Notes on Bvanxholme. By W. Eliott Lockhart. 455 



The commissioners investigated the charges brought against 

 Buccleuch and Cessford, and found them both guilty, whereupon 

 a further demand was made,that they should be delivered up. In 

 July by order of the king, Buccleuch was warded in Edinburgh 

 Castle for having failed to present his pledges, but was shortly 

 afterwards released, to enable him to seek them out. Eventually 

 it was agreed that both Buccleuch and Cessford should be warded 

 in England — Buccleuch choosing Sir William Selby, Master of 

 thn Ordnance at Berwick as his guardian ; but he still continued to 

 act by deputy, as keeper ol Liddesdale. 1 He made such a favour- 

 able impression on Queen Elizabeth, that the difference of opinion 

 with the Scottish government regarding him was allowed to drop. 

 On 12th May 1599, he received a safe conduct to go abroad 

 for the recovery of his health. 2 He also received permission to 

 return to Scotland, but did not take advantage of this till some 

 time after. On his return from England, and more especially 

 after the Union, Buccleuch performed his duties as keeper of 

 Liddesdale with great energy, and did his utmost towards the 

 pacification of his district. His efforts were well appreciated by 

 the king, who gave him a letter of approval and indemnity under 

 the great seal, Nth Nov. 1608, shewing that the exercise of the 

 large powers conferred on him. had his entire approval. 



The Union altogether altered the character of Border warfare, as 

 what had formerly been part of a national policy, became, since 

 it was no longer necessary, a crime. This is forcibly brought 

 out by Satchell, in his explanation of the difference between the 

 " Free-booter " and the " Border thief." 3 



" It's most clear, a Free-booter doth live in hazard's train, 



A Free-booter's a cavalier, that ventures life for gain ; 



But since King James the sixth to England went, 



There has been no cause of grief. 



And he that has transgressed since then, 



Is no Free-booter, but a thief." 

 Trained as he had been to constant warfare, the cessation of 

 hostilities on the Border left Buccleuch no occupation, and dis- 

 liking an inactive life, he went abroad early in 1604 with several 

 followers, and took part in the war in the Netherlands. 1 



1 Scotts of Buccleuch, i., p. 230-2 (from Register of tne Great Seal, lib. 

 ilvi., No. 15). 



2 Ibid. 



8 Satchell, p. 8. (verified by Mr Jas. Steuart from the 1st Edition, 1688, 

 in the Library at Dalkeith House.) 4 Scotts of Buccleuch, i., p. 235. 



