Robert Lauder (d. 1576)
Encyclopedia
Robert Lauder of The Bass, (born before 1504 - died June 1576) was an important noble
in Haddingtonshire, Berwickshire
, and Fife
. Stodart remarks that "to 1600 the barons of the Bass sat in almost every parliament". He was a firm supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots whom he accompanied to Carberry Hill on June 14, 1567, and fought for at the battle of Langside
.
, county Berwick, whilst still a child. Following his father's death The Exchequer Rolls record Robert being invested in his paternal estates which included The Bass, the lands of Edrington with tower, mill, fishings and all pertinents extending to 15 husbandlands (390 acres);the town and territory of Simprin and the lands of Ladypart (near Lauder
) with pertinents, Mersington with Mill, all in Berwickshire
; the lands of Stenton
, Duchry, Johnscleuch, Pencaitland
, Newhall, Popill, Whitelaw, Wester Spott &c., Beil
with its tower, mill &c., all in Haddingtonshire. The Binns Papers record him taking possession of Auldcathie in Linlithgowshire, and the Laing charters also record him in possession of "Ummoquhye" (Ummarchie) in the barony of Kirriemuir
in Forfarshire.
On January 4, 1528/9 the Commendator of Scone Abbey
granted him a hereditary feu of the lands and manor of Lochend, near Dunbar
. Robert Lauder of The Bass had a feu from the Prior & Convent of Dundee
of the lands of "Kilduntane, Sheriffdom of Fife
" and "ye lands of Cyr, lyand within ye Barony of Seygden and Sheriffdom of Perth
", (indenture transcribed in full on pages 179/180 of The Grange of St.Giles).
In the National Archives of Scotland
(RH1/2/730) is a Warrant by King James V for the gift, under the Privy Seal of Scotland, to Robert Lauder of the Bass of "the maills and duties of landis in the sheriffdoms of Edinburgh and Berwick", dated July 17, 1532.
In a further charter of 1538 under the Great Seal of Scotland
, (number 1823), Robert Lauder of The Bass was confirmed in the lands of Ethibetoun in East Brechin
, Forfarshire. The same year the King confirmed to Robert Lauder of The Bass, his heirs and assignees, the lands of Horshopcleuch in the barony of Lammermuir, Berwickshire, which had been forfeited by Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
.
In 1542 a confirmation was made by Cardinal David Beaton
of the grant of the lands, bailliary, and barony of Tyninghame, made earlier by James Beaton
, Archbishop of Saint Andrews on July 9, 1535, to Robert Lauder of The Bass and the heirs male of his body.
William Cockburn of Newhall confirmed by Great Seal charter Robert Lauder of Bass, his heirs and assignees, in the annualrents of the "42 husbandlands (1092 acres) of Newhall, Ballingrug, Howden, Heimurecroce, Woodhead, and Woodfute in Haddingtonshire. Signed at Beil
, April 14, 1543.
In The Knights of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland in the chapter entitled "Selected Documents" (number 50) there is a notorial instrument dealing with temple-lands at Hedderwick, North Berwick
, and Tyninghame "which pertain to Robert Lauder, Lord of the Bass" and dated Edinburgh June 23, 1547. Further, in chapter "1539-1540 - Lists", the Laird of Bass paid a rental on "the temple of Balgony" near North Berwick. These temple-lands had originally been in the possession of the Knights Templar
.
(who had been forfeited), George Douglas, his brother, and Archibald, their uncle" whom Lauder had given refuge to in his castle of Edrington
.
According to Sir James Balfour's Annales, in 1548; "Robert Lauder of Basse, with the French garisone of Dunbar
, takes the Englische prowisione going from Berwick to Hadingtone
; killes many shouldiours, and takes the [English] Governor of Hadingtone, named [Sir James] Wilford
, who had come to aid them, prissoner."
Father Dalrymple, in his translation of Bishop Leslie's
History of Scotland, notes The Bass described in 1548 as one of the "strengthis of Scotland". At St.Andrews, on May 1, 1562, "a Letter" was made out to Robert Lauder of The Bass, elder, giving him a licence for all the days of his life to be exempt from military service, providing always that his eldest son and heir apparent, with his household and folks etc., would serve in his stead.
Despite this, and his age, he came out in support of Mary, Queen of Scots and accompanied her, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell
, and their 2000-strong army to confront the confederate Lords at Carberry Hill, leaving Dunbar on June 14, 1567.
Regardless of that disaster, he continued his support of the Queen. On July 5, 1568, at Edinburgh, Gasper Home was granted an escheat of the goods of Robert Lawder of The Bass, including his cattle and other goods on the steading and lands of Eddringtoun and the dues of the mill thereof, in the sheriffdom of Berwick, the said Robert being convicted as a fugitive for taking part with Archibald, Earl of Argyll, Claud Hamilton, and others in the battle of Langside
in support of Mary, Queen of Scots. On September 22, 1568, at Edinburgh, a Precept of Remission was granted to Robert Lawder of Bass, Sir Robert Lauder of Popill, his son and heir apparent, John and Patrick Lauder, his sons, William Aslowane, servitor of the said laird ('servitoris dicti domini'), Charles Lauder, servitor of the said Robert in The Bass, and Archibald Lauder, also servitor of the said Sir Robert, for taking part with others at Langside, and for the treasonable keeping of the castle and fortalice of The Bass against the King (sic) and his authority after the said Robert had been commanded to deliver it.
of Roslin, Knt., by his spouse Margaret, daughter of William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick
. He married secondly, Elizabeth (died before March 1581), a natural daughter of John Hay, 4th Lord of Yester, by whom he had a daughter Elizabeth, who married in August 1558, David Preston of Preston and Craigmillar Castle
(d. March 1593).
By his first wife, Margaret Sinclair, he had twelve children.
Robert Lauder of The Bass also had two natural children:
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
in Haddingtonshire, Berwickshire
Berwickshire
Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
, and Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
. Stodart remarks that "to 1600 the barons of the Bass sat in almost every parliament". He was a firm supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots whom he accompanied to Carberry Hill on June 14, 1567, and fought for at the battle of Langside
Battle of Langside
The Battle of Langside, fought on 13 May 1568, was one of the more unusual contests in Scottish history, bearing a superficial resemblance to a grand family quarrel, in which a mother fought her brother who was defending the rights of her infant son...
.
Family and estates
The son of Sir Robert Lauder of The Bass, Knt., (died between July 1517 - Feb 1518) by his spouse Elizabeth Lawson, who invested him in fee in EdringtonEdrington
Edrington is a medieval estate occupying the lower part of Mordington parish in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland, five miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed. From probably the 14th century, if not earlier, a castle occupied the steep hill above the mill of the same name on the Whiteadder Water...
, county Berwick, whilst still a child. Following his father's death The Exchequer Rolls record Robert being invested in his paternal estates which included The Bass, the lands of Edrington with tower, mill, fishings and all pertinents extending to 15 husbandlands (390 acres);the town and territory of Simprin and the lands of Ladypart (near Lauder
Lauder
The Royal Burgh of Lauder is a town in the Scottish Borders 27 miles south east of Edinburgh. It is also a royal burgh in the county of Berwickshire. It lies on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills, on the Southern Upland Way.-Medieval history:...
) with pertinents, Mersington with Mill, all in Berwickshire
Berwickshire
Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
; the lands of Stenton
Stenton
Stenton is a parish and village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is bounded on the north by parts of the parishes of Prestonkirk and Dunbar, on the east by Spott and on the west by Whittingehame. The name is said to be of Saxon derivation. In earlier times, when names were often written phonetically,...
, Duchry, Johnscleuch, Pencaitland
Pencaitland
Pencaitland is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, about south-east of Edinburgh, south-west of Haddington, and east of Ormiston.The land where the village lies is said to have been granted by William the Lion to Calum Cormack in 1169, who gave the church, with the tithes and other property...
, Newhall, Popill, Whitelaw, Wester Spott &c., Beil
Stenton
Stenton is a parish and village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is bounded on the north by parts of the parishes of Prestonkirk and Dunbar, on the east by Spott and on the west by Whittingehame. The name is said to be of Saxon derivation. In earlier times, when names were often written phonetically,...
with its tower, mill &c., all in Haddingtonshire. The Binns Papers record him taking possession of Auldcathie in Linlithgowshire, and the Laing charters also record him in possession of "Ummoquhye" (Ummarchie) in the barony of Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir, sometimes called Kirrie, is a burgh in Angus, Scotland.-History:The history of Kirriemuir extends to the early historical period and it appears to have been a centre of some ecclesiastical importance...
in Forfarshire.
On January 4, 1528/9 the Commendator of Scone Abbey
Scone Abbey
Scone Abbey was a house of Augustinian canons based at Scone, Perthshire , Scotland. Varying dates for the foundation have been given, but it was certainly founded between 1114 and 1122....
granted him a hereditary feu of the lands and manor of Lochend, near Dunbar
Dunbar
Dunbar is a town in East Lothian on the southeast coast of Scotland, approximately 28 miles east of Edinburgh and 28 miles from the English Border at Berwick-upon-Tweed....
. Robert Lauder of The Bass had a feu from the Prior & Convent of Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
of the lands of "Kilduntane, Sheriffdom of Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
" and "ye lands of Cyr, lyand within ye Barony of Seygden and Sheriffdom of Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
", (indenture transcribed in full on pages 179/180 of The Grange of St.Giles).
In the National Archives of Scotland
National Archives of Scotland
Based in Edinburgh, the National Archives of Scotland are the national archives of Scotland. The NAS claims to have one of the most varied collection of archives in Europe...
(RH1/2/730) is a Warrant by King James V for the gift, under the Privy Seal of Scotland, to Robert Lauder of the Bass of "the maills and duties of landis in the sheriffdoms of Edinburgh and Berwick", dated July 17, 1532.
In a further charter of 1538 under the Great Seal of Scotland
Great Seal of Scotland
The Great Seal of Scotland allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official...
, (number 1823), Robert Lauder of The Bass was confirmed in the lands of Ethibetoun in East Brechin
Brechin
Brechin is a former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. Traditionally Brechin is often described as a city because of its cathedral and its status as the seat of a pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese , but that status has not been officially recognised in the modern era...
, Forfarshire. The same year the King confirmed to Robert Lauder of The Bass, his heirs and assignees, the lands of Horshopcleuch in the barony of Lammermuir, Berwickshire, which had been forfeited by Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus was a Scottish nobleman active during the reigns of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots...
.
In 1542 a confirmation was made by Cardinal David Beaton
David Beaton
The Most Rev. Dr. David Cardinal Beaton was Archbishop of St Andrews and the last Scottish Cardinal prior to the Reformation.-Career:...
of the grant of the lands, bailliary, and barony of Tyninghame, made earlier by James Beaton
James Beaton
Dr. James Beaton was a Scottish church leader, the uncle of Dr. David Cardinal Beaton and the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland....
, Archbishop of Saint Andrews on July 9, 1535, to Robert Lauder of The Bass and the heirs male of his body.
William Cockburn of Newhall confirmed by Great Seal charter Robert Lauder of Bass, his heirs and assignees, in the annualrents of the "42 husbandlands (1092 acres) of Newhall, Ballingrug, Howden, Heimurecroce, Woodhead, and Woodfute in Haddingtonshire. Signed at Beil
Stenton
Stenton is a parish and village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is bounded on the north by parts of the parishes of Prestonkirk and Dunbar, on the east by Spott and on the west by Whittingehame. The name is said to be of Saxon derivation. In earlier times, when names were often written phonetically,...
, April 14, 1543.
In The Knights of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland in the chapter entitled "Selected Documents" (number 50) there is a notorial instrument dealing with temple-lands at Hedderwick, North Berwick
North Berwick
The Royal Burgh of North Berwick is a seaside town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh. North Berwick became a fashionable holiday resort in the 19th century because of its two sandy bays, the East Bay and the...
, and Tyninghame "which pertain to Robert Lauder, Lord of the Bass" and dated Edinburgh June 23, 1547. Further, in chapter "1539-1540 - Lists", the Laird of Bass paid a rental on "the temple of Balgony" near North Berwick. These temple-lands had originally been in the possession of the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
.
Builds hospital
Robert built and was patron of the famous Lauder's Hospital of the Poor Brothers at North Berwick circa 1540.Military activities
Pitcairn records on April 7, 1529, a "remission to Robert Lauder of The Bass and eleven others for treasonably intercommuning, resetting and assisting Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of AngusArchibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus was a Scottish nobleman active during the reigns of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots...
(who had been forfeited), George Douglas, his brother, and Archibald, their uncle" whom Lauder had given refuge to in his castle of Edrington
Edrington
Edrington is a medieval estate occupying the lower part of Mordington parish in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland, five miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed. From probably the 14th century, if not earlier, a castle occupied the steep hill above the mill of the same name on the Whiteadder Water...
.
According to Sir James Balfour's Annales, in 1548; "Robert Lauder of Basse, with the French garisone of Dunbar
Dunbar Castle
Dunbar Castle is the remnants of one of the most mighty fortresses in Scotland, situated over the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian.-Early history:...
, takes the Englische prowisione going from Berwick to Hadingtone
Sieges of Haddington
The Sieges of Haddington were a series of sieges staged at the Royal Burgh of Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, as part of the War of the Rough Wooing one the last Anglo-Scottish Wars...
; killes many shouldiours, and takes the [English] Governor of Hadingtone, named [Sir James] Wilford
James Wilford
Sir James Wilford was an English soldier, and commander of Haddington in Scotland during its occupation in the war of the Rough Wooing....
, who had come to aid them, prissoner."
Father Dalrymple, in his translation of Bishop Leslie's
John Lesley
John Lesley was a Scottish Roman Catholic bishop and historian. His father was Gavin Lesley, rector of Kingussie, Badenoch.-Early career:...
History of Scotland, notes The Bass described in 1548 as one of the "strengthis of Scotland". At St.Andrews, on May 1, 1562, "a Letter" was made out to Robert Lauder of The Bass, elder, giving him a licence for all the days of his life to be exempt from military service, providing always that his eldest son and heir apparent, with his household and folks etc., would serve in his stead.
Despite this, and his age, he came out in support of Mary, Queen of Scots and accompanied her, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell
James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell
James Hepburn, 1st Duke of Orkney , better known by his inherited title as 4th Earl of Bothwell, was hereditary Lord High Admiral of Scotland. He is best known for his association with and subsequent marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, as her third husband...
, and their 2000-strong army to confront the confederate Lords at Carberry Hill, leaving Dunbar on June 14, 1567.
Regardless of that disaster, he continued his support of the Queen. On July 5, 1568, at Edinburgh, Gasper Home was granted an escheat of the goods of Robert Lawder of The Bass, including his cattle and other goods on the steading and lands of Eddringtoun and the dues of the mill thereof, in the sheriffdom of Berwick, the said Robert being convicted as a fugitive for taking part with Archibald, Earl of Argyll, Claud Hamilton, and others in the battle of Langside
Battle of Langside
The Battle of Langside, fought on 13 May 1568, was one of the more unusual contests in Scottish history, bearing a superficial resemblance to a grand family quarrel, in which a mother fought her brother who was defending the rights of her infant son...
in support of Mary, Queen of Scots. On September 22, 1568, at Edinburgh, a Precept of Remission was granted to Robert Lawder of Bass, Sir Robert Lauder of Popill, his son and heir apparent, John and Patrick Lauder, his sons, William Aslowane, servitor of the said laird ('servitoris dicti domini'), Charles Lauder, servitor of the said Robert in The Bass, and Archibald Lauder, also servitor of the said Sir Robert, for taking part with others at Langside, and for the treasonable keeping of the castle and fortalice of The Bass against the King (sic) and his authority after the said Robert had been commanded to deliver it.
Loan to Mary, Queen of Scots
The Privy Council Registers record that "the late Robert Lawder of The Bass" had loaned two thousand pounds to Queen Mary and Darnley. This had not been repaid, and Sir Robert's curator and executor [and son-in-law] David Preston of Craigmillar was now suing Sir John Stewart of Traquair as one of those who had guaranteed the loan. The argument was that "the said laird of Craigmillar and Elizabeth Hay, Lady Bass, relict and executrix of the said Robert" expected Sir John Stewart to pay up. They won this round. However it returned, on appeal, to the Privy Council on 3rd and 19 October, 1579, and again on September 27, 1580. The matter was never settled and by 1581 Elizabeth Hay, Lady Bass, had died and no-one pursued it further.Death
The Testament testamentar (first Will) registration in the Edinburgh Commissariot on April 19, 1577, stated that "an honourable man, Robert Lauder of Bass, died in June 1576".Marriages
Robert Lauder of The Bass married first Margaret (d. before 1558), daughter of Sir Oliver SinclairOliver Sinclair
Sir Oliver Sinclair de Pitcairnis , , was a favourite courtier of James V of Scotland. A contemporary story tells that James V gave him the battle standard and command at the Battle of Solway Moss...
of Roslin, Knt., by his spouse Margaret, daughter of William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick
William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick
William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick was a Scottish ambassador to England.The son of William Borthwick, 1st Lord Borthwick, he served as ambassador to England on 13 July 1459, where he is included in a Safe-conduct of that date as "William lord Borthwik" with numerous other nobles, clerics, and a...
. He married secondly, Elizabeth (died before March 1581), a natural daughter of John Hay, 4th Lord of Yester, by whom he had a daughter Elizabeth, who married in August 1558, David Preston of Preston and Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated south-east of the city centre, on a low hill to the south of the modern suburb of Craigmillar. It was begun in the late 14th century by the Preston family, feudal barons of Craigmillar, and extended through the...
(d. March 1593).
By his first wife, Margaret Sinclair, he had twelve children.
- Sir Robert Lauder of PopillRobert Lauder of PopillSir Robert Lauder of Popill Knt. was a Member of the old Scottish Parliament and an adherent of Mary, Queen of Scots.-Family:...
, Knt., M.P. (d. April 1575, v.p.) - John Lauder, Captain of The Bass, (d. before November 1575, v.p.)
- James Lauder of The Bass, Dean of RestalrigRestalrigRestalrig is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located east of the city centre, west of the A199 road, and to the east of Lochend, with which it overlaps. Restalrig Road is the main route through the area, running from London Road at Jock's Lodge, to Leith Links at the south edge of...
, (murdered Oct 4, 1580, s.p.) - Sir George Lauder of The BassGeorge Lauder of The BassSir George Lauder of The Bass, Knt., , was a cleric, Privy Counsellor, and Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was also Tutor to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales.-Family:...
, (d. June 27, 1611) - Patrick Lauder of GarvaldGarvaldGarvald can refer to:* Garvald, East Lothian* Garvald, Scottish Borders* Garvald, South Lanarkshire...
(d. before March 28, 1588) - Arthur Lauder of Scoonie, Fife (d. before July 1609)
- William Lauder of EdringtonEdringtonEdrington is a medieval estate occupying the lower part of Mordington parish in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland, five miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed. From probably the 14th century, if not earlier, a castle occupied the steep hill above the mill of the same name on the Whiteadder Water...
, BerwickshireBerwickshireBerwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
, (d. before October 15, 1614) - Henry Lauder (alive June 1575)
- Alexander Lauder, Parson of Glasgow, &c. (d. before October 3, 1571)
- Katherine (d.1604) married (1) Sir John Swinton, 19th of that Ilk (d. December 1579); (2) David Home of St.Leonards, & Dye, (k.1584); (3) in 1600, George Home of Broxmouth, East Lothian.
- Mariotta (d. after January 1594), married in 1569 Thomas Otterburn of Reidhall, East Lothian (d. between 1609-July 1620).
- Margaret (d. before April 1591), married March 1573, Edward Aitkin, Advocate (d. after July 1593).
Robert Lauder of The Bass also had two natural children:
- William Lauder, Captain of The Bass, (legitimised January 1566; murdered in a feud Sept.1572).
- Charles Lauder, Captain of The Bass, (d. before April 16, 1572, v.p.,s.p.).