312 



Notice of the Orchard of Coldstream Priory, and the Origin 

 of the Auchan Pear. By James Hardy. 



On two recent visits to Coldstream, I have felt much inter- 

 ested in Mr William Cunningham's orchard, which contains 

 many old fruit trees, in a healthy productive condition ; but 

 a principal reason for attention being called to it, is because 

 it represents the Pomarium of Coldstream Priory.* It was in 

 existence as early as March 27th, 1296, when great damage en- 

 sued in consequence of the encampment of Edward I's invading 

 army on the Priory grounds, for which its inmates obtained a 

 subsequent writ of indemnity. Then the orchard of Coldstream 

 (le pomer de Caldstrem) used to be worth annually in common 

 years 100s., " exclusive of the consumption of the house." The 

 destruction of the orchard could not be calculated by the valua- 

 tors, wherefore it was left to the arrangement of the king's 

 council.f In 1621, on the resignation of the Priory lands to Sir 

 John Hamilton, of Trabroun, it is termed the "Litle Croft, callit 

 the lyttle orchard. {" This might imply that there was elsewhere 

 a more extensive area devoted to fruit trees ; but in the first and 

 latest notices of it, the word is singular, and it may have been 

 the croft that was little and not the orchard. In Oct. 23rd, 1640, 

 it is indicated as being the Little Croft called the Pomarium ; 

 (parvam croftam nuncupatam Pomarium. )§ It was then the 

 property of the Earl of Haddington. The present Earl is the 

 superior, through an intermediary. Its extent is about two acres. 

 Mr Cunningham informs me that the Pears which it contains are 

 the Bergamot, the Drummond, the Auchan, the Lammas, Jargon- 

 elle, Hessel, Green Pear of Yair, Bell-tongue, &c. The Apples 

 consist of Queen of England, Codlin, Paradise-pippin, Straw- 

 berry-pippin, Thorle-pippin, Lemon-pippin, Bed Astrachan, 

 Hawthornden, and one or two other varieties. Situated partly 

 on a slope, it commands a delicious view of the windings of the 

 broad river, its finely wooded banks, and the fair bridge that 

 clasps the once hostile shores, so quiet and peaceful now. 



* Although a small book has been privately printed, entitled ' ' Historic 

 Memorials of Coldstream Abbey," not the less is it true, that this was not an 

 Abbey, but a Priory, presided over by a Prioress. 



t Documents Illustrative of the Hist, of Scotland, vol. ii., p. 33. 



% Act. Pari. Scot., vol. iv., p. 648. 



§ Inquest. Eet. Abr. Berwickshire, No. 235. 



