On Hawick and its Neighbourhood. 79 



have perished in the flames of strife and war. Hawick 

 appears to have been an important town in the twelfth 

 century ; and in a map of the thirteenth century, published 

 in the National MSS. of Scotland, it is one of the sixteen 

 towns shown as existing at that date, in addition to those 

 which were the sites of castles or abbeys. The Tower 

 Hotel, in which we are met, is composed of a cluster of 

 buildings, the oldest portion of which is the remains of a 

 feudal stronghold, which was occupied by the chieftain of 

 Hawick many centuries ago. It was the only house saved 

 from fire when the inhabitants themselves burnt the town 

 on the approach of Sussex in 1 570 ; and in it the English 

 general resided during the night. After that it became the 

 favourite residence of Buccleugh. Anne, the royal widow 

 of the ill-fated Duke of Monmouth, resided there in all her 

 royal dignity. One of the apartments yet bears her honoured 

 name. The Tower in those days was strongly built arch 

 upon arch up to its very summit. All the arches except the 

 under one were taken down a century ago, and it was 

 transformed into an inn, and continues yet in the lordship 

 of Buccleugh. 



There are other four houses in our town which link us to 

 feudal times. The under flats are vaulted, and the walls are 

 of great thickness. This sort of houses was more numerous 

 a few years ago, but the spirit of the times has removed 

 them for the sake of the ground on which they stood. Of 

 those remaining, two are in the Mid Row, one in the Fore 

 Row, and one in the High Street. Access to them all can 

 be had to-day. 



In ecclesiastical buildings we have none of ancient date. 

 St. Mary's, which surmounts the summit of the kirkyard, 

 occupies the site of one at whose high altar Gavin Douglas 

 officiated as rector, and which existed as far back as 1214. 

 Sculptured stones of the ancient church are preserved in our 

 museum, and are excellent specimens of the carving of those 

 by-gone centuries. 



There are a few old towers around the town. That of 

 Burnhead, about two miles to the north, in the parish of 

 Wilton, is a good specimen, and has an imposing effect when 

 looked at from the glen below. That of Goldielands, owing 

 to its high situation, is well seen for many miles around, 

 and a genuine old tower it is. Our museum contains a few 

 armorial and memorial stones which record the character 



