THE LADS OF WAMPHRAY.

Thai sayled ower theflode so gray,

In Inglond arrived were thay,

Ther him levest ware.

[273]

The reader will find, prefixed to the foregoing ballad, an account of the noted feud betwixt the families of Maxwell and Johnstone. The following song celebrates the skirmish, in 1593, betwixt the Johnstones and Crichtons, which led to the revival of the ancient quarrel betwixt Johnstone and Maxwell, and finally to the battle of Dryffe Sands, in which the latter lost his life. Wamphray is the name of a parish in Annandale. Lethenhall was the abode of Johnstone of Wamphray, and continued to be so till of late years. William Johnstone of Wamphray, called theGalliard, was a noted freebooter. A place, near the head of Tiviotdale, retains the name of theGalliard's Faulds, (folds) being a valley where he used to secrete and divide his spoil, with his Liddesdale and Eskdale associates. Hisnom de guerreseems to have been derived from the dance calledThe Galliard. The word is still used in[274]Scotland, to express an active, gay, dissipated character.[200]Willie of the Kirkhill, nephew to the Galliard, and his avenger, was also a noted border robber. Previous to the battle of Dryffe Sands, so often mentioned, tradition reports, that Maxwell had offered a ten-pound-land to any of his party, who should bring him the head or hand of the laird of Johnstone. This being reported to his antagonist, he answered, he had not a ten-pound-land to offer, but would give a five-merk-land to the man who should that day cut off the head or hand of Lord Maxwell. Willie of the Kirkhill, mounted upon a young gray horse, rushed upon the enemy, and earned the reward, by striking down their unfortunate chieftain, and cutting off his right hand.

Leverhay, Stefenbiggin, Girth-head, &c. are all situated in the parish of Wamphray. The Biddes-burn, where the skirmish took place betwixt the Johnstones and their pursuers, is a rivulet which takes its course among the mountains on the confines of Nithesdale and Annandale. The Wellpath is a pass by which the Johnstones were retreating to their fastnesses in Annandale. Ricklaw-holm is a place upon the Evan water,[275]which falls into the Annan, below Moffat. Wamphray-gate was in these days an ale-house. With these local explanations, it is hoped the following ballad will be easily understood.

From a pedigree in the appeal case of Sir James Johnstone of Westeraw, claiming the honours and titles of Annandale, it appears that the Johnstones of Wamphray were descended from James, sixth son of the sixth baron of Johnstone. The male line became extinct in 1657.

[276]

'Twixt Girth-head and the Langwood end,

Lived the Galliard, and the Galliard's men;

But and the lads of Leverhay,

That drove the Crichtons' gear away.

It is the lads of Lethenha',

The greatest rogues amang them a':

But and the lads of Stefenbiggin,

They broke the house in at the rigging.

The lads of Fingland, and Hellbeck-hill,

They were never for good, but aye for ill;

'Twixt the Staywood-bush and Langside-hill,

They stealed the broked cow and the branded bull.

[277]

It is the lads of the Girth-head,

The deil's in them for pride and greed;

For the Galliard, and the gay Galliard's men,

They ne'er saw a horse but they made it their ain.

The Galliard to Nithside is gane,

To steal Sim Crichton's winsome dun;

The Galliard is unto the stable gane,

But instead of the dun, the blind he has ta'en.

"Now Simmy, Simmy of the Side,

Come out and see a Johnstone ride!

Here's the bonniest horse in a' Nithside,

And a gentle Johnstone aboon his hide."

Simmy Crichton's mounted then,

And Crichtons has raised mony a ane;

The Galliard trowed his horse had been wight,

But the Crichtons beat him out o' sight.

As soon as the Galliard the Crichton saw,

Behind the saugh-bush he did draw;

And there the Crichtons the Galliard hae ta'en,

And nane wi' him but Willie alane.

[278]

"O Simmy, Simmy, now let me gang,

And I'll nevir mair do a Crichton wrang!

O Simmy, Simmy, now let me be,

And a peck o' gowd I'll give to thee!

O Simmy, Simmy, now let me gang,

And my wife shall heap it with her hand."

But the Crichtons wad na let the Galliard be,

But they hanged him hie upon a tree.

O think then Willie he was right wae,

When he saw his uncle guided sae;

"But if ever I live Wamphray to see,

My uncle's death avenged shall be!"

Back to Wamphray he is gane,

And riders has raised mony a ane;

Saying—"My lads, if ye'll be true,

Ye shall a' be clad in the noble blue."

Back to Nithisdale they have gane,

And awa' the Crichtons' nowt hae ta'en;

But when they cam to the Wellpath-head,

The Crichtons bade them 'light and lead.

[279]

And when they cam to the Biddes burn,

The Crichtons bade them stand and turn;

And when they cam to the Biddess strand,

The Crichtons they were hard at hand.

But when they cam to the Biddes law,

The Johnstones bade them stand and draw;

"We've done nae ill, we'll thole nae wrang,

"But back to Wamphray we will gang,"

And out spoke Willy o' the Kirkhill,

"Of fighting, lads, ye'se hae your fill."

And from his horse Willie he lap,

And a burnished brand in his hand he gat.

Out through the Crichtons Willie he ran,

And dang them down baith horse and man;

O but the Johnstones were wondrous rude,

When the Biddes burn ran three days blood.

"Now, Sirs, we have done a noble deed;

"We have revenged the Galliard's bleid:

"For every finger of the Galliard's hand,

"I vow this day I've killed a man."

[280]

As they cam in at Evan-head,

At Ricklaw-holm they spread abread;

"Drive on, my lads! it will be late;

We'll hae a pint at Wamphray gate.

"For where'er I gang, or e'er I ride,

The lads of Wamphray are on my side;

And of a' the lads that I do ken,

A Wamphray lad's the king of men."

[1]

In the spirited translation of this poem, by Jones, the following verses are highly descriptive of the exhausted state of the victor army.At Madoc's tent the clarion sounds,With rapid clangour hurried far:Each echoing dell the note resounds—But when return the sons of war!Thou, born of stern necessity,Dull peace! the desert yields to thee,And owns thy melancholy sway.

In the spirited translation of this poem, by Jones, the following verses are highly descriptive of the exhausted state of the victor army.

[2]

At the battle of Arkinholme, the Earl of Angus, a near kinsman of Douglas, commanded the royal forces; and the difference of their complexion occasioned the saying, "that theBlack Douglashad put down theRed." The Maxwells, the Johnstones, and the Scotts, composed his army. Archibald, earl of Murray, brother to Douglas, was slain in the action; and Hugh, Earl of Ormond, his second brother, was taken and executed. His captors, Lord Carlisle, and the Baron of Johnstone, were rewarded with a grant of the lands of Pittinane, upon Clyde.—Godscroft, Vol. I. p. 375.—Balfour's MS. in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh.—Abercrombie's Achievements, Vol. II. p. 361.folio Ed.—The other chiefs were also distinguished by royal favour. By a charter, upon record, dated 25th February, 1458, the king grants to Walter Scott of Kirkurd, ancestor of the house of Buccleuch, the lands of Abingtown, Phareholm, and Glentonan craig, in Lanarkshire."Pro suo fideli servitio nobis impenso et pro quodinterfuit in conflictu de Arkenholme in occisione et captionenostrorum rebellium quondam Archibaldi et Hugonis de Douglasolim comitum Moraviae et de Ormond et aliorum rebelliumnostrorum in eorum comitiva existen: ibidem captorum etinterfectorum."Similar grants of land were made to Finnart and Arran, the two branches of the house of Hamilton; to the chiefs of the Battisons; but, above all, to the Earl of Angus who obtained from royal favour a donation of the Lordship of Douglas, and many other lands, now held by Lord Douglas, as his representative. There appears, however, to be some doubt, whether, in this division, the Earl of Angus received more than his natural right. Our historians, indeed, say, that William I. Earl of Douglas, had three sons; 1. James, the 2d Earl, who died in the field of Otterburn; 2. Archibald, the Grim, 3d Earl; and 3. George, in right of his mother, earl of Angus. Whether, however, this Archibald was actually the son of William, seems very doubtful; and Sir David Dalrymple has strenuously maintained the contrary. Now, if Archibald, the Grim, intruded into the earldom of Douglas, without being a son of that family, it follows that the house of Angus, being kept out of their just rights for more than a century, were only restored to them after the battle of Arkinholme. Perhaps, this may help to account for the eager interest taken by the earl of Angus against his kinsman.—Remarks on History of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1773. p. 121.

"Pro suo fideli servitio nobis impenso et pro quodinterfuit in conflictu de Arkenholme in occisione et captionenostrorum rebellium quondam Archibaldi et Hugonis de Douglasolim comitum Moraviae et de Ormond et aliorum rebelliumnostrorum in eorum comitiva existen: ibidem captorum etinterfectorum."

Similar grants of land were made to Finnart and Arran, the two branches of the house of Hamilton; to the chiefs of the Battisons; but, above all, to the Earl of Angus who obtained from royal favour a donation of the Lordship of Douglas, and many other lands, now held by Lord Douglas, as his representative. There appears, however, to be some doubt, whether, in this division, the Earl of Angus received more than his natural right. Our historians, indeed, say, that William I. Earl of Douglas, had three sons; 1. James, the 2d Earl, who died in the field of Otterburn; 2. Archibald, the Grim, 3d Earl; and 3. George, in right of his mother, earl of Angus. Whether, however, this Archibald was actually the son of William, seems very doubtful; and Sir David Dalrymple has strenuously maintained the contrary. Now, if Archibald, the Grim, intruded into the earldom of Douglas, without being a son of that family, it follows that the house of Angus, being kept out of their just rights for more than a century, were only restored to them after the battle of Arkinholme. Perhaps, this may help to account for the eager interest taken by the earl of Angus against his kinsman.—Remarks on History of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1773. p. 121.

[3]

A grant of the king, dated 2d October, 1484, bestowed upon Kirkpatrick, for this acceptable service, the lands of Kirkmichael.

[4]

Spens of Kilspindie, a renowned cavalier, had been present in court, when the Earl of Angus was highly praised for strength and valour. "It may be," answered Spens, "if all be good that is upcome;" insinuating, that the courage of the earl might not answer the promise of his person. Shortly after, Angus, while hawking near Borthwick, with a single attendant, met Kilspindie. "What reason had ye," said the earl, "for making question of my manhood? thou art a tall fellow, and so am I; and by St. Bride of Douglas, one of us shall pay for it!"—"Since it may be no better," answered Kilspindie, "I will defend myself against the best earl in Scotland." With these words they encountered fiercely, till Angus, with one blow, severed the thigh of his antagonist, who died upon the spot. The earl then addressed the attendant of Kilspindie: "Go thy way: tell my gossip, the king, that here was nothing but fair play. I know my gossip will be offended; but I will get me into Liddisdale, and remain in my castle of the Hermitage till his anger be abated."—Godscroft, Vol. II. p. 59. The price of the earl's pardon seems to have been the exchange mentioned in the text. Bothwell is now the residence of Lord Douglas. The sword, with which Archibald,Bell-the-Cat, slew Spens, was, by his descendant, the famous Earl of Morton, presented to Lord Lindsay of the Byres, when, about to engage in single combat with Bothwell, at Carberry-hill—Godscroft, Vol. II. p. 175.

[5]

The statute 1594, cap. 231, ascribes the disorders on the border in a great measure to the "counselles, directions, receipt, and partaking, of chieftains principalles of the branches, and househalders of the saides surnames, and clannes, quhilkis bears quarrel, and seeks revenge for the least hurting or slauchter of ony ane of their unhappy race, although it were ardour of justice, or in rescuing and following of trew mens geares stollen or reft."

[6]

This tragedy, or, perhaps, the preceding execution of Lord Home, must have been the subject of the song, the first two lines of which are preserved in theComplaynt of Scotland;God sen' the Duc hed byddin in France,And de la Bauté had never come hame.P, 100, Edin. 1801.

This tragedy, or, perhaps, the preceding execution of Lord Home, must have been the subject of the song, the first two lines of which are preserved in theComplaynt of Scotland;

God sen' the Duc hed byddin in France,And de la Bauté had never come hame.

P, 100, Edin. 1801.

[7]

The particulars of this encounter are interesting. The Hamiltons were the most numerous party, drawn chiefly from the western counties. Their leaders met in the palace of Archbishop Beaton, and resolved to apprehend Angus, who was come to the city to attend the convention of estates. Gawain Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld, a near relation of Angus, in vain endeavoured to mediate betwixt the factions. He appealed to Beaton, and invoked his assistance to prevent bloodshed. "On my conscience," answered the archbishop, "I cannot help what is to happen." As he laid his hand upon his breast, at this solemn declaration, the hauberk, concealed by his rocket, was heard to clatter: "Ah! my lord!" retorted Douglas, "your conscience sounds hollow." He then expostulated with the secular leaders, and Sir Patrick Hamilton, brother to Arran, was convinced by his remonstrances; but Sir James, the natural son of the earl, upbraided his uncle with reluctance to fight. "False bastard!" answered Sir Patrick, "I will fight to day where thou darest not be seen." With these words they rushed tumultuously towards the high-street, where Angus, with the prior of Coldinghame, and the redoubted Wedderburn, waited their assault, at the head of 400 spearmen, the flower of the east marches, who, having broke down the gate of the Netherbow, had arrived just in time to the earl's assistance. The advantage of the ground, and the disorder of the Hamiltons, soon gave the day to Angus. Sir Patrick Hamilton, and the master of Montgomery, were slain. Arran, and Sir James Hamilton, escaped with difficulty; and with no less difficulty was the military prelate of Glasgow rescued from the ferocious borderers, by the generous interposition of Gawain Douglas. The skirmish was long remembered in Edinburgh, by the name of "Cleanse the Causeway."—Pinkerton's History, Vol. II. p. 181.—Pitscottie Edit.1728. p. 120.—Life of Gawain Douglas, prefixed to his Virgil.

[8]

A curious letter from Surrey to the king is printed in the Appendix, No. I.

[9]

In a letter to the Duke of Norfolk, October 1524, Queen Margaret says, "Sen that the Lard of Sessford and the Lard of Baclw vas put in the castell of Edinbrouh, the Erl of Lenness hath past hyz vay vythout lycyens, and in despyt; and thynkyth to make the brek that he may, and to solyst other lordis to tak hyz part; for the said lard of Bavkl wvas hyz man, and dyd the gretyst ewelyz that myght be dwn, and twk part playnly vyth theasyz as is well known."—Cot. MSS. Calig.B.I.

[10]

Near Darnick. By a corruption from Skirmish field, the spot is still called the Skinnerfield. Two lines of an old ballad on the subject are still preserved:"There were sick belts and blows,The Mattous burn ran blood."

Near Darnick. By a corruption from Skirmish field, the spot is still called the Skinnerfield. Two lines of an old ballad on the subject are still preserved:

[11]

Buccleuch contrived to escape forfeiture, a doom pronounced against those nobles, who assisted the Earl of Lennox, in a subsequent attempt to deliver the king, by force of arms. "The laird of Bukcleugh has a respecte, and is not forfeited; and will get his pece, and was in Leithquo, both Sondaye, Mondaye, and Tewisday last, which is grete displeasure to the Carres."—Letter from Sir C. Dacre to Lord Dacre, 2d December, 1526.

[12]

"To ding down Tantallon, and make a bridge to the Bass," was an adage expressive of impossibility. The shattered ruins of this celebrated fortress still overhang a tremendous rock on the coast of East Lothian.

[13]

Edgebucklin, near Musselburgh.

[14]

I allude to the affecting story of Douglas of Kilspindie, uncle to the Earl of Angus. This gentleman had been placed by Angus about the king's person, who, when a boy, loved him much, on account of his singular activity of body, and was wont to call him hisGraysteil, after a champion of chivalry, in the romance ofSir Eger and Sir Grime. He shared, however, the fate of his chief, and, for many years, served in France. Weary, at length, of exile, the aged warrior, recollecting the king's personal attachment to him, resolved to throw himself on his clemency. As James returned from hunting in the park at Stirling, he saw a person at a distance, and, turning to his nobles, exclaimed, "Yonder is myGraysteil, Archibald of Kilspindie!" As he approached, Douglas threw himself on his knees, and implored permission to lead an obscure life in his native land. But the name of Douglas was an amulet, which steeled the king's heart against the influence of compassion and juvenile recollection. He passed the suppliant without an answer, and rode briskly up the steep hill, towards the castle. Kilspindie, though loaded with a hauberk under his cloaths, kept pace with the horse, in vain endeavouring to catch a glance from the implacable monarch. He sat down at the gate, weary and exhausted, and asked for a draught of water. Even this was refused by the royal attendants. The king afterwards blamed their discourtesy; but Kilspindie was obliged to return to France, where he died of a broken heart; the same disease which afterwards brought to the grave his unrelenting sovereign. Even the stern Henry VIII. blamed his nephew's conduct, quoting the generous saying "A king's face should give grace."—Godscroft, Vol. II. P. 107.

[15]

In Haynes' State Papers, from p. 43 to p. 64, is an account of these destructive forays. One list of the places burned and destroyed enumerates—Monasteries and Freehouses .... 7Castles, towres, and piles .... 16Market townes ................. 5Villages ...................... 243Mylnes ........................ 13Spytells and hospitals ........ 3See also official accounts of these expeditions, inDalyell's Fragments.

In Haynes' State Papers, from p. 43 to p. 64, is an account of these destructive forays. One list of the places burned and destroyed enumerates—

Monasteries and Freehouses .... 7Castles, towres, and piles .... 16Market townes ................. 5Villages ...................... 243Mylnes ........................ 13Spytells and hospitals ........ 3

[16]

Patten gives us a list of those east border chiefs who did homage to the Duke of Somerset, on the 24th of September, 1547; namely, the lairds of Cessfoorth, Fernyherst, Grenehed, Hunthill, Hundely, Makerstone, Bymerside, Bounjedworth, Ormeston, Mellestains, Warmesay, Synton, Egerston, Merton, Mowe, Rydell, Beamerside. Of gentlemen, he enumerates George Tromboul, Jhon Haliburton, Robert Car, Robert Car of Greyden, Adam Kirton, Andrew Mether, Saunders Purvose of Erleston, Mark Car of Littledean, George Car of Faldenside, Alexander Mackdowal, Charles Rutherford, Thomas Car of the Yere, Jhon Car of Meynthorn (Nenthorn), Walter Holiburton, Richard Hangansyde, Andrew Car, James Douglas of Cavers, James Car of Mersington, George Hoppringle, William Ormeston of Edmerden, John Grymslowe.—Patten, inDalyell's Fragments, p. 87.On the west border, the following barons and clans submitted and gave pledges to Lord Wharton, that they would serve the king of England, with the number of followers annexed to their names.ANNERDALE. NITHSDALE.Laird of Kirkmighel .......... 222 Mr Maxwell and more ........ 1000Rose ................ 165 Laird of Closeburn ......... 403Hempsfield .......... 163 Lag ............... 202Home Ends ........... 162 Cransfield ........ 27Wamfrey ............. 102 Mr Ed. Creighton ........... 10Dunwoddy ............ 44 Laird of Cowhill ........... 91Laird of Newby and Gratney .. 122 Maxwells of Brackenside,Tinnel (Tinwald) .... 102 and vicar of Carlaverick .. 310Patrick Murray .............. 203 ANNERDALE AND GALWAY.Christie Urwin (Irving) of Lord Carlisle .............. 101Coveshawe ............ 102 ANNERDALE AND CLIDSDALECuthbert Urwen of Robbgill .. 34 Laird of Applegirth ........ 242Urwens of Sennersack ......... 40 LIDDESDALE AND DEBATEABLEWat Urwen .................... 20 LAND.Jeffrey Urwen ................ 93 Armstrongs ................. 300T. Johnston of Crackburn .... 64 Elwoods (Elliots) .......... 74James Johnston of Coites .... 162 Nixons ..................... 32Johnstons of Graggyland ..... 37 GALLOWAYJohnstons of Driesdell ...... 46 Laird of Dawbaylie ......... 41Johnstons of Malinshaw ...... 65 Orcherton .................. 111Gawen Johnston .............. 31 Carlisle ................... 206Will Johnston, the laird's Loughenwar ................. 45brother ................... 110 Tutor of Bumbie ............ 140Robin Johnston of Abbot of Newabbey .......... 141Lochmaben .................. 67 Town of Dumfries ........... 201Lard of Gillersbie ............ 30 Town of Kircubrie .......... 36Moffits ....................... 24 TIVIDALE.Bells of Tostints ............ 142 Laird of Drumlire .......... 364Bells of Tindills ............ 222 Caruthers .................. 71Sir John Lawson ............... 32 Trumbells .................. 12Town of Annan ................ 33 ESKDALE.Roomes of Tordephe ........... 32 Battisons and Thomsons ..... 166Total 7008 men under English assurance.Nicolson, from Bell's MS. Introduction to History of Cumberland, p. 65.

On the west border, the following barons and clans submitted and gave pledges to Lord Wharton, that they would serve the king of England, with the number of followers annexed to their names.

ANNERDALE. NITHSDALE.Laird of Kirkmighel .......... 222 Mr Maxwell and more ........ 1000Rose ................ 165 Laird of Closeburn ......... 403Hempsfield .......... 163 Lag ............... 202Home Ends ........... 162 Cransfield ........ 27Wamfrey ............. 102 Mr Ed. Creighton ........... 10Dunwoddy ............ 44 Laird of Cowhill ........... 91Laird of Newby and Gratney .. 122 Maxwells of Brackenside,Tinnel (Tinwald) .... 102 and vicar of Carlaverick .. 310Patrick Murray .............. 203 ANNERDALE AND GALWAY.Christie Urwin (Irving) of Lord Carlisle .............. 101Coveshawe ............ 102 ANNERDALE AND CLIDSDALECuthbert Urwen of Robbgill .. 34 Laird of Applegirth ........ 242Urwens of Sennersack ......... 40 LIDDESDALE AND DEBATEABLEWat Urwen .................... 20 LAND.Jeffrey Urwen ................ 93 Armstrongs ................. 300T. Johnston of Crackburn .... 64 Elwoods (Elliots) .......... 74James Johnston of Coites .... 162 Nixons ..................... 32Johnstons of Graggyland ..... 37 GALLOWAYJohnstons of Driesdell ...... 46 Laird of Dawbaylie ......... 41Johnstons of Malinshaw ...... 65 Orcherton .................. 111Gawen Johnston .............. 31 Carlisle ................... 206Will Johnston, the laird's Loughenwar ................. 45brother ................... 110 Tutor of Bumbie ............ 140Robin Johnston of Abbot of Newabbey .......... 141Lochmaben .................. 67 Town of Dumfries ........... 201Lard of Gillersbie ............ 30 Town of Kircubrie .......... 36Moffits ....................... 24 TIVIDALE.Bells of Tostints ............ 142 Laird of Drumlire .......... 364Bells of Tindills ............ 222 Caruthers .................. 71Sir John Lawson ............... 32 Trumbells .................. 12Town of Annan ................ 33 ESKDALE.Roomes of Tordephe ........... 32 Battisons and Thomsons ..... 166

Nicolson, from Bell's MS. Introduction to History of Cumberland, p. 65.

[17]

These were the lairds of Buccleuch, Cessford, and Fairnihirst, Littleden, Grenehed, and Coldingknows. Buccleuch, whose gallant exploits we have noticed, did not long enjoy his new honours. He was murdered, in the streets of Edinburgh, by his hereditary enemies, the Kerrs, anno 1552.

[18]

The jest of James VI. is well known, who, when a favourite cow had found her way from London, back to her native country of Fife, observed, "that nothing surprised him so much as her passing uninterrupted through the Debateable Land!"

[19]

He was lord of Liddesdale, and keeper of the Hermitage castle. But he had little effective power over that country, and was twice defeated by the Armstrongs, its lawless inhabitants.—Border History, p. 584. Yet the unfortunate Mary, in her famous Apology, says, "that in the weiris againis Ingland, he gaif proof of his vailyentnes, courage, and gude conduct;" and praises him especially for subjugating "the rebellious subjectis inhabiting the cuntreis lying ewest the marches of Ingland."—Keith, p. 388. He appears actually to have defeated Sir Henry Percy, in a skirmish, called the Raid of Haltweilswire.

[20]

This nobleman had, shortly before, threatened to spoil the English east march; "but," says the Duke of Norfolk, "we have provided such sauce for him, that I think he will not deal in such matter; but, if he do fire but one hay-goff, he shall not go to Home again without torch-light, and, peradventure, may find a lanthorn at his own house."

[21]

The commissioners on the English side were, the elder Lord Scroope of Bolton, Sir John Foster, Sir Thomas Gargrave, and Dr. Rookby. On the Scottish side appeared, Sir John Maxwell of Terreagles, and Sir John Ballenden.

[22]

TheQueen's Mireis still a pass of danger, exhibiting, in many places, the bones of the horses which have been entangled in it. For what reason the queen chose to enter Liddesdale by the circuitous route of Hawick, does not appear. There are two other passes from Jedburgh to Hermitage castle; the one by theNote of the Gate, the other over the mountain, called Winburgh. Either of these, but especially the latter, is several miles shorter than that by Hawick, and the Queen's Mire. But, by the circuitous way of Hawick, the queen could traverse the districts of more friendly clans, than by going directly into the disorderly province of Liddesdale.

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