X 



MEMOIE OF THE AUTHOR. 



and to which, from an enthusiastic attachment to the scene 

 of his early valour, (as we learn from some ancient family 

 manuscripts,) he removed from his then more romantic 

 residence of Daldowie on the Clyde. Finding the more 

 habitable part of this ancient fortress not only unsuited 

 for a modern residence, but also in many parts dilapi- 

 dated. Sir Henry, on his return to Scotland, resolved to 

 remove the less secure parts of the building, with the 

 exception of the tower, and erect a more modern mansion 

 in its stead. Being unwilling, however, to remove the 

 ancient tower or keep, he made arrangements to retain 

 that portion of the fortress, and to connect it with the new 

 buildings which he planned. On removing the other 

 portions of the castle, this ancient tower was accidentally 

 in some parts undermined, and was discovered, in con- 

 sequence, to be afterwards so insecure that it likewise was 

 obliged to be removed, together with the greater part of 



were on their march to join the Scottish army on the western borders, under 

 the Earl of Douglas, encountered a strong detachment of the English, and 

 gallantly attacked and defeated them, near Morningside in Lanarkshire. Allan 

 the elder fell in the action, and was buried at a monastery near the spot. On 

 account of his valour in this engagement, Sir Allan received from his kinsman 

 King Kobert II. the honour of Knight Banneret, having been knighted under 

 the royal standard at Lochmaben castle ; as also a special grant of the lion 

 passant (the English lion) in addition to his coat armorial — a distinction pos- 

 sessed by no other Stewart in Scotland. It was in like manner that the Earl of 

 Surrey received the lion rampant (the lion of Scotland) in addition to his arms, 

 on account of the battle of Flodden. This special grant by Kobert II. stood 

 recorded m the Lion's Office, or Herald's Office of Scotland, so late as 1540, 

 before the registers were destroyed by fire, as is attested by Sir David Lindsay 

 of the Mount, the Lord Lion of that period. (See Cummyn's Collect. Art. Sir 

 David Lindsay.) Some years after, Sir Allan obtained a grant of lands round 

 the place, from the Abbot of Aberbrothic, the superior of the religious house of 

 Benskiag, which he had been the means of protecting from the incursions of 

 the English, and which he afterwards named after himself, Allanton, (Chart, 

 in Archis. Fam. de Loudon,) and they have ever since continued in the posses- 

 sion of his posterity. Morningside, or the ' place of many darts,' is the desig- 

 nation of one of the farms on the estate of Allanton." On the spot where this 

 engagement is said to have taken place, an ancient sword was some years since 

 discovered, which is now in possession of the family of Allanton. 



