Memorials of Argyleshire, etc

Preface

. THEEE are few districts in Scotland but can boast of a history of their own. Strange to say, Argyle, the cradle of the Scottish race, and of Eoyalty in Britain, has hitherto been an exception, not for want of native talent, for the district has produced men who have shed lustre on various themes of literature. The chief omission seems to be that of their native antiquities. This class of literature appears to have few sympathisers, but if it is the case, as Pinkerton says, "that there are not above half-a-dozen antiquarians in an age in this country," the paucity in this field of Uterature is not after aU so very surprising. Our great historians have not had much relish for Highland history, and no wonder; for, not being natives, they were strangers to both the language and habits of the people, and also to the local traditions of the district.

The most satisfactory writer of the early history of Argyle is Father Innes. Pinkerton wrote much, but is prejudiced against everything Celtic. Chalmers' " Caledonia " has too large a scope to do justice to smaU matters. Burton sneers at everything Highland. Others again consider the early history all fable, and commence their annals at a late date. Lord Hailes and Laing begin with Malcolm Canmore, and Tytler begins with Alexander III. Instead of reconstructing the fragments of Scottish history scattered abroad among early writers, our modern scribes prefer

PREFACE.

. flickering about the seats of royalty, with their feudal pomp and poEtical scheming. They seldom cast a glance at the outskirts of Highland society — except to pass a crude judg ment on the natives, when found involved in feuds and rebellion. However, it must be candidly admitted that national histories at best are but prominent summaries of the deeds of a nation. Local affairs are left to humble enthusiasts, whose labours of love are to glean incidents overlooked at a distance by others. With these general remarks, I shaU now introduce a summary of this Book, which I call MEMOEIALS OF AEGYLESHIEE. The substance of these was originally written in the form of essays, which have been my evening pastime for many years. The Memorials as a wliole cannot be caUed a consecutive history, as each part is complete in itself.

Their only affinity is, that they dovetail and succeed each other in the order of time. I do not pretend to be what Carlyle caUs a " writer of books," but in my own way I have endeavoured to gather facts from the most authentic sources, which I acknowledge, and I have attempted to rescue from oblivion some incidents in the annals of my native shire, which were being distorted, overlooked or forgotten. Owing to the controversial nature of the volume a few repetitions must occur when evidence is submitted from different points of view, in order to avoid obscurity. I am aware that my conclusions on various matters are often opposed to the settled notions of learned men, but when I unfortunately happen to differ from these, I give my reasons and leave the intelligent reader to decide. A. B. CONTENTS.

THE BOOK CONTAINS FIVE PARTS. PAET I. Extends from the earliest times tdl the year 843, and is divided into five chapters. Chapter First. — Some preUminary remarks about the most ancient names of North Britain and of the origin of its inhabitants. Chapter Second. — A summary of the early fabulous annals of ancient nations who had a craze to surpass each other in their antiquities, which include these of Argyle. Chapter Third. — The fictitious history of Argyle with its aEeged forty kings who are said to have reigned from 330 B.C. to 403 A.D. Chapter Fourth. — The first colony of Scots which arrived from Ireland in the year 258, tdl expeUed by the Picts about the year 440 A.D. Chapter Fifth. — The second colony of Scots from Ireland under the leadership of the sons of Ere — their occupation of Argyle from Fergus the son of Ere in 503, to Kenneth the son of Alpin in 843, when the Scots and Picts were united.

CONTENTS. PABT II. Two royal incidents in the history of Argyle, after the seat of government was removed to Forteviot, Scone and Dumferni- Une, 843-1056 ; in two chapters. Chapter First— -The Scottish kings during this era that were buried in Iona, with a monograph of the years they reigned. Chapter Second. — The Danish invasion of Cowal in the year 918 and their discomfiture there by King Constantine III. and his allies. PAET III. Examines into the origin and history of the old families of Argyle — in two chapters. Chapter First. — Examines Dr. Skene's speculations of the origin of these famUies, and is divided into four sections. (1.) He gives a fanciful table of the descent of the Highland Clans, from Ptolemy's geography downwards. (2.) He founds theories of their origin on John Elder's letter to Henry VIII.

(3.) He obliterates the connection of the natives of Argyle with the royal Dalriadic dynasty, and amalgamates them with the northern pirates under the name of Gael-gaU. (4.) He resuscitates the fables of Fordon and Winton about the conquest of Argyle in 1221, by Alexander II. — That monarch's subjugation of the natives and their displacement by strangers. CONTENTS. 9 Chapter Second. — Some general remarks about the old families of Argyle who trace their origin to the Irish royal dynasty of Dalriada, and other Irish sources; divided into three sections. (1.) Gives a glimpse of the traditionary history of Somerled, Thane of Argyle. (2.) The historic annals of the old families of Argyle descended from Somerled by his marriage with Eagnhddis, daughter of Olave the Eed, King of Man, in 1140, to the accession to power of King Eobert Bruce in 1314.

(3.) The other old natives of Argyle during this period are divided into five large families, viz. : — I. Somerled and his Descendants. Dugald Eeginald Angus, Supposed to have been killed with his father at Renfrew in 1164. Slain with his three sons at Sciath, by Reginald, in 1210. Eoderick Donald Dugald Prom whom are the From whom are the From whom are the Macruaries of Gar- Lords of the Isles. Macdougalls of moran and the Lorne. North Isles. II. The Family of Syfin, or Swene, of Upper Kintyre and Knapdale. III. The Family of Lauman, the Grandson of Ferchar, of Eastern Argyle Proper and Cowal. CONTENTS. IV. The Family of Mac Naughton, of Lochawe, Glenera, Glenshira, and Glenfine. V. The Family of MacGregor of Glenstay, Glenorchy, and Glenlochy. PAET IV. Treats of the age and origin of Ossianic poetry (or heroic Gaelic ballads), which are traced to romances of the Middle Ages, composed by Scoto-Irish monks, and rendered into historic poems by James Macpherson, of Belvdle, and Dr. John Smith, Campbeltown.

What makes this class of Uterature peculiar to Argyle is that nine-tenths of its remains were found there. The authenticity of these poems has been a continual subject of contention between their abettors and detractors since published by Macpherson in 1760-1763. The evidences ad vanced by Macpherson in his notes and dissertation — such as the deeds of Ossianic heroes — allusions to Eoman history — the order of the Druids — the continuity of the Bards — he intermingles with an imposing number of invented names of persons and places, connects them with the fragmentary ballads, and glosses them over with his own poetic genius, so as to make it a hopeless task to examine their genuineness without dissecting separately each part of his leading allegations. This I purpose to attempt in ten chapters, in the following order :— Chapter First. — A sketch of James Macpherson, the reputed translator of Ossian.

Chapter Second. — Contrasts the poetic writings of James Macpherson and those of Dr. John Smith. CONTENTS. Chapter Third. — Examines the claims to priority of the EngUsh and Gaelic versions of the poems of Ossian. Chapter Fourth. — Considers " The Highland Society's Eeport '" on Ossian's poems. Chapter Fifth. — Gives specimens of the proper and place names in the poems of Ossian. Chapter Sixth. — Quotes the aEusions to Eoman history in confirmation of the dates of the poetry of Ossian. Chapter Seventh. — Gives an account of the Order of the Druids in Britain, said to have been suppressed by Fingal, the father of Ossian, in North Britain. Chapter Eighth. — Examines the continuity of the Bards from the era of Ossian tdl modern times. Chapter Ninth. — Gives a historical account of the Glenmasan M.S. and of the place names in the poem of Deirdri.

Chapter Tenth. — Conclusion. PAET V. The early pioneers of Scottish Gaelic Literature and Trans lations traced to Argyleshire ; in four chapters. Chapter First. — Contains general remarks about the state of learning in the Highlands of Scotland before the Eeformation. Chapter Second. — Gives a sketch of the life and labours of John Carswell, the pioneer of early Gaelic Literature and Translations. CONTENTS. Chapter Third. — Describes the efforts and success of the Synod of Argyle in translating into Gaelic " The Shorter Catechism " and " Brief sum of Christian Doctrine." Eendering the Psalms of David into Gaelic Metre, " Translating the Old Testament," " The Confession of Faith," and the Scripture Paraphrases. Chapter Fourth. — Describes the difficulties under which the Synod laboured, and that it accompUshed aU without any extraneous help.

APPENDICES. A. Saint Columba's Journey to Inverness; and the Miracles he performed there. B Eilean Dearg — Argyle's Insurrection in 1685. C The Gifts of the Lamonts of Cowal to the Monastery of Paisley. D The Legend of Saint Munn, E, Privileges conferred on the Church and Burgh of Kilmun. F. Analysis of the Glenmasan MS. G. Loch Aire — Echaig. H Invasions of Argyle in 1643-47 and in 1685-86. I. Eobert Campbell's Complimentary Poem to Edward Lluyd. PART FIRST. THE EARLY ANNALS OF ARGYLESHIRE. —^— -o-c-cr****--**; CHAPTEE I. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. IN treating of the early history of a district it is necessary to refer to the country or kingdom of wliich it forms a part. The old name of the island of Britain is said to have been Albion. The most ancient author who mentions Britain and Ireland is Aristotle, who speaks of two great islands beyond the Pillars of Hercules and the GaUic Bay, as Albion and Ierna.

In Pliny's time Britain was known by the name of Albion. The Venerable Bede commences his Ecclesiastical History by saying, " Britain is an island in the ocean, formerly called Albion." (Bk. I. chap. 1.) That name has now become obsolete, except amongst the old Highlanders, who yet call themselves Albinich, and their country Albin. Buchanan says, "many think that this name was given to it from the wliite rocks which first appear to mariners as they sail from France. But it seems absurd to me to fetch the original of a British name from the Latin, there being then so little commerce between strange nations. Albion, Alba, Alpha, or Album, was a common name among nations, and it signified with them not only colour, but height too. I also judge the Alps were so called rather from their height than whiteness.

I think we may conclude that Album or Albion is not a word of one nation, but of many nations ; and in all the places which I have named, their height is always one and the same thing, their whiteness happens but for a few months of the year, and in some of them not at all. Besides, this also adds strength to my opinion that the name of the island derived from Albuin, whether Albion or Album, remains in Scotland to this very day, as in its native sod, neither could it be extir pated there notwithstanding so many changes of inhabitants, kingdoms, languages, and the vicissitudes of other things." (Hist, of Scot, Bk. 1.) Although traces of this ancient name still survive in tradition and old books, the early name of the island is better known as Britain, the origin of which I shall not stop at present to enquire into.

The Eomans during their occupation spoke of it under this appellation. It is true when they invaded North Britain in 78 under Agricola, his biographer speaks of it as Caledonia, and seventy years later (150 A.D.) North Britain is mapped out by Ptolemy to nineteen tribes to which each tribe is assigned a district, about which little can be said. For upwards of two hundred and fifty years after this the Eomans continued to caE this part of the island North Britain or Caledonia, and its inhabitants Caledonians. In 297, the inhabitants of North Britain are called Picts or painted, not because this distinction began then, for Cæsar tells us that the practice of self-painting was universal among the Britains in his day — 55 B.C. (Bk. I. chap. 14.) Eumenius, the Eoman orator, was the first to term them Picts.

He tells us they were the same as the Caledonians. (Innes Crit. Essay, 47-48.) THE ORIGIN OF THE BRITONS. The origin of the natives of Britain has been an endless speculation from the time of Tacitus till the present day. It is the habit of antiquarians to fix on a part of the sayings of Tacitus to the exclusion of others, among whom are John Pinkerton, who harps on the well-known phrase, " The red hair and large limbs of the Caledonians assure us of their German origin." He then saj^s this passage is entitled to a commentary, which he expatiates upon, and proves to his own satisfaction, viz, that the ancient Caledonians were not Celts but Germans. (Pinkerton's Enquiry, Vol. I. pp. 184-5.) Tacitus, in the sequel to that passage says, " On the opposite coast to Gaul, the inhabitants resemble their neighbours on the Continent, but whether that resemblance is the effect of their common origin, or of the climate in contiguous nations operating on the make and temperament of the human body, is a point not easy to be decided.

All circumstances considered, it is rather probable that a colony from Gaul took possession of a country so inviting by its proximity. You wdl find in both nations the same religious rites, the same superstition, and the two languages differ but little." (Chap. XI.) The learned Father Innes, in his article on the origin of the •Caledonians or Picts, is still more conclusive. He thus sums Up — « But as all that I have advanced hitherto in this article of the Caledonians coming from Scandia, or other parts of the European Continent, hath no other ground but a conjecture of Tacitus, and Bede's hearsay. I must own that it appears much more natural and more probable that the Caledonian Britons or Picts were of the same origin as the Britons of the South — that as these came in originally from the nearest coast of the Gauls by degrees ; as they multiplied in the island and peopled the southerly parts of it, they advanced towards the more northerly and seated themselves there, carrying along with them the same customs as the Britons of the South, as also the same language, derived originally from the Celts or Gauls ; and Tacitus himself seems at last to come to this opinion, for after his conjectures about the origin of the Caledonians and of the Silures, he adds, without exception as to aU the Britons in general, that it was more credible or likely that the Gauls from the neighbouring coast had at first peopled the island."

(Crit. Ess, pp. 70-1.) From the foregoing, we may reasonably infer that down to the time of the Eoman invasion the British nation was of one origin. I have thus in a general way traced the first name of this island, and then the origin of its inhabitants. I now purpose to treat the subject more minutely and, as I proceed, to confine my remarks more especially to the ancient annals of the Scots of Argyleshire in the following order, viz.: — ■ I.- — The Fabulous History of Argyle. II. — The Artificial History of Argyle. III. — The Authentic History of Argyle. CHAPTEE II. THE FABULOUS HISTORY OF ARGYLE. THE craze of running up the origin of nations to incredible heights prevailed almost among all those of whom we have any certain account, each nation vieing with, and endea vouring to surpass the other in antiquities.

We see this amplified in the pretensions of ancient times by the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Greeks. The antiquities of the Egyptian •dynasties, according to Manetho, extended backwards to 36,525 years, those of Chaldea for 432,000 years. Bryant clearly •shews that the Egyptians mistook days for years. (Ancient Mythology, Vol. IV, pp. 436-8.) With regard to the chronology of the Chaldeans he says, *" Abydenas and Apolodorus copied from Alexander Polyhister, who received his information from Berosus, a priest of Belus, and that afterwards Eusebius copied from their writings this information handed down, but that their transcriptions are grossly wrong, as their own words, or at least the words they ■quote from Berosus are of themselves sufficient to confute their notions ; for they speak of the first king who reigned to have been a Chaldean and of Babylon, and to have been caUed Alorus.

Now it is certain that Nimrod built Babel, which is Babylon, after the flood. He was a Chaldean, and the first king upon earth; and he was called by many nations Orion and Alorus." (Vol. VI, pp. 121-143.) It is generally admitted that the Greeks borrowed their mythology from the Egyptians' which they did not well understand. Their pagan deities often had their origin in the elements of nature personified, ultimately rendered into a system. Herodotus informs us that Homer aud Hesiod were the persons who at first framed the theogony of the Greeks. The Greeks themselves took deUght in tracing the origin of their nation to these deities. The student, in reading the classics, must wander through these vapid mazes of Greek lore. They wiU no doubt glance over his feelings as realities — like the tales of ghosts and fairies imbibed in his youth — which his better judgment immediately discards.

The natives of Britain and Ireland did not aspire to higher antiquity than the Creation. It is obvious that the genealogies on record, which extend to the beginning of time, have been written since the introduction of Christianity. THE SAXON FABLES. The early English pagan kings traced back their pedigrees to Woden, the deity of the northern nations. After the intro duction of Christianity, Ethelwulf, King of the West Saxons, who flourished about 850, traces his pedigree to Sceaf, the son of Noah, who was born in the ark, and upwards to Adam. (Sax. Chron.) THE IRISH FABLES. The genealogies of the Irish are so profuse, and to be looked at from so many standpoints, that it is not easy to take a, middle course. Their most ancient MSS, such as " Leabhar Drumnasneachta," or Book of the Snow back, " The Psalter of Cashel," and " The Psalter of Tara," inform us that Cain's three daughters had taken possession of the island, and that the eldest of them called Bamba, gave her name to the island, and also that Ceasarach, a niece of Noah, had been there.

(Crit. Ess., p. 414.) The Scottish pedigree as originally received from Irish sources runs thus : — Niid, the twentieth, from Japhet, went from Scythia to Greece. Gathelus, Niul's son, went to Egypt, where he married Scota, the daughter of Pharoah ; and after the Egyptians were drowned in the Eed Sea, he proceeded to Spain and founded a kingdom. Eber, the son of Gathelus, discovered Ireland and called it Scotia, in honour of his mother ; and it was also caEed Hibernia from the discoverer. Milesius was the thirteenth from Gathelus, and reigned in Spain. (Pinkerton's Enq, Vol. II, pp. 9-10. Crit. Ess, pp. 487-8.) This Milesius sent a second colony from Spain to Ireland, with his three sons, Heremon, Partholan, and Hybert, and the two last remained there, but assumed no kingly title. Heremon returned to Spain, where he succeeded his father.

The seventeenth, in a direct line from Milesius, was Simon Breac, who brought with him the famous fatal stone, and placed it as a seat of the kingdom in Teamhra or Tara, and thus founded the monarchy of the Scots in Ireland. From this Simon Breac are descended all the monarchs of Ireland, and, in after ages, those of Scotland. (Crit. Ess, pp. 491-2.) Besides these references to particular persons in their pedigrees, the Irish also furnish continuous genealogies of their ancestors from the Creation to the Incarnation, and afterwards. In the first draft of their genealogy there were one hundred and four descents from Adam to Conar-mor, whom they place about the time of the Incarnation. But it is easy to see that the Irish antiquaries, after having perused the holy scriptures, and observing that in the same space of time and number of years, there were only sixty-seven generations from Noah tdl Christ set down by Luke, and according to Matthew fifty or fifty-four, thought fit to reform the old draft of their genealogy, containing about ninety-four generations in the same length of time, and by cutting off twenty of them, reduced them first to seventy-two generations, and not satisfied with that, Flaherty lops off nine or ten more, and reduces them exactly to the number of the longest scripture, that of Luke, and so on tbe whole there are about thirty generations cut off from Adam to Conar.

(Crit. Ess, p. 486.) It is easy to see that these alterations are the effects of reflections and second thoughts. THE SCOTTISH FABLES. The two oldest genealogies are those of WUliam the Lyon, the first written about the year 1165, tracing him in a direct line to Adam, and the other, of date 1185, traces him only to Noah. Dr. Skene is of opinion that the first of them may be traced to Ailred, Abbot of Eievaux. (Preface Chron, Picts and Scots, pp. 48-9.) As the names in this genealogy are referred to afterwards, I copy this first here in full. GENEALOGY OF KING WILLIAM THE LYON — 1165.

Willelmus rex rufus filius Henrici, filii David filii Malcolaim filii Donnchada, qui fuit nepos Malcolaim filii Cinada, filn Malecolaim, filii Domnaill, filii Constantin, filii Cinacha, filii Alpin, filii Echach, filii Eda-find, filii Echadach, filii Echach, filii Domongrat, filii Domnail brie, filii Echach-buide, filii Edan, fiUi Gabran, filii Domangrat, filii Fergusa, filii Eirc, filii Echach muinremuir, filii Oengusaphir, filii Fedelinthe-aislingig, filii Oengusa-buiding, filii Fedelinthe-ruamnaich, filii Senchormaic, filn Cruitlinde, filii Findfece, filii Achircir, filii Achchantoit, filii Fiacrach-cathmaU, filii Echdach-riada, filii Conore, filii Mogalanda, filii Luigdig, filii Ellatig, filii Corpre-crumpchimi, fiUi Dare-dornmoir, filii Corbre, filii Admoir, filii Conarre-moir, filU Eterscenil, filii Eogami, filii Elela, filii Jair, filii Dedaid, filii Sin, filii Eosin, filii Their, filii Eothir, filii Eoin, filii Arandil, filii Manine, filii Forgo, filii Feradaig, filii Elela-arami, filii Fiachra, filii Firmara, fiUi Oengusa-turmig, filn Firce-chairroid, filii Ferroid, filii Firanroid, fiUi Firaibrig, filii Labchore, filii Echachalt-lechin, filii Elela-casiaclaig, filii Conlaich, filii Erero, filii Moalgi, filii Cobthaig-coelbreg, filii Ugaine-moir, filii Ecdaig-buadaig, filii Duach-lograich, fiUi Fiachraig-duadach, filii Duach-lograich, filn Fiachraig-tollgreich, filii Muredaich bollgreich, filii Semoin, filii Bricc, filii Emidinb, filii Edom, filii Glais, filii Nuadat-fail, filii Elchada-olchaim, filii Sirna, filii Dem, filii Demail, filii Eodchada, filii Ogmaich, filii Oengussa, filii Olmochada, filii Fiachrach-laibrinne, filii Finergnaid, filii Smereta, filii Enmocha, filii Tigernaig, filii Fallaig, filii Etheoir, filii Jair, filii Dermeom, filii Mele-despain, filii Bili, filii Nema, filii Brige, filii Brigoind, filii Bracha, filii Theacha, filii Erchada, filii Aldoit, filii Noda, filii Nonaill hemir, filii Goildil-glais, filii Neuil, filU Fenius-farsaid, filii Eogani, filii Glunud, filii Lanind, filii Etheoir, filii Jair, filii Agmemnom, filii Thri, filii Boi, filii Sem, filii Mair, filii Esro, filii Aduir. filii Hieridacii, filii Aoth, filii Sran, filii Esro, filii Boid, filii Eiafich, filii Gomur, filii Jafeth, filii Noe, filii Lameth, filii Matussalem, filii Enoc, filii Jarech, filii Malalethel, filii Cainan, filii Enos, filii Sed, filii Adam, filii Dei vivi.

(Chron. of Picts and Scots, pp. 133-4.) These fabulous genealogies were not confined to crowned heads, for many of the old Highland families indulged in the craze to a greater or less degree. In a Gaelic MS, written about 1550, in possession of the Highland Society of Scotland, Gilleaspuic M'Cailin of Argyle is lineally traced back to the father of the human race (Iona Club Transactions, Vol. I, part iv, Edin, 1839.) Father Innes says : There was in our own time a Scottish gentleman, of an ancient family (Urquhart of Cromarty) who took a fancy to draw up his pedigree, from age to age, up to Noah and Adam, and caused to be printed by the title of Pantochronocanon, or pedigree of the name of Urquhart of Cromarty, from the creation of the world to the present year of Christ, 1652. (Crit. Ess, p. 535.)

The long chains of these pedigrees are only recognisable in a few links at both ends, the links in the centre are unknown to history. Both kings and nobles who assumed this high antiquity, plunged, as it were, into a gulf, at ascertained history to reappear above water about the time of the Flood. An Irish writer, D. Kennedy, says : — " The Scots have no history or records of high antiquities but what they copied or transcribed from those of Ireland." To which Innes ironicaUy replies, " I am truly of same opinion, and it were a great injustice to rob the Irish seanachies of the honour of being the first inventors and abettors of these high antiquities." (Crit. Ess, p. 483.) CHAPTEE III. THE ARTIFICIAL HISTORY OF ARGYLE. THE artificial history of the race of Scottish kings of Argyle, from Fergus the First, the son of Feradac, to Fergus II, the son of Ere, is based on the fabulous genealogies of William the Lyon already referred to.

This fictitious dynasty which is alleged to have extended from 330 B.C. to 403 A.c, is not quoted by any genuine writer before the year 1291, nor is there any sovereign king of the Scots mentioned before Fergus, the son of Ere, who assumed sovereignty in Argyle about the year 503 A.D. (Crit. Ess, p. 679.) The occasion of the origin of this fictitious dynasty of Scottish kings arose after the death of Alexander III, when the aspirants to the Scottish throne submitted their rights to Edward I, who disposed of them against each other, to suit his own ends, and then claimed his superiority over the kingdom. The Scots at this juncture sent three commissioners to Pope Boniface VIII, to defend their cause, viz, William Frier, Professor of Canon Law in Paris, Baldred Bisset, Eector of Kinghorn, and Wdliam Eglisham.

The Pope, in a bull directed to Edward I, averred that Scotland belonged in ancient times, and still did of, right belong to the See of Eome. That it had. been miraculously converted to tbe Christian faith by the relics of St. Andrew, which consisted of one joint of the saint's arm, three fingers of his right hand, one tooth, and one kneepan. He then proceeded to confute the pretensions of Edward. (Hades' Annals, Vol. I, pp. 293-4.) To the Pope's claim on the miraculous relics of St. Andrew Edward opposed another miracle, saying Athelstane, King of En«land, overcame the rebellious Scots in battle through the intercession of St. John' of Beverley, Archbishop of York. He prayed through the same intercession for a visible sign, whereby all men of that age and of the ages to come might know that the Scots were of right subject to England.

Having thus spoken, he drew his sword, struck a flinty rock in the neighbourhood of Dunbar, and made a gash in it of about an ell in length. The evidence of this miracle is two-fold : 1. The mark appears on the rock at this day ; 2. The legend of the miracle is weekly recited in the Church of Beverley to the praise and glory of St. John." (Hades' Annals, Vol. I, p. 297.) The Pope, not content with the miracles, retorted, saying, " Should you have any pretensions to the whole, or any part of Scotland, send your proctors to me within six months ; I wiU hear and determine according to justice. I take the cause under my own particular cognisance." (Hades' Annals, Vol. I, p. 294.) King Edward made no answer for a time, but being pressed, caused his nobles (12th February, 1301) to answer that Scotland was not a fief of the Apostolical See, but of England, and that they would not suffer their king to answer or send procurators to Eome, to debate the case.

At last Edward himself answered, 7th May, 1301. After a long preamble he begins to shew the Pope how England at first got possession of Scotland, saying, * In the dajss of Ely and Samuel the Prophet, there was a certain famous and valiant man called Brutus, descended of the Trojans, who, after the destruction of the city of Troy did with many of the Trojan nobility arrive at a certain island then called Albion, inhabited by giants, who being by their might overcome and killed, he called this country after his own name, Britannia, and gave to his companions the name of Britons, and built the city which is called Trinovantum, now London. Thereafter he divided his kingdom among his three sons, to wit, to Locrinus, the eldest, he gave this part of Britain, which is now called England ; to Albanactus, his second son, he gave that part then called Albion, now Scotland ; and to Cambrus, his youngest, he gave that part thereof, then caUed Cambria, now named Wales ; with a reservation to Locrinus, the eldest of the royal dynasty.