458 Report of Meetings for 1S81. By Jas. Hardy. 



If ever sucli practices, relics of ttie old paganism, were manifest 

 here on such occasions, a valuable or favourite steed was pecu- 

 liarly appropriate, the great uncultivated wastes of the parish 

 having formerly been the breeding places of the stock of horses 

 of the potent lords of the valley of the Eede, and they being the 

 church patrons, might possibly be the donors. This appropri- 

 ation of the Eedesdale forests to horse-breeding we learn from 

 the chartulary of Kelso. Odenelle de Umfraville, who was alive 

 in 1173, granted the monks of Kelso the tithe of the foals of the 

 whole of his haras or stud. This was confirmed by Eichard de 

 Umframville his son about 1220, who in presence of his whole 

 court at Whelpintun commands his servants to give effect to his 

 instructions. Gilbert de Umframville, about 1228, confirms his 

 grandfather's grant, and adds in addition the tithe of the foals 

 within his forest on the western part of Cotteneshope, and the 

 foals marked with the brand of the monks were allowed to follow 

 their mothers for two years. The gifts were still further con- 

 firmed at " Oterburne," about 1250 by William de Umframvill. 

 These were the bounds of the forest in Eedesdale liable to the 

 tithe : " from Blachope as far as into Eammeshope, and from 

 Eammeshope as far as into Harhope, and from Harhope as far 

 as into Goldingpottes, and from Goldingpottes as far as into Flex- 

 ile, and from Flexley as far as Caldelaw above Wilkewde, and so 

 even into the head of Yerdehope "; a most extensive tract. Eoger, 

 rector of the church of EUesdene having laid claim to these tithes, 

 as the property of his church, was, after an appeal to the Pope 

 and a commission of inquiry appointed at York, compelled to re- 

 linquish his contention, and abjure any right to which he might 

 pretend, before the Abbot and convent of Kelso on St. Clement's 

 day, 1228.* In whatever light these facts may be regarded, they 

 at least testify how well calculated this parish was for rearing 

 young horses ; and how the attention of a considerable number 

 of interested inhabitants would be absorbed in them. 



The parish register and minutes date back to the l7th century. 

 Some of the more curious extracts Mr Arkle has promised to 

 arrange for the Club's " Proceedings," when there is room for 

 them. 



A very large company assembled on the Mote hills, several ladies 

 from the Eectory also being present, when Mr Arkle proceeded 



* Liber de Calchou, pp. 261 - 265. Bannatyne Club. This is not mentioned 

 in Mr Hodgson's History. 



