Person:Brounin Symple (1)

William Symple husband of Christiana conveyed the land of his wife to the Templar’s' for his lifetime and moved away from Christiana to live in the house of the Temple in Temple, Midlothian. Christiana and the children were left to dwell in a certain residence that he, husband William, had just left. Christiana and the children struggled, barely having sufficient support for herself, or her boys. Upon her husband William's death before 1292, the Master of the English Knights Templar Brian de Jay came with his followers from Esperston to egress her and the children from the land. Brian de Jay claimed Christiana's husband William Symple sold him the land. A quarrel ensued. Christiana claimed the land did not belong to her husband and it wasn't his to sell. The land had always been her property through heritage. A physical altercation ensued. Brian de Jay and his followers attempted to physically drag her from the home. Christiana held tight to the front door and would not let go. One of the Templar’s drew his knife and cut one of Christiana's fingers. Now, maimed and in pain, the family was forcibly and wrongfully expelled. Christiana pled her case before one of these rulers at that time, either Alexander III of Scotland or, John Balliol who succeeded him after Alexander III of Scotland's daughter Margaret died, still uncrowned. Christiana's property was returned and she remained in peaceable possession for a time.

During the war between the Kingdoms, Master Brian de Jay again forcibly removed Christiana from the property (c. 1296) and it remained in his possession up until 1298. Just prior to the Battle of Falkirk, Richard 'Coque, or Cook'' the son of Christiana, appealed to Master Brian de Jay for the return of his mother’s property. Master Brian de Jay promised Richard justice in this matter in the morning, if he Richard Cook' would guide the Welshman in the command of Jay to Listoun. The next day, Richard 'Cook' Symple came to guide the said Welshmen from 'Balintrodokis' to Listoun they murdered the said Richard in the Wood of Clerkington which is now Rosebery and left his body there after they had rifled it. Christiana's land remained with Master Brian de Jay until 22 July 1298. Master Brian de Jay died at the Battle of Falkirk and legend says he had been killed by William Wallace himself. The Knights Templar hold had been quelled in this region since the death of Master Brian de Jay. The Knights Hospitaller was the main ruling Order at this time.

In 1354 we see a Charter by Knights Hospitaller Brother Thomas De Lindesay Master of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem To Robert, Son of Alexander Symple of Haukerstoun, stating that William son of the aforsaid Christiana afterwards in the greatest and most urgent necessity, gave, granted, and heritably in all time coming disposed his said land or holding with all its pertinents to his dear kinsman (nee cousin) Alexander Symple before-named and his heirs for a certain sum of money which the said Alexander gave and fully paid. Therefore, We having God before our eyes and wishing to do justice to everyone do grant to the said Robert as son and heir of the aforsaid Alexander Symple the full investment lawfully due to him in the said land or tenement with all and singular the pertinents thereof in God's name, and do deliver to him heritable seizing with our own hands by common consent of our Brethren at Haukyrstoun, upon Monday on the Feast of St. Dunstan Archbishop, 19th May 1354.