Notes for George Baillie: George Baillie had to flee to Holland after his father's estaes were seized and he was. executed He was penniless after his father’s death. He had already met Grisell, the daughter of a fellow exile, Sir Patrick Hume. In exile the friendship ripened, although he had nothin yet to offer her but the pay of a junior officer in the Prince of Orange’s Horse Guards. Then, in 1688, came a dramatic change of fortune. The Prince of Orange set out on the journey which was to make him William III of England, and Sir Patrick Hume and George Baillie sailed with him. Both their estates were restored and in September 1691 Grisell Hume became Grisell Baillie. She was beautiful and accomplished, a devoted wife and an excellent household manager. She kept a Household Book which has comedown to us as a classic of social history. Her husband continued to improve his position; he became a Member of Parliament and was one of the architects of the Treaty of Union. To Scottish nationalists he was one of the "parcel of rogues" who voted in favour of the the Act of Union 1707 in the Scottish parliament.
PARCEL O' ROGUES by Robert Burns
Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame, Fareweel to ancient glory, Fareweel evan tae the Scottish name Sae famed in martial story ! Now Sark rins o'er the Solway sands And Tweed rins tae the ocean, To mark where England's province stands Such a parcel of rogues in a nation.
What force or guile could not subdue, Thro' mony warlike ages, Is wrought now by a coward few For hireling traitor wages; The English steel we could distain Secure in valours station, But English gold has been our bane, Such a parcel of rogues in a nation.
Oh, would ere I had seen the day That treason thus could sell us, My auld gray head had lien in clay Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace, But pith and power to my last hour I'll mak' this declaration - We're bought and sold for English gold, Such a parcel of rogues in a nation.
George Baillie and his wife Grisell commenced the building of Mellerstain in 1725, using the architect William Adam but only the two wings were completed. For 40 years no progress was made.
More About George Baillie: Elected: Member of parliament.
George Baillie (d. 1738)
Notes for George Baillie: