INTRODUCTION. THE Romance of Sir Tristrem was composed by THOMAS Of ERCELDOUNE, called the RHYMER, who flourished in the 13th century. The only copy, known to exist, is contained in a large and valuable collection of Metrical Romances, belonging to the Library of the Faculty of Advocates, and called, from its donor, the Auchinleck MS. A correct edition of this ancient and curious poem is now submitted to the public. This prefatory memoir is designed to contain, I. Some account of Thomas of Erceldoune ; II. History of the romance of Sir Tristrem ; III. Observations on the copy now published. I. THOMAS OF ERCELDOUNE derived his territorial appellation from the village of Erceldoune, in the Merse, or county of Berwick, situated on the river Leader, about two miles above its junction with the Tweed. It appears that this small village was once a place of some importance, and, at least occasionally, honoured with the royal residence. The foundation charter of Melrose Abbey, granted by King David I., dated June 1136, is subscribed at Ercheldun.* The confirmatory charter of the same abbey, granted in 1143 by Prince Henry, son to David, is dated at Ercheldu.-HUTCHINSON, vol. 1. Append. p. 3. The family of Lindsei appears anciently to have had an interest in Erceldoune; for, among the charters granted to the abbey of Coldingham, and preserved in the archives at Durham, occurs Carta Wilhelmi Linseia de Ecclesia de Ercheldoun, dated in the time of David I., or Malcolm IV., his successor.-NICHOLSON'S Scottish Historical Library, App. No. VIII, * See a fac-simile in Anderson's Diplomata, Tab. XIV., procured from Edward, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, and another in Hutchinson's View of Northumberland, Vol. I. Ap. pend. p. 2. |