IVnnsactioiis. 177 



XXI. Antuiii Steeple, Th', Noimme Neighbour (1547). 



It is not easy to determine from the disjointed references to 

 the famous steeple whether it stood in the middle of the church 

 between the clioir and the nave, or wliether it stood at the 

 western extremity of a cliurch consisting of a choir only. A 

 nave is never mentioned. Probabilities are strong for the belief 

 that the tower formed the western end of tlie Vjuilding,* the site 

 of which is now occupied by the Town Hall and part of the old 

 churchyard. The clioir—" quere " they called it then — was at the 

 east end of the structure. On the north side the position had 

 good natural advantages in the steep slope down to the kirk burn. 

 The steeple was low, only a " house height," probably not 20 feet 

 high, but " that house height rampered up with earth." Around 

 both Church and Steeplef a strong rampart of earth added all the 

 advantages of art. The house of God was made into a fortress. 



SucI) was the strange appeai'ance made by Annan Steeple. 

 Its Captain was James Lyon of Glamis. He had seven gunners 

 witii him. His ecclesiastical fortress was manned by many 

 burgesses of the town and other soldiers of the district, for 

 Annan's own fighting force at this time does not seem to have 

 been much over 30. | Lyon had under his command a total force 

 of about 100 men. 



The garrison§ stood manfully to their defence. When Whar- 

 ton came lie saw a " pensall of defyaunce," the Scottish banner, 

 iiung out and all the other evidences of stout resistance. 



XXII. The Siege of the Steeple (1547). 



On arrival at Annan, the attacking force pitched camp as near 

 the steeple as possible. A summons was sent to the captain to 

 surrender — a summons which met with unhesitating refusal. 



'The following; description is taken mainly from Lennox & Wharton's letter 

 of 16th September, 1547 (British Museum, MS. State Papers, Edward VI., 

 1547, vol. i, ), transcribed by Miss Jessie Wright, of London, and printed in 

 Dunifrirf: Standard "Auld Lang Syne Column" No. cix. See excerpt below. 

 Other authorities are specified when quoted. 



f/lolimh<'<l\s ScoHixh Ghronkl'- (ed. 1805) ii., '241. 



+The town of Annan was returned for 3-3 men by Lord Wharton. See 

 Nicholfioii anil Burn'< HM.ory of Westmorland and Oanihnrlanil, p. Iv. 



§Annau was — at a later period at least —permanently garrisoned. The 

 English in their plans for raids had always to reckon upon the risk of 

 encounter with " the particular garrisoue in Annane townc for the tynie. " 

 Brim A r nut row/' < Lidii.-idalc appx., p. oxvi. 



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