If the ballad is no earlier than the date when Elliot
was believed (as by Satchells) to have obtained Stobs before 1596, the
argument falls to the ground.
Starting from that point, and granting that a minstrel fond of the
Scotts wants to banter the Elliots, he may make Telfer ask aid at
Stobs. After that, which version is better in its topography? Bidden
by Stobs to seek Buccleuch, Telfer runs to Teviot, to Coultartcleugh,
some four miles above Branksome. Branksome was nearer, but Telfer was
shy, let us say, and did not know Buccleuch; while at Coultartcleugh,
Jock Grieve was his brother-in-law. Jock gives him a mount, and takes
him to "Catslockhill."
Now, no Catslockhill is known anywhere, to me or to Colonel Elliot.
Mr. Henderson, in a note to the ballad, {110a} speaks of "Catslack in
Branxholm," and cites the Register of the Privy Seal for 4th June 1554,
and the Register of the Privy Council for 14th October 1592. The
records are full of THAT Catslack, but it is not in Branksome. Blaeu's
map (1600-54) gives it, with its appurtenances, on the north side of
St.
Pages:
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156