* * * * *
_It was high up in Hardhaughswire_.--P. 140. v. 1.
Hardhaughswire is the pass from Liddesdale to the head of Tiviotdale.
_It was laigh down in Borthwick water_.--P. 140. v. 1.
Borthwick water is a stream, which falls into the Tiviot, three miles
above Hawick.
_But, gin ye'll gae to the fair Dodhead_.--P. 140. v. 2.
The Dodhead, in Selkirkshire, near Singlee, where there are still the
vestiges of an old tower.
_Now Jamie Telfer's heart was sair_.--P. 140. v. 4.
There is still a family of Telfers, residing near Langholm, who
pretend to derive their descent from the Telfers of the Dodhead.
_Between the Dodhead and the Stobs's Ha'_.--P. 141. v. 1.
Stobs Hall, upon Slitterick. Jamie Telfer made his first application
here because he seems to have paid the proprietor of that castle
_black-mail_, or protection-money.
_Gar seek your succour at Branksome Ha'_.--P. 141. v. 4.
The ancient family-seat of the lairds of Buccleuch, near Hawick.
_Till he cam to the Coultart Cleugh_.--P. 142. v. 2.
The Coultart Cleugh is nearly opposite to Carlinrig, on the road
between Hawick and Mosspaul.
_Gar warn the water, braid and wide_.--P. 144. v. 4.
The water, in the mountainous districts of Scotland, is often used to
express the banks of the river, which are the only inhabitable parts
of the country. _To raise the water_, therefore, was to alarm those
who lived along its side.
_Warn Wat o' Harden, and his sons_, &c.--P. 144. v. 5.
The estates, mentioned in this verse, belonged to families of the name
of Scott, residing upon the waters of Borthwick and Tiviot, near the
castle of their chief.
_Ride by the gate at Priesthaughswire_.--P. 145. v. 1.
The pursuers seem to have taken the road through the hills of
Liddesdale, in order to collect forces, and intercept the foragers
at the passage of the Liddel, on their return to Bewcastle. The
Ritterford and Kershope-ford, after mentioned, are noted fords on the
river Liddel.
_The gear was driven the Frostylee up_.--P. 145. v. 3.
The Frostylee is a brook, which joins the Tiviot, near Mosspaul.
_And Harden grat for very rage_.--P. 146. v. 4.
Of this border laird, commonly called _Auld Wat of Harden_, tradition
has preserved many anecdotes. He was married to Mary Scott,
celebrated in song by the title of the Flower of Yarrow. By their
marriage-contract, the father-in-law, Philip Scott of Dryhope, was to
find Harden in horse meat, and man's meat, at his tower of Dryhope,
for a year and a day; but five barons pledge themselves, that, at
the expiry of that period, the son-in-law should remove, without
attempting to continue in possession by force! A notary-public signed
for all the parties to the deed, none of whom could write their names.
The original is still in the charter-room of the present Mr. Scott of
Harden. By the Flower of Yarrow the laird of Harden had six sons;
five of whom survived him, and founded the families of Harden (now
extinct), Highchesters (now representing Harden), Reaburn, Wool, and
Synton. The sixth son was slain at a fray, in a hunting-match, by the
Scotts of Gilmanscleugh. His brothers flew to arms; but the old laird
secured them in the dungeon of his tower, hurried to Edinburgh, stated
the crime, and obtained a gift of the lands of the offenders from the
crown. He returned to Harden with equal speed, released his sons, and
shewed them the charter. "To horse, lads!" cried the savage warrior,
"and let us take possession! the lands of Gilmanscleuch are well worth
a dead son." The property, thus obtained, continued in the family
till the beginning of last century, when it was sold, by John Scott of
Harden, to Anne, Duchess of Buccleuch.
_John o' Brigham there was slane_.--P. 147. v. 3.
Perhaps one of the ancient family of Brougham, in Cumberland. The
editor has used some freedom with the original in the subsequent
verse. The account of the captain's disaster _(tests laeva vulnerata_)
is rather too _naive_ for literal publication.
_Cried--"On for his house in Stanegirthside_.--P. 148. v. 3.
A house belonging to the Foresters, situated on the English side of
the Liddel.
An article in the list of attempts upon England, fouled by the
commissioners ar Berwick, in the year 1587, may relate to the subject
of the foregoing ballad.
October, 1582.
Thomas Musgrave, deputy {Walter Scott, laird } 200 kine and
of Bewcastle, and {of Buckluth, and his} oxen,300 gait the
tenants, against {complices; for } and sheep.
_Introduction, to History of Westmoreland and Cumberland_, p. 31.