KEPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1902 267 



Appendix I. 

 Old Thirlestane Toxver. By the Rev. Thomas Martin, M.A. 



This ancient Tower or Castle, one of the original seats of 

 the Maitland (Mautlant) family in Lauderdale, is now a ruin 

 situated on the Boon water. Only a small part of the Tower 

 remains, but the Tower, with its outbuildings and ramparts, 

 traces of which can still be recognised, covered a large area, 

 and must have been a strong fort and of great value for 

 defence in the wars for Scottish independence. 



It was the property and residence of Sir Eichard Maitland 

 in the middle of the 13th century. Sir Eichard, like the 

 nobles of that period, was a great friend and benefactor of 

 the Church. There was a convent at Thirlestane, the ruins 

 of which can still be seen near the farm house. To this Sir 

 Eichard gave "all the lands which Walter de Giling held 

 'in feodo suo de Thirlestane,' and reserved pasturage at 

 Thirlestane for forty sheep, sixty cows, and twenty horses." 

 In 1249 he also gave to Dry burgh Abbey "his lands of 

 Haubentside (Howmeadows) for the welfare of his own soul, 

 and his wife's, his ancestors' and successors' for all time." He 

 was also a benefactor to Kelso Abbey, and a bond was entered 

 into by Patrick, abbot there, and his convent, and Sir Eichard 

 and his eldest son William, concerning the pasturages of 

 Thirlestane and Blythe. 



These gifts were all confirmed by Sir William, who died 

 early in the 14th century. 



Sir Eichard survived the commencement of the wars between 

 England and Scotland at the close of the 13th century, and 

 is the hero of an ancient ballad which commemorates his 

 prowess in defence of his Castle. The possession of Thirlestane 

 Tower was of great importance to the Scottish party, as 

 Whitslaid Tower, about two miles further down the Leader, 

 was the property of John Baliol, whose claim for the Scottish 

 crown was supported by King Edward. The siege of the 

 "darksome house," narrated in the ballad, probably took 

 place in these wars, and the present ruin was the scene 

 of it. 



