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1601.—THIS century “opens
on a new state of things.” The Abbey, which was destroyed in 1560, is in
ruins; “the tops of the walls are covered with grass;” the Abbots, monks,
and other functionaries, have long since disappeared; the nave of the
Abbey is used as a Parish Church; and John Fairfoul is minister of the new
Protestant congregation. The Burgh is in a very depressed state; its
eight trades are “pauperised.” Population of the burgh about 1600; the
Laird of Pitfirrane is Provost.
THE PALACE YARD
THOROUGHLY REPAIRED.—This yard lay immediately in front of the Palace, and
was anciently known as the “Abbey Close;” but, after the destruction of
the Abbey in 1560, it came to be known as the Palace Yard. It was bounded
on the north by the south-west front of the Queen’s House; on the east by
the Dormitory walls of the Monastery; on the south-east, by the Pends; and
on the west, by the east or front wall of the Royal Palace, occupying that
large space of ground from a point a little below the entrance to
Pittencrieff policy to the arch of the Pends, or about 140 feet from
north-west to south-east, with an average breadth of about 90 feet, and
area of about 1400 square yards. In this large open triangular space in
front of the Palace, “courtiers, warriors, and knights were marshall’d in
days of yore;” and, as a matter of course, here, in this wide area,
“The Bruce oft met his
‘marshall’d knights,’
And shook the Carrick spear.”
THE LAIRD OF PURY OGILVY
Searched by the Magistrates of Dunfermline.—The Laird of Pury Ogilvy wrote
to King James complaining that, “on coming from Dunfermling to Edinburgh,
to satisfy his Majesty’s pleasure, he found himself pursued and searched
by the magistrates,” The charges brought against him, he said, were
unfounded, and not worthy of his Majesty. (Calend. Of State Papers,
Scot., State Paper Office, London.)
BIRTH OF A PRINCE AT
DUNFERMLINE.—“On the 18th day of February this year (1601), the Queen was
brought to bed of her third son at Dunfermline, and he was christened the
2nd day of May, Robert. The King, his father, that same day created him
Lord of Annandale, Earl of Carrick, Marquis of Wigton, and Duke of
Kintyre. (Balfour’s Annals of Scot. vol. i. pp. 408-410.) Robert Birrell,
in his Diary, alluding to the event, says—“The 18th of Februar, hes M. had
an thrid Sonne born (at Dunfermline) at the pleasure of Almightie God,
being Monday. (Frag. Scot. Hist. &c.)
1602.—CARNOCK.—Sir George
Bruce, who had become proprietor of the lands of Carnock, “repaired the
Kirk there, and skleatit it.” His initials and date were on the old
pulpit, thus, “G.B., 1602.”
QUEEN’S CHAMBERLAIN at
Dunfermline.—In consequence of the death of Mr. William Schaw, the office
of Chamberlain of the Queen’s Rents, &c., at Dunfermline becomes vacant.
Henry Wardlaw, of Balmule, elected to the office, pro tem. (See Annals,
date 1603.)
DEATH OF WILLIAM SCHAW,
“Master of the Works.”—William Schaw, architect to King ames VI., died on
the 18th of April, this year. He was an accomplished man, and “held in
the highest esteem by his Sovereign, and by all who was honoured with his
friendship.” About the year 1594, the restoration of the Abbey, &c., was
committed to his charge. He built the steeple and the north porch, some
of the buttresses, the roofs of the north and south aisles, and that part
of the west gable immediately above the great western door. He also
planned and built the “Queen’s House,” the Bailie and Constabulary Houses,
&c. He died at Dunfermline, on the 18th April, 1602, after a short
illness, and was interred in the north aisle of the nave which he had
restored. His monument, a very massive one, was reared about his grave,
“behind the pulpit-pillar,” In 1794, the monumental tomb was removed,
and, in a detached state, placed within “the bell-ringer’s place at the
bottom of the steeple”—where, in the same state, it still remains. The
reason given for its removal was, that “the upper part of it interfered
with the light of one of the windows, and thereby prevented much of the
light falling on the pulpit-bible. (Vide Annals Dunf. date 1794.)
The following is a copy of
the inscription on his tomb:--
M.S.
INTEGERRIMO AMICO
GULIELMO SCHAW
VIVE INTER SUPEROS
ÆTERNVMQUE OPTIME VIVE HÆC TIBI
VITA LABOR MORS FVIT ALTA
QVIES
ALEXANDER SETONIVS D.F.
D. O. M.
__________
HVMILIS HÆ LAPIDVM STRUCTURA
TEGIT
VIRUM EXCELLENTI PERITIA
PROBITATE EXIMIA SINGVLARI
VITÆ INTEGRITATE SVMMIS
VISTVTIBVS ORNATVM GVLIELMVM SCHAW
REGIIS OPERIBVS PRÆTECTVM
SACRIS CÆREMONIIS REÆPOSITVM
REGINÆ QVÆSTIREN EXTRENVNUS
DUEN IBIIT
18 APRILIS 1602.
MORTALES INTER VIXIT ANNOS
QVINQUAGINTA DVOS GALLIAS MVLTAQVE
ALIA REGNA EXCOLENDI ANIIMI
STVDIO PERAGRAVIT NULLA LIBERALI
DIDCIPLINA NON IMBVTVS
ARCHITECTVRÆ PERITISSIMVS PRINCIIPIBVS
IMPRIMIS VIRIS EGREGIIS
DOTIBVS COMMENDATVS LABORIBVS ET
NEGOTIIS NON INDEFESSVS NODO
ET INSVPERABILIS SED ASSIDVE
STRENVVS ET INTERGER NVLLI
BONO NON CARISSIMVS CVI NOTVS
AD OFFICIA DEMERENDOS
HOMINVM ANIMOS NATVS NUNC INTER
SVPEROS ÆTERNVM VIVIT
ANNA REGINA NE VIRTVS ÆTERNA
COMMENDATIONE DIGNA MEM-
BRORVM MORTALITATE
TABESCERET OPTIMI INTEGERRIMIQVE VIRI
MEMORALE MONVMENTVM PONI
MANDAVIT.
Translation:--
To his most upright Friend,
WILLIAM SCHAW,
“Live with the Gods, and
live for ever, most excellent man;
This life to thee was
labour, death was deep repose.”
ALEXANDER SETON, Erected
DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO
(To God the Best and
Greatest.)
__________________
This humble structure of
stones covers a man of excellent skill, notable
probity, singular integrity
of life, adorned with the greatest of virtues—William
Schaw, Master of the King’s
Works, President of the Sacred Ceremonies, and
The Queen’s Chamberlain. He
died 18th April, 1602.
Among the living he dwelt
fifty-two years; he had travelled in France and
many other kingdoms, for the
improvement of his mind; he wanted no liberal
training; was most skilful
in architecture; was early recommended to great
persons for the singular
gifts of his mind; and was not only unwearied and
indefatigable in balours and
business, but constantly active and vigorous, and
was most dear to every good
man who knew him. He was born to do good
offices, and thereby to gain
the hearts of men; now he lives eternally with
God.
Queen Anne ordered this
monument to be erected to the memory of this
most excellent and most
upright man, lest his virtues, worthy of eternal com-
mendation, should pass away
with the death of his body.
(Vide Monteith’s “Theatre of
Mortality, 1752,” pp. 210, 211; also
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p.
488.)
There is a small marble
monogram stone inserted in Schaw’s monument, the interlaced letters on
which in relief make out those on the scroll at the top, viz., :William
Schaw.” The following is a copy of it:--
This fine old monument
ought to be reconstructed in the place where it now stands, in the Belfry,
or close to the wall inside the great western entrance.
BAPTISM OF THE INFANT
PRINCE at Dunfermline.—The 2 Maii being the Sabbathe day, his M. thrid
sone was bapteizit. ‘Robert,’ in the toun of Dunfermling. He was stylit
Duke of Kintyre, Marquis of Wigton, Earl of Carrik and Laird of Annandaill.”
(Bir. Diary; Frag. Scot. Hist. vol. i. p. 55.)
DEATH OF THE INFANT
PRINCE at Dunfermline.--“He departed this life at Dunfermline, the 27th
day of May, and was interred there.” (Balf. An. Scot. vol.i.p.410.) “The
27th day of Maii, Robert, Duck of Kintyre, deceasit at Dunfermling.” (Bir.
Diary; Frag. Scot. Hist. vol. i. p. 55.) This prince was only 14 weeks
old at the time of his death. Probably he was interred in the vault
outside of the south-east corner of the Old Church. This vault was given
to Sir Henry Wardlaw, of Pitreavie, by the King and Queen, in 1616. (An.
Dunf. date 1616.)
THE GALLOWGAITE.—In the
Regality Court Records, and also on an old title, mention is made of a
toft or croft “lyand without the East Port, in Gallowgaite;” called the
Gallowgaite obviously because it led to “the toun’s gallows,”
three-quarters of a mile distant, nearly opposite the entrance to Headwell.
(See also An. Dunf. date 1757, &c.)
1603.—EDWARD BRUCE
Created Lord Kinloss.—Edward Bruce, second son of Sir George Bruce, of
Carnock, was, by James VI., created Baron Bruce of Kinloss. (Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 288.)
THE GREAT CUSTOMES of
Dunfermline, Let.—“A tak of the great customes of Dumfermeling, and of the
port and heaven of Lym Killis, were disponet to James Kingorne, Regality,
Notary, 3 Feb., 1603.” (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 496.)
HENRY WARDLAW AND THE
LANDS OF BALMULE.—In the charter chest of Pitfirrane there is a Charter,
granted by Anne, Queen of Scotland, Lady of Dunfermline, with consent of
her husband, King James VI., to Henry Wardlaw, of the lands of Balmule (3
miles north of Dunfermline) and others. Dated to Halirudhous, 3 March,
1603.
HENEY WARDLAW, Queen’s
Chamberlain.—Henry Wardlaw, of Balmule, who had been appointed pro tem.
Chamberlain to Queen Anne (after the death of William Schaw, in 1602), was
this year confirmed in his appointment of Chamberlain to the Queen. (See
other dates in An. Dunf.; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 304.)
REGISTER OF THE LORDSHIP
of Dunfermline.—In the Advocates’ Library, Edinburgh, there is a folio
volume in MS. of the Lordship of Dunfermline, from Feb. 1, 1603, to Feb.
28, 1611, in excellent condition; 314 leaves.
FAREWELL FO THE ROYAL
FAMILY to Dunfermline.—In the month of March this year King James VI.
succeeded to the throne of England. Shortly afterwards he bade farewell
to his Scottish residences, and repaired by slow marches to London. The
Palace at Dunfermline was given in charge to Lord Seton, and Henry Wardlaw,
her Majesty’s Chamberlain. The Lord Seton, tutor to Charles I., remained
for some time in the Palace after the royal departure. (Vide Histories of
Scotland, &c.)
1604.—REV. JOHN DAVIDSON,
as eminent native of the Parish of Dunfermline, died, aged 60.—The Rev.
John Davidson, who in his youth was one of the Conventual Brethren of
Dunfermline, afterwards became a distinguished reformer. He was for some
time a Regent of Professor in St. Leonard’s College, St. Andrews. In 1595
he became the minister of Prestonpans, and died pastor of that place in
1604. In 1571, “in the month of July, Mr. John Davidson, ane of our
Regents (St. Andrews), made a play at the marriage of Mr. John Colvin,
whilk I saw playit in Mr. Knox’s presence, wherein, according to Mr.
Knox’s doctrine, the Castle of Edinburgh was besieged, taken, and the
Captain, with ane or twa, was hangit in effigecy.” (Dom. An. Scot. vol. i.
p. 74.) Mr. Davidson was an excellent poet. The following is a list of
his poetical remains, &c.: I. “Ane Breif Commendatioun of Vprignes,”
quhairunto is addit in the end, “Ane Schort Discurs of the Estaitis quha
hes caus to deploir the Deith of that excellent Seurand of God” (John
Knox). (A curious specimen of the old Scottish language and
versification.) II. “Ane Dialog, or Mutuall Talking betwixt a Clerk and
ane Courteour, concerning foure Parische Kirks till ane Minister.” III.
“A Memorial of the Life and Death of two worthye Christians, Robert
Campbel of Kinyeancleugh, and his Wife, Elizabeth Campbel; with a
Biographical Account of the Author, and various Papers by James Maidment,”
8vo, Edinburgh, 1829, to which the reader is referred for further
particulars. Mr. Davidson was born in the parish of Dunfermline about the
year 1544, but in what part of the parish the writer has been unable to
discover. (See also “Carmen,” Annals of Dunf. date 1598.)
1605.—CREATION OF EARLDOM
OF DUNFERMLINE.—Alexander Seton (a branch of the Winton family), who was,
previous to this date, Baron Urquhart, and also Lord Fyvie, was, on March
4th, created “Earl of Dunfermline.” (Fernie’s Hist. Dunf; p. 81; Frag.
Scot. Hist. vol. i. p. 63, &c.) Birrell, in his Diary, notes: “The 4 of
Marche, Lord Fyvie, President [of the Court of Session] an uthers, wer
made Earles—viz., Lord Fyvie, Earl of Dumferling; Lord Home, made Earl of
Home ; and Lord Drummond, made Earl of Perth; and alswa twelve Knyghts.”
COLLIER TOW AND EAST
PORTS.—It would appear from the following item in the Burgh Accounts, that
these Ports were “secured by lock and key” as lete as this period—vuz.,
“To John Trunbull, for mending the lock of the Clozieraw Port, and for
mending the lock of the East Port.” (Burgh Records, Dec. 1605.)
ALIENATIONS OF ABBEY
LANDS, &C.—Donfirmation Charter in favour of John Stobie, to the lands of
Waster Luscoir; ditto, to “George hutone, the croft commonly calle the
acorne ward” (half a mile east of Dunfermline); Carta to Sir Robert Halket,
of Pitfirrane, “a tak of the teind scheaves of Braidleys” (six miles N.W.
of Dunfermline.) (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 496-504.)
CLEANING THE PUBLIC
CLOCK.—“To John and Harie Burells, for taking Sindrie the Knock, and
putting it togidder againe, and dichting the samin.” (Burgh Records.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—Sir Robert Halket was elected Porvost of Dunfermline this
year. (Burgh Records.)
GUNPOWDER PLOT.—Public
Rejoicings, &c.—According to an old MS. note, “The 13th November, 1605,
was kept in grand style in Dunfermline, in consequence of the Kings
Majestes escape from being murthered by gunpowder, by a lot of papists in
London.” There was an entertainment given at the Royal Palace; there were
“tar barrels burning and bonfiyres in several streets; also, public
singing, bells ringing, and prayers in the Kirk.” In the Burgh Records,
in the accounts given in at the end of 1605, there are two items mentioned
in connection with the rejoicings—viz., “To Margaret Murray, for ye
furnishing her to get players on the play-day, &c.; and for tarr-barrels,
ferns, &c.; and to the minstrellis at the touns congratulation for His
Majesty being deliverit fra his enemies,” &c. (Burgh Records.)
1606.—ALIENATION OF ABBEY
LANDS,&C.—Charter granting to James Reid the croft acres of Dunfermline;
to Nichol Pollok the third-part of the lands, and the mill of Lassodie; to
Alexander, Earl of Dunfermline, the coal in the Lordship of Dunfermline;
to the same, the fourth-part of the land of North Fod; to Robert Peirson,
the lands of Nether Beith; to Robert Halket, the mill of Pitliver.
CONSTABLESHIP OF
DUNFERMLINE PALACE.—The office of Constable or Keeper of Dunfermline
Palace, instituted by Queen Anne in 1596, and conferred on Lord Urquhart,
was the year ( 1606) confirmed by Act of Parliament to Alexander Seton,
Lord Urquhart and Earl of Dunfermline, and his heirs male for ever. (Chal.
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 259.)
1607.—ALIENATION OF ABBEY
LANDS, &C.—A deed, or charter, granting “ane tak of the teind scheaveis of
Pittencreiff at Pitdennus, Sett to Eduard Bruce, of Kinlos,” and Henry
Wardlaw, “the lands of Pitbauchlie.”
THE ROTTEN-RAW PORT, or
Postern, was probably erected this year. This Port is noticed in the
Burgh Records, of date 3rd May, 1735, when the Town Council gave leave to
Bailie Lindsay to erect the soutn-east corner of his malt-barn, to be
built nine feet north from the south pillar of the Rotten-Raw Post. This
Port has escaped the researches of the historians of Dunfermline, and
appears to have occupied the site at the top of the Rotten-raw, near to
the south entrance of North Chapel Street. (See An. Dunf. date 1735.)
We cannot tell when this
Port was removed, and nothing is known of its history, unless by
tradition—viz., that when the port was taken down, it was re-erected at
the top of a close known as “Bardner’s Close.” If this tradition is
correct, then we get at the date of its erection. On the keystone of the
arch fronting the street, there is a long shield, some mutilated initials,
and the date 1607. The following is a representation of his stone, which
was sketched by Mr. William Clark, bookseller, Dunfermline, and kindly
sent to the writer in 1852:--
It is not known whose
initials these are—probably of some public functionary of the period
(1607).
THE REPAIRING of the Nave
of the Abbey was completed in 1607. After the Royal Family went to reside
in London, the Earl of Dunfermline (Dominus de Dunfermling) appears to
have attended to the completion of the repairs. On the side of the south
porch-door there is a stone, having on it the earl’s crest, and date 1607,
which date is understood to indicate the completion of the repairs. (MS,
Notes.)
FREE BIRGESSES OF THE
BURGH CREATED.—The honour of the freedom of the Burgh was conferred on
David Peirsoun, July, 1607; and on Andrew Law and John Watsoun, Sept.
1607. (Burgh Rec.)
SIR ROBERT HALKET
continued Provost of the burgh. (Burgh Rec.)
MALT KILNS.—The Council
“grant a license to David Watsoun and Archibald Dowglas to bigge
malt-kilns in the back-syde befoir thair barnis.” (Birgh Rec.) “Back-syde,”
(Queen Ann Street). (See also Annals of Dunf. date 1600.)
HONORARY BURGESS.—David
Peirsoun was elected a free burgess of the burgh, July 1607. (Burgh Rec.)
HONORARY BURGESS.—Andrew
Law and John Watsoune were elected free burgesses of the burgh, Sept.
1607. (Burgh Rec.)
1608.—ALIENATION OF ABBEY
LANDS, &C.—A deed granted to John Durie and Janet Majoribanks, his spouse,
of “the 8th partes, with xxxii parte of the ville of Muirhall, alias South
quenesferrie;” to Alexander, Earl of Dunfermline, the lands of “Lymekilliis;”
“a tak’ of the teind scheaves of Pittravie” to Henry Wardlaw; to Robert
Ged, the Mill of Geddismill; to Marion Crichtoune, “a tak’ of the teind
scheaves of Clunie;” to John Stevenson, the lands of “Stevensones Baith.”
(Regist. Infeod. Et Alien.; Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 496, 504.)
GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN
DUNFERMLINE.—The whole of the western district of Fife was affected by
this earthquake. An old MS. referring to it says, “The hail houses in
Dunfermling were shooken and furniture thrown doon, and it was observit
that the surface of the lochs round about were agitatit.” Another account
notifies, that “upon Thursday, the 8th day of November, 1608, there was in
Fife an earthquake, betwixt nine and ten hours at even, which lasted about
a quarter-of-an-hour; that it terrified all the persons within the towns
of Coupar-of-Fife, Newburgh, Dunfermling, Burntisland, and others within
Fife.” (Sibbald’s Hist. Fife et Kin. Appendix, p. 423.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—James Reid was elected Provost.
1609.—THE EARL OF
DUNFERMLINE was this year admitted a member of the English Privy Council.
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 285.)
MR. JOHN FAIRFUL,
Minister of Dunfermline, was this year called before the Privy Council by
the King’s command, for praying for the distressed ministers (imprisoned
or exiled by the King) within and without the country, in December. (Chal.
Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 366.)
SCULPTURED STONE.—“The
Golden Rose,” High Street.—This sculptured stone, seen over the door of a
plain house in East High Street, appears from the sweep of the curve at
the top of the stone to have been originally place over a much larger door
or gateway than that which it now adorns. Probably the stone belonged to
a house which may have been destroyed by the great fire of 25th May, 1624,
and on re-erecting a house on the same site, the then proprietor may have
placed the stone over his door as a memento of the original house. It is
not known to what the sculptures refer. It well be seen
that in the centre of the
lower part of the stone there is a circle with the figure of a rose within
it, and in a semi-circle over it in old-fashioned letters, are the words,
“The Golden Rois.” On the top of the semi-circle of words rests a large
shield, in the lower compartment of which there is the representation of
“a walking fowl, or bird,” with a buckle, or ring, before it bill. It is
separated by a diagonal bar from a space in which are six flying darts and
a five-pointed star; while on each side, as supporters, there is a bearded
face with high ears. The bearded face on the right has a tongue hanging
out of its mouth, with the initials S. DE. Below. That on the left has
the date of 1609 below the chin. (For darts, &c., see Annals, dates
1624-1626.) The Golden Rose appears to have had a Roman origin. The
ceremony of blessing the golden rose, since the time of Pope Urban V. in
1366, has been celebrated annually at Rome on March 13. The rose thus
blessed by the Pope is then presented to some highly-favoured person. The
house is now a tavern, and bears the name of “The Golden Rose.” This
stone, it would appear, was long unknown; it was accidentally brought to
light in 1859 while the house was undergoing some repairs. It may be
noted, that previous to 1828 there stood adjacent to “The Golden Rose,” on
the east, a very antique house, traditionally known as the “French
Ambassador’s House.”
REPAIRS OF THE EAST PORT
AND EAST PORT-HOUSE.—On the east gable, near the top, there is a “date-stane,”
having cut on it the initials “W.G.,” a rose, and the date “1609.” (Burgh
Rec.; see also An. Dunf. dates 1753 and 1835.)
ELECTION OF HONORARY
BURGESSES.—“Jo” Gib and Patrick Murray of Pardews” were elected honorary
freemen of the burgh in June, 1609.
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—James Reid was elected Provost of Dunfermline, in October,
this year. (Burgh Rec.)
1610.—THE ROYAL GALLERY
erected in Dunfermline Church.—This year, a gallery was erected between
the two pillars opposite the pulpit, for the accommodation of the Royal
Family when they visited Dunfermline. The front of this gallery is still
in a state of good preservation. (See Annals, date 1855). In the centre
there is a round shield, containing the details of the royal insignia. It
is surmounted by a crown, and has the royal initials “I.R.,” “A.R.,” and
date “1610.” There are some devices below the shield, which appear to
have been intended for “The Thistle, the Rose, and the Shamrock,”
emblematical of Scotland, England and Ireland. (See also Chal. Hist. Dunf.
vol. i. p. 121.)
MORTIFICATION OF £2000
SCOTS BY QUEEN ANNE in favour of the Grammar and Music Schools of
Dunfermline.—The following is a copy of the Deed of Conveyance, viz.:--
“Copy Extract Bond by the
Town of Dunfermline, anent Queen Anne of Dunfermline, her Mortification of
£2000 Scots, whereof the Annnal Rent of 10 per Cent. Be a Fund for a
Salary to the Master of the Grammar and Song Schools of Dunfermline, dated
24th August, and Registrate 5th September, 1610”.
“At Edinburgh, the fifth
day of September, in the year of God 1610 years, In Presence of the Lords
of Council, compeared Mr. Thomas Rollock, Pro. Specially constituted for
James Reid, Provost of the burgh of Dunfermline; John Anderson and James
Mochrie, Bailies; John Walker, Dean of Guild; Patrick Turnbull, Treasurer;
David Stewart, John Anderson (younger), Lister; William Brown, and Andrew
Bennet, four of the Council of said Burgh, and gave in the Bond and
Obligation under-written, subscribed with their hands, desiring the same
to be Registrate in the Books of Council, to have the strength of a
Decreet of the Lords thereof, with executions to pass thereupon in manner
therein contained; the which desire the said Lords thought reasonable, and
therefore has ordained and ordains the said Bond and Obligation to be
insert and Registrate in the said Books of Council; Discerns the same to
have the strength of their Decreet, and ordains Letters of Execution to be
decreet thereupon in manner specified thereintill, whereof the tenor
follows:--
“’Be it kend to all men
by ther present Letters, we, James Reid, Provost; John Walker, Dean of
Guild; Patrick Turnbull, Treasurer of the Burgh of Dunfermline; David
Stewart, John Anderson (younger), Lister; Andrew Bennet, William Brown,
Burgesses and neighbours of the said Burgh, presently upon the Council
thereof, for ourselves, and taking the burden upon us for the heall
Remnaent council and Community of the said Burgh, For as much as the Right
High, Right Excellent, and Mighty Princess Anna, be the Grace of God,
Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Lady Dunfermline, her
highnesses successors in the Lordship of Dunfermline, having the
freenomination and presentation of the masters of the Schools to our said
Burgh, of her natural love and affection to virtue, promotion of liberal
sciences, Education of the youth—Intertainment of the Masters and
Instructors thereof, of the readiest of her rent and patrimony of the
Lordship of Dunfermline, for the special cause under-written, has
instantly caused Henry Wardlaw of Balmule, Her Highness’s Chamberlain,
advanced pay and deliver to us, for ourselves and in name of the heall
community of the said Burgh, All and Heall the sum of Two Thousand pounds
usual Scots money, to be employed by us for performing of certain of our
affairs tending to the well profite and commodity of the Burgh and heall
inhabitants thereof, for the relief of diverse debts, sums of money and
burdens presently lying upon our common good, and for the which we and the
heall Inhabitants of our said Burgh, stand obliged and astricted,
Destinate, affected, and mortified be Her Most Excellent Majesty, to
remain with us and our posterity, in all time coming, for payment to be
made be us and them of the current annual rent after-mentioned, to the
Masters and Instructors of our Youth, as is under exprest, as a common
benefit to us all: Of the which sum of Two Thousand pounds money above
written, we for ourselves, and in name and behalf of the said community,
hold us well content, presently satisfied and paid, and for us and heall
community of our said Town, our and their successors, Provosts, Bailies,
Councill, and Community thereof, exoner, quit claim and Discharge the said
Right High, Right Excellent, and Mighty Princess, her heirs and
successors, her said Chamberlain, and all others whom it effeirs thereof,
for now and for ever: Therefore we be bound and obliged like as by the
tenor thereof, We, the said Provost, Bailies, Dean of Guild, Treasurer,
and Council for the said Burgh, for ourselves, and taking the burden upon
us for the said Community, as representing the heall Body of our said
Burgh, Bind and oblige us and our successors, Provost, Bailies, Council,
and Community of Dunfermline, to make good and thankfull payment of the
sum of Two hundred pounds money foresaid yearly, and termly, in all time
coming: To witt, to the present Master of the Grammar School of
Dunfermline, and his successors, the sum of one hundred pounds money
foresaid, and to the present Master of the Song School and his successors,
the sum of one other hundred pounds money foresaid, to paid yearly and
termly in all time coming, at two terms in the year, Whitsunday and
Martinmas in winter, by equal portions, beginning the first term’s payment
thereof at the first term of Martinmas next to come, and so forth, yearly
and termly, to endure and be paid to the present Masters of the foresaid
schools, and their successors, Masters thereof, for ever, for a perpetual
annual and yearly duty, founded and mortified be her most excellent
Majesty for entertainment and maintenance of the foresaid Schools and
upbringing of the Youth thereintill, in all time coming. Providing always
that it shall not be Leisome to the provost, Bailies, nor Community of the
said Burgh, nor our successors, to admit or place nor to depose the
present Masters of the said Schools, nor them that shall be admitted and
placed thereafter, with out the special advice, concurrence, and consent
of the Queen’s most excellent Majesty and her Highness’s successors, our
Superior, or else of the present heritable Bailie of the Lordship of
Dunfermline, and his successors, heritable Bailie thereof, so that the
full right of nomination and presentation of the said Masters, present and
to come, shall remain with her Majesty’s successors’ heritable Bailies,
and their successor; and we, Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of
the said Burgh, oblige us, and our foresaid successors, to give her
Highness, and the said Bailies and their successors, our faithful advice
anent the qualifications, life, conversation, admission, and deposition of
the said Masters in all times coming; which advice her Highness and the
said Bailies, for them and their successors, promise to accept, in so far
as the same makes, for the weil of the said Burgh, virtuous and good
upbringing of the Youth; and for the more security, weare content and
consent that the presents be acted and Registered in the Books of Council
ad perpetuam remanentiam, and to have the strength of an Act and Decreet
of the Lords thereof, and their authority to be interponed thereto with
executions of horning upon a simple charge of ten days to pass thereupon;
and for registration hereof, constitute Mr. Thomas Rollock, conjunctly and
severally, our procurators, in form promittend rata, &c. In witness
whereof, written by Wm. Brown, Notary in Dunfermline, we have subscribed
the same with our hands at Dunfermline, the 28th day of August, in the
year of God 1610 years, before these witnesses: John Bruce, apparent of
Baldridge; Robert Mercer of Saling; Patrick Stewart of Beath,
Bailie-Depute of the Regality of Dunfermline; Mr. James Aiton, Portioner
of Over Grange; James Kinghorn Clerk of the said Regality. (Sic. Sub.)
James Reid, Provost; John Walker, Dean of Guild; Patrick Turnbull,
Treasurer; John Anderson, Bailie; James Mochrie, Bailie; be David Brown,
Clerk, because he cannot subscribe; David Stewart, as one of the Council;
John Anderson, one of the Council; William Brown, one of the Council;
Andrew Bennet, one of the Council; Robert Mercer, of Saline, Witness;
Patrick Stewart, Witness; Mr. James Aiton, Witness; Patrick Kinghorn,
Nortary, Witness.’
“Extractum de libro
actorum per me Dominum Joannem Skeen de Curyhill, Militem, Clericum
Rotulorum Regist. et Concilii S.D.N.—Regist. sub meo Signo et
subscriptione manualibus. (Sic. Subc.) Jo Skeene.” (Burgh Records and
the Charter in the burgh Charter Chest.)
Note.—As some
misapprehension exists regarding the office of Master of the Song School,
it may here be observed that there is no such institution in Dunfermline
as “Master of the Song;” that “Master of the Song School” is the legal
definition; that it is not necessary that the Master of the Song School
should be precentor or leader of the choir in the abbey Church; and that
if the person who is at any time elected to the office of Master of the
Song School does not perform the duties of the office by teaching a “Song
School” in Dunfermline, he can lay no claim to the £100 Scots named in
this bond ad his yearly fee or salary. Such is the opinion of an eminent
solicitor.
PETTENCRIEFF HOUSE, near
Dunfermline, is supposed to have been built about this period by Sir
Alexander Clerk, of Pennicuik, the then proprietor. His armorial bearings
and his initials are over the door, with the motto, “Praised be God for
all his giftes.” There is still to be seen over one of the windows the
crest of the Earl of Dunfermline, to whom the estate of Pittencrieff once
belonged. (See Annals, date 1740; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i.)
THE MINISTER OF
DUNFERMLINE BRIBED.—The“unworthy and unfaithful minister of Dunfermline,
Mr. Andro Foster, in June, 1610, took the King’s money of 50 merks (from
the Earl of Dunbar), to vote for the King’s scheme for the establishment
of Prelacy.” (See “Dr. M’Crie’s Character of Andro Foster,” in Annals
date 1612, &c.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—James Reid re-elected Provost of Dunfermline. (Burgh
Records.)
1611.—THE HERITABLE
OFFICES of Bailie and Justiciary of the Regality of Dunfermline conferred
on the Earl of Dunfermline by Charter form Queen Anne, with the consent of
the King, her husband, proceeding on his own resignation. This Charter,
among other subjects in the Earl’s favour, confers on him “the heritable
offices of bailiary and justiciary of our Lordship and Regality of
Dunfermline, on both sides of the river and water of Forth.” (Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 257.)
THE TOWER BRIDGE.—In the
hollow, over the Ferme water or Tower Burn (west foot of Tower Hill), a
bridge was built by Queen Anne in 1611, as the previous one had gone to
decay and become dangerous for passengers. On the south face of the
bridge, above the arch, were the letters A. R. (Anna Regina), and the date
1611. This bridge appears to have been indifferently built, for a new
bridge had to be erected on the site in 1788. (See Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.
i. p. 80; also Annals, dates 1788, &c.) There appears to have been a
bridge here at a very early period, under the name of the “Gyrthbow.”
(See Charter in Annals Dunf. of date 1327, and Print. Regist. Dunf. p.
253.)
LORD COMMISSIONER’S
CONSTABLES.—“17th August, 1611, the qlk day qm perit thomas blackwood and
Jon Curie at y crose, burges’s of ye sd burgh, Constables nominat and
appoytit within ye saim be vertue of our Soverin Lords commissioners, and
acceptit the said office of Constabularie wt in ye saim, during the space
of six moneths nixt to cum, conform to his mates ordinance yr anent, and
proceid to concene at Cuper on Weddinsday nixt xxi of the instant wt ye
remaindr commissioner of his hienes peice, thair to give their aiths as
effeirs.” (Burgh Records.)
PROVOST OF
DUNFERMLINE.—James Reid was elected Provost of Dunfermline, in September,
this year. (Burgh Records.) |
