Transactions. 241 



the exertions of the stout burgesses of Annan had proved of the 

 utmost vahie in the struggle for the maintenance of the rights of 

 the little kingdom of Scotland. Not only was the burgh renowned 

 in history ; it was rich in association with some of the most illus- 

 trious of modern Scotchmen. The greatest lyrical poet the British 

 Isles have produced, one of the most intrepid of African explorers, 

 a pulpit orator of unique power and spiritual elevation, and the 

 deepest and most earnest thinker of our time had all been more or 

 less closely connected with it. As the town in which Irving was 

 born, and in which Carlyle received his education, Annan would 

 never cease to be regarded with interest. 



Having made a brief reference to the churchyard, and quoted 

 several of the more curious epitaphs, Mr Miller proceeded : Annan 

 Castle, the site of which has so long been occupied by the church- 

 yard, was erected at least a hundred years before the War of 

 Independence for the protection of the town, which, as references 

 in various ancient documents show, was even at that early period 

 a place of some importance. In the year 1300 the Castle was 

 repaired by Itobert the Bruce, whose ancestors had obtained the 

 whole of Aunandale in fief. A stone from the building, with 

 Bruce's name and the date 1300 inscribed on it, was seen by 

 Pennant " in the wall of a gentleman's garden," when he visited 

 the town in 1769. It is now at Bideford, in Devon, from wliich, 

 let us hope, it will one day be brought back to Annan. The Castle 

 is associated with not a few stirring events in Scottish history. Of 

 these perhaps the most memorable is the defeat of Edward Baliol 

 by Lord Arcliibald Douglas in 1332. Shortly after his coronation 

 at Scone Baliol gained possession of the fortress, aud commanded 

 the barous of Scotland to repair to it and do him homage. His 

 movements, however, were carefully watched by Douglas, who, at 

 the head of one thousand horsemen, rode hastily from Moffat, and 

 falling upon the town and castle at midnight, routed the forces of 

 the usurper with much slaughter. Baliol lost his brother Henry 

 and the most distinguished of his English followers in the action, 

 and only saved his own life by fleeing precipitateJy to Carlisle. 

 During the long wars with England tlie Castle was frequently 

 captured and laid in ruins. As the chief stronghold of the town 

 which was the key to the West of Scotland, it could not be 

 abandoned to destruction ; and after demolition by the foe it was 

 always speedily rebuilt. Eventually the pious but poverty- 

 stricken burgesses obtained permission from James VI. either to 



