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Annals of Dunfermline
A.D. 1601 - 1701 - Part 1


  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.)


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