64
RIDDELLS OF ROXBURGHSHIRE, SCOTLAND.
lands of Wester Lilliesleaf, in Roxburghshire, eclipsed them all, being
the most ancient charter known from a king to a layman. This charter
was granted between 1120 and 1153; it included lands called Whittun,
near the Cheviot Hills, the lands to be held of the crown, "per servitium
unius militis sicut unus baronum meorum vicinorum suorum." Another
authority gives the date of the charter as 1112, confirming possessions to
"Walterus de Ridal de terris de Lilliesleaf et dimidum de Estetho (or
Chetto), et Whittunes tenen de Rege per servitium unius militis, sicut
unus Baronum nostrovum, coram Andra Episcopo de Catanis, Waltero
Filio Allansi et Ricardo de Moravillo." This ancient document became
so frail by lapse of time that it was legally copied during a court held at
Jedburgh, by order of Lord Gray, Justice General of Scotland, in 1556.
Nisbit, the antiquary and herald, who flourished in the early part of the
last century drew the copy. These lands were subsequently denominated
the Baronies of Riddell and Whittun, in part from the possession, and the
latter, "Domini de Riddell and Whittunus." The charter styles Walter
a sheriff, and confirms to him all the lands of which his brother Gervasius
died possessed. This Walter married Ethrida de Percy, sister to the Lord
of Oxenham, and having no issue was succeeded by his brother, of whom
hereafter. Walter died about the year 1150.
Sir Auskittel de Ridale' (1), son of Philip" (1), of the house of
Ridel, or Rydale, denominated "of Ardnamurchan" in this work, suc-
ceeded his brother Walter, before mentioned. His name is spelled in an-
cient documents, Anschittal, Auskittal, Anschittil, and Oscittal. The
lands of his brother Walter were derived by will, and confirmed by a bull
from Pope Adrian IV, dated 8th April, 1155. The bull runs thus:
"Adrianus Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Auskittel Riddell militi, solo-
tem et Apostolicum Benedictionem, sub Beati Petri et nostri protectione
suscepimus specialiter ae quae Walterus de Riddell testamentum suum ante
obitum suum faciens tibi nosciter reliquisse, viz., villas de Whittunus, Lillies-
clive, Braehebe, etcetera bona a quibuscunque tibi juste colate, nos authori
tate sedis Apostolicæ integre confirmamus. Datum Beneventi Septimo
ides Aprilis." There is another bull from Pope Alexander III, dated 7th
of June, 1160, confirming the will of the said Walter de Ridale, bequeath-
ing to his brother Auskittel the lands of Lilliesclives and Whittuns, and
ratifying the bargain between Auskittel and Huctrudes concerning the
church at Lilliesclives, in consequence of the mediation of Malcolm II,
and confirmed by a charter from that monarch. One authority says, "Os-
citel Ridal having returned to his native land with consent of King Mal-
com Canmore, gave his lands of Cranstown, Preston, and others to his
son Hugo (Hugh), who in the year 1110 bestowed the church of Crans-
town and certain lands in the barony, to the monastery of Selkirk, which
was founded by Prince David during the reign of his brother, Alexander
I. This monastery was afterwards transferred to Kelso when David suc-
ceeded to the throne." This writer says, "Ocitel married Elena, daughter
to Robert de Morville, lord of Riddesdale, in Northumberland, and by
her had several sons." His wife seems to have been a sister to Jordanus
le Fleming. Auskittel died in 1180, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
of whom hereafter. Sir Auskittel was a witness to a charter of confir-
mation granted to the monks of Kelso in 1159, by Malcolm IV, the grand-
son of David I. His title represented knighthood.
Ralph de Ridale¹ (1), a son of Philip (1), and brother of Gervasius
and Auskittel, was a donor to Jedburgh Abbey.
