A rocky road to romance
CHARLES DOUGLAS LOOKS AT HOW LENNOXLOVE SURVIVED TURBULENT
TIMES TO BECOME ONE OF SCOTLAND’S GREATEST IDYLLS
The very name resounds with romance, but it was not always so. Historians know this place as Lethington, the tower house allegedly built as long ago as the 12th century and acquired in 1345 by the Maitland family of Thirlestane Castle, near Lauder.
But before John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale, enlarged the windows and embellished the building in 1626, it was just another defensive rectangular keep, typical in Scotland, erected to protect the interests of its master.
Everything changed with the Union of the Crowns (Scotland and England) in 1603. By then the Maitlands had achieved powerful status. The Earl of Lauderdale and his son, the 1st and only Duke of Lauderdale, were enigmatic figures, the latter becoming Charles II’s Secretary of State for Scotland.
Although for the most part the Duke lived in great style in both London and at Thirlestane Castle, Lethington was his base when attending sessions in Edinburgh.
And it was he who extended the tower, added kitchens, and enclosed the park.
However, on his death in 1682, Lethington passed to his stepson, Lord Huntingtower, who sold it, and it was then that the romantic associations began.
Frances Theresa Stewart, granddaughter of Lord Blantyre, was appointed maid of honour to Queen Catherine in the Court of Charles II. Described by Samuel Pepys as the “greatest beauty he had ever seen in his life,” she posed as Britannia for the image on Charles’s coinage, and was known as “La Belle Stewart.” Despite rumours to the c.....
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By Charles Douglas
Section : Historic Houses
Page number : 14
