Robert de Lawedre of Edrington
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert de Lawedre of Edrington & The Bass, Knt., (died 1425) was a Burgess of Edinburgh
and a confidant of King Robert III and sometime Guardian of his son, the future James I of Scotland
.
, and Haltoun
by his spouse Alicia, daughter of Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, Argyll
, progenitor of the Earls of Argyll. Alan de Lauder was dead by March 20, 1407 when Robert is recorded as "executor testamenti quondam Alani de Lawedre patris sui nuper defuncti".
As the eldest son of the feudal baron of The Bass he was placed in fee by his father in the lands and castle of Edrington
, Berwickshire
, and because of his father's longevity he continued to be referred to as "of Edrington", even after he was also placed in fee of The Bass, and eventually succeeded his father.
to 'Robertus, fils [son] of Alani de Lawedre'. This would indicate that Robert was by now at least a page
if not a young adult. Before 1370 Robert was a witness, with his father Alan, to a charter granted by Alan's father, also Sir Robert.
In a charter of 1384 Sir Robert is mentioned as Lord Justice of Scotland, and in a charter that year by Richard Edgar to Robert Edgar of Wedderlie, "Robertus Lawider Dominus de la Basse" appears as a witness and
which took place on August 19, 1388.
Rymer's Foedera records that Robert de Lawdre was one of the sureties for the Earl of Douglas
's bounds on the Middle March during a meeting at 'Haudenstank' between English and Scottish Commissioners on October 26, 1398, to discuss the return of prisoners and ransoms and "the due observance of the truce".
Sir Robert Lauder of The Bass took part in the Battle of Nesbit Moor
on June 22, 1402, and was captured.
of the late Margaret, Countess of Mar
, signed and dated at Tantallon Castle
on December 10, 1389, and read out in the church of the Friars Minors of Haddington
in the presence of Sir Robert Maitland of Thirlestane, Sir Robert de Lowedir, Lord of the Bass, Sir Alexander de Cockburn Lord of Langtoun, all knights, and others.
'Roberto de Lawedre, knight', is a witness to a charter to Coldingham Priory
confirming them in all of their ancient possessions, signed at Linlithgow
on 2 January 1391-2. Robert de Lawedir, Lord of The Bass, is one of the nobles who witnessed a charter by James de Sandilands, Lord of Calder, to George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus
, circa 1397; also in 1397 this Robert received an annuity from the Customs of Haddington. Sir Robert de Lawedir, knight, with Sir Patrick de Hepburn, knight, Sir William de St.Clair, knight, and others, witnessed a charter by Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas & Lord of Galloway, to Sir John de Swinton, knight, his heirs and successors, of the lands of Pitcocks, East Lothian
, dated and sealed at Dunbar
October 20, 1401.
There is a charter in The Great Seal in May 1411, which mentions Sir Robert de Lawedre being 'present', and on June 15, 1411, "Robertus Lawedyr, miles" has a safe-conduct from King Henry IV of England
to travel to England.
Reid [1885] states that "Sir Robert Lauder de Bass received payments from the customs of North Berwick in 1413, 1414, 1415 and 1420", and in 1420 he was appointed Auditor of the Burgh & Baillie Accounts for the Exchequer.
He was frequently in England or passing through it. A Safe-Conduct was issued by King Henry VI of England
to Robert de Lawedre, George de Lawedre
and Gilbert de Lawedre (his brothers), "at present in England" to travel to Scotland, dated December 4, 1423.
, apprehensive of danger to his son James (afterwards James I) from Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, placed the youthful prince in the safe-custody of his friend Sir Robert Lauder in his secure castle on The Bass prior to an embarkation for safer parts on the continent. This story is recounted in Wyntown's "Cronykil".
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, the Governor of Scotland, signed a Commission dated August 19, 1423 for his named Ambassadors, one of whom was "Sir Robert de Lawedre of Edrington, Knight", to treat for the liberation of King James I of Scotland. These Ambassadors are recorded present in the Chapter House
at York
on September 10 with the King's ransom of £40,000 sterling and to sign the treaty of liberation. Lauder's signet
is attached to that treaty.
On February 3, 1424, Sir "Robertus de Lawedre de Bass, chevalier", with 18 men, had a safe-conduct with a host of other noblemen etc., as a hostage for King James I of Scotland at Durham
.
Tytler
states that Sir Robert Lauder of Bass "was one of the few people whom King James I admitted to his confidence. [Upon his return to Scotland] James consolidated his own power amongst a portion of the barons. The Earl of Mar
, and his son Sir Thomas Stewart, William de Lauder, Bishop of Glasgow and Lord Chancellor of Scotland
, Sir Walter Ogilvy, Lord High Treasurer, John Cameron, Provost of the Collegiate Church of Lincluden and private secretary to the King, Sir John Forester of Corstorphine, Lord Chamberlain, Sir John Stewart, and Sir Robert Lauder of the Bass - a firm friend of the King".
In 1424 when King James I returned from his long captivity in England, he at once consigned to the castle of The Bass Walter Stewart, the eldest son of Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, his cousin. The person who received the payments for the prisoner's support was Sir Robert Lauder.
A Warrant was issued at the request of James I dated March 4, 1425 for this Robert and others to travel to Bruges
to sue for money due to the Scottish Crown.
Sir Robert Lauder of Bass appears to have been dead before June 14, 1425, the paternal inheritance being confirmed to his son, Sir Robert de Lawedre de Edringtoun, Knt., on 14 December that year.
dated September 28, 1414, confirms the available information on Robert and his family. He married Annabella (family unknown) who was then still alive. They had known issue:
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and a confidant of King Robert III and sometime Guardian of his son, the future James I of Scotland
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
.
Family
The eldest son of Alan de Lawedre of The Bass, WhitslaidWhitslaid Tower
Whitslaid Tower was an ancient Berwickshire seat of the Lauder family for over 300 years. It is today a ruin high above the eastern bank of the Leader Water, south of the burgh of Lauder, in the Scottish Borders...
, and Haltoun
Haltoun House
Haltoun House, or Hatton House, was a Scottish baronial mansion set in a park, with extensive estates in the vicinity of Ratho, in the west of Edinburgh City Council area, Scotland...
by his spouse Alicia, daughter of Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
, progenitor of the Earls of Argyll. Alan de Lauder was dead by March 20, 1407 when Robert is recorded as "executor testamenti quondam Alani de Lawedre patris sui nuper defuncti".
As the eldest son of the feudal baron of The Bass he was placed in fee by his father in the lands and 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...
, 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 because of his father's longevity he continued to be referred to as "of Edrington", even after he was also placed in fee of The Bass, and eventually succeeded his father.
Early years
The Rotuli Scotiae records a safe-conduct dated November 4, 1364, from King Edward III of EnglandEdward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
to 'Robertus, fils [son] of Alani de Lawedre'. This would indicate that Robert was by now at least a page
Page (servant)
A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
if not a young adult. Before 1370 Robert was a witness, with his father Alan, to a charter granted by Alan's father, also Sir Robert.
In a charter of 1384 Sir Robert is mentioned as Lord Justice of Scotland, and in a charter that year by Richard Edgar to Robert Edgar of Wedderlie, "Robertus Lawider Dominus de la Basse" appears as a witness and
Campaigns
Froissart mentions "Sir Robert Lauder, a renowned hero" as having been present at the Battle of OtterburnBattle of Otterburn
The Battle of Otterburn took place on the 5 August 1388, as part of the continuing border skirmishes between the Scottish and English.The best remaining record of the battle is from Jean Froissart's Chronicles in which he claims to have interviewed veterans from both sides of the battle...
which took place on August 19, 1388.
Rymer's Foedera records that Robert de Lawdre was one of the sureties for the Earl of Douglas
Earl of Douglas
This page is concerned with the holders of the extinct title Earl of Douglas and the preceding feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, son of Sir Archibald Douglas, Guardian of Scotland...
's bounds on the Middle March during a meeting at 'Haudenstank' between English and Scottish Commissioners on October 26, 1398, to discuss the return of prisoners and ransoms and "the due observance of the truce".
Sir Robert Lauder of The Bass took part in the Battle of Nesbit Moor
Battle of Nesbit Moor
The Battle of Nesbit Moor was a small but significant clash between Scottish and English forces in the borders area north of the River Tweed. Specifically this clash took place on the Kimmerghame Estate in a field now named Slaughter Field...
on June 22, 1402, and was captured.
Mentions
A Notarial Instrument of Adam Hepburn Lord of Hailes dated March 23, 1417, refers to a Letters PatentLetters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
of the late Margaret, Countess of Mar
Margaret, Countess of Mar
Margaret of Mar was Countess of Mar, an ancient Earldom in Scotland, in her own right.She was a daughter of Domhnall II of Mar and after the death of her childless brother Thomas became Countess of Mar...
, signed and dated at Tantallon Castle
Tantallon Castle
Tantallon Castle is a mid-14th-century fortress, located east of North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland. It sits atop a promontory opposite the Bass Rock, looking out onto the Firth of Forth...
on December 10, 1389, and read out in the church of the Friars Minors of Haddington
Haddington, East Lothian
The Royal Burgh of Haddington is a town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is the main administrative, cultural and geographical centre for East Lothian, which was known officially as Haddingtonshire before 1921. It lies about east of Edinburgh. The name Haddington is Anglo-Saxon, dating from the 6th...
in the presence of Sir Robert Maitland of Thirlestane, Sir Robert de Lowedir, Lord of the Bass, Sir Alexander de Cockburn Lord of Langtoun, all knights, and others.
'Roberto de Lawedre, knight', is a witness to a charter to Coldingham Priory
Coldingham Priory
Coldingham Priory was a house of Benedictine monks. It lies on the south-east coast of Scotland, in the village of Coldingham, Berwickshire. Coldingham Priory was founded in the reign of David I of Scotland, although his older brother and predecessor King Edgar of Scotland had granted the land of...
confirming them in all of their ancient possessions, signed at Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
on 2 January 1391-2. Robert de Lawedir, Lord of The Bass, is one of the nobles who witnessed a charter by James de Sandilands, Lord of Calder, to George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus
George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus
George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus was born at Tantallon Castle, East Lothian, Scotland. The bastard son of William, 1st Earl of Douglas and Margaret Stewart, Dowager Countess of Mar & Countess of Angus and Lady Abernethy in her own right....
, circa 1397; also in 1397 this Robert received an annuity from the Customs of Haddington. Sir Robert de Lawedir, knight, with Sir Patrick de Hepburn, knight, Sir William de St.Clair, knight, and others, witnessed a charter by Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas & Lord of Galloway, to Sir John de Swinton, knight, his heirs and successors, of the lands of Pitcocks, East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, dated and sealed at 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....
October 20, 1401.
There is a charter in The Great Seal in May 1411, which mentions Sir Robert de Lawedre being 'present', and on June 15, 1411, "Robertus Lawedyr, miles" has a safe-conduct from King Henry IV of England
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
to travel to England.
Reid [1885] states that "Sir Robert Lauder de Bass received payments from the customs of North Berwick in 1413, 1414, 1415 and 1420", and in 1420 he was appointed Auditor of the Burgh & Baillie Accounts for the Exchequer.
He was frequently in England or passing through it. A Safe-Conduct was issued by King Henry VI of England
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
to Robert de Lawedre, George de Lawedre
George de Lawedre of Haltoun
Sir George de Lawedre of Haltoun was a Burgess and Provost of Edinburgh in the early 15th century.-Family:...
and Gilbert de Lawedre (his brothers), "at present in England" to travel to Scotland, dated December 4, 1423.
James I of Scotland
In 1405 King Robert III of ScotlandRobert III of Scotland
Robert III was King of Scots from 1390 to his death. His given name was John Stewart, and he was known primarily as the Earl of Carrick before ascending the throne at age 53...
, apprehensive of danger to his son James (afterwards James I) from Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, placed the youthful prince in the safe-custody of his friend Sir Robert Lauder in his secure castle on The Bass prior to an embarkation for safer parts on the continent. This story is recounted in Wyntown's "Cronykil".
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, the Governor of Scotland, signed a Commission dated August 19, 1423 for his named Ambassadors, one of whom was "Sir Robert de Lawedre of Edrington, Knight", to treat for the liberation of King James I of Scotland. These Ambassadors are recorded present in the Chapter House
Chapter house
A chapter house or chapterhouse is a building or room attached to a cathedral or collegiate church in which meetings are held. They can also be found in medieval monasteries....
at York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
on September 10 with the King's ransom of £40,000 sterling and to sign the treaty of liberation. Lauder's signet
Signet
Signet may refer to:* Signet ring, a ring with a seal set into it, typically by leaving an impression in sealing wax*Signet ring cell, a malignant cell type associated with cancers* Signet Books, an imprint of the New American Library...
is attached to that treaty.
On February 3, 1424, Sir "Robertus de Lawedre de Bass, chevalier", with 18 men, had a safe-conduct with a host of other noblemen etc., as a hostage for King James I of Scotland at Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
.
Tytler
Patrick Fraser Tytler
Patrick Fraser Tytler was a Scottish historian.-Life:The son of Lord Woodhouselee, he was born in Edinburgh, where he attended the Royal High School. He was called to the bar in 1813; in 1816 he became King's counsel in the Exchequer, and practised as an advocate until 1832...
states that Sir Robert Lauder of Bass "was one of the few people whom King James I admitted to his confidence. [Upon his return to Scotland] James consolidated his own power amongst a portion of the barons. The Earl of Mar
Earl of Mar
The Mormaer or Earl of Mar is a title that has been created seven times, all in the Peerage of Scotland. The first creation of the earldom was originally the provincial ruler of the province of Mar in north-eastern Scotland...
, and his son Sir Thomas Stewart, William de Lauder, Bishop of Glasgow and Lord Chancellor of Scotland
Lord Chancellor of Scotland
The Lord Chancellor of Scotland was a Great Officer of State in pre-Union Scotland.Holders of the office are known from 1123 onwards, but its duties were occasionally performed by an official of lower status with the title of Keeper of the Great Seal...
, Sir Walter Ogilvy, Lord High Treasurer, John Cameron, Provost of the Collegiate Church of Lincluden and private secretary to the King, Sir John Forester of Corstorphine, Lord Chamberlain, Sir John Stewart, and Sir Robert Lauder of the Bass - a firm friend of the King".
In 1424 when King James I returned from his long captivity in England, he at once consigned to the castle of The Bass Walter Stewart, the eldest son of Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, his cousin. The person who received the payments for the prisoner's support was Sir Robert Lauder.
A Warrant was issued at the request of James I dated March 4, 1425 for this Robert and others to travel to Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
to sue for money due to the Scottish Crown.
Sir Robert Lauder of Bass appears to have been dead before June 14, 1425, the paternal inheritance being confirmed to his son, Sir Robert de Lawedre de Edringtoun, Knt., on 14 December that year.
Marriage
A Foundation Charter of Robert de Lawedre confirmed by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany to Glasgow CathedralGlasgow Cathedral
The church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew...
dated September 28, 1414, confirms the available information on Robert and his family. He married Annabella (family unknown) who was then still alive. They had known issue:
- William de Lauder, Bishop of Glasgow & Lord Chancellor of ScotlandLord Chancellor of ScotlandThe Lord Chancellor of Scotland was a Great Officer of State in pre-Union Scotland.Holders of the office are known from 1123 onwards, but its duties were occasionally performed by an official of lower status with the title of Keeper of the Great Seal...
. - John de Lauder (d.1421), whose daughter Mariotta married Alexander Home, 1st Lord HomeAlexander Home, 1st Lord HomeSir Alexander Home of that Ilk, 1st Lord Home was in 1448 Sheriff Deputy for Berwickshire, and was made a Lord of Parliament on 2 August 1473...
. - Sir Robert de Lawedre, Knt., of Edrington & The Bass (d. before MichaelmasMichaelmasMichaelmas, the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel is a day in the Western Christian calendar which occurs on 29 September...
1451). - James de Lawedre, Justice-Clerk (d. after 1459).
- Alan de Lawedre of that Ilk, (d. after Oct 1464) of LauderLauderThe 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:...
TowerTower houseA tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
. - Gilbert de Lawedre, Baillie of Lauder, an armigerArmigerIn heraldry, an armiger is a person entitled to use a coat of arms. Such a person is said to be armigerous.-Etymology:The Latin word armiger literally means "armour-bearer". In high and late medieval England, the word referred to an esquire attendant upon a knight, but bearing his own unique...
who married before 1420 Annabella, daughter of Sir Robert Maitland of Thirlestane & Lethington, the God-daughterGodparentA godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
of Gilbert's mother. - Patrick de Lawedre, heir to his brother the Bishop of Argyll.
- George Lauder, Bishop of Argyll