?6 REPORT OP MEETINGS EOR l90l 



to have been the possessor of Biddleston during the reign 

 of Richard II. (1377-1399), from whom the present owners 

 derive their descent. In 1415 Biddleston Tower was in the 

 possession of John Selby, and, without doubt, those hoary- 

 walls underneath whose shadows we are now assembled are 

 the remains of the "Turris de Bidilstan of Johannus Selby" 

 of 1415. Then again, in the list of Border Holds of 1509, 

 Biddleston Tower, we are told, was held by John Selby and 

 a garrison of 20 men. At the muster of able men with 

 horse and harness, that took place on Robert's Law for 

 Coquetdale and Redewater, in the April of 1538, there were 

 present five Selbys of Biddleston — Perceval, Christopher, 

 Cuthbert, Oliver, and James. 



The Border Survey of 1541 says: — "At Byttylsden ys a 

 toure and a barmekyn of the Inherytance of Percyvall Selby, 

 esqui, in good repa'cons, and nere unto the same ys another 

 like toure at a place called the Cotte Walles in measurable 

 good repa'cons of the said P'cyvall Selbyes Inherytaunce." 

 Of this tower of the Selbys the lower portion yet remains, 

 over which has been erected the family chapel, for the Selbys 

 of Biddleston, through all the vicissitudes- of many centuries, 

 have ever adhered to the faith of their forefathers. 



Interesting mention is made of Biddleston Tower in a 

 modern Border ballad written by the Ettrick Shepherd, which 

 gives a description of a raid of the Kerrs of Cessford into 

 Coquetdale, in the September of 1549. 



Their armour was light, bub their brands were bright, 

 And their bonnets were steel across the crown, 



And whenever they spied an Englishman 

 They galloped at him and put him down. 



Ride light, ride light, my kinsmen true, 



Till aince the daylight close her ee' ; 

 If we can pass the Biddleston Tower, 



A harried warden there shall be. 



He reared the best of my brothers' steeds, 

 And slew his men on the Five-stane Brae ; 



I'd lay my head this might in pawn 

 To drive his boasted beeves away. 



