OS1/32/11/2
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falkirk (Continued) | [continued from page 1] by the parishes of Polmont and Muiravonside; on the south, by Muiravonside and Slamannan; on the west, by Cumbernauld and Denny; and on the north, by the river Carron, which divides it from Dunipace, Larbert, and Bothkennar. The course of the Carron, however, having, many years ago, in several places, been altered, some parts of this parish are now on the northern side; and certain small parts of the parishes of Larbert and Bothkennar are on the southern, or Falkirk side of the river. Situated on the boundary betwixt the Roman possessions on the south, and those of Caledonia on the north, many sanguinary encounters took place in Ancient times in this parish. Among these, there was one in the year 415, In which Robert Graham, a commander under King Fergus II., fell, while repelling the Roman forces; and from this event the Wall of Antoninus, originally formed in A.D. 140, is supposed to have received the appellation, which it bears to this day, of Graham's Dyke. From the inscription upon a slab of marble found at taking down the old church in 1810, it appears that Graham was buried in the adjoining church-yard. On the north of the town, and near to where the village of Grahamston now stands, a battle was fought on 22nd. July 1298, between the forces of Edward I. of England, and the Scots, led on by the patriotic and undaunted William Wallace. The attack on each side was violent, but, overpowered by superior numbers, the Scots retreated, and, crossing the river Carron, marched northward. In this battle Sir John Graham of Dundaff and Sir John Stewart of Bonkill, commanders in the Scottish army, were slain, and were both interred in the church-yard, where their grave-stones are still to be seen. In the reign of James III. the town was for some time occupied by the army of the discontented Lords, who had risen in rebellion against that monarch. His Majesty intended to have attacked them there. They, however, anticipated his purpose, and met him at Sauchie burn, near Stirling, where the conflict took place, which terminated in his defeat and death. While Queen Mary was yet infant, Henry VIII. cherished the hope of subjugating Scotland by her union in marriage with his son Edward. The Earl of Arran, then Regent favoured the scheme; but Cardinal Beaton and the Earl of Murray were its determined opponents. These personages agreed to have a meeting at Falkirk on 4th. September 1543; and at Callendar House a treaty was signed, which put an end to the proposal. This celebrated but unfortunate Sovereign appears to have been on intimate footing with the family of Callendar. On the 12th. of August 1562, she dined there with a part of her train, on her way to the north; and on 1st. July 1565, she stood godmother to the infant Baron of Callendar, son of William, Sixth Lord Livingstone. She slept at Callendar with the infant Prince James, on the night of the 13th. January 1567, and again on the 24th. of the same month, when on her way to visit her husband Darnley, then ill of the small-pox at Glasgow; with whom she returned to Falkirk on the 28th., and proceeded to Edinburgh on the following day. Soon after this Mary was a captive at Lochleven. After her escape from thence, Lord Livingstone was one of those who welcomed her on her arrival at Niddry Castle; and on the field of Langside, distinguished himself by his gallant conduct at the head of his vassals, composed of inhabitants of Falkirk. He rode with the Queen from that fatal field, and, along with her, was confined in different prisons by Elizabeth. At Bolton they were joined by Lady Livingstone, who, with her husband, were for several years the principal attendants, or rather companions, of the captive Queen. In 1573, they were both released from their sufferings by death, and their remains were conveyed to Falkirk for interment. In the nonage of James VI., Scotland was for some time governed by the Earl of Morton a function which, from tile unpopularity of his measures, he was induced to resign. Having, [continued on page 3] |
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[Page] 2Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Alison James- Moderator, jwhart22
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