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

Chapter 2

BUCKHOLM

James V was only a year and a half old when his father died at Flodden on 9th September 1513. A year thereafter his mother, Margaret, sister of Henry VIII of England, married the young Earl of Angus. The Duke of Albany, son of the Duke of Albany, brother of James III, who was expelled from the Kingdom as a traitor, was chosen Regent, and arrived from France in May 1515, to supersede Margaret. He found Scotland so difficult to govern that after two years he returned to France, and left the Scots to manage their own affairs. The rivalry between the two greatest nobles in the country, as to which should now have the chief power, came to a point in April 1520, in the streets of Edinburgh in the battle of “ Clear the Causeway" in which the Earl of Angus and the Douglases routed and drove from the town the Earl of Arran and the Hamiltons. After an absence of four years the Regent returned to Scotland in December 1521. In the following year he threatened Carlisle with a large army, but finding the Scots averse to crossing the Border he again retired to France in October. Henry VIII, who persistently endeavoured to detach Scotland from France, offered the hand of his daughter Mary for the young Prince, but the Scots would not have her; and in the autumn of 1523 his troops wasted the Scottish Border. On 24th September, Surrey and Dacre burned Jedburgh town and Abbey. When the Regent arrived from France with troops and artillery, he summoned all Scotland to meet him on 20th October; but failing to take Wark Castle, and unable to rely on the Scots, he retreated to France in 1524, never to return. In July 1524 Henry, having failed to kidnap his political opponent Archbishop Beaton, succeeded in getting James, now thirteen, who, " by practice, could with alacrity draw a man's sword," erected. Margaret, who now hated her husband Angus and wanted a divorce, (lad set her heart on marrying Henry Stewart, the second son of Lord Evandale, and this caused her, always a waverer, to join the French party.

JAMES 1.

This introduces us to James Hoppringill of Tynnes, who was a son of Alexander of that Ilk. On 23rd October 1524, Norfolk, writing from Newcastle to Wolsey the Scottish news, says: " I assure your Grace my servant Hals doth say that the Queen, the Earl of Arran, and Lord Maxwell have their only trust in France, but that they are of small power, and that the return to Scotland of the Earl of Angus was universally desired, and he was no Frenchman; and that upon Wednesday sunlight at night the Earl of Lennox, the Master of Kilmaurs, and divers others, to the number of 500 tried horsemen, assembled within three miles of Edinburgh and, if one Jamys Pryngle, that was counsel thereof, had not been, they had not failed to have slain the Earl of Arran in his lodging within Holyroodhouse, and I think the King and Queen had gone with them. Their scaling ladders were ready; and the said unhappy Jamys so prevented a good deed to have been done for the wealth of Scotland and England, as I and others do think." (H. S.). Another letter referring to the incident stated that " had it not been for James Pringle, they would have taken the King and the Queen '' (H. L.). (Owing to their difficulty with the aspirate, English writers of those times dropped the prefix in Hoppringill.) In November following, the Earl of Angus, who had returned from France to England, was allowed by Henry to cross the Borders, and was successful in the struggle for power that ensued. The death of Francis I, in 1525, led to a, 3-years' truce between England and Scotland, signed in March 1526, and in June following King James's legal majority was proclaimed; but Angus, who came first in the rotation of eight peers, appointed his guardians, practically kept him prisoner. In July he accompanied Angus to the Borders to punish breakers of the peace, and on their return they found Buccleuch, whose object was to set free the young King, barring their passage over Melrose Bridge (Pringill's drawbridge), with 1000 Borderers. Buccleuch's attempt was a secret suggestion of the King's conveyed by his servant, our James. Hence, in reply to an enquiry of Angus before the battle, he said that " he knew the King's mind as well as he did". The Western Borderers were routed, but in the pursuit " gallant Cessford's lifeblood dear reeked on dark Elliot's Border spear". In December 1527 a remission was granted to Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm, John Cranston of that Ilk, James Hoppringill, and 9 Scotts and two Turnbulls, for mustering their retainers at Melrose bridge and (later) at Linlithgow. This exceptional appearance of a Hoppringill on the side of the Scotts against the Kers afterwards led to attacks on Buckholm by the Kers and James's own clan. It was not until June 1528 that King James managed to escape from the Douglases, when, " I vow,'' he said, " Scotland will not hold us both’’; and he got Parliament to forfeit and banish them the Kingdom.

On 19th October 1529 King James V, with consent of his mother, etc., granted to James Hoppringil and Sibilla Carmichael, Lady Calderwood, his spouse, the lands of Tynnes, with the tower, manorplace, and wood, in the lordship of Ettrick Forest, and to their heirs male, whom failing, to the senior of their heirs female without division; paying to the King's mother, and after her decease to the King, £50 yearly, and building a mansion with policies (G. S.).

Attached to a Lothian charter of 16th May 1530 is a, Seal described as " On a bend 3 escallops with a stag's head couped in chief legend, S. ' Jacobi ' Hoppringill,'' no doubt James's; (M S.).

On 21st August 1531, Margaret Hoppringill, daughter to James of Tynnes, has a, gift of the ward of all lands, etc., which pertained to the late David Balfour of Burleigh, with all mails, profits, and duties thereof, until the lawful entry of the righteous heir; and also of the marriage of Michael Balfour, son and heir of the late David (P. C.). This David Balfour had succeeded his father in the royal household as Carver to the Queen in 1525 or 1526, and his widow Agnes Forrester, who was left with three sons and a daughter, married James Hoppringill, younger, of Tynnes. Hence the gift to Margaret of the ward of her brother's the step-son. In 1532 Sibilla Hoppringill is one of the ladies of the Court receiving a livery.

In September 1536 King James sailed for France, and on New Year's day was married to Madeleine, daughter of Francis I, with much splendour. She was very delicate in health and died in July following. Two years later, in 1538 he married another Frenchwoman, Mary of Guise.

13th April Edward Aglionby, writing from Carlisle to the English Warden, after meeting Lord Maxwell, says: " He told me that about Easter he goes, with the master of Kilmaurs, two or three knights, and about 300 of the best they can try in all Scotland, to bring home the Queen of Scots. James Pringle, the King's servant, told me that 20 Pringles must go" (H. L.). Mary of Guise landed at St Andrews, and the marriage took place in the cathedral there.

In 1537 an entry in the Treasury Accounts reads: " 2 pack- needles and a pound of pack-thread sent to James Hoppringill to gather the King's wool" In February 1540 James witnesses the confirmation by the King of a charter.

On 6th June 1540 the King, with consent of his mother, who held the lands of Ettrick Forest in liferent, granted to James Hoppringill, son of James of Tynnes, the lands of Fastheuch in Ettrick Forest, in feu farm; to be held by him and his heirs male, whom failing, by the senior of his heirs female without division; paying yearly to the King's mother, and alter her decease to the King, £30; also building a mansion with policies (G. S.). Fastheuch lies on the opposite side of the Yarrow from Tynnes) a little lower down.

In 1541, according to the Forest rentals, James was paying for Tynnes only £20 instead of £50, and for Dryheuchshiel in the Ward of Ettrick only £8 instead of £15-a reduction probably granted him as the King's Herdsman or Factor of the Forest. Margaret, the Queen-Mother, died in October of this year.

War broke out between the two countries in 1542. Henry VIII, " who had always been the most cruel and ruthless intriguer against his nephew, a suborner of spies, rebels, and desperadoes.'' in fact, kept up a constant “casus belli". King James, whom he urged to give up sheep-farming and take to robbing the church, deterred by his nobles, failed to keep his promise to meet him at York. An English raiding force of 3000 men was defeated at Hadden Rig, with the loss of many prisoners of note, including John Horseley, Captain of Bamborough Castle, taken by David Hoppringill of Slegden. The English ravaged the Scottish Border, and wrecked the beautiful Abbey of Kelso. King James mustered a large force at Edinburgh, but his nobles, hearing that the English had 86 withdrawn, refused to march. With another army on 25th October he attempted a counter invasion of England on the West Border, but the Scots, thrown into confusion by the sudden elevation of a favourite of the King to the leadership, were dispersed at Solway Moss by a few English horsemen, with the loss of 1200 prisoners. King James, who lay the night before at Lochmaben, retired slowly to Falkland. He merely retained hold of life. Mary Stewart was born at Linlithgow on 6th December 1542; on the 13th her father died, " of a broken heart if ever man did", in the thirty-first year of his age.

Of the prisoners taken at Solway Moss " 9 men of honour and gentlemen '' ware retained and sent up to London, viz., the Earl of Glencairn, Lord Fleming, Lord Erskine's son and heir, the others, including " James Pringill, scorer of the King's sheep ''-styled in another list " chief storer of the King's goods, and in his favour '' (H. L.). They reached London on 19th December, were lodged in the Tower, and next day billeted on the nobles. Henry entertained them on Christmas Day, presented them gold chains, money, and horses-and on the 27th got them to sign an agreement to promote the marriage of the infant Princess Mary and his son Edward, and her delivery into his custody, and to re-enter prisoners to the English Wardens next Palm Sunday (H. L.). They started for Carlisle on the 29th, having their travelling expenses paid, and grants of money according to their rank. A list dated 1st January 1543 contains their names, the names of the persons to lie in Pledge for them, and the names of the noblemen and gentlemen to whom the Pledges are to be committed; thus, James Pringill's Pledge, his son and heir, is to be committed to Sir Thomas Curwen, keeper of Sheriffhutton (H. L.). On 19th January some of the prisoners were delivered to the Wardens of the West Marches: the Pledges had come, but not James’s.

George Hoppringill of His Majesty's household, had obtained the ward and marriage of Michael Balfour of Burleigh, his brother James of Tynnes's step-son, and had sold the same for 500 merks to the late John Keaton of Creich, who married him to his daughter Christian. The money was lodged with George Home, Keith. In January 1543 Margaret, James of Tynnes's daughter, claimed it as being intended for the benefit of her father, " James of Tynnes presently taken prisoner in England." On Home saying that he feared to hand it over without James's authority, compeared James Carmichael, burgess, Edinburgh, and bound him to keep Home skaithless (A. D.).

In April 1543 James Hoppringill, younger, in the Tynnes, and Agnes Forester, Lady Burleigh, his spouse, have a tack of all and hails the lands thereof, with the mansion manorplace, and pertinence, in the ward of Yarrow, in liferent, paying yearly £50-evidently to take up his father's Forest duties (P. S.).

On 1st July 1543 it was agreed between the Governments that the prisoners taken at Solway Moss should be liberated on paying certain sums, of whom James Pringill was to pay 400 merks; they were to provide hostages, and give bonds to pay or return to captivity by a certain date (H. L.). In March 1544 King Henry threatens the Scottish Privy Council that if the prisoners, now 21 in number, including James Pringill, are not delivered, he will revenge it not only on the hostages, but on every Scotsman that comes into his hands (H. L.). However, the Scots made good on 27th February 1545 at Ancrum Moor, where they routed an English force, slaying 800 men and taking 1200 prisoners. An exchange of prisoners took place, and on 26th December 1545 the English Privy Council wrote to Sir Thomas Wharton of the West Marches " to deliver James Pringle taken at Solway Moss in exchange for Parson Ogle'' (H. L.). This Parson Ogle was a prominent Northumbrian, and, curiously, we shall find him pleading elsewhere for the life of John Pringill of Clifton who had captured him at Hadden Rig in 1542.

In February 1546 the Scotts, Turnbulls, Cranstons, and James Hoppringill of Tynnes, on the one part, and the Kers on the other, agree, before the Lords of Council with regard to the present discord between them, to concur together, and not to harm one another in their persons or goods during the present war with England (H. L.). In March 1546, James Hoppringill of Tynnes, who in 1543 had sued the Kers of Yair, Kippilaw, and Linton, Robert Ker, vicar of Lindean, and Andrew, brother of Walter Ker of Cessford, for the spoliation of his mailing of Buckholm, and the taking away of 24 score ewes with their lambs, and divers other goods, now sues George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee for doing the same thing; for although the Kers had been compelled by the Council to desist, yet in July last, when his goods were coming to Buckholm to pasture, the said George and his servants chased them from the place, and last of all he had driven his servants out and put in his own : the Lord ordain George to desist, and in case of disobedience within six days, to be warded in Blackness Castle (A. D.). These attacks on James were no doubt reprisals, now that the King, his master, was dead, for the part he played in the fight at the Bridge in 1526: -

" When gallant Cessford's life blood dear

Reeked on dark Elliot's Border spear."

James died apparently in 1546. By his spouse, Sibilla Carmichael, Lady Calderwood, he had issue, James, his heir, and a daughter, Margaret.

JAMES 2

In March 1547 a charter is granted by James, Commendator of the Monastery of Melrose, to James Hoppringill of Tynnes and his spouse, Agnes Forester, in liferent, and to their son John in fee, of the lands of Buckholm, for the services of the said James in defence of the Catholic Church of Scotland, and especially of our Monastry in times of war, and insurrection within the Kingdom, and for sums of money paid by him, to be held in feu for payment of £10 yearly : witnessed by the Prior and nine monks including dean David Hoppringill (R. M.).

In July 1547 Margaret, James's sister, bought from Archibald Beaton of Capildra, Fife, the east half thereof for 500 merks or £20 annual rent (A. D.).

In March 1548 James Hoppringill of the Tynnes gets a gift of the escheat of all the goods movable and immovable that pertained to George Hoppringill of Torwoodlee and Robert Hoppringill of Blindlee, through their being fugitive of the law or at the horn for their treasonable assistance of Englishmen, and for the masterful and violent aggressions committed by them against the said James in forecasting his house of Buckholm, cutting his woods, and pasturing and daily occupying his fields and houses (P . S.).

In December 1552 James is one of the four Commissioners appointed by the Privy Council to enrol the Selkirkshire footmen going to France to support the King (Henry II) (P. C.).

In March 1554 James is granted by the Queen dowager a fresh tack of Tynnes for 9 years (P. S.); also by the Archbishop of St Andrews a tack of the £5 lands of Catpair (T. W.).

In 1555 he is an Arbiter on behalf of Melrose Monastery in the dispute between it and Andrew Haig of Bemersyde, re the marches between the lands of Redpath and Craig (R. M.).

In 1556 he pays to Kelso Abbey for the mails of the Kirk of Carluke for 3 years bypass £200 (L. K,).

Agnes Forester, by her first husband, David Balfour of Burleigh of the royal household, had issue before 1531:-

1.Michael Balfour of Burleigh, who was Commentator of Melrose Abbey for a few years before 1569, when he was succeeded by his grandnephew James, 2nd son of Sir William Douglas of Lochleven (nephew of the famous Regent Murray).

2. 3. Walter and Robert.

4. Margaret, who married Sir Robert Douglas, great grand- father of Sir William of Lochleven Castle, who was served heir in 1555, the Keeper of Queen Mary.

Agnes Forester, by her second husband, James Hoppringill of Buckholm and Tynnes, had issue:-

1 James, of Tynnes.

2. John of Buckholm.

3. Malcolm, of Cortleferry.

4, Alexander, in Little Catpair and partner with Sir James Hoppringill.

5. David, apothecary burgess of Edinburgh.

6. Margaret, marr. Ninian Crichton of Achintagart in 1575.

7. Elizabeth, marr. 1st, Alexander Stewart in Tynnes, 2nd, William Scott of Whithaugh (R. D.).

James 2 died before 26th August 1561. His spouse was alive in 1569.

JAMES 3

I 1563, on the termination of the late James's tack, Alexander Lord Hume acquired the superiority of Tynnes (A. D.). In 1575 Elizabeth Hoppringill, relict of Alexander Stewart in Tynnes, marries William Scott of Whithaugh, her cautioners being her son James Stewart, and her brother James in Tynnes (R. D.). In 1593 Alexander, Lord Home, sells Tynnes with tower manorplace to John Hume, the King's Master Hunter, 3rd son of Alexander Hume of Manderston; paying yearly to the King £ 50 (G. S., 1594). Again on 20th July 1600 the said John sells the same to James Pringill fear of Buckholm (S. P.).

James died before 1606; by his wife, Christian Cockburn, he had issue :-

1.John, in Tynnes.

2. Andrew, servant to John Hume, the King's Master Hunter.

3. James, servant to John Hume, the King's Master Hunter,

4. Thomas. In 1609 James's relict resumed from Alexander Pringill Little Catpair, of which she was liferenter (A. D.).

In 1620 James Pringill in Tynnes, and spouse, Joneta Tod, sold the lands to George Pringlll of Torwoodlee.

THE STEWART AND PRINGILL FEUD

In February 1606 James Stewart in Tynnes, whose decreet of removal at the instance of John Hume was transferred to the new proprietor James Pringill, and confirmed by the Lords, still refuses to leave. In March and April following Sir Robert Stewart, Tutor of Traquair, his brother William, and John Stewart in Foulshiels, on the one part, and the Pringills of Buckholm, that Ilk, Newhall, Heriotmill, Cortleferry, Torwoodlee, Whytbank, and Milkiston, to the number of two dozen, on the other part, fled caution not to harm one another (P. C.). ln December James Stewart and his cautioner, Robert Scott of Thirlestane, are decerned by the Lords to pay £100 caution money within 6 days (A. D.) It was apparently about this time that Andrew, brother of John Pringill in Tynnes, slew David, brother of James Stewart, there. In January 1608 Alexander, James Stewart's son, for not finding caution not to harm the Pringills of Torwoodlee, Buckholm, Wrangholm, John Pringill of Tynnes or James or Thomas his brothers, is apprehended by the Guard and his goods inventoried ; and in February, Sir Robert Scott of Thirlestane, for not paying £100 caution money receives a similar sentence (P. C.).

In September 1615 Anent the ants of James Pringill of Buckholm and Alexander Stewart of Fauldshope, who on the 13th inst. lawlessly convocated their friends and kinsmen in great numbers, armed with hackbuts and pistolets, and came to Tynnes, the one to shear the corn, the other to prevent it, when further consequences were stopped by the arrival of the Sheriff of Selkirkshire; the Lords order them to compear under a penalty of 5000 merks on 4th October, when in St Giles Church the case was heard before Arbiters. Their decreet was not delivered till 5th October 1616. Sir Robert Stewart dealt immediately with his nephew of Traquair anent the offer of assythement for the slaughter of David Stewart by Andrew Pringill ; and in March 1618 being urged to deliver the " Letter of Slains,'' and finding that John, the late David's son, and his cousin german Alexander, James Stewart's son, would not subscribe it nor compear, the Lords order them to be denounced rebels (P. C.).

JOHN

John Hoppringill son of James 2 of Tynnes and Buckholm succeeded to Buckholm. He appears first in 1574 as tacks-man of the kirk of Carluke. In 1575 he is one of the 12 Hoppringills summoned to appear before Regent Morton and Council re the Hoppringill-Elliot feud. In September 1578 precept of Clare Constat is issued in his favour as heir of the deceased James of Tynnes in the lands of Buckholm ; paying £10 yearly (R. M.). In 1582 he is appointed an Interdictor by James Hoppringill of that Ilk against selling his lands ; and in 1568 one of the four tutors of James Hoppringill of Smailholm. He is twice surety for persons not to harm others, also along with James Hoppringill of Whytbank for Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh and 12 other Murrays not

to harm Robert Scott of Haining. In 1591 John is one of the Border lairds jiving their oaths before the King and Council at Kelso to assist the Wardens of the East and Middle Marches and Walter Scott of Branxholm, especially in the pursuit and expulsion of Francis, sometime Earl of Boswell (P. C.). In 1593 John, who apparently inherited the teinds of the kirk of Carluke from his grandmother, Sibilla Lady Calderwood, sold them to her grandson Sir John Carmichael, now concurs in the sale of them by Sir John for 900 merks (R. D,). In June 1594 John and his son James get a tack of the teinds of Buckholm for their lifetimes and 19 years thereafter: witness, Alexander, John's brother (R,. M.). In 1596 he and his brother Malcolm of Cortleferry find caution not to harm James Govan of Cardrona or his sons.

On 20th July 1600 John's son, James, buys Tynnes, the ancestral lands, from John Hume, the King's Master Hunter (S, P.).

In October 1602 John subscribes at Jedburgh the General Band of Border lairds against thieves, murderers, and oppressors (P. C.). In 1608 he sits in the Bailie court at Melrose to determine the "carriages'' to be paid by the 20 tenants to Walter Scott of Buccleuch. In 1619 he appears as a tutor of the children of the late Alexander Stoddart ln Over Shiels. In 1625 he witnesses his son James's Precept of sasine to James Pringill in the lands of Muirhouse. In 1631 as assignee of a Bond granted by the Homes of Cowdenknowes and Whitrig in 1612 which he bought in 1619, the Lords grant him against their heir, James Home of Cowdenknowes, in defect of movable goods, approval of his lands to the value of 6108 merks (A. D.Gibson).

John died apparently in 1633. A stone from Buckholm Tower, said to be at Torwoodlee, inscribed " I. P., N. P., '' would seem to indicate that his wife was a Pringill. He had issue:

1. James, his heir.

2. John.

3. George, Sheriff-depute of Haddington.

Alexander Hoppringill, brother of John of Buckholm, appears as a witness in 1591, 1594, and 1605, and in 1609 vacates Little Catpair. In April 1606, as cessioner and assignee of James Pringill of Galashiels, he has half the money in the decretes of apprising of the lands of Halltree, Cumlarig, Symington, Bangrub, and Watherston, from John, now Lord Borthwick, apprised at the instance of William Sinclair of Roslin, and assigned to the said James Pringill; and is given sasine on 20th May following (S. E. Sec's,). In June 1610 he sues the tenants in Fernihirst, Houliston, Gilmerton, Pirntaton, Blockhouse, and Cumlarig, for taking away the teind sheaves, In December 1613 James Pringill is summoned by Lord Borthwick to fulfil the contract made between him and Mark Earl of Lothian in June 1602, whereby he bound himself to surrender his own and Alexander's rights to the lands on a marriage with a, daughter of the said Mark and the payment of 11,000 merks; which being paid to him James surrenders his rights and writs (see Smailholm).

JAMES 4

James appears first in 1594 as fear of Buckholm. He soon became a more public figure than his father. In 1602 he married Agnes Renton, daughter of John of Billie and his spouse Alison Heriot, widow of William Pringill of Torwoodlee. In March 1605 he gets a charter of the lands of Muirhouse, Caldrope and Pirn, to be held of the King hereditarily, paying the old feu duties of £10 and £6, with grassums and augmentations, in all, £27, 14s. 8d. (R. M.); and in July he gives the tenants notice to quit; but see Muirhouse and Pirn. He is a principal figure in the above-mentioned Stewart-Pringill feud, 1606 to 1618, in which also appear his brothers John and George.

In March 1619 James sold Tynnes, the ancestral lands, to Walter Earl of Buccleuch for 20,000 merks, paying to the King £50 feu duty (G. S.).

About 1620 James is appointed by the Earl of Haddington Bailie-depute of the Lordship of Melrose.

In March 1621 he and his spouse, Agnes Renton, and her brother James, sue John Renton, now of Billie, to fulfil the marriage contract of Alison Heriot, the said Agnes's mother, of which he was cautioner (see Billie) (A, D., Scott.).

In May 1621, Thomas, Earl of Haddington, wrote to Mr John Knox, minister of Melrose, asking him and the parishioners to prepare a stent roll for the expenses to be borne by them in rebuilding and repairing the church, James Pringill, fear of Buckholm, to give consent in his name to pay what his proportion extends to; and "as for the brig, I shall have care of it in good time, and give all my best helps to these good public works '' (MSS., Had.).

In December 1621 the King granted to James and his spouse the lands called the barony of Lamberton, apprised in September last for 4860 merks, redeemable within 7 years (G. S.).

In October 1623 James, as a J.P. of Roxburghshire, is present at a meeting in the kirk of Jedburgh (P. C.). In July 1624 a commission under the Signet is given to James Pringill, Bailie-depute of the Regality of Melrose, to try Hob Elliot and Adam Drippo, two confessed and notorious thieves, whom he has lately apprehended, and who have confessed to stealing 18 lambs from Chapel, and 8 sheep from Housebyre, all in one night (P. C.).

About this time charters are granted by the Earl of Haddington to James of three half husbandlands in Lessudden; also the garden called the Grass-yard with the stone dykes round it, and the dwelling-house with garden and croft adjoining, feu duty £10 ; and two other gardens, all within the precincts of Melrose Abbey (R. M.).

In January 1625 on a charter granted by James, James Pringill of Mitchelston gets sasine of Muirhouse and Caldrope, to hold irredeemably; present George Pringill, servitor to the Earl of Melrose, John Pringle, James's son, and Thomas Pringill in Buckholm (S. E.). ln July 1622 James and two other Roxburghshire J.P.'s meet by command at Jedburgh " for tryall of the prices of nolt, scheep, and wool" and send in a report on the same to the Privy Council (P.C.). In February 1629 a commission under the Signet is given to James Pringill, fear of Buckholm, and five other persons to try five women long suspected of witchcraft; similar commissions follow to try 2 men, and in June 1630, one to try 4 women and 1 man (P. C.).

In October 1632 the King granted to James the lands and barony of Forgund, Perthshire, which pertained to Sir James Oliphant, one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and were apprised in September for 10,650 merks; redeemable within 7 years (G. S.). In January 1633 James, who had been infefted in July 1631 in the Spital of St Leonards, Ednam, and in Fala, Falahill, and Brothershiels, pertaining to it, sues the tenants, 23 in number, who refused to pay the rents because there was another claimant; in February following, the Lords order the rents to be paid to James (A. D., Scott.).

In 1633 on the death of his father, James, hitherto fear, now becomes laird of Buckholm.

In June 1635 a number of goods having been stolen from the poor tenants of Gattonsyde by certain lymmars called the Egyptians, of whom a man and woman, old decrepit bodies, and a woman with a bairn at her breast, had been apprehended, the Lords of Council determine that they shall be burnt on the cheek, publicly scourged, and banished the kingdom, and for this purpose commission James Pringill of Buckholm, Bailie depute of the Regality of Melrose, to hold a justice court in the tollbooth there, make clerks and other things needful) pronounce the said doom publicly, and have special care to see it executed, they upholding him in all he may do thereanent (P. C.). In August 1643 England being unable, owing to internal distractions, to support, according to promise, the Scottish army of 10,000 men now in Ireland, Parliament, to supply its pressing needs, ordains an assessment of one million merks Scots, and James is appointed one of the collectors for Roxburghshire (A. P.). In January 1645 James gives to his junior son, George, sasine of the lands of Buckholm and Williamlaw, his own liferent being reserved; and in April, his senior son, John, gets a gift of the escheat of all goods, gear, and movables that pertained to him at the time of his denunciation to the horn at the instance of Thomas, Earl of Haddington, in September 1643, for not paying him termly £27, 11s. for each of the 6 terms of the taxes granted in 1633 for Buckholm and Williamlaw (P. S.). In April 1647 James Pringill of Whytbank, having a contract with precept of sasine perfected at Billie and Torwoodlee in March last between him and James, with consent of his son George, gets sasine of Buckholm and Williamlaw, with delivery of earth and stone (S. E.).

James died in 1647. By his spouse, Agnes Renton of Billie he had issue: -

1. John of Williamlaw, marr. Catherine Ramsay of Wylliecleuch.

2. George of Buckholm, marr. Margaret Pringill.

3. Joneta, marr. in 1631 Alexander Home of Blackhill ; to have an annual rent of 1200 merks.

4. Alison, marr. in 1633 John Pringill of Cortleferry, to have an annual rent of 480 merks.

5. Elisabeth, marr. Mr James Urquhart, minister of Galashiels.

GEORGE

George is mentioned as in Billie in 1631. In 1638, on the death of his uncle, James Renton of Billie, he is granted under the Privy Seal the ward and marriage of his cousin James, the young laird.

In June 1644 George gives in a supplication to Parliament: "that he resolved to desert his service of attending the Earl of Forth these two years, repass home to Scotland, join with my country for defence of religion, laws, and liberties, and prove so far as in me lies a good patriot on all occasions”; which supplication having been read in audience of Parliament, and George having sworn and subscribed the National Covenant, and the Covenant and League betwixt the three kingdoms, the Estates discharge all proceedings against him in any process for the cause above specified in time coming. As the Earl had bought Yair on the Tweed in 1636, it was probably more as a neighbour than a Royalist that George acted as a Captain at the battles of Edgehill, Brentford, and others, and when in 1643 a Scottish army of 20,000 men entered England on the opposite side, that he retired rather than fight against his own countrymen.

April 1648. Anent the supplication given in to Parliament by Mr James Urquhart, minister of Galashiels, George's brother-in-law, against James Scott of Galashiels, bearing that when Montrose's army was in the south of Scotland, John Pringill of Cortleferry sent a chest containing £1000 and his Writs to Buckholm Tower for security, and when it was assaulted the chest was conveyed to Galashiels to his wife, who delivered it to the said John, her brother-in-law ; notwithstanding, James Scott, claiming the money and averring that it was 2500 merks, purchased a warrant for uplifting the sum from him, and caused incarcerate him in the tolbooth of Selkirk for eight weeks, till he granted him a Bond for that amount, which Bond still hung over supplicant's head contrary to all conscience and reason ; parties having appeared before the Committee of Bills, and John Pringill having declared on oath that he had received back the money, James Scott promised to give Mr Urquhart back his Bond, the right to proceed against the said John and others for money being left to him (A. P.).

In August 1649 the King confirms George's charter of Buckholm, to be held by him, and his heirs masculine, whom failing by any "vir generosus '' bearing the cognomen Pringle, nominated by him even on his deathbed (G. S.).

In 1663 the Bailie of the Regality orders George to repair the dykes of his Melrose Abbey property, sufficiently and whatever person thereafter is found in his orchard taking his fruit is to be detained, and whatever beast is found pasturing on his ground is to be poinded, the person or owner is to pay 6s. 8d. for each offence (R,. M.).

In 1678 George is appointed a Commissioner of Excise for Roxburghshire (P. C.).

In July 1679 John Durie of Grange complains that having come with the heritors of Fife to Bothwell Brig where the rebels were defeated on 22nd June last, and having on his way home overtaken a Melrose party baiting their horses, they attacked him, wounding him in the face with a sword, and carried him to within four mites of Edinburgh, when a party of dragoons picked them up and took them to the Castle, whence on finding caution to compear, they were set free; on this day the Lords ordain the defenders to restore to complainer his gun, and cloak bags, and pay a fine towards his expenses and cure - each of them to pay for their relief , viz. : Andrew Fisher of Housebyre, 300 merks, and George Pringle of Buckholm, William Cairncross of Hillslope, Alexander Linlithgow of Drygrange, Francis Scott of Colmslie, Robert Fall, bailie of Melrose, George Pringle of Blindlee, and Andrew Darling of Appletreeleaves, 100 merks, and either to pay the same instantly or go to prison till they obeyed. A few days afterwards, on 3rd August, the Lords finding that the said persons were present in the King's army at Bothwell Brig, and were by mistake cited to compear before them as absentees, discharged them (P. C. Papers).

In September 1685 George grants sasine of Buckholm, Williamlaw, and Ladhopemoor to his second son George, and his heirs, male or female, whose heirs will assume or take the cognomen of Pringle, and will carry or bear the insignia of the House of Buckholm. In June 1686 Sasine is given by George, younger, to his elder brother James of the said lands, sold to him under conditions and reservations (S. E.) In August 1686 David Pringle, apothecary, burgess, Edinburgh, gets sasine of an annual rent of £120 furth of Buckholm lands.

On 14th April 1687 Sir John Lauder writes: " James Pringle, younger, of Buckholm, gives in a complaint against his father, that being seduced by bad counsel he was cutting the whole planting and policy about the house, though he was only liferenter, and being riotous and having imprisoned him in Melrose tolbooth, he craved he might be discharged'' (L. H. N.). This was a struggle between a royalist father, aged 72, and a son who was an ardent Covenanter.

In 1691 a bond of corroboration mentions that by a marriage contract between Mr James Gellie and Janet Pringle of June 1678, she was to have a tocher of 3000 merks, with an annual rent of 300 merks till payment, with consent of her father, George of Buckholm, and her brothers James and George; that James Gellie of Sandyford and John Pringle, litster, Edinburgh, were cautioners for her brothers James and George's debts amounting to 5666 merks and a bond for 3000 merks granted by George, elder, to Walter Pringle, advocate, and that her said brothers bound them to infeft Mr Nellie, for further security, in Buckholm, Williamlaw, and Ladhopemoor (S. E.).

In 1692 died George's wife, Margaret Pringle, only child of James Pringle of Torwoodlee by his first marriage, and paternal sister of George Pringle, the Covenanter, and on 12th April was buried in Greyfriars churchyard.

George appears often in the Records of the Regality of Melrose as pursuer or defender in actions before the Bailie Court mostly relating to farming matters.

He died in 1693, and was buried in Melrose Abbey, His tombstone is under the great eastern window in the north-east corner, and reads : " Here Lyes George Pringle of BuckHolme who deceased the 5th of March 1693, aged 78 years ''-in eleven lines. George had issue :

1. James, his heir.

2. George.

3. Janet, marr. in 1678 James Gellie, advocate.

4. Also a natural son George, quoted as a tenant in Westhouses in 1668 and 1673, who had a son James Pringle who, in March 1675, for wounding with a, sword, setting fire to a house, and not compearing, was declared fugitive, escheated, and forbidden to be reset by anybody in the Regality (R. M.).

JOHN OF WILLIAMLAW

Williamlaw adjoined and stood on higher ground than Buckholm. John was senior brother to George of the latter place. In 1642, having had a natural daughter Marion Pringill, by a Margaret Pringill, to whom in 1636 he granted a bond for 300 merks, he was ordained to pay it with annual rent, notwithstanding his expense on the girl's education and his gift of £45 to the mother on her marriage. On 16th May 1647 he took part in the riot at Overshiels (which see). In April 1648 he gets sasine of Williamlaw, and his wife Katharine Ramsay (apparently a sister of Sir George of Wylliecleuch) sasine of an annual rent furth of the same; and in July he gets renewal of a bond for 200 merks granted by Alexander, son of the deceased Andrew Pringill of Hounam, which was lost when Montrose's army was in the district. In 1663 John is appointed a J.P. for Roxburghshire. In 1668 he pays to the collector of the stent imposed in 1664 for the repair of the kirk of Melrose £7, 17s.

John died in 1675 and was buried in Melrose Abbey. His tombstone, alongside his brother George's reads: "Here Lyes John Pringle of Williamlaw who deceased the 24th of April 1675, aged 72,'' in seven lines. A similar tombstone alongside reads: " Here Lyes Catharin Ramsay spouse to John Pringle of Williamlaw, who deceased the 26th of April 1680, aged 76," in eight lines.

JAMES 5

In January 1683 James Pringle, fear of Buckholm, appearing at the Bailie Court, Melrose, denies that he is a heritor, but is only a tenant to his father, of Buckholm, but has frequented house and field Conventicles and constantly withdrawn from Church since the Act of Indemnity, and is fined, conform to the Act, £50, and ordained to remain in prison till payment. In December following, James, being convened at the Fiscal's instance for withdrawing from the Church since he was last fined, and of being at a Conventicle at Newmills in November last, and appearing personally, confessed having constantly withdrawn from the Church, but denied the said or any other Conventicle ; and four of his servants deponed they had heard or seen nothing of the said Conventicle (R. M.).

After the Revolution, in 1690, James is appointed a Commissioner of supply for Roxburghshire.

In August 1698 Mr William Hall, Advocate, gets sasine of an annual rent of £500 furth of the lands of Buckholm and others. In October following, James gets a Royal charter, with new infeftment, of the said lands, which were resigned in his favour by his father in April 1687 (P. S.).

In 1706 James was chosen representative Elder for the burgh of Selkirk at the General Assembly (C. B.).

James, the sixth and last of the Pringles of Buckholm, died in Edinburgh in January 1714. His only sister, Janet, widow of James Gellie, advocate, died in September 1718. Her husband who died in March 1716 had left to her all his goods movable and immovable, except 3000 merks in favour of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, S.P.C.K. She left owing to her £1447, and an Inventory of £438, total £1885 (T. E., Secy.).

In January 1719 Lewis (or Ludovick) Pringle of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, was served heir general to his cousins german James Pringle of Buckholm, and Janet Pringle, widow of James Gellie, advocate. Lewis was a grandson of James Pringle of Torwoodlee and his wife Janet, daughter of Sir Lewis Craig of Riccarton ; but by which of their sons, James or Alexander, is not apparent. Lewis Pringle had a 3-life lease of Rinkippin, Tuam, and certain leaseholds in County Mayo.

He died in 1731, leaving a son John (see Ireland).