Thomas the Rhymer is probably the one historical figure that best comes to mind when thinking about Earlston's past, with fragments of his reputed tower house remaining the symbol of the village, as seen on street signs and the primary school uniform.
We are grateful for this article on Thomas, written by Gwen Hardie of the Friends of Thomas the Rhymer Group.
Mention the name ‘Thomas the Rhymer’ to most folk and they will either reply that they have never heard of him or that he was a fantasy figure who disappeared for seven years to live with the Queen of Elfland and returned to Ercildoune with the gift of prophecy.
We are grateful for this article on Thomas, written by Gwen Hardie of the Friends of Thomas the Rhymer Group.
Mention the name ‘Thomas the Rhymer’ to most folk and they will either reply that they have never heard of him or that he was a fantasy figure who disappeared for seven years to live with the Queen of Elfland and returned to Ercildoune with the gift of prophecy.
There is very little factual information on the life of Sir Thomas Learmonth of Ercildoune, yet two extant documents, both written in Latin, are proof of his existence. Despite the dearth of information, Thomas the Rhymer’s role in shaping the course of Scottish history cannot, and should not, be underestimated. His prophecies included:
- The death of King Alexander III in 1286,
- The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314,
- The defeat and death of King James IV at the Battle of Flodden in 1513
- the Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland in 1603.
What we do know is that Thomas was born in Ercildoune, now known as Earlston, to a family of nobility in or around 1220. The family home was a stone-built tower-house or castle, situated near the Leader water and included around ten acres of land. In this medieval period, the villagers would live in meagre, quite squalid accommodation; therefore the home of the Learmonths would be regarded as a grand and imposing structure.
It is written that Thomas was a frequent visitor to the hunting lodge/castle of the Earls of March and Dunbar; this situated further to the west of his home in a hamlet known as the ‘Earls Toun’. He, allegedly, was an ally of, and perhaps prophet to, King Alexander III. It has also been suggested that Lady Bethoc, daughter of the 7th Earl Patrick, was his lover and bore him a son. It is rumoured that they met for secret trysts at the waterfall on Goblin Brook (Boglie Burn) on the slopes of the north Eildon. It has also been suggested that Lady Bethoc was the inspiration for the now famous ‘Romance of Thomas of Ercildoune’. Apparently, her death at a young age left Thomas distraught and their clandestine affair incurred the wrath of Bethoc’s brother, ‘Pate’, 8th Earl and successor to the title, Earl of March and Dunbar, on his father’s death.
‘Blind Harry’, biographer of William Wallace, wrote that Thomas was a frequent visitor to Fail Monastery in Ayrshire, and, during his many visits became acquainted with William Wallace. One of the Rhymer’s many prophecies told that William Wallace would lead Scotland to victory and, by all accounts, it would appear that Thomas was a staunch supporter of his cause against English oppression. By this time, the first ‘War of Independence’, of which Thomas had forewarned, had begun.
While draining the peat bog in Earlston to lay the foundations for the railway line in the mid-nineteenth century, a two-handed broadsword was unearthed. It was in pristine condition and dated by an arms expert as being from the 13th century. The old track that linked the home of Thomas to the hunting lodge of the Earls of Dunbar skirted the peat-bog. This area had been known as “Hawkes Kaim” (Hawks comb), the old Hawking ground of the Earls. It is now known as Halcombe. Apparently, the sword still exists and is part of a private collection, though its whereabouts has not been revealed.
Thomas disappeared twice from the land of mortals, each time in mysterious circumstances. The first is well documented in the tale of his meeting with the queen of fair Elfland at the Eildon Tree and his subsequent return after seven years with the gift of prophecy.
The second time, he didn’t return to mortal earth. This tale is contained in "The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders" by Sir Walter Scott, entitled Thomas the Rhymer, (part third). It is also contained in ‘The Life and Times of Thomas of Ercildoune (The Rhymer) by Elizabeth Burton. This account tells of him following a white hart and hind across the raging River Leader and into the depth of the surrounding forest.
It has also been suggested that Thomas retired to live out his days at Fail monastery…….or, perhaps he was murdered by agents of his enemy, Earl Patrick of Dunbar, and his body disposed of in the murky depths of the peat bog of the Hawkes Kaim. Or, does he “Drie his weird” with the Fairy folk in the halls deep beneath the Eildon Hills and return at will to mortal earth?
With much of Thomas' life shrouded in mystery, it is strange then, that in the 21st century, some 700 years after his demise, information on his bizarre existence is still highly sought after. Indeed, ‘The Romance of Thomas of Ercildoune’, and the latter ballad versions, continues to inspire poets, authors, artists and film-makers, while stirring the imagination of lovers of mystique both locally and globally. As Sir Walter Scott proclaimed:
"Farewell my Father's ancient tower! A long farewell, said he
The scene of pleasure, pomp and power, thou never more shall be!
It is written that Thomas was a frequent visitor to the hunting lodge/castle of the Earls of March and Dunbar; this situated further to the west of his home in a hamlet known as the ‘Earls Toun’. He, allegedly, was an ally of, and perhaps prophet to, King Alexander III. It has also been suggested that Lady Bethoc, daughter of the 7th Earl Patrick, was his lover and bore him a son. It is rumoured that they met for secret trysts at the waterfall on Goblin Brook (Boglie Burn) on the slopes of the north Eildon. It has also been suggested that Lady Bethoc was the inspiration for the now famous ‘Romance of Thomas of Ercildoune’. Apparently, her death at a young age left Thomas distraught and their clandestine affair incurred the wrath of Bethoc’s brother, ‘Pate’, 8th Earl and successor to the title, Earl of March and Dunbar, on his father’s death.
‘Blind Harry’, biographer of William Wallace, wrote that Thomas was a frequent visitor to Fail Monastery in Ayrshire, and, during his many visits became acquainted with William Wallace. One of the Rhymer’s many prophecies told that William Wallace would lead Scotland to victory and, by all accounts, it would appear that Thomas was a staunch supporter of his cause against English oppression. By this time, the first ‘War of Independence’, of which Thomas had forewarned, had begun.
While draining the peat bog in Earlston to lay the foundations for the railway line in the mid-nineteenth century, a two-handed broadsword was unearthed. It was in pristine condition and dated by an arms expert as being from the 13th century. The old track that linked the home of Thomas to the hunting lodge of the Earls of Dunbar skirted the peat-bog. This area had been known as “Hawkes Kaim” (Hawks comb), the old Hawking ground of the Earls. It is now known as Halcombe. Apparently, the sword still exists and is part of a private collection, though its whereabouts has not been revealed.
Thomas disappeared twice from the land of mortals, each time in mysterious circumstances. The first is well documented in the tale of his meeting with the queen of fair Elfland at the Eildon Tree and his subsequent return after seven years with the gift of prophecy.
The second time, he didn’t return to mortal earth. This tale is contained in "The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders" by Sir Walter Scott, entitled Thomas the Rhymer, (part third). It is also contained in ‘The Life and Times of Thomas of Ercildoune (The Rhymer) by Elizabeth Burton. This account tells of him following a white hart and hind across the raging River Leader and into the depth of the surrounding forest.
It has also been suggested that Thomas retired to live out his days at Fail monastery…….or, perhaps he was murdered by agents of his enemy, Earl Patrick of Dunbar, and his body disposed of in the murky depths of the peat bog of the Hawkes Kaim. Or, does he “Drie his weird” with the Fairy folk in the halls deep beneath the Eildon Hills and return at will to mortal earth?
With much of Thomas' life shrouded in mystery, it is strange then, that in the 21st century, some 700 years after his demise, information on his bizarre existence is still highly sought after. Indeed, ‘The Romance of Thomas of Ercildoune’, and the latter ballad versions, continues to inspire poets, authors, artists and film-makers, while stirring the imagination of lovers of mystique both locally and globally. As Sir Walter Scott proclaimed:
"Farewell my Father's ancient tower! A long farewell, said he
The scene of pleasure, pomp and power, thou never more shall be!
Some said to hill, and some to glen their wondrous course had been
But ne'er in haunts o'living men again was Thomas seen".
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