375
site, a convent for Cistercian nuns, who acquired the advowson of St. Bothan's
church, which was anciently of much value. The church was valued in the
ancient Taxatio at 50 marks. A very different regimen was introduced into the
abbey of St. Bothan's parish at the Reformation (r). [The parish church has
130 communicants; stipend, £212.]
The castle and Kirktown of CRANSHAWS are situated near the head of a small
valley, through which runs a rivulet to the Whitadder, the banks whereof were
of old clothed and ornamented with natural oaks and hazels, where the cranes
delighted to resort. Thus the name of the parish is merely the old English
Crane-shaws, the shaw signifying a wood, a shelter (s). The parish of Cran-
shaws is old. It consists of two divisions, which are separated by the interpo-
sition of the parish of Longformacus. Lying in the heart of the Lammermuir,
this district seems to have been always little peopled. In the ancient Taxatio
it was rated only at 12 marks. In Bagimont's Roll, the tenth of the rectory was
valued at £2 13s. 4d., the money of that age. When greater men swore fealty
to Edward I. in 1296, Robert de Strivelin, the parson of the church of Cran-
shaws, offered his homage at Berwick, and in return was restored to his
rights (t). The advowson of the church seems to have been always attached to
the manor. The barons of Cranshaws, during the 12th and 13th centuries,
cannot be easily ascertained. In the 14th century this barony appears to have
been obtained by the Douglases. In 1401, Sir John Swinton of Swinton ac-
quired the lands of Cranshaws from Archibald, the fourth Earl of Douglas, who
calls him " dilectus consanguinens noster" (u). The baronial mansion of Cran-
shaws was once castellated for its defence. It has been of late fitted up for
occasional residence. The regimen of this parish, like more important districts,
underwent some change at the Reformation (x). [The parish church was
erected in 1739, since when it has been repaired; communicants, 89; stipend,
£200.]
(r) The parish church is certainly very ancient. It was of old 58 feet long and 26 feet broad; but
has of lute been contracted to accommodate a small flock. For more recent notices, the curious reader
may consult the Stat. Acco., xii., 61, and the Tabular State annexed.
(s) See Ash and Somner ; but Ruddiman will have the etymon to be the Gaelic Sheaghas, which is
pronounced Sheas, a wood ; yet the frequent application of Shaws in southern Britain to woody shades,
seems to preclude the ingenious conjecture of the learned grammarian.                   (t) Rym., ii., 725.
(u) Dougl. Peer., 129. In 1585, the family of Swinton still enjoyed Cranshaws. Ib., 130. In
June 1(540, an act passed the parliament of Scotland, confirming to the Laird of Swinton the
baronies of Swinton and Cranshares, with the tiends thereof, and the patronage of the church
of Cranshaws. Unprinted Act of the 11th of June. Watson of Saughton is now the proprietor of
Cranshaws.
(x) For more recent notices, the more inquisitive reader may inspect the Stat. Acco., vi., 436, and
the Tabular State annexed.