OLDEST MINUTE-BOOK OF THE GUILDRY OF DUNFERMLINE. - The oldest extant
Register of the Guildry of Dunfermline commenced with 1581, and comes down
to 1770. (Guildry Book; Chal. Hist. of Dunf. vol. i. p. 389.)

THE PRESBYTERY OF DUNFERMLINE INSTITUTED THIS YEAR. - The following is a
list of places declared by the General Assembly to be "within its bounds":-
"Carnock, Innerkeithing, Rossythe, Auchterderan, Ballingarie, Aberdour,
Dalgater, Auchtertuil, Kirkaldie, Kingorne (Easter), Kingorne (Wester),
Dysert, Wemyss, Methell, Kinglassie, Culrosse, Crumbie, Torrie, Saline,
Cleish, Muckart, Dolor, Glendovan." (Booke of the Universal Kirk of
Scotland, p. 218.)  Extent about 28 miles from east to west, with an
average breadth of twelve miles from north to south.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Subscribed at Dunfermline. - The second "Confession of
Faith," called "Craig's Confession," was subscribed at Dunfermine by King
James VI. and all his household, and also by "other nobility and the lieges
there," on 28th January, 1581.  (Calderwood's Hist. Ch. Scot.; Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 268.)

1582. - THE REGALITY COURT OF DUNFERMLINE. - Previous to the Reformation
(1560), this Regality Court appears to have been held in the Chapter-house
of the Abbey, the records of which are lost.  From 1560 to 1582 there are
no records whatever of this Court; perhaps it was in abeyance during the
first twenty years after the Reformation.  The oldest extant volume of the
Court begins with 1582.

FEU-TACK of the Teinds of Pittencrieff and Clune given to John Wemyss of
Pittencrieff.  (Regist. Tacks and Teinds, MS., Gen. Regist. House, Edin.)

FERMELINODUNUM. - The celebrated George Buchanan published his History of
Scotland in 1582.  In his History he gives "Fermelinodunum" as the Latin
name of Dunfermline, with slight alterations in the orthography.  Such a
designation is used by various authors.  Buchanan if the first author who
used it.  (See also Annals, dates 1584 and 1589.  In the same work he
designates Dunfermline Civitas Dunfermilingensis, "the City of
Dunfermline."  Alluding to the Church or Abbey, Buchanan says - "Templum in
CIVITATE Dunfermilingensi" - that is, "The Church in the City of
Dunfermline."  (See Annals, dates 1578, 1589, 1714, 1734, 1856. and
Addenda.)

1583. - REGALITY COURT and "Andro Stewart, Vagabond." - Andrew Stewart,
"vagabond," was tried by the Regality Court of Dunfermline, and sentenced
to be "burnt on the richt schoulder with the comon markin yron of
Dunfermling," then "scourged and banisched."  Dunf. Regality Records for
1583; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp. 19, &c.)

ROBERT PITCAIRN, Commendator of Dunfermline, Imprisoned in Lochleven
Castle. - Robert Pitcairn, Commendator of Dunfermline, was concerned in
"the Raid of Ruthven."  He was arrested for treason this year, and
imprisoned in Lochleven Castle.  Calderwood, referring to this, says of
Pitcairn, "Coming to Court, and suspecting no harm, he wes carried captive
to Lochlevin.

RELEASE OF PITCAIRN. - "The Abbot of Dunfermline (the Commendator) was sett
at libertie out of Lochleven Castell, upon the 23rd day of September, upon
caution to remain in Dunfermline, and five or six myle about it, under the
pain of ten thousand pounds." (Calder. Ch. Scot. p. 141.)

FLIGHT OF PITCAIRN TO ENGLAND. - Sir James Melvill states that "Pitcairn,
in order to secure the favour of Colonel Stuart, then Captain of the Guard,
gave him a purse of gold at 4 pounds the piece, which pieces the Colonel
distributed to so many of the guard, who bored them, and set them like
targets upon their knapsacks, and the purse was borne on a spear-point like
an ensign."  Shortly after this, according to Spottiswoode, he fled to
England, and returned to Dunfermline. (Ac. Senat. Col. Just. pp. 139,140.)

KING JAMES VI. VISITS DUNFERMLINE. - "The King's Majesty took a resolution
to pass out of Edinburgh on the 20th day of May, 1583.  He passed that
night at Linlithgow, where he remained till the 1st June, and then went to
Dunfermling, accompanied by the Earls of Argyle, Angus, Montrose, Bothwell,
Marischal, and Marr."  On 2nd June, Colonel Stewart, ambassador, returned
from England, and presented himself to his Majesty at Dunfermling, where
his highness was for the time. (Moyse's Memiors, pp. 78,79.)

1584. - ROBERT PITCAIRN, Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey, returns to
Scotland. - It would appear that Pitcairn, shortly after his arrival in
England, went to Flanders, and when there, finding himself getting
seriously unwell, he, by petition, was allowed to return to Scotland,
Limekilns, near Dunfermline, being allotted to him as his place of
residence.  Calderwood, in his History of Scotland, notes, "Upon the 12th
day of September (1584) the Abbot (Commendator) of Dunfermling came out of
Flanders sick.  With the Collonel's wife, he obtained license to remain in
Lymelylnes, near Dunfermline."  Shortly after his arrival in Limekilns he
became worse, and, to be near medical treatment, he was allowed to remove
to this official residence in Dunfermline.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - George Halket, Esq., of Pitfirrane ("the Laird of
Pitfirrane"), Provost of Dunfermline.

THE PEST, OR PLAGUE, IN DUNFERMLINE. - The pest, or plague, was in
Dunfermline from September 15th, 1584, to May 20th, 1585; a great many in
the town and parish die.  This scourge appears to have visited a great many
places in Scotland this year.  It raged with severity in towns north of the
Forth. (Histories of Scotland; Burgh Records. &c.)

ROBERT PITCAIRN, the First Commendator of Dunfermline, Archdeacon of St.
Andrews, and Secretary of State for Scotland, died, aged 64, on the 18th
October, 1584, and was interred in the north-east angle of the nave of the
Abbey.  (Spottis. Hist. Ch. Scot.)  From preceding notes referring to him,
it will be seen that he was a very important personage in his day.  His
later years, however, were clouded with many trials.  On his tomb in the
Abbey nave is the following inscription:-

D. ROBERTO. PITCARNO.

ABBATI FERMILODUNI ARCHIDECANO S ANDREE LEGATO REGIO EJUSQ MAJESTATI A
SECRETIS

HIC SITVS EST HEROS MODICA ROBERTUS IN VRNA PITCARNUS PATIEAE SPES COLVMENQ
SVAE QVEM VIRTUS GRAVITAS GENEROSO PECTORE DIGNA ORNANT ET VERA CVM PIETATE
FIDES POST VARIOS VITAE FLVCTUS JAM MOLE RELICTA CORPORIS ELYSIVM PERGIT IN
VMBRA NAMQUE OBIIT ANNO 1584 18 OCTOB AETATIS 64.

TRANSLATION.

To Lord Robert Pitcairn, Abbot of Dunfermline, Archdeacon of St. Andrews,
Royal Legate, and his Majesty's Private Secretary.  Here is interred, in a
plain urn, the hero Robert Pitcairn, the hope and pillar of his country,
whom virtue, gravity worthy of a generous heart, and fidelity with true
piety, adorn.  After various changes of life, he now, with the mass of his
body left behind, proceeds in spirit to Elysium; for he died in the year
1584, on the 18th October, aged 64.

RHYMING TRANSLATION.

"In this small grave here lies his country's hope,
Robert Pitcairn, its confidence and prop;
Grave, gen'rous, loyal, virtuous, and true,
With all the gifts, kind stars him did endue;
From various fleetings of this life, his clay
Left here, his soul to heaven made its way."

Monteith's Theatre of Mortality, p. 209.

As the pest, or plague, was raging in Dunfermline at this period, it is
probable that he, in his frail state of health, was attacked by the
scourge, and may thus have hastened his death.

COMMENDATORSHIP OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. - Through the influence of the Earl
of Arran, Patrick Gray (the Master of Gray) was appointed Commendator of
Dunfermline Abbey (Second Commendator.)  (Maitland's Hist. Scot. vol. ii.
p. 1180; Chalmers's Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 202.)

1585. - COMMENDATOR OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. - The Master of Gray's election
to the Commendatorship of Dunfermline Abbey was, by a Crown grant, and
confirmed and ratified by Parliament in December, 1585.  (Acts of
Parliament, vol. ii. p. 412; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 202.)

THE KING and Two Danish Ambassadors in Dunfermline. - "Upon the 12th day of
June there arrived in the Firth of Forth two ambassadors from the King of
Denmark, equal in commission, and a third, who was called a doctor of the
law, three very proper and well attired men after their own country
fashion.  They landed at Leith upon the day thereafter, being Sunday, and
were in train four score persons or thereby, and about twelve of them
adorned with golden chains.  Upon the 14th day of the said month, his
Majesty, as he had appointed before, passed from Holyrood House to
Dunfermling, desiring that the said Danish ambassadors should meet him
there, where they should have presence and hearing of their embassy.  The
English ambassador accompanied his Majesty to Dunfermling.  Within four or
five days thereafter, the Danish ambassadors had audience of his Majesty in
the great hall of Dunfermling, where, in the hearing of the whole persons
there present, they delivered their commission in the Latin tongue, the
purpose of which was to desire the redemption of Orkney and Zetland, which
they alleged to be their King's and mortgaged under a reversion containing
a certain sum of money, which they offered to lay down presently for
loosing of the same.  Within a certain space thereafter, at St. Andrews,
his Majesty, with the advice of his Council, gave them this answer: That he
had no certainty whether their proposition was of truth or not; but that he
should search out and enquire the truth of the same, and return his answer
by one of his own people, whom he should send to Denmark against the spring
of the year," &c.  The ambassadors' errand proved null and void.

KING JAMES AGAIN IN DUNFERMLINE. - The King returned from St. Andrews and
Falkland some time before the end of June.  "About the last of June the
King's Majesty past from Dunfermling to Falkland, and from thence to St.
Andrews." (Moyse's "Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland," pp. 96,97,98.)

THE PLAGUE, which had been "raging in Dunfermline" for the last eight
months, had disappeared, and the town was reported to be "clean of the
pest."

A MEETING OF THE CLERGY, which had been ordained to be held in Dunfermline,
Frustrated; Town Ports Shut, &c. - Calderwood, in his History of the Church
of Scotland, pp. 186,187, states that this year, "a Parliament was
appointed to be holden (in Dunfermline) in December.  Warning was made by
the Moderator of the former Assembly to the brethren and the ministrie, to
convene in Dunfermline before the time appointed by the Parliament.  There
was no other town at that time so convenient by reason of the pest in the
principal burghs, which began to relent after the return of the banished
lords and ministers.  The brethren repaired from all parts to Dunfermline
upon the 23rd November; but the Ports of the town were shut by direction of
the Laird of Pitfirrane, Provost at the time, alleging that he had the
King's express command to do so.  The brethren, so many as might
conveniently, met in the fields, and appointed to meet again in Linlithgow
before the time of the Parliament."

Connected with this "act of the Provost," there is a curious note in
Melville's Diary, pp. 151, 152, viz.:- "About the end of November (1585)
warning was made, according to the order of the Kirk, be the last Moderator
athort the country, to the brethren to 'conveen' in General Assembly
(conform to custom before the Parliament at Dunfermline, na vther meit town
being free of the pest.  The brethren frequentlie furth of all parts
resorting thither, the ports of the town was closit vpon them be the
Provost for the time, the Laird of Pitfirren, alleging he had the King's
command so to do; therefore, the brethren commending that wrang to God, the
righteous Judge, convenit sa mony as might in the fields, and comforting
themselves mutually in God, appointed to meet in Linlithgow certain days
before the Parliament.  But God within few years peyit that laird and
provost his hire for that peice of service, when, for the halding out of
His servants from keiping His Assemblie in that toun, He made his awin
house to spew him out; for on a day, in the morning, he was fallen out of a
window of his awin house of Pitfirren, three or four house hight; whether
by a melancholy despair, casting himself, or by violence of unkynd guests
lodged within, God knaws; for being taken up, his speech was not so
sensible as to declare it, but within few hours after deit."

TIME OF OPENING AND SHUTTING THE TOWN PORTS, OR YETTS. - In the foregoing,
notice is taken of the shutting of the ports of Dunfermline, to keep out
from the town an intended meeting of the clergy.  The usual routine of the
daily opening and closing of the town ports may here be noted.  The town
ports were opened in the morning by two sergeants or officers at five
o'clock, and shut in the evening by the same officials, on the ringing of
the curfew bell at eight o'clock.  The ringing of the curfew bell continued
to be observed in Dunfermline until 1844, when it was disused, and began to
be rung at six o'clock evening, to suit factory hours.  The curfew bell was
an institution in Dunfermline for some hundreds of years.

1586. - PATRICK GRAY, Commendator of Dunfermline, and Sir Robert Melville,
were sent as ambassadors to England to "intercede for the life of Queen
Mary" (the Queen-Mother).  They left on Dec. 18th.  (Mary "was tried and
convicted of conspiracy against the Queen of England" on October 14th,
1586, at Fotheringay Castle.)  These worthies returned on February 7th,
declaring that they had no assurance of the Queen's life, &c.

"THE BUIK WITH ANE QUHYT COVERING, BEGYNNAND 1586." - Such is the title of
one of the Abbey Books of Charters, in MS. vol. ii. (Print. Regist. Dunf.
p. 484.)

1587. - BANQUET AT DUNFERMLINE. - King James VI., in April this year, was
entertained at a banquet in Dunfermline, given by the Earl of Huntly.
Several matters happened uncongenial to the King (at this banquet), which
irritated him much.  Moyse, in his Memoirs, says:- "The King, being
mightily irritated, took sudden journey out of Dunfermling to Burleigh.
Four or five days afterwards he came back to Dunfermling, and next day
passed to Kinneil," &c.

REGALITY COURT and "Hew Watt, Vagabond." - Hugh Watt, vagabond, was tried
by the Regality Court of Dunfermline for stealing cattle.  He was found
guilty, and condemned "to be hanget to the deith on Baldrie's gallows, or
ellis drownit at wil of the judgis."  (Dunf. Regist. Court Rec. 1587.)
Baldridge Gallows was "a stationary one," and "aye ready."  It occupied a
spot called "Gallows Bank,"  near or on the site of the present school,
about a mile north of Dunfermline.  The lairds of these days had private
gallows.  Hew must have stolen the cattle from the Laird of Baldridge, and,
on being condemned, was hanged on "Baldrie's" private gallows. (Reg. Rec.)

PATRICK GRAY Dismissed from the Commendatorship of Dunfermline Abbey, in
consequence of his alleged treason in the case of Queen Mary, and other
malpractices.  He was Second Commendator of Dunfermline. (Moyse's Memoirs
of the Affairs of Scotland, &c.)

GEORGE GORDON, Earl of Huntly, obtained letters patent, under the Great
Seal, granting to him the dissolved Abbacy of Dunfermline, 26th May, 1587
(Wood's Peerage, p. 650), as successor to the disgraced Master of Gray, &c.
Calderwood, in his Hist. Ch. Scot. vol. iv. p. 661, says - "The Abbacie of
Dunfermline givin to the Erle of Huntlie, to the which he resorting
bringeth with him flocks of Papists, Jesuits, and excommunicated Papists,
such as Mr. James Gordoun, Mr. William Crichtoun, the Laird of Fentrie,"
&c.

PATRICK GRAY, Late Commendator of Dunfermline, Banished. - The late
Commendator was accused of various points of treason - of consenting to the
death of Mary, &c. - in consequence of which he was committed on 20th
August, 1587, to the Castle of Edinburgh.  Afterwards, when tried, his life
and estates were declared to be forfeited.  His life was spared on
condition of his banishing himself to "foreign parts."  He went to Italy,
and resided there for several years.  He succeeded his father in the
Peerage in 1609, and died in 1612. (Wood's Peerage, p. 671; Moyse's Mem. p.
123, &c.)

HENRY PITCAIRN elected Commendator of the Remanent Abbacie, pro temp., with
the consent of such of the Convent as remained.  (Murray's Laws and Acts of
Parliament.)  This is the Fourth and last Commendator of Dunfermline
Abbacy.  (See Annals Dunf. date 1593.)

THE RIGHTS AND TITLES of "The Master of Gray" to Dunfermline Abbacy
Annulled. - An Act "annulling the richts and title of Dunfermline, maid be
the Master of Gray," passed in Parliament, held at Edinburgh, 29th July,
1587.

THE TEMPORALITIES OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS, ANNEXED TO
THE CROWN. - King James VI., and his Three Estates of Parliament, finding
that there was not a sufficient revenue to support the dignity of the
Crown, and considering how much lands, &c., the Crown had in former days
bestowed on the Church, "resolved to strip the Church in general of most of
its lands, and add them to the Crown."  An Act to this effect was this year
passed by the Estates.  That portion which refers to Dunfermline spoliation
is as follows:-

"The landes and lordshippes of Mussel-burgh quhilks of before pertained to
the Abbacie of Dunfermling; quhilks lands and lordshippes are disposed to
diverse persons, as their particular infeftment bears: And als excepted the
hail remanent landes of the Abbay of Dunfermling, declaired as zit to abide
with the said Abbay, in the same estait quharin they then were, and are not
comprehended in the annexation foresaid, but to remain with the said Abbay
quhil forder order be taken:  As alswa excepted fourth of the said
annexation of Kirk landes to the Crown." (Murray's "Laws and Acts of
Parliament," vol. i. p. 524.)

The exceptions -

"And mair attour, it is speciallie provided, that notwithstanding of the
temporalities of benefices to the Crown, zit the Conventual brethren of the
Abbay of Dunfermling sall na wayes be prejudged and hurt anent the Livings,
Portions, Pensions, Zairds, and dewties of the said Abbay: Bot that they
and everie ane of them may peaceablie bruik joyis and uplift their
portions, pensions, livings, zairds, and dewties of the same Abbay, during
thair lifetime: Conforme to thair giftes, special assignation thereof, and
to OUR SOVERAINE LORD'S ratification and confirmation thereupon in all
poyntes. - Edin. 29 July, 1587." (Murray's "Laws and Acts of Parliament,"
vol. i. p. 253.)

Note. - The Earl of Lauderdale obtained at this period the superiority of
the town of Musselburgh, when dismembered from Dunfermline Abbacy by the
General Annexation Act.  In this family's possession is remained until
1709, when it was purchased by the Duke of Buccleuch.

1588. - THE CHURCH OF DUNFERMLINE (ABBEY) in a Ruinous State. - The
Assembly of the Church of Scotland appealed to King James VI., soliciting
him to interpose to avert the ruin which threatened Glasgow, Dunfermline,
and Dumblane churches.  (Ban. Mem. Trans. Scot. pp. 70,80; Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 271.)  From this notice it would appear that the repairs
made on Dunfermline Church between the years 1563-64 were superficial and
unsatisfactory. (See Article, "Repar. Kirk," Annals, date 1563.)

CONFIRMATION CHARTER OF KING JAMES VI. in favour of the Burgh of
Dunfermline, 1588. - When James VI. became of age in 1588, he granted a
Confirmation Charter to the burgh, confirming the gifts, privileges, &c.,
bestowed on the burgh by three of the Abbots: by Robert, in 1322; John, in
1395; and George, in 1549.  These three Charters are incorporated in this
Confirmation Charter.  (See also Annals of Dunf. dates 1322, 1395, and
1549.)  Writers hitherto, when referring to Dunfermline as a burgh, have
asserted that this Charter of Confirmation of James VI. constituted
Dunfermline a royal burgh! which is evidence sufficient that they had never
seen this Charter.  If they had, they would have seen that it was simply a
Charter of Confirmation - not one of erection.  Dunfermline was probably a
royal burgh as early as the reign of Alexander I.  (See Annals of
Dunfermline, dates inter 1112 - 1130, &c.)  the original Charter in Latin,
along with an indifferent English translation of it, is to be found in the
Charter Chest of the burgh.  The writer intended at one time to give a more
correct translation, but on further consideration, he resolved to give a
transcript of the burgh translation, which had been so long acknowledged
and in legal use.  The Charter is a long one, and, as it has never been
printed before the present time, it cannot fail to be interesting to many
of our readers:-

Copy of the Burgh Translation of the Confirmation Charter of King James VI.
1588.

James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all the honest men of his
whole realm, Clergy and Laick, Greeting, - Beit known as now, after our
perfect and lawful age of Twenty-one years complete in our Parliament,
Declared, and General Revocation made to that effect, To have ratified,
approven, and confirmed a certain Donation and Confirmation, made, given,
and granted by the deceased George Durie, Commendator of the Monastery of
Dunfermline and Convent thereof, to our Lovite, the Provost, Bailies,
Council, and Community of the Burgh of Dunfermline, and their Successors,
Ratifying and Approving particular Donations, Concessions, Confirmations,
Indentures, and Renovations, made and granted to them by their
predecessors, Concerning the Community after specified, and other
privileges and liberties after-mentioned: To wit, a Charter, Donation, and
Concession, made, given, and granted to them by the deceased Robert, Abbot
of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, of the Common Muir, from the divisions
of Walterselis as far as the straight marches or meiths (boundaries) of
Beedhall in length, and from our highway to Perth and from the marches or
boundaries of Creenanch as far as the straight divisions of Tulch in
Breadth, with the great moss contained in the said muir, and with a certain
piece of ground from our highway to Perth as far as the Bank of Moncur,
betwixt two Sycheta, which run in a straight line from Moncur as far as our
highway to Perth, as much as the breadth of Moncur is extended along the
said land: Item, a Charter, Concession, and Donation, made, given, and
granted to them by the deceased John, by the Grace of God, Abbot of
Dunfermline and Convent thereof, regarding the Merchant Guildry, with all
the liberties rights, commodities, and Easements belonging to a
free-merchant Guildry, or that may any way of right pertain to them,
together with the houses anciently pertaining to the said Guildry, and an
Indenture, made at Dunfermline the tenth day of October, One thousand three
hundred and ninety-five years, betwixt the Venerable Father John, Abbot of
the Monastery of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, on the one part, and the
Elderman and Community of the burgh of Dunfermline on the other part, anent
the Letting and Demittingin feu ferm to the said Elderman and Community the
Heall Incomes of the said Burgh belonging to their revenue, with the small
Customs, Stallages, and profits of Courts and whole burgh, in full freedom,
with all their commodities, orders, Rights, Privileges, and Easements
whatsoever, belonging to the said Burgh, or that may in any time coming any
way happen to belong to them, Being at our command seen, read, inspected,
and diligently examined and fully understood by us to be whole, entire,
unerazed, uncancelled, and not to be suspected in any part, in manner
following: To All and Sundry, the sons of the holy Mother Church, by whom
these presents or charter shall be inspected, seen read, and heard, George
Durie, by dovine permission, archdeacon of the metropolitan and Principal
Church of St. Andrews, principal and perpetual Commendator of the Monastery
of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, of the Order of St. Benedict, of the
Diocese of St. Andrews, - Greeting, in him who is the true and sure Saviour
of All Mankind, on account of the excellent merits of our Lovites in
Christ, the Honourable the present Provost, Bailies, Council, Burgesses,
and Community of the burgh of Dunfermline, by which they, after the manner
of their progenitors and ancestors, are known to be famous, Truly deserve
that, tracing our predecessors' footsteps: We observe with the greatest
Attention their petitions, Especially those Relating to the Cultivating of
Justice and Benign Government, and quiet state of our Burgh and its
Inhabitants, and more expecially the preservation and maintaining of the
Rights, liberties, and privileges cautiously granted at former times by our
predecessors to our said Burgh and Community for that time and all times
coming, and as far as by divine assistance we are able, let us favourably
assist them, and, regarding our own interest, Let us with steady resolution
and goodwill confirm these things which were prudently managed and granted
by our predecessors, that they may for ever be kept pure: Truly, a petition
lately exhibited to us on the part of the present Provost, Bailies,
Council, Burgesses, and Community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline, of the
said diocese of St. Andrews, Contained that the several privileges,
immunities, Liberties, favours, and concessions, given and confirmed
respectively to the said Burgh and their Provost or Elderman, Bailies,
Council, Burgesses, and Community foresaid, for the time being, By the
Lords Robert and John, of ever blessed memory, while they were Abbots of
our said Monastery and Convent thereof, and perhaps freely granted by our
other predecessors, and Given and Confirmed by their Charters and
Indentures, under the great Common Seal of our said Monastery, Are as
follows: To All men who shall see or hear this Charter, Robert, by divine
permission, Abbot of Dunfermline and Convent of the said place, - Humbly
wisheth eternal safety in the Lord: Be it known, we, according to our usual
custom, and after diligent reasoning in our Chapter, for the benefit of our
house, have given, granted, and by this our present charter confirmed to
the community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline and Burgesses thereof, our
Common Muir, from the division of Walterselis as far as the straight
marches or meiths (boundaries) of Beedgall in length, Reserving to us our
great moss (Petary) of Beedgall; and from the highway to Perth, and from
the marches or meiths (boundaries) of Creenanch even to the straight
divisions of Tulch in Breadth, with the great moss (Petary) contained in
the said muir; and with a certain piece of ground from the highway to Perth
as far as the Bank of Moncur, betwixt two Sycheta, which run in a straight
line from Moncur as far as the highway to Perth, as much as the breadth of
Moncur is extended along the said land, - to be had and holden by the
foresaid Community and Burgesses for the time bing for ever, as fully,
freely, quietly, honourably, well, and in peace, with all the Easements
belonging to the said muir of whatever kind, as aforesaid, as well herbage
as foggage, to be used and kept for themselves and feeding their Bestial:
Paying, therefore, the said Community and Burgesses, to us and our
successors yearly, at the feast of the translation of the blessed Queen
Margaret, one pair of white Paris gloves, or Six pence Sterling, good and
Lawful money, in augmentation of ferm to us and our Monastery, by the said
Burgesses of the Burgage of our Burgh, with their Rights yearly, according
to use and wont: In testimony whereof, we have appended the seal, of our
Chapter, the Chapter being Witnesses: To all by whom this present Chapter
shall be Seen or Read, John, by the Grace of God, Abbot of Dunfermline and
Convent thereof, humbly wisheth eternal safety in the Lord: Be it known
that we, with the unanimous consent and assent of our chapter, have given,
granted, and, by this our present Charter, Confirmed for us and our
Successors to our burgesses of Dunfermline, - Those, to wit, who now are
Guild Brethren, and their heirs for ever, and our other Burgesses, received
by our said Burgesses, and their heirs into the Guildry, or in future to be
received into the Merchant Guildry, with all other liberties rights,
commodities, and Easements belonging to a free merchant Guildry, or that
may in any way of right belong to them: Together with the houses anciently
pertaining to the said Guildry, - Salvo jure cujuslibet, - to be had and
holden by our said Burgesses and their heirs of us and our successors in
venditiones et emptiones (sales and purchases), - and (the whole) all other
premises, as freely, quietly, honourably, well, and inpeace as any other
Burgesses of our Lord the King has, hold, and possesses the privilege of
guildry in any Burghs of our said Sovereign Lord, Reserving to us and our
obedientiaries, and their officers, for our use and the use of our
obedientiaries, the Emptions and other things formerly in use, Justice
Intervening: In testimony whereof, the common seal of our Chapter is
appended to this present Charter, the Chapter being witnesses : This
Indenture, made at Dunfermline, the Tenth day of October, one thousand
three hundred and ninety-five, Betwixt the Venerable Father John, Abbot of
the Monastery of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, on the one part, and the
Elderman and Community of the Burgh of Dunfermline on the other part, fully
witnesseth, that the said Lord Abbot and Convent have let, and in firm for
ever demitted, to the foresaid Elderman and Community the whole incomes of
the said Burgh belonging to their revenue, with the small Customs,
stallages, and profits of Courts and the whole Burgh, in full liberty, with
all their Commodities, orders, rights, and easements whatsoever belonging
to the said Burgh, or that may any ways for the future belong to them, as
freely in All and by all as any Burgesses holds, has, or possesses in
feu-firm, in any burgh in the said kingdom of our said Lord the King,
Reserving to the said Lord Abbot and Convent the Lands in the said Burgh,
purchased or to be purchased through the Chamberlain-heir and yearly
pensions due to the Monastery out of the several lands of the said Burgh,
with the Chastisement of the Bailies as often as they, or any of them,
shall fail in the diong or exercising justice: For which things above
granted, the foresaid Elderman and Community shall pay yearly, in all time
coming, to the said religious Lords, Thirteen merks usual money, at the
four usual terms in the year, by equal portions, without delay, debate,
dole, or bad design; and if it shall happen them to fail in payment of the
forementioned sum, either in part or in whole, the goods of every
individual and their possessions, shall be at the will of the said
Religious Lords, to be provided, taken, and distrained until the damage and
expense of the said sum be fully satisfied and paid, if the foresaid
Religious Lords shall have sustained or suffered, the one or the other, by
the fore-mentioned occasion of payment not made at any of the terms of
payment above specified: In testimony of all which the common seal of the
Burgh of Dunfermline is appended to that part of this indenture in the
keeping of the said Religious Lords, the Abbot and Convent; and the Common
seal of the Chapter of the said Religious Lords is appended to that part in
the keeping of the said Elderman and Community, day, place, and year above
written; and as the same petition concludes that if the foresaid Charters
and Indentures, and liberties, rights, and privileges expressed in them,
and by our predecessors freely given and granted to the said Elderman,
Burgesses, and Community as aforesaid, were by us, for us and our
successors, Abbots or Commendators and Convent of our said Monastery for
the time being, and canonically entering, Approven, Ratified, Confirmed,
and Innovate, and of new granted for their continual preservation, wealth
of our said Burgh of Dunfermline, and to the profit and advantage of the
Provost, Bailies, Council, Burgesses, and Community thereof, for now and
all time coming; Wherefore, on the part of the present Provost, Bailies,
Council, Burgesses, and Community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline, it was
humbly begged of us that we would add the strength of the Confirmation of
the privileges, immunities, liberties, favours, donations, and concessions
foresaid for their more sure subsistence, lest the Charter, Letters, and
Indentures foresaid, some time or other, become unintelligible on accompt
of their oldness, and, beside, that we of our own good will and bounty
would honour them so far as seasonably to take care of the premises, We
therefore, desiring that the privileges, immunities, liberties, favours
donations, and concessions foresaid may become firmly observed, the rather
that they evidently seem to be approven of with the same deliberation with
which they were granted, are inclined favourably to listen to their
petitions: Therefore we, after mature deliberation and long Reasoning on
the premises, in the Chapter of the said monastery, met in Chapter with
unanimous consent and assent of our own proper knowledge and deliberate
mind, and with every better manner, way, form, Right, and cause by which we
may and ought the better and more efficaciously to do the same for us and
our Successors, canonically entering for preservation thereof by these
presents, Approve, Confirm, and innovate all and sundry, privileges,
immunities, liberties, favours, donations, and concessions above inserted,
granted by Robert and John, Abbots of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, our
predecessors, with all and sundry clauses and decreets therein contained,
Together with the above narrated Letters, Charters, and Indentures, and
whatever is therein contained; and these things which were granted by our
predecessors foresaid, We of new allow to obtain perpetual strength, and
decern the same to be inviolably observed; and we, by the tenor hereof,
supply All and Sundry defects of rights or deeds, if any have crept in,
anything to the contruary notwithstanding. - In testimaony whereof, the
common seal of our chapter is appended, with our handwriting, at our
foresaid Monastery of Dunfermlyne, the second day of August, One thousand
five hundred and forty-nine, before these witnesses: The venerable,
honourable, and discreet men, viz., Master ABRAHAM CHREICHTOUN, Provost of
Dunglas and Official of St. Andrews, within the Archdeaconry of Laudonie;
ROBERT DURY of that ilk, principal bailie of the Regality of Dunfermline;
ROBERT STEWART, younger, Laird of Rossyth; DAVID MARTINE, of Cardven; JOHN
BETOUN, of Capildray; also the Messrs. and Lords WILLIAM MURRAY, Treasurer
of Dunblane; JOHN LAWDER, Archdean of Tweeddale; ADAM KINGORNE, Vicar of
Linton; and JOHN COUPAR and THOMAS MALCOLM, Chaplains and Notaries Public,
with several others."

"Which Donation, Confirmation, and Indenture foresaid we approve, Ratify,
and for us and our successors confirm in all its points, articles,
Conditions, ways and Circumstances whatsoever, in all and by all forms and
to the effects above written: Also, we ratify, approve, and for us and our
Successors Confirm All and Sundry the foresaid Infeftments, Concessions,
Donations, Indentures, and Renovations, made, given, and granted by the
foresaid Commendators and Convent of the said Monastery of Dunfermline for
the time being, to the foresaid Elderman, Provosts, Bailies, Council, and
Community of the said Burgh and their successors, concerning the foresaid
Commonty and common muir, with all other privileges and liberties
whatsoever therein mentioned and contained, In the which they and their
predecessors have been in free possession in all time bygone past the
memory of man, In all and sundry points, heads, articles, clauses, and
conditions whatsoever therein specified and contained: Moreover, we, for
the good, faithful, and gratuitous service performed to us and our
predecessors by the foresaid Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of
the said Burgh of Dunfermline and their predecessors, from our certain
knowledge and proper motive, of new Give, grant, and dispond, and, by the
tenor of this our present charter, Give, grant, and dispone to the said
Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline
and their successors the foresaid commonty and common muir, together with
all other and sundry privileges, liberties, and commodities above
specified, with all right, title, and interest which we, our predecessors
and successors had, have, or any way may have or claim, for the future, to
be peaceably and inviolably enjoyed and possessed by them and their
Successors in all time coming, and as freely in all respects aand
conditions as any other their predecessors held or possessed the said town:
In testimony whereof we have appended our great seal to be affixed to this
our present Charter of Confirmation, Before these witnesses: Our
well-beloved Cousins and Councillors JOHN, Lord HAMILTON, and Commendator
of the Monastery of Aberbrothick; ARCHIBALD, Earl of ANGUS, Lord
DOUGLAS-DALKEITH, and ABERNETHY; and Sir JOHN MAITLAND, of Thirlstane,
Knight, our Chancellor and Secretary; the Venerable and Most Reverend
Fathers in Christ, PATRICK Archbishop of St. Andrews; and WALTER, Prior of
Blantyre, Keeper of our Privy Seal; our well-beloved familiar Councillors
ALEXANDER HAY, of Easter Kennet, Clerk of our Registers and Council;
LODVICK BALLENDEN, of Auchmoull, Knight, our Justiciary Clerk; and Mr.
ROBERT SCOTT, Feuar, of Knightispotty, Director of our Chancery at Holyrood
House; - The twenty-fourth day of May, One thousand five hundred and
eighty-eight years, and of our reign the twenty-first year."

ROYAL GRANTS for Holding Public Fairs in Dunfermline. - James VI., by
Charter, conferred on the Burgh of Dunfermline "the right and privilege" of
holding public fairs - one upon March 1st and the other on September 14th
annually.  This Deed or Charter is dated 11th Feb., 1588. Signed and sealed
by the King.  (Burgh Charter Chest.)  Shortly afterwards another Writ or
Charter was issued by the King, signed and sealed, for the holding of
annual fairs on July 20th and October 22nd; these to continue for three
days, with a weekly market on . . . and to uplift the tolls and customs
thereof, and apply the same to their own proper use. (Burgh Charter Chest;
vide also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 475.)

1589. - MORNING GIFT of the Lordship of Dunfermline, &c., to Queen Anne. -
The Abbey and adjacent building at Dunfermline having been exempted from
the General Annexation, &c., of 1587, King James VI., on the morning after
his marriage with Anne of Denmark, at Upsal, in Norway, made a present to
her of one of the royal houses at Dunfermline as a "Morning Gift" - an
ancient custom prevailing in the north in these times. (Fernie's Hist.
Dunf. p. 80; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 105; see also Annals, date 1593.)

BURGH MATRIX, SEAL, &C. - There is no notice of this seal in the Burgh or
in the Guildry Records.  Therefore, where made, by whom made, and its date,
cannot be ascertained.  It has been conjectured that it would likely be
made about the year 1589, the year after the date of the Confirmation
Charter of King James VI.; and as there were no artists in this country who
could undertake to engrave it properly, it has been thought that it would
most likely be made in Holland, where the Manual Seal was made. (See
Annals, date 1670.)  "The Common Seal of the Burgh" in use previous to the
Matrix Seal, appears, from the impressions from it in wax attached to some
old charters, to have been nearly worn out, and hence the necessity of a
new one about 1589.  The Burgh Matrix Seal is made of iron, and consists of
two thick circular discs, 2 and a-quarter inches in diameter, moveable on
two upright rods of the same material.  On the face of one of the discs the
Burgh Arms is engraved; on the other is represented St. Margaret, the old
Patron Saint of the burgh.  (See An. Dunf. date 1493, &c.)  Round the edges
are appropriate mottoes, as shown in the following full-size engravings of
them:-

Referring to the old worn-out Seal of the burgh (see Annals, date 1395),
you will observe that the words "COMMUNITATIS DE DUNF. .LING" are engraven
on it.  On this Matrix Seal the words CIVITATIS FERMILODVNI are
substituted.  This Latin name of Dunfermline, as on the Seal, appears to
have been introduced by the celebrated George Buchanan about the year 1583
(see Buch. Hist. Scot.); and as Dunfermline is designated a "City" in old
deeds, &c. (see An. Dunf. date 1578), this new legend signifies City of
Dunfermline.  As Fermilodvni does not occur in any deed, charter, or
printed book before 1583, we must conclude that the Matrix Seal of the
burgh of Dunfermline was made and put to use after that date; and those who
have supposed that it was made in 1589, immediately after King James VI.
granted his Confirmation Charter to the burgh, are most probably correct.
It may be mentioned that after 1583, "Fermilodvni" comes frequently into
notice: 1st, It is found on the tomb of Secretary Robert Pitcairn, in the
nave of Dunfermline Abbey; he died 1584. (See An. Dunf. date 1584.)  2nd,
On a marble monument of the Seton family, in Seton Church, Tranent, are the
words, "Fermelinodvnum Comes et Regni Scotiae factus est Cancellarius," in
allusion to the first Earl of Dunfermline and his status.  3rd, In 1821,
while repairs were being made in Dalgety Church, Fifeshire, a closed vault
was discovered, in which were six coffins; one of these, from the
inscription on it, contained the remains of the Earl - viz., "Alexander
Setonius, Fermelinoduni Comes, Scotiae Cancellarius," &c. (See Annals, date
1622.)  4th, On an old tombstone, erected by Rev. Ralph Erskine in 1728,
now removed, were "Mag. Radalphus Erskine, Pastor Fermilo-dunensis," &c.,
which comes from the same root as the above.  Civitatis Fermiloduni and
Civitatis Dunfermlinensis are equivalents, differing only in the
arrangement of the syllable. (See An. Dunf. date 1670.)

DESCRIPTION OF THE MATRIX SEAL OF THE BURGH OF DUNFERMLINE. - About 30
years ago we applied to the late Wm. Anderson, Esq., Marchmont Herald,
Register House, Edinburgh, for a heraldic description of this Seal, and he
politely sent us the following:-

"The achievement - as represented in the annexed engraving, from a wax
impression of Dunfermline Matrix Seal - may be read or blazoned as follows,
viz.: Azure, a tower set on four steps, with a pyramidical roof, topped
with a ball, above an indented battlement; Argent masoned Sable, having a
square window of four compartments over an arched gate, both Gules; on each
side of the tower a lion rampant affrontee of the second (Argent).  The
achievement is encircled with an edged belt or scroll, inscribed with these
words,

FERMILODVNI SIGILLVM CIVITATIS

which signifies unquestionably 'The Seal of the City of Dunfermline.'  The
upright lines in the field would likewise indicate Gules, but they appear
to be broken, to give the effects of a sky with clouds or Azure.  This side
is the same in the double Seal, with the exception in the latter of a small
wicket or window of four pieces in the gate and nebule work, instead of
indented, around the battlement of the tower, as also an interior circle,
with the words,

ESTO RVPES INACCESSA

which means: Let this be an inaccessible Rock.

"The obverse side of the double Seal of Dunfermline represents a female
figure standing within an antique niche, or double canopied recess, set
upon four steps, crowned with the ancient crown of Scotland, * which then
merely showed points, and supporting over her dexter shoulder a sceptre,
tipped at the upper end with a fleur-de-lis, the sinister hand resting on
her waist.  The niche is placed between two antique candle sticks, with
candles inflamed, and around the device is an edged belt or scroll, having
thereon these words,

S MARGARETA REGINA SCOTORVM

which is in reference to Saint Margaret Queen of Scotland, and wife of King
Malcolm III. (Canmore).  We have this Queen's arms - namely, the lion of
Scotland - flowered and counter-flowered with fleur-de-lis, impaled with
those of her paternal family, and placed within a lozenge (Vide Sir David
Lindsay's Heraldic MS. p. 21), and which has a compartment underneath, with
these words: 'Sanct Margaret Queyne off Scotland.'"

* It is very probable that the "canopied recess" of the Marchmont Herald is
simply a rude representation of St. Margaret's Shrine in the Abbey Choir.
The herss, or canopy, of St. Margaret's Altar, as also the lights (lichts),
or candles, are frequently mentioned in the Burgh Records between the years
1480 and 1501.  (See An. Dunf. date 1250; also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii.
pp. 4,5, where a similar description of the Matrix Seal will be found in
connection with the elucidation of the designation "City of Dunfermline."
Also, An. Dunf. date 1670, for description of the Manual Seal of the
burgh.)

St. Margaret was, in "the days of the Abbey," the Patron Saint of
Dunfermline, and the burgh were the proprietors and patrons of St.
Margaret's Altar, in the Abbey. (See notes on this Altar, in the Annals of
Dunf. between dates 1480-1501.)  Hence the reason for the town having an
image of St. Margaret, and the probable representation of her Canopied
Altar, with lights, on the obverse of the Seal.

1590. - THE QUEEN WAS INFEFT IN THE LORDSHIP OF DUNFERMLINE. - "Anna, Queen
of Scotland, was infeft, and gat possession of the Lordshippe of
Dunfermling, 17th May, 1590."  (13th Parliament of James VI., Edinburgh,
21st July, 1593; Murray's Laws and Acts Parl, vol. ii. p. 681.)  Moyse, in
his Memoirs of Scotland, notes - "Upon the 12th of the said month of May,
Peter Monk, admiral of Denmark, Stephen Bra (it has been supposed that this
Stephen Bra was brother of the celebrated Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe),
Braid Ransome, and Henry Goodlister, with some other Danes, rode towards
Falkland, Dunfermline, and Linlithgow, to take seizin in the Queen's
Majesty's name of these three lordshippes as her dowry." (Moyse's Mem.
Scot. p. 169.)

WILLIAM SCHAW AND THE QUEEN'S HOUSE, DUNFERMLINE. - "William Schaw, Maister
of Wark," in May, 1590, received œ400 "by his Majesty's precept, for
reparation of the house at Dunfermling befoir the Queenis Majesties passing
thereto." (Vide History of the Lodge of Edinburgh, and published 1873, p.
54.)  This must be understood to be the Queen's jointure-house, which of
old stood on the same spot as the new one built in 1600. (See Annals of
Dunf. date 1600.)

"THE DANISH AMBASSADOR, named in the foregoing, after the infeftment
business was completed, dined in the Palace of Dunfermling." (Moyse's Mem.
Scot.p. 169.)

LADY DUNFERMLINE. - Queen Anne, after her infeftment in the lordship of
Dunfermline, became "Lady Dunfermline," a title she used in her business
matters connected with Dunfermline.

KING JAMES VI. IN DUNFERMLINE. - Moyse, in his Memoirs of Scotland, p. 173,
says - "Upon the 2nd July (1590), the King's majesty passed out of
Edinburgh to Dunfermline, and from thence to Falkland, to visit these
places, and see them prepared for his and the Queen's resort there."

ANNA, THE QUEEN, IN DUNFERMLINE. - Moyse, continues - "And about the 12th
the Queen's Majesty passed out of Holyrood House to Dunfermling, where she
remained a short space."  (Moyse's Mem. Scot. p. 173.)  This was the
Queen's first visit to Dunfermline.  It would appear from the following
note, that their Majesties and retinue sojourned in Dunfermline at this
time for upwards of two months, viz.:- "From 18th day of July, 1590,
inclusive, to 26th September, inclusive in the moneth complit for aucht
fedder beddis furneist to the Palace of Dunfermling, to the Strangers in
his Majesties company; for ilk bed in the nicht ijs.  Inde, during the same
space, lv. li. iiiiD.  Item: for furneising of six chalmeris in the toun,
with twa fedder beddis in everie chalmer, coille and candill thairto;
takand nichtlie for everie chalmer, vjs. viijd.  Inde, jc. xxx. li."
(Papers Relative to the Marriage of King James VI., &c., Ban. Club Edit.
1828, Appen. ii. p. 20.)

THE KING AND QUEEN again visit Dunfermline. - Their Majesties passed again
to Dunfermline about the end of September, and from thence they went to
Edinburgh. (Moyse's Mem. Scot. p. 173.)

1591. - A "DUNFERMLINE WITCH!" OR "Wise Woman of Dunfermline." - An old
tradition notifies that this "wise woman" had an "extensive renown" and
helped to "raise the terrible storm at sea on the return of King James VI.
from his matrimonial expedition from Denmark to Leith."  By some overlook,
"she escaped being drownit."  She was alive, and plying "her calling" in
Dunfermline in 1591.  She is noticed in a remarkable "witch trial" this
year, viz., of Euphame Macalyane.  Euphame was tried on 19th June this
year, and amongst the many accusations brought against her was, that she
had consulted a woman in Dunfermline, how to obtain her husband's love,
otherwise to be avenged on him, &c. (Dal. "Darker Superstitions of
Scotland," p. 202.)

GRAMMER SCHOOL. - At this period James Dalgleish was headmaster of the
Grammer School of Dunfermline, and Robert Durie was his doctor, or
assistant.  (Kirk Ses. Rec.; also An. Dunf. date 1598.)

MURDER OF THE EARL OF MORAY BY THE COMMENDATOR OF DUNFERMLINE. - The Earl
of Huntly, the sworn enemy of the Earl of Moray, had for some time past
been watching an opportunity to slay him, to satisfy some private revenge
he had against him.  Wood, in his History of the Peerage, (vol. ii. pp.
258,259), referring to this murder, says - "Huntly, on the 7th February,
1591-2, on pretence that Moray had been engaged with Bothwell and his
associates, the King's enemies, invested the house of Dunibirsel, and set
it on fire.  Dunbar, Sheriff of Moray, who was in the house at the time,
said to the Earl of Moray, 'I will go out at the gate before your lordship,
and you shall come after me.'  Dunbar accordingly came forth, and ran
desperately on Huntly's men, by whom he was presently slain.  During this
the Earl of Moray came out, and retreated among the rocks on the sea-side;
but unfortunately his knapskull tippet, whereon was a silk string, had
taken fire, which betrayed him to his enemies in the darkness of the night,
himself not knowing the same; they came down on him on a sudden, and
cruelly murdered him."  This is recorded in Histories of Scotland, and the
victim is known as "the bonnie Earl of Moray."  (See Wood's Peerage; Chal.
Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 226,227, &c.)  This deed is a dark spot in the
annals of Dunfermline.  Dunibirsel is about eight miles south-east of
Dunfermline.

1592. - JAMES MURRAY, of Perdewis, was a man of considerable note in his
day, and held the lands of Perdewis, south of the nethertown of
Dunfermline.  He was indicted along with the Earls of Mar, Angus, and other
noblemen, in the affair of the "Raid of Stirling."  He had, along with
others in this conspiracy, to fly the country.  He obtained pardon for "the
offence," in 1584; and died on his estate on 28th September, 1592, and was
interred in Dunfermline, where his tombstone is to be seen in a lumber
corner, near the south tower of the Church, having inscribed on it -

"MEMENTO MORI HONORABILIS VIRI JACOBI MVRRAVII DE PERDWS MONVMENTVM QVI
OBIIT  28 SEPT. 1592."

(See Chal. Hist. of Dunf. vol. ii. p. 150; also Annals of Dunfermline, date
1526.)

THE EARL OF HUNTLY, Late Commendator of Dunfermline, who had been
imprisoned in Blackness Castle for the murder of the Earl of Moray, was
discharged from prison without trial this year, to the great discontent of
the King.  Immediately after his release he resumed his former treasonable
practices, and was denounced a rebel in 1592, but restored to favour in
1597.  (See that date An. Dunf. ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 227.)

THE MORNING GIFT of Dunfermline Lordship bestowed on Anna of Denmark, at
Upsal, in Norway, by King James VI., on the morning after his marriage to
her, was ratified and confirmed by the Parliament holden at Edinburgh, 5th
June, 1592.  (See An. Dunf. dates 1589-90, &c., also, vide Murray's Acts of
Parl. 5th June, 1592.)

THE COMMENDATORSHIP OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY ABOLISHED. - Henry Pitcairn (of
that ilk), the fourth and last Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey, by virtue
of the General Act of Annexation, delivered into the hands of the Queen the
office of Commendator.  Mr. William Shaw (Master of the King's Work) was
appointed Chamberlain of the Queen's Rents of the newly created Lordship,
&c.

1593. - RATIFICATION of the Annexation of the Abbey of Dunfermline to the
Crown:-

"Item. - Because it is understood that the poverty of the Crown is the
special cause of the poverty of the realm and inhabitants thereof, and that
the patrimony of the Crown being augmented, it is great weill and profite
baithe of the King his Grace and his leiges; therefore our Soveraine Lord,
with consent of his Estaite, unites, annexes, and incorporates to the Crown
of this realme, to remaine therewith as preperty, annexed patrimony and
property thereof, in all times cumming, and with our Soveraine Lord and his
successors for ever: All and haill, the landes, parkes, fischinges, tounes,
villages, burrowes, regalities, customes, great and small feu-ferms,
places, houses, biggings, castles, toures, manour-places, zairdes,
orchardes, kirkes, teinds, great and small, fruites, rentes, emoluments,
and profites quhatsumever, tennentes, tennectries, and service of free
tennentes als weill to burgh as land, quhilk is in ony manner of way
perteined or may perteine to the Abbey or Monastery of Dunfermling, lyand
upon the north side of the water of Forth allanerly; to be in all times
hereafter repute and halden the property and patrimony of the Crown; to
remain therewith in all times cumming, after the forme, tenour, and ordour
of the Acts of Annexation, maid in the tyme of our Soveraine Lordis
predecessoures, King James the Second and King James the Fifth, and
conforme to all the clauses, conditions, and circumstances thereof,
quhilkes in all poynts are halden and understood as expressed and specially
conteined in this present Act, in all tyme hereafter.  It is likewise
declaited, that in the said annexation of the temporall landes of the
foresaide Abbacy of Dumfermling, lyand upon the north side of the water of
Forth, or nawayes comprehended, the Barronies of Brunt-iland, alias Wester
King-horne, and Newbirne, with annexes and connexes thereof, quhilkes
perteined to the said Abbacy of dumfermling of before, and lyes upon the
north side of the water of Forth; and quhairin Sir Robert Malvill, of
Murdocarny, Knight; and Sir Robert Malvill, his eldest sonne, and appeired
aire; and Andro Wood, of Largo, were infeft respective.  And, furder, our
said Soveraine Lord and his Estaites willis and declairis, that the said
barronies, with their annexes and connexes, sall remaine in tyme cumming as
sperate barronies, and na-wayes to be comprehended in the said annexation;
with speciall provisione that all the teinds of the said landes and
Lordship of Dumfermling sall be understood, be virtue of this Act, annexed
to the Crown, after forme and tenoure of the said generall Act of
Annexation, maid in the zeire of God 1587 zeires, and all the teinds of the
remnaint prelacies and kirk-landes of thys realme, or annexed to the
Crowne.  It is alwaies declairede be our said Soveraine Lord and his
Estaites of Parliament that the Lordship and Barronies of Musselburgh
Schire, with annexes and connexes, free regalitie, partes and pendicles of
the samine, or nocht comprehended in ony of the said annexation; nor sall
not be comprehended in ony annexation to follow thereafter, because the
said lordshippe and barronies, with annexes and connexes, free regalitie,
partes and pendicles of the samine, being ane pairt of the patromonie of
the said Abbacy of Dunfermling, was excepted furth of the first generall
annexation of the kirk landes to the Crown; and John, Lord of Thirlestane,
Chancellar to our Soveraine Lord, and Dame Jane Fleming, his spouse, for
them and all thaire aires, were heritably infeft therein: Quhilkis
lordshippe and barronie they have laitly resigned in our said Soveraine
Lordis hands, for infeftment of lyfe-rent thereof, given to the Queenis
Majestie for all the dayes of hir Hienes lyfe-tyme: And for ane uther
infeftment of heritable fee thereof, given to the said John Lord
Thirlestane, Chancellar foresaide, his said spouse, and their aires maill
and of talzie heritably:  Quhilkis infeftmentes our said Soveraine Lord,
with advice and consent of his foresaide Estaites, ratifyes and confirms be
thair presentis; and for his Hienes and his successoures, willis and
grantes that the samine stand in full force, steed, and effect, in all tyme
hereafter: And ordaines the said new infeftment given to the said John Lord
Thirlestane, his spouse, and thair aires foresaides, to be infeft in the
buikes of Parliament gif neede beis." (13th Parliament of James VI., holden
at Edin. 21st July, 1593; Murray's Laws and Acts Parli. vol. i. pp. 677-9.)

ACT OF THE "NEW GIFTES OF DUMFERMLINE, with the Monkes Portiones, to the
Queenis Majestie" :-

"Item. - Our Soveraine Lord, with consent of his saides Estaites, havand
consideration that his Hienes beand in Upsto, in Norway, the twenty-foure
day of November, the zeire of God ane thousand five hundreth four score
nine zeires, for diverse occassiones moving him, gave and disponed to his
dearest spouse, Anna Queen of Scottes, all and haill the Lord-shipe and
Barronies of Dumfermline, with all landes, tounes, manour-places, milnes,
multures thereof, lyand on the north side of the water of Forth, to be
bruiked and possessed be her for all the dayes of hir lyfe-tyme, as at mair
length is conteined in the saide gift of the dait foresaid; and now willing
that his said dearest spouse sall bruik and joyis the said gift for all the
dayis of hir lyfe-tyme, according to the teneure thereof, and to the
promise maid to him and be his saidis Estaites, to his dearest brother
Christianus, the fourth of that name, King of Denmark; therefore, our
Soveraine Lord, with consent aforesaid, confirms, ratifies, and appreives
the said gift, charter, and leasing following thereupon, and all and sindry
heades and articles conteined thairin; and promises faithfully to observe,
keep, and fulfil, and cause the samine to be keepid, observed, and
fulfilled.  Mairover, for the causes foresaides, our Soveraine Lord, with
consent of the saides Estaites, gives and dispones of new to his said
Lordship of Dunfermeline, lyand as saide is, with all landes, barronnies,
places, houses, biggings, castles, toures, fortalices, manour-places,
zairdes, orchardis, milnes, woodes, fischinges, kirkes, teindes great and
small, fruites, rentes, emoluments pertaining thereto, with power of
jurisdictione of regalitie of the same, for all the zeires and termes of
her lyfe-tyme.  And likewise all monkes portiones perteining to the said
Abbacy, to be bruiked be factoures and chalmerlanes in her name, als freely
as our Soveraine Lord may bruike and possesse the same, be reason of the
annexation foresaid; or as ony Abbot or Commendator hes bruiked or
possessed the same in ony tyme by-gane; and to that effect our Soveraine
Lord, with consent foresaid, causes, retreatis, rescindes, and annullis all
and sindrie giftes and dispositiones of monkes portiones pertaining to the
same Abbacy, maid and given be his Hienesse to quhat-sumever person or
persones, to quhat-sumever cause or occasion, before the daye and dait of
this present Act of Constitution."  (13th Parliament of James VI., holden
at Edinburgh 25th July, 1593, cap. 193; Murray's Laws and Acts of
Parliament, vol. ii. p. 680.)

Note. - There is another Act, entitled, "Act concerning the Queenis
Majestie's richt to the Thrid of Dunfermelin, and compensation for sa
meikle as presently wants thereof."  This Act is signed, "Sic subscribitur,
JAMES R., ANNA R."  It occupies several pages, and is therefore omitted.
(See Murray's Laws and Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. pp. 680-686; 13th
Parliament of James VI., holden at Edinburgh, 21st July, 1593.)

1594. - THE AULD KIRK STEEPLE AND PORCH-DOOR, &C., COMMENCED BUILDING. -
The ols "bell-tower," which stood on the site of the present steeple, was
partially destroyed by "the Reformers," along with other parts of the
ancient edifice, on 28th March, 1560.  In 1564 a kind of a patching repair
was made on the old tower, and parts adjacent.  In 1587 the Abbey (Auld
Kirk) was, with some exceptions, annexed to the Crown, and, in consequence
thereof, it was thought that the Crown should put the whole of the western
part of the kirk in thorough repair.  In 1588 the ruinous state of
Dunfermline Church, along with other churches in the country, was brought
under the notice of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, but, as
far as Dunfermline Church was concerned, nothing appears to have come out
of the deliberation.  In 1593 the annexation of the Kirk was duly
confirmed, and thus became legal Crown property forever.  The Church, &c.,
was now ordered to be thoroughly repaired, under the direction of Mr.
William Schaw as Master of the Works.  Instead of a tower, a steeple of
fine proportions was built; a porch was built against the north door.  The
upper part of the western gable of the nave was taken down and rebuilt; a
few of the uncouth buttresses were built as supports of the north and south
walls of the nave, the interior at the same time being substantially
repaired and fitted up for the burgh and parish as a place of worship.
With a few helps at different periods, the Auld Kirk continued in use until
September, 1821, when the present new Eastern Church became the place of
worship.  The renovation of the Church appears to have been commenced some
time in 1594, and finished in 1599.  The work of repair was carried on very
slowly.  Many have been led to conclude that - as the stones of the
steeple, porch, &c., were apparently as old as those of the old Kirk - the
steeple and porch could not have been built in 1594-1599.  In answer to
this objection, it may be noted that the ruins of the great Eastern Church
were at hand, and would become the quarry from which stones would be
obtained, either for plain building purposes, or for ornamentation.  These
remarks are principally based on notes, taken from General Hutton's MSS.,
Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, and from an old MS. by David Inglis, wright,
who was an elder in Dunfermline Church (circa 1730-1750), and who noted
down a great many curious particulars, which occurred in his time.  In 1826
the writer extracted several items out of it for Mercer's History of
Dunfermline.  This old manuscript book has unfortunately been lost; it has
not been seen since the death of its possessor, the late Dr. Gibb,
Dunfermline, in 1833. (See Appendix N.)

REGISTER OF ST. LEONARD'S CHAPEL AND HOSPITAL. - The oldest Register extant
of St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital begins with date 1594.  It is in
possession of the official Almoner, Dunfermline.

WILLIAM SHAW is mentioned in a deed of this period as being the Queen's
Chamberlain at Dunfermline. (See Annals, date 1602.)

1595. - MR. FERGUSON, Minister of Dunfermline, and the King, on Bishops. -
Row, the son-in-law of Ferguson, in one of his works, refers to a
conversation between the minister and the King on the subject of "Bishops."
As the conversation is curious, it is here given: - "David," said James VI.
to him one day, "why may not I have bishops in Scotland as well as they
have in England?" - "Yea, sir," replied Ferguson, "ye may have bishops here
- but, remember, ye must mak' us all bishops, else will ye never content
us; for if ye set up ten or twelve loons over honest men's heads (honest
men will not have your anti-Christian prelacies), and give them more
thousands to debauch and mispend than honest men have hundreds or scores,
we will never all be content.  We are all Paul's bishops, sir - Christ's
bishops; haud us as we are." - "The de'il hait ails you," replied the King,
"but that ye would all be alike; ye cannot abide ony to be abune you." -
"Sir," said the minister, "do not ban" (swear).  (Row's Coronis to his
Hist. Kirk Scot.p. 314; M'Crie's "Life of John Knox," vol. ii. p. 299, &c.)

1596. - CONSTABLE OF THE PALACE, and Heritable Bailie of the Lordship of
Dunfermline. - Queen Anne, Lady Dunfermline, with the consent and authority
of the King and her Majesty's counsellors, granted a Charter to Lord Seton,
Lord President of the Court of Session (afterwards Earl of Dunfermline),
appointing him and his heirs-male, "Heritable Bailies of the Lordship of
Dunfermline," and "undoubted and irrevocable Keepers, Guardians, or
Constables of the Palace of Dunfermline, and edifices adjacent."  This
Charter is dated "15th February, 1596," and was ratified by Parliament in
1606. (Thomson's Acts of Parliament, vol. iv. pp. 348, 352; Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. pp. 106, 107, 259; Mercer's Hist. Dunf.)

AMENDING AND RENEWING OF THE COVENANT. - The Provincial Synod of Fife was
held in Dunfermline, on the 12th of May, principally for the purpose of
amending and renewing the National Covenant.  The renewed Covenant
commences thus:- "I take the amended Covenant, as renewed by the Provincial
Synod of Fife, holden at Dunfermline on 12th May (1596) . . . made by Mr.
William Scott, minister at Couper, and others," &c. (Cald. Hist. Ch. Scot.
p. 323.)

WILLIAM SCHAW, Master of the King's Wark at Dunfermline, wounded by
"Buccleugh." - Buccleuch had made Schaw his second in a combat with Sir
Robert Kir of Cessford, and had wounded him, for which he was "put ta the
horn," &c. (Moyse's Mem. Scot. p. 244.)

ELIZABETH, Daughter of James VI., Born at Dunfermline. - The Princess
Elizabeth, eldest daughter of King James VI., was born in the Palace of
Dunfermline, on the 19th day of August, 1596.  Birrell, in his Diary, notes
the birth thus:- "19th day of August, 1596. - The Queen's M. delivered of
ane woman child called Elizabeth."  ("Diary of Robert Birrell, Bruges of
Edinburgh," p. 38.)  Moyse notifies the event thus:- "Upon the 19th day of
September, 1596, the Queen's Majesty was delivered at Dunfermline of the
Princess Elizabeth."  (Moyse's Mem. Scot. p. 245; Cald. Hist. Ch. Scot.
vol. v. p. 438; Chron. Perth, p.6.)  It will here be observed that Birrell
and Moyse place the birth on the same day of the month, but differ as to
the month.  this lapsus is chargeable to Birrell.  the 19th August, 1596,
was the Princess's natal day.  It may here be observed that some careless
writers, have fixed on Falkland as the place where Elizabeth was born,
which is not correct.  (For notes on Dunfermline and Falkland authorities,
see Appendix O; for line of descent of Her Majesty Queen Victoria from the
Princess Elizabeth Stuart, see Appen. P.; and that of this Princess from
Malcolm III., see Appen. Q.  See Appen. R. for copy of a letter of this
Princess, also see Annals, date 1662.)

A CONVENTION was held at Dunfermline by James VI., on September 20, when
the resolution was approved of for recalling the Papist Lords who had been
banished for conspiracy.  (Spottiswoode's Hist. Church Scot. p. 417;
Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 88, &c.)

BAPTISM OF THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH. - At this Convention (20th Sept., 1596)
the baptism of the Princess was taken into consideration, and it was
arranged that the baptism should be celebrated at Holyrood House on the
28th day of November. (Dal. Frag. Scot. Hist. p. 38.)

THE PRINCESS, "on the 2d November, came out of Dunfermling to the Abbay of
Haly-ruid-hous."  (Dal. Frag. Scot. Hist. vol. i. p. 38.)  "On the 28th day
of No. the princes bapteisit, called Elizabeth, be the grace of God, first
dochter to his Majestie." (Dal. Frag. Scot. Hist. p. 38.)

1597. - GEORGE HERIOT was appointed goldsmith to the Queen under a writ of
Privy Seal, dated at Dunfermline, 27th July, 1597.  Birrell, in his Diary,
says: "1597, the 27 of Julie, George Heriot maid the Queen's Goldsmith" at
Dunfermline.

THE SCOTTISH PROVERBS were at this period being compiled in alphabetical
order by Mr. David Ferguson, minister of Dunfermline. (See Annals, date
1644.)

BLACK SATURDAY - Total Eclipse of the Sun. - On Saturday 17th February,
1597-98, at about 9.30 in the morning, there occurred a most remarkable
total eclipse of the sun.  So dark was the morning at 9.30 (the middle of
the eclipse) that the stars of the first and second magnitude were visible.
dunfermline lay a little to the west of the eclipse path, and no doubt its
inhabitants, as in other places on or near the path, would be "struck with
terror and dismay."  (See Melville's Diary.)  In consequence of the intense
darkness occasioned by this eclipse, this Saturday is still generally known
as Black Saturday.  The following is an Edinburgh account of it:-

"The 17th Februar, betwixt 9 and 10 in ye mornening, ane grate darknes, be
reasin of eclipes, sic ane darknes hes not bene sene, for ye hail pipell wt
Edn. yat knew not what it was, thot yt it had bene duims dai.  Merchants
and otheris yt wer ignorint, steiket thair buith-doris, and ran to the Kirk
to pray, thinkind it had bene ye last dai." (Birrell's Diary.)

That is - On the 17th February, between nine and ten in the morning, there
was a great darkness, caused by an eclipse.  Such a darkness was never
seen, for the whole people within Edinburgh, that knew not what it was,
thought it had been dooms-day.  Merchants and others that were ignorant of
the cause, shut their shop-doors and ran to the Kirk to pray, thinking that
it was the last day. (see Annals, date 1652.)

1598. - MR. DAVID FERGUSON, first Protestant minister of Dunfermline, died
there on the 23rd of April, 1598, in the 65th year of his age and the 38th
of his ministry.  (Kirk Session Rec.; Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 31, &c.)
Spottiswoode, in his Hist. Ch. Scot. p. 454, says that Ferguson was "a good
preacher, wise, and of a jocund and pleasant disposition, which made him
well regarded both in court and countrey."  The following are a few
interesting notes relative to this eminent man and sincere Christian:-

"DAUID FARGUSOUN, NONO NOUEMBRIS, 1598.
(EDINBURGH TEST. REG. VOL. XXXII.)

"The Testament datiue and muentar of the guidis, geir, sowmes of money, and
dettis pertaining to vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun, minister of Godis word at
Dunfermeling the tyme of his deceiss, quha deceist vpoun the xxiij. day of
Aprile, the zeir of God jm. vc. lxxxxviij. zeiris, ffaythfullie maid and
gevin vp be him self vpoun the xxij. day fo Aprile, the zeir of God
foirsaid, in presens of Mr. Johnne Row, minister of Carnok, Patrik Stewart
of Baith, William Pratous (Porteous), ane of the baillies of the burgh of
Dunfermeling, Mr. James Dalkleische, scolemaster thair, Mr. Robert Durie,
instructor in the said scole, and Dauid Brown, noter.  In the first the
said vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun had the guidis, geir, sowmes of money, and
dettis of the awaill and prices efter following pertaining to him the tyme
of his deceis foirsaid - viz., Item. - His buikis of theologie and human
histories, estimat to the sowme of jclb.  Item. - In poiss of reddie gold
the sowme fo jcxviijlb.  Item. - In vtenceillis and domiceillis, with the
abuilzementis of his body by the airschipe, estimat to the sowme of xxlb.
money.  Summa of the Inuentar ijcxxxlb. (viz., œ280 Scots).  Item. - Thair
was awin to the said vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun be . . . Aitken, relict of
vmquhile Johnne Stobie, portioner of Wester Luscaur, resten of the crop and
zeir fo God jcj. vc. lxxxxvij. zeirs, assignit to him in pairt of his
stipend for the price of sex bollis third-pairt furlett beir, the sowme of
xllb. xvjs. viijd.  Item. - James Dewar of Nether Lassody, for the teindis
of his landis of Baith, vnder the hill, assignit to him in pairt of payment
of his stipend of the crope and zeir of God foirsaid, thrie bollis beir;
price of the haill, xxjlb.  Item. - Be Adame Currie, burges in
Dunfermeling, aucht bollis ferme beir, restand of the crope and zeir of God
foirsaid; price of the boll, viijlb.; summa, lxiiijlb.  Item. - Be hir
Majestie's Chamerlanes of the Abbacie of Dunfermeling, for his stipend of
the Witsonday terme, in anno lxxxxviij. zeirs, the sowme of twa hundreth
merkis money.

"Summa of the dettis awin to the deid, ......ijclixlb. iijs. iiijd.
"Summa of the inuentar with the dettis, .....vcxlixlb. iijs. iiijd.

"Followers the Dettis awin be the Deid:-

"Item. - Thair was awin be the said vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun to . . . fro
the Witsondayis termes maill of his hous occupyit be him in anno lxxxxviij.
zeris and sindrie termes preceiding xx. li.  Item. - To William Angus,
seruand, for his half-zeir's fie, in anno foirsaid, iiijlb.  Item. - To
Janet Burne, for hir half-zeiris fie, iiijlb.  Item. - To Helene Reid,
seruand, for hir half-zeiris fie, four pounds.

Summa of the dettis awin be the deid, . . .xxxijlb.
Restis of frie geir the dettis deducet, . .vcxvjlb. iijs. iiijd.

Quotta componitur,
Pro xiijlb. vjs. 8d.
 

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