George Lauder of The Bass
Encyclopedia
Sir George Lauder of The Bass, Knt., (died June 27, 1611 on The Bass), was a cleric, Privy Counsellor, and Member of the Scottish Parliament
. He was also Tutor to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales
.
of the grant of another feu of the lands and barony of Tyninghame to his father, Robert Lauder of The Bass (d.1576), where George is listed as the fourth child of Robert, by his first wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Oliver Sinclair
of Roslin
, knight.
On October 22, 1561, Master George Lawder, legitimate son of Robert Lawder of Bas, was issued with a Presentation of the Canonicature and Prebendary of Auchindor in the diocese of Aberdeen
, to be Rector and Vicar of Auchindor, upon the resignation and demission of Master John Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig
, (his uncle). The Books of the Thirds of Benefices under 'Parsonage of Auchindore' record that the third was calculated by Master John Stewart, in the name and on behalf of Master John Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig
, and Master George Lauder. The footnotes record that "John Sinclair, who held the parsonage at the Reformation
(and demitted it in October 1561 in favour of George Lauder) was also Dean of Restalrig, 1542 - 1566.
On September 21, 1568 George Lawder, parson of Auchindor, was given the gift of the escheat of the goods of his father Robert Lauder of Bass, who had failed to appear 'at the horn' and for not finding surety to compear before the Justice or his deputies in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh to underlie the law for taking part with Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll
, Claude Hamilton and others at the battle of Langside
in support of Mary, Queen of Scots.
There is a certified copy of a Retour in favour of George Lauder of Bass, as heir to James Lauder of Bass, his brother, in the lands of Marsintoun (Mersington) and other lands in Berwickshire
and East Lothian, dated 1580. His elder brother James had also been a cleric, the Dean of Restalrig
, and had been murdered by a cousin.
A Special Retour was granted to Mr.George Lauder, eldest (surviving) son and heir to Robert Lauder of The Bass in the patronage and lands of Auldcathie in Linlithgowshire, dated November 7, 1580.
George Lawder of Bass was awarded the escheat of the goods of "Walter Lawder, son lawful of the deceased Alexander Lawder of Umboquhy [Ummachie], convicted, become in will, fugitive or at the horn for not compearing to underlie the laws for the slaughter of James Lawder of Bass, committed within his (James's) awin place of Beil
on 4th October last, or throw being justifiet thairfoir." Dated December 16, 1580. Walter was subsequently executed for this crime.
On August 15, 1583, a Precept was made to George Lauder of the Bass, as son and heir of Robert Lauder of Bass, of a Temple-land in "Lewinsbrig" (Leven
's bridge) in Fife
, a Temple-land in North Berwick, and a Temple-land in Tyninghame. Also, as brother and heir of James Lauder of Bass, the Temple-land of Innerwick, Haddingtonshire. These ancient lands had originally been possessed by the Knights Templar
.
A Precept of Clare Constat, in favour of Mr.George Lauder, as heir to his brother the deceased Mr.James Lauder, in the lands of Panschlis, Preistlaw, Kingsyd, Freirdykis, Winterscheills, and Newgrange, in the constabulary of Haddington and shire of Edinburgh, was signed on May 21, 1584, at 'Cumre'.
In 1590 he appears in a Privy Council
List of 'Landed Men' or landlords in Haddingtonshire, as the "Laird of Bass".
Other possessions are described in a decree of taxation, at instance of George Lauder of Bass, against James, Commendator of Melrose Abbey
, for the feu lands of Grangemuir, Preistlaw, Preistheillis, Kingis Syd, Freir Dykis and Winter Scheildykis, dated July 25, 1584.
A charter in the Parliamentary Acts & records dated circa 1609 records a "chartor maid by umqle George Archbishop of St. Andrews to umqle Mr George Lauder of Bass and his airs Off all and haill the landis of Scony (Scoonie), Monflowrie, Bambeith threipland, Levin porte and heavin of Levin And of the toun and baronie of Levin customes and dewties belanging thairto, Mylnes, milnelandis, multoris and fischingis Off the water of Leven, Fife
; And off the vther liberties priuiledges and donatiounis mentionat in the said chartor and disponit to the said Mr George Lauder and his aires heretablie."
On January 13, 1587 George Lauder of The Bass, with John Maitland of Thirlestane and eight other "Barons of Lothian" subscribed to a voluntary grant of a subsidy to "defray the expenses to be incurred in aid of Queen Mary in her present peril" (at Fotheringay Castle).
George Lauder of Bass was commissioned by the Privy Council of Scotland
on July 20, 1588, to collect a 20 shillings tax from every small baron or freeholder in Haddingtonshire, within 15 days, for the repair of Edinburgh Castle
.
On May 17, 1590, "To grace the [Queen's
] coronation, Chancellor Maitland was created a peer, with the title of Lord Thirlestane, and knighthoods were conferred on the Master of Glammis
, the Master of Cassilis, and the Lairds of Bass, Buccleuch, Fernihirst, Cessford, Drumlanrig, Lochinvar, Garlies, Glenorchy, Hallhill, and Balwearie."
On 5 June 1592 (Acts of Parliament, iii/562-3) the Privy Council of Scotland
was reconstituted. Under "Barons, Knights, and Gentlemen" appears George Lauder of The Bass. He was present on that day and sat in Council on June 8 also. In July he was present at every sitting: 6, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21,22, and 27th, and was one of the seven Privy Counsellors who denounced Sir James Scott of Balwearie, Knt., Martine of Cardone, and Lumsden of Airdrie as rebels, to be arrested for their involvement in "the late treasonable act committeed by Earl of Bothwell at Falkland Palace
".
George Lauder, the laird of Bass, was, according to Collectanea Genealogica, a minor baron in parliament in 1592; a convenor of parliament in 1593, 1594, 1597,1598, 1599 & 1605. The General Index to the Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland states that:
the Laird of Bass appeared at the calling of suits in 1579; George Lauder of Bass was on the Privy Council in 1592 & 1593; was on the Articles in 1592; was a commissioner for punishing slayers of solan geese and other birds on The Bass in 1592; had the lordship and bailiary of Tyninghame, with the office of heritable justiciar, and erection of the town into a free burgh of barony and regality, ratified to him in 1593; was in a Convention at Linlithgow in 1593, at Holyrood in 1593,1596, 1598, at Edinburgh 1594, 1596; was in Parliament 1593, 1594, 1596, 1598; was a Commissioner on Petitions in 1593, on Meal, 1598, and on the coin, 1599.
On December 11, 1599, Sir George Lauder of Bass was one of the barons present at a Convention of the Estates at Holyroodhouse.
of February 7, 1588/9, granted George the lands and lordship of Poppil and Wester Spott (then tenanted by Andrew Brown and Thomas Watson). George had resigned the lands the previous day for a regrant in view of his forthcoming marriage to Isobel Hepburn, the eldest daughter of Lord (Laird) Patrick Hepburn of Waughton, knight, by his wife Isobel, daughter of John Haldane of Gleneagles
.
An anonymous letter to the Lord Treasurer of England and Sir Francis Walsingham
dated February 7, 1589/90 mentions the Laird of Bass's well attended marriage in Fife. The Duke of Lennox
and Francis Stewart, 1st Earl of Bothwell attended, as a result of this event Edinburgh was left with few Privy Counsellors.
His only child, George, was to be after almost 600 years, the last Lauder laird of The Bass.
, to James Maitland of Lethington on February 21, 1603, is on record.
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...
. He was also Tutor to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales
Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales
Henry Frederick Stuart, Prince of Wales was the elder son of King James I & VI and Anne of Denmark. His name derives from his grandfathers: Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and Frederick II of Denmark. Prince Henry was widely seen as a bright and promising heir to his father's throne...
.
Family
The earliest mention of George Lauder appears to be in 1542 in a re-confirmation made by Cardinal David BeatonDavid 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 another feu of the lands and barony of Tyninghame to his father, Robert Lauder of The Bass (d.1576), where George is listed as the fourth child of Robert, by his first wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir Oliver Sinclair
Oliver 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
Roslin
Roslin may refer to:Scotland:*Roslin, Midlothian, a village in Midlothian, south of Edinburgh, Scotland, Home to the famous Rosslyn Chapel*Roslin Castle*Roslin Institute, where Dolly the Sheep was cloned...
, knight.
Enters church
He entered The Church and some Deeds and Sasines refer to him as Master George Lauder, Rector of Auldcathie in Linlithgowshire.On October 22, 1561, Master George Lawder, legitimate son of Robert Lawder of Bas, was issued with a Presentation of the Canonicature and Prebendary of Auchindor in the diocese of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, to be Rector and Vicar of Auchindor, upon the resignation and demission of Master John Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig
Restalrig
Restalrig 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...
, (his uncle). The Books of the Thirds of Benefices under 'Parsonage of Auchindore' record that the third was calculated by Master John Stewart, in the name and on behalf of Master John Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig
Restalrig
Restalrig 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...
, and Master George Lauder. The footnotes record that "John Sinclair, who held the parsonage at the Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
(and demitted it in October 1561 in favour of George Lauder) was also Dean of Restalrig, 1542 - 1566.
On September 21, 1568 George Lawder, parson of Auchindor, was given the gift of the escheat of the goods of his father Robert Lauder of Bass, who had failed to appear 'at the horn' and for not finding surety to compear before the Justice or his deputies in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh to underlie the law for taking part with Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll was one of the leading figures in the politics of Scotland during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the early part of that of James VI.-Biography:...
, Claude Hamilton and others 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...
in support of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Becomes laird
George's three elder brothers all predeceased him and he therefore became laird of Bass by default.There is a certified copy of a Retour in favour of George Lauder of Bass, as heir to James Lauder of Bass, his brother, in the lands of Marsintoun (Mersington) and other lands 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...
and East Lothian, dated 1580. His elder brother James had also been a cleric, the Dean of Restalrig
Restalrig
Restalrig 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...
, and had been murdered by a cousin.
A Special Retour was granted to Mr.George Lauder, eldest (surviving) son and heir to Robert Lauder of The Bass in the patronage and lands of Auldcathie in Linlithgowshire, dated November 7, 1580.
George Lawder of Bass was awarded the escheat of the goods of "Walter Lawder, son lawful of the deceased Alexander Lawder of Umboquhy [Ummachie], convicted, become in will, fugitive or at the horn for not compearing to underlie the laws for the slaughter of James Lawder of Bass, committed within his (James's) awin place of 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,...
on 4th October last, or throw being justifiet thairfoir." Dated December 16, 1580. Walter was subsequently executed for this crime.
On August 15, 1583, a Precept was made to George Lauder of the Bass, as son and heir of Robert Lauder of Bass, of a Temple-land in "Lewinsbrig" (Leven
Leven
-Surname:* Earl of Leven a title in the Peerage of Scotland* Jackie Leven, a Scottish singer / songwriter* Narcisse Leven, a lawyer.* Peter Leven, association football player for Milton Keynes Dons-Places:* Leven, Fife, a town in Scotland...
's bridge) in 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...
, a Temple-land in North Berwick, and a Temple-land in Tyninghame. Also, as brother and heir of James Lauder of Bass, the Temple-land of Innerwick, Haddingtonshire. These ancient lands had originally been possessed by 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...
.
A Precept of Clare Constat, in favour of Mr.George Lauder, as heir to his brother the deceased Mr.James Lauder, in the lands of Panschlis, Preistlaw, Kingsyd, Freirdykis, Winterscheills, and Newgrange, in the constabulary of Haddington and shire of Edinburgh, was signed on May 21, 1584, at 'Cumre'.
In 1590 he appears in a Privy Council
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
List of 'Landed Men' or landlords in Haddingtonshire, as the "Laird of Bass".
Other possessions are described in a decree of taxation, at instance of George Lauder of Bass, against James, Commendator of Melrose Abbey
Melrose Abbey
Melrose Abbey is a Gothic-style abbey in Melrose, Scotland. It was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks, on the request of King David I of Scotland. It was headed by the Abbot or Commendator of Melrose. Today the abbey is maintained by Historic Scotland...
, for the feu lands of Grangemuir, Preistlaw, Preistheillis, Kingis Syd, Freir Dykis and Winter Scheildykis, dated July 25, 1584.
A charter in the Parliamentary Acts & records dated circa 1609 records a "chartor maid by umqle George Archbishop of St. Andrews to umqle Mr George Lauder of Bass and his airs Off all and haill the landis of Scony (Scoonie), Monflowrie, Bambeith threipland, Levin porte and heavin of Levin And of the toun and baronie of Levin customes and dewties belanging thairto, Mylnes, milnelandis, multoris and fischingis Off the water of Leven, Fife
Leven, Fife
Leven is a seaside town in Fife, set in the east Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on the coast of the Firth of Forth at the mouth of the River Leven, north-east of Kirkcaldy and east of Glenrothes....
; And off the vther liberties priuiledges and donatiounis mentionat in the said chartor and disponit to the said Mr George Lauder and his aires heretablie."
Royal favour
In 1581 King James VI of Scotland visited The Bass and was so enamoured that he offered to buy the island, a proposition which did not commend itself to George Lauder. The King appears to have accepted the situation with good grace. George was a Privy Counsellor - described as the King's "familiar councillor" - and tutor to the young Prince Henry.On January 13, 1587 George Lauder of The Bass, with John Maitland of Thirlestane and eight other "Barons of Lothian" subscribed to a voluntary grant of a subsidy to "defray the expenses to be incurred in aid of Queen Mary in her present peril" (at Fotheringay Castle).
George Lauder of Bass was commissioned by the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
on July 20, 1588, to collect a 20 shillings tax from every small baron or freeholder in Haddingtonshire, within 15 days, for the repair of Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
.
On May 17, 1590, "To grace the [Queen's
Anne of Denmark
Anne of Denmark was queen consort of Scotland, England, and Ireland as the wife of King James VI and I.The second daughter of King Frederick II of Denmark, Anne married James in 1589 at the age of fourteen and bore him three children who survived infancy, including the future Charles I...
] coronation, Chancellor Maitland was created a peer, with the title of Lord Thirlestane, and knighthoods were conferred on the Master of Glammis
Thomas Lyon (of Auldbar)
Sir Thomas Lyon, Master of Glammis was a Scottish nobleman and official, Lord High Treasurer of Scotland.-Master of Glamis:...
, the Master of Cassilis, and the Lairds of Bass, Buccleuch, Fernihirst, Cessford, Drumlanrig, Lochinvar, Garlies, Glenorchy, Hallhill, and Balwearie."
Politics
George Lauder of The Bass was appointed a Commissioner for Parliament by the Privy Council on May 24, 1589.On 5 June 1592 (Acts of Parliament, iii/562-3) the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
was reconstituted. Under "Barons, Knights, and Gentlemen" appears George Lauder of The Bass. He was present on that day and sat in Council on June 8 also. In July he was present at every sitting: 6, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21,22, and 27th, and was one of the seven Privy Counsellors who denounced Sir James Scott of Balwearie, Knt., Martine of Cardone, and Lumsden of Airdrie as rebels, to be arrested for their involvement in "the late treasonable act committeed by Earl of Bothwell at Falkland Palace
Falkland Palace
Falkland Palace in Falkland, Fife, Scotland, is a former royal palace of the Scottish Kings. Today it is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, and serves as a tourist attraction.-Early years:...
".
George Lauder, the laird of Bass, was, according to Collectanea Genealogica, a minor baron in parliament in 1592; a convenor of parliament in 1593, 1594, 1597,1598, 1599 & 1605. The General Index to the Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland states that:
the Laird of Bass appeared at the calling of suits in 1579; George Lauder of Bass was on the Privy Council in 1592 & 1593; was on the Articles in 1592; was a commissioner for punishing slayers of solan geese and other birds on The Bass in 1592; had the lordship and bailiary of Tyninghame, with the office of heritable justiciar, and erection of the town into a free burgh of barony and regality, ratified to him in 1593; was in a Convention at Linlithgow in 1593, at Holyrood in 1593,1596, 1598, at Edinburgh 1594, 1596; was in Parliament 1593, 1594, 1596, 1598; was a Commissioner on Petitions in 1593, on Meal, 1598, and on the coin, 1599.
On December 11, 1599, Sir George Lauder of Bass was one of the barons present at a Convention of the Estates at Holyroodhouse.
Marriage
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...
of February 7, 1588/9, granted George the lands and lordship of Poppil and Wester Spott (then tenanted by Andrew Brown and Thomas Watson). George had resigned the lands the previous day for a regrant in view of his forthcoming marriage to Isobel Hepburn, the eldest daughter of Lord (Laird) Patrick Hepburn of Waughton, knight, by his wife Isobel, daughter of John Haldane of Gleneagles
Gleneagles, Scotland
Gleneagles is a glen which connects with Glen Devon to form a pass through the Ochil Hills of Perth and Kinross in Scotland...
.
An anonymous letter to the Lord Treasurer of England and Sir Francis Walsingham
Francis Walsingham
Sir Francis Walsingham was Principal Secretary to Elizabeth I of England from 1573 until 1590, and is popularly remembered as her "spymaster". Walsingham is frequently cited as one of the earliest practitioners of modern intelligence methods both for espionage and for domestic security...
dated February 7, 1589/90 mentions the Laird of Bass's well attended marriage in Fife. The Duke of Lennox
Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox
Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox and 1st Duke of Richmond was a Scottish nobleman and politician. He was the son of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox and his wife Catherine de Balsac. Stewart was involved in the Plantation of Ulster in Ireland and the colonization of Maine in New England...
and Francis Stewart, 1st Earl of Bothwell attended, as a result of this event Edinburgh was left with few Privy Counsellors.
Death
On February 18, 1612, the Testament dative (Will) and inventory "of an honourable and discreet man, George Lauder of The Bass in the Constabulary of Haddington, who died on 27 June 1611, faithfully made", was given up (registered) by Isobel Hepburn, Lady Bass, his widow and by George Lauder now of The Bass, only lawful child to the defunct and executor dative appointed to his father. Total value of the inventoried goods was £29175.9s.2d., with debts due to the deceased of £3045.14s.2d. The cautioner was Sir James Foulis of Collinton, knight.His only child, George, was to be after almost 600 years, the last Lauder laird of The Bass.
Seal
The seal of "George Lauder of the Bass, A.M., - a griffin segreant within the royal tressure" and originally appended to a charter of the mill of Mersington etc., in the parish of Eccles, BerwickshireBerwickshire
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...
, to James Maitland of Lethington on February 21, 1603, is on record.