OS1/10/7/14
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HODDOM CASTLE | [Continued from page 13] An extract taken from a document sent to this office by William Sharp Esqr. of Knockhill "The lands of Hoddam alias Hodalm - alias Hodelmer, for this the name was variously written in remote times belonged to the potent family of Brus. Their Castle stood on the opposite side of the River Annan to the present building which long retained the designation of the Castle of Hoddam Staines (Stones) from having been errected with the materials of the more ancient fortress, It is said to be built on the same plan with its predecessor; but only half finished, which from its appearance towards the south is very probable - how the stones of the Original Stronghold came to be carried to another site seems very strange, if it were not that the river Annan might be deemed an additional protection against the inroads from England, but this is certain that the newer Castle never possessed the artificial bulwarks of the other, which was situated on a rock, and had a very extensive moat, even on that side where the river might be supposed a sufficient gaurd. There were formerly traces of a large fish pond, with an island in the Middle - so named at least by tradition - which it is believed are now Obliterated. The Church of Hoddam, which stood near the Castle tho' [though] not within the moat is said to have been the Chapel of the Brus family - the foundations which could formerly be traced with care proved it to have been of a small size - but numerous fragments of carved stonework showed that it had been highly ornamented and in beautifull style. The late Charles Sharpe of Hoddam caused the foundations of the Chapel to be examined - not however destroying their Remains, according to the Gothic practise of the present day, when were discovered fragments of painted glass, a stone coffin in which was a large Spur - Sundry Stones with scrolls elegantly designed - and a number of tomb stones, with crosses carved in high relief - The remarkable thing was that no vestiges of an inscription appeared on any of them; It is not easy to say when the lands of Hoddam passed into the family of Herries subsequently elevated to the peerage as the older documents of the Hoddam charter chest are lost, This family it is well known, merged in an heiress who married Maxwell - afterwards Earl of Nithsdale - Over the first landing place of the staircase at Hoddam Castle was a square stone projecting from the roof most curiously and rudely carved, bearing the arms and initials of the heiress and her spouse. From the Nithsdale family Hoddam came by purchase to the Murrays, Earls of Annandale [blank] Earl of Annandale, in the year 1653 sold the estate and Castle to [blank] Earl of Southesk - In the year 1690 Lord Southesk sold the estate of Hoddam to John Sharpe of Collieston a property which he later disposed of and was of late in the possession of Mr. Copeland." |
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[Page] 14Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Bizzy- Moderator, Jane F Jamieson, Moira L- Moderator, DANIALSAN
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