Notes on Branxholme. By W. Eliott Lockhart. 447 



We may further take for granted that, except against over- 

 whelming numbers, any force that ventured on an attack on 

 Branxholme would have met with strenuous opposition. 



" The livelong night in Branxholm rang 



The ceaseless sound of steel ; 



The castle-bell with backward clang 



Sent forth the larum peal ; 



Was frequent heard the heavy jar, 



Where massy stone and iron bar 



Were piled on echoing keep and tower, 



To whelm the foe with deadly shower." 1 



" Now every English eye, intent, 

 On Branksome's armed towers was bent ; 

 So near they were, that they might know 

 The straining harsh, of each cross-bow ; 

 On battlement and bartizan 

 Gleamed axe, and spear, and partisan ; 

 Falcon and culver, on each tower, 

 Stood prompt their deadly hail to shower ; 

 And flashing armour frequent broke 

 From eddying whirls of sable smoke, 

 Where, upon tower and turret head. 

 The seething pitch and molten lead 

 Eeek'd, like a witch's cauldron red." 2 



Early in 1 552 that portion of the Borders called "the Debateable 

 Land," the scene of so many disturbances, was divided by Com- 

 missioners appointed by both countries for that purpose. 3 



The disputed country was divided by assigning what is now 

 the parish of Canobie to Scotland, and Kirkandrews to 

 England. 



Sir William Scott of Kirkurd, younger of Buccleuch, died about 

 this time ; and as the inventory of his property was made by his 

 lather, Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch, together with his son 

 Walter, at Branxholme, on the 19th May and 4th July 1552, it 

 is believed that he died there.' 



In pursuance of the deadly feud with the Kerrs, Sir Walter 

 was murdered in the High Street in Edinburgh, on the 4th Oct. 



1 Lay of the Last Minstrel, Canto III., xxx. 



2 Ibid. „ IV., xx. 



3 ScotU of Buccleuch, i., p. 132; also Register Privy Council, Scotland, 

 vol. i., p. 118-24. 



4 Ibid. i., p. 132; n., p. 211. 



