130 Mellerstain and the Haitlies thereof. 



On lOth February 1552-53 a contract was signed between 

 Sir John Home of Coldenknowis, knight, and his daughter, 

 Margaret, on the one part, and John Haitlie of Mellostanes 

 and Henry Haitlie, his son and apparent heir, on the other 

 part. It narrates that Issobell Home, daughter to Sir John, 

 had a gift of the marriage of the deceased George Haitlie, 

 son and apparent heir to the said John Haitlie, and failing 

 of him, the marriage of any other heir who should succeed 

 him ; also that Henry was brother and heir to George, and 

 that he takes to wife the said Margaret. The lands of Fawns, 

 the lands and mains of Melostane, the lands of Spotshiel 

 and Broomhill were, by the contract, settled on them and 

 the heirs of their marriage. Sir John Home graated 

 warrandice against any claims that Issobell Home might 

 make on account of the gift of the marriage to her. 



On 10th September 1551 Thomas Haitlie, Parish Clerk of 



, brother of the Laird of Mellestaiiis, was dilated 



for treasonably coming with the late Sir Ralf Evers and 

 sundry others, " our ancient enemies of England, in battle 

 array, bearing the English Eed Cross, against James, Earl 

 of Arran, Governor of the Kingdom, at Ancram Muir, and 

 for other crimes specified in his letters. He was replegiated 

 by the Archbishop of St. Andrews, and 27th November was 

 assigned for his underlying the law." At the same time, 

 John Haitlie in Fawnis and William Haitlie in Redpeth (no 

 doubt John of Mellerstains' sons, so named) came in "Will" 

 for treasonably supplying the English in the castles of Hume, 

 Lauder, Roxburgh, etc., thereby enabling them to hold out 

 longer. And for treasonably remaining \inder the assurance 

 of England continuall}^, from the battle of Pinkio-Cleuche in 

 September 1547, till the recovery of Hume C;istl(3 in December 

 1548; carrying the Bed Cross as English subjects, and making 

 depredations and incursions on lieges of Scotland. .John Hume 

 of Coldaneknowis became cautioner for them. On 13th Jul}*- 

 1553 John Haitlie of Mylarstanis and Thomas, his brother, 



writer pricked up his ears, and his host, as he cast him a look of 

 surprise and amusement, turned to Mr James Heatley of Belvedere, 

 Alnwick, for it was he who spoke, saying, " There's a gentleman here 

 who can tell yoa more about the Heatleys than anyone else ! " A 

 singular meeting, under singular circumstances, of the descendants of two of 

 the principals in a characteristic border story, three and a half centuries old. 



