Lamberton, Scottish Borders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lamberton |
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 Lamberton
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| OS grid reference | NT967572 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BERWICK-UPON-TWEED |
| Postcode district | TD15 |
| Police | Lothian and Borders |
| Fire | Lothian and Borders |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Lamberton is a historic area in Berwickshire, Scotland, known for its rolling hills and beautiful views of the North Sea. It's located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. For a long time, Lamberton was a large estate, meaning it was a big piece of land owned by one family. Today, it's a quiet place with scattered houses, not a busy town or village.
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Lamberton's Early History
Lamberton has a long history, with records going back over 800 years.
First Owners of Lamberton
Around the late 1100s, a man named Adam de Lamberton owned a large part of the land. He gave some of his land to his grandson, Galfrido de Hasswell. Later, in the 1200s, other families like the Mordingtons were also involved with land in Lamberton.
What is a Barony?
Some old records suggest Lamberton was a "feudal barony." A barony was a large area of land controlled by a powerful lord. This lord had special rights and duties. Other records say Lamberton became part of the huge barony linked to Coldingham Priory, which was a large religious house. It's possible Lamberton was part of both at different times.
The Renton Family of Lamberton
The Renton family became very important in Lamberton's history.
Long-Term Owners
In 1325, a charter (a special legal document) shows that John de Raynton took possession of land in Lamberton. After this, the Renton family owned Lamberton for a very long time. They were descendants of the ancient foresters (people who looked after forests) for Coldingham Priory.
Later Generations
By the 18th century, the Rentons still owned Lamberton. Later, in the 19th century, a daughter of the Renton family, Susanna, married Robert Campbell. Their son, Charles Frederick, combined their last names to become Campbell-Renton. This family continued to own Lamberton until 1948.
Royal Wedding Connection
Lamberton has a special link to Scottish and English royal history.
A Royal Meeting Place
The now ruined Lamberton Kirk (a Scottish word for church) was a very important place in July 1503. This is where Margaret Tudor, the daughter of King Henry VII of England, met the representatives of King James IV of Scotland. It's traditionally believed that Margaret and James were married by proxy (meaning someone stood in for them) at this church. This marriage was very important because it eventually led to James VI of Scotland also becoming King of England. Today, only parts of the old church remain, and it was once the burial place for the Renton family.
Knights' Tournament
To celebrate the marriage of Margaret Tudor and King James IV, a special tournament was held on Lamberton Moor. Knights from both England and Scotland took part in this exciting event.
Irregular Marriages at Lamberton
Lamberton was once famous for a unique type of wedding.
The Old Toll House Weddings
The Old Toll House at Lamberton, which is no longer standing, was well-known for its "irregular marriages." This house was located just across the border in Scotland. From 1798 to 1858, the people who looked after the Toll House, and sometimes other unofficial religious figures, would marry couples. These weddings were similar to those at the more famous Gretna Green. A special plaque now marks the spot where the Toll House once stood.
Lamberton Today
Lamberton has changed a lot over the years.
Small Farms for Soldiers
Today, Lamberton mostly consists of smallholdings. These were small farms that were bought by the government from the last Campbell-Renton laird (landowner). This happened after The Great War to provide land for soldiers returning from the war to make a living. However, the land wasn't very good for growing crops, and the farms were too small for people to earn much money. Because of this, many of the original small farms have now been combined to create larger farms.
Modern Lamberton
There isn't a main town or village in Lamberton. Instead, you'll find scattered houses with lovely views over the North Sea. Some new houses have been built in recent years along the old A1 road, which has now been bypassed by a newer route.
Local Community Council
Lamberton is part of a local community group.
Foulden, Mordington and Lamberton Community Council
The main local government for Lamberton is the Scottish Borders Council, which is located about 40 miles (65 km) away. Lamberton also has three elected councillors who represent the area on the Foulden Mordington & Lamberton Community Council. This council is similar to a parish council in England. It helps local people have a say in what happens in their area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings were held online, but they have now returned to face-to-face meetings at the Foulden Village Hall.
