Records of the Pringles of the Scottish Border, by Alex Pringle

Chapter 7

SMAILHOLM

ROBERT

ON the death of James, 2nd Earl of Douglas, at the battle Otterburn in 1388, the earldom devolved on Archibald Douglas, natural son of Sir James the Good, Lord of Galloway, who since 1357 had taken a leading part in the affairs of the country. His tenure of the earldom was a time of peace. He died at an advanced age, in his Castle of Threave, in December 1400.

The history of the Earls of Douglas is also the history of the Hoppringills of the time. For Thomas and Adam, the first Douglas Squires, see that Ilk (The Douglas Book, 4 vols., by Sir William Fraser).

He was succeeded as 4th Earl by his son Archibald, surnamed "Tineman'', loser of battles. Born about 1372 he married at an early age Margaret, daughter of the King Robert III.; while his sister married the Duke of Rothesay, heir to the throne, and a year after his death took in 1403 as her second husband Sir Walter Haliburton, younger, of Dirleton. In September 1402 the Scots having invaded Northumberland to avenge a reverse at Nisbet Moor) were defeated at Homildon, when the Scottish leaders, including the Earl, were taken prisoners. So thick flew the English that the Earl, notwithstanding he wore a suit of armour arrows which is said to have cost three years' labour to make, was wounded in five places, including the loss of an eye. The captivity of the Earl, who fought on the side of the Percies at the battle of Shrewsbury, nominally lasted till 1413, but a considerable portion of it, was done by proxy. He would be in Scotland for periods from two to twelve months at a time, while certain of his sons, kinsmen, or men of high social condition, would take his place in England as hostages. In April 1408 he had a safe conduct till June, and was granting charters in Edinburgh in May. Returning to England in June he was detained only a few days, till the 20th, when, on leaving four hostages, he left finally for Scotland. This introduces us to his charters.

In June 1404 Robert Ker of Attonburn had a charter from Archibald, Earl of Douglas, of the lands of Smailholm and others, to be held blench of the Earl, who was then a prisoner in England. In January 1407, at Westminster, Henry IV. grants a safe conduct to Sir Thomas de Murray, Sir William de Dalziel, William de Towers, Hugh Campbell, Robert Pryngil, and 50 their companions, in company, now in the north of the kingdom, to come and go in England till the feast of Purification (R. S.). They were probably to act as a convoy to the Earl in returning to Scotland in that year. On 20th March 1408 at Edinburgh, a charter (" a, little razed in the date ''), is granted by Archibald, Earl of Douglas, to Robert de Hoppringill of the lands of Pilmuir, Lauderdale, to be held ward (A. P., L. W., 1661). At Edinburgh a charter, undated, but confirmed by the Ear1 of March in February 1413, is granted by the Earl of Douglas to David Hume, his squire, of the lands of Wedderburn ; making one suit annually at the Earl's principal court of the regality of Lauder : witnesses, William de Hay and William de Borthwick, knights, and Robert de Hoppringill, George de Rutherford, and William de Saint Clair, esquires (Mi1ne Home). In May 1418 at Inverkeithing, and in November at Dunfermline, charters are granted by Robert, Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland, to his son John Earl of Buchan, and Elizabeth, daughter of Archibald Earl of Douglas, his future spouse, of certain lands in Ayrshire: witnesses to former charter, Sir William de Lindsay, Sir William de Borthwick, Robert de Pringil, and others ; to the latter, the bishop of Aberdeen, chancellor, Sir William de Borthwick, Robert de Hoppringil, and others (G. S.). In September 1414 at Edinburgh, a charter is granted by Archibald Earl of Douglas to Sir William Hay of Lochorwart of certain lands in Wigtownshire; witnesses, the Earl of Orkney, William Douglas de Drumlanrig, William de Borthwick, John de Moubray, John St Clair, knights, and Adam de Hepburn of Hailes, Robert de Livingston, Robert de oppringil, William de Edmonston, and William de Saint Clair, esquires (D. B.). In December 1414 at Bothwell, an instrument of Collation by Matthew, bishop of Glasgow, is witnessed by the archdeacon and the sheriff of Teviotdale, Robert de Pringyle, and others.

In June 1418 the Customs officers are called upon to state on oath what, and what kind of goods, had been exported without payment of the customs during the account, and they give in 24 cases, including James de Douglas of Dalkeith, Robert de Borthwick, and Robert de Hoppringil, who exported, respectively, 4, 9, and 8 sacks of wool, also the Earl of Douglas, Sir Walter de Haliburton, etc. (E. R.).

In May 1419 the Duke of Bedford and Council grant to Robert de Pringil and John de Wells of Scotland a safe conduct to last till 1st August next, about to travel into England with twelve persons in their company, horses and goods, coming, stopping, and returning, for paying the ransom of James de Douglas, son of the Earl of Douglas ; and in July, the date of their stay in England is extended to 31st August, and a safe conduct is granted to James de Douglas about to travel to Scotland ; and in November a further extension is granted to them till the feast of Purification (R. S.).

During the reign of Henry V., 1413-22, we find Earl Douglas himself having safe conducts into England in connection with the ransom of James 1., who had been seized at sea and held captive since 1406 ; and also taking part in the encounter on the Borders consequent on the persistent attempt of that king to conquer France, the old ally of Scotland. The Duke of Vendome came on an embassy to Scotland, with the result that the Earls of Buchan and Wigtown, that is to say, the Earl's son-in-law and elder son, in 1419 sailed for France and landed at Rochelle with 7000 men-at-arms. Regarded at first as " nothing better than drinkers of wine and eaters of sheep,'' they took a prominent part in bringing central France under the Dauphin. In March 1421 they routed the English at Beaugé, killing the Duke of Clarence, King Henry's brother. But in July 1423 the allies met with disaster at Crevant, 3000 Scots, it is said, being killed or captured. Consequent on this defeat, Buchan, now Constable of France, and Wigtown returned to Scotland, and succeeded in getting Earl Douglas himself enlisted in the cause. Landing in the Spring of 1424 at Rochelle with 10,000 knights and soldiers, he was created Duke of Touraine, and the city of Tours held fête on his entry on 27th May, presenting him 12 hhds. wine, 7 oats, 50 sheep, 4 fat oxen, and 100 lb. wax torches. It was not long till he met with disaster. Going to the relief of the Castle of Ivry, besieged by the Duke of Bedford, and finding his position too strong, the allies retreated to Verneuil, and there, on 17th August 1424, having attacked the English in a strong position, instead of following the Earl's advice and waiting their attack, they were totally defeated. It had been agreed between the English and Scottish that no prisoners were to be taken on either side; and it is generally stated that in this battle the Scottish contingent was all but exterminated. The Earl and his younger son James, who were both killed, were buried in the middle of the choir of Tours Cathedral. In this battle fell also Robert Hoppringill, the Earl's Squire.

Robert apparently had issue :

1. George, Douglas Squire.

2. Robert, of Wrangholm and Smailholm.

3. Alexander, Douglas Squire.

4. David, of Pilmuir and Smailholm.

GEORGE AND ALEXANDER

Archibald, Earl of Wigtown, succeeded his father as 5th Earl of Douglas, then about 34 years of age. At the end of 1423 and the beginning of 1424, he took part in the proceedings connected with the return to Scotland of his uncle, James 1., who had been a prisoner in England since 1406. This introduces us to George and Alexander Hoppringill, who acted as squires not only to him but to all the succeeding Earls of Douglas till their forfeiture in 1455. In November 1425 George and Alexander Hoppringill were on an Assize of 13 which, in presence of the Earl, as lord of the regality of Lauderdale, perambulated and determined the boundary between the lands of Redpath belonging to Melrose Abbey and those of Bemersyde belonging to John Haig (G. S.). In September 1427 George de Hoppryngile is at Jedburgh on an Inquest of 15 that retoured William Douglas as heir to his father, Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, in the barony of Hawick. In January 1430 George performs a similar duty in the retour of Thomas of Fothringham in the third part of the lands of Caverton. On the 2nd November 1433 Archibald, Duke of Touraine (titular) and Earl of Douglas issues letters from Edibredshiels (Auldwark) granting lands in Sprouston to the Carthusian convent of the Charterhouse, Perth, to which the witnesses are the bishops of St Andrews, Brechin, and Dunkeld, the abbot of Melrose, the Earls of Angus and Mar, James Douglas of Balveny, the Sheriff of Teviotdale, Nicholas of Rutherfurd, George Pringill, and Alexander Pringill, squires. The Earl now having a dispute with the Earl of Athole about the lands of Dunbrenny and Pitcaithly in Perthshire, James I. settled the matter by taking possession of them himself ; but on the King's assassination in the Charterhouse, Perth, in February 1437, and the execution of Athole for complicity therein, the Earl, now created Lieu- tenant-General of the kingdom, resumed possession ; and in November 1437 he issued " Letters of Bailiary appointing George de Hoppringill his Bailie of the lands of Dunbrenny, in the sheriffdom of Perth, to endure for the Duke's will.'' In July 1438, in the church of the Blackfriars, Edinburgh, commissioners acting for the Earl drew up a notarial instrument securing Gilbert de Lauder in his lands in the town and territory of Lauder, to which the witnesses are George de Pryngill, squire, and others. Earl Archibald died at Restalrig of a fever in June 1439.

Within six months after Earl Archibald's death his son younger son William, aged 17, now 6th Earl of Douglas, and James, were with murderous intent invited to Edinburgh Castle, and there, in presence of their cousin the boy king, James II., aged 10 , summarily beheaded, after a mock trial.

The succession as 7th Earl of Douglas now devolved on the 4th Earl's brother, James, surnamed " the Gross, " who for forty years had taken an active part in State affairs. He died in the beginning of 1443, leaving six sons, of whom William became 8th Earl of Douglas at the age of 18.

Earl William appears to have favourably impressed James II., who made him Lieutenant-General. In 1445 he married his cousin “The Fair Maid of Galloway,'' thus reuniting in himself the lordship of Galloway and other Douglas lands that had fallen to her on the murder of her two brothers. On 1st March 1447 in an open court held at Newark in the great hall "before a mighty and potent lord, William Earl of Douglas," George of Hoppringill and four others are witnesses to a notarial instrument treating of the superiority of certain lands in Roxburghshire. In November 1450 at a Justice Ayre held at Dunbar, at which King James II was present, the King, at the intercession of George de Hoppringill grants remission to Hugh de Duns of a fine of £10. After the downfall of the Livingstones, Earl William, set out in August 1450, with a, princely train of attendants, via Flanders, for Rome, to which the Papal Jubilee was attracting visitors from all parts. At Rome he received a flattering reception, being honoured above all other visitors to the city. He returned via Calais and England, and at the English Court was highly honoured. His letters of safe conduct of the 23rd April 1451, issued on the 12th May, included his hundred attendants, of whom 37 are given by name, viz., Sir James Douglas, the earls of Moray and Ormond, his brothers, Lord James Hamilton, Sir Alexander Home of that Ilk, George and Alexander of Hoppringill, David Hoppringill (respectively l4th, 15th, and 16th in the list), etc. (R. S., and Calendar of Documents re Scotland, vol. iv.). During his absence the King, James II., had, for some unknown reason, invaded his lands and destroyed Douglas Craig on the Yarrow, but a reconciliation was effected in June. At this time the earl of Crawford was in rebellion, and it was believed that Earl William was in compact with him. He was invited to Stirling Castle under a safe conduct, and there on the evening of the day after his arrival, because, it is said, he refused to break this compact, he was foully done to death by the King and his attendants, 22nd February 1452.

James, the brother of Earl William, succeeded him as 9th Earl of Douglas and 3rd of Avondale. He had taken an active part with his brothers in the Border war of 1449, when, in retaliation for the burning of Dunbar and Dumfries, they had burned Alnwick and Warkworth, and won the great battle of Sark; and he had jousted with the Burgundian knights in the tournament at Stirling. Within a month after his brother's death, he, Ormond, and Lord Hamilton entered Stirling with 600 men and, after a simultaneous blast of 24 horns, proclaimed the king's Council dishonoured; displayed the safe conduct with its seals, and then dragged it through the town on a board at the tails of horses. A Parliament was held, and the Earl renounced his allegiance on the Parliament door, However, peace was made at Douglas Castle in August 1452. Having got a Papal dispensation the Earl married his brother's widow, the " Fair Maid of Galloway,'' and in April 1453 he was a commissioner to treat for a peace with England. At length, tired, it is said, of the intrigues of the Earl, the King in 1455 laid siege to Abercorn Castle, took it after a month's resistance, and hanged the defenders; Lord Hamilton and other adherents of the Earl, who had come with him for its relief, having deserted to the King. The Earl fled to England, and at Arkinholm, on 18th August 1455, his brothers were defeated by the Border clans led by George Douglas 4th Earl of Angus Moray being slain, Ormond taken prisoner, and Balveny escaping. On 10th June the Earl was declared forfeited: Ettrick Forest, Galloway, Ballencrieff etc., were annexed to the Crown, and Angus was rewarded with the lordships of Jedburgh Forest and Liddesdale.

Such were the eventful times and stirring scenes in which George and Alexander Hoppringill played their parts.

On the partition of the forfeited Earldom in 1455, the lordship of Ettrick Forest was annexed to the Crown, and for the purpose of management was divided into three wards, Ettrick, Yarrow, and Tweed; at the head of each of which was a Master Ranger and a Ranger (Magister Cursorum and Cursor). The Ward of Tweed included that part of the Forest that lay along the north side of the river from the mouth of the Gala up to Walkerburn, and from the river up the Gala to Crosslee, and the Caddon to its head. It consisted, much as at the present day and under the same names, of some 18 farms or "steids,'' let on nominal leases for certain years to " kindly tenants,'' who paid the rents partly in money and partly in a few cattle and sheep. The duties of the master rangers, who received the same pay as the rangers, are not apparent; perhaps they acted as referees in disputes. The rangers did all the work, collecting the rents and the frequent fines for killing deer, tilling land, and cutting trees, advancing money on order to Government officials, and at the end of the financial year accounting to the Controller of the Exchequer, at Edinburgh, Stirling, or Perth, as might happen, Fee of the master rangers and the rangers the same, viz., £9.

The first Master Ranger (Magister Cursorum) or factor of the Ward of Tweed was George Pringill. He probably owed his appointment to the Earl of Angus, head of the " Red Douglases,'' Warden of the East and Middle Marches.

In April 1456 the Earl issued Letters acquitting Andrew Ker of Cessford of traitorous dealings with Englishmen ; this being the verdict of a jury that sat at Selkirk, and included George and Sandy Hoppringill.

George died apparently in 1459, nor is Alexander again mentioned.

ROBERT 2 (OF PILMUIR)

succeeded George as Master Ranger of the Ward of Tweed, and apparently also in the lands of Wrangholm and Smailholm, of which he got sasine in 1459 apparently as George's brother (L. R.).

On l5th January 1463-4 Alexander Lord Kilmaurs appeared before Parliament and complained of malicious rumours of his having assisted and favoured the traitor James of Douglas, and pointed out that he had, in February last, been by royal letters patent declared innocent of any such grime, especially the entertaining of George de Pringill, an adherent of the said traitor ; and on his knees he offered to purge himself, just by assize of his peers, second by the judgement of 100 knights and squires, or third with his own hands against whosoever might call upon him (MSS. R. 377).

Robert's tenure as Master Ranger ended in 1470, when he was succeeded in area by William Douglas de Cluny of Traquair (E. R.). In 1473 Mariote de Hoppringill is confirmed in the lands of Kirktonhill and Muir House, as against Robin Hoppringill who had put in a claim to them (L. A.) In November 1474 at Holyrood Robert witnesses a charter by George Home of Wedderburn.

DAVID 1 (OF PILMUIR AND SMAILHOLM)

In 1440 David Hoppringill acts as attorney at the sasine of William de Gordon in the lands of Stitchill (S. W.). To a charter of the fourth part of Blans in Haddingtonshire granted by him in 1445 his seal is appended, showing " On a bend 3 escallop shells," and. the legend –

S. DAVID DE HOPPRYNGILLE (L. S.).

In 1447 in a letter James II. charges him and two others under penalty of treason not to reply, or give any money, to Patrick, son of Adam Hepburn of Hailes, who had seized and held in Dunbar Castle John Oll, the Prior of Coldingham (C. C.).

In 1450 David, like George and Alexander, the Douglas squires, was one of the brilliant retinue that accompanied William the last Earl of Douglas to the Papal Jubilee at Rome (see above).

David was the first Ranger (Cursor) of the Ward of Tweed, holding the office from 1455 to 1466, under George and Robert Hoppringill, Master Rangers.

On 7th December 1457 at Jedburgh, George, Earl of Angus, Warden of the East and Middle Marches, make an indenture appointing Andrew Ker of Cessford his Bailie of Jedburgh Forest during their mutual lives : in witness of which the Earl set his seal to one part of the indenture, while to the other part was set the seal of David Hoppringill of Pilmuir, because Andrew Ker had no seal of his own present : witnesses, Sir Walter Scott, David Scott, etc. (D. B., Charter 431).

In 1463 at Selkirk, David is on the jury that retoured Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus, in 19 husbandlands near the town (D. B.). In 1464 at Galashiels, David Pringle of Smailholm, with James Pringil, and others, witnesses a charter granted by William Douglas de Cluny of Traquair.

In November 1468 David Pringill resigned into the hands of the King, James III., the lands of Pilmuir, which the King gave back to him " by staff and baton '' (G. S.).

In 1469, on the marriage of James III. to Margaret of Denmark, she obtained as part of her dowry the lordship of Ettrick Forest with the fortalice of Newark, and held the same till her death in 1486.

In 1470, in St Margaret's Chapel in the Castle of Edinburgh, William Douglas of Cluny resigned in favour of Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus, the ward of the lands of Tantallon and earldom of Douglas : witnesses, David Scott of Buccleuch, James, Lord Hamilton, David Pringil, etc. (D. B.). In 1471 at Borthwickshiels, David witnesses, along with David and William Scott, the infeftment therein of Walter, son and heir of Andrew Ker of Cessford.

In the action between Oliver of Lauder and David Pringill touching the thirling of the lands of Pilmuir to the mill of Lauder the matter is referred to a Jury (L. A.).

In September 1473 expenses are paid by the Exchequer to a messenger passing with letters to David Pringill to the Forest ; and later to a courier passing to David Hoppringill of Smailholm and Tom Ker (Fernihirst) with letters under the Signet, to cause them to come to Edinburgh (E. R).

In 1476 David and his two sons James and Adam are witnesses to the execution of a summons against the Lords Auditors at the instance of Sir John Swinton of that Ilk.

Over the doorway of the old house of Galashiels is said to have been this inscription-

Elspeth Dishington Builted me.

In syn lye not :

The things thou canst not get,

Desyre not.

This Elspeth appears to be the ancestress referred to by John Hoppringill of Smailholm and Galashiels in his Will, 1564, where he mentions that £66 of tocher money was still owing to him and his heirs by the heirs of Sir William Dischington of Ardross. Sir William, who married Elizabeth, sister of King Robert Bruce, was succeeded about 1360 by his son, also Sir William, who, as cousin of King David, was seneschal in the royal household. Thus it came about that the latter's daughter, the above Elspeth, who married David Hoppringill, built the old house of Galashiels, as after his appointment in 1455 as Keeper of the Ward of Tweed, they would have to live there.

It is owing to this royal connection no doubt that we find the early Hoppringills of Smailholm, David 1, James 1, and David 2, taking the leading part they did in the Border affairs of their times.

David died before May 1480. He had issue :-

1. James, his heir.

2. Adam, of St John's Chapel (Chapel on Leader).

3. Thomas, of Wrangholm.

JAMES 1

On the resignation in 1466 of David, as Ranger or Factor of the Ward of Tweed, he was succeeded by his son James, who held the office for a quarter of a century, till 1492, during which time Robert Hoppringill, William Douglas of Traquair, David and Patrick Crichton were in succession Master Rangers.

In 1470 Redhead (Whytbank), one of the 18 steads of the Ward, which paid a rent of £6, 3 cattle, and 20 lambs each, was attached to the office of Ranger as fee; and in 1474 James got a, lease of Blindlee.

In May 1480 on a precept of Chancery, proceeding on a retour, James, as heir of his late father David, gets sasine of the lands of Pilmuir. In June in Edinburgh Castle he is on a jury to decide on the claims of the Abbots of Kelso and Dunfermline as to certain fishings on the Tweed: also the Lords of Council ordain James and his spouse Elisabeth Murray to restore to Jonet, Lady Edmonstone, a matin book-which it was proved the said Elisabeth had-or twenty French crowns.

In 1482 Patrick Murray of Falahill and James are sued by Margaret, daughter of the late Andrew Ker, to pay her 300 merks-the rest of a marriage portion-but the Lords find James and Thomas Ker to be the parties liable (L. A.) In 1484 at Jedburgh James, and David Scott of Branxholm, Robert Gladstone, etc., are on a jury that retoured James Douglas, as heir of his father, the late William of Drumlanrig, in the barony of Hawick (S, B.).

On 12th October 1487 the two steads of Galashiels and Mossilee-hitherto in the hands of the late Queen-and the stead of Blindlee, are leased to James Hoppringill for 19 years by King James III., and confirmed in the following year by James IV. (E. R.).

In 1489, in an action before the Lords of Council anent the ward lands of the late Oliver Lauder belonging to the King, James claimed them as a gift of the King, the proof of which he had not present to show ; the Lords said he could take a summons if he pleased.

In 1494 at the Justice Ayre, Selkirk, David Walsh, Bedrule, produced a remission for art and part in the theft of 26 oxen and cows from James Pringill out of Pilmuir.

James appears to have died in the spring of 1495. By his spouse Elisabeth, daughter of Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh, he had issue :-

1. David, his heir.

2. William: first of Torwoodlee

3. Alexander, first of Trinlyknowe,

4. John, first of Blindlee.

5. Isabella, marr. David Home of Wedderburn.

6. David of Tynnes ; a natural son, called "senior."

DAVID 2

David's first appearance is in the Exchequer Rolls in his father's Account, 1478, in which he gets remission of £10, the fine imposed on him for having killed a stag, on the occasion of his marriage in 1473.

In 1483 the Lords Auditors ordain David Pringill to restore to Lord Borthwick and Marion, Archibald, and Thomas Hog the sheep, cattle, and horses, taken by him, as it was proved, out of Halltree and Brockhouse, or pay the price thereof £198, and £14 for the skaith and wanting of the goods (see Adam of that Ilk).

In 1485 Redhead (Whytbank) is occupied by David with consent of his father.

In April 1490 anent the action pursued by David and William Hoppringill before the Lords of Council against Mr Thomas and John Borthwick of Crookston for the wrongous occupation by the former of the lands of Pirn, and by the latter of the lands of Cortleferry, lands set to the said David and William by the Archbishop of St Andrews under his seal and the common seal of St Andrews: the Lords summon witnesses for the 10th May, when they will settle the matter (see Alexander of that Ilk).

In June 1495 David gets sasine of Pilmuir, Halcroft, and Smailholm.

On 1st October 1496 David, who had acted latterly as keeper for his father, gives in the Account also of Lord Home, Keeper of the Ward of Yarrow.

On 1st October 1498 Alexander Lord Home, Great Chamberlain, who since 1488 had been Ranger of the Ward of Yarrow, was appointed Receiver of the whole Forest, the offices of Ranger and Master Ranger being abolished.

On 8th August 1502 James IV married the Princess Margaret of England ; and on 1st June 1503 she got from John Murray, Sheriff of Selkirkshire, per her English attorneys, sasine of Ettrick Forest and the Tower of Newark : done near the manor of Galashiels in the presence of Walter Scott of Buccleuch, David Hoppringill of Smailholm, William-Hoppringill, William Ker, etc (Calendar of Documents re Scotland, vol. 4).

In December 1503 David Hoppringill of Smailholm, David in Tynnes' Thomas in Wrangholm, and Adam in St John's Chapel are on a jury together (L. C.).

In the Forest Account ending June 1509 Galashiels and Mossilee are let to David Hoppringill of Smailholm, Margaret his spouse, and David his son and heir, one half of Blindlee to Isabella Murray his mother, and himself and son David, and the other half to John Hoppringill and his son Roger (E. R.).

On 28th| August 1510 at Edinburgh in the Exchequer once, Redhead (Whytbank) is let in feu to David Hoppringill of Smailholm and Margaret Lundie his spouse in conjunct fee, and their heirs male, whom failing, the senior of their heirs female without division; building a mansion of stone and lime, stable, pigeon house, bee house, orchard, oak plantation, etc., also bridges for the passage of the lieges (by the Girthgate and the Tweed), and the King grants to David and his heirs the following annual rents from lands in the bailiary of Lauderdale, viz., 13s. 4d each from Dalcove, Merton, and Addinston ; 40s from Gladswood ; 26s. 8d each from Trabroun and Pilmuir; 30. from Whitelaw ; 6s, 8d each from Airhouse, Bowerhouse, and Collie- law, in all £9, 13s. 4d. ; the precept of sasine being directed to Thomas Hoppringill of Wrangholm (G. S.), see under 1574, 1593 below.

In December 1510 at the Justice Ayre, Selkirk, the Hoppringills of Smailholm, Torwoodlee, Tynnes. Blindlee, and Trinlyknows, and John Murray, Sheriff of Selkirkshire, are convicted of the destruction of the wood of Ettrick Forest and have their fines of £3 remitted on composition; also the said five Hoppringills are admitted to composition for assisting and communicating with George, John, and Alexander, sons of Adam Hoppringill of St John's Chapel (their relatives), rebels and at the horn.

In the Controller's Account ending July 1513 David pays £100 of the debt left by the late David Hoppringill of Tynnes (E. R.).

On 9th September 1513 was fought the battle of Flodden, in which David lost his brothers, his eldest son David, and his brother-in-law Sir David Home, father of the " Seven Spears of Wedderburn.''

In August 1515 Lord Dacre, English Warden of the West Marches, writing from Etal to Andrew Ker, Scottish Warden of the East Marches, remarks that he had received a letter from the Commissioners by David Pringill (H. L.).

In 1519 in a dispute between Andrew Ker of Fernihirst and the Earl of Angus, Andrew Ker of Cessford, who was on the side of Angus, met at Kelso, routed, and chased into Hume Castle, Sir James Hamilton with the loss of four of his men. On 30th April 1520 in Edinburgh, where Parliament was sitting, took place the battle of " Clear the Causeway," in which the faction of Angus, aided by 800 horsemen under the Homes of Wedderburn, routed and swept from the city that of Arran and the Hamiltons. On 10th July 1520 James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, Regent, and other Hamiltons, on the one part, and Andrew Kerr of Cessford, other Kers, and John Hopprlngill, on the other part, appoint as arbiters to meet at Glasgow and compose their differences, the former, Arthur Hamilton, Provost of Hamilton, and Alexander Baillie of dauphin, the latter, Sir Alexander Jardine of Applegarth, and David Hoppringill of Galashiels : the decreet arbitral, which was that Cessford should take the Earl of Arran's part in all his affairs, and ride and gang with him against the Earl of Angus, and that the Earl should take the part of Cessford and his friends in all their affairs, was signed on the 19th August by the parties, in the presence of John Earl of Lennox, James Lundie of Balgonie, James Hoppringill, etc. ; the John and James Hoppringill here mentioned appear to be David's sons (M.S.S.., Duke of Hamilton).

In 1522 Henry VIII., incensed at the Scots refusing to break with France and depose their Governor, the Duke of Albany, sends Lord Dacre to invade Scotland, who burns Kelso and 18 towers. In the beginning of August Albany advanced on Carlisle with an army, but is wheedled into an armistice ; and on the 10th there is this entry in the Exchequer : " Delivered to a messenger three letters under the Signet, charging the Laird of Buccleuch, Mark Ker, and David Hoppringill, to come to my Lord Governor, incontinent."

In 1523 the Scots having refused the offer of the Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII., for their young King, the English in the summer again ravaged the Scottish Border. In July Lord Dacre has occasion to write to the Laird of Cessford, Mark Ker, and David Pringill, " Right worshipful Sirs, I commend me to you, and according to the accommodation between us, send you my bond and my son's under our seal and sign manual, not doubting but you will do the same; and I pray you to give credence to the bearer as to myself '' (M.S.S.., British Museum). In September the Earl of Surrey ravaged the Merse, and burned Jedburgh with its Monastery, while Dacre after reducing Fernihirst Castle sacked Kelso. This led to the return from France of Albany, bringing with him a force of 6000 Frenchmen, horses, and artillery, collecting an army of 40,000 men he marched down the north bank of the Tweed (crossing and recrossing Pringill's bridge at Melrose by the way) and laid siege to Wark Castle with his French troops; but as the Scots would not cross the river he retired to Edinburgh, disgusted, and in May 1524 left for France, never to return.

This opened the way for the return of the Earl of Angus to Scotland, where he soon became supreme in affairs. He was appointed Warden of the Marches, and a bond to support him in the office, was signed in March 1525 by the Border barons and lairds, including in Selkirkshire Walter Scott of Buccleuch, John Murray of Philiphaugh, David Hoppringill of Galashiels, etc. In January 1526 the English ambassador, writing to Wolsey with reference to the 3-years' truce about to be signed at Berwick, says that the Lords Wardens are to meet on the 16th and 17th, and that " All Scottish subjects who have been injured are to send in their bills with all diligence, for causes touching Teviotdale, to Davy Pringill at Kelso, or to the Abbot " (H. L.).

In May 1526 a letter of pardon to the Scotts, Kers, Hoppringills, Turnbulls, and others, is issued under the Privy Seal, for their treasonably coming with the Homes and others our rebels to Edinburgh and thence to Stirling against James Earl of Arras, then Lieutenant to us. The list of 148 persons included 9 Hoppringills, viz., John of Redhead (Whytbank), and James, his brother, James in Fawdonsyde, George of St John's Chapel, Robert of Blindlee, and James his brother, George of Torwoodlee and James and David his brothers, together with 57 Scotts, 9 Turnbulls, 10 Rutherfords, 11 Dalglieshes, etc. ( S. B.).

In July 1526, with the object of freeing the boy King from the Douglases who kept him a prisoner, the Borderers attacked Angus at Pringill's bridge on the Tweed, but were defeated (see Buckholm). In 1528 the young King, James V., now 17, managed to escape by his own strategy, and the Douglases were banished.

In August 1534 at Galashiels William Veitch of Dawick, for a sum of money paid to him, granted to David Hoppringill of Smailholm, his spouse Margaret Lundie, and their son James, hereditarily, the lands of Lour and the western side of Easter Dawick, Peeblesshire : witnesses, Mr Robert Hoppringill, rector of Morham, George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee and David his brother, etc. In December following at Edinburgh David, for love and favour, with consent of his spouse, granted to his son James a charter of his half of the barony of Mennar (G. S., 1534-5).

It follows from the above correspondence that David was a, Warden-depute. He died apparently in 1535. Issue by his first wife:-

1. David, killed at Flodden 1513.

2. John, his heir.

By his second wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Lundie

3. James, of Woodhouse and Whytbank (see Whytbank).

4. William.

5. Jonet, marr. George Brown of Coalston; alive in 1575.

DAVID OF TYNNES

David Hoppringill was tenant of Tynnes on the Yarrow, under Alexander Lord Home, who held the lands as the fee of his office as Ranger of the Ward, and who in 1498 was made Receiver of the whole Forest. David, who appears to have been a natural brother of David of Smailholm, and consequently is often called " senior '' for distinction, was a not less prominent figure in the affairs of the Forest than David himself.

In 1485 the Forest stead of Torwoodlee appears as let to him and his spouse Mariota (apparently of Philiphaugh), and was held till 1501. ln December 1499 Seathope, Caddonhead, Eldinhope and Douglascraig, furnished with 1400 of the King's own sheep are let to him and John Murray of Philiphaugh for 9 years, at £200 ; the same number of sheep to be restored as good as received when they vacated the steads (E. R.). In 1500 Caddonlee is let to David and William, sons of the late James Hoppringill of Smailholm, for 9 years, and the Haining lands to David and John Murray for the same time. In April 1510 when the leases of the Forest lands were altered into feus, Seathope and Craigdouglas were granted to David at £50 duty each, but resigned by him a year thereafter in favour of the Lord Treasurer, while with his consent Caddonhead, Garlacleugh, and Blackhouse leased to him in 1509, are feted to Stewart of Traquair, David himself retaining the feus of Tynnes and Glengaber.

David of Tynnes was a familiar figure at the Justice Ayres on the Borders. Between 1494 and 1510 he became surety in a dozen cases where remission for offences was obtained, that the terms agreed on should be fulfilled. He was a juryman on half a dozen Retours; and while he occasionally had to pay, like other tenants, for tilling and sowing Forest land and cutting wood (see David above) he got compensation for a theft of his farm stock. He also had acted as deputy for Lord Home in Yarrow.

On 10th October 1508 " For singular love towards David Hoppringill of Tynnes Mr James Henrison, burgess of Edinburgh, Clerk of Justiciary, granted to William Hoppringill, son of the late James of Smailholm, and his heirs, his fourth part of the lands of Clifton, Rox." (G. S., 1509).

David died in 1512, s.p. In July 1513 David of Smailholm and William of Torwoodlee, his half brothers, paid to the Exchequer £240 indebted by him.

JOHN

John succeeded his father David in his lands of Smailholm, Pilmuir, and others, and his leases of the Galashiels lands, while Redhead (Whytbank) was claimed by Margaret Lundie, relict of his father, and her son James. John's seal, described as " on a bend engrailed 3 escallops, foliage at the top and sides of the shield, diameter 1 1/4 inch," appears appended to an indenture between him and James Heriot of Trabroun, dated May 1537 (L. S., 827). The charter granted by him in 1541 to his spouse Margaret, daughter of Sir James Gordon of Lochinvar, of the lands of Blackchester, Muirhouse, and others, in Lauderdale, is confirmed (T. A.).

In May 1542 he is one of several sureties that John Hume of Blackadder will remain in Dumbarton and a mile there- around, under a penalty on £20,000 until released (P. C. T.).

In July 1542 a contract of marriage is made at Edinburgh between Isabella, John's daughter, and William, son end- heir appt. of William Gordon of Crauchlaw, who grants them a, charter of 7 1/2 , mark lands in Wigtownshire (G.S.).

The disaster of Solway Moss and the death of King James V now took place, and Henry VI1I., exasperated by his failure to kidnap or get delivery of the infant Princess Mary, set about ravaging the Scottish Border. In May 1543 the Treasurer pays a messenger " passing with letters to discharge the Kers or the Hoppringills to ride (on a foray) or make convocation (of their surname) '' (T. A.). In November 1544 the Tynedale and Redesdale men with certain Assured Scots “ took up Smailholm, Smailholm Craig, Merton, and Redpath, and took 100 prisoners, and brought away 600 cattle, 100 horses, and much household furnishing '' ; also John Carr with his company in Wark Castle " ran a foray to Smailholm town and about the castle, and got 123 nolt and 8 nags '' (H. L.). In Feb. 1545 at Ancrum Moor the Scottish Borderers made good, slaying and capturing nearly 2000 of an invading army. In June 1546 the garrison of Wark ran a foray to Smailholm Craig, and there got 60 cattle and 4 prisoners; and in the following month the said garrison with that of Cornhill ran one to Smailholm Tower, and another to Stitching, and got 6 cattle H. L.). Evidently there was little farm stock left hereabout, or the people had removed it else- where for safety.

In 1547 the Hoppringills of Smailholm, Torwoodlee, and Westhousebyre become surety for the ransom of Hugh Rose of Kilravock, captured by the English at the battle of Pinkie (see Westhousebyre).

In October 1548 Lord Grey, the English Warden, guided and assisted by the Kers and other Scots, burned, in time of harvest, the towns of Hawick and Selkirk, destroyed the whole steadings pertaining to Walter Scott of Buccleuch and his kin on the Yarrow and Ettrick, and burned Catslack Tower with the said Walter's mother (herself a Ker) therein, also Newark Castle. These Scottish Borderers who on this occasion accompanied Grey, had been forced, after the disaster of Pinkie, in self-preservation to transfer their allegiance to England. Amongst them were the Kers, who were at feud with the Scotts, the Rutherfords, the Hoppringills, including John of Smailholm (S. B.).

In May 1550 John gets sasine of the whole Southquarter of the lands of Mellerstain, which he bought from Henry Haitlie (P. B., Corbet).

In October 1550 at Edinburgh, Francis Tenant, the Provost, borrows from William, son of the late David Hoppringill of Galashiels, eleven score and twelve crowns of the sun, usual money of Scotland, to help relieve Patrick Houston of that llk and pay the composition for his ransom granted for art and part in the slaughter of the late Robert Mure of Caldwell, and binds him to repay as received, the said crowns to the said William, before Martinmas next (L. C.).

In September 1550 John's niece, Margaret Brown of Coalston, contracts to marry Robert Lawson, younger, of Humbie. In November Andrew Hoppringill, John's son, acts as attorney for John Gordon at his sasine in the lands of Stitchill (S. Lev.).

In April 1555 the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee, presently possessed by John Hoppringill of Smailholm and his spouse Margaret Gordon, are let anew to them by the Queen, with consent of her mother Mary, the Regent, for 9 years (E. R.).

As appears from a record Margaret Lundie, widow of the late David Hoppringill, was alive in 1555.

In 1557 at Holyrood William Hoppringill resigns Sandirsdail, Haddingtonshire, pertaining to the Abbey, in favour of George Brown of Coalston and his spouse Jonet Hoppringill (P, B., Robeson).

The struggle of the Regent, Mary of Lorraine, with the Lords of Congregation was now proceeding; and on 20th September 1558 the Exchequer pays " four boys passing furth of Dunbar with closed writings of the Queen's Grace to the Scotts and Hoppringills,'' and on the following day " a messenger passing furth of Edinburgh at even with letters to charge the lairds of Traquair and Hangingshaw, and the whole Surnames of Hoppringills and Scotts to be in Melrose on the 24th inst. for resisting our auld enemies of England '' (T. A.).

In March 1559 the Queen granted to David, son of John Hoppringill, and his spouse Margaret Gordon, and his heirs, the lands of Halcroft and the dominical Mains of Smailholm, with their tower fortalice, husbandlands, and cottages, which the said John resigned, reserving free tenement : further Andrew, John's senior son, or heirs, to have regress to the lands whenever he or they paid to David or his heirs 900 merks in the Church of St Giles, Edinburgh, on 40 days' premonition (G. S.).

In April 1561 at Galashiels, Margaret, John's daughter, contracts to marry Andrew Rutherford, younger, of Hundalee (R. D.).

On 7th November 1561 John's tack of Galashiels and Mossilee is altered into one in favour of himself and Andrew, his eldest son, for all and whole the space of nineteen years following the date hereof (P. S.).

John died in December 1564. His will showed goods and gear in Galashiels, Mossilee, and Stitchill worth £761 ; money owing to him for the teind sheaves of Stow for the years 1556 to 1564 inclusive £333, and for those of Torquhan and Plenploth £ 8, and of Torsonce £20, by respectively John Lord Borthwick, Andrew and Thomas Hoppringill, and by the late Sir William Dischington of Ardross and his heirs, for the rest of tocher money £66, total £1107 ; and owing by him the rest of tocher to Andrew Haliburton of Muirhouselaw £100, and Andrew Rutherford of Hundalee £200 and for the half year's mail for Galashiels £45, and Stitchill mill and lands £12, and to 15 servants at Galashiels, etc., total £513, leaving free gear £594 (C. B.) .

John and his spouse, Margaret Gordon, daughter of Sir James Gordon of Lochinvar and Stitchill, had issue :1.

1. Andrew, his heir.

2. David of Bardarroch.

3. James.

4. Isabella, marr. William Gordon, younger, of Crauchlaw, Wigtownshire, 1542.

5. Margaret, marr. Andrew Rutherford, younger, of Hundalee, 1561.

6. ------ , marr. Andrew Haliburton of Muirhouselaw.

7. ------ , marr. - Borthwick (see Andrew's Will below).

8. ------, marr. - Inglis.

9. Bessie.

John's widow, Margaret, married as her second husband, John Hoppringill of Wrangholm (which see).

ANDREW

On 26th June 1566 the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee within the lordship of Ettrick Forest, formerly belonging to his ancestors on lease, and now to him, are granted to Andrew, alias Dand, Hoppringle of Smailholm, to be held of the King and Queen (Darnley and Mary), hereditarily, in fen, duty £ 90 ; Andrew having paid for infeftment £400 (P. S.). In April 1568 Andrew having paid the 900 merks stipulated in his brother David's charter of Halcroft and the Mains of Smailholm, with the tower fortalice, the Lords order David to give up to him the lands and the charter (A. D.). In June Andrew infefts his spouse Mariota, daughter of the late Lord Borthwick, in the lands and mills of Galashiels.

On 6th February 1572 the Regent sent officers of arms with letters to the market crosses of the Border burghs to charge all men between 16 and 60 years of age, with six days' provisions; to address them within 24 hours to Lord Ruthven at Jedburgh, under pain of life, lands, and goods, to defend that burgh against Sir Thomas Ker, sometime of Fernihirst,

who was threatening it with a force of men of war and broken Borderers. On 12th February, at Jedburgh, was sub- scribed a General Band to rise against Fernihirst and his accomplices, or the thieves of Liddesdale and Annandale, present them when found before the Justice or Warden, and rise at any bale or warnings made for the relief of those oppressed by them. The Band was subscribed in 1571 by 59 Border lairds, including 9 Kers, 7 Rutherfords, 4 Hoppringles (Smailholm, Blindlee, Torwoodlee and Whytbank), 4 Turnbulls, 2 Scotts, 2 Humes, etc. (P. C.).

In October 1573, in the tolbooth of Lauder, Andrew is detoured heir of his father in the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester.

On 1st February 1574 Andrew granted to George Hoppringill of Wrangholm (suus consanguineous|) a charter of fen of 2 husbandlands with 3 cottage lands, and the hill lying from Smailholm Tower towards the west ; to be held by the said George and his heirs male, whom failing to return to Andrew and his heirs male ; paying yearly 4 bolls oatmeal and 2 bolls barley, and the customary service due when required against all, the King excepted : provided that, if the said Andrew or his heirs should come to the Tower and stay there, they should be allowed 12 sheep on the grounds of the said lands, with pasturage of 4 horses, whilst in person they remained there. Thus Andrew, who lived at Galashiels, still retained the famous Tower (G. S., 1609).

In June 1574 the Lords, overruling John Bryden, and Andrew's mother, now spouse of John Hoppringle in Stitchill, order a transumpt to be made and given to Andrew of the instrument on the protocoll book of William Bryden, notary, taken in October 1510, when certain annual rents from places in Lauderdale were given to Andrew's grandfather David and his heirs.

In June 1575 Andrew appears first in the list of 12 Hoppringills summoned by the Privy Council to meet the 6 Elliots re the feud (see Torwoodlee).

In 1576 he summons his mother and her second husband to deliver to him his father's evidence and charters of his lands and annual rents in Lauderdale ; and he has to get an order afterwards for their removal from Smailholm Tower, into which they had entered and refused to leave (A. D.).

On 10th March 1580 at Stirling Castle the King granted a letter of legitimising in favour of James Hoppringle, natural son of Andrew Hoppringle of Smailholm (G. S.).

In 1582 Andrew, having summoned his brother David to exhibit his tack of the tends of the kirk of Stow, half of which by contract with David belonged to him, the Lords found Andrew entitled to the half from the date of the tack Lammas 1573, but not in time coming (A. D.). In March 1582 George Preston, sometime Tutor of Craigmillar, summoned Andrew Hoppringill and 13 tenants of the cornmills, waukmills, and mill lands of Galashiels, to vacate them, as let to him by the Controller ; but Andrew's procurators show that the mills and lands had always been included as pertinents of Galashiels, and had never been let separately past memory of man : the Lords repelled the claim, and order Preston to pay Andrew's expenses (A. D.).

In March Andrew appears in a, list of 37 Border lairds summoned to appear before the Privy Council on the 10th inst., under pain of rebellion, to give their advice anent the quieting of the present troubles and disorders in Teviotdale and Liddesdale : the list included 7 Kers, '7 Scotts, 3 Rutherfords,

3 Turnbulls, 6 Elliots, James Hoppringill of Whytbank, etc. (P. C.)

In March 1583 Andrew grants an obligation to Isabella, his only daughter, also to his son Robert (R. D.).

The Testament of the late Andrew Pringill of Smailholm, who died on the last day of February 1585-6, made by Elizabeth and Robert, his bairns, and their Tutors, inventory, upon the lands of Galashiels, Pilmuir, Halkerland, and Blackchester £1817, debts owing to him, for teinds by the Pringills of Muirhouse, Cortleferry and Trinlyknowe, and by the tenants of Smailholm and Mossilee, and of Pilmuir and Blackchester, total £1987. Latter Will - Commits his soul to the eternal God, and his body to the ground to be buried in the Abbey of Melrose in his tomb made there by himself , and nominates Walter Riddell of that Ilk and his son Robert, and John Pringill of Buckholm, Tutors to his bairns : legacies-to James Inglis and his sister (my sister's children) £20 each, to John Borthwick, my sister's: son, £ 20, and to Bessie Pringill my sister in ... £20 (T, E. 1586).

The memorial to Andrew in Melrose Abbey consists of a life-size effigy of him sculptured in relief on a sandstone slab lying on the floor of the Galashiels chapel, bearing the legend –

Heir leis ane honorabil man Andro

Pringil, feuar of Gallowshiels,

Quha decessit ye 28 Februare, an. dom. 1585.

Andrew and his spouse Mary Borthwick, daughter of John, 5th Lord Borthwick, had issue :

1. James, the heir.

2. Robert of Houliston.

3. Isabella, marr. George Pringill of Blindlee.

Andrew's widow marr. 1st, Robert Pringill, Tutor of Blindlee ; 2nd, John Hume,

DAVID OF BARDARROCH, KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE

son of John Hoppringle of Smailholm, gets from him in 1559 a charter, under conditions, of Halcroft, Smailholm Mains and Tower (for which, and their redemption in 1563 by his brother Andrew see under Andrew above). (In 1576 he sues all and sundry the parishioners of Stow, mentioning that he ha- s a tack from the late John, Archbishop of St Andrews, of all and whole the fourth part of the three-quarter part of the teinds, fruits and emoluments of the kirk of Stow for 19 years following his entry thereto at Whitsunday 1574, yet the said parishioners say they will not pay unless compelled : these trends amounting yearly to 80 bolls victual (one-third heir and two-thirds heaped meal), 80 lambs at £16 the score overhead, 12 stone teind wool at £3, and 10 stone cheese at £1-to the half of which his brother Andrew by contract with him had right : the Lords order the parishioners to pay the teinds to David. They also confirmed David's grant of the teinds of Sunderlandhall. ln 1593 Thomas; son of the late John Hoppringill of Wrangholm who was spouse of David's mother when she died, is ordered to deliver to him her goods, jewellers, etc., within the Tower (see Wrangholm). In 1615 David, who had tenanted Bardarroch in the parish of Anwoth, Kirkcudbrightshire, is granted by William McCullough a charter of the 2 1/2-merks land thereof with mansion) and four 5-merk lands adjoining, under reversion ; to be held of the King (G. S.).

David died before May 1622. He had issue, two natural sons, John his heir, and James of St John's clachan, Dalry.

In 1622 John Pringill, who had appeared in 1601 as a witness anent the lands of Newhall, is retoured heir of his father David in the lands of Bardarroch) the 5-merk land of Newton of Cardinnes, and another ; and shortly afterwards the lands are redeemed by an assignee of William McCullough (G. S,).

In 1637 John Pringill and his spouse Margaret Fullerton, with their son William and his spouse Margaret Logan, get from John Gordon, the superior, sasine of Newton of Cardinnes, under reversion.

In 1646 William, son of John Pringill, is in Shawloch.

In 1665 William, son of William Pringill, is retoured his heir in Shawloch.

SIR JAMES, KNIGHT

In April 1584 a charter is granted to James Hoppringill, son and heir apparent to Andrew Hoppringill of Smailholm, of the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester, with pertinents, also of the lands of Halcroft and dominical lands of Smailholm, resigned by the said Andrew by staff and baton in the hands of the King, his immediate superior, at Holyroodhouse ; to be held by the said James and his heirs male of the King and his successors (P. S.).

In May 1586 in the tolbooth of Selkirk, before Patrick Murray, Sheriff-Principal, James Hoppringill is retoured heir of the late Andrew his lather in the lands and steads of Galashiels and Mossilee, to be held of the King, paying yearly £90, 5s. feu duty, sustaining two horsemen-one with lance and other necessary arms, and the other a pack horse to do the King's service in war and hostings - and upholding mansions, etc., corresponding to the estate (MSS., R., 2837).

In 1588 Walter Riddell of that Ilk and his son Andrew, and Mr Robert Hoppringill in Langshaw, Tutors of James, summon John Hoppringill of Buckholm, his fourth Tutor, stating that the said. James was past the age of eight years or thereby and was now able to be put to school, yet the said John was allowing him to lose his time, keeping him therefrom, and intromitting with his whole living and rents as he thinks expedient to his own personal advantage : the Lords of Council order both parties to give in an account of their intermissions ; and in December, with the consent of both parties, ordain James to be put to school in Edinburgh and boarded with David Hoppringill, apothecary burgess. .A. year thereafter the said David summoned the Tutors, especially John Hoppringill, to pay for James's board and expenses for the year : the Lords order the said John to pay within ten days or to be put to the horn (A. D.).

In 1591 James's Curators, now Andrew Riddell, younger, John Cranston of Morriston, and David Hoppringill of Bardarroch, point out to the tax collector that James's proportion of the barons' tax for his 18 husbandlands of Smailholm had already been paid ; also with consent of James, and Lady Galashiels, her mother (now spouse of John Home), they make a contract of marriage between Isabella Hoppringill and George Hoppringill of Blyndlee (R. D.).

In 1593 James is retoured heir of his great-grandfather David in an annual rent of £9, 16s. 8d. from eleven farms in Lauderdale, and of a mark each from eight holdings in the town of Lauder (E. R.).

In 1595 for the better security of James and his heirs male in the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee the King grants him a new charter thereof (P. S.).

In 1597 James on the one part and Marie Borthwick and her spouse John Home on the other, find caution on £1000 not to harm one another (P, C.).

On 26th July 1597, at Galashiels, is subscribed a Bond of Manrent between James Pringill of Smailholm " taking the burden on him for the haill name of pringill cumit of his hous" and James Hoppringill of that Ilk " for himself and taking the burden on him for sa mony of the name as ar cumin of his hows, quhais names ar undersubscryvand - James pringill of Smailholm, George Pringill of Torwoodlee, James pringill of Woodhouse, George pringill of Blindlee, James Hoppringle of that Ilk, James Pringill, yr. of Quhytbank, George pringill yr. of Newhall '' (S. W.).

In August 1597 the King grants a charter of the lands of Newhall, formerly belonging to George Pringill, elder, and now to the King, to James and his heirs male, whom failing, to his heirs male whomsoever bearing the surname and arms of Pringill (G. S.).

In November 1598 James Hoppringle of Galashiels and George Hoppringle of Blindlee appear before the Privy Council to answer for their bearing and shooting hackbuts and pistolets contrary to the laws, for instance, at one another in September last at the house of Blindlee : having heard their excuses, the Lords order James to enter in ward in Edinburgh Castle, and George in Blackness Castle, within 24 hours (P. C.) : two days afterwards Andrew Riddell of that Ilk and Alexander Horsburgh of that Ilk became cautioners in 3000 merks for James to underlie the King's will in the matter ; and in November 1599 James and George are ordered to appear before the Council prepared to submit the feud between them to amicable arbitrament of friends to be nominated by them (P. C.). The origin of the feud between the two brothers-in-law, which led to the slaughter of Robert Pringill, Tutor of Blindlee, by Andrew Ker of Linton, is obscure (but see under Blindlee).

On 1st June 1602 a contract was made between Mark Earl of Lothian and James Pringill of Galashiels that if a marriage should take place between a daughter of the Earl and John Lord Borthwick, or, if deceased, with his brother James Borthwick, then in that case, and that only, James should resign to Lord Borthwick, on being paid 11,000 merks, the lands that had first been apprised by Lord Roslin and later assigned to him. In April 1605 James got sasine, on a charter of alienation granted by the Earl of the lands, viz., Cribbilaw, Over and Nether Shiels, Over and Nether Lugate, Gilmerton, Pirntaiton, the town and lands of Stow, also of the justiciary and bailiary of the Regality of Stow (A. D., Hay). In March 1610 James gets a confirmatory charter of the lands from the superior, George Archbishop of St Andrews, paying the feu duty of £90, also a second charter granting to him and his eldest son David, and to their successors, the teind sheaves and teinds great and small, of the lands of Hangingshaw, Crookston, Cortleferry, Pirn, Muirhouse, Bowland and Crumside, Newhall and Knowes, and the west side of Caddonhead, estimated to be five-sixteenths of the teinds of the kirk of Stow, paying therefor £43, and his share of all expenses and taxations connected therewith (A. D., Dalrymple).

In January 1610 James feus Smailholm Craig to George Pringill (see Wrangholm) (A. D., 1635, Scott).

In November 1610 James Pringill of Galashiels is appointed a Commissioner of Peace for Selkirkshire. In August 1611 the Commissioners write to the Privy Council that they had begun the charge given to them by appointing constables and choosing stentors and collectors of taxation for the poor. With regard to the order for suppressing sturdy and idle beggars, and supporting the truly poor, they point out that the county consisted wholly of store farms and of sub-tenants who have neither export abroad nor get any price at home, and were subject to dear mails, feu duties and continual taxation, and were scarcely able to maintain themselves far less to help others, and they suggest that the Council should appoint some common work in every parish, as the making of highways or such like, whereby the idle may be forced to work and the willing get employment, and that the fines obtained for riotous ants should be employed for the purpose in view : signed 'by Galashiels, A. Pringill, Sir John Murray, etc. (P. C.).

In June 1613 John, Lord Borthwick, having married Lilian Ker, daughter of the Earl of Lothian, fulfils the contract of 1602, pays James the stipulated 11,000 merks; who, taking the burden for his partner's in the apprised, restores to him his lands, and resigns the teinds of the kirk of Stow, and the Bailiary of the legality (A. D., Gibson).

On 2nd October 1617 the King confirms the charter of Sir James Pringill of Galashiels and his heirs masculine bearing the surname and arms of Pringill, and their assignees whomsoever, of the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee, with the mansion, grain and waulk mills, fishings, and burgh of barony of Galashiels, the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester, the lands of Halcroft and the dominical lands of Smailholm with fortalice and permanents. Moreover, the King ratifies all the charters made thereupon to the said James's predecessors, and gives the lands to him anew, together with the salmon and other fishings on both sides of the Tweed between the bridge of Melrose and the mouth of the Ettrick ; also, with consent of the minister and vicar Mr Patrick Urquhart, the allocation of the vicarage of Lindean with the teinds ; incorporates the whole in the free barony of Galashiels, and anew erects the town of Galashiels into a free burgh of barony, with power of holding a market every Wednesday, and two public fairs annually, on Midsummer and Michaelmas day : reddendo for Galashiels £90, 5s., and finding two horsemen, one with a lance, the other with a work horse, for the ridings of the King ; for Craigleith (Newhall) £29, 13s. 4d., and for the rest the rights and services due and wont (G. S,).

In 1619 Sir James had 1 tenant, John Home in Houliston, 11 in Smailholm and Halcroft, 5 in Pilmuir, 2 in Blackchester, and 1 in House of Muir. About 1620 he is granted a charter of Cellarershaugh, Galashiels (G. S.).

In December 1620 a contract of marriage is made between Isabella Pringill, Sir James's eldest daughter, and Sir James Murray of Philiphaugh, she to have in liferent the lands of Cranston Riddell (G. S.).

In March 1621 Jean, another daughter of Sir James, contracts to marry Hugh, second son of Walter Seott of Harden, " Auld Wat," and his wife Mary Scott of Dryhope, " The Flower of Yarrow '' (S. P.). In September 1621 David Pringill, Sir James's eldest son, contracts to marry Margaret, daughter of the said Walter Scott of Harden and his second wife Mary Edgar of Wedderlie, who after David's death married William McDougall of Makerston (S. P.).

In June 1621 Sir James Pringill of Galashiels, and James Pringill of Torwoodlee are appointed M.P.'S for Selkirkshire (A. P.).

On 28th August 1622 Sir James compeared personally before the Privy Council and accepted the once of Sheriff-principal of Selkirkshire (P. C.).

In November 1622 he took part in the discussions initiated by the Privy Council as to sending surplus wool to England or manufacturing it in Scotland (P. C.).

In October 1623 the first Quarter Session of the J.P.'S of Selkirkshire was held in the tollbooth of Selkirk, and they instructed Sir James as convener to write to the Privy Council a letter practically treating of the same matters and making the same suggestions as in their letter of 1611, quoted above.

In July 1626 the burghs of the kingdom having complained bitterly to the Privy Council of the misery caused by the export of wool and the consequent heightening of its price at home, the Council called for information from those specially interested, and at a meeting of the J.P.S held in August in the kirk of Selkirk Sir James is instructed to reply, giving the prices current for wool and the various kinds of cattle and sheep, adding that prohibiting their export had stopped Englishmen coming in and giving a full price to the poor folk, but had not stopped their export by the richer sort : and as to the bearing of hackbuts (hand-guns) and pistolets there were none forbore to wear them, at least beyond Tweed (P. C.).

During 1628-9 commissions are given to Sir James along with certain other J.P.'S to try 9 persons, men and women, in Selkirkshire for witchcraft (P. C.).

In June 1629 the King granted to James, son and heir apparent to Sir James Pringill of Galashiels and to Jean, daughter of Sir John Scott of Scotstarvit, Director of Chancery, his future spouse, the parts of the lands of Galashiels called Mains and Boldsyde, in conjunct infeftment; also the rest of the lands and barony of Galashiels as granted to his father Sir James in October 1617, Sir James's liferent reserved; also to Jean Ker, Sir James's spouse the liferent of Mossilee and Stockbrig with their teinds; in exchange for Halcroft and Smailholm (G. S.).

On 9th January 1632 the King granted to James Scott, son of Hugh (son of Walter of Harden) and his spouse Jean Pringill, daughter of Sir James, the lands and barony of Galashiels and Mossilee, as granted to Sir James on 2nd October 1617, which the said Sir James, with consent of his sons John and George and the said Hugh Scott and his spouse Jean, resigned, reserving to the said Hugh the liferent and to the said Jean an annual rent of £1000 therefrom ; and declaring not comprehended in the charter Craigleith (Newhall), Pilmuir, Blackchester, Halcroft and the dominical lands and Tower of Smailholm, with their pendicles (G. S.). Thus passed to Sir James's grandson James Scott, first of the Scotts of Gala, the lands of Galashiels, which the Pringills of Smailholm had held of the Sovereign since 1486.

On 21st July 1632 Sir James assigned and disponed to John Lord Hay of Yester, the lands of Pilmuir and Blackchester, for 18,500 merks (G. S.), who thereupon assigned and disponed them to John, Earl of Lauderdale. The Pringills had held these lands of the Douglases and the Sovereigns since at least the time of Robert Hoppringill who was killed at the battle of Verneuil in 1425.

In July 1635 Sir James, who in 1610 had feued parts of the Mains and Hill of Smailholm to George Pringill of Wrangholm, now sues him for failing to fulfil the terms of the feu, and the Lords, finding this proved, order George's goods to be poinded and apprised and the lands restored 'to Sir James (A. D., Scott).

Sir James died on 20th August 1635, aged 60. By his spouse Jean Ker of Linton he had issue:

1. David, marr. Margaret, daughter of Walter Scott of Harden, died s.p.

2. James, marr. Jean, daughter of Sir John Scott of Scotstarvet, died s.p.

3. John, his heir.

4. Mr George, Sheriff-depute of Selkirkshire, alive in 1637.

5. Jean, marr. Hugh, son of Walter Scott of Harden, in 1621.

6. Isabella, marr. Sir John Murray of Philiphaugh in 1620.

7. Margaret, marr. Thomas Campbell, a minister in England.

8. Anna, marr. James Hamilton, a minister in Edinburgh.

Memorial of Sir James in Melrose Abbey

on the wall of the Galashiels chapel.

Hic jacet Dominus

Jacobus Pringall

us a Gallosheils

Eques : qui obiit

vicesimo die Au

gusti An. Dom.

1635) aetatis suae

60.

From Our Journal into Scotland, 5th November 1629, from Lowther, Cumberland, made by C. Lowther and two companions on horseback, published among the MSS. of the Earl of Lonsdale, we take the following remarks about Sir James. The travellers had an introduction to him from Robert Pringill who had been many years resident at Baitingbush on the Esk as bailie to the Earl of Buccleuch, and had just bought Stitchill.

They crossed the Tweed half a mile below the Ettrick, " and to Sir James's house did we go, and were wondrous courteously entertained. He is one of the best husbandmen in the country, as appeared by his planting, and by his requiring his tenants to plant 6 fruit trees or 12 others, or, if they did not, pay him 4d. per tree. He keeps 2 waulkmills and 2 corn mills. The town is a burgh of barony. He has been Sheriff of Selkirkshire for three years together, is a Commissioner, with a status similar to one of our Judges on Circuit, and Conveener of the Justices of Peace. He is a great man in this country. There are Pringills for some 8 miles up Gala Water, gentlemen all having pretty seats.

" On the Sunday, as soon as we came to town, we alighted and went to church, to Sir James, who took us into his own seat, one on the one side of him, and the others on the other. We heard a good sermon, both in the forenoon and afternoon. The seats were the finest I have ever seen, and the church the orderliest.

" Beside him is the Meigle Hill, which word Meigle is a watchword to gather a company dispersed in war. He hath a very pretty park with natural walks, and artificial ponds and arbours now a-making. He hath neat gardens and orchards, and, through his care, so have his tenants, He hath also abundant cherry trees bearing a black cherry, a great store of sycamores, firs, and others he calleth silk trees. I saw there the finest gun I ever beheld, which had belonged to the King of Spain.

" He gave us great respect, and said he had heard of my father. In Scotland wives alter not their surnames. They served up dinner and supper with their hats on before their masters, each dish covered with another. There was a basin set to wash our hands in before we sat down. When seated, Sir James said grace. Their cheer was big pottage, long kale, bow or white kale, which is cabbage, powdered beef, roast and boiled mutton, venison pie, then cheese in small bits on a pewter platter, and cheese uncut. Then the table cloth was taken off a large towel, ewer and basin to wash provided, and a green cover laid on, whereon were set cups of beer with little lawn serviettes and a glass of hot water. Then be 3 boys to say grace, the 1st the thanksgiving, the 2nd the paternoster, and the 3rd a prayer for a blessing to God's Church, the Goodman of the house, his parents, kinsfolk, and the whole company. They then do drink hot waters. So at supper ; when to bed, a collation, which is a stoup of ale. And also in the morning, and at other times, when a man desireth to drink, he is given beer, and a narrow serviette to dry his mouth, and a wheat loaf and a knife, in observance of the good old rule, " Incipe cum liquido, sicco finire memento," Begin with the liquid, and finish with the solid.

" When we came away in the morning, after a walk in the park, gardens, and places about, and having done well at breakfast, Sir James, having given us letters of introduction in Edinburgh, along with his eldest son, set us 2 miles on our way, and his youngest more than 4.

" The Pringles glory in that they were never but on the King's side in all the troublesome times, and amongst landowners were envied because they never leapt out with any of the Lords, nor were attainted. England and Scotland wooed roughly before they wedded.

" A little below the junction of the Gala with the Tweed hath been a very strong fortified bridge, having the tower yet standing, which was the gate to the bridge in old times.''

JOHN

John Pringill and his sister Margaret acted as executors to their father the late Sir James.

In November 1636 the King granted to Robert Pringill of Blindlee, Hugh Scott of Galashiels, John Haliburton, younger, of Muirhouselaw, and William Inglis, W.S., proportionately to the sums for which they were sureties for the late Sir James Pringill and his son John, the West Mains of Smailholm, called the dominical lands, with Tower and mill, Halcroft, the 6 cotlands, and the husbandlands, which the said Sir James and his son John resigned on 8th August 1635; redeemable for 27,000 merks (G. S.).

In July 1640 the Governor of Berwick wrote to London that Sir Andrew Ker of Greenhead (son-in-law of Scott of Harden) and certain other Kers having joined the Earl of Lothian, a Covenanter, and left Lord Ker, whose regiment was incomplete, the latter had sent a number of musketeers to attack Sir Andrew in Smailholm Tower, who, however, having as many in the house drove them back again (S. P. E.).

In 1645 the King granted the whole of Smailholm lands to Sir William Scott of Harden and Melton, brother of the above Hugh of Galashiels (G. S.). The Pringills had held these lands since at least 1459.

ROBERT PRINGLE of HOULISTON, Sir James's brother, appears to have died in 1653, when Jean Lady Galashiels (alive in 1660), her two daughters Margaret and Anna, and John Murray, eldest son to Isabella Magill Lady Philiphaugh, become heirs portioners of Houliston (Retours, Berwick, 1039).