Cockburn Tower (site of)

Cockburn Tower was a 16th century tower house belonging to the Cockburns of that Ilk although nothing of it now remains.

Later in the 13th century Papple was owned by the family of Lauder of the Bass, probably held from the Earl of March.

In 1270 Alexander de Lavedre de Popil, son and heir of John de Lavedre de Popil, granted a charter to Gilbert Cockburn for 16 years’ possession of various lands in return for a loan.

Around 1318 Alexander, son and heir of John, granted Gilbert of Chockeburn two oxgates of land in the territory of Popil. Amongst the witnesses was Sir Hugh Gurlay, a steward of Patrick de Dunbar, 9th Earl of March, Patrick, son of Roger de Lawdre of Popil, and Rannulf, son of Patrick Savtemarays of Popil.

In the late 14th century Sir William de Cockburn of Scraling married Christian de St. Clair, daughter of Sir Walter de St. Clair of Cessford, and Cessford Castle passed into the Cockburn family.

Their son was styled Alexander Cockburn of Skraling and Cessford and his sons, Adam and William, used the same geographical indicators.

In March 1416 Sir William complained to the General Council of Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany, that he and his wife were unable to take possession of the barony of Sesworth as Sir William de Douglas de Aldroxburgh claimed to own its superiority.

The Douglas family were overlords of all Teviotdale at the time that Robert the Bruce granted the forfeited lands of Cesseworthe to Sir William’s grandfather, William de St. Clair of Hirdmenston. The Lords of Council studied the charters of infeftment from the reigns of Robert I and Robert II and confirmed that the superiority of the barony was rightly owned by the Sinclairs and therefore subsequently by the Cockburns.