The Revenge of Sir John Herries
The history of the Herries family is a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. In the 14th century, the Herries family owned the barony of Gilmerton, which was located near Edinburgh. The family was also the proprietor of the neighboring estate of Drum, which later became the seat of the Lords Somerville.
Sir John Herries was the head of the family, and he had two daughters, Margaret and Giles. Margaret was the elder of the two, and she was known for her exceptional beauty. She was also a deeply religious person who spent much of her time at the Cistercian Abbey of Newbattle, which was located about three miles away from Gilmerton.
It was at the Abbey of Newbattle that Margaret met a young monk who acted as her confessor. The monk was known for his handsome looks and pleasing manners, and he quickly gained Margaret’s trust. Despite his profession and reputed sanctity, the monk had a dark side, and he began a romantic relationship with Margaret.
The two carried on their relationship in secret, but they were eventually discovered by Sir John Herries. Sir John was a furious and irritable man, and he was outraged by his daughter’s behavior. He threatened to kill Margaret if he ever caught her with the monk again.
Despite her father’s threat, Margaret continued to see the monk. She met him at a farm-house called Gilmerton-Grange, which was located on the road to Newbattle. The farm-house was owned by a young widow of questionable character, who was also having an affair with another monk from the Abbey of Newbattle.
Sir John Herries soon discovered his daughter’s whereabouts, and in a fit of rage, he set fire to the farm-house. Margaret, the two monks, and six other people were burned to death in the fire. The incident took place at a spot now known as Burnt Dole.
Sir John Herries was excommunicated by the Church, and his estate was forfeited by the King. He was forced to flee the country and live in exile. During his time in exile, Sir John corresponded with his friend Sir Walter Somerville, who later married Giles, Sir John’s only surviving daughter.
Sir Walter Somerville helped to secure an accommodation for Sir John, and he was eventually able to obtain a pardon for him. The conditions of the pardon included making over the land where the murder took place to the Abbey of Newbattle, doing penance, and paying a sum of money to the monks to pray for the souls of the deceased.
The tragic story of the Herries family is a reminder of the destructive power of revenge. Sir John Herries’ actions led to the death of his own daughter, as well as several other people. The incident also had far-reaching consequences, including the forfeiture of his estate and his exile from the country.
The story of the Herries family is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of forbidden love. Margaret’s relationship with the monk ultimately led to her untimely death, as well as the destruction of her family.