15th Century
"Robertus de Lawedre de Edryngtoune de Scotia, miles" is mentioned along with "Venerabilis pater Wills epus Glasguen' cancellar' Scotie (William de Lawedre, Bishop of Glasgow and Lord Chancellor of Scotland) and Patricius de Dunbar de Bele de Scotia, mils," under date 12 May 1423 in the Rotuli Scotiae. Again on 19 August 1423, when he was envoy for the ransom of King James I of Scotland; and again on 3 December of that same year. Joseph Bain, quoting from Foedera and other original documents, confirms this.
On 14 December 1425 he was invested in the family estates:- "The King confirms to Robert de Lawedre of Edringtoun, knight, justiciario Scotia, the lands of le Crag, Balgone, the Bass, Edringtoun, Simprin, Easter Pencaitland, Newhall, etc"., for him and his legitimate heirs. According to Alexander Nisbet he too was Justiciar of the Lothians. Describing him as "Roberto de Lawedre de Edringtoun militi," John J Reid mentions that this Sir Robert was also an Auditor of Exchequer, and between 1425 and 1433 he was Governor of Edinburgh Castle. His name can be seen today on the Table of Governors on display in the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle.
His son thereafter took Edrington. Rev.Ferrier notes that Sir Robert de Lawedre de Eddringtoun, knight, endowed an alter to St.Mary in North Berwick Church on 4 March 1435. Further, in a charter dated 20 June 1443 re the lands of Hownam, 'Robert of Lawadre of Eddringtoun' appears as a witness
James Logan Mack states that "about the year 1450 Edrington was conveyed by James II of Scotland to Robert Lauder of Bass" but as already noted they were already designated "of Edrington" so this must have been another reconfirmation. A Great Seal charter dated 25 April 1450 mentions a David de Lawder, "a nephew of Robert Lawder of Edringtoune". The same "Robert de Lawedre Lord of Edrington, militibus" appears as a witness to a charter to "Patrick de Dunbar de Bele, militi", signed in "the castle of Bele" (Biel, near Stenton), and confirmed at Edinburgh 24 April 1452.
About 1462 Berwick-upon-Tweed Castle was put into the hands of Robert Lauder of Edrington. He kept his position uninterruptedly till 1474 when he was succeeded, briefly, by David, Earl of Crawford (later David Lindsay, 1st Duke of Montrose). Scott records that in 1464 "Robert Lauder was paid £20 for repairs made to Berwick Castle." Robert de Laweder de Edringtoun is the first witness to a Retour of Service dated 1467 of Margaret Sinclair as one of the heirs of her grandfather John Sinclair in the lands of Kimmerghame, Berwickshire.
In a charter of 1471 the King confirmed to Robert Lauder son and heir apparent of Robert Lauder of Edrington, the lands of Edrington and Coalstell with the fishings of 'Edermouth' (Whiteadder Water) plus the mill there (at Edrington) which Robert the father personally resigned to Robert junior and his male heirs failing which those relations bearing the Lauder arms. The spouse of Robert senior, Jonette Home, gave her consent.
In a further charter signed at Edinburgh 26 June 1474 and confirmed there on 27 July 1475, the King confirms a charter of Robert Lauder junior, "Lord of Edringtoun", Witnesses included Robert Lauder of Bass, father of said Robert junior.
On 20 January 1478 the King again appointed Robert Lauder of Edrington as custodian of the castle at Berwick-upon-Tweed for five years with a retainer of 200 merks (Scott gives it as £250) per annum.(The Great Seal). He was not at the castle the following month, as on 2 February 1478, King James III of Scotland advised the bearers of the instalment of Princess Cecilia's dower that he had sent, amongst others, Robert Lawdir of Edrington, son and heir apparent to Robert Lawdir of The Bass, to conduct them to Edinburgh (Bain). Scott notes that he continued as Governor of Berwick Castle till the last year of Scottish occupation, when Patrick Hepburn of Hailes had possession. The printed Exchequer Rolls record that payments were made to "Robert Lauder, Captain and Keeper of the castle at Berwick-upon-Tweed" in 1480 and 1481.
On 12 September 1489 a Charter signed at Linlithgow from King James IV confirmed "to his squire, Robert Lauder of Edrington" various lands. This Robert Lauder of Edrington had married Isobel Hay, daughter of John Hay, 1st Lord Hay of Yester (a descendant of Robert The Bruce), and his wife Mary Lindsay.
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