|
The Bruce family were granted the lordship of Annandale in the 12th century and they divided the area into
baronies, one of which was the barony of Hoddom (or Hodelm) the seat of which is thought to have been at Old
Hoddom Castle (now Hallguards. In 1312 the lordship was granted to Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, by
Robert the Bruce. The present Hoddom Castle is a 16th century L-plan tower house which may incorporate
earlier work, and is reputed to be the largest castle built in the Borders in the 16th century. The lordship
changed hands many times and eventually passed to Sir John Maxwell who was a loyal supporter of Mary Queen
of Scots and fought for her at the Battle of Langside in May 1568. The following month Regent Moray besieged
Hoddom and the castle surrendered after only one day. Moray gave the castle to Douglas of Drumlanrig and
it was used as the headquarters for the English-occupied West March. In 1569 the castle was recaptured by
forces loyal to Mary but was then blown up in 1570 when attacked by an English force.
|
