168 Anniversary Address. 



of Etal had been allowed to fall into a, ruinous condition 

 after the battle of Flodden : — " The Castle of Etayle being 

 of the Erie of Rutland's inherytance, standeth upon the este 

 side of the river Tyll, three miles from the river of Tweede, 

 ys for lack of reparations in very great decay, and many 

 necessary houses within the same become ruynous and 

 fallen to the ground, yt been much necessary to be repaired 

 for the defence of these borders, as well yn tyme of peace as 

 for the receyvinge and lodging of a garryson of one hundred 

 men or mo yn tyme of warre, for which purpose the place 

 ys very convenient. There was also at Etayle, a brigge over 

 the said river Tyll, which decayed and fallen down of late 

 to the great hurt, trouble, and annoyance of the inhabitants 

 thereabouts, which had always ready passage when the river 

 Tyll is waxen great, and past the rydinge upon horseback, 

 and much necessary it were to have it re-edyfyed again, as 

 well for the purpose aforesaid as for the conveying of 

 ordnance and arms into Scotland over the same." The re- 

 edification, however, seems never to have been undertaken, 

 and it is not to be wondered at that the remains are now 

 fragmentary. Sir Robert Bowes passes some severe strictures 

 upon the mercenary and unpatriotic conduct of owners of 

 castles and barmekyns at this period, inasmuch as when 

 these fall into disrepair by violence from the Scots or 

 otherwise, they do not repair them, but, deserting them, go 

 further inland so as to be less liable to disturbance and loss 

 themselves, leaving their followers without protection when 

 invaded by the plundering Scots. 



Etal House, in the interior, is a museum of objects con- 

 nected with royalty, in its paintings, portraits, and armour 

 (some of it of exquisite finish), regimental flags and China 

 ware of extreme value, presented by William IV. to his 

 favorite son, who is said in personal appearance *o have 

 much resembled his father. Except in one tapestried room, 

 the fittings up are modern. The exterior of the mansion is 

 plain and unassuming. The small ornamental Chapel at 



