Hatchednize

Hatchednize may have been a tower or might have just been named lands. I have listed it as a “possible” tower site pending further research.

Hatchednize is first mentioned in the early 13th century as Spechenes when William, son of Patrick of Greenlaw, granted “all the land which they hold in his feu of Hersill, viz., the land called Thotheryg (Todrig), Spechenes and Kaldstreflat (Coldstream Flat) to the nuns of Coldstream.

If there was a tower here it is easy to see why. Immediately to the west of the present farm’s buildings is a ridge which would have offered wide-ranging views across the border country.

Hatchednize was referenced in a verse commenting on the renowned good looks of the womenfolk of the Dickson family.

Twixt Bughtrig and Belchester,
Hatchetnize and Darnchester,
Leitholm and the Peel,
If ye canna get a wife betwixt these
Ye’ll ne’er do weel.

Following the Reformation the priory of Coldstream was dissolved and in 1621 Sir John Hamilton of Trabroun, prior of Coldstream and son of Thomas Hamilton, Earl of Melrose, received numerous possessions of the former priory including “three husband lands in Darnchester; four husband lands of Hatchednize, with the whole teind sheaves of the same lands included….all lying within the sheriffdom of Berwick; and with all and sundry their castles, towers, fortalices, mansions, manor places, yards, orchards, dovecots, mills, woods, fishings, parts, pendicles and pertinents whatsoever pertaining and belonging to the lands, baronies and others above-specified”.

Hatchednize doesn’t seem to be marked on Robert Gordon’s map, dated to between 1636 and 1652, but is marked on Joan Blaeu’s map of 1654 as Hatchettnisse with a circle rather than a tower symbol.

In the 19th century Hatchednize was rented out to a Mr Foulton by the owner, Sir Hugh Hume Cambell of Marchmont.

Hatchednize is now a farm which is part of the Douglas & Angus Estates and there appear to be no extant remains.