The Capon Tree
The Tree
The Capon Tree, estimated to be at least 500 years, is a Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), and one of the few remaining trees from the ancient Jed Forest, the existence of which was first noted in 1317. It is a Heritage Tree and Tree of National Special interest in the Ancient Tree Inventory of the Woodland Trust, listed as one of Great Britain’s 50 greatest trees by The Tree Council, and recognised as an important historic tree by the Borders Forest Trust. There are two main types of oak in the UK, the Sessile (Cornish or Irish) Oak and the English (Pedunculate or Common) Oak (Quercus robur). Both are native species. It is easiest to distinguish between the two varieties by looking at the acorns and leaves. The sessile oak has leaves with long stalks and acorns which are attached directly to the twigs with no stalks. The English oak has leaves with short or no stalks and acorns attached to the twigs by long stalks.
The name: Capon Tree
There has been much discussion about the name Capon. One suggestion (which can be found on-line) is that Capuchin monks would shelter under the tree, However, the monastic orders in Jedburgh before the reformation were Augustinian (Jedburgh Abbey). The Franciscan settlement located in Greyfriars garden was probably established before the Capuchin branch of the order was set up, and both the abbey and the friary were located some distance from the tree.
Two other Capon trees existed in the border region, one in Anwick and one in Brampton, though neither is still standing. It is claimed that all three trees were “trysting places”, and the Jedburgh Capon Tree is said to have been the place where the Border “clans” gathered, leading to the name “Capon” from the Scots word “Kep” - to meet.
The basis for this view seems to relate to an article written by Henry Penfold entitled ‘The Capon Tree Brampton, and its Memories which was read at a meeting of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society in Carlisle in April 1904 and subsequently published in 1905. This article documented three Capon Trees (Brampton, Anlwick and Jedburgh). It presented an argument for the trees being places where people met, quoting, for example: from Boswell’s dictionary the use of the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Cepan’ to catch or capture; from Jamieson’s Dictionary the Old Scottish word ‘Coven’ from meaning to convene.
The Dictionaries of Scots Language (Dictionars o the Scots Leid) lists several meanings of the word “kep” including to meet or encounter.
Border Reivers
From the 13th to early 17th centuries the Scottish/English border was a volatile area. Before the unification of the crowns of Scotland and England, the two countries were often at war. Local families and their supporters changed loyalties on a regular basis, clashing both with each other, and with the governments on both sides of the border.
The name Borders Reivers was used for those who pillaged the lands on either side of the border, stealing livestock and settling quarrels in a violent manner. As noted above, the Capon Tree is reputed to have been a trysting /gathering point during the 16th century, where local men would meet before skirmishes (often cross-border raids) and gather to attempt to resolve disputes (not always successfully).
One of the last Border skirmishes took pace at Redeswire (7th July 1575). It is thought to be the last battle between Scotland and England.
Ferniehirst
The nearby Ferneihirst Castle was the stronghold of one branch of the Kerr family, a notable Borders family, with another branch having a stronghold at nearby Cessford. The two branches of the family were engaged in a number of inter-family disputes, including one related to the rights to the Jedforest. A noted member of the Ferniehirst Kerrs, Thomas Kerr (dates) was a loyal supporter of Mary Queen of Scots, despite the fact that support for Mary was not widespread within the town.
Callant's Festival
There seems to be evidence that the Capon Tree has been for significance to the people of Jedburgh for a considerable time, and it received mention in letters and publications and appeared in many engravings, paintings and latterly photographs. It is reported that a successful American businessman, James A Weir, (born in Jedburgh in 1848 died in Portland USA in 1922) arranged to have his ashes interned below the tree.
More recently, the Capon Tree and historic Border skirmishes are remembered and celebrated annually at the Jethart Callant’s Festival, one of a number of Common Riding Festivals held across the Borders from June to August each year. Each town selects a young man to lead the events; a different title being given to this person in each town, examples being Cornet, Braw lad and Callant.
In Jedburgh the selected person is known as the Callant, which is a Scots term for a boy or young man (though the origin of the world is thought to be Flemish, brought to the East Coast of Scotland by Flemish fishermen as early as the sixteenth century).
Early in July every year, on Jethart Festival Day, the Callant leads his mounted cavalcade to Ferniehirst Castle and on his return stops at the Capon Tree, taking a sprig of oak and wearing it in the lapel of his jacket. Festival day is a major event in the Town of Jedburgh with over one hundred riders and at many people on foot gathering at Ferniehirst and then stopping at the Capon Tree to observe the ceremony, with the main road to the Scottish/English border, the A68 closed that morning to allow the event to take place.
The renovation project
Over the years, the tree has suffered storm damage and, more recently, has been affected by vehicle pollution from the nearby A68 road. After a serious storm in 2021 it became clear that the tree was at risk of collapse and a restoration plan was put in place. The work was carried out in two phases:
An initial report was prepared, funded by the Cheviot Community Fund (Scottish Borders council)
This advised remedial work on the tree including propping the tree and building a protective fence to cut down pollution from the nearby A68 trunk road.
In addition, it was decided to improve the surrounding environment to encourage visitors to spent time by the tree. This included:
• Installation of a new gate at the entrance to the site
• Installation of information boards relating to the history and significance of the tree
• Installation of a picnic bench.
The work was funded and supported by several organisations, listed below. The work was carried out by both professionals and volunteers and should ensure that this ancient tree can survive for many more years.