The Scottish Border Hopes - section 2.1 - before 1296 AD
2.1.2. Liber Sancte Marie de Melros, Liber Sancte de Calchou (Kelso) and Other Sources.
The Abbey documents in Latin gives details of charters written down by the Monks of Melrose and Kelso Abbeys from the reign of King David Ist to King Alexander III. The Melrose charters are not actually dated but were grouped under the name of the Monarch at the time and are also grouped under the location where they were signed by Cosmos Innes who edited the charters in 1836. The Kelso charters are dated to the year. In the Liber Melrose Cosmos Innes provided a commentary in English with the charters remaining in monastic Latin.
Even though the Kelso charters are much more numerous than the Melrose charters there are more Hope references in the Melrose charters. This must be put down to the fact that Melrose is geographically closer to the hilly areas of the Scottish Uplands where the hope valleys are to be found. Kelso is further east towards the Merse the flatter part of the Tweed valley. The hope references here are to be found south of Kelso in the Cheviot hills and the border with Northumbria.
These document are important for Hope origins research though do not not actually record the name of Hope but do record several combination Hope names - surnames as well as location names - these follow.
Liber Melrose.
In the reign of King Malcolm IV 1153-1165. This charter records the name of W. de Lindeseia de Fauhope, charter No 12. (Fauhope is the earliest mention of Hope that I have found so far in the records - Ed.)
In the reign of King William 1165-1214, at Peebles. This charter records the name of Elena de Moreville of Harhope. Charter no 82. The charter is about the land of Harhope and Widhope burn is mentioned as a boundary marker.
In the reign of King William 1165-1214, Teviotdail. Ada de Waleuhope is mentioned. Charters No 160-162.
In the reign of Alexander II 1214-1249, in England. Trollhope is mentioned in Charters Nos 305 and 308.
In the reign of Alexander III 1249-1285, at Haddington. Hoprew and Hopecarthane are recorded in connection with the right of access for the Monks of Melrose to their lands at Hopecarthane, Charter No 356. Simon Fraser of the Barony of Oliver is involved. (This Simon Fraser would be the grandfather of Simon Fraser the Patriot Ed.)
Liber Kelso.
1200-1203 AD. In the parish of Molle (Present day Morebattle Ed.) Willelmi de Molhope, charters No 148,150 and 158 and also the area of Colpenhope, charter Nos 359 and 361.
Other Sources.
Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, edited by Joseph Baines, Vol II 1272-1307.
The first three following charters refer to Kershope in Liddesdale in Roxburghshire close to the border with Cumbria.
Edward Ist 1281-1282. A list of Freeholders of Lydel includes John de Creshope. Charter 208.
Malcolm King of Scots confirms the grant of land in the vale of Lydel, as the charter of David the King's grandfather attests; also the lands of "Greshoppa". Charter 1606-12.
Edward Ist 1304. William de Rossdale grants his lands of Creshope in Lydel. Charter 1606-11.
Edward Ist 1303-1304. Collection of rents in county of Peebles includes William de Hopkeliou in Westhopkeliou also the village of Esterhopkeliou. Charter 1608.
Edward 1st 1279. Wark, Northumbria. Emma de Waynhoppe executed for thieving. (This must be Wainhope in the Keilder valley - Ed.)
Calendar of Close Rolls for Tynedale.
Edward III (1327-1377). Wark. Extract mentions several hopes and indicates that a hope was more than just a topographical feature but more of a farm producing revenue.
Peebles Protocols.
1262 AD. Archibald de Hundwaluchishope (Hundleshope) is mentioned in connection with peat cutting at Walthamshope (Waddenhope).
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2.1. Border Hopes - part 1 - before 1296.
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