Mr. Jeffrey on Jedburgh. 353 



William tlie Lion confirmed all preceding grants and gave 

 additions ; Robert I. granted five charters to the canons with 

 a confirmation of all charters of David I., Malcolm IV., Wil- 

 liam I. and Alexander I. 



For seventy years the canons of Jedburgh enjoyed their 

 privileges without molestation or any challenge of their inde- 

 pendence. But the abbey lying within the diocese of Glas- 

 gow, the bishop claimed obedience from the abbot and his 

 brethren. The canons disputed the bishop's right and de- 

 clined to yield obedience ; at last the disputes were referred 

 to the arbitration of five referees. Lord Hugh of Leuhine, 

 Master Stephen of Lillieslif, Master Hugh de Potton, Master 

 William of Ercheldune, and Lord Robert de Hertford, who met 

 in the little chapel at Nisbet on the Teviot, in October 1220, 

 before many auditors ; and after both sides were duly heard, 

 the referees decided that the abbot and his canons were 

 bound to obey the bishop in all matters canonical saving 

 their mutual privileges. This curious document is engrossed 

 in the Glasgow chartulary, and I regret that my limits will 

 not allow me to give it at length.* 



In little more than another seventy years the abbey was 

 involved in all the miseries of Border warfare. During the 

 succession wars the greater portion of the abbey was destroyed, 

 and to such a condition were the monks reduced, that they 

 had to be billeted on other houses in England. The cloisters 

 were laid in ruins, and the great tower of the church, with 

 the exception, perhaps, of the north wall, was knocked down. 

 After the independence of the kingdom was restored, Bruce 

 strove to repair the abbey and make it habitable for the 

 monks, but it is thought that it was near the end of the fifth 

 century before any important improvements were effected. 

 In 1523 Surrey took and burnt the abbey ; what remained 

 was again destroyed in May under the direction of the Earl of 

 Hertford. It received another visit in September following. 

 It is singular to notice that while the unfeeling Hertford was 

 destroying the abbey, the abbots of Jedburgh and Dryburgh 

 were, along with the earls of Home and Both well, in England, 

 and burnt Horncliif on the Tweed, and destroyed Thornton 

 and Shoreswood. 



At the Reformation the monastery was dissolved and an- 

 nexed to the crown. At this time the revenues of the abbey 

 were estimated at £1274 10s. Scots money; 2 chalders and 2 



* Registrum Glas. vol. i, p. 97. 



