Twenty-five years hence, a very considerable proportion of the inscriptions and epitaphs recorded in the following pages will have entirely disappeared. This is due not altogether— in some cases, indeed, not at all— to neglect or willful spoliation. The laws of disintegration operate with merciless severity upon these sacred relics and the quaint and curious words engraved on their surfaces. Except where the stone is particularly durable, epitaphs, after the lapse of a couple of centuries, become defaced and unintelligible.

The memory of our forefathers, however remote the period in which they lived, however simple their lives and humble their origin, is worthy of perpetuation. Apart altogether from the question of genealogy and pedigree, there is an element of deep pathos in all that concerns our departed kindred and the simple words that record their virtues (not always omitting their vices). Time's stern, corroding touch deals harshly with our most cherished and sacred memorials, whether in the form of tombstones or church buildings. Sixteenth- and even seventeenth-century stones are rapidly crumbling to decay—their inscriptions, in some cases, only partially decipherable; in others, so weathered as to be utterly unintelligible.

It is with a view to rescuing these from the oblivion that inevitably awaits them that the present work has been undertaken.

The inscriptions, with few exceptions, have been carefully copied from the stones by the author himself. This part of the work is the result of patient and laborious effort, attended in some cases with only partial success—words here and there being illegible.

For the general description of pre-Reformation fabrics, and especially their architectural features, the author is indebted to Mr. John Ferguson of Duns. This material is given almost verbatim et literatim from his Pre-Reformation Churches of Berwickshire—a series of valuable papers that appeared in the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club Proceedings for 1890. Thanks are also due to the secretary of the Club, Dr. Hardy, for kind permission to use these and other papers, the property of the Club.

Deanbrae, Hawick
20th June, 1896

CONTENTS
Page
Abbey St. Bathans............................................1
Ayton.........................................................12
Bunkle.......................................................17
Preston......................................................22
Channelkirk...............................................27
Chirnside..................................................33
Cockburnspath.........................................40
St. Helen’s (Aldcambus)................................44
Coldingham..............................................49
St. Ebba’s..................................................49
Renton......................................................64
Houndwood................................................64
Coldstream.................................................66
Lennel.......................................................69
Cranshaws..................................................74
Duns.........................................................80
Earlston.....................................................85
Eccles........................................................90
Birgham.....................................................95
Leitholm....................................................96
Mersington................................................96
Edrom........................................................98
Eyemouth.................................................105
Togo.........................................................110
Foulden....................................................115
Gordon....................................................120
Huntlywood.............................................121
Spottiswood............................................121
Hume.......................................................123
Greenlaw..................................................126
Lambden..................................................128
Halyburton..............................................128
Roweston.................................................128
Sutton......................................................131
Fishwick..................................................135
Ladykirk...................................................139
Upsetlington...........................................146
Horndean................................................147
Langton...................................................151
Lauder.....................................................157
Redslie....................................................158
St. Leonard’s.........................................158
Legerwood..............................................163
Longformacus.........................................171
Ellem......................................................173
Mertoun..................................................175
Dryburgh...............................................177
Mordington............................................187
Lamberton.............................................190
Nenthorn...............................................194
Little Newton........................................197
Polwarth................................................200
Swinton.................................................208
Simprin.................................................211
Westruther............................................215
Bassendean.............................................216
Spottiswood..........................................219
Wedderley............................................219
Whitsome..............................................222
Hilton.....................................................224