LAMBERTOUN, which was formerly a parish, is now united to Mordington. Its church was a chapelry belonging to the priory of Coldingham, to which its advowson was attached. After the Reformation, Lamberton parish was annexed to the adjoining parish of Ayton to enlarge the stipend. In 1650, it was disjoined from Ayton and annexed to the still smaller parish of Mordington.
The old church of Lamberton stood on an eminence three miles northward from Berwick, near the Edinburgh road. It was the scene of several important events. The marriage treaty of Princess Margaret with James IV stipulated that she should be delivered to the King's commissioners at Lamberton Church without any expense to the bridegroom. The story of her journey from Berwick is quaintly told:
"On the XXX and XXXI days of July 1502, the queen tarried at Barrwyk, where she had great chere of the said cappitayne of Barrwyk. That same day was, by the cappitayne, to the pleaseur of the said quene, gyffen corses of chasee, within the said town, with other sports of bayrs and of dogs togeder. The first day of August, the quene departed from Barwick for to go to Larnberton kerke in verrey fair company, and well appoynted. Before the said quene war, by order, Johannes and hys company [of players], and Henry Glescebery and his company, the trumpets, officrs of arms, and sergeants of Masse; so that, at the departing out of the said Barrwyk, and at her Bedward, at Larnberton kerke, it was a joy for to see and here."*
Queen Margaret lost her husband at the fatal battle of Flodden in 1513, and in 1517, under sadly altered circumstances, she returned to Lamberton Kirk as a widowed queen. The ruins of this church stand within its burying ground, close to the farm steading of the same name. It consisted of a nave, 30 feet by 17 feet, and a narrower chancel, 28 feet by 14 feet internally, both of which have now been converted into burial aisles. The walls are approximately six feet high, and the greater part of these is modern, with every detail of ancient origin having disappeared.*
The churchyard, now disused, is in a sadly dilapidated condition, with many tombstones lying flat on the ground and partially overgrown with grass. The wall surrounding the churchyard is partly broken down, offering minimal protection to the sacred site.
On a medium-sized stone dated 1772, these words appear:
"Vain world, farewell, enough I've had of thee,
For now I'm careless what thou say'st of me:
Thy smiles I court not, nor thy frowns do fear,
My cares are past, my bones lie quiet here.
My crimes conspicuous, vain man, avoid!
Thine own heart search, and then thou'lt be employed."
Mr. Ferguson. — Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, 1890.
Several authorities state that the marriage ceremony of James IV and Margaret was performed in Lamberton Church. A tradition long prevailing in this area claims that, as a result, the King of Scotland granted the clergyman of this parish and his successors the liberty to marry couples without the proclamation of banns. However, James IV was not married here, and this tradition has no historical foundation. Lamberton Toll, nearby, was notorious for irregular marriages, some of which have occurred within recent years. This may have contributed to the tradition.
Additional Inscription Examples
On a very small stone:
"Here lyeth the corps of David Windrham, son of George Windrham, who departed this life March 26, 1767."
On a medium-sized, plain stone dated 1772:
"Here lyes John Runciman,
Kept within
A prison close for
Adam's sin. But rests in
Glorious hope that he
Shall by the second
Adam be set free."
Ministers of Mordington Since 1573
Robert Douglas — 1573 to 1581
John Spottiswood — 1581 to [unknown]
Thomas Ramsay, M.A. — 1648 to 1682
George Barclay — 1682 to 1689
Thomas Ramsay, M.A. (reinstated) — 1689 to 1695
Alexander Lauder, M.A. — 1695 to 1719
John Law — 1721 to 1735
Richard Bell, M.A. — 1736 to 1773
James Smith — 1773 to 1791
George Drummond — 1792 to 1800
William Davidson — 1801 to 1804
George Chalmers — 1805 to 1831
George Fulton Knight, M.A.* — 1832 to 1843
Charles Blair — 1843 to 1870
David Miller, B.D., LL.B. — 1871 to 1884
Hugh Fleming (present incumbent) — 1885
There is a Free Church in this parish, built in 1843. The present minister is Peter Geddes Hendry, M.A., settled in 1894.
*Knight left the Established Church at the Disruption.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel