On Howebottom, by Rev. James Farquharson, M.A. 479 



references, which demonstrate the value set on the oaks of the 

 'Forest' in early times. They were worthy of being royal 

 gifts :— 



"Rotuli Scotiae, vol. i., p. 5. By a mandate of Edward I., 

 A.D. 1291, Simon Fresel, keeper of the Forest of Selkirk, is 

 ordered to give to certain noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland, 

 a number of stags (cervi) and oaks (quercus). William, Bishop 

 of St. Andrews, receives 30 stags ; Robert, Bishop of Glasgow, 

 20 stags and 60 oaks ; Brother Brian, 2 stags and 4 oaks. See 

 Club's Proceedings, viii., p. 285. Edward I., likewise granted 

 to the monks of Melrose 40 oaks from the same Forest. (Rolls 

 of Pari, ii., p. 469, quoted in Caledonia, ii., p. 982). The Abbey 

 of Kelso having been burned by the English, David II., granted 

 permission to the monks to cut wood in Selkirk and Jedwart 

 Forests for reparation. (Robertson's Index, p. 63). 



In the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, A.D. 

 1496, a payment is entered to " Davide Achinsone, to fell axtreis 

 in the Forest, and to get cart lymmouris to bring hame quhelis 

 fra Melros," 



In a lease given by the King to Patrick Murray, A.D. 1510, 

 of lands in Selkirkshire, he is held bound, among other things, 

 to maintain the plantations of oak, and of all other trees 



In Elliot and Scot's MS., 1649, in Advocates' Library, at that 

 date " some places remained well furnished with pleasant and 

 profitable woods, especially for building." 



Hodge's MS. in Advocates' Library, 1722, " There is word of 

 several lots of timber going east from the Tower (Kirkhope) 

 down the water for two miles, but now almost cut down." 



MS. in Adv. Library, supposed to be by Dr Cranstoun, 1749, 

 " Kirkhope, near which is the largest wood in all the Forest." 





2h 



