| He had sasine of the lands of Cockpool and others in 1547. He added to the family property by purchasing from his ward Marion Carruthers some of the Mouswald estates, and also by the acquisition of Church lands in Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbright. Sir Charles is often referred to in the public records of his time. He was a conservator of the treaty of peace following the Lennox and Wharton invasion, which, according to Lesley, 'Cockpulii Virtus' had vigorously opposed, and it seems was also imprisoned at this period in Carlisle, as were the Lairds of Maxwell and Johnstone. In 1567 he was intrusted by Parliament with the keeping of wappenschaws, and some years later was instructed to undertake 'sic ordour and direction' as is necessary 'for the weill and quietness of the country'; whilst another entry relates that he and John Murray of Murraythwaite were ordered to find surety for the good behaviour of all those for whom they were responsible. In 1570 there was a battle at Cockpool between Lord Maxwell and some of Scrope's followers, when the Scots being defeated, Maxwell, Holmains, and others escaped 'by the strength' of Sir Charles's house. He attended King James VI upon his visit to Dumfriesshire in 1597.19 |