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In an essay by Alexander Grant entitled
Extinction of Direct Male Lines
he states that the Lauders were one of only 31% of the great families of the
time of Robert the Bruce who survived in the direct male line beyond 1500.
Grant also says: “It has been pointed out that the
Declaration of Arbroath
does not give a complete roll-call of the leading barons of Robert 1st’s
regime. Professor Barrow has referred to ‘the omission of men such as Andrew
Murray of Bothwell, Robert Lauder [of The Bass] and Robert Menzies [of Weem]’”.
The family of Lauder are recorded as “prominent from 1320” and amongst those
“below the rank of earl who have been considered as belonging to the
Scottish higher nobility between 1325 and 1349.” (Essays
on the Nobility of Medieval Scotland edited by
K.J.Stringer, Edinburgh, 1985, pps: 214, 225, and 229; citing Barrow’s
Robert Bruce,
London, 1965, p.430).
Professor Barrow himself states: “from a study of the
nobles who either made or improved their family fortunes under Bruce besides
the King’s close relatives was a small group of specially trusted specially
favoured men, who though not personally related to the King were obviously
his intimate counsellors, prominent in every department of royal
service………of this small group of key men were…….Sir Robert Lauder, one of
the very few men rewarded by King Robert with substantial grants of land and
high office.” (Robert Bruce
by G.W.S.Barrow, London, 1965, pps:399 & 401)
To examine these claims more closely we need to
look at Sir Robert Lauder the father (d.1311) and then father and son’s
involvement, where known, in what is commonly referred to as the Wars of
Scottish Independence.
Sir Robert de Lawedre of the Bass,
knight, the father, was a known companion of the great Scottish hero, Sir
William Wallace. (Abercromby’s Martial
Atchievements of the Scottish Nation,
Edinburgh, 1711, vol.i, p529; John Burke,
Peerage of the British Empire 1845, p.591). He
died in May 1311 so was possibly born circa 1260.
On 28th
April 1296, Patrick 8th
Earl of Dunbar and Earl of March (d.1308) a ‘Competitor’ for the Scottish
Crown, was besieged in Dunbar Castle by Sir John de Warenne, Knt., Earl of
Warenne and 7th Earl of Surrey (d.Sept.1304) with 12000 men. Hume states
that the castle was defended by “the flower of the Scottish nobility”. A
relief by an undisciplined force of the Earls of Buchan, Lennox, and Mar
with, it is said, 40,000 men, failed utterly with at least 10,000 dead. The
castle surrendered to King Edward 1st
the next day. Sir William Wallace now arrived on the scene, accusing the
Earl of Dunbar of going over to the English interest, and so of treachery.
“Wallace was joined by Robert Lauder at Musselburgh, and afterwards by
Crystal de Seton [also on record]. They were met at [East] Linton by Squire
Lyle [of Stoneypath tower] who informed them that the Earl and his 900 men
were now at Cockburnspath and were marching [back] to Dunbar. Wallace was
cautious but Lauder was in a hurry to engage Dunbar. After a terrible
conflict in a field near Innerwick, the Earl retreated to Cockburnspath”. (The
History of Dunbar by James Miller, Dunbar,
1830, p.30-1).
Blind Harry records of
Wallace that “he gaiff Stentoun to Lawder in hys wage” (Book viii, line
419). The Lauders of The Bass held the feudal barony of Stenton, in East
Lothian, continuously until the 17th
century.
The Scottish Nation (by
William Anderson, 1861, vol.2) states that “Sir Robert de Lavedre
of The Bass fought at Stirling Bridge in 1297”; and James Young (Historical
References to the Scottish Family of Lauder,
Glasgow, 1884) also states that he was a companion of Sir William Wallace
and took part in the battle of Stirling Bridge on 12th September 1297.
J.Stewart Smith (The Grange of St. Giles,
Edinburgh,1898, p.155) also notes him with Wallace at Stirling Bridge and
adds that “of this chief of the family we have much more detail, as he was
the inseparable associate of Sir William Wallace, the grand champion of
Scotland, his faithful companion in arms, and his trusty friend from the
beginning of his career to the sad ending of his heroic life. Sir Robert
defended his fortress of The Bass with great determination against Edward I
and in his staunch loyalty to his country none could seduce him from his
allegiance. Such was his eagerness to march with Wallace against the Earl of
Dunbar, who had espoused the English cause, that he would rather have lost
his beloved Bass than have been denied this gratification.” The writer
quotes Blind Harry’s Poem
book vii. lines 1170 to 1214, and Blind Harry’s
Wallace, Book viii.
Blind Harry mentions Lauder and Seton with Wallace
numerous times in Book XI of his famous chronicle
Wallace. In July 1298
Lauder fought in the disastrous battle of Falkirk and he and Sir John Graham
(who was later killed) had to be rescued by the wounded Wallace with 300
men. Harry then records that “Wallace himself, Lauder, and Seaton”, led
“5000 valiant brave men” to ‘Richardtown’. Later (chapter 3) it is recorded
that “Seaton and Lauder in The Bass did dwell”. Seaton was later captured
and beheaded ( see The Genealogy of the House &
Surname of Setoun by Sir Richard Maitland of
Lethington, 1561, reprinted 1830).
In the Acts of the Lords
of Council in Civil Causes (vol.II, 1491-1501,
page 487) there is mention that on 17th March 1501 the Prior of Pluscardy
had been granted permission to have copied a charter to Dunfermline Abbey
given by Robert the Bruce [r.1306 - 1329] and which “Roberto de Lawder,
militibus” was a witness. (May be father or son).
J.Stewart Smith (1898,p,156) relates that this Sir
Robert “was buried within the ancient church on the shore at North Berwick”.
(By 1656 this church was ruinous). Part of his gravestone is preserved in
the care of the East Lothian County Council, the original inscription of
which was described in detail by Alexander Nesbit, who had examined it, in
his famous work Systems of Heraldry
(1722, p.443) and reads: “here lies the good Robert Lauedre the greate Laird
of Congaltoun and The Bass Maii MCCCXI”. As the superiority of Congaltoun
was soon afterwards invested in “Sir John Congaltoun de eodem” the first of
that family to be styled ‘of that Ilk’, it confirms the accuracy of the
year. His son was:
Sir Robert de Lawedre, Knt., of Edrington & The Bass,
etc., (c1275 – Sept 1337) (Dictionary of
the Peerage & Baronetage of the British Empire
by John Burke, 8th edition. London, 1845, volume 1, pps: 591;
and Sir Bernard Burke (1870, 32nd
edition). J.Stewart Smith (1898, p.159) relates that this Sir Robert “had
been a follower of Sir William Wallace as a
squire in his father’s lifetime, and fought
bravely in the repulsion of Edward II from Scotland; also in the subsequent
reprisals made by Robert Bruce in the north of England.”
In The Great Seal
(printed editions) under charters of King Robert I
Bruce dated between 1315 and 1321 there are several (nos.55, 62, 68, 89 and
92) where the King granted confirmations to Sir Robert Lauder of the Bass,
knight, “for his homage and service” of various properties, including
tenaments of lands at Penkaitland & Nisbet in Haddingtonshire, and Lethberd
Mill, near Aldcathy in Linlithgowshire. (The family retained the lands at
Aldcathy until the 17th century.) The King also confirmed to him “all the
lands of Coldene within the barony of Dalkeith” (all mentioned by Barrow,
Robert Bruce 1965,
p.401). Two charters (numbers 92 & 93) signed at Berwick-upon-Tweed,
confirmations to the Monastery of Jedburgh, have as one of the witnesses,
Robert de Lawder, knight. They are both dated 20th December 1316(?).
In Miscellany of The
Scottish History Society, (Edinburgh 1933,
vol.5), Miscellaneous Charters 1315-1401’
(edited by William Angus, from translations in the
collections of the late Sir William Fraser, KCB, LLD, pps: 6; 50/51) there
is mention of a ‘Roberto de Lawedir, clerico’, who witnessed a charter by
Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray to Sir Adam Gordon, knight, and his son, of
the lands of Stitchell, circa 1315. Robert Lauder also had a charter on 4th
March 1316, from John Graham of Abercorn of his ‘dominical lands’ in the
tenement of Dalkeith and of the lands of Coldenfeld [presumably that
mentioned above as Coldene], the latter subject being confirmed by King
Robert 1st on 8th March 1316. The same Robert Lauder witnessed a charter by
Patrick [Dunbar], Earl of March to the Abbey of Dryburgh in 1317 “and is
probably identical with Robert Lauder, ‘tunc nostro seneschallo’, who
witnessed a charter by the same Earl to the Monastery of Melrose about the
same period. The fact that he is designed ‘clericus’ would imply that he had
received the tonsure, but the term was occasionally applied loosely to men
of learning” which appears to be the case here.
Towards the southern end of
Lauderdale is the town of Earlston, an ancient superiority of the Earls of
Dunbar or March. James Young (1884, p.19) records that "Robertus de
Lauuedirr tunc noster seneschallus" witnessed a charter of "Patricii de
Dunbar, comitis Marchie" during the reign of Robert the Bruce, and "Robetus
de Lawedre, consanguineus noster" (a cousin) witnessed a charter of "Georgii
comitis Marchie" relating to Sorrowlessfield, a still extant property on the
(A68) road south of Earlston in the reign of Robert III.
On the 4th June
1316 William Lamberton, Archbishop of St.Andrews conveyed by charter to this
Sir Robert “our part” of the Bass, (Nisbet, 1722, vol.1, p.344) - full title
of which had been until then retained by The Church by virtue of the
existance there of the Holy Cell of St.Baldred. J.Stewart Smith (1898)
states that “these documents prove that the father of this Sir Robert de
Lawedre already possessed the most important part of the island of Bass,
which was in itself too small a territory to be divided or to be held by two
masters.” In any case that is clear from the tombstone inscription of this
Sir Robert’s father, which already called him the “laird of Bass” in 1311.
Other evidences allude to ownership from the 11th century.
In the National
Archives of Scotland (GD220/6/126) is a Charter of King Robert I, dated at
Scone on the 1st June 1317, to Robert Skene of the lands of Skene and
lake/loch thereof in sheriffdom of Aberdeen. Witnesses were Bernard, Abbot
of Aberbrothoc [Arbroath], Chancellor, Thomas Randulphe, Earl of Moray, Lord
of Annandale and of Man, King's nephew, Walter, Steward of Scotland, James,
Lord Douglas, Sir Alexander Fraser, Knt., Sir David Berclay, Knt., and Sir
Robert Laweder, Knt.
In the National Archives
(GD86/4) is a (Haddingtonshire) charter by Hugh de Gourley, lord of Merkil,
granting to Robert de Lawedir, (now) ‘the father’, that carucate of land
with toft and croft within the town and tenement of Popil which Roger de
Gourlay, his brother, held of him and delivered up by staff and baton: To be
held ‘de me’, rendering annually at Michaelmas twelve pennies Sterling of
blench duty, dated circa 1318.
At about this time, or earlier, Sir Robert had been
appointed Justiciary of the Lothians
and the south of Scotland
(except Galloway) by Robert The Bruce. Scotland was divided into two
Justiciaries, one upon the south side of the Forth which was called 'Justiciarius
Lothaniae', and in old charters sometimes spelt 'Judex Laudoniae'; and the
other the North of the Forth, sometimes called ‘Justicarius Scotia’. Sir
George Mackenzie relates that these positions were generally possessed by
noblemen. (Precedency,
page 39; and also Alexander Nisbet, Systems of
Heraldry vol.II, part 4, p.63, 1722/1984
facsimile reprint).
James Young
(1884, p.19) cites a document written in French, and dated 4th September,
1319. It is entitled: “Lettre d’attorne pur doner seysine,” and is granted
to “Robert de Lawedir Justice de Lounes, [Lothians]....Donez a la langley en
la terre de Meuros [Melrose] le quartior de Septembre en lan de grace MCCC
et disneifme.”
In the Calendar of the
Laing Charters, A.D.854 - 1837 (edited by Rev.
John Anderson, Edinburgh, 1899, page 9, number 27) there appears a charter
by Hugh de Gourlay, son and heir of Sir Hugh de Gourlaye, lord of Merkil, [Haddingtonshire],
ratifying to his brother (?), Hugh de Gourlaye of Linton [Haddingtonshire] a
grant to him by their father of 12 acres of land with malt kiln &c., in the
town and holding of Linton, with other pertinents &c. Witnesses were Patrick
de Dunbar, Earl of March, Sir Robert de Lowedre, knight, Justiciar of
Lothian, amongst others. Said to be circa 1320.
In the National Archives
(RH1/6/33) is an Indenture betwixt Simon, Abbot of Holyrood convent, and Sir
Gilbert de Haya, lord of Erole [Erroll], dated 22nd January 1320-1321
witnesses included Alexander de Seton and Robert de Lawedir, knights. [See
also Spalding Miscellany.
Vol. 2. P.319).
Robert
de Lauder, Alexander de Seaton, James, Lord Douglas, knights, Walter,
Steward of Scotland, and the Earl of Murray, witnessed a charter on 31st
January 1321 by King Robert 1st settling the Lordship of Sprouston in
co.Roxburgh on the King's son, Robert. Signed at Berwick-upon-Tweed. (Charter
Chest of the Earldom of Wigtown 1214-1681
edited by Francis J. Grant, W.S., Rothesay Herald, Scottish Record Society,
Edinburgh, 1910, p.7, number 30).
With
Duncan, Earl of Fife, Walter, Steward of Scotland, Gilbert de Hay, Constable
of Scotland, Robert de Keith, Marischal of Scotland, Sir Robert de Lawedre,
Knt., was a witness to a charter by King Robert 1st to Malcolm, Earl of
Lennox, dated 14th July, 1321. (The Lennox
by William Fraser, Edinburgh, 1874, vol.ii, Muniments, pps: 20-22).
"Robert de Lawedre, knight," was a principal witness
to a charter by Robert The Bruce to James, Lord of Douglas, knight, of the
barony of Stabilgorton, circa 1319, and another charter between the same
parties of half the barony of 'Watstyrker' on 20th April 1321. The second
charter was signed at Berwick-upon-Tweed. (The
Douglas Book, by William Douglas, CB., LL.D.,
vol.3, pps:10-11, Edinburgh 1885).
In a charter dated 1st September 1321 by James, Lord
of Douglas, of his lands of Fala to Roger of Moray, we find “domino Roberto
Lauwedre” as a witness. (The Elphinstone Family
Book, vol.II, p.218.)
“Roberto de Lauwedir tunc justiciario Laudonie” [Justiciary
of Lothians] is a witness to a charter by Walter, Steward of Scotland, to
John St.Clair, his valet, of the lands of Maxtone, Roxburghshire, circa
1320/1326. (Miscellaneous Charters 1315-401 edited by William Angus, in
Miscellany of The Scottish History Society
, vol.5, 1933, p.9).
"Roberto
de Lawedre, Justiciaro Laudonie, Militibus", is a witness with Bernard Abbot
of Arbroath, Chancellor, Walter, Steward of Scotland,, James, Lord Douglas,
Robert de Keith, Marischal, and others, on the 18th May 1322, to a
confirmation of a feu charter by King Robert to Thomas de Morham, senior,
knight, of all the lands and tenements in the feudal baronies of Donipas,
Duncanlaw, and Morham, the superior of which is Sir John Giffard, Knt., Lord
of Yester. (Calendar of Writs Preserved at
Yester House 1166-1625 compiled by Charles
C.H.Harvey and John MacLeod, Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1930, p.14,
no.19).
Robert
de Lawedre, chevalier, took part in a King's
Council held by Robert 1st at
Berwick-upon-Tweed on 7th June 1323. (The Acts
of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol.I,
1124-1423, London, 1844, p.110).
Rymer’s Foedera
(vol.iii.p.1022) also tells us that in 1323 Sir Robert Lauder was one of the
Scottish plenipotentiaries who signed the truce between The Bruce and King
Edward II of England.
In a
confirmation by William Prior of Durham, dated 25th June 1326, "Robert de
Lawedre, the father, then Justiciar of Lothian" was the first witness
following the Prior of Coldingham to a charter by Agnes de Mordington, widow
of Sir Henry de Haliburton, and daughter and heiress of Sir Peter de
Mordington, to John de Renton, Burgess of Berwick-upon-Tweed, of all her
lands and tenements of them in Upper Lamberton, to be held of Coldingham
Priory and the Prior of Durham who are described as "chief lords of the
fief" (i.e: superiors). Dated 21st November 1325
at Upper Lamberton. (Durham
Priory Register II, folio 94r-v).
He was
again Ambassador to England on 17th March, 1327 (see Robertson's "Index"
p.101): a famous treaty,
usually known by the name of Northampton, where it was confirmed, was
actually issued at York, with the remaining terms being settled at Edinburgh
on March 17, 1327-28 between the Kings of England and Scotland, which
included the promise of a union between “David, the eldest son and heir of
the King of Scotland, and Joan, the sister of the King of England. For the
assurance of the marriage, Hugh Earl of Ross, [signed] in the presence of
the King of Scotland; and by His special command, and on His soul, and for
keeping, holding and accomplishing, in good faith, without infringement, all
the above things, and each of them, Robert de Lawedre, Justice of Lothian,
in the presence of the King of Scotland, and by his special command, and on
His soul, have taken oath on the Holy Gospels.” On 4th May 1328 he was
present at Northampton for further treaty discussions. The same year, on the
28th July, Robert the Bruce granted a charter of restitution to Sir Henry
Percy of all of his father’s lands and rents, etc., in Scotland. Witnesses
to this charter included Roberto de Lawedre, father (or senior), Knight. (Anglo-Scottish
Relations, 1174-1328 edited & translated by
Professor E.L.G.Stones, Oxford, 1965, numbers 170, p.341, and 172, p.345).
About
1327 "Roberto de Lawedir, patre [the father], Justicario Laudonie" is a
witness, with Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March, and Robert de Keith,
Marischal of Scotland, Alexander de Setoun, patre, all knights, and others,
to a charter of John Giffard, Lord of Yester, East Lothian. (Calendar
of Writs preserved at Yester House 1166-1625
compiled by Charles C.H.Harvey and John MacLeod, Scottish Record Society,
Edinburgh, 1930, p.17, no.22).
Robert
de Lawedre, Justiary of the Lothians, sat in
Parliament at Edinburgh, in 1327. (The
Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland), vol.I,
1124-1423, London, 1844, p.126.
On the
16th March 1328 Robert de Lawedre is one of the illustrious witnesses,
including the Bishops of St Andrews, Glasgow, and Moray, Thomas Randolph,
Earl of Moray & Lord of Annandale and Man, King's nephew, the "Lord of
Douglas", Gilbert de Hay, Constable, Robert de Keith, Marshal, and Alexander
de Seton, to a Charter of Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, son of Waldef granting
the monks of Coldingham the village and church of Edrom, the village of
Nisbet, and the chapel of Earlston all in Berwickshire. (Durham
Miscellaneous Charters, number 635).
On the 28th July 1328, Robert
the Bruce granted a charter of restitution to Sir Henry Percy of all his
father's lands and rents, etc., in Scotland. Witnesses to this charter
included Roberto de Lawedre, father (or senior), Knight. (p345, [172])
(Anglo-Scottish Relations, 1174-1328 edited &
translated by Professor E.L.G.Stones Oxford, 1965).
John J.Reid, B.A., F.S.A.,(Scot) writing in
The Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries
(14th December, 1885), on Early Notices of the
Bass Rock and its Owners stated: “Sir Robert of
Lauder of The Bass was, in 1329, employed on a mission to England, no doubt
diplomatic in its character, and payments out of public funds amounting to
£60 were made to him for the expense of his journeys to London and York.”
This is confirmed in The Exchequer Rolls of
Scotland (editors: John Stuart, LL.D., & George
Burnett, Lyon King of Arms, vol.1, 1264-1359, Edinburgh, 1878, p.213) where
“Domino Roberto de Lawedir” received these expenses for his journeys to
London, &c. Mr Reid adds: In 1330 he possessed hereditarily the fishings of
Edrington [Berwickshire] and was Keeper of Berwick Castle and Sheriff
there.” In the same Exchequer Rolls
(pps: 279 & 313) in 1330, “Domino Roberto de Lawedre” described as
Custodian or Keeper of the Marches and the Castle of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, received, apparently upon
the termination of his employment there, £33.6s.8p, plus a similar amount.
He is described elsewhere in the same year (p.339) as
Sheriff of Berwick, for
which he received a further payment.
A
charter of 18th October 1161 made between the Bishop of Durham and Kelso
Abbey, was reconfirmed on 30th November 1330 in the presence of Patrick (de
Dunbar), Earl of March, John Stewart, Earl of Angus, Lord Robert de Lawedre,
Justiciar of Lothian, Alexander de Seton, knights, and others.(Durham
University Archive - Miscellaneous Charters,
no.5989).
In the accounts of Sir Alexander de Seton, Collector
of the Burgh of Berwick 16th March 1331, it states: “Allowed to accountants
for the fisher of Edermouth [to the mouth of the river Adder, today the
Whiteadder] now in possession of Sir Robert de Lawder by right of
inheritance; paid to Robert de Lawder balance of his fee of 50 merks,
£6.13s.4p; and for his fee due at Martinmas, £33.6s.8p.” (Berwick-upon-Tweed,
The History of the Town & Guild
by John Scott, London, 1888, pps.248/9.) This is confirmed in the
Exchequer Rolls (as above,
1878, p.361) where he is described as Domini Roberti de Lawedre” and the sum
stated is £20.
“Roberto
de Lawedre, Militibus, Justiciario Lowdonie” was a witness in a charter
granted by Randolph, Earl of Moray, to John, Earl of Angus, of Morthyntoun [Mordington],
Berwickshire, in 1331. (The Douglas Book
by Sir William Fraser, charters, No.16, p.14). Lauder’s estate of Edrington
lay in Mordington parish.
On the
26th May 1331 a quitclaim charter of Thomas, son of Ralph de Swinewood, to
the Prior & Convent of Durham, was witnessed by, amongst others, "Lord
Robert de Lawedre, father, Justiciar of Lothian, Lord Robert de Lawedre his
son, and Henry, Lord of Swinton. (University of
Durham, Miscellaneous charters no.1004).
“On
20th September 1331 Robert de Lauder, Sheriff of Berwick-upon-Tweed, having
received a Writ from David, King of Scots commanding him to summon all
bishops and others within his bailliary to attend his Parliament at Scone on
Friday next after...., orders John of York the King’s sergeant-of-fee, to
summon the Bishop of Durham at his land of Wester Upsettlington, to attend
in person. Signed at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Friday next after the Exhaltation
of the Holy Rood”. (Calendar of Documents
relating to Scotland by Joseph Bain, vol.III,
1307-1357, Edinburgh, 1887, p.187-8). A debate then ensued into at least
October 1331 between the Bishop of Durham and the King of Scots as to
authority of the latter over West Upsettlington, and the manor and castle of
Norham, with further papers being served by Robert de Lauder, Justiciar of
Lothian, on the Bishop of Durham’s bailiffs.
An
indenture of 11th May 1332 whereby the Prior of Coldingham "demises" some
lands, was witnessed by Lord Robert de Lawedre,
Justiciar of Lothian and Sheriff of Berwick,
Lord Robert de Lawedre his son, Gilbert de Lumsden, John de Renton, and
others. Refer: (University of Durham,
Miscellaneous Charters, no.1169).
In Bain (as
above, vol. III, number 1063, page 193) we find the following order: “The
King [of England] empowers John Darcy and William de Denum to go to
Newcastle-upon-Tyne to treat with Sir Robert Laweder, knight, and Ranulph de
More [Moray] who have been sent by the Guardian of Scotland to the King, but
are detained there by the dangerous illness of Sir Robert”. Dated 26th
October 1332.
Both this Sir Robert de Lawedre of The Bass and his
son Sir Robert were present at the battle of Halidon Hill, on 20th July
1333. The chronicler Knyghton
records that Sir Robert, senior was present, but did
not take part due to the fact that he was unable to dismount from his horse
in full armour owing to his advanced age.
In Rotuli Scotiae in Turri
Londinensi et in Domo Capitulari Westmonasteriensi asserervati
(London,1814-19, 2 vols., folio) there is a Letter of
Protection by Edward III for Robertus de Lauder of Berwick-upon-Tweed dated
26th
July 1333; and there is a mandate for the freeing of lands in
Berwick-upon-Tweed being granted by King Edward III dated 4th March 1334 to
Robert de Loweder senior and Robert ‘fils’ or junior. There is a further
Safe-Conduct dated 15th June 1334 to “Robertus de Lowedre constituitur
justitiarius regis Angliae in Laudonia [Lothian].”
John J.Reid (1885) notes: “For a short time after
[King] David’s accession Sir Robert held the high office of
Chamberlain of Scotland,
for he is so styled in the Chartulary of
Aberdeen in September 1333; and in the
following December the Black Book of Arbroath
also describes him as holding this dignity.” In
The Douglas Book (by Sir William Fraser, vol.ii
- The Douglas Correspondence,
p.587) under date 10th September 1333 “Sir Robert de Lawedre, Chamberlain of
Scotland” was present at an inquest held at Aberdeen. In the statutes of
King Malcolm Canmore, the Great Chamberlain of Scotland was the third great
officer of state, (refer: Sir George Mackenzie,
Precedency, p.40; and Alexander Nisbet, vol.II,
part 4, page 63. 1722/1984 reprint). In The
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland (edited by George
Burnett, Lyon King of Arms, vol.II, 1359-1379, Edinburgh, 1878) there is an
appendix to the Preface which contains a list of Chamberlains of Scotland.
On p.cxxiii, Sir Robert of Lauder is listed as Chamberlain “for a very short
time, 1333”, possibly because of his age and infirmity.
On 29th October
1335 The [English] King confirmed a Safe Conduct issued by his Chancellor to
Sir Robert de Lowedre to come with 20 or 30 persons to Dryburgh to treat
with his Council; but for certain reasons wishes it altered so that Sir
Robert may go to Sir Andrew de Moray, wherever he is in Scotland, and return
with news if Sir Andrew is inclined to treat with the Council, pending the
truce with him.(Bain, vol.III, no.1185, page 214).
There also
appears a charter dated circa 1335 which mentions numerous properties in and
around Berwick-upon-Tweed which Robert the Bruce had granted to Sir Robert
de Louwedere (another spelling in the same charter is Lowedre) senior, and
his son Robert. Berwick having now fallen into the hands of the English,
Robert de Lawedre junior is forfeited of these properties which are now
granted by Edward III of England to Adam of Corbridge. (Bain, vol.III, no.
1193, pps: 218/219)
In 1337, in the printed
Exchequer Rolls (vol.1, p.452-3) there is an
entry showing a sum of 18 shillings was paid for bringing a boat hired by
Sir Robert de Lauder, Justiciarius Laudonie, from The Bass to Aberdeen. In
the same year he is again noted as “Robertum de Lawedre. Justiciarium
Laudonie”, a member of the Council of the
Regency.
In The Elphinstone Family
Book there appears a charter by Thomas of Erth
[Airth], knight, Lord of Waughton, to Alexander of Elphinstone, son of the
late John of Elphinstone, of the lands in the tenement of Erthbeg. One of
the witnesses is “domino Roberto de Lawedre, justiciario Laudonie.” The date
given is simply “circa 1340.” However, as his son was Justiciary North of
the Firth, not Lothians, this charter must be before then and have been
witnessed by this Robert who was dead by then.
There are long
lists of Scots who have been forfeited of properties by King Edward III
between 1335 - 1337. Robert de Lawedre (who could be either father or son)
was forfeited of the lands of “Balmegon” [Balgone?], “Balnegog”, Wester Crag
[Craig], Garvald, Fanulton [Fenton], Newhall, Popil, all in Haddingtonshire,
and lastly Auldcathy in Linlithgowshire, where it appears Robert senior has
died in September 1337. (Bain, vol.III, pps: 337-8, 346, 386,& 391)
Sir Robert’s relict (widow), Elizabeth (died after
September 1360), received a pension of 7 shillings a week from the
Exchequer, by order of King Edward III of England dated 2nd September 1337:-
“De pensione septem solidorum quaque hebdomada Elizabethae de Lowedere
solvenda”. (Rotuli Scotiae in Turri Londinensi
et in Domo Capitulari Westmonasteriensi assertvati,
London, 1814-1819, 2 volumes). In his Preface, Bain (vol.III, p.lxix,
1335-46) states that “though the Lauder family were in the patriotic
[Scottish] interest, one member, Elizabeth, seems to have take the other
[English] side, and was pensioned in England by King Edward III for 20 years
or more. As the Lauders make no appearance in the English public records
before the time of Robert Bruce, who seems to have given them extensive
properties in Lothian this exception is curious.” He also quotes the pension
details and adds that on 13th October 1337 it was increased by Writ to 10
shillings per week “in recompensation of the great losses and damages
sustained by Elizabeth de Loweder in Scotland”. (Bain, vol.III, no.1242,
p.227).
This was later
increased again to 13s 4d. weekly (a very substantial sum) until 16th
November 1346, in a back-payment dated 14th December 1346. And to the same,
“a lady of Scotland at the King’s faith and peace” with a further arrears up
to 30th October 1358 being granted in September 1360. (Bain, vol.III,
no.1471, p.268).
Robert de Lawder, Justiciary of the Lothians, was also
a witness, with James Lord Douglas, Robert de Keith, Henry St.Clair,
Alexander de Seaton, (all knights), plus the "Lord" William, Rector of the
parish of Morham, to a charter of Euphemia, the widow of Sir John Giffard,
[Lord of Yester], relating to the tenement of land of "Barow" (today: Bara),
near Morham, East Lothian. (Refer: Calendar of
Writs preserved at Yester House 1166-1625,
compiled by Charles C.H.Harvey and John MacLeod, Scottish Record Society,
Edinburgh, 1930, p.19, no.24).
In The Great Seal
appendix 2, number 753 (reign: David II: 1329-71) there appears mention of a
“Carta Remissionis Eustachii............pro intterfectione Roberti Lauder.”
Nothing further is said.
It is clear from his
activities and the many charters that Sir Robert de Lawedre of The Bass was
part of the most confidential circles of the King and of the nobility.
This article is an excerpt from a book on the Lauder
family currently in preparation by the author, who retains copyright.
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