289 



The Ancient Royal Burgh of Roxburgh : Notice of Stones 

 exhumed from its site. Communicated by Thomas 

 Ckaig, Kelso. 



The ancient royal burgh or city of Roxburgh was for many 

 years an extinct and buried ruin, not a stone remaining above 

 the ground to mark its site or keep it in remembrance. Some 

 facts preserved in ancient records give no slight idea of its ex- 

 tent, importance, and magnificence ; but its ruins were for 

 generations as completely buried out of sight as were those of 

 Pompeii or the older Jerusalem. Though some historical records 

 connected with it are still preserved, not much is known of its 

 history. Prior to the time of David I., who raised the Border 

 country to a higher importance than it had previously possessed, 

 and who may be said to have stamped history upon it, the annals 

 of ancient Roxburgh are almost impenetrably obscure, if they 

 are not altogether non-existent. It is only about the time of that 

 monarch that Roxburgh comes prominently into view ; but inci- 

 dental notices in olden chronicles indicate that it had a long pre- 

 vious history, and had been a place of considerable importance. 

 Even the name is a puzzle, being in that like most of our old 

 towns and villages. Fordun gives it the name of Marchemont, 

 while Boethius calls it Marchmond, signifying the " Mount on 

 the Marches." The latter name may still be read on armorial 

 bearings affixed to the front of the gallery of Roxburgh Parish 

 Church — which, it may be necessary to remark, is about two 

 miles to the south-west of the site of the old burgh. Camden 

 styles it Rosburgh, the derivation being thus the "town on the 

 ros," or promontory; but the most ancient name by which it is 

 designated in public records is Rokesburgh, or Rokesbure. Can 

 such a name be traced to a rocky foundation ? There are other 

 names by which Roxburgh has been known ; but all of them, 

 except two — Marco Saxon, or Marcotaxon, and Marcidun — are 

 only modifications of Roxburgh. Camden's name has long sur- 

 vived in the modern pronunciation of the name by the villagers 

 and country people generally, which long was and often still is 

 Rosebrugh. The situation of the ancient burgh or city of Rox- 

 burgh was nearly opposite old Kelso, or, more strictly, Wester 

 Kelso, now extinct, and its site incorporated in the policy of the 

 Duke of Roxburghe. The Tweed separated the two towns ; but 



