Memorials of Angus and the Mearns: being an account, historical, antiquarian, and traditionary, of the castles and towns visited by Edward I, and of the barons, clergy, and others, who swore fealty to England in 1291-6, etc

Front matter

'in,'.1 SI [SUM [PIl&Ed 9IF PA fl K (0 MAIL II M. I* - J E R VI SE S MEMORIALS Of AN G U : & M EAR NS. 1'. -101. Ipemoriafe rf^ngns miMjje fflearm; BEING AN ACCOUNT, HISTORICAL, ANTIQUARIAN, AND TRADITIONARY, OF THE CASTLES AND TOWNS VISITED BY EDWARD I. AND OP THE BARONS, CLERGY, AND OTHERS, WHO SWORE FEALTY TO ENGLAND IN 1291-6; ALSO, OF Ety &bbeg of Cupar, anfc tije lUrtorg of Eostmotfj. TO WHICH IS ADDED AN

Appendix

OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. BY ANDREW JERVISE, CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND, AUTHOR OF THE "LAND OF THE LINDSAYS," ETC. EDINBURGH: ADAM & CHARLES BLACK. MDCCCLXI. ABERDEEN: PRINTED BY JOHN AVERY, ST. CATHERINE'S WYND. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE FOX, EARL OP DALHOUSIE, BARON RAMSAY OF MELROSE, AND BARON RAMSAY OF KERINGTON; BARON PANMURE OF BRECHIN AND NAVAR ; K.T., G.C.B., A PRIVY COUNCILLOR, LORD PRIVY SEAL FOR SCOTLAND, LORD-LIEUTENANT OF FORFARSHIRE, ETC, THIS VOLUME, ON THE ii>ioton> anO Antiquities of Angus anO tfje i-Hcarni., is, BY PERMISSION, MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, NOT SO MUCH FROM THE HIOH POSITION WHICH HIS LORDSHIP SO DESERVEDLY HOLDS IN HER MAJESTY'S COUNCILS, AND IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HIS NATIVE COUNTY, A3, FROM A SINCERE SENSE OF GRATITUDE BY, HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST OBEDIENT nUMBLE SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. Preface, .......... vii PART FIRST.

Introduction

— Outline of the Early History and Antiquities of Angus and the Mearns, . . ... . . . *3-*32 PART SECOND. CASTLES AND TOWNS VISITED BY EDWARD I., a.d. 1296. Chapter I. — The Castles and Town of Forfar, 3-34 ,, II. — Farnell Castle, and Kinnaird, . . . . , 35—45 „ III. — Castle, Convent, and Town of Montrose, .... 46-81 „ tlV. — CastleB of Kincardine, Glenbervie, and Durris, . . 82-105 „ tV— The Round Tower, Cathedral, Castle, and Town of Brechin, 106-145 ,, VI. — The Abbey, and Town of Aberbrothoc, . . . '. 146-176 „ VII.— The Church, Convents, Castle, aud Town of Dundee, . 177-230 PART THIRD. THE BARONS WHO SWORE FEALTY TO EDWARD I., a.d. 1291-2, 233-281 PART FOURTH. THE BARONS OF ANGUS WHO SWORE FEALTY TO EDWARD I., a.d. 1296 . . 285-352 PART FIFTH. THE BARONS OF THE MEARNS WHO SWORE FEALTY TO EDWARD I., a.d. 1296, 355-389 PART SIXTH.

THE ABBEY OF CUPAR, AND THE PRIORY OF ROSTINOTH. Chapter I. — The Abbey of Cupar 393-411 II.— The Priory of Rostinoth, 412-421 t Misprinted V. and VI. respectively. VI CONTENTS. PART SEVENTH. the Clergy of angus and the mearns who swore fealty TO EDWARD I., a.d. 1296; also, THE TEMPLARS, HOSPITALLERS, LADIES OF DECEASED BARONS, AND OTHERS. Chapter I. — The Churches of Dunlappy, Idvies, Kinettles, and Logie, in Angus, ........ 425—435 „ II. — The Churches of Garvock, KinnefT, and Dunottar, in the Mearns 436-447 „ III. — Knights Templars, and Hospitallers of St John, the Holy Trinity, and St Germans 448-451 IV.— The Ladies of Deceased Barons, a.d. 12961306, . . 452-457 „ V. — Homages of Barons, a.d. 1306, ..... 458 Appendix, 461-483 Additions and Corrections, 484-486 General Index, ........... 489 The following to be added to page 475 : — 19. o. View of a bridge and town from the water, a boat on the right with a sail. "MareDitat." Ex. "1797." r. A woman spinning. " Sure are the rewards of industry." Ex. " Montrose." e. " London, Liverpool, or Montrose."

Preface

. In compiling this volume, the Author may state that the chief objects he had in view were — first, to give an account, historical and traditionary, of the different Towns and Castles in Angus and the Mearns at which King Edward I. resided when on his subjugating tour through Scotland in 1296 ; and, secondly, notices of the families and possessions of such of the Barons, Churchmen, and others, as recognised the supremacy of England as well during that year, as in 1291, and subsequently in 1303.a During the period of the disputed monarchy, when Scotland was prostrated under the sway of King Edward, and when every person of note had sworn allegiance to England — Sir William Wallace alone excepted — nearly a hundred of the chief men of Angus and the Mearns are recorded among the rest ; the history, and even the names of the greater part of whom have been hitherto unknown to ordinary readers.

Still, as they had all a greater or a lesser share in the achievement of our National a Among the many authorities regarding these times, the following are the chief : — (1.) "A Diary of Edward the First [his] Journey into Scotland, in the time of John Kinge of Scottis. A° Regni 24, 1296." This is printed in Norman French and English, with Introduction and Notes, by P. F. Tytler, Esq., in the Baunatyne Club Miscellany, vol. i. In the Archœologia, vol. xxi., an English version is printed, with Introduction and Notes, by Sir N. Harris Nicolas. (2.) " The History of King John, King Henry III., and the most Illustrious King Edward the I." by William Prynne, Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, 1308 pp. sol., 1670. (3.) Rymer's "Fœdera." The 3rd edition (Hague, 1745) of this celebrated work has been used in the compilation of this vol. (4.)

"Instrumenta Publica sive processus super Fidelitatibus et Homagiis Scotorum Domino Regi Angiiæ factis, a.d. MCCXCI — MCCXCVL," or " Rag man Rolls." Printed by the Bannatyne Club, 4to, 1834. 5.) " Documents and Records illustrating the History of Scotland, and the Transactions between the Crowns of Scotland and England, preserved in tbe Treasury of Her Majesty's Exchequer," with Introduction by Sir Francis Pal grave, K.H., Keeper of the Records. Printed by Royal Command, royal 8vo, 1837.

PREFACE.

. VIII Independence, the Author trusts that the notices of them and their estates, which occupy so much of the present volume, may not only be read with interest, but be looked upon as an humble attempt to supply a deficiency in our local annals during one of the most important periods of the national history. The volume was at first intended merely to embrace comparatively short accounts of persons and places, and a history of the period of the Interregnum ; but, on second thoughts, the Author, considering that so much had already been written regarding the Wars of the Independence, believed that the work would be of much more value and interest were it exclusively devoted to a collection of particulars regarding personal and territorial his tory, rather than that any part of it should be a repetition of facts which could neither be improved upon, nor added to with safety.

This change of plan, it need scarcely be said, incurred a vast amount of labour and research beyond what was at first contemplated — so much so, that with other unavoidable causes of delay, it has not only been the means of retarding the publication of the volume, but has nearly doubled its size. To shew how far these remarks are applicable, it need only be stated, that instead of a few pages being allotted to the history of each of the towns and castles, as was at first proposed, this por tion of the work alone extends to about 230 pages, embracing an account of all that is most interesting, trustworthy, and rare regarding each place (in most cases to the exclusion of matter generally known), extending from the most remote down to the latest times. From the length of time which has unavoidably elapsed be tween the printing and the publication of certain portions of the volume, as well as from a desire to take advantage of informa tion which sometimes came under the Author's notice after the MS. was prepared for press, a sameness in style and expression will not infrequently be noticed.

For these, and other short comings (of many of which the Author is but too sensible), he craves the indulgence of the reader, trusting that they mav be

PREFACE.

. IX outweighed, to some extent at least, by the mass of facts which has been collected together, and which he has done his best, by the occasional introduction of traditions, to make as readable and as attractive as possible. The Author must not forget to mention that during the pro gress of the work, he has been indebted to literary friends and others for some important communications, which will be found acknowledged in their proper places. In an especial man ner, he begs to acknowledge the deep obligations under which he lies to Joseph Robertson, Esq., Superintendent of Searches in the Literary and Antiquarian Department of the General Register-House, Edinburgh, not only for the trouble which Mr Robertson has so kindly taken in revising the sheets before going to press, but for mauy valuable suggestions and additions, for which his extensive acquaintance with the literary and anti quarian history of Scotland renders him so well qualified.

The Author has also to express his gratitude to the Right Honorable the Earl of Dalhousie, for the kind and courteous manner in which his Lordship granted the use of many valuable family and other MSS., in which, as is well-known, the Pan mure library is peculiarly rich. To John Inglis Chalmers, Esq. of Aldbar, the Author is likewise greatly indebted for the use of his large and excellent library, as well as of many of the valu able MSS. of his late lamented brother, by whose death the science of Scottish Archaeology lost one of its best patrons, and its students one of the warmest friends. The Author has also to thank Mr Chalmers for kindly presenting the plate of the " Map of Old Angus and Mearns." To Albert Way, Esq. of Wonham Manor, Surrey, Secretary to the Archaeological Institute of Great Britain, he has to tender his best thanks for the important addition of the sectional drawing of the Round Tower of Brechin.

To the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the Author is obliged for the use of some valuable wood-cuts, among which are those of the beautiful seal of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Brechin. X

PREFACE.

. In conclusion, the Author conceives that some apology may be necessary for the numerous attempts which have been made throughout the volume to interpret the Gaelic names of places. Probably no branch of Archaelogical study is more interesting than that of etymology, while, on the other hand, none is more unsatisfactory in its results ; for it very frequently happens that accomplished Gaelic scholars give very different interpretations of the meaning of the same word. The Author, therefore, begs that the reader will attach no undue weight to such attempts as appear here, although the greater part of them have met the approval of some eminent teachers of the language, and natives of the land of Ossian. ANDREW JERVISE. Brechin, January, 1861. MEMORIALS OF ANGUS AND MEARNS. PART FIRST. INTRODUCTION— OUTLINE OP THE EARLY HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF ANGUS AND THE MEARNS. (c) PART FIRST. INTRODUCTION— OUTLINE OF THE EARLY HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF ANGUS AND THE MEARNS.

Section I

Principal Rivers — Lakes — Ancient and Modern Towns — Origin of Towns— Chiefs, or Maormors — Origin of Sherif-doms and Sheriffs — Hereditary Sheriffs — Lists of Sheriffs Principal — Royal Hunting Forests — Origin of Thanedoms and Thanes — Local Thanedoms. Angus and the Mearns, or the shires of Forfar and Kincardine, are situated in the north-east of Scotland, between the rivers Tay and Dee. The principal rivers are the North Esk and the South Esk — the Tina and Esica of Roman geography. Both rivers rise in Angus. The first forms the boundary between that county and the Mearns for a distance of several miles, commencing near Dooly in Glenesk, and terminating at Kinaber, near Montrose; while the latter traverses the whole length of Angus, passing the city and castle of Brechin, and joining the sea at Montrose.

The chief tributaries of the North Esk are the Mark and the Tars, the Dye, or the West Water, the Cruick, and the Luther, the last of which rises in the Mearns ; while those of the South Esk are the Prosen, the Carity, the Lemno, the Noran, and the Pow. There are good waterfalls on the Noran, in Glen Ogil ; and the North Esk is remarkable for its picturesque scenery, aud richness in geological and botanical peculiarities, particularly between the burn of Murran on the west, and Arnhall on the east. Next in importance to the Esks is the river Isla, which rises in the pastoral district of Glenisla, and joins the Tay near Kin claven in Perthshire. The waterfalls of Reeky Linn, and Slugs of Auchranny are upon the Isla, and it receives in its course the waters of the Melgam and the Dean. The first of these rises in Lintrathen parish ; the latter flows from the loch of Forfar, and is joined in its course by the Kerbet.

The lesser rivers are the Dichty, the Lunan, and the Elliot. The first issues from the lochs of Lundie, the second from those of Rescobie and Balgavies, and the third from Dilty Moss, in Carmyllie. The Elliot joins the sea to the west of Arbroath, the Lunan at Redcastle, and the Dichty falls into the Tay near Monifieth village. Besides the Luther, which has its source among the hills in Fordoun, and traverses the Mearns for a distance of 12 or 15 miles, the waters of Bervy, Carron, and Cowy are all considerable streams, which rise in more northern parts of the shire, and join the sea — the first at Inverbervy, the others at Stonehaven. The Cowy passes in its course the mansion houses of Rickarton and Ury, and the Carron the old church of Fetteresso — one of the most romantic spots in the district.

This church was dedicated to St Caran, bishop, whose feast-day is variously stated as the 21st December, and the 10th of the kalends of January/ Through Strachan run the Dye, the Aaen, and the Feugh. The first are tributaries to the latter, which falls into the Dee at Banchory-Ternan, where the channel, wild and rocky, shaded by mountain pine, birch, and copsewood, presents a singularly romantic appearance. Although the more important of the Angus rivers have their origin in lakes or lochs, many of the smaller and some of the larger of the lochs have been almost completely drained within the last sixty or eighty years, among which have been those of Hyndcastle, Baikie, and Rostinoth in Angus, and Leys in the Mearns. Leys seems to have been the most considerable of the lakes in the Mearns ; and, from the fact that it contained one of those singular works called crannoges, or artificial islands, of which there are still some interesting specimens in Ireland, it had doubtless been a place of note in old times.

The greater portion of the island still remains, and some curious bronze pots, in good preservation, and other relics of antiquity, have been found in its neighbourhood. * Collect, on Aberd. and Banff, 550 ; Reg. Ep. Aberd., i. pref. 86 ; Proceed of So. of Antiq. of Scot., ii. 272.

INTRODUCTION.

— LAKES, OR LOCHS. The principal lochs in Angus are those of Forfar (of which some account will be found in the next chapter), Lintrathen, Lundie, Rescobie, and Balgavies. Tradition says that the cele brated Alan Durward had castles near the lochs of Lintrathen and Lundie ; and those of Rescobie and Balgavies are supposed to have been within the boundary of the old hunting forest of Drimmie. The loch of Feithie, near Forfar, and that of Kinordy, near Kirriemuir, present some interesting points. The geological features of the first, according to Sir Charles Lyell, are unique, for although it contains neither springs nor shell-marl, it is sur rounded by calcareous deposits, and is otherwise favorably situated for the presence of the one, and the production of the other. The latter lake abounds in peat and shell-marl, and about forty years ago an ancient canoe was found embedded among the peat-moss.

But whether for its extent, grandeur of natural scenery, or historical interest, the lake or loch of Lee, in Angus — the chief source of the North Esk — is probably the most remarkable. It is nearly two miles long by about half a mile broad, and is sur rounded by almost perpendicular rocks. At the north or upper end it receives the waters of the Unich and the Lee, also those of the interesting little lake of Carlochy, which lies in the bosom of the rugged rock of Craigmaskeldy, somewhat resembling that of Lochnagar. At the east or lower end are the old parish church and churchyard, and the picturesque tower of Invermark, in which were enacted some interesting feats by " the lichtsome Lindsays," ancient lords of the district; while, in pleasing con trast to this hoary ruin, perched upon the side of a grassy moun tain on the north, surrounded by natural birch and pine, stands the modern shooting lodge of Lord Panmure, commanding a varied and extensive view of the valley of the Esk.

It was by the side of this romantic loch, when Christianity was in its in fancy in Scotland, that St Drostan planted a church. Near the same spot, in modern times, the author of " The Fortunate Shepherdess," taught the youth of the parish, and preserved, by his writings, much of the old Doric language of his native country which otherwise would have been lost. Little is recorded of the ancient towns of the district. Brechin appears to have been a considerable place towards the close of the reign of Kenneth III. ; and a few years later, when the country was invaded by the Danes, we are told that they burned the towns of Brechin aud Montrose. It is much more certain, however, that Montrose, Forfar, and Dundee were places of some trade in the time of Malcolm the Maiden, since that prince made grants from the revenues of these towns towards the support of the Priory of Rostinoth.

It was around the seats of kings, bishops, and abbots that towns and villages were originally planted. The first were accounted royal burghs, the others burghs of 'bishops and abbots respectively. Of the first class were Forfar and Montrose—pro bably also Kincardine, of the next Brechin, and of the third Cupar and Arbroath. Brechin, from having been the seat of a cathedral and bishop, has the style of a city. Besides numerous populous villages in Angus, the chief seats of commerce now-a-days are much the same as they were in ancient times. From earliest record Dundee appears to have been the largest town ; then Montrose, Brechin, Forfar, and Arbroath. But the position of the four last-named burghs is now altered: Arbroath, according to the number of its inhabitants, ranks next to Dundee ; then Montrose, Forfar, and Brechin, to which ought to be added the comparatively modern but thriving town of Kirriemuir, of which the old Earls of Angus were superiors.

Kirriemuir (anciently Kil-marieJ, is a burgh of barony, as are Edzell, Glamis, and some other villages. Forfar is the chief seat of the sherrif courts of Angus, and Stonehaven of those of the Mearns. Inverbervy is the only royal burgh in the latter shire ; and the towns of Stonehaven, Laurencekirk, Fettercairn, and Auchinblae, are the larger places, which, with some lesser hamlets, were erected into burghs of barony at different times, and are held of different proprietors. Like other districts in Scotland, Angus and the Mearns are said to have been governed in old times by hereditary Maormors, or Earls. Dubicau, the son of Indrechtaig, together with his son, Maolbride, and Cunecht, the father of Lady Finella, are said to have been Maormors of Angus during the greater part us

INTRODUCTION.

— SHERIFFS PRINCIPAL OF ANGUS. 7 the tenth century. Finella, who is believed to have been the cause of the death of Kenneth III., is described as the wife of the Maormor of the Mearns ; and Malpendcr, or Maolpeder, the Maormor of the period, is said to have assassinated King Duncan in 1094. It is supposed that sheriffs were first appointed by David I. ; but it was not until the time of David II., that the office became hereditary in Scotland. The heritable sheriffship of Angus appears to have been conferred first upon Ramsay of Auchter house, from whom, through a female, it was carried to the Ogilvys. On the resignation of the office by a female descendant of that family, it was acquired by David, Earl of Crawford, afterwards Duke of Montrose ; but from the part which he took in favor of James III. against the rising of his son at Blackness, he was deprived of the office on the succession of James IV.

It was then given to the family of Gray, with whom it continued down to the early part of the reign of Charles I., when it appears to have been abolished as a hereditary right. The Keith-Maris chals were probably hereditary sheriffs of the Mearns — at least they appear to have held the office from much about the same time as the Ramsays. Though very incomplete, it is believed that the following lists of the Sheriffs Principal of Angus and the Mearns — which extend over a period of more than five hundred years — may be perused with interest by the representatives of the older families of those shires, if not by the general reader. S fcmffs of angug. William Cumyn, justiciary of Scotland, was sheriff of Forfar, in 1209.— Doug. Peer., i. 161. Hugh Cambrun, 1214-25. — Reg. Ep. Brechin., ii. 3 ; infra, 293.

Thomas of Malherbe (of Rossy), 1227.— Reg. Vet. de Aberb., 163 ; Acta Parl., i. 81. William of Hwuctyruus (Auchterhouse), 1245. — Reg. Vet. de Aberb., 200. E. and W. Montealt (of Feme), 1264.— Chamb. Rolls, i. 11,* 41.* R. of Montealt, quondam sheriff, 1266.— Ibid., 54.* John of Fenton (of Baikie), sheriff, 1266.— Chamb. Rolls, i. 34.* Sir William Maule of Panmure was sheriff in 1286, and at the death of Alex. III.— Doug. Peer., ii. 350. David of Betun (of Ethiebeaton), knight, 1290.— Chamb. Rolls., 79* William of Herth (.Airth), appointed by King Edward I., 1305.— Acta Parl., i. 15. John of Trequer was sheriff, 9th June 1328.— Chamb. Rolls, i. 12. Hugh of Ross, and William, Earl of Ross, sheriffs and bailies of Forfar, 1347.— Miscell. Aldbar., MS., 208. Robert of Ramsay (of Auchterhouse), sheriff, 9th April 1359.— Chamb.

Rolls, i. 342. John of Ramsay, collector of one of the Quarters of Angus, 1359.— Ibid., 355. Robert of Ramsay, sheriff, 1359-62.— Ibid., 352-98. Malcolm of Ramsay, 1365. — Reg. Mag Sigill, 42, 116. He was alive in 1407. — Reg. Ep. Brechin., xxi. Sir Walter of Ogilvy, temporary sheriff, 31st Oct. 1380. — Antiq. of tlie Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, ii. 43. Alexander of Ogilvy, 1388-90. — Reg. Ep. Brechin., xxi. Walter of Ogilvy, lord of Achterhouse, 1390.— Reg. Mag. Sigill, 193, 2. Slain at Glasklune, 1392. — Wyntowtis Cron., ii. 369. Alexander of Ogilvy, 1405-7. — Chamb. Rolls, ii. 634 ; Reg. Mag. Sigill, 243-2. Alexander of Ogilvy, 1420. — Chamb. Rolls, iii. 103. Sir Patrick of Ogilvy, knight, 2nd May 1425.— Panmure Coll., MS. Margaret Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, afterwards Countess of Buchan, resigned the sheriffship of Angus, about 1464. — Spalding Club Miscell, v. 286.

David, Earl of Crawford, afterwards Duke of Montrose, appointed hereditary sheriff of Angus, by James III., 19th Oct. 1466. Compelled to resign the office by James IV., 29th Oct. 1488. — Lord Lindsay' s Report on the Montrose Claim, 519, 524. Probably Lord Innermeath, and Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk, were deputes to the Earl of Crawford. The first appears in 1478, the latter in 1481. — Acta Aud., 64, 95. Andrew Lord Gray, appointed hereditary sheriff, on the resignation of the Duke of Montrose, 6th Nov. 1 488.— Montrose Claim, 524. The office was held by the Lords Gray until Charles the First's time, when the 8th Lord Gray resigned, on che promise of receiving 50,000 merks. —Doug. Peer., i. 672. While the hereditary sheriffship was in the hands of the Grays,

INTRODUCTION.

— SHERIFFS PRINCIPAL OF THE MEARNS their deputes probably were, in 1494, William Monorgond of that Ilk, and Alexander Boyis (Acta Aud., 206) ; in 1514, Henry Lovell of Ballumby, knight, and William Ouchterlowny of Kelly (Miscell. Aldbar., MS., 47); in 1516, Gilbert Middleton of that Ilk (Doug. Peer., ii. 230); in 1541, John Stewart, Lord Innermeath (Account of Senators of the College of Justice, 82) ; in 1560 and 1578, Ninian Guthrye of Kingenny (Reg. de Panmure, MS., i. 422 ; Crawford Case, 178.) Sir Patrick Maule, afterwards Earl of Panmure, was created " sheriff principal of the shire of Forfar," by charter under the Great Seal, dated at Holyrood, 5th Sept. 1632. — Reg. de Panmure, MS., ii. 53. He died in Dec. 1661. Archibald Piersone of Chapelton, sheriff depute, 7th January 1642. — Crawford Case, 131.

James, 2nd Earl of Southesk, d. sheriff, 1669. — Doug. Peer., ii. 515.b John Lindsay of Edzell, sheriff, d. 1671. — Lives of the Lindsays. Patrick, 3rd Earl of Kinghorn, who died 15th May 1695, was appointed sheriff, 1694. — Family papers at Glamis. David, 4th Earl of Northesk, sheriff, 1702.— Doug. Peer., ii. 323. j&f-mffss of tfoc ictcarnfi. John of Hastinkes (lord of Dun in Angus), was sheriff and forester of the Mearns, 1163-78.— Spald. Club Miscell, v. 210; infra, 457. Robert Senescald, sheriff of the Mearns, 1214-25. — Reg. Ep. Brechin., ii. 3. Philip of Maleville (of Mondynes), 1222-40.— Reg. Vet. de Aberb., 88-9.c Robert le Chein, 1263-6.— Chamb. Rolls, i. 20.* Reginald le Chein, 1266.— Ibid., 32 ;* infra, 453. Richard of Dummor, appointed by King Edward I., 1305. — Acta Parl, i. 15.

Alexander of Stratoun (of Lauriston), sheriff, 9th June 1328. — Chamb. Rolls, i. 12. Robert of Keith, marischal of Scotland, 11th August 1348-58.d — Ibid., 289-300. b The first Earl of Southesk, who died in Feb. 1658, is also said to have been high sheriff of Furfar. — Doug. Peer., ii. 515. *- Although the story of a Melville having been sheriff of the Mearns, and boiled iu a cauldron at Garvock, is common, and given below (p. 94), tbe above is the only authentic notice I have seen of the Melvilles as sheriffs of the district. d Douglas (Peerage ii. 187), says that Robert Keith, marischal of Scotland, fell at Durham, 17th Oct. 1346 ; but this is probably a mistake, since there was no other Robert in the family until long subsequent to 1358. (d) MEMORIALS OF ANGUS AND MEARNS. William of Keith, 1359, and on 15th March 1391.— Chamb.

Rolls, i. 338 ; ii. 175. Robert Keith, knight, lord of Troup, 12th March 1406-7.—-*%. Mag. Sigill., 223. Sir William Keith, sheriff, 20th May 1442 (d. 1476.)— Doug. Peer., ii. 189. Patrick Barclay, sheriff depute, 1st April 1448. — Reg. Ep. Brechin., i. 113. William (?2nd) Earl Marischal, about 1483. — Nisbets Heraldry, ii. Appx. 238. William, 3rd Earl Marischal, 7th July 1492. — Acta Dom. Concil, 243. William, 4th Earl Marischal, 22nd April 1525, (d. 1581.)— Doug. Peer., ii. 191. William, Lord Keith, 1621, (d. 1635.)— Acta Parl, iv. 630. It would appear from the list of sheriffs of the Mearns, that the offices of sheriff and forester were sometimes united. The royal forester had jurisdiction in offences against the forest laws, and had certain payments or privileges allowed for keeping or super intending these sporting fields, of which Cowy, Durris, and the Month, were the more important in the Mearns ; and those of Montreathmont, Kingenny, Drimmie, Plater, and Kilgary, in Angus.

Apart from sheriffdoms, there were districts called thanedoms, and their possessors assumed the title of Thane. Thanes, originally stewards over king's lands, ultimately became hereditary tenants of the king, and the title and lands descended accordingly. The fine paid by a thane was a hundred cows, being the same number as that payable by an Earl's son. Probably these divisions were more numerous in this district than in most other parts of Scotland, there being at least nine of them in Angus, and seven in the Mearns : — ■tJT&anctiomg in Singus. A charter of bounding infeftment of the thanedom of Abberlenoche, or Aberlemno, was granted by Robert the Bruce to William Blunt, a cadet of an old Dumfriesshire family.' Sir Alexander Lindsay, knight, had the thanage of Douney, or Downie, from Robert II. in 1331.' ■ Robertson's Index, 18. f Ibid., 96.

INTRODUCTION.

— THANEDOMS AND THANES. 11 John de Logy (probably the father of Margaret Logy, Queen of David II.), had the reversion of the thanedom of Glamis and Tannadice from King David in 1363. The reddendo of the first was a red falcon, to be delivered yearly at the feast of Pentecost, and that of the second a sparrow-hawk. Both thanedoms were afterwards given to Sir John Lyon, ancestor of the Earls of Strathmore, in dowry with his wife, Jane, daughter of Robert II.* Robert II., with consent of his eldest son, John, Earl of Carrick, gave Walter Ogilvy an annual rent out of the " thanedom of Kingaltvy." This probably refers to Kinalty in the parish of Tannadice, near the castle of Cortachy, since the lands of Kinalty, in the parish of Airlie, are described, in a nearly contemporary charter, as being in the barony of Rethy, or Reidie.1* In the year 1220, Malcolm, Earl of Angus, grandson of Gilchrist, gave Nicholas, the priest of Kirriemuir, and his heirs, the abthein lands of Monifieth.

"Patricius capitalus medico," had a charter of the lands of Ballegillachie, or Balgillo, in the thanedom of Monifieth, from Robert I.1 Gyles, thane of Edevyn, Edevy, or Idvies, flourished about the year 1219." In 1360, Andrew Dempster of Auchterless and Careston, and William and John Collace of Balnamoon, granted confirmation of an annual payment to the Priory of Rostinoth, out of the thanedom of Menmoir.' In 1365, David II. gave Sir Alexander Lindsay of Crawford, father of the first Lindsay of Glenesk, " all the king's lands in the thanedom of Newdosk."™ These lands lie in the Mearns portion of the parish of Edzell. ■Efjanetiom.. in tf)e J¥Iearn.5 The thanedom of Aberbothnet, or Arbuthnott was granted by Robert I. to John Fraser, a cadet of the Saltoun family." Charters of the reversion of the thanedoms of Aberluthnot [Marykirk,] Kincardine, and Fettercairn, were granted from William, Earl of Sutherland, by David II. to Walter Lesley." e Willis' Current Notes for July 1854 ; Reg.