"MEMORANDUM. - That in the year of God, 1342, on Wednesday before the Feast
of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Alexander, by the grace of God, Abbot of
Dunfermline, went down to the south side of the Queens's Ferry, at the
request of James de Dundas, concerning an amicable termination of a dispute
that had arisen between him and the Abbot, on account of his molesting the
Abbot's men and boat landing at two rocks within the flowing of the tide,
as they were wont to do.  However, James de Dundas had alleged these rocks,
to be his property, though the Abbot, his predecessors, and the Monastery,
had quietly and peaceably enjoyed the right of landing on them beyond the
memory of man, and on this had a Charter from King David, their founder and
first patron, as also the Confirmations of the various Kings, his
successors, and Popes, as the Abbot then exhibited, in presence of the
following subscribing witnesses, viz., Magister Johannes de Gaytmilk,
Alanus de Liberton, Michael Squier, Radulphus Clericus, Johannes de Herth,
Alanus Dispenser, Richardus filius Willielmi Scrismour, Robertus Young,
Johannes filius Henry, Johannes de Lochilde, Radulphus Gourley, as also
before others, inhabitants of the ferry.  James de Dundas had, on account
of his molestation, incurred the general sentence of Excommunication
contained in the Confirmation of the Popes, which he had during some time
obdurately resisted, until, on the before-mentioned day, he humbly
supplicated the Abbot, sitting along with some of his Council on these
rocks, as being in possession of them, that he would absolve him from the
sentence of Excommunication, as far as lay in his power, on his finding
security to abstain from the like molestation; but, were it ever repeated,
he should immediately again incur the same censure."

(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 381, pp. 262,263; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp.56, 57, 58;
Mercer's Hist. Dunf. pp. 227,228; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 242,243.)
The rocks in dispute were those now called the Binks, a little to the west
of South Queensferry.

1343. - KING DAVID II. AND HIS QUEEN JOANNA RESIDING IN DUNFERMLINE. - From
several old documents, it would appear that King David II. and his Queen
resided for a short time in the Palace of Dunfermline, in November and
December, 1343, during which period several Royal Charters are dated from
Dunfermline.  One in particular may be noted here, viz., the Charter of
King David II., under his Great Seal, confirming the Holyrood Charter of
King Robert (his father).  This Charter is dated "Dunfermline, 30th
December, the fourteenth year of our reign," (1343). (Vide Marwick's Edin.
Burgh Rec. pp. 317-318.)

1347. - CHRISTIANA BESETH Repays her Debt to the Abbey. - The Abbot and
Convent had advanced to Christiana Beseth, during her most urgent
necessity, forty pounds sterling, for the ransom of her son, imprisoned in
England; therefore she conveyed to the Monastery the right to three pounds
nine shillings yearly, which she drew from certain lands. (Print. Regist.
Dunf. No. 382, p. 263; Dal. Monas. Antiq.pp. 37,38.)

1353. - ALEXANDER DE BER, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, having gone to Rome to
solicit a special indulgence, died, on his return journey, at the village
of St. Stephen, in Lombardy (of the plague.)  He was the 16th Abbot of
Dunfermline, and held the office of Abbot twenty-two years. (Fordun, xiv.
8; Preface Print. Regist. Dunf. p.14; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 187.)

JOHN BLAK, the Cellarer of the Abbey, was chosen Abbot of Dunfermline, by
special license from the King and the Bishops of Scotland. (Fordun, xiv. 8,
vol. ii. p.349; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 187.) This was the 17th Abbot
of Dunfermline.

THE Office of Abbot of Dunfermline, held by John Blak, was disputed by John
of Stramiglaw (Strathmiglo?).

JOHN BLAK resigned his Abbotship of Dunfermline in favour of John of
Stramiglaw.

JOHN OF STRAMIGLAW, elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline in
place of John Blak.  This was the 18th Abbot of Dunfermline.  A few
explanatory notes are here necessary.

The Convent of Dunfermline had elected John Blak, their Cellarer, an
excellent and learned man, to be their Abbot; but John of Stramiglaw, a
young monk of the Abbey, then studying in Paris, hurried to Avignon, and
obtained a Papal presentation to the Abbacy, which Blak did not think
proper to resist, but accepted from his rival first a pension, and
afterwards the Priory of Urchard, in Moray, a cell of the Abbey.  Fordun
alludes to Stamiglaw, in rather measured terms, and to the juggle by which
he obtained the Abbacy, which leaves the impression that he still held the
office of Abbot while the historian was writing, and therefore was not to
be lightly spoken of. (Fordun xiv. 8.) As Fordun's story is curious, we
give a translation of it :-

"At the same time a certain monk of this Monastery (Dunfermline), John of
Stramiglaw by name, then studying in Paris, and fearing that his Monastery
would sustain damage on account of the general reservation made by the
Supreme Pontiff concerning all the dignities of those who departed on a
journey of this sort, lest that dignity should fall into the hands of a
stranger, repaired to the Court of Avignon, and obtained the Abbacy of
Dunfermline by Papal Bulls: but these things being heard of , the said John
Blak (the Abbot), having consulted the Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
pretended that he would not give up his dignity as Abbot even to the Papal
Legate himself; but having learned the apostolic reservation and collation
made to him by Papal Bulls, whilst the Apostolical Legate himself was
entering the cemetery (or churchyard) of the Monastery with a few
attendants, the aforesaid Abbot, by the advice of his brethren, for the
preservation of the indemnity of the Monastery, adorned with the
ecclesiastical vestments, and wearing his mitre, proceeded to meet him, the
conventual brethren following him in procession, and placed the mitre on
the head of the Apoltolical Legate, put the pastoral staff in his hand, and
led him to the choir and the altar, singing 'Te Deum Laudamus,' with a
melodious tone and loud voice; and, having made speech, he, with not less
humility than cheerfulness, caused him to be installed, and he first, with
bended knees, rendered his manual obedience, the others following in like
manner; to whom, in his turn, the Apostolical Legate showed himself
grateful, by providing for him an honourable pension, and he was afterwards
elected to the Priory of Urchard."

This same John of Stramiglaw, on account of the taxation of his Monastery
made in the court, paid 50 merks sterling to the Apostolical Treasury.  It
is to be noted (adds Fordun's continuator) that he received that dignity
from the liberality of the Apostolical See, upon this condition, that "the
right of confirmation to the Lord Bishop of the diocese, as clear,
unimpaired, and entire as of old, and as it was from the foundation of the
house, without any diminution of its right, or prejudice, or exaction
whatsoever." (See also Fordun, ii. pp. 349,350, fol. edit. 1759.)

1356. - INTERMENT OF CHRISTIAN DE BRUCE AT DUMFERMLINE. -Christian de
Bruce, sister of King Robert de Bruce, and wife of the late Andrew de
Moravia, the good Regent of Scotland, died, and was buried in the Abbey of
Dunfermline. (Hay's Scotia Sacra; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.493.)

1358. - THE ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE Versus PRIORY OF URCHARD. - The Abbot of
Dunfermline issued a protest by writ, protesting against the conduct, &c.,
of the Prior and Monks of Urchard. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 387, pp.
266,267.)  The fraternity of this Priory appear to have been a class of
"persevering men," for they continued their malpractices for 100 years
after this date. (Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 283, 333, 339 (1456).

1360. - WILLIAM RAMSAY, (14th) Earl of Fife, died about this period, and
was interred in the Abbey of Dunfermline. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.
133.)

1362. - JOHN, (4th) Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. - The exact year of the
election and consecration of this John (without a surname) as Lord Abbot is
not known; and nothing is known with certainty of the latter years of his
predecessor.  He was witness to a Charter of King David II., on Sept. 14th,
Anno Reg. 33 (1362). (Regist. Epis. Aberdeen, vol. i. p. 90)  He is still
Abbot on December 5th, 1363, when he obtained a pass for many Scots about
to stay in England; also for six horsemen. (Rotuli Scotiae, i. 875; Chal.
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.188.)  Nothing more is known of the deeds of this
Abbot; but he appears to have held the office of Abbot until 1365.

1363. - CONFIRMATION CHARTER OF KING DAVID II. to the Regality and
Burgesses of Dunfermline.

(Free Translation of the Charter.)

"David, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all the upright men of his
whole land, clergy and laity, Greeting, - Know ye that we, from an
inspection of the Charters which the religious men, the Abbot and Convent
of the Monastery of Dunfermline, have had from our predecessors, Kings of
Scotland, have more fully understood the rights and liberties of their
regality, and also of their burghs: We, for the safety of our own soul, and
for the souls of all our predecessors and successors, have given and
granted, and by this our present Charter, by way of a perpetual
declaration, have confirmed to the foresaid religious men, viz., that the
burgesses and merchants of the same burghs may lawfully and freely buy and
sell in each of their burghs, viz., Dunfermlyne, Kirkcaldy , Muskilburgh,
and Queensferry; and also in these their burghs in regard to any goods
whatsoever, coming from any place whatsoever, and within all the limits,
confines, and boundaries of the whole regality of these religious men
through the whole of our kingdom, they may justly exercise their trades, as
well regarding wool, hides, and skins as regarding other merchandise
whatsoever, without impediment from our servants or our burgesses
whatsoever: Reserving to ourselves always the Great Customs from wool,
hides, and skins, and other merchandise accruing beyond the limits and
bounds of the said burghs and aforesaid regality, strongly inhibiting any
men, our burgesses, or merchants of other burghs whatsoever, from presuming
to use in any way the right or power to trade, or exercising the grants in
future to the prejudice of the said religious men, or their burgesses or
burghs, or to impair our present declaration and confirmation within the
boundaries of the regality of the same.  In testimony whereof, we have
ordered our seal to be attached to our present Charter. - Witnesses: The
venerable Fathers in Christ, WILLIAM, Bishop of St. Andrews; and PATRICK,
Bishop of Brechin, our Chancellor; ROBERT, Seneschal of Scotland, our
grandson; WILLIAM, Earl of Douglas; ROBERT DE ERSKYN, our Chamberlain;
ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, and JOHN HERTH KNIGHT. - Given at Edinburgh, the 24th
day of October, in the 34th year of our reign" A.D. 1363). (Print. Regist.
Dunf. No. 390. pp. 269, 270.)

THE GRANGE OF GELLALD AND WESTER ROSYTH PORT OR HARBOUR, &C. - The
following is a free translation of part of a Charter by David II., granting
to the Abbey of Dunfermline the privilege of a port or harbour at either of
the foresaid places:-

"David, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to the whole upright men in the
kingdom, Greeting, - Know ye that I have given and granted to God and the
the blessed Margaret the Queen, to the Abbot and Monks of Dunfermlyn
serving God there, and to serve God there forever, for themselves, their
burgesses, and merchants, that they hold a port or harbour at Grange, of
Gellald, or at Wester Rossyth, with the consent of the owners thereof, for
all sorts of goods and merchandise, as well as wool, hides, and skins; and
at the said harbour by the merchants of the same, for carrying, importing,
exporting, and weighing, freely, lawfully, as they may see most expedient
for themselves - reserving to ourselves always the Great Customs," &c.
(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 891, pp. 270,271.)

JOHN, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, was present at the Convention of the
Estates when "the Stewart, the Barons, and malcontents resolved to renounce
their associations, and bound themselves to abstain from their
confederacies against David II." (Fordun, lib. xvi. c. 27.)

1364. - TRON AND CUSTOMS. - After the receipt of the foregoing Charter, it
is probable that a public Tron would be erected, and a table of Customs
made for the convenience of the burghers and the primitive merchants of
that day.

1365. - SAFE-CONDUCT PASS obtained by the Abbot, &c. - Abbot John of
Balygirnach, along with Sir D. Fleming, received a safe-conduct pass for
one company of Scots and six horsemen to England. (Rotuli Scotiae, xiv. 8;
vol. ii. p.349.)

1366. - THE PATRONAGE of St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh, conferred on the
Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline, by the Bishop of Lindisfarne (Holy
Island). (Arnot's Hist. Edin. p.206.)

MATHILDA BRUCE, the daughter of King Robert the Bruce, and sister of King
David II., died and was interred in Dunfermline Abbey, but whether in the
old building, or in the Choir, is not known;but it is most likely that she
was interred in the Choir, near the High Altar, and near the places of
sepulture of her father and mother, King Robert and Queen Elizabeth.

1368. - THE CAPELLA ET HOSPITUM DE ST. LEONARD, near Dunfermline, supposed
to have been built.  The Chapel and Hospital near the "villa inferior," or
Netherton, on the south, appears from several old writs to have been
erected about this period, an dedicated to St. Leonard.  There was a St.
Leonard's Altar in the Abbey, supported partly from ground-rentals near
these buildings.  Not a vestige remains of these old erections.

1374. - THE "THREE MILLS OF DUNFERMLYNG" are mentioned in old deeds as
early as this year.  They were corn-mills of very humble pretensions, and
were situated as follows:- A small corn-mill at the Collier Row Port,
sometimes called the "Mill Port," at the narrow contraction of the street
(top of Bruce Street); 2nd, The Abbey Mill, which, until near the end of
last century, stood a few feet east of the present-going flour-mill in
Monastery Street; 3rd, The Mill of "our Lady Marie," in villa inferiore -
i.e., lower town, or Netherton.  The site is still well known, and
continues to retain the name of "Lady's Mill."  The three mills (in ruins)
situate on the west side of the water-conduit in Monastery Street, were
built early last century. (See Annals Dunf. date 1734.)

1378. - COLDINGHAM PRIORY Annexed to Dunfermline Abbey. - In consequence of
the great misrule and irregularities of this Priory, which was held of
Durham, King Robert II. withdrew it from Durham and annexed it to the Abbey
of Dunfermline, and appointed a colony of monks of Dunfermline to take
possession of the Priory, which was accordingly done. )Vide Charter in full
in Carr's History of Coldingham, pp. 327,328.)

1380. - JOHN, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. - It is not known when this "John"
was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline.  His name occurs for
the first time in a Charter dated 1380. (Print. Regist. Dunf. no. 392, p.
272; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. p.188)  He was the 21st Abbot of Dunfermline.

ALDECAMBUS. - In the Register of Dunfermline of this date, there is a
Charter regarding Aldecambus, Coldingham, Chirnside, &c., which begins with
"To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church, John, by permission, Lord Abbot of
Dunfermline," &c., dated at Dunfermline, 10th March, 1380. (Print. Regist.
Dunf. no. 392, p.272.)

1381. - THE VICARAGE OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY Confirmed to the Abbot and
Convent by Charter from the Cardinal Legate. - This Charter curiouly begins
thus:- "Walter, by the Divine Pity of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal," &c.
This Cardinal belonged to the House of Torrie, near Dunfermline. (Print.
Regist. Dunf. no. 594, p.413.)

1382. - CUPAR-FIFE Constituted a Royal Burgh in a Court held at
Dunfermline. - King Robert II., in his Court held at Dunfermline, this
year, constituted the town of Cupar a Royal Burgh. (Barbieri's Hist. Gaz.
Fife, &c., p. 128.)

1383. - THE TRON AND CUSTOMS of Dunfermline Arrested by Order of King
Robert II. - The Convent of Dunfermline had, for some time previous to this
date, been encroaching on the Great Customs due to the King.  He, this
year, issued an Order in Council for arresting the Tron and Customs of
Dunfermline, and bringing them into his own hands.  Shortly afterwards, at
the solicitation of the Abbot and monks, the arrestment was removed, with a
warning not to encroach on the King's rights again. (Print. Regist. Dunf.
no. 394, p. 274; Dal. Mon. Antiq. p.21.)

1385. - RICHARD II. of England, and his Soldiers set Fire to Dunfermline. -
Froissart, referring to this event, says:- "When the King (Richard II.) and
his lords left Edinburgh, they went to Dunfermline, a tolerably handsome
town, where is a large and fair Abbey of black monks, in which the Kings of
Scotland have been accustomed to be buried.  The King was lodged in the
Abbey; but, after his departure, the army seized it and burnt both that and
the town." (Frios. Chron. vol. vii. pp. 68,69.)

Hume, in his History of England, mentions that Richard II., in 1385,
reduced Edinburgh to ashes, and treated in the same manner Perth, Dundee,
and other places in the low countries; and that when he was advised to
march towards the West Coast to await the return of the Scots (who had
entered England by the west), his impatience to be in England prevailed,
and he carried back his army.  Some authors refuse to admit that Richard
went to Dunfermline; for instance, Guthrie, in his History of Scotland,
takes notice of the burning of Edinburgh in 1385, but says, "that though
urged to carry the war beyond the Forth, he refused." (Vide Fernie's Hist
Dunf. pp. ii, 132, 133.)

1386. - THE VICARAGE OF DUNFERMLINE CHURCH. - The Vicarage of the
Conventual Church of Dunfermline, which had been bestowed on the Abbot and
Convent, was in 1386 confirmed by Charter from Cuthbert, Cardinal Wardlaw,
15th December, (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 574, pp. 413, 414.)

1388. - CHARTER from JOHN, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, to Lord John Lyon of
Fothros, regarding certain properties and privileges relative to Mills,
Fishings, Warrens, &c. (Regist. de Dunf. No. 393, p.273.)

1389. - KING ROBERT II. and the Truce. - This year King Robert II., and a
retinue of his nobility, met with the  Ambassadors of England and France at
Dunfermline to renew the truce. (Fordun, vol. ii. p.415.)

1390. - ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL, GARVOCK-terra. - It is not known by whom or when
this Chapel was erected.  It is alluded to in some old deeds, which refer
to 1390.  Its site is still to be traced at Chapel Well, one-and-a-quarter
miles east of Dumfermline. (Register of Dunfemrline p. 586; MS. Regsitered
Charters, Register Office, Edinburgh.)

NAMES COMMON IN DUNFERMLINE IN 1390. - In several old Writs the following
names occur:- Craufurd, Gilbert, Lindsay, Braidwood, Smyth, Spitale,
Henrysone, Wellwode, Wardlaw, Forestar, Barrowman, Scot, Trumbul, Morton,
Wilson, Coupar, Walcar, Davieson, Dempster; and there appear to have been
the Weavers, Litsters, Wrights, Masons, Tailzers, Fullers Brewsters, and
other minor trades.  The High Street was known as the "Hie-gait," and Bruce
Street as th "Colzier-rawe," &c.

1393. - JOHN, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, granted by Charter to William
Scot, the lands of Balweary, in the Viceroyalty of Fife, dated at
Dunfermline 13th June, 1393. (Printed Register of Dunfermline, No. 397, p.
277.)

1394. - KING JAMES I. BORN IN DUNFERMLINE. - James I. of Scotland, son of
Robert III. and his consort, the Queen Annabella Drummond, was born in the
Palace of Dunfermline, in July, 1394 (and in the 37th year of their
marriage), regarding which Winton says -

"Oure King Jamys in Scotland syne,
That yhere wes born in Dunfermlyn," &c.

(Wynton's Orygynale Cronikil, vol. i. pp. 23,24.)

(Vide Chalmers's Lives of Eminent Scotsmen; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p.
263.)

1395. - ALDERMEN OF DUNFERMLINE. - It is not known when or by whom the
title of "Alderman" was conferred on the Chief Magistrate of the Burgh.
The title occurs for the first time under date 1395, in a Charter in the
Register of Dunfermline, No. 336, p. 276. (See following Charter.)  It
would appear from several Charters, that the designation of "Alderman" was
abandoned some time before the middle of the following century, when the
title of "Provost" came into use.  Still, Alderman is used as a
designation, applied apparently to the Chief or Senior Bailie as late as
the year 1507. (See also An. Dunf. date 1176.)  Perhaps, Gillebridus acted
as Chief Magistrate at this period.

INDENTURE or CHARTER from JOHN, Abbot of Dunfermline, to the Alderman and
Community of Dunfermline. - The following is a free translation of "The
Indenture" :-

"This Indenture, made at Dunfermline on the tenth day fo the month of
October, in the year of our Lord, 1395, between the venerable father, John,
Abbot of the Monastery of Dunfermline and its Convent, on the one side, and
the Alderman and Community of the Burgh of Dunfermline on the other side,
fully testifies that the said lords, the Abbot and Convent have let, and in
farm have demitted, for ever to the foresaid Alderman and Community all the
revenues of the said burgh belonging to their treasury, with the small
customs, stallages, and court receipts, and the whole burgh in full
freedom, with all their conveniences, rights, privileges, and easements
whatsoever, that belong to the same burgh, or that may belong in any way
in future, as freely in all things, and through all things as any burghs of
our lord the King hold, have, or possess, in fee-farm, any burgh in the
kingdom of our said lord the King, - reserving to the said lords, the Abbot
and Convent, the lands purchased, or to be purchased, in the said burgh,
through the treasurer by annual payments due to the Monastery from the
different lands of the said burgh: And for correction of the bailies, as
often as they, or any one of them, may have failed in their legal duties,
or in administering or executing justice, for which concessions, indeed,
granted above, the foresaid Alderman and Community shall pay annually and
forever to the religious men mentioned, thirteen marks of the usual money,
at the four ordinary terms of the year, by equal portions, without delay,
cavil, guile, or evil intent: And if at or on any of the terms noted above,
they should happen to fail to pay the prescribed sum according to the
grant, in part or in whole, all their special property and their
possessions, according to the will of the foresaid religious men, will have
to be seized, taken, and distributed, until full satisfaction be made to
them in regard to the said sum for losses and expenses, if the former
participant lords, the religious men, may have sustained or incurred any,
by reason of the payment formerly enjoyed not having been made in any of
the terms noted before, according to the grant. - In testimony of all which
the common seal of the Burgh of Dunfermline is attached to the part of this
indenture remaining in the hands of the religious men, the Lord Abbot and
Convent; but to the other remanent part for the foresaid Alderman and
Community, the common seal of the Chapter of the foresaid religious men is
attached on the day, in the year and place stated above." (Regist. Dunf.
No. 396, p. 276.)

FIRST SEAL OF THE BURGH OF DUNFERMLINE. - It is not known when the Burgh of
Dunfermline first made use of the Seal to affix to their legal documents.
Before 1395 the Seals of the Regality Court and the Chapter of the Abbey
appear to have been the only Seals used.  But now, by the preceding
indenture between the Abbot, &c., and the Alderman and Community of the
Burgh, the Abbot and Conventual Brethren demit in favour of the foresaid
Alderman and Community the whole revenue payable to them by the Burgh, with
the customs, stallages, profits, fines, annual payments of lands, &c.  A
Seal for the use of the Burgh to legalise these documents and proceedings
would now be absolutely necessary; and we fix the date of the first Seal of
the Burgh, at the time such important privileges, &c., were conferred upon
it in 1395, immediately after the receipt of the preceding Abbey Charter.
The engraving on the following page is taken from a wax impression of the
oldest known Seal of the Burgh.  It is rude, and in a mutilated condition,
and is appended to a Pitfirrane Charter, dated between 1500 and 1523, as
shown in the Charter-chest of Pitfirrane.

From this fragment of the Burgh Seal, it will be seen that the central
figure is the representation of Malcolm Canmore's Tower on Tower Hill,
Dunfermline, supported by a lion-rampant on each side of it (the same as is
in use at the present day on the Burgh Seal).  The legend round the
circumference of this Seal has disappeared, but it may be restored as
follows:-

"S COMMUNE CIVITATIS DE DVNFERMLING"

- that is, "The Common Seal of the City of Dunfermline; or,

"S COMMUNITATIS DE DVNFERMLING"

-viz., "The Seal of the Community of Dunfermline."  Probably this is the
proper restoration of the words and their rendering.  The Tower on this
Seal, being the oldest known representation of Canmore's Tower, is of
itself interesting, because the greater part of the Old Tower may have been
standing in 1395, and it may therefore be taken as an exact, although rude,
appearance of the east gable of the renowned Tower. (See Chalmers's History
of Dunfermline, vol. ii. pp. 39,40,50,51.)

1396. - THE TOWN PORTS. - These Ports, which appear to have been six in
number, were probably erected immediately after the Burgh had obtained such
an important Charter from the Abbot.  The West Port (see Annals Dunf. date
1327) is the first-mentioned Port on record; but, as it was a small one - a
kind of postern yett - it would be erected in the  first instance as a
barrier between the Abbey and the Burgh.  In later times it was known as
"The Wee Pend."  Burgh Ports were erected not for defence, but for the
protection of burghal rights, receipt of tolls, dues, &c., although they
would do for a slight defence when necessary.  These ports were situated at
the following places:-

1. The Mill, or Collieraw Port.......Top of Bruce Street.
2. The Rottenraw Port................Near top of S. Chapel Street.
3. The Crosswynd Port................Top of Crosswynd.
4. East Port.........................Near the east of High Street.
5. Tolbooth Port.....................Foot of Bruce Street.
6. West Port.........................Middle of St. Catherine's Wynd.

And we suspect there would be a 7th at the narrow bent pass, at the east
end of the May Gate.  The Burgh then, as will be understood by the site of
the Ports, was of small extent; the whole of the houses and "back-yards"
were included in a sort of rectangular boundary line of 1000 yards, with a
probable population of 700.  Tolls were collected at the Ports, and taken
to the clerk at the Booth (a kind of small shop), for entering in his
collecting-book - hence the name of Toll-booth; and if the booth was
connected with a prison, the prison, through course of time, was called the
"Tolbooth."

THE MARKET CROSS of Dunfermline was erected about this period. (See Annals
Dunf. date 1499.)

1397. - COMMISSIONERS MEET AT DUNFERMLINE regarding the Breach of Truce
which was Concluded in 1389. - Robert III. of Scotland, and Henry VI. of
England, charged each other with a breach of the Truce concluded in
Picardy, France, in 1389.  They agree that their differences shall be
settled by Commissioners, mutually chosen, "to which end John Shipene and
Sir William Elmham met at Dunfermline, on the 2nd October, in the year 1397
(where the Court then resided), with William Stewart of Jedburgh, Sir John
de Ramorgeny, Adam Forrester, and Patrick de Lumley - King Robert's
Commissioners.  They came to the following resolution, viz., that the
Commissioners again meet on the 10 March following, at Redenburn, Carham,
or Hawdenstant." (Maitland's Hist. Scot. vol. i. p. 570; Henry's Hist.
Brit. vol. vii. p. 350.)

1399. - JOHN DE TORRY, appears for the first time in a Charter of this
date.  It is not known when he was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot. He
was the 22nd Abbot of Dunfermline.

END OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

MCCCCI.
(BEGINNING OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.)

ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. - (CONTINUED.)

1401. - DUNFERMLINE ABBEY AND BURGH. - John Wardlaw, of Torry, was Abbot of
Dunfermline.  There were about 45 monks in the Abbey, and at least 12 other
officials connected with its "domestic economy."  The population within the
walls of the Abbey was about 60; the population of the Burgh, about 1200.
It would appear that there were smiths, weavers, plumbers, slaters, masons,
wrights, tailors, shoe and clog makers, bakers, fleshers, fishmongers,
glovers, spurriers, &c., in the Burgh at this period.

1403. - ROYAL INTERMENT IN THE ABBEY. - Queen Annabella Drummond, consort
of King Robert III., died at Inverkeithing, and was interred in "haly
sepulture" in the Abbey of Dunfermline, but whether in the original
building or in the Choir is not known.  This was the last of the Royal
Interments at Dunfermline, excepting the infant son of James VI. in 1602. -
For the list of Royal Interments, see Appendix H. (Chambers's Gaz. Scot.
pp. 584, 585; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 137; vol. ii. p. 242.)

Note. - Robert III., husband of Annabella, gave a gift of the whole revenue
belonging to St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital at Lanark, in 1393, to Sir
John Dalziel, upon condition that he and his heirs should cause say three
masses every week - "Pro salute Domini Regis et Annabellae Reginae
proliumque eorum" - viz., three masses "for the salvation of our lord the
King, and Annabella the Queen, and their offspring."  (Chambers's Gaz.
Scot. p. 689.)

1404. - JOHN, Lord Abbot, and Safe-Conduct Pass to England. - John de
Torry, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, "obtained a Safe-conduct Pass from Henry
IV. of England, with Sir Richard Comyn and six horsemen," dated at
Westminster, 20th March, 1404. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 189.)

1409. - DUNFERMLINE MONKS' VESTMENTS. - The monks of Dumfermline represent
to the Abbot the great rise in the prices of vestments  John de Torry, Lore
Abbot, after a full consideration of the matter, agrees to allow each monk
in future 40s. of the current money of the realm annually.  (Print. Regist.
Dunf. No. 399, p. 279; Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 15; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.
214, &c.)

JOHN OF TORRY (WARDLAW), Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, appears to have been
indisposed for several years about this period (1409-1413).  It has also
been supposed that John Wardlaw of Torry, died in 1409, and that a now
unknown Abbot was then elected, and was in office until 1413; but the
Registrum de Dunfermlyn makes no mention of this.

1414. - WILLIAM DE SANCTO ANDREA, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. - It is not
known when William of St. Andrews was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of
Dumfermline.  His name for the first time appears in a Charter of date
1414.  He was the 23rd Abbot of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No.
401,pp. 280, 281,282; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 180)

1419. - ROBERT STUART, Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife, and Regent of
Scotland, died in 1419, and was buried in the Abbey of Dunfermline.
(Herons's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 206; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 133.)

SEISEN. - The earliest notice of Seisen, in connection with the Abbey, is
to be found in a Charter in the Register of Dunfermline of date, 23rd
March, 1419. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 402, p. 281,282; Dal. Mon. Antiq. p.
62.

1423. - WILLIAM BROWN, the Learned and Eminent Theologian. - William Brown,
of the Abbey of Dunfermline, "strenuously opposed the election of William
Drax to be Prior of Coldingham, but was unsuccessful." (Carr's Hist. of
Coldingham, p. 285; Chalmers's Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 240.)  Drax, a man of
questionable virtue, had raised a process against William Brown, Robert
Bowmaker, and Stephen Bryce, "monks of Dunfermling."

1425. - PROCESS OF LAW SERVED ON THREE MONKS AT DUNFERMLINE. - William Drax
took action at law against William Brown, Robert Bowmaker, and Stephen
Bryce, monks of Dunfermline, for opposing him in the  Priorate of
Coldingham. (Carr's Hist. of Coldingham, p. 285; and MS. Deeds in the Advo.
Lib. Edin.)

1426. - DAVID I., "A sair Saint to the Crown." - James I. visited
Dunfermline this year, just after his long captivity of 19 years in
England.  He entered the Abbey, and, on the tomb of King David being
pointed out to him, remarked that "David wes ane soir sanct for the Crown."
James I. at the time was low in his finances; and, no doubt, the lavish
expenditure of Crown money, &c., made by David I. on cathedrals, abbeys,
and religious houses, would come to his remembrance, and hence his
often-quoted remark. (Boece's Chronicles, by Ballenden, lib. xii. ch. 17.)

1427. - WILLIAM OF ST. ANDREWS, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, died. (General
Allan's MSS.)

LORD ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. - Andrew de Kircaldy was elected and consecrated
Abbot of Dunfermline on 13th September, 1427. (General Allan's MSS.)

1428. - KING JAMES I. IN DUNFERMLINE. - Several Charters were granted by
James I., and dated from Dunfermline, in December, 1428.  One of them under
the Great Seal, "whereby, with consent of the burgesses and merchants of
Edinburgh, and in augmentation of the fabric and reparation of the Port of
Leith," certain tolls are authorised to be uplifted of all ships and boats
entering therein; dated Dunfermline, 31st December, 1428. (Marwick's Edin.
Burgh Records, p. 323.)

1429. - MALPRACTICES IN THE PRIORY OF URQUHART. - There are several
letters, writs, &c., of admonition in the Register of Dunfermline, at this
period, from the Abbot of Dunfermline, regarding certain malpractices and
irregularities which had recently arisen in the Priory of Urquhart, which
was under the jurisdiction of Dunfermline Abbey. (Vide Regist. de Dunf. pp.
282-284.)

1432. - ARCHERY. - Agreeably to the Act of Estates, Dunfermline established
"bow-butts" adjacent to the villa inferior (Nethertown), "for the practice
of archery," and "set aside the Butt-acre for that purpose."  The Butts are
mentioned in Carter 443 of Registrum de Dunfermlyn. (See Annals of
Dunfermline, dates 1455 and 1526.)

1435. - THE BARONY OF ROSYTHE, four miles south of Dunfermline, was
purchased, about this period, by Sir David Stewart. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 422.)

1436. - DUNFERMLINE, along with other Towns, declared to be incapable of
protecting Royalty. - After the murder of James I. at Perth this year, it
was declared that "neither Perth, Stirling, Scone, or Dumfermline, had the
power of protecting royalty against the designs of the nobility," and hence
Edinburgh and its Castle were selected as the future place of residence for
the Royal Families of Scotland.  It was in consequence of this "declaration
and act" that Edinburgh became the metropolis of Scotland - 1436-1437.
(Chal. Gaz. Scot. art. "Stirling," p. 957, &c.)

1437. - A CHARTER of this date is the first one in the Register of
Dunfermline in the Scotch language, and, as it is a very early specimen, we
give it in full:-

Contract between the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline and David Hacket, as
the Lands of Pitfirrane.

"This is ye decret gevyn and deliverit at Dunfermlyn ye last day of ye
moneth of Julii, ye zher of our Lord a thousand four hundreth thretti and
sevyn.  Be us Robert of Eeuanston of Drumy.  John of Cockburn of torry
knycht.  James pcle of yt ilke.  Willyhame of glen.  And Willyhame of
Walwod.

"Of ye debait and controversary movit betwixt a venerabill fadir in crist
Androw be ye grace of God Abbot of Dunfermlyn and ye convent of yat ilke on
a part.  And Dauid hacet of lunfennenon y3 tothir part belangand ye landis
of Petfuran, wt. pertinents.  In ye fyrst be cause we fand yt ye oxgang of
land of ye chemis pertain and to ye said Abbot and Convent wes less na ye
westir oxgang of land and chemis of ye said Dauid.  And for the ye thrid
par of ye Ward be north hauf yat ilke chemis.  We haue deliviret to ye said
Abbot and convent als mekil land liand on the south hauf yer oxgang safand
a gate liang betuix of fourty fute brede ye qwhilk land to yam deliverit is
of quantite tua acris thre rude and fyften fall in ye hale.  Alsua we
decret and ordainis yt ye gate liand betuix ye said Dauidis orchard and his
westir oxgang extendand fra ye chemy of the said Abbot and convent to ye
gate liand be north ye herber hill be comon to baith ye partes, and yat it
be threttie fut brad sanfand ye yhate betuix ye bern and ye biir of ye said
Dauid ye qwhilk sa remain of ye samyn quantitie yat it is now of ye qwhilk
threttie fute yar sel be ten fute of ye rynryg of ye Abbot and ye convent,
and twentie fute of ye rynrig of ye said Dauid fd. it pas ye bern and ye
biir northwards to ye gate extendand to ye herber hill.  Allsua ye land
liand betuix ye estir oxgang and ye orchard of ye said Dauid and ye march
of cauil comon to bath ye parts.  Alsua bath ye partyes sel kepe lauchful
stent and noth exceed it.  Alsua yat gif ony rynryg be less yan it aucht to
be it sel be amendit at ye sicht of men of knawlage.  And yai sel kepe ye
wateris lauchfully unskathand uthir, Alsua nane sell pind uthir
un-lauchfully. - In witnes of yis decret and kiliguans ye sell of ye said
Robert of leuenston. John of Cokburn Knychts.  James of pcle and ye chepter
of Dunfermlyn and ye sell of ye said Dauid haket interchangeabili ar to put
dai and plas be for said."

Lumphinnan, here referred to, is eight miles north-east of Dunfermline.

ANDREW, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. - It is not known when Andrew was
elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline.  He appears for the
first time in the Register of Dunfermline, in a Charter dated July, 1437.
He was the 24th Abbot of Dunfermline.

THE LANDS OF CLUNY fell into the hands of the Abbot and Convent of
Dunfermline by the forfeiture of Murdac, Earl of Fife, and were given by
them to David Stewart, of Rossyth.

1439. - GREAT FAMINE AND PEST SEVERELY FELT AT DUNFERMLINE. - A great
famine this year prevailed all over Scotland, and was severely felt in
Dunfermline and its vicinity.  Lindsay, in his Chronicle, alluding to it,
says - "Thair raise ane great dearthe of victuallis within the realm,
pairtly because the labouraris of the ground might not sow nor win the
cornes, throw the tumultis and cumberis in the countrie, and pairtly, quilk
is most apparentlie to be treu, was the verie wraith and ire of God, to
cause us to know our selffis, and throwe that scourg to provock us to
amendment of lyfe.  Thair rang also at thys time ane terrible pest in the
countrie, for all men that war affected thairwith dyed that same day he
tuik it bot ony remedie or help." (Lind. Chron. Scot. vol. i. pp. 23,24;
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 262, &c.)

1440. - THE PROTEST OF THE MONKS OF DUNFERMLINE and the Town of Perth. -
The Monks of Dunfermline, in an agreement between their Abbey and the Town
of Perth, protested that they did not relinquish special general
emoluments, offerings of wax, money, harses, and other mortuaries
pertaining to funerals. (Print. Regist. Dunf. Nos. 413-417, pp. 291-300;
Dal. Mon. An. p. 27.)

PERTH. - There are various Charters, &c., in the Register of Dunfermline
relative to Dunfermline Abbey possessions, privileges, &c., in Perth.
Three of these Charter, or Writs, were granted in the summer of 1440, viz.,
on May 20th, 1440, on June 9th, 1440, and on June 14th, 1440, which were
confirmed by the Prior of St. Andrews (in the absence of the Bishop) on
September 1st, 1440. (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 291-299; Nos. of Charter,
413, 414, 415; and Confirmation Charter, No. 416.)

A VICAR'S PENSION. - It is mentioned in a Writ or Charter of this date, in
the Register of Dunfermline, that the Pension given by them to their vicars
was 35 merks, with wine, bread, and wax. (Print. Regist. Dunf. Nos. 413,
414, &c., p. 291, 295; Dal. Mon. An. p. 35.)

1441. - CONSECRATION OF THE NEWLY-ELECTED BISHOP OF DUNKELD in Dunfermline
Abbey. - "James Bruce, son of Sir Robert Bruce, of Clackmannan, whom King
David II. calls his beloved cousin, was consecrated Bishop of Dunkeld in
Dunfermline Abbey." (Crawford's Officers of State, p. 34; Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 266.)

1442. - THE LORD ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE takes the Precedence of other Abbots.
- "In a Writ, dated 8th February, 1442, the Abbot of Dunfermline takes
precedence of the other Abbots who are witnesses to it - viz.,
Aberborthick, Cambuskenneth, Inchcolm, and Culross, in the order of
signing." (Vide Thompson's Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. p. 58; Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 190)  This precedence probably arose from Dunfermline
Abbey being the senior Abbacie.

1444. - "ANDREW OF KIRCALDY," Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, died April, 1444.
(Gen. Allan's MSS.)

1445. - RICHARD DE BOTHEUL, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. - It is not known
when Richard de Botheul was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of
Dunfermline.  He is for the first time noticed in a Charter, dated January,
1445. (Wilk. Concil.; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 190.  See also Annals,
date 1472.)

1448. - THE ABBEY REPAIRING - The Body of a Child Found. - Boece, in his
History of Scotland, notes, that in "this yeare, while pulling down the
royall wallis at Dunfermling, the bodie of any young chyld was found in ane
heap of leid, rompled up in Sandill, als fresch and vncurrupted, and als
weill in cullor as the fyrst hour it was buried.  This was judged of thame
that had curiositie of old antiquities, to be that sone of Queine Margaret,
quha deceist in his infancie." (Hect. Boece's Hist. Scot. date 1448;
Lindsay's Chron. Scot. vol. i. pp. 61,62; Chamb. Gaz. Scot. art.
"Dunfermline," &c.)

SACRIST OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. - William de Boyis, one of the monks of the
Abbey, held the office of Sacrist early in the year 1448.  He afterwards
became Prior of the Priories of Pluscardine and Urquhart.

PRIOR AND SUB-PRIOR OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. - In the same Charter (Print.
Regist. Dunf. No. 424, p. 309) Richard is mentioned and is designated as
Prior and Sub-Prior of Dunfermline Abbey.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - A Charter in the Register of Dunfermline mentions
the name of John Wright, Praepositus, or Provost of Dunfermline, in 1448.
(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 424, p. 305.)  This appears to be the earliest
notice of a Provost of Dunfermline on record.  In the same Charter Thomas
Bra and Thomas Chepman are mentioned as being the Bailies; and John
Bothwell and John Cupir as Burgesses.

THE ABBEY OF DUNFERMLINE empowered to Repledge Lands, Inhabitants,&c. - In
a Writ of this date, in the Register of Dunfermline, the Abbot Richard
"empowers the Abbey to repledge any of the inhabitants on the lands of
Luscreviot and Dollar which belonged to it, detained by his courts, to the
courts of regality." (Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. Nos. 427, 428, pp. 312,
313.)

DUNFERMLINE ABBEY TO BE HELD IN VENERATION. - James II. declares in a
Charter, "the Abbey of Dunfermline was a place to be held in the highest
veneration, in consequence of many of the bodies of his progenitors, Kings
of Scotland, being interred in it." (Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 51.)

1449. - SITE OF ST. MARGARET'S ALTAR IN DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. - In a Writ of
date 1449, there is the following entry:-

"Istud est Rentale ad altare beate Margarete Regine situatum in Ecclesia
parochiali de Dunfermlyn ex parte australi ejusdem ecclesie factum xx vii
die mensis Junii anno domini 1449 et habitum ex vero conquestu domini
Johannis Willelmi tunc temporis capellani domini nostri Regis ex parte bone
memorie Cristiane de Broyis."  (Vide General Hutton's Collection MS.
Charters, Advo. Library, Edin. p. 121.)

That is -

"The rental made at the altar of the blessed Margaret, the Queen, situated
in the parochial church of Dunfermline, on the south side of the same
church (27th June, 1449), and derived from the real property of Mr. John
Williams, at that time chaplain to our lord the King, on the part of
Christian de Brosis of blessed memory."

From this entry, it is evident that St. Margaret's Altar was situated in
the Parochial Church (the Abbey) and in the south side of it; but whether
in the original building (the "Auld Kirk") or in the Choir, is not known.

REPLEDGING OF MEN BELONGING TO THE ABBEY. - Any of the men on the
territories of the Abbey committing a crime could be repledged from the
supreme criminal judges of the kingdom, and be brought to trial at the
Abbot's courts, by virtue of a Charter granted about this period. (Dal.
Mon. Antiq. p. 19.)

THE MONASTERY AND COURTS OF LAW. - It is mentioned in a Charter in the
Register of Dunfermline, of date 1449, that "the Monastery was exempted
from attendance at courts of law, which was a common burden on other
subjects. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 427, p. 312; Dal. Mon. Ant. p. 22.)

1450. - KIRKCALDY. - The privileges and immunities of Kirkcaldy were, on
the 20th January, 1450, disponed by Richard, Abbot of Dunfermline, and the
Convent, to the Bailies and the Council of the Burgh of Kirkcaldy, by an
indenture made betwixt them. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 432, pp. 318, 319;
vide also pp. 269, 270.)  Under date 1363 of Annals, it is shown that the
Burgh of Kirkcaldy was then given to the Abbey of Dunfermline by King David
II. Kirkcaldy had therefore been under the Abbey rule about 87 years.

CONFIRMATION CHARTER BY KING JAMES II. TO DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. - The
following is the last of the great Regal Confirmation Charters made in
favour of the Abbey, in the Register of Dunfermline, by James II., dated
22nd March, 1450; and as it contains the last account of the Abbey
possessions and privileges to date 1450, a free translation may prove
acceptable to the reader:-

"James, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all honest men of the whole
kingdom, clergy and laity, greeting, - Though, indeed, we are bound to give
the utmest heed to the quet and tranquillity of all in our kindgom, who
belong to the order of regulars, when the pious majesty of royal excellence
requires it, or a feeling fo glowing charity demands it, we ought more
especially and wtchfully to provide, with our usual foresight, for the
stability and peace of  our Monastery of Dunfermline, when we reflect how
much and with what special veneration that place deserves to be regarded by
us, in which not only the most sacred pledges of our most renowned and most
glorious progenitor, the blessed Margaret queen, rests in venerable repose;
but where also so many of the bodies of our ancestor, Kings of Scotland,
lie most honourably entombed.  We are therefore moved, and not without just
cause, with a solicitude so to act, that the tranquillity, peace, and
freedom of the said Monastery may be secured, and that it may not be
hereafter harassed by the disturbing influence of any fluctuating affairs;
but enjoy its possessions, as we earnestly desire, in quiet and perpetual
prosperity: And that this our desire may becone public, know ye that we
have approved, ratified, and, by this our present Charter, confirmed, all
and every the grants, donations, incorporations, annexations, exonerations,
declarations, renovations, contracts, and all and every the things
underwritten, made and granted to the said Monastery of Dunfermline, to the
Abbot and Convent of the same, and to their successors, viz.: The gifts of
King MALCOLM the First (III.?)  and his Queen, the blessed Margaret, which,
being enumerated, are these - Parcy, Blacklaw, Pitbauchly, Pitcorthy,
Pitliver, Bolgy, the Shire of Kirkaldy, Inveresk the Lesser: The gifts of
King DUNCAN, the two villas called Luscar: The gifts of King EDGAR, the
Shire of Gellald: The gifts of King ETHELREDE, Hailes: The gifts of King
ALEXANDER the First, Primrose; the Shire of Gaitmilk, with the pertinents:
The gifts of Queen SIBILLA, Beath: The gifts of the most excellent King
DAVID the First, Dunfermline on this side the water on which the Monastery
is situated; Kinghorn, lying nearest to Dunfermline (Burntisland), with its
appendages; Fod, the greater Inveresk with its mill and fishing; Carbarrin,
and the Church of Inveresk; Wemoth, with its right divisions; also,
Fothris, near St. Andrews, with its divisions; Pityhochir (Pettycur?) and
the Shire of Newburn, with its appendages; Balvaird and Balchristie, with
their divisions; a mansion in Berwick; another in Roxburgh; a third in
Haddington; a fourth in Edinburgh; a fifth in Linlithgow; a sixth in
Stirling; and, in the same town, two churches, and a carucate of land
adjacent to the Church of Stirling (now called Southfield); and all the
tithes of our lordships in fruits and animals, and in fishes and also in
money; and the mansions of Roger the presbyter; a net and a-half; and a
mansion in the burgh of Perth, and the church of the same place, also the
chapel of the Castle, and a mansion belonging to the said church; the
eighth part of all the fines and profits of Fife and Fothrik; and that the
Abbots and monks of the said Monastery have a right, in the Forest of
Clackmannan, to all things necessary for their own, and their men's fire
and buildings; also of the seals which shall be taken at Kinghorn after
being tithed, let them have every seventh; and in Berwick the tract of
Ardstell, and all the justly restored to the said Abbey all their
Cumirlauch, with all their money, wheresoever they may be found; and that
they may have all their own men, with all their money, in whosesoever land
they may be on when these were granted; and that the said Abbot and Convent
have, through the whole Kingdom of Scotland, exemption from toll on
everything which they may have sold for their use; and that they have the
Passage and Ship of Inverkeithing, and a certain fishing at Perth, freely
and quietly: The gifts of King MALCOLM the Second (IV.?) - Masterton, with
its right divisions; and twenty-three acres of land, and a certain meadow
near Dunfermline; and whatever whale which shall happen to be stranded or
taken in Scotland, let there remain with the said Monastery the whole head
save the tongue, and the half of the blood of all the whales which are
taken between the Forth and Tay, for light before the altars of the Church
of Dunfermline; and that all the men of the said Abbey be free from working
at bridges and castles, and other works; and the Church of the Holy Trinity
of Dunkeld, with the whole lands belonging to it, and with its proper
pertinents; and one toft in Edinburgh, which Robert de Lundoniis had; and
an entire toft, with a croft, in the town of Clackmannan: The donation of
King WILLIAM, the rent of 100 Shillings out of the revenue of the burgh of
Edinburgh, which he gave on the day of his brother King Malcolm's burial,
and twenty acres of land: The gifts of King ALEXANDER the Second - the
Shire of Dollar, by its right divisions, in free forest; and the lands of
Gask, and the lands of Smeton, near Musselburgh; and the lands of
Beath-Waldefe, and of West Beath: From the donation of King ROBERT the
First - the Ferry-field near Inverkeithing, with its pertinent; Coketam,
with the new great custom, as well of the burghs of Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy,
Musselburgh, and the Queensferry, as of all their other lands within the
Kingdom of Scotland, besides five merks sterling, to be received yearly out
of the revenues of the burgh of Inverkeithing, by the hands of the bailies
of the said burgh.  And all the things above mentioned, which, by our good
ancestors, King Malcolm and blessed Queen Margaret, by King Duncan, by King
Edgar, by Ethelred his brother, by King Alexander, by Queen Sibilla, by
King David, by King Malcolm, by King William, and by King Robert, have been
given, granted, and confirmed, as in their authentic documents are
contained, to the Church and Monastery of the Holy Trinity, and of the most
blessed Queen Margaret, of Dunfermline, we, with the like fulness and
entireness, concede to the foresaid Church and Monastery, Abbot and
brethren, there serving and hereafter to serve God, and confirm to them, to
be held for ever entire and undiminished: And that they may rejoice in
having found the fruit of new favour in the eyes of our majesty, we grant
the lands of Ardlovy, with the pertinents lying within the town of Kinross,
which, when we were in our minority, we freely conceded and granted to the
venerable father in Christ, Richard, Abbot of the foresaid Monastery, for
founding a chaplainry in the said Church: And by these presents, we concede
and grant them anew to the same; and we have incorporated and annexed them,
as by the tenor of these presents we do annex them, to the regality of the
foresaid Monastery for ever, with exception from compearing or making suit
in service in our Sheriff Courts of Fife and Clackmannan, on account of
their lands of Luscrevyoth and Dollar: Also the declaration, which we have
prudently made, in favour of the said Abbot and Monastery, concerning the
receipt of the eighth penny of our gains of Fife and Fothrik: Also, the
renovation regarding the repledging of the men of their regality, and of
those inhabiting the said lands of Luscrevyoth and Dollar, form the courts
of all justiciars, chamberlains, sheriffs, provosts, bailies, and officers
whatsoever, which concession, donation, incorporation, annexation,
exoneration, declaration, and revocation, as in their authentic letters,
sealed with our seal, in each and every point and article of them, we do
indeed, by the special munificence of our serene highness, and with our
certain knowledge, for ourselves and our successors for ever, renew,
approve, ratify, and freely confirm: And also to the said Monastery, in the
form and effect in which we on another occasion conceded and gave them, we
do likewise anew, by these presents, concede and grant them: And, besides,
we do providently wish them, and the letters made to the said Monastery
upon the donation of the same, to continue in full force, as if they had
been granted or made by us upon the day of the date of these presents,
notwithstanding whatsoever revocation may have been made by us in time
past: And we desire, and by these presents command, that our forsaid
donations and grants be preseved unimpaired in all time to come, in the
form and effect in which we gave them to the said Abbey: Likewise, the
contract entered into between the said Abbot and Convent, and the Provost,
bailies, and community of our burgh of Perth, regarding the perpetual
rebuilding, upholding, repairing, and furnishing of the ornaments and
vestments of the choir of the church of the foresaid burgh; also the
obligation of the said Provost and their successors fo ever, made and
sealed with the common seal of the said burgh (of Perth), and the
resignation or renunciation made by George, Lord of Lesly, of the lands of
Balvaird, in the hands of the said Abbot, as lord superior of the same, as
is more fully contained in the letters of resignation or renunciation
executed thereupon, we do for ourselves, our heirs and successors, approve,
ratify, and for ever confirm: The said Monastery, and Abbot, and Convent of
the same, and their successors, to hold and have all the aforesaids for
ever, as freely, quietly, fully, entirely, honourably, well, and
peacefully, with all and every their liberties, commoditeis, privileges,
and pertinents whatsoever, as the charters, letters, muniments, and
evidence executed, as the aforesaid more fully bear and testify. - In
testimony whereof, Witnesses: The Reverend Father in Christ, WILLIAM,
Bishop of Glasgow; WILLIAM, Lord Creichtoune, our Chancellor, and beloved
kinsman; the Venerable Father in Christ, ANDREW, Abbot of Melros, our
Confessor and Treasurer; our beloved kinsmen, WILLIAM, Lord Somerville;
PATRICK, Lord Glammis; Masters JOHN AROUS, Archdeacon of Glasgow, and
GEORGE OF SCHORISWODE, Rector of Culter. - At Edinburgh, the twenty-second
day of the month of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand four
hundred and fifty, and of our reign the fifteenth."  (Vide Printed Regist.
Dunf. No. 434, pp. 320-326; Chal. Hist. Dunf. Sup. vol. i. pp. 577-580,
&c.)

1451. - BUTTER, MILK, &C., may be Used in the Abbey "without Scruple of
Conscience" during Lent. - "In the year 1451, in the fourth year of his
Pontificate, Pope Nicholas V., at the request of James, Bishop of St.
Andrews, who was personallly present at the Holy See, issued a Bull,
granting to the inhabitants of the diocese of St. Andrews (which included
Dunfermline Abbey), permission to make use of butter, and other products of
milk, without any scruple of conscience, during Lent when animal food is
forbidden, oil of olives not being produced in the country." (Print.
Regist. Dunf. No. 433, P. 319, 320; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 208;
Tytler's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 45; Lard. Cab. Lib. p. 193, for date of
Pontificate of Nicholas V.)

1453. - THE ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE SENT ON A MISSION TO THE ENGLISH KING. -
Richard, Abbot of Dunfermline, was sent, along with the Earl of Crawford
and Robert Liddale, on a pacific mission to the King of England, when a
pacific treaty for four years was effected. (Maitland's Hist. Scot. vol. p.
637.)

1455. - CROFT AND ALTAR OF ST. LAURENCE. - Aqua de Ferm, &c., Dunfermline.
- The Croft and Altar of St. Laurence, and the Ferm Water, are now for the
first time mentioned in the Register of Dunfermline, viz.: - "Richard,
Abbot of Dunfermline, and the Convent thereof, grant in feu-ferm to their
servitor, Thomas, the Chamberlain the Croft of St. Laurence, near the lower
gate of the Abbey, in the lower or nethertown of the burgh of Dunfermline,
in the road or street which runs from the said gate to the Water of Ferm,
commonly called the Tourburn, on the west side of the said road, lying
between the garden of Saint Laurence on the north, and the said water on
the south, together with that rood of land which lies on the west side of
the said garden, between the said garden and the said water, in which rood
the Butts for archery are situated, to be held of our Monastery and of the
Altar of St. Laurence, in our Monastery Church, in fee, payable to the said
Altar and its procurator, eight shillings yearly in name of feu-ferm and
the burgh-ferm, use and wont.  Sealed with the common seal of the
Monastery, 1st May, 1455." (Regist. de Dunf. No. 443, p. 335; also A,B,C,
in the Appendix.)

DUNFERMLINE ABBEY LANDS ANNEXED TO THE CROWN. - James II., in a Parliament
held at Edinburgh, annexed to the Crown several lands, &c., belonging to
the Abbey of Dunfermline. (Murray's Acts of Par. vol. i.)

1456. - WILLIAM DE BOYIS, the Sacrist of Dunfermline, Elected Prior of
Pluscardyn. - In consequence of what was ascertained by a Commission of
Inquiry regarding the irregularities prevailing in the Priory of Plus
cardyn, John de Benaly, the Prior, was dismissed, and William de Boyis,
"ane venerable and religious man," a monk of Dunfermline, was elected in
his place. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 445, pp. 337, 338.)

RICHARD, Abbot of Dunfermline, the Abbot of Lindores, &c., represent (by
appointment) the Barons on the Administration of Justice, in the Sessions,
held at Edinburgh, 8th November. (Maitland's Hist Scot. vol. ii. p. 644.)

1457. - ST. RYNAN'S TEIND SHEAVES. - There is a short Charter regarding
these Teind Sheaves (in the Scottish language) in the Register of
Dunfermline.  The following are extracts:-

"This appoyntment, made at Dunfermelyn ye xxv day of Julii, Anno MCCC LVII,
betwix a venerabill fader in crist, Rechart, be hodds tholyng Abbotte of
Dunfremelyn and ye convente of yt ilke on ye ta pairt, And a vorshipfull
clerk, master patrik sandiland parsoun of Caldore comits on ye to pairt yt
is to say yt ye said venerabill fadir and convent hafe set to ye said Mastr
patrik thyare tends chafe of ye croft of Sanct rynanis (St. Ninian's)
chapell lyand vithin ye parsonage of thare kyrk of ye croft of Strueling
for all ye dais of his lyfe, ye said Mastr patrik payand yarefore zierly
one boll of bere and a boll aits at ye fest Sanct martyn, &c. . . And be
his present vryt ye said venerabill fader and convent discharges him
thareof for his lyffetyme.  All thing soccurynge ye said mathow o tyme
bygane strekly by and fullely remyttyt forevermare langand ye said Mastr
patrik, &c. (Print. Regist Dunf. No. 451, p. 344; Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 32.)

1460. - RICHARD, ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE, Chosen Ambassador to England, along
with Others - "With order to confirm and amend the breaches of the truce."
(Maitland's Hist. Scot. vol. i. p. 650.)

1462. - THE PATRONAGE OF ST. GILES'S CHURCH, EDINBURGH, which had been held
by the Abbey of Dunfermline since the year 1366, was this year (1462)
alienated from the jurisdiction of the Abbey.

WEAPON-SHAWING. - "Agreeably to tthe Act then recently passed in
parliament, Dunfermline (like other burghs) provided its valiant men with
guid axes and large ledders to resist the schot of England." (Acts Scot.
Parl.)

1463. - HOUSE AND PRIVILEGES IN THE BURGH OF STIRLING. - "Thomas de bully,
Canon of the Cathedrals of Glasgow and Dunkeld, granted to Richard, Abbot
of Dunfermline and the Convent thereof, on account of favours received - et
accipiantur et hospitentur in toto et integro hospicio meo intra burgem de
Strivelin pro perpetuo - as often and whenever the Abbot or his successors
choose to go thither, and to remain there as long as they please, holding
the said tenement," &c.  Also, the grant adds: "When they do go to
Strivelin, the Abbot shall be absolved and free from all claim, demand, or
payment," &c. (Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 58; and Regist de Dunfermelyn.)

1464. - DIED, RICHARD DE BOTHUEL, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, (Gen. Allan's
MSS.)

1466. - WALWOOD. - There was " a learned monk of the name of Walwood in the
Abbey at this period."  (Shaw's Morayshire.)  Before this year Walwoode or
Wallwood was a common name in Dunfermline, and several of the name attained
high positions in the Council of the burgh. (Burgh Records.)

THE COMMUNITY OF MUSSELBURGH have bequeathed to them, by the Abbot of
Dunfermline, Right to Customs, Stallages, &c. - An indenture was made this
year between "Richard, the Abbot of Dunfermline, on the one side, and the
baillies and community of the burgh of Muskilburgh, on the other side, by
which indenture the customs, stallages, and revenues of the courts and the
whole burgh, are given up to the baillies and community of Muskilburgh in
fee-firm for ever, excepting the lands purchased or to be purchased by the
Abbot and Convent; and, for the correction of the baillies, as often as
they should fail in the execution of justice, the baillies and community
were to pay annually four merks of the usual money to the King of Scotland,
at the usual terms of the year, Pentecost and Martinmas, in equal portions;
and if they should fail to pay, in part or in full, then the goods of the
community, which not sufficing, all their special goods and possessions
were to be taken, seized, and distrained, until the religious be
compensated for the loss and expense, if any, which they may have
sustained. (Regist. Dunf. No. 460, p. 357.)

1472. - STIRLING: Land, Fruit, Teinds, and Parsonage Right to the Kirk of
Stirling, let by the Abbot of Dunfermline to Matthew Forster. - "Henry,
Abbot, settis to ferm and latis til Mathou Forster burgess of Stirling all
and hale ye parsonage of ye Kirk of Stirling with all and sundry tendis &c.
belang and in ye forsaide parsonage for termis of xix years . . . and
fourti acres of land callit ye southfelde lyand within ye parochen of ye
forsaid Kirk for al ye term of zers before (noticed) to ye forsaid Mathow
giffand zerli fyuety lib for ye teinds and freuits of ye said parsonage.
And viii lib of ye mail of the foresaid xl acres of land of ye Southfeld,"
&c. (Print. Regist. Dunf., No. 476, p. 369.)

LORD ABBOTS OF DUNFERMLINE (Double Election). - Alexander Thomson, a monk
of the Convent, elected by the Abbey Chapter; Henry Creichton, Abbot of
Paisley, promoted to the Abbotship by King James III.  An old account of
this illegal act of the King says:

"The abbacye of Dunfermeling vacand, the convent chesit ane of their awn
monkis, callit Alexandyr Thomsoun; and the King promovit Henry Creychtoun,
abbot of Paislay, thairto, quha wes preferrit be the Paip, through the
Kingis supplications, to the said abbacye.  And siclik, Mr. Robert Schaw,
persoun of Mynto, was promovit be the King to the abbacye of Paislay. - And
sua than first began sic maner of promotione of secularis to abbacies by
the Kingis supplicationis; and the godlie erectionis war frustrate and
dekayde, becaus that the Court of Rome admittit the princis supplicationis,
the rather that thai gat greyt proffeit and sowmes of money thairby; quhair
fore the bischoppis durst not conferme them that wes chosen be the convent;
nor thay quha wer electet durst not persew their ayn ryght.  And sua the
abbays cam to secular abussis, the abbots and pryouris being promovit furth
of the court, quha levit court lyk, secularlye, and voluptuouslye.  And
than ceissit all religious and godlye myndis and deidis; quhairwith the
secularis and pemporall men beand sklanderit with thair evill example, fell
frae all devoisioun and godlyness to the warkis of wikednes, quhairof
daylie mekil evill did increase." (Lesslie's Hist. Scot. 1830, p. 39.)

This "outrage in the Convent of Dunfermline" is supposed to have been the
first committed on the Church, and which culminated at the Reformation in
1560.  Morton, in his Annals, in referring to this matter says:

"The privilege os electing their own superiors, originally enjoyed by all
the monastic communities, had now fallen generally or rather universally
into disuse, and was become a mere form - the power itself being virtually
exercised by the King, who, when an abbey or priory became vacant, found
little difficulty in obtaining a mandate from the Pope directing the monks
to choose the individual whom he nominated or recommended.  This began to
grow into use about the year 1472, when the King presented to the vacant
abbeys of Dunfermline and Paisley.  It soon led to the more corrupt
practice of granting the superiority and revenues of religious houses to
bishops and secular priests, who, not having taken to monastic vows, were
not duly qualified to preside in a monastery.  Out of this grew the still
greater abuse of committing charges of this nature to laymen and even to
infants.  All these things were done with the sanction of Papal authority,
and the monasteries thus disposed of were said to be held in commendam or
in trust until it should be found convenient to appoint a regular
Superior," &c.

HENRY CREICHTOUN was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline by a
Pope's Bull, through the intercession of King James III.  Alexander
Thomsoun, a monk of the Abbey, and elected Lord Abbot, was thus illegally
extruded from office.  This King-and-Pope-Abbot was the 26th Abbot of
Dunfermline.

PITCONNOCHY. - The family of Halket of Pitfirrane become, by charter,
proprietors of the lands of Pitconnochie, two miles west of Dunfermline.
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 294.)

1473. - BURGH RECORDS OF DUNFERMLINE. - Dr. Chalmers, in his elaborate
History of Dunfermline, vol. i. p. 398, says that "The most ancient burgh
records extant commence as early as 28th July, 1473.  It is a large, broad
folio volume, on strong paper, in a leathern envelope, to which the leaves
are attached.  One of the outer boards has various designs embossed on it
relating to the Virgin Mary, one of which is a representation of the visit
to her of the three kings from the east, one of them being in the attitude
of kneeling, and presenting an offering, with the star above which guided
them.  The deeds consist chiefly of instruments of possession in burgh
tenements or other adjoining property of the abbacy.  They usually begin
with the word Memorandum, written in full or contracted.  The Court House
or Tolbooth of the burgh is mentioned as the place of meeting, along with
the name of the provost or bailie presiding.  Walwood is one ot the
prevailing names in them, being several times mentioned in one deed of
1488.  At the end of this volume there is a Burgh Roll de terra, or of
annual rents payable for land, somewhat similar to a cess roll." (Chal.
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 398, &c.)  Between the oldest of these Records (1473
and 1687) there are five volumes, which will be noticed under their several
dates.  From the Burgh Record of date 1473 the Rev. Dr. Ross, of Bridge of
Allan, composed a very excellent lecture in 1864, which he delivered in the
Music Hall, Dunfermline, titled "Burgh Life in Dunfermline in the Olden
Time".  The lecture was published the same year.  We shall be indebted to it
for several interesting notes.  The writer had these old volumes placed
before him in the Town-house of Dunfermline forty years or so ago, and then
made a variety of extracts from them.  From this rich mine of local history
numerous selections will be found under their proper dates, throwing light
on "the age and body of these times."

1475. - THE "NEW RAW" AND THE "NETHERTOWNE" are frequently mentioned in the
Burgh Records between this date and 1480.

1477. - PATRICK GRAHAM, First Archbishop of St. Andrews, a Prisoner in
Dunfermline. - This the first Archbishop of St. Andrews had been accused of
heresy, &c., through malice, by Scheve's, who succeeded to the See.  He was
long confined in prison at Inchcolm; afterwards, for greater safety, he was
taken to Dunfermline, and for some time confined in the prison of the
monastery there; from thence he was taken to Lochleven Castle, where he
died of a broken heart in 1478. (Spottiswode Hist. Church Scot. p. 59;
Keith's Scottish Bishops, pp. 30,31; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp.
263,264.)

JOHN OROK, Town Clerk of Dunfermline; David Weir, Assistant. (Dunf. Burgh
Records.)

COLZAR RAW, or Collier Row, is mentioned in the Burgh Records at this
period in connection with property belonging to a Henry Kyncaid.
 

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