ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 7 



connection with the district and the burgh may account 

 for that at this time. It is possible that the burgh suffered 

 from the displeasure of Edward, as well as the dethroned 

 and imprisoned king, who was its late superior. 



In the 14th century we have evidence that Lauder 



had attained the dignity of a Royal Burgh. 

 Royal Early in that century William of Lamberton, 



Burgh. Bishop of St. Andrews (1297-1828), granted 



a Charter of Confirmation to Dry burgh 

 Abbey, which secured the abbey in the possession of "the 

 Church of Mertoun with the adjacent land, the Church of 

 Saweltoun with the adjacent land, the Church of Laweder 

 with the adjacent land, &c., .... and two burgess-ships in 

 the town of Lauder (duo burgagia in villa de Laweder)." 

 It is noted that in this charter all the subjects given 

 are carefully described, and the description of two "burgess- 

 ships" — or "burgess-acres" — in Lauder is proof that Lauder 

 was then a recognised burgh, and probably a Royal 

 Burgh. The late Mr Robert Romanes of Harryburn, in 

 referring to this matter in notes which contain the result 

 of very careful inquiry, came to the conclusion that in 

 all likelihood Lauder was made a Royal Burgh by Robert 

 Bruce. This conclusion receives support from the fact 

 that Bruce, after retaking Berwick from the English in 

 1318, immediately proceeded to strengthen his hold upon 

 the Borders. In doing so he could not overlook Lauder, 

 where the personal influence of Baliol must once have 

 been strong. In " Caledonia " it is stated that King 

 Robert granted Lauderdale to his loyal friend and 

 supporter. Sir James Douglas. In 1310 he gave to one 

 of his friends the lands which belonged to " Allan la 

 Zouche and John Baliol." Some of these lands were 

 in Lauderdale. These gifts are proofs that Bruce did 

 strengthen his position in Lauderdale by placing his 

 own supporters in the district where Baliol formerl}' 

 had authority and power ; and they lend support to the 

 view that he completed the process by creating the 



