4C7 



Rattling, Roaring Willie. By the late Sir Walter 

 Elliot, K.C.S.I., etc., etc., of Wolfelee. With additional 

 Notes by W. Eliott Lockhart, Esq. 



It will be in the recollection of those who were present at the 

 meeting of the Club at Branxholm in September, that the spot 

 which marked an important incident in the life of the old 

 Border Minstrel known as "Battling, Eoaring "Willie," was 

 pointed out in the immediate vicinity — an incident which brought 

 his tuneful career to a close. 



At the end of the Fourth Canto of the "Lay of the Last 

 Minstrel," Sir Walter Scott makes the old bard refer to his 

 master and instructor in song, as his authority for describing the 

 combat between Richard Musgrave and Lord Cranstoun. Sir 

 Walter, in a note on this passage, states that the person here 

 alluded to as the "Jovial Harper," was one of our ancient 

 Border Minstrels known as "Battling, Roaring Willie," and 

 author of the popular song which passes under the same title. 

 He goes on to give the only particulars that seem to be known 

 regarding him. Having quarrelled with a brother poet, known 

 by the sobriquet of " Sweet Milk," " from a place on Rule Water 

 so called," (but this is a mistake), while drinking at Newmill, 

 they crossed the river to an open field l behind AUanpeel, about 

 a mile above Branxholm, to settle their dispute with the sword. 

 The result was that Willie slew his opponent at a spot long 

 marked by a thorn tree which has now disappeared, but had 

 been in existence within the memory of persons still alive. 2 

 Willie absconded, but having incautiously appeared at Jedburgh 

 during the Rood Fair, he was tracked to his hiding place in 

 Oxuam Water, and there seized by " Sir Gilbert Elliot and young 

 Falnash," by whom he was made over to the Sheriff for trial. 

 He was arraigned before the Court of Justice and Aire at Jed- 

 burgh, condemned, and executed. This is all that was then 

 known of his fate. 



The fact seems to be that in those days a duel was looked upon 

 as a legitimate mode of settling a difference, and therefore no 



1 Now No. 10 Ordnance Survey, 25" scale, Teviothead parish. — W.E.L. 



2 Since the above was written, James Miller, Lochburnfoot, Allan Water, 

 a retired gamekeeper in the employ of the Duke of Buccleuch, and one of 

 the very few who remembered the thorn tree, died on the 5th January 

 1887, in his 90th year.— W.E.L. 



