bountiful, though likely too rich for the digestion and figure of modern folk.

The baron was proprietor and absolute ruler of his estate. He was a law unto himself. He maintained a trial court with power of "pit and gallows," meaning that he could condemn male criminals to be hanged or women offenders to be drowned. However, he usually assigned a bailie to handle court trials. He was manager of his own farms and herds and dealt with his free tenants, but usually assigned such duties largely to an overseer.

When the king called for military service, Baron Houstoun must ride out with his armed retainers and tenants. Or if his castle were attacked, his forces must be ready for defense. But at other times, with his assistants (probably mostly his own Sons and kindred) and his retainers well organized, Sir Ludovick Houstoun found ample time for recreation.

One writer lists the amusements of feudal barons of the times as "hunting, fishing, fencing, jousting, chess-playing, bear baiting (setting dogs to fight a captive bear), receiving guests, talking with ladies, holding his court, keeping himself warm and watching the snow fall."

It is surprising to learn that most people of the times, even sonic of the gentry, had little or no formal education. Some of the barons and their ladies not only were unable to read but could not sign their own names, having to use a mark with witnesses. It is evident that the Houstoun barons were diligent, capable and managed their estates well. Else they Would not have continued successful for centuries. Many kings and barons had financial difficulty in keeping up with the "cost of high living," but the Houstouns of these times were generally prosperous.

Writing in 1710 of the people of Renfrewshire, which of course included the Houstouns, the historian Crawfurd says: "The inhabitants are generally frugal, both nobility, gentry and commons. The gentry, most of them, have a tolerable measure of learning, and are given to all the ordinary exercises performed by gentlemen, such as hawking, hunting, gunning, etc."

Sir Ludovick’s eldest son, Patrick, succeeded to the old Houstoun estate and his second son, George, was presented with the nearby estate of Johnstone, adding a new branch to the family tree.