154 NOTES ON CHURCH AND BARONY OP LINTON 



of a size sufficient to admit of immersion, and its appearance 

 reminds us of a curious old Border usage,* namely, that in 

 Medieval times, in a family of moss troopers where a blood 

 feud existed, it was customary at the christening of every 

 man-child to hold him by the right hand, so that, when the 

 little one grew to years of discretion, his unchristened sword 

 arm might stab the foe of his race without deadly sin. This 

 old font has passed through many vicissitudes of fortune. 

 In 1868 it was restored to its rightful place of honour in 

 the sanctuary, and is now once more in use. 



The rollf of clergy who have ministered in this Church 

 since the Eeformation is also of interest. As regards the 

 pre-Reformation clergy, it is impossible now to furnish a 

 complete list. Only a few names survive. Possibly, the 

 earliest on record is that of Blahan, "Presbyter of Linton," 

 who was present at a meeting of the clergy of England and 

 Scotland, for the consecration of Robert, bishop of St. Andrews, 

 in 1127. About 1160, Edward, who was parson of Linton 

 for over twenty years, sanctions, as before mentioned, the 

 transfer of a grant of land to the Church of St. Kentigern 

 in Glasgow. Patrick, parson of Linton, witnesses a Melrose 

 charter in the reign of Alexander II. Richard de SkyptonX 

 was presented to Linton on 3rd March 1357, and Richard 

 Prodhaml in December 1360.§ There is also a presentation 

 by the 9th Lord Somerville, dated from Cowthally, 21st May 

 1459, to Mr William Blair. For the rest, "their memorial is 



* This usage was not, however, peculiar to the Scottish Borderers. 

 It prevailed also among the ancient Irish. Leyden has woven it into 

 his " Ode on visiting Flodden," describing how — 



" At the sacred font the Priest 

 Through ages left the Master hand unblest, 

 To urge, with keener aim, the blood encrusted spear." 



t Vid. Bar. Nat. Club Transactions for 1879, p. 29. 



X Rotuli Scotiae, Vol. r., 820, 852. 



§ Presented to Linton by Edward III., the latter were both doubtless 

 Englishmen, Easter Teviotdale, dominated by the castle of Roxburgh, 

 recently ceded by Balliol, being then under the English crown. In 

 1385, and afterwards, most of these southrqn incumbents were driven 

 Qqt of their livings. 



