Herdmanston Castle
This page is a stub - your
assistance in completing it would be appreciated
Near Haddington
Details of the castle have yet to be located.
Herdmanston
was used as a military billet during WW2, and was so extensively
damaged by the "Rude and Licentious Soldiery" - mostly Polish
officers in this instance, that it had to be demolished after the
War.
Herdmanston House is an L-shaped house of uncertain
date. The main block measures 67' x 27' and the wing 30 1/2' x 36'.
The plan and area of the structure suggest a late 16th c date but
the thickness of the walls perhaps indicates an earlier date. The
gateways date from the late 17th or early 18th c.
Herdmanston House was completely demolished a few years ago (ie
prior to 1956). An early 17th century painted ceiling was discovered
in the ruin and presented to the National Museum of Antiquities of
Scotland [NMAS] by Lord Sinclair. Nothing remains of the East Gate,
but one pillar of the West Gate is still standing (S Maxwell 1956).
Hermanston Doocot. in ruins, is a notable 17th C building close by.
The remains of a chapel can also still be seen.
Andrew Douglas of Hermiston (or Herdmanston), from whom the
Douglases of Dalkeith are descended, was the younger son of
Archibald I, Lord of Douglas and brother of William Douglas, the
grandfather of William “le Hardi” Douglas. Andrew was succeeded by
his son William Douglas of Hermiston, who is listed on the Ragman
Roll of 1296. James, the son of William, had two sons: Sir William
Douglas, known as the Knight of Liddesdale or the Flower of Chivalry
and Sir John Douglas. Sir John Douglas of Hermiston was the father
of Sir Henry Douglas, Laird of Lugton & Lochleven.
Sir
William St. Clair of Herdmanston who had a charter from Archibald,
Earl of Douglas, confirming him in the lands of Herdmanston and
Carfrae 20 January 1401." He was taken prisoner at the battle of
Homildon Hill in 1402. He had a safe-conduct to England and back in
September 1405, when he was hostage for the Earl of Douglas, and
another safe-conduct till midsummer 1407.
See: Dunbars Vs Douglas
Any contributions to this item will be
gratefully accepted
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