B2 Anniversary Address. 



V Ermytage in Scotia, una cum quibusdam aliis Terris et 

 Locis* ibidem prout indenture, &c," and further directed 

 that " eodem Willielmo castrum et manerium.de 1' Ermytage, 

 cum pertinentibus, &c, * * * liberatis." 



He did not long enjoy the fruits of his treason. Suspected 

 already of disloyalty, it was not likely that this transaction 

 should long remain concealed. Too powerful to be dealt with 

 openly, he was way-laid when hunting in Ettrick forest, and 

 slain at the instance of his nephew and godson Lord William, 

 the following year, in the month of August, 1353. There is 

 little doubt that the deed had the approval, perhaps the in- 

 junction, of the king, as the only mode by which his treason 

 could be punished. Lord William, moreover, as warden of 

 the Middle Marches, must have felt himself powerless to 

 prevent the incursions of the English so long as Hermitage 

 was virtually in their hands, and its possessor pledged to allow 

 them free passage at all times. An ancient monument, no 

 longer in existance, marked the spot where he fell, but the 

 site of William's cross, on Williamshope, is still pointed 

 out near the Glenkinningburn, which runs into the Yarrow.f 

 His body was carried to Lindean church below Selkirk, and 

 was afterwards interred in Melrose abbey. 



As soon as the news reached king Edward he took steps 

 to secure possession of Hermitage. On the 14th October 

 Henry de Percy and Ralph de Neville were appointed com- 

 missioners to treat with Elizabeth, Douglas' widow, for the 

 surrender of the castle and the valley of Liddel, on the re- 

 lease of the hostages, conformably to the indenture executed 

 by her husband.^ The negotiations were not concluded till 



* Viz , half the town of Moffitt, Granton, Polbothy, and other lands in 

 Dumfriesshire, which seem to have constituted his original estate before he estab- 

 l'shed himself in Liddisda'e. 



f Godscroft, p. 197 and 81, followed by other writers, as Balfour I., 115, 

 Tytler. II. , 82, gives the names of the place as Gralsewood or Gladwood, but Sir 

 Walter Scott, who knew the country well, has rightly named it. He gives the date 

 13th July, 1354. on what authority is not stated. Hist. [., 203. The tale alluded 

 to by Godscroft of an intrigue between the knight and the countess of Douglas 

 seems to be quite unfounded. 



X Rymer 760 Who this lady was is not known. Her Christian name only 

 is preserved in the papers recorded in the Fcedera and Rotuli Scotia;. 



