Sir Gideon Murray’s Offer

Deep in the heart of the Scottish Borders, on the north bank of the River Tweed, lie the crumbling ruins of Elibank Tower. Surrounded by rolling hills and untamed wilderness, this fortress once stood as a bastion of power in an era of relentless feuds and family rivalries. One of its most notable inhabitants was Sir Gideon Murray, a man whose life bridged the often-blurry lines between violent disputes, royal service, and personal redemption. His story is a fascinating one, made even more remarkable by a single, legendary event: the marriage offer that saved a man’s life and brought an end to a long-standing clan feud.

From Theology to Feuding

Sir Gideon Murray was born into the influential Murray family, which hailed from Peeblesshire. As the third son of Andrew Murray of Blackbarony, young Gideon was originally groomed for a very different path from the one his life eventually took. In his early years, he pursued theological studies, suggesting a future in the clergy. But as fate would have it, an unfortunate incident dramatically altered his course. Gideon either accidentally or intentionally killed a man named Aitchison, leading to his imprisonment in Edinburgh Castle.

It was Lady Stewart, the wife of Captain James Stewart (who would later become the Earl of Arran), who intervened to secure Gideon’s release. This turning point in his life marked the end of his religious ambitions and the beginning of a new chapter. Abandoning theology, Sir Gideon entered the service of his relative, Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch, taking on the role of chamberlain and later amassing significant territorial power of his own. In 1594, he acquired a charter for the lands of Elibank and took up residence in the tower that bore the same name. Life on the Borders was characterized by family feuds, and it wasn’t long before Sir Gideon found himself entangled in the region's infamous disputes, particularly with the Scott clan.

The Border Feud with the Scotts

The history of the Scottish Borders is full of stories of enmity between families, and the feud between the Murrays and the Scotts was among the most intense. The two clans frequently clashed, engaging in cattle raids and skirmishes as was common in that era. Their lands bordered one another, providing plenty of opportunities for conflict. The Scott family of Harden was especially powerful in the Ettrick Valley, and their stronghold at Oakwood Tower was a symbol of their might.

One day, William Scott, the young heir of the Scott of Harden family, led a raid against the Murrays of Elibank, hoping to drive off their cattle. However, the raid was not a success. Sir Gideon Murray and his men were prepared, and they managed to capture William Scott as he attempted to flee with the cattle. The young Scott was taken to Elibank Tower, where his fate now lay in the hands of Sir Gideon.

The Grim Choice: Marriage or the Noose

Back at Elibank Tower, Sir Gideon faced a decision about what to do with his captive. By the customs of the Borders, a captured enemy could expect little mercy, and Sir Gideon was initially set on executing William Scott for his crimes. His victory over the Scotts presented an opportunity to deliver a final blow to his family’s enemies. But as the story goes, Sir Gideon’s wife had a more pragmatic suggestion.

The Murrays had three daughters, one of whom was named Agnes, though she was better known by her less-than-flattering nickname, "Mickle-mouthed Meg." The name referred to her rather large mouth, and it was said that her appearance was less than desirable. Lady Murray, seeing an opportunity to strengthen her family’s position, suggested to her husband that rather than executing William Scott, they offer him a choice: marry their daughter Agnes or face the noose.

When William Scott first heard the proposal, he was appalled. He would rather face death than be forced into a marriage with Mickle-mouthed Meg. Defiantly, he chose the noose, and preparations for his execution began. However, as the moment of his hanging drew near and the reality of his situation set in, William had a change of heart. In what must have been a tense and dramatic moment, he decided to reconsider his options. Facing death, he ultimately chose to marry Agnes Murray rather than meet his end on the gallows.

A Marriage That United Two Families

Remarkably, the marriage between William Scott and Agnes, born out of such strange and desperate circumstances, turned out to be a successful one. The couple went on to have a large family, and their descendants prospered. Over time, the union between William and Agnes helped to mend the rift between the Scott and Murray clans, bringing an end to their feud.

The story of Mickle-mouthed Meg and William Scott became a well-known legend in the Borders, often recounted by both families as a testament to the unpredictable nature of life in that region. Sir Walter Scott, the famous novelist and poet, who was a descendant of William Scott of Harden, immortalized the tale in his writings. He noted that the story was still "often jocularly referred to upon the Borders," a humorous yet poignant reminder of the era when family honor was defended with sword and cattle raids.

Sir Gideon Murray’s Rise and Fall

Beyond the personal drama of his family, Sir Gideon Murray was an influential figure in the Scottish realm. His management of the Buccleuch estates was marked by competence and efficiency, and his skills eventually caught the attention of King James VI. In 1610, Murray was appointed Treasurer Depute of Scotland, a role in which he worked to stabilize the kingdom's finances. Under his stewardship, Scotland’s exchequer was restored to solvency, and Sir Gideon oversaw the repair of several royal palaces and castles, including Holyrood and Edinburgh Castle.

Murray’s financial acumen also earned him the favor of the King when he funded King James VI’s return to Scotland in 1617. In a famous incident, recounted by Sir Walter Scott, the King himself once stooped to pick up Sir Gideon’s glove during a private audience, an extraordinary gesture of royal favor. James VI reportedly remarked, "My predecessor Queen Elizabeth thought she did a favor to any man when she let her glove fall, but you may say a King lifted up your glove."

However, despite his success and favor at court, Sir Gideon’s fortunes were not immune to the whims of politics. He was eventually accused of abusing his office, with his rival, James Stewart, Lord Ochiltree, leading the charge. The accusations, though likely baseless, took a severe toll on Sir Gideon. He died shortly after, his health and spirit broken by the weight of the allegations.

A Lasting Legacy

Although Sir Gideon Murray’s life ended in personal tragedy, his legacy endured through his descendants. His son, Sir Patrick Murray, was created Lord Elibank in 1642, establishing a title that would carry the family name forward. The marriage of William Scott and Mickle-mouthed Meg, born of necessity and desperation, ultimately became a symbol of unity between two rival clans. Their descendants, including the famed Sir Walter Scott, carried on the family legacy, preserving the memory of those turbulent times on the Borders.

Today, the ruins of Elibank Tower stand as a silent witness to the history of the Murray family and the tales of feuds, alliances, and survival that shaped the Scottish Borders. Sir Gideon Murray’s offer, which once seemed like a grim joke, proved to be the foundation for peace between two great families—an enduring reminder of how even the most hostile feuds can be resolved in the most unexpected ways.

Adapted from: Lawson, J. P. (1852). Scotland: Picturesque; historical; descriptive: Being a series of views of Edinburgh and its environs; the mountains, glens, lochs, sea-coasts; and the palaces, castles, and ecclesiastical buildings of Scotland. Consisting of over seventy chromo-lithographs from original and copyright drawings. John G. Murdoch.