Robert de Lawedre of Edrington

Sir Robert de Lawedre (Lauder) of Edrington & The Bass, Knt., (d. 1425) was a Burgess of Edinburgh [ Bain, Joseph, FSA (Scot), editor, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" vol.iv, 1357 - 1509, Edinburgh, 1888, number 976, March 4, 1424] and a confidant of King Robert III and sometime Guardian of his son, the future James I of Scotland.

Family

The eldest son of Alan de Lawedre of The Bass, Whitslaid, and Haltoun [ Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation", Edinburgh, 1861 edition, vol.ii] [ Young, James, "Historical References to the Scottish Family of Lauder", Glasgow, 1884: 45] by his spouse Alicia, daughter of Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, Argyll, progenitor of the Earls of Argyll. [ Douglas, Sir Robert, "The Peerage of Scotland", Edinburgh, 1813] [ Burke, John, "The Peerage & Baronetage of the British Empire", 8th edition, London, 1845, vol.1: 591] Alan de Lauder was dead by March 20, 1407 when Robert is recorded as "executor testamenti quondam Alani de Lawedre patris sui nuper defuncti". [ Reid, John J., "Early Notices of the Bass Rock & its Owners", Society of Antiquaries of Scotland", Edinburgh, 1885]

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.

Early years

The "Rotuli Scotiae" records a safe-conduct dated November 4, 1364, from King Edward III of England 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 [ Jamieson's "Illustrations to Slezer's Theatrum Scotiae": 123] [Nisbet, Alexander, "Systems of Heraldry", Edinburgh, 1722, vol.i:344]

Campaigns

Froissart mentions "Sir Robert Lauder, a renowned hero" as having been present at the Battle of Otterburn which took place on August 19, 1388. [ Young, James, "Historical References to the Scottish Family of Lauder", Glasgow, 1884: 45]

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". [ Bain, Joseph, FSA (Scot), editor, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" vol.iv, 1357 - 1509, Edinburgh, 1888, number 510]

Sir Robert Lauder of The Bass took part in the Battle of Nesbit Moor on June 22, 1402, and was captured. [ Balfour, Sir James, "Annals", vol.1] [ Fordun, "Scotichronicon, Edinburgh, 1759] [ Cockburn-Hood, Thomas H., "The House of Cockburn of that Ilk and Cadets Thereof", Edinburgh, 1888, p.43-4, for a translation of Hector Boece recording this event]

Mentions

A Notarial Instrument of Adam Hepburn Lord of Hailes dated March 23, 1417, refers to a Letters Patent 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. [ Fraser, Sir William, "The Douglas Book", Edinburgh, 1885, vol.3: 50-1]

'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 2nd January 1391-2) [ "The Great Seal of Scotland", confirmed March 16, 1391/2, number 839] 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. [ Fraser, Sir William, "The Douglas Book", Edinburgh, 1885, vol.3, pps:51 and 402]

There is a charter in "The Great Seal" [ "The Great Seal of Scotland", number 934, confirmed at Falkland Palace in May 1411] 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. [ "Exchequer Rolls of Scotland", vol.4]

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. [ Bain, Joseph, FSA (Scot), editor, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" vol.iv, 1357 - 1509, Edinburgh, 1888, number 940]

James I of Scotland

In 1405 King Robert III of Scotland, 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". [ Phillimore, R.P., "North Berwick, Gullane, Aberlady, and East Linton District", North Berwick, 1913: 40]

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. [ Bain, Joseph, FSA (Scot), editor, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" vol.iv, 1357 - 1509, Edinburgh, 1888, numbers 932-3]

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. [ Bain, Joseph, FSA (Scot), editor, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" vol.iv, 1357 - 1509, Edinburgh, 1888, number 942] [ "Rotuli Scotiae in Turri Londinensi et in Domo Capitulari Westmonasteriensi assertvati", London, 1814-1819, 2 vols]

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 Chamberlian, Sir John Stewart, and Sir Robert Lauder of the Bass - a firm friend of the King". [ Tytler, Patrick Fraser, "The History of Scotland", Edinburgh, 1866, vol.iii:187 and 190]

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. [ Reid, J.J., 1885]

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. [ Bain, Joseph, FSA (Scot), editor, "Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" vol.iv, 1357 - 1509, Edinburgh, 1888, number 976]

Sir Robert Lauder of Bass appears to have been dead before June 14, 1425 [ Lawder, Charles A.B., "The Lawders of Bass", Belfast, 1914: 28] , the paternal inheritance being confirmed to his son, Sir Robert de Lawedre de Edringtoun, Knt., on 14th December that year. [ "The Great Seal of Scotland", no.29]

Marriage

A Foundation Charter of Robert de Lawedre confirmed by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany to Glasgow Cathedral 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 Scotland.
# John de Lauder (d.1421), whose daughter Mariotta married Alexander Home, 1st Lord Home.
# Sir Robert de Lawedre, Knt., of Edrington & The Bass (d. before Michaelmas 1451).
# James de Lawedre, Justice-Clerk (d. after 1459).
# Alan de Lawedre of that Ilk, (d. after Oct 1464) of Lauder Tower.
# Gilbert de Lawedre, Baillie of Lauder, an armiger who married before 1420 Annabella, daughter of Sir Robert Maitland of Thirlestane & Lethington, the God-daughter of Gilbert's mother.
# Patrick de Lawedre, heir to his brother the Bishop of Argyll.
# George Lauder, Bishop of Argyll

References