FieLtp MEETINGS. 199 
The Border Feuds. 
During the long and stern feud between the English and 
Scottish Borderlands, Birrenswark stood in the heart of 
things. Yet, strange to say, the hill surveyed only, without 
enacting, proceedings which were medieval and early modern 
history in the making. In this matter it shares the fate of 
many another site geographically unique. While the valley 
at its feet resounded to the march of armies, the gloomy 
mass stood aloof. In 1138 David I., on his way back from 
the defeat at the Battle of the Standard, followed the line of 
the Roman road. The English army which suffered the check 
at Stirling Bridge in 1297 passed north by the Annandale 
route, and indeed was surprised by the Scots in a night attack 
at Hightae. After his victory at Falkirk in 1298, Edward I. 
retired via Lochmaben to his own land. In 1302 and 1306 
his armies again used the pathway. Edward JI. came by 
way of the valley in 1310, and his host in brave array marched 
up the dale to the defeat at Bannockburn. Bruce used the 
route repeatedly on his inroads into England. In 1346 
David II. passed by this way to the disaster of Neville’s 
Cross. James V.’s army came down the valley to the shame 
of Solway Moss in 1542. In more recent times one section 
of Prince Charlie’s army went south via Moffat and Annan- 
dale, and in the retreat a portion of the Jacobites followed the 
line of the valley north once more. 
Then, lastly, what am I to say of the literary associa- 
tions of the district? It will be surely unnecessary to speak 
of these. Moreover, the historical geographer is on rather 
insecure grounds if he ventures to assert dogmatically that 
environmental conditions affect character, and that therefore 
Carlyle is a typical son of a typical region. That we are 
getting to know more and more about the influence of en- 
vironment must be his present refuge. From our view point 
we can see Mainhill, Repentance Tower, Scotsbrig, Annan, 
all intimately associated with Annandale’s greatest son and 
Scotland’s greatest intellect. Mainhill was occupied by Car- 
lyle’s father from 1815 to 1825. The period covers the time 
of Carlyle’s teaching at Annan, the Kirkcaldy mastership, 
