Alexander Lauder of Blyth
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander Lauder of Blyth, Knt. (died 9 September 1513) was Provost of Edinburgh almost continually from 1500 to 1513. He was Commissioner to the Scottish Parliament
, 1504–06, and an Auditor of the Exchequer in Scotland
. He appears to have been on terms of intimacy with the King, James IV
, with whom he played cards and to whom he occasionally lent money. "He led the men of Edinburgh to join the King's host" at the battle of Flodden, and fell there.
, Ratho
, Midlothian
in July 1507. The Exchequer Rolls mention this Alexander Lauder, Burgess of Edinburgh, with his elder brother Sir George Lauder of Whitslaid, as 'senescallos', or stewards, of Kirkudbrightshire, 'in their part'.
Described as son of Sir Alexander Lauder of Hatton [sic], he was granted, as Alexander Lauder, Burgess of Edinburgh, a Letter under The Privy Seal of Scotland on 18 January 1500, of "the custumyre of Edinburgh" including wool, skins, hides, cloth "and all maner of merchandis", for his lifetime.
Whitson states that this Sir Alexander Lauder was Provost from April 1500 till October, or possibly Michaelmas
, 1501. He again held that office from Michaelmas 1502 till 1504, and from 1505 to 1513. He is noted also as holding concurrently the office of Justice-Depute with the provostship in 1508 and 1512, if not consecutively. George Touris of Inverleith
was appointed caretaker Provost on 19 August 1513, when Lauder left for Flodden.
confirming to him certain lands of Norton in the barony of Ratho, the lands of Brownisfield
in the Burgh Muir
of Edinburgh, and the lands of Redheuchis in the barony of Colinton
.
The Privy Seal records on 19 September 1508, at Edinburgh, "A Lettre [was] maid to Alexander Lauder, provost of Edinburgh, his ayris and assignais: That forsamekly as all and hail the landis of Thirlstane Manys, Ernyscluch, Egrop, Wyndpark, the Heuch, Blyth, Tullois and Simprin, liand in the lordschip of Lauderdale within the schirefdome of Beruik," which had pertained to William Maitland of Lethington, which by the Lords of Council's decree had returned to the King's hands and his father's in non-entry for the space of over thirty years past, in default of entry fees etc being paid; and for the good and thankful service done to His Highness by Alexander Lauder and for other reasonable considerations moving His Grace, he gives, grants and assigns to the said Alexander, his heirs and assignees, all males, all the above lands and fermes, profits etc. etc., to be held of His Highness by charter in due form etc., whereafter he assumed the territorial designation "of Blyth".
ed before October 11, 1510, when he was described as such, and on which date he endowed a chaplainry in the church of St. Giles
. He is on record as an Auditor of the Exchequer in Scotland
in 1512.
Pitcairn notes that "Alexander Lauder of Blyth, knight, Provost of Edinburgh and 'Justiciarius deputatis'" signed a verdict at a murder trial on September 31, 1512.
The death of Sir Alexander Lauder, Provost of Edinburgh, "slain at Flodden" is recorded in The Exchequer Rolls. As he was a Custumar of Edinburgh, his "relict" Janet Paterson, was, with Margaret Crichton, relict of the other Custumar George Halkerston, allowed the honour of signing off the city's returns to the Exchequer for 1513-1514.
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
, 1504–06, and an Auditor of the Exchequer in Scotland
Auditor of the Exchequer in Scotland
The Scottish Exchequer had a similar role of auditing and deciding on Royal revenues as in England. It was not until 1584 that it also became a court of law, separate from the King's Privy Council. Even then, the judicial and administrative roles never became completely separated into two bodies,...
. He appears to have been on terms of intimacy with the King, James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
, with whom he played cards and to whom he occasionally lent money. "He led the men of Edinburgh to join the King's host" at the battle of Flodden, and fell there.
Family
He was the second son of at least four of Sir Alexander Lauder of Haltoun, Knt., who died at Haltoun HouseHaltoun 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...
, Ratho
Ratho
Ratho is a village and civil parish in the west of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It was formerly in the old county of Midlothian. Newbridge and Kirkliston are other villages in the area. The Union Canal passes through Ratho. Edinburgh Airport is situated only 4 miles ...
, Midlothian
Midlothian
Midlothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. It borders the Scottish Borders, East Lothian and the City of Edinburgh council areas....
in July 1507. The Exchequer Rolls mention this Alexander Lauder, Burgess of Edinburgh, with his elder brother Sir George Lauder of Whitslaid, as 'senescallos', or stewards, of Kirkudbrightshire, 'in their part'.
Burgess & Provost of Edinburgh
On January 7, 1498/9, Alexander Lauder, Burgess of Edinburgh, was one of the witnesses to an Instrument of Resignation by Patrick Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. Others included Robert, Archbishop of Glasgow, George Hepburn, Provost of Lincluden, William Borthwick, Rector of Whitsome, and Adam Hepburn, burgess of Edinburgh.Described as son of Sir Alexander Lauder of Hatton [sic], he was granted, as Alexander Lauder, Burgess of Edinburgh, a Letter under The Privy Seal of Scotland on 18 January 1500, of "the custumyre of Edinburgh" including wool, skins, hides, cloth "and all maner of merchandis", for his lifetime.
Whitson states that this Sir Alexander Lauder was Provost from April 1500 till October, or possibly Michaelmas
Michaelmas
Michaelmas, the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel is a day in the Western Christian calendar which occurs on 29 September...
, 1501. He again held that office from Michaelmas 1502 till 1504, and from 1505 to 1513. He is noted also as holding concurrently the office of Justice-Depute with the provostship in 1508 and 1512, if not consecutively. George Touris of Inverleith
Inverleith
Inverleith is an inner suburb in the northern part of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the fringes of the central region of the city. It is an affluent suburb. Its neighbours include Trinity to the north and the New Town to the south, with Canonmills at the south-east and Stockbridge at the south-west...
was appointed caretaker Provost on 19 August 1513, when Lauder left for Flodden.
Landed proprietor
He acquired considerable lands. In 1506 he had a charter under the Great Seal of ScotlandGreat 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...
confirming to him certain lands of Norton in the barony of Ratho, the lands of Brownisfield
Bruntsfield
Bruntsfield is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, about twenty minutes walk south-west of the city centre. In feudal times it fell within the barony of Colinton.-Location:...
in the Burgh Muir
Burgh Muir
The Burgh Muir was an area to the south of Edinburgh city centre upon which much of the southern portion of the city now rests, following expansions of the 18th and 19th centuries...
of Edinburgh, and the lands of Redheuchis in the barony of Colinton
Colinton
Colinton is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 6 kilometres south west of the city centre. It is bordered by Dreghorn to the south and Craiglockhart to the north-east. To the north-west it extends to Lanark Road and to the south-west to the City Bypass...
.
The Privy Seal records on 19 September 1508, at Edinburgh, "A Lettre [was] maid to Alexander Lauder, provost of Edinburgh, his ayris and assignais: That forsamekly as all and hail the landis of Thirlstane Manys, Ernyscluch, Egrop, Wyndpark, the Heuch, Blyth, Tullois and Simprin, liand in the lordschip of Lauderdale within the schirefdome of Beruik," which had pertained to William Maitland of Lethington, which by the Lords of Council's decree had returned to the King's hands and his father's in non-entry for the space of over thirty years past, in default of entry fees etc being paid; and for the good and thankful service done to His Highness by Alexander Lauder and for other reasonable considerations moving His Grace, he gives, grants and assigns to the said Alexander, his heirs and assignees, all males, all the above lands and fermes, profits etc. etc., to be held of His Highness by charter in due form etc., whereafter he assumed the territorial designation "of Blyth".
Knight & Justice-depute
Alexander Lauder of Blyth, Provost of Edinburgh, was knightKnight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ed before October 11, 1510, when he was described as such, and on which date he endowed a chaplainry in the church of St. Giles
St. Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral, more properly termed the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the Royal Mile which runs from the Castle to...
. He is on record as an Auditor of the Exchequer in Scotland
Auditor of the Exchequer in Scotland
The Scottish Exchequer had a similar role of auditing and deciding on Royal revenues as in England. It was not until 1584 that it also became a court of law, separate from the King's Privy Council. Even then, the judicial and administrative roles never became completely separated into two bodies,...
in 1512.
Pitcairn notes that "Alexander Lauder of Blyth, knight, Provost of Edinburgh and 'Justiciarius deputatis'" signed a verdict at a murder trial on September 31, 1512.
Marriage & death
He married before December 1506 Janet (d. between 1533 - Oct.1534), daughter and heiress of John Paterson, Burgess of Edinburgh.The death of Sir Alexander Lauder, Provost of Edinburgh, "slain at Flodden" is recorded in The Exchequer Rolls. As he was a Custumar of Edinburgh, his "relict" Janet Paterson, was, with Margaret Crichton, relict of the other Custumar George Halkerston, allowed the honour of signing off the city's returns to the Exchequer for 1513-1514.