Alexander de Cokburne facts for kids
Sir Alexander de Cokburne (born around 1310, died around 1370) was an important Scottish landowner. He came from a family in the Scottish Borders who owned land. Through his two marriages, Sir Alexander became very rich and powerful. He gained control of large areas of land in the Scottish counties of Berwickshire, West Lothifax, East Lothian, and Peeblesshire. For the next 500 years, the Cockburn family was very important in Scottish affairs. This was because they owned a lot of land and had strong political connections.
Who Were His Parents?
It's not completely clear who Sir Alexander's parents were from the old records we have. However, he married two very wealthy heiresses (women who inherited a lot of money and land). This suggests he came from a well-known part of the Cockburn family. In the summer of 1296, many Scottish nobles and church leaders signed the Ragman Roll. This document showed their loyalty to King Edward I of England. Two people named Pieres de Cokeburn and Thomas de Cokeburn from Roxburgh county signed it. It's very likely that Sir Alexander was related to them, and he might even have been the son of one of them.
How Sir Alexander Gained His Wealth
In 1330, Sir Alexander de Cokburne became the Baron of Langton (in Berwickshire), Carriden (in West Lothian), and Bolton (in East Lothian). He gained these titles and lands after marrying a rich heiress named Mariota de Veteriponte (also known as Maria de Vipont). Mariota's father, Sir William de Veteriponte, had died in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The barony of Langton was a large estate located southwest of Duns. It was about 6 kilometers away from Cockburn Tower on the southern side of Cockburn Law. Sir Alexander's second marriage was to another heiress, Maria de Monfode. This marriage added the barony of Skirling (in Peeblesshire) to his lands.
Dividing the Family Lands
When Sir Alexander died, his large landholdings were divided among his three sons. His eldest son, Alexander, received the baronies of Langton and Carriden. John, who was the second oldest son from Sir Alexander's first marriage, received the barony of Bolton. William, the eldest son from Sir Alexander's second marriage, received the barony of Skirling. For the next 400 years, the Cockburns of Langton were very important landowners in Berwickshire. Other parts of the family also gained estates at Ormiston and Clerkington, which are just southwest of Haddington in East Lothian.
