per censuram ecclesiasticam qualemcumque possit compellere ad solucionem dicte cere aut triginta denariorum predictorum unacum pena si commutatur, Renunciando pro me et heredibus meis in hoc facto omni actioni defensioni et excepcioni et omnium legum auxilio canonici et civilis, beneficio restitucionis in integrum et omnibus aliis que michi et heredibus meis prodesse poterunt in hoc facto, et dictis Abbati et Conventui obesse quo minus solucio fieri valeat dicte cere aut triginta denariorum predictorum una cum pena si commutatur. In cuius rei testimonium presenti scripto sigillum meum una cum sigillo domini Oliueri tunc Abbatis de Driburg est appensum TESTIBUS Domino Oliuero Abbate de Driburg domino Willielmo de Burndun milite Hugone de Perisbi tunc vicecomite de Rokisburg Willielmo de Haiteley Thoma Rimor de Ercildun et aliis.

[From the Original preserved in the General RegisterHouse-to which the Seals of the Laird of Bemerside, and of the Abbot of Dryburgh, still remain attached, but slightly broken.]

SIR TRISTREM;

a

Metrical Romance

of

The Thirteenth Century.

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 apellation 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.1 The confirmatory charter of the same abbey, granted in 1143 by Prince Henry, son to David, is dated at Ercheldu.-HUTCHINSON, vol. i. Append. p. iii. 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, oceurs Carta Wilhelmi Linseia de Ecclesia de Ercheldoun, dated in the time of David I., or Malcolm IV., his successor.NICOLSON'S Scottish Historical Library, App. No. vii. The Earls of March were afterwards Lords of Erceldoune, where they had a stronghold, called the Earl's Tower. It stood at the east end of the village, but is now demolished.

1See a facsimile in Anderson's Diplomata, tab. xiv. procured from Edward, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, and another in Hutchinson's View of Northumberland, vol. i. Append. p. ii.