456 Notes on Branxholme. By W. Eliott Lockhart. 



In 1606 he was made Lord Scott of Buccleuch, but he con- 

 tinued to be better known as Lord Buccleuch. 1 



On the conclusion of a truce in 1609, Buccleuch returned to 

 Scotland, where he remained till his death on 15th Dec. 1611. 

 This event is supposed to have occured at Branxholme, as he was 

 residing there shortly before that date. It is also believed, from 

 entries of payment in the Buccleuch chamberlain's accounts, that 

 he was buried in the family vault in St Mary's Church, Hawick. 2 



"Walter, 2nd Lord Scott of Buccleuch, on succeeding at the 

 death of his father, was the first, for a period of 140 years, who 

 had been of age on coming into possession. 3 He was made Earl 

 of Buccleuch, Lord Quhitchester and Eskdaill, on 16th March 

 1619. 4 



It was during this time that the profuse hospitality described 

 by Satchell, was exercised. 



" It's near two hundred and fifty year, 

 That familie they still were valiant men, 

 No Baron was better served into Britain. 

 The Barons of Buckleugh they kept at their call, 

 Four and twenty gentlemen in their hall, 

 All being of his name and kin. 

 Each two had a servant to wait on them j 

 Before sapper and dinner most renownd, 

 The bells rung and the trumpets sounded, 

 And more than that I do confess. 

 They kept four and twenty pensioners ; 

 Think not I lie or do me blame, 

 For the pensioners I can all name, 

 There's men alive elder than I, 

 They know if I speak truth or ly, 

 Ev'ry pensioner a room did gain, 

 For service done, and to be done. 

 This I'll let the reader understand, 

 The name of both the men and land, 

 Which they possess'd it is of truth, 

 Both from the Lairds and Lords of Buckleugh.'" 



Sir Walter Scott, in more poetic language, and with the num- 

 bers rather larger, also describes the hospitalities at Branxholme. 



1 Scotts of Buccleuch, I., pp. 237-8; It., p. 261. 



2 Ibid. I., pp. 240-1. 



3 Ibid. i., p. 242. 

 1 Ibid. i., p. 249. 



5 Satchell, p. 45-6., 1st Ed. 1688. (verified by Mr Jas. Steuart.) 



