom, as it appears, he obtained many benefices, 

 and served the high ofiice of Scottish ambassador at the French court. Of this 

 prelate, however, or liis family — noticed in Dr. Henry's history as the Foremans 

 of the Merse— no memorial is left, except a small field, which, as if in mockery 

 of mortal ambition, says Mr. Edgar, still retains the name of " Foreman's Land." 



About six miles farther is the royal ford, where James IV. crossing the Tweed 

 at the head of his army, and finding himself in great danger of being swept down 

 by the current, made a pious compact with " Our Lady," that if she would dehver 

 him safe on the opposite side, a handsome altar should perpetuate his gratitude. 

 The vow was accepted, and the royal suppUant, having again set foot on land, 

 erected the church of Ladykirk as a monument of his adventure. This ford, in 

 days of mutual aggi-ession, when bridges would have been a fatal accommodation, 

 was the only point at which the armies of the two countries could eff'ect an 

 invasion, and in several instances was more destructive than the sword of the 

 enemy. An adjoining field is still shewn as that in which the interview 

 between Edward I. and the Scottish nobiHty took place relative to the disputed 

 succession between Bruce and BaUol. 



Swinton, on which antiquity has set her seal, and with which are connected 

 many warlike traditions, is the next object. The lands, it appears, were bestowed by 

 royal grant upon the founder of the family, as an acknowledgment of his services 

 in clearing the district of the herds of wild swine with which in those primitive 

 times it was overrun. At a later period, one of the same family exhibited 

 a striking instance of hereditary spirit in the disastrous battle of Homildon, 

 in 1402, where, having attempted to rally the broken ranks of his countrymen, 

 and lead them back to the charge, he was struck down by an English shaft, and 

 expired on the field. 



Coldstream, which gives name to one of the bravest regiments in the ser\dce — 

 the Coldstream Guards, is a pleasant httle town, and wears a look of much local 

 prosperity. The great thorouglifare introduced by the modern bridge of five 

 arches, has proved an excellent substitute for the ancient ford, whose capricious 

 channel, it is said, has often detained the kings and queens of Scotland in 

 their progress southward for days together, waiting the fordable moment. The 

 small antique inn, where these and other illustrious personages are said to have 

 been lodged under such circumstances, afibrds a striking picture of the times ; 

 but it seems not unlikely that the rich priory of Cistercian nuns, which then 

 existed, had accommodation better suited for the reception of the royal cortege. 

 But of this priory, except a vault, no vestige remains ; even the ruins have 



