The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

220 APPENDIX TO THE
and much of the forest land on the River Ettrick. In
Teviotdale, he enjoyed the barony of Eckford, by a
grant from Robert II., to his ancestor, Walter Scott of
Kirkurd, for the apprehending of Gilbert Ridderford,
confirmed by Robert III., 3d May, 1424. Tradition
imputes the exchange betwixt Scott and Inglis to a
conversation, in which the latter, a man, it would appeat, of a mild and fbrbearing nature, complained
much of the injuries which he was exposed to from the
English Borderers, who frequently plundered his
lands of Branksome. Sir William Scott instantly
offered him the estate of Murdiestone, in exchange
for that which was subject to such egregious inconvenience. When the bargain was completed, he dryly
remarked, that the cattle in Cumberland were as good
as those of Teviotdale; and proceeded to commence
a system of reprisals upon the English, which was
regularly pursued by his successors. In the next reign
James Il. granted to Sir Walter Scott of Branksome,
and to Sir David, his son, the remaining half of the
barony of Branksome, to be held in blanche for the
payment of a red rose. The cause assigned for the
grant is, their brave and faithful exertions in favor of
the King against the house of Douglas, with whom
James had been recently tugging for the throne of
Scotland. This charter is dated the 2d February,
1443; and, in the same month, part of the barony of
current in the time of Scott of Satchells, many of the ancient barons of Buccleuch lie buried. There is ajso said to
have been a mill near this solitary spot; an extraordinary
circumstance, as little or no corn grows within several miles
of Buccleuch. Satchells says it was used to grind corn for
the hounds of the chieftain.