Full text of "The annals of Dunfermline and vicinity, from the earliest authentic period to the present time, A.D. 1069-1878; interspersed with explanatory notes, memorabilia, and numerous illustrative engravings. By Ebenezer Henderson"

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THE 



^nnah of ^nninmlxnt 

AND VICINITY 
A.D. 1069—1878 

Interspersed with EXPLANATORY NOTES, 

MEMORABILIA, 

AND 

Numerous Illustrative Engravings 



BY 



EBENEZER HENDERSON, LL.D. 

Author of "Historical Horology"— "The Beauties and Curiosities of Science" — "A Treatise 
on Astronomy" — "The Life of James Fergfuson, F.E.S." &c. 



\^ 



GLASGOW: JOHN TWEED 

MDCCCLXXIX. 



PREFACE. 



A GREAT many years have elapsed since the writer began to collect 
materials for the Annals of Dunfermline, his native city. His 
object was to arrange events and notanda in chronological order, as 
he was convinced that a much clearer conception of the rise and 
progress of a town would be obtained under such an arrangement, 
than by the method usually adopted in compiling such works. 

The writer never had the slightest idea of publishing his notanda. 
They were written for his own private use for reference. On 
showing them to a number of his archaeological and other friends, 
they expressed perhaps a too favourable opinion of their contents, 
and strongly urged him to pass them through the press. For some 
years he refused to do so, but their continued solicitations over- 
came his opposition, and he resolved to prepare his collection for 
publication. 

The materials composing the Annals have been collected chiefly 
from original sources — from the Chartularies of Scottish Abbeys and 
religious houses — from the early and modern "Histories of Scotland" 
— from various scarce topographical and similar works — from the 
manuscript Records of the Burgh, the Guildry, the Regality, and 
the Parish — from Charters in the Burgh Charter Chest — from the 
Journals of several of the Incorporated Trades of the Burgh — from 
Title-Deeds of old houses — from old and modern Magazines and 
Newspapers, and from letters written by old inhabitants. A list of 
the works consulted by the writer for the Annals will be found at 
the end of the Addenda. 



IV PREFACE. 

It is not to be expected that a work, consisting of such a large 
mass of heterogeneous materials, drawn from such a variety of 
sources, which are in many instances conflicting, can be entirely 
free from slips of the pen. The ANNALS would require to go, like 
other similar works, through several editions to get the Errata cleared 
away, and the Omissa filled in. It is to be hoped, however, that 
any errata that may be discovered will be found unimportant. 

Now that the work is in type, it will be seen that the ANNALS 
commence with the year 1069 — the earliest authentic date referring 
to Dunfermline; and that they come down to the end of the year 
1878 — thus extending over the wide space of about 809 years. 
Between the first date and the middle of the sixteenth century many 
blank spaces will be observed, in several instances there are consider- 
able stretches of time without any recorded fact. Such gaps could 
not be bridged over for want of authentic details. After the middle 
of the sixteenth century, incidents, notanda, etc., occur for yearly 
entries, and, as time flows on nearer to our day, they increase in such 
numbers that many of the later dates will be found charged with 
numerous and varied details. To the general reader many of the 
notanda may appear to be of little importance, but, by the natives 
of "the old grey city" and the western district of Fife, they will, it 
is hoped, be appreciated. To readers who wish for further and fuller 
information regarding any of the entries, ample references are given, 
naming the work, the volume, and the page from which they were 
extracted, also the Appendix and the Addenda at the end of the 
work contain full particulars of many interesting events, etc., referred 
to in the Annals, which will be useful to the reader. 

Numerous engravings, many of them never before published, 
embellish the Annals as illustrations of "Dunfermline in the olden 
time." To local readers, it is to be hoped, they will be interesting; 
and, to the outside public who are strangers to the locality, they 
will be serviceable as "graphic helps" to the letter-press descriptions 
in the text. It may be mentioned here, that during the progress 
of the work through the press, Mr. Tweed, our publisher, resolved 



PREFACE. ' ^ 

to increase the number of illustrations. He has, therefore, at con- 
siderable expense added ten engravings to the original list, viz., 
four Sculptured Stones at pp. 266, 297, 301, and 437; View- of the 
Palace Ruins, p. 408 ; Rev. Ralph Erskine's Kirk, p. 438 ; the 
Antiburgher Kirk, p. 521; the Guildhall, p. 577, View of the City 
of Dunfermline, p. i, and the Frontispiece. 

Many of the kind friends who rendered the writer assistance 
when the Annals were commenced have long since passed away. 
Their memories are held by him in such sacred remembrance, that 
he feels it to be a duty, as well as a gratification to himself, to record 
their names, viz., Rev. George Bell Brand, Andrew Mercer, Rev. 
Henry Fergus, Archibald Haxton, James Morris, Alexander Kilgour, 
John Bonnar, Joseph N. Baton, John S. Soutar, Rev. Peter Chalmers, 
D.D., David Birrell, Laurence Wilson, and David Laurie ; and the 
names of those who resided at a distance. His Eminence Cardinal 
Wiseman, Rev. C. Holahan (Sub-Prior of St. Edmund's College, 
Douay, France), the Rev. T. Hoskins (Valladolid, Spain), David 
D. Black, Brechin, and David Laing, LL.D., Edinburgh, lately 
deceased. 

Among those who have rendered the writer valuable assistance 
during the progress of the Annals through the press, his special 
thanks are due to the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of 
the Burgh, for allowing him the free use of their Records ; to Mr. 
John Landale, Town Clerk, and to Mr. William Simpson, solicitor, 
for transcripts of, and extracts from, old charters, etc. ; to Mr. George 
Robertson, for archseological notes, drawings of sculptured and 
lettered stones, and of other local objects, engravings from several 
of which illustrate the Annals; to Mr. George Birrell, for interesting 
notanda ; to Mr. Robert Steedman, for memoranda connected with 
the statistics of Dunfermline ; to Mr. George Stuart, for extracts 
from several old Burgh minutes; to Rev. Wm. Barrack, LL.D., late 
Rector of Dollar Institution, now Rector of Kelvinside Academy, 
Glasgow, for his translations of several old charters, deeds, etc., and 
other literary assistance; and to the Rev. William Ross, LL.D., 



VI PREFACE. 

Bridge of Allan, for historical notes relating to the Burgh and 
its vicinity. 

Th^ writer now closes his work, and once more expresses his 
cordial thanks to all who have in any way assisted him with The 
Annals of Dunfermline. 



Astral Villa, Muckart, Perthshire, 
Decejuber yd, 1878. 



CONTENTS 

(abridged). 



A.D. 1069 — IIOI. 

FilGE 

Preliminary Notes— Culdee Establishment — St. Margaret's Hope and Stone — 
Situation of Dunfermline— Arrival of Edgar the Atheling — Nuptials of Malcolm 
III. and Margaret — Founding of Dunfermline Church — Foundation Charter — 
Queen Margaret's Innovations — St. Margaret's Oratory Cave — The Family of 
Malcolm and Margaret — Royal Interments— Deaths of Malcolm III., Queen 
Margaret, Prince Edward, and Duncan II. — Cumerlachi, . . . 1-26 

A.D. IIOI — I20I. 

Nomina Locorum — Royal Gifts — Death and Interment of King Edgar — Dunfermline a 
Royal Burgh — Royal Gifts — Church Finished and Dedicated — Re-interment of 
Malcolm III. — Intennent of Alexander I.— Dunfermline Abbey and Monastery 
— Translation of Monks from Canterbury to Dunfermline— Royal Burgh — 
Gaufrid, the First* Abbot — Translations of the Confirmation Charters of David I. 
— Inverkeithing Church— Romish Consecration of the Abbey — Death and Inter- 
ment of David I. — Gifts, Donations, and Charters — Dunkeld Church — Bull of 
Alexander III. — Death and Interment of Malcolm IV. — Confirmation Charter 
of William the Lion— Gift of Bondmen and Children to the Abbey — Queens- 
ferry — Lighting the Abbey Church, &c., ....... 27-64 

A.D. I20I — I3OI. 

Bishop Malvoisine and his Wine Dispute — Seal of Abbot Patrick — Abercrombie Church 
— Bull of Pope Innocent III. — Extension of Dunfermline Abbey — View of 
Dunfermline Abbey, circa 1226 — Capitular Seal of the Abbey- Chartulary of 
Dunfermline Abbey — Dollar Forest Charters — Mitred Abbot — Lord Abbot of 
Dunfermline — Caps or Bonnets for the Monks — The Miracles of St. Margaret — 
Excommunication Privileges — The Organ of the Abbey — Non- Consecration of the 
New Choir — The Tomb and Miracles of St. Margaret — Translation of St. 
Margaret — St. Margaret Nomina Locorum — The Culdees — Perth, Dispute — 
Phantom Warriors — Netherton and Garvock Burn — Death and Interment of 
Margaret, Consort of Alexander III. — Deaths of Princes David and Alexander 
— Charter of the Queensferry Boatmen — The Blessed Margaret's Chamber — The 
"King sits in Dunfermline Toun, drinking the bluid-red Wine " — Sir Patrick 
Spens— Seal of Abbot Ralph — Death and Interment of Alexander III. — Pitten- 
crieff Coal Charter — Edward I. of England in Dunfermline — ^John Baliol, &c. , 65-105 

A.D. 1 301 — I4OI. 
Sir William Wallace and his Mother— King Edward I. of England in Dunfermline— 
The Monastery Burned — Monastery Re-Building — The Abbey Chartulary — 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

I'AGE 

Excommunication— King Robert the Bruce and a Perpetual Light — Randolph, 
Earl of Moray, Charter— Cocquet Seal and Charter — Abbot Robert's Charter to 
the Burgh of Dunfermline — Great Customs of Dunfermline — David II. Born in 
Dunfermline— West Port— St. Catherine's Chapel— Life of Sir William Wallace 
by Blair — Death and Interment of Elizabeth the Queen —Charters, &c. — Death 
and Interment of King Robert the Bruce— Expenses of his Funeral and Tomb 
—Perpetual Vicar of Inverkeithing— Death and Interment of Randolph, Earl of 
Moray — A Parliament held in Dunfermline — Edward Baliol and his Army in 
Dunfermline— The Town of Kirkcaldy given to the Abbey — Absolution— Con- 
firmation Charter of David II.— The Tron and Customs— Death and Interment 
of Matilda Bruce — St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital — Arrestment of the Tron 
and Customs — The Vicarage of Dunfermline — St. John's Chapel, Garvock — 
Birth of James I. in the Palace — Aldermen of Dunfermline — Charter of Abbot 
John to Dunfermline Burgh — Old Burgh Seal — The Market Cross — Meeting of 
Commissioners, &c., .......... 107-147 

A.D. I4OI — I5OI. 

Death and Interment of Queen Annabella — The Monks' Vestments — Seisen — "A sair 
Saint to the Croun" — ^James I. in Dunfermline — Archery — Pitfirrane Charter — 
Great Famine and Pest in Dunfermline — The Vicar's Pension — Body of a Child 
Found in the Royal Cemetery — Sacrist of the Abbey — Provost of Dunfermline 
(the first one so-named) — St. Margaret's Altar — Confirmation Charter of James 
II.— Butter, Milk, &c. — St. Laurence's Croft — St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh 
— Musselburgh — Stirling — Burgh Records — New Raw and Netherton — Collier 
Raw — Robert Henryson (poet) — Nether Yett and Common Vennel — Collier Raw 
Port — Town-Clerk of Dunfermline — St. James's Chapel — Silver Basin and Ewer 
— Orlege Bell — Coldingham Priory — Casisgait (High Street) — Rotten Row — 
East Port — Burgesses — First Election of the Town Council — Culprits and Burgh 
Fines — Provosts — Foir Speaker (Advocate) — The Secret Yett — Our Lady's Altar 
"Lichts" — The Foul Vennel — Altars in the Abbey — Weavers — Strublances — 
The Abbey Service — Raffaelle Sansoni, the Abbot — The Stocks — The Bakers 
of Dunfermline — The Pest — Death of Henryson, the Poet — List of Henryson's 
Poetical Pieces — Smiths, Masons, and Wrights — The Lear Stane — Abbey 
Monks and Chaplains — Market Cross — Names of Altars in the Abbey — Names 
of Streets — Trades in Dunfermline — A Web of "Canne," &c., . . 149-182 

A.D, 150I — 160I. 

James Stewart, Commendator of Dunfermline — Dunbar's Poem — "Endentoure" — 
Sword of State — Coldingham Priory — The Abbot Slain on Flodden Field 
— The Pest — Inchgarvie Charter — The Abbey Spoilzed — The Pest and "Het 
Sickness " — Usufructuarius — Pluscardine — Dunfermline Guild Court — Adam 
Blackwood— Charter by the Abbot — The Palace Enlarged and Altered— Con- 
firmation Charter of Abbot Drury — Kinross and Orwell— Wester Kinghorn — 
Burgh Records — Kirkcaldy Charter — St. Johns Chapel — Rev. David Ferguson 
of Dunfermline — The Reformation — Relics of St. Margaret — Destruction of 
Dunfermline Abbey — Dunfermline Abbey Possessions — Rental of the Abbey — 
Rosythe Castle— Queen Mary in Dunfermline — Kirk of Dunfermline Repaired — 
St. Catherine's Chapel and Yard — Pitfirrane Charter regarding Silver Plate — 
Commendator of the Abbey — Abbey Nave Repaired — Rev. David Ferguson's 
Sermon— Schoolmasters of Dunfermline — Sunday Play in the Nave of the Kirk 



CONTENTS. IX 

PAGE 

Prohibited — Burial of the Laird of Rosythe — City of Dunfermline — The Earl of 
Athol's Remains — Guildry Minute-Book — Regality Court — Fermelodunum — 
King James VI. in Dunfermline— The Pest — Death of the Commendator — 
Danish Ambassadors — Meeting of the Clergy Frustrated — Temporalities of the 
Abbey, &c. — Confirmation Charter of James VI. — Burgh Matrix Seal — The 
Queen's House — A Dunfermline Witch — Murder of the Earl of Moray — Rati- 
fication Charter — Auld Kirk Steeple and Porch-Door — Princess Elizabeth Bom 
in Dunfermline — Black Saturday — Charles I. Born in Dunfermline — Queen Ann 
of Denmark's House, . 183-255 

A.D. 160I — 17OI. 

Palace Repaired — Lord Ogilvie Searched — Death of William Schaw — Death of Prince 
Robert — Rev. John Davidson — Earldom of Dunfermline — Collier Row and East 
Ports — Gunpowder Plot — Constable of the Palace — Repairing the Nave — Free 
Burgesses — Great Earthquake — East Port Repaired— Queen Ann's Mortifica- 
tion — Pittencrieff House — Tower Bridge — Pitreavie — Communicants Enrolled 
— Royal Burying Vault — ^James VI. Visits Dunfermline — Ruinous State of the 
Nave — Regality House — Death of the Earl of Dunfermline — The Hill House, 
and Hebrew Inscriptions — Free Burgesses — Great Fire of Dunfermline — Gram- 
mar School — Market Cross — The Crosswynd Fire-Stane — Slanderers — " God- 
Bless -this -House " Stone — Charles I. in Dunfermline — Auld Kirk Pulpit — 
Sculptured Stone — The National Covenant — Rosythe Castle — Patrick Mayne, 
the Witch-Burner — Yule Feasting — Carnock Kirk — Meeting of Heritors — 
Solemn League and Covenant — Dunfermline Church Collegiate — Schools-— The 
Branks and Hot Iron — Legate and Netherton Bridges — St. Margaret's Well — 
A Witch's Prayer — The Dunfermline Declaration — Battle of Pitreavie — Town- 
House Bell — The League and Covenant — Auld Kirk Repairs — The Laird 
of Rosythe's Burial — King's Birth-Day — Oath of Allegiance — Witches and 
Warlocks — Manual Seal of the City — Conventicle Meeting — Ruins of the Abbey 
Choir — Pitreavie's Hospital — Legacy to the Poor — Drysdale's Bequeathment — 
Education — The Blue Blanket — Grammar School — Conventicles — Lord Dnim- 
mond's Charity — Slezer's Views of Dunfermline — The Meal Act — Honorary 
Burgesses — The Market Cross — The Darien Company — Funeral of the Provost 
— Clock-keeper — St, John's Lodge — Great Dearth — Baldridge Estate — Forest 
of Dunfermline, &c., 257-367 

A.D. 170I — 180I. 

Costumes — Poverty of the Burgh — Weaving — Dunfermline Races — East and Crosswynd 
Ports — Education — The Episcopalians — The Foot Mantle — Doctor of Grammar 
School — Churchyard — The Union Question — Old Burial Custom Abolished — 
Woo'er's Alley and Wool-cards — Ralph Erskine — Execution of Janet Mitchell — 
Graham's Mortification — Library — Brown's Mortification — Excise Bill Burnt — 
The Rebellion — Ancient Society of Gardeners — Dean of Guild Court — Parlia- 
ment Bridle— Damask- Weaving Introduced — Serrat, or Napkin, Woven vnth 
Devices and Mottoes on it — Rev. Dr. Desagulier made a Free Burgess— Guild 
Brethren of Dunfermline — Gardener's Society — Daniel Defoe — Barclay's Descrip- 
tion of the Parish of Dunfermline — Pendulum Clock — Town Guard — Weaving 
Frauds — Stereotyping — Drinking Customs — Death of the Authoress of "Hardy- 
knute " — Church Repairing — Music Master and Reader — the Guildry's Colours 
—New Road to Kirkcaldy — Execution of James Ramsay — Weavers and the 



X CONTENTS. 

PiOK 

Bleachfield — Burgh Officer's Livery — Auld Kirk Clock — City of Dunfermline — 
The Rotten Row Port — Rotten Laft in the Kirk — Rev. Ralph Erskine and the 
Secession Kirk — Secession Kirk Founded — Rev. Thomas Gillespie and the 
Relief Congregation — Rev. George Whitefield — Death of Rev. James Wardlaw 
— Livingstone's Description of Dunfermline Parish — Steel Mills — The Tolbooth 
Port — The Rebellion — Distaff Spinning — The Breach — Tov/er Hill — Public 
Whipping — Public Lamps — "Human Attire" — East and Crossvi^ynd Ports — 
Death of the Rev. Ralph Erskine — The Provost Killed in a Foreign Battle — 
Dunfermline Gallows — Window Tax — The Dead Bell — An Accomplished 
Schoolmistress — Female Skeleton — St. Margaret's Cave — Boiling and Cooking 
Yarn — Water Scheme — Nuptial Bed of Queen Ann — Removal of the Tron — 
The West Port — Iron Chest, Silver Cup, Coins, &c. — Removal of Old Town- 
House — Relics of St. Margaret — Statistics — The Washing and Drying Brae — 
New Town-House — Thomas Pennant, the Tourist — Death of the Rev. Thomas 
Gillespie — Adam Smith (Professor) — Fracas in the Auld Kirk — The New West 
Road — Relief Church — The Paul Jones Panic — West Port Removed — Indus 
Mill — Limekilns Church — Diving Bell — Flesh Market — Earthquake— Robert 
Burns, the Poet — Tower Bridge — Queen Ann of Denmark's House — Anti- 
burgher Kirk — Baines's Views — The Dead-Bell Man — The Witch Dub — Blue 
Gown Beggars — Ancient Society of Weavers — Friends of the People — Town- 
House Enlarged — Election Riots — The Fencibles — The Provost put into a 
Black-Hole — The Pillory and Delinquents — Drawing-School — St. Patrick's Day 
— Revs. Rowland Hill, Haldane, Ewing, &c. — New Secession Church — Young 
Men's Religious Society, &c., . . 369-545 

A.D. 180I — 1878. 

Dearth — Census — Public Kitchen — Neil Gow, "the famous Neil" — Military Funeral — 
Bank Broken into and Robbed — Earthquakes — Independent Congregation — 
Description of King's Birthday — South Chapel Street — Weaving Patent — The 
Volunteers — Theatricals — Old Steeple Weathercock — Admiral Mitchell — Spin- 
ning Mill — The "Fly Coach" — Tunnel under the Forth — Forsyth's Description 
of Dunfermline — The Officers' Royal Livery — The Cross Buildings — Royal 
Tombs Explored — Fall of the South- West Tower of the Abbey — Old Coins 
Found — Circulating Library — Post Office — Astronomical Lectures — Trades- 
man's Library— Guildhall — Fire — The Jubilee — Names of the Streets — Water 
— Census — The Comet of l8il — Guildhall, and View — Elgin Railway— Annun- 
ciation Stone — Printing Presses — Rhyming History of Dunfermline — Remark- 
able Feat in Weaving — Union Lodge — Statistical Table — The Saxon and the 
Gael — Methodist Kirk — Fernie's History of Dutt/ermline — Lancasterian School 
— The Waterloo Spate — Guildhall "Spire Inn and Hotel" — Foundry — ^John 
Reid, Teacher — The Radicals — Grammar, or High School — Discovery of the 
Skeleton of King Robert the Bruce — Founding of the New Abbey Church — 
Sanctuary House — Re-interment of The Bruce's Skeleton — Bruce's Grave Hoax- 
Plate — Domestic Spinning — Walking on the Sea and William Cant — Weaving 
— Hatton's Mouse Thread-Mill — Theatricals — Chamber Flute-orum — St. Crispin 
Procession — Plan of Dunfermline — Roman Catholic Congregation — Farmers' 
Society — Bible Society — The Antiquary Coach — Queen Ann Street Church Dis- 
ruption — Mechanics' Institution — Ancient Timber Tenement — Secession Church, 
Maygate — Planetarium, &c. — Drawing Academy — Scientific Club — Rev. Robert 
Pollock — Orrery and Astronomical Clock — Mercer's History of Dunfermline — 



CONTENTS. XI 

FAOE 

St. Margaret's Church — Census — The Reform Bill — Cholera Morbus — William 
Cobbett — St. Andrew's Church — Theatricals — Ancient Tenement — Historical 
and Chronological Table of Dunfermhne — Scientific Association — Annular 
Eclipse — Weaving Statistics — Spinning Mills in the Parish — Stagnation of the 
Weaving Trade — Baldridge Works — Penny Postage — The North Church — The 
Beaming Machine — Census — Congregational Church — The Dunfermline and 
Charleston Railway — Death of the Earl of Elgin — Savings Bank — Death of 
Andrew Mercer — Episcopal Church — Ecclesiastical Excitement — Death of David 
Paton — Gymnasium — Night Police — New Water Company — Grand Procession — 
Destructive Floods — Stirling and Dunfermline Railway — Find of Silver Coins — 
Nethertown Improvements — Malleable Iron Works — Murder — Relief Centenary 
Soiree — Powder Magazine — Agricultural Show— The Elgin Dinner — Ordnance 
Survey — Antiquarian Relics — Ordnance Plan of Dunfermline — Kossuth — Bums's 
Centenary — The Annunciation Stone — Patriarchal Dinner — The Town-House 
Steeple — Louis Blanc — Volunteers — Terra-Cotta Works — The Census — Lord 
High Constable — Co-operative Society — Extended Boundary — First School 
Board — Deaths of Mr, Joseph Paton, the Rev. Dr. M 'Michael, and Mr. David 
Birrell — Insignia — The Devon Water Scheme — New Tovra- House — The Erskine 
and Gillespie Monuments — The British Linen Company Bank — Co-operative 
Society — Mr. A. Carnegie, his Gift of the Baths, and Honorary Burgess — Glen- 
sherup Water Scheme — Baths — Sewarage Works — Dunfermline and Edinburgh 
Railway — Savings Bank — St. Margaret's Bazaar and Organ — Glensherup 
Water , S47-7o8 



APPENDIX. 



(A.) Foundation Charter — (B,) Pre-Historic Dunfermline — (C.) Monte Infirmorum — 
(D.) St. Margaret's Cave — (E.) Dunfermline Abbey Chartulary — (E.) Hardi- 
canute — (G.) Last Days of King Robert the Bruce — (H.) Royal Interments in 
Dunfermline Abbey — (I.) Henryson and his Poems — (J.) List of Abbots of 
Dunfermline Abbey — (K.) The Officialsof the Abbey— (L.) Monastic Devotions 
and Devotional Hours — (M.) Johne Henrysoun of Dunfermline, B. of Sanct 
Andros— (N.) The Auld Kirk Steeple and the Porch— (O.) The Princess 
Elizabeth and Dunfermline — (P.) The Descent of Victoria I. from Elizabeth, 
eldest Daughter of James VI. of Scotland — (Q.) List of the Kings of Scotland 
— (R.) Copy of a Letter from the Princess Elizabeth — (S. ) The Wardlaw 
Baronetcy — (T.) Discovery of the Remains of King Charles I. in 1813 — (U.) 
Re-erection of the Market Cross — (V.) Verses on the New Town-House — 
(W.) St. Margaret's Hall— (X.) Glensherup Water Scheme, . . . 709-742 



ADDENDA. 

The Burgh Records of Dunfermline— Royal Burghs and Regality Burghs — The Desig- 
nations, "City" and "Lord Provost" — List of the Provosts of Dunfermhne — 
List of Free Burgesses of Dunfermline — Escutcheons and Religious Mottoes in 
the Old Abbey Church — Inscriptions on Old Tombstones in Dunfermline Abbey 



Xll CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

and Churchyard — Views and Plans of Dunfermline Abbey, &c. — Antique 
Articles from Dunfermline Palace —Measurements of the Walls of the Old and 
New A!-bey Churches, &c. — List of Pictures, and other Works of Art, by Sir 
Noel P3* jn, R.S.A., LL.D. — List of a few of the Paintings, Drawings, and 
Watir L jlours &c,, Exhibited by Waller Hugh Paton, R.S.A. — List of Sculp- 
tured Works by Mrs. D. O. Hill (Amelia Paton) — Mr. Andrew Blair's Paintings 
— Mr. A. P. Taylor's Photographs — The Sites of Altars in Dunfermline Abbey 
— Etymologies — Memorial Stones, or Tablets, to indicate the Sites of the Old 
Burgh Ports — Inscriptions for Tablets for St. Margaret's Stone and Oratory — 
Relics of "Dunfermline in the Olden Time" — The Town-House Steeple, i860 
— The Devon Water Scheme — "Notanda," (too late for insertion in their pro- 
per place) — List of Works consulted by the Author while progressing with The 
Annals, 743-77° 

Index, 771-782 



Or ■,-.. ..' r 



-VT- 



PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE, 



PRELIMINARY NOTES. 

Previous to the middle of the eleventh century, the historical accounts 
of Scotland abound with superstition, tradition, and fable. This, along 
with the obscure notices given of localities, towns, &c., makes it diffi- 
cult, often impossible, to discover the places, or the sites of the places 
referred to. The locality, now known as the "Western District of the 
County of Fife," is no exception to this general rule of pre-historic 
literature. But there can be no doubt that this locality, long before, 
and after the time of Malcolm III. (Canmore) abounded in "forests, 
moors, morasses, swamps, lakes, and rivulets," over which "roamed 
the wolf, the deer, the bison, and the boar." Here and there might be 
seen clay and turf huts, hovels and pit-dwellings, dignified with the 
name of tun (town), the residence of the great men of the land, and of 
the "squalid boors" their servi, or slaves, who were little better than 
barbarians ; " hoards of them were to be seen unclothed, tattooed, 
painted, and adorned." These were the days 

" When wild in woods the noble savage ran." 

During the period of " the Roman occupation " (a.d. 83-440) our 
locality, like other districts, was ruled and defended by tribes of Cale- 
donians, Picts, Scots, &c., "who with considerable 'savage address' 
frequently faced the Roman legions, and did havoc amongst them." 
For upwards of 350 years the locality on which Dunfermline now 
stands, ever and anon "resounded to the tramp and tread of Roman 
cohorts and legions^ These civilised warriors had several stations, or 
strongholds, in the locality — e.g., the hill, or rising-ground, at Prate- 
house, three miles east of Dunfermline, is the supposed site of a 
Roman Praetorium. " The Praetor Hill," is the designation in old 
writings, and is that adopted by the surveyors of the late Govern- 

B 



2 PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE. 

ment maps. Prate-House is therefore a corruption of Prcstor House, 
or residence, of the chief of the Roman forces. About six miles N.E. 
by N. of Praetor Hill, is Lochore, the site of a large Roman camp. 
About the same distance W.N.W. from the hill are the sites of the 
camps of Carnock. These large camps were connected with lesser 
strengths on convenient sites. 

Nomenclature of the District. 

In consequence of the unsettled occupation of the Romans in this 
district, few of the names they gave to places now survive ; but the 
names bestowed on places by the early inhabitants are still to be 
found in whole, or in a mutilated condition, — e.g., Bal, a dwelling, viz., 
Balm.\.\\.Q, Balyeomen, Balclune, Balrick (Baldridge), &c. In places 
prefixed by Caer (the Castle) there are Carnock (Caer-knoc), Car- 
neil, Carniehill, Cairncuhie, &c. Keir is from the same root appa- 
rently as Caer, and in Keirshesith. we have Castlebeath. There are 
still a great many places remaining in the district prefixed by the 
Celto-British word Pil, a word of doubtful origin, viz., Ptlencrleff, 
/'zVfirrane, PzVliver, PzVscotie, PzVdinnie, PzVconochy, PzVathrie, Pll- 
corthie, PzVbauchly, Pilrea.vy. And, lastly, with the Celtic prefix 
Duu, which signifies a hill, or, more properly, a fortified hill, there 
are Z>//;^fermline, Z?w/duff, i?«;/gloe, Z^/z/nbristle, Z)««earn, &c. {Vide 
works on Etymology for further information on such nomencla- 
ture.) It may be remarked, "Mons infirmorum" is a designation 
given to Dunfermhne in the "Suspected Foundation Charter" of 
the Abbey. If the charter, though perhaps "garbled," is taken as 
a genuine document, then "Mons infirmorum" may have been the 
original name of Dunfermline from the time of the Roman occupation 
down to the time of Malcolm III. 

There still remains a name of doubtful origin, viz., '^Fothriff," some- 
times spelt "Fothric," "Fothrick," "Patrick," &c. This name covered 
a very large extent of country, stretching from the mouth of the Leven 
to some miles above Alloa in length, and from the Forth to the base 
of the Ochils in breadth, thus comiprehending within its area the 
greater part of the counties of Kinross and Clackmannan, and the 
whole of what is now known as the " Western District of Fife." (For 
etymology, &c., see local histories of Dunfermline and of Fife; also 
Appefidix to "Annals of Dunfermline^^ This territory, or a certain 
division of it, was bestowed on the Church of the Holy Trinity (the 
Abbey), at the time of its erection {circa, 1070-1080). In some old 



DUNFERMLINE TOWER. 3 

works, Dunfermline Abbey is represented as standing in Patrick Mtiir. 
In conclusion, the Forth, about the beginning of the Christian era, 
and for a great length of time afterwards, appears to have been known 
as the '■^ Sea of Bodotria^'' which name was succeeded by that of'Scot- 
zvater," and afterwards by "P/iort/i," ''Firth of Forth,'' &c., which last 
appellation it has retained for at least these 900 years past. 

Dunfermline Tower, the Residence of Malcolm III. 

There is not the slightest notice of this Tower, or of Dunfermline, 
until about A.D. 1069-70, on the occasion of Malcolm's nuptials. After 
this important announcement, neither history nor tradition has any 
direct reference to it, or to its immediate locality. We are, therefore, 
in a great measure, left on "conjectural ground" with our details of 
what must have occurred within its walls. Regarding Malcolm's 
Tower, Fordun, after noticing the nuptial ceremony of Malcolm and 
Margaret, refers to it as follows (the only reference that has been 
found), viz. : — 

" Erai enim locus ilk naturaliier in se munitissinuis ; dcnsissima silva cir- 
cumdatus, p7-cp.riiptis rnpibus pravmnitns ; in cujns medio erai venusta planities 
etiam riipibus et rividis nninita, ita quod de ea dictum esse putaretur: Non 
hominifacilis, vix adeundaferis" (Fordun, 1. v. c.17.) 

That is — 

For that place was by nature strongly fortified in itself, being surrounded 
by a very dense forest, and fortified in front with very precipitous rocks ; and in 
the midst of it there was a beautiful plain, also fortified by rocks and rivulets, 
so that the expression, " Not easy of access to man, and hardly to be ap- 
proached by wild beasts," might be thought applicable to it. 

It will be observed that Tower is not specifically mentioned in 
Fordun's notice; his pro oppido"^ is to be translated for his residence. 
Anciently a house with a few out-houses was called an oppidum or 
town, just as a farm continues to be called " the farni-townr 

Since so little is known about the Tower historically, much faith 
must not be placed in graphic delineations of it. The Tower at a very 
early period was adopted for the Dunfermline burgh arms — viz., a view 
of the east gable or approach of the Tower, with lions rampant as 
supporters. (See Annals of Dunf, date A.D. 1500.) In the charter- 
chest of Pitfirrane, near Dunfermline, there is an old charter, of date 
1500, which has appended to it a wax impression of the burgh seal. 
The charter is in good preservation, but the wax impression is broken 

* See p. 12 for the quotation from Fordun. 



4 PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE. 

and much decayed. It was probably from this old wax impression, 
or one equally old, and from the old view of Malcolm's Tower at 
Forfar, which, according to tradition, were towers " of similar shape," 
that Mr. J. Baine, C.E., Edinburgh, in 1790, made his "Composition 
View of Malcolm Canmore's Tower at Dunfermline Restored. J. B., 
1790." The following engraving is a reduced copy of Baine's view. 




It will be here seen that Baine projects the flight of steps consider- 
ably in front of the Tower; a "moveable flap" or small draw-bridge 
would connect the top of the stair with the main door, which, for pro- 
tection, would be drawn up flat upon the door at night. It is now, of 
course, impossible to form a correct opinion as to how the Tower was 
fortified. Besides being fortified by nature, by "flood, wood, and 
field," it would no doubt be artificially strengthened by such appli- 
ances as the engi7ieers of the time could best devise. We have intro- 
duced "the sunk draw-bridge" as one of the appliances to be an obstacle 
in the way of an enemy. It is very likely the foundation portion of the 
building would be splayed, spreading outwards, and ^^ outer-wall' d^^ 
all round to a considerable height from the ground. We have thrown 
into the view a fanciful side wall in order to show that it would not 
be the narrow contracted edifice as some few have imagined it to 
have been. It is probable that the Tower contained at least twenty 
apartments of the dimensions of those primitive times, and in the 



DUNFERMLINE TOWER. 5 

coped attic there would be many more little rooms for servants, 
attendants, &c. 

The site of the Tower, the nucleus of Dunfermline, is still to be 
partially traced on the north-west flat top of a small peninsular hill, 
the Toiver Hill, at a height of about seventy feet above the beauti- 
fully curved rivulet which sweeps round its base. This hill is now in 
the policy of Pittencrieff, about i8o yards west of the church steeple. 
In the north-west top are still to be found small shapeless fragments 
of the south and west foundations. The length of the south fragment 
is thirty-one feet, that of the west wall forty-four feet. These frag- 
ments are about eight feet in height and six in thickness. In 1790 
John Baine, Civil Engineer, Edinburgh, found that the south wall was 
thirty-one feet four inches long, the west wall thirty-five feet six inches. 

The Tower, from the oldest wax seals attached to charters, appears 
to have been a stately, massive building of about fifty-two feet from 
east to west and forty-eight feet from north to south, and consisted of 
two storeys, and, as just noted, may have had, attic included, about 
twenty small " eleventh century apartments'' in it. 

Mercer, in his " Dunfermline Abbey, a Poem," alluding to the 
locality of the Tower, its rocky steepness, and difficulty of approach 
by man or beast, as told by Fordun, says — 

"Hard by, a mount with flatten'd top 
Uprears its rugged brow; 
Its sides are broken, rocky, steep, 
~ That hardly tliere a goat might creejj ; 

A rivulet runs below, 

" And winding, sweeps around the mount, 
Forming a lovely arch ; 
Then down the glen, with babbling din, 
O'er crags, through trees, as it may win, 
Pursues its destined march." 

— {Mercer' s Dunf. Abbey, pp. 6, 7; An. Duitf., date 1070.) 

PS. — In some of the Pittencrieff charters, the Tower-hill is desig-- 
nated "Montaculum" — i.e., the little hill; and a modern author, 
whether by mistake or not, has a new reading to a favourite old 
ballad, viz., instead of, 

'* The king sits in Dumferling toun, 
Drynking the bluid-red wyne," &c., 

our author renders it, 

" The king sits in Dunfermline Tower, 
Drinking the bluid-red wine," &c. 



6 PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE. 

which appears to us to be a more correct rendering ; because the king 
alluded to would be more likely to practise wine-drinking in the tour, 
his residence, than in t]ie toim^ 

CuLDEE Establishment at Dunfermline. 

There appears to have been a "Culdee" settlement at Dunfermline 
at a very remote period ; but regarding its size, structure, and when 
built, history and tradition are alike silent ; it would, however, be be- 
tween A.D. 570 and 1070. Like other Culdee places of worship, it would 
probably be small in size, and somewhat rude in structure, capable of 
accommodating about fifty worshippers. This " humble hallowed 
cell " probably stood on or near to the ground on which the Abbey in 
aftertimes stood. Not a vestige of it now remains, which somewhat 
favours the idea, that it had been removed about A.D. Ii72-ii75,when 
the church of Malcolm and Margaret was opened for worship. In 
these pre-historic times, there were several Culdee churches or chapels 
in Fife and Fothrick, — viz., at Kirkheugh (St. Andrews), Kirkcaldy, 
Abernethy, Lochleven, Pittenweem, Balchristie, Isle of May, Port- 
moak, Bolgin, Culross, Dunfermline, and Inchcolm. For further 
remarks regarding the Dunfermline Culdee Church, see Annals Dunf 
on " Founding of the Church," under date A.D. 1072. 

St. Margaret's Hope and St. Margaret's Stone. 

The Royal Exiles, Edgar the Atheling, his mother, sisters, and 
retinue, disembarked in the Forth. The exact spot is not known ; 
but it is likely it would be at or near to the rocky peninsula on 
which the castle of Rosythe now stands. The beautiful Bay, imme- 
diately to the west of this locality, has from time immemorial, been 
known as Sinus S, MargaretcE, or 

ST. MARGARET'S HOPE. 

(Fordun, Iv. c. 16.) Since it is now well known that original names 
of places have undergone so many changes, it is not improbable that 
Rosythe had its name mutilated. It is not mentioned in history until 
about 300 years after the landi7ig of the Exiles. May not the original 
name have been Ross-hythe, Ross, a promontory, or peninsula ; and 



* F/i/^ Billings' "Architectural Illustrations of Dunfermline Abbey," p." 8. See also An. 
Dunf. J dates, 1304 — 1790. 



ST. MARGARET'S STONE. 7 

hythe, or hithe, in Anglo-Saxon, a landing placef There are still some 
landing places that retain their Anglo-Saxon etymologies, viz., Rother- 
hythe, or Rotherhithe, London, and the seaport town of Hythe in Kent, 
&c. This Ross-hytJie would be a much more convenient place for 
the disembarkation of the Royal exiles than any point between it and 
North Queensferry. Is it not therefore probable that the landing 
of the exiles was effected at this promontory, the Rosshythe, the 
landing place at the promontory ? The writer in 1846 wrote to several 
magazines and newspapers letters on this subject, which were well 
received. He still continues of the same opinion, viz., that the Royal 
Exiles disembarked on Rosythe peninsula. 

St. Margaret's Hope has long been taken advantage of by vessels 
during the prevalence of storms of easterly winds, and a more safe 
retreat it would be difficult to find, Mercer, alluding to it, says — 

" It is a sheltered, safe retreat, 
For tempest-driven vessels meet ; 
And ever since that day so fam'd 
St, Margaret's Hope it has been named." 

The eastern part of this bay is about 4^ miles SSE. from the tower 
of Malcolm HI. at Dunfermline ; Rosythe about 4 miles S. 

On the arched roof of the staircase in Pennicuick House, near 
Edinburgh, there are laid down paintings of the landing, the marriage, 
and the nuptial feast of Malcolm and Margaret, by the celebrated 
painter Runciman. 

We have now to refer to 

ST. MARGARET'S STONE. 

It is an old tradition that Margaret, while walking from the scene 
of her landing to Dunfermline, complained of fatigue, and on coming 
to the "huge Saxon stone" on the road, two and a-half miles south- 
east of Malcolm II I, 's residence, is said to have for a while rested 
herself on it, and that on her frequent "journeys toe and froe" she 
often used it as a rest. The neighbouring farm on the west takes its 
name from this traditional circumstance, and is called St. Margaret's 
Stone Farm. In 1856 this stone was removed to an adjacent site by 
order of the Road Surveyor in order to widen the road, which required 
no widening, as no additional traffic was likely to ensue, but the 
reverse; it is, therefore, much to be regretted that the old landmark 
was removed. It is in contemplation to have the old stone replaced 



8 PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE. 

on its old site (as nearly as possible), and made to rest, with secure 
fixings, on a massive base, or plinth-stone. The following drawing of 
the stone is taken from one we made in 1825 : — 




This large stone, which has long had the name of St. Margaret's, 
is probably the last remnant of a Druid Circle or a Cromlech, and 
may have been placed here even before the beginning of the Christian 
era. At this early period the road would be a narrow " foot-way" or 
a "bridle-path." (For notices of St. Margaret's Stone, see the 
Histories of Dunfermline, and Topographical Works.) 



THE ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



MLXIX. 

ELEVENTH CENTURY. 



SITUATION OF DUNFERMLINE, &c. 

The City and Royal Burgh of Dunfermline is situated near the 
western extremity of the County of Fife, in Latitude 56° 4' 15''' N. (the 
Market Cross), and in Longitude 3° 2f 38" W. from Greenwich. In 
size and population it far exceeds any town in the county. Popula- 
tion of the City in 1871 was 14,958 ; City and Parish, 23,116. Esti- 
mated population of the City at beginning of 1878, 17,800 ; City and 
Parish, 24,150. 

" Dunfermline," in early writings, appears in a great variety of 
spellings. The earliest to be found is in the Confirmation Charters of 
David L, A.D. 1128-1129. In 1128, we find "Dunfermelitane"; in 
1129, it appears as " DUNFERMELIN." In the years 1153, 1165, 1214, 
the spellings are the same. In 1249, it is slightly different, viz., "DUN- 
FERMELYN," &c. In 1306 and 1330 are the same spellings. In later 
times, in deeds, writs, &c., we find the name in a great variety of forms, 

such as " DUNFERMLYN," " DUNFERMLING," " DUNFERMELYNG," 
" DUNFERMELING," " DOMFERMELING," " DOUNFRANELIN," "DUN- 

FERMLIS," &c.; but, since the year 1690, it has been generally written 
" Dunfermline." We have also several Latin forms of the name, 
written between 1560 and 1750, such as '^ Dimiun Fermelimivi" 
" Fermelinodum" " Fermalinodtmtim" " Fermilodtmuml^ &c. 

As already noticed, DUNFERMLINE is a Celtic compound word- 
Dun, signifies a hill ; FERM, FERME (jiaram), the middle syllable, 
means hent or crooked^ referring to the singular bending of the burn 
which sweeps round the base of the Tower-hill ; hence, it was origi- 
nally named ^^ aqua de ferme^' or " the ferin burn"; and LIN, LYNE, 
LINE, &c., a cascade, or pool; — the cascade, a fall of 16 feet in the Ferm 
burn, is a little to the south of Tower-hill— hence, from all which comes 
the name Dunfermline. (See '' Mojis injirmorinn," &c., in Pre- 
Historic Dunfermline, and Appendix A and B.) 

C 



10 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Dunfermline is i6 miles N.W. of Edinburgh ; 43 N.E. of Glasgow ; 
12 N.N.E. by water, and 16 by road, of Linlithgow ; 12 E.S.E. of Clack- 
mannan ; 10 E. of Kincardine ; 21 E.S.E. of Stirling ; 14 E.S.E. of 
Alloa 6 E.S.E. of Culross ; 29 S. of Perth ; 1 1 S.S.W. of Kinross ; 1 3 
S.W. o( Kinglassie; 22 W.S.W. of Falkland; 12 W.S.W. of Kirkcaldy; 
lo W.S.W. of Kinghorn ; 1 1 W.N.W. of Burntisland ; 8 W.N.W. of 
Aberdour ; 4 N.W. of Inverkeithing ; 6 N.W. of North Queensferry ; 
and zj/i miles N.N.E. of Limekilns. 

ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1069. — Arrival of Edgar the Atheling, with his Mother 
AND Sisters, in the Firth of Forth. — The old accounts relating 
to this " auspicious event " are conflicting in their details. When col- 
lated and condensed they read as follow: — In consequence of Edgar 
having been deprived of his right of succession to the English throne 
by " the Norman Conqueror," he, along with his mother Agatha, his 
sisters Margaret and Christian, and a numerous retinue, some time 
between the years 1067 and 1070, embarked in a ship to sail for 
Hungary the land of their nativity; that shortly after leaving the 
English coast, a violent storm arose, which, after tossing the vessel 
about, at last drove them, in a ship-wrecked condition, up the Firth 
of Forth to a point on the north shore near to the residence of the 
King of Scots ; that when the King heard of the arrival of the illus- 
trious strangers he left his residence at Dunfermline and hastened to 
where the wrecked ship lay, received the exiles most cordially, and 
invited them to the hospitalities of his residence, &c. ( Vide Fordun, 
Boece, &€.) 

The details of these old accounts have long been doubted. In a 
work of great merit, lately published by Mr. Freeman, on " The 
Norman Conquest," compiled by him from original authentic docu- 
ments, there is a long account of this event — too long for insertion 
here; but when condensed it reads as follows: — "In the autumn of 
1069 Malcolm III. of Scotland was in Durham, &c., prosecuting his 
" Var projects by fire, szvord, and harrying!' Edgar the Atheling 
had just then made his last venture against the forces of the Con- 
queror, near York, and was totally defeated ; he, his relatives, and 
retinue, take ship and sail for Monks Wearmouth, where Malcolm 
King of Scotland then was with his " harrying army." Malcolm had 
an interview with Edgar. After hearing of his hopeless condition, he 



ARRIVAL OF EDGAR IN THE FIRTH OF FORTH. I I 

advises him, along with his mother, sisters, and followers, to sail 
immediately for Scotland and take up their residence with him at 
Dunfermline. The advice was taken, and the illustrious exiles set 
sail for Scotland about the end of October, 1069. They may have 
encountered rough weather at this season, but the wind appears not 
to have been contrary, but favourable for the voyage. The exiles 
arrived in safety on the north shore of the Forth, near to Malcolm's 
residence. On landing, according to an old tradition, the exiles made 
their way to Dunfermline on foot, accompanied by their followers. 
(See Freeman's ^^ Norman Conquest',' vol. iv.) Freeman's account is 
now generally accepted as the true account by critics, historians, and 
antiquarians. It will be seen that Malcolm, King of Scotland, was in 
England when the exiles arrived in the Forth; how then could Mal- 
colm welcome their arrival .'' Why should " the tempest," if there was 
one, be made to force the vessel up the Forth, when that was their 
destination } In early times " much that was fabulous was conveyed 
into history ;" then, " miracles and the marvellous " were "wrought up 
with incidents to give them a serious look." Of miracles and the 
marvellous in connection with Dunfermline and locality, see "Afm. of 
Diinf," dates 1093-1154, and " The Double Miracle^' of 1250. • 

To many it may be interesting to have the names of some of those 
who were in the ship, which brought the Exiles to our shores. The 
following list of names has been obtained by the writer during his 
reading in Scottish history : some of these, however, may be doubtful- 
References. 

1. Er,GAR,tl;e A.heli„g ( Setoff W 

2. Agatha, his mother J s. Dunelm, pp. 197-200. 

3. Margaret, | , • • ) Aldred, p. 367. 

A THRTCiTTAN 1 bi&Lcib... Foidun, lib. V. c. i6 and the Histories of 

4. L.HRISTIAN,i ^ Scotland. 

5. MerLESWEIGN, Hailes' An. Scot. vol. i. pp. 7-8. 

6. Maxwell, Newspapers of date June lOth, 1865. 

7. 8. 9. Melville (three brothers)., sibbald's Hist. Fife, p. 390. 

10. Gospatric, Hailes' An. Scot. vol. i. pp. 7-8. 

1 1. Lesley, The Scots Compendium, pp. 179-180. 

12. Lindsay, Do. do. p. 150. 

13. Maurice,* , do. do. p. 221. 

14. Livingston, Do. do. p. 213. 

1 5. BORTHWICK, Beauties of Scot. vol. i. p. 322. 

1 6. SlWARD, Freeman's Norman Conquest, vol. iv. 

And probably Akaldus, Neis, &c. (See Witnesses to "Malcolm's Foundation Charter," 
date, 1075.) > 

* Maurice (No. 13) acted as captain and steersman of the ship. 



12 THE ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1070.— Nuptials of Malcolm III. with the Princess 
Margaret of Hungary at Dunfermline, a.d. 1070. — The 
marriage of Malcolm III. (Canmore) with the Princess Margaret 
of Hungary, was celebrated at Dunfermline this year with great 
splendour. Fordun, who wrote in the later part of the fourteenth 
century, referring to the nuptial ceremony, says : — 

" Nuptise factce sunt non procul a sinu maris quo applicuit, et magnifice 
celebratse Anno Domini millesimo septuagesimo loco qui dicitur Dumfermlyn, 
quern tunc temporis rex habebat pro oppido." {Fordun, lib v. c. if). 

That is — 

"The nuptials took place not far from the bay of the sea where she landed, 
and were magnificently celebrated, in a.d. 1070, at a place which is called 
Dunfermlyn, which the King then had as his fortified town (or residence)." 

There is no list extant of the names of those who were witnesses 
of this, to Scotland, most important marriage ; but, without doubt, the 
following principal parties would be in attendance : — Edgar the 
Atheling, his mother Agatha, and his sister Christian, Fothad (Bishop 
of St. Andrews), Turgot (Margaret's confessor). Earl Macduff, with 
other clerics, earls, barons, and " honest men of the realm." 

Fothad II., Bishop of St. Andrews, performed the interesting cere- 
mony, he was "ane man of great pietie and learning." Winton, who 
chronicles the occurrence, calls this bishop "a cnnnand man" />., wise 
and learned man. Winton notices the nuptials in the following 
lines : — 

" Malcolm oure Kyng than tyl hys wyf 
Weddyd Saynt Margret wyth hys lyf. 
On lele Spowsal he thowcht to lede, 
Departyd qwhyle thai suld be wyth Dick 
Of Saynt Andrewys the Byschape than 
The Secund Fothwck, a cunnand man 
Devotely mad that Sacrament 
That thai than luk in gud intent," &c. 

— (Winiou's " Ojygynal Croiiikil, Scot.'" vol. ii. p. 269.) 

Although Fordun, and other historians, state that the Royal 
marriage was celebrated at a place called Dunfermline, they do not 
point out the locus in that place. It may be presumed that the nuptial 
ceremony was performed in the Chapel of Canmore's Tower, or in the 
supposed Culdee Chapel adjacent According to S. Dunelm, who is 
supposed to have been inspired by Turgot, Margaret's confessor — 
Malcolm had been betrothed to Margaret long before the period of 
her marriage; therefore, it was not necessary to " raise a storm" to 



NUPTIALS OF MALCOLM IIL WITH PRINCESS MARGARET. 1 3 

drive the Royal Exiles up the Firth of Forth, as has been done by early 
superstitious pens, in order to give the occurrence "a. miraculous aspect." 
{Fordtm, lib. v. c. i6; 5. Dimelm, p. 201 ; Hailes' Scot. vol. i. pp. 8-9, &c., 
for notices of the nuptials. — Freeinaiis Norman Conquest, &c.) 

At the time of the marriage, Malcolm would be in the 47th year 
of his age, and the age of Margaret would be about 24 years. It may 
be further noted, that Margaret was one of the daughters of Edward, 
the son of Edmund (Ironside), King of England, of the Saxon line, 
who was murdered in 1016-1017. This Edward the oldest son, owing 
to troublous times, took shelter in Hungary, and, while an exile in 
that country, he married Agatha, by whom he had a son, Edgar, the 
Atheling, and two daughters, Margaret and Christian. 

Mercer, in his " Dunfermline Abbey : a Poem," has a few verses on 
" The Marriage!' We extract a few lines : — 

" And holy voice invoked Heaven's care 
To bless thro' life the Royal Pair ! 
For many days the nuptial feast 
Spread joy around in every breast, 
And senachies were loud in song, 
With voice and harp to cheer the throng. 
A theme so fertile could inspire 
The brethren of the holy choir ; 
Their strains, amid the joyous time 
May thus be sung in modern rhyme." — {Dimf. Ab., pp. 39-40.) 

" In the arched roof of the right-hand-side staircase in Pennycuick 
House, there is a fine painting by Runciman, representing the landing, 
marriage, nuptial feast, and apotheosis of Margaret of Hungary, Queen 
of Malcolm Canmore." ( Vide " Views hi Edinburgh, or Modern 
Athens Illustrated." ) These nuptials appear to have been celebrated 
on the day after Easter, in 1070. Easter fell on April 4th this year, 
consequently should this account be correct, "the nuptial ceremony'' 
was celebrated at Dunfermline on the 5th April, 1070, about five 
months after her arrival in Scotland. ( Vide Bollandist's Acta, SS., 
vol. 26, p. 319.) 

Influx of Exiles from England. — A ''great flowing-in of 
vialcontents from England occurred at this period." They were to be 
found in every town and village in Scotland, and as Dunfermline was 
the chief seat of Royalty at the time, it would receive its full share of 
the exiles. Thus the arts, then known in England, " were introduced 
among the semi-barbarous Scots, and the Anglo-Saxon language soon 
began to prevail and supersede the Gaelic, especially along the coasts. 



14 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

From this period a grand new era commenced in everything that char- 
acterises a nation, and the royal residence at Dunfermline became the 
fountain from whence flowed streams of civilisation and knowledge over 
a benighted land." [CJiamb. Gazet. Scot. p. 241.) Although there was 
no recognised metropolis in Scotland until 1436-1437, Dunfermline, 
there can be no doubt, was the metropolis of early times ; afterwards 
other towns began to share in the distinction ; and lastly, Edinburgh 
became the legal metropolis after the death of King James L, 1436. 

1072. — Founding of Dunfermline Church. — The year of 
the founding of the great Church at Dunfermline is not on record ; 
but it is to be presumed that it would be shortly after the "Nuptial 
Ceremony." The great influx of English nobility, &c., into Scotland, 
shortly after the arrival of the Royal Exiles, would, as a matter of 
course, greatly increase the number of the inhabitants in the then 
hamlet of Dunfermline, so much so, probably, as to render the little 
old Culdean Church no longer suitable for the increased number of 
worshippers. It would appear that Margaret and Turgot had often 
held consultations regarding the erection of a more suitable place of 
worship. The matter is laid before Malcolm, the King, who not only 
agrees to erect a new edifice, but one for size and architectural adorn- 
ments that would surpass every other ecclesiastical building then in 
Scotland. This resolution had been taken in consequence of his hav- 
ing resolved to have the place of "Royal Sepulture" within its walls. 
Here historians step in and inform us that ^^ Ejnsdeni illiiis Turgoti 
siiasic Malcolmiis Trinitatis Templum ad Doimfennliu sancivit nt 
exinde commune esset Rcgum Sepulchrum" — i.e., "By the advice of 
the same Turgot, Malcolm appointed the Trinity Church at Dun- 
fermline to be from that time the place of Royal Sepulchre." We 
fix the founding in the year 1072, two years after the marriage, 
as the most likely date. So the great Church at Dunfermline was 
founded, a great national, or kind of metropolitan Church, which, 
when finished, would be "the largest and the fairest in the land." 
(For view and ground-plan of the Church, ^0.0. Annals of Dunfermline, 
date A.D. I II 5 ; vide Boece, Fordiin, &c.) Fordun, after mentioning that 
Malcolm III. had laid the foundation-stone of Durham Cathedral in 
1093, adds, " Fnndavit ecclesiam S. Trinitatis de Dunfermelyn ante din 
qiiam multis ditavit donariis et redditibns" — {Fordnn, i. p. 273.) — /. e., 
"He (Malcolm) founded the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermlyn, 
long before he enriched it with many gifts and revenues." 



FOUNDATION CHARTER OF DUNFERMLINE CHURCH. 1 5 

Royal Gifts to Dunfermline Church. — About this period 
Malcolm III. and Margaret, his consort the Queen, bequeathed in free 
gift to the Church of the Holy Trinity of Dunfermline, just partially 
opened and dedicated, the following possessions : — "Pardusin, Pet- 
nurcha, Pettecorthin, Petbauchlin, Laur, Bolgin, the SJiire of Kircala- 
dinit, and Iniieresk the Lesser, and the whole Shire of Fothriff and 
Mtiselbiirgh." It is not known as to whether or not these possessions 
were conveyed by Charter or by ^^oral gift." David I., their son, in 
his great Confirmation Charters to Dunfermline Abbey, a.d. 1128- 
1 1 30, notices these gifts of his father and mother, and confirms them ; 
so also do succeeding monarclis on their ascending the throne. (See 
Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 3-5, 19, &c.) 

1075. — Foundation Charter of Dunfermline Church, 
granted by Malcolm III. ( Vide Printed '' Registrum de Dimfernie- 

iy< p- 417) :— 

[autographia.] 

**3In J!3omine @)ancte Crinitati^, €go ^alcolmu0 2Dei 
(Bracia @)Cottorum 'Ba^ileu^ autfioritate Begia ac pDtei8^= 
tate* ^argarete Begine Hroriief mee» epi^coporum comi= 
tunt tai'onumque Begni met conft'rmatione et te^timonio. 
clero etiam aDquie^cente gopuloque* — @)ciant pre^ente^ 
et futuri me funDaj8^0e aftbaciam in ^onte infi'tmcrum in 
f)onorem Dei omnipotenti^ et 0ancte et inDitiitiue c:nni= 
tatiief pro salute anime mee et omnium antece00orum 
meorum et pro jB^alute anime Begine ^argarete ^rori0 
mee et onmium ^ucce^ieforum meorum* concei8?0i enim 
et {)ac carta mea confirmaDi pretiicte Httiacie omnejef ter= 
ra0 et Wm De IparDu^in. ipitnaurcfja* pittecortjin. 
lg)etl)ac!)icf)in. JLaun 15olgin» et 0!)iram De EirfealaDunt 
et Jnnere^c minorem* cum tcta 0c!)ira De jTotljrife et 
^usfelfjurge cum omnimoDiief m\% pertinentii^ tam \Xi 
capelli0 et DecimiiSf aliiiefQue ofilacionitUiOf quam \xk omnitu0 
aliifif aD ea0 terras Dilto et 0c!)gra0 jU0te 0pectantitu0 
ita libere 0icut aliqui0 rex aliqua0 elimo0ina0 unquam 
DeDit Del contulit al) initio munDi aD l)unc Diem,— Ce0ti= 



l6 ^ ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

t)U0, 31t)o melletiecrum Hliftate* CJ^acliDuffe Comite. Dun= 
cano Comite* HralDo Comite* Beijef ftUo Minielmt* 
a^erle0toain» apuD OBDintJurge/' 

" Concordat ami antographo i7i omnibus. — S^"- Ja. Balfour, Lyone." 
Translation by Cosmo Innes, Esq., 1842. 

" In name of the Holy Trinity, I, Malcolm, by the Grace of God, King of 
Scots, of my Royal authority and power, with the confirmation and testimony 
of Queen Margaret, my wife, and of the Bishops, Earls, and Barons of my 
kingdom, the clergy also and the people acquiescing : Let all know, present 
and future, that I have founded an Abbey on the Hill of the Infirm, in honour 
of God Almighty, and of the Holy and undivided Trinity, for the safety of my 
own soul and the souls of all my ancestors, and for the safety of the soul of 
Queen Margaret, my wife, and of all my successors ; for I have granted, and 
by this my Charter confirmed, to the foresaid Abbey, all the lands and towns of 
Pardusin, Pitnaurcha, Pittecorthin, Petbachichin, Laur, Bolgin, and the shire 
of Kirkaladunt, and Inneresc the Lesser, with the whole of Forthriff and Mus- 
elburge, and all their pertinents; as well in Chapels, in Tithes, and other 
oblations; as in all other things justly belonging to these lands, towns, and 
shires, as freely as any King ever granted or conveyed any gift from the begin- 
ning of the world until this day. — Witnesses, Ivo, Abbot of the Culdees ; 
Macduff, Earl ; Duncan, Earl ; Arnold, Earl; Neis, son of Wiliam ; Marleswain. 
— Given at Edinburgh," 

"It agrees with the autograph in all respects, 

" Sir James Balfour, Lyoji^ 

Some critics have been of opinion that this Charter is apocryphal. 
It is true that there are one or two difficulties in the Charter which 
have not as yet been clearly explained. If the full light of the eleventh 
century could be thrown upon it, these modern difficulties would 
probably vanish, and leave the Charter "distinct and well defined." 
Professor Innes, at page xxi. of his preface to the ^'Registrtmi de 
Dunfermelyn" refers to this Charter, and offers several objections 
against it, objections which appear to us, and many eminent anti- 
quaries, to be of little weight. The reader will find in the Appendix 
(A) the Professor's objections and our answers to them. 

Royal Gifts of a Crucifix, Gold and Silver Vessels, 
Jewels, &c., to Dunfermline Church of the Holy Trinity by the 
Queen, consort of Malcolm III., about this period (Hailes's An. Scot. 
vol. i. p. 38). " Queen Margaret enriched Dunfermline Abbey with 
xVi2.ViY jewels of great value, with vessels of gold and silver, curiously 
wrought ; and also a Black Cross, full of diamonds, which she brought 
out of England " {Hays Scotia Sacra, vol. i. p. 328). 



queen margaret's innovations, etc. 1/ 

Altars in the Church of the Holy Trinity at Dunferm- 
line. — There were at this period at least two altars in this Church 
of the Holy Trinity, viz., ist. The High Altar, sometimes known as 
the "Great Altar" (Grate Aivtre), which stood at the east end of the 
Church (east of the auld kirk) ; 2nd, The Altar of the Holy Cross, some- 
times called the "Rood Altar" (Rzvde Awtre), which stood on the south 
side of the Church, about forty feet south-west of the Great Altar in 
the Rood Aisle. (Regarding altars erected in after times, see date 
1466.) 

1075. — Church at Dunfermline partially Opened for 
Worship. — It would appear, from the writings of several authors, 
that Abbeys and great Churches were commenced to be built at the 
extreme east end, and, as circumstances permitted, the building opera- 
tions were carried on toward the west until finished. Sometimes 
thirty or forty years were occupied in rearing a large sacred edifice. 
Dunfermline Church appears to have taken up the greater part of 
forty years before it was finished. Such being usual, a part of the 
eastern division of the edifice was built and completed for immediate 
worship, a temporary wall being built in the meantime on the west 
side of this completed part, in order to render it comfortable for the 
worshippers, and at the same time allow the west part of the building to 
be carried on at leisure until finished. It may be presumed that this 
eastern part would be finished about this period (1075), three years 
after the supposed date of ''tJie fotindiiig" (see date 1072). Probably, 
there would be "« chapel of the castle " in the Tower, on Tower Hill, as 
was generally the case in these times ; and if there were, it would likely 
be here that Malcolm, Margaret, &c., would worship during the three 
years 1072-1075. 

The Book of St. Margaret at Dunfermline appears to have 
been merely a kind of diary, or journal of her religious and domestic 
duties and occurrences. Some historians doubt the authenticity of 
this book, so far as regards Margaret being the sole author of it. (See 
Aldrcd, also. Hist. Scot) 

1080. — Queen Margaret's "Innovations," Daily Work, 
&C. — This appears to be the proper place and date to note down 
a few words regarding the daily life of this pious Queen. 

" Margaret appears to have affected an unusual splendour about her Court. 
She encouraged the importation and use of vestments of various colours. She 

D 



1 8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

was magnificent in her own attire. She increased the number of attendants 
on the person of the King, augmented the parade of his pubhc appearances, 
and caused him to be served at table in gold and silver plate. 

" Every morning she prepared food for nine little children, all indigent 
orphans. On her bended knees she fed them. With her own hand she minis- 
tered at table to crowds of poor persons, and washed the feet of six children 
every evening. 

'' While the King was occupied in affairs of State, she repaired to the altar, 
and there, with long prayers, sighs, and tears, offered herself a willing sacrifice 
to the Lord. In the season of Lent, besides reciting particular rites, she 
went through the whole psalter twice or thrice within the space of twenty- 
four hours. Before the time of public mass, she heard five or six private 
masses. After that service, she fed twenty-four persons ; and then, and not 
till then, she retired to a scanty ascetic meal. 

" In worldly matters, she did not abuse that influence which the opinion of 
her worth had merited in the councils of her husband, Malcolm. To her he 
seems to have entrusted the care of the affairs respecting religion, and the 
internal polity of the kingdom; in both there was much to reform. She restored 
the religious observance of Sunday — an institution no less admirable in a poli- 
tical than in a religious light. 

" In the administration of her household, she so blended severity of man- 
ners with complacency, that she was equally revered and loved by all who 
approached her. She entertained many ladies about her person, employed in 
their leisure hours in the amusements of the needle ; and gave a strict atten- 
tion to the decency of their conduct. In her presence, says Turgot, nothing 
unseemly was ever done or uttered. The expression of Turgot, her biographer, 
as to this is forcible : — ' In praesentia ejus, noti solum nihil execrandum facere, 
sed Jie turpe quidem verbinn quisqxiani ausus fuerat proferre.' — Turgot and Pape- 
broch." {Hailes's Ann. Scot. vol. i. pp. 36-38, &c.) 

Of Malcolm, the King, Lord Hailes says — "He was a Prince utterly 
illiterate, of intrepid courage, but of no distinguished abilities. With 
regard to the internal polity of his kingdom, he appears to have 
been guided by Queen Margaret," &c. {Hailes's Annals of Scotland 
vol. i. p. 29.) 

St. Margaret's Cave-Oratory. — This Cave-Oratory is situated 
about 350 yards to the north-east of the Royal residence on Tower 
Hill, and a little to the east of the Tower Burn, which flows imme- 
diately in front of it, nearly opposite the United Presbyterian Church 
in Chalmers Street. 

" The tradition regarding it is as follows : Queen Margaret, who, accord- 
ing to her confessor, Turgot, was of a pious disposition, was wont fre- 
quently to retire to this secluded spot for secret devotion, and her husband, 
Malcolm, either not knowing, or doubting her real object, on one occasion 
privately followed her, and, unobserved, looked into the Cave to see how she 
was occupied, of course, prepared, according to the manners of the age, for 
the worst, if her object had been different. Perceiving her engaged in devo- 
tional exercise, he was quite overjoyed, and, in testimony of his satisfaction, 



ST. MARGARET'S CAVE-ORATORY. 



19 



ordered the place to be suitably fitted up for her use." ( Chalmers' Hist, Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 89.) 

" A little orison cave it was 

Downe in a dale hard by a forest's side ; 

Far from resort of peepil that did pas 

In traveill to and froe. " 

This Cave-Oratory, or hermitage, consists of an open apartment in 
the solid rock. The entrance faces the west; there are no windows. The 
entrance would probably be filled up with a door, and with " lattice 
window " at the side of it. The measures of this interesting Oratory 
are, 6 feet 9 inches in height, 8 feet 6 inches in width, and 1 1 feet 9 
inches from the entrance to the rock at the back. The following view 
of "the Cave" is taken from Baine's View, of 1790. 




This Interesting relic of Margaret's devotions — 

" This calm retreat, the silent shade, 
For prayer and contemplation made," 

should be kept in proper order, and at or near its entrance there should 
be an inscription on stone, or on brass, commemorative of its connec- 
tion with the pious Queen of Malcolm III. 

An old man, a native of Dunfermline, who died in 1844 at an 



20 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

advanced age, knew an aged man in his young days, who was wont to 
relate, that he had seen in the Oratory-Cave the remains of a stone 
table, or a stone bench, or seat, with something carved on it resem- 
bling a crucifix. This second agedmaiUs "young days" probably refers 
to A.D. 1700, or thereabouts, when this interesting memorial was to be 
seen. There is not now, nor has been in the writer's lifetime, the least 
vestige of any such stone, or any other relic. (See Appendix D.) 

1083. — The Family of Malcolm and Margaret (inter 1070- 
1083). — It has been supposed that, if not the whole, at least the greater 
portion of the Royal children of Malcolm III. and Margaret were 
born in the Tower at Dunfermline. There were, so far as is known, 
eight children, viz., six sons and two daughters. The names of the 
sons, in the order of their ages, were as follow : — Edward, Edgar, 
Edmond, Alexander, David, and Ethelrede ; the daughters were 
Matilda and Mary. Of these sons, Edgar, Alexander, and David 
ascended the throne. Edward was slain at Alnwick ; Edmond, by 
his traitorous conduct, was denuded of his natural rights ; and Ethel- 
rede was a churchman, Abbot of Dunkeld, and '■'conies de fyf." Of 
the daughters, Matilda became the consort of Henry I. of England, 
and died about A.D. 1119 ; and Mary was married to Eustace, Count 
of Boulogne. {Hailes's An, Scot. vol. i. pp. 42, 43.) We have given 
these particulars because, as an old author says, "they were almost 
Children of Dunfermlin." 

The Princess Matilda was married to Henry I. of England. It is 
on record that when her marriage was negotiating, some difficulty 
arose in consequence of her being a nun, and bred in the nunneries of 
Wilton and Romsey. On this being told her, she said that ''she had 
taken no vows, nor ever had any intention of engaging herself to a 
monastic life ; but had worn the veil in mere compliance with the will 
of her aunt, and only in her presence." She further assured the Arch- 
bishop that her father, King Malcolm, seeing it once on her head, was 
so much offended that he pulled it off, and tore it to pieces. Proof 
being given, Matilda's account was found by Anselm to be true. She 
was accordingly married to Henry I. {Lord LytteltoiUs ''History of 
the Life of King Henry LL." pp. 171, 172.; Chalmers' Hist. Dunf\o\. i. 
p. 484.) Would this "^-^z'/j-^^/^^" occur in Dunfermline Tower .'' 

1093.— Royal Interments at Dunfermline. — Three sad 
events for Scotland occurred, within three days, in the middle of 



MALCOLM IIL SLAIN AT ALNWICK. 21 

November, 1093, viz., the death of Malcolm, King of Scotland ; of 
Margaret, his consort, the Queen ; and of Prince Edward, their eldest 
son, the heir-apparent to the Scottish throne. We shall refer to these 
deaths in the order of their occurrence. 

Malcolm III. was slain whilst besieging the Castle of Alnwick, in 
Northumberland, on 13th November, 1093, about the 70th year of his 
age, and 37th of his reign. According to various authorities, he was 
slain by his friend, Robert de Moubray, who, after the death, seized 
the body, and had it taken to Tynemouth, 2^ miles south of Alnwick, 
and had it interred in the Priory there. Some authors note that 
Malcolm was slain by a person named " Morel" of Bamborough, at 
the instigation of his master, Moubray, to whom he was steward. 
{Vide Saxon CJiron. p. 199; S. Dunelm, p. 218; W. Malmsbury^ p. 
122 ; Fordun, lib. v. c. 25 ; Hailes's An. Scot. vol. i. p. 24, &c. ; particu- 
larly to Chalmers's Hist. Dunf. pp. 5, 6, 84, 85, Z6, 8y, 128, 130, 167, 
281, 283, 483, 484, 499. and vol. ii. pp. 120, 122, 167, 183, 207 ; also to 
Fernie's and Mercer's Hist. Dunf., Hist. Scot., &c. ; and regarding 
Malcolm's exhumation at Tynemouth, and re-interment at Dunferm- 
line, see An. Dimf. date 1115 ; and of his second exJmmation and re- 
interment in the Lady Chapel of Dunfermline Abbey, see An. Dunf., 
date 1250.) Hailes, in his ^^ Annals of Scotland" (pp. 2-43) gives 
interesting details of Malcolm. 

The following are a few of the many references to the death and 
interment of Malcolm : — 

" Malcolm Kenmour mac Dunkan regnaxxxvij. anuz et vi. moys, et fust tue 
a Alnewyk et intirrez a Tynmoth. Cesti, estoit le marryed Saint Margaret a 
Dunfermelyn." {Skeii^s Chron. Scots and Fids, p. 206,) 

That is — 

" Malcolm Canmore, son of Duncan, reigned 37 years and 6 months, and 
was slain at Alnwick, and interred at Tynemouth. He married Saint Margaret 
at Dunfermline." 

" Malcolaim mac Donnchada ise do cear le Francii et Edinuard a 
mac'' — {Skene's Chron. Scots and Picts, p. 119) — viz., "Malcolm, son 
of Duncan, he was slain by the Franks (or Normans), with his son 
Edward." 

'' Maelcholuim mac Donnchada Ri Alban et a mac dornarbad de 
{F^ rancaib a boegul chatha et Margareta i a ben doec da chumaid" — 
{Skene's Chron. Scots and Picts, from the "-Annals of I nis fallen',' pp. 
169, 170)— viz., "Malcolm, the son of Duncan, King of Alban, and his 



22 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

son were slain by the Franks in battle, and Margaret, his wife, died of 
grief." 

Winton rhymes the obit thus : — 

" As he tyl Alnevicke wes ryddand 
There he dey'd slain of cas 
And hys sowne, that wyth hym was 
Edward the eldest, swa baithe thai 
Ware slayne in Alnevicke on a dai." 

— (IVynfon's Orygynale Cronykil, vol. ii. p. 271, 272.) 

It may here be noted, that a small portrait of Malcolm "hangs in the 
upper picture-gallery of Newbattle Abbey, the seat of the Marquis of 
Lothian, Edinburghshire." (This appears to be a fancy likeness.) 

Prince Edward died of a mortal wound, in the 22nd year 
of his age, and was interred at Dunfermline, November {j.nter i6th 
and 30th). There are no notices of this Prince on record. It is evi- 
dent that he accompanied his father, Malcolm, with the Scottish army, 
to the siege of Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland. There are several 
accounts of his death, differing as to place and time of occurrence. 
Some have it that he received his mortal wound during the con- 
fusion which ensued on the death of his father, and died on the 
same day of his wound ; and was thereafter carried by the retreating 
Scottish army into Scotland for interment at Dunfermline. Other 
accounts have it that Prince Edward was mortally wounded immedi- 
ately after his father was slain ; that he was carried off alive by the 
retreating Scottish army ; and that, on reaching a spot in Jedburgh 
Forest (afterwards known as Edward's Isle), about 36 miles north- 
west of Alnwick, and 56 miles south-east of Dunfermline, he died 
of his wound on November 15, two days after his father. We are 
inclined to think the last account to be the correct one, so far as it 
relates to the place where he died ; but the retreating Scottish army, 
after leaving Alnwick, might have gone over the 36 miles of ground 
between Alnwick and Jedburgh (" Jedwood Forest ") on the same day, 
viz., November 13th ; and, in admitting this, it agrees with Winton's 
account given in the preceding notice. 

After the Prince's death, his remains appear to have been, in the 
hurry of the retreat, sewn up, or roped up, in a horse-hide; for, in 1849, 
when the site of his grave in Dunfermline Abbey was opened, during 
the course of the repairs going on, a stone coffin was reached, which, 
on its cover-stone being removed, a "sewn-up hide" in its whole length, 
with thongs of the same material, was found in a decayed state. On 



DEATH AND INTERMENT OF QUEEN MARGARET. 23 

the hide being cut open, the fragment of a bone and a heap of dust 
were all that remained of the gallant Prince Edward after his long 
sleep of 756 years. (See A?i. of Dunf. date 1849.) 

When Prince Edward's remains were brought to Dunfermline, they 
were, "with grate honoure," interred ^'■Jiixta patrem ante altare Sanctce 
Cruets" — {FordtiJi, v. 25) — that is, were interred near his father, before 
the Altar of the Holy Cross, at Dunfermline. (Fordim, lib. v. c. 25; 
Boeee, lib. x. fol. 260 ; vS". Diinelm, p. 2 1 8 ; Hailess A n. Seot. vol. i. p. 24 ; 
Balfour s Annals, p. 2; Chalmers Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 128, 133; vol. ii. 
p. 142, &c.) 

Had Donald Bane, "the Usurper," by any intrigue compassed the 
deaths of Malcolm and Edward, especially the latter .'' This Donald 
began to besiege the Castle of Edinburgh, immediately after "the affair 
at Alnwick," so he could not be far off at the time, and perhaps he 
was one of the retreating army. 

Death of Margaret, the Queen, Consort of Malcolm HI., 
AND her Interment at Dunfermline. — Margaret, the Queen, 
consort of Malcolm HI., died in the Castrum Puellarum — i.e., Edin- 
burgh Castle, on the i6th day of November, 1093, in the 47th year of 
her age, and 23rd of her reign. On this day her young son Ethelrede, 
in haste from the Alnwick retreat, entered her sick chamber in Edin- 
burgh Castle, and, at her request, he told her tenderly of what had then 
just happened, the violent deaths of her husband and her eldest son, 
"which so affected her with grief, that her strength and her spirits 
failed her, she made confession [to Turgot], received the Holy Sacra- 
ment, gave her dying blessing to those around her, and expired." 
Winton rhymes the occurrence as follows : — 

" As thys dede all thys ware doune 
Come wything til Saynt Margret soune. 
The Revelatyoune that west maist 
That scho had of the Ilaly gast 
Than wyth devot and gud intent 
Scho tuk the Haly Sacrament 
Of Goddis Body blyst werracy 
Wyth the last unctyoune ; and that dai 
Of al charges scho yhald hyr gwyte 
And til the Creatoure hyr Spyryte 
In-til the Castelle of Edynburch," &c. 

— {Wynton^s '■'■ Orygynale CronikH" vol. ii. pp. 271, 272.) 

Several writers mention that Margaret " died of grief" in conse- 
quence of the sad intelligence of the deaths of her husband and eldest 



24 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

son, conveyed to her by Ethelrede. This is not altogether correct. 
The Queen had been long ailing, her emaciated body was quite worn 
out ; and although the deaths had not occurred, her after-days on earth 
would not have been many. The physical requirements of her creed 
appear to have brought on consumption, from which there was no 
escape. 

A late writer, one of hei» own faith, remarks, that " among the de- 
lights of a Court, she humbled her body by discipline and watchings, 
spending a great part of the night in devout prayer ; and, besides the 
other fast days which she kept, in addition was the observance of the 
abstinence of Lent for forty days before the Lord's Passion, and not 
even the most grievous sickness would make her forego it." {Led. 
Antiq. Edin, p. 19.) A robust frame could not have stood out long 
against such excessive physical vigils and abstinence. In short, she 
died a martyr to a too strict and unnecessary observance of the rites 
of Roman worship ; for she was — 

" Oftener on her knees than on her feet, 
And died every day she lived." 

Turgot, her confessor relates the following as his last and affectionate 
interview with her : — "After a long discourse on her spiritual state, she 
thus addressed him, 'Farewell, my life draws to a close; but you may 
long survive me. To you I commit the charge of my children. Teach 
them above all things to love and fear God ; and whenever you see 
any of them attain to the height of earthly grandeur, oh! then, in 
an especial manner, be to them as a father and a guide. Admonish 
and, if need be, reprove them, lest they be swelled with the pride of 
momentary glory, or through avarice offend God, or by reason of the 
prosperity of this world, become careless of eternal life. This, in the 
presence of Him, who is now our only witness, I beseech you to promise 
and to perform.' " {Hailes's An. of Scot. vol. i. pp. 39, 40.) 

Margaret died in one of the little chambers of a building on the 
east side of the quadrangle through which we pass to the " Crown 
Room." This was the ancient Palace of the Castle. The little chapel 
in which she worshipped when at this residence, still stands in a com- 
plete state of repair, a very tiny building, perhaps the oldest of which 
Edinburgh, or even Scotland, can boast. It has the name of "St. 
Margaret's Chapel." 

At the time of Margaret's decease, the Castle of Edinburgh was 
being besieged by the usurper, Donald Banc. Ethelrede, her son, and 
other attendants, were thus forced to convey her body out of the 



DEATH AND INTERMENT OF QUEEN MARGARET. 2$ 

Castle through a secret door in the wall of the fortress, qn the west 
side. In this duty they were, says an old writer, favoured by a misf, 
which kept them from being seen by the besiegers. From Edinburgh 
the body was taken by her old ferry, the Queen's ferry, on to Dun- 
fermline, to the Church there, the erection of which is so much 
indebted to her influence and exertions, viz., The Church of the 
Holy Trinity, the place selected by Malcolm and Margaret for the 
"Locus SepidtiircB Regiini" of Scotland ; and here, between November 
16-30, the remains of the pious Margaret were deposited before the 
Rwde Awtre — /. e., the Altar of the Holy Cross — with ^^ great venera- 
tion and /io7i07tr ;" and perhaps on the same day that the remains of 
her son were committed to the earth. Authentic history assures us 
that Turgot, Margaret's confessor, wrote a history of the lives of 
Malcolm and Margaret, copious extracts from which are to be found 
in Hailes's A?i. Scot. vol. i. pp. 34-41. Turgot's work is now very 
scarce. {Vide Chalmers' Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 170, 171 ; also ^'■Lec- 
tures on the Afitiquities of Edinburgh, by a Member of the Guild of St. 
foseph" pp. 15-29.) Referring to the conveying of Margaret's remains 
from Edinburgh Castle to Dunfermline, Winton says, or rather sings — 

" Hyr swne Ethelrede, quene thys felle 

That wes hys modyr nere than by 

Gert at the west yhet prewaly 

Have the cors furth in a myst 

Or mony of hyr endying wyst ; 

And wyth that body thai past syne 

But ony lat til Dwnfermelyne. 

Before the Rwde Awtare wyth honoure 

She was laid in Haly Sepulture." 
— {JVynion's " Orygynale Cronikil of Scoi." vol ii. pp. 271, 272.) 

(For further particulars relative to Margaret, see Fordun lib. v. c. 
25 ; Boece, Ix. fol. 261 ; »S. Dunelm, p. 219; Saxon Chron. fol. 199; 
Aber. Maxi. Ach. ; Aldred; Majors' Hist. Brit, and the Hist, of Scot.; 
likewise Chalmers' Hist. Dunf vol. i. pp. 86, 87, 129-132, 288, 289, 484- 
493, vol. ii. pp. 117, 121-123, 170-172, 173-176, 178-182; also Fernies 
and Mercer's Hist. Dtinf.) 

1094. — Duncan H. bequeathed, as a free gift to the Church of 
the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, "two villas" called "LusCAR." (See 
Confirmation Charters of David I. and his successors.) 

1095. — Duncan H., who was assassinated this year, is said by 

E 



26 ■ ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

some old writers to have been buried at Dunfermline. {Abridged 
Chrofi. Scot. p. 59, &c.) This is not absolutely certain, but extremely 
likely. He knew that his father, Malcolm III., had ordained the 
Church of Dunfermline to be the place of future sepulture of the 
Royal Family of Scotland ; besides this, by the previous entry, it is 
seen that by his munificent gift of t/ie tivo villas of Ltiscar to the 
Church he had become one of its benefactors. It may be noted here, 
that there exists much difference of opinion among authors regarding 
the legitimacy of Duncan II. David I. and his brothers, in their 
charters, call him '■'■ Dimcan frater mens" — i.e., "Duncan, my brother." 
Probably Duncan was the son of Malcolm's first wife, Ingibiorg, and 
therefore a half-brother of Malcolm and Margaret's children ; and 
hence his supposed right to the throne. It would appear that, at the 
time of Malcolm and Margaret's death, in November, 1093, their 
children, at least their sons, were all under age, and hence the assump- 
tion of power, legal or otherwise, by this Duncan. It would further 
appear, as he is styled "Dimcaji frater mens" in those charters of 
Malcolm's sons who had ascended the throne, that they held his 
memory in affectionate respect ; besides. King James II., in his Con- 
firmation Charter to the Abbey in 1450, designates Duncan as King 
Duncan, which this James would scarcely have done had it not been 
so. Was Ingibiorg, the first wife of Malcolm III., ever recognised as 
Queen of Scotland ? 

1097. — CUMERLACHI WERE GIFTED TO THE CHURCH OF THE 

Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, about this period, by King Edgar, 
shortly after his ascension to the throne. Cumerlachi, sometimes 
designated " Cumberlachi," appear to have been a low grade of 
fugitive servants, or slaves. Considerable difference of opinion still 
exists as to the etymology of this singular word or name. May it not 
refer to Edgar's " slave servants," who had been brought from his 
possessions in Cumberland into Scotland } 



end of the eleventh century. 



MCI. 

(beginning of the I2TH CENTURY.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1101. — At the commencement of the 12th century, the Church 
of the Holy Trinity, DunfermHne, stood unfinished — the western part 
of its aisles, the west gable, with its two massy lofty towers, and 
grand entrance between them, were still unbuilt. 

" Nomina Locorum." — At this early period, Scotland had but a 
small population, and scarcely any place deserving the name of town. 
Of the names of places in the vicinity of Dunfermline, few are on 
record. The locality would be dotted here and there with turf and 
"wattel" huts, &c. The following are the names of places near 
Dunfermline about this time, viz., Dumfermline, Perdieus, Pitcorthie, 
Pitbauchlie, Pitliver, Primrose, Beath, &c. 

1103. — Royal Gifts to Dunfermline Church. — About this 
period, Edgar, the King, bequeathed to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
Dunfermline, his property called "SCHYRA DE Gelland." 

Confirmed by his brother, David I., and successors in their Confirmation 
Charters to this Church. (See Print. Regis. Dunf. pp. 3-5, &c.) There are 
lands, about two miles south of DunfermHne, called " The Gellets "; also lands 
three and a half miles west of it, called "Gelald," now Gillanderson. Which 
of these two places is referred to is not known. 

1104. — Royal Gift to Dunfermline Church. — Ethelrade, 
(Earl of Fife i") sixth son of Malcolm III. (Canmore), about this period, 
bequeathed to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, his pro- 
perty of " Hales," or Hailes. 

Confirmed by his brother, King David I., in his great Charters to this 
Church, A.D. IT 27-1 130, as also by succeeding Kings in their Confirmation 
Charters to the same Church. (See Print. Regis. Dunf. pp. 3-5, &c, ; also vide 
date 1226 of the Annals) Hailes (CoUington) lies near the north-east base 
of the Pentland Hills, about three miles south-west of Edinburgh. 



28 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

" Peter the Prior;" he is noticed this year as being '' Prior of the 
Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline. (See Slezers " Theatricvi 
Scotics" ; also date in the Annals, A.D. 1120.) This is the earliest 
named "Prior of Dunfermline" on record. . 

1107. — Edgar, the King, his Interment at Dunfermline 
— King Edgar, second son of Malcolm III., died at Dundee, 7th 
January, aged 33, and shortly afterwards was interred in the Church 
of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, with great solemnity, in the Royal 
burial-place before the High Altar, or Grate Aivtre of Winton. {For- 
dun V. 35 ; Abrid. Scot. Chron. p. 200 ; Hailes's An. Scot. vol. ii. p. 309; 
Buchanan'' s Hist. Scot., &c.) 

The following are a few references from old authorities relative to 
the death and interment of King Edgar : — 

^^ Edgar regna ix. aunz et iij. inoys et gist a Dimfermlyn''^ {Sken^s Chron. 
Picts and Scots, pp. 206-208) — /. e., " Edgar reigned 9 years and 3 months, and 
lies at Dunfermlyn." 

'■'■ Edgar, filius, Malcohni ix. annis et tribus mensibus et mortuus in Dunde, 
et Septdtus in Dunfermlyn^' {Ske7ie's Chron. Picts and Scots, 289, 290) — /. e., 
" Edgar, the son of Malcolm (reigned) 9 years and 3 months ; he died at Dun- 
dee, and was interred at Dunfermline." 

Winton, in his quaint old orthography and rhyme, refers to Edgar's death 
and interment thus : — 

" Of Edgar our nobil Kyng, 
The days with honourc tuk endying, 
Be-north Tay in- til Dunde 
Ty'l God the Spyryte than yald he 
And in the Kyrk of Dvvnfermlyne 
Solemply lie wes entery'd syne." 

— ( Wynton's " Orygynale CronyMl" vol. i. p. 282.) 

It is singular that the Register of the Priory of St. Andrews should notify 
that Edgar died at Edinburgh. No doubt, it is an error of the then " careless 
scribe" of the Priory. The Register entry reads — ^'■Mortuus in Dun-Edin et 
Sepidtus in Dimfemling" — i.e., Edgar ''died in Edinburgh, and was interred 
at Dunfermline." 

Attached by a silk cord to one of Edgar's charters to Coldingham Priory, 
founded by him in 1098, there is a wax impression of his great seal, "having 
upon it a figure of Edgar in a sitting posture, with a small crown upon his 
head, holding in one hand a sceptre, in the other a sword, with the circum- 
scription, 'Imago Edgari Scottorum Regis.' " This is the only representa- 
tion of Edgar known to exist. (See Carr's Hist. Coldin. Priory, p. 322.) 

At the time when Edgar was buried at Dunfermline (1107) there 
had been at least two Royal Interments in the Royal burial-place 
there, viz, — Margaret, his mother, the Queen; and his eldest brother 



DUNFERMLINE CREATED A ROYAL BURGH. 29 

Prince Edward, the heir-apparent. It may be conjectured that, since 
this interment was done with great solemnity, that there would be 
present at it Alexander I., David I., Ethelrade, Turgot (Bishop of St. 
Andrews, his mother's confessor), with other bishops, abbots, clergy, 
earls, and nobility of the kingdom. 

Royal Gifts. — It would appear that little or no progress was 
made with the mason-work of this Church of the Holy Trinity during 
King Edgar's short reign (1097-1107). It is therefore probable (since 
it is known that Alexa?ider /., his successor, completed the ChurcJi) that 
several of the possessions, which are named under date 1 11 5 (for rea- 
sons there given), were donated about 1 107, shortly after his ascension 
to the throne, for the purpose of raising funds to complete this Church 
of the Holy Trinity, Dimfermline (see date 1115). 

1109. — Dunfermline created a Royal Burgh. — The precise 
year when Dunfermline was created a Royal Burgh is not known. 
Alexander in this year erected Stirling into a Royal Burgh, and he 
would probably grant Dunfermline its Burghal Charter in the same 
year. It will be seen, under date 11 12, that Dunfermline is then, at 
all events, written down as a burgh. 

Alexander I. held Dunfermline in high esteem and veneration. Here was 
the Royal burial-place of the Kings of Scotland ; here the remains of his pious 
mother, Margaret the Queen rested ; also those of his brothers, Edward and 
Edgar ; and when his own days ended, here his own body would be deposited. 
With such reflections always on his memory, he would, no doubt, take the 
earliest opportunity, it is to be presumed, to show respect and good-will to the 
adjacent little town of Dunfermline (inhabited by Court retainers, their fami- 
lies and others), by erecting their township into a Burgh Royal, with all the 
then usual privileges. If this is not acceded, then a.d. i 112 is to be taken as 
the date of erection. (See date 11 12.) 

Royal Gifts to Dunfermline Church. — Alexander I., the 
King, bequeathed to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, 
about this period, the Chapel of the Castle of Stirling and Teinds. 

1112, — Royal Gifts to Dunfermline Church.— Alexander 
I., the King, this year bequeathed to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
Dunfermline, a toft in the Burgh of Dunfermline (de toftes Burgonmi). 
Also, one Mansion in Edinburgh. {Chron. Scojie ; Chalmers' History. 
vol. ii, p. 231 ; Appendix to DalzieWs ''Fragments of Scottish History I' 
vol. i. p. 70.) Eustace de Moreveill, ''Grate'' Constable of Scotland, is 
one of the zuitnesses to this Gift. 



30 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1115.— Remains of Malcolm III. brought to Dunferm- 
line. — Malcolm III. (Canmore) was slain, along with his eldest son 
Edward, at the siege of Alnwick Castle, in England, on November 
13th, A.D. 1093, and was buried hurriedly at Tynemouth (see date 
1093). It is well known that Alexander I., the third son of Malcolm 
III., got liberty from the English authorities to exhume his father's 
remains, and to take them to Dunfermline ; but the precise year of 
this transaction has not been ascertained, and we are therefore forced 
to lean on probabilities. The date of the exhumation is here placed in 
A.D. II 15, the middle year of the reign of Alexander I. In order to 
reduce any error to its minimum, for the same reason we give A.D. 
1 1 15, as the date when the Church of the Holy Trinity was finished, 
and opened for the celebration of public worship. It is extremely 
unlikely that Alexander I. would exhume his father's remains at 
Tynemouth, and convey them to Dunfermline before the church he 
had founded was finished in all its details. 

The Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, Finished. 
— As noticed in the preceding entry, the exact year when this Church 
of the Holy Trinity was finished, and opened for the celebration of 
worship, is unknown ; it is therefore placed in a.d. hi 5, the middle 
year of the reign of Alexander I., in order to reduce any error to a 
minimum, as previously noticed. 

Historians generally agree in stating that Alexander I. splendidly 
adorned and finished the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, 
founded by his father, Malcolm III., circa 1072. Leslie in his "His- 
tory of Scotland," when alluding to that part of the work done by 
Alexander I., uses the words "fastigio imposito," which appears to 
imply, that he raised the two lofty massive towers which flanked the 
great western entrance, raised the west gable, with its finely adorned 
grand entrance, with the splendid great west window which was above 
it, and completing this high gable and the peak'd roof above. 

Thus Dunfermline Church of the Holy Trinity, begun in A.D. 1072, 
at its east end, was, in a.d. hi 5, finished at the west end ; thus 43 
years were occupied in the building of this church, now known as the 
"•Auld Kirk;'' but this length of time was nothing uncommon. For 
instance, the Cathedral Church of St. Andrews, founded in A.D. 11 59, 
was not finished in all its details until A.D. 13 18, a space of time 
spreading over 1 59 years. Again, the Abbey Church of Aberborthic, 
founded about the year 11 78, was not finished until the year 1223, a 



MALCOLM CANMORE'S CHURCH. 



31 



space of 55 years. Other instances could be given, but these will 
suffice to show, that the 43 years taken up between the founding and 
the finishing of the Trinity Church at Dunfermline was a not uncom- 
mon occurrence in these early times. 

The great churches of the middle ages were built by companies of 
travelling architects and masons. They commonly began their work 
on the eastern parts of the fabric, and continued the work in a westerly 
direction. When so much of the edifice was raised as was deemed 
sufficient for the celebration of worship, they raised a temporary wall 
which enclosed this built place on the west, and the western portion 
proceeded slowly to completion, " according to the state of the ex- 
chequer of the church and peaceful times." When the west portion 
of these churches was completed, the temporary wall just mentioned 
was removed, when the interior of the church, in all its "fair propor- 
tions and adornments," was fully exposed to view. No doubt the 
building of the Church of the Holy Trinity at Dunfermline was begun 
and finished in the same way. 

When thus the Church, founded by Malcolm III. in the year 1072, 
and finished in 11 15, it would appear, from a north-west point, as 
shown in the following print, copied from a drawing made by the 
author in 1827. 




There are no views of this Church extant, bearing a date before 
1690; and such early views are not to be altogether relied on. The view 



32 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

here given is a composition by the author, and it is necessary that he 
should explain from whence he has had his materials. This we will 
proceed to give. 

The old fabric, now called the "Auld Kij'k," is the original Church 
of the Holy Trinity, built between A.D. 1072 and 1 1 15, with the follow- 
ing exceptions, which are comparatively modern innovations, viz. : — 
The heavy, uncouth buttresses, built between 1590 and 1630; and the 
porch and the steeple, built between 1590 and 1606. These additions, 
as will be seen by the dates, had no connection with the original 
design of the building. It may also be noted that, between the years 
1750 and 1790, three of the Norman windows in the north front were 
removed, and plain ugly Gothic ones substituted. The west gable 
above the great western entrance was also built at the same time as 
the steeple. 

The original south-west tower, stood nearly entire until 1807, when 
it was thrown down by a violent thunderstorm. There are several 
printed views of this old tower extant, but few are accurate. We take 
our model of this tower from an accurate pen-and-ink sketch of the 
tower, done by J. Baine, Civil Engineer, in 1790. The western towers 
of churches were always exactly alike, and therefore the tower which 
stood on the site of the steeple would be precisely like the view of the 
south-west one by Baine, and therefore we give the two as in the 
view. 

If we strip the "Auld Kirk" of the incongruities just noticed, the 
view we have given will appear (which may be taken as a correct one, 
at least) as correct a view as can now be had of The Church of 
the Holy Trinity at Dunfermline, as it appeared when finished 
and opened in A.D. 1 115. 

The following is a short description of the view : — The Church 
which, in its length lies east and west, is about 112 feet in length, and 
65 feet in breadth, outside measures. In the north front, as seen in 
the view, are six Norman windows, with six square spaces below them, 
and six peak'd small windows above, with six flat pilasters between 
them, rising from the ground to the first roof ; the top of the wall is 
ornamented with a common Norman design ; to the right is seen the 
north entrance to the Church. The arch of this entrance consists of 
a series of Norman semi-circles, above which are' small pilasters and 
ornamented semi-circular arches, capped with a splay roof of stone, 
similar to that above the west entrance. The under north wall is "^^6 
feet in height and five feet thick ; above this wall is the first roof, which 



DUNFERMLINE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, ETC. ^^ 

rises to another wall, which is supported on the great massive pillars 
inside the Church. This top part is the clerestory (54 feet in height), 
and has six small semi-circular windows, corresponding in position 
to the large ones in the lower front wall, with short flat pilasters 
between them. Above the upper wall rose the high roof, much higher 
than the present one, reaching from the east to the west gable between 
the towers. The south wall of the Church was similar in all of its 
details to the north wall now described. The two towers, as already- 
noticed, are representations of the original tower which fell in 1807. 
The great western entrance projects a few feet out from the west 
gable, within which rise ten tall, slender stone pillars, five on each 
side of the entrance. The pillars in each row are in close proxi- 
mity to each other, and recede at a sharp angle into the recess on 
which they stand, thereby diminishing their respective distances 
from side to side as they approach the door of the Church. Each 
of those pillars rests on a double base, and is surmounted with an 
ornamented capital, from which spring five semi-circular arches of 
different heights. These arches naturally recede with the pillars, and 
decline in altitude and breadth as they approach the door of the 
Church. Thus the large stones of the several arches are exposed to 
view, showing their beautiful designs, some being a continuation of 
zig-zags, others floriated, and otherwise ornamented. The front, or 
outer arch stones are 23 in number, on eleven of which are carved 
heads, and with floriated work between them. The front arch is 20 
feet in height, and 16 in breadth, and measures the same as the great 
western window of the Fratery. 

Above this grand entrance is a stone splay roof, larger, but similar 
to the one over the north entrance already noticed. This entrance 
is unique in Scotland. 

The gable above the splay roof is comparatively modern, and there- 
fore forms no part of the original design of the Church. Since it was 
destroyed at the Reformation, it has been several times repaired. We 
fill up this part in our view with details from a pen-and-ink sketch of 
date 1705, which is very likely correct, as it closely resembles that of 
Durham Church, built about the same time as the Church at Dun- 
fermline, and of which the latter Church is understood to be a 
miniature. We shall now give a brief description of the interior 
arrangements of this celebrated edifice. 

The ground-plan of the Trinity Church at Dunfermline is reduced 
from a larger one made by the author in 1827. Although so small 

F 



34 THE ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

it will sufficiently indicate the several interesting parts of it. It will 
be seen by the plan, that the Church is built in the form of a parallelo- 
gram. The north and south walls measure inside io6 feet, and are five 
feet thick. By the indentation in these walls in the plan, it will be 
seen that there were originally six large windows in each. Inside, the 
breadth of the Church is 55 feet. Along the middle length of the 



GROUND PLAN OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, DUNFERMLINE. 

Founded {Circa.) A.D. 1072 ; Finished (Circa.) A.D. 1 115. Raised to the dignity of an 
Abbey by David I. in a.d. 1124. 

Church, from east to west, in a parallel course, in a straight line with 
the outer pillars of the projecting west entrance, is a series of massive 
Norman pillars, seven on each side originally, but now only six. These 
pillars run in a straight line at the distance of 13 feet from the north 
and south walls; between them and the walls are the north and south 
aisles, which are arched above, and in length are about 80 feet, and in 
breadth 13 feet, or 17^ feet including the pillars. The east pillars are 
cut into spirals on their surfaces ; the next series, west of these, is orna- 
mented with zig-zag cuttings ; the other ones further west are plain, 
with the exception of the two reeded, or columinated pillars near the 
west end, which appear to have been built between the years 1596 
and 1603, when the then dilapidated Church was undergoing a 
thorough repair. 

From the capitals of these pillars spring ornamented Norman 
arches, which support the high massive walls of the nave, the top of 
which reach to a height of 54 feet above the pavement of the 
church. These walls of the nave consist of two storeys — the first 
storey on each side ; immediately above the aisles, and above the 



DUNFERMLINE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, ETC. 35 

centre of the arches, are the large semi-circular headed openings 
of the ambulatories. Above these again are those of the triform, 
or clerestory; the upper part of the wall of each appears above 
the first roof when viewed from without. The ambulatory and cleres- 
tory passages run along like the aisles nearly through the whole 
length of the Church, or about 80 feet. The ambulatories are covered 
by the first roof of the Church and 13 feet in breadth. The passage 
of the clerestory is very contracted, being only about two feet in 
breadth. From these openings on each side a full view is had of the 
Church interior underneath. 

Along the lower part of the north and south walls of the Church, 
inside below the windows, may still be seen in many places the 
remains of slender pillars, of Norman work, with semi-circular arches 
springing from their capitals, which are highly ornamented. These 
small arches have chiselled into their surfaces the usual Norman zig- 
zags, &c. These pillars and arches originally proceeded along the 
whole length of the north and south walls of the Church, and against 
these, in front of them, were the " Altars of the Saints," and other 
benefactors of the Church. 

The aisle on the south side, interior of the Church, was known as 
the ^^ Rood Aislel' and the ambulatory above it was called the ^^Rood 
Laff,' or loft. Adjacent to the zig-zag pillar of this aisle, at the 
shaded square part shown in the plan, stood the ^^Rood Altar^' or the 
"Altar of the Holy Cross," before which altar in a.d. 1093 were 
interred Margaret, the Queen-Consort of Malcolm III., and at the 
same time her eldest son Prince Edward. (See date 1093.) Prince 
Ethelrede, her youngest son, was also interred here. 

Near the extreme east end of the Church stood the ''Grate Azvtr'' 
— Great, or High Altar — over which, on an escutcheon, was depicted 
the scene of the Crucifixion. The space for a considerable way in 
front of and adjacent to this altar was the area selected for the ''Locus 
Sepultures Regtim" of Scotland, indicated in the ground-plan by the 
oblong shaded space at the east end of the nave. With some excep- 
tions, this continued to be the royal burial-place from 1093 till 1250. 
(See these dates.) To us it appears highly probable that the eastern 
end of the Church terminated in a semi-circular apsis. (See date 1226 
for the addition of the choir.) 

Re-Interment of the Remains of Malcolm III., and Open- 
ing OF the Church for the Celebration of Worship.— It 



36 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

may be taken for granted that Alexander I. would not exhume his 
father's remains at Tynemouth in Northumberland (where they had 
lain since 1093, a period of 22 years) until the completion of the new 
tomb, erected before the High Altar of the Church of the Holy 
Trinity, Dunfermline, and we have therefore placed the event in 
the Annals as having taken place just before the Church was opened. 
No doubt Alexander I. would arrange all this for the purpose of 
giving solemnity and Mat to the opening and re-interring cere- 
monies. 

It may be presumed that the ceremonies on this occasion would 
be conducted in presence of a large assembly of the then notables of 
Scotland. Alexander I., acting as chief mourner at the re-interment, 
would be accompanied by his brothers, David and Ethelrede, as also, 
in all probability, by their uncle, Edgar the Atheling, and by the 
venerable Turgot, their late mother's confessor. A large number of 
Earls, Bishops, Abbots, and other ecclesiastics, would swell the pro- 
cession at the double ceremony. 

The remains of Malcolm HI, were thus, with much ecclesiastical 
pomp and ceremony, deposited in the tomb prepared for them, before 
the High Altar of the Church. (See Fordtin^ v. 35, &c.) At the same 
time, the Church of the Holy Trinity was opened for the celebration 
of public worship. 

Royal Gifts to Dunfermline Church by Alexander I. 
AND SiBlLLA THE QUEEN. — Alexander I. bequeathed to the Church 
of the Holy Trinity at Dunfermline the following properties, viz., 
Duninald, Schyre de Gatemilc, Petconmarthin, Balekerin, Drumber- 
nin, Keeth. {Print. Regist. Dtmf. pp. 3, 5, &c.) 

Sibilla, the Queen, bequeathed Beeth, and also mortified to it her 
lands of Clunie. {Print, Regist. Dnnf. pp. 3-5, &c. ; Sibbald's Hist. 
Fife, p. 377 ; — see date 1 107.) 

It is probable that many of these munificent gifts were bestowed 
on Dunfermline Church of the Holy Trinity on the day of the re-inter- 
ment, and the opening of the Church, as a token of their veneration 
for the Church in which now lay the remains of Malcolm III., Margaret 
the Queen, Edward, and Edgar. 

Duninald — either Duninald in Forfarshire, or Dunino in Fife, pro- 
bably the former. Schyre de Gatemilc, now called "Gaitmilk" and 
" Goatmilk," is a small district of land, about 14 miles north-east of 
Dunfermline. Petconmarthin, Balekerin, and Drumbernin — places 



ROYAL BURGH OF DUNFERMLINE, ETC. 37 

now unknown. Keeth, or Keith, now supposed to be Humbie, in 
Haddingtonshire. The lands of Beeth, or Beath, occupied a consider- 
able district of country, perhaps either the Kirk lands of Beath, or 
Keirs-Beath (Castle Beath) formed the nucleus ; the lands lie between 
two and six miles north-east of Dunfermline. The lands of Clunie lie 
on the rivulet Orr, about nine miles north-east of Dunfermline. 

Civil Privileges granted to the Church. — About this period 
Alexander I. conferred on this Church the privilege, or right of holding 
its courts in the fullest manner, and to give judgment either by com- 
bat, by iron, by fire, or by water ; together with all privileges pertain- 
ing to its court, including the right in all persons residing within its 
territories of refusing to answer except at their own proper court. 
{Ty tier's Hist. Scot. vol. i.) 

Royal Burgh of Dunfermline. — The date of erection of Dun- 
fermline into a Royal Burgh has not been ascertained, but it has been 
supposed that it was so constituted by Alexander L, who, by charters, 
raised Stirling, Dunfermline, Perth, St. Andrews, Haddington, &c,, to 
the dignity of Royal Burghs. These towns are each designated in 
these charters as ^'burgum meum'' — i.e., "my burgh," the King's burgh, 
hence a Royal Burgh. Dunfermline first appears in a charter as "burgtmi 
meum" in the year 1126. We place the date of the erection of Dun- 
fermline into a Royal Burgh in the middle of his reign, viz., a.d, ii i 5, 
which may be received as the nearest approximate date now to be 
obtained. (See also date 1 126,) 

1117.— Prince Ethelrede, son of Malcolm and Margaret, ap- 
pears to have died about this period in England, while on a visit to 
his sister, Matilda, Queen of England ; and, no doubt, it would be at 
his own request that his remains were conveyed to such a distance as 
Dunfermline to be interred. He was buried before the Altar of the 
Holy Cross, near his mother Margaret, the Queen, and his brother 
Prince Edward, in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline. 
{Balfour s An. Scot. vol. i. p. 2 ; Wyntou's Orygynale Cronikil, vol. ii. 
pp. 271, 272, &c.) 

According to several histories, it would appear that this Prince 
accompanied his father and elder brother to Alnwick. At all events, 
it was he who conveyed to his dying mother, in Edinburgh Castle, the 
sad and disastrous account of that expedition. Ethelrede had his 
mother's remains removed to Dunfermline for interment. ( JVyuton's 



38 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Cronikil, &c.) In the "Admore Charter" he is styled, " Vir venera7id(B 
memories Abbas de Dunkelden et insuper comes de Fyfe." It is well 
known that he was Abbot of Dunkeld ; but his being also Earl of Fife 
has been the occasion of much dispute among archaeologists ; the dis- 
pute continues. Ethelrede was married ; he had at least three sons 
named Edwy, Alfred, and Edward, and they are styled " Clito" i. e., 
an imbecile. {S. Dwielm, pp. 176-179 ; Hailess An. Scot. vol. i. p. 7.) 
Ethelrede was one of the benefactors of Dunfermline Church> 
about the year 1104, having then donated to this church his property 
of Hailes. Wynton refers to his place of sepulture, and also his 
brothers', when noticing his mother's interment. (See Wynton's 
Orygynale Cronikil, vol. ii. pp. 271, 272 ; and also An. of Dnnf. in 
notice of Queen Margaret's decease and interment.) 

1120. — Peter, Prior of Dunfermline. — Alexander I. sent 
Peter, the Prior of Dunfermline, along with other ambassadors, to 
Radulph, Archbishop of Canterbury, to congratulate him on his return 
from Rome, and beg of him Eadmerus, one of his monks, to be the 
Bishop of St. Andrews. {Keith's Catal. p. 402.) Eadmerus, in his lib. v. 
p. 130, says, "Hornm tuius qnidam monachus et prior ecclesice Dunferm- 
lince'' — i.e., "One of these a certain monk and prior of the Church of 
Dunfermline." (See also Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. i. p. 7y6 ; and An. of 
Dnnf. date 11 21.) 

1124. — Alexander I. interred at Dunfermline. — Alexander 
I., the King (fifth son of Malcolm III.), died at Stirling on April 26th, 
in the i8th year of his reign, and about the 48th of his age, and was 
interred before the High Altar of the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
Dunfermline. 

According to Fordnn, he was interred " near his father before the 
Great Altar." The Great Altar and the High Altar are identical. 
{Fordnn, v. 40.) The following are a few notices from authorities 
relative to the death and funeral of Alexander I. : — 

" Alexandj-e, soiin freir, et fitz Mmdcoum regna xvij. aiinz, ct iij. moys et 
demy, et gist a I)u7fe7'vdyn''' — (Skene's Chron. Picts and Scots) — i.e., Alexander, 
his brother (Edgar), and son of Malcolm, reigned 17 years and 3 months and 
a-half, and lies at Dunfermlyn. 

" Alexander xvij. annis et tribus mensibus et dimidio ctnioituus in Strafcth ct 
sepidtiis in D2mfervilyn'"—( Skene' s Chron. Fids and Scots) — /. <?., Alexander 
reigned 17 years and a-half; he died at Strafcth, and was interred at Dun- 
fermlyn. (Strafleth, Stirling?) 



DUNFERMLINE ABBEY AND MONASTERY, ETC. 39 

Winton, in referring to the death and place of interment of 
Alexander I., thus rhymes the event : — 

" A thowsand a hundyr twenty and foure, 
The yheris of Grace were past oure ; 
The Kyng Alysawndyr in Strevylyng, 
Deyed, and wes browcht till Dwnfermlyn ; 
Quhare he wes wyth gret honoure, 
Enteryed in halawyed Sepulture," &c. 

(Wyjiton's Orygynale Cronikil, vol i. p. 281.) 

It may be noted that there is a blank in the history of the Church 
of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, from 11 15 to Alexander's death in 
1 1 24. Such a blank can now only be filled up by conjecture. 

From what is known of Alexander I., and his strong Romish pro- 
clivities — as strong as those which influenced his brother and successor, 
David I. — it may be presumed that at the time, or shortly after the 
the time of the opening the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline 
— the most splendid church Scotland had yet seen — he had, besides 
the munificent gifts he had bestowed on it, resolved to raise it still 
higher in importance, viz., to the rank of an Abbey ; but to carry out 
such a resolution, monastic buildings for the domestic accommodation 
of an abbot, monks, and their necessary attendants, would in the first 
place have to be erected. It may be presumed, therefore, that a con- 
siderable portion of the time between 1 1 15, and the time of his some- 
what sudden death in 11 24, was employed in erecting the necessary 
buildings. His sudden death in the latter year prevented him from 
carrying out his pious wishes, and the duty of doing so fell on his 
brother, David I. It will be seen by the next entry in the Annals, that 
immediately after ascending the throne, David, apparently without 
the least delay, sent to Canterbury for his 13 monks, which fact implies 
that the monastic buildings erected for their accommodation by his 
brother and predecessor, Alexander, were complete. There can be 
little or no doubt that it was Alexander I. who founded and finished 
the Monastery of Dunfermline, between the years 11 15 and 1124, and 
not David I. as has been hitherto asserted. 

Dunfermline Abbey and Monastery of the Order of St. 
Benedict. — Shortly after his accession to the throne this year, David 
I. raised the Church of the Holy Trinity, at Dunfermline, to the rank 
and dignity of an Abbey, and translated to it a colony of 1 3 Benedic- 
tine monks from Canterbury, in England — thus carrying out the pious 



40 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

wishes of his deceased brother and predecessor. 'Thus there were 
belonging to the Abbey, in 1 1 24, 1 3 Culdees and 1 3 Benedictine monks. 

Abbot Gaufrid, sometimes called "Gosfredus," one of the 13 
monks brought to Dunfermline from Canterbury, was chosen Abbot 
(first abbot) of Dunfermline ; but in consequence of a dispute regard- 
ing the election of a Bishop of St. Andrews, Gaufrid, although elected 
Abbot, could not therefore at the time be consecrated Abbot until after 
the dispute was settled, which was not until 1127, the year in which 
the Bishop of St. Andrews was consecrated. 

The Monastery, founded and finished by Alexander I., inter 
1 1 15- 1 124, stood a little to the south of the Abbey, was of such ample 
dimensions that any three sovereigns could be accommodated and 
entertained within its walls without inconvenience. (Mathezv of West- 
minster; Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 55, &c. See also date 1304 of Amials 
of Dunfermline.) 

It may here be noticed, that a very great many historians write 
down the names of ''Abbey" and of "Monastery" indiscriminately, as 
if they were interchangeable. They are quite distinct in their mean- 
ings. "Abbey" is the building in which zvorsJiip ivas conducted ; and 
" Monastery," the houses and offices /^r tJie accommodation of the monks, 
the resident worshippers, &c. 

Although Dunfermline had now an Abbey, it is remarkable that it 
is not so designated in its chartulary, or register — perhaps "Church 
of the Holy Trinity" was retained in consequence of the great many 
valuable properties that had been bequeathed to it under that title or 
designation, previous to its elevation to the rank of an Abbey (1074- 
1 124), and probably it would be more secure to keep by its early dedi- 
cation title, in order to prevent future legal disputes about its gifts and 
possessions. Henceforward from this date the designation, "Church of 
the Holy Trinity" will, in the Annals, be in a great measure superseded 
by the new designation of ''Abbey!' 

Charters, &c., of David I. to Dunfermline Abbey.— There 
are in the printed ''Registrum de Dunfermelyn," between pages 2 and 
and 19, no less than 34 charters, writs, and memoranda, from David I. 
to the Abbey, viz.. Two Confirmation Charters, followed by 32 lesser 
ones (consisting of from 3 to 20 lines). None of them are noted with 
either ''Anno Gratice" or "Anno Regni;" and, in one or two instances, 
even the names of the J>laces, where they were written or granted, are 



ST. JEROME'S LATIN BIBLE. 4I 

omitted! Besides all this, they do not follow each other in the order 
of time in which they were written, which, unfortunately, is the case 
with many other charters and writs in the Register. But there can 
be no doubt that tJie greater number of them were granted between the 
years 11 24 and 11 30. {Sqq Art. of Dunf. dates 11 27 and 11 30.) A 
great many of these ivrits should have preceded the two Confirmation 
Charters, both in the MS. chartulary, and in its printed Registrimi de 
Dunfermelyn. Dalyell, in his ^'Monastic Antiquitiesl' p. 8, in allud- 
ing to the manuscript Register (which he had perused), states that "it 
contains above 600 deeds of different descriptions, all arranged in the 
most irregular manner," &c. This circumstance, along with want of 
dates of any kind, makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, in 
many cases, to fix the time when some of the charters, &c., were 
written. 

In order to approximate to the dates of the charters, recourse must 
be had to the list of witnesses affixed to them; we must then find out 
when any of the witnesses died, nearest to the supposed ddle of the given 
charter, and the date of that death will be a stop to advancing further; 
while some notable incident may be found as a limit in the opposite 
direction. (See the two testing cases at the close of "David's Confir- 
mation Charters," Nos. i and 2, in the Annals, under dates 1127 and 
1130 ; and for an account of the Chartulary itself, see Appendix D.) 

Translation of Monks from Canterbury to Dunferm- 
line BY David I. — In the year 11 24, David I. translated Gauford 
and 13 monks from Canterbury for the service of his newly-founded 
Abbey and Monastery of Dunfermline. Gaufred, or Gosfrid, was " an 
eminent theologian of his day, was chosen Abbot of Dunfermline in 
II 24, but was not consecrated until 1127 or 1128." Oi \}i\\s transla- 
tion, Winton, in his " Cronykil" says — 

" Of Canturbery in Dunfermlyne 
Mwnkis he browcht, and put thame syn, 
And dowyt thame rycht rychely, 
With gret possessyounys and mony. " 

{Wynton's " Cronikil," vii. p. 6 ; Hut. of Scot. &c.) 

St. Jerome's Latin Bible. — A beautifully written and illumi- 
nated copy (in MS., of course) of Jerome's Latin Bible was used in 
the Abbey service, at Dunfermline, from its foundation in 11 24 till its 
destruction in 1560. Some have thought that this Dunfermline copy 
is as old as the days of Malcolm III. and St. Margaret ; but we are 

G 



42 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

rather inclined to think that it was brought from Canterbury this year 
by Gaufrid, the Abbot. 

This Bible is still in existence, and in good preservation in the 
Advocates' Library, where it is shown as one of its choicest literary 
treasures. It is written on vellum, is quite entire, legible, and clean, 
except at some parts where it is a little soiled with grease spots, 
which appears to have been caused by the frequent anointing with the 
Holy Oil. The leaves are ornamented with a great variety of figures, 
such as scriptural and historical subjects, and there are several seem- 
ingly out of place, as they are singularly grotesque. It is not in 
the original binding ; it was re-bound about 40 years ago in a very 
elegant and expensive way. This Bible was used in the Abbey ser- 
vice at Dunfermline from about this period, 11 24, down to the Refor- 
mation in 1560, when it was taken by Abbot Dury, the last Abbot, to 
France, along with other sacred relics. Afterwards it came into the 
possession of the celebrated Mons. Foucalt, as appears from his arms 
on it. At his sale it was bought by a Scotch gentleman, and brought 
back to this country, and deposited as a gift in the Advocates' Library, 
Edinburgh. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 89 ; Mercer's Hist. Diinf. ; CJial. 
Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 156, &c.) 

1125. — Dunfermline Monks Translated to Urquhart. 
— This year David I. transferred a colony of 13 Benedictine Monks 
from Dunfermline Abbey to his newly erected Priory at Urquhart, in 
Morayshire. {Chalmers' s Hist. Dwif. vol. i. p, 204.) 

1126. — David I. : his (Apocryphal) "Visioun." — As the fol- 
lowing note has long been in print, and, although questionable, still 
continues to be now and then quoted, we here reproduce it under 
this date, the probable one, if it ever did occur : — 

" In the quilk tyme David mad mony castell and abbays, and chanounryes, 
wyth sundry nunerys and mayson Dieuwis — that is to say, almis houssis, in the 
honoure of God and our Lady, Sweet Saynt Mary — and began throu a visioun 
he met in his sleep at Dunfermlyn." {Hailes's An. Scot. vol. iii. p. 311.) 

Burgum Meum de Dunfermlyn (Royal Burgh of Dun- 
fermline. — As previously noted, a great many of the small writs of 
David I. in favour of the Abbey were granted between 11 24 and 11 30, 
and, although they are incorporated in the great "Confirmation Char- 
ters" (see dates 1 1 27-1 1 30) we shall copy, at least, one of the writs entire, 
because it has in it the first intimation on record of Dunfermline being 



GAUFRID CONSECRATED ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. 43 

" my burgh " (burgitm meuin), or " King's burgh." The writ on which it 
occurs is No. 26, p. 15, of the printed '^ Registrum de Dicnfermlynl'' and 
is titled ^'■De Decimis de Dimfernilynr This writ, like the other writs in 
the chartulary, is in Latin. The following is a free translation of it: — 

"David, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, wishes health to Robert, 
elect of St. Andrews, and also to all his Earls and Barons, and all his faithful 
subjects. Know ye that I have granted and given in perpetuity in alms, for 
the soul of uiy father and mother and brothers, and predecessors, to the 
Church of the Holy Trinity of Dunfermline, all the teinds of all my property 
of Dunfermline (but not of that which belongs to other Churches) free and 
quiet ; and another in my Burgh of Dunfermline (Burgo meo de Dunfcrm- 
lyn), and another in my burgh of Stirling, and another in my burgh of Perth, 
and another in my burgh of Edinburgh. — Witness, Robert, elect of St. An- 
drews, and Herbert, Chancellor. — At Dunfermline." 

This writ has no date, neither is tJie year of the reign mentioned ; 
but it is evident that David was King of Scots when it was granted. 
He succeeded to the Scottish throne in the year 1 124; and Robert was 
Bishop-Elect o^ St. Andrews from 1 122 to 1 127 ; consequently, the writ 
dates 1 1 24- 1 127. We place it under date 1 125 as the most probable date. 
It may be noted that, although the expression, "bzirgo meo de Dim- 
fcT'mlyn" is for Xkejii'st time noticed in this writ, it does not imply that 
the designation was for the first time used in 1126. It comes into 
notice in the charter as a nse-and-zvont designation. Alexander I., 
between 1107 and 1124, created several Royal Burghs, among which 
were those, it would appear, noticed in the writ. It is likely that 
Dunfermline was made a Royal Burgh by Alexander I. early in his 
reign. (See An. Dunf. dates 1109, 11 12, 11 15.) 

1127.— Gaufrid Consecrated Abbot of Dunfermline. — 
Gaufrid, appointed Abbot of Dunfermline in 11 24, was this year 
(1127) consecrated Abbot of Dunfermline, by Robert, Bishop of St. 
Andrews. After the consecration, the Abbot could legally attend 
clerical meetings, and append his signature to charters, deeds, and 
writs. 

He was a man oi singular piety and learning, and was, previous to 
his leaving Canterbury in 1124, Prior thereof. Gaufrid's name often 
occurs as a witness in charters, &c., inter 1128-1154. 

Sir James Dalrymple, in his " Historical Collections," at p. 243, 
notes: — "In 1128, it is observed in continuation — Vir religionis 
eximiai Cantuariae, Prior Gosfridus nomine, Rege Scottorum David 
petente et Archiepiscopo Willielmo annuente. Abbas eligitur ad 



44 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

locum in Scotia qui Dunfermlin dicitur. Ordinatus est autem a 
Roberto, Episcopo Sancti Andrese." Translation : " The Prior of 
Canterbury, Gosfrid by name, a man of singular piety, at the request 
of David, King of Scots, and with the consent of Archbishop William, 
is elected abbot to a place in Scotland which is called Dunfermline. 
He was ordained, moreover, by Robert, Bishop of St. Andrews." (See 
also Chalmers' History of Dtmfermline, vol ii. p. 212. 

Translation of the Confirmation Charter of King 
David I. to Dunfermline Abbey.— No. i. (Printed Registnmi de 
Dimfermelyii, pp. 3, 4.) 

" In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, I, David, by the Grace 
of God, King of the Scots, by my Royal authority and power, with the consent 
of Henry, my son, and of Matilda, the Queen, my wife, with the confirmation 
and testimony of the Bishops, Earls, and Barons of my Kingdom, the Clergy 
also, and the People acquiescing, do hereby grant and, in perpetual peace, 
confirm all the possessions written below to the Church of the Holy Trinity of 
Dunfermline, which was begun through the zeal and liberality of my prede- 
cessors ; and I set forth the gifts of my father and mother as follows, viz. : — 
Pardusin, Pethnaurcha, Petcorthin, Petbachelin, Lauer, Bolgin, 
ScHYRE of Kircalethin, Inuiresc, the Lesser : The Gifts of my brother, 
Duncan — the two Villas called Luscar : The Gifts of my brother Edgar — 
the ScHYRE of Gellald ; The Gifts of my brother Ethelrede — Hale : The 
Gifts of my brother Alexander, the King — Duninad, Schyre of Gatemilc, 
Petconmarthin, Balekerin, Drumbernin, Keeth : The Gifts of Sibille, 
the Queen — Beeth. And these foresaid Gifts of my predecessors, with their 
appendages and right divisions, I freely grant forever to the foresaid Church. 
Further, my own Gifts follow, viz. — Dunfermline on this side of the water 
on which the same Church is situated ; Kingorn, nearest to Dunfermline, and 
its appendages : Foeth, Inveresk, the Greater, with its Mill and Fishings ; 
a Mansion in Berwick, another in the Burgh of Edinburgh, a third in the Burgh 
of Stirling, a fourth in the Burgh of Dunfermline, and a fifth in the Burgh 
of Perth, and the Church of the Burgh of Perth ; also the interest of 100 shil- 
lings in England : All these foresaid Gifts I grant to the foresaid Church, in 
free and quiet possession, in the same manner as I possess my own lands, 
excepting the defence of my kingdom and Regal justice, should the Abbot 
in his Court decide cases with a disregard to justice : Likewise, I grant the 
eighth part of all the judgments and lawsuits of Fife and Fothrif, and the tenth 
part of the whole of my Can which shall be brought to Dunfermline : And all 
the teinds of the Prebend which shall be brought to the same place from Fife 
and Fothrif; and a tenth of all the game that shall be brought to the same 
place ; and the half of the skins, tallow, and fat of all the beasts that shall 
be killed for the festivals to be held at Stirling, and between the Forth and 
the Tay : I grant likewise the Can of one Ship, free and quiet, wherever it 
may land in my kingdom : I grant likewise, that they have in my forests 
everything necessary for fire, and for their buildings, as to myself, and to their 
men, as to mine : Further, I wish that they liave freely without calumny all 
the offerings that shall be presented at the High Altar of the said Church : 



FIRST CONFIRMATION CHARTER OF DAVID I. 45 

Also, I grant of the Seals taken at Kinghorn, that they have the seventh, 
after they have been tithed : I likewise grant the tenth of all the Iron and the 
Salt that may be brought for my use at Dunfermline : Furthermore, I give a 
taxed Church, with all its privileges, which through the clemency of God it at 
present possesses, as the present privilege testifies, and in future, through the 
same clemency, may possess : We decree that it be possessed, in the utmost 
tranquillity, entirely free from any subjection or exaction, either ecclesiastical 
or secular, with the exception of canonical obedience, which every Church, all 
the world over, owes to its mother Church : And let it possess the same free- 
dom in all things which the Church of St. Andrews holds, with rights undi- 
minished, forever. To preserve its rights, also previously noticed in this grant, 
and the privileges of its rank unimpaired, and to strengthen them with per- 
petual stability. We, who are present, by confirming, ordain, and by ordaining 
confirm, to our successors, under this condition, that if any one should wish to 
disturb these things, and strive to overturn, diminish, and violate our decrees, 
let him not be ignorant that he is striving against the Saviour of the world 
himself, and, unless he repent, he will incur eternal damnation, and God will 
blot out of the Book of Life him who abstracts anything from the rights and 
powers granted to the foresaid Church. Amen. So be it. — <^ I, Robert, 
Bishop of St. Andrews, confirm ; »J< I, John, Bishop of Glasgow, conf™'; ^ I, 
CoRMACCUS, Bishop of Dunkeld, conf""' ; •}• I, Gregory, Bishop of Moray 
conf""- ; »}< I, Macbeth, Bishop of Rosemarky, conf""' Of this privilege also 
are witnesses and assertors : — Edward, Earl; Constantine, Earl; Malise, 
Earl; Rotheri, Earl; Madeth, Earl; Gillemichel Macduff; Herbert, 
Chancellor; Hugo de Morevill, Robert Corbet, Robert Montacute, 
Maldoueni Maccobeth; MALDOUENiof Scoon; Gillepatric Macimpethin; 
Alwyn Macarkil; Robert Burgh ; Edward, son of Siward ; Walclinus, 
Chaplain." ( Vide Printed '■^Registrum de Dunfermelyn^' pp. 3, 4.) 

It will be observed that this Charter has neither the date of the 
year, nor the year of the reign in it ; but as Robert Bishop of St. 
Andrews was not coisecrated di bishop until late in the year 1127, and 
he appears to have been disqualified from adhibiting his signature 
to legal documents until after his consecration ceremony was accom- 
plished. He was nominated Bishop of St. Andrews in the year 1 122; 
but owing to "a vexatious dispute," he was not consecrated until 1 127, 
as noted, and therefore no legal document connected with the diocese 
of St. Andrews, in which Dunfermline was situated, appears to have 
been signed by him. Therefore, this first Confirmation Charter of 
David I. to Dunfermline Abbey would not be written before 11 27: 
and as Constantine, Ea7d of Fife, is one of the witnesses to it, the date 
cannot be later than 1129, for Constantine died during this year; 
consequently, 11 27- 1 129 is the period when it was written, but it is 
probable that 11 27 is the correct date of it, viz., that of the date of 
Robert's consecration as Bishop of St, Andrews, who thereby had 
a legal right to sign legal documents in his diocese. 



46 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1129. — CoNSTANTiNE, THIRD Earl OF FiFE, died and was 
interred at Dunfermline (perhaps within the walls of the Abbey). He 
is one of the witnesses to David I.'s Charter of Confirmation to 
Dunfermline Abbey. {Regist. de Diinf. p. 4 ; Sibbalds Hist. Fife, 
p. 227 ; Chalmers' Hist. Diinf. p. 133.) 

The Mill of Dunfermline.— There must have been a Mill for 
grinding victual in Dunfermline as early as this period. David, in 
his second Confirmation Charter, gives the tenth part of it to the 
Abbot and Monks, (David's Confirmation Charter, No. 2.) 

"The Ship of Inverkeithing." — David I. bestowed on the 
Abbot and Monks the " Ship of Inverkeithing," under certain condi- 
tions. ( Vide Print. Regist. de Dnnf. p. y ; also Second Confirmation 
Charter, Annals of Dunfermline^ In the original charter, the words 
conveying the gift, are — "I concede to the Church of the Holy Trinity 
the Passage and Ship of Inverkeithing." 

1130. — Translation of the Confirmation Charter of 
King David I. to Dunfermline Abbey. — No. 2. (Printed Regis- 
trum de Dnnfermelyn, pp. 5-7.) 

" In the name of the Holy Trinity, I, David, by the Grace of God, King 
of the Scots, by my Royal authority and power, with the consent of Henry, my 
son, and of Matilda, the Queen, my wife, with the confirmation and testimony 
of the Bishops, Earls, and Barons of my Kingdom, the Clergy also and the 
People acquiescing, do hereby grant, and in perpetual peace confirm, all the 
possessions written below to the Church of the Holy Trinity of Dunfermline, 
which was begun through the zeal and liberality of my predecessors. I set forth 
the gifts of ray father and mother as follows, viz. : — Pardusin, Petnaurcha, 
Pettecorthin, Petbaclachin, Lauar, Bolgin, the Schire of Kircaladinit, 
Inveresk the Desser : The Gifts of my brother Duncan — the two Villlas 
called Luscar : The Gifts of my brother Edgar— the Schyre of Gellald : 
The Gifts of my brother Ethelrede — Hales : The Gifts of my brother 
Alexander, the King — Primros, the Schyre of Gatemilc, Petconmar- 
CHiN, Balcherin, Drumbernin, Keth : The Gifts of Sibille, the Queen — 
Beeth : And these foresaid Gifts of my predecessors, with their appendages 
and right divisions, I freely grant forever to the foresaid Church. Further, 
my own gifts follow : — Dunfermline, on this side of the water on which the 
same Church is situated ; Kingorn, nearest to Dunfermline, and its appen- 
dages — FoET ; Inveresk the Greater, with its Mill and Fishing ; and 
Smithetun and Crefbarrin; and the Church of Infesk and Wymet 
(Wemyss), with their right divisions ; Fotheros, near St. Andrews, with its 
right divisions; and Pethenach, with its right divisions, and a carrucate of 
land, and Petioker : Besides, I give and grant, with the consent of Earl 
Henry, my son, for the salvation of our souls and those of our ancestors, in 
perpetual alms, Nithbren and its appendages, and Belachristin, with its 



SECOND CONFIRMATION CHARTER OF DAYID I. 47 

proper divisions in meadows and pastures, excepting the rights which the Cul- 
dees ought to possess, and everything justly belonging to them, as they were 
granted to the foresaid Church as an endowment on the day it was dedicated : 
Besides, I give to the same Church a Mansion in Berwick, another in 
Roxburgh, another in the Burgh of Haddington, another in Edinburgh, 
another in Linlithgow, another in the Burgh of Stirling, and two Churches 
in the same, and a carrucate of land adjoining the Church ; and also all the 
tithes of my Lordships, in fruits, in animals, in fish from my own nets, and 
also in feu-duties, and the tenth of my Can of the whole Castle district and the 
mansions of Roger the presbyter, as fully as he himself sane and safe has held 
them, and one net and a-half 3 and one Mansion in the Burgh of Dunferm- 
line, in free and quiet possession, and a tenth of the feu-duties of the Burgh, 
and a tenth of its Mill, and of all my Lordships in Dunfermline ; also a Man- 
sion in the Burgh of Perth, and likewise its Church, and a Mansion belonging 
to the Church, with all the tithes of my Lordship : Moreover, all the foresaid 
Gifts I grant to the foresaid Church in free and quiet possession, in such a 
manner as I possess my own lands, excepting the defence of my kingdom and 
regal justice, should the Abbot in his Court decide cases with a disregard to 
justice : I also grant every eighth part of all decrees and fines of Fife and 
Fothrif, and all the tithes of the whole of my Can, and of the malt of Fife and 
Fothrif, excepting the rights belonging to the Abbey of Dunkeld : And like- 
wise the tenth of all the game taken between Lammermuir and the Tay ; and 
also the half of the skins, tallow, and fat of all the beasts that shall be killed for 
the festivals to be held at Stirling, and between the Forth and Tay : I also 
grant that they may have in my forests every thing necessary for fire, and for 
their buildings, as to myself, and to their men, as to mine, I wish that 
they have freely without calumny all the offerings that shall be presented 
at the High Altar of the foresaid Church : And I also grant that of the Seals 
taken at Kinghorn, they have the seventh after they have been tithed : 
I likewise grant the tenth of all the Iron and the Salt that may be brought 
for my use at Dunfermline : Furthermore, my father and my mother gave 
to the Church of the Holy Trinity the whole parish of Fothrif, and so I 
grant : Further, I give and grant in alms, for ever, to the Church of the Holy 
Trinity, that tract of land called Aldestelle, and all that jusdy belongs 
to it ; the tract given is in Berwick, free and quiet; besides, I prohibit any 
caution from being taken over the lands or the vassals belonging to the 
Holy Trinity for the forfeiture of any one, not for their own proper forfeiture ; 
and also I grant that all their slaves, that my father and my mother and my 
brothers gave to it, be justly restored to the Church of the Holy Trinity, and 
all their ciimerlache [runaway slaves], from the time of YAgzx, the King, until 
this day, with all their money, wherever they may be found, I prohibit them 
on my forfeiture from being unjustly retained : I grant also to the Abbot and 
Monks all the men, with all their money, in whose land soever they may have 
been, who were on the lands at the time they were offered and given to the 
Church of the Holy Trinity : I likewise grant to the foresaid Church the tenth 
of all my wild mares of Fife and Fothriff : And I also grant to the Abbot and 
Monks that they have, throughout the whole of my land, everything they buy 
for their own necessary wants free of duty : Besides all before mentioned, I 
grant and give to the Abbot and Monks the sum of 5 merks of silver yearly 
for the purchase of vestments, brought in the first ships that arrive at Stirling 
or Perth : I also grant to the Church of the Holy Trinity the Ship and the 



48 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Passage of Inverkeithing, such as I possessed it in my Lordship, on con- 
dition, however, that all travellers and messengers, coming and going to and from 
me, and also the persons belonging to my Court, and also that my sons have a 
free passage in the same ship ; and if it should happen at any time, that any 
one of the before-mentioned persons should not be permitted a free passage, 
and the Abbot hear the complaint without giving redress, that I myself shall 
have power to correct this without hindrance from the Abbot and the brethren 
of the Church : I also grant willingly to what extent the Abbot and Monks 
of the Church of the Holy Trinity do not reply to any one inflicting damage 
in regard to the vassals who were in the lands, at the time they were offered 
and given to the Church of the Holy Trinity : Also, I grant to the Church of the 
Holy Trinity the tenth part of the whole of my Can of Clackmannan; the Abbot 
and Monks of the Church of the Holy Trinity have, in the whole of the King's 
jurisdiction on this side of Lammermuir, every Saturday in Court one skin, 
and on the sixth Saturday they have two skins and two parts of the fat, and 
the sixth skin of the Rams and Lambs : I also grant to the same Church 
the half part of my tithe of Ergaithel [Argyll] and of Kintire, in every year in 
which I myself receive the Can : And, furthermore, I give a taxed Church, with 
all its privileges, which through the clemency of God it now possesses, and in 
future through the same clemency may possess : We decree that it be pos- 
sessed, in the utmost tranquillity and entirely free from any subjection or exac- 
tion, either secular or ecclesiastical, excepting only that canonical obedience 
which, all the world over, every Church owes to its mother Church : I like- 
wise grant to the foresaid Church a certain Fishery at Perth, as freely and 
peaceably as I possess my own there. To preserve its rights, also previously 
noticed in this grant, and the privileges of its rank unimpaired, and to strengthen 
them with perpetual stability. We, who are present, by confirming, ordain, and 
by ordaining confirm, to our successors, under this condition, that if any one 
should wish to disturb these things, and strive to overturn, diminish, and violate 
our decrees, let him not be ignorant that he is striving against the Saviour of 
the world himself, and, unless he repent, he will incur eternal damnation, and 
God will blot out of the Book of Life him who abstracts anything from the right 
and powers granted to the foresaid Church. Amen. So be it. — tjt I, Robert, 
Bishop of St. Andrews, conf"- ; »i< I, G. G., Bishop of Dunkeld, conf"'; >{< I, 
Andrew, Bishop of Catiness, conf™* Of this privilege also are witnesses and 
assertors : — Walter, the Chancellor; Duncan, Earl; Hugh de Moreville; 
Walter de Lindsay ; Robert Auenel ; Walter Ridel ; Herbert, the 
Chamberlain ; Nicholas, the Clerk ; Alwyn, the son of Arkil ; Ewen, the 
Marischal; Gillecolm mac chimpethin; Macbeth mac torfin; Mevin, the 
son of Colbain." {Vide Printed Registrwn de Dunfermelyn, pp. 5-7 ; Fernies 
Hist. Diinf. pp. 187-193 ; Mercer's Hist. Dtmf. pp. 316-320.) 

This Charter enumerates several gifts, &c., bequeathed to the 
Abbey by David L, which are not noticed in the First Confirmation 
Charter ; besides, it recapitulates the gifts and privileges of that char- 
ter ; consequently, this Second Confirmation Charter must have been 
written after the date of the first one, for the special purpose of incor- 
porating in it the several new gifts and privileges which he had 
bestowed on the Abbey after the first was written. By comparing 
the two Confirmation Charters with each other, the new additional 



INVERKEITHING CHURCH BEQUEATHED TO THE ABBEY. 49 

gifts, &c., inserted in this second Charter, and not to be found in the 
first one, will readily be discovered. 

Like the fifst Confirmation Charter, this second one has neither 
date of the year, nor year of the reign; and, therefore, to ascertain the 
date of this Charter, within as^narrow limits as possible, recourse must 
be had to the first recurring deaths amongst the witnesses affixed to 
it. In the investigation it will be found that Constantine, Earl of Fife* 
who died in 11 29, is not in the list of witnesses here. His successor, 
Duncan, Earl of Fife, is a witness. Again, Matilda, the Queen, died 
in 1 1 30. At the beginning of the Charter she is noticed as an acqui- 
escing witness; therefore, this second Confirmation Charter must have 
been written between 1129 and 11 30 — the date 11 30 being probably 
the most correct one — and we have placed this Charter under it in 
the Amials. It thus appears that nearly three years may have elapsed 
between the first and the second Confirmation Charters, granted by 
King David I. to Dunfermline Abbey. 

1133. — Peter, the Prior of Dunfermline, died about this period, 
and was probably interred at Dunfermline. (See An. Dunf dates 
1108-1 120. 

Richard Mongal, elected Prior in the place of Peter, the de- 
ceased Prior. {Collier's Hist. Diet. ; An. Dunf. date 11 50.) 

1136. — Inveresk Church, bequeathed by David I. to the Abbey, 
the gift not to take effect until after the death of Nicholas the priest. 
(Print. Regist. de Dunf. p. 17, cart. No. 30.) This priest is not heard 
of after 1 1 36. 

Royal Gift— Craigmillar. — King David L, about this period, 
gave to the Abbey of Dunfermline, in free and perpetual gift, a carru- 
cate of arable land and some houses at Craigmillar. (Print. Regist. de 
Dunf. p. II.) 

1139. — INVERKEITHING CHURCH BEQUEATHED TO THE ABBEY. 
— This church, dedicated to St. Peter, was this year bequeathed to 
Dunfermline Abbey by Waldeve, the son of Gospatric (a Northum- 
berland baron). In the Registrum de Dunfermlyn, there is, at p. 94, 
cart. 165, a deed conveying the gift under the following brief title: — 
" Waldenus filiiis Gospatricij de ecca de Inuirkethi" — i.e., Waldeve, the 
son of Gospatric, in regard to the Church of Inverkeithing. The 

H 



50 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

charter informs us that Waldeve gave the Church of Inverkeithing to 
Dunfermhne Abbey ''^ for the love of God atid Saint Margaret, that the 
Lord festis Christ, by the intercession of that Holy Queen, and by the 
prayers there offered up, may have compassion on onr sonhy Fourteen 
witnesses attest this charter. This gift was confirmed to the Abbey 
by a Bull from Pope Lucius III. in 1184 (Print. Regist. de Dimf. 
p. 156), Archibald being Abbot of Dunfermline. 

1140. — COUSLAND Church (in East Lothian).— The patronage 
of it is granted to the Abbey. 

1142. — Bondmen, or Cumberlachl — David L, about this period, 
bequeathed to Dunfermline Abbey his servi — Ragezvin, Gillepatric, 
and Ulchell — "for ever to the Church of the Holy Trinity, as my own 
men!' (Print. Regist. de Dnnf. p. 13, No, 19 ; Dal Mon. Atttiq. p. 41.) 

1144. — Royal Gift of Gold to the Abbey. — About this 
period David L bequeaths, by charter-right, to the Abbey the tenth 
of all his gold obtained in Fife and Fothrifif. (Title of Charter, or 
Writ, "Z?^ Decima Atiri") Translation of the short Charter :- — " David, 
King of Scots, to all honest men. Greeting, — Be it known to you that 
I have conceded, as a free gift, to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
Dunfermline, the tenth part of the whole of my gold obtained in Fife 
and Fothrif— 7". Chancellor, Hugh de Morevill; ]0\l^, Episcopns. 
— Given at Elbothel." (Print. Regist. de Dunf. p. 16, cart. 28.) 

1146. — The Church OfEccles. — About this period "an Assem- 
bly was held in the Castriim Puellanim" (Edinburgh Castle), "where 
a compact was made regarding the Church of Eccles, between the 
Bishop of St. Andrews and the Abbot of Dunfermline, 'coram rege 
David et Henrico filio ejus et baronibns eorum! " (Acts of the Par- 
liament of Scotla?id, vol. i. p. 56, Ap) 

1148. — Richard Mongal, Prior of Dunfermline, died about 
the end of this year at San lago de Compostella, in Spain, where he 
had gone on a pilgrimage. This prior was the author of a small 
work, titled "'The Lives of St. Bernard and Abelard," and is therefore 
the first Dunfermline author whose name is on record. Fordun speaks 
of him in high commendation, and styles him ''Richard Mongal, Prior 



ROMISH CONSECRATION OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 5 1 

ClaiLstralis de Dunfermely?i" {Collier's Hist. Diet. ; Chalmers Hist. 
Dimf. vol. i. p. 501.) 

1149.— "Roger," a monk of the Abbey, elected Prior in the 
place of Richard Mongal, deceased. David in his great Confirmation 
Charter alludes to "Roger, the presbyter ;" probably the same Roger* 

1150.— Romish Consecration of Dunfermline Abbey. — 
In the Chronicle of Holyrood, under this date, there is the following 
incidental entry, viz.: — 

" M.C\-, dedtcata est Ecdesia de Dunfermelyn" — i.e., The Church of Dun- 
fermline was dedicated in 11 50. (Vide ^^ Chroiiicon Coenobii Sanctce Cruets 
Edinburgensis. ") 

There is no other entry bearing this out in any other of the old 
Abbey chronicles, chartularies, or memoranda of Scotland, which, to 
say the least of it, is rather singular. 

It is a well known authenticated fact, that this church was founded, 
partly built, and dedicated to "tJie Holy and Undivided Trinity^' by 
Malcolm III. and Margaret his consort, the Queen, circa A.D. 1074. 
David I., in his two Confirmation Charters, refers to this dedication, 
which see under dates 11 27 and 11 30. In early writings the words, 
^^dedicatio" and " consecratio," were often used as interchangeable or 
equivalent terms ; and had the scribe of Holyrood known that the 
Church at Dunfermline had, by Malcolm III., been dedicated to the 
Holy Trinity, he would undoubtedly have used the word ^^ consecra- 
tion'^ instead of ^^ dedication!' 

It would appear that it was not until about the year 11 50 that the 
Romish worshippers in the Abbey superseded the original service; 
and thus after becoming masters of the situation, the Abbot and monks 
would, by an imposing ceremony, according to the rites of Romish 
worshippers, consecrate the fabric of the Church, and also consecrate the 
dedication. The oblong stone, placed under the arch of the north- 
west Norman door of the Church (within the porch) by the late Rev. 
Dr. Chalmers, should have had ^^ consecrata" instead of '' dedicata," 
thus — 

EccLESiA Sancte Trinitatis 

De Dunfermlyn. 
Consecrata Anno MCL. 

(Vide Chal. Hist. Diinf. vol. ii. pp. 162-166 ; vide Appendix E.) 



52 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



1151. — Abbey Seal. — The following engraving represents the 
obverse side of what has hitherto been taken for the oldest Abbey- 
Seal, taken from a much defaced impression, in brown wax, 
attached to a deed, by the Abbot (R) of Dunfermline, in the 




archives of Durham Cathedral. There is evidence to show that 
this Abbot, R, was Abbot Robert de Berewick, who was in office from 
1 198 till 1202, and therefore the age of this seal has been assigned to 
this period ; but the fact of its being found attached to a deed of this 
period does not infer that it had no previous existence. After the 
Abbey became thoroughly Romanized, circa 1150, a seal would be a 
necessary instrument for giving legality to deeds, writs, and other 
documents. We are inclined therefore to place the origin of this seal 
under date 1151, as the most likely year it was made and granted. 
On this, the most ancient seal of the Abbey, there is a representation 
of a Baptismal Font, enclosed within a Norman-arched canopy, with 
side columns, and round the circumference is the legend, " sigillvm 
SANCTE TRINITATIS" — i.e., "Seal of the Holy Trinity." 



1152. — Royal Gift to Dunfermline Abbey. — Ada, Coun- 
tess of Northumberland (wife of Earl Henry, son of David I.) gave 
about this period, ^^ a full toft, in Haddington-schyre, to the Lord, the 
blessed Mary, and the Church of Dunfermline, for ever, freely and 
quietly, for the safety of my Lord, Earl Henry, for the safety of my 
own soul and all my predecessors, deceased, and to all the faithful 
servants of God." (Print. Regist. Dimf. No. 152, p. 88.) 



INTERMENT OF DAVID I. 53 

1153. — David I. Interred at Dunfermline. — David I., the 
King, the sixth and youngest son of Malcolm III. and Margaret his 
consort, died in the Castle of Carlisle, on 27th May, in the 30th 
year of his reign, and about the 76th year of his age, and "zvas 
buried at Dimfermline honourably, on the day of St. Mark the Evangelist, 
near his father (Malcolm), before the Great Altar" — {For dun, v. 40) — 
" in the pavement of the middle choir." {Fordun, viii. 7.) David was 
''^ found dead in a posture of devotion!' {Hailes's An. Scot, vol i. p. 93.) 
The Chronicle of the Scots and Picts refers to the occurrence as 
follows : — 

" David filius Malcolmi xxix. annis et tribus mensibus regnavit, et mortuus in 
Kartell et Sepultus in Dunfermlhi'' — /. e., "David, the son of Malcolm, reigned 
twenty-nine years and three months, and he died at Carlisle, and was buried 
at Dunfermline." 

^^ David, soun freir regna xxix. aunz et iij. moys, et morust a Cardoil, et gist 
a Dunfermelin" — /. e., David, his brother (viz., Alexander I.), reigned twenty- 
nine years and three months, and died at Carlisle, and lies at Dunfermlyn. 
(Vide Skene's Chronicles of Scots a?id Fids.) 

Winton rhymes the event thus — 

" The nynd Kalend, that day of June 
The guid Kyng Daiiiys dayes ware dwne, 
Intil Karlele, quhare he made 
A Styth castell, and thare he hade 
Oft and mekyl hys dwellyng 
All the tyme that he wes Kyng, 
And fra Karlele thai browcht syne 
Hys Body dede til Dwnfermlyn : 
Thare in halowyed Sepulture 
It wes enteryed wyth honowre." 

( IVynion's Orygynale Cronykil, vol. i. p. 306. ) 

(Vide Aldred, apud For. v. 59; Hailes's An. Scot. vol. i. p. 93 ; Aber. 
Mart. Ach. : Lardner's Cab. Cycl. Chron. p. 337 ; also App. An. Dunf.) 
John, the Prior of Hexham, relates that, when those who had the 
charge of conveying the King's body from Carlisle to Dunfermline to 
the place of sepulture, on arriving on the shores of the Firth of Forth, 
at Queensferry, "they found the sea in so boisterous and agitated a 
state, that they were afraid to venture upon it ; but no sooner had 
they placed the royal corpse in the boat, than the storm abated, so 
that they reached the opposite shore without difficulty;" and that, 
after the King's body was safely landed on the north shore, "the 
tempest began again with redoubled fury." {Decern. Scriptores Col. 
282 ; Morton's Monastic Annals of Teviot, p. 81.) 



54 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

St. David. — It appears not to be known when King David was 
canonized. If it did not take place shortly before his death, it may be 
supposed that such a pious King as David was, would not be kept long 
out of ''the catalogue of the saints," and we have therefore inserted the 
occurrence in this place. Dr. Lardner, in his Cabinet Cyclopoedia 
article, "Alphabetical Calendar of Saints' Days," p. 134, gives it thus : 

"David, King (Saint Day), Dec. 29," 

which has been extracted from MS. Vespasiaji A. ix. 

Royal Gifts by Malcolm IV. to Dunfermline Abbey. — 
Malcolm IV., on the day of the interment of his grandfather, David I., 
bequeathed to the Abbey the lands of Ledmacduuegil, near Dunferm- 
line ; and also 23 acres of arable ground. (" Confirmation Charter of 
Malcolm IV." Regist. de Dnnf p. 21.) 

Confirmation Charter of Malcolm IV. — Carta, No. 35 : 
" Confirmacio Malcolmi RegisP — This is the first of Malcolm IV.'s 
charters to the Abbey of Dunfermline. He granted fifteen charters 
to the Abbey. This one is a Confirmation Charter, granted shortly 
after he had ascended the throne. It occupies three-and-a-half quarto 
pages of "Registrum de Dunfermlyn," and, like the other Confirma- 
tion Charters, confirms the gifts of his predecessors, &c., as also those 
bequeathed by himself. (Print. Regist. de Dimf pp. 19-22.) 

1154.^ — Gaufrid, first Abbot of Dunfermline, died in October, 
1 1 54, in the 30th year of his abbotship, and about the 70th year of his 
age. His name in charters is variously spelt, as Galfridus, Galfrid, 
Gosfrid, and Geoffrey, but Gaufrid appears the most common spelling. 
He was a very learned man for the age, and "^ man of singular piety." 
Although the fact is not on record, he would most probably be 
interred within the precincts of Dunfermline Abbey. {Chron. S. 
Crncis, p. 32 ; Fordun-a-Goodall, vol. i. p. 443 ; Dart's History of 
Canterbury^ 

Gaufrid II. elected and consecrated the second Abbot. He was 
nephew of Gaufrid I., and appears to have been elected and conse- 
crated Abbot of Dunfermline in November, 1154. 

Sundry Donations to Dunfermline Abbey. — About this 
period a great many of the nobles of Scotland, and also others who 
were possessed of land, tofts, houses, &c., " conveyed much of their 



CHAPEL OF INVERKEITHING GIFTED TO THE ABBEY. 55 

inheritances in free gifts for ever to the Abbot and conventual brethren 
serving God in the Abbey CJiurch of the Holy Trinity of Dimfermliner 
(Vide Register of Dunfermline , and old Charters.) 

1155. — Heads of Crespeis Bequeathed to the Abbey. — 
Charter No. 37 of the Register of Dnnferfnliyte, entitled '^De capitibiis 
pisciuni quos vacant Crespeis," is a curious one. The following is a 
free translation of it : — 

^^ Relative to the Heads of Fishes called Crespeis. 

" Malcolm, King of the Scots, to all good men of his whole land, clerical 
and lay, French and English and Scotch, health, — Know ye that I have given 
and granted to the Abbot of Dunfermline, and to the monks serving God 
there, in perpetual alms, for the salvation of the soul of my predecessor, King 
David, the heads of the fishes which are called Crespeis (except the tongue), 
which may be stranded in my lordship on that part of Scotwater, situated 
within the bounds of their Church. Witnesses — Andrew, the Bishop [of 
Caithness] ; Duncan, the Earl ; Hugh de Moreville ; Walter, the son of 
Alan.; Herbert, the Chamberlain; Nicholas, the Clerk; Alwyn Mac- 
arkil, at Perth." 

Note. — These Crespeis are supposed to be a species of small whales, or 
^^ bottle-noses^' ; " Scotwater," the name of the Firth of Forth, at this period, 
and the part of it alluded to, would likely embrace in extent the space of 
shore-water lying between Limekilns and North Queensferry. The tongiie 
appears to have been a tit-bit. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 112.) 

1158. — Confirmation of Newton Church to the Abbey. 
— By this charter the Church of Newton appears to have been the pro- 
perty of Elwinus Renner and Eda, his wife. They handed it over to 
Malcolm IV., to be by him gifted and confirmed to the Abbey of 
Dunfermline. Newton is near Dalkeith. (Print. Regist. de Dunf. 
p. 25, carta 44 ; dated from Dunfermline.) 

Protection Charter de Conneuth. — Malcolm IV., in this 
charter, unites with Earl Duncan ; Marleswain ; Hugo, the son of 
Gillemichael ; G. Mac-sloclac ; Neis, the son of William ; and Alun. 
{Regist. de Dunf. No. 45.) 

Malcolm IV., in a short charter of this date, "claims \\\q: protec- 
tion of the A bbey of Dunfermline, ivhere the body of his grandfather. 
King David, rests in God." (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 25 ; Dal. Mon. 
An. p. 51 — printed at Edinburgh.) 

The Chapel of Inverkeithing Bequeathed to the Abbey 
BY Malcolm IV.— This charter was granted by Malcolm IV. at 



56 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Dunfermline, by which he conceded and confirmed to the Church of 
the Holy Trinity (or Abbey of Dumfermline), and to the Abbot and 
monks serving God there, in free and perpetual gift, the ^^cappella de 
Imnrkethhil' along with tivo tofts, near or adjacent to the chapel. 
(Print. Regist. de Dimf. p. 26, carta 46.) Granted at Dunfermline. 

1157. — Abercrombie Church, about this period, was freely 
gifted to Dunfermline Abbey by Malcolm IV. Abercrombie was 
once a distinct parish ; it was in later times united to the Parish of 
Torryburn. (Print. Regist. Dimf. p. 24.) 

1159. — INVERKEITHING ChAPEL AND TWO " TOFTS " BE- 
QUEATHED TO Dunfermline Abbey. — Malcolm IV., by charter, 
gave the Chapel of Inverkeithing, along with tzvo tofts to the Abbey, 
to be held in free and quiet possession. Granted at Dunfermline. 
There are three bishops and four other witnesses to this charter. 
(Print. Regist. de Dicnf. p. 26, carta 46, under title of " De Capella de 
Imdrketh et de diiobtis toftis.") One of these tofts is in the town, the 
other near the chapel. 

Royal Gift of Dunkeld Church to Dunfermline Abbey. 
— Malcolm IV., about this period, gave the Church of the Holy Trinity 
of Dunkeld (the Cathedral) to the Abbey of Dunfermline, "as a free 
and perpetual gift, with the lands and all other rights belonging to it, 
to be possessed by the Abbey after the decease of Andreiv, Bishop of 
Caithness, which gift is given for the salvation of the souls of all his 
ancestors," &c., and was afterwards frequently confirmed. (Print. 
Regist. de Dunf. No. 36, p. 22.) Andrew, the Bishop, died in the 
year 11 84. (See An. Dimf. date 11 84.) 

1160. — The Church of "Huchtercaledouir" Bequeathed 
AND Confirmed to the Abbey. — The Church of Upper Calder was 
gifted to Dunfermline Abbey as a free and perpetual donation by 
Earl Duncan, and which, by this charter, Malcolm IV. confirms. 
Done at Edinburgh. (Print. Regist. Dnnf. p. 26, carta 47.) 

Toft in Inverkeithing, granted by charter to Dunfermline . 
Abbey about this period, by Walter, the son of Alan. (Print. Regist. 
Dimf p. 93, No. 163.) 

1162. — The Monks of Dunfermline Abbey were prohibited 



THE CHURCH OF DUNKELD. 57 

from forsaking the Abbey, ^^ after their prof essions^^ of adherence to 
the Order, without the Abbot's leave, unless they entered into a 
stricter order. {Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 15 ; and Regist. Dunf.) 

1163. — Bull from Pope Alexander III. to Dunfermline 
Abbey. — It repeats the names of all the gifts given to the Abbey to 
date; and this, his Confirmation Charter 12, dated from " Turon^ 
7 June 1 163," confirms all to the Abbot and monks. (Print. Regist. de 
Dunf. pp. 151-153-) 

1164. — PORTUS Regin^ — i.e., Queen's Port, or Ferry — is for the 
first time noticed with tog nudas natione, in the Charter granted 
to Scone, in 1164, by Malcolm IV., when he gives the Abbot and 
monks of that place a free passage at all times, ad portuni regincB. 
(See Liber Ecclesia de Scon ; and Chalmers' Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 87, ^Z, 
&c. ; An. Dunf. date 11 82.) 

SCOTWATER (Firth of Forth). — During "the Roman occupa- 
tion," and for a considerable time after that had ceased, the Firth of 
Forth appears to have been known as " the Sea of Bodotria." After- 
wards, and down to about the year 1 100, it was known as Scotwater. 
This latter name appears twice in the Regist. de Dunf. at pp. 22, 23, 
and 420. The name, "Scotwater" had ceased to be used about A.D. 
1 100, and it is therefore singular that Malcolm IV. in his charter, date 
1 164 — {Regist. Dunf. pp. 22, 23) — should have used it, peeing that his 
predecessors had never done so. 

The Donation of the Church of Dunkeld to Dunfermline 
Abbey by Malcolm IV., in 1159, was this year (1164) confirmed by 
Charter of Robert, the Bishop of Dunkeld. The following is a 
translation of this Confirmation Charter from printed copy in 
Registrum de Dunfermlyn, p. 22, by Cosmo Innes, Esq., Professor 
of History in the University of Edinburgh, 1842 : — 

" To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church : Richard, by the Grace of God, 
Bishop of Dunkeld, Salutation and Episcopal Benediction, — Since it belongs 
to our office to increase the respect of holy religion, let all as well present as 
future know, that I have granted, and by this my Charter confirmed, to the 
Abbot of Dunfermline, and the monks there serving God, the donation of 
King Malcolm, and Andrew, Bishop of Caithness, as their Charters testify, 
the Church of the Holy Trinity of Dunkeld, and all the lands justly pertain- 
ing to it, free and quit from every exaction, as well of ecclesiastics as of secu- 
lars, saving episcopal rights. I also grant to them conversationan in my 

I 



58 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

bishoprick, and that they may exercise the divine office, and hold the cure of 
souls among their dependants; and that, while conversantes in my diocese, 
they shall receive from me those things which pertain to Christianity. — Wit- 
nesses : Matthew, archdeacon of St. Andrews; Bricius, prior of Inchcolm; 
Michael, the clerk; Master Matthew, and John, his brother; Robert, cup- 
bearer to the bishop; Radulfus, the chaplain; Thomas, the presbyter ; Mur- 
doch, the clerk; Abraham Little." 

(Print. Regis t. de Dunf. p. 419; also Chalmers History of Dimfennlifie, 
vol. i p. 504.) 

Bull of Alexander III. confirming the grant of Dunkeld to 
Dunfermline Abbey ; translated by Cosmo Innes, Professor of History 
in the University of Edinburgh, 1 842 : — 

"Alexander, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his beloved sons 
Geoffrey, Abbot of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, and his brethren, salutation 
and apostolic benediction, — It becomes us to grant a ready consent to the just 
desires of suppliants; and reasonable vows are to be effectually performed. There- 
fore, sons beloved in the Lord, we, heartily assenting to your just requests, con- 
firm, by our apostolic authority, to you, and through you to your Church, the 
Church of the HolyTrinity of Dunkeld, as reasonably granted to your Monastery 
by Andrew, Bishop of Caithness, with the consent of the illustrious King of Scots; 
together with the towns belonging to the same Church, which we have judged 
proper to mention by name : Fordoun, Dimmernic, Bendachim, Cuper- 
MACCULiM, Inche, Rumm, Cethec. Let it be unlawful, therefore, to any to 
infringe this our confirmation, or oppose in any manner. Should any one 
presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of 
Almighty God, and of the blessed Peter and Paul, his apostles. — Given at 
Sens, 27 July " [1164]. 

{Vide Print. Regist. de Dunf. No. 236, p. 151 ; also CJial. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 504.) This is the first Bull from a Pope in Registruni de 
Dimfermlyn^ and is here given as a specimen of the tenor of tJie Bulls 
in the Register. 

Pope Alexander IIL between the years 1163 and 1 165, granted 
two Bidls, or Writs, to Dunfermline Abbey. ( Vide Print. Regist. de 
Dunf. pp. 151-153.) 

1165. — Malcolm IV. Interred at Dunfermline.— Malcolm 
IV. died at Jedburgh, December 9th, 1165, in the 24th year of his age 
and the 12th of his reign. He was brought with the highest honour, 
by the most distinguished persons of all ranks in the kingdom, to 
Dunfermline, and " interred in the middle pavement of the Abbey, to 
the right of his grandfather, King David, before the High Altar, the 
royal burial place." {For dun viii. 11 ; Hailes' Annals of Scotland, 
vol. i, p. 109.) 



A ROYAL DONATION TO THE ABBEY. 59 

The following are extracts from old authors, who refer to the death 
and interment of Malcolm IV.: — 

" Maucloun le fitz Henry count del Garuyaghe de Huntingdoun et de 
Northumbreland qi fust le fitz Dauid le roy, regna xij. aunz et vi. moys et xx. 
iours qi monest auaunt la pier a Jedworth et gist a Dunfermelin." 

That is — 

Malcolm, the son of Henry, Earl of Garuyaghe and Huntingdon and of 
Northumberland, the son of David the late King, reigned 12 years, 6 
months, and 20 days; he died at Jedburgh, and lies at Dunfermline." 
[Skene's Chron. Fids and Scots.) 

"Malcolm filius Henrici filii Dauid, regnavit xij. annis et six mensibus et 
XX. diebus et mortuus in Jedvved et Sepultus in Dunfermlin cum predecessoribus 
regibus." 

That is — 

Malcolm, the son of Henry, the son of David, reigned 12 years and 
6 months, and 20 days; and died in Jedburgh, and was interred with his 
predecessors, the kings, at Dunfermline. 

Winton, in alluding to the occurrence, says — 

" A thowsand a hundyr Sixty and fyve 
Yheris of Grace, owt of his lyve 
Malcolm oure Kyng past wyth honourc, 
In Gedwood, till hys Creature 
Of Decembyre the nynd day, 
Efter the Conceptyown ay 
Of oure Lady the Virgyne clere; 
Fra thire hys body was browcht syne, 
And entyr'd in Dwmfermlyn." 

{WyjitojCs Orygynale Croityhil Scot. vol. i. \>. 318.) 

{Vide also Chron. Melrose, p. 169; Hailes' An. Scot. maj. vol. i. p. 109; 
For dim, 1. 8 ; c. 4, lo, ii ; Abrid. Scots Chron. p. 98.) 

Royal Donation of 100 Shillings to the Abbey. — King 
William (the Lion), on tJie day of his brother's demise, gave to the 
Abbey, as a free and perpetual gift, 100 shillings out of the revenue 
of the burgh of Edinburgh, and 20 acres of land, and a toft of land 
in Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. de Dunf.; Confirm. Charters ; Chal. 
Hist. Dnnf. vol. ii. p. 231.) 

Walter Fitzalan's Gift to the Abbey.— "Walter, the son of 
Alan, the King's Steward, gave to the Abbey on the day that King 
Malcolm was buried there, a gift of 20 acres and a toft, for the weal 
of the soul of I^ing Malcolm IV. and his ancestors ; and also for the 



60 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

souls of his own father and mother and his ancestors, and for his 
own soul in free Alms, reserving si lodging for himself and his heirs." 
Confirmed by William the Lion. — {Regist. de Dunf. No. i6i, p. 93 ; 
Daly ell's Monas. Ant. p. 51.) 

1166.— Confirmation Charter of King William.— Shortly 
after his ascension to the throne this year, King William granted a 
Confirmation Charter to the Abbey, confirming the gifts and privileges 
bestowed by his predecessors, and his own. This charter is entitled 
" Confirmacio IVillmi Regis," and occupies pp. 28, 29, 30, of the printed 
Registru7n de Dunf. 

1168.— A Toft in Inverkeithing was given to Dunfermline 
Abbey about this period by Walter, the son of Alan, as a free and 
perpetual eleemosynary gift, &c. (Print. Regis. Dunf. pp. 93, 94, 
No. 163.) 

1171.— Balchristie. — The dispute between the monks of Dun- 
fermline and the canons of St. Andrews, respecting their respective 
rights to Balchristie, was settled this year, the King (William) 
deciding that the lands should belong to the monks of Dunfermline, 
and the pension out of them, excepted by King David to be paid to 
the canons of St. Andrews. (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 34, No. 59 ; and 
p. 5, No. 3.) 

1173.— The Schools of Perth and Stirling, under the 
Sttperintendence of Dimfermline Abbey. — As early as this period there 
were Scolis in Perth and Stirling wherein youthful candidates for 
ecclesiastical preferment were instructed in grammar and logic, of 
which the abbot and monks of Dunfermline were the directors. 
{Carta de Paisley, p. 284 ; Caledonia, vol. i. p. "j^y ; Sir f. Stewart's 
Coll. in Adv. Lib. No. 45 ; Ty tier's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 353 ; Carta 
de Kelso, pp. 253-258 ; Regist. de Dunf. p. 56, 57, 6-^^, 66, 81, 418 ; 
C/ial. Hist. Dttnf. vol. i. p. 242.) 

1174.— Royal Donation of a Bondman and his Children 
TO the Abbey of Dunfermline. — King William, by a Charter 
titled ^^ De Servis',' bequeaths for ever, as a free eleemosynary gift to 
the Abbey, Gilla7idrcan Mac Suthen and his children. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf p. 36, No. 64 ; Dal. Mon. Ant. pp. 40, 41.) 



THE CHURCH OF MOULIN GIFTED TO THE ABBEY. 6 1 

1176.— GiLLEBRlDUS, Sheriff of Dunfermline. — According to the 
" Register of the Priory of St. Andrews," Gillebridus was vice-comes, 
or Sheriff of Dunfermline, as early as this year. {Liber Cartarnm 
Prioratus Sajicti Andree, p. 216 ; also, Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 582, 
&c.) Perhaps this Gillibridus acted as chief magistrate of Dunferm- 
line at this period. The Sheriff (or Schireeve) appears to have been 
succeeded by the title Alderman, and afterwards by Provost — by 
Provost before 1450. (See also date 1395.) 

1178. — GaUFRID II., Abbot of Dunfermline, died this year. He 
was Abbot 24 years. His name appears as a witness in several 
Charters in Registrum de Dwifermline, as also in Charters in other 
Abbeys, &c. Probably he was interred at Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. i. p. 180; vol. ii. p. 218.) 

Archibald, elected and consecrated Abbot of Dunfermline as 
successor to Gaufrid II. (the third Abbot). His name is written in 
some Abbey Charters Erkenbald, Erkenbaldus, Archembaldus, and 
sometimes with the initial A. or E, only. He is several times noticed 
in the chartulary of Kelso Abbey. (See date 1198 ; also, Chal. Hist. 
Dunf vol. i. p. 181 ; vol. ii. p. 313.) 

1179.— Tithes of the Malt of Fitkill {Lesslie). — King 
William in a Charter declares that xxiii. s. iiij.d. was the sum that the 
monks of Dunfermline were wont to draw from his lands of Fitkill. 
(Print. Regist. Dunf p. 35.) 

Church of Melville Bequeathed to the Abbey : A Per- 
petual Light before the Tombs of Kings David and Malcolm. — Gaefrid 
de Malcum (Melville), after (in his Charter) saluting "all good men, 
present and future," gives and confirms to the Church of Christ at 
Dunfermline and Monastery of the same, the Church of Melville, 
as a perpetual and free alms ''for the souls of David the King and 
Malcolm IV., and for his ancestors and successoj's ;" at same time, he 
stipulates that, for this charitable gift, "a perpetual light must be 
kept burning before the tomb of the said K^ifigs." Coram Sepultura. 
(Print. Regist Dunf. pp. 91, 92.) 

1180.— The Church of Moulin Gifted to the Abbey. — The 
Church of Moulin, in Perthshire, was bequeathed to Dunfermline 
Abbey by Malcolm (the second), Earl of Athole. The Charter of 



62 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Conveyance is in Print. Regist. deDunf. p. 85, and is titled " Malcolmus 
Comes Atholie : De Ecclia de Molin." The date is not known with 
accuracy, but a.d. 1180 appears to be the probable date. The Earl 
and his Countess appoint Dunfermline Abbey to be the place of their 
sepulture. 

The Church of Strathardolf. — In an undated Charter of 
about this date, King William gives to the Abbey of Dunfermline the 
Church of Strathardolf, or Strathardol, in the north-east part of 
Perthshire, " as a perpetual free gift, to be held in quiet and honour- 
able possession." {Regist. de Dunf. p. 39; Carta 73 ; Chal. Hist. Diinf. 
vol. i, p. 230, &c.) 

1182.— Pope Lucius III., between the years 1182 and 1183, 
granted two Bulls or Writs to Dunfermline Abbey. ( Vide Print. 
Regist. Diinf. pp. 153-158.) 

Queen's Ferry. — The old name of " Ardehinnechenam " began 
to be disused in 11 64, and that of Passaginni S. Margaritce Regince 
(Passage of the Holy Margaret the Queen) substituted. This new 
name for " Queen's Ferry" again appears in a Confirmation Bull 
or Charter of Lucius III. to the Abbey, and is dated 14th Nov. 
M.C.LXXX.IIIJ. (1184), and occasionally it re-appears in this its Latin 
designation in other Charters on the Register down to a late period. 
The Seal of the burgh of South Queensferry is an oval one, in the 
centre of which is St. Margaret standing in a skiff or boat ; crown on 
head ; rod of office in her right hand ; the boat has a small flag at stern; 
the legend between ornamental border lines round the circumference 
reads — INSIGNIA ' PASAGI " REGIN/E. South Queensferry became a 
royal burgh in 1636, and perhaps this is the date of this Seal. 

1184. — Andrew, Bishop of Caithness, (formerly Culdean Abbot 
of Dunkeld) — died at Dunfermline 30th December, {Chal. Hist. 
Diinf. vol. i. p. 493.) 

DUNKELD (Cathedral) CHURCH — in consequence of the death of 
Andrew, Bishop of Caithness, this year — becomes the unconditionaL 
legal property of Dimferviline Abbey, 

1185.— King William and his Dunfermline Workmen.— 
A Charter or Writ of King William about this date notifies : " When 
I repaired my castles in Ross, the men belonging to the Abbot and 



ROBERT DE BERWICK CONSECRATED ABBOT. 63 

Monks of Dunfermline assisted, of their own goodwill, at my request, 
along with other honest men of mine ; but it is my command that, 
having done this at my instance, it shall not be construed into any 
precedent." (Print. Regist. Diinf. p. 32, No. 54.) 

1187. — Pope Urban III. this year granted a Bull or Writ to 
Dunfermline Abbey, in which he decrees that any vacant churches 
must not be granted to any one, but must be retained for their 
original purposes. {Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 158, 159.) 

1190.— Lighting the Church of Dunfermline. — Archibald, 
Abbot of Dunfermline, about this period received an undated Charter 
from King William in his favour, granting the right to receive annually 
from the burgh of Haddington, "the sum of 3 merks — one-half at the 
Feast of St. Martin, the other half at the Feast of the Pentecost — for 
lighting the Church of Dujiferniline." (Print. Regist. de Dnnf. p. 3 1 ; 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 181.) 

Pope Clement III. this year granted four Bulls to Dunfermline 
Abbey. {Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 159-16L) 

11 9S. — Roger, Prior of Dunfermline, died about this period, and 
was probably interred within Dunfermline Abbey. He appears to 
have been Prior for the long period of 46 years. (See An. of Dunf. 
date 1 149.) 

Lambinus, elected Prior of Dunfermline Abbey about this period, 
as successor to Roger the Prior; exact date of death unknown, but 
between 1192 and 1198. {Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andre, 
p. 353 ; also Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 582.) 

1196.— Malcolm, Earl of Athole, and his wife the Countess, 
died between the years 1 194 and 1 198, and were interred in the Abbey 
in the place they had selected. These dates are found by a compari- 
son of the dates of deaths of witnesses affixed to his Charter in the 
Register of Dunfermline, p. 85, No. 147. 

1198.— Archibald, the 3rd Abbot of Dunfermline, died. Not 
known where interred. {Chron. Mel. p. 103 ; Fordun, lib. 153.) 

Robert de Berwick, elected and consecrated Abbot of Dun- 
fermline ; successor to Archibald, the last Abbot. He is represented 



46 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

as being "a careless man." (See his deposition in 1202.) The 4th 
Abbot. 

1199.— Keeth Chapel, Crichton. — This year it was ordained 
by Charter, that the Chapel of Keeth should belong to the Chapel of 
Crichton for ever ; and that the Church of Crichton should pay to the 
Abbey of Dunfermline one mark of silver annually at the Feast of the 
blessed Martin, (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 68-69, No. 113: Chal. Hist. 
Dnnf. vol i. p. 227.) 



END OF THE TWELFTH CENTURY. 



M C C I. 

(beginning of the thirteenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1201. — The 13th century opens on Dunfermline with Robert as 
Abbot (but with murmurs of discontent), Lambinus as Prior ; and 
connected with the Abbey there are 26 monks and 12 officials. An 
enlargement of the Abbey is under consideration. King William, 
and his consort. Queen Ermingarde, and the royal children, occa- 
sionally reside in the Tower. 

1202. — Robert, Abbot of Dmifermline, deposed for "irregulari- 
ties" by the Cardinal Legate, John de Salerno, at a general court he 
held at Perth in 1202. {Chalmers' Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 182.) 

Patrick, Sub-Prior of Durham, elected and consecrated Abbot 
of Dunfermline, in place of Abbot Robert. Patrick, previous to this 
period, had been Sub-Prior of Durham, and Dean and Prior of Can- 
terbury. He was the fifth Abbot. 

1203. — Cramond. — Six acres of land bequeathed to Dunfermline 
Abbey. Alicia, grand-daughter of one Ranulph, made a free grant of 
six acres of land at Karamund to the Abbey of Dunfermline. Patrick, 
the Abbot, is one of the numerous witnesses to her Charter. (Print. 
Regist. de Diuif pp. 115, 116.) 

Bishop Malvoisine and his Wine Allowance. — William 
Malvoisan, Bishop of St. Andrews, during an official visit to Dun- 
fermline about this period, deprived the Abbey of its presenta- 
tions to the Churches of Hailes and Kinglassie, because the Abbot 
and monks had neglected to provide for him wine enough for his 
collation after supper. The Abbot and monks declared that they had 

K 



^^ ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

provided a sufficient quantity of wine, but that the Bishop's atten- 
dants had improvidently consumed it, {Fordun, lib. vi. 41 ; Hailes's 
A71. Scot. vol. i. p. 300 ; Heron's Hist, of Scot. vol. i. p. 432, &c., &c.) 




Seal of Patrick, Abbot of Dunfermline. — The above is 
2i facsimile of the wax impression of the Abbot of Dunfermline's 
Seal to a Melrose Charter of this date. This Seal, an oval one, 
is slightly defaced. The interior part represents a religieiix seated, 
reading a Bible, it is presumed, which lies open on a table-desk before 
him. Within lines round the circumference is the following legend in 
old Saxon letters : — "f sigill-PATRICII-abbatis-DE-DVNFERMELIN" 
— that is. Seal of Patrick^ Abbot of Dunfermline. 

1207. — Bull from Pope Innocent III. to Abbot Patrick of 
Dunfermline, confirms to the Abbacy all its previous possessions, &c., 
as given in the second Bull of Pope Lucius III. (Print. Regist. de 
Dunf p. 161. ; Chal. Hist. Diinf vol. i. p. 182.) 

1208. — Cleish Chapel was about this period granted to the 
Abbey of Dunfermline by Malcolm, 7th Earl of Fife. (Print. Regist. 
deDunf^. 83; also pp. 46, 108, 125, 207, 383, for Cles, Cleth, and 
Cleische) 

1210.— Abercrombie Church. — Malcolm, 7th Earl of Fife, gave 
the Church of Abercrombie, with the teinds of Quichts, &c., to the 



EXTENSION OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 6/ 

Abbey of Dunfermline as a free gift for ever, for his own soul, and 
''for the souls of his father and mother^ and of his sticcessors." (Print. 
Regist. de Dtinf. p. ^i^) 

1212. — Ermingarde, Queen of Scotland, is a witness to the Char- 
ter of Philip de Mubray, and Galiena his wife, relative to the Church 
of Inverkeithing, and to which the Queen affixes her seal. (Print. 
Regist de Dimf p. 25, No. 166, &c. ; Dal Mon. Antiq. p. 12.) 

1215.— Controversy between the Abbeys of Dunfermline and 
Cambuskenneth, respecting the Chapel of Dunipace, was this year 
amicably settled. (Print. Regist. de Dtmf pp. 128-130.) 

The Tithe of Polmase.— The tithe of the corn of Polmase is 
made payable to the Abbey, by the specific measure of a chalder of 
oatmeal (Print. Regis, de Dunf ; Dal Mon. Antiq. p. 32.) 

1216. — Pope Innocent III., between the years 1206 and 12 16, 
granted eleven Bulls, or Writs to Dunfermline Abbey. ( Vide printed 
Regist. Dunf pp. 161 -166.) 

The Extension of Dunfermline Abbey commenced about 
this period. The Abbey, or rather Church, founded by Malcolm 
and Margaret about the year A.D. 1072, had long previous to 12 16 
been found unsuited for the "pomp and parade of Romish worship." 
It was resolved that the Abbey should at once be extended, and a 
new building united to the walls of the original Abbey on the east 
that it should be a great Cross Church, with transepts, choir, lantern 
tower, presbytery, lady cJiapel, chapter-house, d^nd other necessary offices. 
According to this resolution the extension of the Abbey was begun 
and, it would appear, a slight extension of Monastery on the south, 
for a contemplated increase in the number of monks from 30 to 50, and 
also for suitable accommodation for receiving strangers, visitors, &c. 
The ground-plan on next page is from a large one, done in 1790, by 
the late Rev. Mr. Syme. 

It may be noted that historians and others have too frequently 
treated the names "Abbey" and "Monastery" as if both names re- 
ferred to one object, as if they were interchangeable. They are not 
so. " Abbey," is the holy place, the place wherein the rites and the 
forms of worship were conducted; and "Monastery" is the place 
wherein the monks who conduct the worship reside —where they 
take their meals, sleep, and perform any secular duties. 



68 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE 




O 



O 
Id 



o 

X 

u 



> 
oa 

< 

Ui 



2 

U 



3 
O 



Z 

a. 
o 



o 
o 



1222.— Land at Craigmillar given to the Abbey. — 
Willliam, the son of " Henricus de Cragmilor," gave in pure and 
perpetual gift or alms, a toft of land at Cragmilor to the Abbey of 
Dunfermline. (Vide Haddingtoji CollecHofis ; Mackie's Scot. Palaces, 
pp. 207-208.) 




^. 



a; 



VIEW OF THE ABBEY WITH NEW CHOIR. 69 

1223.— Patrick, 5//^ Abbot of Dunferinline died — ''15th Kal. 
Oct. obiit Patricius Abbas de Dimfermelmr {Dart's Cant. Obituary) 

William (I.) elected and consecrated Abbot of Dunfermline, as 
successor to Abbot Patrick. He was the 6th Abbot, and died, after 
holding the abbotship for about seven months only, 

William (II.) elected and consecrated Abbot of Dunfermline, as 
successor to Abbot William I. 

Dunfermline Abbey Tithes, &c. — About this period the Regis- 
trum de Diinfermlyn had notices of " tithes of mill multures and 
sequels" being levied by the Abbey; and about the same time a 
question had arisen about tithing fishes. (Print. Regist. Dimf. ; Dal. 
Mon. Antiq. p. 33.) 

1226.— The New Large Eastern Church, or Choir, begun 
circa 12 16, appears to have been completed this year — "a noble struc- 
ture," perhaps unequalled in Scotland ; but the great expenses attend- 
ing its erection during the past ten years had very much impoverished 
the Abbey. The Abbot applied to the Pope for relief, soliciting the 
patronage and presentation to vacant churches. 

Bull of Honorius III., regarding the foregoing, refers to the 
augmentation of the Monastery and the noble stricctnre of the extended 
fabric, &c. This allusion shows that the "noble structure" had just 
tJien been completed, viz., 1226, for this Bull or Writ is dated in the tentJi 
year of his pontificate. This Pope in his Bull goes on to say, in order 
sufficiently to sustain the honour and the hospitality of the Abbey, 
he conceded and confirmed to the Abbot, &c., the vicarages of the 
Churches of Hailes and Kinglassie, &c. ; dated at " Reat, i January, 
Pontif. anno x" — that is, A.D. 1226. (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 167, No. 
257 ; see also Regist. de Dunf. No. 130 : and An. of Dnnf. date 123 1.) 

Pope Honorius HI., between the years 1225 and 1227, granted 
four Bulls, or Writs, to Dunfermline Abbey. (Print. Regist. Dunf, 
pp. 166-168.) 

View of Dunfermline Abbey with the New Choir. — There 
are, of course, no views extant of Dunfermline Abbey at so early a 
period — nor, indeed, are there any for some hundreds of years after this 
period ; but still, from the old prints and sketches in the writer's pos- 
session, some showing a portion of the north wall of the new choir of 



70 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



1228, the fragment of the lantern tower as it stood in 1705, which 
along with the known architecture of the north wall of the "Auld 
Kirk" (the original Abbey), a pretty correct idea can be formed of the 
"noble structure" when it stood completed in 1226. 

The writer of the Annals has, from the sources just noted, drawn for 
the engraver the accompanying composition view, which may be taken 
as a pretty correct one of the nezu and o/d fabrics from an imaginary 
north-north-west point of view — say, near the top of the Kirkgate, 
with all the intervening houses between this site and the Abbey swept 
away. 

" And sure on more majestic pile 
Our northern sun did seldom smile ! 

Ascending from the vale below ; 
How nobly would it meet the eye, 

When all its turrets seem'd to glow, 
Midway in the morning sky ! " 

{Mercers " Dwi/ermline Abbey: a Poem.") 

Capitular Seal of the Abbey. — The age of this fine Seal has 
not been ascertained ; probably it may date from the year 1226, when 




'the Abbey was enlarged by noble structures." It would appear that 
a chapter-house Avas then erected, and it may be presumed, therefore, 
that a special chapter-seal was then made for "chapter business." 



CAPITULAR SEAL OF THE ABBEY. 7 1 

The Seal is a matrix one of brass, and is 2^ inches in diameter (same 
size as in the preceding engraving, which is a correct representation of 
the obverse side of the Seal). 

It has been supposed that the design occupying the centre of the 
Seal is a representation of the Monastery; we rather suppose that it 
represents the coffer-box in which the relics of St. Margaret were kept, 
and which would stand on her shrine. There are many instances of 
coffer-boxes, or chests, being "house-shaped." If St. Margaret's coffer- 
box was not so shaped, then it is probable that the representation on 
the Seal may have been carved on the front panel of the coffer-box. 
Mr. Henry Laing, in his "Descriptive Catalogue of Impressions from 
Ancient Scottish Seals, &c., Edinburgh, 1850," describes this part of the 
Seal as follows: — "This is a fine round Seal, of an extremely interest- 
ing and curious design — perhaps intended to represent the Monastery. 
A section of the lower part is given, divided into three arches, sup- 
ported by spiral columns. Beneath the first arch, on the sinister side, 
is a priest at mass, attended by an acolyte. In the next, or centre 
arch, is a female figure, probably St. Margaret, holding an open book 
in her hand, standing before a lectern. In the dexter arch is a monk 
standing before a lectern, holding (or reading) a book. Above the 
roof of the building is a crescent, an estoile, and two birds." Round 
the circumference is the following legend in old characters: — "SIGILL* 
CAPITL'rECCL'lE-SCE-TRINITATIS-DE'DVNFERMELIN" — i.e., Seal of 

the Chapter of the Church of the Holy Trinity of Dunfermline. 

The other half of this matrix Seal was long missing. About the 
year 1847, "it was accidentally discovered by the late Mr. Bell, of 
Gateshead, on the top of a barrow-load of earth which a labourer 
was wheeling there." On next page is an accurate representation of 
the surface of this long lost half of the Seal (the reverse side of it). 
On the Reverse of the Chapter Seal are the figures of four Angels 
supporting an Aureole, within which the Saviour, with Cruciform 
Nimbus, is sitting on a Rainbow, his feet resting on a lesser one, 
his right hand raised as if calling to judgment, his left holding 
an open book. At the dexter side is an Estoile of five points, and 
above the sinister hand is a Crescent. Below the Rainbow is a Quatre- 
foil on the dexter, and a Cinquefoil on the sinister side, surrounded 
by the following inscription or legend : — " MORTISL'vitebrevis — 
VOXITEVENITE DICET REPROBISITE VENITE PROBIS" — which may be 

rendered : '■^ Mortis' Et'vite' Brevis' Est' vox ; Ite'Venite'Dicet'Repro- 
bis-Ite- Venite'Pr obis'' — i. c, "Brief is the Voice of Life and Death — 



72 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Go, come, it will say to the Bad ; go, come, to the good." (Vide Laing's 
Descriptive Catalogue of Scottish Seals ; ChaL Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 2 1 7 ; 
Gordon's Monasticoji, p. 409.) 




Dunfermline and Culross Abbey. — The dispute between 
Abbot William of Dunfermline, and Abbot Hugh of Culross, relative 
to payments due to the former Abbey for the Church of Abercrombie, 
in the jurisdiction of the latter Abbey, is this year amicably settled by 
these Abbots, the Abbey of Culross agreeing to pay 15 marks of silver 
yearly to the exchequer of Dunfermline Abbey. (Print. Regist. Dunf. 
pp. 126, 127.) 

1227.— A Free Warren Granted to the Monks. — Alexander 
II. granted to the Monks of Dunfermline Abbey a free ivarren through- 
out their lands at Musselburgh, and prohibited every one from hunt- 
ing or trespassing within the warren on the penalty of £\0. [MS. 
Monastica Scotics, vol. ii. p. 724.) 

1228. — A Toft of Land in Leith was, about this period, given 
to Dunfermline Abbey, by Thomas de Lastalric (Restalrig, near Edin- 
burgh). Print. Regist. Dnnf p. 106, No. 188.) 

A Toft of Land in Haddington, given to Dunfermline Abbey by 
David de Lyndeseya (Lindsey). (Print. Regist. Dnnf p. 105, No. 191.) 



the abbey enlarged. 73 

1229.— The Abbey of Dunfermline and the Vicar of 
Musselburgh.— In the dispute between the Abbey and the Vicar of 
Musselburgh, the Bishop of St. Andrews determines that the Vicar 
shall have all offerings and small tithes belonging to his altarage, 
excepting the fishes of every sort, and the tithes of mills belonging 
to the monks, for which the Vicar must pay to the Abbey of Dunferm- 
line 10 merks yearly. (Print. Regist. Dimf. p. 69, No. 114; Dal. Mon, 
Antiq. p. 31.) 

1230.— Chartulary of Dunfermline, now called the ''Regis- 
ter of Dunfermline',' appears to have been begun as early as this 
period. The Chartulary is and has been in the Advocates' Library, 
Edinburgh, for nearly 200 years. It has modern binding, and is in 
good condition. First Charter by David I., 1128; last Charter by 
George Dury, Abbot of Dunfermline, in 1557. (See Appendix E.) 

1231.— The Abbey Enlarged by a ''Noble Structure" and the 
number of Monks increased from jo to jo. — Under date 1226, notice 
is taken of the enlargement of Dunfermline Abbey by the erection of 
a more noble building, viz., the Choir. This year, 123 1, the newly 
erected noble structure is again noticed, along with an increase of 20 
monks. The following is a free translation of the Charter of 123 1 
referring to the new Choir and increase of monks. This Charter is 
titled " Confirmacio Gilberti Dunkeld Epi de Ecclia de Molin" : — 

" My beloved son, the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline have made 
known to me that, in the aforesaid Monastery, which they have anew enlarged, 
not without great expense and debt, with a fabric of a nobler structure, 
specially for the improvement of the worship of God : and they have increased 
the number of servitors (monks), so that when there used to be thirty, fifty monks 
are now kept, their own means not sufficing for the support of these, and for 
the reception of strangers, poor people, and guests, they often undergo the 
burdens of debts ; whence they have made humble supplication, because in 
certain churches of your diocese they hold the right of patronage, in order 
that the worship of God may not perish altogether in the said Monastery from 
want of necessaries, or hospitality be diminished, that we should assign to 
their special use a certain part of the foresaid churches for this purpose. 
Wherefore, &c. — Given at the Lateran, July 6th, in the 4th year of our Ponti- 
ficate" (1231). 

The foregoing Writ, or Bull, is from Pope Gregory IX. to Gilbert, 
Bishop of Dunkeld. The Abbot and Convent had, it would appear, 
" made humble supplication for the patronage of certain churches in 
Moulin, in the diocese of the Bishop." (Vide Regist. de Dunf No. 130, 

l 



74 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

pp. ^6, yy.) This is the Writ or Bull Dalyell refers to in his Monastic 
Antiquities at p. 15. He had evidently overlooked the Writ or Bull 
of 1226. {Regist. de Dunf. No. 257, p. 167.) 

1231.— Abbey Land, Boundaries at Dunduff. — In a deed 
of perambulation of the lands belonging to the Abbey of Dunfermline, 
and those of David Durward of Dunduff, dated 1231, done to deter- 
mine their respective boundaries, the names of the freemen who com- 
posed the jury, and of the native bondmen residing on the disputed 
lands, who were the witnesses, are readily distinguished from each 
other. Among the names of the/r^^ men (who are chiefly Saxon and 
Norman) are Constantine de Lochor, Philip de Loch, John of Ober- 
ville, &c ; among the bo7id men (who are Celtic) are Gillecostentin, 
Gillethomas, Brindin Camb, Gilleserf mac Rolf, Gillecomb mac Melg, 
John Trodi, Riscolog, Gillandres, Seth mac Lood, Gillepatric mac 
Machin (meaning servant of Constantine, of Thomas, of Andrew, 
&c,). John of Oberville, one of the freemen, was probably the pro- 
genitor of William of Oberville, of Pittencrief, who, in 1291, granted 
the Coal Charter to the Abbey, (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. iii ; also 
Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 218.) 

Cleish. — Gilbert de Cles agreed to pay annually to the House of 
Dunfermline (the Abbey) los. for land between Cleish and the Forest 
of Outh, according to a precept of King Alexander II. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf. p. 108, No. 192.) 

Crebarrin Lands. — Adam, the son of Patrick of Crebarrin, John 
of Crebarrin, and Alanus de Faud, have Charters in the Register of 
Dunfermline of this date regarding the rights to these lands, which 
they convey to the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the monks there 
serving God, &c. (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 102-106.) 

1234.— The Church of Melville, granted to the Abbey in 
1197, was this year confirmed in its rights, by Pope Gregory IX., in 
his general Confirmation Charter. (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 174-177.) 

Pope Gregory IX., between the years 1230 and 1234, granted 13 
Bulls, or Writs, to Dunfermline Abbey, They chiefly relate to 13 
Churches and Chapels under the patronage of the Abbey, (Print- 
Regist. Dunf pp. 168-177.) 

The Teinds of Kinglassie were, in 1234, "mortified by William, 



THE VICARS OF PERTH AND DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 75 

Bishop of St Andrews, Deo, S. Margarete, et monachis de Dunferm- 
ling." 

KiNGLASSIE AND CONSTANTINE LoCHOR'S RENOUNCEMENT. — 
This year Constantine Lochor, with the consent of David, his son and 
heir, and Philip his brother, renounced his claim to Kinglassie in 
favour of the Abbey of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. Dimf. p. loi; 
Sibb aid's Hist. Fife, p. 374.) 

1236. — Dollar Forest given to Dunfermline Abbey by 
Alexander II. 

" Alexander, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all the good men of 
his whole land, greeting, — Let them know that we have granted to the Abbot 
and Convent of Dunfermline, that they hold their land of Dollar in free forest 
for ever. Therefore, we strictly forbid any one without their leave to cut wood 
or hunt in the said land, upon our full forfeiture of ten pounds. — Witnesses : 
Walter, the son of Alan the Steward, justiciar of Scotland; W. Cumin, Earl 
of Menteth ; Walter Olifard, J^nsticiar of Lothian. — Given at Scone, 20th 
October, Anno Regni Dni Regis xxiii. 1236." (Print. Regist. Dimf. pp. 43, 44.) 

1237.~Dollar and Dunfermline. —The following is a trans- 
lation of a short Charter of Alexander II. relating to Dollar and Dun- 
fermline : — 

" Alexander, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all the good men of 
his whole land, greeting, — Be it known to all present and to come, that we, in 
exchange for the alms which the Monks of Dunfermline used to receive in our 
lordship at Kinghorn and Crail, as well of wheat, oatmeal, malt, corn, and straw, 
as in money, and likewise in exchange of all the dues they used to receive in 
our kitchen and that of the Queen, our spouse, have given and granted for 
charity, and by this our Charter have confirmed to God and the Church of the 
Holy Trinity of Dunfermline, and the Monks there serving God, and perpet- 
ually to serve there, all our lands of Dollar, in the fief of Clackmannan, to 
hold and to keep for the said Monks, in free and perpetual alms, by the same 
right boundaries and rights by which our tenants held the same land of us on 
the day of this grant, freely, quietly, fully, and honourably, doing the lawful 
service which pertains to the same land of Dollar. — Witnesses : Patrick, Earl 
of Dunbar ; Walter, the son of Atari, the Steward '[fiisticiar of Scotland; 
Walter Cumin, Earl of Menteth ; Walter Olifard, justiciar of Lothian; 
Alan Durward, Walter Bvset, Bernard Fraser. — Given at Stirling, 27 
Decemb"^ Anno Regni Dni Regis xxiii°" — viz., a.d. 1237. (Print. Regist. JDiinf 
P- 43-) 

The Vicars of Perth and Dunfermline Abbey. — In a con- 
troversy between the Vicars of Perth and the Abbey of Dunfermline 
of long standing, the Bishop of St. Andrews decided that, on payment 
of 50 merks to the Abbey, the Vicars shall be responsible for the 



76 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

episcopal and all other burdens incumbent on the Church of Perth; 
and to all offerings, and all other things that may arise from fortuitous 
occasions and circumstances ; and also to the tithes of Lent, paid in 
money. (Print. Regist. Diinf. pp. 64, 65, No. 108. ; Dal. Mon. Antiq. 
P- 35-) 

1238.— William (II.), the Abbot of Dunfermline, died. (Chron. 
Melrose, p. 148.) 

Gaufrid (II.), Prior of the Abbey, elected and consecrated Abbot 
of Dunfermline, as successor to Abbot William (the 7th Abbot). 

1240.— Kirkcaldy Church. — This year, David, by Divine per- 
mission. Bishop of St. Andrews, bestows the Church of Kirkcaldy on 
the Abbey, the Abbot and brethren to provide Vicars, "qui onera 
ecclesiai sustinebunt, prseterquam hospitium episcopi de quo dicti abbas 
et conventus respondebunt" — i.e.. Who will bear the Church burdens, 
besides the entertainment of the Bishop, as to which the said Abbey 
and Convent will be responsible. ^ (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 116, No. 117; 
DaL Mon. Antiq. pp. 6y, 6%) 

KiNGHORN Church. — David, by Divine permission. Bishop of 
St. Andrews, in his Charter of this date, confirms to Dunfermline 
Abbey its right to the Church of Kinghorn, dated St. Andrews, 12th 
January, 1240. (Print. Regist. Dimf pp. 71, 72, No. 119.) 

Wymet Church. — David, the Bishop in the same Charter, con- 
firms to the Abbey, its rights in the Church of Wymet. (Print. Regist. 
Dnnf. pp. 71, 72, No. 119.) 

Gaufrid (III.), Abbot of Dunfermline, died. {Chron. Melrose, 
p. 148.) He appears to have been about two years and seven months 
in office, and is the last of the name. 

1241. — Robert of Keldeleth, or Keldelecht, elected and conse- 
crated Abbot of Dunfermline, as successor of Abbot Gaufrid. (This 
Robert is the 8th Abbot.) 

1243.— Dunfermline Abbey becomes a Mitred Abbey.— 
By a Bull or Writ of Pope Innocent IV., in the Register of Dunferm- 
line, he confers on the Abbot of Dunfermline the honour and privilege 
of wearing, or using the Mitre, the Ring, and other pontifical ornaments 



CAPS OR BONNETS USED BY THE MONKS. 



77 



— (de mitra et annulo et certis episc). These other, no doubt, refer 
to the crosier, the shoes, &c. This Writ is addressed to "my sons, 
the Abbot and conventual brethren of Dunfermline." (Print. Regist- 
Dtuif. p. 1 80, No. 179.) 

Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — By virtue of the foregoing Writ 
of Pope Innocent IV., the style or title of the Abbot is "Lord Abbot" 
and continued so until the Reformation, in 1560, when "air Romish 
practices and titles ceased." 





Mn'REu Abbot, 
Of the Abbey of Dunfermline. 



Capped Monk, 
Of the Order of St. Benedict, Dunfermline. 



Caps, or Bonnets, may be used by the Mo?iks of the Abbey. — Pope 
Innocent IV., in a Writ, sent to the Abbot in the first year of his pon- 
tificate, concedes to a request which the Abbot and Convent had 
solicited, viz., he says, "that, on considering the frigid region" (cold 
climate) " where the Abbey is situated, he consents to allow the 
monks the privilege of wearing caps, or bonnets, suitable to monks 
of their Order ; but they must not forget to preserve due reverence 
at the elevation of the Host, at the Eucharist, and other observances." 
This Writ is titled "Z>^ /z7m" — £^., concerning the Caps, Hats, or 
Cowls. The Writ is dated "Lyons, 7th May," in the first year of 



yS ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

his pontificate, viz., 1243. (Print. Regist. Diinf. p. 178, No. 275 ; Dal. 
Mon. Antiq. pp. 15, 16.) It would appear that their caps, or cowls, 
were made of leather, as several fragments of "bowl-shaped leather" 
were found amongst the mounds of rubbish which had for centuries 
lain on the site of the Choir, during the levelling of the ground, in 
18 17, for the present Abbey Church. 

1245. — Regarding the Miracles and Canonization of 
Margaret, Consort of Malcolm III.— In the "Register" of the 
Abbey there is a copy of a Bidl^ or Writ^ from Pope Innocent IV., 
regarding ^Hhe miracles of Margarita the Queeji." It is addressed to the 
Bishop of St. Andrews, Dunkeld, and Dunblane, and is evidently the 
result of a letter which he had had from King Alexander II., soli- 
citing that the body of Margaret, of blessed memory, should be 
enrolled in the catalogue of the saints, as her body had shown 
infinite bright, light-flashing, coruscating miracles ; but as the King's 
letter to him (the Pope) had given no evidence of this, he directs 
the above-named Bishops to make strict inquiry regarding the matter, 
and commanding them to reduce what was proved to writing, attested 
by their seals, and transmitted to him by a trusty messenger. Dated 
at "Lug*^- 5 Aug." 2nd year of the pontificate, 1244. (Print. Regist. 
Diinf. p. 181, No. 281.) 

"The Privileges" of Excommunication granted to the Abbey 

by Pope Innocent IV. The following is a translation of the^ Charter 

conveying "the privilege" : — 

" Innocent, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his beloved sons, 
the abbot and convent of the monastery of Dunfermline, of the Order of St. 
Benedict, of the diocese of St. Andrews, salutation and apostolic benediction, 
— Since, as has been intimated to us on your part, certain ecclesiastical judges, 
after binding with the chain of excommunication some who are disobedient unto 
them, presume to fulminate their sentences of excommunication against those 
participating with such excommunicated persons — not only in their crime, but 
even in any respect — We, having given heed to your devout prayers, by authority 
of these presents, Grant you an indulgence, if at any time you or your servants 
happen to hold intercourse with such excommunicated persons, that ye 
shall on no account be bound with the cord of the greater excommunication, 
provided ye be not partakers with the guilty in their crime. Let it be lawful 
for none to infringe upon this our indulgence, or to oppose it by a daring rash- 
ness. If any one presume to attempt this, let him know that he shall incur 
the indignation of Almighty God, and cf the blessed Peter and Paul, his 
apostles.— Given at Lyons, 5th calend. May" (28ih April), "and 2nd year of 
our pontificate." (Print. Regist. Diinf. p. 599; Register, pp. 142, 170, 179, 
262, 420 ; also Chal. Hist. Diinf. vol. i. p. 505; and at dates 1316 and 1342, 
Annals of Dunf., Sec.) 



THE ORGAN IN THE ABBEY. 



79 



Regarding the Miracles attributed to the body of Queen 
Margaret. In Registrum de Dunfennlyn, there is a copy of a second 
Bull from Pope Innocent IV. regarding the alleged miracles, and 
from its tenor it would appear that the Bishops of St. Andrews, 
Dunkeld, and Dunblane, although they had investigated the matter, 
had neglected to record in their missive the names and the words 
of the witnesses, and in consequence of this he (the Pope) refused to 
accede to the King's request. This Bull is addressed to his "venerable 
brethren, the Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgow." The Bishops 
of Dunkeld and Dunblane are not named in it (singular). Dated at 
"Lug*^- 1st Augt," and in the 3rd year of the pontificate, 1245. (See 
Print. Rcgist. Diinf. p. 183, No. 285.) After this the miracle affair 
rests until 1249, when it once more became the subject of investiga- 
tion. (See date 1249.) 

1247. — Organ. — It would appear that, as early as this period, a 
large organ was erected in Dunfermline Abbey, at the junction of the 
Old Church with the New Choir, for the daily Abbey service. The 




organ is, however, not mentioned in history before 1250, in connection 
with the ecclesiastical procession at the "Translation," but then it is 
introduced to notice as being in use, and for some time previous, no 
doubt. (Vide " Tra7islatioii of St. Margaret" An. Dtinf date, 1250.) 
The above engraving represents the appearance and the working 



8o ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

of an organ of 1240. It is taken from the '^Psalter of Edwm'' in 
the Cambridge Library. Lubkes, in his ^^Ecclesiastical Art" says 
that "the organs" of this early period "were very simple, and the keys 
were so heavy that they could only be pressed down by the elbow, or 
the complete fist;" and Hargreaves, in his '' Miscellaiiia" notes that 
"the blowing power of the middle-age organs came out of the eight 
arms of four strong men," who, when at work kept pumping away at 
their levers, &c., as shown in the engraving. 

1248. — In a Charter, titled '■' Qineta clamacio Johannis Gallard 
de KeetJi Siiui?i," three of the Monks of Dunfermline Abbey are 
named as witnesses, viz., Symon, Richard^ and Adam. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf. p. 97, No. 170.) 

1249.— The New Choir not to be Consecrated.— It would 
appear that the Abbot and Monks of Dunfermline had been requested 
by the Bishop of the diocese to consecrate the New Choir. They 
refused to do so, and appealed to the Pope. The Pope, in his reply, 
says, that although the Abbey had been increased in size by a nobler 
structure, yet the old consecrated walls to which the new edifice was 
united remain in use ; therefore, by these presents, "we declare that, 
while the old walls so remain, no one can compel the Abbot," &c., "on 
this account to consecrate the same church anew; therefore Non Con- 
secratur." (Print. Regist. Dimf. p. 184, No. 288.) 

The Miracles attributed to Queen Margaret " ivere 
prove7i," and she was consequently Canonized. The case had been 
committed to the charge of a Cardinal, who corresponded with the 
Bishop of St. Andrews regarding the matter, and from their testimony 
he (the Pope) is satisfied that the miracles attributed to the blessed 
Margaret were genuine, and he therefore conceded the request to 
enrol her name in the Catalogue of the Saints. Dated "Lug*^- 15 Oct., 
and in the 6th year of our pontificate," 1249. {Vide Print. Regist. 
Dunf. p. 185, No. 290.) This Bull or Writ is addressed to '■'■my sons 
the Abbot and Conventnal brethren at Dunfermline.'" 

It is likely that the Bishop of St. Andrews, at least, would repair 
to Dunfermline to investigate this "coruscating miracle" case, the bril- 
liant light-flashes coming from her remains up the ground, or from 
her tomb. It is to be regretted that there is no record of the Bishop's 
investigation. It would have been curious to have known by what 
process of seeing and reasoning he came to the conclusion, that the 



THE NEW TOMB OF ST. MARGARET. 8 1 

bright light-flashing miracles were '■^genuine prodtictionsr Is it likely 
that the chemist or the necromancer of the years 1243- 1249 could 
have produced on demand the appearances reported to have been seen 
at the "blessed Margaret's" tomb? These bright light-flashes were 
never heard of before the timeoi this the first Lord Abbot of Dunferm- 
line, and no allusion is ever made to them after he ceased to be Abbot 
— perhaps it would become unnecessary to repeat the miracles now, 
since the object for which they had done duty had been attained : viz., 
the canonization of ^^ the haly quee?te ;^' a splendid new Tomb and Shrine 
for the canonized saint ; and, lastly, the certain prospect, for ages to 
come, of an ever-flowing-m of money into the Abbey exchequer, from 
the crowds of devotees who would ever and anon come from far and 
near to pay their adorations at her shrine." Regarding St. Margaret's 
Miracles, see Appendix F. 

" Sainte Margarete " having been canonized, and enrolled 
among the saints in the Papal Roll, she henceforth has the designa- 
tion of "Saint Margaret"; in old writings, '' Saynt Margerete" "St. 
Margaret," &c. 

The Office of Lord High Chancellor of Scotland con- 
ferred on the Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. 

Indulgence of Ten Days to Visitors at St. Margaret's 
Shrine. — In the Registrnm de Dimfermlyfi, there is a copy of a Bull 
of Pope Innocent IV., titled " De indnlgencia xi dierum," or " a free 
indulgence of 40 days to all the faithful who visited the Shrine of St. 
Margaret." (Print. Regist. Dimf pp. 185, 186.) Dated "Lugdun, xj 
October, Pontificate anno vij" (1249). 

The New Choir not to be Dedicated. — The Abbot and Con- 
ventual Brethren of the Abbey had, by writ, applied to Pope Innocent 
IV. for liberty to dedicate the New Choir (probably to St. Margaret). 
The Pope, in his reply, declares it to be quite unnecessary to dedicate 
it, because the walls of the New Choir (or New Eastern Church) had 
been built to, and united with, the walls of the Old Church, which had 
already been dedicated. (Print. Regist. Dnnf No. 288. p. 184; writ 
entitled ^'Ecca denuo non consecretur.") It would appear that the Pope 
uses "dedication" and "consecration" as equivalent terms, although 
they are quite different. Compare Nos. 287 and 2^^. 

1250.— The New Tomb of St. Margaret. — Now that the 
Abbot had accomplished his desire in getting Margaret "canonized, 

M 



82 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

and enrolled in the Catalogue of the Saints," the next act in his 
programme — on which he appears to have long meditated, in connec- 
tion with the canonization — required to be attended to, viz., the 
removal of the remains of the canonized saint to the Lady Aisle of 
the New Choir. His lordship was informed in November, 1249, of 
the Pope's act of canonization, and no doubt he would at once have 
set in motion the erection of a splendid tomb by June, 1250. Eight 
months after her canonization, the new tomb was completed, and 
ready to receive her sainted remains ; and now the pomp and parade 
of a translation was all that was necessary to complete his prografnme. 
It may be here noticed that, at this period, the year commenced on 
25th March, and thus from October, 1249, to June, 1250, there ivere 
eight months, as noted. 

Malcolm, Earl of Fife, did Homage before the High 
Altar for the Lands of Cluny. — In the Register of Dunferm- 
line, it is noted that Malcolm, Earl of Fife, did homage before the 
Great Altar, to Robert de Kaledeleth, then Abbot, for the lands of 
Cluny, previous to High Mass, o?i the day that Holy Margaret zvas 
translated 2X Dunfermline in presence of King Alexander III., seven 
Bishops, and seven Earls of Scotland. (Print. Regist. Dimf. p. 235, 
No. 348 ; Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 22.) 

The Translation of St. Margaret. — On 13th July, 1250, 
the "sainted remains" of Margaret were exhumed in presence of the 
young King, Alexander III., his mother, and numerous Bishops, 
Abbots, Priests, and Nobility of the kingdom, after having lain in her 
grave 157 years nearly. Of this event Wynton sings — 

" Saynt Margrelis body a liundyr yhere 
Lay be-foi- the Rwd Awtere, 
In-to the Kyrk of Dunfermelyn ; 
Bot scho was tianslatyd syne 
In-to the Qwere, quhare scho now lyis, 
Hyr spyrit in- til Paradys. 
And of that translatyowne, 
The Fest yhit is halyne ay 
Be-for Myswmyr the fyft day." 

( Wyjitoii's Orygynale Cronikil, Book vii. 3.) 

Poets are said to take a little license at times, and here we find an 
early example of it Wynton says she had lain a "hundred years" ; 
157 years, nevertheless, is true history, and we should think that after 
such a lapse of time, few of her remains would be found. 



THE TRANSLATION OF ST. MARGARET. 83 

After the remains had been exhumed and deposited on a conse- 
crated bier, for transmission from the "Rwd Awtre" to the Lady- 
Chapel in the Choir, the ecclesiastical procession began to move to the 
Lady Aisle. "The procession had proceeded only a few yards on its 
way when 'a miracle' occurred," viz., the sudden weighting of the bier 
on which St. Margaret's relics were borne. 

The following are a few extracts from works which refer to the 
Translation procession and this miracle. We also give in this notice, 
within reversed commas, some of the expressive phrases used by 
writers when treating of this event, viz. : — 

"In the year 1250," says Fordim, "the King (Alexander IIL) and 
the Queen, his mother, along with Bishops and Abbots, and other 
nobles of the kingdom, met at Dunfermline, where they most devoutly 
lifted the bones and remains of the renowned Queen Margaret, their 
ancestor, from the stone tomb in which for many terms of years they 
had rested, and placed them in a Jir shrine, adorned with gold and 
gems. At the digging of the ground so great and agreeable a per- 
fume arose, that the whole of that sanctuary was thought to be 
sprinkled with painters' colours, and the scent of springing flowers. 
Nor was there wanting a Divine miracle ; for, when that most 
renowned treasure, placed in the outer Church (Auld Kirk), was 
being easily carried by the sacred hands of the Bishops and Abbots, 
to be re-interred in the Choir, joining their melodious voices, and had 
reached even the chancel entrance, just opposite the body of her hus- 
band. King Malcolm, lying under a groined ceiling at the north part 
of the nave of the outer Church, the arms of the bearers were imme- 
diately benumbed, and they could not convey the shrine with the 
relics further, on account of the greatness of the weight ; but, whether 
willing or not, they were obliged to halt, and speedily laid down their 
burden. After some interval, and additional and stronger bearers of 
the shrine being got, the more they endeavoured to raise it, the less 
able were they to do so. At length, all wondering, and judging them- 
selves unworthy of so precious a trust, the voice of a bystander, 
divinely inspired, as was believed, was heard suggesting distinctly, 
that the bones of the holy Queen could not be transferred further 
until the tomb of her husband was opened, and his body raised with 
similar honour. The saying pleased all, and, adopting its advice. King 
Alexander, his lineal descendant, with associates chosen for this pur- 
pose, without either force or impediment, raised aloft the shrine, filled 
with the bones of the King, along with the elevation of the coffer of 



84 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

the relics of the Queen, deposited in due form each in a sarcophagus, 
in the mausoleum prepared for that purpose, accompanied by the 
chanting convent and choir of prelates, on the 13th day before the 
calends of July." 

Here we find a very minute account of the "Translation" cere- 
mony. " Two miracles are here recorded, viz., the arising of the 
perfume, and the sudden weighting of Margaret's bier — if not, a third 
may be added, viz., the sudden lightening of the same." — "The reader 
will know how to treat these monkish accounts which appear to be the 
afterpiece of the flashing miraclesT 

From this account it appears that Queen Margaret's first tomb 
was of stone, that her new shrine was made of fir, and that the tomb 
of Malcolm III. was under a '■'groined ceiling^' at ''the north part of 
the 7iave of the outer CJiurch" 

Guthrie, in his "History of Scotland^' says: — "The translation 
took place about one hundred and fifty-seven years after her death- 
The young King (Alexander III.) and his mother met at Dunferm- 
line, where they placed the remains in a golden shrine, magnificently 
enriched with precious stones." (Gnth. Hist. Scot.) 

From this note it would appear that a new golden shrine had been 
prepared to receive the remains or relics of St. Margaret, and that 
such were placed in the shrine, resting on the tomb, by the Queen- 
mother and her young son, the King, then about eight years old. 

Hailes, in his "Annals of Scotland," notes that "the body of 
Margaret, Queen of Scotland, was removed from its place of former 
sepulchre at Dunfermline, and deposited in a costly shrine beside the 
High Altar. While the monks were employed in the service, (and in 
procession) they approached the tomb of her husband (Malcolm III.), 
the body on a sudden became so heavy, that they were obliged to set 
it down. Still, as more hands were employed in raising it, the body 
became heavier, the spectators stood amazed, and the humble monks 
imputed this phenomenon to their own unworthiness, when a by- 
stander cried out — * The Queen will not stir till equal honoures are per- 
formed to her husband'. This having been done, the body was removed 
with ease"! Hailes adds that a more awkward miracle occurs not in 
legendary history. {Hailes' s An. Scot. vol. i. p. 303 ; Fordun, x. 3 ; 
A.A.S.S. loth June.) 

In this second "awkward miracle" the Lord Abbot and his monks 
reappear. There can be little doubt that this "second miracle" was 
long seen to be a necessity. The writer of the Annals, about forty 



THE TRANSLATION OF ST. MARGARET. 85 

years ago discovered, whilst making a plan of the sites of the royal 
tombs, that the tomb of Malcolm III., her husband, stood right in the 
way of the daily processions, and made a break in the fine view of the 
interior of the new Choir. The Lord Abbot knew well that, with all 
his address, it would be impossible for him to obtain liberty to remove 
it out of the way. "A miracle of the lowest order, a feigned miracle was 
resorted to;'' the "miracle" succeeded; Malcolm was exhumed, and 
carried to the Lady Aisle ; then, with the greatest ease, the relics or 
remains of St. Margaret were carried in procession and deposited in the 
same place, the Lady Aisle. Thus end satisfactorily the "miracles and 
programme " of the Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. (See Appendix E.) 

Our ground plan of the Abbey, under date 1226, shows the relative 
sites and distances from St. Margaret's tomb in the old building at 
M, to the second tomb at N, in the Lady Aisle (St. Margaret's 
Chapel), in the eastern projection of the building — distance from M 
to N being about 160 feet. 

Tytler, in his History of Scotlajid, says — " The body of St. Mar- 
garet was removed, with much ecclesiastical pomp, from the outer 
church, where she was originally interred, to the Choir, beside the 
High Altar. The procession of priests and abbots who carried the 
precious load on their shoulders moved along to the sounds of the 
organ, and the melodious songs of the choir, singing in parts." 
{Tytler' s Hist. Scot. vol. ii. pp. 375, 376; also, Fordtm, v. ii. p. 83.) 
Tytler here notes that this is the first notice of an organ in Scotland. 

Winton, in his quaint rhyme, gives a pretty full account of the 
" Translatyown of Saynt Margret, the haly qwene," which we give in 
extenso : — • 

" That yhere, with weneratyown, 
Was made the translatyown 
Of Saynt Margret, the haly qwene. 
A fayre myrakil thare wes sene : 
The thryd Alysandyre bodyly, 
Thare wes wyth a gret cumpany 
Of erlys, bysehapys, and barownys, 
And mony famows gret persownys; 
Of Saynt Andrewys thare wes be name, 
The Byschope Davy of Barnhame ; 
Robert of Kyldeleth syne 
That Abbot was of Dwnfermlyne, 
Powere had thai than at fulle 
Grawntyd be the Papy's bulla 
To mak that translatyown; 
And that to do thai mad thame bowne, 



86 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE 

And fayndyt to gere the body 

Translatyd be of that Lady. 

Wyth all thare powere and thare slycht, 

Her body to rays thai had na mycht, 

Na lyft hyr anys owt of that plas, 

Quhare scho that tyme lyand was. 

For all thare devotyovvnys, 

Prayeris, and gret perysownys, 

That the persownys gadryd there 

Dyd on devot mahere : 

Quhyll fyrst thai tuk wpe the body 

Of hyr lord that lay thare-by, 

And bare it bene into the quere, 

Lystly syne on fayre manere 

Hyr cors thai tuk up and bare ben, 

And thame enteryd togyddyr then. 

Swa trowyd thai all than gadryd thare 

Quhat honoure til hyr lord scho bare. 

Swa, this myrakil to record 

Notis gi-et reverens dwne til hyr lord; 

As scho oysyd in hyr lyf, 

Quhen scho wes hys spousyd wyf. 

Of this solempne translatyowne 
Befor thare is mad mentyown; 
Bot thare is noucht, notyd the yhere, 
Na this myrakil wryttyn here. 
That suld noucht have bene forghet 
For the honour of Saynt Margret." 

( Wy 711071' s " Orygynale Cromkil," B. vii. lo.) 

" St. Margarete, Nomina Locorum." — At and shortly after 
the canonization of St. Margaret, many objects, &c., in and around 
Dunfermline began to be connected with her name — such as 

St. Margaret's Tomb. — As already noticed, the remains of St. 
Margaret were transferred from the old original tomb, in the now 
western church, to the splendid new tomb specially erected to receive 
them, in the " Ladye Aisle " of the then recently-built Choir. From 
1250 to 1560, lights were kept perpetually burning before this tomb, 
as also on each side the shrine, of which frequent mention is made 
in the Register of Dimfermline. This tomb appears to have been 
destroyed by the reformers on 28th March, 1560, or by the falling 
walls shortly after that period. All that now remains is the double 
plinth of limestone, in a dilapidated condition, now outside the area 
of the present church (on the east). On the upper plinth are still to 
be seen six circular indentures, from which rose ^^six slender shafts of 
shapely stofte" that supported a highly-ornamented canopy. In the 
centre of the second or upper plinth stood 



J 



"ST. MARGARETE, NOMINA LOCORUM." 87 

St. Margaret's Shrine, which appears to have been an oaken 
cabinet, elaborately carved — within which was a magnificent silver 
chest, profusely adorned with gold and precious stones — containing 
the relics of St. Margaret, which consisted of her skull, with " the 
auburn flowing golden hair still on it, along with certain bones." 
Particularly on her festival day, St. Margaret's day, these relics 
were exposed to the view of admiring pilgrims and other devotees, 
who had come to humble themselves and make their adorations before 
the Shrine. On passing out from the sight of the relics, " the devotee" 
would pass 

St. Margaret's Altar. — An old writing refers to the situation 
of this Altar : " Altare beate Margarete Regine, situatum in ecclesia 
parochiali de Dunfermlyn ex parte australi." (See date 1449.) From 
this it is evident that St. Margaret's Altar was situated on the 
south side of the church ; whether in the eastern or the western 
church, there is no mention. If in the eastern, then it would be 
somewhere on the south-west of the present pulpit ; if in the old or 
western church, at or adjacent to St. Margaret's first place of sepul- 
ture, then it would be situated a few feet to the south and west of the 
zig-zag column. This we think the most likely loais of the Altar, as 
it would serve to keep in remembrance the place of her first interment. 
Here offerings in money, &c., were made by the devotees. 

The Church of " TJie Holy Trinity and St. Margaret" after 1250, 
is found in the Register of Dunfermline and other old writings. 
St. Margaret, at the same time, became the TUTELAR Saint of 
Dunfermline. St. Margaret's Black Cross or Rood, given by her to 
the Church or Abbey of Dunfermline, was well known throughout 
Catholic Scotland, and held in the highest veneration. 

The magistrates of the burgh were the patrons of St. Margaret's 
Altar. (See Burgh Records, 1473- 1499.) Perhaps there would be a 
representation of this Altar on the back of the Burgh Seal of 1395. 
At all events, the Burgh Seal of 1589 has on it what must be taken 
for a rude representation of this Altar — viz., St. Margaret, crowned 
and holding a sceptre in her right hand, standing on a flight of steps, 
from which rise pillars which support a Jierss or canopy over her head, 
while on each side of her are " wax candles in flame " (being " the 
lichts'' referred to under date 1490, &c.). St. Margaret is also repre- 
sented on the obverse of the Coket Seal of the Regality Court of 
Dunfermline. (See date 1322.) There the Sainted Queen stands 
" fully robed," while her dress is shown in " a tattered condition " on 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



the Burgh Seal. Perhaps this Altar would be partially destroyed at 
the Reformation, and " the image would thus be left to go to decay." 
The following is a representation of St. Margaret, taken from the 
matrix or large double Seal of the Burgh. 




Fernie, in his Hist. Dimf. p. 24, states that these candles are 
inverted swords — a singular mistake. (See Fernie s Hist. Dimf. p. 24 ; 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 5 ; vol. ii. p. 5, rectifies the mistake.) In 
several of our early writings on Dunfermline (1833) we pointed out the 
mistake of these candles being taken for "inverted swords," For 
other particulars regarding this Q^gy, see date 1589 — article, "Burgh 
Matrix Seal." 

St. Margaret's Day and Festival. — This day was at first kept 
on the loth of June. After the Reformation it was altered, and held 
on other days of the same month. The loth of June was a great day 
in Dunfermline. In the Abbey there was held a continuous service, 
with particular ceremonies, genuflexions, processions. These proces- 
sions generally ended with a solemn march with song through the 
streets of the burgh, in which the trades, who supported altars in the 



TRANSLATION OF MALCOLM III. AND QUEEN MARGARET. 89 

Abbey, joined in the rear. A fair, or market for the disposal of all 
sorts of merchandise, was held on the streets on the same day by 
"merchants who had come from afar." 

The following Collect was used in the Abbey ceremonies of the 
festival-day, in commemoration of the ceremony of the Translation : — 

" Deus nobis qui translationem B, Margaritse Reginse pia recolimus mente, 
praeclaris potentias tuse miraculis illustratam, concede propitius ipsius meritis 
et intercessione a labore requiem ab exilic patriara conferri coelestem." ( Vide 
"Acfa Sanctorum^^ loth June, p. 320.) 

Translation — 

" To us, O God, who recall, with pious thoughts, the translation of the 
blessed Margaret, the Queen, which was made illustrious by the famous 
miracles of thy power, graciously grant, by her merits and intercession, rest 
from labour, and from exile a home in heaven." 

Besides these are "St. Margaret's Oratory" (Cave), about 80 yards 
west from the top end of Bruce Street; "St. Margaret's Well," now called 
the Head Well, about three-quarters of a mile north-east of Dunferm- 
line; "St. Margaret's Stone," about two miles south-east of Dunferm- 
line ; and "St. Margaret's Hope," four and a-half miles south-east — 
from all which it will be seen that St. Margaret was great in Dun- 
fermline pre-Reformation times, so much so that the names continue 
after a lapse of more than 600 years. 

Rev. C. Holshan, sub-prior of Douay College, in his letter of date 
July 22, 1854, to the writer of the Amials, gives a later Collect, appa- 
rently that of Pope Urban VIII., about 1628, viz. : — 

" The Benedictine Missal for St. Margaret's Feast, has the following Col- 
lect: — 'Deus qui beatam Margaritam Scotorum Reginam eximia in pauperes 
caritate mirabilem effecisti, da ut ejus intercessione et exemplo, tua in cordi- 
bus nostris caritas jugiter augeatur Per,'" &c. 

That is — 

" O God, who didst render the blessed Margaret, Queen of Scots, remark- 
able for her extraordinary charity to the poor, grant that by her intercession 
and example thy charity may be constantly increased in our hearts through 
our Lord." 

In the Roman Breviary there is a Collect, and a long account of 
St. Margaret, to be read on her festival-day, June 10. 

Malcolm III., King of Scotland, was translated with Margaret, 
his consort, on 13th July (o.S.), 1250, to the Lady Aisle, east of the 
Choir ; and, although it is not on record, there would, no doubt, be a 
splendid tomb erected to his memory, unless the remains of both hus- 

N 



90 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

band and wife were deposited in one sarcophagus. It would appear 
that the miracle the bones of Malcolm helped to produce at the 
Translation, had been reported to the Holy See, for Malcolm is soon 
after found " Canojiized, and enrolled in the Catalogue of the Saints" ! 
In Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia, p. 150, article "Alphabetical 
Calendar," his name is thus noticed : — 

"Malcolm III., King of Scot/and — the Saint's day, June 2nd." 

There are, therefore, no less than three "Canonized" and enrolled 
"Saints" lying in Dunfermline Abbey, viz., St. David, St. Margaret 
and St. Malcolm! 

The Culdees' Sentence and the Lord Abbot. — The 
religious controversy which had long subsisted between those who 
held to the Culdee form of worship and those who adhered to 
Rome, was this year settled. A meeting of both sects, by delegates, 
was held in the Church of Inverkeithing, in October, 1250, to deter- 
mine the case ^'■according to Justice." The Culdees, "according to this 
sort of justice," were found in the wrong, and Robert, Lord Abbot of 
Dunfermline, Chancellor of Scotland, and one of the King's Chap- 
lains, was appointed to pronounce sentence. The sentence was 
deferred for a time, in consequence of the Culdees not coming for- 
ward on November 7th. Sentence of expulsion was passed upon 
them shortly after ; and thus the Culdees, as a distinct body of wor- 
shippers, ceased to exist. (See Sibbalds Hist. Fife, p. 195, &c.) 

1251. — Pope Innocent IV., between the years 1243 and 125 1, 
granted twenty-one Bnlls, or Writs, regarding the rights, privileges, 
and nezv privileges conferred on Dunfermline Abbey. They are 
addressed to the Abbot, and also to the Bishops of St. Andrews, 
Dunblane, and Dunkeld ; but they all refer to "momentous affairs" 
relative to Dunfermline. {Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 177-187.) 

Robert, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, Resigned (a.d. 125 i). 
— The Lord Abbot of Dunfermline appears to have been "implicated 
in the plot of trying to get the bastard daughter of King Alexander 
II., the Avife of Alan Durward, Justiciar of Scotland, legitimized, that 
she might succeed to the throne, in the event of the death of the boy- 
King, Alexander III." Feeling that he had done wrong, and having 
had some misunderstanding with the monks, he resigned his office of 
Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, and also his seals of office as Lord Chan- 



ROBERT, LORD ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. 9 1 

cellor of Scotland, and retired to Newbottle, where he assumed the 
attire and position of a monk of that Abbey. About the year 1269 
he was elected Abbot of Melrose, and died in 1273. {Fordtm, ii. 6S, 
216; Chron. Mel. p. 151, 191, 216; Morton's An. Tev. p. 226.) 

This, the first Lord Abbot, was a most remarkable man. "He was 
learned in the theology of his time," " acute in the art of law," 
"sagacious, and of polite address," and "full of energy and adroitness." 
During his ten years of office as Abbot, he seems to have been ever 
and anon in correspondence with Pope Innocent IV. for the good of 
his Abbey. In the Register of Dunfermline there are 2 1 of his Bulls 
regarding Rights^ Privileges, Grants, old and new, &c., which were 
partly sent to him and to others relative to the wishes and sugges- 
tions of the Abbot. (Print. Regist. Dimf. pp. 177, 187.) 

When he entered upon his Abbotship in 1241, he would find the 
Abbey in debt, and his finances at a low ebb, notwithstanding its 
great resources. The great new Abbey Choir, and additions to the 
monastic buildings, tJien recently erected, &c., had impoverished its 
exchequer, and such a state of things would no doubt engage the 
serious thoughts of the Abbot. 

He well knew how highly the memory of Queen Margaret was 
esteemed throughout Scotland ; and it would suggest itself to his 
"sagacious mind" that a remedy, for resuscitating to some extent the 
Abbey finances, might be found, if the remains of the pious Queen 
were canonized and removed to a new tomb and shrine, in the Lady 
Aisle of the New Choir, so as to draw pilgrims and other devotees to 
worship at her shrine, and leave money and other offerings at her 
altar. Thus he might imagine that, from the high repute of the 
shrine, &c., an ever-flowing-money stream as donations, and also 
occasional gifts in land, would be the result, and in such anticipations 
he was not disappointed. 

To accomplish the canonizing of the Queen an obstacle would 
present itself, viz., to get hold of some tangible proof to satisfy the 
Pope — by some miracle, that in verity she was "a pure and remark- 
able saint." The Court of Rome in those days was very cautious in 
granting such honours. The Abbot, fully aware of this, saw no way 
for it but to get the matter done through the aid of an artificial 
" miracle!' He had great difficulty in convincing the Pope as to the 
reality of the miracle which had been reported to him ; but at last, by 
perseverance, after a five-years' negotiation, the Abbot succeeds. He 
gets Margaret " canonized and enrolled in the catalogue of the saints," 



92 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

and removed by a splendid Translation ceremony from the old build- 
ing to the new, when a second miracle was enacted to get Malcolm 
III.'s tomb removed out of the way, &c. (See our note on '■^The 
Translation of St. Margaret!'^ 

From all this it will be seen that the Lord Abbot was an energetic, 
persevering ecclesiastic, and well knew what was for the good and the 
benefit of his Abbey. He was certainly the most expert Abbot Dun- 
fermline ever had ; ^'biit these miracles stagger the faith of all historians." 
There appears to us to be no other way in explaining ''the miracles" 
otherwise than by adopting the suggestions we have made. 

According to Dempster^ he (the Abbot) was a man of literature, and 
notifies that he wrote '' De snccessione Abbatum de Metros" lib. i. ; and 
"Florilegium Spiritiiale" lib. i. vide CJiron. Mel. pp. 151, 191, 216; 
Morton's Annals of Teviotdale, p. 226. 

John, elected and consecrated Lo7'd Abbot of Dunfermline , as suc- 
cessor to Lord Robert, resigned. {For dun, ii. 85 ; Clial. Hist. Dunf 
vol. i. p. 184.) 

1252.— Pope Innocent IV. and the Alienation of Abbey 
Lands, &c. — " Pope Innocent IV. addressed a Bull to the Abbot of 
Holyrood, narrating that the Abbot of Dunfermline having explained 
how the monastic possessions were alienated, both by present monks 
and their predecessors, whereon writing, oaths, and penalties had 
been interposed, and that such alienations were to ecclesiastics as 
well as laymen, some of whom had obtained letters of confirmation 
from the Holy See, he commands the deeds by which this was done 
to be revoked, and the property of Dunfermline Abbey restored.'' 
(Print. Regist. Dwif p. 186, No. 293 : Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 39.) 

Abbey Debts. — It is declared in a Bull of Pope Innocent IV. to 
the Abbey, that the Abbot and Convent shall not be compelled to 
pay debts, unless proved that they had been contracted for its benefit. 
(Print. Regist. Dunf p. 186, No. 292.) 

Abbey Lands, &c., that are alienated to be restored, &c. (Print. 
Regist. Dunf. p. 186, No. 293.) 

1253.— Emma de Smythetun, daughter and heiress of Gilbert 
de Smythetun, in a Charter of this date, appeared before the King 
and Council, and acknowledged that her lands belonged to the Monas- 



MATTHEW, LORD ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. 93 

tery, being an eleemosynary gift by King David in perpetuity, and 
tmjustly alienated by the Mo7iastery ; therefore she renounces all claim 
to the lands, and resigns them into the hands of the King, Alexander 
III. (Print. Regist. de Dimf. pp. 109, 1 10, &c.) 

1254. — Alexander III., in a Charter, grants certain privileges 
to the Abbey (Dunduff) — " Salvis burgis nostris." (Print. Regist. 
Dunf. p. 51, No. 84.) 

1255.— The Perpetual Lights burning before the tombs of 
David I. and Malcolm IV. (donated in 1 179) had this year \^€\x grants 
confirmed^ by Gregory de Melville, a descendant of the donor. (Print. 
Regist. Dunf. pp. 11 6- 11 9.) 

Abbey of Dunfermline and Perth — Dispute between 
THEM Settled. — "1255, Jan. 14: An Assembly at Holyrood, in 
which the King, with the advice of his Council, settled a dispute 
between David de Louchor, Sheriff of Perth, and the Abbey of Dun- 
fermline, in pleno colloqnio domini regis habito .... per commime 
consilium inagnatimi suorimi ibidem existe?ttijim." {Acts of tlie Parlia- 
ment of Scotland^ vol. i. p. 61, and Ap. v. p. 84.) 

Money Demand on the Abbey. — The Sheriff of Perth, a Judge 
constituted by royal authority, demanded from the Abbey of Dun- 
fermline four merks — ^^ per defectum sequelae ad curiam vice-comitatus^ 
de Perth'' — for certain lands enumerated. The King ordered the 
question to be tried before Alexander, Earl of Buchan, his Justiciar, 
by a jury of barons. The barons, by a verdict which appears to have 
been returned to the King, found that they had sometimes seen the 
men of these lands come to the Court, but never in consequence of 
that obligation — sicut sequelatores. (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 51, titled, 
" Transcriptum quiete clamacois dni. reg. de seqla non faciefida;" Dal. 
Mon. An. pp. 66, 67) 

1256.— John, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, Died. — Pie was 
on his way to Rome, on official business, when he was suddenly taken 
ill, and "died on the road, at Pontigny, in 1256." {Fordun, ii. 85 ; 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 184.) He was the ninth Abbot. 

Matthew, Elected and Consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. 
— Besides his other ecclesiastical offices, he was the cellarer of the 
Monastery. He has been characterised as "« man of wonderful 
mildjtess." {Fordun, ii. 91 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 184.) 



94 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1258.— John Thyanus was Chamberlain to the Lord Abbot 
of Dunfermline about this period, and continued in that office until 
about 1276. (Print. Regist. Dimf?) 

1259.— Pope Alexander IV., in a Btdl, forbids the conventual 
brethren of Dunfermline to enter into any obligation, or to bind the 
Monastery at solicitation of kings, nobles, or bishops, under pain of 
excommunication, because by such transactions the wealth of the 
churches (under their care) had hitherto been diminished. (Print. 
Regist. Dimf. p. 188, No. 296.) 

1261.— Pope Alexander IV., between the years 1254 and 1261, 
granted three Bulls to the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline. ( Vide 
Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 187, 188, No. 294-296.) 

1262.— Carnock Cpiurch.— There was an '' Ecca de Kernecl' or 
Church at Carnock, as early as this period, perhaps as early as 1250. 
Carnock is 3^ miles N.W. of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. Diinf. 
p. 207.) This Church, shortly after its erection, was given to Pons 
Scotice (Scotland Well). {Liber Cart. Priorat. S. Ajtdree.) 

1263.— Dunfermline Phantom Warriors and the Battle 
OF Largs (2nd October, 1263). — An old tradition continues to inform 
us that " On the eve of the battle of Largs, it was believed by the 
Scots that the Royal Tombs at Dunfermline gave up their dead, and 
that there passed through its northern porch to war against the might 
of Norway a lofty and blooming matron in royal attire, leading in her 
right hand a noble knight refulgent in arms and a crown on his head, 
and followed by three heroic warriors, like armed and like crowned ; 
these were Margaret and her Consort, Malcolm, and her three sons, 
the founders of the mediaeval Church of Scotland," &c. {Quart. 
Review, Ixxx. p. 120; Stanley's Church of Scotland, p. 38.) 

The " Heroic Ballad of Hardicanute " is supposed to have 
been composed by Elizabeth Halket of Pitfirrane (near Dunfermline), 
in commemoration of the battle of Largs. (See Appendix F.) 

1266.— The Tax of Dunfermline Abbey.— This year a general 
tax-roll of the churches, &c., in the diocese of St. Andrews was made 
out. Dunfermline is under the general heading " Fothryf, diocese of 
St. Andrews" and its tax is noted thus — "Ecca de Dunfmel, c. IJB." 



THE INTERMENT OF QUEEN MARGARET. 95 

(lOD pounds) ; Carnock Kirk or Chapel is rated at c. S. (lOO shillings). 
(Print. Regist. Dunf. p, 207.) 

CoLBAN, Earl of Fife, did homage for his lands of Cluny, in the 
Chapter House of the Abbey, to Simon, the Abbot, on which occasion 
John Thyanus, the Abbot's Chamberlain, got a zvell-furred cloak for 
the homage. (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 235, No. 348 ; Dal. Mon. Ant. p. 23. 

1269. — Matthew, Lord Abbot of Dimfermline, ceased to be 
Abbot this year. Nothing is known of this Abbot during his thirteen 
years of the abbotship. It is not known whether he died, resigned, 
or was dismissed. He was the eleventh Abbot and second Lord 
Abbot of Dunfermline. {C/ial. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 178-184.) 

Simon, elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, as 
successor to Abbot Matthew. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 178-184.) 

1270.— The Nethertown and Garvock Burn are mentioned 
in the Register of Dunfermline as early as this period (in a charter 
relative to Pitbauchly) — viz., "Villa inferior de Dunfermelyn," and 
" rivulus qui venit de Garuoc." This shows that the Netherton 
existed as early as this period, and that the burn now called the Lyne 
or Line was then known as Garvock rivulet, or burn, and therefore 
could not give the affix or last syllable to the name " Dunfermline." 
(Print. Regist. Dunf pp. 213, 214, No. 16.) 

1272.— St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital were probably 
founded about this period. In the MS. Minute Book of the hospital 
it is incidentally noticed, under date 165 1, that tradition affirmed 
that the Chapel and Hospital were erected " in the time of Malcolm 
Canmore and Queen Margaret," but this is not probable ; it is more 
likely to have been during the reign of another Queen Margaret — viz., 
Margaret, Consort of Alexander III. — the period when many other 
St. Leonard's Hospitals were erected. The Minute Books of the 
institution reach no farther back than 1 594. 

1274.— Interment of Queen Margaret at Dunfermline. 
— Margaret, the Queen, (Consort of Alexander III.) died at Cupar 
Castle, 26th February, and was interred in the Choir of the Abbey of 
Dunfermline, near King David's tomb. {Hay's Scotia Sacra, p. 329.) 
Winton, in his Cronikil, notes — 

" Margret, Qivene of Scotland, 
Alysawndry's wyf, Kyng rygnand, 



g6 ANNALS OP^ DUNFERMLINE. 

Deid, and in Dunfermelyn 
Hyr body wes enteryd syne." 

{IVynton's Orig. Cron. vol. i. p. 391.) 

This Queen Margaret was the daughter of Henry III., King of 
England. Nothing is known of her history, public or private. 

1275. — Simon, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, was deposed for 
" obstinacy and crosses to the poor," by Bagimont, the Papal Legate. 
He was the twelfth Abbot of Dunfermline, and held the abbotship 
for nearly six years. Simon's name appears frequently in the Register 
of Dunfermline. He was sent, with William Earl of Mar, as ambas- 
sador to the King of England, for recovery of the King's Earldom of 
Huntingdon. He granted Charters of Confirmation for the lands of 
Ballard, of Pitbauchly, near Dunfermline, and of Bendachen, belonging 
to the Church of Dunkeld. (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 1 78, 1 84, 2 1 3, 2 1 5 ; 
Fordim, ii. 123. 

Ralph de Greenlaw, Snb-Prior of the Abbey, elected and con- 
secrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, successor to Simon, deposed. 
He was the thirteenth Abbot. 

Lord Abbot Radalphus : his Charter to the Queensferry 
Boatmen. — The Abbot grants eight oars in the new passage boat to 
seven persons, one of whom is a woman, for payment of 8d. yearly for 
each oar, and performing the usual services, as also paying the old 
rent to the tenant of the passage. One of the persons, Johannes 
Armiger, his heirs and assignees, ecclesiastics excepted, shall have 
two oars, and the rest one only. Farther, the Abbot declares that 
the successor of any of them " per vos, vel per ballivos nostros say- 
sinum remi sui habebit." This is one of the earliest instruments of 
seisin in constituting the right to a ship or boat. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf pp. 216, 217,. No. 320; Dal. Mon. An. p. 6^) The names of 
the persons to whom this grant was made are — John Armiger ; Peter, 
the son of Adam ; Thomas, the son of Bernard ; Richard de Kirke- 
land ; Magote de Craggy ; John Floker ; and Eue, the daughter of 
John Harloth. The Charter is designated "Carta de viij. remis in 
batello passagii." 

Resignation of Lands, &c. — About this period several lands, 
crofts, &c., are resigned into the hands of Alexander HL "cum 
omnibus hominibus et cotariis" (with all the men and cottars on 
them, &c.), and the King immediately, by charter, conveys them to 
the Abbey. (Print. Regist. Dunf 1270-1275 ; Dal. Mon. An. p. 42.) 



DEATH OF THE PRINCES DAVID AND ALEXANDER. 97 

1276.— Pope Gregory X., between 1273 and 1276, granted two 
bulls to the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. 
Dmif.'p'p. 188, 189, and Nos. 297, 298.) 

1277. —A Charter Granted by Alexander III., of this date, 
confirming the gift of the land of Lumphennens by Constantine de 
Lochor to his son Adam, is still to be seen at Pitfirrane House, near 
Dunfermline. It is beautifully written on vellum, and has the Great 
Seal of Scotland appended to it. It is still in a remarkably fine state 
of preservation. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 526-573.) 

1278.— Resignation of Lands (and men, &c., on them) into 
the King's hands — viz., the lands of Beeth Waldef by Sir Ranulp de 
Strathechyn, "cum omnibus hominibus et cotariis." (Print. Regist. 
Dunf. p. 52, No. 8 ; Dal. Mon. An. p. 43.) 

"The Blessed Margaret's Chamber." — In a Charter of Alex- 
ander III. (the King), dated 1278, reference is made to a resignation 
of lands — " Apud castrum puellarum de Edenburg in Camera nra q 
dr. Camera be. Margerite regine," &c., z>., at the Maiden's Castle of 
Edinburgh, in our chamber which is called the blessed Queen Margaret's 
Chatnber. This would be a chamber in the Castle Palace, where she 
so often had her residence, probably the chamber in which she died 
on November i6th or 17th, A.D. 1093. (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 53, 
No. 87, entitled, " Carta dni regis de terra Beeth Waldef ;" Dal. Mon, 
An tig. p. 54.) 

1279.— John de Inchmartyn and the Lands of Abbe- 
THAYN. — In the Register of Dunfermline there is a Writ of Agreement 
between the Abbey and John de Inchmartyn, by which it is agreed 
that John must pay three merks sterling for the lands of Abbethayn, 
and declaring, if payment be delayed three weeks beyond the stipu- 
lated period, he shall be excommunicated by the Bishop of Dunkeld 
(or his substitute for the time), renouncing for him and his heirs all 
letters obtained or to be obtained, and all remedy of law, both canon 
and civil. (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 144, 145 ; Dal. Mon. An. p. 59.) 

1280. — David {Prince), Son of Alexander III., died at Stirling, 
and was interred in the Abbey of Dunfermline. {Hay's Scotia Sacra, 
p. 329.) According to Winton — 

' ' A thowsand and twa hundyr yhere, 
Foure scor cure tha, to rekyn clere, 

O 



98 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Of Daivy thys thrid Alysawndry's sone, 
Of thys lyf all the dayes war done. 
Dede he wes into Stryvelyn, 
And enteryd in Dwnfermelyn. " 

{JVynion's '■^ Orygynale Cronikil Scot." vol. ii. p. 392.) 

Alexander {Prince), Son of Alexander III., died at Lindores, 
and was interred in the Abbey of Dunfermline — {Hays Scotia Sacra, 
p. 329) — of whom Winton says — 

" The ferd Alysawndyre, our Kyngis sone, 
At Lundorys deyde, and syne 
Enteryd wes in Dwnfermelyn." 

( Wynion's " Orygyiiale Crofiikil Scot." vol ii. p. 396.) 

Nothing is known of these two Princes. David appears to have been 
about 18 and Alexander 20 years of age. Their deaths (the deaths 
of the heirs apparent), and that, too, in the same year, was the 
cause of deep-felt sorrow throughout Scotland. In what part of the 
Abbey they lie is not known. If they were interred beside their 
mother, the place of interment would be near the east end of the 
nave (the Auld Kirk). If near their father, their graves would be 
somewhere near the pulpit of the present modern Abbey Church. 

The Mill Pool of Kirkcaldy. — In a Charter of the Register 
of Dnnfennline of this date, granted by Lord Abbot Ralph to Sir 
Michael Scott of Balweary, the Abbot enters into a convention with 
Sir Michael for the same, notifying " tJiat he and his heirs shall possess 
the course of the water running between Balweary and Invertiel and the 
land of Milneton." An engraved fac-simile of this Charter is given in 
the Register. ( Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 145, 422.) 

1281.— "The King Sits in Dunfermling Toune, Drinking 
THE Bluid-red Wyne." — These often-quoted lines are to be found 
in the fine old ballad of Sir Patrick Spens, composed to commemorate 
a sad disaster that occurred near the end of this year (1281). As the 
lines are associated with Dunfermline in the olden time, a few words 
regarding the ballad in question will be necessary. 

The Princess Margaret, only daughter of Alexander III,, was 
espoused to King Eric of Norway. The marriage was arranged to 
take place before winter of that year. Probably she was at the time 
residing with her father in his royal residence on Tower Hill (Can- 
more's), which was a favourite abode of the King, and here he often 
domiciled for long periods. 



"THE KING SITS IN DUNFERMLING TOUNE." 99 

In the ballad the King and his Courtiers are represented as being 
in Dunfermline discussing over their wine, the forthcoming marriage, 
a suitable ship, and a trusty captain. Such were the weighty matters 
talked over in '^ Duinfarlin toon'' over the bluid-red wine — 



He asks— 



The King sits in Dunfermling toune 
Drynking the bluid-red wyne." 

Oh, where will I get a saylor bold 
To sayl this schipe of mine?" 



Sir Patrick Spens is recommended to the King, who writes to Sir 
Patrick, and he accepts the office of captain. 

" O up and spake an eldern knight, 

Sat at the King's right knee ; 
Sir Patrick Spens is the best saylor 

That ever sayl'd on sea. 
Our King has written a braid letter, 

And seal'd it with his hand. 
And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens, 

Who was walking on the strand." 

It has been suggested by some critics that the strand here alluded to 
was the strand at Aberdour, in the Firth of Forth. Had this been 
so, the King would not have troubled himself writing " a braid letter" 
to Sir Patrick. Aberdour-on-Forth is within an hour's ride of " Dun- 
fermling toun ;" and instead of writing to him, a special messenger on 
horseback, demanding his attendance at Dunfermline, would have 
answered the purpose at once. We, with others, suspect that Sir 
Patrick was then residing in Montrose, or some other north-eastern 
port, and that the Aberdour brought into the ballad, if it means 
anything, refers to the Aberdour in Aberdeenshire. 

All the necessary preparations are made, the ship splendidly fitted 
up, and on 31st July, 1281, it leaves some now unknown port, with 
Margaret the Princess and her numerous retinue. 

" The ship, it was a guidlie ship, 

The tapmast was o' gowd, 
And at ilk tak o' the needle-wark, 

A silver bell it jow'd. 
To Noroway, to Noroway, 

To Noroway, o'er the faem ; 
The King's daughter of Noroway, 

'Tis thou maun bring her hame." 

The "guidlie ship" arrived in safety at its destination, but on the 
return voyage a great storm arose ; the ship becomes a wreck, and 



lOO ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

sinks with all on board, when approaching the Orkney Isles (near Papa 
Stronsay), which is rather more than half-way between " Noroway " 
and Aberdour, on the Moray Firth. Here, about 

' ' Half owre, half owre to Aberdoure, 
It's fifty fathoms deep, 
And there lies guid Sir Patrick Spans, 
And the Scots lords at his feet." 

So ended this disaster, over which great lamentation was made — 

" Oh, lang, lang, may the laydes look, 
Wi' their gown-tails ower their croun, 
Before they see their ain dear lords 
Come sailing to Dunfermling toun." 

It may be here noted that in the little island of Papa Stronsay there 
is a large tumulus which has been known to the inhabitants from time 
immemorial as " the grave of Sir Patrick Spens." ( Vide " Aytoun's 
Ballads of Scotland.") 

There has been much discussion from time to time as to who was 
the author of this famous old ballad. We strongly suspect that it 
was composed by Lady Wardlaw (whose maiden name was Elizabeth 
Halket), the reputed authoress of the well-known poem entitled 
" Hardyknute." The construction of the lines and expression used 
in Sir Patrick Spens have a close resemblance to those in Har- 
dyknute. We shall extract a stanza from each to show the extreme 
probability of the author of Sir Patrick Spens being the composer of 
Hardyknute. From Sir Patrick Spens — 

" The King sits in Dunfermling toune, 
Drynking the bliiid-red luyne," &c. 

From Hardyknute — 

" The tidings to oure good Scots King 
Came as he sat at dine. 
With noble chiefs in brave array, 
Drinking the blood-red witie. " 

We have never seen the original print of Sir Patrick Spens, and, 
therefore, can say nothing about the spelling of the word toune. It 
has been supposed that tonne is a misprint for ton7'-e. There can be 
no doubt that if tonre is the original spelling, it would be more 
correct, for the Kings of Scotland resided in Dunfermling tottre, and 
not, strictly speaking, in Dunfermling totme. 

Elizabeth Halket, or Lady Wardlaw, died about the year 1727. 



ROYAL INTERMENT OF ALEXANDER IIL 



lOI 



Seal of the Abbot Radulphus. — The Seal of Lord Abbot Ralph 
appears to have been made about this period. The following is ^fac- 
simile of the Seal. A fine impression, in gutta percha, was sent to us, 
in 1850, by Mr. Henry Laing, medallist, Elder Street, Edinburgh. It 
is oval in shape, and is thus described by Mr. Laing : — "A Seal in 
excellent preservation ; within a Gothic niche, a representation of the 
Eternal Father and Son — the Father sitting with the cruciform nim- 
bus, holding between his knees the Son, extended on the Cross. 
Above the right shoulder of the Father is a star, and above the left a 
pellet within a crescent. At the sides of the niche are the words, 
'ECCLA'XRI*' In the lower part of the Seal, within a niche, is a figure of 
an Abbot in pontifical vestments kneeling at prayer, and 'SiRADVLPHi* 
ABBATIS • DE ' DVNFERMELIN,' in letters of the period, are within orna- 
mented dotted curves along the circumference." (Lain^s Catalogue 
of Seals.) 




At the time the writer received the impression of this fine Seal from 
Mr. Laing, he suggested to him that the Church which crowns it was 
probably intended to represent the east vieiv of the Abbey, or new 
Choir, and in this view he agreed, and, since then, all antiquaries who 
have taken the matter into consideration. Therefore, although rude, 
still we have a faint resemblance of the Abbey, in 1280, from the east. 
{Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 94; and Descrip. vol. ii. pp. 216, 217.) 

1285.— Royal Interment of King Alexander III. — "This 
King, in the dusk of the evening, riding between Burntisland and 



I02 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Kinghorn, was, on March i6th, thrown from his horse over a high 
rocky cliff, and killed on the spot." Some accounts state that the 
horse went over the precipice with the rider. {Hailes An. Scot. vol. i. 
p. 183 ; Fordun, x. 40; Fcedera, iv. 370; Abrid. Scot. Chron. p. 203.) 

The remains of the King were embalmed, and according to Hay's 
Sacra Scotia, p. 323, his heart was extracted and buried in the Church 
of St. John the Baptist at Perth. Fordun, in his account of the vio- 
lent end of Alexander, says, " And lie was buried in the Abbey of Dtm- 
fermline as became a King'' {Fordun, x. 40.) 

In the '■^ CJironicon de Latiercost," mention is made of the site of the 
tomb of this Alexander, viz., "/2<§5'. He lies at Dunferinliiie alone, in 
the middle part, and is buried near the Presbytery ;'' to which the writer 
in the CJironicon appends : " Whence when zve see a multitude lamenting 
as mitch his sudden death as the desolation of the kingdom, they alone did 
not moisten tJieir cheeks with their tears, who closely adhered to him for 
his acts of friendship and good deeds!' At his death Alexander was 44 
years of age, and had reigned about 36 years. 

The following are other references to the violent death and inter- 
ment of Alexander III. : — "Alexandre le fitz Alexandre qi de viij. 
aunz de age comensa a regna xxxvij aunz Qi roumpy de cole a Kin- 
korn, sours de quoyen uevnt grant mal, et Sepultus Dunfermelin" — 
i.e., Alexander, the son of Alexander, who at eight years of age com- 
menced to reign ; he reigned 37 years, and broke his neck at King- 
horn, from which arose great evil, and he was buried at Dunfermline. 
{Skene's Col. No. 32, pp. 206-208.) "Alexander, filius Alexandri, regnavit 
xxxix annis et mortuus apud Kingorin, et sepultus in Dunfermelin '' 
— i.e., Alexander, the son of Alexander, reigned 39 years, died at 
Kinghorn, and was buried at Dunfermline. {Skene's Chjvn. Scots and 
Picts, p. 290.) It is singular that these notices give 37 and 39 years 
for Alexander's reign. He reigned 36 years. 

Winton refers to the death, &c., as follows : — 

" A thovvsand tvva hundyr foure-score of yhere 
The fyft, frae that the Mayden clere, 
Jesus Cryst oure Lord had borne ; 
Alysawndyr oure Kyng deyd at Kyngorne 
Fra that place he wes had syne, 
And enterred in Dunfermlyne ; 
In that Collegyd Kirk he lyis : 
His Spyryt in-til paradays," &c. 

{IVyiiioiis Orygynale Cronikil, vol. ii. p. 390.) 

The Chronicon de Lanercost notes that he was buried in the ''middle 



COAL AND STONE CHARTER TO DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. IO3 

part near the Presbytery" In 1285, the Presbytery was situated near 
the east end of the new Choir, or a little to the south of the site of 
the pulpit of the present modern church. 

Barbour, in his notice of the death of this King, says— 

* ' When Alexander the King was dead, 
That Scotland had to steer and lead, 
The land six years, and more perfay, 
Lay desolate after his day." 

(Barbour's '^ Bruce" p. 2, 36-40 lines.) 

1291.— Coal and Stone Charter of William de Oberwill 
TO Dunfermline Abbey. — This very interesting Charter is in the 
Register of Dunfermline; it is the oldest Coal Charter in Scotland. 
It appears that coal was dug at Tranent in 1285 ; but Dunfermline 
coal had become subject for a charter in 1291. The later workings 
may therefore be older than those at Tranent; \i€v!\^ first noticed does 
not always imply the first in reality. The following is a copy of the 
Charter, with our translation : — 

" Omnibus has literas visuris vel audituris, Willelmus de Oberwill, domi- 
nus de Pethyncreff, eternam in Domino sakitem. — Noverids me ex mera 
gratia et perpetua voluntate concessisse religiosis viris Abbati et Conventui 
de Dunfermelyn unam carbonariam in terra mea de Petyncreff, ubicunque 
voluerint, excepta terra arabili, ita quod sufficienciam ad usus sues inde 
percipient et aliis vendere non presumant ; una vero deficiente aliam pro 
voluntate sua facient quociens viderent expedire sibi. Insuper volo et 
concedo eisdem liberam potestatem fodiendi, capiendi et caedendi, lapides 
in dicta terra mea ad usus sues pro voluntate eorum excepta terra arabili. 
Concedo etiam (eis) et ad eos pertinentibus quod libere uti possint omnibus 
viis et semitis per terras meas de Petyncref et de Galurig sine aliquo impedi- 
mento, quibus aliquo tempori usi sunt vel uti consueverunt. In cujus rei 
•testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui una cum sigillo official! 
domini Episcopi Sancti Andrese et sigillo Roberti de Malavilla, qui sigilla sua 
ad instanciam meam praesentibus apposuerint. — Datum apud Dunfermelyn 
die Marti proximo ante festum sancti Ambrosii Episcopi et confessoris. — Anno 
gratise millesimo Ducentesimo Nonagesimo Primo." (Printed Regist. Dunf. 
pp. 218, 219, No. 323.) 

" To all who shall hear or see this Charter, William de Oberwill, owner 
of Pittencrieff, wishes eternal salvation in the Lord. Be it known to you that 
I have granted, from my mere good pleasure and of my own free will, to the 
religious men, the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline, a coal pit in my land 
of Pittencrieff, wherever they may wish, excluding the arable land, in such a 
way that they may get from thence sufficiency of coal for their own use, and 
may not presume to sell to others; moreover, one failing, they will make 
another, according to their own free will, as often as they may see it expedient 
for themselves. In addition, I am willing to grant, and do grant to the same, 
free power to quarry, take, and cut stones in the said land of mine, for their 



104 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

own use, according to their own free will, excluding the arable land. I grant 
also to them, and to those belonging to them, that they may use freely all the 
roads and paths through my lands of Pittencriefif and Galrig, without any 
hindrance, which they have used at any time, or have been wont to use. In 
testimony whereof I have attached my seal to these presents, along with the 
official seal of my Lord Bishop of St. Andrews and the seal of Robert Melville, 
who have attached their seals to these presents at my instance. Given at 
Dunfermline on the Tuesday next before the Feast of St. Ambrose, Bishop and 
Confessor, in the year of grace 1291." 

Edward I., King of England, arrived m Dtmfermlme I'jthJ^ily, 
izgi (his first visit). — King Edward I. of England, in his route from 
Berwick to Perth, arrives in Dunfermline on 17th July, as he had done 
at other places, to ascertain the disposition and strength of the people, 
and imperiously calls upon persons of all ranks — Earls, Barons, Bishops, 
Abbots, Burgesses, &c. — to sign his roll of homage as his vassals. (Vide 
Tytler's Hist. Scot. vol. i. p. 87.) The '■'■Ragman Rolls" gives the follow- 
ing account of Edward's visit: — "In the year of the Lord, and Indica- 
tion (mccxci.), upon 17th day of the month of July, there came to the 
said Lord King at Dunfermline, Radulph, Abbot of the same place, 
and noble men. Sirs Andrew Eraser, William of Haye, Andrew of 
Moray, and Constantino de Loghor, Sheriffs of Fife, and to the same 
Lord King of England, as over and immediate lord of the kingdom of 
Scotland, made fidelity, and swore, some of them, upon the High 
Altar of the said Abbey, and some in the Chapter, in the presence of 
the venerable fathers in Christ, Sir Antony of Durham, and Alan, 
Bishop of Caithness, along with noble men. Sirs John of St. John, 
Patrick of Graham, and Galfrid of Moubray, knights, and many other 
nobles, clergymen, and lay men." (Vide Ragman Rolls, print, at 
Edin. 1835 ; Rymer's Fcedera, i. TJ^^ A.D. 1291-1296, p. 15 ; ChalHist. 
Dimf. vol. ii. p. 260.) 

1295.— John Baliol, King of Scotland, at Dunfermline, 
relative to his Son and Heir's Marriage. — There is a treaty still extant 
regarding this affair, between John Baliol, King of Scotland, and 
Philip IV., King of France, for Philip to give his niece, the eldest 
daughter of Charles, Count of Anjou, in marriage to Edward, the son 
and heir of Baliol, which was ratified by John Baliol at Dunfermline 
on the vii. Kal. March (23rd Feb.), 1295, where it received the assent 
of the clergy, nobility, and burghs. This treaty was registered at 
Paris, 23rd October, same year. (Vide Rymer's Fcedera; Anderson's 
Diplomata Scoti<^; Chal. vol. i. p. 5^0.) 



THE ABBEY IN HIGH REPUTE FOR SANCTITY. I05 

1296.— Edward I. King of England, in Dunfermline (second 
and third Visits). — Edward I. had a twenty-one weeks' march through 
Scotland during the summer of this year, his object being, according 
to Tytler and other historians, " to destroy everything of antiquity in 
Scotland, to carry off its Records and men of learniiigy He appears 
to have been tivice in Dunfermline during his progress, viz., on June 
17th, when the Sheriff of Stirling swore fealty to Edward before the 
Great Altar, and again on 1 3th August, on his return journey. On 
his return, he came to Dunfermline by way of Markinch, and then 
went on to Stirling. {Fordwi, xi. 26 ; Tytler s Hist. Scot. vol. i. pp. 88 
and 432 ; Craiu ford's Remarks on the Ragman Roll, vol. i. p 13 ; Hect. 
Boeth, xiv. fol. 305 ; Heiningford, p. 97 ; Nininws Hist. Stirlingshire, 
vol. i. p. 496.) 

1297.— Arnold Blair, " a Monk of the Benedictine Cloister of 
Dunfermline^' left the monastery and became chaplain to Sir William 
Wallace (at the hero's request). (See date 1327; Chal. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 530; Nicholsons Scot. Hist. lib. pp. 248, 249. 

1300.— Dunfermline Abbey in High Repute for Sanctity. — In 
the "year 1300, William de Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrews, in 
premising the great perfection of discipline, the commendatory life 
and charity of the monks, gives them the vicarage of a church to 
render them still more fervent." (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 73 ; No. 122; 
DaL Mon. Antiq. pp. 16, 17.) 



end of the thirteenth century. 



MCCCI. 

(beginning of the fourteenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1301.— Dunfermline Abbey and Royal Burgh. — At the 
commencement of the fourteenth century the Abbey and Monastery 
buildings stood unrivalled in Scotland for their extent and " noble 
adornments." Within its walls any three sovereigns of Europe could 
have been accommodated at one time without in the least incon- 
veniencing one another ; and for "the holy life" and "discipline of its 
monks" its fame was in " all the Churches." But, alas! in three years 
after this date, much of the noble pile was destroyed. (See 1304.") 
At this period the Abbey property was surrounded by a wall of about 
3000 feet in circumference, 12 feet in height, and 4 to 5 feet thick, 
with ports and postern entrances at necessary places. At this period 
meetings of the nobles and heroes of the land were held within its 
walls to concert measures for their self-defence and the independence 
of Scotland. 

The Abbey functionaries consisted of a Lord Abbot, Prior, and 
Sub-Prior. There were 50 monks, a number of novices learning " the 
art of theology," and about 12 subordinate officers, servants, domestics, 
&c. In all, probably there would be nearly 100 persons residing 
within the precincts of the Abbey ; and its property in lands, tithes, 
&c., was very great, and were connected with localities in almost every 
part of Scotland. 

Regarding the size and population of the Royal Burgh of Dun- 
fermline at this early period, nothing with certainty can be said ; but 
it may be presumed that it was then of some note, and may have had 
a population of at least 700 souls, governed principally by the Abbot 
and his officials, and subject to the control of the King for the just 
conduct of its civil affairs. 

1303.— Sir William Wallace and his Mother, in disguise, 
travel on foot from near Dundee to Dunfermline. — Some time in the 



I08 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

autumn of 1303 the renowned Sir William Wallace, "in hiding at or 
near to Dundee," finding that he was being surrounded by scouts from 
the King of England's army and by " sworn enemies, his countrymen," 
suddenly left his hiding-place in disguise, and armed with a concealed 
sword only. His mother, also in (fzV^///j-^, accompanied him, and both 
on foot set out on travel for the south, and, according to Langtoft's 
CJironide, they crossed a ferry over to Lindores, then through the 
Ochils for the south, and that when they were asked by any way- 
farer as to where they were going, made answer that they were going 
to St. Margaret's Shrine at Dunfermline. Whether this was really 
their place of destination or not, the answer they gave would secure 
them ecclesiastical protection, and allow them to proceed without 
molestation. Alluding to this " walk in disguise," Langtoft says : — 

" His modyr graithit(^) hir in pilgram weld ;(^) 

Hym (selff ) disgysyt, syne glaidlye with hir yeid, (^) 

A schort swerd (■*) wndyr his weid (^) priuale, 

In all that land full mony fays (") had he. 

Baith on thar fute, with Ihani may tuk thai nocht 

Quha sperd, she said to Sanct Margret thai socht, 

Quha serwit hir. Full gret frendschipe thai fand 

With Sothroun folk, for scho was of Ingland. 

Besyde Landoris the ferrye oure thai past, 

Syne throw the Ochell sped thaim wondyr fast. 

In Dunfermlyn thai lugyt all that nicht. 

Apon the morn, quhen that the day was brycht, 

With gentill women hapnyt thaim to pass 

Off Ingland born, in Lithquhow wounnand was." 

[Langloft's Chronicle, p. 322.) 

From Dundee to Dunfermline the distance is about 43 miles, from 
Lindores to Dunfermline, about 23 miles. From this metrical account, 
it would appear that Wallace and his mother sojourned only one 
night in Dunfermline, setting out on the following day to Linlithgow. 
Shortly afterwards, however, he was in Dunfermline again, pro- 
bably to escape from the English spies, whom he would find in 
abundance in the Lothians. This time he made "the forest of 
Dunfermline his hiding-place." At this period the glen of Pittencrieff 
was an almost impenetrable forest, extending from the low grounds 
on the south to Balrig Burn (Baldredge Burn) on the north. There 
were also other forests of a lesser degree, such as Fothrich Moor or 
forest, &c. ; but the forest of Dunfermline would most likely be in the 

(^) Dressed. (2) Pilgrim dress. (^) Went, or travelled. 

(^) Sword. (5) Dress, privately. (") Foes. 



SIR WILLIAM WALLACES MOTHER. I09 

former locality, and St. Margaret's Cave (the Cave Well) may have 
been his place of shelter. In the forest of Dunfermline the renowned 
Wallace appears to have had conferences with his friends as to the 
propriety of delivering himself up to Edward of England on honour- 
able terms. When these were made known to Edward, he got 
" infuriated," cursed him by the " well-known fiend," denounced him 
as " a traitor," and set a price of 300 merks on his head. On hearing 
this, the great patriot fled from the forest of Dunfermline to the 
mountain wilds, subsisting on the bounty of his friends. Langtoft, 
referring to this event, says : — 

" Turn we now other weyes unto ower geste, 
And speke of the Waleys that lies in the foreste; 
In the foreste he-landes of Daunfermelyn, 
He praied all his frendes and other of his kyn 
After that yole thai wilde beseke Edwarde 
That he might yelde till him, in a forward 
That were honorable to kepe Avod or beste, 
And with his scirte full stable, and selede at the leaste. 
To him, and all his, to haf in heritage. 
And none otherwise, als term tyme and stage, 
Bot als a proprc thing that wer conquest til him. 
When thai broulit that teithing Edward was full grim. 
And bilauht him the fende als his traytour in lond. 
Three hundreth marke he hette unto his wanis his own 
That with him so -mette, or bring his hede to town. 
Now flies William Waleys, of pres nouht he spedis 
In mores and marcis, roberrie him fed is." 

{LaugtojCs Chronicle, p. 324.) 

Langtoft^ it will be seen, makes Wallace fly over moors and marshes 
and subsist on robbery. 

Sir William Wallace's Mother. — From this period down- 
ward to the present time a tradition has held its ground that the 
mother of Wallace died at Dunfermline on some one of her son's 
flights, and that she was hastily buried at a spot, now in the northern 
churchyard, marked by a thorn tree. This site was that of the 
Abbey Weeping Cross (the Churchyard Weeping Cross), which, at 
the time of the Reformation, was destroyed, and the Gospel tree or 
thorn erected in its stead on the site. The same thing was, with few 
exceptions, in all other places. 

If the mother of Wallace was interred at Dunfermline, she would 
be, no doubt, interred within the consecrated walls of the Abbey 
Church. As the tradition continues so firm, we are inclined to believe 



no ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

that the body of the mother of Scotland's great and true-hearted 
patriot "rests in peace" within the consecrated walls of the church, 
where the daily service was conducted, and not in the place pointed 
out where unknown strangers were interred. If this tradition is correct, 
the interment must have taken place a few weeks only before Edward 
and his Court took up their winter quarters in the Monastery ; and 
when the haughty monarch heard of it, and of the hand the Abbot 
and the monks would have in the interment, this may have been 
one of the causes which induced him to fire the Monastery at his 
leaving it 

Edward I., King of England, ivith his Court, arrive in Dmt- 
fennline. — There is a discrepancy in the accounts of some early 
historians regarding the month and day of Edward's arrival in Dun- 
fermline on this " expedition of his." Langtoffs Chronicle, p. 332, 
and Ty tier's History of Scotland, vol. i. p. 201, give 6th November, 
1303, as the day and month of his arrival, while Hailes, in his Annals 
of Scotland, vol. i. p. 275, quoting from Prynne and Rymer, &c., gives 
nth December, 1303. We think the first the correct date, because it 
will be seen by next entry that Edward, on 5th December (six days 
before the nth), gave a donation to the Boy-Bishop enactment. So 
far as we have been able to ascertain, this visit is the fourth one of 
Edward to Dunfermline : the first, in 1291 ; the second and third, in 
1296; and the fourth, in 1303. 

Hardyng, the old chronicler, records, in his own way, in an off- 
hand manner, Edivard's doings at Dunfermline, viz.: — 

" King Edvvarde then into Scotland went; 

Thiough all Catness destroyed it in great liette. 

The mounths hye and out ysles (straighte) he shenl, 

Till they obeyed all hole his regiment, 

And wyntred then at Dunfermlin Abbey, 

Where Saint Margarite is worshipped ever and aye." 

{Hardyng' s Chron. p. 300.) 

The Boy-Bishop "Comedy" was enacted at Dunfermline this 
year. " The Boy'' received a fee for his performance from King 
Edward of England. The following extract is from King Edward's 
Wardrobe Accounts : — " Edward I., King of England, gave to fohn, 
the son of fohn, the Bailiff, the Boy-Bishop, in the King's CJiaple of 
Dimiferline, on the eve of St. Nicholas, ^o/." ( Wardrobe Accounts, 
Ad. MSS. No. 8835, A. S. Ediuard I., Brit. Museum; also, vide 
Brayley's Historical and Graphical Illustrator, vol. i. p. 89.) 



DUNFERMLINE MONASTERY BURNED. Ill 

Chambers, in TJie Book of Days, says : — " On St. Nicholas's Day, 
in ancient times, a singular ceremony used to take place. This was 
the election of the Boy-Bishop or Episcopiis Pneroriim, who, from this 
date (6th Dec.) to Innocent's or Childermas Day, on 28th December, 
exercised a burlesque episcopal jurisdiction, and, with his juvenile 
dean and prebendaries, parodied the various ecclesiastical functions 
and ceremonies. It is well known that previous to the Reformation 
these profane and ridiculous mummeries were encouraged and parti- 
cipated in by the clergy themselves. ... It seems to have 
constituted literally a mimic transcript of the regular episcopal func- 
tions, and we do not discover any trace of parody or burlesque beyond 
the inevitable one of the ludicrous contrast presented by the diminu- 
tive bishop and his chapter to the grave and canonical figures of the 
ordinary clergy of the cathedral. The actors in this solemn farce 
were composed of the choristers of the church, and must have been 
well drilled in the parts which they were to perform. The boy who 
filled the character of bishop derived some substantial benefits from 
his tenure of office, and is said to have had the power of disposing of 
such prebends or vicarages as fell vacant during the period of his 
episcopacy. Besides the regular buffooneries of the Boy-Bishop and 
his companions in England and Scotland, they seem to have peram- 
bulated the neighbourhood and enlivened it with their jocularities, in 
return for which a contribution, under the designation of the ^Bishop's 
Subsidy', would be demanded from passers-by and householders. On 
one occasion Edward I., on his way to Scotland, permitted a Boy- 
Bishop to say vespers before him in his chapel at Hetton, near 
Newcastle-on-Tyne, and his Majesty made a handsome donation to 
this mock representative. Edward I. appears to have been fond of 
Boy-Bishop performances. See his donation to the Dunfermline 
Boy-Bishop of 40/." {Chambers' s Book of Days, vol. ii. p. 565.) 

1304.— Dunfermline Monastery Burned !— King Edward I. 
of England, after a sojourn of ninety-seven days in the Monastery of 
Dunfermline, with his retinue of courtiers, took his departure, early 
on the morning of February loth, for Cambuskenneth, when he gave 
orders to destroy the Monastery by fire. This barbarous order was 
obeyed, and in a few hours the magnificent Monastery, and adjacent 
buildings on the east, were a heap of smoking ruins. 

" Scarce had arose the dubious light of morn, 
When clouds of smoke aloft in air were borne, 



112 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Threat'ning to quench the feeble dawnhig light, 

And bring again the darkness of the night. 

What horror seized, when suddenly the day 

Waxed brighter than the full meridian ray ! 

When rudely roused amid its morning dreams, 

Dunfermline saw its Abbey red with flames ! 

■Reheld the fiery pyramids mount on high, 

And flash their waving summits to the sky ! 

And heard those sounds, that peaceful hearts appal. 

Of falling roof, and beam, and fractured wall. 

Bnt higher yet their terror was increased, 

When rushing on, they saw armed ranks invest 

Its total circuit, and with joy exclaim. 

At every conquest of the furious flame ! 

Arose, with savage yell, the horrid cries, 

Amid the dread, unhallowed sacrifice ! 

Like Moloch's priests around his demon fire, 

Their shouts were loudest when the flames rose higher 1 " 

{Mercer's ^^ Dunfermline Abbey: a Poem" pp. 65, 66.) 

This conflagration appears to have been chiefly confined to the 
monastic buildings, south side of the Church, and in its progress 
destroying the noble Frater Hall, the extensive dormitory (reaching 
from near the great western window in the hall to the west gable of the 
Church), the infirmaryy lavatory, kitchen, stables, the charter-house, Sec. 

Historians affirm that, on this occasion, the great Abbey Church 
escaped the flames ; but it cannot be supposed that it escaped alto- 
gether uninjured in so close proximity to such surges of devouring 
fire and flames. Matthew of Westminster, in his account of this fiery 
disaster, assures us that "the Church was spared^' and also " a fnv 
houses Jit for the monks." 

" Thus fell in one revengeful day 

(Alas ! how easy to destroy !) 
The toil of ages, pride of kings,— 
Who clothed it in such array : 

A pious nation's chicfest joy; — • 
Th' abode of learning ; all that brings 
Delight unto the eyes, or whence fair knowledge springs." 

" Edward ! for this and all th' atrocious deeds 

Thou wrought'st on Scotland in thy fierce career, 
As oft as sounded into northern ear, 
Thy hated name deep execration breeds ; 
For wheresoe'er thy armies came. 
Was kindled with the ruthless flame 
Round all who dared be Scotsmen free, 
And spurn'd at Edward's slavery." 

(Mercer's " Dunfcrtiiline Abbey: a Poem," p. 67.) 



THE REBUILDING OF THE MONASTERY. II3 

Matthew of Westminster appears to stand alone in the vindication of 
"the atrocious deed." Other historians use such epithets as the following 
when alluding to it: — '■^Barbarous deed" — "unscrupulous and vindictive 
act" — '■^the act of a vile miscreant'" — "nothing ivorthy of a King in this 
deed of Edward's'^ — "the deed exhibited a narrow mind of a loiv type" 
— "the act will beheld up to scorn by every right-minded historian i7i all 
ages to come" &c. Matthew of Westminster justifies Edward by saying 
that "the Scots had converted the house of the Lord into a den of 
thieves, by holding their rebellious Parliament there, and, in time of 
war, issuing from thence as from a place of ambush, plundering and 
destroying the English inhabitants in Scotland." (For further parti- 
culars see Mat. of Westmin. p. 446 ; Fordun, xii. ; Hailes's An. Scot. 
vol. i. p. 276 ; Herojis Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 82 ; Ty tier's Hist. Scot. 
vol. i. pp. 201-204, &c.) 

It may be noted here, that this disaster is given under date loth 
February, 1304. In the old reckoning it occurred on loth February, 

1303. Then the year began on Ladyday (March 25th), and hence 
February loth was in the nth month of 1303. 

It is probable that on the eventful morning of February loth, 

1304, Edward would not scruple to leave his "fiery mark" on 
Malcolm Canmore's Tower, the residence of Scottish Kings ; his pro- 
pensity for revenge and destruction at the time was intense, and it 
was therefore unlikely that he would leave Malcolm Canmore's Tower 
untouched. Very likely it was also "devoured by a fiery blast" on Feb. 
loth, 1304, and a new royal residence would be afterwards erected 
contiguous to the Monastery. This would probably be the period 
when the under part of the Palace was built. 

King Edward I. of England appears to have been in Dun- 
fermline for the fifth time (so far as is known) on the ist day of May, 
1304. {Rotuli Scoti(E,vo\. i. pp. 53, 54; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 264.) 

Monastery Rebuilding. — It may be presumed that immediate 
means would be taken for rebuilding and repairing the Monastery, 
and also for the erection of a new Palace. Probably the building, &c. 
of these edifices would progress slowly, the country being then in such 
a disturbed state, and under English rule. It would not be before 
13 1 5 that the new building would likely be thoroughly completed. 

The following composition view of the restored Monastery is 
supposed to be taken from a point near the present mansion-house of 
Pittencriefif — what is now known as the " Pends" was not then in 

Q 



114 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



existence. The south wall, the conical tower, and the great west 
window will be readily recognised ; it is taken from a drawing made 
by "J- Kearsly, London, 1780." 




1305.— "Malcolm is Prior of Dunfermline Abbey, and Procu- 
rator for the Abbot, at this date." (Printed Registrum de Dunfermlyft, 
p. 225.) 

The Perpetual Vicar of Inverkeithing and Dunferm- 
line Abbey. —In a charter of this date, in the Register of Dun- 
fermline — or decree-arbitral, proceeding on a submission between the 
Abbey of Dunfermline and William Gugy, Perpetual Vicar of Inver- 
keithing — it is decided and ordered \\\2X " a tenth of all the grozving 
corn, both in the fields and the gardens, in the whole parish of Inver- 
keithing, shall be drazvn by the Abbey: but the other things (which are 
known to belong to his vicarage) are reserved to the Vicar'' (Printed 
Registrum de Dunfermlyn, pp. 225, 226, No. 338 ; DalyelVs Monastic 
Antiquities, pp. 32, 33.) 



1306. — Chartulary, or Register of the Abbey, which appears to 
have been much neglected for a long series of years, begins this year 
to have more frequent entries, probably on account of the coronation 
of King Robert the Bruce, and an anticipated settled state of public 
affairs. It appears singular how this MS. Register was prevented 
from falling into Edward's hands. 



A PERPETUAL LIGHT AT ST. MARGARET'S SHRINE. II5 

Ralph, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — It is not known when Ralph 
ceased his functions at Dunfermline, or if he died before 1306, or if he 
demitted office or was deposed ; the last that is heard of Ralph is, 
when he was at Berwick in 1296. It is likely he demitted office in 
consequence of the disturbed state of affairs, the impoverishing of 
the Abbey by the frequent visits and sojourns of the English soldiery, 
and lastly, the destruction of his Monastery ; therefore Ralph would 
cease to be Abbot at the latest in 1304, and have for his successor 
in 1306, "Hugh, by Divine permission." 

H'UG'R, Lord Abbot of DiiJifermline. — There is no date on record 
referring to the election and consecration of Hugh, as Abbot of Dun- 
fermline. It would appear, however, that he was Lord Abbot as early 
as this date. 

1309. — The Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, in a Charter 
regarding " Pethbanchiy (in the Register) styles himself " Hugh, Abbot 
by Divine permission." (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 226, No. 339 ; dial. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 185.) 

1314.— Excommunication of the Vicar of Inverkeithing. 
— William Gugy, Vicar of Inverkeithing, was found to be owing the 
sum of eight merks to the Abbey of Dunfermline, for the non-payment 
of which it is ordered that he shall be excommunicated. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf. pp. 230, 231 ; Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 59; vide '' Excommunication^' 
under dates 1245, 1342.) 

1315.— A Perpetual Light to be maintained before the 
Shrine of St. Margaret in the Abbey. — King Robert the Bruce bestows 
by Charter, in free gift to the Abbey, the vicarage of the Church of 
Inverkeithing, to defray the charges of maintaining a " perpetually- 
lighted wax-candle before the Shrine of the Blessed Margaret in the 
Choir." As this Charter is interesting, we give a free translation of it 
in full :— 

" Robert, by the grace of God King of Scots, to all upright men in his whole 
land, greeting : Know ye that, for the safety of our own soul and that of our 
predecessors and successors. Kings of Scotland, we have given, granted, and 
by this our present Charter, have confirmed to God, the Blessed Mary the 
Virgin, the Church of the Holy Trinity, and St. Margaret, Queen, of Dun- 
fermlyn, and to the monks serving and to serve God for ever in the same, the 
right of patronage of the vicar Church of Inverkeithing, with the pertinents, as 
freely and quietly, fully, peacefully, and honourably as the predecessors for- 



Il6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

merly of Roger de Moubray, knight, who had forfeited it to us, have held and 
possessed the said right of patronage most freely, quietly, and honourably in 
all things, by rendering to us nothing therefore but only the suffrages of their 
prayers : Besides, we give and grant, and, by this our present charter, confirm 
to the foresaid monks, the whole of our new great Customs from all their 
lands within our kingdom, viz., the land of the burghs of Dunfermlyne, Kirk- 
caldy, Musselburgh, and Queensferry, and from all their other lands whatso- 
ever ; To also let the said monks have and use their own Koketa, according 
to the liberties of their regality, and our present concession in all their fore- 
said lands ; and let this Koketa be acknowledged and admitted by all burgesses 
and our people, and foreign merchants throughout our whole kingdom, with- 
out obstruction from our chamberlains, or other servants of ours whatsoever 
for the time being, without petition from any other allocation of liberation, by 
finding for this our donation and concession of the said Customs for us and 
our successors, in honour of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the 
aforesaid Blessed Margaret in the Choir in front of her shrine, one wax 
candle solemnly lighted, continually and forever. — In testimony whereof we 
have caused our seal to be attached to our present Charter, these fathers 
being witnesses. — William, and William, Bishops of St. Andrews and Dun- 
keld; Bernard, our Chancellor, the Abbot of Aberhorthick ; Duncan and Thomas 
Randolph, <7/'i^{/'<?," &c. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 346, p. 232, 233.) 

The Church of Kinross and the Chapel of Orwell 
bequeathed to the Abbey of Dunfermline by King Robert (I.), the 
Bruce, in honour of his predecessors who were buried there ; and on 
account of having specially chosen it to be the " place of my sepulture, 
among the Kings of Scotland, in the honourable Monastery of Dun- 
fermline." (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 229, 230, 412.) 

1316. — Robert de Crail was Lord Abbot of Dunfermline th\?, 
year. It is not known when his predecessor Hugh, the Abbot, died ; 
neither is it known when Robert de Crail was elected and consecrated 
Abbot. His name appears in Charters for the first time as early as 
1315. In the printed Register of Dunfermline, charter No. 349, p. 236, 
date 1 3 16, he is recorded as Abbot of Dunfermline. 

Homage by the Earls of Fife to the Abbot of Dunferm- 
line. — A Writ in the Register of Dunfermline, notifies that a jury sat 
at Kirkcaldy, to decide as to whether or not homage was due by the 
Earls of Fife to Robert, Abbot of Dunfermline, for the lands of Cluny, 
and gave the following verdict : — "That the jury well knew, and, indeed, 
some of them saw Malcolm, Earl of Fife, do homage before the Great 
Altar (of Dunfermline Abbey) to Robert de Keldeleth, then Abbot, for 
the lands of Cluny, previous to High Mass, on the day that the 
Holy Margaret was translated at Dunfermline, in presence of King 



ENGLISH INVASION BY SEA. 11/ 

Alexander III., seven Bishops, and seven Earls of Scotland : that 
they know, and some of them also saw Colban, Earl of Fife, his son 
and heir, do homage to Symon, Abbot of Dunfermline, in the Charter 
House, by this token, that John Thyranus, at that time the Abbot's 
Chamberlain, got a well-furred cloak for the homage : likewise, when 
Duncan, Earl of Fife, son of Earl Colban, passed the night at Dun- 
fermline with Abbot Ralph, the Abbot demanded homage for the 
lands of Cluny, which he was willing to perform, but the day 
appointed for that purpose was anticipated by Earl Duncan's de- 
cease ; also, that Duncan, Earl of Fife, son of the preceding Earl, on 
the 9th January, 13 16, did homage and swore fealty to Robert de 
Crail, the Abbot, before the Great Altar for the lands of Cluny, which 
he held, in capite (in chief) of him and the Monastery." There are 
several notices regarding the lands of Cluny in the Register of Dim- 
fermline. The names of the jurymen who sat in this Court were — 
Henry de Graham^ Rector of the Church of Dysart ; William de 
Preston, Richard de Stidy, Simon de Longetoji, Magister Malcolnms de 
Gaitmilk, Symon the son of Sndy, William de Malville, Walter de 
Benaly, William Scot us, Folamis de Levenanch, Matheiv de Doler^ 
Willm Squier, Mathew de Ayton, Duncan de Maysterton, Ralph inuene 
burgens de Kraol — fourteen persons on this jury. (Print. Rcgist. Dimf 
pp. 235, 236, No. 348 ; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp. 22, 23.) Some of this 
jury must have been very aged persons, as they allude in 13 15 to 
what they had seen in 1250, or 66 years previous to the former date. 

1317.— The Church of Newlands, in Tweeddale, bequeathed 
by charter, as a free and perpetual gift to Dunfermline Abbey, by 
John de Graham. (Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 236, 237, No. 350.) 

English Invasion of Scotland by Sea : their Ships Anchor 
at Inverkeithing. — " The men of war landed, and were repuls'd by 
William Sinclair the valiant Bishop of Dunkeld, who chased them in 
all directions;" a great many were pursued to, and took refuge in, 
Dunfermline. {Fordtm, Ixii. c. 25 ; Barbour, p. 341.) Referring to 
this affair, Barbour says of the fleet — 

" Wherefore into the Frith came they, 
And endlend up it, held their way, 
While they beside Innerkeithing, 
On west half beside Dumfermling, 
Took land, and fast began to reif — (Steal.) 

Bishop Sinclair, for this exploit, was, by King Robert, dubbed the 



Il8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

King's Bishop. Note. — Some authors have doubted that this " ma- 
rauding expedition" got the length of "Dunfermling toun." The 
probability is that it did, and that the '^marauders'' found their way 
to things that did not belong to them. 

The Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Margaret.— In 
a charter, conferring privileges and possessions, &c., to the Abbey 
about this time, the Abbey, for 'dvQ first time, has the additional name 
of St. Margaret appended to it; and after this date, in many of the 
Abbey Charters the designation is, " Church of the Holy Trinity and 
St. Margaret, Dunfermline." (Print. Regist. Dunf p. 243, No. 356; 
pp. 243, 244, No. 357, &c.) 

1320.— Obligations of Dunfermline Abbey to its Bond- 
men. — This year a Jury Court was held in the Chapel of Logyn 
regarding its bondmen in Tweeddale. The bondsmen, as appears 
from the Writ in the Register of Dunfermline, demand that the Abbot 
shall appoint a bailie of their own race, who shall repledge them to 
the Abbot's Court : to which demand answer is made by the Jury, 
that such 'a bailie should be given to them, not only from feudal right, 
but from use and wont. Secondly, They require that, if any of their 
race shall be verging on want or disabled by old age, they may 
be maintained by the Abbey. To this demand the Jury answer on 
their oath that the Abbey is not bound to do so as a debt {ex debitd), 
but as a favour to men belonging to it. Thirdly, That if any of their 
race slay a man, or commit any other crime for which he may be 
compelled to seek the immunity of the Church, and shall retire to the 
Abbey of Dunfermline for safety, that so long as he remains there, he 
shall be defended as the property of the Abbey. To which demand 
the Jury answer, that, as the Monastery would do so to a stranger, 
much more must it be done to their own men. Fourthly and lastly, 
the bondmen demand that if any of their race commit homicide, and 
pay a composition for it, the Abbot and monks shall contribute 
12 merks to discharge the composition. To this last demand the 
Jury " declare that they never heard of such a thing in all their lives'' 
(Print. Regist. Dunf pp. 240, 241 ; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp. 46, 47.) This 
Jury consisted of the following eight persons : — Walter de Logan, 
William Squiere, William Kylsolanus, Robertus de Dunfermline, 
facobus de Alsla, Thomas de Logyn, fohannes de Gramithis, Richardus 
Littil, of Burgh Dunf. Note. — William Kylsolanus and Robertus de 
Dunfermline are, respectively, the Abbots of Kelso and Dunfermline. 



charter of randolph, earl of moray. ii9 

1321.— Randolph, Earl of Moray, and his Place of 
Sepulture. — The great Randolph, Earl of Moray, has a Charter of 
this date in the Register of Dunfermline, referring to several matters. 
In this Charter he expresses his desire "that his body shall be buried 
in the Chapel below the Conventual Church of Dunfermline, and 
donates forty shillings for the support of a priest, who is to say mass 
for his soul and the souls of his ancestors every day in the year, as 
well during his lifetime as after his death, and whether his body is 
buried at Dunfermline or not ; and that during the continuance of 
the mass two great wax candles must burn from the beginning of the 
mass till its conclusion — one at his head, the other at his feet." 
(Print. Regist. Dunf No. 357, p. 244; also, vide date. 1332.) 

As Randolph's Charter is interesting, we here give a free transla- 
tion of it in full : — 

" To all who shall see or hear this Charter, Thomas Randolph, Earl of 
Moray, Lord of Annandale and Man, greeting in the Lord : Know ye that I, 
for the safety of the soul of our dearest uncle and lord, Robert, by the grace 
of God the illustrious King of Scotland, and for the safety of our own soul 
and that of our predecessors and successors, have given, granted, and, by 
this our present Charter, have confirmed to God, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
and to the Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Margaret (Queen of Scotland) 
of Dunfermline, to the monks serving and to serve God in the same place, 
the whole of our land of CuUelouch, with the pertinents in the bgirony of 
Aberdour, to be kept and held by the same religious men and their successors, 
without any hindrance from us or our heirs, in fee heritage, in woods and 
plains, moors and marshes, petaries and turbaries, standing waters and mills, 
ways, paths, and pastures, and with all the conveniences, liberties, and ease- 
ments, as well named as not named, under the earth and above the earth, 
pertaining to the aforesaid land, or by any right or title proving to pertain, as 
freely, quietly, fully and honourably as we have held or could have held the 
said land by its right divisions of our said donation in all things, most quietly, 
fully, and honourably. We give also and grant to the foresaid religious men 
forty shillings sterling from the land of Monflooer, in the shire of Scone, by 
the hand of the owner for the time being, to be taken up proportionally every 
year at the Feast of Pentecost, and St. Martin in winter, by finding for this 
our donation for ever, in honour of the Holy Virgin Mary, in her Chapel 
below the Conventual Church of Dunfermline, one waga"' of wax, to burn 
solemnly in the usual manner for three solemn days every year : on the night 
of the Birthday of our Lord, on the day of the Purification of the Virgin 
aforesaid, and the day of the Assumption of the same. By finding also in the 
said Chapel a priest-monk every day for ever to celebrate mass for our soul, 
and that of our predecessors and successors, where we have ordained our 
body to be buried, at which mass indeed two wax candles are solemnly to 
burn from the beginning of mass to the close, one of which to stand at our 
head and the other at our feet ; and it is to be known that the whole of the 

* According to Ducange, a xvaga (English, ivey) is a weight of 96 lbs. 



120 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



solemnity before mentioned shall be done and implemented from the day of 
the concession of the present Charter, in the form aforesaid, as well during 
our life as after our death, our body being buried or not buried in the same 
place, by making so much due and customary service from the said land. We, 
then, Thomas Randolph and our heirs, shall warrant and acquit and for ever 
defend against all men and women the foresaid land of Cullelouch, with forty 
shillings annually aforesaid to the foresaid religious men and their successors 
as is granted. In testimony whereof," &c, (Print. Jiegist Diinf. pp. 243, 
244, No. 357.) 

Two Additional Monks to Dunfermline Abbey. — In his 
Charter entitled, " Carta de Kynedyrl' Randolph gives and confirms 
to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline, and the Abbot and 
monks there serving God, an addition of two monks to their number, 
for which additional burden he leaves property and revenue for their 
maintenance, &c. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 358, pp. 244, 245.) 

1322.— Cocquet Seal of the Regality of Dunfermline. 
— The Cocquet Seal of the Regality Court of Dunfermline was 
engraven this year by sanction of King Robert the Bruce, by Chapter, 
dated at Scone, loth July, 1322, along with letters patent to all who 
paid customs at Bruges, in Flanders, or elsewhere, notifying that 
wherever this Seal was in due form produced, it was to be recognised 
as the authority for collecting the customs granted to the Abbey by 
the King, &c. This seal is a brass matrix or double seal. 




The above engraving represents, in full-size, the regality side of 
the seal. 



CHARTER OF COMMON TO DUNFERMLINE BURGH. 121 

The following is a free translation of the Charter, or Writ, of King 
Robert the Bruce, to the Magistrates of Bruges, respecting the Coketa 
Seal of the Regality of Dunfermline Abbey : — 

" Robert, by the Grace of God, King of the Scots, wishes prosperity and a 
continual increase of happiness to our very dear friends, the Magistrates and 
Ministers of the Burgh, and the whole community of the City of Bruges, — 
Know ye, that from a regard to Divine charity, we have granted to the religious 
men, the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline, our Monks, the whole of our 
large Customs from all their lands within our kingdom, in free, pure, and per- 
petual alms; wherefore we have thought, wherever and whenever your mer- 
chants of Flanders, or other merchants of any nation whatever, coming to your 
country with their merchandise, shall present to you in due form the seal of 
the said religious men, your whole community should be requested to be care- 
ful to receive it as our own proper Seal. In testimony whereof, we send you 
these our letters patent. — Given at Scone, on the tenth day of July, in the six- 
teenth of our reign" [loth July, 1322]. (Print. Rcgist. Dimf. No. 361, p. 246.) 

Mr. Laing, in his " Descriptive Catalogue of Impressions from Scottish 
Seals, Edin. 1850," refers to the Regality Seal of Dunfermline Abbey 
as follows : — "The cokete and counter seals [of Dunfermline Regality] 
are fine and interesting specimens, in most excellent preservation. 
The design of the Cokete Seal is an elegant full-length figure of Saint 
Margaret, with an open crown of three points. In her right hand 
she holds a sceptre, and a book in her left. At the dexter side is a 
shield bearing the arms of Scotland, and at the sinister another, 
with a cross fleury between five martlets, being the paternal arms of 
the Queen. The back-ground is elegantly ornamented with foliage," 
[and round the circumference of the seal is the following legend in 
the ancient letters of the period : S * COKETE • REGALITATIS • DE DVM- 
FERMLYN]. " The Counter Seal merely contains the arms of Scotland, 
foliage, and round its circumference ROBERTVS " DEI • GRACIA * REX * 
SCOTORVM." This seal is and has been in possession of the writer of 
the Annals for a great many years. (See Annals Dunf. date 1748.) 

Charter from Robert, Abbot of Dunfermline, to the 
Burgesses and Community of Dunfermline. — This is the first 
Charter from the Monastery to the Burgh. The following is a free 
translation of the Charter : — 

" To all who shall see or hear this Charter, — Robert, by Divine permission, 
Abbot of Dunfermhne, and the Convent of the same place, humbly wishes 
eternal salvation in the Lord : Be it known to you, that we (after serious 
and attentive deliberation in our Chapter-House on what regards the interests 
of our Monastery) have given, granted, and by this present Charter confirmed, 
to the community of our burgh of Dunfermlyn, and the burgesses thereof, as 
a Common, that part of our moor, extending in length from the boundaries of 

R 



T22 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Waltirselis to the straight marshes of Beedgall (reserving to ourselves the great 
moss of Beedgall), and from the highway to Perth, and the boundaries of 
Greenauch to the straight marches of Tulch, in breadth, together with the 
peat-moss in said moor : And likewise that piece of land extending from the 
highway to Perth to Moncor-bank, and situated within the two ditches (duo 
sycheta) running in a line from Moncor, till they reach the highway to Perth, 
the said piece of land being of equal breadth with that of Moncor opposite 
thereto, to be freely, and without the slightest disturbance, completely, honour- 
ably, and peaceably, holden and possessed by the existing community and bur- 
gesses in all time coming, together with all conveniences derivable from said 
moor, as well as for pasture as for fuel, to be employed for their use, and for 
grazing their cattle : And, in consideration of the premisses, the said com- 
munity and burgesses are to pay to us and our successors annually, at the 
Festival of the Blessed Queen Margaret, one pair of white Paris Gloves, or 
Sixpence sterling, good and lawful money, in addition to the feu-duty yearly 
payable to us and our Monastery by the said burgesses for the burgage and 
privileges of our said burgh. — In testimony whereof, we have affixed to this 
Charter the seal of our Chapter, the Chapter being witnesses." 

There is also a transcript of this Charter in the Town Council Charter- 
chest of Dunfermline. {Vide Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 596, p. 415 ; 
Fernie's Hist. Dimf. pp. 195, 196; Mercer's Hist. Dunf. pp. 306, 307.) 
Note. — This Charter is not dated ; it is placed near the middle year 
of the Abbotship of Robert of Crail. His predecessor Hugh was ^ho^ first 
A bbot who styled himself Abbot by "Divine permission." Robert of Crail, 
Abbot (from 13 13-14 to 1327-28), continues the style or designation, 
and as there were no other Roberts Abbot until A.D. 1500, there remains 
no room to doubt that Robert of Crail was the granter of this Charter, 
and it has been thus placed about the middle year of his Abbotship to 
reduce the error of date to a minimum. 

Great Customs of Dunfermline. — King Robert the Bruce 
intimated, by Charter, to his Great Chamberlain, that the Abbey had 
a gift of the Great Customs of Wool, Skins, and Leather, arising from 
their own lands and men throughout the whole kingdom. This Char- 
ter is dated "Forfar, loth September, 1322." (Print. Regist. Dunf. 
p. 247, No. 362 ; Dal. Mo 11. An. p. 20, also p. 252, No. 369.) 

1323.— David H. Born in the Palace of Dunfermline. — 
David n., the second son of King Robert I., was born at Dunfermline 
on 5th March. {Fordun, xiii. 5, 12 ; Barbour^ xiv. ; Hailes's An. Scot. 
vol. ii. p. 1 14.) Winton informs us that — 

"De Kyng Robertis svvn Daliy 
Wes borne in-til Dunfermelyn." 

{Wy titan's Orygynale Cronykil Scot. vol. ii. p. 132.) 



BLAIR'S LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. 1 23 

At the time of David's birth, the poets of the day were very fulsome 
in their praises of him, declaring that he would one day rival his 
father's fame; but this was not to be. (Vide Hist. Scot, inter. 1340- 
137 1.) King Robert the Bruce had a son named JoJin by his first 
wife. He appears to have died in his infancy. He was buried in the 
Priory of Restennot, near Forfar. {Gordon's Monas. Scotice, p. 264.) 

North Queensferry Chapel of St. James. — "William, Bishop 
of St. Andrews, gives the Chapel dedicated to St. James, in North 
Queensferry to the Abbey of Dunfermline, for the service of which 
the monks must find tzvo chaplains to celebrate Divine worship, and 
must also provide a chahce, vestments, books, and ornaments, suitable 
to the chapel." (Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 251, No. 367 ; Dal. Mon. Ant. 
p. 36 ; also date 1479.) 

1325.— "John" of Dunfermline was Clerk of Liberance of the 
King's Palace at Scone. {Chamberlain Rolls.) 

1326.— West Port. — This, the first mentioned Port of the 
burgh, is noticed in a Charter of Robert, Abbot of Dunfermline, 
regarding St. Catherine's Almshouse, &c., which states that this alms- 
house stood "extra portam" — that is, zuithont the Port. This Port, in 
aftertimes was called the West Port, to distinguish it from the Burgh 
Ports, afterwards built. It stood in the middle of St. Catherine's 
Wynd. (See Annals Dunf. date 1780, &c.) 

1327.— St. Catherine's Chapel and Eleemosynary House 
Dunfermline. — The date of erection of this Chapel and Almshouse 
is unknown. They are not mentioned in any record until the year 
1 327, when their names occur in a Charter in the Register of Dun- 
fermline. The Charter begins as follows : — " To all the Sons of Holy 
Mother Church, Robert de Carell, by Divine permission. Abbot of 
Dunfermline," &c. The Charter refers to the Chapel, the Almshouse, 
and time of distributing alms to the poor, as also to the Port, and the 
Gyrth Bow, but is too long for insertion. (See (Print. Regist. Dunf. 
No. 370, pp. 253, 254.) 

Life of Sir William Wallace, Written byfohn (or Arnold) Blair 
in Dunfermline Monastery. — In the year 1298 John Blair, sometimes 
called Arnold Blair, a learned monk of Dunfermline, became chaplain 
to Sir William Wallace. After the hero's death in 1305, it is under- 



124 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

stood that he re-entered the Monastery of Dunfermline, and, during 
the later years of his abode there, wrote a history of his renowned 
master (about 1327). It bears the title oVRelationcs Qucedam; Arnoldi 
Blair, Monachi de Dimfermelen & Capellani, D. Willidnii Wallas, 
Militis" &c. (Vide Cottonian MSS. Brit. Museum ; Nicholson's Scot. 
Historical Library, pp. 248, 249; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 397, 531.) 

Royal Interment of Elizabeth the Queen in the Choir 
OF Dunfermline Abbey.— Elizabeth the Queen, consort of King 
Robert I. (Bruce), died at Cullen Castle, near Cullen, on 26th October, 
1327, and was interred shortly afterwards in the Abbey Choir. King 
Robert, at the time of her decease, was prosecuting the Siege of Nor- 
ham Castle, in England. (Vide Barbour, xx.; Fordun, xiii. 12-14; 
Hemingford, vol. ii, p. 269 ; Hailes's An. Scot. vol. ii. p. 352; Ty tier's 
Hist. Scot. vol. i. p. 229, &c.) Her age at death is not known. She 
was a daughter of Aymer de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, in Ireland. Her 
remains were accidentally discovered, in 1817, when the ground of the 
Old Choir was being prepared for the New Abbey Church. Her place 
of sepulture, was found to be a little to the north-east of King Robert's 
tomb, viz., about three yards north-east of the stalk which supports 
the present pulpit. (Regarding the discovery of her remains, see 
Chal. Hist. Dunf.,^^. 152, 153, 154.) Fordun's note regarding the 
site of her tomb runs thus : ''Anno Domini 1327, Septimo Kalendas 
Novembris, obiit Domina Elizabeth regina, mater regis David, et sepulta 
est in cJioro de Dimfermeling, juxta regem Robertum spo7isum simni" — 
that is : In the year of our Lord, 1327, on the 26th October, Dame 
Elizabeth the Queen, the mother of King David, died, and was 
was buried in the Choir of Dunfermline, near her husband. King 
Robert. Some authors state that she died in Cullen Castle, and give 
different dates of months, but all agree that it was between October 
26th and November 7th, 1327. 

In an old Charter by Queen Mary, mention is made of land and 

money, which had been bequeathed by King Robert the Bruce, to 

pray for the soul of Elizabeth the Queen (for ever). The following is 

an extract from said Charter : — - 

" I have given and grantit, and be this cure letres have confirmed, for we and 
oure successouris gevis and granttis cure speciale consent and assent, that ye 
auld chaiplanrie of five poundis, infeft be umquhile oure predecessoure, King 
Robert the Bruce, of gude mynde, of the burrow rudis of oure burge of Cullane 
with thretty-thre schiUingis four pennys in augmentatioune thairof, be the 
BaiUies and comunitie of the said burghe to sustene ane chaiplane daylie resi- 
dente yat tyme quhilk now may nocht leif yairupon to pray for the saul of 



ROYAL INTERMENT OF KING ROBERT THE BRUCE. 12$ 

Elizabeth his spous, quene of Scottis, quhilk decessit in our said burge of Cul- 
lane, and her bowellis erdit in oure lady kirk thairof," &c. 

This deed is dated I2th July, 1543, and was printed in the Banff- 
shire J oitrnal oi date December 15th, 1863. From all this it would 
appear, that her body had been embalmed at Cullen, and her bowels 
interred in the "Lady Chapel of Cullen," and the embalmed body 
thereafter taken to Dunfermline, and buried in the Choir of the Abbey, 
adjacent to the site selected by King Robert, her husband, as his 
place of sepulture. 

The burgh of Cullen, in Banffshire, is about 150 miles north of 
Dunfermline. Queen Mary would be an infant about seven months 
old when that Cullen Charter was indited ; consequently, it would be 
made out in her name, under the sanction of the Earl of Arran, Regent 
of Scotland. 

1328.— King Robert the Bruce appears to have spent a con- 
siderable portion of his time, this year, at Dunfermline and "Fons 
ScoticB" (Scotland Well). The King, being indisposed, was living in 
retirement at Dunfermline, and taking the benefit of the waters of 
Scotland Well for his complaints. Scotland Well is about 17 miles 
north-east of Dunfermline, on the north bank of Lochleven. 

Charters, Writs, &c. — In the Register of Dimfermline there are 
34 Charters and Writs entered, during the reign of King Robert the 
Bruce, granted in favour of the Abbey, &c. (between 1306- 1329), 12 
of which are from King Robert, the last entitled " Qujedam inquisitio 
ca de tra de Oroc ptinen ad . . . ." — "an inquisition of the lands, 
&c., of Orrock." The Charter is dated 1328. These Charters are 
between pp. 224-255 of Printed Register of Dimfermline^ and are num- 
bered from 337 to 371 inclusive. 

1329.— Royal Interment of King Robert the Bruce at 
Dunfermline. — King Robert I., the Bruce, of immortal memory, 
died of leprosy in Cardross Castle, on the Clyde, Dumbartonshire, on 
7th June, 1329, in the 55th year of his age, and 24th of his reign, and 
was interred with great pomp and ceremony in the middle of the Choir 
of Dunfermline Abbey. {Barbour, xx.; Fordtiu, xiii. 12, 14; Heming- 
ford, ii. 269; Abrid. Scot. Chron. p. 112; Hailes's An. Scot. vol. i. 
p. 353 ; Hays Scotia Sacra; Buchanan's Hist. Scot.; Guthrie's Hist. 
Scot, &c.) Fordun's words are, "Sepultus est rex apud monasterium de 



126 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Dumfermelyn, in medio chori debito cum honore." (As above.) 
Winton, alluding to his death, says — 

" In Cardros quhare Kyng Robert lay 
In lang Sicknes liys lattyi- clay, 
He closed in gratyows state and pure 
Hys Spyryt sende to the Creatoure. 
In the Kyrk of Dvvnfermlyn 
Hys body wes entery'd syne, 
And gud Jamys of Dowglas 
Hys heart tuk as fyrst ordany'd was, 
For to thei Haly Land ; 
How that was tane on hand 
Well purportis Brwsys Buk, 
Quhay will tharof the matter hike," &c. 

{WynioiCs " Orygynale Cro7iikil of Scotland" vol. ii. p. 136.) 

King Robert's death " was long and sorely lamented throughout 
the whole land." History informs us of the arrangements made, and 
the expenses disbursed in connection with his funeral, but is silent on 
the subject of the proceedings and procession on the day of his funeral 
at Dunfermline. There is no doubt, however, that it was a large funeral, 
probably the largest ever seen in Scotland, each heart throbbing with 
sorrow and regret, as it went along. Among the mourners on that 
day would be observed the young King, David II.; Randolph, Earl of 
Moray; the Earl of Fife, the guid Sir James Douglas, Sir David 
Berkeley, Sir Malcolm Fleming, Sir Gilbert Hamilton, &c., and many 
others of Scotland's heroes, besides others of the nobility, knights, 
squires, bishops, abbots, and other clergy, "in numerous train." 

After the sacred rites of the Church in the Choir were concluded, 
and just before the coffin was lowered into its last resting-place, a 
great hero and orator takes up a position near the place of sepulture, 
and made an oration over the great departed hero. This was Sir 
Gilbert Hamilton, one of the seven knights who ''kept the King's per- 
son in the Battle of Bannockbtirn." He attended the funeral to Dun- 
fermline, and ''made ane singular oration [over the grave], in manner 
of deploration, in his lawd and commendation, for he wes ane natnrale 
oratore in English, and cotdd exprime maist in little room," &c. {Cham. 
Gaz. Scot. p. 528.) Barbour's account of the funeral ceremony is as 
follows : — 

" I hope that none that is on life 
The lamentation can describe 
That folk for their Lord made ; 
And when they long thus sorrowed had, 



ROYAL INTERMENT OF KING ROBERT THE BRUCE. 12/ 

They have him had to Dumferline, 
And him solemnly erded syne, 
In a fair tomb into the Quire. 
Bishops and Prelates that there were, 
Assoilzed him — when the service 
Was done, as they best could devise. " 

It would seem that the principal mourners remained in Dunfermline 
for some time after the funeral, 

" And syne upon the other day 
Sorry and wo they went their way ; — 
And he debowelled was cleanly. 
And als balmed syne full richely. 
And the worthy Lord of Dowglas 
His heart, as it forespoken was, 
Received has in great daintie 
With great and fair solemntie." 

{Barbour's ^^ Bruce" pp. 430-432. See also Appendix G., and Annals 
Dimf. dates 18 17-18 19.) Dr. J. Hill Burton, in his Hist. Scot. vol. ii. 
I, states that " King Robert the Bruce died at Cardross, on the northern 
shore of the Frith of Forth'' ! 

The following accounts and disbursements of moneys, in connec- 
tion with the obsequies of King Robert the Bruce, are taken from the 
Chamberlain Rolls: — 

\^TranslatioJt.^ 
Clerk of Liberance, MCCCXXIX. 

Account of John of Dunfermline, Clerk of Liberance of our Lord the 
King's household, rendered at Scone. 

And to John of Lithcu for expenses incurred about the funeral of the 
King, L. XIX, for which he will answer. 

The same debits himself with 23^ stones of wax from the Chamber-lain, 
which he delivered to John of Lithcu, and so balanced. 

Fine Linen. — Be it remembered, that of the fine linen and books of gold, 
delivered by the Chamberlain, having been received by purchase, there are 
delivered to John of Lithcu 5 pieces of fine linen, and 5 books of gold-leaf, for 
the lamp and apparatus of the King's funeral ; and, to Thomas Armoure, 24 
pieces and half an ell ; And all the residue, about the herse (or temporary 
erection) and vestments round the altar, besides the 9 pieces and 3 books of 
gold remaining in possession of the Sacristan of Dunfermline. 

He credits himself with payment made for vestments and copes, and one 
bedcover, for the use of our Lord the King, ;^8 os. 8d. ; and to 
Thomas de Carnoto for the tomb of our Lord the King, made at 
Paris, ;^66 13s. 4d. 

To John, the apothecary, as a gift from the King, £1^ 13s. 4d.; and to 
the same for his fee, ;!^i8. 



128 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

To John, the apothecary, by the King's orders, ;i^66 8s. ; and to the same 
for a robe, 26s. 8d. 

To the mason of the tomb, for his wages, and a gratuity given to him by 
the keeper, by sure account held with Sir Walter of Twynham, 

£3^ I2S. 

And to Richard Barber, in the preceding year, for the said tomb, ;^i3 
6s. 8d. 

And to the workman of the tomb, for freight of the said tomb, and for his 
expenses from Paris to Bruges, and in England and elsewhere, to Dun- 
fermline, ;!^I2 I OS. 

And in purchasing two horses for carrying the litter, ;^io 13s. 46.; and 
for boards of Eslandia, bought for the Chapel, erected over our lord 
the King's body, on the day of the funeral, 40s. 

And to Sir David Barclay, for his expenses at Dunfermline, when he was 
purveyor for our Lord the King's funeral, ^28. 

And to the Abbot of Dunfermline for his oblation on the day of the King's 
funeral, according to agreement, ;£66 13s. 4d. 

And to the Rector of the Church of Cardross for the oblation pertaining 
to him of our lord the King's funeral, ;^2o. 

The same credits himself with payment to Henry of Driden for the King's 
soul, in part recompensation of the losses which he sustained by reason 
of his fee of 100 shillings from the multures of the Mills of Munros, 
subtracted by Sir David of Graham, iocs. ; and to Brynebill, in charity 
for the King's soul, 6s. 8d. 

And with the purchase of a hundred thousand of gold-leaf, bought at New- 
castle and York ; six hundred of bipartite gold-leaf, with paper, and a 
chest for holding the same; in the seven pieces and five ells of fine 
linen, together with expenses made about the same, for the funeral of 
our lord the King, ;^7 i6s. 3d. 

And with the purchase of four pieces of fine linen, and of one thousand 
five hundred of gold-leaf, delivered to Taskynus, the armourer, for our 
lord the King's funeral, ^£6 6s. 7d. 

Wax. — And to John of Lithcu, by letter about our lord the King's funeral, 
478 stones and 4 pounds [of wax]; and to the same, for the same 
cause, 84 stones and i pound. 

Accounts of the Chamberlain, MCCCXXX. 
Account of Sir Malcolm Fleming, steward of our lord the King's house- 
hold, from 27th February 1329 [-30] to loth January following : — 

And for the costume of the Steward and his suite, at our lord the King's 
funeral, one piece cloth. 

Bi/^ef. — To Knights for their costume about the King's funeral, 3 surtouts, 
and 2 mantles of black buget. 

To John of Lessydwyn, for his stipulated robe for iron-work about the 
King's tomb, 20s. 



ROYAL INTERMENT OF KING ROBERT, THE BRUCE. 1 29 

And in iron-work about our deceased lord the King's tomb, besides one 
robe elsewhere, charged ^2\ 8s. 2d. 

And for one cask of wine, bought and given to the preaching friars of 
Perth, for the King's soul, 66s. 8d. 

Account 25 June, MCCCXXX. 

And for certain expenses about our lord the King's funeral, made at Dony- 
pas and Cambuskenneth, of which expenses the Sheriff of Stirling has 
to render account, ;^i4 13s. 4d. 

Meal. — And to seven paupers, for the King's soul, for one year ended on 
the Feast of St. Peter, ad vincula, 7 chalders 9 bolls, and a third part 
of one boll. 

Account 12 March, MCCCXXX. 

Wheat. — And to Sir Malcolm Fleming, at the obsequies of our lord the 
King, 5 bolls 3 firlots. 

Clerk of the Kitchen. 

To Sir Malcolm Fleming, at the obsequies of our lord the King at Dun- 
fermline, 60 muttons. 

Account rendered 14 March, MCCCXXX. 

And to the Abbot of Dunfermline, for money due to him by reason of the 
deceased lord the King's funeral, ;^66 is. 

And to the preaching friars of Berwic, by warrant of the auditors of 
accounts, for the deceased King's soul, for one chalder of wheat and 
a chalder of barley, jQ^. 

Chamberlain's Account, 14 December, MCCCXXXI. 

Meal. — And to seven paupers, for the King's soul, for the year of this 
account, ending on the Feast of St. Peter, which is called ad vmctda, 
next to come, 6 chalders 9 bolls and three parts of a boll. 

From these important Rolls we learn several interesting items of 
information, viz., that the marble tomb, or monument, erected to the 
memory of King Robert, was made in Paris ; that, when finished, it 
was forwarded to Bruges, under the charge of workmen ; at Bruges, 
or at Ostend, it would be put on board the Abbot of Dunfermline's 
ship, and thence, most likely, to Queensferry on the Forth, for its des- 
tination in the Abbey. Bruges, it will be recollected, traded with 
Dunfermline. (See " Cocquet Seal," date 1322.) Also, that the body 
of the King appears to have been taken along the old Roman road 
direct to Dunipace from Cardross ; from thence, via Stirling, to Dun- 
fermline. By such a route the distance from Cardross to Dunfermline 
would be about 60 miles. 

These Rolls do not inform us where the King's body was embalmed, 

S 



130 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

but most likely it would be at Cardross, by John, "the apothecary." 
(See also E in the Appendix for Froissart's account of the last moments 
of the great Bruce.) 

1330.— King Robert the Bruce's Marble Tomb. — Imme- 
diately after the funeral of the valiant King, it was resolved that a 
magnificent tomb of white marble be erected over his grave. It would 
appear that there were no marble artists in Scotland at this period, 
consequently, application had to be made to the celebrated worker 
in marble at Paris, viz., Richard Barber. He undertook to furnish 
such a tomb according to the plans sent to him for ^13 6s. 8d. (a large 
sum in those days). The tomb was finished by Barber during the 
summer of 1330, and despatched immediately thereafter from Paris 
to Dunfermline, via Bruges, and erected over Bruce's remains, in the 
middle of the Choir of Dunfermline Abbey, during the autumn of 
1330. Of the form or aspect of this tomb there exists no description, 
but from the fragments of ornamental marble found, in 1817-1818, on 
the site where it stood, it would be a tomb worthy of "the immortal 
hero." (See Annals Dnnf. date 18 17-18 18.) Fordun has preserved 
Bruce's epitaph, which, no doubt, would be cut into one of the con- 
spicuous panel-spaces of the tomb, viz. : — 

^' 3§ic Jatet inbktus ^abcrtus, p^i^x 58tttebict«6. 

2lb pbcrtatem f n'buxit, per f robitaUm; 

Pegnum Seot0ritm ; ftunc Dibat iii 'Mtt f olorwrn/' 

That is — " Here lies the Invincible Robert, blessed King. Let him 
who reads his exploits repeat how many wars he carried on. He led 
the Kingdom of the Scots to freedom by his uprightness ; now let 
him live in the Citadel of the Heavens." {Fordim Scotichron, viii. 1 5 ; 
{Chal. Hist.Dnnf.NoX. i. p. 150.) 

The Abbot of Dunfermline (Robert de Caret) received from 
the National Exchequer the sum of £66 is. this year, being his 
expenses, &c., for religious duties rendered on the occasion of the 
obsequies of King Robert the Bruce's funeral at Dunfermline, 14th 
March. {Chamberlain Rolls, &c. ; Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. i. p. 497.) 

"The Perpetual Vicar of Inverkeithing" comes to Dunferm- 
line regarding the Poverty of his CJuirch. — In a Charter, or Writ, in the 
Register of Dunfermline, dated this year, it is recorded that John de 



INTERMENT OF REGENT MORAY AT DUNFERMLINE. 131 

Kinross, Perpetual Vicar of Inverkeithing, came to Dunfermline, and 
represented to the Abbot and Monks that his place was so much 
exhausted by exactions and contributions, apostolical as well as royal, 
that there were not sufficient funds for the ornamenting and repairing 
of the Choir, &c. The Monastery agreed to pay half the expense of 
doing so in future. It is somewhat singular to find that this Charter 
is dated on a Sunday. Dunfermline fraternity had in so doing relaxed 
a little from the strictness of their Order. The Charter is dated thus : 
— "The Sabbath-day before the Feast of St. Matthew, the Apostle 
and Evangelist [Sept. 21], Anno Dom. M.ccc.xxx.°" (Print. Regist. 
Du7if. No. 372, p. 256.) 

1331.— Robert de Crail, Abbot of Dunfermline, ceased to be 
Abbot about this period. 

Alexander de Ber appears in the Charters of the Register 
of Dunfermline, for the first time this year as Abbot of the Church 
of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. de Dunf. No. 
380, p. 261.) He ranks as the i6th Abbot of Dunfermline. It is not 
known when he was elected and consecrated Abbot. Neither is it 
known what became of his predecessor. Abbot Robert — whether he 
died in office, or demitted his charge, or was dismissed. 

1332.— Interment of Regent Moray at Dunfermline. — 
Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, and Regent of Scotland, died sud- 
denly at Musselburgh, on 20th July, 1332, and was interred below the 
Lady Chapel at Dunfermline Abbey, according to the directions he 
had given in his Charter of date 1321. He was Regent of Scotland 
from the death of King Robert, the Bruce, to the date of his untimely 
fate. He was married to the sister of King Robert, and consequently 
was the King's brother-in-law. His age at death is not on record. 

The great Randolph was one of "the commanding leaders" on the 
field of Bannockburn in 13 14. On the death of the Bruce in 1329, 
he was elected Regent of Scotland. In July, 1332, he was sojourning 
in Musselburgh when he was poisoned by an insidious monk. " His 
death was the cause of great sorrow and lamentation." Hailes, in his 
Annals of Scotland, says that Randolph "was a man to be remem- 
bered while integrity, prudence, and valour are held in esteem among 
men." (Vide Barbotir-d-Pinkerton, vol. iii. p. 179; Fordtui, ii. p. 29; 
Wynton's Oryg. Cron. Scot.\o\. ii. p. 146; Abrid. Scot. Chron. p. 116; 
Hailes An. Scot. vol. ii. p. 146; Dal. Monas. Antiq. p. 52, &c.) The 



132 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

precise spot where the remains of Randolph were interred is not 

known, but it would appear it was somewhere within the area of the 

present Session-house of the New Abbey Church. A memorial should 

here be erected to his memory. Barbour, in his reference to the 

" good and great warrior Regent," says — 

' ' The good Earl governed the land, 
And held in peace so the countrie 
That it was never on his day 
So well, as I heard old men say, 
But syne, a'lace, poisoned was he 
By a false monk full traitorouslie ; 
To see his dead bodie was great pitie. 
Thir Lord's died upon this wise, 
Be that high Lord of all thyngs is 
Up to his meikle bliss them bring, 
And grant his grace, that their offspring 
Lead well the land, and intentive 
Be to follow in all their life 
Their noble elders great bountie 
Where one fold God in Trinity 
Bring us nigh to his meikle bliss, 
Where always lasting liking is." 

{Barbou7-s ^'Bi'iice,'" p. 443.) 

Edward Baliol and his Army arrive in Dunfermline. — 
Edward Baliol, contending for the Crown of Scotland, during the 
minority of David II., after landing his forces at Burntisland, advanced 
with his small army to Dunfermline, on August 3rd, where he found a 
seasonable supply of 500 excellent spears, and a quantity of provisions, 
which had been stored up in the Palace some days before by Ran- 
dolph, the Regent. {Ty tier's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 12 ; Bland s Collection, 
vol. i. p. 558; Knighton, p. 2560; Chron. Lanercost; Hailes's An. Scot. 
vol. ii. p. 148; ChaL Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 264, &c.) 

Referring to this incident, old Winton says — 

' ' The Inglismen yhit never-the-las. 
Era thai tuk land, thare byddan was. 
And restyde thame a quhyle ; and syne 
Thai tuk the wai up til Dwnfermlyne, 
And thare all a quhyle thai lay, 
And sent thare schyppys about in Tay, " &c. 

( IVynfofi's Orygynale Cronikil Scot. vol. ii. p. 148. ) 

1334.— The Town of Kirkcaldy, &c., given to Dunferm- 
line Abbey. — In a Parliament of this year, the town of Kirkcaldy 
was made a Burgh of Regality, and mortified, along with its harbours, 
to the Abbots of Dunfermline successively. {Sibbalds Hist. Fife et 
Kin. p. 314; Webster s Topo. Diet, of Scot. p. 407.) 



SIR JOHN DE STRIVILIN AND ST. MARGARET'S FEAST. 1 33 

1335.— A Parliament was held at Dunfermline, when Sir 
Andrew Moray was elected Regent of Scotland during the minority 
of David II. (Vide An. Bun/, date 1338 ; Fordun-a-Hearn^ p. 1028- 
1032 ; Ty tier's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 52.) 

Sir John de Strivilin and St. Margaret's Feast at Dun- 
fermline. — Edward Baliol, the Pretender to the Crown of Scotland, 
had entrusted the siege of Lochleven Castle to Sir John de Strivilin. 
Allan de Vipont held the Castle for David II. The siege was carried 
on until 19th June, on which day Sir John's hopes of success were 
destroyed. The old historians state that the 19th of June was kept as a 
holiday in remembrance of St. Margaret ; people from the most distant 
parts of the country resorted to Dunfermline to celebrate the anniver- 
sary of the festival of the saint, and to pay their adorations at her 
shrine. Thither went Sir John de Strivilin, with part of his garrison 
— some bent on religious duties, some on making purchases, thinking 
that their position on the banks of Lochleven were "secure against 
the fates." 

Regarding the besiegers leaving their fortifications for Dunfermline, 
Winton says — 

*' Before the Castelle thus thai lai 
Til Saynt Margret the Qwensys dai — 
That dai Schyr Jhon de Slriviline 
Past wyth hys curt til Dunfermlyne, 
And al the gentlys that wyth hym ware — 
And in the tyme that thai ware thar, 
The Stwf that was of that Castelle, 
Ful wythyng gat and harde rycht weil 
That wyth Schyr Jhon of Strivilyn 
Thare days past to Dunfermlyn." 

Allan de Vipont, Governor of the Castle (Lochleven), took advantage 
of the absence of Sir John at Dunfermline, and was successful in 
destroying the bulwarks which the besiegers were erecting. An 
express was sent from Kinross to Sir John, who, with his followers, 
immediately set out for his camp, swearing dreadful oaths by the way 
to his ine7i, and vowed that he would not abandon his enterprise until 
he had razed the Castle and put the garrison to the sword. The 
appearance of things, however, on his arrival at his camp made him 
at once raise the siege. 

Referring to this, Winton goes on to say — 

" Word came til Dwnfermlyn syne 
Til Schyr Jhon de Strivelin 
Than (fra) Kinrosos, til Dwnfermlyn, 



134 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Than he was werra wode and wrathe 
And swore mony ane awfue aithe." 

{IVynloji's Orygynale Cronikil Scot. vol. ii. pp. i8i, 182.) 

The references to this incident are Fordun, xiii. 30, 31 ; Boet/i. lib. xv. 
fol. 230; Barbouv-d-Pinkerton, vol. iii. p. 179; Heron's Hist, of Scot. 
vol. iii. p. 40, &c. 

The Abbot of Dunfermline became a Legal Procurator. 
— Alexander de Ber, Abbot of Dunfermline, received a procuratory 
from King David II., which conferred on him certain privileges in 
legal transactions, and a letter also from the same King to make 
certain payments to him. (Print. Regist. Dnnf. Nos. 373, 374, pp. 
256-258.) In the original MS. Register, or Chartulary, no less than 
twenty-two monks names belonging to the Abbey are adhibited to 
Charter 374 as witnesses. 

1337.— The Town of Perth ordered to be Fortified, the 
Abbey to Pay part of the Costs. — Edward III. (of England) ordered 
the town of Perth to be fortified at the expense of the "Abbeys of 
Aberbrothick, Couper, Lindores, Balmerinock, Dnnfermlyn, and St. 
Andrews," [Maitland's Hist. Scot. vol. i. p. 527.) 

1339.— The Monks' "Judgment" Fines.— This year, William, 
Earl of Ross, Supreme Criminal Judge north of the river Forth, issued 
a mandate to the Sheriff of Fife, to pay the eighth part of the fines 
of his last itinerary to the monks of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. 
Dnnf. No. 376, p. 259.) 

1340.— The Right of the Abbot of Dunfermline to a 
Man and his two Sons Disputed. — A jury was empannelled on 
1 2th May, to meet the Sheriff of Fife in the Cemetery of "Katyl" 
(Kettle), to try the disputed case between the Abbot of Dunfermline 
and the Earl of Fife, as to the ownership of a man and his two sons. 
The Assize declared that the man and his sons were the property of 
the Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. Dnnf. No. 379, 
P- 378 ; Ty tier's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 254.) 

Simon Stury, and Lands in Musselburgh. — The Abbot of 
Dunfermline made a grant of seven acres of land at Musselburgh 
to Simon Stury, burgess there. (Printed Regist. Dnnf. No. 235, 
p. 150.) 



ABSOLUTION FROM EXCOMMUNICATION GRANTED. 1 35 

1341.— French Nobility in Dunfermline. — This year Am- 
bassadors, accompanied by a retinue of the nobihty, and a body of 
soldiers, came to Scotland to induce David II. to invade England. 
They succeeded. Edinburgh could not afford accommodation for 
the whole of the retinue, accordingly a great many of the French 
nobility went to Dimfeniiline, and other towns, for suitable lodgings. 
{Holingshed. Hist. Scot, p. 226; Froissart, vol. i. pp. 8-10; Stevenson' s 
An. Scot. pp. 28, 29.) 

Sir James de Dundas, Excommunicated by the Abbot of Dun- 
fermline, because he persisted in molesting the Abbey boatmen at the 
landing-rock. North Oueensferry. 

1342.— Absolution from Excommunication Granted by the 
Abbot of Dunfermline to fames de Dundas. — This Memorandum, or 
Writ, in the Register of Dunfermline^ is curious, and we therefore 
give a free translation of it : — 

"Memorandum. — That in the year of God, 1342, on Wednesday before 
the Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Alexander, by the grace of God, 
Abbot of Dunfermline, v/ent down to the south side of the Queen's Ferry, at 
the request of James de Dundas, concerning an amicable termination of a 
dispute that had arisen between him and the Abbot, on account of his molest- 
ing the Abbot's men and boat landing at two rocks within the flowing of the 
tide, as they were wont to do. However, James de Dundas had alleged these 
rocks to be his property, though the Abbot, his predecessors, and the Monas- 
tery, had quietly and peaceably enjoyed the right of landing on them beyond 
the memory of man, and on this had a Charter from King David, their founder 
and first patron, as also the Confirmations of the various Kings, his successors, 
and Popes, as the Abbot then exhibited, in presence of the following subscrib- 
ing witnesses, viz., Magister 'Johannes de Gaytmilk, Alaniis de Liberton, Michael 
Squier, Radulphus Clericus, J^ohamies de Iderth, Alajius Dispenser, Richardus 
filius Willielmi Scrismour, Robertus Young, yohannes filius Henry, Johannes 
de Lochilde, RadulJ>hus Gourley, as also before others, inhabitants of the ferry. 
James de Dundas had, on account of his molestation, incurred the general 
sentence of Excommunication contained in the Confirmation of the Popes, 
which he had during some time obdurately resisted, until, on the before-men- 
tioned day, he humbly supplicated the Abbot, sitting along with some of his 
Council on these rocks, as being in possession of them, that he would absolve 
him from the sentence of Excommunication, and he should abstain from 
molesting the men and boats in future. The Abbot, yielding to this humble 
supplication, absolved him from the sentence of Excommunication, as far as 
lay in his power, on his finding security to abstain from the like molestation ; 
but, were it ever repeated, he should immediately again incur the same cen- 
sure." 

(Print. Regist. Diinf No. 381, pp. 262, 263 ; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp. 56, 
57, 58 ; Mercer's Hist. Dmif. pp. 227, 228 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 



136 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

pp. 242, 243.) The rocks in dispute were those now called the Bmks, 
a little to the west of South Queensferry. 

1343.— King David II. and his Queen Joanna residing in 
Dunfermline. — From several old documents, it would appear that 
King David II. and his Queen resided for a short time in the Palace 
of Dunfermline, in November and December, 1343, during which 
period several Royal Charters are dated from Dunfermline. One in 
particular may be noted here, viz., the Charter of King David II., 
under his Great Seal, confirming the Holyrood Charter of King 
Robert (his father). This Charter is dated " Dunfermline, 30th 
December, the fourteenth year of our reign," (1343). {WidQ Marivick's 
Edin. Burgh Rec. pp. 317-318.) 

1347.— Christiana Beseth Repays her Debt to the Abbey. — 
The Abbot and Convent had advanced to Christiana Beseth, during 
her most urgent ntctssity, forty pounds sterlings for the ransom of her 
son, imprisoned in England ; therefore she conveyed to the Monastery 
the right to tliree pounds nine shillings yearly, which she drew from 
certain lands. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 382, p. 263 ; Dal. Monas. 
Antiq. pp. 37, 38.) 

1353.— Alexander de Ber, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, having 
gone to Rome to solicit a special indulgence, died, on his return jour- 
ney, at the village of St. Stephen, in Lombardy (of the plague). He 
was the i6th Abbot of Dunfermline, and held the office of Abbot 
twenty-two years. {Fordun, xiv. 8; Preface Print. Regist. Dunf p. 14; 
Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 187.) 

John Blak, the Cellarer of the Abbey, was chosen Abbot of Dun- 
fermline, by special license from the King and the Bishops of Scot- 
land. {Fordun, xiv. 8, vol. ii. p. 349 ; Clial. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 187.) 
This was the 17th Abbot of Dunfermline. 

The Office of Abbot of Dunfermline, held by John Blak, was dis- 
puted by John of Stramiglaw (Strathmiglo .''). 

John Blak resigned his Abbotship of Dunfermline in favour of 
John of Stramiglaw. 

John of Stramiglaw, elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of 
Dunfermline in place of John Blak. This was the i8th Abbot of Dun- 
fermline. A few explanatory notes are here necessary. 



JOHN OF STRAMIGLAW ELECTED ABBOT. 137 

The Convent of Dunfermline had elected John Blak, their Cellarer, 
an excellent and learned man, to be their Abbot ; but John of Stra- 
miglaw, a young monk of the Abbey, then studying in Paris, hurried 
to Avignon, and obtained a Papal presentation to the Abbacy, which 
Blak did not think proper to resist, but accepted from his rival first a 
pension, and afterwards the Priory of Urchard, in Moray, a cell of the 
Abbey. Fordun alludes to Stramiglaw, in rather measured terms, 
and to the juggle by which he obtained the Abbacy, which leaves 
the impression that he still held the office of Abbot zvhile the his- 
torian was writing, and therefore was not to be lightly spoken of. 
{Fordnn xiv. 8.) As Fordun's story is curious, we give a translation 
of it :— 

" At the same time a certain monk of this Monastery (Dunfermline), John 
of Stramiglaw by name, then studying in Paris, and fearing that his Monastery 
would sustain damage on account of the general reservation made by the 
Supreme Pontiff concerning all the dignities of those who departed on a 
journey of this sort, lest that dignity should fall into the hands of a stranger, 
repaired to the Court of Avignon, and obtained the Abbacy of Dunferm- 
line by Papal Bulls : but these things being heard of, the said John Blak (the 
Abbot), having consulted the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, pretended that he 
would not give up his dignity as Abbot even to the Papal Legate himself; but 
having learned the apostolic reservation and collation made to him by Papal 
Bulls, whilst the Apostolical Legate himself was enteri?io the ceinetery (or church- 
yard) of the Mofiasiery with afezv attendants, the aforesaid Abbot, by the advice 
of his brethren, for the preservation of the indenmity of the Monastery, adorned 
with the ecclesiastical vestments, and weari7ig his mitre, proceeded to meet him, the 
conventnal brethreti follo7ving him in procession, and placed the mitre on the head 
of the Apostolical Legate, put the pastoral staff in his hand, and led him to the 
choir and the altar, singing ' Te Deum Laudamus,' with a melodious tone and 
loud voice; and, having made speech, he, with not less humility thafi cheerfulness, 
caused him to be installed, and he first, with bended knees, rendered his manual 
obedience, the others following in like manner ; to whom, in his turn, the Aposto- 
lical Legate showed himself grateful , by providing for hifn an honourable pension, 
and he was aftenvards elected to the Priory of Urchard^ 

This same John of Stramiglaw, on account of the taxation of his 
Monastery made in the court, paid 50 merks sterling to the Aposto- 
lical Treasury. It is to be noted (adds Fordun's continuator) that he 
received that dignity from the liberality of the Apostolical See, upon 
this condition, that "the right of the Monastery should remain there- 
after as at first, and the right of confirmation to the Lord Bishop of 
the diocese, as clear, unimpaired, and entire as of old, and as it was 
from the foundation of the house, without any diminution of its right, 
or prejudice, or exaction whatsoever." (See also Fordun, ii. pp. 349, 
350, fol. edit, 1759.) 

T 



138 annals of dunfermline. 

1356.— Interment of Christian de Bruce at Dumferm- 
LiNE. — Christian de Bruce, sister of King Robert de Bruce, and wife 
of the late Andrew de Moravia, the good Regent of Scotland, died, 
and was buried in the Abbey of Dunfermline. {Hays Scotia Sacra; 
dial. Hist. Dwif. vol. i. p. 493.) 

1358.— The Abbot of Dunfermline Versus Priory of 
Urchard. — The Abbot of Dunfermline issued a protest by writ, pro- 
testing against the conduct, &c., of the Prior and Monks of Urchard. 
(Print. Regist. Dtinf. No. 387, pp. 266, 267.) The fraternity of this 
Priory appear to have been a class of ''persevering meji" for they 
continued their malpractices for 100 years after this date. {Vide 
Print. Regist. Dimf. pp. 283, 333, 339 (1456). 

1360. — William Ramsay, (14th) Earl of Fife, died about this 
period, and was interred in the Abbey of Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. i. p. 133.) 

1362. — John, ( ^th) Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — The exact year 
of the election and consecration of this fokn (without a surname) as 
Lord Abbot is not known ; and nothing is known with certainty of 
the latter years of his predecessor. He was witness to a Charter of 
King David II., on Sept. 14th, Anno Reg. 33 [1362]. {Regist. Epis. 
Aberdeen, vol. i. p. 90.) He is still Abbot on December 5th, 1363, 
when he obtained a pass for many Scots about to stay in England ; 
also for six horsemen. {Rotuli Scotice, i. 875 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 188.) Nothing more is known of the deeds of this Abbot ; 
but he appears to have held the office of Abbot until 1365. 

1363.— Confirmation Charter of King David II. to the 
Regality and Burgesses of Dunfermline. 

(Free Translation of the Charter.) 

" David, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all the upright men of his 
whole land, clergy and laity. Greeting, — Know ye that we, from an inspection 
of the Charters which the religious men, the Abbot and Convent of the Monas- 
tery of Dunfermline, have had from our predecessors. Kings of Scotland, have 
more fully understood the rights and hberties of their regality, and also of 
their burghs : We, for the safety of our own soul, and for the souls of all our 
predecessors and successors, have given and granted, and by this our present 
Charter, by way of a perpetual declaration, have confirmed to the foresaid 
reHgious men, viz., that the burgesses and merchants of the same burghs may 
lawfully and freely buy and sell in each of their burghs, viz., Dunfermlyne, 



TRON AND CUSTOMS. 139 

Kircaldy, Muskilburgh, and Queensferry ; and also in these their burghs in 
regard to any goods whatsoever, coming from any place whatsoever, and within 
all the limits, confines, and boundaries of the whole regality of these religious 
men through the whole of our kingdom, they may justly exercise their trades, 
as well regarding wool, hides, and skins as regarding other merchandise what- 
soever, without impediment from our servants or our burgesses whatsoever : 
Reserving to ourselves always the Great Customs from wool, hides, and skins, 
and other merchandise accruing beyond the limits and bounds of the said 
burghs and aforesaid regality, strongly inhibiting any men, our burgesses, or 
merchants, from our burghs whatsoever, or any other men, burgesses, or mer- 
chants of other burghs whatsoever, from presuming to use in any way the right 
or power to trade, or exercising the grants in future to the prejudice of the 
said religious men, or their burgesses or burghs, or to impair our present 
declaration and confirmation within the boundaries of the regality of the same. 
In testimony whereof, we have ordered our seal to be attached to our present 
Charter. — Witnesses : The venerable Fathers in Christ, William, Bishop of 
St. Andrews; and Patrick, Bishop of Brechin, our Chancellor; Robert, 
Seneschal of Scotland, our grandson; William, Earl of Douglas ; Robert de 
Erskyn, our Chamberlain ; Archibald Douglas, and John Herth Knight. 
— Given at Edinburgh, the 24th day of October, in the 34th year of our reign'' 
[a.d. 1363]. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 390, pp. 269, 270.) 

The Grange of Gellald and Wester Rosytii Port or 
Harbour, &C. — The following is a free translation of part of a Char- 
ter by David II., granting to the Abbey of Dunfermline the privilege 
of a port or harbour at either of the foresaid places :— 

" David, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to the whole upright men in 
the kingdom. Greeting, — Know ye that I have given and granted to God and 
to the blessed Margaret the Queen, to the Abbot and Monks of Dunfermlyn 
serving God there, and to serve God there forever, for themselves, their bur- 
gesses, and merchants, that they hold a port or harbour at Grange, of Gellald, 
or at Wester Rossyth, with the consent of the owners thereof, for all sorts of 
goods and merchandise, as well as wool, hides, and skins ; and at the said 
harbour by the merchants of the same, for carrying, importing, exporting, and 
weighing, freely, lawfully, as they may see most expedient for themselves — 
reserving to ourselves always the Great Customs," &c. (Print. Regist. Dunf. 
No. 891, pp. 270, 27 r.) 

John, Lord Abbot of Dunf eruiUne, was present at the Convoition 
of the Estates when "the Stewart, the Barons, and malcontents resolved 
to renounce their associations, and bound themselves to abstain from 
their confederacies against David II." {Fordun, lib. xvi. c. 27.) 



1364.— Tron and Customs. — After the receipt of the foregoing 
Charter, it is probable that a public Tron would be erected, and a 
table of Customs made for the convenience of the burghers and the 
primitive merchants of that day. 



140 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1365.— Safe-Conduct .Pass obtained by the Abbot, cS-^.— Abbot 
John of Balygirnach, along with Sir D. Fleming, received a safe-con- 
duct pass for one company of Scots and six horsemen to England. 
{Rotidi Scotice, xiv. 8 ; vol. ii. p. 349.) 

1366. — The Patronage of St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh, con- 
ferred on the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline, by the Bishop of 
Lindisfarne (Holy Island). {Arnofs Hist. Edin. p. 206.) 

Mathilda Bruce, the daughter of King Robert the Bruce, and 
sister of King David II., died and was interred in Dunfermline Abbey, 
but whether in the old building, or in the Choir, is not known ; but it 
is most likely that she was interred in the Choir, near the High Altar, 
and near the places of sepulture of her father and mother. King Robert 
and Queen Elizabeth. 

1368. — The Capella et Hospitium de St. Leonard, near 
Dunfermline, supposed to have been built. The Chapel and Hospital 
near the ^^ villa inferior',' or Netherton, on the south, appears from 
several old writs to have been erected about this period, and dedicated 
to St. Leonard. There -was a St. Leonard's Altar in the Abbey, 
supported partly from ground-rentals near these buildings. Not a 
vestige remains of these old erections. 

1374.— The "Three Mills of Dunfermlyng" are mentioned 
in old deeds as early as this year. They were corn-mills of very humble 
pretensions, and were situated as follows : — A small corn-mill at the 
Collier Row Port, sometimes called the " Mill Port," at the narrow 
contraction of the street (top of Bruce Street) ; 2nd, The Abbey Mill, 
which, until near the end of last century, stood a few feet east of 
the present-^^/;/^ flour-mill in Monastery Street; 3rd, The Mill of 
" our Lady Marie," in villa inferiore — /. e., lower town, or Netherton' 
The site is still well known, and continues to retain the name of 
" Lady's Mill." The three mills (in ruins) situate on the west side of 
the water-conduit in Monastery Street, were built early last century. 
(See Annals Dunf. date 1734.) 

1378.— COLDINGHAM Priory Annexed to Dunfermline Abbey. — 
In consequence of the great misrule and irregularities of this Priory, 
which was held of Durham, King Robert II. withdrew it from Durham 



ENGLISH SOLDIERS SET FIRE TO DUNFERMLINE. I4I 

and annexed it to the Abbey of Dunfermline, and appointed a colony 
of monks of Dunfermline to take possession of the Priory, which was 
accordingly done. ( Vide Charter in full in Carr's History of Colding- 
ham, pp. 327, 328.) 

1380. — John, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — It is not known when 
this "fohn" was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. 
His name occurs for the first time in a Charter dated 1380. (Print. 
Regist. Dmif No. 392, p. 272; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. p. 188.) He 
was the 21st Abbot of Dunfermline. 

Aldecambus. — In the Register of Dunfermline of this date, there 
is a Charter regarding Aldecambus, Coldingham, Chirnside, &c., which 
begins with " To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church, John, by per- 
mission, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline," &c., dated at Dunfermline, loth 
March, 1380. (Print. Regist. Dunf No. 392, p. 272.) 

1381.— The Vicarage of Dunfermline Abbey Confirmed to 
the Abbot and Convent by Charter from the Cardinal Legate. — This 
Charter curiously begins thus : — " Walter, by the Divine Pity of the 
Holy Roman Church, Cardinal," &c. This Cardinal belonged to the 
House of Torrie, near Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 594, 
P-4I3.) 

1382. — Cupar-Fife Constituted a Royal Burgh in a Court held 
at Dunfermline. — King Robert II., in his Court held at Dunfermline, 
this year, constituted the town of Cupar a Royal Burgh. {Barbieris 
Hist. Gas. Fife, &c., p. 128.) 

1383.— The Tron and Customs of Dunfermline Arrested by 
Order of King Robert II. — The Convent of Dunfermline had, for 
some time previous to this date, been encroaching on the Great Cus- 
toms due to the King. He, this year, issued an Order in Council for 
arresting the Tron and Customs of Dunfermline, and bringing them 
into his own hands. Shortly afterwards, at the solicitation of the 
Abbot and monks, the arrestment was removed, with a warning not 
to encroach on the King's rights again. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 394, 
p. 274; Dal. Mon. Aiitiq. p. 21.) 

1385. — Richard II, of England, and his Soldiers set Fire to 
Dunfermline. — Froissart, referring to this event, says: — "When the 



142 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

King (Richard II.) and his lords left Edinburgh, they went to Dun- 
fermline, a tolerably handsome town, where is a large and fair Abbey of 
black monks, in which the Kings of Scotland have been accustomed 
to be buried. The King was lodged in the Abbey ; but, after his 
departure, the army seized it and burnt both that and tlie toivji" 
{Frois. Chron. vol. vii. pp. 6'i, 69.) 

Hume, in his History of England, mentions that Richard II., in 1385, 
reduced Edinburgh to ashes, and treated in the same manner Perth> 
Dundee, and other places in the low countries ; and that when he was 
advised to march towards the West Coast to await the return of the 
Scots (who had entered England by the west), his impatience to be 
in England prevailed, and he carried back his army. Some authors 
refuse to admit that Richard went to Dunfermline ; for instance, 
Guthrie, in his History of Scotland, takes notice of the burning of 
Edinburgh in 1385, but says, "that though urged to carry the war 
beyond the Forth, he refused." (Vide Fernie's Hist. Dunf pp. 1 1, 
132, I33-) 

1386.— The Vicarage of Dunfermline Church. — The 
Vicarage of the Conventual Church of Dunfermline, which had been 
bestowed on the Abbot and Convent, was in 1386 confirmed by Char- 
ter from Cuthbert, Cardinal Wardlaw, 15th December. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf No. 574, pp. 413, 414.) 

1388.— Charter /r^w John, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, to 
Lord John Lyon of Fothros, regarding certain properties and privi- 
leges relative to Mills, Fishings, Warrens, &c. {Regist. de Dunf 
No. 393, p. 273.) 

]_389,_King Robert II. and the Truce. — This year King Robert 
II., and a retinue of his nobility, met with the Ambassadors of 
England and France at Dunfermline to renew the truce. {Fordun, 
vol. ii. p. 415.) 

1390.— St. John's Chapel, GKVMOCK-terra.—li is not known 
by whom or when this Chapel was erected. It is alluded to in some 
old deeds, which refer to 1390. Its site is still to be traced at 
Chapel Well, one-and-a-quarter miles east of Dumfermline. {Register 
of Dunfermline p. 586 ; MS. Registered Charters, Register Office, 
Edinburgh.) 



INDENTURE FROM THE ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. I43 

Names Common in Dunfermline in 1390. — In several old 
Writs the following names occur : — Craufiird, Gilbert, Lindsay, 
Braidwjod, Smyth, Spitale, Hefirysone, Wellzvode, Wardlaiv, Forestar, 
Barroivntan, Scot, Trwnbul, Morton, Wilson, Coupar, Walcar, Davieson, 
Dempster; and there appear to have been the Weavers, Litsters, 
Wrights, Masons, Tailsers, Fullers, Breivsters, and other minor trades. 
The High Street was known as the ^^Hie-gait," and Bruce Street as 
the '^ Colzier-razvel' &c. 

1393. — John, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, granted by Charter to 
William Scot, the lands of Balweary, in the Viceroyalty of Fife, dated 
at Dunfermline 13th June, 1393. (Printed Register of Dunfermline, 
No. 397, p. 277.) 

1394.— King James I. born in Dunfermline. — James I. of 
Scotland, son of Robert III. and his consort, the Queen Annabella 
Drummond, was born in the Palace of Dunfermline, in July, 1394 (and 
in the 37th year of their marriage), regarding which Winton says — 

" Oure King Jamys in Scotland syne. 
That yhere wes born in Dunfermlyn," &c. 

( IVyntoiis Orygynale Cro7tikil, vol. i. pp. 23, 24. ) 

(Vide Chalmers's Lives of Eminent Scotsmen; Chal. Hist, Dunf. vol. ii. 
p. 263.) 

1395.— Aldermen of Dunfermline. — It is not known when 
or hyzvhom the titleof "Alderman" was conferred on the Chief Magis- 
trate of the Burgh. The title occurs for the first time under date 
1 395) iri a Charter in the Register of Dunfermline, No. 336, p. 276. 
(See following Charter.) It would appear from several Charters, that 
the designation of "Alderman" was abandoned some time before the 
middle of the following century, when the title of "Provost" came 
into use. Still, Alderman is used as a designation, applied apparently 
to'the Chief or Senior Bailie as late as the year 1507. (See also An. 
Dunf. date 1176.) Perhaps, Gillebridus acted as Chief Magistrate at 
this period. 

Indenture or Charter from John, Abbot of Dunfermline, to the 
Alderman and Community of Dunfermline. — The following is a free 
translation of "The Indenture": — 

" This Indenture, made at Dunfermline on the tenth day of the month of 



144 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

October, in the year of our Lord, 1395, between the venerable father, John, 
Abbot of the Monaster)^ of DunfermUne and its Convent, on the one side, and 
the Alderman and Community of the Burgh of Dunfermline on the other side, 
fully testifies that the said lords, the Abbot and Convent have let, and in farm 
have demitted, forever to the foresaid Alderman and Community all the 
revenues of the said burgh belonging to their treasury, with the small customs, 
stallages, and court receipts, and the whole burgh in full freedom, with all their 
conveniences, rights, privileges, and easements whatsoever, that belong to the 
same burgh, or that may belong in any way in future, as freely in all things, 
and through all things as any burghs of our lord the King hold, have, or possess, 
in fee-farm, any burgh in the kingdom of our said lord the King, — reserving to 
the said lords, the Abbot and Convent, the lands purchased, or to be pur- 
chased, in the said burgh, through the treasurer by annual payments due to the 
Monastery from the different lands of the said burgh : And for correction of 
the bailies, as often as they, or any one of them, may have failed in their legal 
duties, or in administering or executing justice, for which concessions, indeed, 
granted above, the foresaid Alderman and Community shall pay annually and 
forever to the religious men mentioned, thirteen marks of the usual money, at 
the four ordinary terms of the year, by equal portions, without delay, cavil, 
guile, or evil intent : And if at or on any of the terms noted above, they 
should happen to fail to pay the prescribed sum according to the grant, in part 
or in whole, all their special property and their possessions, according to the 
will of the foresaid religious men, will have to be seized, taken, and distri- 
buted, until full satisfaction be made to them in regard to the said sum for 
losses and expenses, if the former participant lords, the religious men, may 
have sustained or incurred any, by reason of the payment formerly enjoyed 
not having been made in any of the terms noted before, according to the 
grant. — In testimony of all which the common seal of the Burgh of Dunferm- 
line is attached to the part of this indenture remaining in the hands of the 
religious men, the Lord Abbot and Convent ; but to the other remanent part 
for the foresaid Alderman and Community, the common seal of the Chapter 
of the foresaid religious men is attached on the day, in the year and place 
stated above." {jRegtst. Diivf. No. 396, p. 276.) 

First Seal of the Burgh of Dunfermline. — It is not known 
when the Burgh of Dunfermline first made use of the Seal to affix to 
their legal documents. Before 1395 the Seals of the Regality Court 
and the Chapter of the Abbey appear to have been the only Seals 
used. But now, by the preceding indenture between the Abbot, &c., 
and the Alderman and Community of the Burgh, the Abbot and 
Conventual Brethren demit in favour of the aforesaid Alderman and 
Community the whole revenue payable to them by the Burgh, with the 
customs, stallages, profits, fines, annual payments of lands, &c. A 
Seal for the use of the Burgh to legalise these documents and pro- 
ceedings would now be absolutely necessary; and we fix the date of 
\he first Seal of the Biirgh,2X the time such important privileges, &c., 
were conferred upon it in 1395, immediately after the receipt of the 
preceding Abbey Charter. The engraving on the following page is 



THE TOWN PORTS. 



145 



taken from a wax impression of the oldest known Seal of the Burgh. 
It is rude, and in a mutilated condition, and is appended to a Pitfir- 
rane Charter, dated between 1500 and 1523, as shown in the Charter- 
chest of Pitfirrane. 

From this fragment of the Burgh Seal, it will be seen that the 
central figure is the representation of Malcolm Canmore's Tower on 
Tower Hill, Dunfermline, supported by a lion-rampant on each side 




of it (the same as is in use at the present day on the Burgh Seal). The 
legend round the circumference of this Seal has disappeared, but it 
may be restored as follows : — 

"S'COMiMUNEXIVITATIS'DE-DVNFERMLING " 

— that is, " The Common Seal of the City of Dunfermline ; or, 

" S 'COMMUNITATIS 'DE 'DVNFERMLING " 

— viz., " The Seal of the Community of Dnnfermline'' Probably this is 
the proper restoration of the words and their rendering. The Tower 
on this Seal, being the oldest known representation of Canmore's 
Tower, is of itself interesting, because the greater part of the Old 
Tower may have been standing in 1395, and it may therefore be 
taken as an exact, although rude, appearance of the east gable of 
the renowned Tower. (See Chalmers's History of Dunfermline, vol. ii. 
PP- 39,40, 50, 51.) 

1396.— The Town Ports. — These Ports, which appear to have 

U 



146 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

been six in number, were probably erected immediately after the 
Burgh had obtained such an important Charter from the Abbot. 
The West Port (see Annals Dunf. date 1327) is the first-mentioned 
Port on record ; but, as it was a small one — a kind of postern yett — 
it would be erected in the first instance as a barrier between the 
Abbey and the Burgh. In later times it was known as " The Wee 
Pendr Burgh Ports were erected not for defence, but for the protec- 
tion of burghal rights, receipt of tolls, dues, &c., although they would 
do for a slight defence when necessary. These ports were situated at 
the following places : — 

1. The Mill, or Collieraw Port Top of Bruce Street. 

2. The Rottenraw Port Near top of S. Chapel Street. 

3. The Crosswyiid Port Top of Crosswynd. 

4. East Port Near the east of High Street. 

J". Tolbooth Port Foot of Bruce Street. 

6. West Port Middle of St. Catherine's Wynd. 

And we suspect there would be a 7th at the narrow bent pass, at the 
east end of the May Gate. The Burgh then, as will be understood by 
the site of the Ports, was of small extent ; the whole of the houses and 
" back-yards " were included in a sort of rectangular boundary line of 
1000 yards, with a probable population of 700. Tolls were collected 
at the Ports, and taken to the clerk at the Booth (a kind of small 
shop), for entering in his collecting-book — hence the name of Toll- 
booth; and if the booth was connected with a prison, the prison, through 
course of time, was called the ^^ Tolbooth." 

The Market Cross of Dunfermline was erected about this 
period. (See Annals Dunf. date 1499.) 

1397.— Commissioners meet at Ti\5YiYY.RWLmE regarding the 
Breach of Tmce ^vhich was Concluded in ij8g. — Robert III. of Scot- 
land, and Henry VI. of England, charged each other with a breach of 
the Truce concluded in Picardy, France, in 1389. They agree that 
their differences shall be settled by Commissioners, mutually chosen, 
"to which end John Shipene and Sir William Elmham met at Dun- 
fermline, on the 2nd October, in the year 1397 (where the Court then 
resided), with William Stewart of Jedburgh, Sir John de Ramorgeny, 
Adam Forrester, and Patrick de Lumley — King Robert's Commis- 
sioners. They came to the following resolution, viz., that the Com- 
missioners again meet on the loth March following, at Redenburn, 



JOHN DE TORRY, ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. I47 

Carham, or Hawdenstant." {Maitland's Hist, Scot. vol. i. p. 570; 
Henry's Hist. Brit. vol. vii. p. 350.) 

1399. — John de Torry, appears for the first time in a Charter 
of this date. It is not known when he was elected and consecrated 
Lord Abbot. He was the 22nd Abbot of Dunfermline. 



END OF the fourteenth CENTURY. 



MCCCCI. 

(beginning of the fifteenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1401.— Dunfermline Abbey and Burgh. — John Wardlaw, of 
Torry, was Abbot of Dunfermline. There were about 45 monks in the 
Abbey, and at least 12 other officials connected with its "domestic 
economy." The population within the walls of the Abbey was about 
60 ; the population of the Burgh, about 1200. It would appear that 
there were smiths, weavers, plumbers, slaters, masons, wrights, tailors, 
shoe and clog makers, bakers, fleshers, fishmongers, glovers, spurriers, 
&c., in the Burgh at this period. 

1403.— Royal Interment in the Abbey. — Queen Annabella 
Drummond, consort of King Robert III., died at Invcrkeithing, and 
was. interred in "Jialy sepulture'^ in the Abbey of Dunfermline, but 
whether in the original building or in the Choir is not known. This 
was the last of the Royal Interments at Dunfermline, excepting the 
infant son of James VI. in 1602. — For list of Royal Interments, see 
Appendix H. {Chambers's Gas. Scot. pp. 584, 585 ; Ckal. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 137 ; vol. ii. p. 242.) 

Note. — Robert III., husband of Annabella, gave a gift of the whole 
revenue belonging to St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital at Lanark, 
in 1393, to Sir John Dalziel, upon condition that he and his heirs 
should cause say three masses every week — ^^ Pro sahite Dojnini Regis 
et Annabellcs Regincs proliuinqiie eortint" — viz., three masses ''for the 
salvation of our lord the King, and Annabella the Queen, and their 
offspring.'^ {Chambers s Gaz. Scot. p. 689.) 

1404. — John, Lord Abbot, and Safe-Conduct Pass to England. — 
John de Torry, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, "obtained a Safe-conduct 
Pass from Henry IV. of England, with Sir Richard Comyn and six 



ISO ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

horsemen," dated at Westminster, 20th March, 1404. {Chal. Hist 
Dunf. vol. f. p. 189.) 

1409.— Dunfermline Monks' Vestments.— The monks of 
Dumfermline represent to the Abbot the great rise in the prices of 
vestments. John de Torry, Lord Abbot, after a full consideration of 
the matter, agrees to allow each monk in future 40s. of the current 
money of the realm annually. (Print. Regist. Dunf, No. 399, p. 279 ; 
Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 15 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 214, &c.) 

John of Torry (Wardlaw), Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, appears 
to have been indisposed for several years about this period (1409- 
141 3). It has also been supposed that John Wardlaw of Torry, died 
in 1409, and that a now unknown Abbot was then elected, and was 
in office until 141 3 ; but the Registruni de Dunfermlyn makes no 
mention of this. 

1414.— William de Sancto Ai^iyR^LA, Loj-d Abbot of Dunferm- 
line. — It is not known when William of St. Andrews was elected and 
consecrated Lord Abbot of Dumfermline. His name for the first time 
appears in a Charter of date 1414. He was the 23rd Abbot of Dun- 
fermline. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 401, pp. 280, 281, 282 ; dial. Hist. 
Dunf. vol i. p. 180.) 

1419.— Robert Stuart, Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife, and 
Regent of Scotland, died in 1419, and was buried in the Abbey of 
Dunfermline. {Heron's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 206 ; CJial. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 133.) 

Seisen. — The earliest notice of Seisen, in connection with the 
Abbey, is to be found in a Charter in the Register of Dunferndine of 
date, 23rd March, 1419. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 402, p. 281, 282 ; 
Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 62. 

1423. — William Brown, tJie Learned and Eminent Theologian. 
— William Brown, of the Abbey of Dunfermline, "strenuously opposed 
the election of William Drax to be Prior of Coldingham, but was 
unsuccessful." {Carr's Hist, of Coldingham^ p. 285 ; Chalmers's Hist. 
Dunf. vol. i. p. 240.) Drax, a man of questionable virtue, had raised 
a process against William Brown, Robert Bowmaker, and Stephen 
Bryce, "monks of Dunfermlingy 



ARCHERY. 1 5 1 

1425.— Process of Law served on Three Monks at 
Dunfermline. — William Drax took action at law against William 
Brozufi, Robert Boivmaker^ and Stephen Bryce, monks of Dunfermline, 
for opposing him in the Priorate of Coldingham. {Cart's Hist, of 
Coldingham^ p. 285 ; and MS. Deeds in the Advo. Lib. Edin') 

1426. — David I., '■'A sair Saint to the Crown!' — James I. visited 
Dunfermline this year, just after his long captivity of 19 years in Eng- 
land. He entered the Abbey, and, on the tomb of King David being 
pointed out to him, remarked that ^^ David wes ane soir sanct for the 
Crotin." James I. at the time was low in his finances; and, no doubt, 
the lavish expenditure of Crown money, &c., made by David I. on 
cathedrals, abbeys, and religious houses, would come to his remem- 
brance, and hence his often-quoted remark. (Boece's Chronicles^ by 
Balle?iden, lib. xii. ch. 17.) 

1427.— William of St. A-ht>r-e?ns, Lord Abbot of Dunfermlitte, 
died. ( General A Han's MSS.) 

Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — Andrezu de Kircaldy was 
elected and consecrated Abbot of Dunfermline on 13th September, 

1427. (General Allatis MSS.) 

1428.— King James L in Dunfermline. — Several Charters 
were granted by James L, and dated from Dunfermline, in December, 

1428. One of them under the Great Seal, "whereby, with consent of 
the burgesses and merchants of Edinburgh, and in augmentation of 
the fabric and reparation of the Port of Leith," certain tolls are autho- 
rised to be uplifted of all ships and boats entering therein ; dated 
Dunfermline, 31st December, 1428. {Marwick's Edin. Burgh Records, 
P- 323.) 

1429.— Malpractices in the Priory of Urquhart,— There 
are several letters, writs, &c., of admonition in the Register of Dnn- 
fermlifie, at this period, from the Abbot of Dunfermline, regarding 
certain malpractices and irregularities which had recently arisen in 
the Priory of Urquhart, which was under the jurisdiction of Dunferm- 
line Abbey. {Vide Regist. de Dimf pp. 282-284.) 

1432.— Archery.— Agreeably to the Act of Estates, Dunfermline 
established "bow-butts" adjacent to the villa inferior (Nethertown), 



152 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

"for the practice of archery," and "set aside the Butt-acre for that 
purpose." The Butts are mentioned in Charter 443 of Registrmn de 
Dunfermlyn. (See Amials of Dunfermline, dates 1455 and 1526.) 

1435.— The Barony of Rosythe, four miles south of Dun- 
fermHne, was purchased, about this period, by Sir David Stewart. 
{Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 422.) 

1436.— Dunfermline, along ivith other Towns, declared to be 
incapable of protecting Royalty. — After the murder of James I. at 
Perth this year, it was declared that " neither Perth, Stirling, Scone, 
or Dnmferviline, had the power of protecting royalty against the 
designs of the nobility," and hence Edinburgh and its ^Castle were 
selected as the future place of residence for the Royal Families of 
Scotland. It was in consequence of this "declaration and act" that 
Edinburgh became the metropolis of Scotland — 1436-1437. {Chal. Gas. 
Scot, art, ^^ Stirlingl' p. 957, &c.) 

1437.— A Charter of this date is the first one in the Register 
of Dnnfermline in the Scotch language, and, as it is a very early speci- 
men, we give it in full : — 

Contract between the Abbot and Convent of Dunfermline and David Hacket, 
as to the Lands of Pitfirrane. 

" This is y'' decret gevyn and deliverit at Dunfermlyn y" last day of y" 
moneth of Julii, y'' zher of our Lord a thousand four hundreth thretti and 
sevyn. Be us Robert of Eeuanston of Drumy. John of Cockburn of torry 
knycht. James pole of y* ilke. Willyhame of glen. And Willyhame of Walvvod. 

" Of y° debait and controversary movit betwixt a venerabill fadir in crist 
Andrew be y^ grace of God Abbot of Dunfermlyn and y'' convent of yat ilke 
on a part. And Dauid hacet of lunfennenon y*^ tothir part belangand y° landis 
of petfuran, \v*. pertinents. In y'' fyrst be cause we fand y' y" oxgang of land 
of y° chemis pertain and to y° said Abbot and Convent wes less na y^ westir 
oxgang of land and chemis of y" said Dauid. And for the y*^ thrid par of y° 
Ward be north hauf yat ilke chemis. We haue deliviret to y'' said Abbot and 
convent als mekil land Hand on the south hauf y" oxgang safand a gate liang 
betuix of fourty fute brede y** qwhilk land to yam deliverit is of quantite tua 
acris thre rude and fyften fall in y'^ hale. Alsua we decret and ordainis y* y" 
gate Hand betuix y** said Dauidis orchard and his westir oxgang extendand fra 
y^ chemy of the said Abbot and convent to y'' gate Hand be north y*^ herber 
hill be comon to baith y° partes, and yat it be threttie fut brad sanfand y^ 
yhate betuix y*^ bern and y^ biir of y" said Dauid y° qwhilk sal remain of y'^ samyn 
quantitie yat it is now of y° qwhilk threttie fute yar sel be ten fute of y'' rynryg 
of y'= Abbot and y° convent, and twentie fute of ye rynrig of y'' said Dauid f \ 
it pas y° bern and y*^ biir northwards to y° gate extendand to y'' herber hiU. 



THE ABBEY POSSESSIONS AND PRIVILEGES. 1 53 

Allsua y'' land Hand betuix y° estir oxgang and y® orchard of y*^ said Dauid and 
y° march of cauil comon to bath y* parts. Alsua bath y" partyes sel kepe 
lauchful stent and noth exceed it. Alsua yat gif ony rynryg be less yan it 
aucht to be it sel be amendit at y'^ sicht of men of knawlage. And yai sel 
kepe y® wateris lauchfully unskathand uthir, Alsua nane sell pind uthir un- 
lauchfully. — In witnes of yis decret and diliguans y*^ sell of y" said Robert of 
leuenston. John of Cokburn Knychts. James of pole and y° chepter of 
Dunfermlyn and y® sell of y* said Dauid haket interchangeabili ar to put dai 
and plas be for said." 

Lumphinnan,\\.Q.tQ. referred to, is eight miles north-east of Dunfermline. 

Andrew, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — It is not known when 
Andrew was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. 
He appears for the first time in the Register of Dunfermlitie, in a 
Charter dated July, 1437. He was the 24th Abbot of Dunfermline. 

The Lands of Cluny fell into the hands of the Abbot and 
Convent of Dunfermline by the forfeiture of Murdac, Earl of Fife, 
and were given by them to David Stewart, of Rossyth. 

1439.— Great Famine and Pest severely felt at Dun- 
fermline. — A great famine this year prevailed all over Scotland, 
and was severely felt in Dunfermline and its vicinity. Lindsay, in 
his Chro?iicle, alluding to it, says — " Thair raise ane great dearthe of 
victuallis within the realm, pairtly because the labouraris of the 
ground might not sow nor win the cornes, throw the tumultis and 
cumberis in the countrie, and pairtly, quilk is most apparentlie to be 
treu, was the verie wraith and ire of God, to cause us to know our 
selffis, and throwe that scourg to provock us to amendment of lyfe. 
Thair rang also at thys time ane terrible pest in the countrie, for all 
men that war affected thairwith dyed that same day he tuik it bot 
ony remedie or help." {Lind, Chron. Scot, vol i. pp. 2'^, 24 ; Chal. Hist, 
Dicnf. vol. ii. p. 262, &c.) 

1440.— The Protest of the Monks of Dunfermline and 
the Town of Perth. — The Monks of Dunfermline, in an agreement 
between their Abbey and the Town of Perth, protested that they did 
not relinquish special general emoluments, offerings of wax, money, 
horses, and other mortuaries pertaining to funerals. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf. Nos. 413-417, pp. 291-300 ; Dal. Mon. An. p. 27.) 

Perth. — There are various Charters, &c., in the Register of Dun- 
fermline relative to Dunfermline Abbey possessions, privileges, &c., in 
Perth. Three of these Charters, or Writs, were granted in the summer 

X 



154 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

of 1440, viz., on May 20th, 1440, on June 9th, 1440, and on June 14th, 
1440, which were confirmed by the Prior of St. Andrews (in the 
absence of the Bishop) on September ist, 1440. (Print. Regist. Dunf. 
pp. 291-299; Nos. of Charter, 413, 414,415 ; and Confirmation Charter, 
No. 416.) 

A Vicar's Pension.— It is mentioned in a Writ or Charter of 
this date, in the Register of Dunfermline^ that the Pension given by 
them to their vicars was 35 merks, with wine, bread, and wax. (Print. 
Regist. Dunf Nos. 413, 414, &c., p. 291, 295 ; Dal. Mon. An. p. 35.) 

1441.— Consecration of the newly-elected Bishop of 
DuNKELD in Dunfermline Abbey. — "James Bruce, son of Sir Robert 
Bruce, of Clackmannan, whom King David II. calls his beloved cousin, 
was consecrated Bishop of Dunkeld in Dunfermline Abbey." {Craiv- 
fords Officers of State, p. 34 ; ChaL Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 266.) 

1442.— The Lord Abbot of Dunfermline takes the Prece- 
dence of other Abbots. — "In a Writ, dated 8th February, 1442, the 
Abbot of Dunfermline takes precedence of the other Abbots who 
are witnesses to it — viz., Aberborthick, Cambuskenneth, Inchcolm, 
and Culross, in the order of signing!' (Vide Thompson's Acts oj 
Parliament, vol. ii. p. 58 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 190.) This 
precedence probably arose from Dunfermline Abbey being the se?iior 
Abbacie. 

1444.— "Andrew of Kircaldy," Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, 
died April, 1444. {Gen. Allan's MSS.) 

1445.— Richard de Bothevl, Lord Abbot of Dunfermlifie.— It 
is not known when Richard de Botheul was elected and consecrated 
Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. He is for the first time noticed in a 
Charter, dated January, 1445. {Wilk. Concil.; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 
p. 190. See also Annals, date 1472.) 

1448.— T PIE Abbey Repairing— 77/^ Body of a Child Found. — 
Boece, in his History of Scotland, notes, that in "this yeare, while 
pulling down the royall wallis at Dunfermling, the bodie of ane young 
chyld was found in ane heap of leid, rompled up in Sandill, als fresch 
and vncurrupted, and als weill in cullor as thefyrst hour it was buried. 
This was judged of thame that had curiositie of old antiquities, to be 



SITE OF ST. MARGARET'S ALTAR, 1 55 

that sone of Queine Margaret, quha deceist in his infancie." {Hect. 
Boece's Hist. Scot, date 1448 ; Lindsay's CJiron. Scot. vol. i. pp. 61, 62 ; 
Chamb. Gaz. Scot. art. "Dunfermline," &c.) 

Sacrist of Dunfermline Abbey. — William de Boyis, one of 
the monks of the Abbey, held the office of Sacrist early in the year 
1448. He afterwards became Prior of the Priories of Pluscardine 
and Urquhart. 

Prior and Sub-Prior of Dunfermline Abbey. — In the same 
Charter (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 424, p. 309) Richard is mentioned 
and is designated as Prior and Snb-Prior of Dnnfennline Abbey. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — A Charter in the Register of Dun- 
fermline mentions the name of John Wright, Prcspositns, or Provost of 
Dunfermline, in 1448. (Print. Regist. Dunf No. 424, p. 305.) This 
appears to be the earliest notice of a Provost of Dunfermline on record. 
In the same Charter Thomas Bra and Thomas Chepman are mentioned 
as being the Bailies; and John Bothwell and John Cupir as Burgesses. 

The Abbey of Dunfermline empowered to Repledge Lands, 
Inhabitants, &c. — In a Writ of this date, in the Register of Du7ifermline, 
the Abbot Richard " empowers the Abbey to repledge any of the 
inhabitants on the lands of Luscreviot and Dollar which belonged to 
it, detained by his courts, to the courts of regality." ( Vide Print. 
Regist. Dunf. Nos. 427, 428, pp. 312, 313.) 

Dunfermline Abbey to be held in Veneration. — James II. 
declares in a Charter, "the Abbey of Dunfermline was a place to be 
held in the highest veneration, in consequence of many of the bodies 
of his progenitors, Kings of Scotland, being interred in it." {Dal. Mon. 
Antiq. p. 51.) 

1449.— Site of St. Margaret's Altar in Dunfermline 
Abbey. — In a Writ of date 1449, there is the following entry : — 

" Istud est Rentale ad altare beate Margarete Regine situatum in Ecclesia 
parochiali de Dunfermlyn ex parte australi ejusdem ecclesie factum xx •vii°die 
mensis Junii anno domini 1449 et habitum ex vero conquestu domini Johannis 
Willelmi tunc temporis capellani domini. nostri Regis ex parte bone memorie 
Cristiane de Broyis." {Vide General Htiiton^s Collection MS. Charters, Advo. 
Library, Edin. p. 121.) 

That is — 

" The rental made at the altar of the blessed Margaret, the Queen, situated 
in the parochial church of Dunfermline, on the south side of the same church 
(27th June, 1449), and derived from the real property of Mr. John Williams, 



156 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

at that time chaplain to our lord the King, on the part of Christian de Brosis of 
blessed memory." 

From this entry, it is evident that St. Margaret's Altar was situated in 
the Parochial Church (the Abbey) and in the south side of it ; but 
whether in the original building (the "Auld Kirk") or in the Choir, is 
not known. 

Repledging of Men belonging to the Abbey. — Any of 
the men on the territories of the Abbey committing a crime could be 
repledged from the supreme criminal judges of the kingdom, and be 
brought to trial at the Abbot's courts, by virtue of a Charter granted 
about this period. {Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 19.) 

The Monastery and Courts of Law. — It is mentioned in 
a Charter in the Register of Dimfermline, of date 1449, that "the 
Monastery was exempted from attendance at courts of law, which was 
a common burden on other subjects. (Print. Regist. Diuif. No. 427, 
p. 312 ; Dal. Mon. Ant. p. 22.) 

1450. — Kirkcaldy. — The privileges and immunities of Kirkcaldy 
were, on the 20th January, 1450, disponed by Richard, Abbot of 
Dunfermline, and the Convent, to the Bailies and the Council of the 
Burgh of Kirkcaldy, by an indenture made betwixt them. (Print. 
Regist. Dnnf. No. 432, pp. 318, 319; vide also pp. 269, 270.) Under 
date 1363 of Annals, it is shown that the Burgh of Kirkcaldy was 
then given to the Abbey of Dunfermline by King David II. Kirkcaldy 
had therefore been under the Abbey rule about 87 years. 

Confirmation Charter by King James II. to Dunfermline 
Abbey. — The following is the last of the great Regal Confirmation 
Charters made in favour of the Abbey, in the Register of Dimfermline, 
by James II., dated 22nd March, 1450 ; and as it contains the last 
account of the Abbey possessions and privileges to date 1450, a free 
translation may prove acceptable to the reader : — 

"James, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all honest men of the 
whole kingdom, clergy and laity, greeting, — Though, indeed, we are bound 
to give the utmost heed to the quiet and tranquillity of all in our kingdom, 
who belong to the order of regulars, when the pious majesty of royal excellence 
requires it, or a feeling of glowing charity demands it, 7ve ought more especially 
and luatchfuUy to provide, with our usual foresight, for the stability and peace of 
our Monastery of Duifermline, when we reflect how much and with what special 
veneration that place deserves to be regarded by us, in which not only the most 
sacred pledges of our most renowned and most glorious progenitor, the blessed 



CONFIRMATION CHARTER BY KING JAMES II. 1 57 

Margaret queen, rests in venerable repose; but where also so many of the bodies 
of our ancestors, Kings of Scotland, lie most honourably entombed. We are there- 
fore moved, and not without just cause, with a solicitude so to act, that the 
tranquiUity, peace, and freedom of the said Monastery may be secured, and 
that it may not be hereafter harassed by the disturbing influence of any 
fluctuating aff"airs, but enjoy its possessions, as we earnestly desire, in quiet and 
perpetual prosperity : And that this our desire may become public, know ye 
that we have approved, ratified, and, by this our present Charter, confirmed, 
all and every the grants, donations, incorporations, annexations, exonerations, 
declarations, renovations, contracts, and all and every the things underwritten, 
made and granted to the said Monastery of Dunfermline, to the Abbot and 
Convent of the same, and to their successors, viz. : The gifts of King Malcolm 
the First [111. ?] and his Queen, the blessed Margaret, which, being enumerated, 
are these — Parcy, Blacklaw, Pitbauchly, Pitcorthy, Pitliver, Bolgy, the Shire 
of Kirkaldy, Inveresk the Lesser : The gifts of King Duncan, the two villas 
called Luscar : The gifts of Ki?ig Edgar, the Shire of Gellald : The gifts of 
iTzV/o-KTHELREDE, Hailcs : The gifts of King Alexander the First, Primrose; 
the Shire of Gaitmilk, with the pertinents : The gifts of Queen Sibilla, Beath : 
The gifts of the most exceUentA/V^^ David the First, Dunfermline on this side 
the water on which the Monastery is situated ; Kinghorn, lying nearest to 
Dunfermline (Burntisland), with its appendages ; Fod, the greater Inveresk, 
with its mill and fishing ; Carbarrin, and the Church of Inveresk ; Wemoth, 
with its right divisions; also, Fothris, near St. Andrews, with its divisions; 
Pityhochir (Pettycur?) and the Shire of Newburn, with its appendages; Balvaird 
and Balchristie, with their divisions ; a mansion in Berwick ; another in Rox- 
burgh ; a third in Haddington ; a fourth in Edinburgh ; a fifth in Linlithgow; 
a sixth in Stirling ; and, in the same town, two churches, and a carucate of 
land adjacent to the Church of Stirling (now called Southfield) ; and all the 
tithes of our lordships in fruits and animals, and in fishes and also in money ; 
and the mansions of Roger the presbyter ; a net and a-half ; and a mansion in 
the burgh of Perth, and the church of the same place, and also the chapel of 
the Castle, and a mansion belonging to the said church ; the eighth part of all 
the fines and profits of Fife and Fothrik ; and that the Abbots and monks of 
the said Monastery have a right, in the Forest of Clackmannan, to all things 
necessary for their own, and their men's fire and buildings ; also of the seals 
which shall be taken at Kinghorn after being tithed, let them have every 
seventh ; and in Berwick the tract of Ardstell, and all that justly pertains to 
it ; and no poind must be taken of the land or men of the same Monastery, 
save for their own proper obligations ; and that there be justly restored to the 
said Abbey all their Cumirlauch, with all their money, wheresoever they may 
be found ; and that they may have all their own men, with all their money, in 
whosesoever land they may be on when these were granted ; and that the said 
Abbot and Convent have, through the whole Kingdom of Scotland, exemp- 
tion from toll on everything which they may have sold for their use ; and that 
they have the Passage and Ship of Inverkeithing, and a certain fishing at Perth, 
freely and quietly : The gifts of King Malcolm the Second [IV. ?^ — Masterton, 
with its right divisions ; and twenty-three acres of land, and a certain meadow 
near Dunfermline ; and whatever whale which shall happen to be stranded or 
taken in Scotland, let there remain with the said Monastery the whole head, 
save the tongue, and the half of the blood of all the whales which are taken 
between the Forth and Tay, for light before the altars of the Church of Dun- 



158 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

fermline ; and that all the men of the said Abbey be free from working at 
bridges and castles, and other works ; and the Church of the Holy Trinity of 
Dunkeld, with the whole lands belonging to it, and with its proper pertinents ; 
and one toft in Edinburgh, which Robert de Lundoniis had ; and an entire 
toft, with a croft, in the town of Clackmannan : The donation ofXwg William, 
the rent of 100 Shilhngs out of the revenue of the burgh of Edinburgh, which 
he gave on the day of his brother King Malcolm's burial, and twenty acres of 
land : The gifts of J^i//g Alexander ^/le Second— the Shire of Dollar, by its 
right divisions, in free forest ; and the lands of Cask, and the lands of Smeton, 
near Musselburgh ; and the lands of Beath-Waldefe, and of West Beath : 
From the donation of A7//g Robert f/ie First — the Ferry-field near Inver- 
keithing, with its pertinent ; Coketam, with the new great custom, as well of 
the burghs of Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Musselburgh, and the Queensferry, as 
of all their other lands within the Kingdom of Scotland, besides five merks 
sterling, to be received yearly out of the revenues of the burgh of Inverkeith- 
ing, by the hands of the bailies of the said burgh. And all the things above 
mentioned, which, by our good ancestors. King Malcolm and blessed Queen 
Margaret, by King Duncan, by King Edgar, by Ethelred his brother, by King 
Alexander, by Queen Sibilla, by King David, by King Malcolm, by King 
William, and by King Robert, have been given, granted, and confirmed, as in 
their authentic documents are contained, to the Church and Monastery of the 
Holy Trinity, and of the most blessed Queen Margaret, of Dunfermline, we, 
with the like fulness and entireness, concede to the foresaid Church and Monas- 
tery, Abbot and brethren, there serving and hereafter to serve God, and con- 
firm to them, to be held for ever entire and undiminished : And that they 
may rejoice in having found the fruit of new favour in the eyes of our majesty, 
we grant the lands of Ardlovy, with the pertinents lying within the town of 
Kinross, which, when we were in our minority, we freely conceded and granted 
to the venerable father in Christ, Richard, Abbot of the foresaid Monastery, 
for founding a chaplainry in the said Church : And by these presents, we 
concede and grant them anew to the same ; and we have incorporated and 
annexed them, as by the tenor of these presents we do annex them, to the 
regality of the foresaid Monastery for ever, with exception from compearing 
or making suit in service in our Sheriff" Courts of Fife and Clackmannan, on 
account of their lands of Luscrevyoth and Dollar : Also the declaration, which 
we have prudently made, in favour of the said Abbot and Monastery, con- 
cerning the receipt of the eighth penny of our gains of Fife and Fothrik : Also, 
the renovation regarding the repledging of the men of their regality, and of 
those inhabiting the said lands of Luscrevyoth and Dollar, from the courts of 
all justiciars, cha-mberlains, sheriffs, provosts, bailies, and officers whatsoever, 
which concession, donation, incorporation, annexation, exoneration, declara- 
tion, and revocation, as in their authentic letters, sealed with our seal, in each 
and every point and article of them, we do indeed, by the special munificence 
of our serene highness, and with our certain knowledge, for ourselves and our 
successors for ever, renew, approve, ratify, and freely confirm : And also to 
the said Monastery, in the form and effect in which we on another occasion 
conceded and gave them, we do likewise anew, by these presents, concede and 
grant them : And, besides, we do providently wish them, and the letters 
made to the said Monastery upon the donation of the same, to continue in 
full force, as if they had been granted or made by us upon the day of the date 
of these presents, notwithstanding whatsoever revocation may have been made 



THE ABBOT ON A MISSION TO THE ENGLISH KING. 1 59 

by us in time past : And we desire, and by these presents command, that our 
foresaid donations and grants be preserved unimpaired in all time to come, 
in the form and effect in which we gave them to the said Abbey : Likewise, 
the contract entered into between the said Abbot and Convent, and the 
Provost, bailies, and community of our burgh of Perth, regarding the perpetual 
rebuilding, upholding, repairing, and furnishing of the ornaments and vest- 
ments of the choir of the church of the foresaid burgh ; also the obligation of 
the said Provost and their successors for ever, made and sealed with the 
common seal of the said burgh (of Perth), and the resignation or renunciation 
made by George, Lord of Lesly, of the lands of Balvaird, in the hands of the 
said Abbot, as lord superior of the same, as is more fully contained in the 
letters of resignation or renunciation executed thereupon, we do for ourselves, 
our heirs and successors, approve, ratify, and for ever confirm : The said 
Monastery, and Abbot, and Convent of the same, and their successors, to hold 
and have all the aforesaids for ever, as freely, quietly, fully, entirely, honourably, 
well, and peacefully, with all and every their liberties, commodities, privileges, 
and pertinents whatsoever, as the charters, letters, muniments, and evidence 
executed, as the aforesaid more fully bear and testify. — In testimony whereof, 
we have commanded our great seal to be appended to the present Charter — 
Wtt?iesscs : The Reverend Father in Christ, William, Bishop of Glasgow ; 
William, Lord Creichtoiine, our Chancellor, and beloved kinsman ; the Vener- 
able Father in Christ, Andrew, Abbot of Melros, our Confessor and Treasurer; 
our beloved kinsmen, William, Lord Somerville; Patrick, Lo7'd Glanunis; 
Masters John Arous, Archdeacon of Glasgow, and George of Schoriswode, 
Rector of Culter. — At Edinburgh, the twenty-second day of the month of 
March, in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and fifty, and of 
our reign the fifteenth." {Vide Printed Rcgist. Dunf. No. 434, pp. 320-326; 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. Siif. vol. i. pp. 577-580, &c.) 

1451.— Butter, Milk, &C., may be Used in the Abbey "zvithont 
Scruple of Conscience" during Lent. — "In the year 145 1, in the fourth 
year of his Pontificate, Pope Nicholas V., at the request of James, 
Bishop of St. Andrews, who was personally present at the Holy See, 
issued a Bull, granting to the inhabitants of the diocese of St. Andrews 
(which included Dunfermline Abbey), permission to make use of butter, 
and other products of milk, without any scruple of conscience, during 
Lent when animal food is forbidden, oil of olives not being produced 
in the country." (Print. Regist. Dnnf. No. 433, p. 319, 320; Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. i, p. 208 ; Tytlers Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 45 ; Lard. Cab. Lib. 
p. 193, for date of Pontificate of Nicholas V.) 

1453.— The Abbot of Dunfermline sent on a Mission 
TO the English King.— Richard, Abbot of Dunfermline, was sent, 
along with the Earl of Crawford and Robert Liddale, on a pacific 
mission to the King of England, when a pacific treaty for four years 
was effected. {Maitlands Hist. Scot. vol. p. 62,7.) 



l6o ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

1455.— Croft and Altar of St. La\jreis!Ce— A gua de Perm, 
&c., Dimfermline. — The Croft and Altar of St. Laurence, and the 
Fcrm Water, are now for the first time mentioned in the Register of 
Dunfermline, viz. : — " Richard, Abbot of Dunfermhne, and the Convent 
thereof, grant in feu-ferm to their servitor, Thomas, the Chamberlain 
the Croft of St. Laurence, near the lower gate of the Abbey, in the 
lower or nethertown of the burgh of Dunfermline, in the road or street 
which runs from the said gate to the Water of Perm, commonly called 
the Tourburn, on the west side of the said road, lying between the 
garden of Saint Lanrejice on the north, and the said water on the 
south, together with that rood of land which lies on the west side of 
the said garden, between the said garden and the said water, in which 
rood the Butts for archery are situated, to be held of our Monastery 
and of the Altar of St. Laurence, in our Monastery Church, in fee, 
payable to the said Altar and its '^xoc\xx?A.ox, eigJit sJiillings yearly \n 
name of feu-ferm and the burgh-ferm, use and wont. Sealed with 
the common seal of the Monastery, ist May, 1455." {Regist. de Dimf. 
No. 443, p. 335 ; also A, B, C, in the Appendix) 

Dunfermline Abbey Lands Annexed to the Crown. — 
James II., in a Parliament held at Edinburgh, annexed to the Crown 
several lands, &c., belonging to the Abbey of Dunfermline. {Murray's 
Acts of Par. vol. i.) 

1456. — William de Boyis, the Sacrist of Dunfermline, Elected 
Prior of Pluscardyn. — In consequence of what was ascertained by a 
Commission of Inquiry regarding the irregularities prevailing in the 
Priory of Pluscardyn, John de Benaly, the Prior, was dismissed, and 
William de Boyis, "ane venerable and religious man," a monk of 
Dunfermline, was elected in his place. (Print. Regist. Dimf. No. 445, 
pp. 337, 338-) 

Richard, Abbot of Dunfermline, the Abbot of Lindores, &c., repre- 
sent (by appointment) the Barons on the Administration of Justice, 
in the Sessions, held at Edinburgh, 8th November. {Alaitlands Hist. 
Scot. vol. ii. p. 644.) 

1457,_St. Rynan's Teind Sheaves. — There is a short Charter 
regarding these Teind Sheaves (in the Scottish language) in the 
Register of Dimfermline. The following are extracts : — 

"This appoyntment, made at Dunfermelyn ye xxv day of Julii, Anno 
MCCCC'LVii, betwix a venerabill fader in crist, Rechart, be godds tholyng 



WALWOOD, THE MONK. l6l 

Abbotte of Dunfermelyn and ye convente of yt ilke on ye ta pairt, And a 
vorshipfuU clerk, master patrik sandiland parsoun of Caldore comits on ye to 
pairt yt is to say yt ye said venerabill fadir and convent hafe set to ye said 
Mastr patrik thyare tends chafe of ye croft of Sanct rynanis [St Nmian's\ chapell 
lyand vithin ye parsonage of thare kyrk of ye croft of Strueling for all ye dais 
of his lyfe, ye said Mastr patrik payand yarefore zierly one boll of bere and a 

boll aits at ye fest Sanct martyn, &c And be his present vryt ye 

said venerabill fader and convent discharges him thareof for his lyftetyme. All 
things occurynge ye said mathow o tyme bygane strekly by and fullely remyttyt 
forevermare langand ye said Mastr patrik," &c. (Print. Regist. Dimf. No. 451, 
p. 344 ; Dal. Afon. Antiq. p. 32.) 

1460.— Richard, Abbot of Dunfermline, Chosen Ambassador 
to England, along zuith Others — " With order to confirm and amend 
the breaches of the truce." {Maitla?id's Hist. Scot. vol. i. p. 650.) 

1462.— The Patronage of St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh, 
which had been held by the Abbey of Dunfermline since the year 
1366, was this year (1462) alienated from the jurisdiction of the 
Abbey. 

Weapon-Shawing. — " Agreeably to the Act then recently passed 
in parliament, Dunfermline (like other burghs) provided its valiant 
men with guid axes and large ledders to resist the schot of England." 
{Acts Scot. Parl^ 

1463.— House and Privileges in the Burgh of Stirling. 
— "Thomas de Bully, Canon of the Cathedrals of Glasgow and 
Dunkeld, granted to Richard, Abbot of Dunfermline and the Convent 
thereof, on account of favours received — ut accipiantur et hospitentur 
in toto et integro hospicio meo intra burgem de Strivelin pro perpetuo 
— as often and whenever the Abbot or his successors choose to go 
thither, and to remain there as long as they please, holding the said 
tenement," &c. Also, the grant adds : " When they do go to Strive- 
lin, the Abbot shall be absolved and free from all claim, demand, or 
payment," &c. {Dal. Mon. Antiq. p. 58 ; and Regist, de Dnnfennelyn.) 

1464.— Died, Richard de Bothuel, Lord Abbot of Dimferm- 
line. {Gen. Allan's MSS.) 

1466. — Walwood. — There was "a learned monk of the name 
of Walwood in the Abbey at this period." {Shaw's Morayshire?) 
Before this year Walwoode or Wallwood was a common name in 

Y 



1 62 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Dunfermline, and several of the name attained high positions in the 
Council of the burgh. {Burgh Records) 

The Community of Musselburgh have bequeathed to them, by 
the Abbot of Dimfermline, Right to Customs, Stallages, &c. — An 
indenture was made this year between "Richard, the Abbot of Dun- 
fermline, on the one side, and the baillies and community of the burgh 
of Muskilburgh, on the other side, by which indenture the customs, 
stallages, and revenues of the courts and the whole burgh, are given 
up to the baillies and community of Muskilburgh in fee-firm for ever, 
excepting the lands purchased or to be purchased by the Abbot and 
Convent; and, for the correction of the baillies, as often as they should 
fail in the execution of justice, the baillies and community were to 
pay annually four merks of the usual money of the King of Scotland, 
at the two usual terms of the year, Pentecost and Martinmas, in equal 
portions ; and if they should fail to pay, in part or in full, then the 
goods of the community, which not sufficing, all their special goods 
and possessions were to be taken, seized, and distrained, until the 
religious be compensated for the loss and expense, if any, which they 
may have sustained. {Regist. Dunf. No. 460, p. 357.) 

1472. — Stirling : Land, Fruit, Teinds, and Parsonage Right to 
the Kirk of Stirling, let by the Abbot of Dunfermline to Matthew 
Forster. — " Henry, Abbot, settis to ferm and latis til Mathou Forster 
burgess of Stirling all and hale ye parsonage of ye Kirk of Stirling 
with all and sundry tendis &c. belang and in ye forsaide parsonage 
for termis of xix years .... and fourti acres of land callit ye 
Southfelde lyand within ye parochen of ye forsaid Kirk for al ye 
term of zers before [noticed] to ye forsaid Mathow giffand zerli 
fyuety lib for ye teinds and freuits of ye said parsonage. And viii 
lib of ye mail of the foresaid xl acres of land of ye Southfeld," &c. 
(Print. Regist. Dunf, No. 476, p. 369.) 

Lord Abbots of Dunfermline {Double Election^. — Alexander 
Thomson, a monk of the Convent, elected by the Abbey Chapter ; 
Henry Creichton, Abbot of Paisley, promoted to the Abbotship by 
King James HI. An old account of this illegal act of the King says : 

" The abbacye of Dunfermeling vacand, the convent chesit ane of their 
awn monkis, callit Alexandyr Thomsoun; and the King promovit Henry 
Creychtoun, abbot of Paislay, thairto, quha wes preferrit be the Paip, through 
the Kingis supplications, to the said abbacye. And siclik, Mr. Robert Schaw, 
persoun of Mynto, was promovit be the King to the abbacye of Paislay. — 



BURGH RECORDS OF DUNFERMLINE. 1 63 

And sua than first began sic maner of promotione of secularis to abbacies by 
the Kingis suppHcationis; and the godUe erectionis war frustrate and dekayde, 
becaus that the Court of Rome admittit the princis supplicationis, the rather 
that thai gat greyt proffeit and sowmes of money thairby ; quhairfore the 
bischoppis durst not conferme them that wes chosen be the convent ; nor 
thay quha wer electet durst not persevv their awn ryght. And sua the abbays 
cam to secular abussis, the abbots and pryouris being promovit furth of the 
court, quha levit court lyk, secularlye, and voluptuouslye. And than ceissit 
all religious and godlye myndis and deidis ; quhairwith the secularis and tem- 
porall men beand sklanderit with thair evill example, fell frae all devoisioun 
and godlyness to the warkis of wikednes, quhairof daylie mekil evill did 
increase." {Lesslie's Hist. Scot. 1830, p. 39.) 

This "outrage on the Convent of Dunfermline" is supposed to have 
been the first committed on the Church, and which culminated at the 
Reformation in 1560. Morton, in his A^mals, in referring to this 
matter, says : 

"The privilege of electing their own superiors, originally enjoyed by all 
the monastic communities, had now fallen generally or rather universally into 
disuse, and was become a mere form — the power itself being virtually exer- 
cised by the King, who, when an abbey or priory became vacant, found little 
difficulty in obtaining a mandate from the Pope directing the monks to choose 
the individual whom he nominated or recommended. This began to grow 
into use about the year 1472, when the King presented to the vacant abbeys 
of Dunfermline and Paisley. It soon led to the more corrupt practice of 
granting the superiority and revenues of religious houses to bishops and 
secular priests, who, not having taken the monastic vows, were not duly 
qualified to preside in a monastery. Out of this grew the still greater abuse 
of committing charges of this nature to laymen and even to infants. All 
these things were done with the sanction of Papal authority, and the monas- 
teries thus disposed of were said to be held in coniviendam or /;/ trust until it 
should be found convenient to appoint a regular Superior," &c. 

Henry Creichtoun was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of 
Dtmfermline by a Pope's Bull, through the intercession of King 
James III. Alexander Thomsoun, a monk of the Abbey, and elected 
Lord Abbot, was thus illegally extruded from office. This King-and- 
Pope- Abbot was the 26th Abbot of Dunfermline. 

PiTCONNOCHY. — The family of Halket of Pitfirrane become, by 
charter, proprietors of the lands of Pitconnochie, two miles west of 
Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 294.) 

1473.— Burgh Records of Dunfermline. — Dr. Chalmers, in 
his elaborate History of Dtmfermline, vol. i. p. 398, says that " The 
most ancient burgh records extant commence as early as 28th July, 
1473. It is a large, broad folio volume, on strong paper, in a leathern 



164 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

envelope, to which the leaves are attached. One of the outer boards 
has various designs embossed on it relating to the Virgin Mary, one 
of which is a representation of the visit to her of the three kings 
from the east, one of them being in the attitude of kneeling, and 
presenting an offering, with the star above which guided them. The 
deeds consist chiefly of instruments of possession in burgh tenements 
or other adjoining property of the abbacy. They usually begin with 
the word Meviorandum, written in full or contracted. The Court 
House or Tolbooth of the burgh is mentioned as the place of meeting, 
along with the name of the provost or bailie presiding. Wakuood is 
one of the prevailing names in them, being several times mentioned 
in one deed of 1488. At the end of this volume there is a BurgJiRoll 
de terra, or of annual rents payable for land, somewhat similar to a 
cess rolir {Chal. Hist. Diinf. vol i. p. 398, &c.) Between the oldest 
of these Records (1473 and 1687) there are five volumes, which will be 
noticed under their several dates. From the Burgh Record of date 
1473 the Rev. Dr. Ross, of Bridge of Allan, composed a very excellent 
lecture in 1864, which he delivered in the Music Hall, Dunfermline, 
titled " Burgh Life in Dunfermline in the Olden Time." The lecture 
was published the same year. We shall be indebted to it for several 
interesting notes. The writer had these old volumes placed before 
him in the Town-house of Dunfermline forty years or so ago, and 
then made a variety of extracts from them. From this rich mine of 
local history numerous selections will be found under their proper 
dates, throwing light on " the age and body of these times." 

1475.— The "New Raw" and the "Nethertowne" are 
frequently mentioned in the Burgh Records between this date and 1480. 

1477. — Patrick Graham, First Archbishop of St. Andrews, a 
Prisoner in Dunfermline. — This the first Archbishop of St. Andrews 
had been accused of heresy, &c., through mahce, by Scheve's, who 
succeeded to the See. He was long confined in prison at Inchcolm ; 
afterwards, for greater safety, he was taken to Dunfermline, and for 
some time confined in the prison of the monastery there ; from thence 
he was taken to Lochleven Castle, where he died of a broken heart in 
1478. {Spottiswode Hist. Church Scot. p. 59; Keith's Scottish Bishops, 
pp. 30, 3 1 ; Chal, Hist. Dunf vol. ii. pp. 263, 264.) 

John Orok, Town Clerk of Dunfermline; David Weir, Assistant. 
{Dunf. Burgh Records?) 



NEW CHAPLAINRY FOUNDED. 165 

CoLZAR Raw, or Collier Row, is mentioned in the Burgh Records 
at this period in connection with property belonging to a Henry 
Kyncaid. 

1478. — Robert Henryson, Notary and " ScJioolmaster of Dim- 
fermlingr — This eminent man is, for 'Ca^ first time, mentioned this year 
in connection with the Abbey. He appears as one of the attesting 
witnesses on a charter relating to the lands of Spittlefield, near Inver- 
keithing, dated 19th March, 1477-78. He is styled "Robertus Henrison, 
Notarie." (Vide MS. Chartnl. Ad. Lib. Ediu. fol. 6-^, 64 ; An. Dunf. 
date 1449.) 

The Nether-Yet and Common Vennel.— The Nether-yet, 
or Port, is mentioned in a minute in the Burgh Records, of date 22nd 
November, 1478, viz. :— "David Litster, ane of the balzies of the brugh 
of Dunfermlin receivit resignatioun fra Gilbert Robertson of the north 
end of a land Hand at the nether yet of Dunfermling, betwixt the 
causay gangand doun to ye nethertoun on the west sid, and the 
common vennel gangand evin est to the new raw, or north part, yan 
incontinent the said balzie deliverit heritabil statand possession to 
Willie Gilbert ye sone of ye said Gilbert of ye said northt halfe 
yeard," &c. 

Collier-Row Port. — In the Bnrgh Records, of date July 28th, 
1478, there is a minute which refers to the resignation of a house 
lying " fra the yet South, and a part of the yard extending downe as 
far as John Pinnock's zard, quhilk landis lies in the Colzar-raivl' &c. 
The set, or yett, here referred to is the Collier-row Port, sometimes 
called the Mill Port, and was situated across the contracted part of 
the street, top of Bruce Street. This is the second-named Port on 
record in the burgh. (See Annals, dates 1327 and 1488.) 

Town Clerk of Dunfermline. — David Brawdis Common Clerk 
of the burgh this year. He is one of the witnesses whose name is 
affixed to the foregoing. (Vide Burgh Records, 28th July, 1478.) 

1479.— New Chaplainry in St. James's Chapel, North 
Queensferry. — Henry, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, this year, 
granted the office of a chaplainry, newly founded by him, in St. 
James's Chapel, North Queensferry, to David Story, with a stipend 
of 10 inerks yearly, to be paid from the coffers of Dunfermline Abbey, 
together with a garden, and two acres of ground and pasturage for 



l66 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

one horse ; also all offerings at the altar of the chapel, except the 
oblations of the pix and those of lights, which are to be reserved for 
lighting the chapel ; likewise 20 shillings for supporting the orna- 
ments and vestments of said altar ; but an account is to be rendered 
to the Abbot how the sum is applied. The chaplain, in consideration 
of these things must perform a daily mass for the souls named in the 
Charter of Infeudation ; also, he shall continually reside at, and dwell 
in the manse of the chapel ; and, if he undertakes any other cure, or 
resides elsewhere, by which the service may be neglected, the chap- 
lainry shall be declared vacant, and fall into the Abbot's hands. 
(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 462, pp. 359, 360; DaL Mon. Antiq. pp. 36, 
37, &c.) 

Bark Pit, "/« tJie alemosynary yaird^'' Tozuer-burn, See, noticed in 
the Btirgh Records. This note shows that there was at this period, 
near the north side of the Tower-hill, works for the tanning of leather. 

1480.— The Monks of Dunfermline. — Their right to Two 
Cohils and Tzvo Nets, at the Fishery of Aldstelle, near Berwick-on- 
Tweed, was tried by a jury at Edinburgh, when a verdict was found 
in favour of the monks. (Finden's " Vieivs of the Ports, Harbours, 
Coast Scenery, and Watering Places of Great Britain^' by Rev. W. H. 
Bartlett, Edited by W. Seattle, M.D.) 

Silver Basin and Yt^^ik, purchased from the Abbot of Kinloss 
by the Conventnal Brethren at Dnnfermline. — " James Guthry, 19th 
Abbot of Kinloss, in his expenditure on the Abbey of Kinloss, had 
fallen short of money about this period. To raise money, he sold the 
organs, which were afterwards found at Forres, and also a Basin and 
Ezver of silver, afterwards found at Dunfermline." {Preface to ''Records 
of tJie Monastery of Kinloss]' Edited by fohn Stuart, LL.D. p. xii.) 

Lord Abbot. — Henry de Crichtoim, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, 
appears to have died in June, 1482. (General Allan's MSS.) 

1483. — Adam, Lord Abbot of Dimfermline. — It is not known 
exactly when Adam was elected and consecrated Lord Abbot of 
Dunfermline (probably in January, 1483). His name occurs for the 
first time in a writ in the Register of Dunfermline, regarding some 
parcel of land near Musselburgh, which he conceded to Thomas Tod, 
burgess of Edinburgh. (See Annals Dunf date 1490; Print. Regist. 
Dunf No. 486, p. 372. The 27th Abbot of Dunfermline. 



"RA.TTON ROW." 1 6/ 

The Cross WYxNTD mentioned in a minute of Council this year. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1484.— The Lands of Hailes. — The Abbot and Monks of 
Dunfermline were the superiors of the lands of East Hailes till 1560. 
The family of Crichton held these lands of their superiors on payment 
of a feu-duty. On the forfeiture of William, Lord Crichton, in 1484, 
these lands reverted to the Abbot and conventual brethren. {Chal. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 224, 225.) 

1485.— "Orlege Bell." — Henryson, schoolmaister, poet, &c., 
Dunfermline, in his "Schir Chantecleir and the Foxe," written about 
this period, alludes to the ^'Orlege Belly Probably this may refer 
to a clock that struck the hours on a bell, either in the Abbey or 
the Monastery of Dunfermline. It is well known that Henryson 
drew much of his illustrations, figures, &c., from what he saw in his 
immediate vicinity. If he does, it shows that the conventual brethren 
had the benefit of a clock at so early a period, at least, as this. 

" Our nichtingall, and als our orlege bell. 
Our walkryfe watche us for to warne and tell," &c. 

{Laing's ^' Henryson' s Poems" -p. 121.) 

I486.— William Brown, the eminent theologian and poet, of 
Dunfermline, appears to have died about this period, aged about 90. 
There are several versions of Dunbar's poem on " The Death of the 
Makirs" (Poets). Instead of the couplet referring to Henryson's 
death {Annals, date 1499) it has been rendered perhaps more correctly 
as follows : — 

" In Dunfermling he [Death] has taen Broun, 
And gude Maister Robert Henrysoun. " 

1487.— COLDINGHAM Priory withdrawn from Dunfermline 
Abbey, and bestowed by James III. and his Parliament on the 
Chapel-Royal, Stirling, 1487, (Carr's Hist. Coldingham, pp. 307, 
308 ; Chal. Hist. Duuf. vol. i. p. 241 ; Annals Dunf. date 1378- 1487.) 
It had been 109 years under the protection of Dunfermline Abbey. 

The Casisagait (He-Gate, or High Street), named in the Burgh 
Records this year as " Casisagait" and " Causagate" being then the 
only street in the burgh laid with "causey-stanes." 

"Ratton Row."— In the Burgh Records of this date, the Ration 



l68 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Row is mentioned in connection with a barn in the Raiv. Ratton 
(not Rotten) is the proper orthography of the name, meaning a row of 
houses, built of rations, or undressed timber. A tradition, referring to 
the year 1624, when three-fourths of the town was burnt, avers that 
"a week before the great fire at Dunfermline, on 25th May, 1624, the 
^raitins' [rats] left this Rozv in a body'' This was afterwards taken as 
a sign of the sagacity of the rottens, and hence the Row was called 
" Rotten Row." Tradition is here at fault ; for it is here shown that 
the said Row was called the Rottan Row in 1487, or 137 years before 
the great fire. (See also Annals of Dunf. dates 1624, 1809, 1845.) 

1488.— East Port, and Almshouse.— In the first, or oldest, 
volume of the Bnrgh Records, mention is made of an Almshouse, 
under date 4th August, 1488, which stood " xvithont ye est yet [or Port] 
on the north sid of ye Causay." This is the third notice of a Port of the 
burgh on record. (See Annals, date 1326, 1477.) Tradition points to 
the site of this old Almshouse, as standing on ground at the foot of 
Shadows Wynd (now Bonnar Street). ( Vide also Chal. Hist. Diinf. . 
vol. i. p. 449.) 

Alderman. — Sir John Cockburn was the Alder7nan or Provost of 
Dunfermline this year. (Burgh Records.) 

Propositus, or Provost. — David Coupir, elected ist Oct. (Bnrgh 
Records.) 

Burgesses. — Several persons, mentioned in the Burgh Records, 
14th October, receive burgess privileges at ^ merk each. 

Burgess. — Andrew Loton made a burgess '^by reasofi of his wyjfr 
(Burgh Records.) 

May-gait. — The Maygate is noticed in a minute of Council, held 
in August I, this year. (Bujgh Records.) 

First Election of the Town Council of Dunfermline. 
— The first election of Magistrates and Council entered in the Tozv7i 
Council Records occurs in 1488. The old Council had met in the 
Prcetoria (it is here called the "Tolbucht"), and the honours of office 
had fallen on the following persons (the heading of the notice of this 
Court is " Assisa in principd^ Sancta Maria, holdyn in the tolbuth"): 
—"David Couper is elected Prcepositus, or Provost; David Litser and 
William of Ballotme are elected Bailies; Wat Caldwell and Jamy 



SECRET YETT. 1 69 

Gerviss are appointed sergeants;" and the names of 14 Councillors 
are given — nine of the fourteen, viz., "Jamy Spens, Jamy Malcom, 
Adam Alan, John Brysson, Paul Wallas, Morris Stevyn, Sandie Clerk, 
Andrew Craufurd, and Morris Thomson, are appointed Flesh Pricers" 
(or, to give the Latin title, " Appreciatores Carnium"). Three of 
these officials, viz., Jamy Spens, John Brysson, and Paul Wallas, are 
pluralists, for they are to act as Ale-Tasters (or in Latin, say Gustatores 
CervisicB) ; while Andrew Butler, R. Law, R. Gibson, John Peirson, 
and John Huym are tlQci^d Liniatores ;^ and John Wallas, Andrew 
Craufurd, and T Angus, as BirlaiV7nen.-\ Such is a complete list, the 
first list, of Dunfermline Town Council in 1488. {Dwif. Town Coun, 
Records ; Dr. Ross's ''Burgh Life in Olden Time" p. 7.) 

Culprits and Burgh Fines. — In the Burgh Records, under date 
September 25th, 1488, the following fines are imposed on delinquents 
for misdemeanours — viz., ''Imprimis, Jock Saunders, vmd; Thome 
Murra, iii-; Marione Logan, viii<^; Jamy Paterson, viii<^; Rob. Hutone, 
vmd; Jok Myllar's wyff, vi^; John Thomsone, viii^ ; John Wrycht, 
viii^; Davy Sege, -idid) John Strang, xii^; John Fithison, xii(^; 
Andro Dewar, xii^." It would appear that early punishments were 
by fifiing. The old Burgh Records abound in such entries. This one, 
among the earliest, will suffice as a specimen. 

Provost, or Propositus of Dunfermline. — William Stewart, 
elected on October 6. On November 3rd, same year, he is styled 
Alderman. Would this be the transition period, when the designation 
of Alderman and Provost were acknowledged as equivalent terms, just 
before the now common title Provost was finally adopted } Provost 
William Stewart's Bailies were David Litster and William Spittall. 

Foirspeaker, or Forspeaker. — Henry Spittal was one of the 
Fore-speakers or Advocates who pled in the " Assize Courts," Dun- 
fermline. 

1489.— Secret Yett — The Nethertown and Hospital. — Henry- 
soun, in his "Testimony of Cresseid," referring to the conveying of 
a female leper privately from the Abbey, says — 

" Pie opnit ane secrit yett, and out thairat 
Convoyit hir, that na man sulci espy, 
Unto ane village, half aue inyle thairby, 
Deliverit hir in at the Spittaill hous, 
And daylie sent hir part of his almous," &c. 

* Inspectors of Weights and Measures. t Assessors of Fines. 



I/O ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Secret Yett, or postern gate, refers to a gate in the south wall of 
the Monastery, Priory Lane, long since removed. '^ Aiie village, half 
ane mile thairby" undoubtedly refers to the Nethertoivn, and "the 
Spittaill house" to St. Leonard's Hospital. (See Laing's '^ Henry son's 
Poems" p. 89.) 

May Gait is referred to in the Burgh Records, under date 12th 
May, 1489. The origin of the name is not clearly known. 

1490.— The Lights of " Our Lady's Altar."— In the Burgh 
Records of this date there is a " Rentall of Our Lady's Licht Silver," 
noting that ^^ the landis of David Couper, beneith the Tolbuith, paid the 
annual sum of 7 shillings, or else he must uphaldye litill herss of wax!' 

Adam, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, ceases to be Abbot on June 
20th, 1490 ; but as to whether he died, resigned, or was deposed, 
history is silent. He was 27th Abbot of Dunfermline. (Print. Regist. 
Dunf pp. 372, 373.) 

George, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, succeeded Adam as Lord 
Abbot. His name, for 'CiXQ first time, occurs in a Charter of date 20th 
June, 1494. {Kennedy's History of Aberdeen, vol. i. p. 61.) He was 
28th Abbot of Dunfermline. (Vide An. Dunf 1494.) 

The Foul Vennel. — This vennel, or dirty lane, is mentioned in 
the Burgh Records. It was about eight feet broad. Afterwards it was 
called ^' In-below-th'-wa's," because it proceeded along the north side 
of the northern boundary wall of the Abbey, from east end of the 
Maygate to the Newraw. It is now known as Canmore Street — (see 
An. Dunf. date 1500) — "a wide street, and one of the best in town." 

Sklat House, "on the Kirk-Yeard dyke," is noticed in the 
Burgh Records under date 12th May of this year — perhaps then the 
only slated house in Dunfermline. 

Altars in the Abbey.— In the Burgh Records, of date 23rd 
June of this year, the following Altars in the Abbey are noticed — viz., 
" Our Lady's Altar ; Sanct Thomas's Altar ; and Haly-bluid Altar." 
These Altars were served by the monks. 

David Couper, Alderman, or Provost, elected in October, 1490, 
(Burgh Records.) 

St. Peter's Altar in the Abbey noticed, of which Dean Thomas 
Coupar was tutor or priest. (Burgh Records.) 



MORNING SERVICE OF THE ABBEY. 171 

St. John's Altar in the Abbey, and "Dene Davy Sim," its 
tutor or priest, are mentioned in the Burgh Records of this date. The 
Town Council of Dunfermline held the patronage of this Altar. 

Burgess. — David Bennit was made a burgess of Dunfermline this 
year, " he reasoim of his modir" (Burgh Records.) 

Our Lady's Aisle in the Abbey.— In a Court, holden on 
September 24th, 1490, it is noted — "Yat ilk day ye alderman and 
pairt of ye communitie has consentit yat Schir James Alanson haf 
the ii dais service yat Schir John Orok had of umquhil mariane 
Thomsone gaff umquhil Schir John has ye service of our Lady ile or 
other service," &c. (BurgJi Records.) 

1491. — Weavers. — It is not known when the now staple trade 
of weaving originated in Dunfermline, but six ivahsters^ " strubblers," 
of John Schortrig, were tried on loth January, 1 491, by the magis- 
trates of Dunfermline. This is the first 7iotice on record of Dunferm- 
line weavers. (Dunf. Burgh Records.) 

Strublances, or Neighbours' Quarrels — Between William 
Hart and Agnes Bozver. — The affair comes before the bailies, and it 
is decided that " Gyf Agnes Bower fait to Will Hart in tym to cum, 
or any other nychbor, to be put on the gowe ; and gyf Will Hart fait 
to her, to pay xii- to Sand Salvatoris Altar onforgyffen." {Dr. Ross's 
Burgh Life Dunf. p. 1 5 ; Bttrgh Records^ vol. i.) 

John of Monteith elected Alderman, or Provost, 19th October. 
(Burgh Records.) 

The Morning Service. — Schir John Robertson receives a gift 
of the morning service in the Abbey, with its emoluments. (Bttrgh 
Records.) 

"Our Lady's Isle" and "St. James' Altar" (Schir Henry 
Barbour, chaplain) in the Abbey, are noticed in the Burgh Records. 

Sanct Salvador's Altar. — In the Burgh Records, of date 19th 
October of this year, it is stated that the service at St. Salvador's 
Altar in the Abbey was given to Schir James Gudswain. 

Parish Altar of Dunfermline is mentioned in October of 
this year, in connection with a marriage celebrated at it by Schir 
Alex. Logan. (Burgh Records.) 

Morning Service of the Abbey. — The following are the names 



172 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

of those elected to " uphold the morning service in the Abbey : — 
Schir Robert Normans, Sir Richard Hartsed, Schir Richard Myche, 
Schir John Alenson, Schir Davy Roger ; the fe to be gyffen to Schir 
Robert Norman for his tyme." (Bicrgh Records.) 

Abbot of Dunfermline.— Raffaelle Sansoni de Riari, Cardinal 
Deacon, was elected Abbot of Dunfermline on August 12th, 149 1. 
Raffaelle Sansoni, Deacon of the Roman Church, by the title of 
"S. Georgio in Velabro, Vice-Chancellor and Camerlengo," was 
appointed Commendator of the Abbey of Dunfermline by Bull of 
Pope Innocent IV. This Italian Abbot was non-resident, but still he 
must be enrolled in the succession of Abbots of Dunfermline. This 
Abbot has hitherto escaped the notice of all historians and ecclesias- 
tical writers. (General Allan's MS.) He appears to have held the 
Commendator Abbotship for two years only. 

1492.— John of Monteith re-elected Alderman, or Provost, 
October 2. Bailies: David Litster and William Spittall. (Bnrgh 
Records.) 

Burgh Seal. — Sir John Cokburn is mentioned in the Btirgh 
Records as being the " Keeper of the Burgh Seal." (See Seal, under 
date 1395.) 

Sanct Margaret's Altar. — Schir Andrew Peirson, Chaplain of 
the Service ; Schir Thomas Moffat, Chaplain of the Morning Service. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1493. — George, Lord Abbot of Dnnfermline, and also Treasurer 
of Scotland, appears to have been elected and consecrated this year. 
{Sib. Hist. Fife et Kin. p. 260, &c.) 

St. Margaret's Altar Lights. — In the Bnrgh Records of this 
date a minute entry notifies that ^^ JoJin Kellock has a cozv quilk giffs 
to St. Margaret's Altar half ane pnnd of vax yeirly'' {i.e. the tax on 
the cow). 

NiCHOL Flechour and his "Marynalls." — In the Bnrgh 
Records, of date ist October of this year, Nichol Flechour and his 
mariners appear before the Head Court at Dunfermline regarding a 
dispute about a barrel of soap. It has been supposed that Nichol and 
his "mariners," or sailors, were probably the captain and crew of the 
Abbot's boat or ship. 



OUR I.ADYS "LIGHT." 1/3 

1494. — George, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, was elected one of 
the " Lords of Council." (Kennedy's Hist. Aberdeen, vol. i. p. 6i, &c. ; 
See An. Dunf. date 1499.) 

St. Margaret's Altar. — Schir Andrew Peirson, Chaplain ; Schir 
Steven Stirling, Chaplain of the Morning Service. 20/ out of the 
common purse promised. (Burgh Records.) 

Alderman.— David Couper, elected Alderman, or Pi^ovost, of 
Dunfermline in October; Dean Thomas Couper, monk in the Abbey, 
" Master of the Petty Common," near the burn. (Burgh Records.) 

Cadgers and Fish. — In the Biirgh Records there is a minute 
ordering the cadgers to provide six loads of fish weekly for the 
community — two loads on Wednesday, two on Friday, and two on 
Saturday. To this the cadgers agreed. 

1495.— " Strublance." — The Btirgh Records, in February this 
year, have the following entry : — Gilbert Hardy, accused of " the 
Strublance of Andro Morrison and the gude tonne!' Gilbert denied 
the charge ; and, in the usual phrase of the time, not entirely free of 
the charge of levity, " takes him to ye knowledge yrof of God and a 
gude assizer The assize having " rypely advised',' find Gilbert inno- 
cent, and Andrew Morrison and his wife guilty. {Dr. Ross's Burgh 
Life in Dunf. p. 14.) 

1496.— Old Sanitary Notice. — There is a minute in the 
Burgh Records (October) " anent the furth castin' of water, and ither 
abominables." 

The Burn. — In the Burgh Records, of this date, is the following 
entry: — "The Burn: The quhilk day the communitie of Dunfermlyn 
has consentit til open the burn at the ivest gavil of the tolbuith." This 
"burn" was [afterwards known as ih.Q"back burn," and is the same 
rivulet that runs from north to south under Bridge Street. 

The Stocks. — The Stocks are referred to in the Burgh Records, 
of date October 6th. They were generally placed near the Pillory in 
burghs. These Stocks of Dunfermline have not been used for the last 
hundred years; but they are " still to the fore!' They were discovered 
in the garret of the Town-house in 1841, and evil-doers may yet get a 
practical knowledge of their use. 

Our Lady's "Light" is again noticed in the Burgh Records in 



174 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

connection with " the littil herss!\ This " littil herss " was a little 
canopy suspended over the Altar of St. Margaret, in the Lady Aisle, 
or Chapel. (See An. Dunf. woodcut, date 1250.) 

1497.— Bakers of Dunfermline, Weight of Bread, &c.— 
This year the Town Council enacts that ^^ye pace of bred be 75 tmsis 
tJieivastelir (Burgh Records, ddito. 1497.) 

"Pr^TORIUM" of the Burgh. — As early as this date. Town 
Council meetings are entered in the Burgh Records as being held in 
the Prcetoriiun (Tolbooth of the burgh). This designation continued 
down so late as the beginning of the i8th century. 

Burgess. — A person was "made a burgess of Dunfermline, at the 
command of my Lord of Mar." (Burgh Records.) 

1498.— The Abbot Orders the Release of Alexander 
Aitton. — At a meeting of the Chapter of the Abbey, the Abbot, 
through his Treasurer, and Tom Buquhanan, took Alexander Aitton 
^^ firth of the tolbiitJir This was a most unwarrantable act of the 
Abbot — an usurpation of the prerogative of the Provost of the burgh. 
{Burgh Records^ date 1498,) 

" Propositus." — William Symson was elected Provost of Dun- 
fermline in October of this year. (Burgh Records.) 

Slaying of Cattle in the Night-time ! — There is a minute 
in the Burgh Records regarding ^^the alleged zvrangis slaying of cattal 
all of unfreemen under silence of nichtJ' 

The "Rivulet of Garvock" and Lynn Burn. — The name 
"Rivulet de Garvock" occurs in the Register of Dunfermline shortly 
after the middle of the 13th century. About the middle of the 
15th century, the name became "a compound one," viz., '■'Rivulet 
de Garvock" or " Lyn Burn" probably from the small Lyn, or Lin, 
at Woodmills, about a mile and a-half east of Dunfermline. In 1498, 
the Rivulet de Garvock disappears, and henceforward in writs, &c., 
the rivulet is designated the Lyn Rivulet, or Lyn or Lyne Burn, which 
name it still retains — and, no doubt, with this name 

' ' 'Twill murmur on a thousand years, 
And flow as now it flows. " 

From this it is obvious, that this second name "Lyn," or "Lyne," 
originating about the end of the 15 th century, has no connection 



THE PLAGUE. 175 

whatever with the affix lyn of Dunfermline, of date circa i lOO, so often 
used as such by writers when treating of its etymology. (See also 
Annals Dimf. date 1270, and Appendix A and B.) 

1499. — The Pest, or Plague, "rages in Dunfermline" this year. 
(Vide Burgh Records of 1499.) This pest was also known as the 
" Grandgore." It reached Edinburgh in 1497, where it carried off 
hundreds of "victams." About a year and a-half after the scourge 
reached the metropolis, it is found cutting down victims in Dunferm- 
line and vicinity. It is probable that "gude Maister Robert Henrysone," 
then "schoolmaster in Dunfermling," hearing of the approach of this 
plague in Edinburgh, composed his serious poetical effusion, entitled 
*'Ane Prayer for the Pest" of which the following are the opening 
lines : — 

" O Eterne God ! of power infinyt, 

To quhois liie knawlege na thing is obscure 
That is, or was, or evir salbe, perfyt. 

In to thy sicht, quhill that this warld indure ; 
Haif mercy of us, indigent and pure, 

Thou dois na wrang to puneiss our oifens ; 
O Lord ! that is to mankynd haill seccure 

Preserve us fra this perrelus pestilence," &c. 

Many of the stanzas of the poem of ZZ lines ends with ^^ Preserve nsfra 
this perrelus pestilence" \Nh.\c]\ shows that this pest had not as yet reached 
Dunfermline, and therefore it may have been composed in 1497- 1498. If 
this pest can be connected with the poem, then it would settle a point 
in dispute, viz., "In what year did Henrysoun die.''" Dunbar, in his 
" Lament for the Death of the Makaris" which appears to have been 
written about 1506, and published in 1508, notices the death of 
Henrysoun thus — 

•' In Dunfermhne he (Death) hes done roun 
Gude Maister Robert Henrysoun." 

{StQ Annals 0/ Dunf. date i486,) 

If these lines were penned in 1506, it is evident that Henrysoun was 
dead before that year ; and, if he was alive just before the pestilence 
reached Dunfermline — say, in 1497 — then we have two certain dates, 
showing that he must have died between the years 1497 ^^d 1506. 
Perhaps 1497-1504 may be the near dates, because he may have been 
dead for some time before Dunbar wrote the " Lamentr We think it 
not improbable that Henrysoun, an old and infirm man (then about 
75 years old), would be carried off by the plague in Dunfermline in 



1/6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1499; plague and dysentery together were likely the complaints of 
which he died. If he did not die during the time the plague raged 
in Dunfermline in 1499, then the middle date between 1499 and 1504 
— viz., 1502, may be taken as the date of Henrysoun's death. As we 
think 1499 is the probable year of his death, a few remarks will be 
necessary. 

Robert Henrysoun probably died this year (1499), aged about 
76 years. Little is known of his history. It is not known where he 
was born, most probably in Dunfermline or its neighbourhood ; at all 
events^ he died in Dunfermline in the winter of say 1499 — (see the 
couplet by Dunbar) — and most likely was interred in the Abbey 
grounds. It would appear from two Charters in the Register of Dun- 
fermline^ that he was a notary in Dunfermline Abbey in the years 
1477, 1478. These Charters refer to the lands of Spittalfields, near 
Inverkeithing, granted by the Abbot of Dunfermline to George de 
Lothreisk, and to Patrick Barone, burgess of Edinburgh, and to 
Margaret, his spouse. In each of these charters, or deeds, appears 
his name as " Maister Robertas Henrison, notarius publicus" He was 
probably — from at least 1478 to his death, circa 1499 — the Abbot's 
notary, and also the schoolmaster of the Abbey. In the year 1462 he 
was a Licentiate in Arts and Bachelor in degrees of Glasgow College, 
and hence his right to the prefix of Master. In those days no one 
could legally use the designation Master without graduating as M.A. 
at a College. Henrysoun's latter years, at least, appear to have been 
spent in Dunfermline. He is usually known as "Robert Henrisoun, 
scholemaistr of Dunfermling," and he is so distinguished by the Earl 
of Kellie about the year 1619. He appears to have been a good and 
learned old man, an excellent poet, and witty. The following anecdote 
is usually quoted as connected with his last moments : — " Being very 
old, he died of a diarrhea, or fluxe, of whom there goes this merry, 
though somewhat unsavoury tale, — that all phisitians having given 
him over, and he lying drawing his last breath, there came ane old 
woman unto him who was held a witch, and asked him whether he 
would be cured ? To which he said, 'Very willingly.' 'Then,' quod 
she, 'there is a whikey-tree in the lower end of your orchard, and if 
you will goe and walke but thrice round it, and thrice repeat these 
wordes, " Whikey-tree, whikey-tree, take away this fluxe from 7ne" you 
shall be presently cured.' He told her, that beside he was extreme 
faint and weake, it was extreme frost and snow, and that it was 
impossible for him to goe. She told him that unless he did so, it was 



POEMS OF ROBERT HENRYSOUN. 1 77 

impossible he should recover. Mr. Henryson then lifting upp him- 
selfe, and pointing to an oaken table that was in the roome, asked 
her, and seid — 'Gude dame, I pray ye, tell me if it would not do as 
well to repeat thrice these words. Oaken btnrd, oaken-buird, garre me 

s a hard t .' The woman seeing herself derided and scorned, 

ran out of the house in a great passion, and Henrysoun within halfe a 
quarter of ane houre, departed this life." {Dr. Laing's Memoir of 
Henrysoun, prefixed to Ids edition of the "-^ Poems and Fables'' of Robert 
Henrysonn, 186^, p. 20.) This anecdote may well be doubted ; he was 
too pious a man to trifle in jokes, especially within ^^ halfe a quarter 
of ane houre" of his death. 

The "Poems and Fables" of Henrysoun have been often published 
piecemeal. In 1865 the ivhole of his works were collected and pub- 
lished in one volume. This was done by that literary veteran David 
Laing, LL.D., Signet Library, Edinburgh, from which work we extract 
the "Table of Contents," in order that the reader may see the titles 
of the various productions of the poet. 

Table of Contents of the Poems of Robert Henrysoun (1450-1499). 

1. Robine and Makyne. 

2. The Garmond of Gude Ladeis. 

3. The Bludy Serk. 

4. The Abbey Walk. 

5. Agaoris Haisty Creddance of Titlaris. 

6. The Prais of Aige. 

7. The Ressoning betwixt Aige and Yovvth. 

8. The Reasoning betwixt Deth and Man, 

9. The Three Deid Powis. 

10. The Salutation of the Virgin. 

11. The Want of Wyse Men. 

12. Ane Prayer for the Pest. 

13. Sum Practysis of Medecyne. 

14. Orpheus and Eurydice. 

15. The Testament of Cresseid. 

16. The Complaint of Cresseid. 

The Moral Tables of yEsop (in Scottish Metre). 

17. The Prologue. 

18. The Taill of the Cock and the Jasp. 

19. The Taill of the upolandis Mous and the Barges Mous. 

20. The Taill of Schir Chantecleir and the Foxe. 

21. The Taill how this foirsaid Tod made his Confessioun to Freir Wolf 

Wait-skaith, 

22. The Taile of the Sone and Air of the foirsaid Foxe, called Father Ware ; 

Alswa the Parliament of Fourfuttit Beastis haldin be the Lyoun. 

23. The Taill of the Dog, the Scheip, and the Wolf. 

24. The Prologue. 

AA 



1/8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

25. The Taill of the Lyoun and the Mous. 

26. The Preaching of the Swallow. 

27. The Taill of the Wolf that gat the Nek-herring throw the Wrinkis of 

the Foxe that begylit the Badgear. 

28. The Taill of the Foxe that begylit the Wolf in the Schadow of the Mone, 

29. The Tail of the Wolf and the Wedder. 

30. The Tail of the Wolf and the Lamb, 

31. The Taill of the Paddock and the Mous." 

(For specimens of Henrysoun's poetry, see Appendix I.) It has already 
been mentioned that it is not known with certainty when, or where 
Henrysoun was born. Be that as it may, his name has always been 
inseparably connected with Dunfermline. // is certain that within 
the walls of Dunfermline he spent the greater part of his life, and 
probably here he was buried — 

" Here he dwelt, 

Plow many a cheerful day these ancient walls 
Have often heard him, while his legend blithe 
He sang of love — of knighthood, or the wiles 
Of homely life ; through each estate and age. 
The fashion and follies of the world 
With cunning hand pourtraying." 

The Plague, or Pest. — The Burgh Records, of date July 9th, 
1499, notify that it was thought expedient by the whole community 
that no victual should be sold out of the town " indurying the tym of 
this plague" and that whoever was found doing so should be appre- 
hended, and the victual confiscated, " bot allanerly bred and aill in 
small quantitie." {Dr. Ross's Burgh Life in Dunf. p. 27.) 

Smiths, Masons, Wrights, &c. — The Burgh Yett.—A wright 
gets fourpence for "ye fellyn of ane tre to ye zet " (of the burgh) ; 
rafters are bought at a shilling each, and fourpence is paid for "ye 
tipbringin of ye buirds yat are zet at Innerkethyn." A key for the 
kirk-door costs fourpence ; and two shillings are paid for ^^ ye lousing 
of J amy Ma koine's pot fra David Philp." {Dr. Ross's Burgh Life in 
Dtmf p. 26 ; Burgh Rec.) 

The Name of George, Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, occurs for the 
last time in a Charter, dated 24th Feb. 1499. (^Ymt.Regist.Duiif p. 374.) 

The Lear-Stane. — The " Strublers," or disturbers of the peace 
of the burgh, and their lying excuses in defending themselves before 
the Bailies' Court, had so much increased at this period, that the 
bailies, &c., of the burgh enacted by assize, on 17th March, 1499 — 
" Yat jv^ lear-stane suld be set up againe in ye place where it was wont 



NAMES OF MONKS AND CHAPLAINS OF THE ABBEY. 1 79 

to stand, or els ane as gude stane." It thus appears that the lear- 
stane was an old institution in Dunfermline. (Dr. Ross's Burgh Life 
in Dunf. pp. 16, 17 ; BiirgJi Rec.) 

St. Ringan's {St. Niniaiis) Altar, and the Altar of St. 
CUTHBERT, in Dunfermline Abbey, are noticed in a minute of the 
Burgh Records of this date. 

Names of Monks and Chaplains of the Abbey. — Between 
the years 1480 and 1500 there are to be found incidentally in the 
Bnrgh Records of Dunfermline the following names of some of the 
Monks and Chaplains of the Abbey. The Monks have the prefix of 
DeJie, the Chaplains that of Schir (Sir), to their names, viz. : — 

Names of Monks of Dunfermline Abbey infer 1480-1500. 
(Vide Burgh Records.) 

Adam Forman. Patrick Falset. 

John Wardlaw. William Lavrock. 

James Kinnimont. Davy Sim. 

Thomas Couper. Robert Svvinton. 

John Ra. John Spenluff. 

Names of Chaplains of Dunfermline Abbey inter 1480-1500. 
(Vide Burgh Records.) 

John Alan son. William Fleming. 

John Tirwet. Richard Hartsed. 

Robert Grant. Robert Norman. 

John Orok. Thomas Moffat. 

Alexander Sword. John Tarbat. 

Richard Wryclit. Robert Atkyn. 

James Alanson. John Scot. 

Andro Pierson. John Law. 

Jolin Robertson. David Kingorn. 

James Gudswain. Thomas Currie. 

Davy Roger. John Mason. 

Thomas Beny. William Jackson. 
Alexander Logan. 

These must be taken as only a few — not the whole — of the Monks 
and Chaplains of the Abbey during 1480-1500. They occur in the 
Bnrgh Records in connection with legal proceedings instituted in the 
Burgh Courts against parties who had not paid up their " annuals " 
to certain Altarages. ( Vide also Bnrgh Life in Dnnf in the Olden 
Time, by Rev. Win. Ross, LL.D. p. 30.) 

During the period 1480- 1500 there were three Abbots of Dun- 
fermline, viz.: — Henry Creichton, 1482; Adam, 1483-1490; George, 
1 490- 1 499. 



l8o ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

" Head Court of Yule" and Price of Ale. — At the Head 
Court of Yule [in 1499], " it is statute and ordainit that na man nor 
ivonian sel derer ail nor Vmd. a gallone, tinder pane of viiii'." {Burgh 
Rec. 1499.) 

Dunfermline Market Cross, Price of Ale, Penalty, &c.— 
In the Burgh Records of this date (1499), there is the following 
minute : — " Head Court of Yule, /^pp. — The quhilk day it is statute 
and ordainit in jugement, be ye alderman and balzeis of yis burch, 
and be ye haill communitie, yat nane brew aill derer nor \\\\d. ye 
galoun, under ye pain of takyn furth of yair caldronis and veschalls 
and dingin out of ye bodumis at ye inercat cross." This is the first 
notice on record of the Market Cross of Dunfermline ; but there can 
be little doubt that there was a " mercat cross " as early as 1 396, 
immediately after the burgh had received its important Charter from 
the Abbot. (See Annals, date 1395 ; " Burgh Ports," 1396; "Extent 
of Burgh," &c. 

1500.— Robert (N.) Blacader was Lord Abbot of Dunfermline 
this year. The precise date of his election and consecration to the 
office is not known. The only note referring to him is to be found in 
Druminond's (of Hawthornden) Hist. Scot., viz.: — "King James IV., 
intimating that, out of remorse for bearing arms in the field where his 
father was slain, he had a resolution to leave his kingdom and visit 
the Holy Sepulchre. To prepare his way, Robert Blackader, Abbot 
of Dunfermline, is directed to accompany him, but dies on the way, 
and the King findeth other hindrances," &c. This Robert is the 29th 
Abbot of Dunfermline. 

Names of Altars in Dunfermline Abbey in 1500.— In the 
first, or oldest of the MS. Burgh Records, the names of the following 
Altars occur between 1488 and 1500, viz.: — 

I. The High, or Great Altar. 11. St. Laurence's Altar. 

St. Margaret's Altar. 
St. Ninian's Altar. 
St. Mary's Altar. 
St. Nicholas' Altar. 
St. Cuthbert's Altar. 
St. Stephen's Altar. 
St. Trunzean's Altar. 
St. Catherine's Altar. 
The Parish Altar. 

Probably there were more Altars, although not on record. 



2. 


Our Lady's Altar. 


12. 


3- 


The Haly Bluid Altar. 


13- 


4- 


The Rood, or Holy Cross Altar. 


14. 


5- 


St. John's Altar. 


15- 


6. 


St. Peter's Altar. 


16. 


7- 


St. James's Altar. 


17- 


8. 


St. Thomas's Altar. 


18. 


9- 


St. Michael's Altar. 


19. 


10. 


St. Salvator's Altar. 


20. 



STREETS AND TRADES IN DUNFERMLINE. l8l 

Names of Streets in Dunfermline in a.d. 1500. — Strictly 
speaking, there were no streets in Dunfermline in 1500. The 
thoroughfares were designated as Rozvs, Gates, Wyiids, and Vennels. 
Of these, the following existed in 1 500 : — 

1. The Casigate — Hie-Gate, and latterly High Street. 

2. The Colzier Raw ; now I3ruce Street. 

3. Rottan Row ; now West Queen Ann Street. 

4. The Cross Wynde ; still retains the same name. 

5. The Kirkgait ; „ „ 

6. St. Catherine's Gait ; now St. Catherine's Wynd. 

7. May Gait ; still retains the same name. 

8. Newraw; ,, „ 

8. Nethertown; ,, „ 

9. The Foul Vennel ; afterwards known by the name of ^^ In-below-the- 

7ua^s,^' "being a dirty foot-road, about eight feet broad, which ran 
east from the east end of the Maygate, along the foot of the north 
wall of the Abbey to the Newraw." 
10. The Common Vennel, which was then a narrow footway, "running 
east from the lower Yett (or Port) to the Newraw." 

The only street paved with causeway stones at this period was the 
principal street, the High Street — then called the Causagait, or 
Casigate, afterwards Hie Gait and Heigait. 

Trades in Dunfermline in a.d. 1500. — In the first or oldest 
volume of the Dujif. Btirgh Records (between 1477 and 1500), the 
following trades are mentioned : — 

1. Smiths, 8. Fleshers. 

2. Weavers. 9. Litsters, or Dyers. 

3. Masons. 10. Brewsters (Brewers, &c.) 

4. Wrights. II. Walcars (Waulkers). 

5. Tailors. 12. Fullers. 

6. Bakers. 13. Cadgers (fish for Abbey and 

7. Shoemakers. inhabitants, &c.). 

It does not appear that any of these trades were incorporated at this 
period. ( Vide notices of " Seals of Cause," in the pages of the Annals') 

Alderman. — David Coupar elected Alderman, or Provost, of 
Dunfermline ; Robert Swinton, Treasurer. (Bnrgh Rec.) 

Weaving, and the Webb of " Canne." — In the Burgh Records 
of this date there is notice taken of a charge by Christian Marshall 
against Thomas Wilson for the " wrangous spillyn of ane zvebb of 
canned (Canvas ?) 

end of the fifteenth century. 



I82 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



Plan of Dunfermline 

4HD SUBUIUB OF THE NETHERTON 




Th« H«>l 



MDI. 

(beginning of the sixteenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1501.— Beginning of the i6th Century— James Stuart, 
Second Son of James III., Covimendator of Dnnfermline Abbey. — 
At this period there were 38 monks and about 12 officials connected 
with the Abbey. Population within the walls of the Abbey, about 
50. The population of the burgh, about 1300. David Coupar, 
Alderman or Provost. Trades: Smiths, weavers, shoemakers, tailors, 
masons, wrights, bakers, and fleshers. At this period there was much 
"religious discontent" in Dunfermline, as in other monastic towns. 
(See Annals, "Destruction of the Abbey in 1560.") Annexed is a 
Plan of Dunfermline in 1501, compiled by the writer from old sketches 
of "landes, yairds," &c., in the burgh, and from title deeds and 
charters, which the reader may with confidence receive as a correct 
"Plan of the Burgh and the Abbey Grounds of Dunfermline in 1501." 

1502.— The Abbacy of Dunfermline held in Perpetual Com- 
mendam by James Stuart, Second Son of James III. — In the year 1502 
the Abbacy of Dunfermline was bestowed in commendam on James 
Stuart, son of King James III., who, although then very young, was 
Archbishop of St. Andrews, Abbot of Arbroath, Duke of Ross, 
Marquis of Ormond, Earl of Ardmenach, Lord of Brechin and Nevar, 
and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Scotland. This Prince was then 
only 26 years old ! (See Annals, date 1478, " Lord Abbots of Dunf. ;" 
Keith's Scot. Bishops, p. 33 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 193.) This James 
is styled James I., and is the 30th, acting as Abbot of Dunfermline. 

1504. — James Stuart, Commendator of Dunfermline, died in 
the winter of 1 503-1504, in the 28th year of his age, and was interred 
at St. Andrews. 



1 84 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

James Beton, Lord Abbot of Dimfermline. — In the year 1504, 
James Beton or Bethune, youngest son of the Laird of Balfour, in 
Fife, and Provost of Bothwell, succeeded James Stuart, as Lord 
Abbot of Dunfermline. (Bafuiatyne Club Miscel. p. 162 ; Chal. Hist. 
Dimf. vol. i. p. 193.) This Abbot, styled James II., is the 31st Abbot 
of Dunfermline. It may be here noted that this Abbot became a 
Lord of Session in 1504- 1505 ; Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, in 
1505 ; Bishop-elect of Glasgow, in 1508 ; Archbishop of Glasgow, in 
1509 (when he resigned the office of Treasurer); Chancellor of the 
Kingdom, in 15 14; and in 1524, became Abbot of Arbroath and 
Kilwinning, and one of the Lords of the Regency ; and, lastly. Arch- 
bishop of St. Andrews, from 1522 to 1539. Plurality of offices, such 
as noted here, was very prevalent at this period. Such abuses hastened 
on the Reformation. 

1505.— Dunbar's Poem and the Sojourning of the King at Dun- 
fermline. — King James IV. resided much in his palace at Dunfermline 
during this year. On one of his visits, it would appear, that "he had 
indulged in some libertine pranks," which was made the subject of 
a poem by the witty Dunbar, entitled '^The Tod and Lamb, or the 
Wooing of the King ivJien he was at Dumfermling" for which see 
Dunbar's Poems. {Mercer's Hist. Dunf p. 59.) 

1506.— East Hailes.— The lands of East Hailes, in Collington 
parish, near Edinburgh, granted by James, Abbot of Dunfermline, to 
Thomas Forrester, of Strathenry. (Print. Regist. Dunf No. 506, 
p. 379 ; see Annals, date's 1128, 1484, &c.) 

1507.— " Endentoure of Symon Karwour, Wrycht, and 
his Prentice." — The following '^ Endentoure',' made this year, is to 
be found in the Register of Dimfermline (No. 463, p. 361). As it is 
curious, somewhat we give it in full : — 

" Thir Endentoures maid at Dunfermlyn ye xiv day of ye moneth of May, 
the zhere of God 1™ v?vii zeires (1507) proportis and beris witnes in ye self, 
yt it is appointit and finaly concordat betuix ana venerable fadir in Crist 
James be ye permissione of God abbot of Dunfermlyn and ye convent of yt 
ilk on ye ta part and ane discret man, Simon Karuore on ye tothyr part in 
form, maner, and affek as eftir followis — yt is to say yt ye said Symon is 
bundyn and oblist to ye said venerable fader and ye said convent, for all 
and hail ye dais of his lyfe yt he sail remane and wirk in ye said abba in 
ye craft of ye wryt craft and repare all neidfuU werks of ye samyn als far has 
he hafe knawlege and ye said venerable fader and convente and yair succes- 



COLDINGHAM PRIORY ANNEXED. 1 8$ 

sores is bund and oblist to pay ye Symon for his labor doing zeirly xx" merks 
of vsual monet of Scotland, ane chalder of mail, with thre bollis of mault, to 
be payt at four tymes in ye zher, yt is to say, at Whitsonday, lamess, martyn- 
mes, and candilmes ; and at ilk ane of ye termes v merkes of siluer wt ye 
victail afferand yrto and ane quartir terme to begyn wt — and ay sa furth, 
terme efter foUowand. the said Symon sail haiff till prentyss four merkes of 
siluer and ane chalder of meil till his met, and his clathes ilk zere, sa lang as 
he is prentyss, and ye said venerable fader and convent and yr successores 
sal wphald ye said Symonis werk lumys, or ellis ane conter yrfor till wphald 
yaim — and gif ye case be yt ye said WF (venerable fader) lenys ye said 
Symon till ony outwt ye place ye said Symonis fee sail stand haill till his 
self, sik like as he had wrocht his werk in ye said place, and till all and 
syndry yr puntces articles, and condicions be fullillie and hailily completit, 
observit, and keipit — for ye part of thir endentouris remanand wt ye said 
Symon Karwour ye commone seil of ye said abbay sail be hungin — and to ye 
ta part remanand wt ye W.F. and convent, ye said Symon has procurat, wt 
instans, ye seil of ane honorable man Dauid cupir, aldirman of ye said burgh 
to be hungin. — before ys'- witnesses Maistr Jhone trumbil Vicar of Cleigh 
(Cleish), — Schir Jhone gudswayne, chaplanis and Archebald Stewart, wyt 
synis devirsis." (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 463, p. 361 ; Ferni^s Hist. Dunf. 
pp. 197-199-) 

The Sword of State, Consecrated Hat, and the Abbot 
OF Dunfermline. — This year Pope Julius II. presented a Sword of 
State and a Consecrated Hat to King James IV. "They were 
delivered with great solemnity and ceremony in the Abbey Church 
of Holyrood, by the Papal Legate and the Abbot of Dunfermline. 
(Dundee Weekly Neivs, igth February^ i8j6.) 

1508. — Johannes Scott. — On a gravestone, in the pavement 
of the original Choir, viz., near the middle of the centre flagstones in 
the Auld Kirk, there will be found the name — 

"3Io!)anne0 ^cotl\" 

M«v<:viii. 

There have been many surmises as to whose remains are here indi- 
cated, but without any result ; as this stone is so near the site of the 
old Rood Altar, it would appear that he must have been a man of posi- 
tion. Dr. Chalmers, in his History of Dtuifennline (vol. i. p. 123), 
says, " It is believed to be the now oldest legible inscription on the 
once lettered pavement of the Abbey Church." He was probably the 
John Scott mentioned in the list of Chaplains at p. 179 An. of Dunf . 

1509.— Coldingham Priory again Annexed to Dnnfermline 
Abbey {see "Annals,'' date 14-8'j'). — This year, by order of Pope Julius 
II., the Priory of Coldingham was again and finally withdrawn from 

2B 



l86 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Durham, and annexed inalienably to the Abbey of Dnnfermline, under 
the jurisdiction of which it continued till the Reformation in 1560. 
{Carr's Hist, of Coldingham, p. 310; dial. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 241, &c.) 

1510.— The Abbot resigned his Oyyk:^.— fames Betlm7ie, or 
Beton, in consequence of the intrigues and disputes with those in 
power, resigned his position as Abbot of Dunfermline. {KeitJis Scot. 
Bishops, p. 35, &c. ; vide Annals, date IS'22.) 

Alexander Stuart succeeded James Bethune, or Beton, 
AS Lord Abbot of Dunfermline. — Towards the end of this year, 
King James IV. prevailed on the Pope to confirm his presentation of 
the offices of Archbishop of St. Andrews and Abbot of Dunfermline on 
his natural son, Alexander Stuart, then a boy under 15 years of age! 
{Mercers Hist. Dunf. p. 58 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 194, 240.) 
This is another instance of the Royal interference in the affairs of 
Dunfermline Abbey, &c — a boy under 15 the Abbot! He was the 
32nd Abbot of Dunfermline. 

1511.— The Abbot of Dunfermline elected Lord Chancellor 
and the Popes Legate. — Through the supreme influence of his father, 
King James IV., Alexander, his natural son, the Abbot of Dunfermline, 
&c., is made Lord Chancellor of Scotland and the Pope's Legate a 
latere {i.e., at his side). This Abbot, Legate, &c., was then only about 
16 years old ! 

1512.— Margaret, Queen of Scotland, in Dunfermline. 
— Margaret, Queen of Scotland, consort of James IV., appears to have 
been residing in Dunfermline Palace early in May this year. Leslie, 
in his History of Scotland (published in 1830, p. 32), notifies that 
"this yeir, in the beginning of May, the Quene tuik voyage furth of 
Dumfermling to St. Duthois in Ross, and in all her Journey wes 
honourablic intertenit, and came to Edinburgh agane about the x 
day of July." Margaret was daughter of Henry VII. of England. ('■^ St. 
Duthois' s Shrine iti Ross-shire." ) 

Regarding a Carrucata of Land in Coldingham. — 
Alexander, Archbishop of St. Andrews, Commendator of Dunferm- 
line, Superior Prior of the Priory of Coldingham, &c., confirms to 
Christian Lumsden, daughter of John Lumsden, in Coldingham, 
the spouse of Alexander Ellem, " three parts of one carrucate of 
land near the village and territory of Coldingham, within the vice 



THE ABBOT OF KELSO IMPRISONED. 1 8/ 

comitatiis of Berwick, called the ' bichil,' which said John resigned; 
Reddendo, 2 shillings," &c. ; dated Dunfermline, loth August, 15 12. 
(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 508, p. 379.) 

1513.— Alexander Stuart, Abbot of Dunfermline, Slain. 
— Alexander Stuart, the youthful Abbot of Dunfermline, accompanied 
his father, King James IV. to Flodden, and was, along with his ill-fated 
father and the flower of the Scottish army, slain on Flodden Field, on 
9th September, 15 13, being then in the 21st year of his age. (JMercer's 
Hist. Diinf. p. 59; CJial. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 195-^ The great Erasmus 
was this Abbot's tutor, from whom he had a noble character. {Craw- 
ford's Offices of State, pp. 59, 60 ; Keith's Scottish Bishops, pp. 33, 34.) 
His skeleton was found in 1820, near the High Altar site of St. 
Andrews Cathedral. The skull had a deep sword-cut wound, pene- 
trating through the thickness of the bone. (Newspapers of 1820.) 

1514. — The Pest, or Plague, rages in Dunfermline. — This 
plague was general throughout Scotland, for which vide Hist, of Scot. 

1515.— James Hepburne, Abbot of Dunfermline.— It would 
appear that the Abbey had no Abbot for nearly two years (from 1 5 1 3 
to 15 1 5). In 1 5 15, James Hepburne, the third son of Adam, Lord 
Hailes, and brother of Patrick, first Earl of Bothwell, was elected 
Abbot of Dunfermline. {Crawford's Offices of State, p. 369.) Andrew 
Forman disputed the election of this Abbot. 

Tpie Postulate of Dunfermline. — In the year 15 15, the 
Postulate of Dunfermline (a legal functionary) attended the Council 
at Edinburgh, on 15th May, and was witness to the declaration of 
the Council, to an application of the French Ambassador on the part 
of Francis I., for being at peace with England. {Maitlafid's Hist. Scot. 
vol. ii. p. 762.) 

The Abbot of Kelso aiid Others Imprisoned in Dunfermline. — 
In the month of August, 15 15, the Abbot of Kelso, and several of the 
friends of Lord Home, were imprisoned in Dunfermline by the Duke 
of Albany, Regent of Scotland. {Morton's Annals, p. 96.) 

1516. — James Hepburne, elected Abbot of Dunfermline by the 
Convent, resigned his office of Abbot this year, having come to an 
understanding with Andrew Forman. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 197, 
&c.) He died in 1525, and was interred at Elgin. 



1 88 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1517.— Andrew Forman, elected Abbot of Dunfermline early 
in the year 15 17. {Chalmers's Hist. Dunf vol. i. pp. 195, 196; vol. ii. 
pp. 220, 221.) He was the 34th Abbot of Dunfermline. 

Inch Gar vie. — Inch Garvie, on the Firth of Forth, became a State 
Prison this year. Secretary Panter was imprisoned in "the fort on the 
ile, because he did not please the rulers of the day." (Histories of Scot.) 

1519. — John Fergusone was Provost of Dimfei-mline'm. 15 19. 
Bailies of Dunfermline this year: Alexander Henderson and William 
Moubray. (Burgh Record.) 

1520.— Craigluscar House Built. — The stone which was on 
the front wall of this mansion-house is still to be seen, built into the 
lower part of a wall there. It is a triangular stone. " Near the top 
is the date 1520; below it there is a shield, on the dexter side of 
which is a St. Andrew's cross, and on the sinister side a cheveron, 
enclosing a crescent, with two crescents above. There are on each 
side, parallel to each other, the capital letters G.D. and M.B." It is not 
known with certainty to whom these initial letters refer. {CJial. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. ii. p. 399.) 

1522. — Andrew Forman, Abbot of Dunfermline, died,. and was 
interred at Dunfermline. {Keith's Scot. Bishops, ■^^. 35, 146; Morton's 
Annals, pp. 298, 299; Pitscottie's Hist. Scot. p. 254.) This abbot was 
a great man. In 1498 he was the Pope's pronotary, and afterwards 
his legate a latere. He was Prior of the Isle of May ; was Bishop of 
Moray in 1501 ; and held at the same time the Priories of Colding- 
ham and Pittenweem, and was Commendator of Dryburgh in 15 12. 
Through the favour of Louis XII, he was made Archbishop of 
Bourges, in France, in 15 13; Archbishop of St. Andrews in 15 14. 
When the Duke of Albany came back from France, and assumed the 
regency in 15 16, Forman resigned into his hands, as the law of Scot- 
land required, all the benefices which he had hitherto held only by 
the Pope's nomination, and was reappointed only to the See of St. 
Andrews and the Abbey of Dunfermline. Forman is the reputed 
author of ^' Co7it7'a Lutherum',' of '' De Stoica Philosophia," and of 
" Collectanea Decretalium." {Morton's Annals, pp. 288, 289 ; Chal. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 195, 196, 197. 

The following short account of a banquet given by Forman to the 



JAMES CRECHTON AND THE LANDS OF CLUNIE. 1 89 

Pope and his cardinals while in Rome is from Pitscottie's {Lindsay s) 
Chron. Scot. p. 254: — "Then the Bishop Forman made a banquet to 
the Pope and all his cardinals, in one of the Pope's own palaces ; and 
when they were all set, according to their custom, that he who aught 
the house for the time should say the grace, he was not a good scholar, 
nor had good Latin, but began rudely in the Scottish fashion, saying, 
Bejiedicite, believing that they should have said Doniimis. But they 
answered Dens, in the Italian fashion, which put the bishop past his 
intendiment, that he wist not well how to proceed forward, but hap- 
pened out in good Scots, in this manner, saying (which they under- 
stood not). To the devil I give you all, false cardinals, in ?iomine 
Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, Amen. Then all the bishop's men 
leugh, and all the cardinals themselves. And the Pope enquired 
whereat they leugh ; and the Bishop shewed that he was not a good 
clerk, and that his cardinals had put him by his text and intendiment. 
Therefore he gave them all to the devil in good Scots, whereat the 
Pope himself leugh very earnestly." 

James Beton, Re-elected Abbot of Dnufermline. — James Beton, 
who had been Abbot of Dunfermline from 1504 till 15 10, was again 
elected Abbot, which office he held until his death in 1539. {Keith's 
Scottish Bishops, pp. 35, 36, &c.) While holding the office of Abbot 
of Dunfermline he was also Archbishop of St. Andrews, &c. (See 
date 1504.) 

The Lands of Orrock-Sellybalbe, &c. — "James, Commen- 
dator of Dunfermline, &c., and Chancellor of the Kingdom, granted 
to Marjorie Orrok, daughter of Alexander Orrok of Sellybalbe, the 
third part of the lands of Orrok, Sellybalbe, and Dunearn adjacent, 
in the regality of Dunfermline and vicecomitatus of Fife, qiiain dicttts 
Alexander resignaverat Reddendo 2 merks six shillings and eightpence, 
&c. Dated Dunfermline, xx January, 1523." 

1524.— The Lands of Clunys and the Captain of Edin- 
burgh Castle. — *' James, Archbishop of St. Andrews, regni Priinas 
Apostoliccs sedis legatns, and Commendator of Aberborthok and Dun- 
fermline, confirms to James Crechton of Cranstoneriddale, Captain 
of the Castle of Edinburgh, and to Margarite Hume, his spouse, our 
landis of Clunys adjacent to and within the vicecomitatus of Fife, in 
Gaitmylk schire, which the same James Crechtoun resignaverat. Dated 
Dunfermline, vi. Jan. 1 524." (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 512, pp. 380, 381.) 



190 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Abbot of Dunfermline's House in Edinburgh. — As 
early as this period, that house at the junction of High Street with 
Canongate (north side), in after times known as John Knox's House, 
belonged to the Abbots of Dunfermline, and here they resided during 
the meetings of " The Estates^' &c., and when on official duties. 

1526. — The following is a free translation of an interesting Charter 
in the Printed Register of Dunfermline, and is here given because it 
is one of the few Charters in the Register which has the names of 
many places now obsolete, but nevertheless interesting to the local 
antiquary : — 

"James, Archbishop Primate of the Realm, has granted to James Murray 
the lands of Pardew, otherwise Broomhill, along with certain acres, viz., the 
Stane acre. Short acre, and the Boot acre, as pertinents of this same land of 
Pardew, lying within the Regality of Dunfermline, on the south part of the 
lower town (Nether-town), on either side of the rivulet commonly called the 
Lyne, bounded as follows : — Beginning at the Gardens of St. Cuthbert, 
descending by certain stones fixed for boundary stones, and proceeding by the 
land of David Bothwell, named the Haugh, to the south, even to the goodly 
lands belonging to the altar of the blessed Mary, within the Parish Church of 
Dunfermline, even as far as the water and the King's high way, which leads 
to the Grange of Dunfermline, and thence proceeding by the said way towards 
the north as far as the water of Lyne, and descending by the rivulet or burn 
as far as the Boot acre, lying on the western part of the meadow lands, and 
then proceeding by the marsh of said meadow as far as the lands of the laird 
of Pittencrieff, called in like manner the Boot {buyt), and ascending to the 
said stream called the Lyne as far as the Short acre, on the northern part of 
the said water, which acre has the King's high way on the west, and is almost 
inclosed on the other sides by the said water. Reddendo 8 shillings yearly 
in name of annual rent. Given at Dunfermline 28th June, 1526." (Print. 
Regist. Dunf. No. 514, p. 381.) 

The acre' here called the Buyt aiker may perhaps mean Butt acre, 
the acre for the practice of archery in the olden time ; Stone acre may 
be so called from some now obliterated stone quarry ; and Short acre 
from its small dimensions. Whirlbut, or ^\v\x\butt, is in the imme- 
diate vicinity, on the south side of the Lyne burn, probably also con- 
nected with ''the art of archery T ''Buyt aiker" has hitherto been 
translated Boot acre ; and the writer has followed his predecessors, 
although he strongly suspects that But or Butt acre is the proper 
rendering. 

The Abbot of Dunfermline a Fugitive.— On September 4th, 
1526, "the feud battle of Avonbridge, near Linlithgow, was fought 
between the Earls of Arran and Lennox," when the Abbot of Dunferm- 



PRESENTATION OF THE ALTAR OF THE HOLY CROSS. I9I 

line, " being on the losing side, had with others to fly from the field, 
and took refuge among the mountains, lurking about in the disguise 
of a shepherd." {Lindsay s Hist. Scot. vol. ii. pp. 280, 281 ; dial. Hist. 
Dimf. vol. ii. p. 222, &c.) 

Dunfermline Abbey " Spoilzed." — Shortly after " the affair at 
Avonbridge" Angus, advancing to Fife, entered Dunfermline with his 
soldiers, and spoilzit (pillaged) the Abbey. {Mercer's Hist. Dimf. 
p. 59; dial. Hist. Dimf. vol. 2. p. 222 ; and Histories of Scotland^! 

1527.— Martyrdom of Patrick Hamilton, ist March, 1^27. 
— This is a black-letter day in the history of Dunfermline, for " the 
Abbot of Dunfermline (Archbishop of St. Andrews, &c.) superintended 
the martyrdom of Patrick Hamilton " — a pious young man, only 
23 years of age — almost at the door of his castle at St. Andrews." 
{Histories of Scotland ; dial. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 194; Grier son's 
Hist. St. Andr. p. 23, &c^ 

1529.—" The Pest and ' Het Sickness ' prevails generally, and 
particularly in the towns on the north side of the Forth. Dunfermline 
and vicinity suffered much in July, August, and Septr." {Histories of 
Scotland^ 

1530.— Walter Ryngane and William Durye were the 
Abbey fanitors at this period. (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 515, p. 381.) 

1531.— USUFRUCTUARIUS OF DUNFERMLINE AbBEY, &C. — In 
the Register of Dunfermline, of date, February 15 31, there is a 
Charter granted to the Lord of Belwerye, by the Archbishop of St. 
Andrews and the Abbot of Dunfermline, regarding certain lands, &c., 
which has the singular introduction of — "James, Archbishop of St. 
Andrews, Vsufructuarius of the Monastery of Dunfermline, and 
George Dury, Abbot of the Convent of the same place ; James, Earl 
of Morton and Dalkeith and Baron of Aberdour ; George de Dundas, 
knight and templar in the preceptory of St. John of Jerusalem at 
Torphichen, &c." (Print. Regist. Dunf No. 516, p. 382.) 

1532.— Presentation of the Altar of the Holy Cross, 
Kirkcaldy. — "George, Abbot of Dunfermline, presented to Lord 
William, Chaplain of James, Archbishop of St. Andrews, to the 



192 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

altarages of our altar of the Holy Cross, within the burgh of Kirk- 
caldy, and in the Parish Church of the same place. Dated at 
Dunfermline i8th April, 1532. Witnesses, Walter Ryngane, David 
Duncan, and Walter Shorthouse." (Print. Regist. of Diinf. No. 517, 
p. i^l) 

1533.— The Vicarage of the Church of Cleische.— 
" George, Abbot of Dunfermline, and James, Archbishop of St. 
Andrews, presented Maister David Young, Presbiter, to the per- 
petual Vicarage of the Parish Church of Cleish. Dated March, 1533. 
(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. $18, p. 383.) Cleish is about 8 miles north 
of Dunfermline. 

1534.— The Mills and Lands of Easter Hailes.— " James, 
Archbishop of St. Andrews, and George, Abbot of Dunfermline, 
granted a Charter, conferring to certain parties named, part of the 
lands and the mills of Easter Hailes, near Edinburgh. Dated at 
Dunfermline, vi. Nov. 1534." (Print. Regist. Diinf. No. 522, p. 384.) 

1535.— The Priory of Pluscardine and Dunfermline. — 
"The Priory of Pluscardine, in Moray, which had been subject to 
Dunfermline for a long period previous to this date, was this year 
(1535) erected into a Regality by James, Archbishop of St. Andrews, 
and George, Abbot of Dunfermline, who appointed four persons (who 
are named) to hold Justiciary Courts of the Regality in Dunfermline 
and administer justice." Dated " Dunfermline .... die . . . 1535." 
(Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 526, p. 385.) 

1536.— The Church of Melville presented to Lord Archibald 
Hay, Clericimi Parisiss, studentein, James, Archbishop of St. Andrews, 
and George, Abbot of Dunfermline. Nov. 7th, 1536. (Print. Regist. 
Dimf No. 527, p. 586.) Probably Hay studied at Paris. 

The Church of Moulen.— James, Archbishop of St. Andrews, 
and George, Abbot of Dunfermline, presented to Lord David Hervey, 
Presbyter, the Vicarage of the Parish Church of Moulen. (Prnt. 
Regist. Dunf No. 528, p. 586.) These two churches were for many 
centuries subject to Dunfermline. 

Dunfermline Guild Court. — In a minute of a Guild Court, 
held this year, the selling of hides and skins, &c., is noticed. {BurgJi 
Records) 



DEATH OF JAMES BEATON, ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. 1 93 

1537.— The Lands of Clunys, &c.— James, Archbishop of St. 
Andrews, " vsufrKctuarins and administraior-generalis fnictuwn^^ of 
the Monastery, and George, Abbot of Dunfermline, granted a writ in 
favour of Jacobus Creichtoun, Jieres patris, Jacobi Creichtoun, i?i dictis 
terris. 8th May, 1537. (Print. Regist. Dim/. No. 529, p. 386.) 

1538.— Mary {of Lorraine), THE Queen, in Dunfermline. — 
In the month of July, this year, Mary, of Lorraine, Queen of James V., 
made splendid progresses, by successive stages, through Fifeshire, 
from St. Andrews to Cupar, from Cupar to Falkland, from Falkland 
to Ravensheuch, and thence to Dunfermline and the Queensferry. 
The various items of expenses are stated for the different days and 
stages, for conveying furth the Queen's geir, chariot, beds of the 
dames of honour, &c., in the State papers, which are as follow : — 

yul. — The Kingis tapescherie and vtheris his geir were transported furth 
of SaiidaJidrois to Edinburgh, Cowper, Falkland, Dysart, Dunfermeling, and 
Linlithgu, at various times during the present month. (No dates attached to 
the accounts.) 

Itevi. — For carrying of bedding and coferis, with lynnyng claithis, and ane 
coffer of the Maister Stabiller to the Queue ; ane chiar and ane buird (a chair 
of state and table) to the Queue, from Sanctandrois to Couper and Falkland, 
and fra Falkland to Ravinsheuche and Dunfermling, the space of iiiij dayis, 
&c. Summa, lij s. (52s.) 

Item. — For carying of the said geir furthe of Dunfermling to the Ferry, and 
horsis; ilk horse, xviij d. (i8d.) 

Ite7n. — For carying of the Dames of Honouris beddis fra DunfermeHng to 
Ed"", iij s. (3s.) 

(Vide State Papers, State Paper Office, London; Account Book of Lord 
High Treasurer of Scotland ; Glial. Hist. Dnnf. vol. ii. pp. 264, 265.) 

1539. — James Beaton, Abbot of Dunfermline, died this year. 
He was also Archbishop of St. Andrews. Since his re-election in 
1522 he had held the abbacy for seventeen years ; but, "from about 
the year 1535 he appears to have committed the duties of Abbot to 
George Dury." Lesley, in his History of Scotland, says that " James 
Beatoun, before he deid, had providit successouris to all his benifices, 
quilkis were Mr, David Betoun, then being Cardinal, to the Arch- 
bishopric of St. Andrews and to the Abbey of Arbroath, and Mr. 
George Durie, quha was Archdene of St. Androis, to the Abbacye of 
Dumferling, wha enterit with the Kingis benevolens, and without any 
stoppe to thair benefices efter his deceis." {Lesley's Hist. Scot. Ban. 
Club, edit. 1830, p. 158. 

2C 



194 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



George Durie, Archdean of St. Andrews, made Abbot of Dun- 
fermline, not by " divijie permission" or " God-tholing" but by permis- 
sion and the " tholijig'' of James Beaton, his predecessor. The moral 
degeneracy of the age " was now hastening on affairs, making them 
ripe for the close-at-hand reformation." 

The Abbey Seal. — It would appear, from wax impressions still 
attached to Monastic Charters and Deeds, of dates between 1539- 
1560, that George Dury, the new Abbot and Commendator of Dun- 
fermline Abbey, had a Seal-stamp engraven during the first year of 




his office (1539). The above is taken from the engraving in Fernie's 
History of Dunfermline, p. 76. Of this Seal Mr. Henry Laing, at 
page 181 of his excellent work on Ancient Scottish Seals, says — " It is 
a fine round Seal, of a rich design, consisting of three Gothic niches ; 
in the centre of one is a figure of the Virgin and infant Jesus ; in 
the dexter, a figure of St. Andrew, holding his cross before him; and, 
in the sinister, a figure of St. Margaret, holding in her left hand a 
sceptre. In the lower part of the Seal is a shield, bearing a chevron 
between three crescents, the armorial bearings of Durie; behind the 
shield, a crozier ; and, around t];e circumference, in old letters, the 
legend, viz, : — 

" 'S •GEORGII -ABBATIS 'DE'DYMFERLING "ARCH 'S 'ANDR ' " 

that is — "Seal of George, Abbot of Dunfermline, and Archdean of 
St. Andrews." 

Adam Blackwood. — Born in Dunfermline in 1539. In after life 



EXTRAORDINARY LORD OF THE ARTICLES ELECTED. 1 95 

he held a Professorship in the College Poitiers, in France, and was the 
author of several learned works. (See Annals Dwif. date 1623.) 

A Charter of the Abbot of Dunfermline relating to Lands 
in and near Dnnfermline. — " George, Archdean of St. Andrews, and 
Commendator of Dunfermline, concedes to Helena Stewart, daughter 
and apparent heiress of Adam Stewart, of Brerhill, and David 
Lundy, sponso dictcu Helencu, the lands of Breryhill, adjacent to the 
burgh of Dunfermline on the east part, and the land of Mylhillis, on 
the east part of the 'Neiuroiv' croft, commonly called the 'Newraw- 
crofts;' the lands of Penelandes, near the lands of Breryhill, on the 
north part ; and the lands of MyUiillis on the east part ; the lands of 
the Spiitel on the south part; and those of Elliotshill on the west part. 
Also a small parcel of land, commonly called the ' Clnttis' croft, adja- 
cent, within the regality of Dunfermline ; and the narrow crofts in the 
burgh of Dumfermline, on the west part of the lands of Halbank ; and 
the north part of the lands of Brerehill, on the east and south parts ; 
and the lands oi Halbank adjacent, in the regality of Dunfermline." 

1540.— Royal Palace, Dunfermline, Enlarging, Altering, and 
Repai7'ing. — The Royal Palace of Dunfermline appears to have been 
much enlarged and thoroughly repaired about this period. " Large 
mullioned windows were introduced into the original architecture," 
and in the present upper storey, then added to the building, besides 
having mullioned windows, had also bay, or projecting windows in 
west wall fronting the glen, as shown in ruin still standing. The accom- 
panying plate is a north-west view of the Palace, when thus completed, 
taken partly from Sleizar's view, of date, circa 1690, and a more 
correct print published about the middle of last century. 

The following are the measurements of the Royal Palace Kitchen 
and Cellar, taken by the writer in 1825 : — The west wall overlooking 
the glen is 205 feet in length (including the cellar and kitchen walls), 
the height, 59 feet, and breadth 28^ feet. The west side of the wall 
is supported by eight buttresses. (For notices of the " Annnnciation 
Stone" see Annals of Dunf. dates 18 12 and 1859.) 

1541.— The Abbot of Dunfermline elected an Extraordinary 
Loi'd of the Articles. — George Dury, Abbot and Commendator of Dun- 
fermline, was "on July 2d, 1541, chosen an Extraordinary Lord of 
the Articles," as also often afterwards. {^Acts of Scot. Pari. ii. pp. 366, 
443, 603 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 198.) 



196 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1642.— The Abbot of Dunfermline elected a Member of the 
Earl of Aryan's Council, which at the meeting confirmed the Earl in 
his guardianship of the infant Queen Mary during her nonage. {Mail. 
Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 839.) 

1543.— The Abbot of Dunfermline, one of the Privy Council. 
— On 15th March, 1543, the Abbot of Dunfermhne was one of those 
appointed of Governor the Earl of Arran's " Secret Connsale" and was 
one of the Secret Council frequently afterwards. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 198 ; Acts of Scot. Pari. ii. pp. 366, 443, 603.) 

Burntisland, or Wester Kinghorn, from a very early period 
belonged to Dunfermline Abbey. It was also known as Cnnyngayr- 
land. This year George Dury, Abbot of Dunfermline, by Charter, 
conceded to Peter Dury, the Castle, &c., and certain lands known as 
Grasslandes, and Cunyngayrlands, &c., vulgarly called Burntisland. 
{Regist. Dunf. pp. 393, 399.) 

1544. — Mr. John Davidson, an eminent divine, was born in the 
Parish of Dunfermline this year. At a very early age he was sent to 
school in the Abbey, completing his scholastic education there. He 
became a monk of the Order of Benedictines. Afterwards he embraced 
the Protestant faith, and became celebrated as a divine and a poet. 
(See dates 1573 and 1604.) 

1549.— Confirmation Charter of George Dury to the Bnr- 
gesses, ^c., of Dunfermline. — As this Charter confirms the Charters of 
Abbot Robert (1322) and that of Abbot John (1395), &c., a full and 
free translation of it is here given, viz. : — " Charter of Confirmation, 
Innovation, and New Concession, made by Lord George, the Commen- 
dator, and the Convent of the Monastery of Dunfermlyn, concerning 
and regarding all and several the liberties, concessions, donations, and 
privileges of the Community of their Burgh of Dunfermlyn, made and 
granted by their predecessors on account of the age of the Charters 
and letters previously executed and granted : — 

" George Dury, Archdeacon of St. Andrews, and Perpetual Commendator 
of Dunfermline, on account of the distinguished services of the present Provost, 
Bailies, Council, Burgesses, and community of the Burgh of Dunfermline, for 
which they are well known, like their progenitors and predecessors, has con- 
firmed the Charter which follows, viz. : — ' To all who shall see or hear this 
Charter, Robert, by Divine permission, Abbot of the Monastery of Dunferm- 
line, and the humble Convent of the same place, eternal safety in the Lord, 
Know ye that we,' &c. Likewise the Charter in these words : — 'To all 



THE LANDS OF FYNMONTH. I97 

who shall hear or see this Charter, John, by the Grace of God, Abbot 
of Dunfermline and the most humble Convent of the same, eternal safety 
in the Lord, Know ye that we, with the consent and assent of our Chapter, 
have given and granted, and by this our present Charter, have confirmed 
for us and our successors, to our burgesses of Dunfermlyn, those, viz., who 
are now Guild brethren, and their heirs forever, and to others, our bur- 
gesses received, or in future to be received, into the Guild by our burgesses 
and their heirs, a Merchant Guild, with all the liberties, rights, conveniences, 
easements pertaining, or that may by any right whatever pertain, to a free 
Merchant Guild, along with the houses belonging of old to the said Guild 
(reserving the right of any one), to be held and kept by our foresaid burgesses 
and their heirs of us and our successors, in sales and purchases, and all other 
grants as freely, quietly, fully, honorably, well, and in peace, as any burgesses 
of our Lord the King, in any burghs of our same Lord have, hold, and possess 
a Guild, reserving to ourselves and our obedientiaries, and their servants, for 
the use of ourselves and our obedientiaries for purchases and other ancient 
usages, according to justice.' — In testimony whereof, to the present Charter 
has been attached the common seal of our Chapter. — Witness : The Chapter; 
likewise the indenture witnesses : Master Abraham Creichtoun, Provost of 
Diinglas and Official of St. Andreivs, within the Archdeanary of Laudonia ; 
Robert Dury of that ilk, principal baillie of the Regality of Dunfermline; 
Robert Steward, junior, Lord of Rossyth ; David Martyne, of Card- 
ven ; John Betoun, of Capildray : Likewise, Messrs. (Landlords) William 
Murray, Treasurer of Dunblane ; John Lauder, Archdeacon of Tweeddale; 
Adam Kingorne, Vicar of Lynton ; and John Coupar and Thomas Malcolm, 
Chaplains and Notaries Public. — 2d August, 1549." (Print. Regist. Dunf. No. 
569, pp. 397, 398. See also Confirmation Charter of James VI. 1588, which 
confirms this Charter^ and also the Charters of Abbots Robert and John, 1322, 
1363, and 1395.) 

1550.— Charter -Keeper and Notary of Dunfermline 
Abbey. — It would appear from various Charters of date circa 15 50, 
that John Henrisone was Keeper of the Abbey Charters and Notary- 
Public, at least, as early as this period ; also, vide Annals, date 1573, 
probably the same person. 

The Lands of Fynmonth. — George, Commendator of Dun- 
fermline, conceded to James Kircaldy of Grange, the King's Treasurer, 
and Jonete Melville, his spouse, the lands of Fynmonth, lying in the 
regality of Dunfermline, within the vice comitatns of Fyfe, reddendo, 
i/lb. 8s. 8d. ; dated at the Monastery of Dunfermline, 1550. (Print. 
Regist. Dunf, No. 570, p. 398.) 

1551.— Kinross and Orwell. — George, Commendator of 
Dunfermline, presented, by Writ, Sir John Mowss, presbyter, to the 
Vicarage and pensions of the Churches of Kinross and Orwell. {Regis. 
Dunf. No. 572, p. 398.) 



198 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1552.— Wester Kinghorn.— George, Abbot and Commendator 
of Dunfermline, by Charter, conceded to Peter Dury and his heirs 
" our lands of Nethir Grange of Kyngorne, with the Castle," and Cus- 
todier of Cwnyngerlandis commonly called Burntisland, dated 22nd 
October, 1552, and has the following names as witnesses appended to 
it : — Robert Pitcairn; Alan Cowttis, Chamberlain of Dunfermline, &c. 
Regist. Dunf. No. 574, p. 399.) 

1554.— Keeper of the Privy Seal.— George Dury, Abbot of 
Dunfermline, was this year chosen Keeper of the Privy Seal of 
Scotland. {Diurnal of Occur. Ban. Club, Edit. p. 64 ; Acts of Parlia- 
ment, vol. ii. pp. 443, 603, &c. ; Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 198.) 

1555.— The Abbey "Buik withe the Blak Covering, Callit 
Novum Rentale, begynnand in IS55 and endand ijSj. — This is the first 
of five new rental-books of the Abbey (noticed under proper dates). 
The first one is a Register of the Abbey lands, possessions, &c., of 
Dunfermline. This Register is in the possession of the Marquis of 
Tweeddale, the Heritable Bailie of the Regality of Dunfermline, and 
is titled " The buik withe the blak covering, callit Novum Rentale, begyn- 
nand in 1555 and enda?id 1^83." It contains a register of all the 
lands belonging to the Regality of Dunfermline, from 5th November, 
1555, to nth September, 1585. With some exceptions it is entire, 
and still in good condition. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. "j^^ The 
following title is inscribed on its first leaf : — 

" Novum rentale sen regis tram terrarum ad Regalitatem de Dunfermling 
spcctantium anno milesimo quingentesijno qinnqiiagesimo qinnto per dominum 
yohanncni .... Monachum professiim ejiisdem de viandato Rcvcrcndi 
viri Gcorgii Durie, commendaiarii dicti vionasterii. — J. Henrisone, Chartarum 
ciistos d Notarius Publiciis.'' (Vide Appendix III. ; Vrmied Regist. de Dwf. 
pp. 465, 482.) 

1556.— Burgh Records of Dunfermline. — The second oldest 
volume (a small one) of the Burgh Records begins with date 29th 
January, 1556, and ends with 15th November, 1575. This volume is 
a folio, stitched in an old parchment covering (see also Annals Dunf. 
date 1473), and from which several extracts have been taken for 1556- 
1575. 

1557.— The Abbey Register of Charters, Tacks, and 
Teinds, relating to Dunfermline. — In the General Register House, 
Edinburgh, there is a Register of the Charters, Tacks, and Teinds, 



TRIAL OF WALTER MILL, THE MARTYR. 1 99 

belonging to Dunfermline Abbey, from 1557 to 1585. (See Print. 
Regist. Dunf. pp. 486-493.) 

The Lands of Primrose and Knocks were purchased this year 
by the "Laird of Pitfirrane;" and Knockhouse in 1561. {Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. 1. p. 294 ; Regist. Dunf. &c.) 

The (Abbey) Register, ivith the ''Quhyt Parchment Covering^' 
1 557-1 585, being vol. ii. of New Rentals of Abbey Possessions, &c. 
(Vide Annals 1 557-1 585, Appendix ; Print. Regist. Dunf. pp. 

Charter, relating to the West Mill of Kirkcaldy. — This is the 
last Charter in the Register of Dunfermline. It is in the Scottish 
language of the day. This being the last Charter of Durie's, and the 
last in the Register, we insert it : — • 

" George, Commendator of Dunfermline, set in feu farm till George 
Boswell, helein his spouse and thair airis maile, quhilkis failzand to maister 
Andro bosuell and margarit bosuell his spouse, the west mylne of Kirkaldy 
wytht ye mill landis and multoures of ye samyn, Quha is oblissit to pay to the 
said abbot zeirlye thairfor fourty bollis mele seuin pundes and twelf shillinges 
monei, Twelf caponis to giddir wutht hariage careage and dew twice and tua 
zeires mele at ye intre of ylk air. And be ye said abbot one nawayis sail grant 
nor giff licence to onie inhabitants of ye said broucht of Kirkaldy nor of ye 
lordship throf to bigg ony millis on the watter or wind milinis or hors mylnis 
witht-in ye boundes of ye said toun and lordschip, Twa yhat nane of ye 
multouris nor pfettis of ye west milne be abstract nor drawin thairfra throw 
occasioune throf. — At Dunfermling the xvij day of aprile the zeir of God ane 
thowsand fyve hunderit fyfte seuin zeires befor witneses, &c., &c. Alane 
CouTTES, Chamerlane, Maister William Murray, . . . William Durye." 
(Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 400, No. 578; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp. 9, 10.) 

1558.— St. John's Chapel Lands Let in Tack.— St. John's 
Chapel Lands, &c., east of Garvock, near Dunfermline, were this year 
let in tack, by Schir John Grant, the Chaplin, to David Hutcheson 
and his spouse. {JM. S. Regist. Charters, Regist. House, Edin.) 

John Durie, condemned to be Immured for Heresy. — John Durie, 
one of the " conventual brethren " of Dunfermline, was brought to 
trial for " heresy " by the Abbot, was found guilty, and condemned 
to be immured, i.e., built up between two walls till he died. By friends, 
who interceded with the Earl of Arran, he was set at liberty. {Spottis- 
woods Hist. Church Scot. p. 457.) 

Trial of Walter Mill, the Martyr.— The Abbot of Dunferm- 
line was one of the judges who tried the decrepit old man, Walter 
Mill, for " heresay." He was condemned to be burnt at the stake, the 



200 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Abbot heartily acquiescing. John Knox, alkiding to this, says, " That 
blessed martyr of Christ, Walter Mill, a man of decrepit age, was put 
to death most cruelly the 28th April, 1558." The Papists, seeing 
they could not make him recant, made many fair promises to him, 
and offered him a monk's portion " for all ye dayes of his life in ye 
Abbey of Dunfermling." But to no effect. He adhered to the Pro- 
testant faith to the end. {Histories of Scotland ; Chal. Hist. Dunf, 
vol. i. p. 266.) 

David Ferguson iafterzuards Minister of Dunfermline), accused 
of " Wrongous Using and Wresting of the Scripture." M'Crie, in his 
Life of fohn Knox, vol. i. p. 446, says, "On the 7th of July, 1558, the 
Rothsay Herald was sent from Edinburgh with letters summoning 
* George Lnvell, David Ferguson, and certain ntheris persons within the 
hurgh of Diindeel to appear before the Justice and his deputies on 28th 
July of this year, to answer the charge oi^'' wrongous rising and wresting 
of the Scriptures^ No result. 

1559.— PiTCORTHlE (Easter), " Given in Few-tack to Kathrine 
Sibbald and John Durie, her son." {MS. Regist. Tacks, &c., Regist. 
House, Edinr.) 

The Reformation. — The religious feeling in Scotland had, for 
more than twenty years, been particularly hostile to the Romish faith, 
and consequently to the Romish mode of conducting worship. The 
brethren of the Abbeys, and other religious houses, had outlived their 
usefulness. They, at least the great majority of them, did not believe 
this; hence they stood still, and so had to be " dragged along with the 
intelligence of the age." They would not " set their houses in order." 
Had the ecclesiastics done so, and reformed abuses and their manners, 
"the pulling down of the Cathedrals and Abbeys might have been 
avoided." Besides the quarrel with the Romish doctrine and form of 
worship, the greater part of the ecclesiastics, high and low, were " loose 
in their morals, and led licentious lives;" and at last it was found 
necessary to "pull down the nests" to compel "the rooks to fy aiuay." 
The following lines, by a celebrated poet of the time, convey an accu- 
rate idea of the state of public feeling at this period. In referring to 
the Pope, &c., he says — 

•' His cardinallis hes cause to moame, 
His bishops are borne a backe ; 
His abbots gat an uncutli turne, 
When shavellinges went to sacke. 



THE REFORMATION. 201 

With burges wives they led their lives, 

And fare betten than wee. 

Hay trix, trim goe trix, under the greene wod tree. 

*' His Carmillites and Jacobinis, 
His Dominikes had grate adoe, 
His Cordeilier and Augustines, 
Sanct Francis's order to ; 
The sillie friers, mony yeiris 
With babbling bleirit our eo. 
Hay trix, trim goe trix, under the greene wod tree, 

" Had not yoursefs begun the weiris, 
Your stipillis had been stanand yet ; 
It wes the flattering of your friers, 
That ever gart Sanct Francis flit ; 

In wickednesse 
It gart us grow malicious, 

Contrair your messe." 

(DalyeWs Poems of the i6ih Century.) 

Besides "the religious question," the civil power had for long super- 
seded the ecclesiastical privileges of electing Abbots, &c., as hath been 
shown under previous dates ; and, no doubt. Court favourites, who had 
an eye to the Abbey possessions, would lend a most hearty, willing 
hand to help on the Reformation work. This work began at Perth 
with physical force on 24th May, 1559. Shortly after this, "the kirk- 
destroyers" went "about zvith sticks attd spades, and wi John Knox inta 
their heads dinging the Abbeys doon" armed with general warrants for 
accomplishing their work. The writer has seen copies of two of these 
warrants, viz., for the "dinging doon" of Glasgow and Dunblane 
Cathedrals. They are precisely similar, with the exception of the 
names of the Cathedrals. It is likely that the originals would be in 
print, and a blank space left for naming the cathedral, kirk, or other 
religious house. No doubt the warrant for the destruction of Dun- 
fermline Abbey ran in the same tenor, viz. : — 

" Traist friendis, after maist hariy commendacioun, lue fray you faill not to 

pass incojitinent to the Kyrk of and tak dotm the haill images 

thereof, and bring furth to the Kirk-zayrd, and burn thaym opfinly. And siclyk 
cast doun the alieris, and purge the Kyrk of all kynd of monitincnts of idolatrye. 
And this ze faill not to do, as ze will do us singulare empleseur; and so com7nittis 
you to the protection of God. — Fro Edinburgh, 1560. 

" Faill not, bot ze tak guid heyd (Signed) 

that neither the dasks, windocks, nor " Ar. Argyle. 

durris be ony ways hurt or broken, James Stewart. 

eyther glass in wark or iron wark. Ruth yen." 

2D 



202 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

"The work" of destroying Dunfermline Abbey commenced on 28th 
March, 1560, on the 4th day of the then New-year's-day. (See An. 
Duiif. of date March 28th, 1560.) 

1560.— The Queen Regent in Dunfermline. — "Upon the 
3rd day of March, 1560, the Queen passed from Edinburgh to Dun- 
fermling, and from thence to Dysart and Dury." {Li?idsays Hist. 
Scot. p. 213.) 

Relics of St. Margaret. — A highly ornamented Coffer, con- 
taining the head, hair, &c., of the sainted Queen, which had for 
upwards of 300 years stood on her Shrine in the Choir, was removed 
to Edinburgh Castle, "to be out of the way of the anticipated visit " 
of the "Reformers" to Dunfermline. 

The following note regarding this is taken from a Life of St. 
Margaret, published in 1660: — "The Coffer, or Chest, which contained 
the Sacred Relics of St. Margaret in Dunfermline Abbey, was of 
silver, enriched with precious stones, and was placed in the noblest 
part of the Church. When the hereticks had stoln into the Kingdome, 
and trampled under foot all Divine and human lawes, seized the 
sacred moveables of the Abbey, something of greater veneration and 
value were saved from their sacreligious hands by being transplanted 
to Edinburgh Castle. Some holy men, fearing that the Castle might 
be assaulted, transplanted the Coffre wherein was the heade and haire 
of St. Margaret, and some other moveables of great value, into the 
Castle of the Barony of Dury" [at Craigluscar, three miles north-west 
of Dunfermline]. " This Lord (or Laird of Dury) was a reverend 
father and priest, and 'monck of Dunfermling,' who, after his Monas- 
tery was pillaged, and the religious forced to fly away, dwelt in this 
Castle. After this venerable father had very religiously for some 
years kept this holy pledge, it was, in 1597, delivered into the hands 
of the fathers of the Society of Jesus, then missionaries in Scotland, 
who seeing it was in danger of being lost, or prophaned, transported 
it to Antwerp ;" from thence it was taken to Douay, where it remained 
until the troubles of the French Revolution, when the relics appear to 
have been destroyed with the other holy relics in the Scotch College 
of Douay. 

Father Hay, referring to this matter, says — "St. Margaret's relics 
were, in 1597, delivered into the hands of the Jesuit missionaries in 
Scotland, who, seeing they were in danger of being lost, or prophaned, 
transported it to Antwerp, where John Malderus, Bishop of that city, 



FLIGHT OF THE ABBOT OF DUNFERMLINE. 203 

after diligent examin upon oath, gave an authentic attestation, under 
the Seal of his office, the 5 of Septembre 1620; and permitted them 
to be exposed to the veneration of the people. The same relics were 
acknowledged by Paul Boudet, Bishop of Arras, the 4th of Septembre, 
1627, in testimony whereof he offered 40 days' indulgence to all who 
would pray before the relics. Lastly, on the 4th of March, 1645, 
Innocent X. gave plenary indulgence to all the faithful who would 
pray before them, having confessed and communicat in the Chapell 
of the Scots Colledge of Douay, for the ordinary ends proescribed by 

the Church, on the 10 of June, the festivall of this Princess 

Her relics are kept in the Scots Colledge of Doway in a Bust of 
Silver. Her skull is enclosed in the head of the Bust, whereupon 
there is a Crown of Silver gilt, enriched with severall Pearl and 
Precious Stones, In the Pedestall, which is of Ebony, indented with 
Silver, her hair is kept and exposed to the view of every one through 
a Glass of Crystall. The Bust is reputed the third Statue in Doway 
for its valour [value?]. There are likewise severall Stones, Red and 
Green, on her Breast, Shoulders, and elsewhere. I cannot tell if they 
be upright, their bigness makes me fancy that they may be counter- 
fitted." {Hay's Scotia Sacra MS) For other particulars, vide Hist, 
of Dunfermline, &c., and under date in Annals of Dimfermline. 

French Fugitive Warriors arrive in Dunfermline. — 
Lindsay, in his '■^Chronicles" notices that "on 24th January, 1560, 
a number of Frenchmen came hurrying to Dunfermline from the 
East Coast, where English ships had appeared, and whose Admiral 
lande(f at Aberdour. Such was their fear, that they left their roasts 
at the fire and ran to Dunfermline on the same night, without 
meat or drink. But the Laird of Grange slew many of them before 
they reached Dunfermline. Two days after (26th Jan.), the French- 
men remained a whole night in Fotherick moor without the least 
refreshment," &c. {Lifidsay's Chron. vol. ii. pp. 55o> 5Si i Chal Hist. 
Dnnf, vol. i. p. 267.) 

Flight of the Abbot of Dunfermline. — " Upoun the xxix. 
day of Januar, 1560, the Abbot of Dunfermling and the erie of Eglin- 
toun past to France furth of Dunbar." (" Diurnal of Occurrents," 
Pref. Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 17.) "The line of Abbots of Dunfermline 
here ceases to exist." A Commendator appointed in his stead. 

The Church of the Holy Trinity at Dunfermline was raised 
to the dignity of an Abbey by David I. in A.D. 1124. Between this 



204 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

date and that of 1560 there are generally recorded 36 Abbots of 
Dunfermline. The writer has doubts of the existence of two of the 
Abbots of the name of John, who are said to have been in office 
between the years 1353 and 14 10. Should this be found correct, then 
there were only 34 Abbots of Dunfermline between the years 11 24 
and 1560 (or a period of 436 years), giving about 13 years as the 
average duration of an Abbotship. 

COMMENDATOR OF DUNFERMLINE Abbey. — Robert Pitcairn was 
appointed to the office of Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey in 
May 1560. Pitcairn was also received and styled Abbot, by courtesy 
perhaps. But since Abbeys had ceased to exist in 1560 there could not 
be a legally recognised Abbot after this date. However, we find him 
styled "Abbot of Dunfermline" on his monumental tomb in the Abbey. 

The Destruction of Dunfermline Abbey by "the Re- 
formers." — Lindsay, in his '^Chronicles of Scotland',' notices the 
destruction of Dunfermline Abbey briefly as follows: — " Vpon the 28 
march [1560] the wholl lordis and barnis that ware on thys syde of 
Forth, pased to Stirling, and be the way kest doun the abbey of 
Dunfermling." {Lind. Chron. Scot. vol. ii. p. 555.) Thus fell the great 
Abbey of Dunfermline, after a chequered ecclesiastical service of 
about 434 years. In its earlier years the Abbey service did good in 
the land. Latterly it had, like similar institutions, become in a great 
measure subject to the civil power. The conventual brethren, as 
previously noticed, "had become careless, lazy, vicious, and, in too 
many instances, abandoned characters." It is on record that George, 
Archdean of St. Andrews and Commendator of Dunfermline, " led 
ane vicious life." He heeded not the "holy law of the celibacy of 
the clergy," for he had two natural children legitimatised on 30th 
September, 1 543. Yet notwithstanding this, he was, about the year 
1566, canonised by the Pope of the day, and enrolled in the list of his 
saints! {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 199, and other works.) Such had 
been the state and practice of many of " the holy men " for half a 
century before the Reformation, They had little or no inclination to 
reform themselves. Hence in 1559-61 "physical force" was unfortu- 
nately resorted to — viz., " pulling down their nests to cause the rooks 
to fly away." The "reformers," in their "destructive crusades," 
entered abbeys, churches, &c., and at once set to their work by 
destroying the high and other altars, with their accompaniments, 
images, painted pictures, inscribed tablets, effigies, shrines, lighted 



DESTRUCTION OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 205 

tombs, crosses, vestments, saints' relics, hand-bells, and the baptised 
bells in the western towers. The fine organs were " reduced to frag- 
ments." This and other deeds were often effected by loosening the 
roof and getting it to fall into the inside of the choirs, in order to 
complete the work of destruction. The ivork was generally brought 
to a close with a kind of holocaust — viz., the wooden images they had 
destroyed or mutilated, the paintings of the saints, high altar furni- 
ture, monks' vestments, &c., were brought out of the churches into 
the churchyards, or into the cloister courts, and there set on fire, no 
doubt, amidst the yells of the "reformatory rabble." In the destruction 
of Dunfermline Abbey, the attention of "the reformers," who "did 
their duty," appears to have been chiefly directed to the Choir, or 
eastern part of the Abbey, erected in 1216-1226. This part of the 
Abbey was full of altars (twenty are known) ; many of them were 
served with "donation" lights. There were also here shrines, paint- 
ings on canvas representing saints and scriptural scenes, crosses, and 
tablets. Here it was where worship had been celebrated " amid the 
sound of the organ processions and the ringing of bells ;" and so it 
was made to suffer for the sins enacted within its walls. 

" When the rude reformers acted here, 
Zeal led the van — destruction in the rear; 
To deformation all their acts did tend; 
Where they began they also made an end." — Copeland. 

The Nave, now known as " The Auld Kirk," did not suffer much 
from "reforming zeal." The North-west Tower, now the site of the 
Steeple, appears to have been thrown down to a great extent. This 
was the Bell Tower of the Abbey, and in it were hung a number of 
" Baptised Bells." This was sufficient warrant for its destruction ; so 
it was in great part pulled down, and the holy bells destroyed. In 
the destruction of the Bell Tower a great part of the western gable 
fell along with it. At the same time the monastic buildings on the 
south side of the Abbey Church, " the nest of the monks," were also 
overthrown. Thus, on this eventful 28th of March, the beautiful old 
Abbey, with its pinnacles, spires, and decorated work, was rendered a 
mass of ruins, much of which still remains to complain of the injustice 
the fabric suffered from the reformers, 

" These walls and spires aloud to heaven complain 
Of base injustice from the hands of men — 
Whose shatter'd fragments only tend to show 
The dreadful havoc of th' relentless foe." — Copeland. 



206 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

For full particulars of the destruction of the Abbey, see the Histories 
of Dtmfermline, &c., and also Notices, after this date in the Annals. 

Dunfermline Abbey Possessions, Jurisdictions, &c., inter 
A.D. II 24- 1 560. — At various periods during the existence of the Abbey 
(i 124-1560) it had land and church property in a great many places 
throughout Scotland from which it drew revenues. The following 
may be enumerated. Near Dunfet^mline : Pardusin, Pitcorthie, Pit- 
naurcha, Lauer, Pitbauchly, Beaths, Craigluscar, Balmule, Baldridge, 
Pitfirrane, Pittencrieff, Roscobie, Dunduff, Masterton, Garvock, Drum- 
tuthil, Abercromby, Torryburn, Saline, Bandrum, Braidlees, Clunes, 
Carnock, Caerniehill, North Queensferry, Limekills, Inverkeithing, 
Craigduckies, Pitconnoquhy, Primross, Dunfermline Schyre, Fotheros, 
Kinedder, Luscars, The Gellelds, &c. Places at a Distance : Ergaithel 
(Argyle), Kildun (near Dingwall), Dunkeld, Strathardel, Moulin, Perth, 
Scone, Urquhart, Pluscardin, Pettycur, Aldestelle, Berwick, Colding- 
ham, Cramond, Haddington, Edmistoune, Newton, Newbottle, South 
Queensferry, Linlithgow, Stirling, Dunnipas, Liberton, Craigmillar, 
Edinburgh, The Calders, Hales, Musselburgh, Inveresk, Lammermuir, 
Kirkcaldy, Abbotshall, Dysart, Bolgin, Gaitmilck, Nethbren, Duniad, 
Pitcorthartin, Balekerin, Drumbernen, Keeth, Pethenach, Balchristie, 
Kinghorn, Burntisland, Fotheros, Kinglassie, Buchaven, Balwearie, 
Carberry, Cleish, Lochend, Elleville, Muckart, Orwell, Kinross, Stro- 
myss. Dollar, Tillicoultrie, Clackmannan, &c. ( Vide Charters and 
Writs in Registrum de Dunfermelyn, and also CJial. Hist. Dunf.; and 
regarding their disposal in 1 560-1 563, see also Print. Regist. de Dtinf. 
App., as also other works on Scottish history.) CJmrches and Chapels 
belonging to or under the Patronage of the Abbey at various Periods : 
Abercrombie Chapel (near Torryburn), Abercrombie Church (east of 
Fife), Bendachy (Perthshire), Calder Church (Edinburghshire), Carnbee 
(Fifeshire), Cousland Chapel (East Lothian), Cleish Chapel (Kincar- 
dineshire), Dollar Church (Clackmannanshire), Dunipace Chapel, 
Dunkeld Cathedral Church (Perthshire), St. Giles' Church (Edinburgh), 
Glinen Chapel (Perthshire), Hailes Chapel (Edinburghshire), Inveresk 
Chapel (Edinburghshire), Inverkeithing (the Church of St. Peter there, 
the Parish Church), Rossythe Church, Keith Chapel (Haddingtonshire), 
Kelly Chapel (Fifeshire), Kinross Church, Orwell Chapel (Kincar- 
dineshire), Kinghorn (Fifeshire), Burntisland Chapel (Fifeshire), Kirk- 
caldy Chapel (Fifeshire), Kinglassie Chapel (Fifeshire), Melville Chapel 
(Midlothian), Moulin Chapel (Perthshire), Muckart Chapel (Perthshire), 
Newlands Chapel (Perthshire), Newton Chapel (Midlothian), Newburn 



ABBEY CHAMBERLAIN S BOOKS. 20/ 

Chapel (Fifeshire), North Queensferry Chapel, Perth Church of St. 
John the Baptist, the Chapel of St. Leonard and the Chapel of the 
■Castle (Perth), the two Churches of Stirling and Stirling Chapel of 
the Castle, Strathardolf Chapel (Perthshire), Wemyss Chapel (Edin- 
burghshire), St, John's Chapel (Garvock, near Dunfermline), St. James' 
Church (North Queensferry), South Queensferry Chapel. ( Vide 
" Charters and Writs," Regist. de Dim/.; also, Ckal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 
pp. 219, 220.) As far as it has been ascertained, such is a list of the 
churches and chapels which belonged to or were under Dunfermline 
Abbey patronage and protection (i 124-1560) — in all (at least), 43 
churches and chapels. (For list of Abbots of Dunfermline, from a.d. 
1 124 to 1560, see Appendix ] \ and for Abbey officials, their duties, &c., 
see Appendix K and L.) 

David Ferguson, Minister of the Evangel, was appointed to the 
charge of Dunfermline Church (late the Abbey) by the newly consti- 
tuted General Assembly, in Jtdy, this year. The new Assembly appears 
to have been very energetic. Ferguson was appointed to this charge 
within four months after the destruction of the Abbey. {Laing's 
Tracts of Ferguson, p. 8.) 

1561.— The Rental of Dunfermline Abbey, by Allan Coutts, 
the Chamberlain of the Abbey. — The rental of "The Haill Patrimonie 
of the Abacie of Dunfermling, in pennie meall an fuelis, customes, 
borrow meallis, fed oxin, Siluir, Lymekill maill, Kaynes, fermes, 
teyndis Kirkis and teindis of townis Sett in assedation for money, as 
Gevin in and sustained be allane Cowttis, chalmerlaine thairof," occu- 
pies 37 quarto pages of the Registrnm de Dunfermelyn. 

The Abbey Chamberlain's Books appear to have been kept 
after a singular fashion. Among the multitude of entered items we 
extract the following : — 

Money, (Scots) ^'^S'^Z lo . 9 

Wheat, - 28 Chal., 11 Bolls, i Firlot, o Pcks., o Lippies. 

Bear, . . 102 „ 15 „ i „ 3 „ o „ 

Meal, . . 15 „ o „ o „ o „ o „ 

Oats, . . 61 „ 6 „ 2 „ o „ o „ 

Horse Corn, 29 „ i „ i „ 2 „ 2 „ 

34 Stones. 

19 Chal., 15 Bolls. 

II „ 8 „ 



Butter, 

Lime, . 
Salt, . 
Capons, 
Poultry, 



374. 
746. 



208 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

There are also such entries among the disbursements in money as 
follows : — 

Scots. 
Item, to the porter of the (abbey) yett of Dunfermling, 

under ye commoune Seill, .... ;^4 o o 

Item, to the plumbar and glaissin wrycht under ye com- 
moune Seill, , , . . . . . 13 6 8 

//<?;;/, to the foster of ye wood under the commoune Seill, 400 
//^;«, to the bailzie of ye regalitie of Dumfermling, . 20 o o 
Item, to the sklaittar and his servandis, . . .13134 

Item, to the procurator of ye actiounes of the place (viz., 

Dunfermline), . . . . . . . 20 o o 

Item, to the harbour — in victual, . . . . .400 

Ite77i, to the keepar of the tuips under the com. Seill, i chal. vict. 
Item, to the miliar of ye abbay milne, . . . 1 „ „ 
Item, to the Smyth of ye abbay, . . . , o „ 8 bolls. 
Item, to the wryt, . . . . . . o „ 12 ., 

Item, to the meassoune, . . . . . o „ 12 „ 

Item, to the keiper of ye veschell, .- . . o ,, 4 „ 

Item, to the beddell, . . . . . . o „ 8 „ 

Item, to be assigned to the convent for there ser- 
vandis, . . . . . . . 5 ,, 12 „ 

(Vide Regisirum de Dunfermelyn, printed copy, pp. 425, 462; " Abbey 
Rentals," &c., 1561.) And for ^'' Registra Infeodaciomwi et Aliena- 
tiofmin" (of the Abbey), showing to whom the Abbey lands, were let 
or disposed of, see Appendix III. of Registrum de Dunfermelyn, pp. 
465, 504. 

South Queensferry Teind. — Although it is probable that 
South Queensferry held of Dunfermline Abbey from a very early 
period, yet it is not mentioned in the Registrnni de Dnnfermelyn until 
1 561, when it is noticed that " The penny meall of Sonthe ferrye, with 
the anwellis, amounted to ^23 9s. 8d. Scots." {Regist. Dunf. p. 431.) 

Queen Mary in Dunfermline. — "Upon the 3rd day of March, 
1 561, Queen Mary came from Edinburgh to Dunfermline, and thence 
went to Dysart and St. Andrews." {Lindsay's Chron. Scot. vol. ii. 
p. 561.) 

Parochial Register. — The first volume of the Parish Registers 
of Dunfermline, embracing baptisms and marriages, commences with 
1 6th July, 1 561. 

ROSYTH Castle. — This huge castle stands on a promontory or 
peninsula on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, about two miles 
N.W. of North Queensferry, and four miles S.S.E. of Dunfermline. 
At high water it is entirely surrounded by the tide, when it appears 



QUEEN MARY IN DUNFERMLINE, ETC. 209 

as if standing on a little island. The main building somewhat 
resembles " a Norman Keep," is of considerable height, and has walls 
of great thickness. On the west side are the ruins of its offices, and 
perhaps also of its chapel, " the chaple of the Castle." It was pro- 
bably the doorway of this chapel, or of some other contiguous building, 
that had the stone with the following inscription on it, viz. : — 

GOD • GRANT • AL ' GLOIR • 

I "MAY "ESCHEV • 

BOX "IN 'THE "CROS ' 

OF • CHRIST • lESV " 

The main door or entrance is on the north side, above which is an 
armorial stone, mvich. defaced. It has on it the date 1 561, and the 
initials "M'R'" (Maria Regina). The date 1561 is probably that of its 
erection. On the mullions of a large window on the east side of the 
castle are the letters "i\S" — M"N*," and date "1655," the date of repairs 
occasioned by the damage done to it "by Cromwell's men" in 1651. 
On the south side there is a doorway, on the edge of which there is a 
stone with the following quaint advice cut on it in old characters, viz. : 

IN • DEV • TYM • DRA * YIS ' CORD * YE " BEL ' TO * CLINK ' 
QVHAIS • MERY " VOCE * WARNIS * TO " METE ' AND " DRINK " 

That is : — 

In due time draw this cord, the bell to clink 
Whose merry voice warns to meat and drink ; 

which shows that at this spot there was a bell-cord connected with 
the castle bell, to pull at the dinner hour with "joyous voice." 
Regarding the etymology of the name Rosyth, see Annals of Diin- 
/^rw/zVz^, article " St. Margaret's Hope," under date 1069; also, several 
Histories of Dunfermline and topographical works. This fine old 
castle has often been represented in engravings. Grose has a fine 
view of it from the S.W,, and Caley from the north. {Grose's Antiq. 
Scot. vol. ii. p. 284.) 

1563.— Queen Mary in Dunfermline.— According to Bar- 
bieri, in his Descriptive and Historical Gazette of Fife, Kincardine, and 
Clackmannan, p. 99, Queen Mary left Edinburgh for Dunfermline, on 
February 14th, "to avoid a French gentleman, M, Chatelard, grand- 
nephew of the famous Bayard, the Chevalier sans peiir et sans reproc/ie." 

Ferguson, Minister of Dunfermline, and Renat Bene- 
dict.— Renat Benedict, a Frenchman, "Professor of God's Word" (in 

2 E 



2IO ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

France), some time before this year sent a long controversial theolo- 
gical epistle to John Knox. The Dunfermline Minister answered it, 
which answer was this year (1563) published at Edinburgh. Fer- 
guson's answer extends over 53 octavo pages. (See Lairigs ^^ Tracts, 
by David Fergusott, Minister of Di infer 7?i line," Ban. Club. Edit, i860.) 
Ferguson throws Benedict's epistle into sections and answers them. 
Benedict's "epistles" are weak in argument, and ambiguous. Fer- 
guson's answers show that he had by far the best of the discussion, 
and that "he was mighty in the Scriptures." The following is an exact 
copy of the title-page of " Ferguson's Answer," now a very rare work : — 

Hue €pi0tle, Written ftg ^enat 

O^encDict, tl)e jTrencl) jeoctor pro- 

fe00or of (0oD'i8f OTorD (aj8f tfie 

translator of tW €pii8?tle cal= 

letf) !)im) to foftn Enor anti 

tf)e rest cf 5)i0 brethren, 

ministers of tj)e MorD 

of (15oD, matie tg Da= 

t)iD iPcrgussone, 

minister ol ti)e 

same tuorD at 

tf)is present in 

2:)unferm= 

ling* 



Psalms 8. 

Out of the mouth of Babis and Sucklings hast thou 

or deaned strength, because of thine enemies, that thou 

mightest still the etiemie and the avenger. 

Jmprentit ^t aBDin = 

btirglt bt) y,obcrt J^ch^rr^bck. 

cum Privilegio 156'^. 



THE REPAIRING OF DUNFERMLINE KIRK. 211 

"Reparation of the Kirk of Dunfermline."— The follow- 
ing minute regarding the repairs of the Kirk of Dunfermline is an 
extract from the Privy Council Register of 13th September, 1563 : — 

"Ajfud Striuiling xiij" Septemhris, Anno Domini [yj] Ixiij. Sederunt : Jacobus 
Moravie comes ; Jacobus comes de Morton ; Joannes Dns Erskin ; 
Secretarius, Rotulator, Clericus Registri. 

" The quhilk day, fforsamekle as anent our Souerane Ladeis letteris pur- 
chest at the instance of the hale communitie, inhabitaris, and indwellaris of 
the toun, and parochin of Dunfermling, makand mentioun that quhair in 
tymes bigane, past memor of man, the Abbottis of the Abbay of Dunfermling 
were accustomat, and in use vpon their expenssis to uphald and big the waUis 
of the paroche Kirk of Dunfermling, and als the ruif thairof, in leid, theiking, 
beting, and mending of the samyne fra weit : And als the Sacristanis beand 
Vicaris of the said paroche kirk, wer in use in lyke wyiss vpon thair expenssis 
to mak and uphald the glassin windois of the said kirke and siclike ; the said 
tounsschip of Dunfermling wer in vse of reparaeing of the samyn within as 
efferit on their expenssis, like as thai ar content to do : And albeit now at this 
present the said kirk is at sic ane point, that throw decaying thairof, and nocht 
vphalding of the samyn, in the wallis, ruif, kippillis, and thak thairof, be the 
Abbot now present of the said Abbey," and Vicar of the said Kirk, calHt 
William Lummisden, Sacristine, vpoun their expenssis, as vse and wount wes, 
the wallis in sindrie partis are revin, and the bolt thairthriow partit neirhand the 
ane side from the vther, and the glassin windois of the samyn decayit, and nane 
now being thairin : Quhairthrovv it is in great danger and perrell to the saidis com- 
planaris of their lyvis to enter, remane, or bide within the said kirk, owther in tyme 
of prayers, teching, or preching of the word of God, or ony vther besines neidfuU 
to be done thairin, without hastie remeid be prouidit in all thingis necessar 
baith for the partis of the saidis Abbot and Sacristine, and the said indwellaris 
of the toun foirsaid : Not the less the saidis Abbot and Sacristine will do 
nathing thairto, conforme to thair partes as vse and wont to wes, albeit thai be 
answerit of the teindis and fruitis thairof, as is allegit. The saidis inhabitants 
and induellaris forsaidis compeired be Johne Boiswall, baiUie, William Wilson, 
thesaurer, for thame selfis and the remanent of the communitie, inhabitaris 
and induallaris of the said toun : And anent the charge givin to Maister 
Robert Pitcarne, commendatar of the said Abbay of Dunfermhng, Alane Cowtis, 
and the said Williame Lumisden, Sacristane of Dunfermhng, to compeir before 
our Souerane Lady and Lordis of hir Secreit Counsele, the said xiij day of 
September instant, to se ordour takin anent the complaint foirsaid as accordis. 
The saidis communitie, inhabitants and indwellaris foirsaidis, compeired be 
John Boswal, baillie, and William Wilson, thesaurer, for thame selfis and the 
remanent of the saidis communitie, inhabitants and indwellaris of the said toun, 
the said Alane Cowtis, Chamberlane of the said Abbay, and the said William 
Lumisdene, Sacristane thairof, being persons present, and the said Maister 
Robert, being oftyme callit and nocht compearand : The Lordis of Secreit 



* It is not known who is here meant. George Dury continued by courtesy to be called 
"the Abbot," and Robert Pitcaim, the new Commendator, was also at the same time so 
designated. Probably it may have been George Dury, for it will be observed, near the close 
of the Writ, that "the saidis Master Robert" [Pitcaim], on being called, did not appear. 



212 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Counsale decernis and ordanis the saidis Maister Robert, and Alane, Cham- 
berlane, foirsaid, in his name to vphald and big the waUis of the said parroche 
kirk, and als the ruif thairof, in leid and vther theiking, beting and mending 
of the samyn, and kippill werk above the volt thairof, for saulftie of the danger 
for a writ : And als the said William Lummisden, Sacristane, foirsaid, and the 
Mr. Robert, to belt and vphald the glassin windois thairof siclike as thai wer 
wont in all tymes bipast, vpon thair expenssis : And ordanis letters to be 
direct heirvpon gif neid beis." 

John Dury, the eminent native Monk of Dunfermlifie, embraced 
the Protestant faith this year ; was afterwards celebrated as a divine, 
and became successively minister of Leith, Edinburgh, and Montrose. 
{Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 307, &c.) 

A Feu-Tack of the Abbey lands of Breryhill, Penny land, Clouds- 
croft, Hallbank, and croft of Neiv Razu, given to George Lundy. 
(Register of Teinds, Register House, Edinburgh.) 

Maister Robert Richardson and the Feu-Farms of Dun- 
fermline. — In the month of July this year, Queen Mary, being then 
in Dumbarton, addressed the following letter from thence to Robert 
Pitcairn, Commendator, and the Conventual Brethren of Dunfermline, 
in favour of Mr. Robert Richardson : — 

" . . . . Commendator and Convent of our Abbacy of Dunfermlyn, 

— For asmikil as we have thoct it expedient for divers ressonabille causs and 
considerations, moving us agreeable to this present tyme, that all and sundrie 
the temporall lands pertaining to the said abbacy be set in feu-farm, be zou 
with ane consent to our well belovit dalie servitour, Maister Robert Richartson, 
Prior of Sanct Marie He, his airs and assignais, for paiment zearlie of the 
malis ferme and dewties usit and wont conteint in your rentall, with agmenta- 
tion as efiferis, quhilk beand done salle be na hort nor prejudice to your said 
place, nor zeat to the tenantis of the ground, be ressoun we have takin order 
with him on their behalffis. Quairfor ye sail not faillzie with diligence to extract 
the saids infeftments off feu-ferme to be maid to the said Maister Robert 
Richartson, as saidis, as ze will expect our speciall thankis. For we have givin 
command to the berar to declair to you our mynd in their behalffis at mair 
lentht quhom to ze sail giff credett as to ourself. — Subscrivit with our hand at 
Dumbartane, the xviii day of July, the zeir of God JajvQ and thre scoir thre 
zeirs" — i8th July, 1563. {Chal. Hist. Dunf.MoX. i. pp. 249, 250.) 

David Ferguson's Stipend. — David Ferguson, since his induc- 
tion to his charge at Dunfermline, had had a very meagre and uncer- 
tain allowance. Referring, in one of his pamphlets (printed in 1563), 
to the state to which he and other ministers had been exposed, he 
notifies that, "the greatest number of us have lived in penury, without 
any stipend — some twelve months, some eight, and some half-a-year; 
having nothing in the meantime to sustain ourselves and our families, 



ST. CATHERINE CHAPEL- YARD, ETC. 213 

but that which we have borrowed of charitable persons until God 
send it to us to repay them." 

1564. — Tenth Part of the lands of Pittencrieff given in assedatio 
to Joannis Weymis de Pettincreif. (Print. Regist. Dimf. p. 487.) 

The Abbey Church, Dunfermline, partially demolished in 
1560, appears, from old references, to have been "patched up and 
repaired " this year, for the accommodation of the Protestant wor- 
shippers. (See Annals^ date 1563, which shows the state the church 
was then in.) From 1560 to 1564 the worship appears to have been 
conducted in the kirk when in a very ruinous state. 

Baptism Records of Dunfermline and the Minister's Son. 
— Among the earliest entries in this ancient Record, there is one 
noting that David Ferguson, minister of the Evangel, had "a man 
chyld born to him off his wife, Isobell Durham, and baptizit William." 
{Dunf. Bapt. Records, 1564.) 

1565.— PiTFlRRANE CHARTER — Smithy Coal.— In the Charter 
Chest of Pitfirrane there is a writ of " Licence by Queen Mary, to 
Patrick Hakket of Pitfyran, to sell the Smydde coal, and transport 
the same out of the kingdom." {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 527.) 

George Dury, Ex- Abbot of Dunfermline, appears to have died 
early in 1565. (Vide MSS. of General Hutton. Advo. Lib. Edin.) 
Some authors differ in opinion as to the year of Dury's death^ as 
also regarding the place of his decease, and where interred. 

1566.— St. Catherine's Chapel-Yard and Castle Bum, &c. — 
In a deed of resignation by Mr. Richardson, before mentioned, in 
favour of Mr. John Wellwood (who is styled Senior Officer of the 
Lordship of Dunfermline), dated 1566, the above-named places are 
noticed thus : — " All and whole our Garden or Orchard, commonly 
called St. Catherine's Yard, with the pigeon-house built thereon, and 
all its pertinents, ijiter 'torrentem fortalitii,' between the tower or 
fortalice burn on the west, and the mansion or Chapel of St. Cathe- 
rine on the east, and the garden of William Durie on the north, and 
the common road on the south." {MS. Regist. of Chart. Register 
House, Edin.; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 159, 160.) This refers to 
the Old Chapel of St. Catherine, of date 1327, and was bounded on 
the east by a line running along the back of the houses in the lower 



2T4 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

part of St. Catherine's Wynd (west of the Church Steeple), on the 
south by the public road (now the private road to Pittencrieff House), 
and on the west by the margin of the Tower Burn. (See Annals 
1327, and Appendix) 

St. Catherine's Yard and Dovecot let on Feu Charter to Allan 
Cowts, Chamberlain of the Abbey, by a grant from Sir John Angus, 
Almoner of the Abbey, with the consent of the Commendator. {CJial, 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 160.) 

Resignation of Abbey Lands, near Dnnferinline. — John Well- 
wood, Senior Officer of the Regality of Dunfermline, had resigned to 
him by Robert Richardson, half of the lands of Touch, Forrester-leys, 
and the seventh part of Grange or East Barns, Laurence Well- 
wood got "half mill of Touch and hail lands of Wester Baldridge. 
Thomas Wellwood received the coal and coalheuch of Wester Bal- 
dridge. Katharine Halkett and others, the lands of Pitliver, Breadleys, 
and Mill thereof," &c. ( Vide Print. Regist. Dunf, Appendix, and Chal. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 250.) The Barns here alluded to is probably the 
same as " Loiv's Barns," half a mile east of Dunfermline. If so, it 
would appear that its original name was " The Grange," one of the 
Abbey Granges. 

St. Margaret's Lands. — The lands of St. Margaret Stane were 
this year given over to Alexander Galrig. Two-sevenths parts of 
the lands of Grange and Grassmuirlands were given to Allan Cowts, 
Chamberlain ; and one-quarter part of the land of North Tod was 
given to Robert and William Stanhouse, Thomas Smyth, and Adam 
Brown. {Regist. of Infeod ct Alien'' ; Regist. Dunf pp. 489, 490.) 

1567. — The Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey appointed a 
" Lord of the Articles" this year. {Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 200,) 

The Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey was one of those who 
signed the "Bond of Association," after the resignation of Queen 
Mary, at Edinburgh, in July of this year. {Crawfurd's Officers of 
State, p. 442.) 

The Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey \\tv\\. to Stirling on July, 
29th, 1567, to attend the Coronation of King James VL (who was 
then about 1 3 months old). {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 200.) 

Coronation of King James VI.— At the end of vol. ii. of the 
Burgh Records of Dunfermline there is the following entry on the 



THE COMMENDATOR APPOINTED SECRETARY OF STATE. 21 5 

fly-leaf, ^^ Regis Coronatio. — The coronation and inauguratioun of 
our Souirane James, be ye grace of God, King of Scotis, the sext of 
zat name, was maid and solempnizat the xxix day of July ye yeir of 
God Javj-v^-lxvij (29th July, 1567), and in the sameyn yeir upoun ye 
XV day of December. Ratefeit and approvit in Pr'liament haldyn at 
Edinburgh." {Dunf. Burgh Records, vol. ii.) 

1568.— Queen Mary's Yiiqiyy from Lochleven Castle. — On May 
2nd, 1568, Queen Mary escaped from Lochleven Castle. She, in her 
flight (to Niddry Castle, in West Lothian), accompanied by Lord 
Seaton and others, passed through the eastern part of the parish of 
Dunfermline, if not through Dunfermline itself. {Old MS. Note ; 
Histories of Scotland, &c.) 

The Commendator of Dii?iferinli7ie Abbey Q.'^'^omted. an "Ordinary 
Lord of Session," 2nd June, 1568. {Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 200.) 

PiTFlRRANE CHARTER, regarding Silver Plate. — In the Charter 
Chest of Pitfirrane there is a deed " Writ-warrand by Queen Mary, to 
the treasurer to desist from craving our silver platis, resting in his 
handes, fra oure servitour Mr. George Racket. Dated at Bolltoun, 
19th Sept., 1568. At the top there is the word Regina, and at the 
left corner Marie R." {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 527.) 

1569. — Feu Tack of the Abbey lands, which are designated as 
"haill acres and croft lands" near the burgh of Dunfermline, given to 
Allan Cowts of Bowhill, the Abbey Chamberlain. {MS. Regist. of 
Tacks and Teinds, Register House, Edin^ 

The Commendator of Dunfermline protests against any inquiry 
being made into the character or conduct of Queen Mary, " because 
such would necessarily tend to her dishonour, and prove them exceed- 
ingly ungrateful. (Signed) fames (Regent) Morton; Patrick Lindsay, 
Ad. Orchard, Dunfermling. Westminster, Nov. 26, 1569." {Mail. 
Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 1053.) 

The Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey is sent by Regent Murray 
with letters to the English Court regarding Queen Mary. {Maitland's 
Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 1090.) 

1570. — The Commendator 0/ Dunfermline Abbey appointed Secre- 
tary of State. — Robert Pitcairn, Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey, 
succeeded the celebrated Maitland, of Lethington, as Secretary of 



21 6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

State for Scotland. {Crawford's Officers of State, pp. 442, 443 ; Acts 
Par. Scot., &c.) 

Passport, from Queen Elizabeth to the Commendator of Dun- 
fermline to return to Scotland from England, dated 3 1 st May, is still 
extant and in good condition in the Charter Chest at Pitfirrane, near 
Dunfermline. {CJial. Hist. Dunf, vol. i, p. 528.) 

Repairs of the Nave of the Abbey. — It would appear from 
an old Note, and also from the Hutton MS. in the Advocates' 
Library, Edinburgh, that "a commencement was made about the 
year 1570 to repair several parts of the nave of the Abbey Church" 
(which had been destroyed in 1560). Sir Robert Drummond of 
Carnock, or " Dominus Drummond," as he is called in old writs, 
being Master of Works (master mason) to the King, was director of 
the repairs. (See Annals, 1563.) 

1571. — Secretary Pitcairn, Commendator of Dutifermline 
Abbey, was this year appointed one of the commissioners to treat 
with Queen Elizabeth regarding Mary Queen of Scots, and to con- 
tract a league offensive and defensive. {Stuart's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. 
pp. 77, 7^, &c.) 

Mr. Robert Richardson, Prior of Sanct Marie He, died this 
year. He had many of the feu-farms of Dunfermline in his charge 
between 1563 and 1571. {Sqq Annals, 1563.) 

The Fables of " Maister Robert Henryson," of Dunfermline, in 
the Harleian MS., are dated 1571. 

Mr. David Ferguson, Minister of Dunfermline, preached his 
"famous sermon" at Leith, on 13th January, 1571. 

ane sermon, preichit 

befoir the Regent and Nobilitie, vpon a part 

of the third Chapter of the Prophet Malachi, in 

the Kirk of Leith, at the tyme of the Generall 

Assemblie, on Sonday the 13. of Januarie. 

Anno 1571. be Dauid Fergusone, 

Minister of the Evangell, at 

Dunfermlyne. 



Imprentit at Sanctandrois be Robert Lekpreuik, 
Anno Do. m.d.lxxii. 



DAVID FERGUSON, MINISTER OF DUNFERMLINE. 21/ 

This "famous sermon" was printed at St. Andrews in August, 1572, 
and is dedicated as follows: — 

TO THE MAIST NOBILL AND WORTHIE 

LORD, JOHN, ERLE OF MARK, 

Lord Erskin, and Regent to the King's Majestie, his Realme 

and Liegis, your humbill subject Dauid Ferguson, 

Wischis the fauour and lufe of God throuch 

Christ our Sauiour, togidder with 

prosperous Gouernaraent 

and all felicitie. 

"The famous reformer, John Knox, was in ecstasies with this sermon." 
The following note from the great reformer, written about three 
months before his death, is subjoined to the sermon : — " John Knox, 
with my dead hand, but glaid heart, praising God that of his mercy- 
he levis suche light to his Kirk on this desolatioun" {Fernie's Hist. 
Dit7if. pp. 30, 152, 167, where the reader will find copious "Excerpts 
from the Sermon ;" also Laings " Tracts by David Ferguson, Minis- 
ter of Dunfermline," pp. 55-80.) 

1572. — David Ferguson, Minister of Dimfermline and the 
Chapter at St. Andrews. — The minister of Dunfermline was one of 
21 persons nominated to form the Chapter, or Assembly of the Arch- 
bishop of St. Andrews' Assessors, to represent the Chapter for election 
of the Archbishop and for spiritual affairs, without prejudging the 
Old Co7ivent during their lifetime in things temporal. {Cald. Hist. 
Ch. Scot.) 

Rosythe Castle " SroiLZED." — " Upon the xv. day of April, 
1572, the suddartis of the Blackness past ovir the wattir in ane bott, 
and spoulzeit the touns on the coist syid, and als wan the houssis of 
Rysith (Rosythe Castle), quhairin thai gat greit ritches and came 
without hurt to (the said) Blackness." {Diurnal of Occurrences, p. 292.) 

The Abbey Slater's Pension. — This year there is an entry of 
"Alex. Colville's gift of pensioun for ye office of Sklattarie of the 
Abbey." (Print. Regist. Dunf p. 476.) 

Mr. David Ferguson, Minister of Dunfermline. — His stipend for 
the charges of Dunfermline and Rosythe amounts to viij. xx [8 score 
lib or £\66\ and xl lib mair sen Nov. 1572. {Mait. Club Regist. of 
Stipends, p. 26.) Another account has the following entries: — "Z>««- 
fermline, Carnock, Beath. — David Ferguson's stipend to be payable as 

2F 



2l8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

follows out of the thrids of Scotland, Avell xiiij z qt bolls beir at 
. . . . xxv^ viij," &c. " Mr. John Christeson, reider at Dunferm- 
ling, his stipend xl lib, to be paid as follows : the thrids of the vicarage 
thereof xx merkis, and out of the thrids of Dunfermline, be the 
Abbotes, Chamerlain, takkisman, or parochinar of Dunfermling xx 
merkis." {MS.fol. Ad. Lib. Edin. 1574; Regist. Stipends, &c.) 

1573, — David Ferguson, Minister of Dunfermline, elected 
Moderator of the General Assembly, March, 1573. {CJial. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 310.) 

The Schoolmasters of Dunfermline — How Appointed, &c. — 
John Henryson, Notary and Schoolmaster of Dunfermline, in a legal 
document dated 13th October, 1573, notifies that he is the "Master 
of the Grammer Schole within the Abbay of Dunfermling, that quhair 
he and his predecessours hes continewit maisters and teachearis of 
youth in letters and doctrine to thair grit commoditie within the said 
schole past memor of man." No doubt this John would be a descend- 
ant of Robert Henryson, schoolmaster and poet (1470-1499). It is 
therefor given in full in the Appendix M. 

1574. — The Lands of Lochend or Luscar, evicte, near Dun- 
fermline, confirmed by Charter, from the Commendator of the Abbey, 
to James Dury. {Regist. Infeod. et Ap. Print. Regist. Dunf. p. 477.) 

John Durie and the Bishops. — Mr. John Durie, "the learned 
Monk of Dunfermline," but now an eminent preacher of the Protestant 
faith, this year began his active crusade against the bishops. {Chal. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 307 ; see Annals, 1563.) 

1575. — George Young, and Proof Sheets of English Transla- 
tion of the Bible. — About the end of this year " Mr, George Young, 
servant to the Lord Abbot of Dunfermline, was, with the consent of 
the General Assembly, employed by Bassandyne and Arbuthnot, 
printers, in correcting the proof-sheets of the first edition of the 
Geneva translation of the Bible ever printed in Scotland; folio; price, 
sheets, £4. 13s. 6d." {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 511, &c.) 

1576.— The Sunday Play in the Abbey Church, Dunfermline, 
Prohibited. — " The Assembly (of the Church) refuses to give libertie 
to the Bailzie of Dunfermling to play upon the Sunday afternoon ane 



BURIAL OF THE YOUNG LAIRD OF ROSYTHE. 



219 



certaine play qwhilk is not made upon the canonicall parts of the 
Scripture." {Booke of the Universal Kirk of Scot. p. 1 59.) 

Robert Pitcairn, Conimendator of Dunfermlijie, appears to have 
resided frequently in the Friars' House, May Gate, Dunfermline, about 
this period. It would probably be about this time that he got the 
curious, old-lettered '' advice-stane" placed over the door of this resi- 
dence, viz.: — 



?^<gj?irrrii|f!!!llllll'iii^ 






fSENWORDHllS "TH KM If IMilliCffi' Wf 1& I 

riEB-ii;iiiMHi>TOHe&iiiaiiiEL,i,- t m e- i I' 



r^r^-^y^y^^r 



-^^ --=^ .imimi, 



That is — 



Since word is thrall, and tliouglit is free, 
Keep well thy tongue, I counsel thee." 



This lintel stone is 6 feet 4 inches in length by 1 1 inches in breadth. 
This house in May Gate has been for about 200 years known as the 
'' Abbot' s-house]' in consequence of Pitcairn having made it his resi- 
dence during his brief sojournings in Dunfermline on the business 
of the dissolved Abbey. Anciently, the house appears to have been 
a Friary — probably a convent of Blackfriars — and may date back into 
the thirteenth century. It has undergone many alterations, but its 
cruciform plan may still be traced. The door-way in May Gate 
appears to be struck out in the lower part of the north transept. A 
plot of ground adjacent, on the east, is noticed in an old Charter as 
the Frears' Yard (the Friars' Yard, or Garden), undoubtedly the 
garden of this Convent of PViars. There was a Convent of Greyfriars 
near Brucefield House, St. Leonards ; and in an old Charter, the 
Franciscan Garden is noticed. In both instances the names or desig- 
nations of these Convents have long outlived the names of the Friaries 
after which they were called. 

1577.— Burial of the Young Laird of Rosythe in the Kirk 
of Dnnferniline, against the Statutes of General Assembly. — The fol- 
lowing extracts regarding this affair are taken from The Booke of the 
Universal Kirk of Scotland, pp. 165, 166, viz.: — 

" Anent the complaint made by David Fergusone vpon Mr. James M'Gill, 
Clerk of Register, to the zong Laird of Rossyth, that against the actis of the 
Kirk they causit burie the vmquhill Laird of Rossyth in the Kirk of Dumferm- 



220 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

ling, albeit the said David made them foirsein of the said act, the Kirk 
ordainit Johne Durie to warn the Clerk Register to answer heirto, the first of 
May nixt to come." 

"z May. — The Clerk Register beand present, declared that the Proveist 
and baillies of Dunfermling agriet to burie the said Laird of Rossyth in the 
Kirk ; that he was not the cause thereof, submittand hiniselfe allwayes to the 
judgement of the Kirk, if any offence be found done by him." 

"No farther notice appears to have been minuted regarding this 
fray, so it is likely that his remains would be allowed to rest in peace 
— R.I.P," (See also Annals, date 1660.) 

Marriage of Robert Vitcmr-^, Commendator of Dunfermline. 
— This marriage was not conducted according to the Act of the 
General Assembly of 1565. The Reader who conducted the rites of 
the marriage was censured, with deprivation of his office, by the 
Assembly. Calderwood, in his Historical Church of Scotland, vol. viii. 
p. -^,^6, regarding this matter, says: — "James Blaikwood, Reader at 
Sawline, near Dunfermline, for celebrating the marriage betwixt the 
Commendator of DunfermHng and his wife without testimonial! of 
the minister of the parish where they made residence, was found 
guiltie of transgressing the Act made the 27th day of December, 
1565 : Therefore, the Assemblie decerned that the paines thereof, viz., 
deprivatioun from office, and losse of his stipend, be inflicted upon 
him, and other paines as the Generall Assemblie sail thereafter thinke 
meete to be enjoyned." Pitcairn was a clever and powerful man, and 
would get poor Blaikwood reinstated in his office of "Reader" at 
Saline. 

A Pension conferred on Mr. John Durie, ojice a Monk of 
Dunfermline. — Pitcairn, in his "Criminal Trials^' page 436, has the 
following note: — " Majrh i6th, iS77- — John Durie, Minister of 
Christis Evangell, sumtyme ane of y® conventual! Brethren of the 
Abbacy of Dumfermling, and Joshua, his son, got a pensioun of 
£66 1 3s. 4d. for their lives, in lieu of his habeit silver, and other dues, 
from Robert Pitcairne, Commendator of Dunfermling," which was 
afterwards confirmed by King James VI. 

1578. — Burgh Records. — The third volume of ''Dunfermline 
Bnrgh Records" begins with date 1578, and extends to 1580. As the 
second volume ends with 1575, and the third volume begins with 
1578, there appears to be a lost volume here, viz., 1 575-1 578, regard- 
ing which years there are no existing notes. 



DECREET ASSOILZIEING THE CONVENTUAL BRETHREN. 221 

David Ferguson, Minister of Dunfermline, was this year (in 
October) again elected Moderator of the General Assembly. {Fernie's 
Hist. Dunf. p. 30. See also Annals, date 1573.) 

City of Dunfermline. — Bishop LessHe (or Dr. John Lesslie) 
published his History of Scotland dX Rome in 1578. In referring to 
the Church at Dunfermline, he says — " Templnm CiVlTATE Dunfer- 
milingensi Magnifice Suis impe7isis extructum, SanctissimcB Trinitati 
dicavit." 

Copy of Letter from King James VI. to the " Laird of Pit- 
firrane." — "Traist freend we greit zou weill. Vpoun knawlege had be 
ws of the conveying of sum of our nobilitie and vtherls in armes, 
apperandlie to troubill the present estate, we have takin occasioun 
to wryte to zow and vtheris our trusty subjectis Desyring zow effec- 
tuuslie that ze faill not with zour freindis seruantis and dependaris 
Weill bodin in feir of weare to be at ws heir with all possibill diligence 
prouidit to remane and serue as ze salbe commandit for the space of 
XV dayis as ze uill report our speciall thankis and do ws pleasure. 
Thus we commit zou to God frome our castell of Striueling the xxviij 
day of July 1578. — (Signed) J AMES R. ; G. Buchanan. — To onr iraist 
freind the Laird of Pitferran!' {Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 527.) 

1579.— The Remains of the Earl of Athoi> arrive in Dun- 
fermline. — "Upon the sevent of July (1579) ^^e corpse of the Earl of 
Athol, being convoyit to Dumblane, wes carried forth thairof the direct 
way to Dunfermline, where they remained that night. Upon the 
morn (8 Jul.) they passed for Edinburgh, and enterred him in St. 
Giles' Kirk." [Chambers' Dom. An. Scot. vol. i. p. 124.) 

Mayor, or Serjeant of Dunfermline Regality, Insti- 
tuted. — The heritable office of " Mayor," or " Serjeant," afterwards 
named Provost, or head officer of the Regality of Dunfermline, was 
created this year. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 259, 260.) 

Decreet, Assoilzieing tJie Conventual BretJiren of Dumfermline. — 
Although Mr. Richardson resigned the greater part of the Abbey 

lands in , it would appear that he had retained for himself 

and niece, Alison Richardson certain rights, confirmed by two Char- 
ters. After the death of Mr. Richardson, a brother-german of the 
Commendator, Mr. John Pitcairn, of Forther, and creditor of this lady 
and her uncle, applied for and obtained, from the Lords of Council, 



222 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

on the 24th July, 1579, " ci^i decreet, assoilzieing the Conventual hrethrin, 
but ordaining letters to be direct simpliciter, charging the keeparis and 
haiforis of the common seill of the said Abbey, to append the same to 
the said two Charters]' Sec. (Chalmers's History of Dunfermline, vol. i. 
p. 252, &c.) 

1580.— Heritable Bailie of Dimfermline Regality histituted. 
— This office was created this year by the Commendator and Convent 
on 15 th November, and bestowed on David Durie of Dunfermline, 
probably a relative of Abbot Dury. {Chalmers's Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 
p. 256, &c.) The Heritable Bailie was infeft in office on receipt of a 
rod in open court. Their fee was a certain quantity of oatmeal from 
the West Mill of Kirkcaldy, and from the greater number of the 
vassals yearly, with 4.0s. Scots, of the feu-duty payable out of the 
lands of Touch. In .the printed Register of Dunfennline, page 470, 
he is styled ''Dominus deDury]' confirmed in '^ officio ballivi." Dominus 
Dury resigned his office into the hands of Queen Anne in 1596. 

The "Shaking of the Master of Gray's Uovse," and David 
Ferguson, Minister of Dunfejinline. — "It being reported to the King 
that the Master of Gray, his house did shake and rock in the night as 
with an earthquake, and the King [then 14 years old] interrogated 
David Ferguson, Minister of Dimfermline, what he thought it could 
mean, that that house alone should shake and totter, he answered, 
'Sir, why should not the Devil rock his awn bairns.'" The minister 
of Dunfermline was a very ready-witted man." (Roiv's Hist. Kirk of 
Scot.) This refers to the same "Master of Gray" who became Com- 
mendator of the Abbey in 1584. 

The Shrines of St. Margaret and St. David, as also the 
Sepulchres of Bruce and Randolph zvatched by Monks. — In 1580 a few 
Benedictines of Dunfermline, with doors bolted and barred, kept 
watch in their choir by the Shrines of St. Margaret and St. David, 
and the Sepulchres of Bruce and Randolph. {Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. ii. 
p. 271, &c.) 

Burgh Records. — The fourth volume of Dtinfermline Burgh 
Records begins in 1580, and reaches to 1591. 

1581.— Royal Cellar at Limekilns.— An old house at Lime- 
kilns, near Dunfermline, has date 1581 on it. Tradition makes it a 
Royal Cellar for receiving the King's "goods, wines," &c., previous to 



FERMELINODUNUM. 223 

their being despatched to Dunfermline. If Robert Pitcairn, Com- 
mendator of Dunfermline, died in Limekilns in 1584, it is not unlikely 
that he died in some one of the apartments of this house ; besides 
having a "Royal Cellar," it would have suitable apartments above it. 
Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. ii. p. 325.) 

Oldest Minute-Book of the Guildry of Dunfermline. 
— The oldest extant Register of the Guildry of Dunfermline com- 
menced with 1581, and comes down to 1770. (Gtdldry Book; Chal. 
Hist, of Dunf. vol. i. p. 389.) 

The Presbytery of Dunfermline Instituted this Year. 
— The following is a list of places declared by the General Assembly 
to be "within its bounds": — "Carnock, Innerkeithing, Rossythe, Auch- 
terderan, Ballingarie, Aberdour, Dalgater, Auchtertuil, Kirkaldie, 
Kingorne (Easter), Kingorne (Wester), Dysert, Wemyss, Methell, 
Kinglassie, Culrosse, Crumble, Torrie, Saline, Cleish, Muckart, Dolor, 
Glendovan." {Booke af the Universal Kirk of Scotland, p. 218.) 
Extent about 28 miles from east to west, with an average breadth of 
twelve miles from north to south. 

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

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

Feu-Tack of the Teinds of Pittencrleff and Clune given to John 
Wemyss of PittencriefF. {Regis t. Tacks and Teinds, MS., Gen. Regis t. 
House, Edin.) 

FERMELINODUNUM. — The celebrated George Buchanan published 
his History of Scotland m 1582. In his History he gives ^^ Ferjneli?io- 
dunum" as the Latin name of Dunfermline, with slight alterations in 
the orthography. Such a designation is used by various authors. 
Buchanan is the first author who used it. (See also Annals, dates 



224 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1584 and 1589. In the same work he designates Dunfermline Civitas 
Dimfermilingensis, " the City of Dunfermline." Alluding to the Church 
or Abbey, Buchanan says — " Temphim in CivlTATE Dtmfermilingensi'^ 
— that is, " The Church in the City of Dunfermline." (See Annals^ dates 
1578, 1589, 1714, 1734, 1856, and Addenda.) 

1583.— Regality Court and "Andro Stewart, Vagaho7tdr — 
Andrew Stewart, " vagabond',' was tried by the Regality Court of 
Dunfermline, and sentenced to be ^' brunt on the richt schoulder with 
the comon markin yron of Dnnfermling',' then ^^ sco7irged and banisched." 
Dnnf. Regality Records for 1583; Dal. Mon. Antiq. pp. 19, &c.) 

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

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

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

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



ROBERT PITCAIRN. 225 

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

Provost of Dunfermline. — George Halket, Esq., of Pitfirrane 
(" the Laird of Pitfirrane "), Provost of Dunfermline. 

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

Robert Pitcairn, the First Commendator of Dunfei'mline, Arch- 
deacon of St. Andrews, and Secretary of State for Scotland, died, aged 
64, on the 1 8th October, 1584, and was interred in the north-east 
angle of the nave of the Abbey. {Spottis. Hist. Ch. Scot.) From 
preceding notes referring to him, it will be seen that he was a very 
important personage in his day. His later years, however, were 
clouded with many trials. On his tomb in the Abbey nave is the 
following inscription : — 

D • ROBERTO ■ PITCARNO' 

ABBATI • FERMILODUNl ' ARCHIDECANO * S ' ANDREW " LEGATO ' REGIO ' 
EJUSQ • MAJESTATI . A * SECRETIS. 

HIC "SITYS • EST ' HEROS " MODICA * ROBERTUS ' IN" VRNA 'PITCARNUS •PATRIiE* 
SPES ■ COLVMENQ ' SV.E ' QVEM "VIRTYS . GRAVITAS . GENEROSO . PECTORE ' DIGNA* 
ORNANT • ET * VERA ' CVM ' PIETATE ' FIDES ' POST ' VARIOS * VIT^ * FLVCTUS ' JAM * 
MOLE 'RELICTA "CORPORIS 'ELYSIVM ' PERGIT " IN •VMBRA"NAMQUE "OBIIT "ANNO ' 
1584 • 18 "OCTOB "iETATIS "64. 

translation. 

To Lord Robert Pitcairn, Abbot of Dunfermline, Archdeacon of St. 
Andrews, Royal Legate, and his Majesty's Private Secretary. Here is interred, 

20 



226 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

in a plain urn, the hero Robert Pitcairn, the hope and pillar of his country, 
whom virtue, gravity worthy of a generous heart, and fidelity with true piety, 
adorn. After various changes of life, he now, with the mass of his body left 
behind, proceeds in spirit to Elysium; for he died in the year 1584, on the 
1 8th October, aged 64. 

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

Mo7iteitKs Theatre of Mortality, p. 209. 

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

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

1585.— Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey. — The Master 
of Gray's election to the Commendatorship of Dunfermline Abbey 
was, by a Crown grant, and confirmed and ratified by Parliament in 
December, 1585. {Acts of Parliamefit, vol. ii. p. 412; dial. Hist. 
Dtmf. vol. i. p. 202.) 

The King ajid Two Danish Ambassadors in Dn7ifermline. — 
"Upon the 12th day of June there arrived in the Firth of Forth two 
ambassadors from the King of Denmark, equal in commission, and a 
third, who was called a doctor of the law, three very proper and well- 
attired men after their own country fashion. They landed at Leith 
upon the day thereafter, being Sunday, and were in train four score 
persons or thereby, and about twelve of them adorned with golden 
chains. Upon the 14th day of the said month, his Majesty, as he 
had appointed before, passed from Holyrood House to Dunfermling, 
desiring that the said Danish ambassadors should meet him there, 
where they should have presence and hearing of their embassy. The 
English ambassador accompanied his Majesty to Dunfermling. Within 
four or five days thereafter, the Danish ambassadors had audience of 
his Majesty in the great hall of Dunfermling, where, in the hearing of 



A MEETING OF THE CLERGY. 22/ 

the whole persons there present, they delivered their commission in 
the Latin tongue, the purpose of which was to desire the redemption 
of Orkney and Zetland, which they alleged to be their King's, and 
mortgaged under a reversion containing a certain sum of money, 
which they offered to lay down presently for loosing of the same. 
Within a certain space thereafter, at St. Andrews, his Majesty, with 
the advice of his Council, gave them this answer : That he had no 
certainty whether their proposition was of truth or not ; but that he 
should search out and enquire the truth of the same, and return his 
answer by one of his own people, whom he should send to Denmark 
against the spring of the year," &c. The ambassadors' errand proved 
null and void. 

King James again in Dunfermline. — The King returned from 
St. Andrews and Falkland some time before the end of June. "About 
the last of June the King's Majesty past from Dunfermling to Falk- 
land, and from thence to St. Andrews." {Moyse's ''Memoirs of the 
Affairs of Scotland,'' pp. 96, 97, 98.) 

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

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

Connected with this "act of the Provost," there is a curious note 
in Melville's Z>m;7, pp. 151, 152, viz. : — "About the end of November 
(1585) warning was made, according to the order of the Kirk, be the 
last Moderator athort the country, to the brethren to 'conveen' in 



228 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

General Assembly (conform to custom before the Parliament at 
Dunfermline, na vther melt town being free of the pest. The brethren 
frequentlie furth of all parts resorting thither, the ports of the town 
was closit vpon them be the Provost for the time, the Laird of Pit- 
firren, alleging he had the King's command so to do ; therefore, the 
brethren commending that wrang to God, the righteous Judge, con- 
venit sa mony as might in the fields, and comforting themselves 
mutually in God, appointed to meet in Linlithgow certain days before 
the Parliament. But God within few years peyit that laird and 
provost his hire for that peice of service, when, for the halding out of 
His servants from keiping His Assemblie in that toun. He made his 
awin house to spew him out ; for on a day, in the morning, he was 
fallen out of a window of his awin house of Pitfirren, three or four 
house hight ; whether by a melancholy despair, casting himself, or by 
violence of unkynd guests lodged within, God knaws; for being taken 
up, his speech was not so sensible as to declare it, but within few 
hours after deit." 

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

1586. — Patrick Gray, Commendator of Dtinfermline, and Sir 
Robert Melville, were sent as ambassadors to England to " intercede 
for the life of Queen Mary" (the Queen-Mother). They left on Dec. 
1 8th. (Mary "was tried and convicted of conspiracy against the 
Queen of England" on October 14th, 1586, at Fotheringay Castle.) 
These worthies returned on February 7th, declaring that they had no 
assurance of the Queen's life, &c. 

"The Buik with ane Quhyt Covering, begynnand 1586."— 
Such is the title of one of the Abbey Books of Charters, in MS. vol. ii. 
(Print. Regist. Diinf. p. 484.) 



BANISHMENT OF PATRICK GRAY. 229 

1537__Banquet at Dunfermline. — King James VI., in April 
this year, was entertained at a banquet in Dunfermline, given by the 
Earl of Huntly. Several matters happened uncongenial to the King 
(at this banquet), which irritated him much. Moyse, in his Memoirs^ 
says : — " The King, being mightily irritated, took sudden journey out 
of Dunfermling to Burleigh. Four or five days afterwards he came 
back to Dunfermling, and next day passed to Kinneil," &c. 

Regality Court and ''Heiv Watt, Vagabond^ — Hugh Watt, 
vagabond, was tried by the Regality Court of Dunfermline for steal- 
ing cattle. He was found guilty, and condemned " to be hanget to 
the deith on Baldric's gallows, or ellis drownit at wil of the judgis." 
{Dunf. Regist. Court Rec. 1 587.) Baldridge Gallows was " a stationary 
one," and " aye ready." It occupied a spot called " Gallows Bank," 
near or on the site of the present school, about a mile north of Dun- 
fermline. The lairds of these days had private gallows. Hev/ must 
have stolen the cattle from the Laird of Baldridge, and, on being 
condemned, was hanged on "Baldric's" private gallows. (Reg. Rec.) 

Patrick Gkky Dismissed froin the Commendatorship of Diinfervi- 
line Abbey, in consequence of his alleged treason in the case of Queen 
Mary, and other malpractices. He was Second Commendator of 
Dunfermline. {Moyse' s "Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland, &e.) 

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

Patrick Gray, Late Commendator of Dunfermline, Banished. — 
The late Commendator was accused of various points of treason — of 
consenting to the death of Mary, &c. — in consequence of which he 
was committed on 20th August, 1587, to the Castle of Edinburgh. 
Afterwards, when tried, his life and estates were declared to be for- 
feited. His life was spared on condition of his banishing himself to 
"foreign parts." He went to Italy, and resided there for several 
years. He succeeded his father in the Peerage in 1609, ^""^d died in 
16 1 2. {Wood's Peerage, p. 671 ; Moyse' s Mem. p. 123, &c.) 



230 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Henry Pitcairn elected Commendator of the Remanent Abbacie, 

pro temp., with the consent of such of the Convent as remained. 

(Murray's Laws a7id Acts of Parliament.) This is the Fourth and 

last Commendator of Dunfermline Abbacy. (See Annals Diinf. date 

1 593-) 

The Rights and Titles of " The Master of Gray" to Dimferm- 
line Abbacy Afinulled. — An Act "annulling the richts and title of 
Dunfermline, maid be the Master of Gray," passed in Parliament, held 
at Edinburgh, 29th July, 1587. 

The Temporalities of Dunfermline Abbey, with a few 
Exceptions, annexed to the Crown.— King James VI., and his 
Three Estates of Parliament, finding that there was not a sufficient 
revenue to support the dignity of the Crown, and considering how 
much lands, &c., the Crown had in former days bestowed on the 
Church, "resolved to strip the Church in general of most of its lands, 
and add them to the Crown." An Act to this effect was this year 
passed by the Estates. That portion which refers to Dunfermline 
spoliation is as follows: — 

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

The exceptions — 

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

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



CONFIRMATION CHARTER BY KING JAMES VI. 23 1 

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

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

printed before the present time, it cannot fail to be interesting to many 
of our readers : — 

Copy of the Burgh Translation of the Confirmation Charter of King yames VI. 

1588. 

James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all the honest men of his 
whole realm. Clergy and Laick, Greeting, — Beit known as now, after our 
perfect and lawful age of Twenty-one years complete in our Parliament, 
Declared, and General Revocation made to that effect, To have ratified, 
approven, and confirmed a certain Donation and Confirmation, made, given, 
and granted by the deceased George Durie, Commendator of the Monastery 
of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, to our Lovite, the Provost, Bailies, 
Council, and Community of the Burgh of Dunfermline, and their Successors, 
Ratifying and Approving particular Donations, Concessions, Confirmations, 



232 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Indentures, and Renovations, made and granted to them by their predecessors, 
Concerning the Community after specified, and other privileges and liberties 
after-mentioned : To wit, a Charter, Donation, and Concession, made, given, 
and granted to them by the deceased Robert, Abbot of Dunfermline and 
Convent thereof, of the Common Muir, from the divisions of Walterselis as 
far as the straight marches or meiths (boundaries) of Beedgall in length, and 
from our highway to Perth and from the marches or boundaries of Creenanch 
as far as the straight divisions of Tulch in Breadth, with the great moss con- 
tained in the said muir, and with a certain piece of ground from our highway 
to Perth as far as the Bank of Moncur, betwixt two Sycheta, which run in a 
straight line from Moncur as far as our highway to Perth, as much as the 
breadth of Moncur is extended along the said land : Item, a Charter, Con- 
cession, and Donation, made, given, and granted to them by the deceased 
John, by the Grace of God, Abbot of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, 
regarding the Merchant Guildry, with all the liberties rights, commodities, and 
Easements belonging to a free-merchant Guildry, or that may any way of right 
pertain to them, together with the houses anciently pertaining to the said 
Guildry, and an Indenture, made at Dunfermline the tenth day of October, 
One thousand three hundred and ninety-five years, betwixt the Venerable 
Father John, Abbot of the Monastery of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, 
on the one part, and the Elderman and Community of the burgh of Dunferm- 
line on the other part, anent the Letting and Demittingin feu ferm to the said 
Elderman and Community the Heall Incomes of the said Burgh belonging to 
their revenue, with the small Customs, Stallages, and profits of Courts and 
whole burgh, in full freedom, with all their commodities, orders, Rights, 
Privileges, and Easements whatsoever, belonging to the said Burgh, or that 
may in any time coming any way happen to belong to them. Being at our 
command seen, read, inspected, and diligently examined and fully understood 
by us to be whole, entire, unerazed, uncancelled, and not to be suspected in any 
part, in manner following : To All and Sundry, the sons of the holy Mother 
Church, by whom these presents or charter shall be inspected, seen, read, and 
heard, George Durie, by divine permission, archdeacon of the metropolitan 
and Principal Church of St. Andrews, principal and perpetual Commendator 
of the Monastery of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, of the Order of St. 
Benedict, of the Diocese of St, Andrews, — Greeting, in him who is the true 
and sure Saviour of All Mankind, on account of the excellent merits of our 
Lovites in Christ, the Honourable the present Provost, Bailies, Council, 
Burgesses, and Community of the Burgh of Dunfermline, by which they, 
after the manner of their progenitors and ancestors, are known to be famous, 
Truly deserve that, tracing our predecessors' footsteps : We observe with 
the greatest Attention their petitions. Especially those Relating to the Culti- 
vating of Justice and Benign Government, and quiet state of our Burgh and 
its Inhabitants, and more especially the preservation and maintaining of the 
Rights, liberties, and privileges cautiously granted at former times by our 
predecessors to our said Burgh and Community for that time and all times 
coming, and as far as by divine assistance we are able, let us favourably assist 
them, and, regarding our own interest. Let us with steady resolution and good- 
will confirm these things which were prudently managed and granted by our 
predecessors, that they may for ever be kept pure : Truly, a petition lately 
exhibited to us on the part of the present Provost, Bailies, Council, Burgesses, 
and Community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline, of the said diocese of St. 



CONFIRMATION CHARTER BY KING JAMES VI. 233 

Andrews, Contained that the several privileges, immunities, Liberties, favours, 
and concessions, given and confirmed respectively to the said Burgh and their 
Provost or Elderman, Bailies, Council, Burgesses, and Community foresaid, 
for the time being, By the Lords Robert and John, of ever blessed memory, 
while they were Abbots of our said Monastery and Convent thereof, and 
perhaps freely granted by our other predecessors, and Given and Confirmed 
by their Charters and Indentures, under the great Common Seal of our said 
Monastery, Are as follows : To All men who shall see or hear this Charter, 
Robert, by divine permission, Abbot of Dunfermline and Convent of the said 
place, — Humbly wisheth eternal safety in the Lord : Be it known, we, accord- 
ing to our usual custom, and after diligent reasoning in our Chapter, for the 
benefit of our house, have given, granted, and by this our present charter con- 
firmed to the community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline and Burgesses thereof, 
our Common Muir, from the division of WalterseUs as far as the straight marches 
or meiths (boundaries) of Beedgall in length, Reserving to us our great moss 
(Peta7'y)oi Beedgall; and from the highway to Perth, and from the marches or 
meiths (boundaries) of Creenanch even to the straight divisions of Tulch in 
Breadth, with the great moss (Petary) contained in the said muir; and with a cer- 
tain piece of ground from the highway to Perth as far as the Bank of Moncur, 
betwixt two Sycheta, which run in a straight line from Moncur as far as the 
highway to Perth, as much as the breadth of Moncur is extended along the 
said land, — to be had and holden by the foresaid Community and Burgesses 
for the time being for ever, as fully, freely, quietly, honourably, well, and in 
peace, with all the Easements belonging to the said muir of whatever kind, as 
aforesaid, as well herbage as foggage. to be used and kept for themselves and 
feeding their Bestial : Paying, therefore, the said Community and Burgesses, to 
us and our successors yearly, at the feast of the translation of the blessed Queen 
Margaret, one pair of white Paris gloves, or Six pence Sterling, good and 
Lawful money, in augmentation of ferm to us and our Monastery, by the said 
Burgesses of the Burgage of our Burgh, with their Rights yearly, according to 
use and wont : In testimony whereof, we have appended the seal of our 
Chapter, the Chapter being Witnesses : To all by whom this present Chapter 
shall be Seen or Read, John, by the Grace of God, Abbot of Dunfermline and 
Convent thereof, humbly wisheth eternal safety in the Lord : Be it known 
that we, with the unanimous consent and assent of our chapter, have given, 
granted, and, by this our present Charter, Confirmed for us and our Successors 
to our burgesses of Dunfermline, — Those, to wit, who now are Guild Brethren, 
and their heirs for ever, and our other Burgesses, received by our said Bur- 
gesses and their heirs into the guildry, or in future to be received into the 
Merchant Guildry, with all other liberties, rights, commodities, and Easements 
belonging to a free merchant Guildry, or that may in any way of right belong 
to them : Together with the houses anciently pertaining to the said Guildry, 
— Salvo Jure aijjislibet, — to be had and holden by our said Burgesses and 
their heirs of us and our successors in vetiditioties et cinpiiones (sales and 
purchases), — and (the whole) all other premises, as freely, quietly, honourably, 
well, and in peace as any other Burgesses of our Lord the King has, 
hold, and possesses the privilege of guildry in any Burghs of our said 
Sovereign Lord, Reserving to us and our obedientiaries, and their 
officers, for our use and the use of our obedientiaries, the Emptions and 
other things formerly in use. Justice Intervening : In testimony whereof, the 
common seal of our Chapter is appended to this present Charter, the Chapter 

2 H 



2 34 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

being witnesses : This Indenture, made at Dunfermline, the Tenth day of 
(October, one thousand three hundred and ninety-five, Betwixt the Venerable 
Father John, Abbot of the Monastery of Dunfermline and Convent thereof, 
on the one part, and the Elderman and Community of the Burgh of Dun- 
fermline on the other part, fully witnesseth, that the said Lord Abbot and 
Convent have let, and in firm for ever demitted, to the foresaid Elderman 
and Community the whole incomes of the said Burgh belonging to their 
revenue, with the small Customs, stallages, and profits of Courts and the whole 
Burgh, in full liberty, with all their Commodities, orders, rights, and easements 
whatsoever belonging to the said Burgh, or that may any ways for the future 
belong to them, as freely in All and by all as any Burgesses holds, has, or 
possesses in feu-firm, in any burgh in the said kingdom of our said Lord 
the King, Reserving to the said Lord Abbot and Convent the Lands in the 
said Burgh, purchased or to be purchased through the Chamberlain-heir 
and yearly pensions due to the Monastery out of the several lands of the 
said Burgh, with the Chastisement of the Bailies as often as they, or any of 
them, shall fail in the doing or exercising justice : For which things above 
granted, the foresaid Elderman and Community shall pay yearly, in all time 
coming, to the said religious Lords, Thirteen merks usual money, at the 
four usual terms in the year, by equal portions, without delay, debate, dole, 
or bad design ; and if it shall happen them to fail in payment of the fore- 
mentioned sum, either in part or in whole, at the foresaid terms of payment, 
which God forbid. They bind themselves that all the goods belonging to the 
Community, which faiUng in part or in whole, the goods of every individual 
and their possessions, shall be at the will of the said Religious Lords, to be 
provided, taken, and distrained until the damage and expense of the said sum 
be fully satisfied and paid, if the foresaid Religious Lords shall have sustained 
or suffered, the one or the other, by the fore-mentioned occasion of payment 
not made at any of the terms of payment above specified : In testimony of all 
which the common seal of the Burgh of Dunfermline is appended to that 
part of this indenture in the keeping of the said Religious Lords, the Abbot 
and Convent; and the Common seal of the Chapter of the said Religious Lords 
is appended to that part in the keeping of the said Elderman and Community, 
day, place, and year above written; and as the same petition concludes that 
if the foresaid Charters and Indentures, and liberties, rights, and privileges 
expressed in them, and by our predecessors freely given and granted to the 
said Elderman, Burgesses, and Community as aforesaid, were by us, for us 
and our successors. Abbots or Commendators and Convent of our said 
Monastery for the time being, and canonically entering, Approven, Ratified, 
Confirmed, and Innovate, and of new granted for their continual preservation, 
The so doing would very much tend to the conservation of the common- 
wealth of our said Burgh of Dunfermline, and to the profit and advantage of 
the Provost, Bailies, Council, Burgesses, and Community thereof, for now and 
all time coming : Wherefore, on the part of the present Provost, Bailies, 
Council, Burgesses, and Community of our said Burgh of Dunfermline, it was 
humbly begged of us that we would add the strength of the Confirmation of 
the privileges, immunities, liberties, favours, donations, and concessions fore- 
said for their more sure subsistence, lest the Charters, Letters, and Indentures 
foresaid, some time or other, become unintelligible on accompt of their old- 
ness, and, beside, that we of our own good will and bounty would honour 
them so far as seasonably to take care of the premises, We therefore, desiring 



CONFIRMATION CHARTER BY KING JAMES VI. 235 

that the privileges, immunities, liberties, favours donations, and concessions 
foresaid may become firmly observed, the rather that they evidently seem to 
be approven of with the same deliberation with which they were granted, are 
inclined favourably to listen to their petitions : Therefore we, after mature 
deliberation and long Reasoning on the premises, in the Chapter of the said 
monastery, met in Chapter with unanimous consent and assent of our own 
proper knowledge and deliberate mind, and with every better manner, way, 
form. Right, and cause by which we may and ought the better and more effica- 
ciously to do the same for us and our Successors, canonically entering for 
preservation thereof by these presents. Approve, Confirm, and innovate all and 
sundry privileges, immunities, liberties, favours, donations, and concessions 
above inserted, granted by Robert and John, AblDOts of Dunfermline and Con- 
vent thereof, our predecessors, with all and sundry clauses and decreets therein 
contained, Together with the above narrated Letters, Charters, and Inden- 
tures, and whatever is therein contained ; and these things which were granted 
by our predecessors foresaid, AVe of new allow to obtain perpetual strength, 
and decern the same to be inviolably observed ; and we, by the tenor hereof, 
supply All and Sundry defects of rights or deeds, if any have crept in, anything 
to the contruary notwithstanding. — In testimony whereof, the common seal of 
our chapter is appended, with our handwriting, at our foresaid Monastery of 
Dunfermlyne, the second day of August, One thousand five hundred and 
forty-nine, before these witnesses: The venerable, honourable, and discreet 
men, viz.. Master Abraham Chreichtoun, Provost of Dunglas and Official of 
St. Andretvs, within the Archdeaconry of Laudonie ; Robert Dury of that 
ilk, principal bailie of the Regality of Dunfermline ; Robert Stewart, younger. 
Laird of Rossyth; David Martine, of Cardven; John Betoun, of Capildray; 
also the Messrs. and Lords William Murray, Ti-easurer of Dunblane; 
John Lawder, Archdean of Tweeddale; Adam Kingorne, Vicar of Li?iton; 
and John Coupar and Thomas Malcolm, Chaplains and Notaries Public, with 
several others." 

" Which Donation, Confirmation, and Indenture foresaid we approve. 
Ratify, and for us and our successors confirm in all its points, articles. Con- 
ditions, ways, and Circumstances whatsoever, in all and by all forms and to 
the effects above written : Also, we ratify, approve, and for us and our Suc- 
cessors Confirm All and Sundry the foresaid Infeftments, Concessions, Dona- 
tions, Indentures, and Renovations, made, given, and granted by the foresaid 
Commendators and Convent of the said Monastery of Dunfermline for the 
time being, to the foresaid Elderman, Provosts, Bailies, Council, and Com- 
munity of the said Burgh and their successors, concerning the foresaid 
Commonty and common muir, with all other privileges and liberties whatso- 
ever therein mentioned and contained. In the which they and their prede- 
cessors have been in free possession in all time bygone past the memory of 
man. In all and sundry points, heads, articles, clauses, and conditions whatso- 
ever therein specified and contained : Moreover, we, for the good, faithful, 
and gratuitous service performed to us and our predecessors by the foresaid 
Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of the said Burgh of Dunfermline 
and their predecessors, from our certain knowledge and proper motive, of new 
Give, grant, and dispond, and, by the tenor of this our present charter. Give 
grant, and dispone to the said Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community 
of our said Burgh of Dunfermline and their successors the foresaid commonty 
and common muir, together with all other and sundry privileges, liberties, and 



236 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

commodities above specified, with all right, title, and interest which we, our 
predecessors and successors had, have, or any way may have or claim, for the 
future, to be be peaceably and inviolably enjoyed and possessed by them and 
their Successors in all time coming, and as freely in all respects and conditions 
as any other their predecessors held or possessed the said town : In testimony 
whereof we have appended our great seal to be affixed to this our present 
Charter of Confirmation, Before these witnesses: Our well-beloved Cousins and 
Councillors John, Lord Hamilton, and Cominendator of the Monastery of 
Aberhrotliick ; Archibald, Earl of Angus, Lord Douglas-Dalkkith, and 
Abernethy ; and Sir John Maitland, of Thirlstane, Knight, our Chancellor 
and Secretary ; the Venerable and Most Reverend Fathers in Christ, Patrick, 
Archbishop of St. Andrews ; and Walter, Prior of Blantyre, Keeper of our 
Privy Seal ; our well-beloved familiar Councillors Alexander Hay, of Easter 
Kennet, Clerk of our Registers and Council ; Lodvick Ballenden, of Auch- 
noull, Knight, our justiciary Clerk; and Mr. Robert Scott, Feuar, of 
Knightispotty, Director of our Chancery at Holy rood House ; — The twenty- 
fourth day of May, One thousand five hundred and eighty-eight years, and of 
our reign the twenty-first year." 

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

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

Burgh Matrix, Seal, &c.— There is no notice of this seal in the 
Burgh or in the Guildry Records. Therefore, where made, by whom 
made, and its date, cannot be ascertained. It has been conjectured 
that it would likely be made about the year 1589, the year after 
the date of the Confirmation Charter of King James VL ; and as 



BURGH MATRIX, SEAL, ETC. 



237 



there were no artists in this country who could undertake to engrave 
it properly, it has been thought that it would most likely be made in 
Holland, where the Manual Seal was made. (See Annals, date 1670.) 
" The Common Seal of the Burgh " in use previous to the Matrix 
Seal, appears, from the impressions from it in wax attached to some 
old charters, to have been nearly worn out, and hence the necessity 
of a new one about 1589. The Burgh Matrix Seal is made of iron, 
and consists of two thick circular discs, 2]^ inches in diameter, move- 
able on two upright rods of the same material. On the face of one 
of the discs the Burgh Arms is engraved ; on the other is repre- 
sented St. Margaret, the old Patron Saint of the burgh. (See Afi. 
Dnnf. date 1493, &c.) Round the edges are appropriate mottoes, as 
shown in the following full-size engravings of them: — 




Referring to the old worn-out Seal of the burgh (see Annals, 
date 1395), you will observe that the words "Communitatis de 
DUNF . . . ling" are engraven on it. On this Matrix Seal the 
words CiVITATiS Fermilodvni are substituted. This Latin name 
of Dunfermline, as on the Seal, appears to have been introduced 
by the celebrated George Buchanan about the year 1583 (see Bitch. 
Hist. Scot); and as Dunfermline is designated a "City" in old 
deeds, &c. (see An. Dnnf. date 1578), this new legend signifies City 
of Dnnfennline. As Fermilodvni does not occur in any deed, 
charter, or printed book before 1583, wc must conclude that the 
Matrix Seal of the burgh of Dunfermline was made and put to use 



238 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

after that date; and those who have supposed that it was made in 
1589, immediately after King James VI. granted his Confirmation 
Charter to the burgh, are most probably correct. It may be men- 
tioned \h-3X after 1583, '' FermilodvnV' comes frequently into notice: 
1st, It is to be found on the tomb of Secretary Robert Pitcairn, in the 
nave of Dunfermline Abbey; he died 1584. (See An. Dtinf date 
1584.) 2nd, On a marble monument of the Seton family, in Seton 
Church, Tranent, are the words, " Fermelinodvimm Comes et Regni 
Scotiai factus est Cancellarius," in allusion to the first Earl of Dun- 
fermline and his status, 3rd, In 1821, while repairs were being made 
in Dalgety Church, Fifeshire, a closed vault was discovered, in which 
were six coffins ; one of these, from the inscription on it, contained 
the remains of the Earl — viz., "Alexander Setonius, Fermelinoduni 
Comes, Scotiai Cancellarius," &c. (See Annals, date 1622.) 4th, On an 
old tombstone, erected by Rev. Ralph Erskine in 1728, now removed, 
were " Mag. Radalphus Erskine, Pastor Fennilo-dunensis," &c., which 
comes from the same root as the above. Civitatis Fer^niloditni and 
CWxtdXis Diinferinlinejisis diVe equivalents, differing only in the arrange- 
ment of the syllable. (See An. Dnnf date 1670.) 

Description of the Matrix Seal of the Burgh of Dun- 
fermline. — About 30 years ago we applied to the late Wm. Anderson, 
Esq., Marchmont Herald, Register House, Edinburgh, for a heraldic 
description of this Seal, and he politely sent us the following : — 

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

FERMILODVNI ■ SIGILLVM ■ CIVITATIS ■ 

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

ESTO • RVPES • I NACCESSA • 

which means : Let this be an inaccessible Rock. 

" The obverse side of the double Seal of Dunfermline represents a female 
figure standing within an antique niche, or double canopied recess, set upon 



WILLIAM SCHAW AND THE QUEEN'S HOUSE. 239 

four steps, crowned with the ancient crown of Scotland,* which then merely 
showed points, and supporting over her dexter shoulder a sceptre, tipped at 
the upper end with a fleur-de-lis, the sinister hand resting on her waist. The 
niche is placed between two antique candlesticks, with candles inflamed, and 
around the device is an edged belt or scroll, having thereon these words, 

S ■ MARGARETA ■ REGINA ■ SCOTORVM- 

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

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

1590.— The Queen was Infeft in the Lordship of Dun- 
fermline. — "Anna, Queen of Scotland, was infeft, and gat possession 
of the Lordshippe of Dunfermling, 17th May, 1590." {13th Parlia- 
ment of fames VI., Edinhiirgh, 21st fidy, IS93 ; Murray's Laws and 
Acts Pari, vol. ii. p. 681.) Moyse, in his Memoirs of Scotland, notes — 
"Upon the 12th of the said month of May, Peter Monk, admiral of 
Denmark, StepJien Bra (it has been supposed that this Stephen Bra 
was brother of the celebrated Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe), Braid 
Ransome, and Henry Goodlister, with some other Danes, rode towards 
Falkland, Dunfermline, and Linlithgow, to take seizin in the Queen's 
Majesty's name of these three lordshippes as her dowry." {Moyse's 
Mem. Scot. p. 169.) 

William Schaw and the Queen's House, Dunfermline. — 
"William Schaw, Maister of Wark," in May, 1590, received ^400 "by 
his Majesty's precept, for reparation of the house at Dunfermling 
befoir the Queenis Majesties passing thereto." (Vide History of the 

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



240 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

Lodge of EdinburgJi, and published 1873, p. 54.) This must be under- 
stood to be the Queen's jointure-house, which of old stood on the 
same spot as the new one built in 1600. (See Annals of Diinf. date 
1600.) 

"The Danish Ambassador, named in the foregoing, after the 
infeftment business was completed, dined in the Palace of Dunferm- 
ling." {Moyses Mem. Scot. p. 169.) 

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

King James VL in Dunfermline. — Moyse, in his Memoirs of 
Scotland, p. 173, says — "Upon the 2nd July [1590], the King's majesty 
passed out of Edinburgh to Dunfermline, and from thence to Falk- 
land, to visit these places, and see them prepared for his and the 
Queen's resort there." 

Anna, the Queen, in Dunfermline. —Moyse, continues — 
"And about the 12th the Queen's Majesty passed out of Holyrood 
House to Dunfermling, where she remained a short space." {Moyse' s 
Mem. Scot. p. 173.) This was the Queen's j^rj/ visit to Dunfermline. 
It would appear from the following note, that their Majesties and 
retinue sojourned in Dunfermline at this time for upwards of two 
months, viz. : — "From i8th day of July, 1590, inclusive, to 26th Sep- 
tember, inclusive in the moneth complit for aucht fedder beddis fur- 
neist to the Palace of Dunfermling, to the Strangers in his Majesties 
company; for ilk bed in the nicht ijs. Inde, during the same space, 
Iv. li. iiiiD. Item : for furneising of six chalmeris in the toun, with twa 
fedder beddis in everie chalmer, coille and candill thairto ; takand 
nichtlie for everie chalmer, \]s. v'n'jd. Inde, jc. xxx. li." {Papers 
Relative to the Marriage of King fames VL, &c., Ban. Club Edit. 1828, 
Appcn. ii. p. 20.) 

The King and Queen again Visit Dunfermline. — Their Majes- 
ties passed again to Dunfermline about the end of September, and 
from thence they w^ent to Edinburgh. {Moyse' s Mem. Scot. p. 173.) 

1591.— A "Dunfermline Witch!" or " Wise Woman of Dun- 
fermline." — An old tradition notifies that this "wise woman" had an 
"extensive renotvn" and helped to ^^ raise the terrible storm at sea on the 
return of King fames VL.froin his matrimonial expedition from Den- 



JAMES MURRAY, OF PERDEWIS. 24 1 

mark to Leith." By some overlook, " she escaped being drozunit." She 
was alive, and plying "her calling" in Dunfermline in 1591. She is 
noticed in a remarkable "witch trial" this year, viz., of Euphame 
Macalyane. Euphame was tried on 19th June this year, and amongst 
the many accusations brought against her was, that she had consulted a 
zuomaji in Dnnfermline, hoiv to obtain her husband's love, otherzvise to be 
avenged on him, &c. {Dal. ^^ Darker Superstitions of Scotlaitd," p. 202.) 

Grammar School. — At this period James Dalgleish was head- 
master of the Grammar School of Dunfermline, and Robert Durie was 
his doctor, or assistant. {Kirk Ses. Rec. ; dX?>o An. Dunf. date 1598.) 

Murder of the Earl of Moray by the Commendator of 
Dunfermline. — The Earl of Huntly, the sworn enemy of the Earl 
of Moray, had for some time past been watching an opportunity to 
slay him, to satisfy some private revenge he had against him. Wood, 
in his History of the Peerage, (vol. ii, pp. 258, 259), referring to this 
murder, says — "Huntly, on the 7th February, 1 591-2, on pretence 
that Moray had been engaged with Bothwell and his associates, the 
King's enemies, invested the house of Dunibirsel, and set it on fire- 
Dunbar, Sheriff of Moray, who was in the house at the time, said to 
the Earl of Moray, */ will go out at the gate before your lordship, and 
you shall come after me! Dunbar accordingly came forth, and ran des- 
perately on Huntly's men, by whom he was presently slain. During 
this the Earl of Moray came out, and retreated among the rocks on 
the sea-side ; but unfortunately his knapskuU tippet, whereon was a 
silk string, had taken fire, which betrayed him to his enemies in the 
darkness of the night, himself not knowing the same ; they came 
down on him on a sudden, and cruelly murdered him." This is 
recorded in Histories of Scotland, and the victim is known as "the 
bonnie Earl of Moray." (See Woods Peerage; Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. ii. 
pp. 226, 227, &c.) This deed is a dark spot in the annals of Dunferm- 
line. Dunibirsel is about eight miles south-east of Dunfermline. 

1592. — James Murray, of Perdeivis, was a man of considerable 
note in his day, and held the lands of Perdewis, south of the nether- 
town of Dunfermline. He was indicted along with the Earls of Mar, 
Angus, and other noblemen, in the affair of the " Raid of Stirling!' 
He had, along with others in this conspiracy, to fly the country. He 
obtained pardon for "the offence," in 1584 ; and died on his estate on 
28th September, 1592, and was interred in Dunfermline, where his 

2 I 



242 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

tombstone is to be seen in a lumber corner, near the south tower of 
the Church, having inscribed on it — 

"memento MORI'HONORABrLIS'VIRPJACOBI'MVRRAVirDE'PERDWS" 
MONVMENTVM'QVI OBIIT, 28 SEPT. 1592." 

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

The Earl of Huntly, Late Coniniendator of Dnnfermline, who 
had been imprisoned in Blackness Castle for the murder of the Earl 
of Moray, was discharged from prison withont trial this year, to 
the great discontent of the King. Immediately after his release he 
resumed his former treasonable practices, and was denounced a rebel 
in 1592, but restored to favour in 1597. (See that date An. Dnnf; 
Chal. Hist. Dnnf vol. ii. p. 227.) 

The Morning Gift of Dunfermline LordsJdp bestowed on Anna 
of Denmark, at Upsal, in Norway, by King James VI., on the morn- 
ing after his marriage to her, was ratified and confirmed by the 
Parliament holden at Edinburgh, 5th June, 1592. (See An. Dnnf 
dates 1589-90, &c. ; also, vide Murray's Acts of Pari. 5th June, 1592.) 

The Commendatorship of Dunfermline Abbey Abolished. 
— Henry Pitcairn (of that ilk), the fourth and last Commendator of 
Dunfermline Abbey, by virtue of the General Act of Annexation, 
delivered into the hands of the Queen the office of Commendator. 
Mr. William Shaw (Master of the King's Work) was appointed Cham- 
berlain of the Queen's Rents of the newly created Lordship, &c. 

1593.— Ratification of the Annexation of the Abbey of Dun- 
fermline to the Crozvn: — 

" Item, — Because it is understood that the poverty of the Crown is the 
special cause of the poverty of the realm and inhabitants thereof, and that the 
patrimony of the Crown being augmented, it is great weill and profite baithe 
of the King his Grace and his leiges; therefore our Soveraine Lord, with 
consent of his Estaite, unites, annexes, and incorporates to the Crown of this 
realme, to remaine therewith as property, annexed patrimony and property 
thereof, in all times cumming, and with our Soveraine Lord and his successors 
for ever : All and haill, the landes, parkes, fischinges, tounes, villages, burrowes, 
regalities, customes, great and small feu-ferms, places, houses, biggings, castles, 
toures, manour-places, zairdes, orchardes, kirkes, teinds great and small, 
fruites, rentes, emoluments, and profites quhatsumever, tennentes, tennenctries, 
and service of free tennentes als weill to burgh as land, quhilk is in ony 
manner of way perteined or may perteine to the Abbey or Monastery of Dun- 
fermling, lyand upon the north side of the water of Forth allanerly ; to be in 



ANNEXATION OF THE ABBEY TO THE CROWN RATIFIED. 243 

all times hereafter repute and halden the property and patrimony of the 
Crown ; to remain therewith in all times camming, after the forme, tenour, 
and ordour of the Acts of Annexation, maid in the tyme of our Soveraine 
Lordis predecessoures, King James the Second and King James the Fifth, 
and conforme to all the clauses, conditions, and circumstances thereof, 
quhilkes in all poynts are halden and understood as expressed and specially 
conteined in this present Act, in all tyme hereafter. It is likewise declaired, 
that in the said annexation of the temporall landes of the foresaide Abbacy of 
Dumfermling, lyand upon the north side of the water of Forth, or nawayes 
comprehended, the Barronies of Brunt-iland, alias Wester King-horne, and 
Newbirne, with annexes and connexes thereof, quhilkes perteined to the said 
Abbacy of Dumfermling of before, and lyes upon the north side of the water 
of Forth ; and quhairin Sir Robert Malvill, of Murdocarny, Knight ; and Sir 
Robert Malvill, his eldest sonne, and appeired aire ; and Andro Wood, of 
Largo, were infeft respective. And, furder, our said Soveraine Lord and his 
Estaites willis and declairis, that the said barronies, with their annexes and 
connexes, sail remaine in tyme cumming as seperate barronies, and na-wayes 
to be comprehended in the said annexation ; with speciall provisione that all 
the teinds of the said landes and Lordship of Dumfermling sail be understood, 
be virtue of this Act, annexed to the Crown, after forme and tenoure of the 
said generall Act of Annexation, maid in the zeire of God 1587 zeires, and 
all the teinds of the remnaint prelacies and kirk-landes of thys realme, or 
annexed to the Crowne. It is alwaies declairede be our said Soveraine Lord 
and his Estaites of Parhament that the Lordship and Barronies of Musselburgh 
Schire, with annexes and connexes, free regalitie, partes and pendicles of the 
samine, ar nocht comprehended in ony of the said annexation ; nor sail not 
be comprehended in ony annexation to follow thereafter, because the said 
lordshippe and barronies, with annexes and connexes, free regalitie, partes 
and pendicles of the samine, being ane pairt of the patromonie of the said 
Abbacy of Dunfermling, was excepted furth of the first generall annexation of 
the kirk landes to the Crown ; and John, Lord of Thirlestane, Chancellar to 
our Soveraine Lord, and Dame Jane Fleming, his spouse, for them and all 
thaire aires, were heritably infeft therein : Quhilkis lordshippe and barronie 
they have laitly resigned in our said Soveraine Lordis hands, for infeftment of 
lyfe-rent thereof, given to the Queenis Majestie for all the dayes of hir Hienes 
lyfe-tyme : And for ane uther infeftment of heritable fee thereof, given to 
the said John Lord Thirlestane, Chancellar foresaide, his said spouse, and 
their aires maill and of talzie heritably : Quhilkis infeftmentes our said 
Soveraine Lord, with advice and consent of his foresaide Estaites, ratifyes and 
confirms be thair presentis ; and for his Hienes and his successoures, willis 
and grantes that the samine stand in full force, steed, and effect, in all tyme 
hereafter : And ordaines the said new infeftment given to the said John 
Lord Thirlestane, his spouse, and thair aires foresaides, to be infeft in the 
buikes of Parliament gif neede beis." {13th Parliament of J^ames VI., holdcn 
at Edin. 21st ynly, IS93 ; Murray's Laivs a?id Acts Paiii. vol. i. pp. 677-9.) 

Act OF THE "New Giftes of DuMFER>.rLiNE, %vith the Menkes 
Portiones, to the Queenis Majestie'' : — 

^^ Item. — Our Soveraine Lord, with consent of his saides Estaites, havand 
consideration that his Hienes beand in Upsto, in Norway, the twenty-foure 



244 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

day of November, the zeire of God ane thousand five hundreth four score 
nine zeires, for diverse occassiones moving him, gave and disponed to his 
dearest spouse, Anna Queen of Scottes, all and haill the Lord-shipe and 
Barronies of Dumfermline, with all landes, tonnes, manour-places, milnes, 
multures thereof, lyand on the north side of the water of Forth, to be bruiked 
and possessed be her for all the dayes of hir lyfe-tyme, as at mair length is 
conteined in the saide gift ot the dait foresaid ; and now willing that his said 
dearest spouse sail bruik and joyis the said gift for all the dayis of hir lyfe- 
tyme, according to the teneure thereof, and to the promise maid to him 
and be his saidis Estaites, to his dearest brother Christianus, the fourth of 
that name. King of Denmark; therefore, our Soveraine Lord, with consent 
aforesaid, confirms, ratifies, and appreives the said gift, charter, and leasing 
following thereupon, and all and sindry heades and articles conteined thairin; 
and promises faithfully to observe, keep, and fuUfil, and cause the samine to 
be keepid, observed, and fulfilled. Mairover, for the causes foresaides, our 
Soveraine Lord, with consent of the saides Estaites, gives and dispones of 
new to his said Lordship of Dunfermeline, lyand as saide is, with all landes, 
barronnies, places, houses, biggings, castles, toures, fortalices, manour-places, 
zairdes, orchardis, milnes, woodes, fischinges, kirkes, teindes great and small, 
fruites, rentes, emoluments pertaining thereto, with power of jurisdictione of 
regalitie of the same, for all the zeires and termes of her lyfe-tyme. And 
likewise all monkes portiones perteining to the said Abbacy, to be bruiked be 
her induring the said tyme ; and to be peaceably intrometted with be her 
factoures and chalmerlanes in her name, als freely as our Soveraine Lord may 
bruike and possesse the same, be reason of the annexation foresaid ; or as 
ony Abbot or Commendator hes bruiked or possessed the same in ony tyme 
by-gane; and to that effect our Soveraine Lord, with consent foresaid, causes, 
retreatis, rescindes, and annullis all and sindrie giftes and dispositiones of 
monkes portiones pertaining to the same Abbacy, maid and given be his 
Hienesse to quhat-sumever person or persones, to quhat-sumever cause or 
occasion, before the daye and dait of this present Act of Constitution." 
{13th Parliament of yames VI., /widen at Edinburgh 2^th yuly, IJQJ, 
cap. 193 ; Murray s Laws and Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. p. 680.) 

Note. — There is another Act, entitled, ''Act concei'iihig the Qiceeiiis 
Majestie's ricJit to the TJwid of Dtmfermelin, and compensation for sa 
ineikle as presently zvants thereof." This Act is signed, " Sic subscribitur, 
James R., Anna R." It occupies several pages, and is therefore 
omitted. (See Mnrrays Laivs a7id Acts of Paidiament, vol. ii. pp. 
680-686; ijtJi Parliament of fames VI., Jioldcn at Edinburgh, 21st 
July, IS93-) 

1594._The Auld Kirk Steeple and Porch-Door, &c.^ 
COMMENCED BUILDING. — The old "bell-tower," which stood on the 
site of the present steeple, was partially destroyed by "the Reformers," 
along with other parts of the ancient edifice, on 28th March, 1560. In 
1 564 a kind of a patching repair was made on the old tower, and 
parts adjacent. In 1587 the Abbey (Auld Kirk) was, with some 



THE AULD KIRK STEEPLE, ETC. 245 

exceptions, annexed to the Crown, and, in consequence thereof, it was 
thought that the Crown should put the whole of the western part of 
the kirk in thorough repair. In 1588 the ruinous state of Dunfermline 
Church, along with other churches in the country, was brought under 
the notice of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, but, as 
far as Dunfermline Church was concerned, nothing appears to have 
come out of the deliberation. In 1593 the annexation of the Kirk was 
duly confirmed, and thus became legal Crown property forever. The 
Church, &c., was now ordered to be thoroughly repaired, under the 
direction of Mr. William Schaw as Master of the Works. Instead 
of a tower, a steeple of fine proportions was built ; a porch was 
built against the north door. The upper part of the western gable 
of the nave was taken down and rebuilt ; a few of the uncouth 
buttresses were built as supports of the north and south walls of 
the nave, the interior at the same time being substantially repaired 
and fitted up for the burgh and parish as a place of worship. 
With a few helps at different periods, the Auld Kirk continued in use 
until September, 1821, when the present new Eastern Church became 
the place of worship. The renovation of the Church appears to have 
been commenced some time in 1594, and finished in 1599. The work 
of repair was carried on very slowly. Many have been led to conclude 
that — as the stones of the steeple, porch, &c., were apparently as old 
as those of the old Kirk — the steeple and porch could not have been 
built in 1 594-1 599. In answer to this objection, it may be noted that 
the ruins of the great Eastern Church were at hand, and would become 
the quarry from which stones Avould be obtained, either for plain 
building purposes, or for ornamentation. These remarks are princi- 
pally based on notes, taken from General Hutton's MSS., Advocates' 
Library, Edinburgh, and from an old MS. by David Inglis, wright, 
who was an elder in Dunfermline Church {circa 1730-1750), and who 
noted down a great many curious particulars, which occurred in his 
time. In 1826 the writer extracted several items out of it iox Mercer' s 
History of Dimfermline. This old manuscript book has unfortunately 
been lost ; it has not been seen since the death of its possessor, the 
late Dr. Gibb, Dunfermline, in 1833. (See Appendix N.) 

Register of St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital. — The 
oldest Register extant of St. Leonard's Chapel and Hospital begins 
with date 1594. It is in possession of the official Almoner, Dun- 
fermline. 



246 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

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

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

1596.— Constable of the Palace, and Heritable Bailie of the 
Lordship of Dunfermline . — Queen Anne, Lady Dunfermline, with the 
consent and authority of the King and her Majesty's counsellors, 
granted a Charter to Lord Seton, Lord President of the Court of 
Session (afterwards Earl of Dunfermline), appointing him and his 
heirs-male, " Heritable Bailies of the LordsJnp of Dnnfermline',' and 
" undoubted and irrevocable Keepers, Guardians, or Constables of the 
Palace of Dunfermline, and edifices adjacent." This Charter is dated 
" 1 5th February, 1 596," and was ratified by Parliament in 1606. {Thom- 
son's Acts of Parliament, vol. iv.pp. 348, 352 ; Chal Hist. Duif. vol. i. 
pp. 106, 107, 259 ; Mercer's Hist. Dnnf.) 

Amending and Renewing of the Covenant.— The Pro- 
vincial Synod of Fife was held in Dunfermline, on the 12th of May, 
principally for the purpose of amending and renewing the National 
Covenant. The renewed Covenant commences thus:— "I take the 
amended Covenant, as renewed by the Provincial Synod of Fife, 
holden at Dunfermline on 1 2th May (1596) .... made by Mr. 
William Scott, minister at Couper, and others," &c. {Cald. Hist. Ch. 
Scot. p. 323.) 



GEORGE HERIOT, GOLDSMITH TO THE QUEEN. 247 

William Schaw, Master of the Kings Wark at Dunfermliney 
%vounded by " Buccleugh." — Buccleuch had made Schaw his second in a 
combat with Sir Robert Ker of Cessford, and had wounded him, for 
which he was "put ta the horn," &c. {Moyses Mem. Scot. p. 244.) 

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

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

Baptism of the Princess Elizabeth.— At this Convention 
(20th Sept., 1 596) the baptism of the Princess was taken into consi- 
deration, and it was arranged that the baptism should be celebrated 
at Holyrood House on the 28th day of November. {Dal. Frag. Scot, 
Hist. p. 38.) 

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

1597.— George Heriot was appointed goldsmith to the Queen 
under a writ of Privy Seal, dated at Dunfermline, 27th July, 1597. 



248 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Birrell, in his Diary, says : " 1 597, the 27 of Juhe, George Heriot maid 
the Queen's Goldsmith" at DunfermHne. 

The Scottish Proverbs were at this period being compiled in 
alphabetical order by Mr. David Ferguson, minister of Dunfermline. 
{Sqq Annals, date 1644.) 

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

"The 1 7th Februar, betwixt 9 and 10 in ye mornening, ane grate darknes, 
be reasin of eclipes, sic ane darknes hes not bene sane, for ye hail pipell wt 
Edn. yat knew not what it was, thot yt it had bene duims dai. Merchants 
and otheris yt wer ignorint, steiket thair buith-doris, and ran to the Kirk to 
pray, thinkind it had bene ye last dai." {BirreWs Diary.) 

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

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

"Dauid Fargusoun, nono NouEMBRis, 1598. 

{^Edinburgh Test. Reg. vol. xxxii.) 

" The Testament datiue and muentar of the guidis, geir, sowmes of money, 

and dettis pertaining to vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun, minister of Godis word 

at Dunfermeling the tyme of his deceiss, quha deceist vpoun the xxiij. day of 

Aprile, the zeir of God j'"- v*^' Ixxxxviij. zeiris, ffaythfullie maid and gevin vp 



DAVID FERGUSON, FIRST PROTESTANT MINISTER. 249 

be him self vpoun the xxij. day of Aprile, the zeir of God foirsaid, in presens 
of Mr. Johnne Row, minister of Carnok, Patrik Stewart of Baith, William 
Pratous [Porteous], ane of the baillies of the burgh of Dunfermeling, Mr. 
James Dalkleische, scolemaster thair, Mr. Robert Durie, instructor in the said 
scole, and Dauid Brown, noter. In the first the said vmquhile Dauid Fargu- 
soun had the guidis, geir, sowmes of money, and dettis of the awaill and 
prices efter following pertaining to him the tyme of his deceis foirsaid — viz., 
Ite?n. — His buikis of theologie and human histories, estimat to the sowme of 
fib. Item. — In poiss of reddie gold the sowme of 'fyiv\\]lb. Item. — In 
vtenceillis and domiceillis, with the abuilzementis of his body by the airschipe, 
estimat to the sowme of xxlb. money. Summa of the Inuentar ij%xx/^, (viz., 
;^28o Scots). Item. — Thair was awin to the said vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun 
be ... . Aitken, relict of vmquhile Johnne Stobie, portioner of Wester 
Luscaur, resten of the crop and zeir of God j'j.vMxxxxvij. zeirs, assignit to 
him in pairt of his stipend for the price of sex boUis third-pairt furlett beir, the 
sowme of xl//^. xvji". viij^. Item. — Be James Dewar of Nether Lassody, for 
the teindis of his landis of Baith, vnder the hill, assignit to him in pairt of 
payment of his stipend of the crope and zeir of God foirsaid, thrie bollis beir ; 
price of the haill, y.■^lb. Item. — Be Adame Currie, burges in UunfermeHng, 
aucht bollis ferme beir, restand of the crope and zeir of God foirsaid; price of 
the boll, y\\)lb.; summa, \^\\\]lb. Item. — Be hir Majestie's Chamerlanes of the 
Abbacie of Dunfermeling, for his stipend of the Witsonday terme, in anno 
Ixxxxviij. zeirs, the sowme of twa hundreth merkis money. 

" Summa of the dettis awin to the deid, .... ij^lix/*^. iijj-. iiijV. 
Summa of the inuentar with the dettis, .... v^xlix/^. \\]s. \\\]d, 

" Follows the Dettis awin be the Dcid:- — 

"Item. — Thair was awin be the said vmquhile Dauid Fargusoun to 
. . . . for the Witsondayis termes maill of his hous occupyit be him in 
anno Ixxxxviij. zeris and sindrie termes preceiding xx.li. Ite?n. — To William 
Angus, seruand, for his half-zeir's fie, in anno foirsaid, iiij/^. Item. — To Janet 
Burne, for hir half-zeiris fie, iiij//A Itan, — To Helene Reid, seruand, for hir 
half-zeiris fie, four poundis. 

Summa of the dettis awin be the deid, .... xxxlj/^. 

Restis of frie geir the dettis deducet, .... y'^xv]lb. \\]s. iiijV. 

Quotta componitur. 
Pro xiij/^. \]s. Sd. 

Na Diuisioun. 

Quhairof the quot is componit for xi\]lb. \]s. viijV/, 

" Ibllowis the Deidis, legacie, and Lett re Will: — 

"At Dunfermeling the xxij, daye of Aprile, 1598 zeirs. The quhilk day 
the said Dauid Fargusoun maid his testement and lettre will as follows — viz., 
That is to say, he leuis and disponis to William Fargusoun, his sone, his haill 
naturall historical buikis, and his Scottis Cronicle, and nominatis for his 
airschip buikis of theologie, ane Inglis bybill, and ane Latyne bybill allenerlie. 
Item. — The said Dauid leuis and dispones to Mr. Dauid Spens, Mr. Johnne 
Row, and Dauid Ramsay, his sonnes-in-law, equallie all his buikis of theologie, 
and ordainis the saidis Masteris Dauid Spens and Johnne Row to satisfie the 
said Dauid Ramsay for his third-pairt thairof, because the saidis buikis can 

2K 



250 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

nocht be proffitabill to him. Item. — He leuis and disponis to ilk ane of his 
saidis thrie sonnes-in-law and thair bairnes his oyis -Alb. money. Item. — 
Leuis and disponis to the appotecarie and vtheris quhilkis ministrat curis to 
him the tyme of his sicknes thrie crounes of the sone. Item. — To ilk ane of 
his foirnamit seruandis thair feis addettit to thame at Witsonday nixt, with the 
doubill thairof ; and leuis and disponis the rest and superplus of all his frie 
guidis, geir, dettis, and plenessing to the saidis Maisteris Dauid Spens, Johnne 
Row, and Dauid Ramsay, his sonnes-in-law, and thair bairnes, equallie to be 
diuidit amangis thame be thrie equal thridis, and nominatis the said Masteris 
Dauid Spens, Mr. Johnne Row, and Dauid Ramsay, his sonnes-in-law, 
coniunctlie his executoris and intromittoris with his saidis guidis, geir, and 
dettis. Thais thingis war done at xj houris at ewin or thairby, in the said 
Dauid Fargusoun's chalmer, day, zeir, moneth, and in presens of the witnesses 
aboue-written heirto specialie and togeddir requyret. (Sic subscribitur.) Ita 
est ut premittitur Dauid Brown, notarius publicus in premissis omnibus et 
singulis cum prenominatis testibus presens et requistus testante manu propria 
et signo. We, Mris John Prestoun, &c., and gevis and comittis the intromis- 
sioun with the samyn to the saidis Mris Dauid Spens, Johnne Rowe, and 
Dauid Ramsay, executoris testamentaris to the said umquhile Dauid Far- 
gussoun. Reseruand compt to be maid be thame thairof, as accordis of the 
law; and thai being suorne and hes fundin James Dobie, merchand, burges of 
Edinburgh, cautioun, &c., as ane Act beiris." 

It may also be noticed, that David Ferguson, soon after he became 
minister of Dunfermline, was married to Isob.el Durham, by whom he 
had nine children, five sons and four daughters. His eldest son, 
William Ferguson, A.M., survived him. His daughter Margaret, born 
May 31st, 1562, was married to David Spens, minister at Orwell, 
on June i8th, 1581. His daughter Grizzel, born February, 1576, 
was married to John Row, at Carnock, in 1595 ; and his youngest 
daughter Isobel was married to David Ramsay (a layman), in April, 
1598, a few days before her venerable father's death. (See An. Duiif. 
dates 1571 and 1572.) 

Besides his published "Answer to Renat Benedict," in 1562-63, he 
collected and published the " Scottish Proverbs," which, in his Will, he 
calls the ^^ Scottis Cronicle." He was interred at Dunfermline in the 
latter end of April 1598, but in what spot is not known. Tradition 
points to a high tombstone, Avith triangular back, in a dilapidated 
condition, with unreadable inscription, that stands on the edge of the 
west walk, or road into the Church, about twenty yards to the north 
of the " auld kirk porch-door," as the tomb under which He the remains 
of this venerable and illustrious man. 

The following " Carmen" or ode, was composed on Ferguson, 
shortly after his death, by his "brother-labourer in the \ford" Joannis 
Davidsonii. 



MASONIC GUILD. 25 1 

Carmen. 
" Grfficia mellifluo quantum det nestoris ori, 

Aut Demosthenio debeat eloquio, 
Ipsi facundo quantum (mihi crede) parenti 

Attribuat linguae turba togata suae : 
Nos tibi Fergusi tantum debere fatemur 

Scotanam linguam qui reparare studes. 
Sermonem patrium ditas, inculta vetustas 

Horret qua longe barbariemque fugas. 
Adda etiam neque abest facundis gratia dictis 

Respondet verbis materia apta tuis, 
Quod satis ostendit nobis tua concio proesens, 

Qua nihil in lucem doctius ire potest," &c. 

Davidson, author of the foregoing '■'■Carmen',^ a native of the parish, 
was remarkable for his "wise sayings and predictions." The following is 
a specimen of one of these predictions : "Being at Dunfermline in the 
time of Synod, immediately after the death of David Ferguson, minis- 
ter thereof, giving thanks after dinner, among other things uttered by 
him, he thus expressed himself : — ' Lord ! thou hes now removed thy 
worthie and faithful! servant, who laboured heir among thys people 
in the gospel], . . . ; but. Lord! who shall succeid him in his ministrie 
thou knowes ! Many are gaping for it, and using moyen at Court 
to gain it, but it will be Jok up-a-land ; it will die in thy hand 
(pointing at Mr. Andro Foster, who, at the tyme, with sundrie other 
ministers, wes sitting at the table with him, having dyned there) ; 
therefore, the backe shall beare the saddle-band,' " &c. {Rozv's Hist. 
Kirk Scot. p. 463.) Mr. John Fairfoul succeeded David Ferguson, 
but was minister for a short time only. Whether he was pressed to 
resign by the favourites of Andro Foster or was deposed, is not known. 
In an after-note it will be shown that Foster, his successor, was 
minister of Dunfermline for about 17 years ; that he fell into gross 
sins, and was deposed and disgraced, and "his back did bear the 
saddle-band, and the charge died in his hands." {Chal. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. I, p. 419.) 

Mr, John Fairful or Fairfould was admitted minister of 
Dunfermline, in 1598, as successor of Mr. David Ferguson, lately 
deceased. {Kirk Ses. Rec; Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 32.) 

Masonic Guild. — It would appear from the " Schaw Statutes " 
that there was a Mason Guild in Dunfermline as early as the year 
1598. In connection with said " Statutes" of this date are the names 
and status of several of its members, viz. : " Thomas Robertsoun, 



252 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Warden of the Ludge of Dumfermling and St. Androis, and takand 
the burding" vpoun him for his bretheren of ye masoun craft within 

they Ludges, and for the Commissionars eftir-mcntionat, viz 

Andro Alesoun and Archibald Angous, Commissionars for the Ludge 
of Dumfermhng," &c. Dunfermline, Robert Pest. {Lyoiis Hist. 
Lodge Edin. p. 59 ; An. Dunf. date 1630.) 

1599.— The Bailie and Serjeant's Houses Built. — Two 
lofty houses were built this year close to the west side of the Old 
Church Steeple, as residences for the High Constable, Mayor, and 
Serjeant, and for the Heritable Bailie of the Regality of Dunfermline. 
The " date stone," which was over one of the doors of these buildings, 
is still to be seen, lying on the top of the gate of the Dunfermline 
entrance into Pittencrieff policy. 

Mr. John Fairful, or Fairfould, ceased to be minister of Dun- 
fermline after a short ministry of about eight months ; but whether 
he resigned or was deposed is not known. 

Mr. Andrew Foster (Forster, or Forrester), third Protestant 
minister, inducted minister of Dunfermline Abbey Church this year. 
{Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 32 ; Kirk Ses. Rec. &c.) 

1600.— "Registrum Cartarum Ann/e Regin^." — One of the 
Abbey books, with this title, commences with the year 1600, and ends 
with 1611. ( Vide Print. Regist. Dimf. pp. 496-504.) P>om this MS. 
book several extracts have been made, and entered in Annals of 
Dunfermline. 

Charles I. Born in Dunfermline. — Charles, the second son of 
King James VI., was born in the Royal Palace of Dunfermline on the 
19th day of November, 1600. {Calderwood' s Hist. Ch. Scot.; M ait- 
land's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. p. 1308 ; Ab. Scot. Chron. p. 93, and all the 
Histories of Scotland.) Birrell, in his Diary, alluding to the birth, 
says : " 20th day of November, the Queen's M. deliuerit of ane chyld, 
at the pleasure of Almighty God, at qlk tyme the canons schott for 
joy." The late Dr. Robert Chambers, in his Picture of Scotland, 
vol. ii. p. 164, second edition, relates an old tradition, which he says 
he heard in Dunfermline {circa 1828), viz.: "Charles was a very 
peevish child, and used to annoy his parents dreadfully by his cries 
during the night. He was one night puling in his cradle, which lay 



THURSDAY CATECHISM TEACHING. 253 

in an apartment opening from the bed-room of the King and Queen, 
when the nurse employed to tend him suddenly alarmed the royal 
pair by a loud scream, followed up by the exclamation, * Eh ! my 
bairn !' The King started out of bed at hearing the noise, and ran 
into the room where the child lay, crying ' Hout, tout, what's the 
matter wi' ye, nursie ?' ' Oh !' exclaimed the woman, ' there was ane 
like an auld man came into the room and threw his cloak owre the 
Prince's cradle; and syne drew it till him again, as if he had ta'en 
cradle, bairn, and a' awa' wi' him. I'm fear'd it was the thing that's 
no canny.' ' Fiend, nor he had ta'en the girnin brat clean awa !' said 
King James, whose demonological learning made him at once see the 
truth of the nurse's observation; *gin he ever be King, there'll be nae 
gude i' his ring; the deil has cussen his cloak owre him already!' This 
story is generally told (says Chambers), and in the same manner, by 
the more primitive portion of the inhabitants of Dunfermline, and the 
latter part of the King's observation is proverbial in the town, it being 
common to say to a mislear'd or ill-conditioned person, *I daresay 
the deil has cussen his cloak owre ye !' " This traditional anecdote is 
now ivorti out — never noiv heard of. (See also Annals Dunf. dates 
1649, and Appen. S.) 

"The Dunfermline Barns." — An old building of two storeys, 
with a broad outside stair in front of it, known as the "Dumfarlin 
Barns," and which, until 1873, stood on the north side of East Queen 
Street, near its junction with Inglis Street, had " an initialled date- 
stane," of which the following is a copy : — 



1600 



It is not known to whom these initials refer. This stone is now fixed 
into the front wall of the new building on the same side. The two first 
initials may refer to John Kingorne, who, about this period, was clerk 
of the Regality of Dunfermline; if they do, then it is probable that 
the hams belonged to the Regality. 

Thursday Catechism Teaching in the Auld Kirk. — An 
ordinance of Council passed this year, ordaining that, "on the Thurs- 
days of ilk ouk, the masters of households, their wives, bairnes, and 
servants, should compeir ilk ane within their awn parish kirk, to their 



254 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



awn minister to be instructed by them in the grunds and heads of 
catechisms, and to give as they should be demanded ane proof and 
trial of their profitying in the said heads," {CJianib. Domes. An. Scot. 
vol. i. p. 356.) An old MS. notifies, that the Thtcrsday lessons were 
pretty well attended in the Auld Kirk at first, but through time they 
were given up. 

Queen Anna of Denmark's House. — In the year 1600, a new 
palace was erected for the Queen on the site of the former one (which 
stood on the north-east end of the King's Palace), adjacent to the 
entrance to Pittencrieff. Part of the west end of the wall of its pend, 
or archway, which went under it, is still to be seen on the west side of 
the street adjoining Pittencrieff Lodge. The new erection was built 
in a modern style, was very high, consisted of three stories, and had, 
of course, many convenient apartments, but how many is not now 
known. Having been built by Queen Anna, it was always known by 
the name of the "Queen's House," or "Queen Anna of Denmark's 
House." A long, narrow pend went under it, leading to the main 
courtyard of the palatial buildings. Immediately over the south 
key-stone of this pend, there was a large sheet of copper, secured to 
the wall by copper bolts, having on it the following inscription in 
Latin : — 



PROPYLEUM ET SUPERSTRUCTAS jEDES, VETUSTATE ET 
INJURIIS TEMPORUM COLLAPSAS DIRUTASQUE, a FUN- 
DAMENTIS IN HANG AMPLIOREM FORMAM RESTITUIT 
ET INSTAURAVIT ANNA REGINA FREDERICI DANORUM 
REGIS AUGUSTISSIMI FILIA ANNO SALUTIS 160O. 



Translation : — This porch, and the Jioiise built above it, having throiigJi age 
and the injuries of time fallen dozvn a7id come to ruin, have been restored 
from the foundation, and built on a larger scale by Queen Anne, daughter 
of Frederick, the most august King of Denmark, in the year 1600. (Vide 
Fernie's Hist, of D 2 inf. p. 70 ; Mercer's Hist, of Dun f. p. ^6. Yox full 
particulars, see Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol i. pp. 105-109.) 

Grose, in his ^^Antiquities of Scotland" at pp. 285-288, has two 
views, which show the upper parts of the Queen's House, drawn in 
1790. That fronting p. 288, taken from the New Inn window. Bridge 
Street, shows the whole of the western gable, and about a half of the 



QUEEN ANNA OF DENMARK'S HOUSE. 255 

upper part of the north front ; the other view shows a small portion 
of the upper part of the east side. The writer has in his possession 
several sketches, copied from Pen-and-ink drawings, by John Bain, 
civil engineer, Edinburgh, done in 1790. These "pen sketches" 
embrace several views and plans of the CJuircJi, the ruins of the 
Monastery, the Palace, the Qiieen^s House, and the Toiver, done with 
great accuracy. From some of these drawings, and other engravings, 
the writer made a composition view of the north front of the Queen's 
House, the Bailie and Serjeant Houses, the Kirk Steeple, &c., and 
had the view lithographed. (See Annals Dunf. date 1864.) In the 
year 1855, the writer made a composition view of the same old build- 
ings as they appeared from the south, near " the Fends." (See dial. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 129.) 



END OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 



MDCI. 

(beginning of the seventeenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

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 func- 
tionaries, have long since disappeared ; the nave of the Abbey is used 
as a Parish Church ; and John Fairfonl is minister of the new Protes- 
tant 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-east front of the Queen's House ; on the east by 
the Dormitory walls of the Monastery ; on the south-east, by the 
Fends; 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 Pittencriefif 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, an area of about 1400 square yards. In this large open trian- 
gular 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 ^ marshalt d knights^ 
And shook the Carrick spear." 

The Laird of Pury Ogilvy Searched by the Magistrates of 
Dnnfermline. — The Laird of Pury Ogilvy wrote to King James com- 
plaining that, ^^ on coming from Dunfermling to Edinburgh, to satisfy his 
Majesty's pleasure, hefoimd himself purstied and searched by the magis- 

2L 



258 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

trates." 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 i8th day of 
February this year (1601), the Queen was brought to bed of her third 
son at DunfermHne, 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 
Aimals of Scot. vol. i. pp. 408-410.) Robert Birrell, in his Diary, allud- 
ing to the event, says — "The i8th 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 pro- 
prietor 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 Ward- 
law, of Balmule, elected to the office, pro tein. (See Annals, date 1603.) 

Death of William Schaw, ''Master of the Works'.' — William 
Schaw, architect to King James VI., died on the i8th 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 friend- 
ship." 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 Baihe and Con- 
stabulary Houses, &c. He died at Dunfermline, on the i8th 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, ''beJiind the pulpit-pillar T In 1794 the monu- 
mental 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.) 



DEATH OF WILLIAM SCHAW. 259 

The following is a copy of the inscription on his tomb : — 

M. S. . 

INTEGERRIMO "AMICO • 4 

GULIELMO-SCHAW. '■ 

VIVE • INTER • SUPEROS " iETERNVMQUE * OPTIME * VIVE " H^C ' TIBJ * 

VITA • LABOR ' MORS * FVIT ' ALTA ' QVIES * 

ALEXANDER " SETONIVS ' D. F. 

D. O. M. 



HVMILIS • HiEC • LAPIDVM * STRUCTURA " TEGIT ' 

VIRUM • EXCELLENTI ' PERITIA ' PROBITATE ' EXIMIA * SINGVLARI * 

VIT^ • INTEGRITATE ' SVMMIS ' VIRTVTIBVS ' ORNATVM * GVLIELMVM 'SCHAW 

REGIIS • OPERIBVS " PR^FECTVM ' SACRIS * C^REMONIIS " PRiEPOSITVM ' 

REGIN^ • QVJESTOREM * EXTREMVM " IS ' DIEM * OBIIT " 

18 APRILIS 1602. 

MORTALES ' INTER 'VIXIT "ANNOS 'QVINQUAGINTA'DVOS "GALLIAS * MVLTAQVE ' 
ALIA • REGNA' EXCOLENDI 'ANIMI * STVDIO ' PERAGRAVIT * NULLA * LIBERAL! * 
DISCIPLINA • NON ' IMBVTVS * ARCHITECTVR^ ' PERITISSIMVS ' PRINCIPIBVS * 
IMPRIMIS • VIRIS • EGREGIIS * DOTIBVS ' COMMENDATVS ' LABORIBVS * ET * 
NEGOTIIS • NON * INDEFESSVS " MODO * ET ' INSVPERABILIS * SED ' ASSIDVE * 
STRENVVS • ET " INTEGER * NVLLI " BONO ' NON ' CARISSIMVS ' CVI ' NOTVS " 
AD • OFFICIA • DEMERENDOS " HOMINVM " ANIMOS * NATVS ' NUNC * INTER * 
SVPEROS • .ETERNVM * VIVIT. 

ANNA • REGINA " NE * VIRTVS * STERNA ' COxMMENDATIONE ' 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 1 8th 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 



26o 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



indefatigable in labours 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 MonteitJis "Theatre of Mortality, 1152" 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 Schaiv." 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 Mali 
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 27 day of Maii, Robert, Duck 
of Kintyre, deceasit at Dumfermling." {Sir. 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 the south-east 



THE ROYAL FAMILY'S FAREWELL TO DUNFERMLINE. 26 1 

corner of the Old Church. This vault was given to Sir Henry Wardlaw, 
of Pitreavie, by the King and Queen, in 16 16. {An. Dunf.ddXc 16 16.) 

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 y" Gallozvgaite ;" called the Gallowgaite obviously 
because it led to " the toun's gallows," three-quarters of a mile dis- 
tant, nearly opposite the entrance to Head well. (See also A?i, 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 H.enry Wardlaw, of the lands of Balmule (3 miles north 
of Dunfermline) and others. Dated at Halirudhous, 3 March, 1603. 

Henry Wardlaw, Queen's Chamberlain. — Henry Wardlaw, of 
Balmule, who had been appointed pro tern. Chamberlain to Queen 
Anne (after the death of William Schaw, in 1602), was this year con- 
firmed 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 Eeb. i, 1603, to Feb. 28, 1611, in excellent con- 
dition ; 314 leaves. 

Farewell of 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 resi- 
dences, 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.) 



262 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1604.— Rev. John Davidson, an 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 
or 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 157 1, "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 follow- 
ing is a list of his poetical remains, &c. : — I. "Ane Breif Commenda- 
tioun 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 i544> 
but in what part of the parish the writer has been unable to discover. 
(See also "Carmen," Annals of Diinf. 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." {Fernies Hist. Dnnf 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 Row and East Ports. — It would appear from the fol- 
lowing item in the Burgh Accounts, that these Ports were " secured 
by lock and key" as late as this period— viz., "To John Turnbull, for 



GUNPOWDER PLOT, ETC. 263 

mending the lock of the Colzieraw Port, vi? ; and for mending the 
lock of the East Port, vi^" {Burgh Records, Dec. 1605.) 

Alienations of Abbey Lands, &c. — Confirmation Charter in 
favour of John Stobie, to the lands of Waster Luscoir; ditto, to 
" George hutone, the croft commonly called the acoriie 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 Dun- 
fermline. (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 viif " (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dumfermline. — '^ir Robert Halket ^d.-^ elected Pro- 
vost 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 bonfyres 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 thep lay-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 Con- 
stable or Keeper of Dunfermline Palace, instituted by Queen Anne in 
1596, and conferred on Lord Urquhart, was this 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.) 



264 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



1607.— Alienation of Abbey Lands, &c. — A deed, or charter, 
granting " ane tak of the teind scheaveis of Pittencreifif at Pitdennus, 
Sett to Eduard Bruce, M""- of Kinlos," and to 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 south-east corner of his malt-barn, to be built fiinefeet north from 
the south pillar of the Rotten-Raiv Port. 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 Avhen the port was 
taken down, it was re-erected at the top of a close known as " Bard- 
ner'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 this 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 Dun- 
fermline (Dominus de Ditnfermling) appears to have attended to the 
completion of the repairs. On the side of the south porch-door there 



EARTHQUAKE IN DUNEERMLINE, ETC. 265 

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. Note.) 

Free Burgesses 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." (Burgh Rec.) "Back-syde," (Queen Ann Street). (See 
also Anuals of Dun f. date 1600.) 

Honorary Burgess. — David Peirsoun was elected a free burgess 
of the burgh, July, 1607. (Burgh Rec.) 

Honorary Burgesses. — Andrew Law dir\6. John Watso?me 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, oi^^the 8th partes, 
with xxxii parte of the ville of Muirhall, alias South quenesferrie ;" 
to Alexander, Earl of Dunfermline, the lands of " Lymekillis ;" "a 
tak' of the teind scheaves of Pittravie" to Heiiry 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 Dunf erm ling were shooken 
and furniture throivn 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 

2 m 



266 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



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.~Th.\s 
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 placed 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 will 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 its 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, 



A MORTIFICATION BY QUEEN ANNE. 267 

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 under- 
going 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 " dates tane" having cut on it the 
initials "W. G.," a rose, and date "1609." {BiLvgh Rec; see also An- 
Dtmf. dates 1753 and 1835.) 

Election of Honorary Burgesses. — "/^"- Gib and Patrick 
Murray of Pardews" were elected honorary freemen of the burgh in 
June, 1609. 

Proyost of Dunfermline.— James Reid was elected Provost 
of Dimfermline^ in October, this year. (Burgh Rec.) 

1610. — The Royal Gallery erected in Dunfemiline 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 /;/ 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 Dun- 
fennline, her Mortification of ^2000 Scots, ivhereof the Annual Rent of 
JO per Cefit. be a Fund for a Salary to the Master of the Gratnmar and 
Song Schools of Dunfermline, dated 24th August, and Kegistrate ^th Sep- 
tember, 1610. 

" At Edinburgh, the fifdi day of September, in the year of God 1610 years, 
In presence of the Lords of Council, compeared Mr. Thomas RoUock, Pro""* 
specially constituted for James Reid, Provost of the Burgh of Dunfermhne ; 
John Anderson and James Mochrie, Bailies ; John Walker, Dean of Guild ; 



268 . ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

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 reason- 
able, 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, pre- 
sently upon the Council thereof, for ourselves, and taking the burden upon us 
for the heall Remanent 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 Dun- 
fermline, and her highnesses successors in the Lordship of Dunfermline, 
having the free nomination 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 Inhabiianh 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 Avritten, we for ourselves, and in name and behalf of the 
said community, hold us well content, presantly satisfied and paid, and for us 
and heall community of our said Town, our and their successors. Provosts, 
Bailies, Council, 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 thankfuU 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 



A MORTIFICATION BY QUEEN ANNE. 269 

the Song School, and his successors, the sum of one other hundred pounds 
money foresaid, to be paid yearly and termly in all time coming, at two terms 
in the year, Whitsunday and Martinmas in winter, by equal portions, begin- 
ning 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 tlie 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. Pro- 
viding 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, without 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 Dun- 
fermline, 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 successors ; 
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, we 
are content and consent that the presents be acted and Registered in the 
Books of Council ad perpetuavi rcmanentiam, 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 registrating hereof, constitute Mr. Thomas Rollock, con- 
junctly and severally, our procurators, in forma promitiend 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 16 10 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 Alton, Portioner of Over 
Grange; James Kinghorn, Clerk of the said Regality. (Sic. sub.) James 
Reid, Provost ; John VValker, 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, Notary, 
Witness.' 

" Extractum de libro actorum per me Dominum Joannem Skeen de Cury- 
hill, Militem, Clericum Rotulorum Regist. et Concilii S.D.N. — Regist. sub 
meo Signo et subscriptione manualibus. (Sic. subsc'') 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 



2/0 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

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 ;i^ioo Scots named in this 
bond as his yearly fee or salary. Such is the opinion of an eminent 
solicitor, 

PiTTENCRIEFF 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 ; dial. Hist. Diinf. 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 161 2, &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid re-elected Provost of 
Dunfermline. (BjirgJi Records.) 

1611.— The Heritable Offices of Bailie and Justiciary of the 
Regality of Dunfermline conferred on the Earl of Dunfermline by 
Charter from 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. Diinf. 
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 161 1, 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 161 1. 
This bridge appears to have been indifferently built, for a new bridge 



ANDREW FOSTER AND HIS MISDEEDS. 2/1 

had to be erected on the site in 1788. (See Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 
p. 89; also Annals, dates 1788, &c.) There appears to have been a 
bridge here at a very early period, under the name of the " Gyrth- 
bow." (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, bur- 
ges's of y^ s'^ burgh, Constables nominat and appoytit within y^ saim 
be vertue of our Soverin Lords commissioners, and acceptit the said 
office of Constabularie w^ in y^ saim, during the space of six moneths 
nixt to cum, conform to his ma*^' ordinance y'' anent, and proceid to 
convene at Cuper on Weddinsday nixt xxi of this instant w* y^ 
remain^"^ commissioners of his hienes peice, thair to give their aiths as 
affairs." (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid was elected Provost 
of Dunfermline, in September, this year. (Burgh Records.) 

1612. — John Wemyss, of Pittencrieff, Excommunicated for the 
Slaughter of his Brother. — " 1612, Apr. 22. — Jhone Wemymes, of 
Potincrieff, excommunicated for the Slauchter of his natural brother. 
God touched his heart with repentance. It was therefore statuted 
and ordained that the said Jhone sail present himself fyve several 
Sabbothes successive in the places of publict repentans within the 
Kirkes of Dunfermling, Kirkaldie, Dysert, Coupar, and St. Androis, 
his compeirans to be in linenis " (sackcloth). Pittencrieff is adjacent 
to Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 278.) 

Queen Anne's Infeftment, &c. — The Scottish Parliament 
ratified ''the morning gift'' of James VL to his Queen in 1593. This 
year (161 2) there was confirmed an infeftment by James VL convey- 
ing the Lordship not only to the Queen, but also to " the heirs of his 
body by him." (See Fernie's, Mercer's, and Chal. Hist. Dtmf) 

Character of Mr. Andrew Foster, and his Misdeeds. — 
The Rev. Dr. M'Crie says that Andro Foster was " a person destitute 
both of gifts and grace. Having been visited by Providence with 
sickness, he was, after his recovery, seized with great distress of mind. 
He confessed that at the Assembly of Glasgow, in 1610, ha had sold 
Christ for a paltry sum of money [viz., fifty merks Scots], received 
from the Earl of Dunbar, the King's Commissioner, as did some other 



2/2 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

ministers in that Assembly, to induce them to vote in favour of the 
King's project for the establishment of prelacy." He also confessed 
that, having a numerous family, and being very poor, he had, by 
means of a false key, at different times abstracted money from the 
Kirk box. One Sabbath, the subject in his ordinary course of lecture 
being John xii. 6, he was seized with such horror when about to 
begin, that he ran out of the pulpit, expressing, among other things, 
an apprehension that the magistrates were coming to take him out to 
execution. Being in this situation, he silenced himself, and requested 
Mr. Murray, for Christ's sake, to take the charge of the congregation. 
And yet, some time after this, having been reduced to beggary, Arch- 
bishop Spottiswood intruded him, in spite of the people, into the 
parish church of Collace, near Perth, where he died covered with debt 
and infamy." {Roivs Hist. Kirk Scot. For other particulars, vide 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 417-419.) 

A Cross, or Crucifix, Painted on the Minister's Seat in the 
Church of Dnnfermline. — Mr. Andrew Forster, minister of Dunferm- 
line, "rt; weak-minded many' and of strong "Popish tendencies^' appears 
to have employed a painter to paint on his seat in Dunfermline 
Church a cross, or crucifix, to the "great scandle of the communitie," 
As this is a curious affair, we give the copy of a legal document 
referring to it : — 

" Diocesan Synod, at St. Andrews, April, 1612. 

" Mr. Andre Froster (cancellarius). Thair was presented ane letter from 
Mr. Andro Forrester, minister of Dunfermling, offering excuis for his absence, 
in respect of sickness ; as also ane apologie of his dealing in the Scandall of 
the Crucifix, payntit vpon my Lord chancellor his dask in the said Kirk. 
Quhairanent the scandall foirsaid being wakened, it was thocht meitt that 
advys be taken thairin befoir any further be done in the Synode. The 
mater, thairfoir, being ryplie in all the circumstances considered and pon- 
dered, was found to- have giffen gryt offenss to the haill country, and that the 
causer, as also the paynter of that idolatrous monument, and the minister 
foirsaid, have highlie oftendet. To remedie quhairof, power and commissioun 
was granted and committed, and be thir presentis ar granted and committed, 
to the brethren of the privie conferens of this Synode, and such of the exerceis 
of DumfermHng as ar of this Diocese, together with Mr. Jhone Hall, Mr. 
Patrick Galloway, Mr. Robert Cornewall, Mr. Adam Bannatyne, Mr. Jhone 
Carmichael, Mr. William Scott, and Mr. David Meirnis, to convein with my 
lord archbishop, in the citie of St. Andrews, vpon the twelft day of Maij nix 
to cum, with full and plane powar to tham to try and examine my lord chan- 
cellar in dealing and interest in the said matter, and to do quhat thei may for 
removing that offens, according to the word of God and lawes of this Kirk 
and Kingdom, premittendo de raio, &c. To the quilk day and place my lord 
chancellar sal be requirit to be present; and for that effect, ane letter was 



EARL OF DUNFERMLINE REPRESENTS THE KING. 2/3 

ordained to be directed from this Synode. Siclyk, it was statute that the 
craftisman foirsaid quho payntit the crucifix sal be charged to compeir, day 
and place above expremit, for ordour taking with him for his offens, as said is. 
Also, the said Mr. Andro Froster, in respect that after the erectioun of the 
foirsaid monument of idolatrie, did nether mak advertisement to my lord 
archbishop, neither to the brethren of the exerceis, he being moderatour 
thairof, nor has done anything in publick quhilk might declaim his dislyking 
of the foirsaid fact; as also, being required peremtorelie to be present at the 
Synode, for purging himself befoir thame, y' nochhvithsfandiiig hes nocht com- 
peired. Thairfoir, is decernit to be suspended from his viinistrie, vntill he be 
reported be my lord archbishop and commisoimeris above named. And in the 
meantime it is appointed that the brethren of the exerceis of Dumfermling 
sail per vices, according to the catalogue, supplie his place vpon the Sabbath, 
and the failzier herein according to his cours to be siclyk suspendet. Finallie, 
Mr. Robert Roch, moderatour of the excerceis, is ordained to intimate this 
present decreitt to the said Mr. Andro." 

The Lord Archbishop corresponded with the King on the subject. 
The King, who was not altogether free of " Popish tendencies," 
requests that no further notice should be taken of the affair, as will be 
seen by the next entry : — 

"Synode, Septr. 1612. 

" Chancellar, — My lord archbishop reported that, having acquainted the 
King's majestic with the ofFens upon the paintrie of my lord chancellar his 
desk, in the Kirk of Dunfermling, had reported his hieness' will that the Kirk 
insist no further in process against his lordship, seeing his majestie thoght the 
offens sufiticientlie removed." (Vide Minutes of the Synod of Fife; Chal. Hist. 
Diinf vol. i. p. 417, &c.) 

Queen Ann's Letter to Henry Wardlaw, of Balmule, 
near Dunfermline. — This letter, which has been often printed, is still 
extant, and in possession of the Wardlaw family. As it illustrates 
old usages, it is here reproduced : — 

** To our Right Trustie Servant, 

Henry Wardlaw, of Balmule, 

Chamberlain of our rents of Dunfermline. 

"Anna Regina. 
" Henry Wardlaw, of Balmule, 

" Having appointed the Lady Wintown younger to assist for us at the 
Christning of the Earl of Hume's child, these are to require you to wait upon 
her at that time, and, according to our custom, to distribute in our name 
amongst the servants the sum of five hundred Merks Scots, and the same 
shall be thankfully allowed to you again in your accompts. Given under our 
hand at Whitehall, the 28th of October, 1612." 

{Fernie's History of Dnnfermline^'^. 105.) 

The Earl of Dunfermline Represents the King in the Scottish 
Parliameiit. — In the Parhament held at Edinburgh on 24th October, 

2 N 



2/4 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

i6i2, the King appointed Alexander Seton, Earl of Dunfermline, to 
represent him, when " the obnoxious prelatic Acts of a former General 
Asse7nhly were ratified by Act of Parliament." {CJial. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 285.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw was elected 
Provost of Dunfermline. (Burgh Records.) 

1613.— The "Pan-House," at Limekilns, was built this year. 
(yidQ Hist. Dunf; see also Annals Dimf date 1581.) This appears 
to be one of the earliest built Pan-houses on the shores of the Forth 
"for the making of salteT 

The Earl of Dunfermline and Pinkie House. — This ancient 
house belonged to the Abbots of Dunfermline. In the year 161 3 it 
was enlarged, decorated, and repaired by the Earl of Dunfermline 
for his residence. He appears to have been proud of his worldly 
position; for, on the front of the house, now hidden by a portico, 
there is a Latin inscription which states that Lord Alexander Seton 
built this house — ^^ No7i ad aninii, sed ad fortunaram et agelli modum 
161 j" — that is, "Not after the fashion of his mind, but after that of 
his fortune and estates, 161 3." (Cham. Pict. Scot. vol. ii. p. 74, &c.) 

The Whirlbut Warlock. — An old MS. of events, &c., in our 
possession, notes that Tam Simpson, the warlock, was ^^ carrying on 
his prankis and deevilrie," in his house at Whirlbut, at this period. 
Whirlbut is at Spittle Brig. 

Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic, Provost of Dunfermline. 

1614._LoRD Walden entertained at Dunfermline. — 
"Theophilus Howard, Lord Walden (afterwards Earl of Suffolk), in 
his pleasure-journey through Scotland, arrived in Edinburgh, from 
thence he proceeded to Dunfermline, accompanied by the Lord 
Chancellor, where he was entertained, with all kindness and respect, 
for some days, when he took his departure for Culross." {Domest. 
An. Scot., vol. i. p. 454.) 

Elymosyner of St. Leonard's Hospital. — According to a 
writ, or deed, Thomas Walker, "laird of Rhodes," near Dunfermline, 
was Almoner of St. Leonard's Hospital and Chapel in 1614. 

Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie, Provost of Dunfermline. 



DUNFERMLINE CHURCH VISITED, ETC. 2/5 

1615. — PiTREAVlE. — It would appear, from an old manuscript in 
our possession, that Mr. Henry Wardlaw, of Balmule, the Queen's 
Chamberlain, about this period, acquired the property of Pitreavie, 
three miles south-east from Dunfermline. 

Dunfermline Church zvith more than 2000 Commimicants 
Enrolled. — A Colleague is Recommended. — The following is from a 
Synod minute: — "Synode at St. Androis, October, 1615 — Dunferme- 
ling. — Item, the Synode, considering deeplie the largeness of the 
congregatioune of Dunfermling, having more than tivo thousand 
communicantis, and weeknes and infirmitie of Mr. Andro Forster, 
minister, unable to bear the gryt ane burthane alane, thinkis it alto- 
gether neidful that ane other bejoyned zvitJi the said Mr. Andro, in this 
ministrie at the said kirk. For procuring whairof, it is ordainit that 
my lord archbishop and Mr. Rob*- Roch sail deall with my lord 
chancelleour, for his lordship's furtherance heirto. Lykas, the brethren 
of the exerceis thair sail deall with the parichinairs for thair concur- 
rans. Finallie, willed my lord archbishop to provyde ane qualefied 
man, and to plant him befoir the next Synode." (Vide ^^ Minnies of 
the Synode of Fife I' date 161 5.) 

Mr. John Moray, or Murray, was admitted as one of the minis- 
ters of Dunfermline. (See also An. Dunf. date 1622.) 

1616.— Dunfermline Church Visited by the Lord Arch- 
bishop — Strife, Discontent, &c. — The following note is taken from 
" The Minutes of the Synod of Fife," date 16 16 : — "It is reported that 
the Kirk of Dumferling has been visited by my lord archbishop, at the 
whilk the parishoiners keeped by their strifes and discontent with 
their minister, whilk sinsque have burst forth. In regard whairof the 
visitors have dealt earnestly for ane new visitation. The Synod 
advised the brethren of that exerceise, to do in the visitation of that 
kirk, as may be maist for the glory of God and weill of that congre- 
gation. And to report to the archbishop what they shall find, that he 
may do therein as he shall find meet." 

Mr. Andro Foster, or Forster, demitted his office as Minister of 
Dunfermline. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf p. 34, &c.) 

Mr. John Moray, or Murray, who had for a short time been 
colleague with Mr. Foster, but who had been silenced through conten- 
tions with him, &c., and had left the charge, now returned to it, Mr. 



2/6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

F'oster having- demitied his office. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 34 ; Clial. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 419, 420.) 

Royal Burying Vault, Dunfermline. — This Royal Burying- 
house, situated between the three south-east buttresses of the "auld 
kirk," was probably erected when the repairs on the Church were in 
progress, and intended for the Royal place of sepulture for the Royal 
Family — probably, when the infant Prince Robert was interred in 
1602. King James ascended the English throne the year after the 
death of the young Prince, and this burying-place thus became useless 
to them. In the year 16 16, Queen Anne gave a gift of the Vault to 
Henry Wardlaiv, her Chamberlain, who inserted an oblong stone 
above its door, with the following inscription, in alto, cut on it : — 

ANNA • REGINA " MAGN^ ' BRITANNI^E 
AC • DOMINA • DOMINII ' DE ' UVNFERM 
MLINE • DOMINO " HENRICO * WARDLA 
W • DE • PITRAVI^ • MILITI * ET ' SVIS ' POSTER! 
S • HVNC • LOCVM ' IN ' SEPVLTVRAM ' DEDIT * 1616. 

That is : — Anna, Queen of Great Britain, and Lady of the Lordship 
of Dunfermline, gave to Henry Wardlaw, of Pitreavie, Esquire, and 
to his posterity, this place of sepulture, 1616. Above this inscrip- 
tion, in a triangular space cut on the stone, are the Wardlaw 
"arms "on a shield, together with the initial letters, "H. W." On the 
top of the stone, in an angular direction, are " MEMENTO MORI " 
(remember deatJi) ; on the lower corners of the stone are the words, 
"ULTIMA DOMVS " (the last house); and, in the space immediately 
above, on each side, are skulls and cross-bones. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. 
p. 105; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 120.) 

Note. — There is a translation of the inscription on this stone given 
at p. 120 of Chalmers's History of Dunfermline, vol. i. In it the writer 
has slightly altered it for the following reasons, viz., Henry Wardlaw, 
Queen's Chamberlain, was not a knight ; his son Henry was the first 
knight of the family. This son was created a knight of Nova Scotia 
in 163 1 ; therefore '' Miliii," in such a case, may be rendered "Esquire." 
It will be observed that the Queen, in her letter of date 161 2, has 
addressed it — " To aur Right Trustie Servant, Henry WardlaivT If 
this stone was erected by his son, Sir Henry Wardlaw, it must have 
been after 1631. In that case the date 16 16, the date of the gift, has 
been given instead of that of its erection. 



TAYLOR, THE " WATER POET," ETC. 2/7 

1617. — The Obit Register of Dunfermline, a small quarto, 
commences in 1617, and ends with the date 1657. "It is distinctly 
and beautifully written." {Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 83.) 

King James VI. i?i Dnnfermline. — The King visited Scotland 
this year, for \S\^ first time since his accession to the English crown in 
1603. " He was received with tumultuous joy" wherever he went. In 
the progress of his journey, he visited Dunfermline in May, and again 
in June, where he remained for some days each time. {Abridged Scot. 
C/iron. p. 107, &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie, was 
elected Provost of Dunfermline in October. (BurgJi Records.) 

1618.— The " Elimosyner " of St. Leonards Hospital, &c., 
granted a Writ of Infeftment for four acres of land, of which he was "the 
laird," to William Mudy and his spouse Margaret Eddison, April, 16 18. 

"O Rare Ben Jonson" /;/ Dunfermline. — According to tradition, 
Ben Jonson visited Dunfermline in August, 1618. The "Water Poet" 
and he were in Scotland at the same time, having both walked, within 
a month of each other, from London to Edinburgh on foot, both 
occupying about a month on the journey. 

Taylor, "THE Water Vokt," in Dunfermline. — On July 14, 161 8, 
John Taylor, " The Water Poet," left London on his " penniles pedes- 
trian journey to Scotland." He arrived in Edinburgh on 13th August, 
where, and in Leith, he appears to have resided for about three weeks, 
indulging in eating, drinking, and table-talk. Early in September he 
crossed from Leith to Burntisland, and from thence went on foot to 
Dunfermline. " He dwells with special delight on a dinner at which 
he assisted here, given in his honour by Master John Gibb, groom of 
his Majesty's Chamber. Several gentlemen, both Scotch and English, 
assisted also at the banquet ; and the Water Poet had to stand on the 
occasion ^* to his colours." (Vide The Water Poet's ^^ Penniless Pedes- 
trian fourney" North Brit. Adver. and Ladies' four. Sept. 29, 1877.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie, was 
re-elected Provost in October. (Burgh Records.) 

1619.— Prince Charles (afterwards Charles I.), shortly after 
his mother's death (Queen Anne), was infeft on the 19th of June in 
those parts of his mother's Lordship of Dunfermline which had not 
been alienated. (See also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 254.) 



2/8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Burgh Records.— The sixth of the MS. volumes of the Burgh 
Records of Dunfermline begins in May, 1619. (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie, was 
re-elected Provost. (Bu7'gh Records.) 

1620.— Ruinous State of some parts of the Abbey Nave. — 
" Although the great repairs on the Abbey Nave appear to have been 
completed by Dominiis Dimfermling in 1607, y^t in 1620 the South 
or Royal Aisle showed symptoms of decay. During this year an 
additional buttress on the south side of the Church (the middle one) 
was erected to further strengthen the south wall (the date 1620 is on 
this buttress, near the top). The west part, inside of the South Aisle, 
was also repaired in 162 1, as shown by date 1621 on the roof at this 
part." (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — 'i'homas Wardlaw, of Logic, was 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

1621.— Regality Hou.se, Nethertown. — An old house, which, 
until 1 86 1, stood on the north side of East Netherton Street, was 
known as the Regality House. It was a house of two storeys. The 
ground apartment was vaulted. It appears to have been built in 
1621, as this date was on a stone over the door. In the year 1833 
the writer visited this house. In the vaulted apartment, ground floor, 
there was an immense fire-place, into which was built a very large 
iron grate of fine make. There was a "swing-piece" at one of its 
ends for holding a sand-glass for the use of the cook, and other 
appliances. This fine old grate probably came from the Abbey or 
Palace. The writer told the late Mr. Joseph Paton of it, who at once 
inspected it and purchased it for a trifle, and it was to be seen in his 
museum, Wooers' Alley, Dunfermline, until his death in 1874. Pro- 
bably the name "Regality House" was given to it after 1790. In 
this year, amongst rubbish in the garret of this house, there were 
found a great many MS. volumes of the Regality Court of Dunferm- 
line, as also several old Charters and Abbey documents. (See Amia/s, 
date 1792.) 

AULD Kirk. — The south wall and inside pillars were this year 
repaired. The date 1621 is on the centre stone of the arched roof of 
the aisle, behind the second pillar, south side. 



LITERATURE. 279 

The Lands of Hill. — These lands, a mile south of Dunfermline, 
became the property of William Menteith, of Randieford, in 162 1. 
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 326.) 

Henryson's Fables. — The Fables of Henryson, "guid Schole- 
maister of Dunfermline," ciixa 1490, &c., were this year published by 
Andro Hart, Edinburgh. 

Provost of Dunfermline — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie. 

1622.— The Lands of Abercrombie, four miles S.W. of Dun- 
fermline, were united to the parish of Torryburn. They were at a 
very early period an appanage of Dunfermline Abbey. 

Alexander Seton, Earl of Dimfermline, died at his residence, 
Pinkie House, Musselburgh, in June, 1622, and was buried in the 
family vault, in Dalgety Church, near Dunfermline. The following 
inscription, on a metal plate, was on his coffin : — 

Alexander Setonius, Fermelinoduni Comes, Scotia 
Cancellarius, obiit 66 Anno ^tatis Suae, 16 July 1622. 

That is, "Alexander Seton, Earl of Dunfermline, and Chancellor of 
Scotland, died i6th July, 1622, aged 66 years. (See An. Dunf dates 
1662 and 1820.) 

Charles Seton, Earl of Dimfermline. — On the death of his 
father, Charles Seton, his eldest son, succeeded to the Earldom of 
Dunfermline. {Crazvford's Douglas Peerage, Fyvie's Charters, &c.) 

Literature. — A poem on the late Earl of Dunfermline was pub- 
lished in Edinburgh this year, entitled — 

T e A R E s 
For the neuer sufficientlie be- 
wailed death of the late right ho- 
nourable and most worthie of 
all honourable Titles 
ALEXANDER 
Earle of Dumfermeling, Lord 
Fyvie and Vrquhart, 
late Lord-Chancellar of Scotland. 

E D I N B V R G H 

Printed by the Heires of Andro Hart 

Anno Dom. 1622. 



280 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINK. 

This poem was republished in 1823, in eight quarto pages. John 
Lyon, of Auldbar, is supposed to be the author. He, in "bewailing 
strains," highly eulogized the good Earl, and opens the poem thus — 

' * Ah ! must my weake and care-benummed hand 
Paint out the sorrovves of this sorrowing Land; 
How can my pen make others' passions knowne, 
Which, as they are, can not expresse mine owne; 
This publike losse, which was a losse too great, 
Some heauen-taught Muse were fitter to relate : 
Yet whilst the Learned (who in silence sit) 
Frame loftie Lynes to serue as signes of wit, 
Sad care-crost Muse vnto the world proclaime, 
With woefuU notes this Lamentable Theame, 
And sing so sadlie to each listning eare, 
That euerie eye for tribute pay a teare. 
Come euerie Age, Estate, and Sexe, come all, 
Come and bewaile this statelie Cedar fall; 
Come all wrong'd Orphanes, come bewaile your Syre, 
Who did of late (but yet too soone) expyre; 
Come woeful! widowes, come you, weepe you fast, 
Your Anchor and your hope, your help is past." 

" Rich Burgers, you of whom hee once was chiefe. 
With teares bewray vnto the world your grieffe; 
You at the Barre who pleade your clients' cause, 
Mourne that ye want the Judge that Judged your Lawes; 
Graue learned Judges, all burst foorth in mone — 
Your Light, your Lanterne, and your Guide is gone," &c. 

And concludes as follows : — 

" Now, being dead, this at our hands doth merite. 
That as our bakes this badge of mourning bears, 
VVee should to Griefe pay tribute with our teares. 
But, ah ! my Muse, breake of this our sad decay, 
Let brauer wits this deepe taske vnder-goe, 
To waile his want and manifest our woe." 

Mr. John Murray, Minister of Dimfermline, was deposed in 
1622 for nonconformity to ^^ the Five Articles of Perth!' He died at 
Prestonpans in 1632. {Chal. Hist. Dimf vol. i. p. 415.) 

Mr. Harrie Makgill was this year admitted minister of Dun- 
fermline, as successor to Mr. John Murray. {Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. 
p. 415, &c.) 

PiTLiVER. — Mr. John Dempster, Advocate, Edinburgh, became 
(in 1622) proprietor of the lands and barony of Pitliver, three miles 
south-west from Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. Diinf vol. i. p. 305.) 



THE HILL-HOUSE FOUNDED. 



281 



Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic, was 
elected Provost, 

1623.— The Hill-House Founded. — The Hill-House, a stately 
mansion, about half a mile south of Broad Street, Netherton, was this 
year founded by William Monteith, of Randieford, who, in 1621, pur- 
chased the estate. Round the top of the staircase bartizan, outside, 
in large open letters, are the following words in Latin : — 

NI DEVS ^DIFICET DOMVM. 

That is, "Except the Lord build the house." (Ps. cxxvii. i.) 

On a stone connecting two long chimney-stalks, within the bar- 
tizan, there are the following two inscriptions, cut in elegantly-formed 
Hebrew and Roman characters : — 



ECC 


C • 2 • 22 (21). 




hir\ nroj 




nan nyni 



ECC • 


C • 2 • 22 (21) • 


HOC 


• QVOQVE • VAN 


ITAS 


• EST • ET • MA 


LVM 


• MAGNVM. 



Namely, " This is also vanity, and a great evil!' 

Over the dining-room windows are the effigies of two men — one 
cut on the stone over each window — supposed to be King David 
and King James VI. ; the one sitting harp in hand, and the other — 
rather more than a half-length figure — in the costume of his time, 
with ruffs. And on a stone panel between these windows there are, 
cut in relievo, the following Hebrew words : — 




That is, " The Lord hath chosen them that fear him." 

Underneath the first window of the staircase, at the main entrance 
fronting south — but not at present visible from the ground, by reason 

20 



282 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



of a flat roof over the porch — is the date " 1623," with the following 
words, in Hebrew and Latin, cut on two small stone panels : — 




\X. • iEDIFI 

CANTI • DOM 

VM • SVAM 'INI 

VSTITIA. 



That is, " Woe imto him that buildeth his house by imrighteousness." 
(Jeremiah xxii, 13.) 

This window has at its top the initials " w, M.," surmounted by a 
Jieur-de-lis. These are evidently the initials of William Monteith, 
who acquired the lands of the " Hill" in 162 1. {Vide also ChaLHist. 
Dunf. vol i. p. 326.) 

Adam Blackwood, an eminent native of Dunfermline, died at 
Paris in 1623, aged 84. He resided the greater part of his life in 
France. He was a senator in the Parliament of Poictiers, and Pro- 
fessor of Law in the University of that city. He was the author of 
several works ; one of which, entitled " Apologia pro Regibtis," pub- 
lished in 1588, went through two editions. He was "a rampant 
defender" of the unfortunate Queen Mary. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic. 



1624. — Free Burgesses. — Two free burgesses " were maid " on 
the day before the great fire ^ viz., "24 die May, 1624 — Johne Henri- 
sone of fordell beward of Court and votting of ye haill nigtbor's 
convenit wes entreid burgess and freeman of this brugh gratis, and 
maid the nytbors aith." Same day, " 24 die May, 1624 — George 
durie of Craigluscar lykwys entered burges and frieman of ye said 
bruth gratis, and maid ye nytbrs aith " (the burgess oath). {Burgh 
Records, 24th May, 1624.) The next meeting of the magistrates and 
Council of the burgh was on May 27th, tzuo days after the great fire, 
and although the houses were still smouldering, no notice is taken of 
the calamity, neither is it afterwards alluded to in the Burgh Records. 
This is so extraordinary that it would appear to have been designed. 
(See Annals, date 27th May, 1624, and following page.) 



THE GREAT FIRE. 283 

Great Fire of Dunfermline, 25th May, 1624. — The Burgh 
Records of a great many towns in Scotland refer to this fire ; but 
singular it is that there is not the slightest notice taken of the cala- 
mity in the Bicrgh Records of Dunfermline. This fire was accidental, 
and was caused by some burning wadding or tow " from a fired gun " 
falling on the heather or thatched roof of a house near the Rotten Row, 
which was set on fire, and from thence it spread to other houses, until 
about three-fourths of the town was destroyed. The 25th May, 1624, 
was Wappinshaw-day in Dunfermline, and, consequently a day for 
drill. A bailie's son was the culprit who fired the gun which caused 
the calamity. 

Complaint to the Provost regarding a Malt Bam, Kiln, 
Coble, &c. — This is the first entry in the Burgh Records two days 
after the great fire, and it will be seen that no notice is taken of the 
smoking houses around. Similar notices succeed, but nothing to 
indicate that a great fire had occurred : — 

"27th die May, 1624. — The qlk day qmperit Jane Phillan, and gave in 
ye qmplaint to the provst and baillies, purchest at ye instance of David 
Phillan against M. Thomas Wardlaw of Logie. Archey douglas and Janet 
phillan his spouse Berrand yt they war lawf^ warnit to this day to heer and 
see thame declarit to have done wrang in not removing fra the malt barn, kiln 
cobell, corn barns yaird caill of land (for Keavle's lot or portion) adjacent 
zrto and half aiker of land gontenit in ye precpt at ye last term of witsunday 
last bypast." {Burgh Records, 27th May, 1624.) 

Such is the first entry in these Records, two days after the fire, and 
is inserted here merely that it may be joined to the two entries in a 
previous page. (24th May, 1624.) 

Public Notices, &c., regarding the Great Fire. — The 
following are the public notices regarding the Great Fire of Dun- 
fermline : — 

" Tlie Lords of the Privy Council to King yanies VI. 

" Most Sacred Souerane, — Thair hes of lait fallin oute, within the burgh 
of Dunfermlyne vpoun the xxv day of Maij last, ane most lamentable and 
fearefuU accident, by ane suddane and terrible fyre, whilk araise within the 
same, and continewed so violent for the space of foure houris, as no foirsight 
nor strength of man wes able to resist it, sua that the poore inhabitantis who, 
with mutche stryveing and extreame hasaird of thair lyveis, opposed thame 
selffis agains the violence of the fyre, were constrayned in the end to yield to 
necessitie, and to be spectatowris of this feareful visitatioun, wherein the 
whole body of the toun, whilk consisted of elevin scoir of tenementis, and 
fouretene scoir and sevin famileis, wes within the space foirsaid, brynt and 
consumed, with the whole plennessing of the houssis and the barnis about the 



284 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

towne, wherein thair wes fyve hundredth bollis of victuall, saxtene scoir of 
bairnis, of whom the eldest is not past sax yeiris of aige, is totalie ruyned and 
undone, and the poore inhabitantis, who wer a companie of industruous and 
verteous people, and paynefuUie and cairfullie labourit for thair leving, ar 
reducit to that extreame point of miserye, that nothing is left thame bot the 
cloathis vpoun thair backis, without a house or holde to repoise their lan- 
guisheing bodyis in, as some of us, who has scene the desolatioun of this poore 
toune, can beare record. We haif beene verie solist and cairfull for a supplie 
to this poore toune, and hes begun oure selfhis to gif good example to otheris, 
and by oure lettres we haif recommendit thame to the whole body of this 
estate : And whereas this gentleman, your Majesties auld seruand, hes, at 
the earnist desyre of the poore toune, undertane to represent unto your Ma- 
jestie the desolat estate and conditioun thairof, they have petitioned ws that 
be him we wald gif notice vnto your Majestic of the trcuthc of this mater, 
whilk, in a mater of this kynd, we could not weel deny. In the meantyme, 
we sail haif a cair that the moneyis quhilkis salbe contributed for this earand 
salbe providently managed and rightlie distributit, according to the qualitie 
and necessitic of the pairtyes interested, and in every other thing whilk may 
procure the com forte and releiff of that poore toun, no thing salbe inlaiking 
in ws whiche to oure charge and placeis apperteynis : And so, with oure 
humble prayeris vnto God, recommending your Majestic, and all your royall 
and princelie advis, to the protectioun of the Almightie, we rest for ever. — 
Your Majesteis, most humble and obedyent subjectis and seruitouris, 

"George Hay. Linlithgow. 

Ja. Glasgow. Melros. 

Wigtoune. Glencairne. 

A. Mar. Buccleuche." 

"Haliruidhous, 16 Junij 1624. 
To the King his most sacred and excellent 

Majestic." 

{Melrose Papers^ vol. ii. p. 565, No. 329.) A similar notice was sent 
" to the Prince his Highness" (Prince Charles), "because the towne is 
your Highnes owne." 

It would appear from the foregoing document that some of the 
Lords of the Privy Council had visited Dunfermline shortly after the 
fire, to see the extent of the calamity, so that his Majesty and others 
might have trustworthy information on the subject. 

The following are a few interesting notices regarding the fire : — 
From Johnston's unpublished (MS.) Hist. Scot, in the Advocates' 
Library, Edinburgh: "On tueday 25th day of May, At Dunferm- 
line while a wappinshaw was going on, William Anderson, son til 
John Anderson, a bailfif of the said town, and Charles Richeson, his 
servant, being shooting a shot with some of their friends in a certain 
place of the town, a little piece of the lunt flieth upon a thack-house, 
which easily kindled; the fire increased with the violence of the wind, 



THE GREAT FIRE. 285 

and did flie from house to house, and sometimes wald flie over ane 
house without doing it any harm, but wald burn the next house, till 
the great admiration of all men. So that this fire burnt so meikle of 
the town, that, excepted the Abbey and the Kirk thereof, the tenth 
part were not free of it. This, by the judgement of all beholders, 
was thought til have been some divinity, or some witchcraft, rather 
nor this foresaid accidental fire." From this account it would appear 
that William Anderson, son of Bailie Anderson, and Charles Richeson 
were those who fired the unlucky shot, and that about nine-tenths of 
the houses in the town were on fire and destroyed. 

Calderwood in his History of the Kirk of Scotland gives the time 
and the continuance of the fire: — "Dunfermeline burnt upon the 25th 
May, (1624). A young boy in Dunfermeline shooting a gunne, a 
little piece of the lunt (lint) flieth upon a thacke house, which easlie 
kindled, the fire increased with the violence of the wind, which was 
verie vehement. The fire began at twelf houres, and burnt the whole 
toun. Some few sclat houses excepted before foure afternoone ; 
goods and gear within houses, malt and victuall in malt kills and 
barns were consumed with the fire." {Calderiuood's Hist. Kirk. Scot., 
vol. vii. p. 607. 

According to Calderwood, the fire began at twelve o'clock noon, and 
continued until four o'clock afternoon, a fierce storm of wind blowing all 
this while from the north-west. The Chronicles of Perth notices this fire 
as follows: "Thair wes ane great fyre in Dunferling, that brunt almaist 
the haill toun in four houris space. Thaireafter, upone thair sup- 
plecation, voluntar contribution wes grantit thame throchout the 
kingdom. Thair wes collectit (in Perth) above Ixx. merkis," Mur. 
Chroji. Perth, vol. i. pp. 24, 25. Balfour in his Annals of Scotland 
notes, that the toun of Dunfermline consisted at this time of 220 
houses, containing 287 families. 

The Aberdeen Records has the following minute on Dunfermline 
fire: — "Anno, 1624 — Dunfermline, the town of, destroyed by accidental 
fire, 25th May, consumed 220 tenements, occupied by 287 families, 
their whole plenishing, with 500 bolls of grain in barns. The town, 
containing 700 communicants, and 320 children under six years of 
age, said to be completely ruined. Voluntary contribution for their 
relief, ordered by the head court of Aberdeen, convened for the pur- 
pose; 1600 merks, collected by voluntary contribution as the town's 
benevolence, paid to the commissioner appointed for receiving it, for 
which he granted a receipt." {Inventory of the Records of Aberdeen, 



286 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



vol. li. pp. 123, 124, and 133; also Fernies History of Dunfermline, 
p. 134, &c.) 

The following minute is extracted from the Burgh Records of 
Edinburgh, i6th July, 1624: — "The quhilk day, Alexander Clerk, 
provost, Mungo Makcall, and Peter Somerville, baillies, &c., being 
convenit, for sua meikle as the collectors appointed for collecting and 
ingathering of the voluntar contribution appointed to be collectat 
through this burgh, for re-edificing of the said burgh of Dumfermeling, 
late brunt be sudden fyre, as at mair length is conteynit in the act of 



Sketch Plan of 

Dunfermline, 162i 

— ^ 

The Shided p^rts stior/- ttir icc<iiities 

Sive/7t O'er 6y Cfie f/ames during C/ie 

Grea-t Fire on 25''Miy.l624. 




counsall maid theranent, of the dait the second day of June last, is 
fund to extend to the sou me oi four tJiousand fyve Jmndreih pimdis 
eicht shillingis seven pejinyes [Scots] ; thairfore, the provost, baillies, 
and counsall, ordainis the said collectors to pay the said somis to 
Mr. Robert Drimond of Woodcokdaill, and James Reid, zor. burges 
of dumfermeling, appointet ressavers of the same." {Edin. Burgh 
Records; dial. Hist. Duuf, vol. i. p. 571, &c.) 



THE GREAT FIRE, 28/ 

From these notices it would appear that about nine-tenths of the 
town were destroyed during the brief space of four hours, on the 
disastrous 25th May, 1624. The ravages of the fire appear to have 
been confined principally to the area of the town lying on the north 
side of the High Street, viz., the Collier Row [Bruce Street]; the 
Rotten Row [West Queen Anne Street] ; North Chapel Street ; the 
Cross Wynd ; all the north and part of the south side of the High 
Street ; the upper part of New Row, and the north side of Maygate. 
The houses on the south side of the High Street were only partially 
destroyed ; the violent storm of wind at the time carried the flames 
and sparks in some places across the street, and thus set fire to and 
consumed many of them. The under parts of the houses in the town 
were generally built of stone, the storey or storeys above were chiefly 
of timber, and three-fourths of them were thatched with straw, 
heather, and, in some instances, with "turf-sods," which accounts for 
so many houses being destroyed in the short space of four hours. 

The sketch on preceding page, showing the locus of the fire and the 
direction of its "blasts of flame," is taken from an old plan in the 
writer's possession. 

This plan shows the extent of Dunfermline in 1624. The arrow- 
heads indicate the direction of the wind during the fire (north-west); 
the long dark streaks that of the smoke and flames driven by the 
violence of the wind over the town according to old traditional 
accounts. Thus are exhibited the extent and direction of the Great Fire. 

The documents which have been quoted show that there were 320 
children in the town under six years of age in 1624, or about one-fifth 
of the population; the town would then have about 1600 inhabitants; 
there were 220 tenements. In these days dwellings were more 
crowded than now; at present about 6 souls are allowed to each 
house; in 1624 the number would be about 7^ to a house; thus 
220 X 7 = 1540 inhabitants. They may be classified as follows: — 
Children under six years of age, 320; on the communicant's roll, 700; 
not on communicant's roll (in which number may be reckoned persons 
between the years of six and sixteen, and also those who had a 
scruple to become communicants, 580; total; 1600 souls in Dunferm- 
line in 1624. 

Tradition. — A curious but absurd tradition may be noticed here, 
viz. : — "A week or so before the Great Fire, "a regiment of rats" were 
seen making their way up the Rotten Row, the van being led by two 



288 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

rats leading a blind one by means of a straw between them!" This 
dispersion of the animals, it is said, was taken as an instance of their 
sagacity and foresight as to the coming fire. The narrow street used 
by the rats in their flight was afterwards named the " Rotten Row ; " 
but this tradition comes to grief when it is recollected that the said 
street was called the Ration Row, or Rotten Row, as early as the year 
1487! (See An. Dunf. date 1487.) Rotten Row is derived from 
Ration, viz., unwrought timber, the houses being erected wholly of 
rough undressed planks of timber ; no stone used. 

Rebuilding of Dunfermline — Garvock Wood, cS^*;.— Some old 
MSS. notify that those of the inhabitants whose ^^ finances permitted 
iheni" began to rebuild and repair their houses immediately after the 
fire had ceased ; while the great bulk of the people had to wait until 
the "■inbringing of tJie public benevolence contributions ;'' and that, during 
the latter end of 1624, "///^ soimd of the mallet, hammer, and saw, were 
Jieard in every quarter of the ioivn," there being "large flocks of trades- 
men at work." At this calamitous period the burgesses of Dunfermline 
had a right to cut wood on the estate of Garvock, about a mile east 
of the town ; and they made such good use of their rights, that they 
left that estate nearly denuded of its trees. These they had sawn 
into planks, deals, &c., for rebuilding the second and third storeys of 
their houses, the ground apartments being in general built of stone. 
The mansion-house of Garvock, which crowned Garvock Hill, being 
thus shorn of much of its natural beauty, the proprietor, Mr. Wellwood, 
afterwards removed his residence to Pitliver, besides losing Garvock 
Wood. 

Towards the end of 1624 there are several minutes in the Burgh 
Records of parties, by the dozen, who had been summoned for paltry 
debts before the Burgh Court, for stanes, lime, and driving. One 
extract will sufiice : "9 Dec, 1624 — James henrison compeard for 
awing David Blair for work, and for stanes and lime, ^libT He is 
ordered to pay the Afib. There is no entry in the Records of the 
large sums which the town must have received before Dec, 1624, or 
the least hint how the moneys received were distributed. " Had a liberal 
distribution been made, perhaps this '4//^.' of James Henrison's to 
David Blair would not have been on tJie books." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid. 

" Public Benevolence " Contributions. — The magistrates of 
Dunfermline, shortly after the fire, had sent out to every town and 



LETTERED MEMORIAL STONE. 



289 



parish in Scotland petitions for "public benevolence" contributions, 
in which, as has been shown in the response of a few quoted, they got 
seasonable relief : Edinburgh sent ;^45oo 8s. yd. (Scots) ; Aberdeen, 
1600 merks ; Perth, 70 merks, &c. ; and no doubt every town and 
parish contributed. It is highly probable that a very considerable sum 
would come to Dunfermline for the relief of " the poor inhabitants," 
but how much, there is nothing on record to show. The King had 
been solicited for aid. His bounty on the occasion is not known ; 
but Prince Charles (afterwards King Charles I.) who was solicited for 
pecuniary aid, gave ;^500 Scots, " Dunfermling being his ain toun^ 

The House in East High Street with Date of the Fire on it. 
— After the town was rebuilt, a great many of the pious inhabitants 
placed on the front walls of their houses, above doors and windows, 
stones having on them the date of the fire, and mottoes taken from 
the Scriptures. These "sermons in stones" have since then, in the 




course of "improvements," been nearly all removed or destroyed. 
Only two remained in 1877 ; one in the High Street (east end, north 
side) ; the others on the house-top of Cross Wynd. The house near 
the east of the High Street (north side), within a few yards of the 
side of the East Port, according to tradition, was the eastmost house 
in that direction which had been overtaken by the flames and only 

2P 



290 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



partially destroyed. It would likely be looked upon by its proprietor 
as a "supernatural gift." Hence, "-Praise God for all his gifts" was 
an appropriate motto for his memorial stone over the door. The 
engraving on the preceding page is a representation of the stone. 

The stone, it will be seen, is a triangular one, having cut on it in 
alto relievo the day and the year of the fire, " 1624 • 25 Mali." Below 
are the initials, no doubt, of the proprietors and heir in 1624. 

PRAIS • GOD • FOR 

is now all that appears in connection with it. It is probable, however, 
that the stone would originally rest on a " lintel stanel^ which would 
have on it the concluding words of the motto, viz. : — • 

ALL HIS GIFTS, 

or perhaps " All Hys Gyftes." As the motto now stands, it gives out 
" an uncertain sound," and appears to give the praise to the proprietor. 
It will be remembered that a stone on Pittencrleff House had on it a 
similar motto. (See An. Dunf. date 16 10.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Thos. Wardlaw, of Logie. (Btirgh 
Rec.) According to another notice — Alexander Clerk, of Pittencrieff. 

1625.— Grammar School Built. — The Grammar School of 
the burgh, which had been erected soon after the destruction of the 




Abbey, by Ged, was enveloped in the flames of the great fire of 25th 
May, 1624, and reduced to a ruin. In 1625 a new school was erected on 
the same site. The school of 1625 stood until 18 17, in the S.E. corner of 



GRAMMAR SCHOOL BUILT. 29 1 

the play-ground of the present school. It was a small building, devoid 
of architectural adornment — about 40 feet in length, 25 in breadth, 
and 16 in height. The preceding view of it was taken by the writer 
from a much larger one in possession of Mr. Ramsay, London, a son 
of the teacher who held the school early in the present century. 

The view is taken from the south-west, apparently on the street, 
opposite Queen Ann Street manse gate. The school consisted of 
two storeys, three small windows on the ground apartment, and three 
large ones above, facing the street, where the business of the school 
was conducted, the entrance into which was by an outside stair built 
to the east gable. Above the door there was a large stone, having cut 
into it the Latin words — 

FAVE ■ MIHI • MI • DEUS • 1625. 

That is — " Favour me, O my God." Above were the town's arms — a 
tower with rampant lion supporters, and 1625, the date of erection. 
On the triangular stones, on the east and west, above the upper win- 
dows there were inscriptions ; the stone above the middle window 
was embellished with a large thistle. On the stone above the west 
window were the Latin words, — 

SEP: 

DOGE • ET ■ 

C ASTIGA ■ VT ■ 

VIVAT ■ PVER- 

That is, " Often teach and chastise, that the boy may live." And on 
the stone above the east window were, also in Latin, the words, — 

X 

DISGE- 

E T • P ATE = 

RE • SIG • TE • BEAB- 

IT • DEUS • TUUS- 

That is, " Learn and suffer. Thus thy God shall bless thee." The first 
inscription is a general supplication for Divine aid ; the second gives 
advice to the teacher to give proper instruction and due chastisement ; 
the third gives advice to the scholars to learn with diligence and 
submit to punishment, and thus shall they receive the blessing of 
God. 

This school of 1625 was long felt to be too small for the increasing 



292 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



population of the burgh; it was removed in 18 17, whilst the present 
more handsome edifice was being erected, Mr. Archibald Haxton, 
a most excellent teacher and disciplinarian, was the last of the many 
teachers who, during 191 years, had done service in it. The writer was a 
pupil for a short period before its removal. (See Annals^ date 18 16-17.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logie. 

1626.— Market Cross. — The first notice of a Market Cross in 
Dunfermline is to be found under date 1499 ; but, although not men- 
tioned, there would be one as early as 1395, if not much earlier, for 




the tron and customes are noticed under date 1383. The original 
Market Cross was probably a tall stone pillar, erected on the top of a 
few pyramidal steps (similar to the Cross re-erected in 1869). In 
1620 the original Cross appears to have become so "dilapidated" 
that it became dangerous, and was removed. Then a new one, 
resembling the Crosses of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, &c,, was erected in 



THE MARKET CROSS, ETC. 293 

the '' Hie-Gafe," opposite the foot of ^^Croce Wynde." This new Cross 
of 1620 was an elegant structure. The above representation of it 
is taken, in its then " rude and dilapidated state" from an old drawing 
of date 1747, by "J. S." 

This structure appears to have been about 10 feet in diameter, as 
ascertained by the " wheel-radii " of stones formed in the causeway 
in the place where it stood. The small house was octagonal, 12 feet 
in diameter and about 10 feet in height. From the centre arose the 
" pillar-stone," supporting a unicorn. The whole height of the Cross, 
including the pillar, would be about 20 feet. Round the inside of the 
small building, at the height of a few feet, there was a stone pavement, 
which was reached by a few steps. This stone pavement was the 
place whereon the town's officers stood to read public proclamations, 
&c. ; and on the " proclaiming the advent of a new Sovereign " the 
Provost, Magistrates, &c., ascended to this paved place and made 
the proclamation. On "the King's birth-days the Magistrates and 
Council stood all round the pavement and drank the King's health, 
and then often threw their glasses into the air !" The door faced the 
east. Round the top of the octagon house there were carved stones. 
Only one, so far as the writer knows, exists — viz., the stone above the 
door-way — having on it the burgh arms. It is in the possession of 
the writer. The stone is well authenticated, having come through 
two hands only when he received it as a gift. The following is a 
sketch of the stone. 




In order to preserve this stone, the writer intends to have it sunk 
into some one of the steps in front of the recently re-erected Cross. 
(See the several notices of the Cross in the Annals between 1620 and 
1868.) 

The Cross Wynd "■ Fire-Stane " Inscriptions. — This house, 
already alluded to, occupies the north-west angle of the Cross Wynd, 
and stood "contiguous to the Cross Wynd Port!' The previous house. 



294 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



which stood on the same site, was destroyed by the great fire, May 25, 
1624. 

The present building appears to have been erected or completed 
in 1626, as indicated by an old stone which was once on the west 
wall of the house. On the east wall of this house, in the Cross Wynd, 
and about ten feet above the pavement of the street, there is to be 
seen a dilapidated stone, about four feet square, having on it several 
references from Scripture regarding the great fire. Perhaps no other 
town in Scotland possesses so full and so interesting a memorial of 
an incident of other days. Many of the letters on this unique stone 
are so " time-worn " that it is impossible now to make them out. In 
a few years, none of those left will be readable. The proprietor 
should adopt measures to preserve them. The following engraving 
represents the present appearance of the stone, with the exception 
of the restoration of some of the worn-out words and letters on it : — 



i 



r3 



[m 



:c:i 



SITANTUM-POTUIT- IGNIS ■ HOK/E-MAi' 
2.^ i62'f:^ FLAMM/E-PLAMEN-JN/S- St^.nt 
TAS- O - PYRAS • HORRENDAS^PVAli;'- ^ 
S P t R i T U S :• or H^ V/E:QVA S i-T ORRE//T E ^U t:^ 
^PHURi$^ STERNUM •rNCEXt>&MT-^£SA!-^0- 33 



^X 



Jj 




NiSt -BDM INUS:' 



Si- D fc. N U • G-U V (t •- V ; -j c i '- Co r- . ;v . -y -^ t- jn l^ . ■ i. y,-^^ • 
NACULA- UARC-)R! • VO LV IT- BEN tGNlTAS • O ' 
qiyiTATE.V>-F-yisjOATiSSlMA|v) ■--! CusyS- ARTv- 

VfDE • QvesSO • SEVEWTATEM-ET SF-fv 
TA T E M • D E! - Rom . 1/ 2 2- 



B-3 



JiDIOimMIDIQiPOTiMlitllW^ 



Of which the following is a free translation : — " Seewg that iii so 
brief a space, on the 2^th May, 1624., so mtich desolation was caused by 
a fire and the fury of the flaming blast, then O consider the dreadful 



CROSS WYND "FIRE-STANE" INSCRIPTIONS. 29S 

blazing pyres which the breath of Jehovah, as if with a torrent of 
brimstone, %v ill for ever keep i7ifiainesy (Isaiah xxx. 33.) The initial 
letters, " M.R.D,," on the left, appear to refer to Master Robert Dury. 
He was an M.A., and consequently, as was customary at this period, 
prefixed his initials with an " M." 

In the centre of the stone is a shield, having cut on it in the centre, 
in alto relievo, a Tree, and Three Arrows or Darts, "on the wing" — 
two on the right-hand side of it, and one on the left side. Whether 
the tree is an emblem of "the Tree of Life," and the darts, "the fiery 
darts of the wicked one," does not appear clear, but it is likely they 
will have a scriptural solution. 

" Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." 
(Psalm cxxvii. i.) 

Under the shield the Latin words may be thus rendered : — " Since 
new tabernacles to dwell in have, by a bountiful Providence, as you see, 
beefi bestowed upon tis, O seek the city which has sure foundations, whose 
Builder and Maker is God." (Heb, xi. 10.) 

The last admonition may be rendered : " / beseech yotc, behold (in 
this dire calamity) the goodness and the severity of God." (Rom. xi. 22.) 

These inscriptions are in bas-relief (cut into the stone); the Shield, 
•the Tree, and the Arrows are in alto. 

It was once supposed that the centre of the Shield was occupied 
by a Quiver full of Arrows, which, along with the thjre in flight, was 
thought to have some connection with the 127th Psalm. 

About 25 or 30 years ago, during the process of some alterations 
being made on this house, three triangular stones were removed from 
its west wall. No. i Stone had cut on it a circle floriated, with bar 
across the centre. Above the bar were two arrows ; below it, one 
arrow, with all heads pointing downwards, the initials "l. D." mutilated, 
were in the lower corner angles (John Dury?). No. 2 Stone had on 
it 1626, and the Latin words — 

SVSTINE ' ABSTINE 
1626. 

viz.. Bear and Forbear, showing by the date, "1626," that the house 
would be finished in this year. No. 3 Stone has on it — 

M.W. D. ! A • FVNDAMENTO • DENVO • EXTRVXIT 

viz., Mr. W. D. built [this house] anew from the foundation. 

These stones, along with many other "Dunfermline sculptured 



296 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Stones," were long in the possession of the late Mr. Joseph Paton, 
Wooer's Alley, Dunfermline. They are now to be seen at the west 
end of the Nave of the Abbey Church. 

Note. — In the year 1858, while the writer was collecting materials 
for an account of "The Great Fire" for the Dtmfermlifie Journal^ he 
caused search to be made for all date-and-motto stones referring to 
1624-1628 on houses in Dunfermline, directing particular attention to 
the "Cross Wynd Stane." The inscriptions were then copied for him. 
Since no notice is taken of this interesting Stone in any "History," it 
would seem that the writer was the first who brought it before the public. 

The Ancient "Pretoria," or Tolbooth of the Burgh. — 
This building was probably burnt in 1624. The Burgh Records do 
not inform us as to whether or not the Town-house of this period was 
burnt ; but that will be no surprise to those who know that these 
Records do not allude to the fire at all ! It is very probable, however, 
that the ^^ Prcstoria" was burnt, for a house next to it, on the 
south, and which was connected with the prison, was destroyed. 
This house belonged to John Anderson, and it was rebuilt two 
years after the first. In 1769, part of Anderson's premises were 
removed to make way for the new Town-house then erecting. The 
"lintel-stane" was used in the new building. This "stane" was found 
in the lower part of the west wall, or gable, of the last Town-house, 
in 1876, when it was being removed. The following is a copy of the 
letters and date on this stone : — 



I"A- 1626 



The date belongs to "the re-building period of the burgh." 

"AULD Kirk" Repairs. — Erection of Lafts, Buchts^ &c. — This 
year, it was found that the south-west end of the Church was much 
out of repair, as also the roof of the aisle there. The faults were 
repaired, and the date, "1626" left in a small circular stone in the 
centre of the aisle-roof. At the same time, the Scholars' and Sailors' 
Lafts appear to have been erected, and several family btichts, in other 
parts of the kirk. (See Dttnf Parish Rec. &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic. {Burgh 
Records.) 

Slanderers of Dunfermline to be Punished. — On the 7th 
of May, this year, the Town Council of Dunfermline passed an Act for 



DUNFERMLINE REBUILT. 



297 



punishing of those who "cursed and slandered the town," wishing it 
to be burned again. (See Annals Dunf. date 165 1.) 

1627.— Witches and Warlocks! — An old MS. extract in the 
writer's possession, notifies that " the wast d fife, specially Dunfermlin 
and torryburn, began to be infested be zvitches and luarlocks." (See A71. 
Dunf date 1643.) 

Penny Weddings. — According to an old note, Penny Weddings 
began to be very "nproris in Dnnfermling" (about 1627 and 1628), 
and "Sandie Dempster, the wading fidler," took an active part at 
them with " playin' and kickin' up and dancing." (See also Annals 
Dufif date 1648.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

1628.— Dunfermline Rebuilt. — It would appear, from several 




MS. notes, that " Dunfermhne had, by the year 1628, in a great 
measure recovered itself from the great disaster of 1624;" and that 

2Q 



298 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

" many of the new erections were a great improvement on those 
destroyed." Also, it is noted, that "many of the newly-built houses 
were decorated with motto-and-date stanesT A few years ago, on 
making some alterations on the house of Mr. Young, saddler, on the 
south side of East High Street, "a fire-motto-date stane" was dis- 
covered, of which the above is a representation. The date on this 
stone (1628) refers to the fourth year after the great fire of May 25th, 
1624, when the greater part of the town had been rebuilt. 

1629. — Burntisland, and the Communion Expenses. — " 1629 
24th May, Dumfarling. This day sent a discharge to Dumfarmling 
for the landwart of the elements celebrat in our kirk the 5 and 12 of 
Appryll this year." (Burntisland Kirk Session Records.) 

The Wrights' Laft in the Church of Dnnfermline. — The 
incorporation of Wrights erected, in 1629, a seat between the two 
eastmost pillars, south side of the kirk. This seat had a fine old oak 
carved front, with arms, and the motto — 

GOD • bless • THE * JOINERS ' OF ' DUNF. 

This oak front was long in the possession of the late Mr. Paton, and 
was sold at his sale in November, 1874. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic. (See 
Burgh Records.) 

1630.— William Schaw and the Mason Craft. — William (son of 
William Schaw, Master of Works to James VI.), and himself Master 
of Works to Charles I., granted a charter to the general lodge, 
recognising Sir William Sinclair of Roslin as patron and protector 
from age to age of their craft. This charter is attested by names of 
deacons and masters of the lodges of several of the Royal burghs in 
1630. Among the signatures appears that of Robert Alisone, one of 
the Masters of the Lodge of Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. Dtmf vol. ii. 
p. 156.) 

John Henrysone, Notrious Assruit, who appears to have been 
the writer of these charters, was, most likely, the son of John Henry- 
sone, public notary and schoolmaster of Dunfermline. (See Annals 
Dji7if date 1573.) John Burne, one of the Masters of the Dunfermline 
lodge, subscribes his name to this charter — the pen being led by John 
Henrysone, viz.,— "I, Jon Burne, ane of the mr' of Dumfermline, 



CHARLES I. IN DUNFERMLINE, ETC. 299 

w*^ my hand at ye pen, led be ye notar vnder subscrywand for me at 
my comand, because I can not writ myselff. — J. Henrysone, notrious 
assruitr (Vide Lyon's Hist. Lodge, Edin. p. 61; also An. Dim/. 
date 1598.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Thomas Wardlaw was re-elected 
Provost. (Bnrgh Records.) 

1631.— Henry Wardlaw, of Pitreavie (eldest son of Queen 
Anne's Chamberlain), was created a Nova Scotia Baronet by King 
Charles I. in 1631. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. ^. -^04. Sec also Annals, 
Appen. S.) 

Provost of Dunfermline— Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic. (See 
Burgh Records^ 

1633.— King Charles I. in Dunfermline — Creation of Earl 
and Five Knights. — King Charles I. during his sojourn in Scotland 
this year, on July 4th and 5th, visited Dunfermline, when he, "with 
great solemnitie," created Sir Robert Kerr Earl of Ancrum, Lord 
Kerr of Nisbet, &c., which was proclaimed by the heralds at the 
open windows of "the great chamber" of the Palace. Afterwards, 
the King dubbed five of his favourites. The King left Dunfermline on 
5th July. {Balf An. Scot. vol. i. ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 271.) 
It has been supposed that Alexander Clark, of Pittencrieff, was one 
of this list of knights. 

Lord Kinloss created Earl of Elgin. — Thomas Bruce, 
third Lord Kinloss, was this year created Earl of Elgift by King 
Charles L {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 289.) 

King Charles L and the Lordship of Dunfermline, Revocations, 
&^. — The following extract is from one of the Acts of the Scottish 
Parliament, held at Edinburgh, 28th January (cap. 9) :--"//'t'w.- His 
Majesty, with consent of the saids Estaits, revokes, cansils, annuls, 
retracts, and rescinds all and sundrie infeftments, grants, dispositions, 
confirmations, and other rights whatsoever, made by his Majestic 
induring his minority, and lessage to whatsoever person, or persones, 
in fee, frank, tenement or otherwise, of the landes, kirks, teinds, 
patronages, offices, and others pertaining to the Lordship of Dun- 
fermling; to the which his Majestic succeded as only sone and heire 
to his Majesties umquhile, dearest mother Queene Anna, who was 
heritably infeft in the said lordship of Dunfermling, and siclyke gifts: 



300 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

revokes all gifts, alienations, dispositions, and other rightes what- 
soever, made by his Majestie, or his said dearest mother, unlawfully 
and against the lawes of the kingdome, of the said lordship, or any 
landes, teinds, offices, kirks, patronages, and others perteining to the 
said lordship at any time preceeding the date hereof: the same being 
so found and verified before the ordinary judge," &c. ( Vide Act 
termed the "King's General Revocatioji," Parliament of Charles I., 
Edinburgh, June 28, 1633, cap. 9; Murray's Laws and Acts of Par. 
vol. i. p. 533.) 

James Halket of Pitfirrane Knighted.— James Halket, 
of Pitfirrane, was knighted this year by Charles I., at Dalkeith, on 
24th June. {Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol i. p. 295.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic. (See 
Burgh Records') 

1634.— King Charles I. " Disappoints a^id Affronts the Earl 
Rothes and Lord Lindsay!' — "Earl Rothes, Sheriff* of Fife, and Lord 
Lindsay, bailie of the regality of St. Andrews, understanden that it 
was the intention of the King to pass througJi Dunfermline, collected 
their friends there, to the number of nearly 2000, on horseback, and 
in their best style of equipage, to testify their loyalty to him," &c. 
The King, however, affronted them much by intentionally changing 
his route. But conduct of this nature was not uncommon to Charles. 
{Aitk. Hist. Scot. vol. iii. p. 403.) 

AULD Kirk Pulpit — An Elegant Neiv otie Erected. — A new 
pulpit, of oak, was erected in the Aidd Kirk this year. It was very 
neatly carved with devices. An iron rod projected from the side near 
the Pulpit Book-board, and ended in an ornamental iron cup, which 
held an hour-glass (a common appendage of these times). On the 
back of the pulpit were the words — 

"who is sufficient for these things?" 

The pulpit was fixed to the middle north pillar in the Kirk. The 
two projecting iron rods that secured the sounding-board are still to 
be seen. The pulpit is now at Abbotsford ; it was presented by the 
heritors to Sir Walter Scott in 1822. (See An. Dunf. date 1822.) 

AULD Kirk Seating. — A great many new seats and cradels 
were added to the Kirk during 1634, and the '^Musicians' Isle" was 
then repaired. (Kirk Ses. Rec.) 



A SCULPTURED STONE. 



301 



1635.— The Weather. — According to an old MS., the " Januar 
of 1635 set in with grate severitie, with sleet and snaw-storms, whilk 
continuit mair or les until Febuer;" and it seems that the streets were 
in some places "breist high in snaw." (MS. by "Z>. W.") 

Population of the Burgh in 1635. — The burgh having reco- 
vered from the disastrous fire of 1624, a census appears to have been 
taken in 1635, when it was estimated that there were about 1850 
souls in the town and suburbs. (MS. by "J. S.") 

Fever. — A "malignant fever" raged for some months in the 
town and different parts of the parish, " whilk carryet of not a few." 
{MS. Advoc. Lib. 1635.) 

Aspect of the Streets in 1635. — "Wooden fronts above the 
first stone storey, many of them projecting; outside stairs, extending 
to near the middle of the street ; no pavements, and only part of the 
' Hie-gate' causeway'd." (MS.) 

1636.— The Parish of Rosyth was united to the parish of 
Inverkeithing early this year. (Inverkeithing Par. Rec.) 

Sculptured Stone, 1636.— This stone is to be seen on the west 
wall of a house, "in the open" of the first close east of Randolph 
Street (Bardner's Close, now called "Brown's Close). A now nearly 




worn-out tradition informs us, that there formerly stood on the same site 
the town-mansion of Lord Callender ; that his mansion was destroyed 
by the great fire of 25th May, 1624 ; that the locality lay long heaped 



302 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

up with debris, and that on the site being sold in 1634, the present house 
was built. It will be observed that the stone is triangular, the top angle 
terminating in a human face, under which is the date 1636, and below 
the date there is a plain shield, which is divided perpendicularly by a 
bar into equal halves ; on the right-hand half there are three fleur-de- 
lis — two above, and one below a cheveron. On the left-hand side 
are three five-pointed stars, with a stag's head and horns below them. 
On each side of the lower part (the outside) of the Shield are initial 
letters— viz., "I. R. : M. B."— the whole being enclosed within a waved 
ornamental border, formed out of the two sides of the triangular stone. 
It is now not known to whom these initials and armorial bearings 
refer ; but seeing he, the proprietor and builder of 1636, had a Shield 
of Arms, he must have been a man of position. By referring to the 
"heart-shaped stone" on page 264 (which is over the arch, at the north 
end of the same close) the intials "I. R." will be seen on it. Perhaps 
this stone of 1607 ^'^^ that of 1637 may have been set up by the same 
person. 

1637.— The Heritable Offices of the Lordship, &c., of Dun- 
fermline conferred on the Earl of Dnnfermlhie. — Charles, the second 
Earl of Dunfermline, obtained a Charter under the Great Seal from 
King Charles I., for himself, and as Lord of the Lordship and Regality, 
conferring upon him the offices of " Bailiary and Justiciary of our 
Lordship and Regality, on both sides of the river and water of Forth 
excepting what belonged to the bailiary of Musselburgh." 24th April, 
1^33- {CJial. Hist. Dtmf. vol. i. p. 257.) 

Assistant Ministers of Dunfermline. — At this period, and 
for some short time afterwards, there were two assistant ministers in 
the Kirk of Dunfermline — viz., Johne Stanehouse and Samuel Row. 
(Par. Rec.) 

1638.— The National Covenant Signed at Dimfer inline. — 
During the months of March and April, 1638, the National Covenant, 
as drawn up by Alexander Henderson and Johnstone of Warriston, 
was subscribed this year at Dunfermline by the nobility, gentlemen, 
burgesses, and community. Among the signatures are those of the 
Earl of Dunfermline; Sir Robert Halkett, of Pitferrane; James Durie, 
of Craigluscar; Robert Ged (senior and junior), of Baldridge; Henry 
Wardlaw, of Pitreavie; William Wardlaw, of Balmule; also the then 



THE NATIONAL COVENANT. 303 

two assistant ministers of Dunfermline, Johne Stanehouse, Mr. Samuel 

Row, &c.; and upwards of 200 other signatures. 

We have had in our possession for several weeks (May, 1878) this 

National Covenant document, kindly lent to us by the Kirk Session 

of Queen Ann Street Congregation, in whose custody it has been since 

1740. The document consists of a large sheet of parchment 373^ 

inches by 34^, on which is written, in beautiful caligraphy, 74 lines 

of preliminary and explanatory remarks. P^ive of these preliminary 

lines are as follow: — 

" 77ie Confession of Faith Subscribed at Dunfervilijie First by the King^s 
Majestie and his Household, in the zeire of God 1580, Thairefter by persons 
of all ranks In the zeire of God 1581 by ordinance of the Lords of Secret 
Counsall and Acts of generall Assemblies, Subscribed again be all Sortes of 
persons In the zeire of God 1590 by a new Ordinance of Counsall at the 
desire of the Genej-all Assemblie with ane getieral band for meiitainence of the 
trew religion and the King's person, And now subscribed in the zeire of God 
1638 By we Noblenwi, Barronnes, Gentlemen, Burgesses, and Comnmnity 
under subscribed be and Togidder with our resolution and promise For the 
cause eftir specified. To the Mentaifience of the trew Religion and the King's 
Majestie, According to the Confession foirsaid, and actes of parliament, the 
tenor quhairof follows." 

The "tenor" consists of 69 closely-written lines, each 35 jf^ inches 
in length, and which, were they printed along with the signatures 
below them, would occupy about 40 pages quarto (same size as our 
pages). We must therefore refer the reader to the original document 
for further particulars regarding the tenor and the large number of 
signatures appended to it (about 250 in number). 

This " Confession of Faith" was, it is said, first in the possession 
of the Earl of Dunfermline, or his factor, William Walker, Provost 
of the burgh. Afterwards it came into the possession of his 
descendant, William Walker, of Rhodes, Clerk of the Regality, who 
presented it to the Rev. Ralph Erskine shortly after he became 
junior minister of the parish, who is understood to have presented it 
to the Session of his newly-formed Secession Church, Queen Ann 
Street, about 1740. It is also said that it became the property — after 
the Rev. Ralph Erskine's death, in 1752 — of his son, who gifted it to 
the Rev. Mr. Fisher, Glasgow, who bequeathed it a second time to the 
Queen Ann Street Congregation. (See Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. i. p. 273.) 

The document, now time-worn, is enclosed within an oak frame 
AIVa- inches by 44, and is surrounded by a "gilded flat strip border," 
and glazed. This is an interesting document, and ought to be photo- 
graphed for sale. 



304 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Presbytery of Dunfermline, &c. — In the year 1638 the Synod 
of Fife was divided into four Presbyteries — viz., St. Andrews, Cupar, 
Kirkcaldy, and Dunfermline, which still continue. {Chal. Hist. Dunf, 
vol. i. p. 575.) 

Mr. Samuel Row was this year appointed an assistant to Mr. 
Harry Makgill. (Parish Records.) Mr. Row was an Irishman, and 
assisted Mr. Makgill for some considerable length of time. 

Provost of Dunfermline — James Reid. {Burgh Records, 
1638.) The Provost was an elder, and was the representative of the 
Dunfermline Presbytery in "the famous General Assembly" held at 
Glasgow in 1638. 

The Office of Reader of Dimfermline Church abolished. 
{Burgh Records, &c.) For the duties of the office of "Reader," see 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 541, 542, &c.) 

Repairing of Rosyth Castle. — On the stone-bars of windows 
in the Castle are the following initials and date : — 

T. * S. M. * N. 1639. 

Twenty-Five Dunfermline Men to be Selected for the Wars.— 
"4th May, 1639. — The whilk day the proveist, baillies, and counseill, 
having receavit instructions from the Committee of Warre anent the 
levying of twentie fyve men furth of said burghe for going to the 
Southe in this presint expeditione, And for furnishing of thame 
during the space aftirspect, Have for fulfilling thairof appointit the 
said Twentie fyve men to be leavit and chosen out of the inhabi- 
tants of the said burghe for merching and going to the border at the 
Southe as for suplie to the armie prsntlie thairat in this prsnt expe- 
ditione upon twentie four hours' advertisement. And ordains the 
saids twentie fyve men to be furnishit and enterteined upon the 
town's charges during the space Ten days after thair removall furth 
of the said burghe. And for choising and electing of the said Twentie 
fyve men, the counseill have electit Mr. Harie Mackgill, minister, 
James Reid, provost, Peter Law, baillie, Mr. Patrick Auchinleck, John 
bennet, Robert Steinsone, wha are ordainit to report thair nomina- 
tione and choising of the said twentie fyve men to the nixt counsall 
day." (Burgh Records.) 

1639.— Margaret Mowtray ordered to be placed in the 
JUGGS AT THE Tron for deprecating ^^ ane horrible fudgemeftt," — 



THE HANGMAN AND WITCH-BURNING. 305 

" /f.th May, i6jq : Thisday the proveist, baillies, and counsall con- 
victs Margaret Mowtray in ane outlaw of aught punds for calum- 
niating of the armie that went to Bruntiland, and for deprecating 
ane horrible judgement to befall thaim. Or othirwayes to stand on 
the trone, inclosit in Jogis fra this prsnt moment till aught hours at 
nicht." (Burgh Records, May, 1639.) 

A Levy of Four Hundred Pounds on the Burgh. — " The 
proveist, baillies, and counsall, considering how the comon guid of the 
s'^ burghe is far within and will not extend to the Sommes of money 
alreadie disbursit be thame to the Souldiers alreadie sent furthe in 
this expeditione to the northe, and of the leavie that is going to the 
Southe, Have thairfore for suplie thairof appointit and ordainit ane 
taxt and stent of four hundredth punds to be payit be ye inhabitants 
of ye said burghe, accordinglie as they sail be stentit to the Stent 
Masters appoyntit for that effect, and ordains the taxt roll yrof to be 
prsntlie drawn up." {Burgh Records, May, 1639.) 

Town Council Act Relative to Unmannerly Councillors. — 
" 6 May, i6jg, the Provost Presiding : The whilk day, for the repres- 
ing of the unmannerlie and indecent formes used be sum of the 
counselloris of this burghe, wha, aftir they are set and inclosed in the 
counsell hous to use and exerces thair office anent the deciding and 
concluding of all matters belonging to their place and functions, with 
thair garrulitie and much loquacitie, trouble and molest the said 
counsell unrequirit, that it seemeth rayther ane barbaric court then 
ane counsell, not befeting men of such ane grave office. It is Statute 
and Ordainit, whatsoever counsellor of the said burghe sail speak, 
reason, or give his voice and voit in Counsell frae this tyme forth 
coming sail pay at that same time xii^-. for ilk failzure, toties quoties." 
[Burgh Records, May, 1639.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ^James Reid, re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1640. — Hangman and Witch-Burner. — The person who held 
this "official situation" in Dunfermline at this period, and for long 
after it, was the " notorious Pat Mayne." Many worthy persons were 
"manipulated" by him. 

Helen and Margaret Williamson. — ''Blasphemous Speech: 
2gth Sept.: This day helen Williamson and marg" had being "before 
warnit, and not comperrand, this day were ordainit to be warnit 

2R 



306 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

againe publicklie out of the pulpitt for yr blasphemous speeches an 
cursing of ye toune after a most scandalous manner, wishing ye same 
to be brunt ouer again. And ordains ye act against such blasphemers 
and cursers to be extended upon them, and to be publishit out of 
pulpett the next Sabba* for a warning to all others, qlk wes done." 
(Dicnf. Kirk Session Records.) 

Apprentice Weaver. — The following minute has been extracted 
from the "Dunfermline Weavers' Minute Book" of this date, to show 
the conditions on which early apprentices to the trade were received : 
" In the yeare of God 1640 It is agreed betwixt George Davidsone 
and Robert Collear that the s*^ Robert shall serve the s'* George as an 
apprentice for the space of three years, and a year for meate and 
fille." (See also ^«;^<^/j-, dates 1596, 1725, and 1732.) 

Kirk Session Records of Dunfermlinp:. — These Records 
consist of II folio volumes (1842). The first regular entry is dated 
30th June, 1640. About 12 years ago the writer copied a great many 
of the more curious of the entries in vol. i. 1640, and shortly after- 
wards published them in i2mo (see Annals, date 1865), from which 
small volume several entries will be transferred to \h& Annals of Dun f. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Law, late oldest bailie, 
elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

The Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Abbey Church of 
Dunfermline 6th October, 1640. {Hist. Scot., &c.) 

Laurence Wilson's House Burnt, zvith all his Plenishing— 
Collection 'made for him. — " James legat and thomas elder collected at 
the Kirk doore 9/^j. ; James readdie and jon bennet at the Kirk style 
2ilbs.; total, ^olds., qlk was deliveret to ye said jon wilson for his 
present releefe." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Records.) 

Against Yule Feasting and Rioting. — ''Dec. i^th: This day 
the Act of the Presbyterie ordaining all persons to leave of zair 
feastening, playing, ryotous and luild living on yulle day, wes red be 
the minister." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

1641.— The Earl of Dunfermline — Act Ratifying his Offices 
of the Lordship, &c., of Dunfermline.— \xi the year 1639 the Earl had 
the offices of Lord of the Lordship of Dunfermline and Regality 
thereof conferred upon him by Charles I. These offices were ratified 
by the Scottish Parliament in 1641. 



THE KIRK BELL, ETC. 307 

Repairing Carnock Kirk, &c. — It would appear from a MS. 
in the writer's possession that " the little Kirk of Carnick being out 
of repaire, was helpit, and a newe ruife laid on it at the expens of Sir 
George Bruce." (Vide also ChaL Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 289, and An. 
Dimf. date 1602.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Alexander Clerk, "Laird of Pitten- 
crieff." (Bttrgk and Ses. Records.) 

Watering Webs in the Kirkyard. — On March 9th, it was 
ordained that "nane water y' webbs in y" kirkzaird," and that "if any 
webbs be found y'^in, y" belman must castt hame out." (Dunf. Kirk 
Ses. Record.) 

The Kirk Bell. — "■March 2d: This day ordains a meeting of 
the haill elders to be upon the next Sabbath ffor advysing the best 
way how the Kirk bell may be orderit and rung with°* couping, and 
how that the stock yron they hing by may be helpit and redrest, they 
being now verie weak, fearing the fall of both ym and the bells, and 
how the man yt shall undertak ye s^ wark may be payit." (Dunf. 
Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

New Furme or Seat to be Erected next the Bride and Bridegroom's 
Seat in the Kirk. — "5 Sept.: This day alex. Drysdale, merchand, 
desyrit a seat in the Kirk for his dochf"' to heir god's word, and yrfore 
is licentiate be ye session to cause mak a new furme to be set next 
before ye pulpett (qr the brides and bridegrooms yt day yt they are 
marriet used to sit) to be possest be the s*^ alex. and his docht'" in all 
tyme coming." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

The Earl of Dunfermline was made a Privy Councillor by King 
Charles I., with consent of the Estates. 

John Smart, Flesher, Fined for Selling Beef on the Fast Day, 
and for having a Roast at his fire last Fast Day. — " Dec. 21st : This 
day Jon Smart, flesher, being convict for selling a carkois of beefe, 
and having a rost at hes fire ye last fasting day, is ordainit to pay 
8 merks, qhlk he payit." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

1642. — James Esplin was chaplain of St. Leonard's Chapel and 
Hospital at this period. The Chapel was about half a mile south of 
the lower end of Dunfermline. 

GuiLDRY and the Craftsmen of Dunfermline. — In the year 



308 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1642 the Guildry entered into a contract with the craftsmen of Dun- 
fermHne relating to their trades, &c. {Gicildry Register, 1642.) 

A Second Minister for Dunfermline. — Much discussion 
amongst the parishioners regarding the desirabihty of having a second 
or junior minister for Dunfermhne. (See An. Dimf. for 1645.) 

Mr. Harie Makgill, 20 years minister of Dunfermline, died in 
December, 1642. In the Dimfermline Kirk Session Records there is 
a note regarding his funeral — viz., "The Session is warned to be at 
Mr. harie makgill's, thair late minister's buriall the morne, being 
monday, at 10 o'Clock." No ordained minister in Dunfermline 
Church until the year 1645, the service being conducted by "assistant 
preichars." 

1643. — The Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Kirk of 
Dunfermline on 4th April. 

Meeting of Heritors and Parishioners of Dunfermline, 
by desire of the Synod, anent the Supplying of the Parish zuith a Second 
Minister, regarding which the Kirk Sessiofi Records have the follow- 
ing :— 

"At Dunfermline, 5th Aprile, 1643. 

" Anent the providing of Dunfermeline wt another minister, upon the adver- 
tisement given be the moderator of the provinciall assemblie of fyff, sundrie 
considerable herioters, parishiners, both in bru* an land came at the tyme 
appoynted, and eftir conference wt some of the sd assemblie appoynted fr yt 
sessn, it was found that of all that appeared none were unwiUing to bear 
burdens fr the mentenance of the sd minister except one. As fr those who 
did not appeir, few were found considerable, except one gentleman who 
excused himself by reason of his weakness, unto whom the assemblie thot fitt 
to send some of zair number, who, eftir conference wit him, returned. And in 
the face of the assemblie reported that he also was satisfied, and hade faith- 
fuUie promised to contribute wt ye rest of the heritors in bearing burdens 
proportionally fr the mentenance of the sd minister. The assemblie consi- 
dering the great necessitie of planting the said congregation wt two ministers, 
and finding so great a consent of heritors, hoping also yt the ryt noble and 
potent Lord Charles erle of Dunfermline, the prime heritor wtin the paroch, 
shall hberallie concur to advance so gude a wark, doe heartily approve so 
pious a designe, thank God for the same, and earnestlie exort the heritors 
and parochiners both of bru* an land to proceed thairin, Declairing hereby 
that the patronage, nominatn, and presentatn of the sd minister, now and 
heireftir, shall belong to the parochiners and heritors, founders of the for sd 
provision. Extract furthe of the registr of the said assemblie and subt be 
Mr. Jon moreis, clerk thairto. Sic subr J. Moreis, Clerk." ('See An. Dwf. 
date 1645. j 



SIX WITCHES BURNT. 309 

Six Witches Burnt at the Witch-loan, and Two others 
Die in Prison. — This was a great zv itch-catching and witch-burning 
year in Dunfermline. A staff of officials called, "witch-watchers" and 
"witch-catchers," had been appointed early in 1643 to seize and put 
in ward (prison) all reputed witches, in order that they might be tried 
for their "horrid and abominable crime of witchcraft." Accordingly, "a 
great many old shrivelled-up women, with woe-begone countenances, 
were warded, and if any of them used the long staff in walking, so 
much the better for the catchers." 

In Dunfermline Register of Deaths, notice is taken of the poor, 
innocent unfortunates. During the month of May, July, and August, 
it seems no less than six poor women were burnt for being reputed 
witches ! Their names were Grissel Morris, Margaret Brand, Katherine 
Elder, Agnes Kirk, Margaret Donaldson, and Isobel Millar. 

These victims, having been tried and condemned to be burnt, 
were accordingly carted east to the loan (witch-loan), and being placed 
in the middle of a pile of wood, with feet and legs tied, the pile was 
set on fire, their bodies were soon consumed, and, it is to be hoped, 
that their better part received that mercy which had been denied to 
them on earth. 

In "the loan''^ many criminals in the olden time suffered. At the foot 
of "the loan," near where the railway bridge crosses the road, there 
was the institution of 'Hhe witches' dicb." Sometimes an old frail 
woman was thrown into it. If she sank, and was drowned, then it 
was supposed that "judgment had found her out;" if she swam on the 
surface, which by the bulk of her clothing she might sometimes do, 
then it was judged that there was something "no cannie aboot her," 
and on some pretence the victim got to the flames at last. Determined 
not to lose their victim, they appear to have acted on the principle 
of ''Heads, I win; tails, you lose!'' Ascending the loan (the witch- 
loan), and about 100 yards from "the witch-dub," and on the east side 
of the loan road, there was a small knowe on which the witches 
suffered, and still further up the loan stood " the gallows " where 
execution was done." 

The names of the victims who died "in ward" were Jonett Fentoim 
and Isobell Marr. In the same Register of Deaths their fate is thus 
recorded : — " The 20th day, fune i6^j, fonett Fentoun the witch, died 
miserably in ward [in prison], and wes brd to the witch knowe, being 
trailed ajid carted yrto and castin into a hole y^ zvithot a kist" (a cofiin). 
Being brought out of prison, " the superstitious bigots " were probably 



310 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

allowed to trail her along the streets to the hole at the witch knowe. 
Finding that a cart at hand would be more convenient for their work, 
she was thrown into it, and carted to "the hole." Again : — " The lyth 
day of A ugt. i6^j, Isobell Marr, being delaittit [accused] be the rest 
of her nf bo"^- [neighbour] witches for a witche, and being detained 
yrfre in the laiche thieves' hole, shoe Jiangit hersel and zvas cairyed to the 
zvitche knowe and yerdit" Let those who sound the praises of "the 
good old times " take such doings as these into their " earnest consi- 
deration." Witches, it seems, made their first debilt in Dunfermline 
in 1627. 

The Solemn League and Covenant. — The Solemn League 
and Covenant is thus noticed in the Kirk-Session Records of Dun- 
fermline, viz. : — " Oct. 29. That day the Solemne League and Cove- 
nant f"" reformation and defence of religion, the honour and happiness 
of the King, and the peace and safety of the thrie kingdoms of Scot- 
land, England, and Ireland, was red intimat this sabbath be m""- Rob*^ 
Kay to the haill congregation, that nane ple^'^ ignorance thairoff, bot 
that they may be prepared to sweare to it and subscribe the same 
next Lord's day." 

The League and Covenant was sworn to, and subscribed at Dun- 
fermline on November 5th, 6th, 7th 8th, and 12th, 1643. It has most 
of the signatures of those who signed the Covenant of 1638. It is 
printed, and contained in a quarto-bound book, having on the outside 
of the first board, '^For the Kirk of Dnnfermlingy An entry in these 
records notes, that on "3d March, 1644, there was paid for binding 
the Covenant, and a new cover y*" to \6dy 

The Covenant of 1638 and 1643 are in the possession of the 
Session of Queen Anne Street Congregation, Dunfermline. The 
copies of the Covenant have come through a number of hands (which 
see Chal. Hist. Dimf vol i. pp. 273, 278.) 

Hetherington, in his Church History, notes that the Covenant of 
this date is "the noblest in its essential 7iature and principles of all that 
are recorded among the national transactions of the zvorld." (Vide 
Hetherington' s Ch. Hist. p. 333.) 

Smith's Seat in the Auld Kirk.— "Nov. 12th, 1643. it was 
licentat and grantit to the Smythes to tak doun the stane wall at 
the side and entrie of y"" seate in the eist end of the kirk on the north 
side y"" of, and instead of that little stane wall, to mak ane side entrie 
of tember to y"" seate." (Dunfermline Kirk Session Records.) 



BOOKS OF THE COVENANT, ETC. 31 1 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid was elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

Evening Service in the Kirk, and Candles. — From the 
following extract from the Kirk Session Records, it is evident that 
those who attended the evening service during winter had to provide 
themselves with candles : — "29th October, 1643.— This day, intima- 
tion was made to the people of the evening prayers to begin this week 
following, and yrfore they were desyret to convein frequently yrto, 
and to have JT c^wc//^ in reddines." (Kirk Ses. Records.) 

Books of the Covenant. — "28 Novr. 1643, that day it was 
declairit, that James Murray, writ^ in Edin": had gotten 37^. for his 
fie, and the bookes of the Covenant, and of the last General Asembly." 
(Kirk Session Records.) 

1644.— Publication of Ferguson's Scottish Proverbs. — 
In the year 1597-98, Mr. David Ferguson, minister of Dunfermline, 
compiled the Scottish Proverbs, in alphabetical order. They were, 
this year, published in quarto by Andro Hart, printer, Edinburgh. 

The Books of the Covenant. — "^ March, 164.4.: That day, 
givin for binding of the Covenant, and a new cover yrto, 46d. (Kirk 
Ses. Rec.) 

Re-publication of Blackwood's Works. — This year a cor- 
rected edition of the works of Adam Blackwood, an eminent native 
of Dunfermline, were published in French and Latin. (Vide Annals, 
dates 1 539-1623.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid was elected Provost. 
(Bnrgh Rec.) 

The Abbot's Seat in Dunfermline Church. — The following 
extract from Dimferinline Kirk Session Records shows the position 
of the Abbot's or Commendator's seat in the Church. '' 21st April : 
The qlk day the elders of the Kirk Session of Dunfermline being 
convenit, comperit before them James Esplin, Servitor to the ryt and 
potent Lord, Charles Earl of Dunfermline, and declarit and shewed 
to the s'^ elders that s'^ noble erl hade grantit and given himself and 
Marg" Colden, his spouse, that heiche seat in the s*^ Kirk which of 
old pertenat to the Abbot of Dunfermline, fixed on the Sonth-eistmost 
pillar of the s'' Kirk, situate betwixt ye s'^ pillar on the eist, the wryt's 
on the west, the laird of Cavill's on the south, and Mr. James Phin's 



312 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

seat on the north, &c. ; and the s'^ James Esplin cravit of the said 
elders thair consent and approbation thairto, which was allowit and 
approvin be them ; And they all with ane consent did ratifie the 
same, and ordaint yr act to be made and given yrupon," &c. 

The Scholars' Seat or Laft is mentioned in the Dunfermline 
Kirk Session Records, viz. — "/<? Nov.: That day it is statute com- 
peirit Johne hamiltone and george scott, lister, and desyrit licence of 
the elders for seats in the Kirk to themselves, to be set and fixt at 
the south-westmost pillar at the west end of the Kirk, under the 
Schollers' seat, whilk was granted," &c. The Scholars' Laft was 
situate between the south-west and north-west pillars in the Kirk. 

1645.— Dunfermline Church becomes Collegiate. — Mr. 
Robert Kay admitted to the first charge, 15th January ; Mr. William 
Oliphant admitted to the second charge, 15th January, {Sqq Ajinals 
Dunf. date 1643.) 

Partial Dismemberment of the Parish of Dunfermline. 
— The following places or properties, hitherto in the parish of Dun- 
fermline, were, during the years 1643-45, disjoined from it, viz., Mort- 
lands (or Morelands), Tinnygask, North and South Lethans, Beath, 
Blairbathie, Whythouse, Woodend, Thornton, Cocklaw, Kelty, Houses, 
Fouldford, Lassodie, Meiklebeath, Dalbeath, Hill of Beath, Urquhart, 
Logic, &c., and were annexed to adjoining parishes. {Dnnf. Par. Rec.) 

Dunfermline Militiamen. — By an "Act of the Estates," every 
County and Burgh had to furnish a certain number of militiamen. 
Dunfermline contributed 12 men, Culross 12, and Inverkeithing 10. 
{Domestic An. Scot. vol. ii. p. 163.) 

The Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Church of Dun- 
fermline on loth May. 

Great Plague in Town and Parish. — During the greater part 
of the year 1645, "the plague raged with fearful violence and mor- 
tality in Dunfermline, as well as in many other places." "The 
mortality was great ; many hundreds were cut down, and in outlying 
places those who died were buried in fields. Until the beginning of 
the present century many of these field burial-places were to be seen 
covered with throch-stanes. One of these sad memorials remains in 
a field adjacent to Pitbauchlie, about a mile and a half S.E. of Dun- 
fermline." Tradition affirms that the whole family who then resided 



A GREAT PLAGUE. 313 

at Pitbauchlie were attacked by the scourge and died on the same 
day. Regarding this calamitous period, the following extracts from 
thQ Kirk Session Records cannot fail to be interesting: — ^^ igth October, 
16^5: At this tyme meetings were not frequent because of the plague 
of the pestilence w'^'' then was in the parish, and increased in the 
same, so that many died." " 2^th Nov.: And because the number of 
the poor did increase in this tyme of the plague, many tradismen put 
to penurie for want of comercing and handling of geir and money, 
qlk was then dangerous to use, and little alms collectit ; thairfore it 
was thot fitt that meill should be given to the poore for thair present 
help, and that the presint collections and moneys w""'' were in the boxe 
should pay for the sayd meill till after that the Lord of His mercie 
withdraw his judgement of the plague, when uther courses may be 
taine for supplying of the poore, and for restoring of the moneys 
again to the boxe." 

In this extract it will be observed that it is stated that ^' the 
handling of geir and money was dangerous." Regarding this there is a 
tradition that all moneys were put into a vessel filled with water, and 
"carefully rinsed" before being touched, and that at the ports of the 
town ''^plague stones" filled with water, were set up for washing 
money. Two of these stones are still pointed out, built in an old wall 
in a close on the north side of the High Street ("up the Tron Close"). 
These "plague-stanes," or dishes, are of stone of a greyish tint, 17 
inches in diameter, and 2}^ inches in depth, and are rare memorials 
of Dunfermline in the olden time. Besides washing the "coin of the 
realm," body-clothes, &c., were fumigated ; for it is on record that 
"clothes and bed-clothes" were "smockit" in a closed apartment in 
the town, by means of ^^peat reeke" Sec. Such methods for the protec- 
tion of the living were adopted in most places where this plague 
raged. 

Regarding meal, the same Record states that ;^240 Scots (;^20 
sterling) were paid for forty bolls of meal to " the ordinary and 
extraordinary poor of the town." Again, on " ^th December, 164.^ : 
That day it was tho* fitt that a voluntar contribution should be 
collectit throw the paroche, both in br* and land, be the minis- 
ters and elders, once monethlie for the poore in this paroche, 
espicially in this thair great indigencie and necessitie, during this 
tyme of the plague ; which contribution was collectit for this moneth 
of December, first in the burgh be both the ministers and elders in 
their awin quarters accompanying them thair, set down in a roll con- 

2S 



314 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

teining the particular of what was received, and fra whome, extending 
in the haill to ^djlib. <^s. Scots (or £^ los. sterling). And next a 
voluntar contribution was also collectit in the landwart be one of the 
ministers in the north side thairof, and ane elder with him ; and be 
the uther minister, and ane elder with him, on the south side, set down 
also in a particular roll," &c. " Same day, James Simsone (one of the 
elders) delyuerit yi\]lib. \\sh. Scots (or ;^i is. sterling) collectit be him 
at the Kirk dore some sabbaths in November, which, with the rest of 
the collections and contributions, was not only distribut to the ordinar 
poore in this paroche at this tyme, but also to many extraordinair 
poore thairin, and for interteyning of these prsones in the moore who 
were under infection of the plague, being poore, and myt not mtteny 
nor furnish themselffes, and for paying of dead Kistes and burialls 
and vyr necessars." 

This last entry corroborates a tradition that during this plague 
ratton, or rough timber houses were erected on the town muir, wherein 
were lodged those whose " cases seemed desperate." 

Dunfermline was visited by '' raging plagues'^ in 1439, 1498, 15 14, 
1529, and 1645. There have been no ^^ Iiet sickties's'" nov plagues in 
Dunfermline since 1645. 

Margaret Donald, the Witch.— Given to one "James broun, 
in the ferrie [North Queensferry], 30^, and to fotire watchers of the 
witcJie marg* Donald, for five days and five nights, twa of thame ey 
being on the watch at thair severall turns to ilk of thaim for ilk day 
and ilk ny* vi' ; total vi lbs!' (Dtmf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) This is a fine 
specimen of the witch-watching age of 1640-46. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

1646.— Dunfermline Church Discipline in 1646. — '' ist 
March, 16^6 : This day it was sufficientlie provin before the Session 
that Jonet Wely, spouse to Rob*Wallis, baxter, had slandered grissell 
walwood, spouse to Jo" alisone, wright, calling hir white bird, and 
heirby also slandering the dead, qhrby the s*^ Jonet was ordainet to 
pay 4.lib., qlk she did, and to mak hir public repentance before the 
pulpet on a sabbath aftir sermon beforenoon, qlk she did the 15th 
15th march instant." (Dimf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

Bald RIDGE Coal Pits.— The "Bawdrig Coal Pitts" are men- 



SCHOOLS TO BE ESTABLISHED. 315 

tioned in an old deed of this date, coal being " thair wrocht for hame 
use an for exportin," 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Law elected Provost. (Burgh 
Records.) 

Collection viade in the Church for an Unfortunate Warrior. — 
An entry in Dunfermline Kirk Session Records, dated 31st August of 
this year, notifies that " This day the Session ordainit a publick 
collection to be made next Sabb"' for ane alexander Kirk, in the 
gellett, who had his legg dtmg fra him at the ivarrs in the north. 
Silb. i8p. wes coUectit f'him." 

A Tailor carrying on his Trade in the Abbey. — In the 
Records of Dunfermline Kirk Session of 1646, mention is made of 
"Robt Adam, tailor in the Abbay." His "place of trade" would likely 
be in one of the constabulary houses there, close to the west side of 
the steeple, or in an apartment of "the pends." 

Dearth. — According to tradition and some MSS., "there was ane 
dearthe in Dunfermline in the year after the grait plague of 1646." 

1647. — The Sum of ^205 Scots to be paid for the Fare of 1000 
Horse and Riders and 11 00 Foot Soldiers Crossitig at North Queens- 
ferry. — Regarding this charge, the Kirk Records of Dunfermline has 
an entry, viz. : — " ^th fanuaiy, id^j : This day the Kirk Session gave 
their consent to pay to Jean Moubray, in North Queensferry, the sum 
oi 20^lb. Scots {£17 IS. sterling) for the freight of a thousand horse, 
with their riders, and iioo foot soldiers," &c. 

Church of Dunfermline in need of Repairs, &c. — " The Session, 
considering the ruynous caice of the Kirk, especially of the roofe and 
stock of the bells, liklie to fall doune, if not no speedie remeid be 
provyded for preventing the same. It is resolved to supplicate the 
Lords of the Exchequer for aid to repair it." (Kirk Ses. Rec. date 
April, 1647.) 

Schools to be Established in the Landzvard Part of the 
Parish. — A minute in Dunfermline Kirk Session Records notes that 
on " This day [2d May, 1647] the Session, considering the great 
ignorance of children and the youthe of this paroche, especially of the 
poorest sort, for lack of education at schools, their parents not being 
able to sustain them thereat, whilk occasions grosse ignorance and 
great increase of sin following thereupon : therefore the Session has 



3l6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

tho* fit that schools be set up in the several quarters of the landwart 
of this paroche, espicially in those parts that are remotest, and stand 
most in need thereofif, and fittest for the same, and that men or women 
teachers be sought and provyded thereto, recommending the same to 
the care and diligence of the ministers, elders, and others who are 
able in these quarters to see the same done," &c. 

Provost of Dunfermline — James Reid. (Burgh Records.) 

A Blue Gown. — In the Kirk Session Records, of date 21st Sept. 
this year, there is an " item, to ane old man with a blew gown, 6s." The 
" blew gowns" were " privileged alms-lifters." They were permitted 
by the magistrates to beg from house to house on certain days of the 
week, when they walked about in a dlt(e sort of gown, on " the sleeve 
of which" was attached a large circular pewter badge indicating their 
license, and having on it in large raised letters round the circum- 
ference — 

DUNFERMLINE " PARISH ' NO ' 5 " 1648. 

(See Annals, dates 1792 and 1820.) 

1648.— Dunfermline Branks and Hot Iron Punishments. 
— As examples of the power exercised by the Kirk Session in 1648, 
the following may be interesting: — " ^th March, 164.8 : It is ordainit 
that Margaret Nicholson, spouse of Alexr. Dempster, the fiddler, 
shall stand with the branks on her mouthe the next Friday, being the 
market day, two hours before noon, for her common scolding and 
drunkeness, and that for the publick example of others." On 22nd 
October, 1648, " It is enacted that as Janet Robertson still goes on 
with her lownerie and profanity, notwithstanding the act formerly 
made against her, that she shall be carted and scourged through the 
toun, and markit with ane hot iron, and to be banished from the 
paroche, and refers the execution hereof to the magistrates." (Cham- 
bers s "■Book of Days" — Branks.) 

Snuffing in the Kirk in Time of Preaching and Prayer not to 
be Allowed. — " March 26th : This day it is tho* fitt that public admo- 
nishing be given out of pulpit to those yt offers and takes Snising in 
the Kirk in tyme of preaching and prayer." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

The Lymehouse. — The Parish Records of this date has the fol- 
lowing minute : " item, to Katherine Kirk, upon the 5th July, for 
furneishing bread and drink to Marione hutton, the space she was in 



EXECUTION OF CHARLES I. S^Z 

the Lymehouse, at direction of the minister, Mr. Robert Kay, xlijj-." 
The Lymehouse appears to have been some cellar below the Tolbooth 
for holding "the toon's lime," and, when empty, used for female 
delinquents. 

William Crichton, the Warlock, Burnt. — The following 
minute is from the Dunfermline Kirk Session Records: — " 6th August : 
This day W"" Crichtoun compeired, and being posed upon the decla*" 
given in against him, he was remitted to the magistrates to be impri- 
soned, wh'^ was done; and some few days yraftir being straitlie posed 
and dealt with be the ministers and watchers, he came to a confession 
of sundrie things, and yt he hade made a paction wt the Devill to be 
his servand 24 zeirs and more since. He was condemned to be burnt; 
and a few dayes yraftr he was burnt" — most likely burnt on the 
Witches' Knowe, Townmill Road (Witch Loan). Probably Crichton 
was one of the great originals who " came out in i62y." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Law elected Provost. (B.Rec.) 

1649.— Execution of Charles L — The unfortunate Charles 
was beheaded at Whitehall, London, on Jany. 30, 1649. There is no 
minute in any of the Dunfermline Records touching this lamentable 
occurrence. There can be no doubt, however, that when the news of 
his violent death came to Dunfermline — " his ain tou7i" as it was 
styled — the great body of the inhabitants would, with the nation at 
large, " express their sympathy for his untimely end, mourn his loss 
and esteem him a martyr ;" while others who went in with Cromwell, 
would refer to his " unrighteous war, his insincerity, and his bigotary." 
His last word on the scaffold was, '■'Rememberl' part of an unfinished, 
short ejaculation. The following is a copy of the Death- Warrant of 
King Charles L : — 

^^At the High Court of J^usiice for the Tryifige and Trial off Charles 
Stewart, King of Englatid, J^anuary xxix, Amio Dom. 164.8. 

" Whereas Charles Stewart, King of England, is, and Standeth convicted, 
attaynted, and condemned of High Treason, and other high crimes : 
And sentance upon Saturday last was pronounced against him, by 
this Court, to be put to death by the severinge of his head from his 
body : Of which sentance execution yet remayneth to be done : 
These are therefore to will and require you to see the said Sentance 
executed, in the open Streets before Whitehall, upon the morrow, 
being the thirtieth Day of this instante month off January, between 
the hours of ten in the morninge and five in the afternoone off the 
same day, with full eflfect. And for so doing this shall be your 



3i8 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



sufficient warrant : All these are to require All Officers and Soulders, 
and other good People of this Nation of England, to be asistynge 
unto you in this Service. — Given under our Hands and Scales. 

" To Collonell fFrancis Lyaik, Collonell huntlie, 

and Lieutenant-CoUonell Phayre, and to every of them." 

{^xom. Lithograph Facsimile, by T. Tegg, London; also, vide ''The 
Portfolio," vol. i. p. 386.) The original is in the Bodleian Library; 
Oxford. Then follow in seven perpendicular short rows the signa- 
tures of 59 of those constituting The CoJirt of Justice, with their seals 
appended : — 



Js. Bradshawe. 
Tho. Grey. 
O. Cromwell. 
Edw. Whalley. 

D. LiNESSY. 

John Clay. 
J. Dauers. 
Jo. Bourchier. 
H. Preston. 
Tho. Mauleneve. 
Har. Waller. 
John Blakiston. 
J. Hutchinson. 
Will. Goff. 
t. horusse. 
Pe. Temple. 
T. Harrison. 
J. Heweson. 
Henry Smyth. 
Pet. Pelham. 



Re. Deane. 
Robert Tichborne. 
J. P. Edmonte. 
Daniel Blagrave. 
Owen Rowe. 
Wilton. 
Ad. Scrope. 
James Temple. 
J. Garland. 
Edm. Ludlow. 
Henry Martin. 
Dnl. Potter. 
Wm. Constable. 
Rich. Ingoldsby. 
Will. Cowley. 
J. Barketead. 
IsAC Ewer. 
John Dixwell. 
•Valentine Wanton. 
Symon Mayne. 



Tho. Horton. 
J. Jones. 
John Reme. 
Gilbt. Millington. 
G. ffleetwood. 
T. Steured. 
Robt. Lilburburn. 
Will. Gay. 
Anth. Ffapley. 
Gre. Norton. 
Tho. Challoner. 
Tho. Wogan. 
John Denn. 
Gregory Clement. 

Jo. DOWNES. 

Tho. Wayte. 
Tho. Scot. 
Jo. Carew. 
Miles Corbet. 



The Warrant is addressed for execution to Colonel Francis Hacker, 
commander of the troops at the Execution. 

Immediately after his decollation a great many books, pamphlets, 
and leaflets, in prose and verse, were published for and against him. 
In one of these works, entitled '' Reliqidce Antiqu(z" there is an epitaph 
based on his initials of "C. R. the First',' or "C. R. I.," of which the 
following is a copy : — 

" Here doth lye C. R. L 

Read those letters right, and ye shall find 
Who in this bloody-sheet lyes here inshrin'd 
The letter C his name doth signifie ; 
R doth express his royal dignitie ; 
And by the letter I is this great name 
From his sad son's distinguished ; the same 
, Three letters, too, express his sufferings by 

Cromwell, Rebellion, Independency. 



WITCHCRAFT. 319 

Then join them in a word, and it doth show 
What each true loyal subject ought to doe — 
CRY, cry — oh, cry aloud ! — 
Let our crys outcry his blood." 

{Rehquta Anttqn(B, p. 21.) 

The opinions of writers regarding the actions and the sufferings 
of Charles are so numerous and so various, that, for full details, the 
reader is referred to such works, and Histories of Scotland. (See 
Appe7tdix T. for inspection of his remains.) 

As before noted, Charles I. was born in the Palace of Dunfermline, 
on 19th November, 1600; consequently, when he was beheaded, he 
was in his 49th year. It may be further noticed that, at this period, 
the English New- Year began on March 25th; in Scotland, on Jan. 1st. 
Hence the cause of the distinction 1648- 1649. Charles suffered on 
January 30th, 1648, according to English reckoning, January being 
then the nth month of their year; but, according to the Scottish, 
the present mode of reckoning, the event occurred on Jan. 30, 1649. 

Lord Broomhall. — Sir George Clark, of Carnock, was elected 
to the dignity of a Lord of Session in 1649, under the title of Lord 
Broomhally and was at the same time appointed one of the Commis- 
sioners for revising the law and the Acts of Parliament. [Chal. Hist. 
Dimf.voX. i. p. 291.) 

Legates Brig and Netherton Brig. — The Kirk Sessioft 
Records notify that "this day, 6th Feb., Mr. James Phin gave in a 
compt of timber and uthy"" chairges furnished and sustenit be him in 
building of Legates-brig, and the brig at the nethy''ton end." Would 
these bridges at this period be timber bridges } 

The Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Church of 
Dunfermline, April ist, 1649. 

Witchcraft. — Supplication of the Presbytery of Dunfermline for 
the Parliament. — Notwithstanding the very severe measures hitherto 
taken by the ministers, magistrates, and ruling elders of Dunfermline, 
&c., the "sin of witchcraft" continued to flourish. The following is 
a copy of an endorsed " Supplication of the Presbytery of Dunferm- 
line for the Parliament." It speaks for itself : — 

" Vnio the Rycht Honourahill the Estates of Parliament, presently convetiit 
at Edinburgh, humblie supplicatis — 

" We, the moderator, reuerant breithren, and rweling elders of the Presby- 
terie of Dunfermlane, and more particularlie the parishes Innerkeithin and 
Dalgatie : That, whereas it pleaseth the Lord for his owne glorie, and the good 



320 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

of his churge, dailie more and more to discover among us the works of dark- 
nes and the senrvaiitis of that prince who rewles in the childrene of disobediejice, 
whereof the most part are so depauperit, that they have nothing to intertain 
themselves in prison, especially in these tymes of dearth, nor to enterteine 
men to attend in seiking [and paying] dailie commissions : Therefore wee 
humblie supphcat your L. that yee will be pleasit ather to command ane of 
the justice deputis to attend in the forsaid Presbyterie and parishes above 
written, ffor holding of justice courtis, and putting to the tryell of ane assye 
such as ate or shall be found gtviltie of the si?me of witchcraft, as they shall be 
desyrit, or to graunt ane standing commissione of * * * gentlemen 
as your L. shall judge * * * * the withine * * * parishes 
thereof * * * -;< ^ effect foresaid, especiallie * * * ane 
overtoure of the Generall Assemblie in anno j"". v". fowrtie thrie (J". vi°. fowrtie 
thrie) 1643 : That standing commissionis shall be supplicat for in such 
exigencie, or at least it may please your L, that wee may have commissionis 
gratis, lest throu the want of mone this worke, which the Lord hes so miracu- 
luslie begunne, and so wiselie heirtofore caried on, perish in or hand. And 
your Lo. gracwas answer wee humblie expect. 

"Mr. Geo. Colding, Moderator, 

In name of the Brethrein." 

The original is in the General Register House, Edinburgh. 

St. Margaret's Well. — This well, like other saints' wells in the 
district, continued to be decorated with flowers on their saints' days 
annually, when they were visited by hundreds of persons " with song- 
singing and superstitious awe," until about 1649, when kirk-sessions 
interfered and put a stop to tke holywell annuals, in virtue of the 
following order of the General Assembly, held at Edinburgh on 4th 
April, 1649, viz. : — " The Assemhlie, being informit that some went 
snperstitioitslie to wellis denominat from Saints, ordains Presbytries to 
take notice thairof, and to censure these that are guiltie of that fait!' 

As previously mentioned, St. Margaret's Well is about a mile to 
the north-east of Dunfermline. On St. Margaret's Day (19th June), 
this well was decorated with flowers, and a procession of monks and 
"religious inhabitants" visited St. Margaret's Well "in joy, praise, and 
song." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — William Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

Patrick Mayne, the Hangman, &c., received orders from the 
Kirk Session to keep beggars from entering into the "kirkyaird, and 
that they be not suflerit to stand at the collect" to hinder the alms fra 
y"." (Kirk Session Records.) 

1650.— Heritable Bailie — Teinds, Feu Duties, &c. — In the 



A witch's prayer. 321 

beginning of the year 1650, Lord John Hay obtained by decree of 
apprising to the office of heritable baiHe, and also to a lease of the 
teinds and feu-duties held by the Earl of Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. 
Diinf. vol, i. p. 257.) 

Dismemberment of Dunfermline Parish. — Early in 1650, the 
lands of Pitdinnes, Luscar, and Clune, hitherto in the parish of Dun- 
fermline, were disjoined from it and annexed to the Parish of Carnock. 
{Barb. Fife, Kin. and Clack, p. 106.) 

A Witch's Prayer. — In the Kirk Session Records of Dunfermline, 
under date 7th May, 1650, is the following minute-entry of the prayer 
of Marion Cunnynghame, a reputed witch, viz. : — 

" yth May : This day coraperit marion Cunnynghame, who, the last day 
of April, 1650, gave in a complaint against Janet huton for calling her witche 
and banisht theef, whitch complaint was not accepit nor heard, because she 
did not consign her money for proving the same. Bot the s'^ Jonet huton 
appearand the s'^ day and hearing the caus for w°'' she was cited, Denyit y* 
she callit her a witche, bot afifirmit y' the s*^ marion said over a prayer ilk ny* 
quhen she went to hir bed whitch wes not lawf\ for the whitch she wes angrie 
and reproved hir, they being dwelling in one hous ; whitch prayer the s*^ Jonet 
being desyrit to repeat it, affirmed y' she had bot a part yrof, whitch she said 
over as follows, viz. : — ' Out throiv toothe atid out throw tongue, out throtv liver 
a7id out throw tongue, and out throiv halie ham pan; I drank of this blood 
instead of wine; thou shalt have mutifire all thy dayes syne, the bitter and the 
baneshaw and manie euil yt no man knowes.' Upon the whitch the said marion 
being askit, denyit the same altogidder. Bot it was affirmed be the s*^ Jonet, 
as also be Jo" Colyeare, tailyeo'', that some of her nytboors, who hes oftymes 
heard the s'^ marion say ouer the same, can testifie y''of as well as she. 
Therefore it was referrit to the s'' Jo" or anie uythers of the session to try the 
sam®, and to get a copie y''off fra them against this day, At whitch tyme the 
s'^ marion was ordaint to be present also : This day, 7 of May, 1650, Dauid 
Lindsay of Cavill gave in a copie of y® s*^ marion Cunnynghame's prayer, 
repeated and said ouer to him be herself, as follows : — ' The day is fryday, I 
shall fast quhill I may ; to hear the knell of christ his bell, the lord god on 
his chappell stood, and his 12 apostles good. In came Drightine dear lord of 
Almightine ; say man or Ladie siveet st. ?narie, q^ is yon fire, so light, so bright, 
so far furthe fra me; It is my dear sone Jesus, he is Jiaild to the trc ; he is 
naild weill, for he is naild throw wyjiegare, throw toothe and ihrotu tongue, 
throw hail ham pan.' Upon the whitch the s'^ marion being posed, confest 
and also repeated the said prayer before the Session ; the qlk day the s'^ Jo° 
Colyeare gave in ane uthir copie, whitche agreeing word by word with that 
whitch was repeated by Jonet hutton, and whitch then the s'^ marion denyit 
altogedder. Now, she being posed yrupon, she confes* this following, viz. : — 
* Out throw toothe a?id out throw tongue, out throw liver and out throiv tongue, 
and out throw the halie ham paji ;' but denyit, be the death she must go to, 
thir words following : — * I drank of this blood instead of wyne ; thou shalt 
have mutifire all thy days syne ; the bitter and the baneshaw, and manie 
evil y* na man knawes." 

2T 



322 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

After other '' posings" and '^takings'' before the Presbytery, she was, 
until further findings, suspended from the cominunion of the Kirk. It 
is lamentable to find such serious trifling in 1650. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid elected Provost. (Bur. 
Records.) 

New Church Tokens. — "28th ATay : This day it is ordaint that 
y^ be new tokens made with a new stamp, and having the present zeir 
of god, ' 1650,' on the one side, and 'D. F.' on the other side, fune 
2^th : Item, peyit for ane stane and allevin pund weight of lead, to 
be tokens, at 3^-. the pund (3d.) ; that is, ^lib. \2s. Item, allowit to 
Thomas Couper for making the calmes and castin the tokens, and 
bygane zeirs, and rent awand him to the poor." (Dunf Kirk Ses. 
Rec.) The writer has two of these early tokens of the Kirk of Dun- 
fermline, in his possession. They are of lead, about ^ of an inch in 
diameter and i-i6th thick, with the large capital letters, "D. F. N." in 
alto on the surface. 

"Kavil Loch." — The picturesque and considerable sized loch of 
Cavil, near Dunfermline, having been much diminished by draining and 
other causes, became almost invisible by the year 1650, (MS. Note.) 

Manuscript Sermon. — There is still extant, and in good pre- 
servation, a beautifully- written sermon (55 pp. 4to), by Mr. Walter 
Dalgleish of Dunfermline, about 1650. It is entitled, "None but 
Christ." He instances twenty-four common objections to Scriptural 
doctrines, and gives solutions of them. This sermon has been often 
referred to by divines, &c. It is now in the possession of our much 
esteemed friend David Laing, Esq., LL.D., Signet Library, Edin- 
burgh. 

The Dunfermline Declaration. — The document known as 
" The Dunfermline Declaration " is dated i6th August, 1650. King 
Charles II. being then at Dunfermline, subscribed to it with a 
feigned sincerity, confirmatory of his former oath to adhere to both 
Covenants. In " The Declaration " the King avowed that he re- 
nounced Popery and Prelacy, and that he "would have no enemies 
but the enemies of the Covenant, no friends but the friends of 
the Covenant;" that he "would always esteem them best servants 
and most loyal subjects who serve him and seek his greatness in 
a right line of subordination to God, giving unto God the things that 
are God's, and unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." It is related 



THE DUNFERMLINE DECLARATION. 323 

that when Mr. Patrick Gillespie put the pen into the King's hand to 
subscribe, he told him that " if he was not satisfied in his soul and 
conscience, beyond all hesitation of the righteousness of the subscrip- 
tion, he was so far from overdriving him to run upon that for which he 
had no light, that he obtested him — yea, charged him in his Master's 
name — not to subscribe the Declaration; no, not for three kingdoms." 
To which the King answered : " Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Gillespie, I am 
satisfied, I am satisfied, and therefore will subscribe it." The King's 
after history shows how he fell from the faith, and also how he lived. 
[Crookshanks' Hist. Church Scot., Edin. edit., 175 i, vol. i. pp. 38-40.) 

1651. — Great Dearth in D?mfermline. — It is mentioned in the 
Kirk Session Records that there was a great dearth in Dunfermline in 
February this year. 

GuiLDRY Records.— In the Gnildry Register oi this date a list of 
the Guild Brethren is given, along with uninteresting memoranda. 

Estate of Pittencrieff.— A disposition to the Pittencrieff 
estate, dated 12th May, 165 i, was given to Sir Alexander Clerk by 
Charles, Earl of Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 527.) 

Register of St. Leonard's Hospital, &c. — In the Register of 
this hospital, of date 165 i, there is to be found the singular entry, 
which mentions that the Hospital, &c., of St. Leonard's, Dunfermline, 
was founded in the time of Malcolm Canmore — traditionally, it is 
presumed. 

Myse Bonar Curses Dunfermline, and Wishes it zvas 
Reburned. — "3d June, 165 1. — This day Myse bonar, spous to W"- 
bowie Webster, being found guiltie by the probation of witnessis, of 
cursed and slanderous speetches in saying, ' God or fire, and ridd lows, 
come upon the haill toun as it did before, and God or Cromwell come and 
tak all the tonne upon his bak, if she ivcr out of if : Therefore, accord- 
ing to the act of session, made the 7 of May, 1626, against those 
y' caste up the burning of the toun, in a cursed and blasphemous way, 
she is ordaint to pay j lb money, and to stand at the Croce, or iron, 
on ane publick inercai day, w*** ane paper on her head, signifying hir 
cursing and blasphemies, betwixt 11 and 12 before noon, and y''aftir 
ask gods forgiviness on hir knees : And on the Sabbath immediately 
following, shall also aftir sermon, before noon, stand in the face of the 
congregation before the pulpett confess hir cursing and blasphemies, 



324 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

and ask gods forgiviness and declare her repentance y''fore and 
promise neuer to doe the like againe." (Dimf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

The Old Chapel of St. James's, North Queensferry, is 
understood, traditionally, to have been demolished by Cromwell's 
"sogers" at this period. (See also Annals Dunf. dates 1323, 1479. 

Battle of Pitreavie. — Part of Cromwell's Army in Dunfermline, 
&c. — There are several accounts in print regarding the engagement 
at Pitreavie, the following notanda are extracted from the most 
interesting on record : — "On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 
17th, 1 8th, and 19th July, 165 1, General Cromwell and his army 
crossed the Firth of Forth, landing at Inverkeithing. On Sunday, 
July 20th, the engagement began with skirmishes at Inverkeithing. 
Cromwell's army pressed on northward, and at last a general battle 
took place between the English and the Scotch armies on the level 
ground south of where Pitreavie House stands. From this circum- 
stance the small battle is generally known as 'The Battle of Petreavie.' 
It has also been called 'The Battle of Inverkeithing,' that burgh being 
within a short distance of the battlefield." 

For several years previous to the affair at Pitreavie, the Civil War 
had been raging in England between Charles and his subjects. The 
army of the King (the Royal army) was conducted by Charles in 
person, and his Generals ; and the army raised by Cromwell to 
oppose him, " the Parliamentary army," was led to battle by General 
Cromwell himself and able Generals, Success attended Cromwell ; 
discomfiture, Charles. (For full particulars of all " the shifting of 
positions, skirmishes, battles," &c., of this disastrous period, the reader 
is referred to works on the subject, as also to the Histories of England 
and Scotland.) 

Latterly, the Civil War had been transferred to Scotland, and the 
"shiftings of position" brought the hostile armies face to face, near 
Stirling. Cromwell wanted to push on to Perth via Stirling Bridge, 
but here meeting with the Royal forces in such a strong position, he 
declined to risk a general engagement to disperse them. For about 
a month the two armies confronted each other. Cromwell getting tired 
of his long inaction, despatched Colonel Overton, his able General, 
into Fife to turn the left flank of Charles's army. Accordingly, 
Overton, and a large detachment of forces, went to Queensferry, and 
crossed from thence to Crook-Ness, near Inverkeithing. The crossing 
was much impeded for want of boats, and three days were taken up 



THE BATTLE OF PITREAVIE. 325 

with the transference of the detachment to the shores of Fife. During 
the time that the landing was going on, a company of 100 men, 
citizens of Perth, at the request of Charles, marched from Perth to 
oppose the landing of Cromwell's troopers. On their way they "met 
in with a detachment from the army at Dunfermline of 3000 men 
(of these about 1000 were Dunfermline men), and zvere attacked at 
Pitreavie, near Inverkeithing^ and defeated by a superior number of 
CromzveWs army, 1600 being killed of Charles's army, and 1200 taken 
prisoners!' It is understood that the relative strength of the opposing 
forces were — Cromwell's detachment, about 6000 men ; the detach- 
ment sent into the iield by Charles, about 4000 men. Thus there 
would be about 10,000 warriors engaged in the plain before Pitreavie. 

It would appear that the carnage was great ; the fight of Sunday, 
20th July, 165 1, was remembered very vividly for several generations. 
"A rill, traversing the valley, called the Pinkerton-burn," tradition 
says, ''ran with blood for several days, and the appearance of the little 
mounds, or heaps of the slain, resembled a Jiairst field of stooks of 
corpses^ The names of the commanders of the Royal army on this 
day were Generals Brown and Holborn ; the latter is charged with 
"the blot of treachery and hypocrisy." General Brown was taken 
prisoner, and sent to Edinburgh Castle shortly afterwards. He did 
not long survive the battle ; he died of a broken heart. The army 
of Cromwell was led by Overton and Lambert. 

In some old works and manuscripts, it is recorded, that, before 
sounding the attack, the brave Sir John Brown ordered his men to 
kneel and pray for success to their arms ; immediately after which 
the battle commenced, and continued for about six hours, when the 
Scots retreated to Pitreavie, but only to renew the conflict, which 
now raged with terrific violence for another two hours, when the 
Scots, after a most gallant resistance, were subdued. Mr. Coventry 
says — "When the battle was lost, the Highlanders fled to the Castle 
of Pitreavie for an asylum, invoking the Virgin Mary for protection, 
and aid, and in their native dialect, cried aloud,' 6^z^//, oighT They put 
their backs to the wall of the Castle (or house), and continued to 
protect themselves with their drawn swords, when tJiose within threw 
down stones from the roof and bartizan upon the poor fellows and 
killed them." It was often remarked, after this "inhuman treatment," 
that, from that day, the Wardlaws of Pitreavie "fell awa' like snaw off 
a dyke." {Mem. Perth, pp. 169, 170.) 

This battle, on all hands, is admitted to have been a most affecting 



326 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

spectacle, and to have presented a sad sight after the action. " People 
came from Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, &c., in search of their nearest 
and dearest relatives and friends, who, when they found their dead, 
were overwhelmed with grief, and gave themselves up to wild despair; 
and when their friends were found in life, and likely to live, they became 
frantic with joy. What a field! — the dead and dying; the tempests 
of grief commingling with those of joy!" The words of Sir Walter 
Scott, in Marmion, (slightly altered) may be quoted — 

" Tradition, Legend, Tune, and Song, 
Shall many an age the wail prolong ; 
Still, from the sire the son shall hear 
Of the stern strife, and carnage drear, 

Of Inverkeithing's field, 
Where shiver'd was fair Scotland's spear. 

And broken was her shield." 

{Penny's Trad. Perth, p. 335 ; M orison's Mem. PertJi, pp. 169, 170; 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 276-278, vol. ii. pp. 279-282 ; Barbieris 
Gazetteer of Fife, pp. 198-202.) 

" The Field of Pitreavie " is about three miles south-east from 
Dunfermline, and one mile north-north-west of Inverkeithing. The 
Battle of Pitreavie "annihilated the cause of Charles II. in Scotland. 
He left Scotland shortly after the battle for England to recruit his 
forces. The Battle of Worcester (3rd September, 165 1), gained over 
him by Cromwell, made Charles fly to the Continent, where he located 
himself until his Restoration in 1660." In February, 1851, some 
labourers, while digging a trench in "the battlefield," came upon a 
great many human bones, and a leathern bag filled with silver coins 
of Charles II. {Chal. Hist. Dtmf. vol. ii. p. 282.) A great many 
musket-bullets of lead, and cannon-balls of iron have at intervals been 
found, in and near the battlefield. A cannon-ball 2^/^ inches in 
diameter, and weighing 30 ounces, was found on April 25th, 1865, in 
a field in front of Pitreavie House, while a drain was being formed. 
Since then it has been, and still is, in the possession of the writer. 

Cromwell's Army in Dunfermline. — Immediately after the 
battle, the victorious army, headed by Overton and Lambert, pur- 
sued the poor stragglers of the Scotch army to Dunfermline. On 
the way, the "rough cavillers" are understood to have wrecked St. 
Leonard's Chapel, and also the Chapel of St. Mary, in the Nethertown, 
&c. After their arrival in Dunfermline, they broke into the Church, 
stole the collection moneys, and took the loan of many things which 



A DELINQUENT THREATENED WITH THE BRANKS. 327 

did not belong to them. The Kirk Session Records of Dunfermline 
have several minutes referring to their doings, viz. : — ^^ ijth fuly^i6^i, 
being a thursday, cromwell's armie landit heir, who, on the sabbath 
yreftir, being the 20 day of the s'^ month, battell being beside pitreavie, 
killed an cutt manie of o'" men, robbed and plunderit all. Everie man 
that was able fledd for a tyme, so yt yr could be no meeting for 
Discipline this space. 12 Ang.: The boord an seatts of the session 
hous and the Kirk boxe being all broken, and the haill money in the 
said boxe being all plunderit and taken away be Cromwell's men. It 
is tho* fitt yt the session hous be repaird and the boxe mendit ; And 
thairfore Thomas Elder an Jon Duncan are desyrd to speak to Thomas 
home, wry*' to doe the same, as also to mak a new brod to gather the 
offering, igth Aug.: The Session hous being repaird and the boxe 
mendit, and no money to pay the wry*' his paymen*® is delayed till it 
be gotten." (Diinf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

Cromwell's Troops still in Dunfermline, joth Sept., i6^i. — 
It is minuted in the Kirk Session Records of Dunfermline that there 
was no Session held on 30th Sept., 165 1, ^^ because of CromweWs troops 
that were quarterd heir." This billeting would be most oppressive on 
the inhabitants, 30th September being the 71st day after the battle. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid was re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

1652.— Mirk Monday. — In the Parish Register of Births, Bap- 
tisms, and Marriages, the 23rd day of March, 1652, is noted as being 
Mirk Monday (dark Monday). Mirk Monday, like Black Saturday 
in 1597-98, was occasioned by an eclipse of the sun. 

A Large Whale Stranded in the Forth. — In 1652, a whale, 80 
feet in length (of the whale-bone kind), came in and stranded in the 
Forth, near to Lymekills. "It yielded a vast quantity of oyl, and 
about 500 weight of baleen" [blubber]. {Sibbald's Hist, of Fife and 
Kin. p. 293.) Crowds went to see it from the adjacent country. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid was re-elected Provost. 
Burgh Records.) 

A Delinquent threatened with the Branks, &c. — ''iSth 
Nov. : 'l^hat day compeirit befor the session marg* ro*son, spous to 
W""' Scotland, being summoned to this day for cursing and swearing, 
wha being dealt with and bro* to the sense of hir sin and guiltiness, 



328 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

was sJiarplie admonised, and she is hereby enactit, with her awn esent, 
yt if ever she shall be found guiltie of the like againe, she shall stand 
at the iron zvi' the branks in her month." (Dnnf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

1653.— A Brawling Wife Punished for Abusing her Hnsband. 
— In the Kirk Session Records for the 29th March, 1653, there is the 
following important minnte : — " 2p March : This day comperit marg* 
markman, for abusing david Waterstonn, her husband, w* most cnrsed, 
cruel, and malicious speeches, and she being found guilty yrof, and the 
session knowing yt she oftymes has fallen in sutch wicked conten- 
tiones before against her s'^ husband, refers hir to the magistrates to be 
imprisioned in the laighest prison hous, and y''aftir to be set on the tron 
on a mercat day, to the examp^" of uthers, witJi a paper on her browe, 
shewing her nortorious scandall, and hir remaining in prison and stand- 
ing on the trone to be such a space as the magistrates and session 
shall modifie." This is a fair sample of the blending of the spiritual 
and civil powers of that day. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid was elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

English Troops expected in Dunfermline. — In the Kirk Session 
Records, date i8th Oct. 1653, notice is taken in one of the minutes of 
" sundrie inglish troupes both of ye horse and foote yt were co7ning into 
the toun." 

The Town Scholars to repeat the Catechism tivice in the Kirk on 
Sabbaths. — "The 20 Dec. the session recommendit to Mr. Thomas 
Walker, Schoolma*' to have his Schollers in reddiness to repeat the 
Catechism everie sabbath betwixt the second and third bell, before 
noon and after noone ; the one to propose and the uthy*" to 7ms^' yt 
the people may heare and learn e, it being usit in uthy"" Kirks, and this 
to begin next Sabbath." 

1654. — Mr. Robert Kay, Minister of the First Charge of Dim- 
fermline, was imprisoned in Inch Garvie by Cromwell's soldiers for 
praying for King Charles II. On the solicitation of commissioners 
sent by the Kirk Session of Dunfermline to the Commander-in-Chief 
Mr. Kay was released, and allowed to return to Dunfermline and 
resume his clerical duties. {Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. i. p. 423.) 

TOLBOOTH Bell. — The inscription round the upper part of the 
exterior surface of the Bell, shows that it was founded at Daventria, in 



LEAGUE AND COVENANT. 329 

the Netherlands this year (1654). The inscription, which is in a kind 
of Dutch letter, and in alto relief, is as follows : — 

HENRICK • TER * HORST ' ME * FECIT * DAVENTRIiE ' 1654. 

That is, " Henry Ter Horst made me at Daventria, 1654." The bell is 
a small one; it is 14 inches in diameter at the lip, and 13^ high, 
inclusive of the top "hanger." The bell itself is only 1 1 inches in 
height. It was "timmer-tuned," belonging to the "X Y Z" note. After 
having sounded its notes for Council meetings, public rejoicings, 
funerals, &c., for 211 years, it was, about the year 1865, removed 
and was replaced by another of no great worth, which in its turn 
was "unstocked" in 1876, on the removal of the late Town House. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Reid re-elected Provost. 
(BiirgJi Rec.) 

Kirk Session Records — Curious Entries. — There are several 
curious entries in the Kirk Session Records for 1654 (m/^r April 20th, 
et the 24th), viz. : — " William M'Kay was accused before the Session 
20 April for casting and putiiftg the stone with the English SoW^ in 
the Kirkyairde on the sabbath in tyme of sermon ; Christian Thomson, 
in the Newraw, is /t?j^(3? for selling drink to the Inglish on the sabbath 
in time of sermon ; both are sharplie rebuked ; bessie Kinsman, spous 
to James Cusine, appears before the Session, accused of carrying a 
barell of aill to the English in the Abb ay on the Sabbath, who shewd yt 
she was compellit be ym yrby ; she promised not to doe so againe ; 
sharplie rebuked and admonished. Item, given to Katherin Walker, 
for furnishing of gray and uth"" necessars to Daft andro huton, dj.bs. 
I4i". Item, peyd to adam Ker, whose house was robbed, 40J"." 

The Bell Stocks. — Fabric of the Kirk in need of Help. — igth 
Dec. : " The sesion refers to W'"- Walker, Mr. George Walker, Thomas 
and Dauid Mitchell, to meet the twa ministers in the afternoone. To 
think upon the best way to get money for reparat" of the Stoks of 
the bells and fabrick of the Kirk, It is ordainit that the Kirkyaird 
fees and burial an Kirk fees be advanced to help to meet expenses." 
(Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

League and Covenant. — A printed copy of the "League and 

Covenant" was found in John Auchinwall's papers, in 1654, and given 

to the Kirk Session, who gave it to William Walker, the late Provost, 

to be kept by him, as he had the National Covenant already. (Inglis's 

MS. foutnal.) 

2 u 



330 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1655.— Drunken English Soldiers, &c. — The detachment 
of English soldiers quartered on the town appear to have been "thirsty 
loons," especially on Sabbath. In the Dunfermline Kirk Session 
Records^ of date 8th May, 1655, Thomas Elder had reported to the 
Kirk Session, that " the provest had spoken to the captaine in the Abbay, 
for restraining his soldiers from drinking in brozvsters hous's on the 
Sabbath in tyme aftir sermons ;" and that the captain had "sent 5 or 
6 of his s^'jands throw the towne on the Sabbath for this effort." 

Great Need of Repairs in Dunfermline Church. — The 
case of the Kirk repairs was brought before the Session on 24th July, 
1655, when " it was referred to the Elders to have a care to desire 
in y"^ quart", both in toun and landwart, to send hors f' leading up of 
timber and sklaitts fra Lymekills f y" use of the Kirk, and it is 
tho' fitt y' James Hendirson and Dauid trumble glasin wryts be 
spoken for mending the cakes of lead upon the roof of the Kirk." The 
same day it was intimated that the Laird of Urqiihart sent to the 
Kirk Session, in which he refuses to contribute to the repairs of the 
Kirk, "untill urquhart be tottallie disjoyned fra Inverkeithing." 

Provost of Dunefrmline. — Peter Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

ROSYTH Castle Repaired. — This Castle underwent " consider- 
able repairs in 1655, and ane date to that effect may be seen on the 
building." {Old MS. Deed ; see also Annals, dates 1561, 1639.) In 
Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. ii. p. 65.) 

1656.— Sunday Desecration. — ''6th May, 1656. This day it 
being declared to the Session be the visitors that they fund many on 
the Sabbath after sermons sitting at dors an walking on the streets, 
an in the yairds about the fields, at y'' worldlie discours's, it is tho' fitt 
y' the act of the Synod be sought out and looked at concerning the 
restrainyng of such abuses y^'of " A delay recommended. May 2^. — 
The act publicly read from the pulpit. (Dunf Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

English Soldiers. — "The Palace and the Queen's House occu- 
pied by Cromwell's men," who are reported to be a vile, lawless, rough 
set. (MSS., and Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1657. — The Kirk-Bells again in Ringing Order. — These bells. 



DEATH OF THE COUNTESS OF DUNFERMLINE. 33 1 

the hanging of which had caused trouble to the Session, were on May 
3rd, in working order. " 3d May (Die Dom.) Sunday. — This day the 
Kirk bells being new stocked an hung, were begun to be coiipedP 
(Kirk Session Records.) 

The Sin of Vaiging about the F'ields on Sabbath. — In the 
same Records, under date September 17th, William Boyd, being sum- 
moned, appeared before the Kirk Session, "and confesit his fault in 
vaiging about y'' fields on y" Sabbath aftir sermons." He promised 
" not to doe the like againe and wes admonished." 

Provost of Dunfermline — William Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

1658.— Golfdrum, and John Watson. — This appears to be 
the first notice of Golfdrum on record : — "On the 20th April, this year 
(says the Kirk Session Records) "Jo" Watson in Gouiifdrum appeared 
before the Session, and was found guiltie of ordinarie absence fra 
the kirk. He promised to keep better order, and was sharplie 
admonished." 

Margaret Campbell set on the Tron, her Head Clipped, &c. 
— The same Record, under date May 25, notifies that the report is made 
to the magistrates, and to the Session, that they had caused " clipp 
marg' Campbells head, an set her on y^ trone with a paper on Jier breast, 
on the last mercat day, to the example of uthirs of her fornication." 

Provost of Dunfermline — William Walker, re-elected Provost. 
(Biirgh Rec.) 

1659. — The New Wark. — In the Kirk Session Records, of date 
May I ith, 1659. The nezv wark is mentioned in connection with the 
crime committed by one of Cromwell's troopers. Would this " new 
wark" be a domestic erection, a temporary fortification, or some repairs 
on the Kirk } 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker, elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Death of the Countess of Dunfermline. — "Dame Margreta 
Haye, Countess of Dunfermling and Callander, obit 30 December, 
1659. ^tatis suae 6^^ Such was the inscription found on the lid 
of her coffin in 1820, in the vault at Dalgety (Fife). 



332 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1660. — Dunfermline Kirkyard to be Drained, &c. — Tra- 
dition informs us that the Auld Kirkyard " was for the most part a 
swamp, and in rainy seasons it was in many places flooded with 
water." This tradition is borne out by the following minute, extracted 
from the Kirk Session Records, under date 17th April, 1660 : — 

" 77 April. — The session, considering yt the most parte of the Kirkyaird 
has been useless these many yeirs by-gane, And the necessitie yr is in drying of 
it, yt it may be a sufficiente and comodious buriall place, And having taken 
the aduyse of skilfull men, who think fit yt the Kirkyairde may be made dry 
if yr were a gutter tinder the graves, and ane open cast for convoying away 
under Mr. William Oliphant, minister his hous, to cans it to run into his gutter 
under his house : The Session, eftir long deliberation yron, resolved yt yr 
shall be a voliintar cojitribution coliectit throw this parish be the elders and 
deacons, fra all persons yrin, both maister and servant, throw everie hous, in yr 
quartrs for peying off the wark in making the Kirkyaird dry." 

Another tradition notifies that all the north part of the North 
Churchyard was " swamp, marshy ground, caused by the burne coming 
out of the Kings loch, on the eist of the friars yaird" (between the top 
of St. Margaret's Street and New Row) ; that this loch was fed by water 
from the Dam, and the overflow ran out at the west end of the Kirk- 
yard (near the north entrance), and, flowing down a close under the 
houses there (top of St. Catherine's Wynd), found its way to the Perm 
Burn (Tower, or Back Burn) ; and that the loch was originally made 
for keeping a supply of fish for the use of the inmates of the Abbey 
at their weekly fasts and other festivals. The site of the thorn tree 
was anciently the site of the Abbey Weeping Cross. About the year 
1560 (Reformation period) this Cross was "■ cast down',' and the ''Gospel 
Thorn planted in its place." (MSS. Records.) 

Disturbance at the Laird of Rosyth's Burial. — In the 
year 1577 "a scene" took place in the churchyard of Dunfermline 
anent the burying of a young laird of Rosyth of that day ; and here 
another disturbance takes place in 1660, on the occasion of the funeral 
of another laird. The following extracts from the Kirk Sessioft 
Records gives an account of the unseemly occurrence, and of the early 
hour in the morning at which it took place : — 

" 24th April, 1660. — The Act and instrument following being produced 
this day, Mr. Rot. Kay and Mr. Wm. Oliphant, present ministers of the 
Kirk of Dunfermline, desirit yt it myt be insert in the Session book for yr 
exoneration, which was consented to be the Session, off the qlk act and instru- 
ment. The tenor followes : — 

^^ At Dunfermline, the 20th day ofAprile]^.]w'f and thrie-score yeirs (1660): 
— The wch day, in presence of me, notar publick, and witnesses, eftirnait 



EXPENSE OF DRAINING THE KIRKYARD. 333 

compeirit ps'nlie at the Kirk-dore of Dunfermline betwixt 4 and 5 hours in 
the morning, Mr. Rot. Kay and Mr. Wm. Oliphant, ministers yr, who declairit 
they were certainhe informed yt the friends and Kinsmen of the Laird of 
Rossyth, deceist, were of intention to bring the corps of the sd laird w'hin the 
sd Kirk of Dunfermline, and yt the keys of the Kirk-dores were not in the 
officer's hands, but had bein taken fra him yt nyt ; And yrfore did send and 
direct yr Kirk-officer to Rot. Walwood, baillie of the sd bru' (who had taken 
the keys fra him, as they were informed), to desire and require him to give 
bak the keys of the sd Kirk-door, yt they might have ym in yr custodie, who 
accordingly went, and made report of his coraission thus : — That the baillie 
said he had not the keys for the present, but had left ym w'h the toun-officer, 
that he might open the dore this morning to ring the 5 hor bell. Thairaftir, 
before 5 o'Clock came, Johne Laurie, officer, w'h the keys, fra whome the sd 
Mr. Rt. Kay and Mr. Wm. Oliphant demandit the sd keys, wch he altogedder 
refusit, yt yr w4i he was to open the dore to ring the 5 hor bell ; And, in the 
meantyme, George Carmichell, servitor to the Laird of Buchannan, and Alexr. 
Crookshank, writer in Edinburgh, came to the Kirk-dore, at whom the sd 
ministers desyred to know yr erand yt tyme of day? Who ansred yt they 
intendit to keip ye Laird of Rossyth's old buriall-place. To the which it was 
replyed by the ministers yt all burying w'hin the Kirk was dischairged be the 
General Assemblie in August, 1643, And yt yr hade nevir bein any in this 
Kirk since yt time, And desyrit ym to forbear frae breaking the Kirk-floore, 
and burying w*hin the Kirk, Which they wilfullie refused, And wth 5 or 6 
men thrust ymselves in at the Kirk-dore. Qrvpon, and vpon the refusal of 
the said toun-officer to delyver the keys in manner foirsaid. And all and 
sundrie the premises, the saids Mr. Rot. Kay and Mr. Wm. Ohphant, minis- 
ters, askit act and instrument ane or mae, in the hands of me, notar-publict, 
under subcrywand ; And protestet yt as they were frie, and had no accession 
to the sd irregular fact, so they myt be frie fra all the evils and consequents 
yt mt follow yrvpon. 

" Thir things were done, day, yeir, and place foresaid, betwixt 4 and 5 
hors in the morning. Before James Marshall, Patrick Anderson, Archibald 
M'Craich, burgess (es) of Dunfermline; George Belfrage, servitor to the sd 
Mr. Wm. and Arthere Kay, son lau" to the sd Mr. Rot, witness (es) to the 
premisses called and requyred, sic subscribihir, I, henry elder, notar-publict. 
Doe testifie and declair the haill premisses before set doun to be trewlie done 
as is above exprest, be this my subscription usuall — H. Elder. Quhilk act 
and instrument being red, Peter Walker, Provest, declairs yt they meddled 
w'h no keys bot yt which properlie belonged to the toun, and declayrit this to 
be marked." 

How the matter ended is not known. From this document^ how- 
ever, we learn that the Matin Bell was rung at five in the morning, 
and that Messrs. Kay and Oliphant were commendably active men, 
to be at the Kirk-door between four and five on an April morning — 
before sunrise. 

Provost of Dunfermline — Peter Walker, re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Expense of Draining the Kirkyard. — ''Aug. jth: This day 



334 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Adam Anderson gave in the compt of his receipt of the money col- 
lected for the Kirkyaird, extending to i$6lid. ^s.; also a compt for 
the disbursement yrof in peyin of the wark for drying the Kirkyaird^ 
w'' the session did approve." (Kirk Ses. Records.) 

1661. — Death of Elizabeth Stuart, ^;r-g?/^^;/ of Bohemia. — 
Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI., born in the 
Royal Palace, Dunfermline, on August 19, 1596, was afterwards, for a 
short unsettled time. Queen of Bohemia. After the death of her 
husband (Frederick), the king of that country, she returned to London, 
where she lived in straitened circumstances. She died in Leicester 
Square, London, on 13th February, 1661, in the 65th year of her age. 
{Leigh's Guide to London, p. 211 ; also An. Dunf. date August, 1596^ 
and O and P, in Appendix^ 

Turkish Captive. — " zy June, 1661 : This day the collec*" of 
the contribution for alex. gairner, captive w"' the turks, reported (to 
the Session) that they had collected 2'^lib or y'^by the last Sabbath, 
and y"^ Jon Thomson, beddell, his ye keeping y'"off." (Kirk Session 
Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Mudie, elected Provost. 
(Bnrgli Records.) 

The Dunfermline-Kirkaldy Old Indenture. — The old 
Indenture between the Abbot of Dunfermline and the community 
of the burgh of Kirkaldy (1450) was, in 1661, ratified by Act of 
Charles II. 

Masking of Drink. — In Dunfermline Kirk Session Records, of 
24th Sept. this year, we have — " Katherine Reaburn, spouse to Jo" 
Drumond, was delated (before the session) for masking drink on the 
Sabbath, an f'' hir ordinar swearing and hir absence fra the kirk on 
Oct' I, she was sharplie admonished." 

The King's Annuity and Peter Walker. — " Peter Walker, 
burges of Dumfermling, was appointed one of the Collectors of the 
King's Annuity of Forty thousand pounds Sterling." {Murray's 
Laws and Acts of Pa,rl. vol. ii. p. 166.) 

The Lands of Knockhouse, near Dunfermline, were pur- 
chased by the Laird of Pitfirrane. {Chal. Hist. Dnnf vol. i. p. 294.) 

1662.— Mr. Robert Kay, Minister of the First Charge in Dun- 



THE king's birthday, ETC. 335 

fermline Church, conformed to Episcopacy, and was " outed." {Ckal, 
Hist. Diinf. vol. i. p. 415.) 

Sir Charles Halket, Knt. of Pitfirrane, Created a Baronet. 
— James Halket was the first of the Pitfirrane family who was created 
a baronet. " He received two diplomas or royal patents of this 
honour from Charles H. ; first a baronetship of Nova Scotia of date 
25th January, 1662 ; a second on 25th January, 1671." {CJial. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. i. p. 296.) 

Mr. William Oliphant, for upwards of 17 years minister of the 
Second Charge of the Church of Dunfermline, died July, 1662. {CJial. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 415.) At page 582 of the same volume it is 
noted that his death occurred in 1695. Perhaps \\q publicly announced 
himself iti 1622 as a Nonconformist to Prelacy, was ejected from his 
charge, and left the district ; restored in 1688, and died in 1695. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1663.— The King's Birthday to be held in Dunfermline. — In 
Dunfermline Kirk Session Records, of date 14th May, 1663, there is a 
minute, noting that "intimation was made for keiping the King's birth- 
day, and his restoring to his kingdoms, on fryday nixt the 29th of 
May" (which was done). This is the first notice we have seen in any 
of the Dunfermline Records for keeping a King's birthday. The keep- 
ing of it appears to have been held yearly after this year, with demon- 
strations of joy. The last of these "old demonstrations" ceased in 
1820, on the death of George HI. 

Crown Lease of Dunfermline Lordship, &c., granted to 
Charles, 2nd Earl of Dunfermline, for three nineteen years commencing 
in 1639. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vi. p. 557 ; see also An. Dunf. dates 16 11, 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Peter Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1664.— The Burgh to be Stented henceforth Yearly. — 
2gth fan. 1664. (Peter Walker, provost, presiding). "This day the 
provest declares the toun is threatned to get a charge of horning for 
payment of 200 merks as the touns parte of the Collig minister's 
vacand steipend crop 1660 three which with the vacand steipend of 



336 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

certain oy^ paroshes ar ordained be the secret Counsall to be payit to 

Hannay and remanent due the h" of umq" Doctor Hannay 

lait Dean of Edin": for so much y"" of as will pey to them two hundreth 
pund Sterling grantit to the s'' den church be act of parlia' for pay* of 
the which stepend the s*^ provest, baillies and counsall statuts and 
ordains in respect of the waikness of the common guid and the bur- 
dings lying y''on that now and in all tym heireff yearlie the toun be 
Stentit and first zeir pay*, of the s'^ yeirlie stepend now charged, ordains 
two moneths stent to be collectit, and to y* effect the roll to be laid of 
new and nominats and appoints as stenters WT^ Walker, David Jerman, 
James Mudie, Jon Stevensone, Jon Peirsone, Harrie James, James 
Anderson, Andrew Mudie." (Biirgh Records.) This Act of Council 
appears to be the first notice in the Burgh Records regarding Stenting 
and " ye Stent Roll," which after this date is yearly mentioned in the 
Records of the Council. 

Oath of Allegiance. — The ceremony of tendering the oath of 
allegiance appears to date from i6th Feb. 1664, viz., "which day the 
provest, baillies and counsall, in obediance of the several missives sent 
to them direct firae the lords of privie counsall Injoyning them to 
signe and subscribe the declaration ordained be act of parlia' to be 
taken be all persons in public trust, Have all sub' the s'^ declaration 
w^'^y"^ hands : And ordains and appoynts Rob* Walwood, baillie, to go 
over to Edin": and give the s^ declaration to the s*^ secret counsall to 
be recordit conform to the desyre of y'' lords'^p^" {Burgh Rec. Feb. i6> 
1664.) In 1675 the Provost resigned his office rather than sign this 
"declaration." (See An. Diinf. date Jan. 8th, 1675.) 

James Brugh and John Horne, the Drummer and the Piper 
of Dunfermline "were delated for nyt walking, drinking, and swear- 
ing." They were appointed to be cited before the Session. The 
drummer got into a second scrape "and ran out of the toun." (Djmf 
Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

Robert, 2nd Earl of Elgin, was created "Earl of Ailesbury," in 
Buckinghamshire. {Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. p. 289.) 

George Belfrage, Minister of Camock, deposed for noncon- 
formity to Prelacy, and was ordered to confine himself within the 
bounds of Carnock Parish. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 582.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Captain George Durie of Craig- 
luscar, elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.) 



THANKSGIVING-DAY FOR A NAVAL VICTORY, ETC. 337 

The Marquis of Wo^iwo^y. and Dunfermline Abbey Property. — 
"The Marquis of Montrose ravaged with his army over the whole 
barony of Campbell, and burned every cottage in the parishes of 
Dollar and Muckart, excepting one near the former village, which 
was saved upon the supposition that it belonged to the Abbey of 
Dunfermline." [Piercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 290.) 

Note. — This house that was "saved" is supposed to have been the 
house of the vicar, which, according to tradition, stood a little to the 
west of the present "upper brig" of Dollar. It has also been thought 
that the "house" here referred to as being "saved," was the old house 
or castle of Cowdens, near Muckart. 

1665.— Thanksgiving -Day for the Naval Victory over the 
Dutch. — In Dunf Kirk Session Records, dated 9th July, 1665, there 
is the following minute regarding " the great and glorious victory" of 
our fleet over the Dutch, viz. : — " This day, before noone, a printed 
paper was red out of the pulpit, ordaining in the King's name a 
publict thanksgiving to be keipt on thursday next the 13th July 
instant, for the victorie gotten be King's navie over the hollanders, 
wh^'^ was solemnlie keipt." This victory was gained on June 3rd. 
(For account of it, see Pepy's Diary, p. 242, Temb's edit.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Captain George Durie of Craig- 
luscar, re-elected Provost. {Burgh Rec) 

Mr, Robert Kay, Minister of Dunfermline, demitted office in 
November, 1665, and was admitted minister of Stow, 4th March, 1666. 
{Dunf Kirk Ses. Records and Stoiv Register.) 

The Earl of Tweeddale and Heritable- Offices of the 
Lordship of Dunfermline. — "John, Earl (afterwards Marquis) of 
Tweeddale, in consequence of a debt due to him by the Earl of 
Dunfermline, obtained a right (by a decreet of apprising) to the Offices 
of Heritable Bailie, as also to a Lease of the Feu Duties and Teinds 
of the Lordship of Dunfermline." {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 32-33; 
Dunf. Kirk Ses. Records, &c.) 

1666.— Mr. William Peirson (translated from Paisley) was 
admitted to the First Charge of Dunfermline Church on 17th January, 
1666; and "M^ Walter bruce, minister, of Innerkeithing, preached 
at his admission." {Kirk Ses. Rec; also An. Dunf date 1676.) 

2 X 



338 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

"Lintel Date-and-Initial Houses." — Antiquarians now take 
notice of such houses in their works. " Dunfermline, in the olden 
tyme," had a great many lintel-date houses, very few of which now 
exist of an early date. There is a small house of one storey, a little to 
the south of St. Leonard's Works, which has on its " lintel-stane" — 



16 • DC • IM • 66 



Tradition says that "most part of this house was built from stones 
taken from the ruins of St. Leonard's Hospital and Chapel." (See 
" List" of such "Lintels and Sculptured Stones," in Appendix) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — William Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Mr. Thomas Kinynmont was "translated from Kilmany to the 
Church of Dunfermline on i8th July." {Chal. Hist. Dwif. vol. i. 
P-4I5-) 

The Sin of Nut-gathering on the Sabbath.— "On 2d Sept. 
Andro watson and W"^ belfrage, having been summoned to appear 
before the Session, compeird and confest they went and sought nutts 
on the Sabbath, and delated those who were with y? viz., Peter and 
James booth, Jo" neish, ro* white, James shorties, W"? belfrage, James 
Jo" stoun, Patrick spens," who are appointed to be cited. On Sept. 25 
the whole batch appeared before the Session, when they were ordered 
" to sit down on y"" knees, before the Session to seik pardon of God of 
y'' fault, which they did, promising not to doe the lyk in tyme coming, 
and then they were dismissed and sharplie admonished."!!! (Dimf. 
Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

1667.— Ratification of the Acts on Sunday Brewing 
and Masking. — The ratification of former Acts of Session, made 
against masking and brewing on the Sabbath, also against " persons 
vaiging abroad, sittin or walking idlie on the streets or fields, and 
under stairs y' day," took place this year. ( Dwif. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— William Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Witches and Warlocks. — These harmless persons continue to 
trouble the minds of the clergy in the district, and "y' whole bodie of 



"jarmin's mortification." 339 

y" Sesione, especalie at Dunfermling and torie burne, whilk causes 
thaim alarme." (Kirk Ses. Records of the West of Fife, &c.) 

Royal Assessment. — Dunfermline was assessed to the extent 
£102 Scots, in order to liquidate "the voluntar offer to his Majesty 
of £']2QO Scots monthly for the space of 12 months." (Murray's Laws 
and Acts of Pari.) 

1668.— The Town's Peats.— " ^/j-/ May, 1668: This day the 
councell, considering the great abuse committed be the haill nightbors 
In holding and casting to the touns moss in many parts and sua 
abuseing the same y' throu of tyme it will tend greatlie to the touns 
prejudice ffor remeid y''off and y' better order be keept in casting y''in, 
Statuts and ordains y* no person presume to cast any petts y''in or 
brek the ground y''off in any sort in tym coming, but be taking a 
direct face before y'" in casting the s'^ mose. And y*^ the face of the 
mose being taken up and wrought by those that needs and casts the 
peats y'"in in such places of the s'^ mose and by such order and course 
as sail be desyrit and appoyntit by the visitors y''of And y''for 
nominat the persons as follows to be visitors y''of, viz., Thomas elder, 
W"" smart. Fetter bust, Nieall henderson." (Burgh Records.) This 
appears to be the first notice of peats in these Records. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — William Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Mr. Thomas Kinynmount, Minister of the First Charge of the 
Church of Dunfermline, was translated to and ordained Minister of 
Auchterderran, nth November, 1668. (Kirk Ses. Rec. Dunf) 

1669.— Lordship, &c., of Dunfermline. — John, Marquis ol 
Tweeddale, had his office of Heritable Bailie, &c., of the Lordship of 
Dunfermline confirmed by an absolute charter under the Great Seal, 
dated 12th February, 1669. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 81 ; also Chal. 
Hist. Dunf. vol. i, p. 257.) 

David Jerman. — There is a "Jermin's Mortification" in Dun- 
fermline, of which Dr. Chalmers, in his History of Dunfermline, 
says that "the donor and original amount of this bequest seem at 
present equally unknown." The writer adds the following paragraph, 
cut from a newspaper, which may help to find out at least who the 
donor was : — "5/// August, i66p: Discharge by David Jerman, burgess 



340 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

of Dunfermline, to David Bruce, younger of Kennet, of the sum of 
;^42, money of Scotland, as the assured rent of £700, like money, due 
at the term of Lammas, 1669, in bond by the said David Bruce and 
his said father to the said David Jerman, Dunfermline." (Alloa 
Adver. 24th June, 1865 ; see also Dunf, Par. Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

The Bells in the Kirk Steeple. — " In Preforio, Dunfermline, 
2^th Sep''" i66q : This day q"sidering that the Bells in the Stipill of 
the Kirk being rung cowping wayes doe oft becom louse in the Stokes 
and sua are in danger of getting predjudiced and y*^ rang and soundet 
better formerlie w"^ mair ease and less predjudice q" they rang be the 
tung ; Therefor the prouost, baillies and counsall ordains the s"^ bells 
in tym coming to be rung be the tung w^all y* they also be maid fast 
in the Stokes y*^ they may also ring cowping wayes if they pleis." 
{Bitrgh Records, 25th Sept. 1669.) 

1670. — Severe Winter. — This was the most severe winter of 
snow and frost within the memory of the then "oldest inhabitants" 
of Scotland. In Dunfermline and district the winter, according to 
tradition, " raged in all its fury for a space of three months." (MSS.) 

Manual or Hand Seal of the City of Dnnfermline. — Under 
date 1589, the matrix or double seal of the city is described, and 
representations of it given. The double seal being too large for 
ordinary use, a new one, much smaller in size, was ordered from 
Holland this year (1670), which seal continues to be used for common 
purposes. The following figure represents the face of this common 



seal. In the Burgh Records there is a minute regarding it, viz. : — 
"■ 2j May, 16^0: In Pretorio Dunfermline Petrum Walker propositum, 



A CONVENTICLE MEETING. 34I 

&c. ; Appoints the thesaurer to pay to the Clerk 50 gilders debursed 
by him for cutting the town's seal at holland, being extraordinarlie 
well cut." The manual seal is i^^ inches in diameter, same size of 
the engraving. 

It will be seen that this seal is a miniature representation of one 
of the sides of the large matrix seal of 1589, with part of the same 
legend, viz. : — 

SIGILLVM • CIVITATIS ' FERMILODVNI. 

That is, " Seal of the citizens of Dunfermline," or " City of Dunferm- 
line," the " Esto Rupes," &c., on the matrix seal being omitted on 
the small one. (See An. Dunf. date 1589.) 

King's Birth-Day and Bonfires. — " zg May : The Solemntie 
of the King's day being to be keped, and falling on the nixt Sabbath, 
being the lord's day, appoints only tivo fyrs to be put on at the tonn 
end." {Burgh Records, 23rd May, 1670.) The town's end refers to 
the locality of the East Port. The town's end is noticed in Henry- 
son's Poems, circa 1490-1500. 

Conventicle Meeting on Hill-of-Beath. — In the middle of 
June, 1670, a conventicle, or field meeting, was held on the Hill-of- 
Beath, four miles north-east of Dunfermline. The preacher was the 
celebrated and pious Mr. John Blackadder, the ejected minister of 
Troqueer, which produced a profound sensation in the parish ; great 
numbers assembled from places 12 to 20 miles around. About 2000 
are supposed to have been present at " the gathering." Shortly after 
public worship had begun, on the Lord's day, some officers of militia 
rode up, as if to disturb and disperse them. These officers were 
promptly met by the men on watch, armed for self-defence. The 
prudent interference of Mr. Blackadder prevented an " outbreak," and 
worship under the canopy of heaven was continued without further 
molestation. There was a remarkable manifestation of spiritual 
influence in the sacred services of that day, long held in remembrance. 

The news of "this horrid insult," as the treatment of these military 
officers was called, having reached Edinburgh, Archbishop Sharp 
caused a rigorous inquiry to be made as to "who were there ; so that 
many country gentlemen who were at the meeting were put to much 
trouble and expense in consequence. Among others, Robert Well- 
wood of Touch, one mile and a half east of Dunfermline, confessed 
before the constituted Council that he had been present, and was 
fined in 500 merks (^^27 15s. 6d. sterling), and ordered to lie in prison 



342 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



till he paid it, and to engage in a bond of 2000 merks to frequent no 
more such meetings. This was " the first armed conventicle after the 
Restoration." In one way, this Prelatic " Persecution" between 1670 
and 1688, was as bad as the Roman Catholic "Persecution" between 
1538 and 1559. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 278, and Hist. Scot.) 

The Auld Kirk and Ruins of the Choir, 1670. — The annexed 
view of the Auld Kirk and Choir ruins is compiled from several old 




prints and drawings. Shortly after this period (1672), "the aspect was 
changed by the fall of part of the eastern wall of the Choir." The point 
from which this view is supposed to be taken is "the Friar's Yard," about 
50 yards NNE. of St. Margaret's Tomb. The houses shown to the right 



COAL IN "THE TOUN'S MUIR," ETC. 343 

of the steeple are the tall constabulary houses, along with Queen Anne 
of Denmark's house. The "lantern tower" is partly taken from a 
representation of it on one of the Abbey Seals of the latter end of the 
15 th century. The tall windows of the Choir are taken from a draw- 
ing of them, made in 18 19, before they were removed. (See also 
Frontispiece Vieiv of ^^ Extracts from Dimf. Kirk Session Records^' 
published by E. Henderson in 1865.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Peter Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Sir Henry Wardlaw and the Masterton-Seat hi Dunfermline 
Kirk. — The following minute, extracted from the Kirk Session Records 
of Dunfermline, refers to the "Maistertoun-seat," and also to the great 
tomb of William Shaw, "Master of the King's Wark," &c. : — "3 October 
[1670]. Qhlk day, Mr William Peirson, minister, in name, and at the 
desire of the ry' bono" S'^ henrie Wardlaw of Pitreavie, preponed to 
the elders and Kirk Session being y'^ convened w' him, that the rowme 
or dask in the y'' kirk Avh"^ pertain"' to Robert Kellok portioner of 
maistertoun, situate on the north side wall of the kirk beside the north 
eist dore y'^of, betwixt S" William Shaw's tomb on y^ west, and 
jo" potters wyfes seat on the east, should be approprate an belong to 
the said S''henrie wardlaw of pitreavie and his heirseftir, in respect y' he 
hes bought the lands of m^'toun wh*""" belonged to the said Ro*." &c. 

The grand old tomb of "the Master of the King's Wark" stood 
against the north wall of the " Auld Kirk," immediately behind where 
the pulpit stood. (See An. Dunf. date 1793.) 

Coals. — ''loth Oct. idyo. This day the provest baillies and coun- 
sall being informed y* the Earls of Dunfermline and Tweeddale 
w' satisfied the Coill in the touns muire be wrought be the toun, and 
the yeirlie proffit to be devydit equallie betwixt the said Earls and 
the toun : Thairfoir resolve to agrie y''anent, and the toun to deburse 
200 lib. to be payed to y" again in y"" awin hand w*^ the proffit of the 
Coill." (Biirgh Records.) This appears to be the first notice of "the 
touns coill" in the Burgh Records. 

1671.— Sir Charles Halket, Knight, of Pitfirrane, was, by 
Charles H., created a Baronet of the United Kingdom, on January 
25th, 1671. 

Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.— Charles, Earl of Dunferm- 
line, chosen to fill that office. i^Sib. Hist, of Fife, p. 262.) 



344 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Colliers' Wages. — Maj/ 20th, i6yi : "This day report is maid 
y' the men y* work mining the coall ar agried as follows, Rob' hogan 
to have los, thomas ffalconer and Jon Drummond d>s, and the rest 
each 6s per diem, and David thomsone being princip''^ workman is 
referred for his work and pains till afterwards." (Burgh Rec.) This 
is the first notice of colliers' wages in the Burgh Records. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker re-elected Provost. 
(BurgJi Records.) 

1672.— Fire at Cupar— Contribution. — In the Kirk Ses. Records, 
it is noted that, on Feb. 27, 1672, the Session appointed to "intimate a 
collect" the next Sabbath to be collectit the Sabbath y''aftir, for the 
toun of Coupar qhrn many hous's were brunt, w^ wes done." "March 
17th. — Collected by the collectors for the toun of Cupar, 20 lib. or 
/by" 

House of Correction ordered to be built in Dunfermline for 
the reception of " idle beggars and vagabo7ids!^ (Murray's Laivs a?id 
Acts of Pari.) 

Poor " Schollars." — " i^-th March. Report is made be adam 
anderson, that he and the rest of the collectors had collectit 18 lib. 
or y''by for the poore schollars, the roll of thaim are appointed to be 
brought in." (Dunf. Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

Roll of Poor Scholars. — Payment of Teachers. — In the same 
Record^ it is notified on 25th June, that "all on the roll of the poor 
schollers being bro* in, the money collectit for y™ was distribute in 
peying of y"" quart" to y"^ teachers." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

The Walls of the Abbey Choir. — " The eastern part of the 
walls of the Choir and Ladye Chapel, which had long been in a 
dilapidated state, fell at the end of the year 1672, caused by a great 
wind." (MSS.) 

1673.— Dunfermline Burgh Records. — The 5th volume of 
the BurgJi Records begins with the year 1673, and ends with the 
year 1687, from which we obtain several entries. 

St. Margaret. — Pope Clement X. in May, 1673, allowed the 



I 



PITREAVIE HOSPITAL. 345 

Festival of St Margaret, (the titular saint of Dunfermline) to be 
celebrated on the loth June annually. 

Mr. Alex. Monro (afterwards Dr. Monro) admitted to the second 
charge of Dunfermline Church, on 7th April, 1673. The second charge 
had been vacant since 1668. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 415.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Peter Walker elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1674.— Church of Til]^YE'RMlA^E Act anent Brides and Bride- 
grooms. — " j^ May: It is ordained anent brides and bridegrooms y* if 
they shall not come on the day of y" marriage into the Kirk before 
the first psalme be closed, they shall pey 12s. or more, as the mins' 
shall please, to be publictly intimat, which was done." (Kirk Session 
Records.) 

Conventicle Meeting and Robert Ged of Baldridge. — " Mr. 
Robert Ged of Baldridge, in Dunfermline parish, was this year fined 
in the fourth part of his yearly rent for attending a field meeting." 
{Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 279.) 

Carnock. — A new pulpit was erected in Carnock Church. On 
it was the date 1674, with the motto, " Sermonem vitje praebentes," 
viz., " Holding for the word of life." The church bell bears the date 
1638. {Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 270.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.) — Peter Walker re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

1675.— Captives in TmiKHLY.— Contribution.— ''fafiy. 10, 167^: 
This day intimati" was made of a contribut" to be collectit for the 
ransom of two captives w' the turks, named waiter gibbieson and Jo° 
reid, men of Inverkeithing." (Dunf. Kirk Session Records.) 

The Laird of "Pitreavie's Hospital" Founded. — In the year 
year 1675, Sir Henry Wardlaw, of Pitreavie, "founded and built an 
Hospital at Masterton" (a little to the east of Pitreavie, three miles 
south-east of Dunfermline), in favour of four widows, " women of 
honest fame, relicts of honest men, who live on the lands of Pitreavie, 
or other land belonging to him and his successors, to whom the 
patronage of the hospital is declared by the charter to belong ; and 
failing widows of the before-mentioned description, then to be in 
favour of such other honest women as the patrons shall please to 

2 Y 



346 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

prefer. Each of the widows is to have a chamber or house, and six 
bolls of meal yearly, or six bolls of oats and three bolls of bear, at 
the option of the patrons." The eighth part of the lands of Master- 
ton, which the founder acquired from Robert Kellock, is burdened 
with the payment of the widows' provision, {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. 
pp. 47, 48.) Pitreavie House was probably built between the years 
1615-1631. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Charles Wardlaw, of Logic, elected 
Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Repairs of Dunfermline Church. — The north wall of the 
Church, near the porch-door, showed symptoms of decay, and a new 
buttress was built on the outside to support it. The date 1675 is on 
the north buttress next the porch-door. (MSS., &c.) 

1676.— Resignation of the Provost.— c?^/^ /,^«. 1676. This 
day "the s*^ Mr. Charles Wardlaw, not being cler to signe s^ declara- 
tione, declares he will exerces his office no longer, but demitts and 
thair foir wills and requyrs the baillies and Counsall to appoynt and 
proceid to ane new election of ane provest." 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Robert Walwood, on 17th January, 
1676, was, "by a plurality of voices, made Provost." {Burgh Records 
date January, 1676. See also "Oath of Allegiance," under date i6th 
February, 1664, An. of Dunf.) 

Dr. Alex. Monro, Minister of the Second Charge of Dunfermline 
Church, demitted office, and was translated to the Church of Weems, 
22nd March, 1676. {CJial. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 415 ; also An. Dunf. 
date 1673.) 

Legacy to the Yoo^.— John Drysdak, in the Netherton, bequeathed 
500 Merks (£2y 1 5 J-. 64\d. sterling) to the Poor of the Parish. — Regard- 
ing this, is the following entry in the Kirk Session Records, viz. — 
''8th August: This day the Session having seen Jo° Drysdaill's 
confirmed testament bro* in to y"" be Jonet burn, his relict, Qlk 
mentions thus, viz., that the said Jo" leaves to the toun and burgh of 
Dunfermline, for the use of the common good y'of, the soume of 400 
merks Scotts money, restand be James Mercer of Kirkland be band, 
and the soume of 100 merks for s*^ restand to him be george stirk, 
weaver in whitefield of Pittencrieff be band ; The said toun or burgh 
alwayes peying dewly to the Kirk Session of Dunfermline the ordinar 



CONVENTICLE MEETINGS, ETC. 347 

annuel rent of the said two soumes yeirlie, and the annuel rent to be 
employed and laid forth be y™ for mentainence and holding of poore 
Schollers at Schooles." (See Annals Diinf. date 1678.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Walwood, was re-elected 
Provost. (BjLvgh Rec.) 

Mr. William Peirson, Minister of the First Charge of Dunferm- 
line Church, demitted office in October, 1676, was translated to 
Stirling in November, 1676, and died in 1679. 

Mr. ALiiXANDER Dunbar was admitted Minister of the First 
Charge of Dunfermline Church on the 19th October, 1676. 

Mr. John Balneve was admitted minister of the First Charge 
of Dunfermline Church on 8th November, 1676. (Epis. Cler.) 

1677. — The Sin of Masking and Stirring the Pot on 
Sundays. — Regarding this, the following curious minute is to be 
found in the Kirk Session Records — " /o April (1677): This day 
report was made of agnes drysdaill for masking on the Sabbath, and 
W"" burley an andro hannan, for steiring the pat to her, who are 
appointed to be cited before the Session. They appeared, and agnes 
boldly affirmed that she did mask on the Sabbath, and tho' it no 
sin. She was referred to the Presbytery. W™ burley, who confest 
his fault in steering the pat, evidenced his repentan"" on his knees 
y''fore before the Session, and Avas sharplie admonishit, he promising 
not till doe the like again." What became of Andro Hannan, it is 
not said. 

Conventicle Meetings, Fines, &c. — Conventicle or field meet- 
ings, for religious services, still continued rife in the parish. In 1677 
Sir Alexander Bruce of Broomhall, in Dunfermline parish, was fined 
in iJ"i200 Scots for not obliging his servants to sign the Bond of 
Conformity, and to refrain from attending conventicles. {CJial. Hist. 
Diinf. vol. i. p. 279.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Walwood, elected Provost. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

1678.— St. Margaret's Festival Day.— The festival day of 
St. Margaret, "the Titular Saint of Dunfermline," which had in 1673 
been altered to June loth, was again altered this year. "In the year 



348 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1678 Innocent XL allowed the festival to be celebrated on June 8th. 
(Lord Hailes' An. Scot.; Bishop Geddes' Life of St. Margaret, Slc.) 

Mr. Alexander Dunbar, minister of the First Charge of Dun- 
fermline Church, died on 22nd March, 1678, (Kirk Ses. Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
elected Provost. (Burgh Rcc.) 

Drysdale'S " Bequeathment." — Early in the year 1676 John 
Drysdale, in the Netherton, bequeathed to the Kirk Session of 
Dunfermline the sum of 500 merks for the support of poor scholars 
at school. These merks were resting in the hands of two persons at 
the time. The Kirk Session this year, having received security for 
the payment of this sum, notifies it by the following minute in their 
Records — " ist Dec. iSyS : The Session having receivand security in 
peyment of the 500 merks left be Jo" Drysdaill, viz., James Lindsay 
of Cavil having givin in his band for 2(X) merks y^'of, wh'*" was put 
into the boxe, and James mercer of Kirkland having now peyit be 
ro' stirk, makand y'by 300 mks, was lent forth be consent of the 
Session to James Moutrey of Roscobie, who, w* his sone, gave y^ band 
y^'of, which was put into the boxe." 

The Kirk Session mortified into the hand of the Town Council 
of Dunfermline the sum of 1000 merks Scots, or .?f 55 i is. i}{d. for the 
use of the Doctor of the Grammar School. They (the Session) by a 
bond from the Town Council — dated 14th September, 1678 — acquired 
an equal right of patronage with themselves in presenting the Doctor, 
&c. {Fernies Hist. Diinf. p. 41.) 

" Mr. Robert Norie was ordained minister of the First Charge 
of the Kirk of Dunfermline be Mr. Dauid Lauther, minister of Liver- 
keithing, on i8th September, 1678, who y" preached." (Kirk Ses. 
Records.) 

Choosing of Deacons. — The Licorporatio)i of Fleshers meet in 
the A uld Kirk regarding the Choosing of a Deacon, &c. — The writer 
has in his possession an old MS. which appears to have belonged to 
the Incorporation of Fleshers. The following is a copy of the first 
few lines of the ancient document — " Dunfermline, 2^th September, 
i6j8 : Which day the heall breethern of the fleshers of the burgh of 
Dunfermline being conveened in the Church of Dunfermline anent 
the Choisen of their Deacon, and Considering the Great abuse Com- 
mitted by some of the breethern of the said trade in abuse blowing 



THE BLUE BLANKET. 349 

their flesh, each man of their said trade, for mending of the said 
abuse, gave their oaths freely each before others that they should 
blow none flesh, lambs excepted, in anie time hereafter. Sic sub- 
scribit — William Steuart, James Causing, William Hodge, Thomas 
Elder, Andrew Smart, Thomas Locke, William Belfrage, John Locke, 
William Wall wood." (See also Annals Dunf. date 1703, &c.) 

1679. — Education. — A Public School to be held at the Gellets,near 
Dunfermline. — An entry to this effect is made in the Kirk Ses. Records, 
viz.: — '' ijth July, 16 JQ. This day, the Session considering the Gellets 
eister, and y' quart' of the paroch to q'in it lyes, is so far remot from the 
toun y' that the children y' cannot convenientlie come to be educated 
at the publict school : And, patrick mudie having compeird this day 
before y™ and desired libertie to set up a school at the said gellets 
f teaching y"" y'^; therefore the said Session, finding him qualified, 
ha^'e tho' good to authorise, and by Act of Session to license him to 
hold a school and teach children in y' quarf, conform to his desire, 
provyding always y' he live order^'' and regularly as became ane in 
such a station." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Earthquake. — An old MS. mentions that "a verie seveer schoke 
of an earthquak" was felt throughout the whole of Fife, on loth July^ 
1679, and that it was particularly "sharp at Dunfermline, Saline, and 
Kinross." 

Witches still ''Rife'' in Dunfermline, hiverkeitldng, and Torry- 
burn. — An old MS. note mentions that, notwithstanding "all the 
droonin and burning of witches that hae taen place in Dunfermling^ 
Innerkeithing, and Torrieburn, durin this long space past, they dinna 
decrease, but are as common and horibly at their work as ever," &c. 

1680.— The Blue Blanket.— A sheet of strong paper, 23 j^ 
inches long, and i8>:( inches in breadth, known as "The Blue Blanket," 
has inscribed on it a great many ornamental scrolls, amongst which 
are "scroll lions supporters," suspended "scroll dolphins," &c. In the 
centre-piece, which is left oval by the scroll-work, there is a common- 
place, rhythmical acrostic on the name " Dunfermling." To accom- 
modate his muse to his acrostic, the rhymester has had to spell the 



350 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

name '■^ Dwmfermling!'' The following is a correct copy of the acrostic, 
copied from the original :— 

Delaited fame was never yet so daft 

as to Cry downe the merit of a Craft 
^?Vhat wold the World doe if trade were not 

with idle ease all wold themselves besott 
Most not the King and peasent equal live 

by those supports the treadsmen does tham give 
For whoU Empyers Steats wold go to Wreack 

if Hammermen their skill and art draw back 
Kach blaw of nipping cold wold kill us dead 

If claithing warm of tailer trade not made 
Rere wormanship of various weavers Loome 

for the supplie of our weake bodies come 
Most Christians Like to Savadges go eat 

and not a flesher for to kill their meat 
Let Records tell how Crispianus King 

the Gentle Craft did to its flourish bring 
If baxters were not that supplie our teeth 

we wold Chew Chaff Instead of meall wi*'' griffe 
Now Wrights the tyling of our houses reare, 

does make the plough, our great support and moer 
Great steat fabricks measons builds and orders 

Corinthic, dorick, Ionic, round its borders. — W. J. 

Considerably below this effusion, at the foot of all the scrolls, is the 
motto : ^^Live long and well yon Deacons all'' At the top left-hand corner 
is the following dedication: — " To the most Ancient and very Worthy 
the Wholl Incorporation of Treades in the famous and Royal Brongh 
of Dnnfermling. Of the present deacons, are Thomas Elder, deacon 
Conveener ; Patrick Allan, deacon of the Hammermen ; Andrew 
Greig, deacon of the Tailors; Robert Peirson, deacon of the Weavers ; 
Thomas Elder, deacon of the fifleshers ; John Gibsone, deacon of the 
Cordwainers ; and James Lindsay of Kevill, deacon of baxters ; 
Andrew Chrystie, deacon of the Wrights ; James Simmervell, deacon 
of the Measones. Anno 1680." How and when this sheet of paper 
got the name of '' T lie Bbie Blanket'' is unknown. Very likely it is 
the pattern-designer's device for the centre-piece of the Convener's 
flag, which was bhce, and had on it, according to tradition, " emblems 
of the several incorporated trades of the burgh." This document, 
mounted on a frame, was sold at Mr. Robert Birrell's sale, on 2nd 
September, 1874, to a London gentleman. 

Provost of Dunfermline — Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 



A NEW GREAT BIBLE. 35 1 

Mr. John Balneve, Minister of the Second Charge of Dunferm- 
line Church, demitted office, and was translated to Dunbarnie, and 
ordained there on 17th December, 1680. (Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

1681. — Mr. Simon Couper was ordained minister of the Second 
Charge of Dunfermline Church on 17th May, 168 1. The Kirk Session 
Records, referring to the ordination, say — " ly May (168 1): Mr. Simon 
Cuper was admitted ministT of this Kirk be Mr. harie Chrystie, 
minis"" of Kinros, who y"" preached." 

Provost of Dunfermline — Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. (BiirgJi Rec.) 

Throch-Stanes in the Churchyard. — " Liberty money" had 
to be paid to the Kirk Session to be allowed to place throch-stanes 
over graves in the churchyard. " /<? Sep. (1681) : This day andro 
Donaldson, in Drumtuthie, peyit 40^". P the libertie of his thro* stone 
in the Kirkyaird, whc'' Afis. was deliveret to Jo" neish, collect'." (Kirk 
Sessio?i Records.) 

1682.— Grammar School — Money Paid to the Teachers. — " gth 
April, 1682 : This day the session peyit to M^ W'." Hay, schoolm'', 10 
mks, and to Mr. peter Kennedie, Docto', 5 mks fo' a yeir by gone, 
viz., fra witsonday, 168 1, to witsonday, 1682, of the annue^ rent of the 
money mortified be umquh^ Jo" Drysdaill for the use of the poore 
schoollers." (Kirk Ses. Rec.) 

DUNUM-FERMLINI. — This Latin form of the name of the burgh 
is given by Christ^"^ Irvine in his Historice Scoticce (pub. Edin. 1682). 
Of Dunmnfermlini, Irvine says : — " It is situated four miles above the 
Queens-ferry, in Fife. It was famous for its rich Abbacie and Royal 
Palace of our Kings, and their Burial place there." (For other Latin 
name of Dunfermhne, see An. Dunf. dates 1582, 1584, 1589, 1622, 
1690, &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline — Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Severe Winter. — An old MS. note, referring to the early winter 
"set in at the end of 1682," says that "the winter began with drifting 
snow in the end of October, and Dunfermling an the other touns in 
the wast of Fife sometimes were from 12 to 20 feet deep in snow ; 
and there was greate distress be reason of fiver." (MS.) 



352 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1683. — New Great Bible brought fro7n Holland for the Kirk of 
Dtmfermlhie. — The Kirk Session Record, referring to the purchase, 
&c., says — " 26 April, i68j : This day the Session, having received a 
new great byble for the use of the Kirk, from andro simpson, clerk, 
who bro' y*" same out of Holland, the pryce qh^'of being 50 mks ; and 
the session gave out to him 2olib. in part pey*." 

The Dunfermline Weavers' Baton. — " The Incorporation of 
the Weavers of Dunfermline got a very handsome baton made in 
1683. It was highly polished, was tipped with silver at both ends, 
and had a silver shield at the top, with the date 1683 on it. It used 
to be carried by the deacon of the weavers at public processions," &c. 
The baton was long in the possession of the late Joseph Paton, Wooer's 
Alley, Dunfermline, and was sold for 34^-. at his public sale in Edin- 
burgh, in November, 1874. 

Provost of Dunfermline — Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Sawing Deals on the Sabbath day. — " ij Dec. i68j: Jo" Thomson' 
being called before the Session, compeirt an confest his sin in sawing 
Daills on y" Sabbath, to be a dead kist (coffin), he was ordained to 
acknowledge his s*^ sin the nixt sabbath publictlie before y* c°grega- 
tion, an to testifie his repent"";" he accordingly "stood before the 
congregation on Dec"" i6th." 

1684.— Conventicles and Nonconformists. — "Field meet- 
ings and meetings in private houses are held for religious services by 
the nonconformists ; strict searching and severe punishing of many 
who would not adhere to the Episcopalian faith. Dr. James Welwood 
of Dunfermline parish was apprehended on suspicion that he keiped 
correspondence and gave intellegence to the fugitaves in Holland. 
He was delated by the Earl of Balcarhouse on some private pick 
between them. He was ordered to be sent to Cowper (Cupar), there 
to satisfy the Sheriff's Sentence for his nonconformity," &c. ( Wood- 
row's Hist. Ch. Scot.) The Hill-o'-Beath appears to have been a 
favoured locality for these meetings. (MS. and Tradition.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — George Durie of Craigluscar, re- 
elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

1685.— Pittencrieff Estate. — George Murray, of his Majesty's 
Guards, was proprietor of Pittencrieff estate in 1685. 



LORD DRUMMOND'S CHARITY, ETC. 353 

Lord Drummond— C//«nV;/ to the Poor. — The Kirk Session 
Records have two minutes regarding his Lordship's charity, viz. : — 
'■' igth April, 1685: Mr. Rob*^ Norie, mod', gave in 7 i4J-pieces of 
charitie, given be my Lord Drumond (a schollar) to the poore, all put 
into the box." "/j Sept.: This day the moderator gave in Zlib. Zs. 
givin in charitie to the poore be my Lord Drumond and the rest of 
the nobles who are schollars, and y' for the last sabbath and all 
proceedings." From this it would appear that previous to and at 
this period the children of the nobility were educated in the Grammar 
School of Dunfermline. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Captain George Durie of Craiglus- 
car was re-elected Provost. {Burgh Recot'ds) 

1686.— Stopping an Entry in the Old Steeple.— In the 
Kirk Session Records, under date April 4th, 1686, there is the follow- 
ing minute of payment : — " Item, given for stopping ane old entrie in 
the old steeple, half a legl Dollar." This is quoted to show that the 
south-west tower was called old, in contradistinction to the north- 
west tower, or steeple, which was then comparatively new, dating 
between 1594- 1607, while the old tower or steeple, dated circa A.D. 
Ill 5. (See also Appendix N.) 

Mr. Robert Norie, minister of the First Charge of Dunferm- 
line Church, demitted his office, and was translated to the Charge of 
the Church of Dundee in May, 1686. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf, p. 32, &c.) 

Convener's Court Book. — The oldest Record Book of the Con- 
vener's Court of Dunfermline commences with date August 26th, 1686. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was elected Provost. {Biirgh Records^ 

A Pair of Calmes for casting Communion Tickets. — In the Kirk 
Session Records reference is made to casting calmes. "5 Sept. 16S6 : 
Item, given to James Colzier, for making a pair of calmes for casting 
tickets for the communicants," for which ilib. 2s. Scots was paid. 

Mr. Simon Couper, minister of the Second Charge of Dunferm- 
line Church, was admitted to the First Charge thereof on 12th Dec, 
1686. (Chal. Hist. Diinf. vol. i. p. 415.) 

1687.— Mr. James Grame, or Graham, admitted Minister of 

2Z 



354 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

First Charge, Dunfermline Church. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 3,3 ; see 
also An. Dimf. dates 1701 and 17 10.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

KiRKYARD STOUPS TO KEEP OUT BEASTS. — '' I'jtJl July, idSy : 
This day, the .Session allowed Andrew Curror, wright, 40^-. Scots for 
making and placing the stoupes at the two kirkyaird stiles, for the 
keiping out of beasts from the kirkyaird." From this it would seem 
that, in 1687, there were no gates connected with these stiles, or 
stoupes, {StQ Annals Dunf. date 1706.) 

1688. — Mr John Gray was one of the Presbyterian Ministers 
of Dunfermline in 1688. He was the first Presbyterian Minister of 
Dunfermline after the Revolution. He was translated from Orwell to 
Dunfermline. 

Mr. William Oliphant, who had been ''outed" (deposed) in 
1664, was restored to his charge at Dunfermline, {dial. Hist. Dunf, 
vol. ii. p. 585.) 

The Neglected Ordinance of the Sacrament to be Restored. 
^'■22 July, 1686 : It being considered y' the Sacrament of y'' Lords 
hath not been celebrat of a long time in this Church [Dunfermline], 
and y' now it is a fitt tyme for the administrating of y" samen, it was 
resolved y' it should not be any longer delayed, but y* y^ 12 and 19 
days of August should be the tyme of its celebrat", and y''of be made 
the next Lord's day from y*" pulpit." (Kirk Session Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

1689.— Sir Charles Halket and the "Union."— Sir Charles 
Halket was elected one of the Committee to treat regarding the Union 
Question. After the accession of William and Mary, an attempt was 
made to unite the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland. The 
project failed. Sir Charles Halket, then Burgess of Dunfermline, was 
Member in the Scottish Parliament for the burgh, and was then, along 
with other members, elected one of the Commissioners on the Union 
Question. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 296.) 

A New Presbytery Formed. — The Meeting- House, &c. — 
The first minute of the Register of the Presbytery of Dunfermline, 
after the Revolution of 1688, is an interesting one, viz. :—" 2^th May, 



EARL OF DUNFERMLINE AT BATTLE OF KILLIECRANKIE. 355 

168^: The which day at the Meeting-House at Dunfermline, Mr. John 
Gray, at Dunfermline ; Mr. Andrew Donaldson, at Dalgety; Mr. James 
Fraser, at Culross ; Mr. William Spence, at Kinross ; Mr. Robert 
Hodge, in Inverkeithing ; and Mr. William Mathie, minister at Port- 
moak, assistant, being present. After invocation of the name of God, 
did first of all erect themselves in a Presbytery for carrying on the 
work of God jointly in the bounds of Dunfermline Presbytery, by 
warrant of the General Meeting at Edinburgh, the . . . day of ... , 

, appointing that, when three or four ministers within the 

bounds of a Presbytery are settled, that they associate and meet 
together Presbyterially. The said day Mr. Andrew Donaldson was 
chosen Moderator, and James Lamb, Clerk. The next Presbytery day 
appointed to be at Dunfermline, the 21st of August, and Mr. James 
Fraser, appointed to preach before the sitting of the Presbytery, and 
concluded with prayer." (For "Meeting-House," see also An. Dimf. 
dates 1 701 and 1705 ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 427.) 

James, Earl of Dunfermline at the Battle of Killiecrankie, 
17th f line, i68g. — The Earl of Dunfermline attached himself to the 
cause of James VII., and commanded a troop of horse, under Lord 
Dundee, at the Battle of Killiecrankie, June 17th, 1689, for which "act 
of rebellion" he was outlawed, and his title forfeited. "The Earl 
followed the King to St. Germains, in France, where he died in 1695. 
This Earl was the fourth in the Earldom of Dunfermline, created in 
1605. Thus the Earldom became extinct after a tenure of 84 years. 
(Douglas's Peerage, &c.) The Earl is lauded by the Jacobite author 
of the "Prceliitm Gilliecrankiamim',' as — 

" Nobilis apparuit Fermilodunensis 
Cujus in rebellis stringebatur ensis ; 
Nobilis et sanguine, nobilor virtute, 
Regi devotissimus intus et in cate." 

Map or Plan of the County of P"ife. — "The celebrated John 
Adair, Mathematician, &c., was in the west of Fife in the summer 
of 1689," taking observations and measurements for a plan of the 
County of Fife. Dunfermline, according to an old Note, was "his head- 
quarters for several months." The Plan of Fife was done for his large 
Map of Scotland. He was patronised by the Government of his day. 
(Hist. Pap. and MS.) 

The Minister of Dunfermline Accused of not Reading the 
Proclamation of April nth, i68g. — Mr. James Graham and Mr. 



3S6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Simon Couper, ministers of Dunfermline, "were tried by the Estates, 
on September 4th, 1689, for not reading from the pulpit the Procla- 
mation of April nth, and not praying for King William and his 
Queen." The libel against Mr. Couper was found Not Proven, while 
Mr. Graham declared that the Proclamation came not to his hand, 
and that he had no scruple to read it. Both ministers were acquitted. 
{Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 582.) 

The Minister of Carnock Deposed. — Mr. Thomas Marshall, 
who was admitted to the Charge of Carnock in 1679, was deposed for 
"not reading from the pulpit the Proclamation Act, and for not 
praying for William and Mary; but, instead, praying that he hoped 
to see King James on his throne before Lammas." {Chal. Hist. Dunf. 
vol. i. p. 584.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records.) 

1690.— Population of Dunfermline, about 2000 souls. 

Pittencrieff Estate. — Alex. Yeaman, Esq., proprietor. {MS.) 

Customs of Fairs, Shoe Market, Handbell, &c., are alluded to in 
the Burgh Records of 1690. The customs of the Fairs during 1690 
term, amounted to a total of ;^200 Scots. Among the items of " the 
total" are the Customs of the Shoe Market, ^26 12s. 6d. ; of the Town 
Green grass, ^29 ; of the Loan, ;^io ; of the Handbell, £6<^, &c. 

Post Office. — According to tradition, "a Post Office was esta- 
blished in Dunfermline by the Estates of Scotland, within two years 
after the great Revolution of 1688." {MS., &c.) 

Slezer's Views of Dunfermline. — Captain Slezer appears to 
have published his "Theatrum Scotise" in 1690. In this work arc 
two engravings of Dunfermline, each about 16^ X 9 inches. The 
first engraving is entitled " Prospectus Oppidi et Cenoby Fermilodu- 
nensis," viz., " The Prospect of the Town and Abbey of Dunfermline," 
and is dedicated "To the Honb'"" Charles Cathcart, Colonel of the 
Royal Regiment of Graye Dragoons," &c. This view, which has no 
pretensions to perspective, appears to have been taken from the Tower 
Hill. It shows the north end and west wall of the Palace with the 
roof entire. The west end of the Church, Queen's House, &c. ; as also 
the backs of the houses in St. Catherine's Wynd, Kirkgate, and part 
of Collier Row, with the Ferm Burn (Tower Burn), in shape of a large 



SEVERE WINTER AND GREAT DISTRESS. 



357 



pond, &c.! This view has been frequently engraved on a reduced 
scale. (See Chal. Hist. Dunf.voX. ii. p. 124, &c.) The writer has one 
of the published views done abroad about 1720, which is titled " Ruine 
della Badia di Dunfermiling in Scozia." 

The second view is titled " Prospectus Cenoby Fermilodunensis," 
" Prospect of the Abbey of Dunfermling," and is dedicated " To the 
Right Hon""" John, Lord Leslie," &c. It appears to have been taken 
from Per Dieu Knoll, about three-quarters of a mile south of the 
Abbey. It shows the King's Stables, the Frater Hall, the Bowling Green 
Wall, &c., in ruins, with the Church Steeple in the background. The 
perspective of this view is also indifferent ; size, same as the first view. 

ROSYTH Castle Sold. — The family line of the Stuarts of Rosyth 
became extinct in 1690, when the castle and property were sold to 
"a stranger," who resold them to the Earl of Roseberry in 1705 ; they 
were afterwards purchased by the Earl of Hopetoun. The castle 
became ruinous about 1750. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records)} 

Salaries of Dunfermline Burgh Officials, &c., In 1690: — 

Scots. 
The Treasurer's Fee, 
Clerk's Fee, 
Procurator Fiscal's Fee, 
Town Agent's Fee, . 
Three Officers' Fees, 
Drummer's and Piper's Fees, 
Feu-duty to the Earl of Tweeddale, 

^147 6 8 
(BurgJi Records ; also Parliamentary Report on Mimicipal Corporations 
in Scotlatid, i8j6.) 



^£,26 13 


4 


26 13 


4 


4 





13 6 


8 


36 





32 





8 13 


4 



1691. — Severe Winter and Great Distress in Dtmfermline.— 
A Note informs us that " Dunfermline and all the West of Fife lay 
knee-deep in snow from January till the beginning of April," and 
that there was great distress " be reason of a wide-spread vilent fevir." 

Mr. John Gray, who was admitted one of the ministers of Dun- 
fermline in 1688, "ceased to be minister thereof in 1691." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 



358 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

1692.— Mr. William Gullane, Presbyterian minister, was 
admitted one of the ministers of Dunfermline on 24th August, 1692. 
{Chal. Hist. Duiif. vol. i. p. 416.) 

Mrs, Durrit and her " Vapoursr — There is a curious entry in 
the old MS. Ledger of Patrick Chalmers, of Aberdeen, dated 1692, 
viz, : " Mrs, Durrit, maid to my Lady Dunfermline, paid iox Jier vapours 
£^ i6s," (Vide Scotsman newspaper extract, 15th March, 1861,) 
"This Mrs, Durrit has been supposed to have been Mrs. Diirrie, of 
Dunfermline, descendant of the last Abbot, who had come to be in 
straitened circumstances. Probably she had become touched with a 
mild insanity." C'J. P." and Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected 9th October. (Burgh Records.) 

Election of Burgess to " sit in the Grand Assize'' for Regulat- 
hig the Prices of Commodities. — " The counsell by a pluratie of voices 
nom' and elect the persons under mention'^ to sit in the grand assyse 
for regult"^' the pryse of malt, eal, bread, and candle w'° this bur'' 
viz., Andrew Walker, Hugh Kirk, Ja. Wals, Ro' Broun, W"? Hog, 
John Casing, Ad'?" Stevinsone, Andrew Smeiton, WT' Wilson, lits^ 
John Stewart, Da. Turnbull, John main, wright, Ja, Gow, deacon, 
Jn" Gibsone, shoemaker, Andrew Greig." {Burgh Rec. 1692.) 

Promised Help in VLo^yn to a Wright's Apprentice. — "^ Dec. 
i6q2 : The counsell ordered Ten Mks to be payed to Helen Watson, 
to help to put her son to y^ wright trad, and this to be payd by 
Thomas Mitchel eftir he is entred to y" trad, and fund y' he is capable 
for y*' trade," {Burgh Records, 1692.) 

1693. — Lord Tweeddale obtained a Renewal of the Lease of the 
Lordship, dfc, of Dunfermline. — On 23rd March, 1693, Lord Tweed- 
dale, in consequence of his eminent services to the Crown, obtained 
in his own name a renewal of his lease to the Lordship and Regality, 
&c., of Dunfermline for three nineteen years after the expiry of his first 
tack, {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p, 81 ; Mercer's Hist. p. 83, kc) 

St. Margaret's Festival was appointed by Pope Innocent XH. 
to be a festival of the Church (of Rome), and he again transferred 
the festival day back to loth June. {Hailes' An. Scot.; see also An. 
Dunf. dates 1673 and 1678.) 

Royal Arms in the Council Chamber. — '' 2ph fu?ie, i6^j : 



MEAL ACT FOR THE BURGH. 359 

This day it was ordained that John Cowie, thesaurer, pay to Laurence 
Henderson Twentie Merks Scotts for mending and gilding y'' King's 
Arms which hung above y*" coun'^ [chamber] in y" Tolbooth." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Oath of Allegiance to King Williain and Queen Mary. — In 
Dunfermline Burgh Records, of 7th October, 1693, the then common 
form of the "allegiance oath" is entered, viz. :—" I do in the sinceritie 
of my hart assert, acknowledge, and declair. That th'' majesties King 
William and Queen Marie are y" onlie laill and onlie soveriaigns of 
th' realm als well de jure y' is of right the King and Qwen as de 
fairls ; That is in y*" possession and exercise of y*" goverment. And 
Therfor I doe sincerlie and faithfulie promise and engadge y* I will 
w^ heart and hand life and goods mentaine and defend th" majesties 
title and government agt ye late King James and his adherents and 
will trye Enemies who either by secret or open attempts shall disturb 
or exercise their majesties in the possession," &c. {Burgh Records, 
1693-) 

Free Honorary Burgess. — On the i6th September, 1693, the 
Council of the Burgh created "Philip Abel, sone to y^ deceist John 
Abel, somtyme procurator fiscal of y^ comissuret of St. Andrews," 
a free honorary burgess. (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Mr. Simon Couper, who had been admitted minister of the 
Second Charge of Dunfermline Church in 1681, and to the First 
Charge in 1686, was, for contumacy, deposed from his Charge by 
sentence of the united Presbyteries of Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy, on 
28th December, 1693. 

1694.— Meal Act for the Burgh. — The following minute of 
this Act is taken from the Burgh Records of 6th January, 1694: — 
" The which day the Magistrates and Toune Counsel statuted and 
ordained y' in all tyme coming That each bag of Meall bought from 
persons y' areint inhabitants and imported w^*"" this burg to be sold 
by the meal-sellers, That y° seller shall be obliged to pey Two 
Shillings scotts for each bag ; And y' y^ Buyer shall be obliged to 
give ace' To y"' customer of such bag of meall they bring as s^ is, and 
also Th' y^ Buyers omit [not] to give ace' y'"of, or if anie way by 
y"" fault y^ custome be not peyed. That in y' case y^ meall Buyer shall 



360 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

be Leyable for y'^ s'^ custom. Also, it is statuted and ordained y*^ anie 
meall y* is imported in y^ burg by strangers to be sold on y*^ mercat 
day, That no pr'^ of y^ s*^ meall y* may happen to be left unsold shall 
not be in to y'^ house of ain inhabitant to be sold by y™ betwixt 

y^ mercat days, but y* y^ s'^ meall shall be tyed up and keiped till 
y^ next mercat day or carried out at y^ and y* under y^ pena^^ of 

Fourtie shillings scotts to be peyd by y'= persons y^ y" meall 

w4n y"" house and sells y® samen as if his." 

Debt of the Burgh in 1694. — The first notice of the burgh 
debt is minuted in the Bicrgh Records of this year as amounting to 
5573 merks (about £'}p<^ 12s. sterg.), mortifications excepted. C' Report 
in consequence of an Act of Pari, oft the Common Good and Debts of t/ie 
Burgh, in Dunf. Char. Chest ;" FerJiie's Hist. Dunf p. 11.)'! 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Allowance to the Town Clerk for Extra Work. — " 16^4., 
Oct. 6th : The said day The Councill allowed the Clerk ane hundred 
merks scotts mon^; And y* in satisfactione To him of his extraordi- 
nary pains of y° Toun's affairs. {Burgh Records, 1694.) 

1695. — The First Charge of Dunfermline Parish Church vacant 
from 1695 to 1 70 1. (See An. Dunf. date 1701.) 

Free Honorary Burgesses of Dunfermline. — It was ordered 
by the Magistrates and Town Council of the Burgh " that the Captain, 
Cornet, Agitant, the Sergants, and Corperals of the Lord Jedburgh's 
troop quarf^ here be made burgesses; and also ordains Wm. Garrock 
to be made a burges." {Burgh Rec. 25th May, 1695.) 

A New Hand-Bell ordered for the Burgh. — ''s^th May, i6gs : 
Ordered that a new hand-bell be bought, and recommends John 
Chalmers to do it; and orders the bell to be kept for ordinar proclama- 
tions and allenerly for burials." {Burgh Records, May and July, 1695.) 

The "Mercat" Cross Repaired. — This year the "Mercat Croce" 
was repaired, and a new centre pillar erected. The date "1695" is 
still to be seen on the stone pillar, near the foot. (See y^;?., date 1868.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.) 

1696. — The Darien Company. — To this scheme, according to 



THE BURGH TREASURER "STRAITENED." 361 

the Burgh Records^ the Town Council of DunfermHne in 1696, sub- 
scribed the sum of ;^io. It may be noted here that the " Darien 
scheme" appears to have been projected and floated by '"Paterson, the 
schemer," in 1695, for the purpose of colonising and trading on the 
Isthmus of Darien (the narrow neck of land joining North and South 
America). The scheme took the national fancy — the wealthy and the 
poor, Town Councils and incorporated bodies voted moneys for the 
furtherance of the scheme ; every one who had, or who would sub- 
scribe to it were to become in a few short years very rich. Public 
rejoicings in 1696-98 became the order of the day. The frenzied 
excitement was at its height between March, 1699, and January, 1700. 
During this period, thanksgiving sermons and thanksgiving prayers 
were promulgated from almost every Scotch pulpit. Suddenly a 
reverse came. The Company, which was entirely a Scotch Company, 
had excited the jealousy of English Companies and speculators, many 
of whom had the ear of the King. By misrepresentation and mean 
machinations of these speculators, the Scotch Company of Darien 
came to grief, and the country nearly to the verge of national bank- 
ruptcy." (See Histories of Scotland for an account of the unfortunate 
scheme.) 

Mr. Simon Coupar, who had been deposed by the Presbyteries 
of Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy, in December, 1693, and the deposi- 
tion ratified by the Synod of Fife, 9th May, 1694, continued to officiate 
as Minister of the First Charge of Dunfermline Church till this year 
(June, 1696). 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Rec.) 

Brewing. — "The Counsell ordains each breuar within the burgh 
from the date hereof [14th December], to breu two sorts of ale, 
the one to be sold for 3^'. the pint, and y^ oy' for 2s, 4d." (Burgh 
Records.) 

1697.— The Burgh Treasurer "Straitened." — 600 Merks 
Borrowed. — '■'■ 18 May, idpy: Which day the treasurer having repre- 
sented y* he was straightened for monie to do y'^ touns affairs, the 
Counsell ordered y'' thesaurer to borrow from David Adie 600 merks 
Scots, and to give bond in name of y'' communitie, bearing ann' rent 
from WhitMast." (Burgh Records.) 

Charity to William Reid, Son of the late Provost.— The 

3 A 



362 ANNALS OF DUNFERIVILINE. 

Treasurer, by order of the Council, is requested " to furnish William 
Reid, son to the deceast James Reid, late Provost, six lippies of meal 
and seven pence weekly for his maintainence, from the beginning of 
May, 1697, to y^ first Sept. 1698, and that in respect that he was 
almost starving at the time." (Vide Burgh Rec. the 29th of May, 
1699.) 

Burgh Charity. — " Oct. i6gj : Ordered y- y° thesaurer give in 
chartie to Jielen Watson for buying medicaments for her daughter, who 
is sick of ye passion." (Burgh Records.) 

Dearth. — This summer the dearth began to be felt, and con- 
tinued for nearly two years. "The baillies intimat to the burgesses 
That thir severall years bygone, for relief of the inhabitants in this 
time of dearth, they had payed the public cess out of the common 
good which the burgesses approved, and entreated they might con- 
tinue in so doeing untill that the inhabitants be in better condition." 
{Burgh Records, Oct. 5, 1697.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, Oct. 4, 1697.) 

Sir Charles Halket of Pitfirrane, Provost of the Burgh, died 
October 21st, 1697, and was interred in Dunfermline Abbey, (See 
under.) 

Funeral of the Provost. — The Provost, having died in office, 
the Magistrates and Town Council came to the following arrange- 
ments, &c., for attending the funeral : — "The magistrates and toun 
counsell, considering it their duty to doe all in their power to honour 
the funeralls of Sir Charles Halket their honourable and worthie pro- 
vost, now deceast," they ordered "the thesaurer to buy als much black 
searge as would compleatlie cover the counsell [laft] in the Church, 
and that this be done against Sabbath coming eight days. Also, 
ordered that there be a particular number of the Crafts to be nominat 
by the deacon convener, and of the common burgesses to be nominat 
by y" baillies, do on horseback attend the funeralls and go out with 
the magistrates to Pitfirran, and that all of them who can conveniently 
put themselves in mourning do it. Also, that none of the inhabitants 
presume to go to Pitferran but such as go on horseback. Likeas that 
the other burgesses that go not to Pitfirran on horseback, wait upon the 
funeralls at the Port. In like manner that the thesaurer provide als 
much crape as will be mourning things, and shoulder bands for the 



THE CLOCK-KEEPER. 363 

officers to be worn by them at the buriall. Moreover, that the magis- 
trates and toun counsell take their post upon the front immediately 
after the burial enters the east port, the officers goeing before them 
with their hallberts in their ordinary mourning and liveries fors'*, and 
thus continue untill they come to the Church stile, and y* there the 
Counsellors in mournings advance and go immediately before the corps 
until the grave, and the officers go immediatlie after the corps trailing 
their halberts." {Burgh Rec. Oct. 23, 1697.) The funeral cavalcade, 
it will be seen, entered Dunfermline by the East Port. The West 
Port, in St. Catherine's Wynd, had too small an archway to permit a 
hearse, &c., to pass through it. The funeral party would, therefore, 
proceed from Pitfirrane by the low south road to the Netherton, go 
up the New Row, and at the top of it, enter the East Port (a wide 
archway), then down High Street and Kirkgate. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Patrick Murray of Pitdinnes 
elected Provost. — " Nov. 12th, i6gy : The said day the magistrates 
and counsell did nominate and elect Sir Patrick Murray of Pitdinnes 
to be provost of this burgh till Michaelmas next, in place of Sir 
Charles Halket, laitlie deceased, and ordained him to appear before 
the ordinary counsell, and there accept the said ofifice, and give his 
oath fidele." Similar notices are appended to the elections of the 
other Provosts. Pitdinnie is about three miles west from Dunferm- 
line. (Burgh Records.) 

1698.— Clock-Keeper.— "5 Fed. i6g8: The said day the counsell 
agreed with Adam Stevenson (younger). Smith, that he should not 
only daily row up and wait upon the knock, and to mend and keep 
right all parts of her that shall become faulty, or make new wheels or 
other materials, and to keep her goeing right, for which the Counsell 
ordain their thesaurer to pay him yearlie the sum of twentie pounds 
Scots money, beginning the first term's pay* at the term of Lambemas 
next to come, 1698, for the year immediately preceeding, and siclike 
yearlie y'aftir during his dressing, repairing, and keeping right said 
knock;" and when he leaves, "Adam to leave y'' s'* knock in good 
condition and usell goeing." (Burgh Records.) 

ROSYTH Castle. — An old note states that " parte of the roof of 
auld Rosyth Castle fel in this yeare," 1698. (See also Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. ii. p. 394.) 



364 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Patrick Murray of Pitdinnes 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Repairing the Kirk.— "The Counsell being informed that the 
fabrick of the Kirk, in the roof and otherways, was in ill case; and 
the Counsell recommend a joint action with the heritors to have the 
necessary repairs made." (Burgh Records.) 

St. John's Lodge, Dunfermline (No. 26). — The oldest Minute 
Book extant of St. John's Mason Lodge, Dunfermline, begins with 
27th December, 1698, and ends with 27th December, 1728. It is an 
unbound folio of 84 pages, and is chiefly filled up with entries of 
masons' apprentices, sums received for "entries to the Ludge," elec- 
tions of deacons, wardens, &c. The several entries are generally dated 
on a St. John's day (27th December). (See Mason Lodge Register ; 
also, An. Dunf. date 1598.) 

Badges for the Poor. — " The counsell ordered the thesaurer to 
cause run 36 badges, to the effect they may be delivered to the poor 
within the burgh, to y" effect the poor may beg through the toun upon 
tuesday and Saturday each week, and als ordains y® constables and 
officers to carry of y" strangers, beggars, forth out of the toun to next 
landward." {Burgh Records, 5th F'eb. 1698 ; also, Annals Dnnf. date 
1792.) 

1699. — Great Dearth. — There was a great dearth throughout 
Scotland this year. " It was felt severely in Dunfermling and the 
parish." The following minute regarding the calamity is extracted 
from the BurgJi Records of date " 75 Jidy, i6pp : This day the saids 
magistrates and toun counsellers considering the Great dearth of 
victuall, and that many poor people within the burgh who had had 
numerous families and others were at the point of starving ; They 
therfor ordered the thesaurer to give in charity to the saids poor 
inhabitants fourty pounds scots, and ordained the baillies to cause 
severall honest men in the severall quarters of the toun to bring in 
lists of the poor householders who do not come out and beg to them, 
and the baillies to divide y" s'^ sum among the said poor house- 
holders as they should see just, and to give the thesaurer a list 
thereof." 

Lady Halket, widow of Sir James Halket of Pitfirrane, died 
22nd April, 1699, aged ^y years. The maiden name of this worthy, 



DEPUTY COAL HILL JUDGE. 665 

pious lady was Anna Murray, daughter of Thomas Murray, Provost 
of Eton. During her widowhood of about 28 years she resided in the 
Commendatory House, Maygate, Dunfermline. She was a great 
writer on religious subjects. The following is a list of some of her 
21 MS. books still extant : — i. A book of 152 pp. of Meditations 
Prayers, &c. ; 2. A book in folio of 376 pp. Meditations on the Lord's 
Supper, the Soul's Progress, &c. ; 3. A small folio of 59 pp. Medita- 
tions on the 25th Psalm ; 4. A book in folio, 73 pp.. Meditations on 
Death ; 5. A folio, 150 pp.. Meditations on Prayer, Faith, &c. ; 6. An 
^vo, 35 pp.. Meditations on various Select Subjects ; 7. A 4to, 300 
pp., on Prayer, &c. ; 8. A 4to, 3 1 5 pp.. Meditations and Prayers, &c., 
on to No. 21 on kindred subjects. Her Meditations on Psalm xxv., 
&c., was published in 1778, prefixed by an account of her life, which 
see for further details. 

Lauration. — " 28 July : The said day the Counsell ordered the 
thesaurer to pay to Thomas Andersone, son to John Andersone, a 
Dollar to help to pay the College dues at his lauration." (Bicrgh 
Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Patrick Murray of Pitdinnes 
was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Staffman's House Meal. — "28 Oct. 1699 : The said day ordained 
the thesaurer to pay y* Staff-man's house meall at a ducat doun 
yearly, commencing from Lambmass last." (Burgh Records.) The 
duty of the " Staffman" appears to have been somewhat similar to 
that of the after town-keepers. 

1700.— Town's Piper. — "15 Jan., 1700: The Said day the 
Counsell elected John Bell to be their pyper." (Burgh Records.) This 
is an important, noisy functionary. 

Deputy Coal Hill Judge. — "27//^ May, 1700 : The said day the 
counsell granted power to patrick Angus, tacksman of the toun coall, 
to keep Courts at the coall hill for punishing and fining the Coalliers, 
Bearers, callers, and others employed about the Coall work, for their 
faults, reserving power to the baillies to judge betwixt the tacksman 
and coalliers, if appealled to." (Burgh Records.) 

Baldridge Estate, near Dunfermline, was this year purchased 
by Henry Wellwood, Esq. of Garvock, Before the year 1720 he is 



366 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

reported to have cleared ^30,000 from the coal alone on the estate. 
{Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. ii. p. 315.) 

Dearth. — The great dearths, first felt in the burgh in the summers 
of 1697-1699, was " littel felt in the summer of 1700," and before the 
end of this year, " the dearth was at an end." 

Hand Bell. — " 'yoth Sept. 1699 : This day the Counsell ordained 
Katharen Gibsone to find new caution for the hand bell, with certifi- 
cation y*^ if she fail so to doe betwixt and this eight days, the 
baillies are hereby ordained to roup y^ bell with all haste." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Halbard. — " The same day the Counsell ordained baillie belfrage 
to pay James Cusine fourty shillings Scots for a halbert furnished to 
Thomas Patisone, town officer." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir James Halket of Pitfirrane 
was elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 8th Oct., 1700.) 

The Ancient Forest of Dunfermline. — Tradition informs 
us that, "down to the year 1700, a remnant of the old wood, ox forest, 
of Dunfermline was in existence in the neighbourhood of Golfdrum 
and Boofies Brae." A local rhymster of other days (d. P.), in referring 
to the remnant of the old wood, says — 

" In dayis of ould, i have been told, 
that here it was ane's dailie habit 
To shoot the craws doon af the trees, 
or nail a wild bit -^rt^V or rabit." 

As the last remnant of the old wood existed in the immediate vicinity 
of the top of Woodhead Street, perhaps this name was given to the 
street in remembrance of this old tradition. It is likely that it was in 
this high-land wood, or fo7'est, that the immortal hero. Sir William 
Wallace, concealed himself for a .short space from his English enemies 
in 1303. Vide An. Dinif. p. 109, where, it will be observed that Lang- 
toft says, in rhyme : — 

" Turn we now other weyes unto ower geste, 
And speke of the Waleys that lies in the foreste; 
In the forest he-landes of Daunfet'tnelyn," &c. 

A New Burgh Fair Wanted. — "2 Dec, 1700: Ordained this 
day that the baillies write to Bangour (their agent) to petition the 



staffman's clothing. 367 

parliament for a fair yeirly on the second Wednesday of Januar." 
(Burgh Rec.) James Hamilton of Bangour was the Commissioner of 
Dunfermline to the Convention of Royal Burghs. 

Staffman's Clothing. — " 24 Dec. 1700 : Ordained this day that 
the thesaurer buy a new coat, shoes, and hose and breeches, to the 
Staffman, and to make them," (Burgh Records.) It would appear 
that the Treasurer was Deacon of the Tailors. 



END OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 



MDGCI. 

(beginning of the eighteenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1701. — Dunfermline at the Beginning of the i8th 
Century.— At the beginning of the i8th Century, the Old Nave 
of the Abbey continued to be used as a Parish Kirk (the only Kirk 
in the Parish). For several years there had been no legally ordained 
minister to conduct the worship. Rev. Hugh Kemp was ordained to 
the First Charge on May, 1701. Population of the Burgh estimated at 
2000 ; of the Burgh and Parish, about 5000. Sir James Halket, Bart., 
of Pitfirrane, Provost. "Much distress and poverty prevailed," trade 
being excessively depressed. The ale trade, however, appears to have 
been doing a good business. There were eight breweries in the town, 
and "Dumfarlin yale" was in "high repute everywhere ;" but, in con- 
sequence of dull trade and "great scarcity of siller," not a few had to 
bewail their inability to purchase a draught of it. The following 
now-nearly-forgotten lines appear to refer to this period : — 

" As I sat near the Spittel croshead, 
Dumfarlin I thocht on, 
An' o' its guid broon ale ta sell, 
But siller I had none !" 

(Lines from an *' Old Dunfermline Song.'" ) 

According to several notes there were at this period "a great many 
houses in Dunfermline that had timber-built second and third storeyS) 
with heather and furze roofs." "The timber storeys were reached by 
means of uncouth stone stairs of every imaginable shape." These 
stairs, on each side of the street, "projected so far into the street, 
that they nearly met in some places, leaving a narrow way in the 
middle of the street for the traffic. Below these stairs there were 
bunks in which swine, fowls, and dogs were kept. At these stair- 
foots immense middens were piled up, which were most offensive, 

3B 



3/0 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

especially in hot weather after a fall of rain. These remarks apply 
to all the streets in the town." The High Street had only two 
streets proceeding out of it to the north, viz., the "Collier Raw and the 
Cross Wynd ; and only one to the south, viz., the Kirkgate." "The 
Tron Burn ran down, uncovered, in front of the houses on the east 
side of the Collier Raw (Bruce Street) and along the foot of the High 
Street, and a little way down the Kirkgate, where it was led under 
a house, and re-appeared in the Maygate." Such was Dunfermline at 
the beginning of the i8th century. (From old MS. Notes.) 

Mason Lodge. — Gift of a Brass Square. — In the Masons' Register 
of date January 8, 1701, an entry notifies that "James Somerville did 
Gift to y^ Ludge ane brass square for the use of y^ Ludge, for which 
gift y^ Quorum [of Masons present] quits his sons enteric money being 
Six Ponds, and ordains y^ Deacon to be dischared y''of." 

Costumes, &C. — At this period, " the men in this quarter (West 
of Fife) wore bonnets and plaids instead of cloaks. The women 
wore plaids when abroad or at church ; those of them of the humbler 
class generally went about barefooted." Meals — " Oaten cakes and 
bannocks, toasted on an iron girdle above the fire, or on an iron toaster 
before it, were the principal sort of bread in use ; baker's bread was 
but scantily used." (" A Warril. Trav." and other works.) 

Poverty of the Burgh. — About the beginning of the year 
(1701), the funds of the Burgh were so very inconsiderable that the 
magistrates and Council applied for pecuniary aid to the Convention 
of Royal Burghs. The petition for aid is prefixed by a short but sad 
statement regarding the position the Burgh was then in, viz., "The 
common good of the Burgh at the highest amounted to about ;^993 
Scots (^82 15s. sterg.) per annum, besides the local rent;" that there 
was little or no trade, except a little malting; that the houses were so 
ruinous and decayed, and, those of them that did stand, so ill-pos- 
sessed, that the inhabitants when racked to the highest were unable 
to pay ;^3oo Scots of assessment a-year (^25 sterling) ; that the com- 
mon good, assessment and all (except the coal), amounted only to 
;^I293 {£107 15s. sterling) ; that as to their coal they were frequently 
put to as much expense by it as they had profit, and that although 
their coal-rent came in free, they would be superexpended in above 
700 or 800 merks (about ^43 sterling), which already had, and daily 
did, increase their debt. (Representation and Petition in Dunf. Charter 
Chest; Fernies Hist. Dunf. pp. ii, 12, and 135, &c.) 



THE DRUMMER AND PIPER'S DUTIES. 37 1 

The Market-Cross in need of Repairs.-—'' 22 March, 17 01: This 
day the Counsell approved of Thomas Mitchell, theasurer, his paying 
four pounds to James Mercer, for helping the croce." (BurgJi Records.) 

Dunfermline Church was vacant from 1695 to 1701. (Presb. 
Records.) 

Mr. Hugh Kemp translated from Forgan, ist May, 1701, to the 
First Charge of Dunfermline Church, {Chalmers's Hist Dunf. vol. 
p. 416.) 

The Rev. Mr. Grame's Final Deposal. — The Rev. Mr. Grame, 
Minister (Episcopalian) of the First Charge of the Kirk of Dunferm- 
line, was deposed in 1696 ; but in consequence of the anomalous state 
of things at this period, had been allowed to officiate till June, 1701, 
when he was finally deposed. He was deposed for contempt of the 
authority of the Synod, and for his "contemptuous carriage in preach- 
ing," &c. He was also accused before the Synod for not taking any 
notice of the Quakers in the parish of Dunfermline ! (Chal. Hist. 
Diinf. vol. i. p. 424, 425.) 

Meeting-House. — It would seem that from 1701 to 1705 the 
Presbyterian Congregation met for worship one half of the Sabbath 
in the Parish Church, and the Episcopalians in a meeting-house, the 
latter body claiming and occupying the church on the other diet. Mr. 
Kemp and Mr. Graham would thus preach alternately forenoon and 
afternoon. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 427.) Where was this meet- 
ing-house situated.^ — In the Queen's House, adjacent to the Kirk on 
the west, or in the large room of the Marquis of Tweeddale's House, 
foot of Kirkgate, west side.? 

PlTTENCRlEFF ESTATE. — Colonel John Forbes was proprietor of 
Pittencrieff this year. (Old Charter- Writ.) 

A New Fair, granted by Act of Parliament, to be held yearly in 
Dunfermline, on the second Wednesday of January. {Chal. Hist. 
Dimf. vol. i. p. 475.) 

The Drummer and the Piper's Duties. — " 13th Augt., lyoi. 
The said day the Counsell statute and ordained that in all time 
coming after the day heirof, the pyper go throu the toun precisely by 
six at flight, and the drum at seven a cloak ; thereafter that the bell 
ring at eight and ten at night, both summer and winter ; and that the 
drum go by fo2ir in the morning, y* the bell ring at five a cloak, and 



3/2 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE 

y^ pyper do againe at six, and ordained this form to be observed 
punctually in all time coming." (Burgh Records.) 

A Dead Man found in the Muir. — Seven Pints of Ale given 
for bringing Jum to Diinferjnline. — "'jth August. The said day the 
counsell approved the baillies ordering the thesaurer to give seven 
pints of ale to some persons for bringing in a man who died in the 
town muir." (J^urgh Rec.) 

The Last Specimen of a Dlstrict Witch. — According to the 
Torryburn Parish Records of 1701, Lilias Adie, the witch, died in 
Dunfermline prison, and was thrown into a hole dug for her near high 
water mark at Torryburn. Some of her remains were discovered in 
1862. The late Joseph Paton, Esq., Wooer's Alley, had her skull in 
his collection of curiosities. 

1702. — Weaving. — Early in the year 1702, a weaver of the name 
of Inglis wove a shirt in the loom. It was made of unbleached 
coarse linen yarn, and is now in a very dilpidated state. Some artist, 
"unknown to fame," has made some rude paintings on it, apparently 
appropriate to the trade, which has spoiled it very much. This 
ingenious specimen of weaving now is, and has been for some years 
past, in the possession of the writer. (See A71. Dunf. dates 1808, 1813, 
&c. ; also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 379.) 

The Queen's Proclamation — Perquisites to Officials. — "^/ 
March, i'/02 : The said day the Counsell ordained David Wilson to 
give to the officers, pyper, and drummer, unto each of them a shilling 
sterling for their attendance at the queen's proclamation." (Burgh 
Records.) This proclamation refers to that of Anne, daughter of 
James II., who ascended the throne on 8th March, 1702, on the demise 
of William III. 

Elizabeth Halket and the Poem of ''Hardy-knuter — Elizabeth 
Halket, second daughter of Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, is sup- 
posed to have composed the celebrated war-poem of "Hardy-knute," 
about the year 1702. {Finlays Domestic Ballads, &c. ; see also Aji. 
Dunf. date 1263, 17 19, 1727, and Appen. F.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir James Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
was re-elected Provost, Oct. 6, 1701. 

Dunfermline Races and Prize Saddle. — ''i6th fulj, 1702: 
The said day the counsell ordained the thesaurer to put out a saddle 



EPISCOPALIANS WORSHIP IN THE ABBEY VAULTS. 3/3 

on the toun's account, to be ridden on the morn after July mercat, 
betwixt the toungreen and buckieburn, back and fore, y^ imput ; each 
horse i/id. los., the horse not to be above 5//^. sterHng vahie, and 
ordained the thesaurer also to buy a bonnet and a pair of stockings, 
to be exposed for a foot-race on this same, ground immediately after 
the horse race with ribbons to the bonnet." (Burgh Records.) 

COMMISSIONER TO PARLIAMENT. — Sir James Halket, Provost, 
was elected to be the Commissioner for the Burgh in Parliament, 17th 
September. (Burgh Records.) 

The East and Crosswynd Ports in a Ruinous State. — 
^'August 22,i'j02: The counsell ordained the thesaurer to cause mind 
the east and crocewynd ports with all expedition, they now being 
ruinous and like to fall," (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir James Halket was re-elected 
Provost of the Burgh on 5th October. (Bjirgli Records.) 

The Cattle Market. — The Cattle Market, which had hitherto 
been held in the Netherton, was, by Act of Town Council, removed 
on 14th November to Collier Row and Rotten Row — (Burgh Records) 
— much against "the will and pleasure of the inhabitants." 

1703. — Education — Opposition to Private Schools. — " ijth Feb. 
170J: The said day m"" patrick Dykes, master of the Grammar School, 
Dunf : having given in a complaint to the counsell, representing that 
John Anderson and Thomas Hanna had at their own hand Sett up 
private Schools in this town, contrary to several acts of the town 
counsell, and to m"" Dykes' great discouragement ; Therefore, the 
Counsell unanimously discharge the said John Anderson and Thomas 
Hanna and oyr persons q*soever to sett up Schools within the terri- 
tories of this burgh, and teach any male children hereafter, accept 
such as shall be uuder seven years of age, and that under the paine 
of twentie pound scots, toties quoties — the one-half of the fine to 
y^ town, and the other half to y*" schoolmaster and Doctor." (Bingh 
Records.) 

Episcopalians of Dunfermline get the use of one of the Abbey 
Vaults for Worship. — The "meeting-house" referred to under date 
1 70 1, appears to have been unsuitable. The Episcopalians, through 
Mr. Logan, one of their members, solicited Lord Yester to give the 



374 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

use of one of his vaults in the Abbey to worship in, which his Lordship 
readily granted. {Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 427.) 

Iron Weights for the Burgh to be got from Holland. — " i6th 
Sept. IJOT, : The said day the Counsell ordains the thesaurer to send 
to holland for 12 stand of trone yetling weights, consisting of a Stone, 
a half-pound, a quarter, 2 pound, and i pound each stand." (BtirgJi 
Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir James Halket re-elected Pro- 
vost nth October. (Burgh Records.) 

The Fleshers and Blown Meat. — " 13th Nov. 170J : The said 
day the magistrates and counsellors discharged and by thir prsnt 
discharges all fleshers either freemen or strangers in any time 
coming within the territories of this burgh to blaw sheep, lambs 
or calfs, or to expose such blawn meat for seall under the pain of 
forfeiting each beast blawn as said is, and fourteen shillings scots 
of fine besides, and also discharges all other manner of working 
of sheeps, calfs or lambs under the paine of fourteen shillings 
for each wrought calf or sheep, and 40J. for each wrought lamb, 
and also discharges all manner of cutting or carving of kine or 
oxen, except only on fliep or of y^ soulders and one squint cutt on 
one of the hinder legs, and also all cutting of sheep except an 
even in score in y^ shoulder and a fliep in y^ rumpell, and y*^ under 
the paine of six shillings 8^, for each cutt in a sheep and \os. for each 
cutt in a lamb. And ordains the bailies to give one-half of y'' fines 
to y^ poor of y^ toun and y^ oyr half to y^ poor of y^ trade y^ need." 
(Btcrgh Records.) 

The Spittal Bridge in Ruins. — "// Dec. 1703: Ordains the 
baillies to take some skill'd men to visit the Case of the Spittle bridge, 
in order to repair the ruins of it." This useful bridge was not rebuilt 
until the end of the year 1706, when "y^ shyre was content to give 
Sixty pounds and y^ toun ^olibT (Burgh Records.) 

1704.— New Burgesses AND "March ^lo'^'^'^r—'' 10 fune,i'jo4.: 
That day the counsell statute and ordained that all persons who shall 
hereafter be admitted burgesses y* y^ freemen's sons or not shall 
before y'' admission be obliged to give bond to put in a new large 
march stone at such a place as the baillies shall direct, and that by 
and attour pay* of y'' burges dues, and y* even gratis burgesses shall 



A DOCTOR ELECTED TO THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 3/5 

be lyable to this act as soon as they shall settle their residence within 
this burgh." (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir James Halket was re-elected 
Provost of the burgh, 9th October, 1704. (Burgh Records.) 

Foot Mantle and the Provost. — " 2g Nov. 1704. : This day 
the magistrates and toun counsellers having taken to their consi- 
deration the extraordinary charges that the family of pitfirrane has 
frequently been at on the toun's account, and particularly the great 
expense that Sir James Halket, our provost, has of late been putt to 
for the honour of the toun in providing a foot-mantle at the riding of 
the parliavient^ and that the provost has gifted the said foot-mantle 
to the toun ; Therfor y^ s*^ magistrates and toun counsellers did and 
hereby do make offer to y^ s'* Sir James of y^ heall bygone an"^ rents 
of y^ prsn*^ sum of 3000 mks due by him to the toun, conform to his 
father's bond, the same extending betwixt Lambmas, 1698 (fra which 
terms y^ s''^ an"^ rents are due), and martinmas last, 1704, to y^ sum of 
six hundred and ninety pounds scots, and of which an°^ rents resting 
preceeding the term of mar'"^ last y^ s'^ magistrates and toun counsel- 
lers do unanimously discharge y^ s'^ Sir James Halket now and for 
ever. Also, y"" s'^ day y^ magistrates and toun counsellers ordered a 
press to be made for y^ keeping of y^ s'^ foot-mantle, and ordains 
James Pringle to keep it. Sic Subtur., Jer. Cowie." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Doctor of the Grammar School Elected. — '' 2jth Dec, 
ijo^.: This day the Counsell unanimously elected Mr. Thomas 
Anderson to be doctor of the grammar school, in place of peetir 
Kennedie, latelie decased, and appointed a corum of the Counsell to 
install him at two a clock afternoon, and desired the ministers to be 
invited to be present." (Burgh Records.) Doctor, as here applied, 
means second master, or assistant to the master of the school. It is 
an old designation. 

Mason Lodge.—" 27 th Dec, 1704. : By a pluaralitie of voices, 
Continueous James Mudie, Deacon, and John Stavin, Warden for ane 
yeir to come." (Masons' Register.) 

Queen's Presentation to First Charge of Abbey Church. 
— The First Charge, under the Queen's presentation, was reported in 
the Presbytery Records of 25th April, 1705, to have been vacant from 
Candlemas, 1693, to Martinmas, 1700. 



3/6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1705.— Provost Halket Killed by a Fall from his Horse. — 
Sir James Halket of Pitfirrane, Provost, was killed in March this year 
(1705), by a fall from his horse. "The baronetcy, in consequence, 
became extinct, but he was succeeded in the estate of Pitfirrane by 
his eldest sister Janet, who intermarried with Sir Peter Wedderburn 
of Gosford (created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1697), who was 
obliged to assume the name and arms of Halket of Pitfirrane." {Chnl. 
Hist. Ditnf. vol. i. p. 298.) 

Mr. Hugh Kemp demitted his charge in Dunfermline Church in 
consequence of his having accepted a call from Carnbee, to which he 
was translated. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 35.) 

The Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in Dunfermline 
Church, 22nd March, 1705. {CJial. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 436.) 

East Port ordered to be Repaired. — " 22d May, ijo^ : This day 
the Counsell ordained James Meldrome to cause repair the east port." 
(BtirgJi Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — In consequence of the death of the 
late Provost, a new Provost was elected. " 2^th fnne, lyo^ : This 
day Sir Peter Halket compeared persn"*' before y" Counsell, and his 
instructions insert in y*^ book of y^ date of his election. He gave his 
promise and word of honour to obey them, and q'oyr instructions 
y*" counsell should fra time to time give him." Sir Peter Halket was 
re-elected Provost at the usual annual elections on 8th October, 1705. 
(Burgh Rec.) 

COCK-FIGHTING was "one of the popular amusements" about this 
period in Dunfermline, as elsewhere. The barbarous sport of cock- 
fighting was introduced into Dunfermline on the day before Yule, 
in 1705, when the auld kirk-yard was selected for the field of action; 
a great crowd attended. Afterwards, when "The Queen's House" 
became uninhabited, tJie fights were held in one of the large rooms 
in that old building on Auld Handsel Mondays. " Admission, front 
seats, 6d.; second seats, 3d,; and id. for back seats." These fights 
appear to have been abolished about 1797, but were afterwards revived 
for a short period. (MSS., Tradition, &C.) 

1706.— Dunfermline Church-Yard to be Protected by 
Gates. — ''' B^d Feb., i'/o6 : This day the Counsell appointed David 
Wilson to build up what of the kirkyeard are ruinous, and put yeats 



UNION BETWEEN SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND OPPOSED. 377 

on the entry's, in respect that the heritors have condescended that it 
be allowed in the first end of the touns proportion of the reparation 
of the church, and that both heritors, toun counsell, and session, have 
appointed the bellman, who possesses the grass, to uphold it in time 
coming." (Burgh Records.) There were at this period two entries 
into the Kirkyard, but without gates. The new gates, then erected, 
were situate as follows : — A large massive gateway on the site of the 
present entrance facing Kirkgate. The other one was erected in the 
Kirkyard Wall, near the foot of St. Catherine's Wynd ; a flight of 
several steps ascended from the street to the Kirkyard. This gate 
was removed and the entrance filled up in 1823. At the same time 
a new gateway was built facing the Kirkgate, on the site of the old 
one. (See also An. Dimf. date 1823.) 

" PiTREAViE Wilderness." — An old MS. note mentions that "the 
wilderness way of planting" was introduced into Scotland about the 
year 1 699, and that a great many acres were planted with trees on 
"the wilderness system at Pitreavie;" hence the origin of ^^ Pitreavie 
Wilderness" — a name not extinct in 1878. (See also Chambers's 
Gazetteer of Scotland, Article ^^Haddingtonshire" p. 518.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket re-elected provost 
of the Burgh, 5th October. (Burgh Records.) 

"CuRSERS and Swearers" to be Seized by the Seizers. — 
"■ 2^d October, lyod : This day the Counsell instructed the constables 
to sease all cursers and swearers, and all that shall be found com- 
mitting ryots either by night or day, and ordains y^ baillies to give 
y^ constable apprehender a shilling for his pains of y'^ first end of 
y^ fine; also, to informanent all vagabonds who come to reside in 
y*^ toun ivitJiont testijicals." 

Opposition to the Union between Scotland and Eng- 
land. — The Magistrates and Town Council, with the greater part of 
the inhabitants of Dunfermline, were "bitterly opposed to the Union," 
and, in consequence, sent a letter to Sir Peter Halket, their member 
in the Scottish Parliament, to vote and protest against it. The 
following are copies of the Council minutes regarding "the matter": — 
"^//^ Nov., 1J06 : That day the counsell signed a letter to Sir Peter 
Halket, their commissioner to the parliament, instructing and requir- 
ing him to vote ag" and protest ag" y^ union, and elected y^ deacon 
convener to go and deliver y^ letter, and get ane answer." "6th Nov., 

3C 



3/8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1706 — That day the counsell having got a letter fra Sir Peeter 
Halket that he was content to give in ane address fra the counsell 
to y^ parliament ag' y^ union, and y''for y^ counsell ordain an address 
to be drawn up to be pnt^*^ to y® parliament, and commissionat 
y^ clerk to go over and deliver it to Sir peeter, and to wait on till 
y^ address be presented." {Burgh Records^ Nov. 4th and 6th, 1706.) 
The writer has in his possession one of these printed addresses 
(supposed to be the only one extant), printed on a sheet of strong 
paper 17^ X 15 inches. In order to preserve the contents of such a 
remarkable document, it is here reproduced, viz. : — 

To His Grace Her Majesty's High Commissioner, and the Right 
Honourable the Estates of Parliament, 

The Humble Address of the Magistrates, Toivn- Council, Merchants, Deacons 
of Crafts, and others, Tradesmen and Inhabitants of the Burgh of Dun- 
fermling : — 

WE the Magistrates, Town Council, Merchants, Deacons of Crafts, and 
other Tradesmen and Inhabitants within the Burgh of Dunfermling 
underscribing : Having seen and Considered the Articles of the Union agreed 
upon by the Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scotland and England, in 
which they have agreed: That Scotland and England be united into one 
Kingdom, and that the United Kingdom shall be Represented by one and 
the same Parliament: And seeing it does not evidently appear that such an 
incorporating Union, as is contained in the said Articles, is contrary to the 
Honour, Fundamental Laws, and Constitution of this Kingdom, Claim of 
Right, and Rights and Privileges of the Burrows and Church Government, as 
by Law EstabUshed: And that the same is destructive to the true interest of 
this Nation : Therefore, We humbly beseech Your Grace, and the Honour- 
able Estates, and do confidently expect that you will not allow any such 
Incorporating Union; but that you will Support and Preserve entire the 
Sovereignty and Independency of this Crown and Kingdom, and the Rights 
and Privileges of Parliament, which have been so valiantly maintained by our 
Heroick Ancestors for near 2000 yeirs: That the same may be transmitted 
to succeeding Generations, as they have been conveyed to us; and we will 
heartily concur with you for Supporting and Maintaining our Sovereignty and 

Independency with our Lives and Fortunes conform to the Laws of the 

Nation — 

Taylors. James Kellock. Thomas Wilson. 

James Richardson. J^^es Wardlaw. John Cunninghame. 

Robert Donald. Robert Bauld. Adam Stevinson. 

Andrew Hepburn. James Hall. William Anderson. 

Alexander Coventry. James Richardson. James Smith. 

Thomas Hanna. James French. 

James Henderson. John Wilkie. Baxters. 

John Jamison. „ . , William Ker. 

William Hodge. Smiths. j^j^^^ Anderson. 

Alexander Couper. James Law. Robert Adamson. 

John Horn. David Black. Robert Drysdale. 



UNION BETWEEN SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND OPPOSED. 



379 



James Buist. 
Robert Ferguson. 
George Crawford. 
James Legat. 
John Buntine. 

Weavers. 
John Wilson, Deacon. 
James Wilson. 
John Stark. 
Patrick Hutton. 
James Turnbull. 
David Marres. 
James Wilson. 
Charles Kirk. 
Andrew Wilson. 
William Kirk. 
Thomas Drysdale. 
Thomas Richardson. 
Alexander Douglas. 
John Gotterson. 
John Black. 
John Williamson. 
William Wilson. 
David DalgHsh. 
John Ker. 
Andrew Wilson. 
James Shortlands. 
John Wilson. 
John Wilson, alfer. 
Robert Gotterson. 
Robert Wilson. 
Robert Strachan. 
Robert Buist. 
John Durham. 
Robert Dalgleish. 
Adam Robertson. 
Andrew Young. 
Robert Black. 
Robert Stark. 
Thomas Bain. 
Magnus Malcolm. 
Robert Inch. 
George PuUans. 
William Beanny. 
Robert Mackeraigh. 
John Inglis. 

Ego Andreas Symson, Notarius Publicus a scriba dicto de Dumferling, 
speciali mandato, Davidis Sands, Gulielmi Pierson, Jacobi Band, &c. ; 
Gulielmi Robertson Fabrorum Ferrariorum in dicto Burgo ac Roberti 
Wellwood, Andreae Smeitton, Jacobi Wilson, Calceariorum in dicto Burgo, 



John Mackeraigh. 

Wrio/its. 

John Main, Deacon. 
Andrew Wilson. 
John Simpson. 
John Potter. 
George Walker. 
George Walls. 
Thomas French. 
Thomas Bonnar. 
John Henderson. 
James Henderson. 
John Mair. 
James Kirk. 
Patrick Thomson. 
William Hutton. 
James French. 
Thomas Richardson. 

Masons. 

James Signet. 
Charles Young. 
David Hunter. 
James Sumervel. 
David Purvis. 
William Murgain. 

Shoe-Makers. 

Andrew Duncan, Deacon, 
George Stewart. 
John Young. 
Andrew Main. 

Fleshers. 

John Hodge, Deacon. 
James Cusin. 
Robert Kirk. 
John B elf rage. 
Thomas Beverage. 
Thomas Beverage. 
George Philip. 
William Taylor. 
William Welwood. 
John Burly. 
Andrew Belfrage. 



Town-Council. 

David Adie, Baillie. 
David Adie, y"^., Baillie. 
Jerome Cowie, Dean of 

Guild. 
William Wilson, Treasurer. 
David Wilson, Counsellor. 
John Cowie, Counsellor. 
James Meldrum, Coun. 
John Adie, Deacon-Con. 
Laurence Henderson, 

Counseller. 
William Inglis, Coun. 
William Findlay, Coun. 
William Young, Coun. 
James Walls, Coun. 

Meixhants. 

William Black. 
Hendry Elder. 
Robert Anderson. 
John Hart. 
John Belfour. 
William Wilson. 
Thomas Mitchel. 
Andrew Polland. 
Robert Adie. 
Charles Chambers. 
John Hay. 
Patrick Clow. 
Joseph Kirk. 
John Couper. 
William Wilson. 
Robert Robison. 
James Dick. 
David Gray. 
George Christie. 
John Watson. 
Patrick Currie. 
John Brown. 
John Allan. 
James Pringle. 
John Bethon. 
Robert Wilson. 
David Meldrum. 
Robert Walker. 



380 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

&c. ; Joannis Rea, Jacobi Beannie, Tomse Wilson, Joannis Hepburn, &c. ; 
Jacobi Mappertoun, Sartorum in dicto Burgo, &c. ; Eduardi Ovenwhyt, 
Andrese Beanny, &c. ; Joannis Beanny, Fabrorum Murariorum ibidem, ac 
Petri Nigrew, Alexandri Grieve, Roberti Crawford, Joannis Broun, Andrece 
Morrice, Roberti Durham, Gulielmi Kirk, Andrese Chrystie, Jacobi Walker, 
Gulielmus Walker, Davidis Chrystie, Gulielmi Eason, Jacobi Broun, &c. ; 
Joannis Thomson Fabrorum Lignariorum, &c. ; Gulielmi Cusin Lanioris in 
dicto Burgo pro illis omnibus scribere nescien tibus specialiter requisitus 
subscribo, 

And. Svmson, N.P. 

Literature. — Dr. Steedman (surgeon), Dunfermline, published 
this year "A Treatise on Astronomy," explaining the General 
Phenomena of the Heavenly Bodies, and the Theory of the Tides, 
Published at Edinburgh, 1706, at is. (Title Page.) 

1707.— The "Union Question" a7id Discontent.— 'Sax Peter 
Halket, of Pitfirrane, Provost of Dunfermline and Burgh Commis- 
sioner to Parliament, was pressingly charged by the burgh to deliver 
their Address to Parliament, and to vote against the Union. This he 
solemnly promised to do. He in due time presented tJie Address, but 
voted for the Union ! This inconsistency and want of moral rectitude 
in the Provost " caused a wide-spread spirit of discontent and ill-will 
against him." It is said that "his conduct gave so great offence to the 
Council and inhabitants that Sir Peter did not show face in Dunferm- 
line for tzvelve months afterwards." {Mercer s History Dnnf. p. 96 ; 
CJial. Hist. Dnnf. vol. i. p. 279.) If this really happened, it is singular 
that the Town Council, on the first election of Provost thereafter, 
re-elected him to be their Provost, and continued to do so for twenty- 
seven years. 

The Act of Union was "a great and glorious act" for both coun- 
tries, but the good deed was not accomplished without a blemish. A 
great many of the Burgh Commissioners or Representatives had a 
price, it would appear, and such wei-e secured, to vote in favonr of the 
Union, and "considerable perso7ial advantages held out to them 
besides." It has been supposed that " Sir Peter had been threatened 
by those high in power, the granters of privileges, that if he did not 
vote in favour of the Union, his coal privileges wonld not be reneived, 
and thus Sir Peter, perhaps against his better inclinations, was forced 
to vote contrary to his promise." Thirty-three burghs voted for the 
Union and twenty-nine against it. {Marshall's "History of the 
Uniojt," and other works.) 



great srow-storm. 38 t 

Crown Ratification of Coal Privileges to Sir Peter 
Halket. — From a remote period, the family of Pitfirrane had a 
government privilege of exporting their coals to foreign parts free 
of all duty whatever. This privilege was renewed by Queen Anne 
on 2 1 St December, 1706, and was Ratified in the United Parliament, 
London, on March 21st, 1707 (see also Annals, date 1788). It will 
be observed that the renewed "Pitfirrane coal privilege" is dated 
2ist December, 1706, shortly before "the Union became an accom- 
plished fact," and the Crown ratification of it three months after the 
renewal. (See Crown Charters ; ChaL Hist. Diinf.voX. i. p. 21, &c.) 

The Customs, &c., of Four of the Fairs to be Rouped. — 
''2jrd April, 1707: This day the counsell ordains the customes of 
y^ fonre old fairs — laddie of the meall tro7i, and small customes — to 
be rouped on Wednesday next, and declaires y° July and October 
{■dXxQS free of a custom for a year." (Burgh Rec.) The "laddie" was 
a small one; the "holder of it" had the power of dipping it into every 
sack-mouth containing meal that was exposed for sale, and to "put 
the ladle-fu' into his own private bag." {Tradition, and MS.) 

The Race Saddle. — ''4th Aug.: The said day warrants the 
treasurer to pay the sadler 6 pounds for y" sadle ridden at July mercat 
last." (Burgh Rec.) 

A Compass for the Coal Heugh. — " 2gthAugt.: The Counsell 
appoints the thesaurer to buy a good compass for the use of the 
heugh." (Burgh Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — " 8 Oct. 1707: The said day the 
grand counsell re-elected Sir Peter Halket Provost; David Adie, y\ 
and David Wilson, baillies." (Burgh Rec.) 

The Late Fiscal's Salary and the Foot-Mantle. — ''nth 
Oct. 1707 : The counsell warranted Wm. Wilsone to pay Helen 
Broun, four pound ten, P. in compleat pay' of her husbands fiscall 
cellary till michaelmas next ; including his service for keeping the 
foot-mantle, and this, beside his half croun for keeping the carpet on 
y*" seat in the Kirk : Also, ordains, a foot gar to be made at y" officers 
seat in the [Kirk?] for holding y'' carpet and y*" officer to keep it." 
(Burgh Rec.) 

1708.— Great Snow-Storm. — Several old accounts refer to this 
snow-storm. It continued without intermission for eight days ; the 
streets in some places were 12 to 20 feet deep in snow. Then followed 
a frost which continued for nearly three months. (Notes on Dunf.) 



382 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Dunfermline Palace. — Fall of the North Gable and Roof. — 
According to several old MS. notes, "the Palace, previous to this 
period, had been long neglected, and suffered to become ruinous," 
and "early in the year 1708, the north gable wall and part of the 
front wall fell, along with the greater part of the roof;" henceforward 
it became an utter ruin. 

" So fades, so perishes, grows dim, and dies, 
All that the world is proud of." 

Probably the great snow-storm and frost of this year hastened the 
fall of the Palace wall and gable. {MSS. and Tradition ; also Chal. 
Hist. Dtmf vol. i. p. 99.) 

Seal of Cause to the Weavers. — ''i8th May, 1708: This 
day the Counsell granted a new gift, or Seal of Cause, to the Weavers." 
(Biirgk Records.) This Seal of Cause, as well as similar documents, 
occupy 2 or 3 pp. folio of the Records. 

Ancient Burial Custom Abolished. — " 22 April, ly 08: The 
which day the counsell taking to their consideration y' it has been an 
ancient custome of this burgh at burials to invite y"" magistrates, coun- 
sell and oy' burgers up to y" burialls immediately before lifting of 
of y" corps and y* y*" s"^ custome is both uneasie to the people who must 
wait a long time on y*" street till y'' magistrates come out, and besides 
makes a confusion when too many people goes up to the buriall- 
house, considering y* y'' best burgh in the nation has left of y* custome, 
and the counsell y'"for, for avoiding confusion and observing more 
decency at such occasions, have and hereby, do resolve and enact, y^ in 
all time coming, no magistrate, counsellor, or burgar (tho invited) go 
up to f buriall house immediately before lifting of y* corps in time 
coming. Except they be near relations of the defunct." (Bnrgh Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "■iitJi October, 1708: The said day 
the grand counsell, continued and re-elected Sir Peter Ha^ketPi'ovost." 
(Btirgh Records.) 

New Weights and Measures to be Bought. — ''20th Nov. 
iyo8 : The counsell commissionat baillie Wilsone to go to Edinburgh 
to procure a letter fra y' provost of Ed' to Lithgou, Lanark, and Stir- 
line for y" neu english standard of weights and measures and if he 
procure y^ to go to y*" s'^ touns and receive them and pay y^ dues." 
(Btirgh Records.) 

Brass Jugs and Ell-Measure for Use of the Burgh.— 
" 2gth Nov. 1708 : Ordains baillie Wilsone to writ to deacon Inglis 



RALPH ERSKINE LICENSED TO PREACH. 383 

at Edinburgh to cast two brass jugs for y' use of this burgh, and to get 
it stamped by y" dean of gild of Edinburgh's stamp : Also, orders 
Adam Stevinson to make a iron eln and yard, according to the english 
standard, and it to be sent to Edinburgh there to get the dean of 
Gild's stamp." (Burgh Records.) " Adam Stevinson's charge for his 
job, including the irons for lettering, was ten shillings!' Are these 
weights, measures, jugs, &c., still in existence } 

1709.— Great Snow and Frost. — The great snow and frost 
"which set in with the year 1709," appears to have been general 
in Dunfermline and West of Fife. The snow and frost lasted 37 
days. The burns were all deep frozen, and large numbers of sheep 
were lost. [MS. and old newspapers.) 

Penny Meals. — " 21st Feb. ijog : The said day the magistrates 
and town counsell, taking to their consideration the great trouble and 
great expense the magistrates and thesaurer are at in yearly collect- 
ing the penny mealls and annualls payable yearly to the town out of 
the burgage lands ; and, beside that, the toun have no right for some 
of these pennie mealls, except immemorial use of payment, and that 
it would be more to the advantage of the toun, and save a great deall 
of trouble, that the burgesses were allowed to buy and redeem these 
pennie mealls and annuals : They therefore did and hereby do enact 
and declare that any burgess of this burgh who pleases shall have 
full power to buy and redeem the pennie mealls and annualls payable 
out of his own proper lands at fifteen years' purchase, and that upon 
his paying of the same to the thesaurer for the time, in presence of 
the counsell, and getting ane extract y''of under the hands of the 
thesaurer and clerk, the counsell declares y^. s'^ pennie mealls and 
annualls renounced and discharged, and y^ lands quat and free y'of 
for ever." {Burgh Rec; see also An. Dunf. date 171 2.) This offer 
of redemption of the meals, &c., at 15 years' purchase, was at another 
meeting of the Council reduced to 10 years' purchase. 

The Provincial Synod of Fife assembled in the Church of Dun- 
fermline on April 7th, 1709. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 436.) 

Ralph Erskine, who had been for some months previous to 
June this year residing within " the bounds of the Presbytery of Dun- 
fermline," was, at a meeting of Dunfermline Presbytery, held on June 
8th, 1709, "licensed to preach the everlasting gospel" on same day. 



384 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Mr. James Wardlaw (his future colleague) was also licensed. {Presb. 
Rec. ; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 428.) 

Execution of Janet Mitchell on Town Hill Road for the 
Murder of her Illegitimate Child. — The following is a copy of Minute in 
the Burgh Records regarding the execution : — " 6 Sept. lyog : The 
counsell having received a letter fra Robert Ged of Baldridge and 
John Moubray of Cockarnie, craving the favour of a guard at Janet 
Mitchel's execution, they agreed to grant the favour, and ordered 
the baillies to cause to warn the malitia men to be a guard on 
thursday next." Janet Mitchell, a native of Saline, was condemned 
to death by the Regality Court of Dunfermline, for the murder of her 
illegitimate child. " She died very penitent on the gallows, Town-hill, 
near Dunfermline." In 1764 a pamphlet of 16 pp. was published at 
Edinburgh, entitled, " A Brief Account of the Last Words and Con- 
fession of Janet Mitchel, parishioner of Sahne, who was executed at 
Dunfermline upon the 8th September, 1709, for the horrid crime of 
child murder." The writer has a copy of this very rare pamphlet. 
The pamphlet mentions near its conclusion that Janet Mitchel — 

" Notwithstanding of her mean education and all her other natural disad- 
vantages, acted rationally and spoke pertinently. Being asked, very near her 
being turned over, what particular sins did now stare her in the face, she 
answered, ' The bairn,' but hoped that the Lord had pardoned ; and added : 
' O Sirs, pray much for me ; now I am a dear bought sight to you. There is 
a sight this night betwixt Michael and his angels, and the Dragon and his 
angels, about my poor soul. But I hope Michael will prevail, who hath 
delivered me from these torturing feats of wrath, especially these eight 
nights bygone. O pray, pray that the devil may now get a complete disap- 
pointment ; that the red Dragon's head may be broken, and he may now be 
foiled. O that Christ might overcome him for me, and take a fast grip of the 
jewel of my precious soul, for I cannot think of dying without Thee. There 
are now many looking on me, but there is another kind of company in heaven, 
who, I hope, will rejoice this night at the coming in of the lost sheep. O 
come, leave the ninety and nine and fetch it in. O that He would send a 
guard of angels about me, to receive me to Himself; O for faith and strength, 
comfort and support, for I am going an untrodden path. The Lord Jesus be 
my stay and staff, a leader and all to me through the dark valley of the 
shadow of death, for His name's sake. O for an upmaking meal of free grace 
— a rich alms to make all odds even — for I am one of the poorest beggars 
that ever came to Thy door.' And with many more significant expressions, 
she gave a sigh, saying, ' into Thy hands I commend my spirit.^ " 

Her body was cut down, after hanging the usual time, and carted 
to a cross road near the Yetts of Muckart, and there interred. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — " joth Oct. lyog: The said day the 



RIDING THE MARCHES. 385 

saids magistrats and grand counsell elected and continued Sir Peter 
Halket of Pitfirrane, Provost." (Burgh Records.) 

A Woman Smoked in the Heugh. — " // Nov. ijog : This day 
the Counsell ordered the thesaurer to give to Robert Adie twentie 
shillings on charity, to help to bury his daughter smored in the heugh, 
and to cure his other daughter's broken leg." 

1710. — Died at Dunfermline, James Graham^ the last Episcopal 
minister of Dunfermline. {Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 416, &c.; see 
also dates 1687-1701.) There is still extant a small quarto volume 
of Mr. Graham's Sermons, 43 pp. (see date 17 19.) Although Mr. 
Graham was deposed by the Synod in June, 1701, he continued to 
discharge his pulpit duties in Dunfermline Church until his death 
this year (17 10). 

Graham's Mortification. — In the year 1710, six hundred 
merks Scots— (;!^33 6s. 8d. sterling) — were found in the poor's box at 
the death of Mr. Graham, which sum was, by the Justices of the 
Peace, Heritors, and Town Council, mortified in the hands of the 
town for the benefit of the poor. By the bond granted by the 
Council, they are obliged to pay yearly the interest of the above sum, 
the one half to the poor of the burgh, conform to a list to be yearly 
subscribed by the Magistrates and Town Council, and the other half 
to the poor of the landward part of the parish, conform to a list to be 
yearly subscribed by the Justices of the Peace and Heritors, or a 
quorum of them. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 48, 49, and other Hist. 
Dunf.) 

Robert Adie, one of the bailies of Dunfermline, "a most active, 
worthy, and upright man," died, and was buried in the north porch, 
where there is a monumental tomb to his memory, with a short 
inscription on it. 

Riding the Marches. — ''jotkMay, lyio: That day the counsell 
ordered the heall burgesses to be warned to attend the magistrates 
on horseback at riding of the marches on munday next. And that 
such as cannot get horses, shall attend on foot, with certification that 
each person that answers not to his name at Craigncat, shall be fyned 
in half a merk without forgiveness; and declares the dean of Gild lyable 
for each gild-brother's fine, and he to have his relief from the absent 
gild brethern ; and that each deacon of croft be lyable for the absents 
of his own croft; and the baillies to see to the exacting of the fynes 

3l> 



386 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.' 

of the common burgess," (Burgh Records.) How do the Marches 
stand in 1878 ? 

Sibbald's Hlstory of Fife, %lq.., and Ms Account of Dmifermline. 
— In the year 17 10 Sir Robert Sibbald published his "History, 
Ancient and Modern, of the Sheriffdoms of Fife and Kinross " 
(folio edition). The following are a few notes, taken from this cele- 
brated work, referring to Dunfermline : — 

" Dunfermline is a royal burgh, having its name from a hill near a crooked 
water, which is the situation of it, for it lies upon the ridge of a hill, sloping 
gently to the south. It was the ordinary abode of Malcolm Kenmore. The 
ruins of a tower he dwelt in are yet to be seen near to the west bridge. This 
King Malcolm III. founded the monastery; and he and his successors, 
especially David I., did endow the same with great riches and privileges, &c. 
In the town, the town is one long street, which rims from the east 
to the south-west, where, by a lane, it entereth the King's Palace, which is 
famous for the birth of King Charles I. The monastery is joined to it — a 
great fabrick. It was, for the Benedictine Monks, founded by King David, 
anno 1130. The town has a manufactory of dornick cloth. It gives the title 
of Earl to a branch of the Seatons. The heritable keeping of the palace, with 
the revenues of the monastery and the superiority and jurisdiction, belongeth 
now to the Marquis of Tweeddale. In Mr. Sletzer's ' Theatrum Scotise' there 
is a prospect of the town and abbey, and another of the abbey." (See An. 
Diinf. under date 1690.) 

Sir Robert closes his meagre account in noticing the royal and 
other interments at Dunfermline, &c. There are several inaccuracies 
in his account In 1803 a reprint of this work was published by 
Mr. Tullis, publisher, Cupar-Fife (octavo), edited by the Rev. Dr. 
Adamson. The editor illustrates the original text with copious notes. 
At page 294 of this edition, there is a very nice view (within an oval 
space), entitled " Ruins of the Monastery of Dunfermline," which view 
appears to be a reproduction, in miniature, of Juke's large view of 
"The Abbey and Palace." (See Annals of Dunfermline^ date 1792.) 
In his first note., the editor of the new edition says — "In some old 
manuscripts, the Abbey," &c., "is designated '■ Monasterium de monte 
infirmorum,'" but does not refer to where the "old manuscripts" are 
to be seen, (Sib. Hist, of Fife, 1803 edit. pp. 293-298 ; also Appen. 
A, B, and C oi A finals of Dunfermline.) 

Tower Hill Road Cutting. — "/ July, 1710 : The counsell 
ordered the thesaurer to give fifteen shillings to John Mackie, in order 
to help him to pay the expense of cutting the Town Hill to make the 
highway straight." (Burgh Records.) At this period the only road 
from Dunfermline to the west was by this road. Probably the road 



I 



RALPH ERSKINE AS A PROBATIONER. 387 

would be made straight by cutting down part of the Tower-hill brae 
near the bridge. 

Troublesome Dragoons. — " 13 July : The said day the council 
commissionat the conveener to goe to Edinburgh and speak to the 
advocate and general to see to get the dragoons removed." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "p Oct. lyio: That day the grand 
counsell re-elected Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, Provost." (Burgh 
R^ecords.) 

Chapman's Stands. — " 15 Nov. 17 10 : The said day the magis- 
trates and counsell statute and ordained that in all time coming the 
chapmen in the public mercats be provided with sufficient furnished 
stands by the inhabitants or tenents of the landes before which the 
chapman's stands are set, at twelve shillings for each stand each 
mercat ; And in case the chapmen be not furnished and provided 
with stands, as said is, allows the chapmen to set up on the street 
gratis ; Reserving always power to the counsell to alter this as they 
shall think fit." (Burgh Records.) 

Mr. Thomas Buchanan was translated from Tulliallan and 
admitted to the First Charge of Dunfermline Church on 30th Nov., 
1 7 10. {CJial. Hist. Du7if. vol. i. p. 416.) 

Brown and Honeyman's Mortification. — "jo Dec. 1710: 
The said day the counsell, William and David Brown's and John 
Honeyman's mortifications for the year 17 10, and six pounds as the 
half-year of the town's half of the six hundred merks mortifyed by 
the heritors at whitsunday last, with eight pounds eighteen shillings 
of augmentation, conform to the particular list this day signed by the 
magistrates, to be dealt and payd to the respective poor." (Burgh 
Records.) 

1711. — Mr. Ralph ErsKINE Preaching as a Probationer. — Early 
in the year 17 ii Mr. Erskine, after having received a certificate (or 
license) from the Presbytery of Dunfermline, that " he exercised the 
talents which the Lord had given him within the bounds of the said 
Presbytery, both in vacancies and settled congregations, to the great 
satisfaction of his hearers, both ministers and people," soon after this 
received a call to Tulliallan, and also to Dunfermline, which latter 
call he preferred and accepted. ( Dunf. Par. Rec.) 



388 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

An Obstreperous Deacon. — " jo May, lyii : That day George 
Walls, deacon of the Wrights, was, in a fenced court, holden by the 
provost in presence of the counsell, convict by his own confession of 
deforcing the magistrates yesternight, and of ringing the tolbooth 
bell, and throwing stones out at the window, and barricading the 
tolbooth door, refusing entry to the magistrates, and throwing lyme 
in their faces when attempting to enter, was therefore, by the said 
provost and counsell suspended of his office as counsellor during 
the counsell's pleasure, and fyned in twenty pounds scots, to remain 
in prison till payment, or [giving bill therefor." On Sept. 7, showing 
himself " very penitent for his offence," he was restored to office, &c. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Mr. Ralph Erskine ordained minister of the Second Charge of 
Dunfermline Church on 7th August, 171 1. {CJial, Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 
p. 416 ; vide also An. Dunf. date 17 16.) 

Library. — " 2gtJi. Sept. lyii : The said day the magistrates and 
counsell, taking to their consideration that it would tend much to the 
benifit of their grammar school, The encouragement of learning and 
interest of the community, That a Library were founded here. Did, 
for encouragement of so good and pious a design, Resolve, out of the 
common good to contribute ten pounds sterling for that end ; and 
did and do hereby recommend to the Gildry and respective corpora- 
tions of the burgh, And all other persons who pleases frankly to 
contribut, in order to make up such a sum as may buy such a number 
of good books as may lay a competent foundation for a Library : 
Declaring allways that the foresaid library and heall additions here- 
after to be made thereto shall for ever be under the sole management 
of the counsell or such person as they shall appoint keeper, who 
shall give bond to keep the books safe, and re-deliver them when the 
counsell shall call for them. Sic subcribitnr, pet. Halket." It 
would appear that nothing came out of this excellent proposal. It is 
not again noticed in the Burg/i Records. Perhaps the "conditions" 
made shipwreck of the scheme. 

Provost oi' Dunfermline. — ''8th Oct., ijii: The said day, 
Sir Peter Halket was re-elected Provost." (Burgh Records.) 

Penny Weddings Prohibited. — ''SthDec, lyii: This day the 
counsell ordains the drum to go through the town to discharge penny 
weddings in terms of the act of parliament of King Charles the 
Second." (Burgh Records.) 



REDEMPTION OF FENNY MEALS. 389 

1712.— Mason Lodge. — There is an entry in the Masons' 
Records, of date 15th January, 171 2, which notifies, that the following 
charities had been bestowed: "Item, to ane poor man that was taken 
with the pooks, 6s. Scots; item, to ane blind violer, 12s. Scots; to 
y'' pyper, 12s. Scots; to Geo. Miller, 6s. Scots." 

Card Maker. — In an old MS. book of accounts, there is a notice of 
4s. 2d. having been paid to "John Maxwell, Card Maker at the back- 
o-the-dam." These cards were made for carding wool. The carding 
and the sorting of wool was at this period carried on to a considerable 
extent at "the back of the dam." Probably Wooler's Alley or 
Woo'ers Alley may in some way have derived its name from the "woo' 
carders," which, according to tradition, were employed in this locality. 

Redemption of Penny Meals. — The Act of Council, of date 
2 1st February, 1709, regarding the redemption of Burgh Meals and 
Annuals at ten years' purchase, appears to have been very favourably 
received by the community. The following is an extract of the town 
council meeting on the subject : — 

"j^ March, 1712. — The said day, Robert Adie, late treasurer, now one 
of the present bailies of the said burgh, did in presence of the Counsell, give 
in a subscription list of the heall penny mealls payable out of the burgage 
lands of burgh which had been redeemed during his office. And for redemption 
thereof by order of the counsell he had received ten years' purchase. The 
counsell ordered the said list to be registrat in the counsell books in perpe- 
tiiam rei memoriam, and the clerk to give extracts thereof to such persons as 
should please to call for them. And declaired and hereby declare, the penny 
meals contained in the said written list, to be redeemed fornow and for ever." 

This said list gives the names of those who had redeemed the meals 
and annuals, along with the names of the streets wherein their pro- 
perties were situated; it forms an interesting paper for "natives," a 
kind of Directory for 17 12. The following is a copy of it: — 

Kirkmte — East Side. 



Maygeat. 

lib. s. d. 

Andrew Simson's land, ..002 
W7 Black's land and closs, o 2 11 
James Mcbeath's land, ..017 
James Rolland's land, ..020 
John Bunton's land, ...036 
William Flockerd's land, .054 
Robert Dalgliesh's land, .007 
Patrick Anderson's land, .004 
Lindsay's land, now John 

Christie's, 006 

George Meldrom's land, ,0 i i o 



lib. s. d. 

Strang's land, now Pierson 

& Finlay's, 002 

Adam Anderson's land, .0 010 
David Bull's land, ...003 
Gilbert Ker's land, ...024 

Kirk-geat — West Side. 

John Anderson, younger's 

land, Kirkgeat and Col- 

lieraw, 01 i 

John Wilkie's land, ...004 



390 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



m. 

Robert Brand's land, . . o 
John Cowie's land, . . . o 
William Wilson's land, . . o 
David Eadie, elder's heall 

lands, I 

John Anderson, elder's two 

lands, o 

Alexander Whyt's land, now 

Grissel Wyld's, . . . . o 
John Wilson's land, . . . o 
Smith and Kennedy's land, o 
Mr. Peter Kennedy's land, o 
James Moore's land, . . o 
Robert Crawford's land, . o 

Collier Raw — East Side. 

James Morre's land, . . o 
William Inglis' three lands, o 
James Bruce's two lands, . o 

Rotten Raw. 
Andrew Wilson's land, . . o 

High Street — North Side. 

William Wilson's land, . . o 

Andrew Walker's land, . . o 

Robert Donald's three lands o 

Henry Kirk's land, . . . o 

John Anderson's land, . . o 

John Brown's land, . . . o 

Andrew Belfrage's land, . o 

Thomas Mitchell's lands, . o 

Robert Mudie's land, . . o 
David Wilson's land, at 

Cross, o 

Land, new raw, east side, . o 

Cross Wynd. 

Cusin's land, o 

Robert Shorton's land, . . o 
Hary Elder's land, . . . o 
William Wilson, Cogy's heal 

lands, I 

James Coallier's land, . . o 
Jerom Cowie's land, . . o 
Robert Walker's land, . . o 
John Duncanson's land, . o 
James Walker's land, . . o 
John Chalmer,now Thomas 

Richardson's barn, . . o 
Robert Pierson's land, . . o 



18 10.' 



5 

1 4 
o 9 



2 


7 


4 
I 

I 




9.^ 
3 

IC 




2 


1 

6 





7 





6^ 





I 





I 





2i 





2' 


8 


2 1 


5 
5 
5 



I 
2 

2 





10 


I 








7 



lib. s. 
Thomas Hutton's land, . o o 
Adam Stevenson's land, .014 
William Hodge, taylor's 

land, 00 

William Wilson, land and 

yeard, newraw, ...00 
Robert Whyt's land, ..00 
John Wilson's half of Steed- 
man's land, 00 

John Wilson's land, rotten 

raw, 00 

Robert Belfrage's land, . o o 
Patrick IngUs, ....00 
Touch's land, 00 

High Street, South Side. 

George Crawfurd's land, .0 o 
Helen and Margaret Dun- 
canson's land, ....00 
Robert Kirk's land, ...01 
Katharin Gibson's land, . o o 
Helen Walls and David 

Horn's land, ....00 
Peter M'Grew and Wm. 

Young's land, ....02 
Thomas French's land, ..02 
Laurence Henderson's land o 3 
John Meldrom's lands, ..04 
William Purdie's lands, ..02 
James Wall's lands, ...05 
John Henderson's lands, . o o 
John Wall's land, ...00 
Andrew Belfrage's land, . o o 
John Sandar's land, ...00 
John Adie's land, ...01 

/id. s. d. 

Oil 

3 acre hallbank, 020 
Meikle John, .012 
Ostend, ...007 
Elliotshill, ..004 
Land at trone, 002 
Turnbull's land, 009 
2 acres Logie's, 012 
Wall's barn, .003 

Thomas Elder's shop at tol- 
booth, 2s. bd. yeard, new 
raw, id., is 02 

Thomas Clerk's land, ..00 



5 

10 
2 



LORD OF THE CHAPMEN'S STANDS. 



391 



lib. s. d. 
Thomas Walker's two lands o i 1 1 
George TurnbuU's land, .002 
Andrew Pierson's land, ..008 
Andrew Symsone and Mar- 
garet Walker's acres and 

lands, 036 

James Meldrom's land, ..013 
David Adie, younger's lands o i i 

Newraw — East Side. 

John and William Ker's 

land, 002 

Margaretta Allan's land, .001 

Scarlot's land, 001 

Patrick TurnbuU's land, .009 
James Mitchell's land, now 

John Christie's, .,.003 
John Ferguson's land, now 

Christian Ferguson's, . o o 
John Wilson's land, ...01 
Andrew Rolland's land, . o o 
Thomas Stevinson's land, . o 4 
Rhode's heall lands, ..05 
James Imbrie's land, ,.00 
James Wilson's land, ..00 
David Dalgliesh's land, ..00 
John Donaldson's land, . o o 
John Rea's land, ....00 
Andrew Grieve's land, ..00 
John Rolland's land, ..00 
David Man's land, ...00 
Rober Coallier's land, ..00 
John Anderson's land, .,00 



4 

2 

1 1 

9 

2 

4 
I 

7 
2 
6 
I 
I 
I 
I 



lib. 

o 

o 

o 

o 



Kathrine Hodge's land, 
Laurence Stevinson's land, 
Hutton's lands, .... 
Thomas Law's land, 

Neithertonn. 

James Mudie's land, . . 
Harry Davidson's land, 
John Mayn's land, . . . 
John Henderson's land, 
Barclay, and half of Rich- 
ardson's land, .... 
Robert Wilson's land, . , 
Broun and Dougali's land, 
James Bayn's land, . . . 
John Hepburn's land, . . 

Neithertoun — SotUh Side. 

Alex. Gillespie's land ..00 
Edward Logan's land, ..00 
James Somervail's land, . o o 
Patrick Hall's land, ...00 
Janet French's land, .,00 
Edward Overwhyt's land, . o o 
Broomhall's heall lands, .016 
Purves' land, 8^. ; and his 
land, sometime Blackie's, 

7^., 01 

James Purvis', part of Ran- 
difoord's land, 6 W.; Ran- 
difoord's land, sometime 
burns', bd.; Wellwood's 
an^ rent, 4^., ....05 



4 

o 

10 

10 

5 
II 

6 

4 

4 



4 
3 
9 
4 
7 

II 
o 



Such is a list of the greater part of " The Worthy Ratepayers of 
1712." It may be noted here that the meals and annuals in great 
part arose from feu-duties on which their houses stood — sometimes 
on flats or compartments of dwellings, and also on "kailyeards." The 
"Counsell" also derived considerable sums from parties who had 
liberty from them to have " oot-side stairs " projecting from the front 
of the houses into the street, besides a small annual rent for " the 
allowance." {Burgh Records, &c.) 



Lord of the Chapmen's Stands. — ''loth June: The said day, 
upon a complaint fra the Lord of Chapmans, showing that some 
merchants in the toun set up stands before Gibb's Walls, to the pre- 
judice of the mercat and hindering of the Chapmen to set up their 



392 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

stands," &c. ; " the council enact that such must not happen, but 
declares that they may do so if stranger chapmen come not to set up." 
" Gibb's Walls" were a little below the Cross, on the north side of the 
street. (Btirgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. (Biirgh Records.) 

1713.— Brown's Mortification.— " //^'/^ March, 17 13: The 
said day bailie Wilson represented to the counsell that Mr. William 
Brown, lecturer in Edinburgh, now minister in South lieth, had given 
to him thirty-six pounds scots, and ordered him to mortify the same 
in the toun's hands, on condition that the an"^ rent thereof be payed 
yearly to the poor of the toun, with the an^ rent of other mortifica- 
tions." (Btirgh Records.) 

Population of the Parish — Proposed Third Minister for Dun- 
fermline. — At this period it was proposed (but without success) to 
have a third minister for the Church of Dunfermline, as the popula- 
tion was 5000, which was considered too great for two ministers. 
(Presb. Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ''5th Oct.iyij: This day Sir Peter 
Halket accepted arid gave his oath de fideli, and was re-elected 
Provost of Dunfermline." (Burgh Records.) 

Town's Colliers Lent to the Earl of Rothes, &c.— At this 
period colliers were slaves. They were property which could be sold, 
exchanged, and lent. On 31st October this year the Earl of Rothes 
sent a letter to the Town Council of Dunfermline asking for the loan 
of two colliers, when the Council " warranted the baillies to lend to 
the earl, David Murgain and George Brown, upon the earl's bond to 
restore them on demand without expence. And in case the lady 
Pittencrieff want William Watson, warrants the baillies to lend Watson 
to her." (Burgh Records.) 

Cattle Market to be Removed to the Neiv Raw. — " 28 Nov.: The 
counsell resolved that the nolt mercat be removed to the Newraw 
against March fair next, and same to be intimat at Januar fair." 
(Burgli Records.) 

1714.— Meal and Flesh Market to be Built. — ''20th Feb. : 
The said day the counsell appointed the baillies, dean of gild, con- 



THE queen's illness. 393 

veener, bailHe Wilsone, John Reid, and George Walls to draw up a 
Scheme for building a meall and flesh mercat in Gibb's walls." 
(Bicrgh Records.) Before 7th May, 171 5, these markets appear to 
have been erected, as shown by the following Council Minute : — '■'■ 'jth 
May, lyi^ : The said day allows William Stevinson to advance to 
William Inglis and John Reid six or seven hundred merks, in part of 
what the toun ows them on the accompt of their contract for building 
of the meall and flesh mercat." (Burgh Records.) 

The New Drummer and Duties, &c. — "^p May: That day 
James Cumin dimitted his ofiice of drummer, and the counsell unani- 
mously elected John Hoggan drummer in his stead ; And appoints 
the drummer to goe through alone every morning by four o'clock, an 
every night alone at seven. And appoints the piper to go through 
alone at six in the morning and nyne at night." (Burgh Records.) 
The community appear to have been very fond of "hard music" in 
those days. (See also An. Dunf. date 1701.) 

Butter Market and Butter Selling, &c.— "5 Jtme: The 
counsell discharges selling of butter or cheese in any place but at the 
trone, and not til after seven a cloak in the morning in may, June, and 
July, and til after eight the rest of the year, under the pain of fourty 
shillings each faillie." (Burgh Records.) Probably the Dunfermline 
Butter and Cheese Market originated at this time. These markets 
continued to be held at the Tron until 1832. 

Literature. — Mr. James Bayne, schoolmaster of the Grammar 
School, Dunfermline, published a "Short Introduction to the Latin 
Grammar," 8vo, Edin., 17 14. 

City of Dunfermline. — The following extract is given here 
because it uses the designation. City of Dunfermline : — 'fune 26th, 
17 14 : The very Reverend Ralph Erskine, one of the ministers in the 
City of Dunfermline, gave up his name to be proclaimed, in order to 
marriage with Margaret Dewar (only daughter of John Dewar of 
Lassody) and gave to the Box ;if3 os. od." {Beath Par. Regist. 17 14.) 

The Queen's Illness. — List of Fencible Men, Arms, &c. — "5 
Aug. 17 1 4: The counsell having received a letter from the Lord of 
the Justiciary, the barons of the exchequer, the advocat, provost of 
Edinburgh, the Generall and Solicitor, acquainting them that her 
Majesty ivas ifi danger by sickness ; and that it was the command of 
the Lords of the Privy Counsell that all ministers and others in 

3K 



394 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

authority use their utmost endeavour for taking care of the public 
peace, and to give such directions as may be most likely to prevent 
any disturbance in the Kingdom, in case her majesty be carried of by 
this fit of sicknes. The magistrates and counsell Judged it proper to 
appoint, and do appoint hereby the baillies, dean of gild, and deacon 
Wilsone, with such others of the counsell as shall please to go along 
to take up a list of the heall fencible inhabitants, and of the heall 
arms and ammunition presently within the burgh and report." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Death of the Queen — George I. Proclaimed. — '' jth August, 
1714. : That day the magistrates and town counsell being certainly 
informed that it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our 
late Sovereign Lady, Queen Ann of blessed memory, by whose decease 
the imperiall Crown of Great brittain, France, and Ireland are solely 
and rightfully come to the high and mighty prince George, elector of 
Brunswick and Luxemburg ; And that he had been proclaimed King 
at London, Edinburgh, and many other towns in the nation : They 
therefore resolved this day, at two afternoon, to proclaim from the 
cross that the said high and mighty prince George, elector of bruns- 
wick Lunenburg, is now, by the death of our said late Sovereign 
Lady, of happy memory, become our only lawfuU and rightful! leige 
Lord, George, by the Grace of God, King of Great brittain, france, 
and irland, defender of the faith." (Burg)i Records.) 

Note. — Queen Anne died on ist August, 1714, aged 50. The news 
of her death appears to have officially reached the magistrates of 
Dunfermline on August 6th or 7th, 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ''nth Oct., 1714: The Grand 
counsell continued the provost (Sir Peter Halket) for the ensuing 
year." (Burgh Records.) 

Threatened Rebellion. — During the latter part of the year, 
1714, the country was threatened with rebellion and "a general rising 
in arms," to place James VIII. on the throne; much commotion; 
Dunfermline Fencibles in arms to defend King George, &c. (Burgh 
Records.) 

The Excise Bill. — Dunfermline strenuously opposed the pro- 
posed excise bill; great dissatisfaction and threatenings prevailed in 
Dunfermline. {Burgh Records and Newspapers.) 

Proclamation of King George I.— An old note states that 



THE REBELLION. 395 

King George I. was proclaimed in August this year by the Magistrates 
and Council at the Tolbooth Stair, at the Cross, and at the Gate of 
the East Port. (Burgh Records.) "A deal of drinking followed the 
ceremony." (MS.) 

1715.— Mr. Thomas Buchanan, minister of the First Charge of 
Dunfermline Church, died on the lOth of April, 17 15. (Dunf. Presb. 
Records.) 

"The Excise Bill" burnt by the Hangman. — In the Cale- 
do7iian Mercury for i8th April, 171 5, there is the following paragraph: 
— "We hear of strange doings at Dunfermline last Thursday, when 
the excise bill was burnt by the hands of the common hangman." 
(Edinburgh Coiirant; MSS., &c.) 

Threatened Invasion — Powder and Shot Ordered. — '^4. August, 
17 IS ' The counsell, taking to their consideration the hazard this 
town may be in if the country turn loose by threatened invasion, and 
that it is very fit the town be provided in powder and lead ; they there- 
fore ordered baillie Wilsone and William Stevinson to buy one hundred 
pound weight of ponder, and six hundred pound weight of lead, as soon 
as possible." (Burgh Records.) ^'2jd Sept. : The said day the Coun- 
sell approved of the baillies their distributing the toun's pouder and 
lead among such inhabitants as had arms." (Ibid.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.- -"/j-^' Oct. 1715: This day. Sir 
Peter Halket was re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

The Rebellion. — Surprisal of a facobite Detachment in D?m- 
fermline. — Oct. 24, lyi^ : The fortunes of war brought Dunfermline 
within the sphere of "war operations" in October, 171 5. Sir Walter 
Scott, in his " Tales of a Gr'andfather" gives the following graphic 
account of the surprisal of a Jacobite detachment who had taken 
possession of the Palace and Monastic buildings : — 

" A detachment of ahovAfour score horse and three Highland foot — chiefly 
followers of the Marquis of Huntly — was sent from Perth to raise the Cess. 
The direct road from Perth to Dunfermline is considerably shorter, but the 
troops had orders to take the route by Castle-Campbell, which prolonged the 
journey considerably, for no apparent purpose but to insult the Duke of 
Argyle's garrison there by marching in their view. When the detachment 
arrived at Dunfermline, Gordon of Glenbucket, who commanded the High- 
landers, conducted them into the old Abbey, which is strongly situated, and 
there placed a sentinel. He took up his own quarters in the town, and placed 
a sentinel there also. The commander of tlie horse, Major Graham, took the 



Sg6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

ineffectual precaution of doing the same at the bridge, but used no further 
measures to avoid surprise. The gentlemen of the squadron sought each his 
personal accommodation, with their usual neglect of discipline, neither know- 
ing with accuracy where they were to find their horses, nor fixing on any 
alarm-post where they were to rendezvous. Their officers sat down to a bottle 
of wine. During all this scene of confusion, the Honourable Colonel (after- 
wards Lord) Cathcart, was lying without the town, with a strong party of 
cavalry, and obtaining regular information from his spies within it. About 
five o'clock on the morning of the 24th October, he entered the town with 
two parties of his dragoons — one mounted, the other on foot. The surprisal 
was complete, and the Jacobite cavaliers suffered in proportion ; several were 
killed and wounded, and about twenty made prisoners, whose loss was the 
more felt as they were all gentlemen, and some of them considerable proprie- 
tors. The assailants lost no time in their enterprise, and retreated as speedily 
as they entered. The neighbourhood of the Highland infantry in the Abbey 
was a strong reason for despatch. This slight affair seemed considerable in a 
war, which had been as yet so little marked by military incident. The appear- 
ance of the prisoners at Stirling, and the list of their names, gave ec/a^ to the 
Duke of Argyle's tactics, and threw disparagement on those of Mar. On the 
other side, stories were circulated at Perth of the loss which Cathcart had 
sustained in the action, with rumours of men buried in the night, and horses 
returned to Stirling without their riders. This account, however fabulous, was 
received with credit even by those who were engaged at Dunfermline ; for the 
confusion having become general, no one knew what was the fate of his com- 
rade. But, in very deed, the whole return of casualties on Colonel Cathcart's 
side amounted to a dragoon hurt in the cheek, and a horse wounded. This 
little affair was made the subject of songs and pasquils in the army at Perth, 
which increased the Marquis of Huntly's disgust at the enterprise," Sic. 

At this period, the Palace stood in ruins, and therefore could give 
no accommodation to t/ns party. The Abbey — that is, the Church — 
would not be "taken possession of"; the old buildings on the west side 
of the Church, forming the northern boundary of the Abbey Close, viz., 
the Queen's House, the two Constabulary Houses, and the Fends, would 
be the houses in the old Abbey which were " taken possession of" on 
this occasion. The bridge here alluded to would, no doubt, be the 
Tower-Burn Bridge, close by, on the west. It may be noted that the 
sunk apartment, or cellar, down a few steps (south-east end of the 
Palace), was on this occasion used as a store-room, and into which 
were stowed gunpowder, shot, guns, and other war materials. From 
this circumstance the cellar got the name of "The Magazine," which 
name to this day it retains. 

1716.— The Aurora Borealis.— An old account notifies that 
" the inhabitants of Dunfermline, as everywhere else, were taken by 
great surprise, and many by terror, at the sudden appearance in the 
north-east sky of meteoric flames [the aurora borealis, now so fre- 



ANCIENT SOCIETY OF GARDENERS. 39/ 

quently seen], which occurred on the evening of March 6th. Many of 
the pious portion of the lieges were in terror ; many went out to the 
toon's end [East Port Street, &c.] to get a wider and better view of 
it." This grand meteoric display was everywhere long remembered. 

The "Lantern Tower" of the Abbey fell down early in 17 16. 
Traditionary accounts inform us that the Great Lantern or Central 
Tower, which stood at the junction of the Choir and the Nave, and 
which was "at least 150 feet in height, and about 30 feet square, and 
had two stories of three tall Gothic lancet windows in it on all its sides, 
or 24 windows in all, fell with a heavy fall early on a Sunday morning 
in April 1716." The area of the Old Choir had since 1560 been used 
as a place of interment, and was known as the Sythar or Psalter 
Kirkyard. "The deep graves which were dug around the base of 
this Great Tower, in time loosened its foundations and at last caused 
it to fall." (For views of this tower, &c., see Annals^ dates 1226, 1290, 
1670, and 1672.) With the fall of the Great Tower the most interesting 
and picturesque part of the ruin of the Old Choir disappeared. It 
would appear that " its fall was long remembered in sadness by the 
inhabitants" — as Arnold says — 

" Towers, temples, pyramids must fall, 
And man, their builder, pass away : 
Oblivion, soon thy shadowy pall 

Shall shroud them from the eye of day." 

Mr. Ralph Erskine, minister of the Second Charge, was, on 
May 1st, 17 16, admitted minister of the First Charge of Dunfermline 
Church. (See A?i. Dimf. date 1711 ; Chal. Hist. Dimf, vol. i. p. 416 ; 
also An. of Dimf. date 1740.) 

Rebellion Fast. — "A fast day was kept on 7th June for the 
suppression of the unnatural rebellion of the preceeding year." (Par. 
Records.) 

Loss SUSTAINED BY DUNFERMLINE ''through the Heeland In- 
surgents." — "28th June, iyi6: The Counsell appoints the baillies to 
write to Buquhan to see if he can recover the money lost by the toun 
by the rebels, and the expence the toun has been at by the detach- 
ment of his Majesties forces that lay there." (Burgh Records.) 

Ancient Society of Gardeners in Dunfermline, &c. — 
There is no record, so far as is known, which gives an account of the 
origin of the Gardeners' Society. The earliest date in its oldest 



398 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Record Book is i6th October, 1716. This Society of Gardeners is 
supposed to be the oldest one in Scotland. Its Charter begins : — "Be 
it kend To all men Bye thir pr"' Letrs, we, John Daill Gairdiner in 
Pittencrieff pn'. deacon, John Campell gairdener in Pitfirrane pn*. 
boxmaster. To the Gairdiners of the Toun and Presbytrie of Dun- 
fermline." Then follows a long notice in praise of Gardenery, its 
great antiquity, &c., which is signed " Moray " and " Tweeddale." 
See the Gardeners' Society Book, entitled, — "Laws of the Ancient 
Society of Gardenery in and about Dunfermline ;" for full particulars, 
see also dial. Hist. Dnnf. vol. i. pp. 456, 457. This Society has had 
as members i Duke; i Marquis; 6 Earls; 7 Lords; 8 Baronets and 
Knights ; 2 Colonels ; 6 Captains ; 3 Lieutenants ; 4 Ensigns ; i Professor 
in a College; 11 Magistrates; 6 Ministers; 7 Advocates; 2 Writers to 
the Signet; 21 Doctors and Surgeons; 122 Gentlemen of Landed 
Property, with a long list of names of the worthy Burgesses of Dun- 
fermline, &c. (See Abridged Histories of the Gardeners^ Society, 
which have been frequently printed since this period.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — '' Sth Oct., lyiS: This day the 
magistrates and grand counsell elected and continued Sir Peter 
Halket Provost." (BurgJi Records.) 

1717.— Militiaman for the Town.— "/j/'/^J/'/s'r^://, 7777.- The 
said day John Bell, weaver in S*. Katharine's wynd was made burges, 
and engaged himself to serve the toun as a malitiaman — sic. sub". 
j. B.; John Bell, his mark." (Burgh Records.) 

Literature. — A small work, entitled ''The Believer's Dotvry" 
by the Rev. Ralph Erskine, minister of First Charge, Dunfermline 
Church, was published early in this year; this is supposed to be his 
first production. 

Dean of Guild Court — Harry Davidson Fitted. — At a Dean 
of Guild Court, held on 20th June, "Hary Davidson, son to Hary 
Davidson of St. John Chapel [Chapelwell], appeared before the Court 
to answer for encroaching on the privileges of the Gildry ; and 
having referred himself to the Dean of Gild and Counsell, they fyned 
him in three pounds Scots, whereof the Clerk got his third, the Fiscal 
and Gild Officer got each six shillings Scots, and the remainder, 
being one pound eight shillings, is to be charged on Robert Paterson 
the Treasurer." {Guildry Records, 1717^ This is a specimen of doing 
legal business in "the good old times." 



EAST PORT TO BE REBUILT. 399 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
elected Provost; 7th October, 1717. (Burgh Records.) 

Weaving. — At this period, "the devices woven on goods in the 
loom consisted, generally, of such emblems as the British flag, the 
British coat of arms, and the coat of arms of the nobility, gentle- 
men," &c. 

Mason's Lodge. — "21st Nov., 17 17: That day John Oberwhyte, 
son to Edward Oberwhyte, mason burgis of Dunfermline, wes entered 
apprentice to the s^ Ludge by James Somerville younger, and gave 
his oath de fidely, and to obey the haill laws of the s'^ Ludge, and 
each S' Jons day to subscribe to ther bond of Societie. The bill 
given be s"^ James Somerville for the rest of the s^ Ludge. Signed, 
James Somerville yng", John Overwhyt." (Masons' Register.) 

1718.— Parliament Bridle, &c. — Previous to the Union, 
Royal Burghs "usually provided a bridle and other appendages for 
the horses their members rode on in procession to the Scottish Par- 
liament." The Dunfermline "horse appendages" had been lying use- 
less since the Union (1707), and as they were, from ^' the altered state 
of things" no longer needed for sustaining "the dignity of the burgh," 
they were put up for sale, as shown by the following minute in the 
Burgh Records: — ^^gth April, 17 18: The same day, John Stevinson, 
shoemaker, bought the parliament bridle, curple, and the strip leathers 
and strip irons, for seven pounds six shillings and eight pennies 
(Scots) at a roup, which he instantly payed to Robert Anderson, 
treasurer." (Burgh Records.) 

The Old Brass Candlestick of the Kirk. — ''gth April, 
1718: The same day, John Stevinson bought the old brass candle- 
stick that hung in the church for seven shillings (Scots) per pound ; 
the same weighing in heall tuenty-four and a-half pounds weight, and 
so the price extending to eight pounds eleven shillings six pennies 
(Scots), was p'^ to the treasurer." (Burgh Records.) 

East-Port to be Re-built. — It would appear from the follow- 
ing minute in the Burgh Records, that the East-Port had either 
become so ruinous, or had fallen, that it had to be re-built: — '■^gth 
April, 17 18: The Counsell appoints the dean of gild conveener, and 
the treasurer with any of the baillies to agree with workmen for 
laying the causey betwixt the Cross and the Port, and for building 
the Port againy (Burgh Records.) 



400 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Damask Weaving introduced into Dunfermline — The 
then new operation in weaving called Damask Weaving, appears to 
have been in operation at Drumscheugh, near Edinburgh, as early as 
the year 1715. For many years this new department in weaving 
was kept secret, and no one but tried men were admitted into the 
weaving establishment at Drumscheugh, The trade was a paying 
one, and accordingly \\^q process was the subject of much conversation 
and debate among the weaving populations in Scotland. James 
Blake, an ingenious weaver in Dunfermline, skilled in mathe- 
matics and mechanics," &c., and endowed with a most retentive 
memory, resolved at all hazards to get into the Drumscheugh 
factory. According to tradition, he feigned himself of weak intel- 
lect, and by telling queer stories to the workmen, he was allowed 
to come inside the factory to amuse them. This was Blake's oppor- 
tunity; his keen eye and mechanical mind mastered all the details 
of the mystery of damask-weaving. After obtaining his object he 
regained his senses, came back to Dunfermline with the whole of 
the Drumscheugh weaving mechanism, in full working order, on his 
mind. He then drew plans for the construction of his loom, which 
he got made by a wright and a smith; this effected, it was erected in 
the lower north-west room of "the Pends^' immediately above the 
archway, and the}-e he commenced his damask -weaving during the 
summer of 17 18. Shortly afterwards, John Beveridge and John Gilmour, 
weavers, of "the Brucefield Feus," joined Blake in the damask trade, 
and the whole of the empty rooms in "the Pends," &c., were filled with 
damask looms. (See Histories of Dunfermline^ John Blake was 
the maternal great-grandfather of the writer; he appears to have 
been born about the year 1690, and would therefore be about twenty- 
eight years old when he set up his loom in Dunfermline. "He died 
respected and regretted by the haill burgh," about the year 1770, aged 
eighty years. (Neivspapers, Magazines, &c.) 

" The Ancient Society of Gardeners," whose members had 
previous to this period been confined to the "craft," began this year 
(17 1 8) to attract the notice of noblemen and others, who through 
solicitation were admitted members. Henceforward, their preses or 
deacon was dignified with the title of Governor, and lastly by the 
title of Chancellor." (Vide Histories of Dimfermline ; Gardeners 
Record, &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "6ih October, iyi8: The said day 



WEAVING. 401 

the grand counsell re-elected Sir Peter Halket of Pitferrane Provost." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Rev. James Wardlaw translated from Cruden, Aberdeenshire, 
and admitted minister of the Second Charge of the Church of Dun- 
fermline, 20th Nov., 1718. {Par. Records; also An. Dimf. date 1742.) 

1719.— Seal of Cause to the Masons. — ''igth Jany, lyig : 
A new Gift and Seal of Cause was granted to the masons by the Pro- 
vost, Baillies, and Council." (Burgh Records.) 

The King's Birth-Day ordered to be Held. — " i6th April, lyig : 
The counsell ordains the King's Birth Day to be observed upon 
thursday next the 28 instant and the Marches to be rid the same day 
after the ordinar manner." (Burgh Records.) 

Elizabeth Halket's poem of " Hardy-knute" was first published 
in 1 7 19. {Finlafs Domestic Ballads, &c.; see also Aji. Dunf. date 1263, 
16 1 8, 1802, 1727, and Appen. F.) 

Weaving. — A Servet,or Table Napkin, Woven by James Blake, — 
An unique Yz Servet, or Table-Napkin, of single damask, was this year 
woven by James Blake, damask-weaver in " the Pends," Dunfermline. 
It is still in a state of excellent preservation. In the centre of the 
servet there is the representation of a mansion-house of five storeys, 
with a sort of tower and a pillar on each side, and attached to the house 
there is a row of buildings like offices ; while in other places there are 
the figures of a horse, a unicorn, a dog, a monkey, a ship, a chariot and 
charioteer, a St. Afidreiv's Cross, branches of trees, &c. There are also 
woven on it at different places the following three mottoes : — 

'"Quid gravius capta' — 'Fortunam causamque, sequor' — 

Jan. 30, MDGXLIX." 

'"Deceptis custodibus'— MDGCXIX." 

For a considerable length of time the writer was of opinion that all 
these mottoes {especially the first one) had reference to the unfortunate 
King Charles I. He had occasion to modify his opinion regarding this, 
in consequence of being made aware of the existence of two medals of a 
later date, bearing similar words in their legends. On March, 30, 1861, 
Messrs. Dowell & Lyon, auctioheers, Edinburgh, exposed for sale a 
large lot of coins and medals. At page 10 of their catalogue, and 
Nos. 138 and 139, are the following remarks on these medals : — 
No. 138, Portrait of "James (VIII.)," to the right : Legend, 'Unica 

3F 



402 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Sahis! — R.A. View of London, with Hanoverian horse trampling 
on the British Lion; Britannia weeping; family emigrating, &c. : 
Legend, ^^ Quid Gravius Capta." (Size 13^ silver.) 

No. 139, Portrait of " Clementina," with her titles as Queen of Great 
Britain. R. View of Rome in the distance. Clementina in a biga at full 
speed. ^^ Fortunam Causamqiie Seqiior :'' Exerque, ^^ Deceptis Cus- 
todibus," referring to her escape in domestic female attire, having 
deceived the keepers. (Size, 13^ silver.) There are also similar 
medals in bronze. 

Here we have all the three mottoes, as also the dates, on the napkin, 
and they are the same as struck on the medals. It therefore appears 
evident that the mottoes and dates on the napkin were taken from the 
medals. A set of the medals would, probably be in the possession 
of some "Dunfermhne Jacobite" in 1719, and Blake would thus have 
an opportunity of copying them, and, without attending to their 
proper arrangement, wove them into his napkin. 

The three mottoes may be arranged as follows : — 
1st, ''Quid Gravius Capta," i.e., "What is graver (or sadder) 
than a captive." The date, January 30th, 1649, is that of the decol- 
lation of King Charles I. It will be observed that the so-called 
"James VIII." adopts this motto for his medal legend {vide his 
medal). 

2nd, "■Fortiinain Causamque Sequor," i.e., " I follow fortune and the 
cause" (Clementina's medal). 

3rd, ''Deceptis Qistodibtis,'' i.e., ''Deceived the custodier (or keeper)" 
— also on Clementina's medal. She — Clementina — was for a short 
period a prisoner, and effected her escape by disguising herself " in 
domestic female attired The date (17 19) is that of her escape. 

No doubt specimens of these medals will be seen in the British 
Museum, and in the great museums of the country. The several 
figures of animals, ship, mansion, &c., on the napkin may refer to 
nothing; probably they are "fanciful creations." This napkin was 
long in the possession of the late Mr. Laurence Wilson, of Midmill, 
near Dunfermline, who, shortly before his departure for America in 
1855, sold it privately to the late Mr. Erskine Beveridge, manufac- 
turer, Dunfermline. (See Mercer's History of Dunfermline, p. 163 ; 
dXso Chalmers' s History of Dunfermline, vol. i. p. 382 ; vol. ii, p. 330.) 

Literature. — The Rev. James Grame, the last Episcopalian 
minister of Dunfermline, was tried for Nonconformity, and deposed 



GREAT SNOW-STORMS, ETC. 4O3 

20th June, 1701. This year (17 19) his "Trial" was pubHshed. The 
following is a copy of the title-page : — 

The Famous 

T R Y A L 

Of the late Reverend aiid Learned 

MR. JAMES G R A M E 

EPISCOPAL MINISTER OF DUNFERMLINE 

Formerly 

PROFESSOR OF HUMANITY AT ST. ANDREWS, 

Before the Several 

COURTS OF CHURCH JUDICATURE 

IN SCOTLAND. 



Edin. lyig. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "5//^ Oct. lyip: The said Council 
elected and continued Sir Peter Halket as Provost." (Burgh Rec.) 

1720.— Great Snow-Storms. — "In January and February, 
1720, there were three great falls of snow in the West of Fife. In 
Dunfermline the streets were covered with snow two-three times to 
the depth of at least a dozen of feet." Afterwards, " severe frost set 
in." (MS.) 

Limekills Road Plea. — '' 25 June : This day the counsell com- 
missionat the Clerk to go to Edinburgh and consult Mr. Grame, 
Mr. Dalryample, Mr. Wedderburn, Mr. Walker, and any other George 
Robertson shall direct to defend Sir Philips plea against the toun, 
and to tell George Robertson to be very carefull and spare no money 
in defending the touns plea, and to give George Robertson twelve 
guineas to disburse on the plea." 

The Kirk undergoing Repairs. — "The roofs made tight; 
Bellhouse repaired ; windows glazed, and the fabric pointed with 
lime." (Old Account.) * 

Free Honorary Burgesses of Dunfermline. — The Rev. 
Dr. J. T. Desagulier, LL.D., London, and Mr. William Walls, were 
this year made free burgesses. — ^'^ 26th August, 1^20: The councill 
appointed y^ Clerk to writ out, Seall and Subscribe two burges and 



404 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Gild tickets, y" ane for Mr. William Walls, and y" oy'for John Theophilus 
Desaguliers, doctor of laws, fellow of y" royal society and chaplain to 
his grace y" Duke of Chandos, And to transmit y"" to Captain Halket, 
now in London. (Sic Suds') Tet.Hai.KET." (Bur.Rec.) Why these 
gentlemen were made burgesses of Dunfermline is now not known. 
The Records do say — " Dr. Desagulier was an eminent scientific 
man, Public Lecturer on Natural Philosophy in London, and author 
of several scientific works." Of Mr. Walls nothing is known. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "The grand counsell re-elected 
Sir Peter Halket Provost." {Burgh Records, Oct. lo, 1720.) 

Free Honorary Burgess of Dunfermline. — "This Day 
y^ Counsall ordered y" Clerk to writ out, sign and seall a burges ticket 
to Samuell Walker, merchant in Leeds, and to transmit it to m' David 
Walker, advocat, who deserved it." {Burgh Records, 17th Oct. 1720.) 

1721.— Fire Buckets. — " gth Jan. 1721 : The counsell appoints 
the thesaurer to send to Edin": for a hyde of good inglish uppers to 
make water buckets, to be kept by y^ toun in case of fire." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Boring for Water near the East Port. — '' 23d March, 1^21: 
The counsell, after voting, ordered the thesaurer to pay to James 
Anderson six pounds scots as a help to him and y° neighbourhood 
about y" east port in defraying y" charges lately made by y° neigh- 
bourhood in setting down for water at the east port." (Burgh Rec.) 
This boring for water for the supply of the town proved abortive. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 9th Oct., 172 1.) 

The Prince's Birth-Day.— "2(5'//; Oct., 1721 : The counsell 
ordained the prince's birth-day to be observed as usual." (Burgh 
Records.) "As usual" may mean that it was to be observed with the 
assistance of "dram-glasses!" 

The Netherton and the Howgate Causev^ays to be Re- 
paired. — "The Counsell appointed the Dean of Gild Conveener, and 
John Mayn to order the repairing of the street at the east-end of the 
Nethertoun, and help the broken causey in the howgeat." (Burgh 
Records, 3rd Nov., 1721.) The Howgate, a name now unknown, refers 
to the lower part of the Newrow, between the east end of Priory Lane 
and Bothwell Street. 



THE GUILD BRETHREN. 



405 



List of the Guild Brethren in 172 i. — The following list of 
the Guild Brethren of Dunfermline is extracted from the last page of 
one of the volumes of the Guild?y Records. It cannot fail to be 
interesting, as it shows forth the holders of wealth and position of 
that period in the burgh and vicinity. We therefore insert it : — 



William Walker. 

John Brown. 

Jerome Cowie. 

Thomas Mitchell. 

James Hutton, Primrose. 

Patrick Angus. 

Robert Anderson. 

Andrew Symsone, 

John Allan. 

Robert Wilsone. 

W'? Wilson, litster. 

John Anderson. 

Adam Wilson. 

James Rolland. 

Robert Walker. 

W"? Black. 

David Gray. 

James Wilsone, Iri^jekiins 

W"? Alexander, J ^'^meKuns. 

James McBeath. 

Robl Pierson. 

John Hart. 

W™ Wilson, maltster. 

George Chrysty. 

Patrick Currie. 

Robert Belfrage. 

Thomas Anderson, Crossford. 

John Bethune. 

Charles Chalmers. 

John Walker. 

David Sands. 

John Barclay, Georgetoun. 

Robert Paterson. 

John Thomson, Barns. 

Alexander Duncan. 

Tames Hutton, ) ,. _, a- 

W- Hutton, 'Jl^unduff. 

Robt. Dalgliesh, Dunnygask. 
Gavin Stanhouse. 
George Wilsone, \ ^;r , , 
Patrick Wilsone, > Knockhouse. 

Adam Rolland. 
Adam Walker. 
Lau. Henderson. 



Andrew Turnbull. 

John Turnbull. 

John Henderson, Drymiln. 

James Bayn. 

John Halkerston. 

John Cowie. 

John Brand. 

Robl Baxter. 

John Finlay. 

David Ramage. 

W'? Stevinson. 

Alex"^ Ady. 

John Brown (Jun""). 

Andrew Belfrage. 

W"? Ady. 

Robert Hutton. 

Andrew Mayn. 

Adam Anderson. 

John Hutton (Cross), 

W'^ Marshall. 

John Scotland. 

Alex^ Veatch. 

James Elder. 

John Deall. 

John Wilsone. 

Peter Rolland. 

Wm Meldrum. 

David Hutton. 

Matthew Kier. 

James Young. 

John M'^ claron. 

Heugh Craig. 

John Kirk. 

William Wilsone. 

John Gib. 

George Turnbull. 

Peter Black. 

David Wilsone. 

David Morres. 

David Adie. 

James Hoog. 

William Hutton. 

George Shaw. 

Peter Curry 



406 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

John Lindsey. George Adie. 

James Crawford. John Black. 

John Flockart. George Kellock. 

Thomas Scotland. John Wilsone. 
John Adie. 

Total — 97 members of Dunfermline Guildry. (Vide MS. Guildry 
Record {ox 1605- 1770.) 

Ancient Society of Gardeners. — The Marquis of Tweeddale 
elected Chancellor of the Society. — (Abrid. Hist. Soc. Gardeners.) 

1722.— Daniel Defoe Visits Dunfermline. — Daniel Defoe, 
the celebrated author of "Robinson Crusoe," visited Dunfermline early 
in 1722, while on his second tour through Scotland collecting materials 
for his work — "A Journey through Scotland," — which was published 
in London in 1723. (See date 1723 for extract of his article on 
Dunfermline in that work.) 

A Commissioner to be Elected for the New Parliament. 
— '^8th Oct., iy22: A letter from the Earl of Rothes, Sheriff-Principal 
of Fifcshire, directs the Provost, Baillies, Counsellors, &c., to meet 
and elect a Commissioner for the New Parliament, to be holden at 
Westminster on loth May. On the loth May, 1722 the Counsel of 
DunfermHne met, when they elected Captain Halket to be their 
Commissioner." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ''8th Oct., 1^22: Sir Peter Halket 
of Pitfirrane re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Proprietor of PlTTENCRlEFF.^Mr. Arthur Forbes was pro- 
prietor of Pittencrieff in 1722. 

The Town-Drummer Clandestinely Sold his Drum. — 
" I'jth Oct., 1^22 : This day James Hatton, conveened before the 
Counsell, confessed he sold the toun's drum to John Hood, and was 
to have got account therefor tho he never got it. The Counsell con- 
sidering that he disposed thereon without the toun's leave, orders him 
to pay the said crown to the Treasurer." (Burgh Records.) 

Gardeners' Society and the "Circulation of Sap in 
Vegetables." — "On the loth October, 1722, the following subject 
was given out to David Bowie, Gardener, viz. : — On the Circulation of 
the Sap in Vegetables, and a reason given why Brambles, AUars, and 
Sallows, are of such large pith, and put forth greater growth the first 



DE foe's "journey THROUGH SCOTLAND." 407 

year, than those of smaller pith, such as Oaks, Box, &c. Nothing 
more is said on this matter in the Gardeners' Book than that the 
thanks of the meeting was given to Mr. Bowie." {Abrid. Hist, Soc. 
Gard. of Dimf. p. ^2, pub. in 18 16.) 

1723.— De Foe's "Journey through Scotland Published. 
— Under date 1722, An, of Dimf., it is noted that in that year De 
Foe visited Dunfermline during his travels, collecting materials for 
his new work, entitled, "A Journey through Scotland," which work 
was published this year (1723) in London. It has been styled "a 
vaguely written work." The following are a few extracts from his 
"Journey" relating to Dunfermline. He says — 

" From Kinross, in eight miles more I arrived at the Royal Palace of 
Dunferling. This was the Habitation of King James the Sixth, before he 
came to England. It was here that Prince Henry, King Charles the First, 
and the Princess Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, were born. It was also the 
Jointure-House of Queen Anne of Denmark, who built an Apartment for 
herself, at the top of the Entry or pend, with a Gallery of Communication 
with the Royal Apartments. This Palace consists of Two Courts, the Upper 
and Lower; the Lower was a house as large as that at London — for Stables, 
Hawks and Hounds, and the officers belonging to them. The Upper Court 
makes the Palace, the Royal Apartments to the South and West — Queen 
Anne's Jointer-House to the North, and the Church and Remnants of the 
ancient Monastery on the East. 

" The Church was above Three Hundred Foot long. It was built after 
the manner of that at Litchfield, with a Steple between two Spires on the West, 
and Two Spires more on each side of the middle of the Church. At the 
Reformation King James the Sixth repair'd and Buttressed the West End of 
it for a Protestant Parochial Church ; The Body of the Church and Choir, 
where several Kings of Scotland lye buried, continuing still a Heap of 
Rubbish; their tombs are still preserved in the open Air; and particularly 
that of St. Margaret, in Black Alabaster. From this Church to the Refectory, 
or Frater Hall, as they call it here, was a noble Cloyster, turned into a Tennis- 
Court after the Reformation. The Refectory was a Noble Room Fifty Foot 
Long, Forty High, and Thirty Broad ; in it are Nine Windows to the South, 
Twelve Foot High and Three Broad, from whence one hath a most delicious 
Prospect of the Frith at four miles distance. This Hall is erected upon Two 
several Vaults, supported by Pillars, like the Foundation of some of the 
Cathedrals in England; the lowermost vault, as I suppose was a Burying- 
Place there, but what use the Second vaulted Story was I cannot imagine. 
The Roof of this Hall, as also of the Royal Apartments is all down, and 
Jack-Daws build now in the Room where King Charles the First was Born. 
I believe this was a Royal Palace before the Reformation, for the Arms of 
James the Fifth, with his Queen of the House of Guise are still fresh upon 
the Apartments, as are also those of the Lord Hamilton, Governor of Scotland 
in the Minority of Queen Mary. The Gardens, as by the walls still standing, 
have been very spacious, with a Rivulet running through them." {De Foe's 
yonrney Through Scotland, pp. 173-176.) 



408 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

De Foe makes several slips of the pen in his description, viz., Prince 
Henry was not born at Dunfermline, but in the Castle of Stirling. 
The entire length of the Church was 275 feet, not 300. It was not 
built "after the manner of Litchfield Cathedral," but that of Durham 
in miniature, two west towers with a large central or lantern tower 
at the junction of the Choir with the Nave. "The Noble Room of the 
Refectory" was 119 feet long, not 50; the height outside is 43 feet, 
and about 30 in breadth. The lower vaults could never have been a 
" Burying Place." The apartment where Charles I. was born has long 
been "an ivy mantled ruin." 

"Sad are the ruthless ravages of time — 
The bulwark, turret frowning, once sublime, 
Now totters to its base, and displays 
A venerable wreck of other days." 

De Foe says that several of the royal tombs in ruins amongst the 
rubbish were to be seen. These were likely the "six large flat stones," 
under the pavement of the north transept of the new Abbey Church, 
and now known not to have been royal tombstones. The stone 
having on it the arms, &c., of James V. and Mary of Guise, is still to 
be seen; it has had many sites of late; at present it stands on the 
ground inside Frater Hall, adjacent to the Great Western Window. 

Since Defoe's time, the Palace ruins have been nearly all swept 
away; the royal ruins are now represented by "one long, lone ivy- 
buttress'd wall" — 

"And now dismantled — prostrate all 

Thy former might — there scarce remains 
Enough of what thou wert to call 
Thy bulwarks and thy wide domains." 

Encroachment on the Guildry's Privilege. — "At a Guild 
Councill held by the Dean of Guild, 27th February, 1723, John 
Maclaron, indweller in Dunfermline, was brought before said Coiinsell 
for encroaching on the Gildrie's privileges by selling staple ware 
within the burgh. He confessed his cryme, and referred himself to 
the Counsell, who fyned him in three pounds Scots, and ordained 
him to remain in prison till payment." {Guildry Records; MS. for 
1723-) 

The Race Saddle. — ''26th Apr., 1^2^: The said day the Coun- 
sell resolved to put out a Saddle for a race to be run on Wednesday 
next at two o'clock afternoon. And Commissionat the two baillies, 




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BARCLAYS DESCRIPTION OF DUNFERMLINE. 409 

the dean of gild and thesaurer to buy the saddle and draw out the 
articles." (Burgh Records.) 

The Gardeners' Race. — ''30th Apr., 1723: The said day the 
counsell, for incouraging of the Gardener's race to be keept up here 
they agreed that the town shall next year Contribute thirty shillings 
sterling for buying and putting a plete [plate?] for next year." (B^lr. 
Records.) 

Seal of Cause for the Tailors. — '^ 2 2d June, 1723: This 
day the magistrates and Counsell granted the incorporation of Tailors 
a new gift or Seall of Cause." (Bur. Rec.) It consists of 3 fol. pp. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ''8th Oct., 172^: this day S^ Peter 
Halket was re-elected Provost." (Burgh Records.) 

Barclay's Description of the Parish and the Town of 
Dunfermline in 1723. — The following description of the Parish 
and Town of Dunfermline by Mr. Barclay (in MS) is in "Macfar- 
lanes Geographical Collections," vol. i., Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. 
(See also Fernie's Hist. Dimf. pp. 175, 182.) 

" The Parish of Dunfermlin, in the Shire of Fife, hath to the S. the Parish 
of Innerkeething 3 miles distant. To the north Clysh 6 miles; to the NE 
and NW Baith and Carnock; the first 3 and the other 2^ miles distant; to 
the W. Torryburne 3 miles distant; and from Edinburgh 12 miles, including 
the breadth of the river at Queenferry. [Note these miles are old Scotch 
miles, add a half more to each to adjust to modern miles.] 

" The most remarkable houses in the Parish are just adjoining the Church. 
On the southside Pittencrieff, the Hill call'd Anster Feild 5^ mile, S.E. 
Pitravy 2 miles SSW.; Broomhall i^^ mile, just over Limnekilnes, a little 
thriving village belonging to Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirren, with a commodious 
harbour for shipping of his coal, which has been long esteemed the best for 
Forges in foreign Countries. S.W. Pitliver i^^ mile; NW. Balmoole 2 miles, 
and Balrige ^ mile; NE Garvock; W. Pitfirren ij^ mile, and just joining 
to it Cavill. 

" The town is pleasantly situate, in a fruitful soil, on a rising ground with 
a brooke, or Rivolet on the west side commonly call'd the Toureburn, rising 
from a lake about 2 miles from the town, running to the south under the 
Abbay. 

" A Httle without the west gate are the Ruines of a Tower, called Malcolm 
Canmore's, who probably Uved here. This Malcolm 3d. built the Church, at 
the same time with that of Durham^ near the same manner and figure. More 
than half the Church is in ruines, where lye buried, under plain and coarse 
marble Stones, Malcolm 3., with his son Prince Edward, his Queen S. Margaret, 
Donald 7., Edgar, Alexander i., David i., Malcolm 4., Alexander 3., Robert 
the Bruce, and Thomas Randall, Regent in King David Bruce's minority. 

"The Abbay has been a spacious and noble Building, but now all in 
ruines, except a part built by King James 6. soon after his accession to the 

3G 



4IO ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Crown of England. At the Revolution (1688) the Room was entire where 
was borne the Royal Martyr, Charles I., on 2 Nov. 1601 ; and it may glory 
in being the birthplace of Mathilda, Malcolm Canmore's daughter. Dunferm- 
line is a Regality, where two head Courts are held yearly by the Marquis of 
Tweeddale, or his Deputies, and is a Burgh Royall." {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. 
PP- 175-178)- 

There are several errors in this description,^.^. — Pitreavie is south- 
east, Balmule north-east, and Baldridge north from Dunfermline. 

The following is another Description of the Burgh and Parish of 
Dunfermline; author unknown. 

"The antient and Royall Burgh of Dunfermline, in the Shire of Fife, 
stands on the north syde of the little water of Lyne, when it hath a part of its 
name. It lyes two miles north from the river forth at Lymekills, &c. The 
burgh of Dunfermline is the head burgh of the regality of Dunfermline, and 
is bounded on the west by the tourburn, which derives its name from a tour 
of King Malcolm Kanmore's, standing without the west port thereof. On the 
west end of the burgh stands the remains of a stately palace and monastrie of 
old, the greatest and ricliest in Scotland. And on the north syd of the mon- 
astrie stood a very stately Church of Old Gothick work, now all ruinous except 
the west end thereof, which makes a large parochiall church. 

" The burgh is divided into an upper and lower town, having the Palace 
Garden and park in the middle. On the south-east corner of lower or nether 
town, and on the south syde of the Water of Lyne, stands ahospitall, for 
maintinance of eight Widows, called St. Leonard's Hospital. 

'' The North, the East, and West parts of the paroch are full of Coall, a 
great part of which are exported from the harbour of Lymkills, lying in the 
said paroch, on the north syd of the River Forth, and two miles south fra 
Dunfermline. 

" Within the paroch of Dunfermline are the Gentlemen's houses following, 
viz.: The house of Pitfirran, pertaining to Sir Peter Halket, a large mile west 
from the town ; about a ridge lenth east from Pitfirran lyes the house of Cavile, 
pertaining to James Lindsay of Cavile; the house of Pitliver, pertaining to 
Mr. John Lumsdean, a mile and a half south-west from the town ; the house 
of Broomhall, pertaining to the Earl of Kincardin, near two miles south from 
the town, and within a ridge lenth of the river Forth ; the house of Pitten- 
crieff, at the west end of the town, pertaining to Mr. Arthur Forbes ; the 
house of Eastergellit, pertaining to Henry Wellwood, one mile south from the 
town ; the house of Pitravy, two miles south-east from the town, pertaining 
to Mr. Robert Blackwood ; the house of Hill, half a mile south fra the town, 
pertaining to William Black ; the house of Baldridge, half a mile north from 
the town, and the house of Garvock, half a mile east from the town, both per- 
taining to the said Mr. Harry Wellwood ; the house of Balmule, two miles 
north from the town, pertaining to Sir Henry Wardlaw. 

" A mile north, and a little east from the town, lyes a Loch, called Moncar 
Loch, or the town Loch, of about seven or eight hundred elns long and four 
hundred elns broad. Near two miles north lyes another Loch, called Loch- 
end, about the extent of the former. Two miles north-east from the town 
lyes Lochfitty, near thrice as large as any of the other two. 

" In the burgh are a great many Weavers, constantly imployed in working 



THE GUILDRY BATON. 4II 

damask, and Diaper, tyckings, and bongall. In the burgh there is a good 
foundation for a Grammar School, affording a good Salary both to a Master 
and Usher. There is also another foundation for a Music School." {Fernies 
Hist. Diinf. pp. 179-182). 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket was re-elected 
Provost. (Burgh Rcc.) 

Pendulum to the Auld Kh^k Clock. — ".///^ Dec. 1723: The 
s'^ day Adam Stevinson, having acquainted the Council y' he had 
turned the Clock in the Steeple to a pendulum [Clock] and desired 
y" Councill might appoint some persons to visit her and report, if 
y' Cloak be bettered y'by." (Burgh Records.) It would appear that 
this clock had been regulated in its motions by a horizontal vibrating- 
bar, fixed on the top of the vertical verge, or 'scape-pallets. From 
about 1292 to 1642, this was the usual regulator of all clocks. The 
son of Galileo first applied the pendulum to a clock about the year 
1639. Shortly afterwards, "the application" was improved by the 
celebrated Huygens. A "universal altering of clocks from the old 
vibrating-bar to that of the pendulum began in 1650." Previous to 
the application of the pendulum, clocks frequently made an error 
of half-an-hour, or even an hour in a day ! The pendulum applied 
to the works will keep the clock to time for months within a few 
seconds. "A glorious invention was the pendulum." (See an account 
of De Vick's vibrating-bar clock, in ReicCs " Treatise on Horology.'' 

The Auld Kirk Bells, &c. — Application is to be made to the 
Presbytery regarding the repairs of the "Auld Kirk" bells, the roof, 
and the "glasses." (Burgh Records, 21st Dec.) 

A Town-Guard Established.— " .^/^t" Z>^^. 17 2j: The said day 
the Councill taking to y'' consideration y*" pres' state of y° country by 
reason of robbing and stealing, and that many of y*" inhabitants have 
been desering y' for some time a Guard of y" neighbourhood might be 
kept nightly. They y'for appointed y' y^ magistrates appoint a Guard 
of ten men to be kept nightly in y^'Guard House in the meall mercat 
and y' y* toun furnish y™ w'*" coall and candle, and y' y" magistrates 
name the Captain of the Guard out of y" number of ten to be on 
Guard each night. — Sic subscribitur, JO. Walker." (Burgh Rec.) 

The Guildry Baton. — According to the Guildry Records, the 
Guildry got a Baton this year ; it was of ebony wood, was about eight 
inches long, and half-an-inch in diameter. A broad ring of silver 
round it has an inscription on it. 



412 annals of dunfermline. 

1724.— The Town Guard "a Nolsy and Reckless Set." — 
"■ i8 Jan. 172^: The said day John Reid, mason, gave in a petition 
to the Council, representing y' he and his tenents above y*^ guard- 
house in y^ meall mercat were much incommoded by the noise made 
by the guards kept y' and y' lately a gun had accidentally been dis- 
charged and y*" ball had gone up through y^ floor. The Councill 
taking y' to considerat" they in order to prevent y® like inconvenience 
in time coming ordered y^ guard-house to be plaistered and y' it be 
rammed closs w*^ fogg betwixt y" plaister and the floor." (Burgh Rec.) 

The Sub-Committee of Burghs meet in Dunfermline. — 
" 2jd Sept. 172^ : The s'' day y^ councill ordained the baillies, con- 
veener and Capt"" Halket to wait on y^ sub-committee of burrows now 
sitting here, and propose to y'" some queries now drawn up and cause 
y'' thesaurer pay y' dinner." (Biu-gh Records.) At this meeting an 
explanation of the Act or Set, or Decreet-Arbitral, was given by the 
sub-committee to the magistrates, &c., as pronounced by the Annual 
Committee of the Convention of Royal Burghs, on 13th July, 1724. 
In accordance with the Decreet-Arbitral, the Town Council were 
elected as follow : — 

On the T/mrsday immediately preceding the term of Michaelmas, 
the ordinary Council convene and appoint the Incorporations to 
assemble, and each of them to make a leet, or list of four, of the most 
sufficient craftsmen of their respective crafts, burgesses and freemen 
of the burgh, bearing scot and lot there ; and to deliver these leets, 
the same day, to the provost, or eldest magistrate in the place for the 
time. 

On the Friday, the leet of four is laid before the Council, who 
elect tivo out of each, and remit the leet of two to each incorporation, 
appointing them to elect one of the two as their deacon for the ensuing 
year. 

On the Saturday, the Town Council elect two new merchant 
councillors, and two craftsmen, cither as two new trades' coun- 
cillors, or in the character of two old ones. Immediately after this, 
the eight newly-chosen deacons are presented to the Council as duly 
elected ; such of the old deacons as have not been re-elected are 
removed, and the new ones admitted members of Council. 

On the Monday, the ordinary and extraordinary members of 
Council, consisting of twenty-six, elect out of the merchants of the 
Council (exclusively of the two new merchant councillors) a provost, 



WEAVING FRAUDS. 413 

two bailies, a dean of guild, and a treasurer; an old provost^ two old 
bailies, an old dean of guilds and an old treasurer, for the ensuing year. 
Then two merchant councillors, who have not been elected to any 
office or character, and two old trades' councillors, are removed in 
order that the ordinary administration of the affairs of the burgh may 
be vested in a Council of twenty-two persons only. (See Burgh 
Records for such elections.) They are very curious ; the leets are 
reckoned by strokes of the pen, and in whole " resemble the teeth of 
a comb," as a writer has remarked. It will be observed that there 
are duplicate provosts, duplicate bailies, &c. Such "duplicates" existed 
long before the present Act (Decreet-Arbitral), and it is not impro- 
bable that the title of "Lord Provost" arose out of such duplicates — 
thus the new provost (head provost) would be the doniinus, or ruling 
provost ; hence Lord Provost. The Act of Decreet-Arbitral con- 
tinued in force from 1724 till 1833, when it was superseded by the 
Municipal Act of the Reform Bill of 1833. In Dunfermline there 
were the following incorporated trades given in their usual order, viz.. 
Smiths, Weaver's, Wrights, Tailors, Shoemakers, Baxters, Masons, and 
Fleshers. (See Feniie's Hist. Dimf. pp. 23, 24.) 

Election of Provost, &c.— ".2c? Sept. 1714: The s'^day of y^ 
s^^ magistrates and town councillors, ordinar and extraordinar, did, 
and hereby doe elect and choose y"" s'' Peter Halket provost; Mr. John 
Walker and W™- Wilson, malsterer, bailies ; Rob'- Walker, dean of 
gild ; John Wilson, merchant, thes' ; Capt. Peter Halket, old provost ; 
Jerom Cowie and David Sands, old bailies; John Hutton, old dean of 
gild; and Alex""- Veatch, old thes''- " &c. (Burgh Records.) It is pro- 
bable that when the new or head provost was absent, the next in 
dignity — the old provost — would take the chair and preside. 

1725.— Weaving Frauds, &c. — ''13th Feb., 1725: The which 
day y" magistrates and town councill taking to y' consideration y'' 
great frauds committed in making of linnen damask, dornack, tyckitigs, 
and Congall's, contrar to and in manifest contempt of y^ many excel- 
lent laws for regulating y*^ same, and y' these frauds must of necessity 
ruin so profitable a manufacture to y^ great loss of y" nation in gnrall, 
of this place in part'^"^ if a speedy remedy be not provided. Therefore 
y*^ magistrates and town councill unanimously resolved and agreed 
y' for preventing and obviating these frauds in time coming, we will 
this year and in all times coming put y* laws into execution ag' all 



414 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

who shall commit such frauds or abuses either by working unsufficient 
cloath or of ill sorted yarn, or by bleaching y^ s*^ cloath or yarn q''of 
it is made with lyme," &c. (Burgh Records.) 

The Malt Tax.— An old MS. Note states that " the malt tax 
bill was ill receivit be malsterers of Dunfermling, who were to a man 
against it." It was also unfavourably received in most other burghs. 

The Ministers of Dunfermline and the Marquis of 
Tweeddale. — The Ministers of Dunfermline opposed the right of 
the Marquis of Tweeddale to appoint a Reader to Dunfermline 
Church. The controversy between them went to so great a length 
as to prevent the dispensation of the Lord's Supper this year. The 
case was taken to the Court of Session, when a decreet was given in 
favour of the Marquis's claim. The ministers and the Marquis were 
unfriendly until 1734 (nine years!) when a reconciliation took place. 
(Kirk Ses. Ree.) 

F'REEMAN Weaver.- — In the Dunfermline Weaver's ATS. Minute 
Book, under date August 25, 1725, there is the following entry: — 
" The which day David Moreson younger was made freeman with 
the weavers, and gave his oath of fidelity as use and custom is." 
(See An. Dunf. dates 1596 and 1683 for Note on MS. Minute Book) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket was re-elected 
Provost, 27th September, 1725. (Burgh Records.) 

Stereotyping. — The art of stereotyping, or the casting in metal 
of pages of type, was invented about this period by William Ged 
of Baldridge, near Dunfermline. Ged at an early age left Baldridge 
for Edinburgh, where he served an apprenticeship to the jewellery 
business, and afterwards commenced jeweller on his own account, 
" with a strong predilection for Printing." The casts of two of his 
pages of Sallust are to be seen in the Antiquarian Museum, Edin- 
burgh. (See Museuvt Catal. p. 81, No. 39; and Cham. Trad. Edin. 
for notice of his supposed sisters, see An. Dunf, date 1758.) 

The Drinking Customs at Elections. — ''nth Dec. 172s: 
" The s"^ day y*^ counsell resolved and enacted y' in all tims coming 
y'' be no drinking out y^ common good on y^ seall days of y^ elections 
excepting allennarly on y^ day y' y^ magistrates are elected, on qlk 
day y^ councill may spend twelve pounds Scots and no more. And 
ordains y^ head court hereafter to be kept on y^ s** munday on qlk 
y*^ magistrates are chosen." (Burgh Records.) 



DEATH OF ELIZABETH HALKET. 415 

1726. — Butter and Cheese — Arbitrary Laivs. — " joth April : 
The s"^ day y° magistrates and town council statute and ordaind y' no 
person nor persons (not inhabitants) of y^ burgh presume in any time 
coming to sell any butter or cheese on fair-days, or on y^ weekly 
mercat days, viz., Wednesday and friday; and also y* no inhabitant 
buy any butter or cheese on ye s"^ days except at y^ tron y^ ordinar 
mercat place, under y° pain of two pounds Scots, for said failling and 
y'^in buy or sell, toties quoties, And intimates this to be intimat by 
touk of drum." (Burgh Records.) 

Fall of the East Gable of the Choir of the Abbey. — 
According to two MS. Notes, "the east gable of the Choir of the 
Abbey fell into the Syther-Kirkyard in 1726 in the harvest time." 
After the destruction of the Choir in 1560 the area came to be 
used as a burying-ground ; and as the Psaltery, or Singing, had been 
conducted on this area "in the days of the Abbey," it received the name 
of "the Psaltery" ; afterwards contracted to " Salter," and, in later times, 
''Sither-Kirkyard," which was its name as late as 1821. The name is 
now worn out. 

Literature. — A small work was published this year,, by Rev. 
Ralph Erskine, entitled, " The Happy Congregation ; or, the Gather- 
ing of the People to Shiloh." Edin., i2mo, 1726. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ''26th Sept., 1726: The said day 
y^ magistrates and town councillers, ordinary and extraordinary, re- 
elected Sir Peter Halket of Pifirrane provost." (Burgh Records.) 

" Church Bells Crack'd." — An old Note states that the " bell- 
stocks gave way at the end of this year, and the bells falling with 
them, broke them, and so rendered them useless." 

Mason Lodge. — A " Ludgc of Dunfermline Masons was holden 
by David Bald, Deacon, and Robert Bald, Warden, and remnant 
brethren, in Wm. Flockhart's house, Dunfermline, 27 Dec, 1726, 
regarding Sundries." (Masons' Register.) 

1727.— Death of Elizabeth Halket, reputed Aiithoress of the 
Ballad, " Hardy-Knute." — She was married in 1696 to Sir Henry 
Wardlaw of Pitreavie, and according to Fernie, was interred in the 
Pitreavie burying-vault, on the south-east angle of the Auld Kirk. 
(See Fernie' s Hist. Dunf. p. 105 ; also. An. Dunf. dates 1263, 161 6, 
1702, 1719, &c.) 



4l6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

It would appear from the following extract from an old title-deed, 
which the writer in 1855 received from the late Mr, Souter, writer, Dun- 
fermline, that Elizabeth Halket at one time (during the latter period of 
her widowhood) resided at the head of the Cross Wynd, Dunfermline: 
— "All and haill that tenement of land and houses within the libertie 
of y*^ burgh of Dunfermlyne, upon the east side of the Wynde, called 
ye Cross Wynde, purchased by the sayd deceasit Robert Anderson 
from David Wilsone, which was formerly ruinous, and lately rebuilt 
by the said deceasit Robert Anderson, which tenement was lately 
possessed by Dame Elizabeth Halket, relict of Sir Henry Wardlaw 
of Pitreavie." Date of title-deed, 30th June, 1736. This talented 
lady, for some years previous to her decease, resided in an old house 
which stood in the north-east corner, at the top of Cross Wynd. 
After her decease in 1727, the old property was purchased by Mr. 
Robert Anderson, who removed the ruinous house, and built the 
present one on its site. There is a stone on the front wall of this 
(second) house, which bears the initials, "R. A. — E. M." and date 
"1727," being the initials of Robert Anderson and that of his wife, 
and the date when the present house was built, as noted in the fore- 
going title-deed. "Probably Elizabeth Halket died in the old house, 
top of Cross Wynd." (Vide Appendix for Remarks on the Poem of 
" Hardy-knute.") 

Drummer and Piper Dismissed.— " /^//^ Jan., I'jz'j: The 
Council considering y' y'^ drummer and pyper were very negligent 
in their office, and went rarely through y^ toun notwithstanding seav^ 
reproofs, y^'for deprived y"" both of y"" offices." 

Proclamation of George H. — "King George II. was by the 
Provost, Magistrates, and Council proclaimed King of Great Britain, 
&c., at the Cross, June 25th." (Old MS) 

A Hautboy Appointed instead of a Piper. — The Town 
Council and inhabitants appear to have been fond of noisy music 
in those days — daily ringing of bells, "tuck of drum," and groan- 
ing bagpipes. Now, here is another functionary elected to make a 
great noise, viz., " Hautboy." '' 2^th Jtily, 7727.- The s"* day y'^ coun- 
sell agreed y' y^ toun shall have no pyper But a hautboy in place y^of 
and elected Wm. Ferguson to be y= touns hautboy, And y' he have 
three pounds sterling of yearly cellary, to commence fra y^ 24th Day 
of June last." (Burgh Rec.) 



THE CHURCH UNDERGOING REPAIR. 417 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was 
re-elected Provost, {Burgh Records, Oct. 2, 1727.) 

School Kept in the Queen's House. — At this period Mr. 
Francis Paterson kept "a promiscuous school for boys and girls in the 
large room above the gate-way of Queen Ann of Denmark's House, 
adjacent to the west side of the Kirk Steeple." (MS. Note.) 

1728.— Act in Favour of the Incorporation of Tailors 
— ^' loth June, ijzS: The council hereby grant to the corporation of 
Tailors the priviledge of exacting Six pennies Scots for each chap- 
man's stand in the liberties of the town, in which there shall be any 
tailor work exposed to sale, Declaring allways that made gloves are 
not comprehended in this Act, And for which the Corporation can 
exact no box penney." (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane re- 
elected provost. (Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1728.) 

The Church Undergoing Repairs. — "In 1728, the church, 
the steeple, and the church bells, being in need of repairs, estimates 
of the expenses were given in to the heritors and town council. James 
Noble, slater, undertook to make the roof of the kirk sufficient, with 
blue and grey slates, for 58 merks Scots. Other estimates were 
accepted (sums not mentioned) for repairing the point of the steeple, 
the ceiling above the area of the kirk, the porch-door, and the loft 
below the bells." — " October 13th, 1^28: This day the cock was set 
upon the steeple by the hands of David Inglis Wright." " October 
28th: The repairs being finished (except the bells), and visited by 
neutral tradesmen, were found sufficient. The tradesmen's accounts 
were all paid, when the repairs were approved of, the expenses 
amounting to ^^647 is. lod. Scots (near ^^54 Sterg.) The two bells 
being both crakt, were cas anew at Edinburgh. The big bell (Queen 
Anne's donation) weighed 14 cwt., and the little bell (belonging to 
the town) weighed 1 2 cwt." {MS. Journal oj David Inglis ; also, 
vide Mercer's Hist. DunJ. pp. 179-180.) 

The following inscription, in raised Roman letters, is round the 
outside of " the bell mouth." 

REFOUNDED * BY * THE • TOWN ' OF ' DUNFERMLINE * AND ' HERITORS " OF 

THE * PAROCHE " THEREOF * ROBERT " MAXWELL ' AND ' COMPANY 

FECIT • EDINBURGH . ANNO * 1 7 28. 

The large bell is ornamented with a scroll ; the small bell has the 

3H 



4i8 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



representation of a boar-hunt on it — each boar being pursued by two 
men and dogs, while a man stands in front with a long pole or spear in 
his hand pointing to the hunt. Dimensions of the Bells. — The large 
bell, on which the clock-hammer strikes the hour, is 2 feet ()% inches 
over the mouth (8^ feet full in circumference.) The height of this 
bell is 2 feet. The small bell is 2 feet 7^ inches over the mouth (or 
^% feet circumference), and is also 2 feet high. {An. Dunf. date 1720.) 

Book-keeping in 1728 appears to have been conducted in a 
singular way. The following old account relating to the Kirk repairs, 
the re-founding of the bells, &c., may be interesting to the curious in 
such matters : — 

Cost of the Bells and particular Accompt fra the founders, Scots. 

;^8o 13s. i}^d. (Ster.), or in Scots money, . . . ^967 17 6 
Q^'of laid on already by the Presbytery of Dunfermhne, . 686 o o 



;^28i 17 6 



Spent with the founder, and at taking doun the bells, 

To the half of the extract of the Presbytery's Act, . 

To the incidents at hanging the bells, .... 

To creish and tar to the bell-stocks and tows, with the price 

of the tows, ........ 

To the half of the expence of executing the horning against 

Pitreavy a second time, ..... 

To Thomas Richardson, carrier p"^ accompt, . 

To the half of the expence of denuncing Pitreavy, 

To the half of a doubling and registering horning, 5 sheets, 

To lead and oil p"^ accompt, ..... 

To the half of the dinner to the heritors 

To staybands to the bells, ...... 

To a bottle of oil, ....... 

To the half of Robert Lumsdens, writer, his accompt, . 



From which to be deducted the price of old iron 

left, . . . . . . . .;^ioio 

Also, the voluntar collection appointed by the 

Presbytery, . . . . . . 24 14 o 

To price of the cock, . . . . .3600 



660 
13 16 o 



2 i« 
o 16 

2 18 

o 3 

3 o 
10 12 

7 4 

3 19 

o 18 

67 18 



^406 5 9 



70 15 o 



^335 10 9 
Twopence on each pound to the collector, . . . . 33 11 o 

A^ote. — Half of the expence allowed by the Lords of Session their decreet 
agn^the Earl of Kincardine, Pitreavy, &c., belongs to the toun of Dun- 
fermHne, and is yet unpaid. 



THE masons' register, ETC. 419 

Sum laid out for repairing the Kirk of Dunfermling, &c., in 1728 : — 

Scots. 
Item, to the tradesmen p"^ particular Accompt, discharge, . ;^547 2 6 

It.... to the price of the steeple cock, . . . . . 36 o o 

It.... to registering the toun's bond, i 13 4 

It.... to Spent with David Coupar estimating reparations, . 440 

It... to writing the contracts with the masons and wrights, . 3 13 o 
It. . . . to the half of the expence of extracting the Presbytery's 

Act, 660 

It.... to Spent with plumbers, ...... 060 

It.... to James Smith for locks, . . . . . , 4 18 o 

It. . . . to two new doors to the Steeple, ..... 

It.... to the other half of the expence of executing horning 

against Pitreavy, . . . . . . . o 16 o 

It — to the half of the expence denuncing him and registering 

the horning, ........ 33^ 

It.... to the half of the expence of the dinner to the heritors, 

&c., 740 

It.... to the half Robert Lumsdeans writer his Accompts, . 67 18 o 



Scots, ;^686 12 1 



Sum laid on by the Presbytery for Repairing the 

Kirk, ^554 7 4 

Price of trees, &c., sold, 8 14 



o 



2 Shillings on each Pound, q''of to the collector. 



The toun's fifth part, q^'of is, ...... 

Rests to be proportioned among y*^ heritors, . ^108 8 7 
Half of the Bells, ..... 184 10 i- 





563 


7 


4 


£ 


123 


4 


9 




12 


6 





£ 


135 


10 


9 




27 


2 


2 



;^292 19 5t\ 



Mercer, in his History of Dunfermline, pp. 308-309, places these 
accounts under date 1720, which is an error — a typographical one; 
1728 is the date. (Vide Kirk and Burgh Records.) 

The Masons' Register. — In the Masons' Register of this date 
there are the two following entries : — " Payed to Wm. Flockhart, St. 
John's Day, 1728, ;:^I5 i8s. Scots ; item, payed the Clerk's fee s'' day, 
;^4— ;^I9 1 8s. (Oldest MS. of Masons' Register.) 

AuLD Kirk Steeple Measurements^ &c.— In David Inglis's 
MS. Journal are the following measures of objects connected with the 



420 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Auld Kirk at this period, viz. — -"The height of the steeple from the 
bottom to the top, is 198 foots; the length of the stalk, or prick upon 
which the cock stands, is fifteen foot long; four foots within the 
steeple; eleven foots above the steeple — viz., from the point of the 
steeple to the first globe, three foots ; from the second small globe to 
the iron cross two foots and an half; from the iron cross to the cock, 
two foots and an half. The Cock is just a yard long, and one foot 
and half thick; so that from the tope of the steeple to the upper part 
of the cock, is twelve foots and an half foot; This added to the 
190 foots, makes the steeple from the ground to the upper part of 
the cock two hundred foots y^ an foot. From the little bell holes to 
the tope of the steeple, is 24 foots, besides the stalk. The little bell 
holes are five foots high, two foots wide." Note. — From the foun- 
dation of the Steeple to the top point of stone work is only 156 feet; 
these measures are too much — they are to each other as 156 to 
200)4 ■ (See Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 180.) 

1729. — No Commissioner to be Sent to the General 
Assembly. — The Council agreed that both the Acts of Council 
anent the Electing of Robert Blackwood and James Thomson, and 
resolved to send no Commissioner to the General Assembly this year, 
and the said two acts were accordingly expunged in presence of the 
Council. [BtirgJi Records ; 19th March, 1729.) 

Music Master and Reader. — ''zph Nov., iy2g: Which day 
the Councill considering that the offices of Mnsic Master and Reader 
in the church are both vacant, and that it will be for the interest of 
the town that these two offices be united in the person of one man. 
Also, understanding that the Marquis of Tweeddale is willing to 
present any person that the councill is satisfied with and agreable to 
the kirk-session. The councill appointed the two baillies and Charles 
Chalmer to wait upon the Kirk-session and intreat them to concur 
with the town to find out a man that is sufficiently qualified for both 
these offices, and that they would join with the town councill in 
desiring the Marquis of Tweeddale to allow the town to advertise it 
in the Gazett. (Burgh Records.) 

Trees Planted in the Vicinity of the Palace. — Accord- 
ing to an old note, trees were planted on the north of the Sheeling 
Hill (Heugh Mills), in front of the west wall of the Palace, and all 



GRASS GROWING ON THE HIGH STREET, ETC. 42 1 

the way north to the Tower Hill; also many were planted on the old 
floor of the Palace. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records; 29th Sept., 1729.) 

The Guildry's Colours. — "At a meeting of Guildry held in 
October, 1729, it was remarked that their colours are entirely torn 
and useless ; they appoint the Dean of Guild and David Morris to 
buy a stand of new colours of silk." (Guildry Records.) 

Ancient Society of Gardeners. — Thomas, Lord Erskine, 
elected Chancellor of the Society. (Gardner's Records.) 

1730.— The Scholars' Loft, &c. — "The Councill orders the 
Dean of Guild, John Scotland, and William Flockart to meet with Mr, 
Bayne and Mr. Hart, and commune with them about their drawing rent 
for the Seats of the Scholars loft, and anent their not allowing the 
Scholars to sit according to their Seniority," {Burgh Records, 12th 
Jan. 1730.) 

" Examinable Persons in the Parish." — The ministers of 
Dunfermline, the Reverends Ralph Erskine and Wardlaw, computed 
that in 1730 there were 6000 examinable persons in the parish, and 
made efforts, without success, to have two other churches in different 
parts of the parish. {CJial. Hist. Dtmf. vol. i. p. 431.) This appears 
to be a large number of examinable persons in the parish in 1730; 
there were only 5000 persons in the parish in 171 3. 

Grass Growing on the High Street. — An old MS. Note 
states that in 1730 "the 'hie gaite' was o'et-grown with grass in some 
places, and that ' kie ' and horses were to be seen feeding thereon," 
Fernie, at p. 135 oi Hist. Dunf. has a note somewhat similar. He says, 
"In 1 79 1 or 2 some of the inhabitants recollected the time when the 
cadgers, or strangers who sold fish, were in the practice of allowing 
their horses to graze along the sides of the High Street, eastward of 
the Cross." 

A Coal and Causey Meall Dispute. — During a great part of 
this year "there raged a coal and causey toll war between the Council 
of Dunf. and the Laird of Garvock." (See Burgli Records, April till 
August, 1730.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 28th Sept., 1730.) 



422 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

New Road to Kirkcaldy.— " The councill considering that 
seeing the town had got the liberty of a way along the south side of 
their parks, and on the east side so far as Garvock's ground goes, 
they therefore resolved to turn the high way along the south side of 
the town green ; and because it cannot be a good way unless it be 
mended, they empower the baillies to employ men to call rubbish 
from Garvock to s^ way, And also empowers them to apply to the 
justices of peace to get the s"^ way declaired the high way from the 
town to Kirkcaldy." {Btirgh Records, 7th Oct., 1730.) Previous to 
this period the high way to Kirkcaldy " went along from the foot of 
the Witch-loan by the north of the town green." 

French Print of Dunfermline. — A In-ench published view 
of Dunfermline was issued this year, entitled, " Vue de la Villa et de 
I'Abbaye Dunfermling," i.e., "View of the Town and the Abbey, of 
Dunfermline." We have a copy of this rare view. It appears to have 
been reduced from Sleizer's "View of Dunfermline." {See Annals, 
date 1690; also Ckal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 124, for a view which 
was engraven from this one.) 

Mortifications — Charity Distributed. — ''6th Dec, 1730: The 
said day the councill distribut in charity the annual rent of the 
following mortifications : — David Brown's, 200 merks ; Wm. Brown's, 
100 merks ; John Honeyman's, 100 merks ; the town's half of Mr. 
Graham's, 600 merks, 300 merks ; Wm. Brown's, ;^35 Scots ; John 
Walker's, 50 merks — for one year, to Martinmas, 1730, being twenty- 
six pounds sixteen shillings Scots, with ^30 Scots as a part of the 
Music Master's cellary, extending to ^^56. 16 shillings Scots." Although 
it is understood that many of these mortifications are now unknown, 
yet it is pleasant to record the names of the worthy benefactors. 
{Bnrgh Records.) 

1731.— The Kirk Bells, &c. — "The Council appointed the 
baillies, Dean of Guild, Conveener, and Clerk to wait upon the 
presbytery this day and consent to the Stent to be laid on by the 
presbytery for what yet is resting of the price of the bells and 
reparations of the Kirk." {Bnrgh Records, 24th March, 173 1; see 
also A7L Dimf. date 1728.) 

Stationer. — There was a stationer in Dunfermline as early as 
this period, named Henry Moubray— the first on record in Dun- 
fermline. {Guildry Records, June, 173 1.) 



EXECUTION OF JAMES RAMSAY. 423 

Bleachfield — The King's Park. — " gthjidy, 1731: Which day- 
it was represented to the councill by Thomas Cusine, Deacon of the 
Weavers, that the manufacturers of linnen Cloath in this town were 
under a great disadvantage by reason of a want of a bleatching field, 
and that the fittest place about the town for that was the King's 
Park [the Abbey Park.] The councill having considered the said 
representation, appointed Baillie Wilsone to write to the Marquis of 
Tweeddale in name of the councill, and desire that his Lordship 
would be pleased to allow the town as much ground in that park as 
will serve for a bleatching field, and that his Lordship would use his 
interest with the tenent to quit his tack of that piece of ground, and 
appoints the baillies to represent the s'^ affair to the trustees that they 
would use their interest with the Marquis to procure it." (Burgh Rec.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records^ 27th Sept., 173 1.) 

Exhibition of a Scriptural Painting. — Several notes state 
that "a man came to Dunfermline in the summer of this year with a 
very large picture of the Saviour on the Cross, and charged one 
penny each to see it. Great crowds went to see it in the large room 
of the Oueen's-house during the week it was exhibited." Probably 
this may have been a picture which had been hung up above the 
high altar of some great church before 1559. 

Escape of Prisoners from the Tolbooth, &c. — " The 
councill considering that of late severall prisoners have escaped out 
of the tolbooth, and the other low prisons — They empower the 
Baillies to cause make a machine fit for securing prisoners, and to 
employ smiths to make it." {Burgh Records, 7th Dec, 173 1.) This 
machine was made a kind of iron cage, which became a terror to the 
law breakers and the unruly. 

Potatoes. — An old note states that potatoes were introduced into 
the west of Fife this year, and that they were first set in a garden on 
the south side of the Netherton. 

1732. — Execution of James Ramsay at Top of Witch- 
Loan Road. — James Ramsay of Lambhill in Perthshire, his brother 
Andrew, his sister Helen and her husband, Andrew Hutson, in 
Pliverhall, of Drumtuthell, near Dunfermline, were tried by the 
Regality Court of Dumfermline in February, 1732, for cattle stealing, 
&c. The Judges at the trial were James Dewar of Lassodie, Captain 



424 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Peter Halket, younger of Pitfirrane, and Henry Wellwood of Garvock, 
and a jury of fifteen. The following notes regarding Ramsay's appre- 
hension and execution are from the Burgh Records : — 

"James and Andrew Ramsay, after a long and violent resistance, were 
apprehended within a hut in Pitconochie, dean-park, in the barony of Pit- 
firrane. The place where the hut stood, on a small eminence, was much 
covered with whins and broom to screen it from observadon. In the hut 
there were found a quantity of straw, two pairs of blankets, a bee-hive with 
some honey in it, the foot of a sheep, raw, a timber-plate, with mutton-collops, 
a cap which contained honey, and in which there were large lumps of fat, 
and livers, and also the lead of a window," 

The crimes which the Jury found proven against James Ramsay 
were, the stealing four oxen and a quey from John Carswell, tenant 
in South Cults, in the parish of Saline, and a bee-hive out of the 
gardens of Pitfirrane. The Sentence of the Court is dated 8th 
February, 1732, and so far as it relates to James Ramsay, was as 
follows : — 

" The Judges of the Courts of Justiciary and RegaHty of DunfermHne 
Having considered the foregoing Verdict of Assyze, of the date 5th current. 
Returned against James Ramsay, Andrew Ramsay, Andrew Hutson and 
Helen Ramsay pannells: They in respect whereof, by the Mouth of John 
Cummin, dempster of court — Decern and Adjudge the s'^ James Ramsay to 
be taken fra the tolbooth of Dunfermline Upon Wednesday being the twenty 
second day of March next to come, to that place of the common Muir of 
Dunfermline, called the witch Loan; and there betwixt the hours of two and 
four o'clock afternoon of the said day to be hanged by the neck upon a gibbet, 
till he be dead. And ordains all his moveable goods and gear to be escheat 
and inbrought for the use of the ffiscal of court. Which is pronounced for 
Doom." {Regality Records, and Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 170-172.) 

In the Caledonian Mercury newspaper for nth February, 1732, 
there is the following paragraph regarding this trial, &c, : — 

" Dtinfermline, February 8th, 1732. — This day was finished here a very 
tedious trial of four gypses (or gypses habit and repute), strollers, or vaga- 
bonds, which lasted between 18 and 19 hours, by the honoured Captain 
Halkett, James Dewar of Lassodie, and Henry Wellwood of Garvock — 
deputies of the most Honourable the Marquis of Tweeddale, as hereditary 
bailie of the justiciary and regality courts of Dunfermline; when on a full and 
plain proof James Ramsay, one of the gang, was sentenced to be hanged the 
22d March next; and the other three to be whipped the first Wednesday of each 
month, for one half year, and aftenvards to be banished the regality for ever.'' (!!!) 

" James Ramsay has, since his sentence was pronounced, confessed to the 
Rev. Mr. Ralph Erskine that he stole the four oxen and young cow— one of the 
branches of the indictment. During his confinement in prison the Rev. Ralph 
Erskine frequently visited Ramsay for spiritual advice and consolation ; he 
also went with him to his place of execution, soothing his mind, and oftered 



DUNFERMLINE WEAVERS, ETC. 425 

up a fervent prayer in his behalf to the fountain of mercy, as he was 
turned off." 

The following extract is from the Burgh Records of 15th March, 

1732:- 

" The said day the baiUies acquainted the Councill that they had this day 
received a letter from James Dewar of Lassody, and Henry Wellwood of 
Garvock, two of the baillies deputes of the regality of Dunfermline, signifying 
to them that they heard that some of the members of the Councill are making 
some difficulty anent the obeying the dead warrant, directed to the magis- 
trates, in consequence of the s'' baillies deputes their sentence pronounced 
against James Ramsay on the 8th of February last; and in order to obviate 
any inconveniences thereanent, they desire the magistrates to see the said 
sentence put into execution in the usual manner. And thereby declare that 
by their former dead ivarrant, they meant not to bring any new hardship or 
burden on the burgh of Dunfermline further than what the law and practice 
of this burgh requires, nor thereby to invalidate the baillie heretable of the 
regality his right in cases of that nature. And they desire the magistrates 
to send their guard to the execution — which guard they will pay. The 
Council having considered the import of the said letter, agreed to grant to 
the baillies of the regality the favour of the malitia to guard James Ramsay at 
his execution. And accordingly appointed the baillies to cause raise the 
mahtia for that purpose on Wednesday next being the day of the execution." 
(2 2d March.) 

So far as is known, this was the last execution that took place in 
Dunfermline or neighbourhood. In the year 1827, when some parts 
of "the Witch-loan" were being levelled, Ramsay's grave was opened; 
his decayed bones were lifted, but they were re-interred in deeper earth 
on the same spot. (MS. Note). 

"The Hangman's Pledge of Fidelity." — '' 2jth May, 1732: 
The said day John Cummin the hangman lodged in the hands of 
John Lindsay town thesaurer fourty pounds Scots, as a pledge of his 
fidelity. And the councill hereby promise to pay annual rent for the 
said fourty pounds from Whytsunday last during the said John 
Cummins life, Upon this express condition that if the said John 
Cummin shall at any time hereafter refuse to execute any sentence 
of the baillies, or of the baillies of the regality, or baillies of Inner- 
keithing, or desert the place, In either of which cases, the said John 
Cummin shall forfeit the s'^ sum and annual rent thereof that shall be 
resting, upon which provision the said sum is lodged by him in the 
towns hands." 

Dunfermline Weavers — Bkachjield—'' Retaliation Act!" — In 
the Weaver's MS. Minute-Book there is the following curious but 

31 



426 ANNALS OF DUNFERMINE. 

pugnacious entry relative to their struggles to obtain a site for 
a bleachfield, &c.: — ''March ^ist, 1732: The which day David 
Moresin, Deacon, and Remanent members of the Incorporation of 
Weavers, being Conveened within the Session-House of Dunfermline 
(Kirk), and having taken to their consideration the Great hardships 
they labour under for want of a Bleachfield, and finding that the 
most Commodious place for Bleaching about this place is the King's 
Park's, commonly called the Abbey Yeards, which place they found 
they by no means coud obtain, notwithstanding they had made the 
most reasonable proposalls to Alexander Miller, Tennant on the 
heugh-mills, possesor of the park, who rejected all proposalls Both 
of Rent and entry of grassum made to him." Now comes " the 
Retaliation Act" which gives a glimpse of " the age and body of the 
times," by showing how, sometimes, "our ancient forefathers agreed 
wi' the laird" when he became obstreperous: — " They (the weavers) 
therefore, hereby Statute enact and ordain, that no member of their 
Incorporation shall drink ale after the tenth of Aprile next to come, 
either publickly or privately that is made by the s'' Alex"" Miller, 
under the penalty of one pound Scots to be payed to the trades Box 
by each person who drink ale made of the malt grind as aforsd, and 
the trade ordains the Deacon to insert this their act and to sign the 
same In their name by their unanimous consent and vote, and the 
s'^ fine to be payed for each times Totes quoties. 

" Signd. Da. Morisone, Deacon." 

Provost of Dunfermline.— -Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was 
re-elected Provost. (BurgJi Records.) 

The Bleachfield — A Gift of ^200. — " Bailie Wilson informed 
the Councill that Mr. Hugh Forbes advocat desyred him to acquaint 
y" Councill that the ' Trustees and Commissioners for improvement 
of Manufactures ' had agreed to allow the town two hundred pounds 
sterling to enable them to prepare the Bleachfield." {Burgh Records^ 
26th Dec, 1732.) 

Wheat Mill. — "The councill unanimously agreed to Sub-set 
that ruinous house on the east -side of the Abbay Stables to the 
Corporation of Bakers in order to build y''on a miln for grinding of 
wheat, allennarly with y® use of the water when going and the liberty 
of winnowing and drying wheat in the Abbay Close." {BurgJi Rec, 
26th Dec, 1732.) The lower of the mills is now called the " Hcugh 



THE AULD KIRK CLOCK. 427 

Mills." " Abbey Close," the space for forty yards north of the arch- 
way of the Pends. 

Cutler. — William Steedman commenced business in Dunfermline 
as a cutler. He was made a free burgess. {Burgh Records, i ith Nov., 
1732.) This is the first named Dunfermline "cutler, or wJiitlerl' on 
record. 

1733.— Fanners for the Heugh Mills. — "John Durie, the 
town's sub-tennant of the heugh mills complains to the town councill 
of the great loss he sustains for ' want of wind ' to dight his shealing, 
accasioned by ' the braes of the Shealing Hill being sXl planted at and 
by west of y° said milnes with trees.'" The Council agreed to con- 
tribute twenty-four pounds "to help John to erect his fanners." {BiirgJi 
Rec, Jan. 1733; see also An. Dnnf. date 1729.) 

Bell-Holes Sounding-Boards. — "William Inglis and George 
Walls informed the Councill that they had bought timber and put on 
the Sounding-boards on the Steeple, and laid the loft above the bells. 
Cost ^113. 9s. 8d. Scots." {Burgh Records, 23d March, 1733.) 

Wheat was first grown in this district at the Gellet. (Vide Cham. 
Jour., No. 88, Sept. 1835.) 

Town Officers' Livery. — " The councill agreed to furnish each 
of the Town Officers with a big coat Bearing ornaments of Red and 
Whyte, being the Town's Livery, And that the Officers put on the 
said Coatts at all times, both Sabbath day and Week day ; And if 
any of them shall be guilty of any malverse, for which they shall be 
deprived of their office, that the Coatt be immediately taken from 
him or them, and put upon such person as the Council shall choice 
in room of the Transgressor." {Burgh Rec, 28th March, 1733.) 

Great Sickness prevailed in the town in June, July, and August 
this year, and a large number, both young and old, were carried off 
by it." (MS.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, ist Oct. 1733.) 

The Auld Kirk Clock and New Croivn Wheel. — "The councill 
considering that the time aggreed with Robert Bonnar for keeping 
and taking care of the Clock Expyred at Michaelmas last. They 
therefore call'd for Robert Bonnar when he acquainted the councill it 
was proper there should be made a Croivn Wheel of brass for the 



428 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

Clock in order to make her go well. Which, being considered by the 
councill they aggreed with him to make the same and to pay him 
twelve pounds scots therefor, and sett to him the keeping of the 
Clock for six years to come at the old rent." {Burgh Records, 1 3th 
Oct. 1733.) 

Great Thunder-Storm. — On the 27th October, 1733, a great 
thunder-storm passed over the west of Fife. "A wall of the old Abbey 
Choir, struck with the lightning, fell; also a part of the old wall" 
[In-below-th'-Waa's]. (Old MS. Note, of date August, 1735 ; see also 
Sib. Hist. Fife.) 

The Bakers' Wheat-Mill Built. — This mill, now a ruin, 
stands on the west side of the overflow of water on Heugh Mill Brae, 
70 yards south-east of the Palace wall. On a stone near the founda- 
tion there is the date "1733." The ancient Shilling or "Sheeling'' 
Hill was on "the brae of the heugh," a little to the east and north of 
this mill. 

1734. — <* In-below-th'-Waa's" was ordered to be cleansed and 
kept in proper order. (Burgh Records.) In the beginning of the i6th 
century, this passage between the east end of May Gate and the New 
Row was a narrow, "ill-kept foot-road," and had then the name of 
"the foul vennel." Afterwards it was known as "In-below-th'-Waa's" 
— i.e., below, or at the foot of the north wall of the Abbey Park. It 
is now three times its former breadth, and dignified with the name of 
"Canmore Street," which name was bestowed on it in 1811. 

The Weavers' Flags. — The flags belonging to the incorporation 
of Weavers were woven in the loom by James Blake, damask-weaver, 
Dunfermline. The writer has in his possession one of these flags, 
it consists of a large solid sheet of silk damask, on which perfectly 
different patterns are woven on each side, and on this account con- 
sidered a great curiosity in weaving. On one side there is a reed, a 
sword of the lay, a rocking tree, tivo shuttles, two temples, and four 
combs, with the words — 

''For the ^Veavers of Dunfermline. 1734" 
and the Weavers' motto — 

"TRUST • IVITH • TRUTH" 

and their ensign — a Boar's Head, luith a Shuttle in its mouth. On the 
other side, in the centre of the sheet, is a Lion rampant, surrounded 



TRIAL OF JAMES YOUNG FOR MANSLAUGHTER. 429 

by a border of Scotch Thistles, with a Crown at the head, and a St. 
Andrew's Cross, with the motto — 

"NEMO • ME • IMPUNE ■ LACESSIT." 

City of Dunfermline. — Hope has appended to his '' Alinor 
Practicks" a copy of Spotiswood's ''Religious Houses',' wherein Dun- 
fermline is designated a city (p. 436). The "Account of Rehgious 
Houses" appears to have been first published about the year 1680. 
Hope's "Minor Practicks" was published this year, 1734. (See also 
Keith's Scottish Bishops, p. 402.) 

Provosts of Dunfermline. — '' joth Sept., 1734.: This day the 
councill Elected and do hereby Elect Patrick Black, merchant, Dun- 
fermline, to be Provost. Same day Patrick Black demitted office, or 
rather would not accept it, upon which the Councill unanimously 
Elected The Most Honourable John Marques of Tweeddale to be 
Provost of this burgh till michaelmas nixt, And his Lordship accepted 
of the character and office." {Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1734.) 

The Nether-Gate of the Abbey. — " The council, by petition 
from the inhabitants of the Nethertown, ' craving liberty to open the 
wicket at y® nethergate of the Abbey Park for their convenience,' was 
granted, on the condition that they should have a sufficient door on 
it or glacks and uphold it," &c, {Burgh Records, 23d Nov., 1734.) 

James Young, Merchant, Dunfermline, Tried by the 
Regality Court for Manslaughter. — P'ernie, in his History of Dun- 
fermline, has the following notice of this trial: — "James Young, 
merchant in Dunfermline, in December, 1734, was indicted for bruising 
and wounding Henry Wardlaw, son of lieutenant Patrick Wardlaw, 
and being the occasion of the boy's death. The jury, consisting of 
fifteen, unanimously found the pannel not guilty. The depute bailies 
of regality on the trial were Arthur Forbes of Pittencrieff, and Mr. 
Hugh Forbes, Advocate." {Regality Rec. of Dunf. Dec. 1734.) 

Literature — " The Gospel Sonnets!' — The first edition of this 
work was published towards the end of they ear 1734 by its author, 
the Rev. Ralph Erskine, minister of the First Charge of Dunfermline 
Church. It is entitled " Gospel Sonnets, or Spiritual Songs, in Six 
Parts," &c. This celebrated work has gone through about thirty-two 
editions. 

Abbey Wall tartly Removed.— That part of the north wall of 



430 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

the Abbey, which stood between Abbot and Canmore Streets, was 
removed in order "to get a nearer road to the new Bleachfield." (MS. 
Note.) 

1735.— Bleachfield Canals. — The Council appointed several 
of their members to oversee the building of ''four canalls in the 
Bleachfield w' stones on each syde and bottom, and that the same be 
fallen about as soon as may be." {Burgh Records, 7th March, 1735.) 

The Weavers' Calander House. — In the Biirgh Records, 21st 
March, 1735, "the Corporation of Weavers represent to the coun- 
cill, that they having new built y' calender in the new raw, and placed 
some windows on y^ south gavill y'of by east y° corner of John 
Donaldsons house," they therefore crave the Councill to recognize 
these windows as their rights. The Council, in the meantime, refuse 
to sanction them in case Donaldson's heirs might at some time enlarge 
his house by which the weavers' lights may be stopped, &c. 

ROTTENROW Port. — The following appears to be the only notice 
on record of the Rotten Row Port : — " j May, I'/j^ : The councill 
having several times visited the foundation of the malt barn proposed 
to be built by Bailly Lindsay on the north syde of y" Rottenraw, and 
having this day reasoned on the same. They allow the south east 
corner of the malt barn to be built nine foot north from the South 
pillar of the Rottenraiu port, and the south wall to run therefrom in a 
straight line a foot by south the east corner of James Thomson's byre, 
and that the stair on the south side shall be only three foot and an 
half by south the syde wall, and the councill ordain Bailley Lindsay 
to pay Matthew Keir, thesaurer, a guinea for behoof of the com- 
munity." Such like payments, which were "very rife" in those days, 
do not always appear to have benefited " the community." This Port 
appears to have stood on the street between the south end of North 
Chapel Street and the north end of Randolph Street. It is likely 
that it would be greatly damaged by the "overwhelming fire of 1624," 
and afterwards re-built, or "helped." (For other Ports, see An. Dunf. 
dates 1327, 1488, 1585, 1752, 1780.) 

Literature. — "■' The Female Preacher; or the Woman of Samaria's 
Sermon to the Men of the City, by Rev. Ralph Erskine ; printed for 
David Duncan, foot of the West Bow, 1735." This production is a 
i6mo of "^6 pp. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— "27//- Sept. 1735 : Ccrncill of the 



A HOT SUMMER. 43 I 

Burgh of Dunfermline, Holden within the Tolbooth thereof by the 
Magistrates and members of the councill. Sederunt — The Most 
Honourable The Marquis of Tzveeddale, Lord Provost, presiding," &c., 
when "the councill elected the most Honourable the Marques of 
Tweeddale Provost, and James Crawford and David Morison, Baillies." 
(Burgh Records.) 

A Coppersmith. — Mungo Borland is mentioned in a MS. book, 
this year, as being a coppersmith at the lower end of the Heugh Mills. 
( Old Bus iness A ceo u n t. ) 

1736.— AuLD Kirk RY.VAm?>—" Rotten Laftl' 6-^.— "The auld 
kirk was again under repairs in 1736, when a timber roof or awning was 
erected along nearly the whole length of the middle area of the kirk, 
a little above the stone pillars." This was done in order " to keep the 
minister's voice more into the kirk, and to be better heard, and also to 
make the kirk more comfortable and warm;" the date, 1736, was cut 
into several of the cross-beams. The"laft" was removed in 1823; 
it had the name of the rotten laft shortly after its erection, as the 
whole fabric of the laft was constructed of ratten deals, 8ic., or un- 
dressed timber. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — It is not known who was Provost 
this year, the Burgh Records for this date, and also for dates 1737, 
1738, and 1739 having been long missing. 

Meteorology. — According to a MS. Note, "the summer was 
extraordinarlie hot and sulphry for above 3 months." 

Weaving. — David Mackie at this period "carried on the damask 
weaving trade in Dunfermline, and had three looms employed, which 
was then reckoned a large stock." — Mercer's Hist. Dunf, p. 164. 

1737.— Rev. Ralph Erskine, of Dunfermline, ''first formally 
connected Jiimself with the Associate Sy7iod" which was instituted in 
1733- 

Public Races on the Carnock Road established this year, "and 
ordained to be run there annually at June Fair." (Burgh Records.) 

Meteorology. — On the fly-leaf of an old book there is a written 
note by W. B., stating that "this summer, like last one, was extraordi- 
narily warm in Dunfermline, and that the lieges were greatly distressed 
for want of water, for the Dam, the Back Burn, and Broomhead Burn, 
had been dry for many weeks." 



432 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Sacrament Sunday, loth July, lyjy — Extraordinary Number 
of Communicants, Length of Service, &c. — Fraser, in his Life of Rev. 
Ralph Erskine, extracts the following note from his Diary: — "Sabbath, 
July loth, 1737 — The sacrament was in Dunfermline, and I preached 
half an hour before the action began, about half an hour before 8 in 
the morning, upon Mat. iii. 17. The tables began to be served a 
little after 9 o'clock, and continued till about 12 at night; betwixt 
four and five thousand communicants." {Eraser's Life a7id Diary of 
the Rev. Ralph Erskine, p. 233.) It would appear that the above 
number and length of services were nothing uncommon; such had 
happened yearly since about 17 16, and continued so until the death 
of Rev. Mr. Erskine in 1752. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Name not known. Burgh Records 
for this date, &c., lost. 

1738. — Religious Contention. — "Much religious contention 
in Dunfermline and locality at the beginning of 1738, caused by the 
Secessionists and others." (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — "A Paraphrase or Explicatory Poem upon the 
Song of Solomon," by Rev. Ralph Erskine, published. 

Transcript of Dunfermline Abbey Chartulary. — Walter 
Macfarlane (of that ilk), the eminent antiquary, during the year 1738, 
made a transcript of the Chartulary (or Register) of Dunfermline 
Abbey, which is considered to be a faithful translation. On the death 
of Macfarlane, in 1767, it was purchased, along with other Abbey 
transcripts, by the Faculty of Advocates, Edinburgh, and deposited 
in their library, where it may be consulted. It has been much referred 
to by antiquaries and others during the last hundred years. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Name not known. Burgh Records 
for this year lost. 

Abbey Wall. — " A great part of the old Abbey wall, extending 
along the north side of the Common Vennel (Priory Lane), fell in 
December, 1738. It had been long in a very ruinous condition." (MS.) 

1739,_Severe Frost. — According to an old MS. Note, the 
frost which "set in about the middle of Dec^ 1738," continued for 
107 days, " for it did not give way until March 29th this year." 
Dunfermline was " distressed for want of pure A^ ater. The Dam and 



SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ERECTING A SECESSION KIRK. 433 

Clay acres loch on Pilmuir swarmed with sliders, old and young, and 
Curling was brisk." 

SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ERECTING A SECESSION KiRK. — An Old 
MS. Note informs us that " great discontent and irritation prevailed 
in the town and parish in 1739, in consequence of the Rev. Ralph 
Erskine, one of their ministers, being placed in such an uncomfortable 
and unsatisfactory position. In the month of March, this year, it was 
resolved, at a numerous meeting of his adherents and kirk-session> 
that a new kirk should be built in case their minister should be 
deposed at the then forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly 
of the Church of Scotland," and " to accomplish this, the town and 
country was ordered to be canvassed for subscriptions to defray the 
expenses of the building." 

Referring to this matter, the Rev. Mr. Erskine has the following 
entry in his Diary: — "-April, lyjQ : About this time a libel and sum- 
mons were put into our hand from the Commission, to appear before 
the Assembly ; and what happened in this parish was very remark- 
able. Some three weeks ago [end of March, 1739], upon hearing of 
the libel, our Session, all except four or five, met in order to contri- 
bute for a meeting-house, in case of the Assembly's sentence of 
deposition ; and then they went through the parish for subscriptions, 
and the people generally and heartily subscribed, some less and some 
more, according to their ability, and very quickly made a consider- 
able sum, which at present is going on, this being the 17th of April. 
It is expected that at least four hundred pounds sterling will be 
gathered in the parish, even amongst the poorer sort for the most 
part ; and many that have given declaring that, in case of need, they 
will give as much again. This collection by subscription is so universal 
that it is surprising and astonishing both friends and enemies. Great 
and wondrous are thy works. Lord God Almighty; and what am I that 
such favour should be expressed towards me in this place ! Lord, 
help rightly to improve this providence." {R. Erskine's MS. Diary, and 
Eraser's Life of Ralph Erskine, pub. Edin. 1834, pp. 230, 231, &c.) 

The sum ultimately collected does not appear to be on record. 
It has been said, however, that shortly before the end of the year 1739 
the sum of ;^io6o was collected, and that a site was then purchased 
for the erection of the new kirk. (See An. Dunf. date 1740.) 

A Preaching Tent, erected for the Rev. Ralph Erskine, "in 
Clerk Wilson's yard" (the ground now occupied by St. Andrew's 

3K 



434 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Church, North Chapel Street.) Near at hand there was a large barn, 
in which worship was frequently conducted in inclement weather until 
early in June, 1741, when "the New ChiircJi''' was opened for him- 
(Eraser's Life of Rev. Ralph Erskine.) 

Italian View of Dunfermline. — An Italian View of Dun- 
fermline from the west, was published this year, entitled, ^^Ruine delta 
Badia de Dwifermling, in Scozia." This is similar to the French 
View of 1730; we have a copy of this print, now a very scarce one. 

Causeways to be Repaired. — The Maygate causeway ordered 
to be "i-e-catised and raised/' and the causeway at the " East end of the 
toun," near the Town Green, also ordered to be repaired. (Burgh Ree.) 

Collierow Mills. — The Council, seeing that "the Collierow 
Mills" were in bad repair, and in want of slates, ordered Thomas 
Knox, their tenant, to repair and put them in order at his own expense, 
and if he refused, to prosecute him before the Regality Court. {BurgJi 
Records, 4th August, 1739.) 

Water. — " 6th Sept., lyjg: This day the counciU considering how 
profitable it would be for all the inhabitants If clean water could be 
brought into y*" toun for serving y'' Leidges, and y^ it is probable water 
may be got on the foresyde of y'^ grants bank, or the Witch Loan, 
order an inspection and trial of these places." (Burgh Records.) The 
sites were tried without coming on water. 

Snuff Mill. — According to an Old Note, "Andrew Paton erected 
machinery for grinding snuff, in a house below the Corn Mill, on the 
west side of the conduit and water fall." This is supposed to have 
been the first snuff mill in Dunfermline, 

Charles, Fifth Earl of Elgin, died in his 77th year, and was 
interred in "Eastern or Psalter Churchyard" of Dunfermline. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay (of Blansh), 
elected Provost. {Burgh Records, ist Oct., 1739.) 

Dangerous State of the Rotten Row. — James Thomson 
and Alex. Wilson complain that the great quantity of rubbish on 
both sides of this street throws the water into the middle, and 
being frozen, makes the street dangerous to pass on; ordered to be 
inspected. {Burgh Records, 8th Oct., 1739.) 

1740.— Great Snow Storms.— An old MS. informs us that 
during "the whole of the month of Januar in 1740, Dunfermline was 



ELECTION OF TRADES' DEACONS IN THE AULD KIRK. 435 

visited by terrible storms of snow, and that where it was drifted it 
was at least 24 feet deep." 

The Provostship. — ''26th Jan., 1740: Which day was laid 
before the Councill a letter to the Baillies and Council from Lord 
Charles Hay, Provost, whereby his L'^p declares his cheerful accept- 
ance of his office as Provost of this Burgh. (Btirgh Records.) 

The Secession Kirk Founded. — Several notes inform us that 
"the new Secession Kirk was founded in May, 1740, and that the 
site purchased for its erection was in the south end of a field on the 
east side of School End Street (now Bath Street), and that the front 
wall and entrance of the Kirk reached close upon the Row, called 
the Back Syde" (now Queen Ann Street). Another note adds that 
"the field purchased for the site extended to near Pilmuir, which 
large purchase was for the purpose of having a tent erected in it 
for the numerous hearers who attended on sacramental occasions." 
{An. Dnnf. 1741 ; also Eraser s Life of Rev. Ralph Erskine, p. 246.) 

"Ancient Society of Weavers." — The society called the 
Ancient Society of Weavers was instituted early in 1740. {Mercer's 
Hist. Dnnf. p. 143.) It became a friendly society in 1793. 

The Rev. Ralph Erskine, minister of the First Charge of Dun- 
fermline Church, was deposed on 12th of May, 1740, by the General 
Assembly. (See An. Dnnf. date 1742.) 

New Tanwork. — ".?o//^ y^?/^., 77^0.- Which day uppon applica- 
tion from Samuel ford shoe maker, craving a tack of two roods of 
ground by east the baxters mill In order to set down a tanwork y^on; 
which was agreed to on certain conditions, and the baillies warranted 
to sign the Tack on such terms." (Bnrgh Records.) 

Election of Deacons of the Incorporated Trades in 
THE Auld Kirk — Eall of a Gallery : Several People Hurt. — The 
following paragraph is extracted from the Caledonian Mercury, 15th 
Sept., 1740 : — " We hear from Dunfermline, that the trades being met 
in the church, in order to elect their deacons, the loft in which they 
sat ,was so crowded, that it fell down, whereby several were crushed." 
(See also An. Dnnf. date 1678.) The Auld Kirk appears to have 
been a common place for holding meetings of the incorporated 
trades, elections of deacons, &c. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— " ^p^/^ Sept., 174.0: The Councill 



436 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Elected and hereby Elect The Right Honourable Lord Charles Hay 
Provost." (Burgh Records.) 

PiTTENCRlEFF HouSE. — This house, built about the year 1610, 
had a third storey added to it in 1740. According to several notes, 
this storey was built with stones from the palace ruins ; perhaps the 
entire house may have been aided from the same source. {An. Dunf. 
date 1610.) 

The Cross " being in danger of falling down, the councill order 
it to be repaired according to the Report made on it." {Burgh Records, 
nth Sept., 1740.) 

"Burgh Over Coal." — ''nth Oct., 174.0: This day the Council^ 
agreed to set the over coal to five of the Colliers at half a crown each 
per week, and Eight pence each of them more for paying the Coal 
Grieve." (Burgh Records.) 

Meal Market. — "2Sth October, 1740: Which day the Councill 
taking under their consideration the great loss the inhabitants 
sustain threw y" want of a meall mercat," &c., "the Councill for 
remedie thereof Resolved to build or provide a proper place for a 
meall mercat." (Burgh Records.) " An apartment in the lower floor 
of the tolbooth was taken for this purpose." 

The Dearth. — A scarcity of provisions " began first to be felt in 
Dunfermline about Nov.," 1740. (Old MS.) 

1741. — Shelled Bear Broth. — " 17th Jan., 1741: The Councill 
considering That several persons are demanding sheeledhcdLV in order 
to make into broth, they order that four or five bolls of the said bear 
be dried and shealled, and then the councill will put a price on it." 
(Burgh Records.) 

The Rev. Thomas Gillespie was ordained to the charge of the 
church of Carnock on 22d January, 1741. (See A71. Dunf. date 1752; 
Mackelvie's Annals and Stat., p. 175.) 

The Dearth. — "25//^ April, 17 41: The Councill considering 
that the scarcity and dearth of victual continues, and that the 
Quantity of grain lately Commissioned by the Guilderie and brought 
to this place will in all probability soon be disposed off. The Council 
unanimously agree to commission one fourth part of a Loading of 
Victuall or y'by." (Burgh Records.) The vessel called the " Success " 
arrived at Brucehaven on the 8th June with the town's order of victual. 



NEW SECESSION CHURCH. 



437 



The New Secession Church Finished and Opened for Public 
Worship. — The new Secession Kirk, "in the Backsyde" Row, accord- 
ing to several Notes, was finished and opened for public worship in 
June, 1 74 1. "The kirk was about 80 feet in length, from east to 
west, 50 feet from north to south ; 30 feet in height in front wall ; the 
gable ends from ground to peak of the roof, 50 feet ; and had sittings 
for 1 1 00 worshippers. There were galleries round three sides of the 
kirk," and "they came so close together that they terminated within a 
few feet on each side of the pulpit in the south wall. The roof was 
composed of close-set-together timber, which was thoroughly covered 
all over with a deep layer of pitch. On hot days the pitch softened, and 
occasionally dropped down on the heads of the hearers, to their great 
discomfort and annoyance. At the west end there were ' loupin-on- 
staps' for the use of equestrians in leaping on their horses." 

The following engraving represents a view of this kirk from the 
south-west, reduced from one made under the direction of George 
Birrell, Esq., ex-Provost of the burgh, who in his youth worshipped 
in this celebrated kirk, and who pronounces this view to be a correct 
representation of the original kirk ; — 




The above view may be further described with the aid of our 
notanda, viz. : " In the front, or south wall, were eight large oblong 
windows, arranged in two storeys, three circular ones in the upper 
storey, and three large oblong entrance doors leading into passages. 
A few feet within the middle door, near the south end of the middle 
passage, stood the pulpit, which fronted the north. The passage was 



438 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



wide where the pulpit stood, the worshippers passing along each side 
of the pulpit without inconvenience." (Manuscripts.) Above tJie 
lintel-stane of this door, figured tJie lettered stane, a representation 
of which is shown in the engraving below. "The south or front 
wall of this kirk was built on ground about sixteen feet to the south 
of the present iron entrance gates, while the north or back wall stood 
a few feet to the north of Mr. Erskine's statue. The west gable 
[shown in the view] reached within six feet of the west wall of School 
End Street" [Bath Street]. "It had four large oblong windows, 
similar to those in the front wall ; also, arranged in two storeys, between 
the soles of the lower ones, stood the lonpin-oti-staps. At the north- 
west corner of this gable there was 2^yett, which led into the tenti^^xk^ 
The only relic of this structure in existence is the lettered-stone which 
was built into the front wall over the lintel-stane of the middle door. 
This stone had lain long, " unheeded and unknown," amongst lumber 
in the lumber-place of the present church. It has recently been placed 
against the wall, inside of the west door. As it will be interesting to 
many of our readers, we give a facsimile engraving of it : — 




Probably this inscription was written by the Rev. Ralph Erskine, and 
may be rendered — 

'■^Feed and provide, O Christ, for thy flock scattered abroad. The Lord will 
PROVIDE. Ralph Erskine, Minister of Gods Word. 1740." 

(See A71. Dimf. dates 1741, 17^2, and 1800.) 



TIMBER STAIRS. 439 

Rev. George Whitefield in Dunfermline. — This celebrated 
"Methodist Divine" preached his first sermon in Scotland from the 
pulpit'of Ralph Erskine, in Dunfermline, on 31st July, 1741. Whitefield, 
in his Diary ^ referring to this occasion, says : — " I went to Dunfermline 
yesterday, where dear Mr. Ralph Erskine hath got a large and separate, 
or as it is commonly termed, Seceding Meeting-House. He received 
me very lovingly. I preached to his and the town's people — a very 
thronged assembly. After I had done prayer, and named my text, 
the rustling vcididQ by opening the bibles all at once quite surprised me : 
a scene I never was witness to before," &c. This sermon would be 
preached in the then recently erected meeting-house. On the evening 
of August 1st, Mr. Whitefield returned to Dunfermline, and preached 
in the "Orphan's-House Park" (extreme end of East Port Street.) 
" Dear Mr. Erskine accompanied me. I preached to many thousands 
in this park. The Lord was there. Immediately after sermon a large 
company, among whom were some of the nobility, came to salute me." 
{Whitefield' s Diary ; also Eraser's Life of the Rev. Ralph Erskine 
p. 328.) 

Meeting of the "Associate Synod" with the Rev. Mr. 
Whitefield. — This new body met in the house of the Rev. Ralph 
Erskine (down a close, south side of the High Street, leading down 
to the east end of the Maygate) by special appointment, on the 
5th August, 1 74 1, to meet and confer with the Rev. Mr. Whitefield 
respecting his religious views, &c. The meeting took place. Various 
versions have been given of this celebrated meeting ; but there can be 
no doubt that it "ended rather unpleasantly." {Eraser's ^' Life of the 
Rev. Ralph Erskine" pp. 329, 330.) 

Timber Stairs, &c. — " i^th ftdy, ly^i : At a Councill meeting 
held this day, Baillie Wilson y' stated that the whole or most part 
of y* houses in y*^ town have had originally timber fore stairs, and 
some with auderys without stone pillars below, and y"" can no instance 
be given of any hereitor being restricted from building as far out as 
their stone pillars, and y' in this wise y" was not only stone pillars 
but a piece of side wall." (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay, of Blansh, 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 28th Sept, 1741.) 

1742.— Rev. James Wardlaw, Minister of the Second Charge of 
the Established Church, died at Dunfermline on the 2d May, 1742, in 



440 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

the sixty-ninth year of his age, and 24th year of his ministry. He lies 
near the site of the old pulpit. (Burgh Records.) 

School in the Queen's House.— Mr. Francis Paterson had a 
School in one of the rooms of Queen Ann of Denmark's House in 
1742, which he taught with ability and success. 

The Rev. Ralph 'ER'i}s.mE finally left off Preaching in the Auld 
Kirk. — Although he was deposed by the General Assembly in May, 
1740, yet, in defiance of the act of deposition, he continued to preach 
once every Sunday in the Auld Kirk, until nth May, 1742, when he. 
by eminent legal and other advice, entirely ^^gave tip preaching in his 
old pidpitr Previous to this period there had been some unseemly 
"clerical passages at arms, and it was well for all parties that such 
clerical bickering had now ceased." As already mentioned, Mr. 
Erskine, besides preaching in the Auld Kirk every Sunday after his 
deposition, "also conducted divine service every Sunday in his tent, or 
in the barn, from 1739 to June, 1741. After the later date, till nth 
May, 1742, he made use of his newly-erected Church, and continued 
to do so till his death. (See MS. by David Inglis Wright ; Mercer's 
Hist. Dunf. pp. 126-133; Frasers Life of Ralph Erskine; see also 
An.Dunf dates 1739, 1740, 1741, and 1752.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Lord Charles Hay of Blansh was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 27th Sept., 1742.) 

1743. — Horse-Stealers Imprisoned in the Tolbooth — 
One of them Hangs Himself in his Cell. — The following is a note 
regarding the circumstances : — 

"James Hay and William Gordon, natives of Aberdeenshire, were 
apprehended at Torrie, near Dunfermline, on a charge of Horse Stealing. 
They had two horses in their possession when taken. Hay and Gordon were 
lodged in the tolbooth of Dunfermline. They were put into separate cells, 
and examined separately. Both said that they had bought the horses, but 
gave different accounts of the circumstances. Next Sunday (ist Feby.) the 
Jailor of Dunfermline tolbooth, on returning from the church, found that 
Gordon had hanged himself in his cell. Shortly afterwards Hay was conveyed 
to Cupar-Fife, where he was tried for his crime; was found guilty, and 
Executed pursuant to Sentence passed by the Court." On the examination 
of Hay, " compeared Alexander Richardson, jaylar in Dunfermling, witnes, 
aged Sixty and upwards — married. Purged of all partiall councill, Solemnly 
Sworn and interogat, depones that upon the twenty-eight of January last the 
pannell and Wilham Gordon were committed prisoners in the tolbooth of 
Dunfermline, by warrand from Sir George Preston, Justice of Peace, for 
Horse Stealing; that they were put in seperate rooms in the prison, and 
upon Sunday thereafter, the deponent having gone into the prison in the 



THE BLEACIIFIELD. 44I 

morning, saw Gordon well, and haveing again gone into prison after Sermons, 
found that he had strangled himselfe causa sdeniice patet ; and this is the truth, 
as he shall swear to God." (Extract from Minutes of the Trial before the 
Sheriff of Fife at Ctifar; see also Rec. Reg. Court Dunf. date 1743.) It is 
probable that Hay was executed at Cupar-Fife. 

Potatoes Planted in Fields at Fod, near Dunfermline. — 
An Old MS. states that "potatoes were first planted in the open 
fields, in the West of Fife, at a farm called Fod, near Dunfermline." 
The Fods are about two miles east of Dunfermline. 

The North Wall of the Abbey, &c. — ''jth March, 17^3: This 
day the Councill, after considering the many complaints of the walls 
of the under side of the north wall of the monastery of Dunfermline 
(Canmore Street), being insufficient, some part foi already fallen, and 
other parts y''of hanging over, so that it is dangerous for passengers 
and travellers : Ordered that the heritors and possessors of land 
there to make the wall sufficient." (Burgh Rec.) It would appear 
that what was done to the wall was a make-shift. {An. Dunf date 1744.) 

The Rev. James Thomson, for 14 years a minister to the 26th 
Regiment of Foot, was admitted Minister of the First Charge of the 
Established Church, Dunfermline, on May 4, 1743. {A71. Dunf 1790.) 

Excessive Use of Tea and Foreign Spirits.— "p//? fuly, 
174.J : Which day there was laid before the Council by John Wilson, 
Commissioner to the Royall burrows, a printed paper signed by 
William fforbes. Clerk to the Royal Burrows, anent the preventing 
the Universal and Excessive Use of tea and fforeign spirits in order 
to obtain their oppinion anent the samen," &c. The Council ordered 
the bailies, on 31st August, to write to "the Clerk of the burrows, that 
it is the Councills mind and opinion that the putting a stop to the tise 
of tea and fforeign spirits as ment'* in y^ act is for the interest of the 
country if proper methods can be fallen upon to prevent the same." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh was 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Keeping of the Town Clock. — "15 Dec: The councill ordered 
the treasurer to pay to Ro* Bonnar, wright, thirteen pounds ten shillings 
Scots for his attending and rectifying the toun clock yearly." (Bur. Rec.) 

1744._TiiE Bleachfield.— "/<? Feb. 17^4: Which day the 
Councill taking to y'^ serious consideration the hazard that the bleach- 
field is in, throu the proprietors of houses on the west side of the new 

31^ 



442 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

raw y'' having an entry or door on the east dyek of the bleatchfield 
(Abbey Wall) ; And that the masters or possessors of y"^ s'^ tenements 
cant account or answer for their servants their fidelity. Ordered 
all doors at the back of such houses to be closed up by the ist April 
next," &c. (Burgh Records.) 

Description of the Parish of Dunfermline, by Mr. Alex. 
Livingstone — MS. in Advocates' Library, Edinbnrgh: The following 
are a few notes extracted from this MS.: — 

" The Parish of Dunfermline, in the Shire of Plfe, is bounded on the West 
by the parish of Torryburn, on the north-west by the parish of Carnock, on 
the north by the parish of Saline, on the north-east by the parish of Cleish, 
on the east by the parish of Beath, on the south-east by the parish of Dalgetie, 
and on the south by some points to the east, by the parish of Inverkething/' &c. 

" About a quarter of a mile from the Church, south side of the Town, is 
the Line Burn, from whence the name of the Town in Latin, viz., " Dunum 
Fermilinum," is thought by some to have taken its arise. The fountain from 
whence it springs is Moss Morrovine, three miles east of the Town, and falls 
into the Forth at the Iron Miln three miles south-west of the church. 

" About a large mile north of the church is the Town Loch, about a mile 
in circumference, which produces some few Perches. About two large miles 
north-east of the Town is Lochfitty, about two miles in circumference, which 
produces Pikes and Perches. About two miles north of the Town is Lochend, 
which produces Perches (about a mile in circumference. ) About two and a 
half miles north of the Town is Dunduff, which produces a few Pikes and 
Perches (of a quarter or little more in circumference.) About six miles north- 
east of the Town is Lochgloe, which produces plenty of Pikes and Perches, 
and is about a mile in circumference," &c. 

" About a large stone-cast west of the Church is the Tower-hill, commonly 
called ' King Malcolm's Tower,' or his dwelling-place at Dumfermline. It is 
nearly surrounded with a little water, called the back burn, which takes its rise 
from the Town Loch, about a large mile north of the Church, and falleth in 
with the Line-burn about a quarter of a mile south of the Town. Over it is a 
Bridge of two arches, which leadeth into the Town from West to East," &c. 
{Macfarlane s Geographical Collections, MS., vol. i., Advocates' Library, 
Edinburgh; Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. -182-187.) [The most of Livingstone's 
description is taken up with distances of places from Dunfermline, and the 
relative bearings of "gentlemen's houses within the Parish."] 

Address to the King — Threatened Invasion — Royal Marriage 
and BirtJi. — ^^ loth April: The councill order and appoint the 
baillies to form and sign an address to his majesty the King on 
the late threatened invasion : The marriage of princess Mary to the 
prince Royall of Denmark, and the Birth of the prince of Wales's 
third son : And to transmit the same to the honor^'*" Mr. James 
Erskine, our member of parlia', to be presented to his Majesty 
accordingly." (Burgh Records.) 



STEEL MILLS. 443 

The Rev. Thomas Fernie admitted Minister of the Second 
Charge of the Church of Dunfermhnc, on 19th April, 1744. (Ses. 
Records^ see An. of Dunf. 1788.) 

One of the Bailies "Horridly Insulted." — ''15th Sept.: 
Which day Baillie Scotland laid before the Council! a written com- 
plaint ag' Robert Meldrum, town officer, complaining of a Jiorrid 
insult and hidignity made and offered by s'^ Ro' Meldrum ag' the 
s"* EailHe Scotland on Wednesday night last, when the baillie went 
civilly to the tolbooth to curb some disturbance that he heard was 
among the prisoners." Meldrum was' dismissed from his office, and 
ordered to be prosecuted. (Burgh Records.) 

Abbey Walls in a Dangerous State. — "22nd Sept.: Which 
day on a complaint from some of the burgesses, that no person can 
come or go from the Maygeat to y^ Newraw without great hazard of 
their lives by the abbay wall falling" : the Council ordered that the 
wall be inspected and "the faulty parts taken down." (Bur. Records.) 
The Abbey wall, all along "in below the walls " (Canmore Street), 
had been much shaken by the great thunderstorm in 1733. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Lord Charles Hay of Blansh was 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

The Town Constables' Annual Dinner. ''20th Oct., 1744: 
This day the council taking to y"" consideration the inconveniencys 
attending y*^ constables of this burgh having it in y" power to go to 
any house they please to spend money in use to be given to them by 
the town for a dinner; some of them wanting it to one house and 
some to another. The councill y'for to prevent any dispute y' may 
arise for the future y'anent. Statute and ordained y' in all time coming 
the Constables shall spend y^ money that y^ toun gives y'" after 
michaelmas, yearly in any house in this place q'^ the Council pleases, 
and shall appoint y"" to go to, otherways, the transgressors to get no 
money off y^ toun." (Burgh Records.) 

1745.— Steel Mills. — ''6th Feb., 1745: Which day Baillie 
Scotland informed the Councill that William Bruce, tenant of the 
Heugh Mills, acquainted him that the Corporation of Weavers 
intended this day to sell their two Steel Mills, presently standing in 
the Coalliaraw Mill at a public roup, and desired the baillie in his 
name to beg the favour of the Council to buy the s'^ two Steel Mills 
for his use of the tack. The Council agreed to send some one to the 



444 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



said roup to bid to the extent of three pounds ten shillings, sters for 
y*^ s'^ mills." (Burgh Records.) 

Literature. — " Faith no Fancy ; or a Treatise on Mental Images^ 
Discovering the Vain Philosophy and Vile Divinity of a late Pamphlet, 
entitled 'Mr. Robe's Fourth Letter to Mr. Fisher'; and shoiving that 
an Imaginary Idea of Christ as Man (zvhen supposed to belo7ig to 
Saving Faith, whether in its act or object) imports notJiing but Ignor- 
ance, Atheism, Idolatry, Great Falsehood, and Gross Delusion. By 
Ralph Erskine, A.M., Minister of the Gospel at Dunfermline, who 
was very confidently, but ignorantly, charged with Blasphemy and 
Heresy in the said Pamphlet for condemning that imaginary Doctrine; 
with an Appendix relating to part of the late Writings of the Reverend 
Messrs. Williams and Currie, especially touching some points of Gos- 
pel Doctrine, injured by their Defence of the Act of General Assembly, 
1722, &c. ' Nunqiiani periclitatur religio nisi inter Reverendissimos.' — 
Luth. Edinburgh : Printed by W. & T. Ruddimans, &c. M.D.CCXLV." 
This now very scarce work is an 8vo volume of 372 pp., with an 
appendix of 40 pp. " This is esteemed the most philosophical and 
learned of all Ralph Erskine's works — a quotation would not suffice 
to give an estimate of the work, it must be read through," &c. 

Weight of Bread, &c. — For some time previous to this year, 
many complaints had been sent to the Magistrates regarding the 
light weight of Bread; on June 17th, 1745, the Magistrates and 
Council issued the following Table of Weights and Prices:—- 



Weight. 


White or 
ffinest. 


Wheaten 
or Second sort. 


Household 
or Third sort. 


ounces. 

6 
12 


drams. 

3 
6 


ounces. 

9 
18 


drams. 

4 
8 


ounces. 
12 
24 


drams. 

5 


2 lb wsf*" 


pence. 
... 2 

••• 5 
... 7 
...10 


farth. 
... 2 

... 2 


pence. 
... I 
••• 3 

••• 5 
... 7 


farth. 

••• 3 
... 2 
... I 


pence. 

... 2 

... 4 


farth. 

••• 3 
... I 


4 pound wg' ... 
6 pound wg' ... 
8 pound wg' ... 



Sir Peter Halket, who was so frequently elected Provost of 
Dunfermline between 1705 and 1733, died in the year 1745, at the 
advanced age of eighty-seven years. 

A New Town or Kirk Clock Ordered. — The following 



A NEW TOWN OR KIRK CLOCK. 445 

minute of the Town Council relates to the ordering of a new Town 

or Kirk Clock : — 

"261/1 'jFune, 174s ■' Which day the baillies informed the Councill that 
Mr. Andrew Dickie, watchmaker in Edin., was come over to this place as he 
was desired by the Councill, anent a new clock to the Kirk Steeple of this 
burgh J And that after the baillies, &c., some of the members of council had 
gone up w' s'* Mr. Dickie to the present Clock in s'^ steeple, which is reckond 
quit useless and takes more expence to uphold the same than will go a good 
way to get a new clock. The baiUies and these members heard Mr. Dickie 
y^'anent. And Mr. Dickie offered to furnish a sufficient new clock to s*^ steeple, 
the two big wheels y'of to be fourteen inches in diameter and very nigh an 
inch thick, and these wheels and y° oy'' wheels to be of brass, and y'^ rest of 
y" wheels to be in proportion to y" two big wheels. To go for about thirty 
hours, and a minute hand w'in, AH for forty pounds (sterg.)j And that he 
declaird he could do the thing cheaper but could not attest a cheaper clock; 
Which being considered by the Councill, They appoint, warrand and impowr 
the two baillies and dean of gild in name of the town to contract w* s'^ Mr. 
Dickie for a new clock to the Steeple at s'^ forty pounds sterling of price, and 
if the baillies and dean of gild think fit to agree w* Mr, Dickie for a minute 
hand to the outside^ altho the town should pay a guinea more for y" s'^ minute 
hand or so. And whatsoever the baillies and dean of gild shall so contract, 
The councill engadges to relieve y™ y''of. And they enjoin the s'' baillies and 
dean of gild to agree w' Mr. Dickie to make y° s*^ clock to have an hour hand 
to the West, And the north broad or plate to have an hour and minute hand 
together. And allow y™ to contract w' Mr. Dickie in y" cheapest way for y*" west 
hand also; And the whole price Not to exceed forty three pounds Sterling." 
(Burgh Records.) 

It would appear from this that the Council were anxious to have 
a dial with an hour-hand on it, to point out the hours on the west 
side of the steeple, and thus show the time to those on the west road, 
which then went by way of Tower Hill to Urquhart Bridge, but this 
was abandoned in consequence of " the difficulty there would be in 
piercing- a hole through the thick wall of the Steeple." 

On the 31st August of the same year, the Town Council received 
a letter from Mr. Dickie, which will be understood by the following 
minute of Council: — "j/ August: Which day the baillie laid before 
the councill a letter from Mr. Dickie, of the 28th current, relative to 
the Clock, signifying that it will be a troublesome job to pierce the 
hole in the west side of the Steeple, and to put up the broad on the 
west side thereof; and, wishing that the councill would let it alone 
and he'll discount a guinea of the price : Which being considered by 
the Councill, They unanimously resolve and agree that there shall be 
no hand nor broad to the west side of the Steeple, And appoints 
the baillies or any one of them to write to Mr. Dickie accordingly, 
and also to desire Mr. Dickie to provide a sufficient dyall-broad of 



446 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

good fir, and six foot in diameter, and to cause sufficiently paint the 
same, with gold leaf of large figures for the hour hand and the minute 
figures in proportion." (BurgJi Records.) 

The Tolbooth Port. — This port is mentioned in a minute in 
the Burgh Records, under date July 2d, 1745, as follows : "Which day 
on application from Robert Bryce and John Adie, tacksmen of .the 
town's landwart flesh stands, the Councill authorized and impowered 
the s*^ tacksmen on y' own expence to fix and place two trees and an 
overtree for the benefit of the landwart fleshers y* bring flesh to this 
burgh, and y' at the east end of the stone shop near y*^ tolbooth port 
to Adam Walker's heirs, w* kleeks on y^ s'' trees." 

According to several aged inhabitants of Dunfermline with whom 
the writer in early life held frequent converse on "the days of old, 
the years of ancient times," and who, in their "boyhood days," had 
often passed through this port, all agreed in their statements regarding 
it, viz.: In front of the Old Tolbooth, removed in 1769, there pro- 
jected out into the street an immense fan-formed stone stair, which 
led up to the Council Chamber in the second storey. The stair was 
about ten feet in breadth at the top landing, and widened out as it came 
down to the street, so much so that the lower steps that rested on the 
street were at least twenty feet in lengtJi. The upper steps of this stair, 
and the stone landing at the top, rested on an arch-way or/^«^ of about 
ten feet in height, eight feet in zvidth, and the road throiigJi this arch, 
below the big stair, was about twelve feet in length. This roadway 
connected the Kirkgate with the Collieraw (now Bruce Street). A 
gate hung on the northern exit of the arch or pend, and served as the 
Tolbooth port, which in ancient times was closed each night with the rest 
of the ports. Such are all the details known regarding " the Tolbooth 
Port." (Fortheotherports, see ^ ;/./?«;// 1327, 1488, 1585, 1735, 1752, 
and 1780.) Also, for view of this remarkable stair, see the view of it 
in Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. ii. p. 4, which was supplied by the writer. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh was 
re-elected Provost; 30th Sept., 1745. (Burgh Records.) 

The Rebellion, and Prince Charles's Demands on the 
Burgh. — In the Burgh Records, between October 4 and December 
27, 1745, there are five minutes of meetings of the Council of the 
Burgh regarding "Prince Charlie's demands on them." As the 
minutes are interesting, we shall give them in full : — 

4th Oct., 174s. — The said day the letter from Mr. Murray of Broughton, 



THE REBELLION. 447 

by command of his prince, was again read this day as it was on munday last, 
before the councill, the tenor q'"of follows : — 

^^ Holyrood House, 28th Sept., 174.3. 
" Sir, — You are hereby orderd upon receipt of this to repair to the 
Secretary's Office at the Palace of Holyrood-house, there to have the contri- 
bution to be pay'd by your toun of Dunfermline for his Highness use 
ascertained, which shall be done according and in proportion to the duty's 
of excyse arising out of the s** toun of Dunfermline ffor the repayment of 
which contribution the s*^ duty shall be assigned. This you are orderd upon 
pain of rebellion forth w' to obey. — By his Highness command, 

"Sign'd J. Murray." 

Directed on the back " To the Provost or Magistrates of the burgh of Dun- 
fermline." 

Whereupon Baillie Adie and BailHe Crawford, verbally commissioned by 
the Council on munday to goe over to Edf in name of the toun in obedience 
to the above forced commission or letter. Reported that they went to Edf and 
met with Mr. Murray's under Secretary's, as they called y™selves, viz., messieurs 
Stuart and Lumsdean, who demanded eighty pounds Sterling as the lowest 
contribution to be pay'd by this burgh, and to be pay'd to-morrow at furthest, 
and that for the touns repayment a proper assignment is to be given. The 
councill y''for, before they proceed to give judgment in the above affair, 
recommend to and appoint the dean of gild to meet his brethren and each 
deacon of croft to meet and assemble y" seall crofts for advice how the s'^ 
contribution is to be pay'd, or by whom in the meantime. The saids BailUes 
Adie and Crawford also reported that on payment of the an^ contribution no 
more in name of excyse on that score was to be pay'd by this burgh for near 
six months. And the councill appoints y® dean of gild and deacons to report 
this day by 12 midday. — Councill of the Burgh of Dunfermline held w*in 
y" writing chamber on friday the 4th October, 1745. 



Council of the burgh of Dunfermline, held w*in y'' writing chamber on 
friday y" 4 October, 1745, at 12 midday, by adjournment. 

Sederunt, &'c. 

Alexander Miller, ) „ ... Ja? Crawford. 

David Adie, j ^'^^^^"- Robert Wilson. 

John Lindsay, dean of gild. John Walker. 

Andr. Dickie, ireas''. Alexf Coventry. 

John Black. W™ Walker. 

Tho? Scotland. W™ Anderson. 

W? Hutton. John Kerr. 

David Sands. John Pierson. 

George Kellock. George Meldrum. 
John Knox. 

The dean of gild and deacons of Crofts, In consequence of the appoint- 
ment this day made the following reports, viz.: — -The dean of gild reported 
y* he met his brethren and y* they are unanimously of opinion that the con- 
tribution should be payd off the touns common good rather than the toun be 
plundered, but delayed giving y"" judgement how much they will contribut for 
y" touns help or assistance till afterwards. And the whole deacons reported 
that it is the mind of their seall trades that the contribution should be payd 



448 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

by y" toun off the touns common good ; And in case that the toun shall not 
recover it, or get repayment from the brewars and those lyable in excyse, that 
in y* case that they will severally contribut conform to y'' abilities, save y^ 
corporation of Weavers and Taylors, who declined giving any advice in y" 
matter. — Which reports being considered by the councill, and they considering 
that other royall burrows have payd y'' contribution money, The councill y^'for 
agree to the said eighty pounds sterling of contribution money. And the 
councill having ask'' John Knox, treas"", what money is in his hands of y*" touns, 
at the time, who declares y'' he has only twenty-two pounds sterling. — Where- 
upon the council appoint, warrand, and authorize John Knox, late treas'', in 
name of y'' toun and on the touns credite, to borrow the remaining fifty-eight 
pounds Sterling, and when borrowed, also appoints him, y*" s'^ John Knox, to 
send the s'^ eighty pounds Sterling w'^ Robert Meldrum, one of the touns 
officers, to Ed!, and Robert Meldrum to give it to Mr. fflockart, the touns 
agent, to pay the same accordingly, and also warrand y" baillies to sign a 
conjunct bill or bills from y*^ persons one or more from whom y*" s'^;^5o Str. 
is to be borrowed. Signd. Alex. Miller." 

The same day also, John Knox, late treas"", represented that as it is 
reported y* the highlanders are by force to levy and uplift the land cess to- 
morrow or very soon, So he wanted the councill's judgement how to behave. 
That is, whether he should pay y" touns land cess to y"" or not. Which being 
considered by the councill, they are of opinion and agree that the s'' John 
Knox pay the land cess as in case other gentlemen pay theirs to them. 

(Signed) Alex'? Miller. 

The Earl of Kellie and a small party of Highlanders come 

to Dunfermline demanding money. The Council meet to consider it 

along with former demands, viz. : — 

Councill of the Burgh of Dunfermline holden w'in the Writing Chamber 
on Saturday the 5th October, 1745, at 10 o'Clock before noon. 

Sederunt, ^'c. — 

Alexander Miller, ) , .,,. W'? Hutton. 

David Adie, )^oaiutes. John Black. 

John Lindsay, dean of gild. James Crawford, 

Andr Dickie, treas''. John Kerr. 

David Sands. John Walker. 

George Kellock. W"' Anderson. 

John Know. William Walker. 
Tho? Scotland. 

Which day the baillies acquainted the councill that yesterday they and John 
Knox, in consequence of the council act of yesterday, borrowed thirty-four 
pounds sterling from Baillie Scotland, and fourteen pounds sterling from 
Crawford, and ten pounds money for s'' from Robert Adie, making in whole 
the ;^58 str., which was, w*' the 22;^ str. in s** John Knox's hands, sent to 
Ed""- w' Rot. Meldrum, off'', in terms of yesterdays order. All which the 
Councill approves ofif. 

The same day also, Baillie Adie represented to the Councill that this 
morning he was sent for, and went to the Earl of Kellie and a party of high- 
landers who are just now in the place, and that they demanded from him in 



THE HIGHLANDERS. 449 

name ot the toun, the toun's cess or supply in use to be payd to the generall 
receiver. And y' they threaten, if it is not payd immediately, military execu- 
tion and plundering, and this beside the touns land cess. The Councill 
delays the consideration of this matter to three o'Clock this day in the after- 
noon, to which time the Councill adjourned, and the councill were warand 
apud acta to attend t"\ 



Councill held w*^in the Writing Chamber on Saturday, the 5th Oct., 1745, 
at 3 o'clock afternoon, by the magistrates and toun councill as ment"*^ in the 
forenoon's Sederunt. Baillie Miller, Dean of gild Lindsay, and the Clerk, 
verbally appointed by the Councill in the forenoon to meet w* some of the 
prin'^ persons on the highland party to make and get matters as easy for the 
toun as possible. Reported that before they went to y"" they met w* Clerk 
Walker in Innerkeithing, who told y"" y* he saw the toun of Kinghorn pay 
them y'' toun's cess or supply, and y* Innerkeithing had also payd their cess 
to y'? And y* after meeting w' Mr. Seton, commonly calld Coll. Seton, y* Mr. 
Seton proposd on the touns paying about twenty pounds sterling, presently, 
in part payment of the toun's by gone cess or supply. That he would do 
what he can to delay the payment of the rest for sometime. Which being 
considered by the councill, They warrand and appoint John Knox, late 
treas'', in name of the toun to pay y"' any sum not exceeding twenty pounds 
sterling, to ace' of y® touns supply. 



Court of the burgh of Dunfermline, held w*in the house of Baillie David 
Adie, on munday the i6th Decl", 1745. 

Sederimt — 
Alexander Miller, \. .,,. John Knox. 



David Adie, j ' David Sands. 

John Lindsay, dean of gild. James Anderson. 

Andf Dickie, treas'. W> Walker. 

George Kellock. W".' Anderson. 

Thomas Scotland. John Pierson. 

W? Hutton. John Ker. 

James Crawford. George Meldrum. 
John Black. 

Which day the baillies informed the councill that Mr. Douglas and a party of 
the highland army are here just [now], demanding the touns cess under pain 
of military execution. The council considering the force. They appoint the 
treas'' to pay the touns land cess to him on rec" 

The Highlanders. — A large party of ''Heelander Sogers" from 
the Highland army arrived in Dunfermline, demanding the town cess, 
&c. (Burgh Records.) Their trumpeter lodged in the garret of a 
house in St. Catherine's Wynd, which house was long known as "the 
Trumpeter's Land." (MS.) The following is the minute of Council, 
convened to consider the matter : — 

Councill of the burgh of Dunfermline, held w*in Baillie Millar's house, 
on friday, the 27th Dec, 1745. 

3 i^T 



450 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

Sederunt, &>€. — 

AlexT Miller, ) , .„. John Black. 

David Adie, /'^^^^^^^^' James Crawford. 

John Lindsay, dean of gild. James Anderson. 

Andl' Dickie, treas': W™ Anderson. 

Thomas Scotland. W™ Walker. 

David Sands. Rob? Wilson. 

George Kellock. John Ker. 

John Knox. John Pierson. 

Which day John Knox, late treas"", informed the council! that A great party of 
the highland army came yesterday to raise the cess, excyse, &c.; And y* in 
consequence of the councill's act of the i6th current, he went to pay the touns 
land cess, but that they want and demand not only the touns land cess, but 
the touns supply or cess, under the pain of military execution, &c. — All which 
being considered by the councill. They warrand and impowr John Knox, late 
treas"", to pay not only the touns land cess, but their supply, providing y* the 
supply do not exceed Sixteen pounds Sterling, And y* to Mr. Douglas, who is 
just now in town w* the s'^ party demanding y" same as said is. 

(Signed) Alex? Miller. 

Narrow Escape of the Provost being Shot. — An old MS. 
notifies that, "a few days after a party of the Highland army had left 
Dunfermline, Lord Charles Hay, of the Tweeddale family. Provost of 
the town, and an officer in the King's army, was taking a view of the 
surrounding country from the lofty station of the Church Steeple, 
when a Highlander, who had remained behind as a spy, aimed a 
pistol at his Lordship, and to the amazement of all who saw the 
action, shot away one of the ear-curls of his military peruke" — Dec, 
30th, 1745. {Chambers' Pict. Scot. 1834, vol. ii, pp, 160, 161,) 

Distaff Spinning and the Spinning Wheel. — An account 
of these arts was sent to the writer about forty years ago, by the late 
Mr, Laurence Wilson, of Midmill, near Dunfermline, We shall con- 
dense a few of his items of information, Mr, Wilson observes that 
" Distaff Spinning, which had so long been practised in Dunfermline, 
had begun to decline as early as 1730, and that by 1745, scarcely a 
Distaff was to be seen, having become superseded by the Spinning 
Wheel. The wheel kept its place in Dunfermline till so late a 
period as 1820," Mr. Wilson adds, that "the distaff was a simple 
concern, consisting of a long stick or staff, mounted on the top with 
lint or tow, which was kept fast to the spinner's side by her left arm, 
and by drawing off the lint and twisting it as it came off the rock, 
thread was produced. The wheel employed both feet and hands, 
and did the work much more rapidly." (See A71. Dimf. date 1820.) 
" In 1745, and for many years afterwards, the north side of the Tower 



miller's painting of DUNFERMLINE. 45 1 

Hill, and part of St. Catherine's Yard, were used as Bleaching-greens 
by the Spinners." 

1746.— Congratulation to the Duke of Cumberland, &c. 
— '•'■ loth February, iy^6 : Which day the baillies laid before the 
councill a letter, dated the 6th current, from Tho'- Allan, signed by 
order of the annual committee, representing that a quorum of the 
annual committee having met that day, They thought it necessary 
that such of the members of that committee who are not at a great 
distance from the place, viz., Ed", should meet there, on the 13th 
current^ To concert what measures were necessary to be taken for the 
welfare of the burrows at this juncture, and particularly to name a 
deputation of their number to wait upon his royall highness the Duke 
of Cumberland, and in the name of the royall burrows to congratulate 
his highness upon his arrival in this country, and his success ag* the 
rebells, And y'for expecting that the councill will send a member duly 
instructed to meet that day for these purposes. Which letter being 
read and considered by the councill. They appoint and commissionat 
the Clerk, in name of the toun councill, to go to Ed^ and wait on 
y<= annual committee of burrows y^ s'^ thirteenth feb' current for the 
end fors*^ appoint y'' baillies in y' name to unite along with him." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Miller's Painting of Dunfermline. — This is a very fine 
painting of Dunfermline, taken from the West Park of Pittencreiff ; 
supposed to be the second view ever taken. On the extreme right 
of the view is the Monastery, the roofless Palace Wall, the Queen's 
House, and Steeple of the Church ; the left being filled up with the 
backs of the houses in St. Catherine's Wynd, Kirkgate, and Collier Kow 
(Bruce Street), with a mass of trees in the foreground. In the centre 
rises the Tower Hill, with the fragment of the west wall of Canmore's 
Tower on its top ; and at the foot of the hill, the upper arch of the Tower 
Bridge. This view, from a copper-plate engraving, fronts page 69 of 
Fernie's Hist. Dunf., and is entitled, " Viezv of Dunfermline from the 
West Park of Pittencrieff ; from a painting by Miller in 1746, in 
possession of Mr. Beveridge, Edinburgh." The painting is 32 inches 
by 29. It was in the possession of the late Mr. Thomas Beveridge, 
S.S.C, Edinburgh, from 18 10 till his decease, in 1859. Shortly 
after his death, at the sale of his effects, it was sold to the late Mr. 
Matheson of her Majesty's Board of Works. The engraving of this 
view in Fernie's Hist, of Dunf. is very fine and tolerably accurate. 



452 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Ancient Society of Gardeners. — Francis, Earl of Moray, 
elected Chancellor of the Society. (Abrid. Hist. Soc. Gardeners.) 

Boufie's Brae, at the back of the dam, first mentioned this year. 
( Gardetters' Record.) 

The Town and the Kirk Clock.— It will be seen from the 
following Town Council Note, that " the Auld Kirk clock" was finished 
and placed in the steeple in March, 1746. "■ zgth March, iJ/f-O: Which 
day the baillies acquainted the council that Mr. Andrew Dickie, 
watchmaker, informed them that the new clock made by him to the 
town, in virtue of the contract betwixt the town and him. Is now 
placed in the Church Steeple, And that he says it goes, And that he 
is demanding twenty pounds four shillings and sixpence sterling as 
the half of the price of the clock already due, w' three pounds eleven 
shillings sterling as the price of making and gilding the dyall plate 
y'^of, with seven shillings sterling as the expence of carriage of the 
dyall plate from Ed^ to the ferry payd out by him. — Which being 
considered by the councill. They warrand and impower John Knox, 
treas'^, to pay Mr. Dickie the sev' sums, extending in whole to twenty 
four pounds two shillings and sixpence sterling ; But order the con- 
tract to be kept, That so Mr. Dickie may fulfill the obligations y^'of 
presentable by him y''by. As also the Councill order s'^ John Knox 
to give Mr. Dickie's serv*^ a crown of drink money. — The same day 
the councill agreed w"^ Ro* Meldrum, officer, to pay him half-a-crown 
for his due and regular and dayly rolling up the s'^ new clock for half 
of a year, commencing this day, and for oyleing y^ same during that 
space." (Burgh Records.) This "clock disbursement came hard upon 
the town so soon after the highland insurgent payments. The winder 
of the clock, however, was not overpaid." From a Note appended to 
Mr. Dickie's Letter of this date, it appears that there was a great 
number of people all round about, gazing on the dial-hands being fixed. 
When this was done, and the hands set to the time, a loud and ringing 
huzzah arose from the multitude of lookers-on. 

Doctor of the Grammar School.— Between 17th March and 
30th April, 1746, there are several minutes relative to the doctorship 
and the new doctor ; but these are too long for insertion. 

Close of the Rebeli,ION — Congratulatory Address. — ''nth June, 
1746: Which day the Councill agreed to send a congratulery address 
to his Majesty on the happy success of his army, under the command 
of his royall highness, the Duke of Cumberland, ag' the rebels at the 



THE BREACH — BURGHERS AND ANTI-BURGHERS. 453 

late battle near Culloden, And orderd the Clerk to write out the same, 
and when signed by the baillies, appoint y™ to transmit the same to 
Mr. Erskine, our member of parlia', to present y^ same to his 
Majesty." (Btirgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 29th Sep.t., 1746.) 

1747.— Heritable Jurisdiction Bill — A Sheriff for Dun- 
fermline. — '' 1 6th March, 174.7: Which day the council causd read a 
printed copy of the bill depending before the parlia'^ for abolishing 
jurisdictions, And therefore the Councill orderd the baillies to write 
to the Marques of Tweeddale, Lord Charles Hay, and Mr. Erskine of 
Grange, That they would be pleased to use y'' interest to get one of 
the Sheriff Courts to sit in this place as being most Centricall for the 
Hedges," (Burgh Records.) 

The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. — "The Earl of Kin- 
cardine died in 1747, and the title lapsed to his nearest of kin, the 
Earl of Elgin, who henceforth bore the double title, viz.. The Earl of 
Elgin and Kincardine." {Heralds Office; Newspapers, 6fc., of 1747.) 

The Breach — Btirghers and Anti-Burghers. — An old MS. paper 
notifies that " a great disturbance and commotion took place this year 
among the congregations of the Burgher Kirk in Scotland regarding 
* the Burgess Oath.' A small party of members seceded from Ralph 
Erskine's Kirk, Dunfermline, and formed themselves into a new 
congregation, in conjunction with the Carniehill members, and they 
were known as Antiburghers. They often met for worship near 
Gillanderston toll, with other members from Torrieburn, Carniehill," 
&c. It would appear, from a Note, that the Dunfermline Antiburghers 
were for upwards of twenty years a very small body, numbering about 
80 or 100 members. Somewhere about their thirtieth anniversary they 
got a new start, and greatly increased in numbers, so much so, that 
they were enabled to build a kirk for themselves in Dunfermline. 
"They were served by itinerant preachers previous to this year in 
Dunfermline. In Carniehill they had a regular minister, to which 
place the Dunfermline worshippers often went." In Dunfermline, it 
appears, " they had worship in a large room in the Queen's House, at 
the Steeple, and at other times in some large room in the town." (See 
An.Dunf.dditQ 1789, 1820, 1861, &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 28th Sept., 1747.) 



454 annals of dunfermline. 

Admitted a Burgess by Payment in Cash and by a Bill. 
— Alexander Paul, residenter in Dunfermline, petitioned the Council 
to be admitted a burgess, offering to pay five pounds Scots in cash, 
and " y^ remainder payable by him and Baillie Miller on y"" conjunct 
Bill." The Council agreed to the terms. {Bjir. Rec, Dec. 19, 1747.) 

1748.— A Sheriff-Court for Dunfermline. — "5^/^ March, 
1^4.8 : Which day the councill commissionat Baillie Wilson, senior, 
to go to Ed^ in name of y^ toun, and wait on Mr. Peter Haldane and 
Captain George Haldane his son, member of parlia"', by his letter to 
y^ toun desires To get Mr. Peter's advice to his in relation to getting 
a Sheriff or regality court to sit here as y^ toun wrote to s'' Captain 
Haldane." (Burgh Records.) 

Dunfermline Regality, &c. — An Act of Parliament abolished 
all heritable jurisdictions in 1748, but compensations were granted to 
all who had a legal interest in them. John, Marquis of Tweeddale, 
heritable bailie, &c., of the regality of Dunfermline, estimated the 
value of his holding at ;^8ooo ster., for which he received £26y2 7s. 
in compensation; and his clerk, William Black, the sum of ;^500. 
The Marquis of Tweeddale still receives the fees or salaries belonging 
to the offices of heritable bailie, mayor and serjeant, but all the Courts 
of the Regality, Judges, &c., were then for ever abolished. (Vide 
Histories of Dunfermline)) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh 
re-elected Provost, Oct. ist. (Burgh Records.) 

Coal Picks to be Used. — "The Councill order twelve addi- 
tional coal mine picks to be made for y^ touns use for carrying 
forward y"^ touns stone mine, y"" being necessary use for them." {Btir. 
Records, loth December.) 

1749._The British Linen Company and Weaving. — This 
year " the British Linen Company sent an agent to Dunfermline to 
employ as many looms as could be procured in weaving table linen ; 
and it has been surmised that the looms then belonging to the town 
weavers did not exceed 400." {Fernie's Hist. Dunf p. 55, &c.) 

Haly Bluid Acre to be Let. — " The councill warrand and 
authorize the baillies, or any one of them, in name of the toun, to sett 
the Haly blood acre, and such of the Deals of the Daiusdean whose 
tacks are out, and that by public roup, by tuck of drum, eight days 
before the Roup." {Burgh Records, lOth March.) 



THE TOWER HILL AND COLONEL FORBES. 455 

The Dunfermline Regality Court held its last sitting in 
February, 1749, "after having ruled and given law to the district for 
six centuries or so." (MS.) 

Feu-Duties and Kinds, Dunfermline. — The Marquis of 
Tweeddale obtained by charter a prorogation for 27 years of these 
duties. The tack-duty during these 27 years is said to have amounted 
to £^ lis. id. only (June, 1749) ! 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh was 
re-elected Provost 2d October. (Burgh Records.) 

The Tower Hill, and Colonel Forbes of Pitiencrieff. — Colonel 
Forbes, being proprietor of the Tower Hill, wished to have posses- 
sion of it ; but, as the burgh had a lease of it, he addressed a letter 
to the Town Council. The following note from the Bnrgh Records 
shows the affirmative result : — "/d Dec. ly^g: The councill resumed and 
took under consideration a letter directed to them by Collonel Arthur 
Forbes of Pittencrieff, dated the i6th of May last. Bearing, that the 
councill might please to know That the Most honourable the Marquis 
of Tweedale had been pleased to add to the Excambion Betwixt his 
Lordship and him. The Tower hill pertaining to his Lordship and 
now to him by the said addition. But as the said Tower hill was in 
the Towns Tack, along with the Milns from his Lordship, The said 
Collonel Forbes thereby offers to take a subsett of the said Tower hill 
During the Touns Tack or possession, and to pay yearly Rent thereof 
As Newtrall Men should determine. As he was intending to orna- 
ment it. Which would add a Beautie to the Toun, As the said Letter 
bears: And the councill Also considering that the said Collonal fforbes 
hath agreed to grant a Right and Disposition To the Magistrates, 
Councill and Community, and whole Burgesses and Inhabitants of 
this Burgh To the Washing place in the Tower Burn, on the North 
side of the said Tower hill, with free ish and Entrie thereto and liberty 
and priviledge to the Burgesses and Inhabitants to lay doun their Cloath 
and yearn, &c., the time of washing thereof on Both sides of the said 
Tower burn, providing the Councill would Grant the desire of his 
letter, And after full Reasoning upon the affair, it was put to a vote 
— Graftt the desire of the letter or not — and carried by a good majority. 
Grant the desire of the Letter;" and therefore a Subsett was granted 
to the Colonel during their tack, &c. 

Candle Works " were established, this year, in Dunfermline, by 



456 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

John Henderson, which gave employment to a number of persons." 

(MS. Note.) 

1750.— A School in the Queen's House.— This year, Mr. 
Arthur Martin (an Episcopalian) had a school in one of the apart- 
ments of Queen Ann of Denmark's House, which he is said to have 
taught with great success. (Histories of Dtmfermlijie.) 

Carts and Middens on the Streets, &c. — ''26 May, lys^: 
The councill Recommend it of New, To the Baillies to put in Execu- 
tion the former Acts of Councill Against Carts and Middings standing 
on the Streets ; And also appoints the Baillies To order the Touns 
Scaffinger to keep Redd the holes for receiving the water off the 
Tower Bridge." (Burgh Records.) 

Horse Hirers. — "The councill taking to their consideration that 
the horse hyrers in this place are oppressive to the Liedges by 
Demanding Extravigant hyres for Carriages, &c. They therefore 
appoint the Two Baillies, the Dean of Gild, the Conveener, Deacon 
Kirk and Deacon Buntine as a committee of councill. To meet and 
make up a scheme anent the said hyrers to be laid before Councill for 
their Consideration and approbation, and joins Baillie Wilson (Elder) 
to the above committee." (Burgh Records; for "Table of Regulations" 
for the ''hyrers' " charges in future, &c., see Burgh Records^ date 25th 
April, 1752.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Lord Charles Hay of Blansh 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, ist Oct., 1750.) 

Fashionable Parts of the Town.— A MS. Note states that 
"the fashionable parts of the town in 1750 were the Kirkgate, May- 
gate and St. Catherine's Wynd." 

1751. — Weaving. — It was customary about this period for the 
weaving tradesmen to work during the winter months at ticks and 
checks, and during the summer months at table-linen. (Mer. Hist.) 

Dancing -School. — "The first known dancing-school in Dun- 
fermline was opened in a room of the Queens-house this year, at los. 
a quarter, and was pretty well attended." (MS. Note.) 

The Nethergate Removed. — According to Old Notes, the 
archway in the south-west corner of the Abbey wall (foot of Gibb 
Street) had for some time been in a very ruinous state, and was 
removed early in 175 1. 



two female thieves whipped. 457 

Report on the Roof of the Tolbooth.— "/(5^Z; /«/;/, 7757; 
This day Baillie Morison reported to the council That he had 
Attended at the visitation of the Roof of the Tolbooth By Robert 
Aitken and Thomas Noble, Slater, and David Henderson, Wright, 
And that it was all their oppinions That the timber roof of the said 
Tolbooth was very good, being of Oak, But that the Slates were 
altogether in Disrepair ; And also it was their oppinion that it be a 
Right thing to thatch the foreside of the Tolbooth with Scailzie and 
Repair the Back side thereof with the slates, as above" [mentioned.] 
(Burgh Records.)— ^" gtk Aug., 1751 : Deacon Henderson reported 
that he went to Leith and took of 3500 scailzie for the Tolbooth at 
Twenty Six pounds Scots, and gave a Draught to the merchant upon 
the treasurer. Also, he reported that he had taken off 160 deals for 
the said work, at 12s. 6d. per Deall, from Baillie Wilson in Edin"", 
Which the councill approves off," 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Lord Charles Hay of Blansh 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 175 1.) 

Two Female Thieves to be Whipped through the Town by the 
Stirling Hangman. — '' ist Oct., i^Si : Which day the councill Autho- 
rized, and hereby Authorize, the two Baillies in name of the Toun 
To give Receipt to the Magistrates and Town Council of Stirling for 
their Hangman in order to Scourge Margaret Kilpatrick and GrizeU 
Ferguson thro this toun on Friday Next for theft and Resett of theft, 
agreeable to a Sentance of the Baillies of this burgh on 20th of Sept. 
Last ; And further, the councill order Alexander Robertson, Andrew 
Rolland, and Thomas Fisher, three of the touns Militia, along with 
Robert Meldrum, officer, to Repair to Stirling on Wednesday first, 
and bring the hangman here on thursday thereafter. As the magistrates 
and council of Stirling have already agreed to send him on Receipt 
as above mentioned. And after the Sentance shall be Execute, the 
councill order Robert Alice, Thomas Hoggan, and Robert Henderson, 
other three of the touns militia, with David Christie, off*^, to take him 
Back Again, and Deliver him safe to the Toun of Stirling." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Anti-Burghers. — It would appear from an old MS. document 
that " the Anti-Burghers of Dunfermline had got tired of attending 
worship at Carniehill ilka Sabbath, in the barn there, and resolved to 
have a meeting-house built in the town. They applied to their Presby- 
tery in Kirkcaldy. The application was refused." {An.Dunf. 1747, 1749.) 

3N 



458 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

North Oueensferry Road Obstructed.— " /^i"/^ Dec.,1751: 
The council hearing that the tennant or possessor of the lands of 
Castle Land hill, near N. Queensferry, had obstructed the King's 
High Way there by casting a ditch across the road to shut it up, 
An instrument of interuption ordered to be served on the offender." 
(Btirgh Records.) 

Procurator-Fiscal Dismissed. — The "Procurator" had been 
long "remiss in duty" by "reason of Old Age." James Alexander 
was appointed in his stead. (Biirgh Records.) 

1752.— Custom Put on Coal Carts, %lq.—'' nth Jan., 1J52: 
The councill, this day, taking into their consideration that Several 
Country people Who caw coals from Baldridge Coal hill to the Sea 
and otherways to the leigh of Dunfermline, doe not take the Newraw 
street with these carriages, But traverse the high street of the burgh 
y^'with, particularly the Coallieraw Street [Bruce Street], whereby the 
Streets are very much damnified. The Councel therefore in order 
to prevent such a practice for the future. Authorized and hereby 
Authorize the Touns Customer to Exact Customs from all and 
Sundry persons whatsoever who shall after munday first Caw these 
Coals through the Streets of Dunfermline, Except from such as caw 
them doun the Newraw and Back Street [Queen Ann Street] leading 
thereto. Appoints the customs for each back load to be Sixpennies 
Scots, And for each cart of Coals Ninepennies Scots, And this to be 
intimated by Placards on the Church doors here on Sabbath first 
That none may pretend ignorance." (Burgh Records.) 

Legat's House to be Purchased and a New Street 
Formed. — ''2d May, 1^52: Which day Baillie Wilson Represented 
to the Council that James Legat, Baxter burges of Dunfermline, was 
now about to Expose to Sale by public Roup his Tenement and 
Yeard opposite to and immediately on the South Side of the Mercate 
Cross; Which, being considered by the Council, they were unani- 
mously of oppinion that the Toun should purchase the same if it 
could be got Reasonable, in order to serve for a Street Southwards 
from the Cross [Guildhall Street], which would be a Great Ornament 
to the Toun. Orders were given to Bailie Scotland and William 
Dickie to bid for the subjects, and buy them if at a Reasonable price." 
(Burgh Records.) On i6th May, the subjects were "purchased by 
the Toun on Avednesday last for 1250 Merks Scots money, and 
the council approved of the purchase." Shortly afterwards David 



REV. THOMAS GILLESriE — RELIEF CHURCH. 459 

Wilson's yard, on the south of Legat's old house, was purchased to 
get the street extended farther to the south. 

Dye House built by David Turnbull, dean of gild, and dyer 
in Dunfermline, on ground "by east the Baxter's Nether Miln, in 
front of Frater Hall." {Burgh Records, 9th May.) 

Rev. Thomas Gh^leSPIE — Relief Church. — The following notes 
refer to the rise and formation of the Relief Church: — On the 23d 
of May, 1752, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland de- 
posed the Rev. Thomas Gillespie from his Charge of Carnock Parish 
for insubordinatiou. He retired to Dunfermline and formed a congre- 
gation there, under the designation of the Relief Church. (The first 
Relief Church in Scotland.) His congregation was partly formed by 
many of his old hearers from Carnock, and many in Dunfermline. It 
would appear, from an Old MS. Note, that " at this period Mr. 
Gillespie's congregation met in the barn used by the Rev. Ralph 
Erskine (1737-1741.) Shortly afterwards a Relief Kirk was built on 
the site of the barn for the congregation." {An. Dunf. 1774, 1775.) 

Cah^NEY-Hill Kirk Built ( Antiburgher).~The members of the 
Antiburgher meeting, who had for some years previous worshipped in 
a barn in Cairneyhill, " found themselves financially strong enough to 
erect a meeting-house for their use." (Kirk Record and MS. Note.) 

Six Public Lamps Ordered. — '' idthfune, 17^2 : This day, the 
Council, after a full communing, were of oppinion that it would be a 
Right good thing, and very convenient and Serviceable for the Inha- 
bitants, and ornamentall to the burgh to have Lamps or Lights Sett 
up and fixed at different places of the Toun Where proper, for furnish- 
ing Light to the Inhabitants in Dark Nights, and They therefore agree 
that these should be provided : And hereby Authorize the person who 
shall hereafter be chosen by the council as member to the burrows (at 
the Ensuing Convention) to purchase Six Lamps for that purpose to 
the best advantage." '' 2^ fuly : Bailie Wilson reported to the council 
his buying the Six Street Lamps for Tivclve Shillings Sterling tJie piece, 
which is approved of, and the two Baillies, Dean of Gild, Conveener, 
and Treas^ are appointed to sec the lamps placed at proper places.'' 
(Burgh Records.) 

The "New Style" Introduced.— By Act of Parliament, the 
3rd September of 1752 was reckoned as the 14th September. Of this 
the Town Council take no notice in their Records! 



460 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Priory Lane (anciently known as the Abbey Road, and afterwards 
as the The Common Veiinel) "began to be built in 1752." (MS. Note.) 

Street Lamps — Where they are to be Placed, &-€. — "-idth Sept. 
i'j^2 : Baillie Wilson Reported that the Six Street Lamps are now 
come over and Ready to be placed up. One of them being seen by 
the Council, They declared their satisfaction therewith ; And after 
some communing amongst the Council, They were unanimously of 
oppinion that these Six will never answer the purpose, or give satis- 
faction to the Inhabitants, and therefore the Council order other Six 
to be provided, and appoints the Committee of Council formerly 
named to oversee and order these Lamps to be put up at the follow- 
ing places, viz., at John Buntine's house, one ; one at y^ Clerk's stair; 
one at the East Corner of Baillie Wilson, Stationer, his house ; one 
upon the South-East Corner of the house possest by John Anderson, 
Skinner, at the Cross ; one at the East Port ; one in the Collieraw, 
at the house possest by James Blaikiter ; one at the East End of the 
Maygate ; one in the Collieraw, So as to afford light to the Rotten- 
raw ; one at Thomas Anderson's ; one at the Crosswind head ; one 
at the flesh Mercate Tenement ; one at or about Trumpeter's Land." 
(Burgh Records.) The Council had received the "other six " — in all 
twelve lamps. Many of the sites of the lamps will be recognised, 
such as " Trumpeter's Land," a land or house in St. Catherine's Wynd, 
used by the trumpeters in the Rebel detachments in 17 15 and 1745, 
adjacent to the Port which stood there. 

" Clock Smith" ( Clockmakcr.) — Previous to the year 1752, clocks 
were made and repaired in Dunfermline by Adam Stevenson, smith. 
Andrew Dickie, clockmaker, was the first who commenced business in 
Dunfermline as a clock and watchmaker (in 1752). (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "The honourable Sir Peter Halket 
of Pitfirran, Baronet, elected Provost." (Burgh Rec. 2d Oct., 1752.) 

A Dean of Gilu Court Proposed to be Legally Established, — 
" ytJi Oct., 1752 : Which day the Magistrates and Town Council of 
Dunfermline took under their consideration how great a loss it was 
to the Inhabitants of this burgh, and others of his Majesties Leidges, 
that there was not a Legally Established Dean of Gild Court or 
Council here To Administrate Justice to the Leidges in Terms of 
the Laws of the Land. It was therefore agreed that a Dean of Gild 
Court be established in this burgh, after the form and practice of the 
City of Edinburgh ; and that the Court or Council of the Dean of 



REMOVAL OF THE OLD MARKET CROSS. 461 

Gild of this burgh, in all time coming, consists of seven members," 
&c. (Buj^gh Records.) 

"Human Attire." — A quaint Old MS. Note informs us that "the 
dress of the men in the town and district was very plain and home- 
spun. Beginning at the tap, it was covered with a large broad bonnet ; 
then came a gravit ; then a terrible big slouching coat, decorated with 
great buttons, coming down below the knees ; then a large pull of a 
waist coat ; then came the gun-mouthed breeks, tied at the knees." 
Below " were rig and furrow stockings ; then came the well-roomed 
shoon, held together by either buckles or clasps ; then came the six- 
feet long walking-stick." The women " wore plain gowns and short- 
gowns, plaids and wrappers ; mutches, with great spread borders, 
sometimes decorated with notes of ribbons, adorned the head. During 
week-days the poorer sort of females wore the short-gown, wrapper, 
and bauchels." 

Removal of the Old Market Cross. — The following minute 
is taken from the Burgh Records of this year : — 

Council of the burgh of Dunfermline, holden within the Tolbooth thereof, 
upon the i8th day of Oct'', 1752. 

Sederunt — 
John Wilson, 1 „ y,- John Mackie, Treasurer. 

Alexr Miller, j ^^""^^- William Steedman, Smith. 

John Morison, Deajt of Gild. Tho? Baxter. 

William Dickie, Treas": James TurnbuU. 

John Grahame. Gavin Love. 

David Turnbull. Robert Wallwood. 

William Bonnar, Deacon Wright. John Wilson. 

Which Day the Council, after a full Communing As to the Situation and Bulk 
of the Mercate Cross of this burgh, Were of oppinion that it was a Great 
Incumberance on the Street, and had a bad Aspect, Especially since James 
Legate's house was taken down, and thereby a New Street opened Southward. 
— The Council therefore order the said Cross to be taken doun, and in Lieu 
thereof ordain a Large Stone to be Laid where the said Cross presently stands 
flat with the Ground, and a Cross to be Cut out upon it. At which all public 
intimations and publications are and shall be made in time Coming, As they 
have been in use to be made at the said Mercate Cross now to be taken 
down. And the council Appoint a proper post to be fixed up at some proper 
place thereabout, for public advertisements and the Like to be affixed thereon. 
And Appoint the Two Baillies, the Dean of Gild, and Conveener, to Employ 
Men to take doun the said Cross, &c., and to oversee the same done.'' 

After being removed, the shaft or pillar was built into the corner 
of an adjacent house, to " paste public notices on it." (See An. Dimf. 
date 1868.) 



462 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Such was the end of the Market Cross of DunfermHne. All 
antiquaries have regretted the removal of these old crosses. Sir 
Walter Scott's lines in " Marmion " may be transferred to this place 
without much alteration : — 

" Dunfermline Cross — a pillar'd stone- 
Rose on a turret octagon ; 
But now is razed that monument 

Whence royal edicts rang, 
And voice of Scotland's law was sent 
In glorious trumpet clang. " 

A Female Sorcerer. — "The celebrated and notorious Peggie 
Pearson, the Witch, known through the haill toun and country-side," 
died, it is thought, about the end of this year. " The old woman lived 
in a house at the east end of the horsmarket," and it appears that 
" the best of the toun went to her to get their fortimes spaedr She 
generally lay in her bed when she told fortunes, while her " extra- 
ordiner unearthlie big black cat kept sentry on her bed-cod^ This 
was the last of the genuine Dunfermline witches. 

The East and Crosswynd Ports to be Removed. — At the 
sitting of the Council, viz., " 8th Oct., 17S2," it was ordered that " the 
Remains of the Old Ports at the East port adjoining William Bonnar's 
house, and that at the head of the Crosswynd, adjoining to the house 
presently possest by James Inglis, To be taken down." {Burgh Rec.\ 
see also dates 1327, 1488, 1585, 1735, 1745, 1786.) Probably the 
remains of these ports were " fragmental," and likewise " incumbered 
y^ streets." The south pillar of the East Port, connected with an 
old house, remained until 1787, when this last vestige of " the principal 
Port of Dunfermline" was removed. This port is mentioned in the 
Bufgh Records as early as the year 1488, when it is mentioned as the 
"east yett," i.e., the East Gate. (See An. Dunf. date 1488.) 

Death of the Rev. Ralph Erskine. — The Rev. Ralph Erskine, 
minister of the Secession Church, Dunfermline, "died of a virulent 
fever, after an illness of eight days," on 6th November, 1752, in the 
sixty-eighth year of his age and the forty-second of his ministry. 
Twenty-seven of these years he officiated in the Established Church, 
Dunfermline, and the last fifteen in his meeting-house there. " His 
mortal remains were interred in the Churchyard . of Dunfermline, on 
Thursday, Nov. 9th, in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators, 
deeply and justly lamenting the loss of so valuable a minister." 

In an account of the life of this eminent minister, prefixed to an 



DEATH OF THE REV. RALPH ERSKINE. 463 

edition of his works published in 1794, his character is summed up 
as follows : — 

" He was a man who possessed not only a very extraordinary degree of 
the most valuable natural gifts and endowments, such as cheerfulness, good 
nature, modesty, and gratitude, uniting in him ; but remarkable for genuine 
piety, a heavenly disposition of mind, and well acquainted with vital rehgion 
and practical godUness. Yea, in him centered all the ornaments of the 
minister and amiable qualities of the Christian, without the least affectation 
or smallest appearance of vanity. He was a shining instance of the truth and 
amiableness of Christianity, and an exemplary pattern of spiritual mindedness 
and sincere devotion." 

The following is a free translation of the Latin inscription on 
his tombstone: — 

Sacred to the Memory of 

RALPH ERSKINE, 

Who Died on the 6th Day of November, 1752, in the 68th Year 

OF HIS Agh. 



here lies the dust of a man of untainted piety; 
HIS flock he instructed with uniform fidelity ; 

HE firmly opposed THE CORRUPTIONS AND FAULTS OF THE CLERGY OF 

HIS AGE. 

TO BYE-PATHS HE TURNED NOT ASIDE, 

BUT 
REVERENCED THE LAW OF GOD. 

The Rev. Ralph Erskine was the author of a large number of works, 
especially sermons. Many of them, at the earnest request of his con- 
gregation, were published during his life-time. "His works have gone 
through numerous editions, and his name continues to be well known 
on the Continent of America and other lands." 

An Old Note states that this eminent divine lived and died in a 
house down a close leading from the south side of the High Street to 
the junction of Maygate with Abbot Street. His house is an old one; 
the date 1607 is on the " lintel-stone" of the door. The too-fall on the 
west side of this house is said to have been his library; and here it 
was where the Associate Brethren held their celebrated meeting with 
the Rev*^ George Whitefield. (See An. Diinf. date 1741.) 

1753.— A Yarn Market Established in Dunfermline. — 
The following is taken from the Burgh Records of this year : — 

" j^ March, ly^j : This day the Council took under their consideration 



464 ANNALS OF DUNFERMINE. 

the Proposals Sometime agoe Made out by a Committee of Council and 
others anent Establishing a Yearn Mercate, Weekly in this Burgh. And 
which proposals have been for sometime Lying under the Councils considera- 
tion, and also Recommended by the Council to the Consideration of the 
Gildrie and Crofts of the said Burgh — And after a full Reasoning thereanent 
this day The Council concluded thereupon as follows, viz. : — 

1°'" They Appoint that on Every P'riday (being the ordinary Weekly 
Mercate day of this Burgh), Bewixt Nine and Eleven of the Clock forenoon. 
There shall be a public Mercate for Selling and Buying Yearn, To be held at 
and about the Trone of the Said burgh. 

2*^.° That No Yearn shall be Sold before Ringing of the Council Bell at 
Nine of the Clock forenoon, nor any after the Bell is Rung a Second time at 
Eleven of the Clock forenoon. 

3*i" That all Yearn shall be Sold for Ready Money, And the Price agreed 
upon To be paid directly Without oblidging the Seller To go into a house to 
Receive the money. 

4*.° That all Bargains for Yearn Shall be void Except the price be imme- 
diately paid if the Seller pleases, allennarly, if not, he or she who sells may 
pursue to make the Bargain good. 

5*.° That upon the first Friday of every Moneth All sorts of Linnen 
Cloath, Broun and Whitened be sold in the pubHc Mercate at the same hours 
and place that the Yearn is sold, And the price to be paid in the Same way. 

6*.'' That one of the Magistrates of the Burgh or one appointed by the 
Toun Council shall attend and Summarly Determine all Contraversies anent 
Whats Sold and Bought. 

7";° That for the Encouragement of persons To bring Green Cloath from 
the Country to Sell in Said Mercate, The Town shall furnish a house Gratis 
for holding betwixt Mercate days, such Cloath as shall not be sold off incase 
the owners incline to lodge it there. 

Lastly, in order to Render whats above the More Effectuall, the Council 
as they formerly did. So they of New do Recommend it to the Guildrie and 
Crofts of Dunfermline, To Agree amongst themselves Not to goe out to the 
Country to Buy Yearn there, but to take their Chance of the Mercate, So that 
all may be on an Equall footing — And to give such other Encouragement to 
the Settling and EstabUshing of said Yearn and Cloth Mercate As they shall 
Judge most proper." 

St. Margaret's Fair and other Fair Days Altered.— 
St. Margaret's Fair, which had for five hundred years been held on 
St. Margaret's Festival Day, 19th June, was altered to the last 
Wednesday of June, N.S. The other "touns mercates" were also 
"hitched" forward, to suit markets in other parts of the Country. 
{Burgh Records, i8th April, 1753.) On i6th May, 5000 Advertise- 
ments were ordered to be printed and put into immediate circulation 
"up and down the country and Remoter places," so that all may 
know of the said changes. 

Canmore Street Projected. — ''zSth June, i^sj- Which Day 
the Council took under their Consideration how great an Ornament 



THE NEW STREET (GUILDHALL STREET). 465 

it would be to the Burgh, as well as tend to the Advantage thereof 
To have a Broad Street Leading from the Maygate to the Newrow, 
on the North Side of the Monastery Wall, where there is only at 
present a Narrow lane [called 'In-below-th'-Waas,' and originally, 
'The Foul Vennel'.] The Council purchased from the proprietors of 
the Yards on the north side of said lane several feet in breadth of 
their lands, and the Street was at once commenced with." (Bur. Rec.) 

Fragment of the Ruin of the Monk's Dormitory Re- 
moved. — According to an Old MS. Note, "the old piece of ruin 
adjacent to the south-west tower of the Kirk, which formed part of the 
dormitory of the monks, was removed in 1753, and the stones used for 
the inglorious purpose of building a stable and a byre on the same site!" 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. 

Lighting of the Town-Lamps. — " 12th Nov.: Which Day the 
Council Agreed to give Robert Meldrum and David Chrystie, officers, 
Ten Pounds Scots betwixt them for Lighting the Lamps Each Year, 
and for otherways taking Care of the s*^ Lamps, and the council also 
further agreed to furnish them with three punds of Candle for Light- 
ing these Lamps." (Burgh Records.) 

The Old Ports and Market Cross Stones — Money 
Received for part of them. — "5//^ May, I7S3 •' This Day the Council 
appointed William Dickie, Treasurer, to be Charged with Sixteen 
Shillings and Eightpence Sterling, as the price of some Stones 
Sold to Sundry persons — from the Cross and Old Ports." (Bur. Rec.) 

1754. — Gratuity Given by the Town to a Collier on the 
Occasion of his Marriage. — ''■ 2']th March, I7S4-- This day the Council 
ordered William Dickie, late Treasurer, to advance to James Wilson, 
one of the Touns Coalliers, who is just now about to be married, 
Twenty Shillings Sterline money, being what the Toun Usually give 
their Workmen on that Occasion." (Burgh Records.) 

New Street (Guildhall Street). — " loth April, 1754.: The Council 
appoint the Act of Council, of Date the Eleventh of August last, as 
to the Levelling and Laying of the New Street, from the Cross to the 
Bleatchfield, To be put in Execution this Summer, and adds to the 
Committee therein John Morison, late Dean of Gild, and David 
Thomson, Deacon of the Wrights." (Burgh Records.) This street 

3f> 



466 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

retained the name of the "New Street" until 1809, when it was 
named Guild Hall Street. (See Aji. Dimf. dates 1809 and 181 1.) 

Three New Lamps for the Streets. — ''21st Sept., 1754.: 
Which day the council ordered three new street Lamps to be pur- 
chased : Whereof, one to be placed at Coallier and miln port, and the 
other two upon the high street, 'twixt the Tolbooth and the East 
Port." (Bur. Rec.) The town was now decorated with fifteen lamps. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Rec, 30th Sept., 1754.) 

The Tolbooth Wall — The Fence Damaged by Coal Carts.—'' It 
being Represented to the council by some of the Members present, 
That part of the Wall of the North-East Corner of the Tolbooth, and 
the aisler wall or fence arround the Trone Burn, were very much Rent 
and Shaken, and likely to fall doun if not speedily Repaired, Occa- 
sioned by Bulkie Carts or Waggons passing and repassing up and 
doun the Coallieraw Street [Bruce Street], which is so Narrow that it 
cannot Receive them without damage, &c. Messrs. Adie & Gordon, 
the owners of the Carts, ordered to repair damages." {Burgh Records, 
30th Oct., 1754) 

Collier Row Port Ordered to be Removed. — "Nov. ph, 
I7S4-' This Day the Council ordered the port called the Collieraw port 
To be taken down, and the Stones thereof to be kept in the Limehouse 
(Tolbooth), or some other proper place, till the Town shall have use 
for them." (Burgh Records.) This port is known also in history as 
the " Milne," or " Mill Port." The writer has long had in his possession 
a sketch of this port, a copy of which he sent to the late Dr. Chalmers, 
to illustrate his Note on the " Mill Port" in his second volume of the 
History of Dunfermline, p. 131. 

1755.— Severe Winter. — "Great falls of snow; frost most 
intense from January till end of March." (Old MS.) 

The High Dam and Horse Watering, &c. — ''21st fune, 1755: 
This day the council Expressly prohibit and Discharge the Inhabi- 
tants from watering their horses in the high dam; and for the more 
Effectual preventing the same. They order the Road which leads up 
to the Dam at the Back thereof to be Condemned, and the Stones 
thereof to be taken up and applied to other Necessary uses." (Burgh 
Records.) 



THE PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE KILLED IN BATTLE. 467 

Collection for the College of New Jersey. — This year 
a collection was made for the College of New Jersey, in America, 
when £2 13s. 4d. sterling was collected, and sent out to that College. 
(Kirk Session Records.) 

Population of the Parish. — In the Rev. Dr. Webster's 
"Widows' Scheme," which was printed in 1755, the number of 
inhabitants in the town and parish is stated to be 8552. (See Dr. 
Webster's Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. xx. App. G.) Of this 
number there would be about 4400 inhabitants in the Burgh. 

The Provost of Dunfermline Killed in Battle. — Sir 
Peter Halket, Provost of Dunfermline, and his son James, were in 
the 44th Regiment of Foot, and, when engaged under General 
Braddock in an action against the French and Indians near Fort du 
Quesne, on the river Monongahela, United States, were both killed 
on 9th July, 1755. The Provost's death was taken into consideration 
by the Council on 20th September, when "the Council unanimously, 
except one, made choice of Mr. Alexander Wedderburn, Advocate, 
as Provost of this Burgh till the ensuing annual election, in the room 
and place of the late Sir Peter Halket." On "25th September, Mr. 
Wedderburn in a letter to the Council accepted the Provostship." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — ''2gt]i Sept., 1755: The Council 
elected and hereby elect Mr. Alexander Wedderburn Provost. (Bur. 
Records.) Age of the Provost, twenty-two years only! 

Pecuniary Difficulties of the Burgh. — ''igth Nov., 1755: 
This day the Council took under Consideration the many Demands 
that are made at present upon them for money, viz.. For their part 
of the Repairing of the Kirk ; the Rents of the Milns due to the 
Marquis of Tweeddale ; The Town Cess, &c. The Baillies are 
ordered to borrow from y'^ Corporation of Weavers the sum of £^0 
sterling." (Burgh Records.) 

Cairnie Hill Church. — This Church was founded in 1754, and 
opened for Worship on 9th April, 1755, when the Rev. James Burt 
was ordained, and eleven elders elected. Cairniehill lies three miles 
to the south-west of Dunfermline. 

1756.— A Clock Lent to the Drummer for His Use. — 
" March 13th, 17^6 : Which day the Council purchased from Alexr. 



468 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Richardson, late Drumber, an old clock or Movement at fifteen 
shillings sterline, and delivered the same to William Inglis, present 
Drumber, to Use as long as he continues Drumber, and to be answer- 
able to the town therefor." (BurgJi Records.) 

Literature. — Mr. James Moir, Teacher, Dunfermling, in Queen 
Ann of Denmark's House, published a Latin Dictionary, entitled — 

" The Scholar's ' Vade Mecum,' or a New Diclionary, Latin 
and English, consisting of such words as are purely classical, in 
7uhich the English is given from the best authorities, and Latin 
words explained, in all their Variations, according to the most 
approved edition. For the Use of Schools, by James Moir, 
teacher of Languages. Edin. 1756.^' 

This Dictionary has gone through several editions; the fourth edition 
was published in 18 19; he also had a large class in the "Queen's 
House" at this period. Mr. Moir died in 1806, at the advanced age 
of ninety-three years. 

New Road to Kirkcaldy.—"/;/;/^ 30th: Which Day Baillie 
Scotland acquainted the Council That the Justices of Peace had met 
yesterday with a great many of the principal inhabitants, By south 
the Touns Parks to Concert the proper way of Carrying the high 
Road from the East End of the toun towards Kirkcaldie. The 
Council approved of the plan and Deed of the Justices." (Burgh 
Records.) 

New Road to North Queensferry.— "////;/ 4.1/1, 1736: Which 
Day the Council, after some communing anent the Carrying on of the 
Turnpike Road from the Ferry to this burgh — Resolved that some- 
thing should be done that way this Season before harvest, and to 
begin at the Spittal bridge and Carry the Road on Southward," »Sz;c. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Sewing Mistress for the Burgh.— "/«/;/ 24th 1736: It was 
this day Represented to the Council That it was a great loss to the 
Toun That we have not a proper Skilled School mistress to Teach 
Girls Sewing," &c. A scheme for duties, salary, &c., was drawn up, 
but nothing then resulted. {Burgh Records ; see also A71. D?mf, date 
I759-) 

Steel Mill.—" 14th Aug., 1756: This Day the Baillies Informed 
the Council, That agreeable to the Council's Verbal Orders They had 
by a letter Notefyd to Clerk Black, as factor to the Marques of 
Tweeddale, of John Chalmer's design of just now Erecting a Machine 



THE DUNFERMLINE GALLOWS. 469 

in the Miln Lead, where it runs thro his Close, for Driving a Steel 
Mill with the water, to grind his malt with. The two Baillies in the 
meantime, in Name of the Toun, take an Instrument of Interuption 
against the erection of said machine." (Bicrgk Records.) 

The Bull's Hole Prison. — " iitk Sept., 1736: Upon an appli- 
cation from David and Robert Scotland, by petition, the Council 
agree to include in their Tack of the fence at the Back of the 
Tolbooth, the Prison, called the BidVs hole, and the Rent of the 
whole Subject to be Three Pounds." (Burgh Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Alexander Wedderburn, Esq., 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 27th Sept., 1756.) "Accepted 
and took the oath on Oct. 25." 

St. Leonard's Chapel. — An Old MS. notifies, that " the southe 
and pairt of the east wall of St. Leonard's ruinous Chapel ayont the 
Spittal Brig fell down at the close of the year 1756." 

1757. — The Dunfermline Gallows and the Weaver's Loom. 
— We have several notes of this incident. When joined and condensed, 
they read as follows : "About the beginning of the year 1757, a weaver 
of the name of J. H. went out, under cover of night, to the Witches 
Loan and stole the gallows ;" "that the authorities made great exer- 
tions to recover it ;" that it was "hidden away in a garret for a good 
number of years," when " it was sawn up and converted into the lay 
of a loom;'' and that the weaver who used it was wont to say that he 
^^ won his bread by the help of the gallows T This being an old relished 
story, it is here given to show what had amused our grandsires. In 
Paton's Rhyming History of Dunfermlifte the gallows is thus referred 
to as a tree: — 

" This tree it was of oak so good, 
As I've heard people say ; 
A weaver stoU this piece of wood, 
And made of it a lay. 

" This lay is in this toun, its said 
Some weaver waggs the same : 
Better to wagg this piece of wood, 
Than that it should cary them." 

The stone into which the gallows was fixed is said to be " still to the 
fore" at Head Well, where it covers a well. 

Great Scarcity of Meal and Victuals. — '' 2 2d fan., ly^y: 
Which Day the Council took under Con.sideration that the price of 



470 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Victual and Meal is upon the Rising hand, And even so scarce that 
it cannot be got for Money, which occasions a very grevious Cry for 
want amongst the Inhabitants, Especially the poorest sort. The 
council were of oppinion That the proper way to keep doun prices in 
this place, and to have the Inhabitants supplyd with Meal at a 
Moderate price, will be for the Toun, the Gildrie, and Corporations 
of this burgh To join in the Commisning of Victual from England or 
Elsewhere it can be had ; And the council, for their part, agree To 
take One hundred pound Sterg. share of said Victual," A committee 
was appointed to " concert anent the best method off commissioning," 
&c. (Burgh Records.) 

Oats Pjcrchased for the Use of the Town. — ''2d April, 1737: 
This Day there was a letter from John Wilson, Stationer, Informing 
the Council what the different Committees had done Concerning the 
purchase of Oats, And particularly That they thro the Good offices of 
Mr. Alexander Wedderburn, Provost, had procured from Mr. George 
Chalmer, Corn Merchant in Edinburgh, 368 bolls Three firlots of Oats 
at fifteen shillings sterline p"" Boll, which Oats were now delivered at 
Lymkills, And sent to different Milns about in order to be made into 
Meal." A committee was appointed to "concert about fixing the 
price and best method of selling it." More oats were, purchased on 
April 8th, viz., "610 Ors. of Oats were purchased from Messrs. Robert 
Wilson & Company, Merchants in London, at the Rate of i6s, 6d. p' 
Qr." &c. (Burgh Records.) More oats and peasemeal were ordered 
to be purchased on 25th April. 

Window Tax. — About this period " there were much discontent 
and grumbling about the laying on of a window tax." On 25th July 
the Clerk of the burgh informed the Council that he had gone to 
Edinburgh about it, and had "Enquired at Mr. Wedderburn and 
others if or not Government were in Earnest to uplift the Window 
tax, and was informed that the Thing was in absolute Earnest," &c. 
(Burgh Records.) On 20th August " the Council appointed Robert 
Scotland, merchant in Dunfermline, Adam Morison, merchant there, 
and William Buntine Baxter there, as Assessors for surveying and 
numbering the window lights within this burgh, subject to Window 
tax, And Appoint the Clerk to notify the same to them." (Burgh 
Records.) It would be interesting to have known the number of 
windows in the burgh subject to the tax, but the Burgh Records do 
not in the least allude to the number. 



magistrates' oath of allegiance and abjuration. 471 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Alexander Wedderburn, Esq., by 
a majority of votes, was re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, Sept. 
26th, 1757.) 

The Dead Bell, &C. — " loth December : This day the Council 
being informed by petition from the Tacksmen of the Two hand Bells 
That the Inhabitants very much impair the Emoluments of the Dead 
Bell, and seldom pay anything on account of Burials. The Council 
having taken this affair to their Consideration, Resolve to maintain 
and keep up the Emoluments of the hand bells ; and Appoint and 
Statute, That tJie dues for the dead bell shall in time coming be one 
Shilling Sterline for an old person, and Eight pence Ster. for a young 
person ; And that the Council bell shall be rung to no Burial, But to 
the Burials of such persons whose friends shall agree to pay the said 
dues." (Burgh Records.) 

The Magistrates and Council, and the Oaths of Allegiance 
and Abjuration. — ^^loth December, lysj : This day James Inglis and 
George Aitken, Baillies ; Thomas Scotland, Dean of Gild; John 
Wilson, Treasurer; John Graham, Old Provost ; David Turnbull and 
Adam Morison, Old Baillies ; John Wilson, Sen^, Old Dean of Gild; 
John Kirk, Old Treasurer; John Wilson, Jun'., and David Scotland, 
Merchant Councillors ; John Buchan and W"^- Steedman, Trades 
CoMicillors ; James Anderson, John Dunsyre, John Thomson, James 
Wilson, Thomas Wardlaw, and George Philp, Deacons of Crofts ; 
and James Wilson, Clerk — were all duly and Legally Qualifyed 
in their respective offices and Characters, as Magistrates and Toun 
Councillors of this Burgh and Clerk, Respective, by their severally 
Taking and Swearing the oaths of alleadgeance and abjuration. And 
signing the same, with the assurance to his Majesty King George the 
Second : In terms of the Act of Parliament, past in the sixteenth year 
of his said Majesties Reign." (Burgh Records.) 

1758.— Malignant Fever. — A malignant fever "raged in Dun- 
fermline from April until September, 1758, which carried a great 
many of the inhabitants off, old and young, in town and country." 
About the end of this year, Mr. Stedman, M.D., then practising in 
Dunfermline, wrote an essay on "The Epidemic P^ever in the Country 
about Dunfermline in 1758," which was afterwards published in the 
"Medical Observations" London. 

Gibb's Well.— "<?5/^ March: This day the Council Granted 



472 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Liberty to and authorized David Inglis, Wright in Dunfermline, to 
take care of the well called Gibs zvell belonging to the Toun, and to 
Redd out and make the same clean of Nastiness, and to prevent and 
hinder any of the Neighbours from polluting the same with Nastiness 
of any kind in future, and to keep the well under lock and key, for 
the service of the neighbourhood in time coming." (Burgh Records.) 
This "windlas well" was situate in the close called the "Fleshmarket 
Close," north side of High Street. 

The Tron Burn. — ''jd May, 1758 : It being represented to the 
Council that the Miln Lead is full of Stones, Sand, and other Trash, 
whereby the water overflows and hurts the street and houses Adjacent 
thereto — The council therefore appoint Baillie Aitken, John Wilson, 
Trea""- and Adam Morison to see the Lead in the Collieraw [Bruce 
Street] properly Red, and to call those to doe it who are Lyable; 
And appoint the Dean of Gild, Baillie Wilson, and John Kirk, To 
give the Proper orders for Redding the Lead in the Maygate, and up 
to the Tron Burn." (Burgh Records.) No doubt, these were sanitary 
precautions in consequence of the great fever then prevailing. 

The Price of Coal. — ''26th August, i^sS : The Council agree 
to Sell the Toun Great Coal to all persons both in Town and Country 
without distinction 2X four shillings Scots the Load." 

The Provostship. — Alexander Wedderburn, Esq., Advocate, 
Edinburgh, resigned his Provostship of the Burgh and went to prac- 
tice in London, This was in consequence of an unpleasant fracas he 
had with one of the Judges of the Court of Session before whom he 
was pleading. He rose in his profession in London, became Lord 
High Chancellor of England, died in 1805, and was interred in St. 
Paul's Cathedral. 

Accomplished Schoolmistresses — Extraordinary Day and 
Boarding School. — "At this period the Misses Gedd, of Baldridge, 
two elderly Jacobite ladies, opened a Day and Boarding School in 
Dunfermline. According to an old fly-leaf print, they taught the 
following accomplishments: — Reading, English Grammar, Writing, 
Arithmetic, History, and Geography, Music, Dancing and Polished 
Manners ; also Plain and Ornamental Sewing, Waxwork in flowers, 
fruits, houses, and landscapes ; Painting on glass ; Ornamental Paper 
Work ; Landscape and Common Drawing, with Painting done to the 
life. Likewise, Household Duties, and other necessaries." This school 
did not succeed in so small a town as Dunfermline. They gave it up 



ABBEY PARK MILNS. 473 

shortly after this period, and went to Edinburgh, where, in Paterson's 
Court, Lawnmarket, they opened a similar but more extensive esta- 
blishment of " accomplishments." They were chiefly patronized by 
"Jacobite families," (For Note regarding the Misses Gedd, vide 
Cham, Trad, of Edin., edit, of 1847, PP- 222-3.) This appears to have 
been "the high-tide of accomplisJiment'''' cramming. In after years 
"the teaching of such a multiplicity of accomplishments fell into dis- 
repute;" at the end of last century these '■'■ u7iiversal-accomplishment 
seminaries were all but extinguished in Scotland. {MS. Note ; see 
also A?i. Dunf. date 1725 for notice of their supposed brother.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Francis Halket, Esq., of Pitfirrane, 
elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 2d Oct., 1758.) 

Abbey Park Milns — The Council Decli^te to Renew the Tack. — 
^^ nth Oct.: This Day the council took under Consideration the Tack 
of the Milns and Abbey Parks, &c., which they have from the Marques 
of Tweeddale, agreeably to their Resolution of the 20th May Last, 
and are unanimously of oppinion That it is the Touns Interest To 
take the Benefit of the Breach ; And agree to take it accordingly ; 
And appoint the two Baillies, the Treasurer, Baillie Scotland, and the 
Clerk, to Notify the same to Clerk Black, the Marques's factor, and 
Concert with him the best and most gentile way of Intimating this 
to his Lordship." (Burgh Records.) In November the Marquis 
" sent a holograph letter to the Council accepting the renunciation." 

Weaving, &c. — A MS. Note states that there were " about 260 
looms in the toun in 1758, and 300 in the country parts of the parish," 
and that " the sales of the produce of the looms were generally effected 
in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, and Kirkcaldy." 

1759.— Bleachfield Agents in Dunfermline. — "TheTown's 
bleachfield having declined much, the goods were sent from Dunferm- 
line to distant bleachfields to get bleatched." John Mackie, weaver, 
Dunfermline, was agent for Glorat Bleachfield, near Glasgow ; William 
Stobie, manufacturer, Dunfermline, was agent for Maryburgh Bleach- 
field, near Kinross ; and John Wilson, manufacturer, Dunfermline, was 
agent for Keir Bleachfield." 

Bread. — A MS. Note states that " the price of the quarten loaf 
was lod. in Dunfermline in the year 1759." 

George Thomson of Limekilns. — George Thomson, who in 
after life became the friend and voluminous correspondent of Robert 

3P 



474 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Burns, and who set many of his songs to music, was born in Lime- 
kilns this year. (MS. Note.) 

The Skeleton of a Female Discovered in a Recess of the 
Abbey Wall. — An Old Note states, that "in the year 1759, a notable 
discovery was made by some mason who was employed on that part 
of the old wall in the sunk garden at the Bowling Green. In a recess 
in the north-west corner of the wall, a stroke of the mattock brought 
down a heap of loose stones, when a dazzling sight was seen behind 
them, viz., a lady dressed in white and her dress glittering with gold 
spangles ; but after half an hour or so, the whole figure, by the action 
of the air, had crumbled into dust." The man who made the dis- 
covery on being asked what he thought when he first saw the lady in 
white, said — that he "turn'd stane-blind for awee, and awfa surprised 
when he saw her melting away." (See also Chambers' s Pictures of 
Scotland, Article '''■Dunfermline'' ; and An. Dunf date 1766.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major Francis Halket of Pitfirrane 
was re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, ist Oct., 1759.) 

Schoolmistress, — ''6th Oct., 175^: The council resumed and 
took under Consideration the affair of the Schoolmistress, mentioned 
in former minutes of the council, and unanimously agreed that the 
Town shall out of the Common Good of the burgh, annually Advance 
or pay to the Schoolmistress the Sum of Two Pounds Ten Shillings 
sterling, as the one half of the Five Pounds sterling proposed as 
suitable for such a Mistress," &c. (Burgh Records.) 

Ornament to the '^Xi'^OYi—BtLying Houses, &c.—'' 8th Dec, 
I7S9' Th^ Council recommended that Bruce's tenement should be 
bought, as it may be improven for ornament to the Burgh." " 2gth 
Dec: Which day the Committee appointed to attend the Roup of 
Bruce's subjects. Reported to the Council That John Farmer, meal 
seller here, had by their order and behoof of the Toun purchased at 
said Roup, the Three Tenements near the Tron burn, at Seventy 
pounds st^ of price, and produced John Farmer's missive to the Toun 
of this date Declaring so much, of all which the Council unanimously 
approve." (Burgh Records.) This subject, was "at the foot of the 
Collier Row " (Bruce Street). For three tenements near the Tron 
Burn, a sum of probably ;^25oo would now be asked! 

1760.— The Chicken-Pie Club Instituted.— This Society 
was instituted for the improvement of the Breed of Cattle, and for 



ACCESSION OF GEORGE III. 475 

many years met at the Crossgates. The annual meet finished up 
with a chicken-pie supper — hence the name. 

Weaving and the London Trade. — The disposal of Dun- 
fermline woven fabrics had hitherto been confined to Scotland, the 
goods being disposed of by orders and by hawking. In the year 
1760, "some of the manufacturers penetrated to London with their 
goods, where a ready sale at good prices was readily effected." Since 
then, the London trade has been a mine of wealth to Dunfermline. 
(See Histories of Dunfermline^ 

St. Margaret's Cave or Oratory. — An Old MS. Note states, 
that so late as this period (1760) there were to be seen in the cave a 
stone seat, and a kind of stone table, with nearly obliterated rude 
carvings on it. The writer had also been told of this, in 1824, by old 
men who had seen these relics. (See also An. Dimf date 1877.) 

Weaving — David Campbell. — Sometime in the year 1760 David 
Campbell came to Dunfermline, where he for many years " carried on 
the Linen trade to a great extent. He made a fortune of £'JQOO, and 
retired to Edinburgh." {Mercer's Hist. Diinf. p. 164.) Before he came 
there were only thirteen damask looms in Dunfermline. 

Queen Ann Street Church — Induction oftheRev.fohn Smith. 
— After a vacancy of nearly eight years, the Rev. John Smith of 
Jedburgh, was inducted, i6th July, 1760, minister of Queen Ann Street 
Church, and successor to the Rev. Ralph Erskine, who died in the 
year 1752. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "The council, by a majority of 
votes, Elected, and hereby Elect, David Turnbull, Provost." {Burgh 
Records, 29th Sept., 1760.) 

Fire-Buckets Inspected. — "4th Oct.: The fire-buckets being 
this day inspected, are all in good Case, being in Number Eighteen. 
— The Council appoint John Kirk, Adam Morison, and David 
Scotland to inspect the fire-bucketts once Every Three Moneth thro 
the year." (Burgh Records.) 

Accession of George III. — ''ist Dec, lySo: Which Day the 
Council Unanimously agreed to address his Majesty, King George 
the Third, on his accession to the Throne ; and a Scroll of an address 
being Read to the Council, They approved thereof, and ordered the 
Provost to Sign an address agreeable thereto in their Name, And to 



476 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Send the same to Mr. Haldane, our Member of Parliament, To be 
presented to his Majestic." (Burgh Records.) 

Agriculture. — According to a MS., " a new and peculiar system 
of conducting agricultural pursuits was introduced into the western 
district of Fife, in 1760, by George Chalmers, Esq., of Pittencrieff. " 

1761.— The Village of Charleston. — "The regularly built 
village of Charleston was founded early in 1761, by Charles, Earl of 
Elgin, for the convenience of his workmen ; hence the name Charles- 
ton. It lies about one mile west from Limekilns, and three miles 
south-west of Dunfermline. The limeworks, kilns, &c., were then in 
progress." 

St. Catherine's Lodge. — David Campbell, manufacturer, finished 
the building of a large mansion, adjacent to the "Queen's House," and 
contiguous to the ruins of St. Catherine's Chapel, and hence it received 
the name of " St. Catherine's Lodge," which it still retains. {Title 
Deeds, &c.) 

Curious Notice of a Funeral in 1761. — The following 
singular account of a funeral at Dunfermline is taken from an old 
clipping from the Glasgow Herald : — 

" Diinfertnlinc, Jtme th i^ day, iy6i. 

" Dear Brother, — I doubt not by this time but you have heard of your 
Mothers Deces. Shou Dyed the 9 day of June, and Avas buried the 11 day 
of June, and shou got a verrey honarable buriel. We had plenty of eall, and 
wuskie, and brandie, and plaine short bread, and sukart short bread, and 
Wheet Bread, and wine bread, and I have paid all founrels (expenses) that 
Came from our toun, such as brandie, short bread, wheet breed, wine breed, 
and the Coffen, but did not get a pirticlar a Count of what eall ther was spent, 
becays William Baton Came not back to the Dargie ; but it is to be paid as 
shon as I get the a Count of it. They are all to meet at my hous the first day 
of July, to wit, David bennet, and Wm. Marshal, and our sistar Lissie Bhilp, 
for to read up matters betwixt David bennet and hir, when I shall give you a 
pirticlar a Count of what is Done and what the burile Comes to. I sent you 
a linen Serk with Margret Henderson, which I expect you will have goot. We 
had at our Dargie old Dalkeith, Andrew Scotland, Rob. Johnston, John 
Demptrston, McGrige, harlaw, and all the Nebours Round. We had John 
Harley, John Henderson, John Buchan, Rob. Mudie in Lochend, John 
Robeson in Shirs Mill, and the twa John Bhileps, John Bhilp in Murmill, and 
his Mother. We had from the east hand Touchie and Rentoul, Tho. Grive, 
Hendrey Symson, Andrew Philp, James Bhilp in the Damhead, and other two 
or three that I did not know that came from the east hand. Ther was 36 or 
37 men at Dargie, becides above a Dozen of wemon, and was all gentilly 
served. We are weall at presant but my wife, and shoe is some Beater. 
Which is all from your loving brother, "J. P." 



THE FIRST PRINTER IN DUNFERMLINE. 477 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, was 
re-elected Provost. {Bw'gh Records, 28th Sept., 1761.) 

A Senior Bailie Qualifies for Office zvJiile on Sick-Bed. — "Dec. 26, 
lydi : The council present, or a quorum of them, agreed to Repair to 
Baillie Wilson (Elder) his house. In order that he might accept ^s first 
BailHe, and Qualify in Terms of Law, as he was not able to come abroad 
by Distress. Immediately thereafter, the Council having Repaired to 
the said Baillie Wilson (Sen"".) his house, He in their presence accepted 
as first (or Senior) Bailie of the Burgh, And gave his Oath, De fideli 
and Secrecy ; And he instantly thereupon Took and Swore the Oaths 
of allegeance and abjuration, and signed the Same with the assurance 
to his Majesty King George the Third, in Terms of Law, to qualify 
him as a Magistrate and Councillor of this Burgh." (Burgh Records.) 

1762.— Mason Lodge, Mill Port, Built.—" The fraternity of 
Masons in Dunfermline finished the building of their Lodge, near the 
Mill Port, early this year (1762), being the first Mason Lodge built in 
the town." This lodge (top of Bruce Street, west side) has, for nearly 
80 years been private property, and is, and has been for a considerable 
length of time, inhabited by "a collection of families." (MS. Note.) 

Bookselling and Printing — Gavin Beugo. — An 6>/^ iV^/^ states 
that " Gavin Beugo as early as this period had a bookshop and small 
printing press in the Collier Row, afterwards in the High Street (east 
of the Cross) as early as 1762." He was therefore the first printer in 
Dunfermline, so far as is known. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 27th Sept., 1762.) 

Removal of a Part of the Monastery Wall. — " A great part 
of the old Monastry wall, to the east of May Gate, having been for a 
long time, a dangerous ruin, was removed ; also another part of the 
wall which stood in the way of the proposed New Street through the 
Bleachfield," viz., St. Margaret Street. (MS. Note.) 

Monastery Street. — William Black, ''Clerk of the Admiralty of 
Dunfermline^' opened up a new street from the Abbey Close to the 
Church Glebe, top of Limekilns Road, of which ground he was pro- 
prietor. This street or way was not named until 1811 when the 
name of Monastery Street was conferred on it. The Abbey Close 
reached from ''the Pends" to the entrance lodge of Pittencreiff. (MS.) 



478 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

At this time the old road from the Netherton Bridge, up behind the 
houses in Moodie Street, was disused, as also "the road which branched 
off from it up the bum, along in front of the Palace Wall" on to the 
west road on Tower Hill, which was converted into private property, 
and the site of the road obliterated. 

Boiling and Cooking Yarn in the Kirkgate. — ''March yth: 
This day the council set the Two little Shops at the head of the Kirk- 
gate to Andrew Bowie, weaver here, for one year after Whitsunday 
first, at Twelve pounds Scots (Ster.) of Rent, in order to be a place 
for boiling and cooking yearn, &c., to the inhabitants ; and this the 
council, as an indemnification to the said Andrew Bowie for the 
Expence and Trouble he had been lately at in making the wester 
shop proper for the above use by building a vent therein and furnace. 
And the Council agree to take all the iron utensils off Andrew Bowie's 
hands at the end of the year at their real worth and value." (Burgh 
Records.) These two little shops stood at the top of the Kirkgate 
north-east corner, and were removed when the present large house 
was built. 

Coal Exported. — The writer of the Statistical Account of the 
Parish, done about this period, states that the value of coal annually 
exported from the parish did not exceed ^200. 

Pittencrieff Property Purchased by Captain Grant. — Captain 
Archibald Grant, of the 39th Regiment, purchased the Pittencrieff 
Estate, in 1763, from Colonel Arthur Forbes, for ;^ 11, 000. {Burgh 
Register, 27th May, 1763.) 

The Head Well. — ''i8th fune, 1^63: The Council appoint the 
Dean of Gild, John Harley, Deacon Low, and John Letham, mason. 
To inspect the head well, and give orders for the Reparation thereof 
as they shall see necessary." (BiLrgh Records.) This well was about a 
mile N.N.E. from the Cross, and anciently called St. Margaret's Well. 

Death of Adam Rolland, Esq., of Gask. — He died on 21st 
July, 1763, aged 57 years, and was interred at Dunfermline. On the 
east wall of the north porch of the church there is a large marble 
tablet, having on it a Latin inscription, of which the following is a free 
translation : — 

" Sacred to the memory of Adam Rolland of Gask — a man on every account 
to be praised, inasmuch as he was adorned by many virtues; to be beloved for 
his piety towards God, love to his country, benevolence to mankind; to be 
esteemed for the integrity of his life, the courtesy of his manners, and the 



ST. MARGARET STREET — WATER SCHEME, ETC. 479 

moderation of his desires; who regarded his own relations with fatherly, honest 
men with brotherly, and all persons with kindly affection ; prudent, faithful, 
and diligent in the discharge of public and private duties ; liberal in heart and 
hand ; careful for the future ; at all times above the cares of fortune. Thus, 
by the divine will, he rendered up his spirit to the Creator, and his ashes to 
the earth, on the 21st July, in the year of Salvation 1762, at the age of 57, 
leaving to his friends a sad regret of him." [Chal. Hist, Dimf. vol. i.p. 489, &c.) 

Water Scheme — Town Loch and New Street, — ''6th Atig.,iy6j: 
Which day the Clerk laid before the Council a Scroll of a Contract 
proposed to be instantly Entered into 'twixt Clerk Black and the 
Town Relative to bringing in water from the Town Loch in Pipes, 
and anent a public road from the foot of the Street at the Cross, down 
thro the Abbey Yeards," &c. (Burgh Records.) 

St. Margaret Street — Water Scheme, &c. — The Magistrates 
and Council obtained liberty from Clerk Black to bring water from 
the Town Loch to Dunfermline, and to open up a new street through 
the Abbey Park or Bleachfield. The Grant, of which the writer has 
a copy, is entitled, "Contract Betwixt William Black, Esq., Clerk of 
the Admirality of Dunfermline, Proprietor of the Collier Row and 
Heugh Mills, Loch Dams, and Mill Leads, Abbey Parks, &c., and 
the Magistrates and Town Council of the Burgh of Dunfermline, 
granting power and liberty to open a new street, and to bring in 
Water from the Town Loch or Leads thereof in Pipes to the Town, 
for Serving the Inhabitants of the Burgh." Dated 7th Sept., 1763. 
{Sqq Burgh Charter Chest) "St. Margaret Street, in 1763, and for 
many years afterwards, had no name. In connection with Guildhall 
Street, it was sometimes called the New Street, sometimes the New 
Road." 

Note, by this Contract liberty is given to "make a public street 
leading down through the Bleachfield [St. Margaret Street], from the 
foot of the New Street [Guild Hall Street], at the Mercate Cross, to 
join and connect with the road lately made by the said William 
Black, in the Abbey Close [Monastery Street], which leads down by 
the Minister's Glebe towards the Netherton and Lime Kilns," &c. 
(see An. Dunf. date 1762); and also "full power and liberty is given 
to convey or bring in water from the Town Loch, or from the Leads 
thereof, in pipes, to the town, for serving the Inhabitants of the Burgh 
with good and wholesome water in time coming; and in order that 
the said Loch may be a proper fountain-head for the said purpose, 
he also grants full power and liberty to the said town to heighten 
and repair the front dykes of the said Loch in what form and manner 



480 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

they please," &c. (See Contract Deed in Charter Chest of the City) 
A copy of the Contract was printed in 1835, when a further supply of 
water was so much wanted. Between the date of this Contract, 7th 
September, 1763, and nth June, 1768, there are twenty-four minutes 
in the Biirgh Records relative to difficulties — borrowings of money, 
disputes, &c., in connection with the "Water Scheme," which, no 
doubt, was then the "talk of the town for some years," and instead ol 
giving extracts of them, the reader must be referred to the BiirgJi 
Records of 1763- 1768. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, Sen., re-elected 
Provost. {Biirgh Records, 26th September, 1763.) 

P^IRE Buckets. — "26th Sept.: Which day the fire buckets were 
laid before the Council. Thirteen found to be good; four at the 
touns Coalwork as p^ oversmans receipts; the officers say the other 
one was lost at Alexander Kilgours kiln when on fire." (Bnrgh Rec.) 

Price of Butter at the Tron Market. — An old account 
notifies that the price of butter in market was 6d. per lb. of 22 or 23 oz. 

Great Drought. — " There was a great drought and little or no 
water to be had anywhere; the dam was dry; the back burn and the 
lynn burns were dried up." This state of things continued from July 
till October, 1763. (MS. Note.) 

Augmentation of Parish Ministers' Stipends. — Much dis- 
cussion in the Council, and a great many minutes in the Burgh 
Records regarding this matter. 

1764. — Literature — Rev. Ralph Erskine's Works. — ''Sermons 
and other Practical Works of the late Reverend and Learned Mr. Ralph 
Erskine, Minister of the Gospel, Dunfermline ; consisting of about One 
Hundred and Thirty Sermons, besides his Political Pieces ; in two 
large folio volumes. To which is prefixed a Short Account of the 
Author's Life and Writings, with the Contents ; whereunto is sub- 
joined a copious Alphabetical Index of the Principal Matters contained 
in the whole Work. 'The righteous will be had in everlasting remem- 
brance ; by these he being dead yet speaketh.' Glasgow : published 
by Robert Urie for John Newlands, 1764." This work had a rapid 
and extensive circulation, and has gone through many editions. 

Widening of Canmore Street. — The Town Council purchased 
from the proprietors of yards on the north side of the proposed street 



PITREAVIE HOSPITAL. 48 1 

several "tail-pieces" of their yards, in order to make "a wide street" 
from this date. "Canmore Street began in earnest to be formed." 
{Bitrgh Records, March 30th, 1764.) 

New Streets and Town-House — Tax on Ale, &c. — The Town 
Council proposed to put a tax of "two pennies on the pint of ale, in 
order that they might be enabled properly to finish the whole New 
intended Streets, and build a proper Town-house, all necessary for the 
advantage, policy, and ornament of the Burgh," &c. [Burgh Records, 
14th April, 1764.) These new streets, since 181 1, have been known 
as Guild Hall Street, Canmore Street, and St. Margaret Street. 

"The Town Loch Water Scheme" was abandoned, and the St, 
Margaret's or Head-Well Scheme adopted. "Great outcry about the 
the dreadful scarcity of water." (MS. Notes.) 

Water Scheme. — The Council appointed a committee of their 
number to make up a scheme for "bringing in water to the town by 
pipes from the Town Loch, or Leads, so that they may consider the 
same, and give further directions thereanent, agreeably to the Contract 
between Clerk Black and the toiun," granted 7th Sept. 1763. (Biirgh 
Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, sen., merchant, 
was elected Provost. {Burgh Records, ist Oct. 1^64.) 

Water Scheme— 5^. Margaret's, or Head Well. — This "Water 
Scheme" was adopted in October, 1764, and the work of cutting the 
pipe-way from St. Margaret's (or Head Well) was commenced. The 
undertaking was left to the superintendence of a committee appointed 
by the Town Council, the Guildry, and the Deacons of the Incor- 
porated Trades, the water to be conveyed in lead pipes. (See-^«. 
Dunf. date 1765.) Head Well (St. Margaret's Well) is situated about 
1200 yards north-north-east from the Market Cross of the burgh. 

Sewing School. — An old memorandum states that " Miss 
Goodlet opened a Sewing School in a house in the Cross Wynd," 
that it was "extremely well attended," that "she had from about thirty 
to forty scholars," and that "some came to her from Lochgellie, and 
other distant places." (MS. and Nezvspaper Notice.) 

PiTREAViE Hospital. — A process was raised before the Sheriff- 
Substitute for the district of Dunfermline, in name of the Heritors, 
the Magistrates, Town Council, and the Kirk Session, against the 

3Q 



482 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Proprietor of Pitreavic, to oblige him to account for the management 
of the Hospital. The Cause afterwards came before the Court of Ses- 
sion, and that Court, notwithstanding that in the deed of mortification, 
all judges, or ministers, civil or ecclesiastic, are discharged to meddle 
therewith in any sort, found the Patron accountable, and therefore 
the Patron or Proprietor was ordered to render an account of his 
intromissions. {Pres. Records; Fernies Hist. Dimf. p. 48.) 

The Nuptial Bed of Queen Ann adorning an Aie House in 
Dunfermline. — Fernie, in his History of Dunfermline^ states that about 
this period " there was to be seen in the bed-chamber of an inn at 
Dunfermline, the nuptial bed of Queen Ann, which she brought with 
her from Denmark. For this piece of royal furniture, the inn-keeper, 
Mrs. Walker, a zealous Jacobite, entertained a very high veneration. 
Bishop Pocock, of Ireland, happening to be in Dunfermline, called 
on her to see the bed ; after having seen it he offered her fifty guineas 
for it, which she refused, telling him, at the same time, that she still 
retained so great a reverence for the two royal personages, whose 
property it was, and who slept in it when they resided in Dunfermline, 
that all the gold and silver in Ireland was not fit to buy it." Some 
time before her death she made a present of it to the Earl of Elgin. 
It is of curious workmanship, and ornamented with several grotesque 
figures, neatly carved. Adam Smith in his Wealth of Nations t^k&s 
notice of this bed; he says — "The marriage-bed of James the First 
of Great Britain, which his Queen brought with her from Denmark, 
as a fit present for a Soverign to make to a Soverign, was, a few years 
ago, the ornament of an ale house at Dunfermline." Mrs, Walker's 
ale house was half way down Guild Hall Street, right hand side, near 
the site of the Music Hall. (See also Histories of Dunfermline.) 

1765.— Burgh Accounts to be Kept in English Money. — 
"The Council unanimously Statute and Enact that in all time coming 
after this — The Town Treasurer Accompts shall be drawn out and 
booked in Sterline or English money and not in Scots money, as has 
been the bygone practice." {Burgh Records, ist May, 176^) 

Bakers and Baking.— At this period "the bakers of Dun- 
fermline heated their ovens twice a week only, as loaf bread was not 
used amongst the common people." 

Pittencrieff Estate.— George Chalmers, Esq., purchased the 



CLANDESTINE DRUM NOTICE. 483 

Pittencriefif Estate from Captain Archibald Grant, of the 3gth Regi- 
ment, the proprietor, for ^13,500 sterling. 

The Dunfermline Farmers' Society Established. — Object 
same as the " Chicken-Pie Club Society." CSee A?i. Dun/, date 1760; 
also Histories 0/ Dun/.) 

Netherton Wells. — "2p/i June, 1765: This day there was a 
petition given into the Council, signed by John Reid in name of the 
Inhabitants of the Netherton, Craving Liberty to Digg and Build 
Two Wells. To which the Council agree and Grant Liberty Accord- 
ingly." (Burgh Records.) These wells were removed many years 
ago ; they were on the north side of Broad Street. 

Water Scheme — The Reservoir Erected. — "The water scheme 
was completed during the summer of 1765, the pipes being all laid 
from Head Well to the Old Mercat [now Douglas Street.] A 
Reservoir of large dimensions, which had for some time been build- 
ing, was finished in August, 1765, and thus was finished the St. 
Margaret's Well Water Scheme." (See Histories of Dunfermline^ 

Public Wells.— Six public wells ordered to be set up at the 
following places, viz., one at the Tron, one at foot of Rottenrow, one 
in Maygate, one in the Horse Market, at foot of Reservoir Close, one 
at the top of the Newrow, in Eastport Street, and one in the New 
Street (Guildhall Street). (See also the Annals of Dunfermline, date 
1 7740 

The Tron to be Removed — New Crane to be Erected, &c. — 
The Council, upon a petition from sundry of the Inhabitants, authorize 
the Water Scheme Committee " to Remove the present Trone, and 
Enlarge and Repair the fish mercate stance therewith, and to Erect a 
Cran or Sway at the North-West Corner of the New built Well for 
weighing Goods, and also to provide a Triangle for the use of the 
Leidges." {Burgh Records, 17th July, 1765.) This tron well "stood 
on the High Street, north side, near the gutter, opposite the fourth or 
fifth house from Bruce Street." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, jun., stationer, elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1765.) 

Clandestine Drum Notice regarding certain Banks. — 
"2d Nov., 176^ : Which Day Several members of Council present 
Represented to the Council That an Intimation or advertisement had 



484 ANNALS OP^ DUNFERMLINE. 

been published thro this Town by Tuck of Drumb upon our October 
fair day this week, as if from the merchants, manufacturers, and dealers 
of this Burgh, That they would Receive no Notes of any Bank or 
Banking Company in payments except what were Issued by Old and 
New Banks of Edin^. and the three Banks of Glasgow, known by the 
Thistle, Skip, and the Glasgow Arms, And Even None of these under 
Twenty Shillings Sterline. Further, the said members Represented 
That They Apprehended the s*^ Intimation, instead of doing good, 
would be hurtfull to the Traders in the place on several Accounts, And 
therefore wanted the councils serious consideration. — Which being 
Considered by the Council, They Unanimously Declare that the said 
Advertisement was without their knowledge or approbation, and 
Therefore Unanimously Disapprove thereof. More Espicially that 
many of the Traffickers in this place have considerable Dealings with 
several of the Banks or Banking Companys pointed against by the 
Advertisement, Particularly the British Linen Company, Who are of 
Singular Use to them on many Occasions." (Burgh Records.) 

West Port and the Cross-Chamber. — From the following 
minute in the Burgh Records of Nov. 30, 1765, it would appear that 
the West Port and its Cross-Chamber was then in a very ruinous 
condition: — "This day the Provost reported to the Council that 
certain gentlemen had complained to him of the unsufficiency of the 
Cross-Chamber, and East gavil thereof, above St. Kathrine's Wynd, 
or West Entrie to the Town, and that they were afraid to pass that 
way for danger of their lives by the fall of the said cross-chamber. — 
Which being considered by the Council, and knowing the complaint 
to be just. They order the Procurator fiscall, in name of the Public, 
To give in a petition and complaint thereanent to the Dean of Guild 
Court, Craving a visitation thereof, and that the same may be con- 
demned if found Dangerous, and to get John Wilson, the proprietor, 
and others concerned, called in the said Petition and Complaint." 
(For removal of this old port, see An. Dtmf. date 1780.) This port 
is mentioned in one of the Abbey charters under date 1327. (See 
An. Dtmf. 1327.) This port stood in the middle of St. Catherine's 
Wynd, on the spot where the Burgh Causeway terminates. 

Proposed New Bridge — Tolbooth, &c. — A Minute of the 
Burgh Records, of date i6th November, 1765, notifies that the Council 
had received a letter from Mr. George Chalmers, of Pittencriefif, con- 
taining proposals for " improving the Street and building a New 



STONE COFFIN AND SKELETON DISCOVERED. 485 

Bridge over the Tower Burn, in a line with the High Street, and 
condemning the old road via tower hill, as also the old tolbooth," 
and for its removal. This is the first notice of Mr. Chalmers's inten- 
tion or offer to build the bridge. "It took the Town Council three 
years and a-half deliberating before they could make up their minds 
to comply with Mr. Chalmers's wishes; for it was not until early in 
May, 1769, that the Council came to a final and legal understanding 
with him." Between i6th Nov. 1765, and 3d May, 1769, there were 
no less than twenty-four meetings of the Council about the matter. 
(See An. Dimf. dates 1769, 1771, 179S, 1876, 1877; also the Histories 
of Dunfermline) 

1766.— Part of the Ruins of the Lady Chapel Removed. 
— According to an old MS., part of the ruins of the old " Ladie 
Chapele" were removed, in order to make room for the new burying- 
place of the Elgin family — (see the two following articles). It was in 
this locality that the finds of the Stone-Coffin, Female Skeleton, Iron 
Chest, Cup and Coins were found. 

Stone Coffin — Female Skeleton, &c.. Discovered. — The 
Scots Magazine of July, 1766, contains the following notice: — "About 
the middle of May (preceding), as some labourers were digging in 
the spot where the east part of the Church stood, they discovered a 
human body entire, which appeared to be that of a female. It was 
enclosed in a stone coffin, covered with three flag stones, on which 
could easily be discovered a crucifix, with some other figures or 
letters, so much defaced as not to be understood. Several gentlemen 
of the neighbourhood have visited this curiosity, and, from various 
circumstances, have reason to believe it to be the body of Queen 
Margaret, who was buried at Dunfermline, and who was afterwards 
canonized, and known by the name of St. Margaret." The country 
antiquaries of 1766 were young in the "science of archaeology." 
Instead of the body being that of St. Margaret, it is more likely to 
have been that of Elizabeth the Queen, consort of King Robert the 
Bruce, because the site which was then being prepared as a place of 
sepulture for the Elgin family, was contiguous to Elizabeth's grave. 

Iron Chest, Silver Cup, and Silver Coins Dug out near 
the Site of the Old High Altar. — The Scots Magazine of the same 
month and year, also mentions that about the same time, April or 
or May, 1766, an iron chest was dug up containing a number of 



486 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

very ancient Danish Silver Coins, and in the beginning of July, 
1766, a silver cup was also dug up with double handles, supposed by 
some antiquaries to be upwards of 1300 years old. These were all 
found in the same locality as the skeleton. (See also A71. Dimf. date 

1759-) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, junior, stationer, was 
re-elected Provost. {Btcrgh Records, 29th Sept., 1766.) 

Buffies-Brae Bridge Built. — This bridge was built in 1766; 
near the top of the arch of the bridge, north side, there is a " date 
stane," having on it "1766." Previous to this year the burn was crossed 
by means of a few planks laid over the stream, and by stepping- 
stones. This bridge is at least twelve feet too narrow, and twenty- 
five or thirty feet too low; it is very inconvenient for traffic. 

New Town — "Staff-Man, his Livery," &c. — ''8th Nov., iy66: 
The Council approved of the Committee's agreeing with William 
Anderson as Staff man to their burgh. By which agreement he is to 
have a free house from the Toun, Bull's-hole being at present taken 
from the Mess? Scotland for that End at Six pounds Scots of Rent 
Yearly, of yearly fee, a New Coat, a Bonnet, Two new shifts, and 
some other Necessaries for his Back and Bed. And the Council 
recommends to the said William Anderson to be faithful in his office, 
and particularly, to keep the Town clear of Stardy Beggars and 
Vagrants — and to obey his masters in all lawful orders." (Burgh 
Records.) 

Water. — Notwithstanding the large supply of water from St. 
Margaret's Well, a great scarcity of water is still felt, especially in 
time of drought. 

1767. —The Bridge over the Tower-Burn was founded, and the 
building of it commenced in August, 1767. "This bridge is to lengthen 
the High Street in a westerly direction, and to become the common 
highway to the west country." {MS. Note; see An. Dmif. dates 1765 
and 1770.^ 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, jun., stationer, was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 28th Sept., 1767-) 

Death of John Erskine, ^sq., of Neuibiggi7ig Hoiise, Carnock. 
— Died at Cardross, on the Clyde, in 1767, John Erskine, Esq., of 
Newbigging House, Carnock, near Dunfermline, Professor of Law in 



JOHN REID'S school. 48/ 

the University of Edinburgh, and author of the larger and lesser 
Institutes of the Law of Scotland. 

John REn)'s School in Dunfermline. — "The justly celebrated 
John Reid, for sometime Precentor in Ralph Erskine's Kirk, opened 
a school in a house in the Horse Market [East High Street], in 1767, 
for teaching ' the usual branches of a useful education,' besides which, 
he taught land-surveying, navigation, and the use of the globes. He 
was an eminently successful teacher. His last school was held in an 
old house at the top end of the Rotten Raw [opposite the north-west 
corner of Randolph Street]." He had, according to a Note, an average 
continual attendance of from 80 to 100 Scholars. "His navigation 
class was very successful. Scholars came from Burntisland, Inver- 
keithing. Limekilns, &c., to attend his classes." (See An. Dunf. date 
23d Dec, 1 8 16.) 

1768.— Bleaching, &C. — At this period the Dunfermline manu- 
facturers sent the greater part of their goods to Luncarty, near Perth, 
to get bleached. {Penny's Perth, p. 253.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, jun., was re-elected 
Provost. {Biirgh Records ^ 26th Sept., 1768.) 

Severe Winter. — Several Old MS. Notes refer to " great falls 
of snows in December 1768," and that "the streets of the town were 
several times at least six feet deep in snow, and in places where it 
had swirled up, it would be at least twelve feet in depth." 

Collier Row and Heugh Mills Disposed of. — Mr. Black, 
late Clerk of the Regality of Dunfermline, disposed of the Collier 
Row Mill and the Heugh Mill, as also lands near the Abbey, to Mr. 
Chalmers of Pittencrieff. (See Title Deeds, 8th Dec, 1768.) 

Weavers' Looms in Dunfermline. — According to an Old MS. 
Note, there were "403 looms in Dunfermline towards the end of the 
year 1768." A great many of them belonged to the British Linen 
Company, Edinburgh. 

1769,— The Old Town-House Removed.— It would appear, 
from minutes in the Burgh Records, that the old Tolbooth was 
removed during the months of May and June, 1769, to make room 
for the opening up of the New Brig [Bridge Street]. 

Of this old building there have been several views. One of these 
the writer sent to the late Dr. Chalmers as an illustration for his 



488 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

notice of the Tolbooth in vol. ii. p. 4 of his History of Dtmfermline. 
It was a large building of three storeys. The upper storey was of 
timber ; the two lower storeys were of stone. In the second or middle 
storey were " the Clerk's Writing Chambers and the Council Room," 
where meetings of Council had been held from " time immemorial," 
dignified with the title, " Senatus Fermelinodunensis TENTA IN 
Pr^tORIS." Above the door of this middle storey there was a large 
representation of the Royal arms, and " immediately in front a great 
stone stair projected and led down to the street," spreading out fan- 
shaped as it descended. Under this stair, there was an archway 
known at one time as the Tolbooth Port, which appears to have been 
large enough to allow " a cart of hay to pass under it." This arch- 
way formed a connection between the Kirkgate and the Collier Row, 
until the lower end of the latter street was altered. In the lower 
storey were the Liftie House (in which the meal-market was once held), 
the LaicJi Prison, and a cellar at the back called ^^ Bulls' Hole," while 
another on the west had the name of " Witches' Hole,'' " Thieves' Hole," 
&c. Close to the back of the prison there was a high wall, and a 
wicket-gate, which led down to the Back Burn. The upper storey 
was used as a debtors' prison, above which, on the slates in front, 
was a small wooden belfry, in which hung the Council bell, which 
was rung for meetings of the Cnria Capitalis burgi de Dunfernilyne, 
as it is sometimes styled in the Burgh Records. (For date of this 
apparently second tolbooth of Dunfermline, see dates 1624 and 1626.) 
An old local poet, in referring to it, says — 

** This house it was of gothic make, 
It had some degree of strength ; 
Before this house there was a stair 
Full forty feet in length. 

" This stair it reached hard by the trone, 
That then stood in the Street; 
A cart of hay below the same 
Cowld have pass'd with eas compleet. 

" This house it was storys two or little more, 
If I right recolect ; 
The Jaile and rooms were up the stair, 
Below was the meal-market. 

" This house had neither tower nor clock, 
Where-wilh the hours to tell, 
On the forcwall they did erect 
A place to hang the bell," «S:c. 

{Rhyming Hist. Dunf. p. 32.) 



LAST DUNFERMLINE HANGMAN. 489 

Pattern Drawer. — According to several old accounts, it would 
appear that James Thomson, pattern drawer, &c., at Drumsheugh, 
Edinburgh, supplied the Dunfermline table-linen manufacturers with 
" patterns and other beautiful drawings for their weavers." 

New Entry from High Street to the Rotten Row. — The 
Council purchased, through Robert Scotland, for £2 15s. yd. a four- 
foot entry from the High Street to the Rotten Row as a public entry 
of the burgh. {Burgh Records, 27th July, 1769.) This "four-foot 
public entry" became South Chapel Street in 1804 "by adding other 
purchases to it." 

1770.— Death of the Last Dunfermline Hangman. — John 
Cummin, " the last of the race of Dunfermline hangmen," died in 
1770 at an advanced age. We have several notes regarding this 
worthy ; the following curious selections from them may be handed 
down: — "Johnie Cummin was the last Dunfermline hangman. He 
He was an usful man — hangman of the burgh. This trade he left in 
mid-life. He could work at the wright trade, the tailor trade, and 
sort his own shoon." " He could work on the loom, act as causway 
layer, and heaps o' other things." He had, it seems, " a failing and 
weakness for strong waters," and, when "taken captive by them," 
was — 

' * . . .As merry an old sowle 
As e'er uncorkit a bottle or fathom'd a bowl ! " 

Lastly, " he was a big, buirdly man, and walk'd about," says another 
note, " with long sloutching coat, tremendous waistcot, knee-breeks, 
bred bannet on head, and long pike-staff in hand, and was a blue- 
gown. He walked with a firm, loud thud of a step, giving notice of 
his approach;" 

" His feet like hammers strak the grund ; 
The very moudawirts were stunn'd, 
And wonder'd what it meant." 

(MSS. and "L.fV.") 

So much for the characteristics of this old town servant, "who had 
seen and had done so much ro2igh service!' 

Relics of St. Margaret at Douay. — Dalyell, at page 17 
of his Monastic Antiquities, referring to the relics of St. Margaret 
at Douay in France, says: — "I have been credibly informed, that 
the same relics which Father Hay says were carried to France in 

3R 



490 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

the sixteenth century, were exhibited at Douay subsequent to the 
year 1770, consisting of a part of the skull cased in silver, and a 
quantity of auburn hair; these were lost in the confusion which 
attended the suppression of the Jesuits. Certain relics, both of 
Margaret and Malcolm III., are said to be preserved in the Escurial 
in Spain." 

Clover Seed to be Purchased in Holland for Easter Toivn 
Green. — The Council commissioned Robert Ireland to purchase four 
cwt. of clover seed in Holland for sowing on the Easter Town Green; 
two-thirds to be red, and the other third white clover. {Burgh Records, 
17th Feb., 1770.) 

New Tolbooth Roof. — '' iph April, lyyo: Which day there 
was a proposal by the Committee for Carrying on of y" Tolbooth 
whether y"^ roof y^of should be made six foot flat on the head, covered 
with lead, or altogether covered with Skailzie. The council agree to 
cover y® roof y'^of altogether with skailzie without a flat." (Bnrgh 
Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — " ist Oct.: John Wilson, junior, 
stationer, re-elected Provost." (Bnrgh Records.) 

Watering of Bestial on Sundays. — '' 2ph Nov., lyyo : The 
Council Discharged the whole of the Inhabitants from watering their 
Bestial on the Sabbath afternoons till public worship is over in the 
different meetings." (Bnrgh Records.) 

The New Bridge. — "This Bridge is concealed from the view 
on the street, as it lies about 56 feet under the causeway in Bridge 
Street (nearly under the middle of the Street). It was projected by 
George Chalmers, Esq., of Pittencrieff, in 1765; commenced building 
in 1767, and finished before the end of the year 1770. This Bridge 
is 294 feet in length from N. to S., 12 feet high and 12 wide. The 
bridge in building and filling up the deep glen to a level with the 
west end of the High Street, occupied nearly three years; the cost 
of the undertaking was upwards of ^^5500. It both benefited and 
ornamented the town." Of this bridge Baton in his Rhyming History 
of Dunfermlifie says : — 

"Dunfermline bridg upon the west 
it is of modern date ; 
Chalmers, late of Pittencrieff, 
he was the Architect. 



DUNFERMLINE STATISTICS. 49I 

" This Bridg did cost five thousand pound 
by Mr. Chahners paid, 
And all to beautify tlie toun, 
from it he sought no aid. 

" Two hundred and tuenty seven feet 
that is this bridge's length ; 
Twelve feet in breedth, fifteen in hight ; 
the whole is of great strength." 

These measurements are not correct. 

Dunfermline Statistics in 1770.— The following is copied 
from a MS. Table of Statistics, collected by an old friend of the 
writer, who began the antiquarian trade, as he used to say, in 1770, 
and who died in 1825, aged eighty-three: — 

^'■Trades in Dunfermline, Streets, 6^r., in I'j'jo. — Smiths, Weavers, 
Wrights, Taylors, Shoemakers, Bakers, Masons, Fleshers. These were the 
incorporated trades, and each, especially the Weavers, had numerous mem- 
bers. The non-incorporated trades were — Reed makers, i; Shuttle makers, 2; 
Pirn-turners, 4 ; Bobin makers, i ; Coppersmiths, 2 ; Watch and Clock 
makers, 2; Wig makers and Barbers, 6; Dyers, 3; Cutlers, i; Slaters, 4; 
Stocking-loom Weavers, i ; Letter-Press Printers, i ; Coopers, i ; Merchants 
\alias Shopkeepers], about 20. Churches, 3 ; Ministers, 4 ; Schools, 8. 
Population, about 4700. The Streets are Hie-Gate or High Street, Collier 
Row, Rotten Row, Cross Wynd, The New Street, The Back-Syde, or Coal 
Road, Shadows Wynd, New Row, In below the Wa'as, Netherton, St. 
Catherine's Wynd, May Gate, Kirkgate. 

^^ Prices of Domestic Articles in 1770. — The quartern loaf, 5d. ; the pound 
of flesh, 3^d. to 43^d. ; fresh butter, 22 ounces, 4d. to 6d.; meal, 5d. to 6d. 
per peckj barley for the kail, id. per lb.; pitatoes, the lippie, 43^d. to 6d. ; 
^2 lb. of soap, 3d. to 4d. ; needles, the dozen, 6d. ; preens, id. the dozen; 
iron nails, from 2d. to yd. per dozen, according to size." (AIS. Table.) 

Bad Harvest and Meal Mobs. — A great many notes in our 
possession refer to the "extreme bad hairst," to the "half sort of 
dearth" that followed, and to the meal mobs in the town, and the 
breaking of the windows of the meal sellers, and mobbing on the 
streets and fighting. 

1771. — Coal. — The late writer of the Statistical Account of the 
Parish states, that the value of the Coal exported from Dunfermline 
district did not exceed ;i^500 in 1771. 

Death of the Earl of Elgin. — "The death of the Earl of 
Elgin and Kincardine occurred on the 14th May, 1771, aged 39 years. 
He was interred in the east end of the Abbey, within the area of the 
ruins of the old Lady Chapel, where, until 1819, stood a monumental 



492 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

tomb, faced with marble, on which was an inscription which had been 
composed for it by the late Rev. Dr. Hugh Blair of Edinburgh. This 
Earl was the founder of Charleston village, near Limekilns." (For 
tomb inscription see dial. Hist. Ditnf. vol. i. p. 519.) 

New Tolbooth Insured. — "^p May, 1771 : The Council agree 
that the Tolbooth should be insured in the Sun Fire Office to y^^ extent 
of i^3oo." (Bitrgh Records.) 

Iron-stone on Charleston Grounds. — "The iron-stone began 
to be wrought here in the year 1771. In 1774 there were 60 miners 
and 60 bearers at work in the mines." {Sib. Hist. Fife and Kin. p. 292.) 

Encroachments on the Streets. — The Council having been 
informed of certain encroachments made on the Streets and Entries 
of the Burgh by builders, a committee of investigation was appointed 
to "inquire particularly into the facts, and report the same to the 
Council, so that the offenders may be prosecuted, if they shall see 
cause." {BicrgJi Records, nth June, 1771.) 

Washing and Drying Brae on Tower Hill. — For the greater 
part of half-a-century, previous to 177 1, the wives of burgesses had 
the liberty, and made use of the north side of Tower Hill as a place 
for washing and drying linens, bleaching yarns, &c. Shortly after- 
wards the locality was enclosed and made private ground, and, of 
course, became disused. The green, on the north-east part of the 
dam, was afterwards used by the washers and bleachers. (MS. Note 
by J. A.) 

GiBB Street. — An old MS. Note states that "Gibb Street was 
laid out, and began to be built in 1771 ;" and that first, and long after, 
it was known as "Gibb Square," because the first house in the street 
occupied the corner angle, and made an L form of a square. 

An Ancient Coal-Pit Discovered. — "During the summer of 
1 77 1, in the park between Golfdrum and Pittencrieff Street, there was 
accidentally discovered, by a sudden fall of the earth, the mouth of an 
old coal-pit. Several persons entered it, when, on reaching the back 
end of it, they found an old man sitting on a piece of coal, with a pick 
and shovel lying before him. He immediately crumbled to dust in 
consequence of the admission of the air. This find caused great 
surprise and much speculation in the town for a long period. No 
doubt the pit and the man belonged io a far back period." (Nezvspaper 
and MS.) 



TOWN-HOUSE FINISHED. 493 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, jun., stationer, re- 
elected Provost on 30th Sept., 1771. (Burgh Records.) 

Coal. — The receipts obtained from the sale of the town's coal, it 
would appear, did not average more than ^^"200 per annum. (MS. 
Note.) 

Castle Blair.— North of the Dam, "the last remnant of the 
foundations of this old castle or Peil were swept away about the year 
1770." The walls, it seems, were "extraordinary thick." Probably 
this old house, castle, or Peil, gave the prefix to the name of the 
adjacent muir and moss, viz., Peil-muir. There are a great many 
Pil or Peil-mtdrs in Scotland. (Old MS.) 

Maison Dieu Lands, or ''Lands of the House of God" now 
known as Masofi Lands, are a little to the east of the site of Castle 
Blair, in the north-west corner of the ancient muir. Whether there 
was "a house of God " on these lands or not is now unknown. Pro- 
bably there were lands that belonged to the Abbey, and the annuals 
derived from them would be bestowed on some religious object; or, 
perhaps Castle Blair rrfay have been originally " a house of God," and 
after the Reformation, in 1560, may have been used for secular pur- 
poses, and then called a castle, to which Maison Dieu Lands belonged. 
There is no trace of old foundations on these lands. The " humid 
acres," mentioned in Registrum de Dunfermline, appear to refer to 
this locality. 

The Town-House P'inished. — The following extracts from the 
Bu7gh Records refer to the completing of the Town-House : — 

''i6th Nov., 1771: Which Day the Committee of the Tolbooth report that 
the same is now Compleated Agreeable to the plan, except as to the covering of 
the Steeple, as to which, in consequence of an Order from the Council, the 
Provost gives in an estimate by Andrew Riddell, Copper Smith, for covering 
the same with Copper. The Council having considered said Estimate, are of 
opinion that the articles are very high charged, and appoints the Provost and 
two BaiUies, Dean of Gild, Treasurer, and Conveener, or any three of them, 
to Commune with Mr. Riddell anent said expense, and try how low they can 
bring him, and report." '' jist Dec, 177 1 : Which Day the Council, by a 
• majority of votes, Ordered that the Tolbooth Steeple shall be covered with 
blue Slate, in terms of an agreement made thereanent by Robl" Scotland, 
mert., with Hary Brown, Slater, in Doime, dated the loth Cur*; And appoint 
Deacon Walls to furnish the said Slater with fogg and other materials to 
y* work, which the Town is lyable for." 

The upper covering of the steeple, viz., the cone or spire above the 
bartizan, was covered with slates early in 1772. 



494 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

We have several Notes, descriptive of the new Tolbooth, written 
between 1776 and 1792. The following will sufhce : — 

" The new tolbooth is built a little to the South of the old one, on a site 
at the south-east end of the new brig entry. Its form is oblong, lying due 
east and west. The front faces the new street (north), and is dd feet long, 26 
feet in breadth, and 20 feet in height (outside measure). The walls are about 
3}^ feet thick. There are four sunk apartments under the street level; one 
for the keeper, a black-hole for desperadoes, and two for holding the town's 
lamps, oil, and scavenger's besoms, &c. Above the level of the street the 
building consists of one storey ; front to the north, which has a large door in 
the middle, with two large windows on each side of it. In the middle of the 
spaces, between the door and the windows, at their top are six small carved 
stones. On the east side of the door-top is a carving of the Town's arms ; on 
the west side is one of St. Margaret ; the other four consist of Crowns, Harps, 
Roses, &c. This street storey contains the Council-room, on the west, which 
is 29 feet long, 18^ feet broad, and 12 feet high. The rooms on the east 
are the clerk's writing-rooms and closet. The end fronting the east has a 
large window in it like the rest of the windows, and below il is a grated small 
window for air to the black-hole. In the south-east corner [top of Kirkgate] 
is the steeple, the weather-cock of which is 99 feet above the causeway. At 
the foot of the steeple there's a door with the royal arms cut on a stone over 
it, and the date 1769. The upper part of the tower contains the bell and 
the dials and works of the town clock. The steeply is 12 feet square. From 
the street to the bartizan is 80 feet ; and the timber-slated cone above it 
is 16 feet high, and the iron stalk above for weather-cock, 3 feet 2 inches." 
(By Matthew Parker, watch and clock maker, Dimfermlifie. ) 

1772.— Severe " Snawy Winter." — The winter of 1772 set in 
early in January in the west of Fife, and continued snowing " every 
now and then " until April. In Dunfermline the streets in many 
places were " kept up knee-deep," and some places were so " choked 
up with drift that the snow rose to the second storeys of some houses." 
(MS. by/. A.) 

The Cannon was brought from Carron, and fixed near the north- 
east angle of the Town House, " to protect it from injury." 

Priory Lane, anciently called the Com7non Vennel, " began to be 
built." (MS. Note.) 

Golfdrum-Fields. — An Old MS. Note states that " there were 
only about a dozen of huts of houses built here and there in Golf- 
drum-fields" in the year 1772, and that there would be "about 50 or 
60 souls inhabiting them." After this period Golfdrum began to be 
built in a regular order, and in a direction with "■ Boofies-brae brig."- 

Bridge Street. — The building of this street was begun early in 
1772. It was then known, and for long afterwards, by the name of the 



PENNANT ON DUNFERMLINE. 495 

Neiv Brig. The centre part of the street is about 50 feet above the 
Back Burn, which runs from north to south, directly below, through 
the long subterranean arch." (See otJier Notices) 

Out-shot Stairs. — "The Council appoint the Dean of Gild and 
Clerk to look out and make up a list of those who have got a grant 
of out-shots or stairs on the streets, on condition of removing them at 
pleasure, and to cause summons them to the Council to cause them 
enact themselves so." {Burgh Records, 15th April, 1772.) 

Visit of Pennant the Tourist to Dunfermline. — Thomas 
Pennant, Esq., the celebrated tourist, was in Scotland this year, 
journeying from place to place, collecting material for his work, 
entitled, " A Tour in Scotland." In his progress he arrived in Dun- 
fermline in the middle of September, 1772. His notes on Dunfermline, 
in his work, occupy four pages of the quarto edition. The following 
are a few extracts therefrom : — 

" Dunfermline lies at the distance of four miles from the firth, is prettily 
situated on a rising ground, and the country round is beautifully divided by 
low and well-cultivated hills. The grounds are enclosed, and planted with 
hedge-row trees. The town wants the advantage of a river, but has a small 
stream for economic uses, which is conducted through the streets in a flagged 
channel. At its discharge it joins another rivulet, then arriving at a fall into 
a wooded dell of a hundred feet in depth, becomes again useful in turning five 
mills, placed one below the other, with room for as many more. 

"This place is very populous. The number of inhabitants are between six 
and seven thousand ; and such have been the improvements in manufactures 
as to have increased nearly double its ancient number within the last twelve 
years. The manufactures are damasks, diapers, checks, and ticking, to the 
amount of forty thousand pounds a year. These employ in town and neigh- 
bourhood about a thousand looms. 

"The most remarkable modern building here is the Tolbooth, with a 
slender square tower, very lofty, and topped with a conic roof. Mr 
Chalmers has made a work of vast expense over the glen at the west 
end of the town, by forming a bridge of one arch three hundred feet in 
length, twelve feet wide, and ten high, covering the whole with earth seventy- 
five feet thick. 

"The Abbey was begun by Malcolm Canmore, and finished by Alexander 
I. It was probably intended for a religious infirmary, being so styled in old 
manuscripts, ' Monasterium ab Monte infirmorum.' [See Appendix to Annals 
of Dunfennline.'] The remains of the Abbey are considerable, and evince its 
former splendour. 

" Part of the Church is at present in use. It is supported by five 
rows of massy pillars, scarcely seventeen feet high and thirteen and a-half 
in circumference. Two are ribbed spirally, and two marked with zig-zag 
lines, like those of Durham, which they resemble, the arches also Saxon, or 
round. 



496 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

"Malcolm and his queen, and six other kings, lie here — the two first apart, 
the others under as many flat stones, each nine feet long." {Ftnnafifs Tour in 
Scotland, vol. ii. pp. 212-216.) 

There are two engraved illustrations connected with this descrip- 
tion; the first is entitled "Abbey and Palace of Dimfermlme" taken 
from the Sheilling Hill, east of the Heugh Mills, and is a very nice 
view, showing the Palace Wall, the Pends, Fratery Wall, Bowling 
Green Wall, the Church, fragment of the Old Choir, and the New 
Town House, with the Steeple in the distance. The second view is 
within an oval border, and is entitled, "A Wmdow in Dtcmferlin 
Abbey I' a kind of miniature view of the Monastery from the north- 
west, and not very correct. 

Weavers' Wages. — In 1772 the average rate of the wages of a 
good weaver, with his cord-drawer, was about ^30. {Mercer's Hist. 
Dunf. p. 165. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, junior, was re-elected 
Provost, 28th September, 1772. (Bnrgh Records.) 

Music -Master and Precentor. — Mr. James Bain appointed 
music-master and precentor of Dunfermline, 23d October, 1772. 

Clocks and Watches, "formerly so rare, began to be more 
common. Two clock and watchmakers in Dunfermline sold on trust 
payments. At this time a newly married couple began to think that 
their house was not complete without a clock and a chest of drawers, 
and the guid-man must have a watch." (MS. Note.) 

1773._Dancing in the Townhouse Sinful and In- 
decent! — The following singular note is extracted from tlciQ Burgh 
Records: — 

^' 2d yannary, 1773: Which day it being moved in the Council that it 
was sinful and indecent to allow a Dance within the Townhouse to the 
Burgesses of this Burgh for their entertainment and the use of the poor. The 
Council after having heard y*" arguments on both sides, fully, came to the vote. 
Grant y'' desire of the Burgesses to have a Dance, or not, it was Carried by a 
Majority of Sixteen to four, of liberty of a Dance which the Council allow, 
against which grant John Wilson Sen': protested and took instruments," &c. 

Clock for the New Townhouse: — The Council after con- 
sidering the advisability of having a public clock for the town, ordered 
the same to be made: — 

'■'■13th yan"- 1773: Which Day the Council agreed that the Dean of 
Gild and Conveener and Bailly Ireland, transmit copies of y^ several estimates 



TOWN clerk's salary, ETC. 497 

given in for y° new clock to some proper person of Skill, a Clockmaker in 
Edin'. or get an opinion which of the three Estimates is most proper to be 
execute for y'' interest of y° Town — also his opinion which of the makers of 
y*^ Estimates he judges properest for making s'^ Clock." . . . ^^ 3d April, 
1773: This day the Council appointed the Dean of Gild and Conveener, 
Bailly Morison, Bailly Hunt, Deacon Abercromby and Deacon Wilson with 
the magistrates as a committee to Commune with the Clockmakers in Town 
anent the Clock for the new steeple and to get an account of their Cautioners. 
And in the meantime the Council agree that the Clock shall have four Dial 
plates and strike the quarters and without minute hands and to Report." 
. . . "z//// April, 1773: Which Day the Council by a majority of votes 
made choice of James Symsone Clockmaker to make the Town Clock for the 
New Steeple in terms of his Estimate and proposals formerly given in." . . . 
^'i4ih August, 1773: This Day the Council by a majority of votes agree that 
the Clock for the new steeple shall have four Dial plates, without Minute 
hands or striking the quarters," 

Inoculation "first tried in Dunfermline this year, 1773, as a 
preventive of small-pox in Mr. Laurence Gibb's family, by Dr. James 
Stenhouse." Another Note states that many looked on this " triar' 
as a tempting of Providence. 

Killing Swine, etc., on the High Street. — ''17th April, 
1773: which day the Council Discharge Every person within the 
Burgh from Killing Swine or other Bestial upon the high Street under 
the penalty of one Shilling Ster." (Bicrgh Records.) 

Town Clerk's Salary. — ''24.th April, 1773: Which Day the 
Council unanimously agree that the Clerk shall be paid Twelve 
Guineas yearly in full of Salary, qualifying the Council; House rent 
and Gratis Ticket." (BurgJi Records.) 

Well of Spa. — Protest by the Council against the closing of the 

Spa Well:— 

^^28th May, 1773: This Day the Council considering that the entry from 
the Town to the Well of Spaw is now shut up by Mr. Chalmers, which was a 
particular privilege to y° Inhabitants of the Burgh, Do hereby appoint the 
Provost to intimate to Mr. Chalmers that the Town will not give up that 
privilege, and to require him to oppen an entry thereto as formerly." 

There is no other minute regarding this matter in the Burgh Records. 
This well is still in existence, about fifty yards south of the ruins of 
Malcolm Canmore's Tower — Tower Hill. The water is reported as 
being "very cold at all times." The water should be analysed. The 
well during the period of its being used was known as the "Spaw 
Well," and the " Well of Spaiv," and, by and by an easy, natural tran- 
sition, " Wallace Spa;" and thus the name of the well has sometime 
been connected with that of the great Scottish hero. (MS. Note.) 

3'S 



498 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, junior, re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records^ 27th September, 1773.) 

The Town's Charter-Chest — Books, &c., to be Removed to the 
Townhouse. — "i8th Oct., 177 j: The towns charter-chest, Books and 
Papers, ordered to be lifted from Mrs. Scotland's room, to the 
Council Chamber and there to be sorted and put up y*= best way they 
can." (Burgh Records.) 

The New Clock. — ^36 to be paid to account of it to James 
Symsone, Clockmaker, by John Horn, old treasurer. {Burgh Records, 
29th December, 1773. 

1774.— Great Snow Storms. — Several MSS. refer to the 
great and continued falls of snow in Dunfermline in January and 
February, 1774. 

The New Clock— "F^///m" Weights, cS-^.— "The Council order 
John Horn, late Treasurer, to pay James Symsone, Clockmaker, five 
pounds st^ more upon his receipt to Ace' of the Town Clock, and the 
said James Symsone immediately to compleat the Clock, with yettlin 
paises and sufficient ropes, and to strike upon the present bell." {Bur. 
Rec, 5th March, 1774.) "lyth March: This day Mr. Symsone offered 
to the Council to put a minute hand on the East Dial of the Clock, if 
the Council Avould pay him for the expense of the Dial-plate and 
hand." (Burgh Records.) 

Death of the Rev. Thomas Gillespie. — The Rev. Thomas 
Gillespie, Minister of the Relief Church, Dunfermline, died on the 
19th of January, and in the 22d year of his ministry in Dunfermline. 
A biographical note, referring to Mr. Gillespie, states that "he was a 
very pious and humble man, and greatly beloved by all ;" and con- 
cludes with — 

" Of this blest man, let this just praise be given — 
Heaven was in him, before he was in heaven." 

He was interred in the south-east corner of the Old, or North Kirk- 
yard. In 1818 his remains were exhumed, and deposited in the Nave 
of Dunfermline Abbey Church (north side). A tablet was lately 
erected over his remains. 

Water Scheme. — "The whole expenditure on the Water Scheme, 
from 1764 to 1778, amounted to £174$ 13s. lOrVd." (Burgh Records.) 
The old Water Committee of 1765 demitted their office in 1774, and 



ADAM SMITH ENTERS DUNFERMLINE IN DESHABILLE. 499 

was succeeded by one solely appointed by the Town Council. {Fernie's 
Hist. Dtmf. p. 14.) 

" Urquhart Bulwark [dyke] built by James Murdoch and Jo. 
Barclay for 40 shillings." (MS.) 

Disagreements in the Relief Church, &c. — Mr. Fernie, in 
his History of D2mfevmline, p. 37, says : — " After the death of Mr. 
Gillespie in 1774, his congregation split into two parties — one party 
continued their connection with the Relief; the other party petitioned 
the Presbytery to have the Meeting-house converted into a Chapel of 
Ease." After five years of litigation on this subject, the prayer of the 
petition was granted by the General Assembly in 1779. 

Roman Urns and Coins Found. — In the summer of 1774, on 
opening up a small "tumulus" on Carneil Hill, three miles west of 
Dunfermline, several Urns were found containing Bones and Roman 
Coins. {Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 268.) 

Literature. — ''A Treatise on Temptation^' by the Rev. Thomas 
Gillespie, late Minister of the Gospel, Dunfermline, was published this 
year. 

New Streets. — Chalmers's Street, Woodhead Street, and Pitten- 
crieff Street, began to be built in their present form. There were 
scattered cottages on these sites previous to the opening of the New 
Bridge in 1770. They were reached by going down back closes under 
the Tolbooth and back of Collierow, the Back Burn being crossed at 
several places, either by planks of wood, or by steppifig-stanes. 

Adam Smith, the Kirkcaldy Philosopher, enters Dunfermline in 
Deshabille. — The following is an extract from a MS. Note regarding 
this celebrated political economist : — 

"2^ Sept., 1774: Some Sabbaths since, as the third bell was beginning to 
ring for the forenoon's sermon, a stranger man appeared in a reverie on the 
street in Dunfermline, having on him his small cloathes, a morning gown, and 
cap, which astonished every one that saw him. He by the ringing of the bells 
began to rouse up, and was as much astonished at himself as other folks were. 
It turned out that his name was Mr. Smith, the Kirkcaldy philosopher, who, 
in pursuing some severe train of thought for a book he was to publish, had 
left Kirkcaldy early in the morning, westward, following up his train of thought, 
and so walked on and on in a half unconscious state to all around, until he 
got into the streets of Dunfermline, when he was roused out of his reverie by 
the bells beginning to ring." (AfS. Note.) 

This was the celebrated Dr. Adam Smith, and the book he was 



500 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

then about to publish was his Wealth of Nations. (See also Dr. 
Rogers' Leaves from My Autobiography, pp. 84, 85.) 

Disturbances in the Burgh. — By a minute from the Bttrgh 

Records, as under, it will be seen that an enactment was made for the 

repression of disturbances in the burgh : — 

'' loth Sept., 1774; This Day it was represented by Provost Wilson that 
of late there had been great disturbance in this Burgh by Sundries Convocat- 
ing in a tumultous manner, and going through with Drums and Colours, 
huzzaing, and calling out the names of different Gentlemen, and giving 
abusive names to some of the Inhabitants and others without check. — The 
Provost and Baillies, by the power vested in them, enact a law to repress 
these unlawful proceedings." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "26th Oct., 1774. : John Kirk, 
merchant, Dunfermline, elected Provost." This election was con- 
ducted amid much squabbling ; was voted illegal with many ; and by 
such the majority who voted in favour of Mr. Kirk were designated as 
"the so-called majority." Protests and Instruments were taken, but 
without any result. (Burgh Records.) 

"Dances or Balls" not to be held in the Toiun-House.--' 28th 
Dec. ,1774: Which Day the Council, by a Majority of votes, Discharged 
any Public Dances or Balls to be in the Council-House for the future." 
(Burgh Records.) 

1775. — The New Clock in the Town-House Steeple appears to 
have been " set up and put in motion about the beginning of April, 
1775." {MS. Note; also Burgh Records.) 

Improvement of Education in Dunfermline. — "A petition 
was sent to the council, Signed by Sundries, for a new plan for the 
Education of the youth in the Burgh." The Council recommend " a 
proper plan for y^ improvement of y" Education, and to find out a 
proper fund to encourage men of merit for these offices, and to 
Report." {Burgh Records, 19th Sept., 1775.) 

"Knabbie Raw." — This street previous to this period was a narrow 
cart-road. It appears from MSS. and Title-Deeds that "it first began to 
be built in 1775, and for some years was called the HeigJi Street'' (High 
Street), owing to its elevated site. In 1805 -1807 it was known as Reid 
Street {hom "Deacon Rcid"). {An. Dunf. 1809 ; Acto^ 181 1.) After 
1807, ^^ Old Note says, the name settled comfortably down to that 
of the ''Knabbie Raw" and ''Knabbie Street^' from some one or two 
well-to-do weavers having been styled nabobs, or nabbies, by the 



THE REBELLION IN AMERICA. $01 

public. When the street was being named in 1809, it was suggested 
by some members of the Town Council that the whimsical name of 
"Knabbie Raw" should be changed to North Bridge Street, "now 
that a bridge had been thrown over the Laigli Dam, joining the 
street with the Collierow." "The Knabbies" objected, and prevailed, 
and down to 1878 the street was called Knabbie Street. In May, 1878, 
the name of the street was changed to Carnegie Street, in honour of 
A. Carnegie, Esq., of New York, a native, who, at his own cost, built 
the Baths, situated at the south-east corner of the street, and pre- 
sented the building to the city. (See An. Dunf. date 1877.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Kirk, merchant, re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1775.) Much discontent again 
prevailed at this municipal election, and protests were lodged. 

The Rebellion in America. — " i8th Oct., 1775 : Which day the 
Council agreed to address his Majesty on the present Rebellion in 
America, and an address was made out accordingly, and signed by 
the Provost, in name and by order of the Magistrates and Council." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Patronage of the Doctorship of the Grammar School. — 
In the BtirgJi Records of date nth December, 1775, there are two 
pages occupied about the right of patronage of the Doctor or Usher 
of Dunfermline Grammar School, too long for insertion here. 

The Inhabitants of the Abbey Houses, &c., in 1775.— The 
following list will show the names, trades, and rents paid by the 
indwellers in the Abbey precincts in 1775. These rents were paid 
annually to Mr, Chalmers of Pittencrieff, the proprietor : — 



John Wishart, miller at the Heugh Mills, 

David Cant, miller, do. 

James Anderson, smith, do. 

James Thomson, indvveller, do. 

John Hutchison, shoemaker, Abbey Close, 

Elizabeth Gold, at Stark's, do. 

George Meldrum, baker, a yard at Heugh Mills, 

James Wardlaw, indvveller, do. 

Elizabeth Bruce do. Abbey Close, 

Thomas Mitchel, do. ..... 

John Hunter, weaver (Pends), 

Charles Shorthouse, gravedigger, &c., 

Peter Murrie, indweller, ..... 



25 o o 
o 15 o 
0100 
o 16 8 

o 13 4 
060 
o II 8 
010 o 
000 
050 
000 
068 



"At this period 'the Pends', Queen Ann of Denmark's House, some 
old houses in Stark's Close (foot of St. Catherine's Wynd), and the 



502 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Constables and Bailies' House (near the Kirk Steeple), were inhabited 
by weavers, tailors, &c., at low rents." (ATS). 

The Pillory and the Stocks.— According to a MS. Note, 
"these instruments of ancient justice, which had for ages stood in 
the High Street, at the tron, were removed in 1775. The pillory 
cleeks were shortly afterwards securely fixed into the east-front wall 
of the new town house, above the Blackhole window, where culprits 
were fixed by the neck (1775-1803.) The stocks are still to the fore," 
lying in the garret of the town house, ready for use when required. 

Colliers' Emancipation.— The Colliers' Emancipation Act 
passed this year, and consequently ''toim's colliers'' became freemen. 
From time immemorial they were property, and exchanged or sold at 
the will of the owners. They long had the name of "black slaves." 

New Relief Meeting-House Founded and i??///^— This small 
plain edifice stood on the site of the present "Gillespie Church," and 
had sittings for 520. [^Annals of Dunfermline, 1770, 1774, 1790, 1830, 
1835, 1876.) 

Unseemly Fracas in the Parish Church. — The following 
note is extracted from the Edinburgh Literary Magazine: — 

Rev. Mr. Thomson, minister of the Old Church [Dunfermline], delivered a 
sermon on Psalms xxvi. 10 : "/w w/iose hands is mischief, ajid their right hand is 
fdl of bribes'' In the course of his sermon he dwelton the sin of briberyin connec- 
tion with the late Parliamentary election in the town, and in one of his heated 
climaxes said that " there was one in this assembly, who could not shake him- 
self free of bribes," and pointing to Mr. Scotland, bawled out, "and thou 
Robert Scotland art the man ! Upon this Mr. Scotland rose up, and looking 
hard at Mr. Thomson, said in a loud excited voice — " Thou art a liar, thou 
old vdlitary bhmderbus, in the place of verity where thou statideth 11" (The 
minister had formerly been chaplain of a regiment.) The minister made 
some confused reply, purporting that he did not care what he (Mr. Scotland) 
said of him, but that he could prove what he had said. 

In the Edinburgh Literary Magazine and Weekly Amusement for 
1776 there is the following notice : — 

The Court of Session determined the affair of Mr. Thomson, minister of 
Dunfermline; they found him (Mr. Thomson) liable m five pounds damages to 
Mr. Scotland, jun., ;^25 to Mr. Scotland, sen., and fifty guineas of expenses. 
The Court severely condemned Mr. Scotland's conduct, and thought the 
Presbytery blameable in not censuring him. 

Another of our notes on this subject remarks, that the "Rev. Mr, 
Thomson got very easy off in his Court of Session business, and that. 



reid's mortification. 503 

" as he was the aggressor, he ought to have been mulct of at least 
four times the amount." 

John Mackie, manufacturer of carpets, died this year. " He 
introduced the Carpet Manufactory into Dunfermline; had a great 
many looms at work in Rotten Row and Collierow, which gave 
employment to about 30 persons." (MS. Note.) 

Weaving Patterns. — At this period the patterns or devices 
wrought on table linens in Dunfermline and vicinity were almost 
invariably the British Flag, the Scottish Arms, and gentlemen's 
armorial bearings, flowers, birds and other animals. James Thomson 
of Drumsheugh, near Edinburgh, supplied the patterns. 

Urquhart Cuts and Road. — The new road from Dunfermline, 
by PittencriefF Street to the west, was forming in 1775. A MS. Note 
states that "the deep cutting in the rock, between the town and 
Urquhart Farm, was accomplished by means of powerful charges of 
gunpowder." 

1776.— Fall of Snow. — The year 1776 "opened on Dunferm- 
line with very heavy falls of snow, which buried the streets to a great 
depth ; then a month's black frost set in." (MS. Note.) 

The Lodge West End of Bridge Street Foimded. — This lodge 
afterwards known as the Union Lodge, was founded in the Spring of 
1776, and finished end of same year. (MS. Note.) 

Reid's Mortification. — "John Reid, Shopkeeper in Dun- 
fermline in 1776, mortified a considerable property in the town for 
the use of the poor; the management of which was committed to the 
Provost, Two Bailies, and Dean of Gild, The Two Ministers and Two 
Elders of the Established Kirk-Session; The Minister and Three 
Elders of the Relief, and Three Elders of the Burgher Congregations. 
The Guardians, or Trustees, are strictly enjoined to bestow its funds 
upon such persons as have once been in good worldly circumstances ; 
and the heritors of the Parish are requested to superintend the man- 
agement. Should a Poor's House be erected in the parish the 
trustees are to surrender the property to its directors." The yearly 
rental derived from the property in 1827 was ^140 sterling. The 
Deed is dated 17th of April, 1776. (See Mercer's History of Dun- 
fermline, p. 147.) 

Weaving — Mr. Stark's Beetling Mills. — Mr. Campbell, manu- 



504 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

facturer, retired from business, and was succeeded by Mr. Stark, who 
this year erected Beetling Mills and other "appliances" at Brucefield, 
near Dunfermline. (MSS. and "Z. Wr) 

Rev. James Husband (afterwards D.D.) was ordained Colleague 
and Successor to Rev. John Smith, Secession Church, Queen Ann 
Street. (MS. Note.) 

James Christie, Schoolmaster of Kennoway, was on loth July, 
1776, elected Master of the Song School, Dunfermline. (Biirgh 
Records.) He shortly afterwards opened a Music Class in the Mason 
Lodge, at the Mill Port, Collier Row, top of Bruce Street; at same 
time he had a Day School there. He died in the month of September, 
1817. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Kirk, merchant, was elected 
Provost, {Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1776.) 

Presentation Portrait — Large Likeness in Oil of George 
Chalmers, Esq., of Pittencrieff, December, 1776. — The expenses of this 
large oil painting and framing of George Chalmers, of Pittencrieff, 
was defrayed by public subscription. The painting was, at the time it 
was executed, highly praised as a faithful likeness. Mr. Chalmers is 
represented in a sitting posture, with a view of Dunfermline Monastery 
on the left of him. At foot, on a small projecting panel, is the 
following inscription :— 

" To the Memory of George Chalmers, late of Pittencrieff, 
Esquire. The neighbourhood that knew his worth, and the toion 
of Dunfennliiie, which, by sound intelligence and liberal impt-ove- 
vient, combined with public spirit, he Benefited as well as Adorned, 
Erect this Memorial of his Virtue and Esteem, 1776." 

The likeness adorns the wall of the Council Chambers, Town 
House. 

1777^ — The New West Road Opened to Urguhart Oils. — This 
new road from Dunfermline to the west, by Pittencrieff Street, 
Urquhart Cuts, &c., which had been forming since the end of the 
year 1774, was opened for traffic in January 1777, and thoroughly 
opened to Crossford in 1780. (Vide An. Dnnf. of this date.) 

Relief Church. — Rev. James Smith was ordained minister of 
the Relief Church in Dunfermline in 1777. He afterwards joined the 
Established Church. He was translated to Chapelshade Church, 



WEAVING — FLY-SHUTTLE INVENTED. 505 

Dundee, in 1790. He was the author of " Historical Sketches of the 
Relief Church." (MS.) 

Depression in the Weaving Trade. — An Old MS. Note states 
that the weaving trade in Dunfermline, in 1777, began " to suffer great 
depression, owing to the late American war, which occasioned slack 
trade, poverty, and much distress." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Kirk, merchant. {Bttrgk 
Records, 29th Sept., 1777) 

A Spade Manufactory was established in 1777 at the lower end 
of the Heugh Mills, by James Anderson, blacksmith. "A good trade 
in this kind was carried on for some years, and gave employment to a 
number of hands." (MS. Note.) 

1778.— Funeral Etiquette. — "28th March, 1778: This day the 
Council, upon a petition from the Convener Court, agree that the town 
officers shall wear the Black bands or sashes provided by the said Con- 
veener Court, at the burials of all Deacons or Deacons' wives or widows, 
in time coming, and authorize the officers accordingly." (Bur. Rec.) 

Weaving — Fly -Shuttle hivented. — Early in the year 1778, Mr. 
John Wilson, Dunfermline, completed his invention of the fly-shuttle, 
thus introducing " a new epoch in the art of Weaving." " Before this 
period, while weaving broad webs, the shuttle was thrown by one 
man and catched on the other side by another, while the weaver on 
the loom performed his part. By using this new invention. Drawn 
Dornock [single diaper] got the name of Machine Dornock, and the 
Machine itself that of the Diaper Dornock." For this invention Mr. 
Wilson received ;^20 from the Edinburgh Board of Trustees, and was 
made a free burgess of Dunfermline on loth January, 1780. (See 
All. Dunf. loth Jan., 1780; also date 1826.) 

Literature. — The select works of Lady Halket, who died in 
Dunfermline in 1699, were this year (1778) published in Edinburgh. 
They are as follows : — An 8vo vol. of 268 pages, entitled, " Medita- 
tions on the Twenty-Fifth Psalm;" "Meditations and Prayers upon 
the First Week, with Observations on Each Day's Creation ; " " In- 
structions for Youth," to which is prefixed an account of her life. The 
publishers were Bayne & Mennons. (See An. Dunf. date 1699.) The 
writer has a copy of this rare work. 

Weaving — Mr. Stark. — According to an Old MS. Note, there 

3 T 



506 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

were only eighteen damask looms at work in Dunfermline in June 
1778. Mr. Mark Stark commenced the manufacturing of table-linen 
about this period, and had three damask looms in operation in an old 
house near the ruins of St. Leonard's Hospital. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 28th Sept., 1778.) 

The Foot-Path (Fit-paith.) — "At this period (1778) a road was 
completed leading from the west end of Bridge Street to Golfdrum. 
The road was afterwards widened and built upon. All the way up 
on the east side a kind of foot-way was laid out and paved with 
coarse boulders. This way or road was known by the homely name 
of the fit-paith, which name it retained till after the beginning of the 
present century, when the paith began to be known as Chalmers Street 
and Woodhead Street." (MS. by J. L.) 

1779.— The Popish Bill. — 2gthjan., 7779 .• This day the Town 
Council resolved to petition both Houses of Parliament against this 
Bill, proposed to be brought before Parliament. (Burgh Records.) 

The Grammar School. — " Mr. John Jesson, schoolmaster, of 
Cupar-in-Fife, was on April 23d elected Usher or Doctor of the 
Grammar School, Dunfermline." (Burgh Rec.) 

Weaving Landscapes, &c. — An Old Note states that landscapes 
and old castles were first wrought on Dunfermline table-line by the 
weavers in 1779. 

The Paul Jones Panic. — In the autumn of this year there was 
great excitement in Dunfermline and vicinity, as also among the 
inhabitants along the shores of both sides of the Forth, from a 
"threatened bombardment and invasion by Paul Jones and his vile 
crew." About 300 of the valiant men of Dunfermline " clubbed and 
armed themselves," to be ready to give him battle. " Inchgarvie, in 
the Forth, was strengthened, and some heavy cannon placed in 
position on its ramparts." Paul did no business in the Forth, and 
the panic subsided. (MS.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, re- 
elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 27th Sept., 1779.) 

St. Leonard's Chapel. — An Old Note, dated November, 1779, 
states that " the walls of this venerable building were entire, but they 
were tottering to their fall." (See the several notices of St. Leonard's 
in Au, Dunf. and date 1798.) 



ST. CATHERINE'S WYND REMOVED. 507 

Tabernacle, or Independent Cotigregation. — "This congregation 
was formed in 1779, in connection with Mr. David Dale of Glasgow. 
Their meeting-house, in Woodhead Street, was called The Tabernacle, 
built in 1 779- 1 780." (MS. Note.) 

1780.— Chapel Church — Ordination of the Rev. John Monteith. 
— On the 20th February, 1780, the Rev. John Monteith was ordained 
minister of the new Chapel of Ease, Dunfermline. 

Freedom of the Burgh— /^/^« Wilson, Inventor of the Fly- 
Shuttle in Weaving, made a Free Bnrgess of the Burgh. — " 26th Feb., 
I J So: Which day the Council, upon y" application from the Incor- 
poration of Weavers, agree that John Wilson, weaver in Abby Parks 
of Dunfermline, be admitted a burgess of this Burgh, Gratis, for his 
ingenuity in finding out some valuable improvement in the weaving 
of Diaper." (Bnrgh Records.) 

Roman Catholic Bill. — At this time there existed " an unplea- 
sant and discontented feeling in the toun and country-side anent the 
proposed repeal of the Roman Catholic Bill." (MS.) 

West End of " In-below-th-Wa'as," "now known since 1811 
as Abbot Street, had only one house in the Street in 1780, which had 
just then been finished on the widened road there." (MS. Note.) 

Pattie-Muir and Limekilns Friendly Society. — This society 
was instituted in the summer of 1780. {Fertile' s Hist. Dnnf p. 52, and 
MS. Note) 

Bridge Street Baptist Church. — "A small congregation of 
Baptists was formed in 1780, and worshipped in the lodge, west end 
of Bridge Street, south side. Their number did not exceed 50." {MS. 
Note; Mercer's Hist. Dnnf. p. 1 34.) 

West Port — St. Catherine's Wynd Removed, lySo. — According 
to an Old Memorandnm Note, "the new road along Bridge Street to 
the west being now thoroughly opened up, the old road by Tower 
Hill was abandoned, and the West Port, in St. Catherine's Wyndj 
which had for many years been in a ruinous and very dangerous 
state, was removed in 1780. (See An. Dicnf. 1765) This was the 
oldest port of the Burgh, so far as is known. It is mentioned in a 
charter in Registrum de Dtinfermelyn, under date 1327, in connection 
with St. Catherine's Chapel and Eleemosynary (Alms House), which 
stood adjacent a few yards south-west, viz., "the elimosinaria, or alms- 



508 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

house outside of the port adjacent to the chapel of St. Catherine." 
{Regist Dwif. No. 370, p. 253; An. Dimf. 1327, 1566, 1765; for other 
Ports, see 1488, 1585, 1735, 1745, 1752.) The West Port or ''West 
Entrie" was a lofty but narrow edifice; the archway on the street was 
about eleven feet in height, but only seven feet in breadth ; above the 
archway there was an apartment known by the name of ''the Cross 



Chamber," which was entered by a door in its wall facing the kirk- 
yard; the height of the building from the street to the top of the 
roof, according to an Old Note, was twenty-nine feet. The above 
view of the Port and adjacent buildings is taken from an old sketch 
by J. Burlans in our possession. 

Immediately above the archway, north side, there M^as above the 



V: 



THE CAMERONIAN KIRK. 509 

" key-stane " a small square stone, on which were cut the figures of 
two men supporting a stag's head, "supposed to refer to David I., and 
his escape from a stag in early life." The following cut represents 
the carving on this stone, which was, till lately, seen in the front of 
an old house in St. Catherine's Wynd. 




Thus was swept away the first and tJie last remaining of the 
Ports of ^' Burgo de Duiifejinlyn" and the last visible landmark of the 
boundary of the burgh. The old burgh was confined within the small 
area bounded by the Mill Port, Cross Wynd Port, East Port, and this 
West Port, including, probably, the yards or gardens outside the backs 
of the houses. 

Population, Weaving, &c. — According to a manuscript in our 
possession, there were " 8690 souls in the town and Parish of Dun- 
fermline, and the amount of money produced yearly by weaving of 
diapers, &c., is computed at ;^45,75o." (MS.) 

Cameronian Kirk. — This kirk, founded in 1779, was finished 
and opened for worship in the summer of 1780. "About the year 
1790 it was turned into a Macmillan Kirk." In 1816 the Lancasterian 
School was held in it ; John Preacher, master. In 1823 the building 
was acquired by the Burgh, and has since been known as Rolland 
Street School. (MS. Notes.) 

" View of the Royal Palace and Abbey of Dunfermling, 
published by G. Kearsly, Fleet Street, London, J tine i, lySo." — This is 
a very fine View, showing the outside wall of the palace, with a small 
part of the old bastion, "which top'd the wall;" also, the old foot or 
bridle road which led along its base to Tower Hill. The "Pends," or 
Gatehouse, and entrance to the Magazine, is in the centre; toward 
the right a few of the Frater Hall windows are shown, with tracing 



510 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

in them ; and behind, in the distance, the top of the Fratery Tower, 
and the upper part of the Auld Kirk Steeple. This is a valuable 
print, and is extremely scarce ; size, 8 inches by 6. We have a copy 
in our possession. 

Search for Silver in the Ferry Hills. — According to an 
Old MS. Note, some private gentlemen in Edinburgh sent over one 
or two labourers to the Ferry Hills to tap them for silver in 1780, 
but without results. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, re- 
elected Provost. [Biirgh Records, Sept., 1780.) 

The Town Muir Planted with Trees. — A Burgh Record 
Minute notifies that the planting of trees in the Muir was completed 
on 30th Dec, 1780, by Mathew Richmond, Seedsman, Edinburgh. 

The Rev. John Smith, Minister of the Secession Church, Back- 
side, Queen Ann Street, died on 7th December, 1780, aged fifty-eight 
years, and the thirty-fifth year of his ministry. He was minister in 
Jedburgh for twenty-seven years, and eight in Dunfermline. (See 
An. Dunf. date 1752.) 

The Best Inn in the Burgh. — " In 1780 the best Inn in Dun- 
fermline was the house in the north-west corner of Bridge Street, kept 
by Robert Staig, innkeeper." (MS. Note.) 

Tanworks. — In an old writ the tanworks at Damhead are men- 
tioned. They were possessed by Alex. Pearson, at a rental o{£c) 15s. 

1781.— The Old West Road to the Nf.therton Disused. — 
From a Mfi. we learn that "the old narrow road, which proceeded from 
the west pillar of the old Abbey Gate, foot of Gibb Street, down in a 
straight line by the west back of Moodie Street houses to the Netherton 
Brig, was shut off this year." 

The New Road (Moodie Street). — This New Road, from Gibb 
Street to the Nethertown, was opened up, and houses began to be 
built on the line of road during the summer of 1781. 

The Bank of Scotland. — A branch of this bank was established 
in the Collier Row in August, 178 1 ; John Dickie, agent. (Note from 
Secretary of the Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, re- 
elected Provost. {Bnrgh Records, ist Oct., 178 1.) 



"THE TERROR OF DUNFERMLINE!" 51I 

The North Queensferry Battery was erected on the Dun- 
fermline Guildry Lands, in 178 1, for the protection of ships which 
may proceed higher up the Forth. 

Weaving. — An old manuscript note states that " the snow-drop 
pattern," introduced in 1781, was then greatly in vogue in Dun- 
fermline. 

Winter, it seems, set in much earlier than usual this year. On 
26th October the streets of the town had a covering of snow several 
inches in depth. 

1782.— Distillery, St. Margaret Street. — According to 
several MS. Notes "a distillery was established, on a limited scale this 
year at the east end of Bee Alley Gardens" (St. Margaret Street), site 
of St. Margaret's Works. 

Chapel-Kirk. — Rev. Allan M'Lean was inducted minister of this 
Church on the i6th May, 1782. (Ses. Record.) 

The Fire at Comely Park. — The house of Mr. Rolland, writer, 
Comely Park House, New Row, Dunfermline, was destroyed by acci- 
dental fire in May, 1782. "This fire, and the fury of the wind during 
its continuance were long remembered ; burnt papers, and the leaves 
of burnt books were flying about the streets in all directions." (MS. 
Note.) 

"The Terror" of Dunfermline and Neighbourhood! — At 
this period, according to several MS. Notes, "Geordie Drummond, 
commonly called the 'King of the Gipsies,' and also the 'Terror of 
Dunfermline,' used to walk about the town with his three women to 
the great terror of the lieges when refused alms. Each of this terror- 
party had an alms-dish ; and those who refused alms to them were 
told that 'at kirk and at market they would cry them out! Geordie 
had besides his alms-cap an immense pock, swung round his neck to 
hold his sundries in. When Jds wives did not bring him anything in 
their dishes to put into his pock, he thrashed them unmercifully on 
the street with a loaded staff. The very town's officers were afraid of 
this gipsy gang." Another Note says, that "instead of the magis- 
trates being a terror to evildoers, oor Geordie and his tribe ivere a terror 
to tJieni!' This is inserted as a specimen of " one of the great characters 
in the town and of last century, and how such a lawless gang were 
permitted to disturb the peace of the community." 



512 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — David Turnbull, merchant, was 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1782.) 

1783.— The Ruin of St. Mary's ChapeIv, Netherton. — A 
MS. Note states, that "one of the walls of this old ruin was blown down 
during a tempest of wind early in 1783." (See A71. Dtmf. 1814.) 

Printing Press. — " Mr. Crerar, Bookseller and Stationer, High 
Street, bought a large Dutch Printing Press, and commenced printing." 
(MS. Note.) 

The Indigo Mill. — William Dickie, dyer and manufacturer, 
Collier Row (Bruce Street), erected an indigo mill, which was set in 
motion by a large dog within a wheel. The dog kept stamping up 
on the interior circumference of the light wheel, and thus put the 
wheel and other apparatus in motion. "As this was the first indigo 
mill ever set up in Dunfermline, it caused a deal of talk far and near, 
and many a one came to see it." (See also An. Dimf. for Mr. Dickie, 
date 1 78 1.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, merchant, elected 
Provost. {BiirgJi Records, 29th Sept., 1783.) 

Agriculture — Rotation of Crops. — "Previous to the year 1783 
Agriculture was in a very low state. Very few understood farming ; 
use and wont being the rule." About 1783 the system of "the 
Rotation of Crops was introduced into the west of Fife, and a new 
order of things began, and was ever after followed with success." 
(MS. Note.) 

1784.— The Dunfermline Curling Club was estabhshed in 
1784. {Dimf. Regist. p. 32.) 

The Charlestown Friendly Relief Society was established 
early in 1784. (MS. Note.) 

The Thorn Tree in the Churchyard Bloivn Down. — At the 
period of the Reformation, "Popish Crosses" were cast down, as well 
as Cathedrals, Abbeys, and Churches. Shortly afterwards a religious 
mania set in for planting Gospel Oaks and Gospel Thorns on the sites 
of a great many of the Crosses. Dunfermline had a Funereal, or 
Weeping Cross in its Churchyard, which had been in 1560 thrown 
down, A Gospel Thorn was planted on its site. This aged thorn was 
blown down, during a great thunderstorm, in 1784, when the present 



A WOMAN MURDERED. 513 

thorn, a branch from the old one, was set up. Sir William Wallace 
and his mother were in Dunfermline in 1303, and it is stated that his 
mother died there during their short sojourn ; that, as his enemies 
were closing in all round him, he, according to tradition, interred his 
mother in the Churchyard; and that he had this tJiorn planted to 
commemorate the site — an absurd idea. It is highly probable that 
the mother of Wallace was interred in Dunfermline. If so, her 
remains would assuredly be deposited within "the sacred fane" — the 
church. Many years ago, when a deep grave was being dug near the 
thorn, a stone-wall of a circular form was discovered — evidently the 
base-wall of the cross alluded to. (See An. Dimf. date 1303.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, merchant, re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 27th Sept., 1784.) 

SCHOOL-BoOKS. — From a great many accounts rendered to parents 
in Dunfermline for school-books, it would appear that the books then 
generally used in schools were the " Catechism," the " Proofs," " Read- 
ing Made Easy," the "Testament," the "Bible," and "Dilworth's 
Arithmetic " for the " coonters." 

Limekilns Secession Church was built in the year 1784. 
{Ferjiies Hist. Diinf. p. 38.) 

The Town Muir "began to be planted with trees in 1784, and 
the job was completed in the following year." {MS. Note; also 
Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 25.) 

Grand Magic Lantern Exhibition. — This exhibition was 
made in a large empty garret of a house in the horse market [East 
High Street], in November, 1784. Views of the Cities in the Holy 
Land, and Solomon's Temple, also many Views of London, were 
shown — "all which gave overwhelming satisfaction to the sight-seers." 
This was the first exhibition of the kind in Dunfermline. It was 
held every night for two weeks. Gentle and senipel went to see 
it. Prices for chairs, 6d each; for forms, 3d; stools, id. Upwards 
of 500 visited the grand sights. " They were long held in remem- 
brance and talked of." ( Printed Bill by Mr. Creer, and J. A.) 

A Woman Murdered — Dunfermline in Great Commotion. — The 
following has been condensed from several old notes, and which is 
is now all that is known of this murder : — 

Near the end of the year 1784, " Pye Betson," who resided in a small 
hut of a house, on a rising ground, a few hundred yards to the east of the 

3U 



514 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

East Port, Dunfermline, was a baker of mutton pies, which he hawked about 
the streets in the evenings, bawUng out, " Hot mutton pies, a hapenny a-piece !" 
He also took in lodgers for the night. A woman took lodgings with him and 
his wife one evening, end of 1784. Next morning she was found, not far 
from Betson's house, lying on the road murdered. Betson and his wife 
were arrested, and, after a preliminary examination in Dunfermline, they 
were sent to Perth to be tried for the crime. They were tried as usual 
by the Circuit judge and a jury of fifteen. The verdict given was culpable 
homicide (instead of murder), which very much excited the minds of the 
inhabitants of the town. The sentence dealt out to them was, that " they 
should be publicly whipped and banished." Many were so exasperated at what 
was considered " a gross failure of the law," that it was seriously proposed 
by many to go to Perth, take them out of prison by force, and hang them 
before the door of the lone house where the murder was committed. But a 
calmer judgment set in, and after a time the excitement subsided. (See also 
Penny's Traditions of Perth, p. 98.) 

It was a favourite amusement, for some length of time after the 
trial, with some of the inhabitants, to write with chalk on the walls of 
the Tolbooth and other public places, the following couplet : — 

" There were fifteen jurymen and an ass, 
Who hanged a thief, and let a murderer pass." 

This was in allusion to the hanging of Ramsay, in Dunfermline, for 
theft, in the year 1732. (MS. Notes.) 

A Flour Mill (Heugh Mills) was erected in 1784-5 for grinding 
wheat by water power. In 18 19 steam power was applied, which has 
been the moving power ever since. (MS. Notes.) 

1785.— Great Snow Storm and Frost. — "There was a 
great storm of Snow in January this year; it began about the middle 
of the month, and continued falling even on for two weeks ; the streets 
were quite chok'd up. This storm was followed by a frost that 
continued for 123 days." (J. A.) 

Limekilns Church. — "On the 8th day of February, 1785, the 
Rev. William Haddin was ordained minister of the newly built kirk 
at Limekilns." (MS. Note.) 

Cows Grazing in the Town's Parks. — ''30th April, 178^: 
There were 64 cows grazing in the Town's Parks at 24^. each. 
Revenue, £76 i6s." (Burgh Records.) These grazing revenues were 
a great help to the town's funds; notices of these grazings occur as 
early as 1697, and come down to Dechie-Ow's time in 1822. 

Garvock House or Castle. — A MS. Note states that as late 
as the year 1785, "there were to be seen near the top of Garvock Hill, 



THE PUBLIC FLESH MARKET. $15 

the remains of a massive wall, which terminated in a circular stair 
or tower, in which were narrow slits of swivel arrow ports." 

"Fire Machine." — In the Burgh Records, of date loth May, 
1785, there is a minute notifying that the inhabitants were much in 
favour of having a fire machine for Dunfermline, to be used in cases 
of fire, and the Council offered a donation of ten guineas towards 
defraying the expense. 

Diving Bell. — An ingenious diving bell was invented and con- 
structed by Mr. Andrew Angus, a townsman, in his cellar, opposite 
the New Inn, Bridge Street. It was made for the purpose of 
descending to and searching through the great war ship, the " Royal 
George," which sank at Spithead in 1782. It is not now known 
whether Mr. Angus made trial of his diving apparatus or not, as 
nothing is known of its after history. Note. — When Mr. Angus's house 
in Kirkgate was being removed, for the Kirkgate Improvements, in 
1876, the remains of the diving bell or jacket, with breathing tubes of 
spiral wire, were discovered. The writer has in his possession a small 
portion of these ingenious spiral-wire air-tubes. 

Secession Church, Queen Ann Street. — Rev. James Macfarlane 
was ordained colleague to Rev. Mr. Husband in 1785. 

Water. — A supply of water was proposed to be brought into the 
town from the "Back of the Coalton." {Burgh Records, 15th Aug.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, merchant, re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 26th September, 1785.) 

1786.— Flesh Market to be Built. — The Magistrates pur- 
chased the large open area called "Gibb's Square Yard," a little to 
the west of the Cross, for erecting a Public Flesh Market thereon, 
and agreed with Robert Young and William Chalmers for the mason 
work, and Thomas Bonnar for the wright work. {Burgh Rec, i6th 
May, 1786.) 

Weaving. — "As late as this period, 1786, the weavers of Dun- 
fermline, in order to procure dressing for their webs, generally took 
oatmeal seeds, and steeped them for some days in water; afterwards, 
the water was strained off the seeds, and mixed with flour, and then 
the mixture was boiled till it came to a proper thickness. This was 
not only expensive, but tended to harden the yarn too much. Since 
this period potatoes have been used, which, besides being cheaper, 



5l6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

answer the purpose much better." {Fernie's History of Dunfermline, 
PP- 58, 59-) 

Literature. — The Rev. Thomas Fernie, minister of the Second 
Charge of the Parish Church, pubHshed a volume of sermons in 1786. 

"Ancient Society of Weavers" Established. — The Society, 
called "The Ancient Society of Weavers" (a Friendly Society), was 
"established in 1786, and started with about 100 members ; in 18 14 it 
had 454 members." {Femie's Hist. Dunf p. 52.) 

Rates of Provisions and Wages in 1786. — A manuscript 
note states that "the peck of oatmeal, Dutch weight, sold at 8^. to is. 
at the Tron; and that beef sold at 2^^. to ^d. per lb. ; butter, per lb. 
Tron weight, 6d. and ^d.; eggs, 6d. to <^d. per doz. ; a hen, 6d. to 9^., 
&c. A ploughman in the parish had ^5 a-year, with lodgings and 
victuals ; maid-servants, £2 a-year ; day-labourers, lod. to is, a-day. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, merchant, was 
re-elected Provost. {Bicrgh Rec, 30th Sept., 1786.) 

Umbrellas Introduced into Dunfermline in 1786. — "One 
of our manufacturers, being in London, brought home with him an 
umbrella, which caused great wonder and gathering round him in the 
streets to see him with it. It was of huge dimensions, and made 
of gingham." (MS. Note.) 

Measuring the Streets. — Payment of three guineas was given 
to John Durham for his trouble in measuring the streets of the town 
at different times. {Burgh Records, nth November, 1786.) 

1787. — Earthquake. — " There was a very sensible shock of an 
earthquake felt in Dunfermline early in the forenoon of 26th January; 
it had a long rumbling sort of noise with it." {MS. Note. 

Slaughter House. — " To compleat the Scheme of the Public 
flesh market, the council resolved to build a public Slaughter House, 
close to the East end of the Seceding Meeting House [in Queen Ann 
Street]. The associate congregation object to this site being taken 
for such a vile purpose. Another site is chosen, and purchased from 
Bailie Blaik, be south of Tho'. Bisset's door [corner of Knabbie 
Street], where the building of a Slaughter House, to compleat the 
Flesh Market Scheme, was immediately proceeded with." {Burgh 
Records, i6th March, 1787.) 



ROBERT BURNS IN DUNFERMLINE. 517 

Tremendous Flood of Rain — A Woman Droivmd. — On 
nth August, this year, there was a very heavy fall of rain, which 
lasted for about fifteen hours ; all the burns were in high flood ; at 
Dry Mills the gathered rain was something tremendous, and the 
flooded rain made all the low level ground down there about to look 
like a large loch. A poor woman from Limekilns, with a bag of salt 
on her back (suspended from her neck), on her way up to the town, 
could not get through the flood; she lost her balance, and was 
drowned. Every one lamented the death of the town's poor salt 
carrier. (Newspapers and MSS. Notes.) 

Robert Burns in Dunfermline. — Robert Burns, the Poet, 
visited Dunfermline on 20th October, 1787, when he went to the Old 
Church, and, on being shown the site of Bruce's grave, "he knelt 
down and kissed the stone with sacred fervour." Afterwards, he 
ascended the pulpit of the church, and a friend, who was with him, 
having mounted the stool of repentance, he rebuked him in the style of 
a west country clergyman, by whom he had himself been admonished 
more than once for his youthful indiscretions. There is a print by 
David Allan, representing a real occasion of this sort as it took place 
in this church in the time of the Erskines. (Dr. WaddeWs Life of 
Burns; Chambers's Pict. Scot. Art. Diuif.) Charlie Shorthouse was 
grave-digger and beadle at this period, and he would, no doubt, 
point out to Burns one of "the six large flat stones," now under the 
northern transept, as that of King Robert's reputed grave. It is 
well that these misleading stones are now buried, as they never were 
connected with the royal tombs. 

PiTTENCRlEFF ESTATE. — The estate of Pittencrieff was purchased 
by Captain George Phin, of Southend, Kent, for ^17,600 sterling, in 
July, 178-. 

Prov^ost of Dunfermline. —"/ji? Oct., 17S7: The Council, by 
a majority of votes, elected Mr. Adam Low, merchant, Provost." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Pavements (or Plainstanes) were first laid this year in the High 
Street, and partly in Bridge Street. (3IS.) 

The Flesh Market and Slaughter-House Scheme was 
completed 3d November, 1787, "on which day, the Council, Con- 
sidering that the Town's flesh market and slaughter-house is nozv 
ready to be Occupied, lay down the following rates, to be paid by 



£ 


Sh. 


D. 


o 


oo 


6 


o 


oo 


I 


o 


oo 


o\ 


o 


oo 


2 


o 


oo 


I» 



518 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

the Dunfermline Butchers to the Council for the use of these Houses," 
viz. : — 

" For each Cow, Ox, Bull, or Heifer killed, Sixpence, 
each Sheep or goat, ..... 

each Lamb, a halfpenny, ..... 
each Sow, twopence, . . 
each Calf, a penny, ...... 

This " Flesh-market and Slaughter-house Scheme " was an unfor- 
tunate speculation. The slaughter-house was continued to 1869. (See 
All. Dtmf. dates 18 19, 1869.) 

1788. — Severe Winter. — An old note refers to the intense 
frost of January, 1788, and adds that the Dam and the Tro7i Burn 
were covered with ice to the depth of from 8 to 18 inches, and that 
the frost continued all January and part of February. 

Death of the Rev. Thomas Fernie. — The Rev. Thomas 
Fernie, minister of the second charge in the Established Church, 
died on the 5th April, 1788, in the forty-fourth year of his ministry. 
{Fernie' s Hist, of Dtmf . p. 33.) 

Roman Catholic Bill. — At this time there was "great com- 
motion amongst the members of the several churches in Dunfermline 
on the subject of the repeal of the Roman Catholic Bill. The incor- 
porations of the burgh, the Society of Gardeners, &c., petitioned 
Parliament against the repeal." ( Thomson's R. C. B. Memoranda.) 

The Old Bachelor Society. — The friendly society known by 
this name was established in the summer of 1788. {Fernie' s Hist. 
Dtmf p. 52.) It began with about twenty members. 

Weavers' Looms. — In the year 1788 there were about 900 looms 
at work in Dunfermline. {Fernie' s Hist. Dnnf. p. 55.) 

PiTFlRRANE COAL PRIVILEGE. — In the year 1788 Government 
purchased the Original Privilege, obtained by charter in 1707, for the 
sum of ;^40,ooo sterling. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 21.) 

Debt of the Burgh. — In an old Scotsman newspaper, it is 
stated that the debt of the burgh was ;6^3000, and that the income 
exceeded the expenditure. 

General Fast in Scotland. — "As in other places, the 20th of 
May this year was held in Dunfermline as a Solemn Fast in all the 



cardonnel's views of the monastery. 519 

Kirks, in commemoration of the Success of the Revolution of 1688." 
(J. A.) This was the Centenary period. 

The Tower Bridge Rebuilt. — This is a bridge ''of two stories'' 
■ -arch above arch. It is not known if this was the original plan of 
the bridge. Probably it had but one arch at first, which in the Register 
of Dunfermline is styled the GyrtJit Bozv, and consequently would be 
connected with an Abbey boundary. (Sqq Regist. Dimf. p. 253.) The 
upper arch would be built above the lower one, to raise the road above 
to a more convenient level. Above the upper arch there is a shield 
cut in stone, having on it the proprietor's [Captain Phin] arms, viz., a 
pelican erect, and above it a pelican pecking at its breast for blood for 
its brood. Under the shield there is a " date stane," having on it — 
"Rebuilt, 1788;" this date is also cut on the lower arch, and above this 
lower date is a stone, with the initials, "A. R., 161 1," indicating that it 
had been rebuilt by Queen Ann in that year. " The roadway of the 
bridge is about 30 feet above the rivulet below, and is about 40 feet 
long by 17 feet broad." For many centuries the road over a bridge here 
was the only way into Dunfermline from the west. (See An. Dunf. date 
1 6 II.) The author of the Rhyming History of Dunfermline, page 8, 
thus alludes to it : — 

" This Bridge most gothic-like appears ; 
It is of ancient date. 
I'm sure it is some hundred years 
Since the same was built." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Adam Low, merchant, re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 29th Sept., 1788.) 

Breweries. — According to an old note, there were still in Dun- 
fermline, in 1788, as many as seven breweries for the brewing of 
" Dumfarlin nut-broon ale." 

Stoneware Shop. — An old note mentions that the first regular 
pig-shop (stoneware shop) in Dunfermline was opened this year in the 
east end of the High Street, by "John Lootit" (Loutfoot). 

Cardonnel's Views of Dunfermline Monastery. — Adam 
de Cardonnel appears to have been in Dunfermline in the autumn of 
1788 taking views and notes for his work, entitled. Picturesque Anti- 
quities of Scotland. In this work, under the article on Dunfermline, 
there are two small views — both of the monastery — one from the 



520 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

north-west, the other from the south-east. The great west window 
in the " Frater," seen in the north-west view, appears to have been 
drawn from memory. The rest of the view will pass. The south- 
east view shows the half of the Fratery wall enclosed within a dyke. 
The view is not altogether correct. The text part is meagre — only 
about sixteen lines in all — notifying that " this noble monastery was 
begun by King Malcolm III., surnamed Canmore, and finished by 
King Alexander I.; that King David I. changed it into an abbey; 
that it was dedicated to St. Margaret ; that Gosfridus was the first 
abbot ; and that King Charles I. was born in the adjoining palace," &c. 

Queen Ann of Denmark's House. — Several old notes inform 
us that " the Queen's House," and the two constabulary houses between 
it and the steeple, had this year become so ruinous that the last resi- 
dent in them had to remove. His name was Patie Miirrie. Another 
note says, "Murrie did not leave too soon, for, within a week or two 
after his leaving, the great heavy roof of the said house fell in, and 
destroyed everything. About the same time the two constabulary 
houses adjacent to it on the east also became a ruin." Still, for some 
years after, " Hansel Monday cock fights were held in it ; admittance, 
y^d.^ id,, and 2d. each!" In 1797 the Queen's House and Constabu- 
lary became dangerous ruins, and were removed to prevent the loss 
of life or any disaster. (See A71. Dunf. date 1797; also Grose's 
Antiq. Scot. vol. ii. p. 288, for a view of the unroofed Queen's House, 
drawn in 1790.) 

1789.— Ordination, Parish Church.— Rev. John Fernie, son 
of the late Rev. Thomas Fernie, was ordained Minister of the Second 
Charge, Parish Church, on loth February, 1789. {Fer. Hist. Dunf. 
p. 36; See An. Dnnf. date 18 16.) 

Dunfermline Library Established on 26th February, lySg. — 
"The books to be the property of the Subscribers;" a subscription of 
\os. 6d. entitled a person to a share in the property and general 
management. The annual subscription was fixed at 5^-. {Fer. Hist. 
Dnnf. p. 43 ; also the other Hist. Dujif.) 

Schoolmasters. — According to a note, there were four School- 
masters in Dunfermline in 1789, viz., Mr. Dewar, Mr. Ramsay, Mr. 
Jesson, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Christie, with "ane or twa auld men and 
women who taught ABC lessons and the Sinp-le book." 



STEAM ENGINES AND MILLER OF DALSWINTON. 



521 



Chalmers Street Church Built,— The first original church, 
then known as the "Antiburgher Kirk in the fit-paith," was built this 
year, 1789. The members of this small congregation got a disjunction 
from their connection with that of Cairneyhill early in 1788, The 
following is a View of the Kirk from the south-west, taken from a 
Photograph, by A. P. Taylor, shortly before its removal in 1861 : — 




It will be observed that this Kirk is in " the barn style of architec- 
ture," similar to those of its lately-removed neighbours in town, viz., 
the Chapel, the Relief, and the Auld Licht Kirks. {An. Diinf. 1861.) 

Weaving Patterns, &c. — The weaving of flowers, shrubs, trees, 
birds, animals, landscapes, &c., began in Dunfermline during the year 
1789, from patterns drawn by native artists. (MS. Note.) 

Coal Pit at Halbeath. — A coal pit was sunk on the towns 
property at Halbeath, two and a-half miles north-east of Dunfermline. 
(MS. Note.) 

Steam Engines and Patrick Miller of Dalswinton. — 
It would appear from an Old Note that the celebrated Patrick 
Miller, the reputed inventor of the steam-boat, along with his 
ingenious assistant, Symington, were in Dunfermline in June 1789, 
by invitation, for the purpose of considering the propriety of erecting 

3X 



522 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

a steam engine at Halbeath Colliery, as also one for a spinning mill 
about to be erected at Brucefield. The following note written by 
this eminent man is now the only memorial extant of this visit: — 
To the Carron Company. Dimfermline, 6th J^une, lySg. 

Gentlemen — The bearer, Mr. William Symington, is employed by me to 
erect a steam engine, for a double vessel, which he proposes to have made at 
Carron. I have, therefore, to beg that you will order the engine to be made 
according to his directions. As it is of importance that the experiment should 
be made soon, I beg also that you will assist him by your orders to the proper 
workmen, in having it done expedidously. I am ever, with great regard, 
gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, Patrick Miller. ( Vide 
also Glasgow Mech. Mag. vol. iii. pp. 443-446.) 

In due time steam engines were erected at Halbeath and at Brucefield. 

Regarding the Buying of Butter and Cheese. — '' 0i 
Jtily^ lySg: The council enact that no Hucksters or Retailers buy 
Butter or Cheese at the trone before 8 ©'Clock morning." (Burgh 
Records.) This act was for giving the inhabitants a chance of getting 
these articles at a cheaper rate, if purchased before eight o'clock in 
the morning. 

Weaving. — An Old Note states that Mr. Alexander Bonnar, 
weaver. Wooer's Alley, had in his workshop at this period workmen 
who afterwards became eminent table-linen manufacturers; his shop 
was a regular nursery for high-class weavers. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, merchant, elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 28th Sept., 1789.) 

Antiburgher Kirk Ordination. — The Rev. David Black was 
ordained minister of the Antiburgher Kirk, Chalmers Street, on 27th 
Oct., 1789; stipend, ^^130. {MS. Note; see An. Dwif. date 1824.) 

Smart Shock of Earthquake. — "On the 5th of November 
this year, 1789, between 5 and 6 in the morning, a very smart shock 
of an earthquake was felt in Dunfermline and in the western district 
of Fife generally. The furniture in many of the houses was displaced, 
crockery ware on shelves thrown down, and not a few clocks stopped 
going." (MSS.) 

1790.— The Road through the Kirkyard Closed. — " The 
old foot-road, from the east end of the Maygate, through the North 
Kirkyard, and down steps at the Bowling-green to Bee Alley Gardens 
and Monastery Street, was closed early in 1790." (MS.) The sunk 
gardens at the east end of Frater Hall wall, between the Bowling- 



THE LAST OF THE PENNY-WEDDING FIDDLERS. 523 

green and the Mills, into which the road descended, were then known 
as ^^tJie Bee Alley Gardens',' probably a corruption of Bailie Gardens. 
They were once the property of Mr, Black, clerk and bailie of the 
ancient regality of Dunfermline. 

Hutton's Mortification. — " On loth January, John Hutton 
mortified into the hands of the Town Council £^0, the interest -of 
which to be dealt out to the poor annually." ( Burgh Records.) 

Relief Church. — "The Rev. James Smith, minister of the 
Relief Church, Dunfermline, ceased his connection with the Relief 
body, early in 1790, joined the Established Church, and was inducted 
minister of the Chapelshade Church, Dundee, April 1790." (MS.) 

Toll Bars were first erected at Town Green, Spittal, Limekilns 
Road, Baldridge Burn, and end of Pittencrieff Street, August, 1790. 
{Burgh Records, and MS. Note.) 

Baine's "Pen-and-Ink" Sketches of the Abbey Church, 
&c. — In the months of May and June, 1790, Mr. John Baine, civil 
engineer, Edinburgh, made his temporary residence in Dunfermline, 
for the special purpose of making accurate drawings and taking correct 
measurements of the Abbey Church, the Psalter-Church ruins adjoin- 
ing it on the east, the Frater Hall, the Royal Ovens, the Palace and 
Tower ruins on Tower Hill, &c. Baine also made a ground plan of 
the Abbey and Palace ruins, and likewise a plan of Dunfermline 
streets — the first on record. All these sketches, in pen and ink, are 
bound, and make a small thin quarto volume of about thirty pages, 
which is and has long been in the possession of David Laing, Esq., 
LL.D., Edinburgh, from whom we had the loan of it for a short time 
in 1855. (For list of these sketches see end oi Addenda)) 

Johnie Cameron, the Last of the Penny- Wedding Fiddlers, died 
this year. A note informs us that " the celebrated Johnie Cameron, 
the old penny-wedding fiddler, died in the year 1790," and that he 
had " officiated as fiddler at penny weddings for upwards of half-a- 
century through the town and country side." He was a jovial old 
man, and " could crack a good joke and sing a side-splitting song to 
the life ; his fiddle-arm, with the bow, danced about like a miracle 
on the fiddle ; his eyes took motion, and the whole man quivered 
when in full song." 

The Rev. James Thomson, Minister of the First Charge, Parish 
Church, Dunfermline, died on Oct. 19, 1790, in the ninety-second year 



524 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

of his age, and forty-seventh of his ministry in Dunfermline. Pre- 
vious to his induction in DunfermHne, in 1743, he had been chaplain 
for fourteen years in the Cameronian Regiment of Foot. At his death 
he bequeathed ;!^ioo for the benefit of the poor of the parish, the interest 
of which sum was to be distributed yearly to the poor on the 31st 
January. {Fernie's Hist. Ditnf. pp. 33, 35, &c.) 

Astronomical Clock, made by John Hunter, Tailor, Dnnferm- 
line. — We have several notes on this clock and other machines made 
by this ingenious tailor. Regarding the clock, a note states that " the 
frame and the axles of the wheels were made of wood, and also the dial, 
on which were 24 hours, and a number of indexes, or hands. The wheels 
were made of large buttons. It showed the minutes and hours of the 
day and night, the rising and setting of the sun, the daily motion of 
the moon, the rise and fall of the tides at Limekilns, and the day of the 
month. From '1790,' being scratched on the works, it would seem 
to have been made this year." Another note states that he made a 
"hand-machine" to show the tides and to predict them, and, like the 
clock, "most of the wheels were made of the very large coat-buttons of 
the period. He also used such buttons to make the wheels of clocks 
in his clock-making operations, of which he made several." He died 
at an advanced age, in 18 12. 

Dunfermline Regality Records. — In clearing away the 
rubbish out of the garret of an old house in East Netherton Street, 
in the summer of 1790, no less than thirty-six MS. volumes of the 
Regality Court Records of Dunfermline were found during the clear- 
ance. Shortly afterwards they were bound, and are now in custody 
of the Town-Clerk of Dunfermline ; they are half-bound, and in 
excellent preservation. {An. Dunf. date 162 1.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, merchant, re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 27th September, 1790.) 

The Dead-Bell and Robert Walker.— From time immemorial 
down to the end of the year 1790, intimations of death and burial were 
proclaimed through Dunfermline by the bell-man with the hand dead- 
bell. In 1 790 dead-bell intimations to burials ceased. "Bobie Walker," 
a big burly man, was the last dead-bell-man. In perambulating the 
streets, he made halts at certain places, rang his bell, and spoke as 
follows : — "All ye brethren and sisters, I let ye to wot — that Davit 
Thamson departed this life at the pleasure of the Almighty at sax 
o'clock this morning, and all who can conveniently attend the burial 



BOBIE WALKER, THE DEAD-BELL-MAN. 



.525 



from his house on Saturday, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the honour 
of their company is respectfully invited." When he pronounced "Al- 
mighty" he made a low bow. When a female's death was announced, 
as a matter of course her name would be given. The friends of the 
deceased, at the sound of the dead-hand-bell, repaired to the house of 
mourning, where they were entertained, and the usual ceremonies of 
a Scotch wake were gone through. By act of the Town Council, 
date loth December, 1757, the fee for proclaiming the death, and 
inviting to the funeral of an elderly person, was one shilling, and 
eightpence for children. In 1789 funeral letters began to be printed 
and circulated in Dunfermline, which, along with the more frequent 
use of the Tolbooth bell, the dead-bell calls were superseded. The 
writer has in his possession one of these early funeral letters, dated 
in 1792; it intimates the day and hour of the decease, and day and 
hour of the funeral. 




The above figure of the last Dead-bell-man is a reduced copy from a 
sketch by "J. Burlans, teacher of drawing, Dunfermline, 1789." 

Relief Church— 7?^7'. Henry Fergus.— "On the 7th October, 
1790, the Rev. Henry Fergus was ordained minister of the Relief 
Meeting-House, Dunfermline." (MS. Note.) 



526 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Captain Francis Grose, the Antiquary, in Dunfermline. — In 
the year 1790, the celebrated Captain Francis Grose, the Antiquary, 
visited Dunfermline, along with his artist, to take drawings of the 
Abbey ruins, and to collect notes for the article on Dunfermline in 
his second volume of The Antiquities of Scotland, published in 1797. 
Grose, in this volume of The Antiquities, has three very excellent 
quarto views of the ruins, &c., of the Abbey and Monastery of Dun- 
fermline from copper plates, the letterpress descriptions of which are 
comprised within three quarto pages, and are not free of errors. 
Grose describes his three views as under : — 

"i. — This plate gives a general view of these magnificent ruins. The 
building opposite, on the left, is the Fratery; to the right of it is the Church 
and the scattered arches and windows. On the right of all is said to be the 
burial-place of some of the kings." 

"2. — This view shows the north-side of the Church and Palace, called 
the King's House [Queen's House], drawn from a chamber-window in the 
new inn." 

"3. — This view shows the beautiful window of the Fratery or Refectory, 
viewed on the outside, and its adjoining gate. It was, with the other views 
of this Abbey, drawn a.d. 1790." 

The letterpress description is short and meagre. The Captain appears 
to have had before him, when he wrote his descriptions, a copy of 
Pennant's " Tour Through Scotla?id." (See Grose's Antiquities of 
Scotland, vol. ii. pp. 285-288.) 

1791.— New Bachelor Society. — A friendly society, named 
"The New Bachelor Society," was established in 1791. {Fernie's Hist. 
Dunf. p. 52.) 

Population Returns. — According to an old statistical account, 
in 1 79 1 Dunfermline contained 5192 inhabitants. Town and parish, 
9450; Limekilns, 658; Charlestown, 487; Mastertown, 116; Cross- 
gates, 24 ; Carnock Parish, 970. 

The Witch Dub Partially Filled Up.—'' The Witch Dub, at the 
foot of the Witch Loan, was to a great extent filled up early in 1791. 
It was about 100 yards in circumference, and in the deepest parts from 
6 to 10 feet deep." (MS. Note.) In this dub many a poor innocent 
wretch was ducked and '' drowndit at the will of the fudges',' between 
1580 and 1690. 

Caley's View of Dunfermline Abbey, 1791. — In the year 1791, 



THE TOWN HOUSE OR TOLBOOTH. 52/ 

Captain Caley published a series of views of old castles, abbeys, 

churches, &c. — thirty-six in all — with short descriptive notes on each 

view. His view of Dunfermline Abbey has been taken from the Old 

West Road, considerably to the west of Towerhill Bridge. The 

features of the said view are small and defective. On the extreme 

right is part of the walls of the King's kitchen. Next to them are 

"the Pends;" and, in order to show the great west window of the 

Frater-hall, he has removed the Palace wall entirely. In the centre 

of the picture stands an incorrect view of the Church steeple. In the 

foreground of the group of buildings stands the lofty building known 

as "the Queen's House," and to the left is a group of ^'' tmknowii 

walls r The rest of the view, especially on the left, is filled up with 

trees. Dunfermline view is No. 5 in the series. The following are a 

few extracts from Caley's short description : — 

" Dunfermline, in Fifeshire, at different times has been the residence of 
the Scottish monarchs. Malcolm Canmore lived here in a castle on the top of 
an insulated hill. A palace was afterwards built nearer the town, ' the walls 
of which were almost entire in 1730, and some of the furniture remaining.' The 
Church or Abbey was begun by Malcolm Canmore, and finished by Alexander 
I, It was probably first intended for the pious and more useful purpose of a 
religious infirmary, being styled in some old manuscripts, Monasteriwn Infir- 
monwi. [See Appendix of Atinals of Dunfl Part of the church is at present 
in use. After this place became a royal residence, the celebrated lona lost 
the honour of being the Cemetery of the Scottish monarchs." 

Like Captain Grose, Captain Caley appears to have been " much 
indebted to Pennant'' s Toitr for these details. Caley, in his " Thirty- 
Six Views of Scotland," has a very fine north view of Rosyth Castle 
— "one of the best in his work." 

Steel Yard. — A steel yard, " for weighing Cart loads and other 
goods," was purchased by the town and placed near the flesh-market, 
August, 1 79 1. (BiirgJi Records.) 

The Town House or Tolbooth. — "The new tolbooth had, 
almost from the day it was finished, been a source of complaint, in 
consequence of its being too small. On 27th August, 1791, the 
Council resolved to employ John Chalmers, architect, or some other 
proper person, to make out a Plan and estimate for adding a storey 
or two to the present building." (Bnrgh Records.) Nothing seems 
to have been done in this matter until March, 1793. 

Cairneyhh.l Kirk.— The Rev. Thomas Blair, from Kilmarnock, 
was ordained minister of this church on 13th Sept., 1791, as successor 
to the Rev. James Burt. (See An. Dunf. date 1755.) 



528 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, elected. {Burgh 
Records, 26th Sept., 1791.) 

1792.— Number of Weaving Looms. — There were 1200 looms 
employed in the weaving trade in Dunfermline in the year 1792. 
{Fernie's Hist. Dtmf. p. 55.) 

Juke's View of Dunfermline Abbey, Monastery, Palace, and 
the Mills. — This is a splendid view, and the largest that has ever been 
published of Dunfermline ruins. It is 24 inches in length by 15^ 
in breadth, and has been taken from a point near the foot of "the 
Sheeling-hill," near the burn, about 100 yards south of the mill in 
Monastery Street. This fine large engraving is entitled, '^ Abbey and 
Palace of Diivtfermline : draivn in lySS by J. Farington, R.A. ; 
engraved by C. Cation, junior, and published in Lo?idon, ist February^ 
i'jg2, by F. Juke, No. 10 Howland Street (price los. 6d.)." This print 
is now very scarce. Only three copies are known to be in Dunfermline 
parish. One is in the possession of the writer. 

The Town Green Planted and Laid Out. — " The town green, 
a quarter of a mile east of Dunfermline, was in 1792 planted with fir- 
trees." (MS. Note.) After this period the Green " began to be laid 
out with a fine walk round it, and other improvements." (See An. 
Dtmf. 5th Sept., 1 79 5-) 

Blue-Gown Beggars — Lead Badges. — This year "a considerable 
number of lead badges were cast for privileged beggars, to fix on 
the right hand arm of their blue gowns or coats, to show their right 
to beg." The lead badge of one of " the privileged " is in our posses- 
sion. It is circular, three inches in diameter, and has round the cir- 
cumference, in large capital letters, "Dunfermline Parish," and in 
the centre space, "No. 13 — 1792." The last blue-gown was James 
Hutchison, alias "Curdugan," who died about 1821. 

Brucefield Flax Mill Erected, 1792. — This flax mill was 
erected at Brucefield, about a mile south-east of Dunfermline, in 
1792. This mill gave employment to a great many hands; it was 
burnt down in October 1825, and then operations ceased. It was, it 
is said, the second mill of the kind in Scotland which obtained a 
patent for spinning by steam machinery. The flax spun at this mill 
was from 2 to 4 lbs. per spindle, chiefly used in the manufacture of 
table linen; 150 men, women, boys, and girls employed. MS. Note.) 



THE CROSSWYND. 529 

Mr. Mark Stark was proprietor of the mill, George Rontree, foreman; 
Mr. Stark had also a bleachfield here, and walk and beetling mills. 
(See An. Dimf. dates 1776, 1806, and 1825.) 

The Chapel Kirk. — The Rev. James Robertson was inducted 
minister of the Chapel Kirk, Dunfermline, on the 6th June, 1792, in 
room of the Rev. Allan M'Lean, translated to the First Charge of 
Dunfermline Parish Church, June, 1791. 

The Antiburgher Green Laid out into Steps. — The 
green at the back of the Antiburgher Kirk, and belonging to it, is 
very steep ; this year it was laid out in a series of steps from north to 
south, with a level space at the foot of the declivity, above the burn. 
This was done for the accommodation of the hearers at the tent- 
preachings on sacramental occasions; the hearers sat closely packed 
on the green steps; the tent was erected on the level part before 
noted; thus the congregation sat in comfort, looking down on the 
preacher. On some occasions it has been estimated that there were 
at least 1200 persons sitting on the steps during sermon. (MS. 
Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie was re-elected, ist 
October. (Burgh Records.) In consequence of the death of John 
Wilson, the Provost, in May, 1792, James Moodie was then elected 
Provost in his stead, and, by the Constitution of Royal Burghs of 
1724, had to stand an election again at the usual time — the end of 
September, 1792. 

1793._The Crosswynd, a " Confused'' Street and in Bad 
Condition. — ^^^thjan.^ ^793' The Council considering the state of the 
Crosswynd Street to be very bad and much confused in breadth, they 
appoint a committee of their number to converse with the heritors of 
the houses on each side of the street about purchasing their fore shots 
and report." (Burgh Records.) An old note informs us that at and 
after this period "the off-shot stairs in the Crosswynd projected from 
the fronts of the houses so far upon the street, as to leave only about 
six feet of a space in the middle for traffic." This being the case. 
Burns' "twa wheel-barrows" would "tremble when they met." 

The Town House — Preparing for Two Storeys being added 
to it. — Early in March, 1793, preparations were being made for adding 
two storeys to the Town House. On 30th March, 1793, the Bnrgh 

3Y 



530 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Records notify that "the roof was now taken off, and the prisoners 
placed in apartments in the sunk storey." 

The Sett or Constitution of the Burgh written out by the 
Toivn-Clerk, by official command^ and sent to the House of Commons. 
(MSS.) 

Disbursements to the Poor. — The Kirk-Session of the 
Parish Church disbursed to the poor of the parish between 7th April, 
1792, and 7th April, 1793, the sum of £<^6 ^s. 8d. — forty-nine poor 
on the roll. (Fer. Hist. DimJ. p. 46.) 

The Ancient Society of Weavers became a Friendly Society in 
1793. — "Its affairs are managed by a preses and committee of twelve 
members, and the terms of entry are 2s. 6d. and is. quarterly. At 
the death of a member, his representative receives £1 lOi'. ; at the 
death of a wife, £i] widows have i6s. yearly, and is. weekly if in 
distress; in 1826 there were 275 members." {Mercer's Hist. Dunf. 
p. I43-) 

Andrew Donaldson, a man of great ability, but of eccentric 
life, died in 1793. In early life he studied for the ministry, but did 
not follow out the profession in consequence of some scruple. He 
had for a very long period of his life a school in Dunfermline. In 
"Kay's Edinburgh Portraits" there is a portrait of him, and a short 
memoir. He appears to have been about eighty years of age at his 
death. The following is on his grave-stone in Dunfermline Church- 
yard : — "Here lies Andrew Donaldson, a sincere Christiati and good 
Scholar, zvho died 21st June, ijgj, aged 80!' (For a short account of 
this worthy but eccentric man, see Chalmers s History of Dunfermline, 
vol. i. pp. 314-316.) 

Reform. — A manuscript note says that at this time there was 
" much political excitement, and sometimes violence, in Dunfermline 
in the cause of reform." During the same period " recruiting parties 
of soldiers were seldom absent from the town." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, re-elected Provost, 
30th Sept., 1793. (Burgh Records.) 

A Statistical Account of Dunfermline Parish was this 
year conjointly written by the Revs. Messrs. M'Lean and Fernie for 
Sir John Sinclair's " Statistical Account of Scotland." (MS. Note.) 

Town Green Walks, &c. — "A number of workmen were 



FRIENDS OF THE PEOPLE. 531 

employed on the town green in November, making a walk round 
it, and planting more trees." (MS. Note.) 

Great Snow Storm. — In some of our manuscript notes allusion 
is made to " a tremendous fall of snow," which occurred near the end 
of December, 1793. The snow, it seems, was breast-high in the 
streets, and outside traffic " was for some length of time at an end." 

1794.—" Friends of the People."--A secret political society 
under this name was formed in Dunfermline early in 1794. "Such 
sort of societies were then common in Scotland and England." As 
in other places, the Friends in Dunfermline were incogiio7ne?i, and met 
in the school at Maygate, taught by Adam Dickson, who acted as 
secretary under the name of Cato. The Friends had the whole of 
Pittencrieff estate mapped off and allotted amongst its members. 
(MS. Note.) The then French uprising, and Tom Painc's " Age of 
Reason," brought such chimerical societies into existence. 

Skating on Clayacres Loch. — An old note says that " Clay- 
acres Loch was much resorted to for curling, sliding, and skating, and 
had been so from time immemorial until 1794, when it at last became 
so dry that it became useless." These acres are called the humid 
acres in the Register of Dnnfermline. 

Shaw's Monumental Tomb Removed. — " In the summer of the 
year 1794 this fine old tomb was removed from its site behind the 
pulpit-pillar to the foot of the steeple, in order to allow a larger 
window to be made in the north wall of the kirk, for throwing more 
light on the minister's bible." {MS. Note; Fernie's Hist. Diinf. p. 91.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, re-elected Provost, 
29th Sept., 1794. (Burgh Records.) 

Six New Lamps were, on the 21st October, ordered to be bought 
for the use of the town. 

Literature. — The "Orations on Various Select Subjects," by 
John Grub, schoolmaster, Wemyss, Fife, were edited and published 
in 1794, by Robert Wilson, Dunfermline. i2mo, boards, 2s. {Steven- 
son's Edin. Catal. 1870.) 

" Captain Mitchell, of The Hill, near Dunfermline, raised to 
the rank of Rear- Admiral of the Blue." {MS. Note ; also An. Dunf. 
date 1799.) 



532 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

A Drying House was built, by order of the Town Council, at 
the back of the " Toon's Boilin' Hoose," Mill Port, for the use of the 
lieges, 

1795,— Great Snow Storm. — "The year 1795 began in the 
midst of a great snow storm and boisterous wind. It began to snow 
on December 26th, and continued to snow until January 4th, when 
every street and place in Dunfermline were covered with snow to a 
depth of 10 or 12 feet." (MS. Note.) 

Great Dearth. — " Dunfermline, like other places, was visited by 
the dearth in 1795. Meal was sold from the lower east window of 
the tolbooth at 3s. 6d. per peck. The Girnel, in Queen Ann Street, 
where the cargo of meal was lying, was guarded by a soldier, who 
walked before the door with loaded gun and sprung bayonet." (MS. 
Note.) 

The Town Green. — The walk around the Town Green ; the 
sunk stone-wall inside the walk ; the pond, &c., were all completed 
this year. {Burgh Records, 5th September, 1795.) The "fine walk 
round the green" measured 1345 yards, and was long used from 
" early morn till late at night." " The walkers " estimated that four 
times round the walk was "just three miles." (Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, re-elected Provost 
28th Sept., 1795. (Burgh Records.) 

The Dunfermline Fencibles. — According to a minute in the 
Burgh Records of date nth December, 1795, the Dunfermline Fen- 
cibles were then being raised. 

The Town-House. — The building of the two additional storeys 
to the Town-House began in July, 1793, and appear to have been 
finished early in January, 1795, with the exception of the plastering 
and other details, which were not completed until March, 1795. The 
clock was fitted up in the new clock turret by Matthew Parker, clock- 
maker, Dunfermline in January, 1795. {MS. Note; also Burgh Records, 
1793, 1794, 1795 ; for number and dimensions of the new rooms in 
these two additional stories, see Femie's History of Dwif. p. 18, &c.) 
Instead of giving a view of the Town-house under date 1772, it was 
thought by some of our friends, that a view of the completed edifice, 
placed under date 1795, would be more appreciated, and more appro- 
priate, as it would show the aspect of the Town-house in its complete 
state from 1795 to 1876, as it appeared to our fathers and grand- 



THE TOWN-HOUSE. 



533 



fathers. We have complied with this wish, and here present the 
reader with an excellent view of the recently removed building, taken 




from E.N.E. on the High Street, from a photograph by A. P. Taylor, 



534 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Dunfermline, which he took shortly before the edifice was removed. 
(Vide A^i. Dunf. date 1876.) 

1796.— The Town House and Weavers' Meetings.— "The 
Town Council on i6th April, 1796, resolved that the Town House be 
refused to the Weavers, especially for holding their meetings in, as 
they had lately formed unlawful combinations." (Burgh Records.) 
The Weavers of Dunfermline in those days were a "valiant class," 
most of them being Friends of the People-men. (See An. Dunf. 
date 1794. 

Baldridge V>^5V.-^—Foot-Path Road.—T\\Q Town Council directed 
their treasurer to "pay one guinea to assist in the making of a foot- 
path in Baldridge Burn Road." {Burgh Records, 28th of March, 
1796.) 

The Revenue of the Dunfermline Post-Office in 1796 
was about ;^300. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 53.) 

Queen Ann of Denmark's House, and the Constable and 
Bailie-Houses being considered dangerous ruins, were sold in 1796, 
Avhen they began to be removed. {MS. Note; also Fernie's Hist. 
Dunf. p. 70.) 

Free Honorary Burgess of Dunfermline. — The Honour- 
able John Cochrane was made an honorary burgess of the Burgh on 
the 6th June, 1796, (Burgess Roll of Dunf.) Mr. Cochrane was 
returned M.P. for the district of Burghs on June 20. 

Parliamentary Election Riots— The Provost of Dunfermline 
Put into Inverkeithing Black-Hole! — "The candidates for Parliamen- 
tary honours at this period [June i6th, 1796] were the Hon. John 
Cochrane and Sir John Henderson of Fordell. The former was the 
favourite, and this greatly incensed Sir John. For several days 
Sir John kept his colliers parading through the streets, armed with 
bludgeons, to intimidate voters and the incorporated trades. They 
broke their opponents' windows amid boisterous huzzas, forced 
entry into several houses, rang the Auld Kirk and Council bells, 
and fired off squibs and sky-rackets thick and threefauld." When 
the 1 6th came round, the delegate for the burgh had to be elected, 
and the Council repaired to the Council-chamber in the Town-house 
to conduct the election. It was known that Provost Moodie would 



PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION RIOTS, ETC. 535 

be elected delegate to vote for the Hon. John Cochrane at Inverkeith- 
ing, then the returning burgh. After a great number of the Council 
were convened, the doors were shut, when Sir John, along with an 
Edinburgh lawyer, named Law, got Tarn Thomson, the smith, to break 
open the Town-house doors. This having been done, the lawyer, 
and his abbetors.or employers, rushed into the Council Chamber, and 
presented pistols at the Provost's breast, and took him prisoner, along 
with half-a-dozen of the Councillors ; brought them out to the street, 
and thrust them into coaches which had been hired for the purpose, 
when they were all driven off, by out-of-the-way roads, to the return- 
ing burgh, viz., Inverkeithing. The Provost and Councillors on their 
arrival there were put into the Blackhole of Inverkeithing^ and kept 
there for several hours, in order to prevent the Provost being elected 
the legal delegate at Dunfermline. After the Provost and the others 
were released, they repaired to Dunfermline with all haste, and held 
a midnight meeting of the Council, when the Provost was elected 
delegate. The Provost, as delegate for Dunfermline, repaired to Inver- 
keithing on June 20th, and voted for the Hon. John Cochrane, who 
was elected M.P. for the Burghs, to the great chagrin of Sir John, 
&c. (MS. Notes; Burgh Records.) 

Old Tenement Foot of Cross Wynd Removed. — This 
curious old tenement at the foot of the Cross Wynd, with its crooked 
out-side stair, was removed in 1796; it belonged to a Mr. Cusine, and 
was next house above the corner of the Wynd, west side. (MS. 

Note.) 

Charity School Established. — The Town Council took a 
ten years' lease of David Stobie's old house [at junction of Viewfield 
Place and east end of Queen Ann Street], and set a-going a school 
long known as the '^Poor School!' {MS. Note; also Bnrgh Records, 
1st May, 1876.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie re-elected Provost. 
(Burgh Records.) 

Press-Gang in Dunfermline. — "The press-gang came to 
Dunfermline in October, 1796, and carried off some weavers and 
others; some of them never came back, and some succeeded well in 
after life with their pensions," &c. (MS. Note.) 

1797.— Water S\JVVLY—Cairncnbie Springs. — The supply of 



53^ ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

water from the head well having for some time been deemed insufficient, 
it was resolved by the water committee early in 1797 to have recourse 
to the springs at Cairncubie, two miles north-east of the town. 
{Fernie's Hist. Diinf. p. 14; see also Annals Dunf. dates 1764, 1765, 
1774, 1805.) 

The Freedom of the Burgh to William Tait, Esquire, 
Advocate. — "This day the Magistrates and Town Council created 
and admitted William Tait, Esq., Advocate, a burgess and guild 
brother of this burgh, with all the liberties, privileges, and immu- 
nities belonging thereto," &c. {Burgh Records, 13th April, 1797.) 
Mr. Tait was selected to be the town's depute or commissioner to 
vote for a member of parliament in behalf of the burgh. 

Post-Office Removed. — "The Post-Office, which had from time 
immemorial been accommodate in a house at the Tron, north-side of 
the High Street, and kept by Mrs. Anderson, was in 1797 removed 
to the foot of the Kirkgate." (MS. Note.) Probably it was then 
first kept by Mr. A. Angus. 

The Queen's House — The ConstabiUary and Bailie Houses 
Removed. — These buildings, erected between 1597 and 1600 as before 
noted, were considered dangerous ruins in 1797, when they were sold 
and began to be taken down. By June this year, 1797, every stone 
of them had been removed, which very much altered the aspect of 
the locality to the regret of many. The writer having, in 1854, 
several detached sketches of these old buildings, made from them a 
composition view for Dr. Chalmers's Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 129; the 
writer also in 1865 published a lithographic view of the same buildings 
from the north. (For Views of Queen Ann of Denmark's House 
see Slezars Theatrum Scotics, and Grose's Ant. Scot.; MS. Note; 
also the Histories of Dunf ., and An. Dwif date 1600). Between the 
south front of the Queen's House and the Pends there was a large 
open space called the Abbey Close, or Main Court Yard, embracing 
an area of 940 square yards. 

One of our notes on the "Queen's House" says — "This house, from 
about the year 1750, had a large apartment set aside for annual cock 
fights; the charges were — front seats, 6d.\ second, 3^.; and back 
seats, id., and the place was generally crammed on the hansell- 
mondays; even after the house became a ruin, it was used for cock 
fighting. The removal of the old building in 1797 put an end to its 
glory." (MS. Notes, and Histories of Dimfermline, &c.) 



THE PILLORY AND DELINQUENTS. 537 

The Pillory, and Two Delinquents. — A Note informs us 
that " Mrs. Templeman and Mrs. Christie stood in the Pillory at the 
east end of the Town-house, with chains round their necks, and hanks 
of yarn tied to their bodies." They are said to have been the last 
who did penance at the Pillory of Dunfermline. They had been con- 
victed of stealing yarn at Brucefield Mill. " One of the culprits was 
very penitent, and hung her head ; the other brazened it out, and told 
the onlookers to take a guid glour at her, so that they might ken her 
agaiit." 

Tailors Female-Dress Makers. — "From time immemorial, 
down to at least the year 1797, the tailors of Dunfermline made 
female dresses, caps, &c., especially bridal dresses ! William Pearson, 
tailor and dressmaker, Pilmuir, was the last of this sort of tailors ; 
he died about the year 1825." (MS. Note.) 

The Charity School (East-End of Town), recently instituted, 
was opened on August ist, 1797 ; Mr. Alexander Balfour was chosen 
teacher. {Burgh Records, August, 17 ()7.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

The Witch-Dub Acres. — In a Town Council minute, dated 25th 
Nov., 1797, the "Witch-Dub Acres" are referred to. These acres lay 
on the north side of "Halybluid Acres," foot of Gardeners' Land. 

1798.— The Debt of the Burgh. — The Debt of the Burgh 
of Dunfermline, as ascertained early in 1798, amounted to about 
;^5ooo. (Burgh Records.) 

The Secession Church (Queen Ann Street) was founded early 
in the spring of 1798 — Mr. M'Farlane, architect and builder. (MS. 
Note ; see also An. Dnnf. date 1800.) 

"Fencibles."— The company of Dunfermline "Fencibles," raised 
in 1 795- 1 796, from that time to 1798 were all dressed in blue clothing. 
" In 1798, the 'Blue Fencibles'' joined with the Volunteers, when they 
assumed the red coat!' (An. Dun/., date 1795 ; MS. Note.) 

Grand Review and Mock Fight. — "In the autumn of 1798 
there was a grand review in Mr. Nicol the farmer's park, west end of 
Golfdrum, when a mock fight took place to the great delectation of 
the hundreds who witnessed it; there were also reviews and sham 
fights at the Hill and other places." (J. A. and MS.) 

3Z 



538 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Admiral Mitchell 'Hn Want of Employment." — "The Council, 
in consideration of the well known professional abilities of Rear- 
Admiral Andrew Mitchell, and of his anxiety to be employed in the 
line of his profession at this present critical period : they unanimously 
agree to recommend him to the attention of the Right Honourable 
Mr. Secretary Dundas, and to request of him to use his influence with 
the Lords of the Admiralty, that the Admiral may procure suitable 
employment, and authorise the Provost to write a letter in their name 
to Mr. Dundas to that effect." {Burgh Records, 14th Feb., 1798 ; see 
also An. Dunf. date Sept., 1799.) 

Drawing School. — During the summer of 1798, John Burlin, 
drawing-master, Edinburgh, came to Dunfermline, and formed a 
drawing-class in the Masons' Lodge, Mill Port. He had moderate 
success. He had, it would appear, been induced to come to Dun- 
fermline by some of the manufacturers, in order to inspire the youths 
with a taste for drawing patterns for the webs, &c. Mr. Burlin had, 
for a great number of years previous to this period, visited Dunfermline 
professionally ; he now took up a permanent residence in it. He died 
about 1803. (MS. Note.) 

The Post-Office Revenue for 1798 amounted to ;^450. (MS. Note.) 

■ Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost, September, 1798. (Burgh Records.) 

Ruins of St. Leonard's Chapel (near Dunfermline). — An old 
note states that "the south wall and door-post of the Chapel, or 
Hospital, of St. Leonard's fell to the ground, and thus came to an 
end this venerable institution. About the same time its burial-ground 
was disused." (f. A., and MSS.) 

The Fifeshire Yeomanry Calvary was raised this year, and 
" frequently met for exercise in the town and vicinity." The Militia 
was also raised. (MS.) 

The Dunfermline " Ancient Society of Gardeners " became a 
" P>iendly Society" in 1798, and 342 members were entered on the 
roll, with funds amounting to £\ 15. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 52.) 

Lochgelly Gipsy Band. — An old manuscript note, of this date, 
referring to this notorious Gipsy Band, says : "The band consisted of 
about 50 persons — men, women, and children — headed by the cele- 
brated Charlie Graham. They made pots and spoons and pans, and 
did all sorts of tinkering ; they scoured the country for many miles 



ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN DUNFERMLINE. 539 

around with their goods ; but their chief source of gain lay in attend- 
ing public fairs, and robbing the unwary." Dunfermline Fairs were 
always attended by this fraternity, and many robberies and scuffles 
was the consequence. At Dunfermline Hairst Fair this year Charlie 
and his gang came to the fair, knocked down the sweetie and the 
claith stands in the High Streets, and a great row took place, which 
was just what the gang wanted, in order to ply their avocations. 
Charlie, it seems, "was run into the Black-hole." Shortly after, he, by 
aid of the gang broke out of the hole, was seized again, and, as he was 
wanted in Perth, he was taken there, where sometime afterwards he 
was executed for his misdeeds, and thus Dunfermline and district got 
rest. The gang then broke up and removed from the neighbourhood. 
(D. L. and MSS.) 

1799_ — "Chapel Kirk" — The Rev. David Saville Inducted. — 
The Rev. David Saville was inducted minister of the Chapel Kirk on 
the 5th January, 1799, as successor to the Rev. James Robertson. 
Mr. Saville, after a short charge of ten months, was translated to the 
Canongate Chapel, Edinburgh, on loth October. He is the author 
of " A Series of Discourses on Peculiar Doctrines of Revelation," &c. 
He died before 18 10. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. &c.) 

"St. Patrick's Day in the Morning" in Dunfermline, 1799. 

— Regarding this ludicrous affair of " St. Patrick's Day in the Morning^' 

which caused great terror amongst the inhabitants, we have several 

notes, which, when condensed, read as follows : — 

There was a large camp of soldiers in Dunfermline early in 1799 — the 
greater number being Irish, As it turned out, these soldiers, on the day 
before St. Patrick's-day, had resolved to honour St. Patrick early on the 
following morning, viz., Sunday morning, 17th March, in marching order, 
accompanied with all their music. Accordingly, they all met at their guard- 
house, in the Town-House, and just as twelve o'clock had struck out Saturday 
night from the calendar, and introduced Sunday morning, the 17th, up struck 
the music. Drums beatmg, trumpets blowing, and fifes in plenty augmenting 
the din, off they marched through the principal streets at this early hour on 
Sunday morning. Up went all the windows in the route of march, asking what 
it meant. Some of the soldier wags cried out that " Bonaparte had landit ! " 
A general putting on of clothes was the result. "To your tents, O Israel !" 
cried some of the valiant burgesses, while those of a pious turn of mind 
thought that such an unheard-of noise on a Sunday morning was something 
more serious than the landing of Bonaparte, and went to their devotions. These 
soldiers were shortly afterwards removed for their misconduct. Their guard- 
house was removed to the Crosswynd, and their black-hole to the Maygate. 
This occurrence was long remembered in Dunfermline. It is still often referred 
to. (MS. Notes ; Editiburgh Newspapers, &>€.) 



540 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Earl of Elgin, Ambassador to Constantinople. — "The Earl 
of Elgin and Kincardine was appointed ambassador to Constantinople 
in 1799, and continued there until 1801. During his ambassadorship 
he collected the Elgin Marbles; these were afterwards purchased from 
him by Government for ;!^30,ooo, which has been supposed to be only 
about half the money it had cost the Earl." (MS. Note.) 

Admiral Mitchell's Victory over the Dutch. — " gth Sept., 
1799 •' Which day the Council, taking into consideration the im- 
portant Victory obtained by Admiral Mitchell over the Dutch Fleet 
(in the Texel), and the Provost having suggested to the Council the 
propriety of having a full-length painting of the Admiral, to be put 
up in the Town-Hall, as a mark of respect for the eminent services he 
had rendered the Country, The Council agree to open a subscription 
for that purpose, and authorise the Provost to Subscribe Teti Gtdneas 
in name of the Council," (Burgh Records.) The Dutch Fleet, in 
the Texel, surrendered to Admiral Mitchell, after his taking the 
Helder, 29th August, 1799. The Admiral presented a set of flags to 
the burgh at this period. 

The Rev. Rowland Hill, Mr. Greville Ewing, and Mr. 
James Haldane, — These three preachers visited Dunfermline in 
1799; they conducted their services in the open air. "In Dunferm- 
line, the places selected for their meetings were Williamson's Wood- 
yard (north-west corner of Chalmers Street), the Back Brae, and a 
Park at Halybluid Acres, near the Town Green, in which green it 
could not be allowed, in consequence of so many cows grazing in it 
at rents. Mr. James Haldane preached in Williamson's Woodyard 
to a large congregation on Tuesday evening, May 7th, and also on the 
following morning. May 8th, 1799. In June, 1799, the Rev. Rowland 
Hill, accompanied by Mr. Greville Ewing, visited Dunfermline," On 
the 20th of that month, Mr. Ewing, with much acceptance and great 
power, preached from the words, ' Except yotir righteousness shall 
exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in nowise 
enter into the kingdom of heaven.' This sermon was long remembered, 
and was followed by the most salutary effects on many." On the 
evening of July i6th, 1799, the Rev. Rowland Hill preached in Haly- 
bluid Acres, Dunfermline, to about 2000 people, from the words — 
" '^^^^ great day of his zvrath is come," when "many a waverer was 
brought into the fold, and accounted the evening of July i6th as the 
date of his new life — the day on which he was born again." (MS. Notes.) 



THE ORIGINAL BURGHER CONGREGATION. 54 1 

It may be noted that, between 1797 and 1804, "^ great many- 
itinerant preachers of celebrity visited Dunfermline, and preached in 
the open fields ; the minds of people then were much disturbed by 
wars and rumours of zvarsl and not a few believed that the ^begin- 
fiing of the end^ was at hand ; religious truths were everywhere 
pondered over, and many were converted to the faith." {MH. Notes ; 
also Mis. Mag. 1799, p. 460; Rowland H ill's Tour, 8ic.) 

The Races. — "The Fife Hunt Races" were instituted this year. 
They were run on the Town Green. A fine horse got its leg broken, 
and had to be shot. (MS.) 

The Famous Neil Gow in Dunfermline. — According to 
several old notes, "the famous Neil" attended the race dinner pro- 
fessionally, and gave the utmost satisfaction. " He was followed by 
crowds on the street." (See An. Diinf. 1801.) 

The Original Burgher Congregation. — "A congregation 
of Original Burghers was formed in Dunfermline in the summer of 
1799 ; they were generally known as the 'Auld Lights.' During the 
year they increased in numbers, and resolved to build a church of 
their own." {MS. Note; see An. Dimf. date 1800.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, was re-elected 
Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

Rear-Admiral Mitchell of the Hill was, in 1799, raised to 
the rank of Vice-Admiral, when he was appointed Commander-in- 
Chief at Sheerness. {MS. Note; also Hist. Dunf) 

Murder. — "Mr. Gibson was standing at his door at Leadside, 
near Dunfermline, with a spade in his hand ; a stranger man came up 
to him, took the spade out of his hand, and cruelly killed Mr. Gibson 
with it. Great sensation in the town and country; the strange man 
was never seen or heard of after." (Newspaper.) 

Colliers Fully Emancipated.— The Act of 1775 emancipat- 
ing Colliers "from slavery and thraldom," being found insufficient, 
another and more stringent Act was passed in their favour in 1799, 
which made the men free for ever, without any legal flaw. "The 
Dunfermline district of colliers hailed the event with acclamation and 
rejoicings." (MS. Note.) 

Tan Works, Clay Acres, established at the close of 1799, by 
Mr. Forfar. (MS. Note.) 



542 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1800.— The Secession Church, Queen Ann Street, Finished.— 
This church was opened in January, 1800, during a snow-storm, "It is 
large and very commodious, and is seated for about 1800 hearers. 
There are two ministers, Rev. Mr. Husband and Rev. Mr. M'Farlane. 
In December, 1799, the original church, built for Rev. Ralph Erskine 
in 1 740- 1 742, and which stood close on the street, a little to the 
south of the present edifice, was cleared away, and, shortly after- 
Avards, the old site was levelled and covered with gravel." (MS. Note.) 
According to Mackelvie's Statistics, this church has "1642 sittings, 
and cost £22,06." Chambers in his Pictures of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 
156, refers to this church as "an enormous barn-like meeting-house, 
raising its rectilinear ridge above all the houses in town." The late 
Mr. Wemyss, of Cuttlehill, a very public-spirited gentleman, and of 
great taste, proposed in 1803 to have a steeple on the front, to relieve 
the heavy appearance; it is said that above ;!^300 was subscribed for 
this laudable purpose, but as some wanted the steeple on the front, 
and others on the west gable, they could not agree about it, and so 
the scheme fell to the ground. It should be carried into effect in 
these days of improvements; a steeple on this church would have 
a splendid effect, both near and at a distance. (See An. Diinf. date 
1740, &c.) 

The Chapel Kirk. — The Rev. Christopher Greig was inducted 
minister of this church, as the successor of the Rev. Mr, Saville, on 
1 7th April, 1 800. (Ses. Records.) 

South Chapel Street. — "The Provost reported in council this 
day [4th April, 1800], that Mr. John Kirk had informed him that it 
was proposed to purchase that subject presently belonging to David 
Morris, late George Angus's, for the purpose of opening a com- 
munication by a public street betwixt the High Street and Rotten- 
row. The Council agree to pay ;^25 of the purchase money, and 
also to pave the street upon the same being declared a public street." 
(Burgh Records.) Between this period and 1803, South Chapel 
Street was opened and causewayed. (Burgh Records, and MS.) 

Admiral Mitchell and Dutch Flags. — Early in the year 
1800, Vice-Admiral Mitchell of the Hill presented to the Burgh of 
Dunfermline a set of Dutch flags which he had taken from the enemy 
in the Texel. (MS. Note.) 

Humble Address to the King. — "The Provost moved that 



BUTTER AND CHEESE DEALERS. 543 

an humble address should be presented to his Majesty on his late 
escape from assassination." 

Post-Office Revenue. — The revenue of the Post-Office of 
Dunfermline in the year 1800 amounted to ;i^500. 

Butter and Cheese Dealers. — "The Council, taking into 
consideration the many abuses practised by Dealers in Butter and 
Cheese, &c., from the want of uniformity in the weights used in sell- 
ing the same, They therefore Resolve that in future no Butter shall 
be sold unless by Tron-Weight oi twenty-tzvo ounces to tJie poimd, and 
all Scotch Cheese with the same weight, and that an advertisement 
be published by the Drum to that effect, Certifying all who shall do 
in the contrary that they shall be punished according to law." {BiirgJi 
Records, 26th May, 1800.) 

The Dearth. — Regarding this second occurrence of the dearth, 
within a few years, our Note says : — " The dearth of 1800 was severely 
felt. Two of the squares of glass in the east room of the ground-flat 
of the town-house were removed, and the space converted into a door, 
out of which was handed, to such as had meal-tickets, Indian Corn 
meal, at 2s. 6d. and ^s. per peck. The 4 lb. 5 oz. loaf sold at 2od. A 
Girnel was established at the top of Chapel St., and Guarded." 

Recruiting Soldiers in Dunfermline. — A very large party 
of recruiting soldiers were in the town in 1800. Their Guard-House 
was in the Cross Wynd, afterwards in Queen Ann Street. Their 
Black-Hole was in the Maygate. (J. A.) 

Vaccination. — Our Note, referring to this, states that "vacci- 
nation was for the first time tried as a preventive of small-pox in 
Dunfermline on some members of the family of Mr. Blackwood, the 
manufacturer, by Dr. Stenhouse, in the year 1800, with success. After 
this, vaccination became general here, and worm-eaten faces began to 
disappear." 

A Small English Congregation was formed in Dunfermline 
in 1800, Mr. Walter Grieve, preacher. (MS. Note.) 

Costume. — " In the year 1800, the old men of Dunfermline, as in 
other towns, wore large blue bonnets ; gravat round neck ; the clothes 
hodden grey ; the coat, of very large size, coming down all round to 
the knees, embellished with metal buttons before and behind, i y!^ inch 
in diameter ; a tremendous size of waistcoat, with corresponding 



544 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

poutches [pockets], which was also decorated with metal buttons ; 
then came either hodden grey or cordouroy breeks ; and those who 
could afford it had watches, metal chains hanging out, to which were 
attached coins, buckles, watch-keys, &c. ; last of all, soled shoes, full 
of sparabils. Thus equiped, he was ready for Kirk or Market — not 
forgetting his five-foot staff. The young men were less clumsily 
fitted, but in a somewhat similar manner. The women-folks were 
encased in gowns of a coarse sort, top'd by a plaid, plain or embroid- 
ered, and were crowned with mutches or coal-skuttle caps. As late 
as the year 1816 many of the women went to church in their mutches." 
(MS. Note.) 

An Excessively Hot Summer. — The months of June and July 
1 800 were excessively hot. The thermometer in the shade, at the north 
side of the town, at two o'clock in the afternoon, July the 17th, stood 
at 92°, and in the sun at 1 19°. 

Young Men's Religious Society. — In the year 1800, the 
following young men in Dunfermline formed themselves into a 
Religious Society for Prayer, Praise, Reading the Scriptures, and 
for Recitations, viz., Adam Kirk, Thomas Morison, Douglas Cousin, 
Ebenezer Henderson, David Hatton, David Dewar, William Meldrum> 
Richard Gosm.an, and Archibald Harley. They met once a-week in 
Poor's School, east end of East Port Street : and the meetings were 
frequently attended by many of the inhabitants. These young men 
had become seriously impressed with the importance of a religious 
life, by having heard the discourses of the Haldanes, Ewing, and 
Rowland Hill, &c. Douglas Cousin became an eminent missionary, 
and died at Karass, in Russia, in 1804. Regarding the Rev. Dr. 
Henderson, uncle of the writer, see An. Diinf. date 1858. 

PiTTENCRlEFF ESTATE. — William Hunt, Esq., Dunfermline, pur- 
chased the Estate and Superiority of Pittencreiff from Captain George 
Phin for ;^3 1,500. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, September, 1800. (Btirgh Records.) 

The Netherton Races "were established about the year 1800." 
Martin Meldrum " was the great conductor of these races." "He was 
elected annually, till his death, to the office of "'the Race Provost," and 
the town drummer, as well as printed notices, advertised the public 
on the day of the' races, that "all those wJio intended to book tJieni- 



GRAMMAR SCHOOL FEES. 545 

selves for the races'' were to ''apply to Martin Meldrum immediately'' 
(MS. Notes.) 

The "Auld-Licht" Kirk.— "This small church was founded 
late in 1799, by the 'Original Burgher' Congregation, in Canmore 
Street, foot of the Open-yards close. Near the close of the year 1800 
it was finished and opened for public-worship with about 600 hearers, 
the Rev. Mr. Campbell, minister." (MS. Note.) 

Grammar School Fees. — Mr. Ramsay, Rector of the Grammar 
or High School of Dunfermline, applied to the Town-Council for an 
Increase of salary. In his petition to the Council, he says : — " During 
the last ten years (1790- 1800) his scholars had decreased from 60 to 
20," not from any fault in him, but owing to " the Change of Mode of 
Education. — The Council agree to augment his present salary of 
£17 . 7 . 6 to £2<) sterg. yearly — this additional salary to be continued 
during the Council's pleasure." {Burgh Records, loth Nov., 1800.) 



END OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 



4A 



MDCCCI. 

(bkginning of the nineteenth century.) 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE.— (Continued.) 

1801.— Beginning of the 19TH Century. — At the beginning 
of last century there was only one church in Dunfermline — the Parish 
Church. At the commencement of the 19th century, there were no 
less than ten churches and meeting-houses in the town, viz., " The 
Auld Kirk," "The Secession Kirk," "The Chapel Kirk," "The Relief 
Kirk," "The Cameronian Kirk," "The Tabernacle," "The Inde- 
pendents," "The Antiburgher Kirk," "The Auld-Light Kirk," and 
"Baptist Kirk," served by eleven ministers. The congregations in the 
^ggJ'egate amounted to about 4550. Mr. James Moodie was Provost 
of the Burgh. (MS. Note.) Schools in the Burgh, 14; in the Burgh 
and Parish, 22; manufacturers of table linen, 26; weavers, about 800; 
Wrights in the Burgh, 88; smiths, 57; shoemakers, 51; masons, 41; 
bakers, 20; tailors, 47; fleshers, 9. For population table, see April, 
1801. 

Dearth. — "The great dearth continues; much distress in Dun- 
fermline in consequence; prices of everything continue to rise; a deal 
of sickness also prevails, which two calamities distract the minds of 
the inhabitants very greatly." (MS. Note.) 

Census. — The first Government Census was taken in April, 1801. 
The following is the statement of the population, &c., in the town 
and parish of Dunfermline: — 



Population of the town and suburbs, 

Population of the town and parish. Males, 4,671 ; 

females, 5,309, 

Families, ...... 

Inhabited houses in the parish. 
Inhabited houses in the town, . 



5^484 
19,980 

2,339 
1,498 

70s 



{Fernie's Hist. Dimf. p. 5.) 



548 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

A Public Kitchen Established in the Fleshmarket. — The Town 
Council subscribed ;^ 10 to its funds. (Burgh Records.) Great crowds 
of starving people flock to the kitchen. (MS. Note.) 

The Crossgates Congregation. — "A small congregation of 
Seceders formed at the Crossgates this year" [1801]. {}fS. Note ; 
Fernie's Hist. Dwif. p. 38; see An. Dnnf. date 1803.) 

Sewing School. — "The first Sewing School in Dunfermline was 
established by Mrs. Houston, Woodhead Street, in 1801." She was 
well patronized ; she got up for the school boys of the period " tJie 
glorious worsted bdsT (MS.) 

The Races. — "The Town Council subscribe ten guineas toward 
the races, to be run for over the Town's course in autumn next." 

Fire Engines. — "The Council took into consideration the pro- 
priety of having one or more fire engines for extinguishing fire. The 
Sun Fire and Dundee offices agree to give Twenty Guineas each; 
the Council agree to subscribe a like sum." {Burgh Records ; see 
An. Dnnf. date 18 10.) 

Fife Hunt. — "The meet this year finished with a grand dinner 
and ball in the town house, at which the famous Niel Gow and his 
Son discoursed fiddle-music in grand stile." (MS. Note.) These 
Fife Hunt dinners were given up about this period. 

Great Thunder Storm in June this Year. — " Some of the 
ruins in the Psalter Church yard were thrown down, and the tracing 
work in one of the windows of the ruins tumbled out." (MS. Note.) 

St. Margaret's Distillery "began its operations in 1801 on 
a more extensive scale." {MS. Note; see An. Dnnf. date 1782.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., re-elected 
Provost." {Bnrgh Records ; Sept., 1801.) 

Military Funeral. — " A corporal soldier died in the Horse 
Market [East High Street] ; his gun, coat, &c,, were placed on his 
coffin. The company of soldiers then marched to the grave, playing 
' The Dead March in Saul ;' the drums, fifes, &c., were covered with 
crape. After the coffin was lowered into the grave, guns were fired 
over it. Upwards of 2000 persons on the street during the funeral 
procession." This, it appears, was the first military funeral witnessed 
in Dunfermline, and made "a mighty noise in town and country." 
(MS. Note.) 



A BANK BROKEN INTO BY BURGLARS. 549 

A Bank Broken into by Burglars. — The Bank of Scotland, 
then situated at the west end of Bridge Street, Dunfermline (Charles 
Hunt, manager), was broken into in November, 1801. "The night of 
its occurrence was remarkably boisterous — wind, rain, and sleet, and 
intensely dark, which so far favoured the luck of the evildoers. About 
£102 Avas carried off; a kind of panic occurred, and great sensation 
caused in Fife and elsewhere." It was ascertained some years after- 
wards, that the robber was a person named M'Coull, a house painter, 
who had for some time found employment in the town. Probably 
this is the same Mackoull who, in November, 1806, murdered William 
Begbie, the porter of the British Linen Company's Bank, Tweeddale 
House, Canongate, and then robbed the Bank of ^4392. {Chambers' s 
Traditions of EdinburgJi^ edit. 1847, PP- 262, 268.) 

1802. — Dearth. — "The year begins with no abatement of the 
dreadful dearth. Bakers are not allowed to sell bread until it is 
24 hours old ; and, by a local order made some months ago, are 
obliged to stamp on their bread the letters 'H' and 'W,' in large 
characters, to denote ' Household ' bread and ' Wheaten ' bread. 
Meal at 3^-. 9^. per peck." (MS. Note.) 

Stone Coffin Found in the Psalter Churchyard. — Early in 
1802, whilst a grave was being dug "in the Psalter Kirkyard, the 
gravedigger's spade struck against a huge stone. After being cleared, 
it was found to be a Stone Coffin, upwards of six feet in length, in 
which were human bones, much decayed. Round about the coffin 
were found pieces of finely-carved marble, some of the pieces being 
gilt." {MS. Note ; also Sib. Hist. Fife, p. 298.) This must have been 
one of the royal tombs. It is to be regretted that the locus of this 
" find " has not been given. 

Printing. — Mr. Andrew Angus, merchant, commenced printing 
with a small printing-press made under his directions by a townsman. 
(MS. Note.) 

Earthquakes. — " Two very smart shocks of an Earthquake 
occurred early on Sabbath morning, June 8th, which made many to 
start out of their beds, and run into the streets — the houses in Bridge 
Street especially. The furniture in the houses moved ; pictures hung 
on the walls rattled, and dishes in shelves were thrown down and 
broken." {MS. Note, and Neivspapers of the period.) 



550 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Independent Congregation. — In the year 1802, a new Inde- 
pendent Congregation was formed, chiefly by some active members, 
who belonged to " Dale's Independents," and who worshipped in the 
" Tabernacle," Woodhead Street. This new body ceased to exist in 
1807, when most of them joined the Baptists, {MS. Note; see also 
An. Dimf. date 1779.) 

The King's Birthday. — A correspondent of ours, in a foreign 
land, a native of Dunfermline (long ago), often sent us interesting 
notes regarding " Dunfermline in the olden time." One of his notes, 
now before us, is a graphic one, referring to the "Glorious 4th of June, 
when George the Third was king" [in 1802.] As it is likely to be a 
fair specimen of the doings on all the King's Birthdays when the 
third George was king, we will, for the benefit of the younger portion 
of our readers, give the long note entire. It may some day find a place 
in Strutt's ''Sports and Pastimes." Our correspondent in his letter to 
us (dated in 1833), says : — 

*' I was a young man when I left Dunfermline. The last King's Birthday I 
enjoyed in the good old grey toon was on 4th June, 1802. The first indications 
of a coming King's Birthday in Dunfermline were to be seen a week or so 
before the great event, when the laddies in pairs ran about the streets in the 
evenings with backets, big boxes, and sacks, begging coals for the haelfires 
[bonfires], and on the day before the day droves of youngsters might be seen 
in the country round about cutting broom, whins, and flourishing branches 
for decorations in the town, supplied in abundance from Broomhead, Garvock 
Hill, Urquhart Cutts, &c., while others got supplies of ' flowers of the season.' 
At an early hour on the King's Birth Day strings of these flowers were in a 
great many places stretched across the street, from window to window, with 
flowered-girds depending from them beautifully decorated. These decorated 
girds or hoops were also suspended from windows in the streets, so much so, 
that several streets were flowered from end to end. The time that the street- 
flowering was going on, the baeijire siXqs were determined on, and little hillocks 
of coal were deposited at the places chosen (about a dozen of places). Then 
they were fired and set on btaze, and during the day from these fires were 
thrown squeehs. Cannons were fired ; old keys, also, were not only con- 
verted into firers, but even marrow-bones did duty, and until stopped, the 
bottle, half filled with chuckie-stanes and poother was held in high repute. All 
the 'live long day' touch-paper, pee-eo-ies, &c., were the game of the small fry. 
The town's flags were thrust out of the Town-House windows early in the 
morning, also the flags of the incorporated trades out of the Deacons' windows. 
During the glorious day the Auld Kirk and Tolbooth bells were rung at 
intervals, and in the evening for at least three hours. The volunteers fired 
volleys during the day in the BowHng-Green. The Provost, Magistrates, and 
Town-Council marched to the Cross and drank the king's health — many of 
them tossing their glasses up in the air. In the evening the Council-Room 
was filled with the Town-Council and their friends, doing every justice to 
foreign and British spirits. This closed the entertainments of the day, and 



WEAVERS AND BONNAR'S PATENT. 55 I 

with the outsiders two hours' squeebing and display of sky-rockets at the 
Cannon, amid huzzas, closed the King's Birth Day in Dunfermline in the year 
of Grace, 1802." ( JV. Z>., o^-c.) 

May Gate. — A piece of ground adjoining the May Gate was 
purposed to be bought, by public subscription, to allow of that street 
being widened. To this laudable project the Council subscribed ten 
guineas. (Burgh Records, June.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, Sept., 1802. (Burgh Records.) 

Harvest — Bad and Late. — There was "great murmuring in the 
town. It was expected that the harvest would be an abundant one, 
and the severe pressure of the dearth thereby relieved or removed." 
(MS. Note.) 

1803.— South Chapel Street. — " This very convenient New 
Road or Street, now called by some the Chapel Road and Chapel 
Street, was fully opened up and causwayed in Jan., 1803 [see 1800.] 
The street takes up from the High Street direct to John Reid, the 
teacher's school, at the top of the Rottenrow. Previously the site of 
the street was composed of two closes, full of old buildings, some- 
what similar to the other two closes fifty yards to the east." (MS. 
Note.) It would be a great improvement if a wide street were to be 
carried to the east end of Maygate, from the High Street, directly 
opposite to South Chapel Street. (See A7l Dunf. date 1878, for 
" Randolph Street") 

Weaving — Mr. Bonnars Patent. — In the year 1803, Mr. Bonnar, 
weaver, Dunfermline, made an important discovery "in the art of 
loom-mounting," and for which he obtained a patent, which was then 
known as the patent or cotnb draiv-loom. " It consisted of a number of 
iron combs, wrought as levers, and catching the harness or the upright 
cords upon the loom, by little pieces of wire with nobs on them, as 
the combs ascended." In consequence of disputes about encroach- 
ments on this invention, the town, from the estimation in which they 
held the invention, purchased the patent from Mr. Bonnar for ^600, 
including law expenses. (MS. Note; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 357.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, Sept. 1803. (Burgh Records.) 

Great Rain. — Baldridge-Burn Bridge was carried away by the 



552 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

" violent force of the current of water in the burn," The streets of the 
town were flooded. "Barrels, boxes, stools, &c., might be seen rushing 
past in the stream." (MS. Note.) 

Post Office and Stamp Revenues.— Post Office Revenue, 
^654 los.) Stamp Revenue, £72^. (P. O. Report ; MS. Note.) 

1804.— Recruiting for the Army.— "The company of soldiers 
stationed in Dunfermline began early in this year to rattle on their 
drums and play on their fifes for recruits, in consequence of Bona- 
parte's threatened invasion. The recruiting officer, in the parades 
through the streets, made halts, especially on the market-days, and 
thus addressed the crowd : — ' Come, my lads, and be gentlemen. 
Plenty of money will be taken in French towns ; and you'll never 
want hills of beef, motmtains of potatoes, and rivers of ivJiiskey 1^" 
(MS. Note.) 

Brick Work. — "In 1804 a pretty extensive Brick Work was 
established in the fit-paith [Woodhead Street] by William Chalmers, 
builder." (MS. Note.) 

Nattes' View of Dunfermline Abbey, &c. — Early in the 
year 1804 ]ohn Claude Nattes published his "Scotia Depicta," an 
oblong folio, containing a great many large views of castles, churches, 
mansions, &c., in Scotland. No. 13 of the series is entitled, "Dun- 
fermline Abbey and Mill." The engraving is 10 in. by y% in. It 
was drawn by J. C. Nattes, and engraved by Fittler. The view is 
taken from the S.E., near the Upper Mill wheel on the brae. The 
view, a rather inaccurate one, shows the upper part of the Pends and 
Prater's Hall, with the Auld Kirk Steeple in the background. On 
the right are seen several houses. The great mass of smoke from an 
adjoining boiling-house obscures a large portion of the view. In the 
foreground is the Upper Mill and Wheel. The short description 
appended to the view states that it was taken in 1799. 

Lectures on Natural History and Chemistry. — In a 
Town Council Minute of 30th June, "Provost Moodie reports that he 
had been applied to by a gentleman of the name of Davidson, 
Lecturer upon Natural History and Chemistry, for the use of one of 
the rooms in the Town house, to deliver a course of Lectures, which 
the Council agree to give him, and authorize the Magistrates to grant 
accordingly." This was the afterward celebrated Dr. Davidson, 



VOLUNTEERS AND SONG. 553 

medical practitioner, Dunfermline, and who, in 1812, was chosen 
Professor of Natural History in Marischall College, Aberdeen. (MS.) 

The Volunteers. — The Dunfermline Volunteers became very 
active early in 1804, calling upon the inhabitants to enrol themselves 
in the corps, as a "French invasion was iminent." "Great uneasiness 
and much bustle prevailed; drilling went on daily in the Bowling 
Green, now the South Churchyard, where immense crowds assembled, 
and sometimes the lash was inflicted on the unruly and disorderly. 
The following lines were in circulation this year in Dunfermline; they 
appear to be similar to those sung in other places, with local names 
introduced to suit the Dunfermline worthies" (MSS.): — ■ 

" Hey Volunteers, are ye waken yet? 
Ho ! jolly lads, are ye ready yet? 
Are ye up? are ye drest? will ye all do your best 
To fight Bonaparte in the morning? 

"Now, brave Volunteers, be it day, be it night. 
When the Signal is given* that the French are in sight. 
You must haste with your brethren in arms to unite 
To fight Bonaparte in the morning. 

"Then our brave Captain Stark shall foremost be seen, 
To lead on the corps, and to fight for renown ; 
To protect all that's dear, from the cot to the crown. 
And beat Bonaparte in the moi-ning. 

' ' Hey, Colonel Moodie, are ye waken yet ? 
Ho ! Andreiv A die, are ye ready yet? 
Your knapsacks to fill — gie your canteens a fill — 
And we'll beat Bonaparte in the morning. 

' ' And should the Usurper in truth reach our shore, 
We quickly shall march, and our cannons shall roar, 
And we'll soon let him see we have grape-shot in store 
To salute Bonaparte in the morning. 

"And when by the favour of Heaven on our arms. 
We have conquered our foes, and are free'd from alarms, 
With joy we'll return to our wives and our bairns. 
When we've beat Bonaparte in the morning. 

"Then each jolly lad shall be met by his lass. 
With a smile on her cheek, and a joyful caress ; 
And then shall the corps drink a full glowing glass 
In remembrance of that glorious morning. 

* A false alarm was given about this time, by the lighting up of a beacon-fire on some 
one of the hills in the south of Scotland, which caused beacon after beacon to be lighted up. 
The alarm reached Dunfermline about mid-night, the "brave volunteers" got drest, resolved 
to do their best, to meet Bonaparte that morning. Some of the "braves" were actually on 
march, when word came to them, on the road to the Ferry, that it was a false alarm. 

4B 



554 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

"And now when we've met, let us drink to our king, 
May his life be prolonged, may he happily reign ; 
May he always command an artillery train 

Fit to guard all our rights night and morning. 

"Let us drink to the Earl, the patron of our train, 
And to Gillespie, from whom our practice we gain ; 
And to his men who assist and take so much pains 
To instruct us at drill in the morning." 

The following is a list of some of the men of renown in the 
Dunfermline Volunteer Corps of 1804: — 

" Provost Moodie was Lieutentant-Colonel ; Andrew Adie, Captain ; 
Robert Stark, Brucefield, Captain; Mr, Bowes, Supervision Captain; Robert 
Fleming, Manuf"',, Lieutenant; David Beveridge, Merch'., ditto; William 
Beveridge, ditto and paymaster; Will. Henderson {the tuip) play'd the 
Symbols; Will, Walls and James Simpson, drummers; David Baton, Bass- 
drummer; Edw'\ Weir, plaisterer. Bugler; W. Thomson, vintner, Ho-Boy 
(hautboy); Thomas Gillespie, drum-major; James Stenhouse of Grange and 
John Stenhouse, brewers, were flag-bearers." (MS. Note.) 

If there are any of the "old warriors of 1804" still alive, as we hope 
there are, this song and these names will recall to their memories 
the " doings, the stir, and loud hazzas of these bygane times," and 
cheer them up. 

Branch of British Linen Company's Bank established in 
Dunfermline on 20th August, 1804. 

Crossgates. — The Rev. John Allen was ordained the first 
minister of the Secession Church in Crossgates on 29th Aug., 1804. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., Dunfermline, 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, Sept., 1804.) 

Printing, &c. — Mr. John Miller, bookseller, commenced business, 
corner of Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline, and erected a large Dutch 
Printing Press for carrying on the printing business in all its branches." 
(MS. Note.) 

Post-Office and Stamp Revenues. — The revenue derived 
from the Post-Office, Dunfermline, in 1804, was about ^650; and 
from Stamps, ^^"744 4^. {Feimie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 53, 54.) 

Marriages, Baptisms, and Deaths.— Between Nov., 1803, 
and Nov., 1804, there were 77 marriages, 314 baptisms, and 200 deaths 
in Dunfermline Parish. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 5, 6.) 

Weaving — PJdlp's Improvement on Bonnar's Patent (see An. 



THE VOLUNTEERS AND FLOGGING. 555 

Dunf, date 1803). — Mr, John Philp, weaver, &c., Dunfermline, im- 
proved so much on "Bonnar's Combs," that one comb instead of t2uo 
was sufficient for this part of the weaving art. (MS.) 

Theatricals in the Town-House. — "About the end of the 
year 1804, 3- company of comedians came to DunfermHne, and 
appHed to the authorities for the court-room in the town-house to 
perform in; 'the unco guid' opposed the application with great fury, 
but the dogged perseverance of the performers at last prevailed ; they 
got the use of the town-house for a short period, and met with great 
success." (MS. Note.) 

1805. — Water — Private Water-Pipes. — Early in 1805 intimation 
was made by the Water Committee to the public, that, by complying 
with their conditions they might introduce water into their houses by 
private pipes. A great many provided themselves with the useful 
accommodation. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 14.) 

Friendly Societies. — The Townhill and the Berrylaw Friendly 
Societies established in 1805. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 52.) 

Admiral Mitchell (of the Hill) raised to the rank of Admiral 
of the Blue in 1805. (See An. Dunf. 1794-1806.) 

Scottish Baptists. — A small congregation of Scottish Baptists 
formed in Dunfermline in 1805, having disjoined themselves from the 
congregation of Independents in Woodhead Street; their place of 
meeting was in the Union Lodge Room, west end of Bridge Street. 
{Vide An. Dunf. date 1841.) 

The King's Birthday. — The Town Council resolve to hold the 
King's birthday by walking in procession to the Cross, and drinking 
his Majesty's health, accompanied by the town's band, &c. (MS.) 

The Volunteers. — An Old MS. Note by J. A. alludes to the 
constant drilling practised in the Bowling Green at this period, and 
to the flogging of the recruits belonging to the regular army, who 
were tied to the large tree which stood at the back of the kirk on the 
centre walk. The cries of many of them, while being flogged, were 
heard in the Kirkgate and High Street, and produced most uncom- 
fortable feelings amongst the inhabitants. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., Dunfermline, 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, Sept., 1805.) 



55^ ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Auld Kirk Steeple Weathercock. — "A townsman, 
J. M., a volunteer, took aim at the weathercock, and sent a ball 
through its neck ; when the first high wind blew after that, the cock 
made its first trial at producing melancholy sounds, vihich. both astonished 
and alarmed the inhabitants. Great crowds gathered in the Kirkgate 
and the Kirkyard; the cause of 'the waesome soond' was discovered, 
and the nerves of the serious were soothed. The bullet-hole continued 
during high winds to sing out its melancholy strains until 1847, when 
the hole was filled up." (MS. Note; Chal. Hist. Dunf.) 

Dunfermline Illuminated — Death of Lord Nelson. — The sad 
news of the death of Britain's great "sea hero," Lord Nelson, in the 
hour of victory, appears to have reached Dunfermline in the beginning 
of November, 1805, which caused deep sorrow. His great victory at 
Trafalgar was honoured by a general illumination. Jacob Hannay, a 
weaver in Pittencrieff Street, had two of his windows illuminated; 
the one window with ivJiite candles for the victory obtained, the other 
window had in it black candles, " mourning candles," for the death of 
the hero ! (MS. Note.) 

Postal and Stamp Revenues.— Postal revenue, ^750; stamp 
revenue, ^1,182 \inter 1804-1805]. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. pp. 53, 54.) 

1806.— Water — New Cast-Iron Pipes. — "The Committee 
of the Water Company this year, 1 806, resolved to substitute a cast- 
iron pipe of four inches diameter in place of the leaden one, of only 
two inches, which had hitherto conveyed the water from the Head 
Well to the Reservoir in the town." {Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 156; 
see also A71. Dunf. date Feb. 1807.) 

Admiral Mitchell (of the Hill) died on 26th February, 1806; 
he was Admiral of the Blue. In the Town-House there is a likeness 
of the Admiral on canvas, 7 ft. 8 in. by 4 ft. 9 in., but no inscription; 
at the top of the frame there are naval emblems; at the foot, a shield 
or coat of arms, &c. ; motto — " Tria . Juncta . in . Uno" [tJcree joined 
in one], (An. Dunf. 1794 to 1806.) 

Literature. — The Rev. David Black, minister of the Antiburgher 
Kirk, Chalmers Street, in 1806, published a volume of Sermons on 
"Death." (MS. Note.) 

Tambouring. — "It was considered this year (1806) that the 
tambouring business gave employment to at least 600 females in 



TROPOSED TUNNEL UNDER THE FORTH. 55/ 

Dunfermline ; the work generally came from Glasgow to be done." 
It would appear from another note that "the tambouring business 
was at a very low ebb in Dunfermline in 1816, and that tambourers 
and tambouring disappeared by 1817." 

Spinning Mill in Knabbie Street. — "This year (1806), Mr. 
George Rontree, late superintendent of Brucefield Spinning Mill, 
erected machinery in Knabbie Street, to spin yarns by hand-power 
for home sale. This was the first spinning mill in the burgh ; it did 
not succeed, for a few years afterwards he removed his machinery to 
Saughton, two miles west from Edinburgh." (MS. Note.) In 1824-25 
the writer had several interviews with Mr. Rontree regarding "the 
town and trade of Dunfermline." 

Drawing Class. — "John Lothian, weaver, Boofiesbrae, Dun- 
fermline, formed a drawing class in his house in 1806, and was pretty 
successful; the pupils drew flowers from nature, old ruins, web 
patterns," &c. 

The Fly-Coach. — "In the summer of 1806, Laurence Millar, 
innkeeper. Old Inn, started a coach, called " the Fly," to run between 
Dunfermline and Edinburgh, "The Fly" went to Aberdour, to 
meet a boat there, which conveyed the passengers to Leith. It 
was moderately supported, but was given up in the summer of 1807, 
in consequence of Millar having had his two horses killed by the fall 
of the old tower on his stable." {MS. Note; An. Dunf. date 1807.) 

AULD Light Kirk — Ordi7iation of tJie Rev. Mr. Campbell. — "On 
the 1st September, 1806, the Rev. John Campbell was ordained 
minister of the Auld Licht Kirk [or Original Burgher Kirk] in Can- 
more Street." (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Moodie, Esq., Dunfermline, 
re-elected Provost, September, 1806. (Burgh Records.) 

The Limekilns' Friendly Society was "formed with about 
seventy members." {MS. Note; Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 52.) 

1807.— Proposed Tunnel under the Forth near Rosyth. 
Towards this proposed tunnel, " the Council authorized the Provost 
to subscribe Ten Pounds for the Town, for the purpose of making 
experiments to ascertain the practicability of making a tunnel under 
the Frith of Forth, betwixt the north and south sides, near Rosyth." 
{Burgh Records, 2nd Jan., 1807.) 



558 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Water. — The new cast-iron pipes, from Head-Well to the Reser- 
voir in Dunfermline, began to be laid down in the summer of 1806. 
The work was completed on 2nd February, 1807. {Mercer's Hist. 
Dtmf. p. 156 ; An. Dunf. date 18 10.) 

Town Council Disbursement— T'/zt^ Good Old Times. — At a 
meeting of the Town Council, on 8th April, 1807, it was ordered that 
the sum of £162, due to Mr. Duncan M'Lean, innkeeper, be paid 
immediately. (BurgJi Records.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, Esq., of Transy, 
elected Provost on 2nd May, 1807, Provost Moodie having resigned. 
{An. Dnnf. date 1807, for re-election according to Act of the Burgh.) 

Literature. — The Rev. David Black, minister of the Anti- 
burgher congregation, Chalmers Street, in 1807 published a small 
work, entitled, " The Covenanter's Directory; or. Suitable Exercises 
for Intending Covenanters on a Day of Covenanting. Preached at 
Milnathort, i6th April, 1806." 

Forsyth's Description of Dunfermline.— In May, 1807, Mr. 
R. Forsyth published vol. iv. of his " Beauties of Scotland." In this 
volume there is an account of Dunfermline, extending over eight 
pages (pp. 1 21-128), which appears to have been compiled from De 
Foe's " Journey," Pennant's " Tour," and Grose's " Antiquities." It is, 
therefore, unnecessary to make extracts. At page 123 of said volume 
occurs the old misleading statement already adverted to, namely, speak- 
ing of the origin of the Abbey, he says, " It is by some thought to have 
been originally intended for an hospital or infirmary, being styled in 
some old ma.nus.cn'pis, Monasteriiini ab monte Infirnioriimr (Regarding 
this, see remarks in the An. Dnnf. under dates, and Appendix?) There 
are two nice octavo views of the Abbey and Monastery in this volume; 
the first is entitled, " Dunfermline Abbey," being a south-west view 
of the west end of the Auld Kirk, showing the steeple, the west gable, 
the great Norman door, the ruined tower on the right, and directly in 
front of it there is a house or stable ; on the left are seen a few houses 
in the distance, and the Town-House steeple. View second is entitled, 
" Dunfermline Fratery," being a view from the north-east of the ruins 
of the interior of the Frater's Hall. Both views are pretty fair repre- 
sentations of " the auld waas." 

Town Officers' Royal Livery.— The town officers of burghs, 
in which Royalty resided, were clothed in scarlet, similar to that worn 



THE ROYAL TOMBS EXPLORED. 559 

by the King's own servants. This practice is understood to have been 
allowed by some one of our early James's. Dunfermline town officers 
were thus clothed. The following is a Town Council minute ordering 
the officers' livery to be made: — ''15th May, iSoy: This day the 
Council direct the Chamberlayne to furnish the Officers with new 
Coats, Vests, and Cocked Hats, trimmed with white lace, and also 
the Breeches — the Coats, Vests, and Breeches all of Scarlet Cloth." 
(Burgh Records.) The old Royal Livery, in use "from time immemo- 
rial," ought to be restored to the city officers. "During the frenzy 
period of the Reform Bill, the old scarlet livery was discarded, and 
blue substituted, in compliment to King William IV., our Sailor 
King, who wore blue uniform." (MS. Note.) 

Lamps. — The Town Council, in July this year, ordered 34 new 
lamps to be purchased, which made the number of lamps in the town 
106. (Biirgh Records.) 

"The Cross Buildings," or Guildhall, Founded. — "The 
Guildhall, Dunfermline, was founded on the 20th July, 1807, o^ the 
site of two worthless old tenements on the south side of the Cross." 
(MS. Note. ; Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 19; see also A71. Dtmf. dates 1808, 
181 1, 1849, &c.) 

Debt of the Burgh. — The Debt of the Burgh on the 17th July, 
1807, was found to be ^10,168 \6s. 8d. (Burgh Records.) 

Scholastic. — " The Council agreed to abolish the practice of 
charging _/zw quarters school wages," the "wages to be raised a little." 
(Burgh Records.) 

Legal Assessment for Support of the Poor. — There was a legal 
assessment for support of the poor for a great part of the years 1807 
and 1808. 

Royal Tombs Explored.— John Graham Dalyell, Esq. (after- 
wards Sir John), having received permission from the Crown anthoritics 
in Edinburgh to prosecute his antiquarian researches within the area 
of the Royal Tombs, went to Dunfermline for that purpose, on July 
25th, 1807. He began his "diggings" at an early hour on the morning 
of the 26th July. 

" An early hour was preferred (says Sir John) for the purpose of 
preventing interruption, as the walls surrounding the Psalter Church- 
yard were insufficient to guard against the intrusive curiosity naturally 
expected on the occasion. It was found, in digging, that the earth 



56o ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

immediately below the surface, and even to the depth of two or three 
feet, had the appearance of having been dug before, though perhaps 
at a remote period, and nothing whatever was found among it, except 
a few human bones, brittle and rotten. Under this, however, about 
four or five feet from the surface, a coffin — rudely built of small 
irregular pieces of sandstone, along with a scanty portion of lime, 
and covered in the same manner with similar materials — was found, 
containing the skeleton of a full-grown person, pretty entire. Its 
position was not directly below the large stone, but one-half of the 
length further west. It lay among soft humid clay, completely filling 
the coffin, from which the bones had imbibed so much moisture, that 
on lifting a broken one, the water poured from the lower end as on 
squeezing a sponge. The head, or upper part of the coffin, towards 
the west, was contracted into narrow compass, just admitting the 
skull, which was quite fresh, and the teeth sound. This coffin had 
certainly never been opened, and I am inclined to ascribe its structure 
to a more ancient date than the decease of the Kings whose bodies 
are said to be deposited in the Abbey ; for I do not conceive that any 
of them are contained in it. All the bones were returned to their 
original situation, and the pieces composing the top of the coffin put 
over them. The morning, being by this time far advanced, the whole 
excavation was filled up, and the covering [stone] replaced, which 
operation, as well as removing it, was a matter of considerable diffi- 
culty, as it is above nine feet long, more than one half as broad, and 
several inches thick. I have since been informed that, sometime 
afterwards, when the rain had washed among the rubbish where the 
earth was thrown out, a leaden plate was found, with a lion engraved 
on it, surrounded by — ROBERTUS • DEI • GRATIA • REX • SCOTORUM. 
It is now in the possession of the Earl of Elgin. 

"I do not affirm that the Royal remains will be discovered, because 
in opposition to general belief, I must acknowledge myself induced 
to suspect, that they were deposited in tombs standing above the large 
flat stones, or, at least, that all were not interred below them ; and 
that these tombs were destroyed in the general wreck of the Abbey. 
Several years ago, on digging a grave immediately in the vicinity, 
small fragments of white marble, still bearing the remains of gilding, 
were found ; and also portions of a softer stone, which had been 
ornamentally moulded — (2). 

" In the course of the research, the square, flat red bricks, anciently 
covering the floor of the Abbey, were turned up. Others are met 



FALL OF THE SOUTH-WEST TOWER OF THE ABBEY. 561 

with of various colours ; and pieces of painted glass are also some- 
times discovered. The whole of this part of the Abbey is covered 
with rubbish to a considerable depth from the surface ; but whether 
from the falling in of the roof, or by gradual accretions otherwise, I 
am ignorant, A few individuals now employ the ground as a ceme- 
tery." {Dal. Monas. Antiq. pp. 3-8.) 

It is evident that Mr. Dalycll had been told that the large six flat 
stones, north north-west considerably from the site of the high altar, 
were, according to tradition, the covering-stones of as many kings 
buried there. One of these stones was larger that the other five, and, 
probably, it would be concluded that this stone covered the remains 
of King Robert the Bruce ! Royal remains, in early times, were 
usually deposited in graves before or near to the high altars. No 
royal remains could possibly have been interred so far from the high 
altar as these six stones are. This the writer convinced Sir John, 
many years ago, by arguments based on the discovery and site of the 
Bruce's grave in Feb. 18 17. This discovery showed that the royal 
remains had not been deposited in tombs placed on flat stones in 
the ground, and that the monumental tombs were raised above the 
remains. 

Fall of the South-West Tower of the Abbey — Great 
Tliunder- Storm, &c. — This old tower, so long the twin of the one 
that formerly stood on the site of the present steeple, and had for 
some years previous to this date been " a dangerous ruin " and about 
"tottering to its fall," gave way and fell under "the influence and 
effect of a great thunder-storm, which occurred at Dunfermline on the 
night of 19th August, 1807." 

" Sad is the war of elements and time. 
The bulwark'd tower, once so sublime, 
Has totter'd to its base, and displays 
A venerable wreck of other days." 

The Globe newspaper of the 2nd of September, 1807, in a para- 
graph referring to the above occurrence, stated that the steeple in 
its fall buried in its ruins a stable and part of a barn, and killed three 
horses, while three escaped. It further adds, that had the accident 
taken place during the day, it might have proved fatal to many 
children, whose favourite resort was the area below. (MS. Note.) 
"Two of Laurence Millar's 'Fly-horses' were killed in the stable, 
which put an end to the running of the Fly." 

This old tower remained in the state it fell for above three years, 

4C 



562 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

in consequence of a legal dispute between the town and the heritors. 
The case was settled in December, 1809, by the Lord Ordinary of the 
Court of Session declaring that the town was only liable for repairs, 
not liable to assist in building a new parish church. Therefore, a new 
tower, according to a plan by Mr. Stark, a native architect, was erected 
between 18 10 and 181 1, which is the present tower in the south-west 
angle of the Auld Kirk. The greater part of the old east wall being- 
sound, was allowed to remain. (Burgh Records.) This old tower was 
built in circa A.D., i loo-i 1 1 5 ; a similar tower stood on the site of the 
old steeple before it was built. (See An. Dim/, dates 1593 and 1607.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Wilson, Esq., of Transy, was 
elected Provost on 2d May, 1807, and re-elected Provost in September, 
1 807. (Burgh Records.) 

Postal and Stamp Revenues. — Revenue from Post-Office 
during 1807, ;^900 ; from Stamps, ^^"1386 13^-. 2d. {Fernie's Hist. 
Duiif. pp. 53, 54.) 

Coins Found in an Old House in the Collier Rozv. — " In the year 
1807, while an old house, which had belonged to Provost Wilson, was 
being pulled down, one of the masons came upon a hoard of coins in 
a small built-up recess in one of the walls. They were silver and 
copper coins of several of the James's, and also some of Edward I. of 
England. Many surmises were made at the time as to how they got 
there. The general conclusion was that they had belonged to some 
coin-collector in the days of old, and had been so hid in the wall during 
the troublous times of the two last Stuarts ; that the collector had 
died, and that they had been forgotten." (MS. Note.) The writer 
has long had in his possession one of the coins of Edward I., found in 
this hoard. It is a penny piece, and is very much worn. 

Circulating Library. — In i8o7,JohnMiller, bookseller in High 
Street, established in his shop there a circulating library. (MS. Note.) 

Pittencrieff Estate. — William Hunt, Esq., merchant, Dun- 
fermline, who purchased Pittencrieff estate in the year 1800, died in 
1807, ^J^d was succeeded by his eldest son, William Hunt, Esq. (MS. 
Note.) 

Post Office. — The Town Council proposed to memorialize the 
Post-Master General of Scotland for £^0 a-year (salary), in conse- 
quence of the great increase of Post-Office business in Dunfermline, 
since Mr. Angus became Post-Master. {Burgh Records, Dec. 26, 1807.) 



dunfermine tradesmen's library. 563 

1808.— Astronomical Lectures by Rev. Mr. Allen. — 
There is a minute in the Burgh Records in reference to these cele- 
brated lectures, viz. : — ^^ 26tJi Dec, 180J : The Council upon application 
of the Rev. Mr. Allen, Crossgates, allowed him the use of the lower 
room in the Town-House, for the purpose of lecturing upon Astronomy 
two hours each week during his Course." These were the first Astro- 
nomical Lectures ever delivered in Dunfermline; they were well 
attended, and were long the subject of public conversation. They 
were delivered during the month of January, 1808; he had an ex- 
cellent apparatus — globe, balls, diagrams, tide machines; planetarium 
made by John Henderson, watchmaker. (MS.) 

Weaving — A Woman's Shift Woven in the Loom. — Mr. Henry 
Meldrum, an ingenious weaver in Netherton, Dunfermline, in the 
year 1808, wove a woman's shift in his loom. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. 
p. 61 ; see also An. Dunf. date 181 3.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dun- 
fermline, elected Provost at Michaelmas, 1808, as the successor of John 
Wilson, Esq., Transy. (Burgh Records.) 

Debt of the Burgh. — The debt of the burgh was "found to 
amount to ^10,450 sterling, having more than doubled itself in ten 
years ; the cause and effect of this would be interesting." {Scotsman 
Nezvspaper, No. 142.) 

Dunfermline Tradesmen's Library. — Regarding the origin 
and progress of this library, we have several MS. Notes, a few of the 
most interesting of them are as follow : — 

"This Library originated in the year 1808, in James Kirkland's shop, 
Moodie Street." "Richard Gossman, William Carnegie and William Anderson, 
Journeyman Weavers in Moodie Street, agreed to make common stock of the 
books each possessed, but, finding the stock too small, they applied to others, 
and a committee was constituted, composed of the following members, viz. — 
Richard Gossman, Wm. Carnegie, Charles Anderson, Ralph Walker, David 
Latham, Thomas Main, John Syme, Andrew Aitken,and William Meldrum. 
Shortly after its insdtution the little library had to be removed to another 
place. On this occasion a r<?«/-<^af/C'i?/ was washed out to hold the books, in which 
they were taken away by Wm. Anderson, while Wm. Meldrum carried the rest 
away in his apron. There were only about 40 volumes, large and small, in 
the Tradesmen's Library at this time. Thus the little library went but slowly 
on for many years." "In 1819 there were 300 vols, in it, and about thirty 
members in the club; down to this time there was no rent for a room, no 
librarian or treasurer's fees, everything being conducted on the most rigid 
economy. A short time after the formation of the Mechanics' Institution 
(1825), the Tradesmen's Library and that of the Mechanics' Institute Library 
were united." (MS. Note.) 



564 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Chapel Kirk. — "Rev. Peter Brotherston inducted minister of 
the Chapel Kirk on 14th July, 1808, as Successor to the Rev^. 
Christopher Greig, who was translated to the 2nd charge of Dysart 
parish, 24th Sept., 1807." {An. Diinf. date 1809.) 

Postal and Stamp Revenues. — The postal and stamp revenues 
of Dunfermline for this year are, — Post Revenue, ^^900 ; Stamp 
revenue, i^i,2io. {Feruie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 53, 54.) 

Guild Hall. — The building of the Guild Hall was completed by 
the end of the year 1808, "but the several apartments in it were not 
floored until about the year 18 17, when it was turned into an hotel 
[the Spire Inn and Hotel]. The steeple was only carried up to the 
height of the circular stone platform above the bell-holes, and there it 
stuck for some time, at a height of 83 feet." A public subscription was 
set about, and funds were obtained to build the spire, which was com- 
pleted in 1811. (See An. Dnnf, dates 1809, 181 l) The front of the 
Guild Hall, which faces the north, is about 65 feet in length and 35 
feet in height. It has twenty-four main windows in front, and six 
smaller ones in the centre part of the building. According to Fernie, 
the height of the spire — a very elegant one — is 132 feet. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, elected 
Provost, 26th Sept., 1808. (Burgh Records.) 

A Police Bill for the Burgh was for the first time mooted at 
a Council meeting on 9th November, 1808. (See An. Dunf. date 181 1.) 

Headwell Bleach-Green DisusED.^The proprietor of Head- 
well refused to allow the Headwell Pleld, &c., to be used any longer 
as a public bleaching-green. (Burgh Records.) 

1809.— Literature. — A work treating of the monastic antiqui- 
ties of Dunfermline, was published early in 1809. It is entitled, "A 
Tract, chiefly Relative to Monastic Antiquities, with some Account of 
a Recent Search for the Remains of the Scottish Kings Interred in 
the Abbey of Dunfermline. By John Graham Dalzell, Esq. Edin., 
1809." This is a thin octavo volume of seventy-three pages, contain- 
ing extracts from the Register of Dunfermline, to which historians 
and other writers have been much indebted for information. In 
comparing this volume with the Macfarlane Transcript {sqq Annals of 
Dunf. date 1738), we are of opinion that it ("Monastic Antiquities") is 



CELEBRATION OF THE NATIONAL JUBILEE. 565 

rather indebted to the Transcript than to the Register de Dunfermlyne 
for its materials. 

The "Lord Provost"— The "City." — In the B?p^g/i Records 
these designations are frequently to be met with. (See Bicrgh Records 
for i6th March and 29th April, 1809.) 

John Finlay's House Destroyed by Fire. — The house of 
John Finlay, wright, &c., High Street, was, in April, 1809, burnt down 
for the second time, as also his shed and workshop behind. There 
was a great cry for want of a fire-engine. It has often been subject 
of regret that this house was re-built after the second fire, as a new 
street, in a line with South Chapel Street, could easily have been 
opened up to the east end of May gate, having the old house on the 
south side there to bound the vista. (See An. Dunf. date 1800; also 
MS. Notes.) 

Music Book. — Mr. John Malcolm, baker, Dunfermline, this year 
published a thin quarto book of " Sacred Music," price 2s. 6d. 

Military Drilling in the Town-Green. — "The Town Council 
reserve liberty to allow the military to drill in the Town-Green." {Buigk 
Records, 13th May, 1809.) 

New Grammar School. — It was proposed to erect a new Gram- 
mar or High School, according to a plan by Mr. Stark, architect, at a 
cost of ;^26oo. It was not proceeded with. (See An. Dnnf. dates 
1 8 16-17 ; Burgh Records^ 

Celebration of the Jubilee in Dunfermline. — We have 
several notes on the "National Jubilee." The following are a few of 
them condensed and put together: — 

"On 25th October, 1809, the great Jubilee was held in Dunfermline /r^w 
early morn till late at e'en." "It was a general holiday; most of the shops 
were all closed, the schools all out." "The town house windows were filled 
with flags, as also were the windows of the eight deacons. The bells in the 
steeples were kept ringing almost incessantly." "There were several bonfires, 
where the boys kept up a constant firing of their wee cannons, key-cannons, 
and bones. The magistrates in procession, and with music, marched to the 
cross, and drank the King's health, and hoped he would live to see many 
Jubilee returns!" "In the evening some of the houses were illuminated, and 
there was a great display of squibs and skyrockets from the bartizan and the 
roof of the clocktower of the town-house, conducted by Jamie Ure (the white 
soger), and WuU Simson and WuU Walls, drummers. The crowds on the 
streets were immense. The ceremony was brought to a close by a deal of 
drinking amongst the council in the town-house, who kept merrily at it until 
near 12 at night." So much for the celebration of the Jubilee in Dunfermline. 



566 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Conduit and Well, Moodie Street. — In August this year 
the feuars in Moodie Street petitioned the Council for aid towards 
repairing and cleansing the conduit and well from which they were 
supplied with water. This well was, in the days of the Abbey, 
known as St. Laurence's Well. 

Names of the Streets to be Painted on the Comer-Honses. — 
" 2^th May, i8og : At a Council meeting, held this day, the Provost 
suggested to the Council the propriety of painting the names of the 
different streets in the town upon the corners of each, and of giving 
names to some of those which have not yet been properly fixed, 
Which suggestion the Council adopt, and authorize the Land Com- 
mittee to get the same carried into effect ; and the following names 
were agreed to, viz. : — 

'^Htgh Street — From Cross to Townhouse; from Cross to East Port. 
East Fort Street (known as the Town's End) — From East Port to Stobies. 
JVeiu J?07ci — From East Port South to Nethertown. 
Canmore Street (formerly known as Monastery Wall) — From Mr. White's 

to Mr. George Spence's. 
May Gate^Vxom Mrs. Black's to Mr. Gibb's, Kirkgate. 
Abbot Street— From Mr. Sutherland's to Mr. Douglas's. 
Ji^ir/c Gate — From Kirkyard Gate to High Street. 
St. Catherine's Wynd — ^From Kirkyard Gate to Mr. Betson's. 
Monastery Street — From Abbey Close to Dollas's. 
Collier Row — From Provost John Wilson's to the Dam. 
Rotten Roia — From opposite Provost Moodie's entry to the turning to the 

Chapel Kirk. 
Soiith Chapel Street -From Mr. Kirk's to Rotten Row. 
North Chapel Street — From Mr. Black's Barn to the Dam, or Old Tannage. 
Qiieen Ann Street — From Dr. Campbell's corner to the head of the Cross 

Wynd, and East to Mr. Peebles' new houses. 
School End Street — From the School north to the Knabbie Raw. 
Guild Hall Street — From the Guild Hall to Dr. Davidson's corner. 
St. Margaret's Street— From Mr. George Spence's south to Mr. Henry 

Scotland's. 
Abbey Park Place — From Dr. Gibb's to Mr. Brotherston's. 
Moodie Street — From South End of Gibb Street, or Square, to Nethertown. 
Gibb's Street — From Mr. Henry Scotland's to Robert Lowson's, and east. 
Priory Lane — East from Corner of Mr. Spence's Park to Mr. Black's. 
Daviside Row — From Finlay Malcolm's to Mr. Bonnar's Feu. 
Black Raw — Cusine's Houses, back of Dam. 
Clay Acres — Houses back of Knabbie Row. 
Bridge Street— From Town House to Rutherford's Corner. 
Chalmers Street — From Rutherford's Corner to Mr. M 'Robbie's. 
Knabbie Street — From the Low Dam to the Slaughter House. 
Bothwell-Haugh Row — From End of Nethertown to the Hospital Bridge. 

(Signed) " D. Wilson." 



OLD AND NEW NAMES OF STREETS. 567 

The writer, in his early youth, compiled a paper on the " Ancient 
Names of Places in and around Dunfermline," which was read to a 
literary society. He has extracted from his paper the following on 
the nomenclature of the streets, from at least A.D. 1480 to 1809, as a 
fitting appendix to the foregoing, as it supplies several omissions : — 

Names of the Streets in Dunfermline New Names painted on the 

between 1480 and 1812. corners of the Houses in 1809. 

He Gait, Hie Gate (High Street) Hi^h Street. 

The East part of the Street Horsemarkct. 

The Gallowgate Vieiajicld Place, o>v. 

The New Street Gtdldhall Street. 

Thro'-th'-Bleach St. Margaret Street. 

The New Road Moodie Street. 

Guitter-Syde BotJnvell Street. 

Gilley's Wynd (or Jeelies Wynd) Reid Street. 

Common Vennel (or Abbey Road) Priory Lane. 

The Foul Vennel, (or In-below-th'-Wa's)... Camnore Street. 

The West part Abbot Street. 

St. Kathrine's Gait (or Gate) St. Catherine's JVynd. 

The New Brig Bridge Stra t. 

The Fit Paith (or Foot Path) [ ^^'X/^S. 

The Back Syde Queen Ann Street. 

The Coal Road, Damside Row, &c North Chapel Street. 

The Hie, or High Street (Highest Street)... Knabbie Street, or Raw. 

Doon-be-th'-Pends Monastery Street. 

The How Gate (lower part of Newrow) Neivrow. 

Guitter-Syde (Nethertown) Bothwellhangh Rotv. 

Kirkgate. 

Collier Ro7ci. 

Rotten Row. 

Cross Wynd. 

Shaddows Wynd. 

New Roiv. 



'J 



The old use-and-wont names of the streets 

annexed were retained *' Nethertown 

Broad Street. 



South Chapel Street. 
Pittcncrief Street. 
Golfdruni. 
^ Baldridge Burn. 

Since 1832, several alterations of names have been made, viz., the 
venerable Collier Roiu, in 1833, was for some months known as King 
Street; then the name settled down into Bricce Street. The Rotten 
Roiv has, for the sake of " a finer sound," been lately dubbed West 
Queen Aim Street, "the dubbers" having forgotten that Rotten Row, 
London, is the haute ton of fashionable life ! 

Guild Hall Spire.— "The Council authorize the Provost to 



568 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

subscribe Sixty Guineas for the New Steeple at the Cross-buildings." 
{Burgh Records, 8th August, 1809. "A^ this period a public subscrip- 
tion was carried on for ornamenting the Guild Hall turret with a 
Spire." (See An. Dimf. date 181 1.) 

Chapel Kirk. — Rev. Peter Brotherston demitted his charge of 
minister of the Chapel Kirk, on his being translated to the Second 
Charge of the Parish of Dysart, on 24th August, 1809. 

Provost of Dunfermline. —Major David Wilson, Dunferm- 
line, re-elected Provost, September, 1809. 

Fire — Great Fire in the Rotten Rozu. — The house, the wright's 
shop, and sheds of Mr. Macdonald, the wright in the north-side of the 
Rotten Row, were, towards the end of 1809, destroyed by a dreadful 
fire. No appliances to extinguish the fire but buckets, stoups, and 
pitchers of water from the dam and the tron-burn. Shortly after- 
wards a movement was made in favour of getting fire-engines to the 
town. (MS. Note.) 

1810.— Chapel Kirk.— Rev. John M'Whir inducted minister of 
the Chapel Kirk on 18th January, 18 10, as successor to Rev. Peter 
Brotherston, who was translated to the Second Charge of Dysart 
Church, 24th August, 1809. 

Entry -Money of the Incorporated Trades. — "Owing to 
the great decrease in the value of money, the several incorporated 
trades petition the town council to allow each corporation respectfull 
to raise their entry money." As a specimen of the good old times, 
we give a few of their figures: — The Hammermen to raise their fees 
of entry to strangers to £7 los.; for his essay, 15^.; for banquet at 
his admission, £2; for members' sons and sons-in-law to pay into the 
box £1 is.\ and for their essay, "js. 6d. (Bnrgh Records.) 

High School. — Mr. Archibald Haxton appointed Master of the 
High (or Grammar) School of Dunfermline, as successor to Mr. 
Bathgate. {MS. Note; see An. Dnnf. date 1850.) 

The Countess of Elgin died this year, aged seventy-one, and 
was interred at Dunfermline. (M.S.) 

Patronage of Rector of School and Precentor of Parish 
Kirk. — The Marquis of Tweeddale resolved that in future the pre- 
sentation to the Rectorship of the Grammar School, or to the 



FIRE AND FIRE-ENGINES. 569 

Precentorship to the Church of Dunfermline, shall be granted to 
competent persons, recommended by the Town Council. {Burgh 
Records, 15th March, 18 10.) 

Printing by David Paton. — In the year 1810, David Paton 
constructed a very simple and powerful hand printing press; he pro- 
cured a quantity of old types, and commenced the printing of Funeral 
Letters, Advertisements, Songs, Small Books, &c, (MS. Note.) 

Fire Engines. — In consequence of recent destructive fires in 
the town, and "fire-alarms," the Magistrates, &c., ordered two fire 
engines from London in 18 10, along with a full "complement of fire- 
buckets." These two fire engines — a large and a smaller one — are 
worked by the hand. They arrived in Dunfermline early in 18 10, 
(MS. Note.) 

The Rev. John Allen, minister [first] of the Secession Church, 
Crossgates, near Dunfermline, died on 6th June, 18 10, in the thirty- 
eighth year of his age, and sixth year of his ministry. (See An. Dunf. 
date 1804.) 

South-West Tower of the Abbey Church Finished. — 
The old tower which fell in 1807, was rebuilt in 1810-1811, according 
to the plan of Mr. Stark, a talented native architect, the son of Mr. 
Mark Stark, manufacturer. The plan is in close keeping with the 
aspect of the original tower. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — '*A Short Accotmt of the Laivs and Institutions of 
Moses," published in 18 10, by the Rev. Henry Fergus, of the Relief 
Church, Dunfermline ; 8vo vol. pp. 107. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson of Dunferm- 
line was re-elected Provost, Sept., 18 10. (Burgh Records.) 

Water Supply and Filtering-Pits. — " In order to purify the 
Cairncubie water before it was received by the inhabitants, filtering- 
pits were formed — two, near the source of the springs ; and another, a 
larger one, was sunk in the area in front of Queen Ann Street Church, 
about 70 yards north of the Reservoir. These filtering-pits were 
formed by Mr. Andrew Johnstone of Glasgow during the summer of 
1 8 10." {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 15.) At this period it was ascertained 
that 21,600 gallons water was discharged into the Reservoir every 24 
hours. (Histories of Dunf ennline, &c.) 

Fire, and the New Fire-Engines. — " The apartment in the 

4D 



5/0 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Old Mason Lodge, Collier Row, in which Thomas Peebles, slater, 
resided, took fire and burned vehemently. The Town-house bell 
rang, the new fire-engines were brought out, and, the dam being at 
hand, a plentiful supply of water was obtained for them ; they did 
their duty well. The fire was got under. This was the first trial 
made of the engines." — December, 1810. (MS. Notes.) 

1811. — Census — Population of Duuferinline, &c. — The following 
return, taken from the second Government Census, shows the state of 
the population, &c., of Dunfermline this year : — Population of Dun- 
fermline and Suburbs, 6,492; population of Burgh and Parish, 11,649; 
famihes in the Parish, 2,690 ; males, 5495 ; females, 6,154; inhabited 
houses in Burgh and Suburbs, 874 ; inhabited houses in Burgh and 
Parish, 1810; increase of population of Burgh since 1801,670; increase 
of population of Parish, 1669; increase of houses in the Burgh, 169; 
increase of houses in the Parish, 312. 

Dr. Davidson. — This eminent medical practitioner in Dunferm- 
line was elected Professor of Natural History in Marischal College, 
Aberdeen, vice Rennie resigned April 29th. (Geutleinan's Magazine; 
MS. Notes.) 

Municipal Improvement Act. — ''An Act for Paving, Lighting, 
Cleansing, Widening, and otherwise Improving the Streets of the Bnrgh 
of Dunfermline ; Increasing the Supply of Water ; Extending the 
Royalty of the said Burgh ; and for other Purposes therein mentioned 
relative thereto!' 

Such is the title of an Act of Parliament passed in May, 18 11, for the 
improvement of the burgh. Copies of this Act are now extremely rare. 
The writer has a copy. It is a folio of forty pages, and contains about 
eighty enactments, and about the same number of explanations affixed 
to them. 

The Act refers to the Choosing of Commissioners for the carrying 
out of the Act, to the Superintendent of Police, Salaries to Officers, 
Repairing of Streets and Causeways, Roof Water to be carried off by 
Pipes, Foot Pavements, Lighting the Streets, Duties of the Sheriff, Re- 
moving Old Houses, How to Build Houses in luiture, Common Sewers 
and Drains, Magistrates and their Duties, Markets, Water Committee, 
Public Wells, Watchmen, Fire Engines^ Bleaching Green, Boundaries 
of Extended Royalty, Guildry, Funds raised for Purposes of the Act, 
Assessors and Assessments, Proprietors of Ale Houses, Travelling 



THE MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT ACT. . 571 

Merchants, Duties of the Procurator-Fiscal, Public Books to be kept 
and properly Balanced, Powder Magazine, Assize of Bread, &c. 
The Act is too long for insertion in the Annals. We shall, however, 
give that part of it which refers to the extended boundaries, and 
direct the reader for further information to the Act itself, or to 
histories of Dunfermline : — 

Neiv Boundaries of the Burgh. 

And be it enacted, that from and after the First Wednesday of June, One 
thousand eight hundred and eleven, the Royalty of the said Burgh of Dun- 
fermline shall be extended over and comprehend the Lands and others after 
mentioned, and the said Lands and others shall be, and they are hereby 
annexed to and included within the said Extended Royalty accordingly, for 
the several Purposes of this Act, videlicet, The Grounds or Lands known by 
the Name of the Abbey Parks and Bleachfield, as the same are lying, situated, 
and bounded between the New Row Street of the said Burgh on the East, the 
Streets called Canmore and Abbot Streets (along which the Wall of the 
Monastery of Dunfermline extended), and May Gate Street on the North, the 
Street or Wynd called Saint Catherine's Wynd, with the Houses and Gardens 
on the West Side of the said Wynd, to the Tower Burn, on the West, and the 
Street or Lane called Priory Lane, extending from the said New Row Street 
to the North-East Corner of the Glebe of the First Minister of Dunfermhne, 
on the South Parts. 

Also, AH the Grounds and Tenements situated between the present 
Royalty and the said Tower Burn, excepting the Glebe before mentioned, 
and such Parts or Portions of the said Abbey-Grounds as may eventually be 
awarded as a Grass Glebe or the Site of a Manse for the said First Minister. 
And also, excepting the Whole of the Policy or Pleasure-Grounds of the Estate 
of Pittencrieff, lying within the aforesaid Boundary, which Tower Burn, from 
where it conjoins with or is united to the Burn or Rivulet called Baldridge 
Burn (afterwards mentioned), to the Bridge over the said Tower Burn, at the 
West End of the Nethertown Street of the said Burgh, is hereby declared to 
be the Boundary of the said Extended Royalty in that Quarter (excepting that 
Part or Portion of the Grounds of Pittencrieff lying on the West Side of the 
said Tower Burn), to be included in the said Extended Royalty, as the same 
is afterwards particularly described. 

Also, the Houses and Gardens, or Yards, lying North from the Conduit 
lately rebuilt by the Town of Dunfermline over the Cut or Gully called the 
Goat, with the Street or road leading therefrom to Baldridge Burn aforesaid, 
by Castle Blair, and to where the said Street or Road is intersected by the 
said Burn, which said Burn or Rivulet, and the Tower Burn aforesaid, from 
where it joins to or unites with the said Rivulet, immediately on the North of 
the House belonging to and presently possessed by the Reverend Allan 
M'Lean, First Minister of Dunfermline, are hereby declared the Boundary of 
the said Extended Royalty in that Quarter. 

Also, The Lands and others lying on the South and East of the Rivulet 
or Burn known by the Name of Castle-Blair or Broomhead-Burn, and from 
where the said Burn unites with Baldridge Burn aforesaid, and extending in 
an Easterly Direction, through or by the Lands of East Baldridge, belonging 
to Robert Wellwood, Esquire, the lands of Broomhead, belonging to Alexander 



5/2 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Moncrieff, Esquire, and the Lands of Venturefair, belonging to John Syme, 
Esquire, and along the North Dyke or March of the Lands of Head-Well, 
belonging to John Stenhouse, to where the said Lands march with the Lands 
of the Town of Dunfermhne (excluding the said Lands of Head- Well), on the 
East, which said Rivulet or Burn is hereby declared the Boundary of the 
Extended Royalty in that Quarter. 

Also, Generally, All the Lands belonging to the Community of the Town 
of Dunfermline, lying contiguous to the said Burgh. 

Also, The Houses, Gardens, and others, on both sides of Bridge Street 
and Chalmers Street, to and including the House and Garden, or Yard, 
belonging to and possessed by David Trail, on the West, and the Well lately 
erected under the Authority of the Water Committee, on the East Side of the 
said Chalmers Street, to a Line running East from the said Well to the Tower 
Burn aforesaid, which Line is hereby declared the Boundary of that Part of 
the said Extended Royalty on the North, and on the West Side of the said 
Chalmers Street, at and including the House and Garden, or Yard, belonging 
to David Trail aforesaid, to the Pigeon House, Park Wall of Pittencriefif, as 
the said Wall runs South, and forming an Angle in the South- West corner of 
the Garden belonging to Charles Hunt, Esquire, terminates at the Tower 
Burn aforesaid, which said Park Wall is hereby declared the Boundary of the 
said Extended Royalty in that Quarter. 

Also, The Lands of Briery Hill and Hawbank, belonging to Henry Scot- 
land, Esquire, the Lands or Park on the East Side thereof, belonging to John 
Couston, Esquire, the Lands called Rhodes, Almery Lands, Elliot's Hill, 
Miln Hill, and Spittal, belonging to David Black, Esquire, and the Lands of 
Spittal Hill, holding of the Hospital of Saint Leonards, but excluding the 
Planted or Policy Grounds belonging to the said David Black. 

Provided always, and be it enacted, that the Houses and Pieces of Ground 
forming Part of Bridge Street, holding of the Proprietor of Pittencrieff as 
Superior, and the Whole of Chalmers Street, and the said Streets called Saint 
Catherine's Wynd and Monastery Street, comprehending therein the Milns, 
Kilns, Dwelling-House, and other Houses and Office-Houses, at present in 
the Occupation of William Baird, with the Ground adjoining, partly occupied 
by him, and partly unoccupied, and the House and adjoining Garden, in the 
Occupation of David Betson, Esquire, as also the whole Lands and Estates 
of Pittencrieff, and all Houses and Grounds wherever situated, held of William 
Hunt, Esquire, as Superior, shall not be comprehended within the Royalty of 
the said Burgh, nor shall the same, nor the Superiors, Proprietors, or Occu- 
piers of any Houses erected and built, or may be erected and built thereon, 
enjoy any of the Advantages or Privileges, or be subject to and liable to any 
of the Provisions of this Act, unless One-half of the Feuars or Proprietors 
having the Dominum Utile of the Pieces of Ground and Houses on the said 
several Streets, shall respectively signify their Consent in Writing under their 
Hands, duly executed according to the Forms of the Law of Scotland; nor 
shall any of the Lands, Houses, and others above described, of which the 
said William Hunt is Proprietor or Superior, be Comprehended within the 
Royalty as aforesaid without the Consent of the said WiUiam Hunt, or the 
Proprietor of Pittencrieff for the Time being, signified in like Manner, such 
Consents to be recorded by the Person or Persons making the same in the 
particular Register of Seisins, kept at Cupar for the County of Fife : Provided, 
also, that in estimating the numbers of the said Feuars or Proprietors who 



BOUNDARIES OF THE BURGH. 5/4 

shall give their Consent as aforesaid, or who shall withhold the same, the 
Number for each of the said Streets shall be computed separately, and not in 
Conjunction with the other Streets, so that the said Four Streets may be 
Comprehended within the said Royalty, separately and successively on the 
necessary Consents in each being completed. 

And be it enacted, That the Magistrates and Town Council of Dun- 
fermline shall henceforth have and enjoy the same Rights, Privileges and 
Jurisdictions over the said Lands, Houses, Gardens, and Grounds hereby 
annexed to and comprehended within the said Royalty, and the inhabitants 
thereof, as they now enjoy and exercise over and within the Limits of the 
present Royalty; and shall, and they are hereby empowered to levy, for the 
Purposes of this Act, the same Mails, Customs, and Duties, and other Taxa- 
tions, within those annexed Lands and others, in the same manner and by 
such Means as the said Magistrates and Town Council are entitled to levy 
and recover such Mails, Duties, and Customs and Taxations, within the said 
Royalty, excepting where provided against by this Act. 

Provided always, and be it enacted. That the Extension of said Royalty 
shall not be held to alter or affect the present Nature of the Holdings, or 
Right of Superiority and Property of the Lands, Houses, Gardens and other 
Grounds over which the Royalty is by this Act extended, but that the 
Tenures of such Property shall continue and be as they were before this Act 
was passed; nor shall this Act be deemed to convey any Thirlage or Claim 
of Thirlage over the Lands and other Property hereby annexed; and provided 
also, that the Inhabitants, Merchants, Traders or Mechanics resident in the 
said Extended Royalty, shall not be obliged to become Members of the 
Fraternity of the Guildry, or Corporations of the said Burgh, but shall be at 
Liberty to become Members of, and enter with the said Guildry and Incor- 
porations if they shall be disposed, and shall have all the Privileges thereto 
belonging, on Payment always of the usual and accustomed Fees of Admission 
to such Guildry and Incorporations. 

And be it enacted. That in order to facilitate and assist the Execution of 
this Act, the said Burgh and Extended Royalty shall be divided into Ten 
separate Districts or Wards, and a Commissioner or Commissioners elected 
for each, as shall be hereinafter directed ; and the said Burgh and Extended 
Royalty is hereby divided accordingly into the following Districts or Wards; 
videlicit — 

The First District or Ward, to commence at the West End of the High 
Street, that is to say, at and including the House life-rented and possessed by 
Barbara Adie, Widow, on the South, and the House lately belonging to John 
Fothringham, Grocer, now to James Russell, Writer, on the North Side of the 
said Street, to include South Chapel Street, and the Lanes and Closes on 
both sides, and to terminate at the Cross of the said Burgh, at and including 
the House of David Black, Town Clerk of Dunfermline, on the South, and 
the House of William Buchanan, Merchant, on the North of the said Street; 
and for which said District or Ward, Two Commissioners shall be elected. 

The Second District or Ward to commence at and include the new Build- 
ing called the Guild Hall, on the South, and the House belonging to the 
Heirs of the late John Bewgo, Minister of the Gospel, and presently possessed 
by William Beveridge, Chamberlain of the said Burgh, on the North Side of 
the said High Street, to include the Lanes and Closes on both sides, and to 
terminate at the East Port, at and including the House of Michael Hunter, 



574 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Baker, on the South, and the House belonging to Robert Bonner, Wright, on 
the North Side; and for which said District Two Commissioners shall be 
elected : 

The Third District or Ward to include the Collier Row, commencing at 
and including the House belonging to John Wilson, and possessed by John 
Miller, Bookseller, on the West, and the House, lately Property of John 
Stenhouse of South Fod, Esquire, now of Robert Taylor, on the East side of 
the Colher Row ; the Streets called Rotten Row, North Chapel Street, the 
Black Row, at the North Side of the High Dam ; all the Houses and others 
from the Termination of the Ancient Royalty, and on the North and West of 
the said Black Row, hereby annexed to and included within the said Royalty; 
and for which said District or Ward One Commissioner shall be elected : 

The Foicrth District or Ward to include the Kirkgate, commencing at and 
including the House of Henry Rutherford, Merchant, on the East, and the 

House of Glass, Widow, on the West Side of the said Kirkgate, the 

Maygate, and Abbot Street, to the Houses of James Douglas, Writer, on the 
South, and of David Morris, Wright, on the North Sides of the said Street 
(neither of which Houses are included in the said District), the Closes or 
Courts in the said Maygate and Kirkgate Streets, and Saint Catherine's Wynd, 
to the Abbey Close ; and for which said District or Ward One Commissioner 
shall be elected : 

The Fifth District or Ward to include Queen Ann Street, from and includ- 
ing the House of William Campbell, Surgeon, on the North, and the Malt 
Barn belonging to Henry Bardner, Writer, on the South Side of the said Street; 
the Cross Wynd, School-End Street, the Knabbie Row, or Reid Street, to and 
including the House belonging to Andrew Reid, on the North, and the House 
belonging to Henry Thomson on the South Sides of the said Row or Street ; 
the Back Street, from the East End of Queen Ann Street to the East End of 
the Town, and all the Houses and others to the Eastward of the Row of 
Houses running North from the West End of the Black Row, and to the 
Northward of the said Knabbie Row, or Reid Street, and to the Termination 
of the Royalty on the North and East ; and for which said District, or Ward, 
One Commissioner shall be elected : 

The Sixth District or Ward to include Guildhall Street, Canmore Street, 
to the House possessed by the Reverend John Fernie, Second Minister of the 
Church and Parish of Dunfermline, inclusive; Abbey Park Place, and Saint 
Margaret's Street, to the House and Gardens inclusive, belonging to and 
possessed by Henry Scotland, of Briery Hill, Esquire, on the South End of 
the said Street ; and for which District, or Ward, One Commissioner shall be 
elected : 

The Seventh District or Ward to include Monastery Street (from the 
Abbey Close), Gibb Street, Priory Lane, Moodie Street, and all the space 
between the said Street and the Wall, or Dyke, by which the Reverend David 
Black's Property is bounded on the West; and for which said District, or Ward, 
One Commissioner shall be elected : 

The Eighth District or Ward to include East Port Street, and all the 
Space to the Eastward thereof, to the Limits of the Extended Royalty and 
Shadows Wynd, and the New Row to the East End of the Nethertown ; and 
all that Part or Portion of Lands, and others to be annexed to and included 
within the Royalty, in virtue of this Act, situated on the South of the Kirk- 
caldy Road, and on the East of the Road or Street leading from the said New 



HIGH SCHOOL PRIZES — LITERATURE. 575 

Row Street to the Pitbauchlie Road, or Spittal Cross Head ; and for which 
said District, or Ward, One Commissioner shall be elected : 

The Ninth District or Ward to include the Nethertown Street, from the 
Bridge over the Tower Burn, at the West End of the said Nethertown Street 
to its Termination on the East, and Bothwell Haugh Row (formerly called 
Gutter Side) to the Spittal Bridge ; and all that part of the Spittal Lands to 
to the Southward and Westward of the Queensferry Road, to the Limits of 
the Extended Royalty, and to where the Royalty shall extend, in virtue of 
this Act, to the Southward of the said Spittal Bridge ; and for which District, 
or Ward, One Commissioner shall be elected : 

The Tenth District or Ward to include Bridge Street from the House 
belonging to and possessed by Provost John Wilson inclusive, on the North, 
and the Town House of the said Burgh on the South Sides of the said Street, 
to the North End of Chalmers Street to where the Extended Royalty of the 
the said Burgh ends and determines ; and for which said District, or Ward, 
One Commissioner shall be elected. 

For a complete copy of this Act, see MS. Charter in the Charter- 
Chest of the Burgh. It will be observed that the whole of Bridge 
Street and Chalmers Street, and the western half of Bridge Street, 
were excluded. (See the introductory part of this Act, which gives 
power to a majority of the feuars on the estate of Pittencrieff to be 
embraced in the new extended royalty; for names of streets, and 
their changed names, see Ajl Dunf. date 1809.) 

Price of Provisions. — In the summer of 1812, the quartern 
loaf was \s. 6d.; peck of oatmeal, 2s. lod., 3^-., 3^-. ^d.; 1 lb. rice, yd.\ 
I lb. barley, 4^. 

Bank of Scotland. — Major David Wilson, Provost, and William 
Beveridge, Esq., writer, were appointed joint-agents for the Dunferm- 
line branch of the Bank of Scotland, Guildhall Street. (See An. Dimf. 
date 1822.) 

High School Prizes. — '' loth AiLgust, 1811: This day "the 
Provost laid before the Council an account for Books and Medals 
purchased by him, and distributed as prizes at the examination of the 
school on the 7th curt, amounting to Ten Guineas, which the Council 
authorize the Chamberlain to pay." (Burgh Records.) 

Literature. — A small work, a 32mo of forty-two pages, was this 
year published by David Paton, entitled, "A Dialogue Betuext the 
Old and New Biirgar Kirk of duufermline over hard by a benighted 
Travler, to which is Aded An eledgie on the Much Lemented death of 
The R'v. Mr. Campblle, A.M., iSii." It is illustrated by no fewer 
than 19 woodcut representations of the "New'' and '' Auld Licht" Kirks 
in Dunfermline, &c. The engravings are small and roughly done. 



5/6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

They were cut by the author. It may here be remarked that a 
common error has long prevailed in Dunfermline as to the author 
having made the types from which this and his other works were 
printed. He could not make printing types. The woodcuts, however, lie 
did make ; they were designed by himself on plane-tree, then cut with 
the aid of a sprig-bit (brug), a small chisel, an aivl, and a penkfiife. 
This " Dialogue " is a singular production. It has been long out of 
print, and is now very rare. The last few pages of the work are taken 
up with a sort of Elegy on the death of the Rev. John Campbell, 
minister of the "auld-licht kirk," then lately deceased, and of whom 
he has a front-view likeness. In introducing his Elegy, the author 
says — "my None Aquaintance with the man, Maks Me the Less 
Able To Do The Justice That I Ould wish wpon This Subject." He 
notwithstanding, does his reverend subject ample justice. As far as 
is known, there are only three copies of this unique little work extant, 
the writer having one of them. It would appear from one of our 
notes, that two editions of thirty and fifty copies each of this work 
were published during the year 1811. (A copy of this curious and 
rare work is in the possession of the writer.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, Dunfermline, 
re-elected Provost. {Bnrgh Records, September, 18 11.) 

Friendly Society. — The Maltmen's and Whipmen's Friendly 
Society formed. {Fernies Hist. Dnnf. p. 52.) 

The Comet. — As in all other places, Dunfermline inhabitants 
satiated themselves to the full in gazing on the splendid comet of 
1 8 II. During the month of October of this year it was all the talk; 
ministers spoke of it in their sermons, and many ontre remarks were 
made as to its use and destination. (MS. Note.) The length of the 
tail of the comet of 181 1, as measured on 15th October, was found to 
be very nearly 100,000,000 miles; the solid nucleus, 50,000 miles in 
diameter, and 113,750,000 miles from the sun. 

Post-Office and Stamp Revenue in Dunfermline in 
181 1. — Revenue derived from the Post-Office, £()^0', from sale of 
stamps, ;^i,685. 

Guildhall Steeple Completed. — The Guildhall Tower termi- 
nated with the circular stone ledge above the bell-hole pillars in 1808. 
As it had a stunted appearance in this form, the pillars and coping 
above them were known as the guildrie-tabk [it somewhat resembled 



THE GUILD HALL, DUNFERMLINE. 



577 



a table.] A public subscription in the end of 1810 raised a sum 
sufficient to erect a spire 37 feet in height " iipon the Gtnldrie 




Front View of the Guild Hall, 181 1. 

Table" This spire, ball, and vane, were erected and all finished in 
November, 181 1. The height from the foundation, including the 

4E 



5/8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

top spindle, of the now completed steeple, according to Fernies Hist. 
Dunf. p. 20, is 132 feet. {MS. Note; An. Dunf. dates 1807, 1808, 1849, 
&c.) The engraving on the preceding page represents the front view 
of the "Guildhall" when completed in 181 1. For the new name of 
"County Buildings" (see A71. Dunf. date 1850.) Referring to the Guild- 
hall in his Rhyming History of Dunfermline, the author (P.) says : — 



This house it fronts both north and south, 
on the south side of the street ; 

The Spire that stands on the north front 
in he^ht a hundred feet. 



"At the Cross some houseing stood, 
their importance was small, 
In place of which within this short 
they've builded the Guild-Hail. 

"It is compos'd of storeys four, 
most elegant to see ; 
Such buildings in thy young days 
would be right Strang to see." 

Crossgates Church. — Rev. Thomas Wilson, ordained minister 
of this church, 26th Nov. 18 11. (MS.) 

1812.— Dunfermline Burns Club Formed. — "On 25th 
January, 18 12, the members met, and did justice to their "chieftain 
of the Pudding race," and to Scotland's chieftain in song. (MS. Note.) 

First Election of Police Commissioners. — The first elec- 
tion of Police Commissioners for districts in Dunfermline, conformable 
to the new Police Act of 1811, took place in the Town House on 
1 2th May, 18 12. {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 150.) 

The Population of Limekilns in 18 12 was 921 ; and of Charles- 
ton, yZj. (MS. Note; see also Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 63-65.) 

PiTTENCRlEFF ESTATE. — William Hunt, Esq., proprietor of 
Pittencrieff Estate, died early in 18 12, succeeded by his brother, 
James Hunt, Esq. 

Venture-Fair Coal Railroad. — Early in the year 1812, Mr. 
Syme completed a railway between his colliery at Venture-Fair, one 
mile north-east of the town, and Knabbie Street, where his town 
coal depot was situated. (M^. Note.) This coal depot, which was 
situated about the middle of Knabbie Street, north-side, at back of 
the houses, has been disused Cor about fifty years. 

Elgin Coal Railroad. — During the summer of the year 1812, 
the Earl of Elgin completed a railway between the Nethertown, 
Dunfermline, and his works at Charleston. It was also used for 



THE PALACE RUINS REPAIRED. 



579 



conveying coal to the shipping there for exportation. {Fernie's Hist. 
Dimf. pp. 17, 18.) 

Dunfermline Manse Case — House of Peers' Decision. — On the 
9th March, 1812, the House of Peers decided that the Minister of the 
First Charge of the Abbey Church was entitled to have a manse and 
glebe. {Neivspapers of 1 8 1 2 ; see also " Abbey Church Manse," in 
An. Dimf. date 18 16.) 

Black's Tower in the High Street Built. — Mr. David 
Black, town-clerk of Dunfermline, gained his political law plea with 
General Campbell this year, 18 12, and as a memento of his victory, 
erected a square tower on the roof of his house, in the High 
Street; at first it was called Black's Folly, afterwards Black's Tower. 
(MS. Note.) 

Friendly Society. — Dunfermline Shoemakers' Friendly Society 
instituted. (^Fernies Hist. Dwif. p. 52.) 

Palace Ruins Repaired. — The palace ruins were thoroughly 

overhauled and repaired during the spring and summer of 18 12, by 

the then new proprietor of Pittencrieff, James Hunt, Esq. 

While the repairs were in progress, one of the workmen made an interest- 
ing discovery, viz., in striking with his trowel the decayed plaster covering 
the inside of the roof of the fine bay window, upper storey, at the south-east 
end of the palace wall, the whole of the plaster cracked, gave way, and fell 




to the ground, when immediately there was revealed to view a finely sculptured 
stone, covered with carved emblems, and having, apparently, in Saxon char- 
acters, the date 11 00. Shortly after this discovery, on a close inspection of 
the stone, the sculpture was found to be a graphic illustration of Luke i. 28-38, 
and hence it was afterwards known as the "Annunciation Stone." The above 
is an exact representation of this celebrated stone, which may be described 



580 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

thus: — On the right is a representation of the Angel Gabriel, with outspread 
wings, holding in his right hand a sceptre, and in his left a scroll, proceeding 
towards the beams on which the emblem of the Holy Ghost is descending 
toward the Virgin. On this scroll or ribbon, in old capitals, are the words 
— AVE • GRATIA • PLENA " DNS ' TEC [Domimis Tecimi] — that is, Hail, full of 
favour, the Lord be 7vith you. Before the Virgin Mary, on the left, there is a 
pillar-table, on which a book rests, having on it in Latin, with some abbrevia- 
tions, Mary's answer, in small Roman capitals, viz., ecce * ancilla 'di • fiat • 
MiCHi 's • V 't — that is. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Be it unto me 
according to thy word; the abbreviation s.v.t. means. Secundum verbum tuum. 
At the top appears the emblem of God the Father, and to the left, descends 
in rays of light or glory, the symbol of the Holy Ghost, as already mentioned, 
on the head of Mary; in front of the little table is a two-handed pot, with a 
lily in it, the supposed emblem of purity; and on the right of it, in the lower 
centre of the stone, is a shield with the arms of George Dury, the last 
Abbot of Dunfermline on it, all in alto relievo, therefore the sculpture and the 
arms must have been cut in Dury's time, viz., 1 538-1 560. Below the Dury 
arms is the great puzzle date, iioo. From 1812 till 1859, these supposed 
figures gave rise to much controversy among antiquaries. (See An. Dunf. 
1859, and "Annunciation Stone.") The Arabic numerals were introduced 
into Europe about the year 1253. It was this fact, when being compared 
with this date, iioo, that perplexed and puzzled archaeologists. 

Commercial Bank. — A Branch of the Commercial Bank of 

Scotland was established in Dunfermline in 18 12, (MS.) 

Literature. — " Religious Catechism, with Forms of Prayer. For 
the use of Children. Printed and sold by John Millar, 20th Oct., 
18 1 2." This is a i6mo of thirty-six pages — an excellent little work. 
The printer was the author. It has been long out of print. The writer 
has a copy; probably the only one extant. 

A small work, entitled. On the Advantages of a General Peace. 
Extracted by Permission from the Edinburgh Review ; printed and pub- 
lished by John Miller, Dunfermline, i2mo,42 pp. Very scarce. (MS.) 

Printing Presses. — Mr. James Lothian, teacher, Charleston, near 
Dunfermline, invented and constructed a small printing press, which 
had a peculiarly powerful motion. The press was used privately for 
printing elementary school-books, hymns, Scripture-texts, and geogra- 
phical questions for the general use of the school and the village of 
Charleston. Mr. Lothian left Charleston for Alloa in 181 3. He died 
in 1862, in the 82nd year of his age, greatly respected and regretted 
by a wide circle of friends. He was editor and proprietor of the Alloa 
Advertiser. At this period, in Dunfermline and vicinity, two printing 
presses were owned by John Miller and Andrew Angus. Theirs were 
public presses. There were likewise two private presses, belonging to 
David Paton and James Lothian. (See also An. Dunf. 18 13.) 



LITERATURE, ETC. 58 1 

Post and Stamp Revenues. — In Dunfermline, for 18 12, the 
Post-Office revenue was ^1000 ; Stamp-Office, ;^i840. {Fernie's Hist. 
Dimf. pp. 52, 53.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, Dunfermline, 
was re-elected Provost, September, 18 12. (Burgh Records.) 

Money Distributed in Charity. — During the year 1812, the 
moneys distributed in charity to the poor of the parish of Dunfermline, 
by the Kirk Session, the Town Council, the Fraternity of Guildry, the 
eight Incorporated Trades, the Burgher, Anti-Burgher, and Relief 
Sessions, and the Friendly Societies, amounted to ^1343 2s. 2)d. 
{Ferule's Hist. Dunf, pp. 50, 51.) 

1813. — Dunfermline Corn Market. — This market was 
established in January, 18 13. The farmers meet at the Cross, every 
Tuesday, at one o'clock, and dispose of their grain by sample. (MS.) 

The Limekilns Female Friendly Society was formed on 9th 
April, 18 1 3. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 51.) 

Literature. — " The History of Dunfermline, gather'd from 
Good Autority, personal knoledge, AND hear-say. Printed by the 
Author; D, patton 18 13." This history consists of thirty-six pages 
"i6mo-quarto ;" it is in "limping verse," and descriptive of a few par- 
ticulars regarding Dunfermline. It is embellished with seven rough 
woodcut illustrations, engraved by the author — ist, the frontis- 
piece, representing the Town-house from the north ; 2nd, the Tower 
Bridge (with two arches too many) ; 3rd, north-west view of the 
Monastery ; 4th, north view of the Parish Kirk ; 5 th, south-back 
of houses in Bridge Street, and Arch of the Bridge ; 6th, north view 
of the Guild Hall ; and 7th, east view of the. Old Town-house, or 
Tolbooth. The following is a copy of the rhyming Preface : — 

" To the Reader. 

I thought to let it gett the air 
and not in my pocket Smother'd 
Some will treat it with a sneer 
and say what nonesence is it 



Now reader ye may read this rime, 

and cairefuly consider'd 

It's the history of Dunfermline town 

from different quarters gather'd 

As my materials was not good 

I've given you'd as I had it 

Consider the towels wherewith I wrou 

[ght 
Who cou'd have better made it 

I sought and screaped heer and there 

and fowght to gett it gather'd 



But says another ye need not spear, 

it's Just like him that made it 

I think this is the worst that can be sai 

For I mean no man to anger 

I hop to see a history of this town 

with print a good dale thranger " 



582 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Several extracts from this little history are inserted in The Annals at 
appropriate places. It is now excessively rare. Only two copies are 
known to be extant. From one of them the writer made 2.fac simile 
some short time ago. The woodcuts of this work are still extant, and 
in good condition. 

Printing. — William Meldrum, teacher, Brucefield, near Dunferm- 
line, "got a heart-motion printing-press made by a smith, purchased a 
lot of old types, and commenced printing on a small scale in 181 3. 
His work was chiefly confined, in his bye-hours, to the printing of 
handbills, texts from the Scriptures on small cards for Sunday schools, 
and sic-like." Mr. Meldrum ceased printing in 1844. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — "Proceedings of a Craw Clnb, Held in Fife on the 
Fourth of June. As Reported by Peter the Plowman. Printed for a 
Craw Club, By D. Patton DunfermHne. 1813." This small " i6mo- 
quarto," consists of twenty-two pages. There is a vignette of the 
Monastery of Dunfermline from the north-west on the title-page, and 
a " how let on the wing'' above i\iQ finis. The following lines extracted 
from the production will suffice to show the tenor of the work : — 

" A Craw Club in Fife held a meeting this clay 
For the purpose of taking (now mark what I say) 
Into their most serious consideration 
The harm that's done by the Craws of the nation 
And more especially the Craws that's in Fife 
Because that of late they've grown so rife 
And to devise some new plan or other 
To extirpate them — Fife altogether 
Mr. B . . . near Dunfermline of talents most rare 
By the whole meeting was call'd to the chair 
Then a member whose name is unknown, to us 
Was the first who rose up, and nearly spoke thus 
Preses I rise for the purpose of stating 
As brief as I can to this worthy meeting 
How that I'm rob'd every day in my life 
By these wicked craws, that are harbour'd in Fife 
For instance last week I sew some oat seed 
But how these black vermine upon it did feed 
I believe they have scarcely left ony ava 
But what they've devoured and carried awa : 
Beside' they have eaten some bolls of barley ; 
So if they continue they'll ruin me fairly " &c. 

Other members are made to speak in much about the same strain. 
Then comes "a string of prosaic resolutions," viz, (i). That every one 
who has land should shoot the black robbers. (2), A penny to be 



reid's mortification. 583 

offered for " every dead craw." (3), To keep in store " a twa barrl'd 
gun and plenty of powder." (4), That a charge be given to the Laird 

of L die to attack them on flank and rear. (5), That a " tun of 

bird-Hme be secured." (6), That the resolutions be inserted in the 
Edinburgh papers. (7), That thanks be given to " the Squire for his 
conduct in the chair." This small production is also very rare. The 
writer has the only copy known to be extant. 

Weaving — Number of Looms. — The number of weavers' looms 
in 1813 was 1000, of which 930 were within the limits of the parish. 
{Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp.55, 56.) 

Literature. — '•^Proceedings of a Craw Court, held in the Woods 
of Pittencrieff on Sunday, April 18th; As Reported by an Ancient 
Hoivlet, Portioner in the Abbey-Steeple of Dunfermline, and care- 
fully Edited by a Friend to the Feathered Tribes. Dunfermline : 
Printed for the Craw-Court by John Miller. 1813." This is an 8vo 
pamphlet of 12 pages; vignette of north-west view of the Monastery 
on title-page. The work is in rhyme, and is based on fourteen " sup- 
possitionary resolutions." It is an amusing production, and is the 
composition of the late Andrew Mercer, Dunfermline. The follow- 
ing is an extract from the ist and 14th Resolutions, which will suffice 
as a specimen of the work : — 

" I. Resolved— 

That, from days of King David, that priest-loving saunt, 

The old Abbey grounds were our privileged haunt, 

Where, as either tradition or memory proves. 

We managed our business, and followed our loves ; 

While our neighbours in peace wove their cloutin and diaper, 

We unplagued with Craw Bounties, and they with Bank- Paper." 
***** 
"14. Resolved — 

That if this our proceeding no tenderness teaches, 

Next week we do publish Addresses and Speeches ; 

For we, freeborn Craws, claim the rights of the press. 

And our Whitbreads and Erskines shall get us redress ; 

Or our friends from Blair-Adain can up in a trice 

To London, and fetch us the best of advice ; 

Thus, one way or other, we'll work our relief — 

So a fig for the Craw-Club — Long Live Pittencrieff." 

This pamphlet has been long out of print. The writer has a copy of 
the few that remain. Mr. Mercer composed, and published a similar 
production in 18 16. 

Reid's Mortification.— " The rental for crop, for 18 13, derived 
from this mortification, amounted to;^i29." {Fernies Hist. Dunf. p. 50.) 



584 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Burgh Revenue this year from coal, town-customs, &c.; 
was about ;^i5oo. 

Public Lamps in the Burgh.— There were 1 1 5 public lamps in 
Dunfermline in 18 13. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf, p. 13.) 

Post and Stamp Revenue for 181 3.— From the Post-Office, 
;^io5o; from the Stamp-Office, .^1515. {Fernies Hist.Dunf. pp. 52, 5 3.) 

Literature. — " The Dialogue Betiveen the Old and Nezv Light 
Burghar Kirks of Dunfermline — the second edition, with aditions and 
impruvments. Printed and sold by D. P., the author: June, 181 3." 

Remarkable Feat in Weaving. — A Man's Shirt Woven in the 
Loom. — Mr. Henry Meldrum, Nethertown, who, in the year 1808, 
wove a woman's shirt in his loom, this year " surpassed that feat," 
for he wrought in his loom a man's shirt. The breast consisted of a 
piece of double-damask woven into the shirt, and had on it the figure 
of a lion, with "Britannia, 18 13." "An ingenious part of the work is 
the contracting of the body of the shirt at the neck-collar, and of the 
sleeves at the shoulder and wrist-bands, so as to leave the usual 
quantity of surfling or fulness, while the collar, shoulder, and wrist- 
bands are, as in ordinary cases, perfectly plain. All this was done 
without any aid from the needle ! There are button-holes in the 
neck and sleeves, and buttons on the neck of the shirt, seemingly 
done in the same way. There is also an imitation of two rows of 
stitching on the wrist-bands." (MS. Note.) 

Literature.—" The Good Old Way Defended. By William Smith, 
teacher, Crossford. Printed by John Miller, Dunfermline, 181 3," This 
work is a rhyming defence of the Old Licht Kirk (the good old way!) 
and appears to be a reply to some of the " improvements " introduced 
by David Paton in his Dialogue (second edition), published in June 
this year. No copy of Smith's book is known to be extant. 

The Union Masonic Lodge (250) Founded. — In consequence 
of " misunderstandings and dissensions among the members of St. 
John's Lodge, No. 26," a great many of them this year severed them- 
selves from it, and formed a new lodge, under the designation of 
"The Union Masonic Lodge of Dunfermline." Their place of meet- 
ing was then, as now, in the Mason's Lodge, Maygate. (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dunferm- 
line, re-elected Provost, Sept., 1813. (Burgh Records.) 

Chapel Kirk. — The Rev. David Murray was inducted minister 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF DUNFERMLINE. 



585 



of the Chapel Kirk, Dunfermline, on 23rd Deeember, 18 13, as suc- 
cessor to the Rev. John M'Whir, who was on 20th September of this 
year translated to Urr, Dumfriesshire. 

Paupers' Roll. — The number of poor on roll of Kirk-Session 
during- 18 13, 136; sum disbursed to them, ^519 12s. 8^^. {Fernie's 
Hist. Diinf, p. 46.) 



1814. — Post-Office and Stamp Revenues in 18 14. 
Revenue, ;^io8o; Stamp Revenue, £i^Z^ \os. 



-Postal 



St. Mary's Chapel. — The last vestige of the ruin of the Chapel 
of St. Mary, which stood near the north end of Elgin Street, opposite 
foot of Moodie Street, was removed in 18 14. (MS. Note.) 

Brucefield Spinning Mill. — This year, 18 14, it was ascer- 
tained that there were 179 persons employed in this mill. (See An. 
Dunf. date 1792; Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 124.) 



Statistical Table, Dunfermline.- 
professions and trades in 18 14: — 



-The following is a list of 



Clergymen (Established Church 


I 


Officers of Customs, . 


. 


I 


and Chapel Kirk), . 


3 


Messengers-at-Arms, . 


. 


4 


Clergymen (Dissenting), 


6 


Smiths, including Journeymen, 




Physicians, 


3 


but not Apprentices, 




64 


Surgeons, .... 


6 


Weavers, . 




873 


Writers, .... 


8 


Wrights, . 




III 


Manufacturers, . 


32 


Tailors, 




52 


Brewers, .... 


5 


Shoemakers, . ■ 




68 


Schoolmasters, . 


19 


Barbers, . 




23 


Schoolmistresses who teach Eng 




Masons, . 


(about) 


48 


lish, .... 


5 


Fleshers, . 


. 


II 


Officers of Excise, 


4 








Average Value of Table L 


inen Manufacture^ in 18 14, 






from 


;^9o,ooo to ;,^ 1 00,000 




Iron-Stone . 


. (tons) 4,000 to 


5,000 




Coals, Wrought, . 


„ (about) 


120,000 




„ Exported, . 


>> J) 


90,000 




Acres in the Parish, 


,, 


15,500 




„ Arable, 


. 


)) 


12,800 




„ in pasture and under 


water, . 


>) 


2,000 




„ in plantations, 


t 


)> 


700 




Real Rent, . 


• • « 


;> 


^24,000 




Landed Property belonging 


to the Burgh, 


(acres) 900 




Annual Revenue, . 




. 


^1,500 




Public Fairs in the year. 


. 


• 


8 






4J 


? 









$86 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Limekilns Shipping. — In the year 1814 there were four brigs, 
one schooner, and about 137 sloops belonging to Limekilns. {Fernies 
Hist. Dtmf. p. 63.) 

Charlestown Shipping in 18 14 consisted of one brig and six- 
teen sloops. {Fernie's Hist. Dunf, p. 65.) 

Literature. — ''Sacred Poetry for Children, on the Greatness^ 
Wisdom, and Goodness of God as manifested in the ivorks of Creation^ 
Providence, a7id Redemption, dfc, by J. Miller, Dunfermline; printed 
and sold by John Miller. 18 14." This small i6mo consists of seventy- 
eight very excellent hymns, pp. 98 ; long since out of print. A copy 
is in our possession. 

Cairneyhill Church Ordination. — The Rev. John Moir, 
from Bucklyvie, ordained Minister of this Church, on 13th September, 
1 8 14 [Successor to Mr. Blair]. {Mackelvie's Annals and Statistics, 
p. 183 ; see also An. Dnnf date 1868.) 

Population Notes. — Crossford in 18 14 had 388 of a population; 
Mastertown, no; Crossgates, 304. {Fernie's Hist. Dnnf pp. 66-62>) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major Wilson, of Dunfermline, 
re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records, Sept., 18 14.) 

Flax Spinning Mill. — A Flax Spinning Mill was established 
in the old Poor's-House, at the junction of Viewfield Place with East 
Queen Ann Street, by MTntosh & Inglis. The machinery was driven 
by hand. It was lighted by gas — the first so lighted in town ; the 
burners were thimbles with small holes in the top. Many turned out 
to see the "new-fangled light." This mill continued at work for a 
short time only. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — " The Saxon and the Gael; or, the Northern Metro- 
polis, including' a Vieiu of the Loivland and Highland Character l^ 4 vols. 
l2mo. Mrs. Johnston, the talented wife of Mr. Johnston, teacher in 
Dunfermline, was the authoress of this work. It was composed in the 
Newrow, in a house opposite the end of Canmore Street during 1813, 
and published in Edinburgh in 18 14. 

1815. — The Dunfermline Philanthropic Society was 
established 17th March, 18 15. Its articles were revised in 18 17 and 
1833. 

Iron Foundry. — Mr. Campbell "commenced Ironfounding on a 



FERNIE'S "HISTORY OF DUNFERMLINE." 587 

small scale in the smithy premises of Tam Thomson, smith, Maygate." 

(MS. Note.) 

The Dunfermline Savings' Bank was established in 1815; 
and in 1838 was connected with the National Security Savings' Bank. 
(For full particulars see CJial. Hist. Dunf., vol. i. pp. 386-388.) 

Battle of Wateluo. — " Great public rejoicings on the arrival 
of the news, on the 24th June, that we had gained the fight, and had 
silenced Bonaparte." (MS.) 

"Methodist Kirk," Maygate. — This church was founded in 
1815, and opened for worship in 1816; the Rev. Abraham Crabtree, 
minister. This congregation assembled for worship in the Masons' 
Lodge, Maygate, for two years before their church was built. By the 
year 1823, the members of this persuasion had so much dwindled 
away that the kirk had to be shut up ; afterwards it was let for public 
purposes, &c. 

The "Auld Light Ya^iC (Original Burghers). — The Rev. Wm. 
Dalziel was inducted minister of this church in 181 5. (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dunferm- 
line, was re-elected Provost, Sept., 181 5. (ButgJi Records.) 

Literature. — ''A History of the Town and Parish of Dunferm- 
line. By John Fernie, one of the Ministers. Dunfermline : Printed 
and sold by John Miller, 1815." This "History" consists of 199 8vo 
pages, and is embellished with eight copper-plate engravings, viz. — i. 
(Frontispiece) View of Dunfermline Abbey from the South ; 2. View 
of the Town-House from the North ; 3. North View of the Guildhall; 
4. View of Dunfermline from the West Park of PittencriefT; 4. Seal 
of the Burgh; and four Seals of the Abbey of Dunfermline. The 
History is divided into 12 chapters, and concludes with an Appendix 
of interesting matter. This is an excellent History so far as it goes. 
It is, however, to be regretted that it did not embrace a more extended 
range. The selling price to subscribers was ioj. 6d. It has been out 
of print for the past 50 years, and has in consequence become very 
scarce. The writer has one of the few copies now remaining. It 
may be noted here that the Rev. Mr. Fernie wrote his History of 
Dunfermline in the year 18 14, in Canmore Street — the last house at 
the east end of the street (south-side corner). 

Insurance. — Limekilns and Charlestown shipmasters established 
an insurance society amongst themselves, by which all accidents at 



588 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

sea are repaid under certain regulations. {Mercer's History of Dtm- 
fermline, p. 203.) 

Literature. — ''A Dialogue Betneen the Old & New Light Burghar 
Kirks of Dtmfermlifie, over-heard By a benigJited travler. The third 
edition, enlarged and improuv'd; To which are Added Savrl Answers 
And Epistles to Willy, Conchiding in a most serious Battle. Printed by 
(the author) D, patton Dunfermline 181 5. — price eightpenceP Such 
is the wording on the title-page of this " i6mo-quarto." It has 1 16 pp.; 
and six rude woodcut engravings by the author — i. A Mailed Warrior 
(frontispiece) ; 2. Wully Smith (teacher of Crossford) hawking his 
works, in a bending position ; 3. Two Men — an old priest-like sage, 
with sword uplifted towards the man in front of him ; 4. A Mailed 
Warrior — target in left hand, and a sword in the right ; 5. An Old 
Castle ; 6. The figure of a Sailor before a Steeple, hat in hand, and 
pointing upwards with his left. The first 16 pages of this small book 
are in prose, detailing the author's opinion of the relative merits of the 
Old and New Burgher Churches ; then follows a reproduction of his 
first work (see "Literature," in An. Dunf. date 1811) ; then comes, in 
prose, his most serious battle with " Wully," &c. The composition of 
the rhyme is similar to specimens already given, consequently extracts 
need not be given here, but the short preface prefixed may be repro- 
duced ; it is as follows : — 

" TO THE READER. 



I hop my matrer ye'll consult 
While the manner ye lat pass 

Tum'd up letterers and words miss-spell'd 
I hop you will excuse. 



' Read me fair, employ your thought 
ye'll soon know what I mean, 

When ye see a word thut will not fit 
pray mend it with your pen" 



The writer is in possession of a copy of this curious little work, per- 
haps now the only one extant. 

1816.— "A Lancasterian School " was instituted in the old 
Cameronian Meeting-house, Priory Lane (Reid's Park), Mr. John 
Beech er, master. There were 285 pupils. (MS. Note.) 

A New Grammar (or High) School was founded in March, 
1816. (See date An. Dicnf 1817.) "The scholars, during the build- 
ing of the new school, were accommodated in the west room of the 
lower flat of the Town-house." 

Great and Sudden Fall of Rain.— One of our iV^j/^j- states 
that on 18th June, 18 16, "there was a sudden and very heavy fall of 
rain. It came on a little after mid-day, and rained an even-doon-ponr 



SPIRE INN AND HOTEL. 589 

until five o'clock. The streets were strewed with the wreck of shop- 
keepers' barrels, boxes, stools, chairs, &c. The lower part of the town, 
south of the Netherton, seemed as if it had become a large loch, and 
Dry-mills appeared as if standing on an island at the end of the loch." 
As this spate occurred on i8th June (Waterloo-Day), it was long 
locally known as " the Waterloo Spate." 

The Guild Hall — The Spire Imi and Hotel. — "This building, 
which had turned out a great failure, and which had since 1808 stood 
unfloored, without doors, windows, &c., was in 18 16 purchased from 
the Guild brethren, for a comparatively small sum,by Mr. Alexander 
Robertson, manufacturer. It was by him shortly afterwards floored 
and otherwise properly finished, and then let on lease as an hotel 
to Mr. Robert Laidlaw, who named it ' The Spire Inn and Hotel,' 
and for a long series of years carried on business in it." {^MS. Note; 
An. Dunf. dates 1849 ^"<^ 1850.) 

Literature. — '^Proceedings of a Crazv Court, held in the Woods 
of Pittencrieff, on Sunday, the Tenth of March, 18 15. Viva la 
Bagatelle. Dunfermline : Printed for the Craw Court by John 
Miller." This is an 8vo pamphlet of thirty-two pages. A north- 
west view of the Monastery is on the title-page. The work is in 
rhyme, and under the following sections : — The Exordium, The 
Proclamatiofi, The Gathering, The Convocation, The Deliberation, 
The Digression, The Orations. The Libel, The Reply, The Reports, 
&c., concluding with Notes. As this work is somewhat similar in its 
outcome to that of 18 13, it will be useless to give quotations. Let the 
Preface suffice : — 

Preface. 
Just when I thought my work was o'er, j 'Twould be like meat without a grace ; 

And that I had to pen no more, Or what is worse, a noseless face : 

Comes Miller down to our Old Palace Besides, I want a page or so, 

(These Printers are most teazing fellows;) To fill up a blank leaf, you know. 
And much he spoke, and loud he bawl'd, 1 Come on — fall to't — the boy is waiting. " 
For something he a Preface called : j Says I, " Dear Miller, cease your prating — 

" Why, Miller, now I thought," says I, j The thing's impossible — can't be ; 
" That all was done." Says he, " O fie ! 1 Besides, its use I cannot see ; 
We want a Preface, — must be had, I've said all that I meant to say. 

And that directly." I Icok'd sad, So don't insist upon't I pray." 

Because I had got nought to say ' ' I must insist upon't, " he said ; 

In shape of Preface, any zuay ; A page or two will soon be made ; 

And tho' the matter may be small ; , Don't eat the cow, and leave the tail." 

It can't consist of nought at all : But all he said could not avail. 

Says he, "A book I never saw 1 "I will not pen a Preface now ;" 

Without a Preface (I cried, Pshaw !) So said "Good bye !" and made my bow. 



590 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Mr. Andrew Mercer was the author of the work ; Mr. John Miller, 
the printer and publisher of it. The writer was long on intimate 
terms of friendship with Mr. Mercer. He was a gentle, amiable, and 
kind man, abounding in racy humour. (For the other works by Mr. 
Mercer, see A71. Dunf. dates 1813, 18 19, 1828, 1838.) 

Literature. — " The Republished Dunfermline Psalmody. By John 
Malcolm. 1 8 1 6." This music-book, a thin 4to, was highly popular in its 
day, and had a large sale. It has been long out of print. [An. Dunf. 
1809.) 

Weaving. — The annual value of table-linen manufactured in 
Dunfermline, from June, 1815, to June, 1816, was ascertained to 
amount to ^103,020. (MS.) 

The Abbey Church Manse, built for the minister of the First 
Charge, July, 1 8 16. (MS. Note.) 

Foundry. — Mr. Campbell abandoned his founding premises in 
the Maygate, and commenced "the Dunfermline Foundry, in Clay- 
Acres, on a large scale. Fifteen hands were employed." (MS.) 

Literature. — " A n Introduction to the French Language. By John 
Johnston, Teacher, Dunfermline." This is a work of 145 pages i2mo, 
published in 18 16 by John Miller, Dunfermline ; price 3^. 

Commercial School Founded. — In the summer of 1816 the 
Commercial School was founded. It is situated south of the east 
end of Viewfield, and consists of three storeys. It was erected by the 
Guildry. (MS. Note.) 

Postal and Stamp Revenues. — Amount of Revenue from 
Post-Office, ;^ii4i %s.iQd.\ from Stamp-Office, £"157" i/J. 2d. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, Dunfermline, 
re-elected Provost, Sept., 18 16. (Burgh Records.) 

The " Don " Club. — This agricultural club met twice a-year in 
the Spire Inn and Hotel. {Regist. Dunf. for 1829.) 

Death of the Rev. John Fernie. — The Rev. John Fernie, 
minister of the Second Charge of the Parish Church, Dunfermline, 
died in his house, east end of Canmore Street, on Nov. 2nd, 18 16. 

Chapel Kirk. — The Rev. David Murray, minister of the Chapel 
Kirk, Dunfermline, was translated to the Second Charge of Dysart 
Parish on 27th November, 18 16, (Parish Records.) 

Death of John Reid, Teacher.— John Rcid, teacher, Rotten 



paton's view of the monastery. 591 

Row, Dunfermline, died on 231-d December, 18 16, aged 70 years. He 
was a very successful private teacher for nearly fifty years in the 
burgh, and " turned out many excellent scholars." He was a self- 
taught Mathematician, was learned in th- sciences of Astronomy, 
Optics, and Mechanics, and constructed many curious sun-dials and 
tide-rotulas. Between the years 1790 and 1812 he taught with great 
repute a navigation class in his school, which was well attended by 
sailors, old and young, from Inverkeithing, Limekilns, Torryburn, &c. 
For a long period he was the precentor in Queen Ann Street Church. 
He died in the high esteem of all who knew his high intellectual 
worth. He was interred in the North Churchyard, Dunfermline, 
where, in 18 17, a monumental tomb was erected to his memory, 
having on its white marble slab the following inscription : — , 

" To the Memory of ]ohi<s Reid, nearly fifty years Teacher in Dunfermline, 
who died 2 ;^rd December, 18 16, in the '/oth year of his age. His Scholars, as a 
testimony of their high sense of his abilities and moral worth have erected this 
Monument." 

Mr. Reid's school and house was at the top of the Rotten Row, north 
side of the street now called West Queen Ann Street. 

1817.— MiDMiLL Lighted by Gas. — Midmill, three miles south- 
west of Dunfermline, was lighted by gas in January, 1817. (See An. 
Dimf. date 181 5 ; MS. Note.) 

Meeting of the Dunfermline Radicals. — A great Radical 
meeting was " held on the steps of the Antiburgher-brae green in Feb. 
(about 800 Radicals in attendance)." (MS. Note.) " Some of the 
valiant men made wild speeches, which were met with acclamation." 
(MSS.) 

Chapel Kirk. — Rev, George Bell Brand was inducted minister 
of the Chapel Kirk, Dunfermline, on 27th March, 1817, as successor 
to Rev. D. Murray, who demitted his charge on 27th November, 18 16. 

(Parish Record.) 

View of the Monastery of Dunfermline.— The annexed 
copperplate View of the Monastery from the north-west, was this 
year published by H. Paton, carver and gilder, Edinburgh. It will 
be seen that the view is a pretty accurate one. The lower parts of 
the view do not now correspond. During the "general levelling and 
removing process" in 1823, the small arch below the large window, 
commonly called "-the Devil's Hole," was removed ; so were also the 



592 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

adjacent byre on the left, the wall, the gate, and part of another wall 
seen on the extreme left. The ground was here levelled, and a new 
wall rtinning from the foundation part of the tower to a point nearly 
opposite the west entrance to the church, and from there to the Kirk 
Stile (at the north gate). The view is an impression from the original 
copperplate, which was gifted to the writer by Mr. Paton. 

The Auld Kirk.— The Rev. Peter Chalmers, A.M., was inducted 
Minister of the Second Charge of Abbey Church of Dunfermline, on 
the 1 8th July, 1817, as successor to the Rev. John Fernie, who died 
on the 2nd of November, 18 16. [Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 416; see 
also An. Dtinf. date April nth, 1869.) 

Adam Low, Esq., of Fordel, died in his residence at the top of 

the Crosswynd, on 19th Sept., 1817, aged eighty-four years. He was 

Provost of Dunfermline during the years 1787 and 1788. In his later 

years he became celebrated as a bone-setter. A large painting of 

him hangs in the Council Chamber, done by public subscription, and 

has on a tablet at foot the following inscription: — 

"A Testimony By a number of Gentlemen in the town and neighbourhood, 
of the high sense which they entertain of the disinterested and eminently suc- 
cessful manner in which Adam Low, of Fordel, Esquire, formerly Provost of 
this Borough has for a long period of years devoted himself to the relief of 
afflicted humanity, by reducing dislocations." 

The portrait, on canvas, is by Raeburn, and measures 5 feet 10 inches, 
by 4 feet 10 inches ; posture, sitting. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dun- 
fermline, re-elected Provost. {Burgh Records ^ Sept., 18 17.) 

Dunfermline Tokens.— The last sets of the series of Dun- 
fermline Tokens appear to have been "struck off" about 18 17; of 
these, we have two lying before us; they are copper ones, having 
round their circumferences, respectively, in raised capital letters, as 
follows — 

"J. Kirk, Mercht., High Street. — Dunfermline, 1817. Farthing." 

" Robert Johnston, Mercht., Dunfermline. — Tea, Spirits, 
Groceries, &c. 181 7." 

Between the years 1796 and 1817, agreat many tokens were struck 
by Dunfermline tradesmen in copper, pewter, and lead, but there 
are none now in existence, so far as we know, excepting these two. 
Laurence Miller, about 1806, struck half-penny tokens, and shortly 
afterwards on his becoming bankrupt, his half-pennies stuck in the 




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GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 593 

market, when a great cry out was made about Laurie Miller's ill baw- 
bees. (MS. Note,) 

Old Grammar School. — Several notanda inform us that the 
Old Grammar School, built in 1625, was removed in the summer of 
1817. (See Att. Dunf. date 1625, &c.) This old School, not long 
after it was built, was found to be inconvenient, and rather too small, 
and was often subjected to alterations between 1680 and 1790, by 
altering positions of windows, fire-places, partitions, &c. {Old MSS.; 
also Burgh Records) 

Grammar School Finished and Opened. — In 1817, the New 
Grammar School, sometimes called the High School, the foundation 
of which was laid in March, 18 16, was finished and opened in the 
autumn of 18 17. (See Annals of Dimfermline, date 18 16.) We 
shall here reproduce an old printed notice of the school, dated 1817, 
which embraces in little space a very excellent account of the struc- 
ture: — - 

" The New High School of Dunfermline, recently completed and opened, 
is an oblong substantial edifice, and a great ornament to the Burgh. It is 
about 68 feet long, 28 feet in breadth, and 28 feet in height, outside measure; 
at the back, or north side, there rises an uncovered circular tower, about 
70 feet in height, which serves both for a stair-case to the master's residence, 
and for a look-out observatory, from the summit of which a fine view of the 
town and surrounding country is to be obtained. The school-rooms are on 
each side of the main door in the middle of the building; the middle portion 
of the building projects a little from the main wall of the front, and ends in a 
peaked triangle. The lower windows, which are oblong, are set in a kind of 
slightly sunk recess, arched at top; the top windows in the master's dwelling 
are also oblong. Above the main door there are three spaces for oblong 
windows; the two side ones are narrow; the centre one, which, twice as 
broad as the others at the sides, is filled up, and a clock-dial is fixed in its 
centre, being intended for a clock. Above the clock-dial there is a triangular 
tympanum, in the centre of which there is a stone with the Burgh arms cut in 
relief on it. The Burgh Arms stone rests upon an oblong base-stone, which 
has cut on it, also in relief, the following modern inscription : — 



FAYE ■ MIHI • MI ■ DEUS 
1625 



RECONDITUM • 1816 • 
D. YVILSON • PREFECTO 



Which is, '■'■ Favour me, O my God. 1625." And — ''Rebuilt (or Reconstructed) 
1 8 16. D. Wilson, Provost:' (See An. Dwif. date 1623.) 

4G 



594 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

On the top of the tympanum, there is a neat Httle sort of hollow turret 
for the school-bell. On the* side walls of the new school, the old sculp- 
tured stones that adorned the previous old school, have, very laudably, 
got a place, which will preserve them as relics of former days. (See 
also All. DiiJif. date 1625. It may be added here, that the Grammar 
School stands about the middle of Queen Ann Street, north side of the 
street, at the high elevation of 353 feet above the level of medium 
high-water mark at Limekilns. 

1818.— Discovery of King Robert the Bruce's Remains. 
— The Bruce's remains were accidentally discovery in the Choir of 
the Old Abbey, on February 1 7th, 1 8 1 8. We give the following details 
of this interesting event from our MS. Notes : — 

During the progress of clearing away the rubbish and levelling the area of 
the Psalter Churchyard (the site of the ancient Choir), preparatory to the erec- 
tion of a new church on the site, the workmen, on the 17th of February, 1818, 
came accidentally on a vault, near the east end, where formerly the Great, or 
High Altar had stood. The vault was roughly put together, and of soft free- 
stone. In length it was found to be 7 feet 6 inches, and in breadth 2 feet 
4^ inches. The cover consisted of two slab-stones of unequal size, and 
attached to them by lead fastenings were several large iron rings, which had 
served as handles for the purpose of lowering it. Some of these rings were in 
a state of utter decay, and some were quite detached from the cover. On 
removing the cover, another vault or built space was found, composed of the 
same kind of stone, but a little less in its dimensions, being only 7 feet in 
length, and 22^^ inches in breadth. The outer vault was oblong and curved 
at the east end, the bottom of which was well paved with large slab-stones; 
but near the middle of it there was an open space or fracture nearly 2 inches 
in breadth. 

In the inner vault or space lay the skeleton of a large body, about six feet 
long, encased or wrapt up in thin sheet-lead. The lead consisted of two 
thin coats, each about the tenth of an inch in thickness ; the upper coat of 
lead was much more wasted than the under coating or wrapping ; the under 
lead-wrapping was nearly entire, excepting at the breast, knees, and feet, where 
it was much decayed, exhibiting part of the skeleton in a state of high preser- 
vation ; the lead-covering had sunk a little into the abdomen, and was there 
much depressed. In this inner vault were found several fragments of fine 
linen interwoven with gold (the toiie d'or, or cloth of gold, used as a shroud for 
the body). Fragments of wood, in a very decayed state, were found all round 
the skeleton, and appeared to have been the remains of the costly wooden 
coffin which had encased his body ; they were of oak, and attached to one 
or two of the pieces were large iron nails with broad heads, while one or two 
were found lying free, and below the skeleton. After this, the first inspection, 
the grave-vault was closed, and a careful watch kept over the vault by nightly 
detachments of the constables of the burgh. 

The Barons of the Exchequer were immediately informed of the interest- 



LAYING NEW ABBEY CHURCH FOUNDATION-STONE. 595 

ing discovery. In their reply, they ordered the authorities in Dunfermline to 
place three rows of large flat stones over the vault to protect it from depreda- 
dations or intrusive curiosity, and to get these fastened together by iron bars, 
till the intentions of the Barons "as to further procedure for a more thorough 
investigation were determined on." (See Annals of Dunf. date Nov. 5, 1819, 
for second investigation, ceremonies, and re-interment.) 

The discovery of the remains of King Robert the Bruce at Dunfermline 
soon spread over the whole country ; newspapers, magazines, and fly-sheets 
gave full notices of the immortal hero-king, and for months it was the all- 
absorbing talk — King Robert the Bruce, his exploits, Bannockburn, his death, 
and interment in 1329 ; and this his discovery, after a lapse of 489 years, was 
the theme of conversation. 

Laying the Foundation-Stone of the New Abbey Church, 
Tuesday, loth March, 181 8 : — The ceremony of laying the foundation- 
stone of the New Abbey Church took place on Tuesday, loth March, 
1 8 18. The following particulars of the procession and ceremony are 
taken from Mercer's Hist. Dunf. pp. 99-106 : — 

A numerous meeting, consisting of many of the most respectable heritors 
of the parish, the Magistrates and Town-Council of the burgh, the members 
of the Presbytery, and other gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood in- 
terested in the building, assembled in the Town-house, from which they set 
out, accompanied by the brethren of St John's and Union Lodges, in Masonic 
procession, at a quarter from three o'clock afternoon. 

The brethren of the Lodge of St. John walked in front, preceded by a 
band of music playing the Masons' Anthem. Then followed two men of 
Masonic order, bearing the helmet and the sword of the renowned King 
Robert the Bruce, the present property of the Earl of Elgin, and which his 
Lordship kindly allowed to accompany the procession. (The sight of these 
memorable insignia of ancient times, by recalling to the recollection of the 
admiring spectators the most illustrious events in Scottish history, had the 
most happy effects on the occurrences of the day.) Immediately after these 
two walked the architect and the contractors of the new church, one of 
whom carried the bottle designed to be deposited in the foundation-stone. 
These were succeeded by the Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin and Kin- 
cardine, dressed in uniform, and decorated by the star and crescent, accom- 
panied by Provost Wilson. Afterwards followed, in regular succession, the 
two beadles of the parish, one of whom carried a Bible; the Rev. Allan 
M'Lean and the Rev. Peter Chalmers, the collegiate ministers of the parish, 
in their gowns and bands; Lord Bruce, Sir Charles Halkett, Bart., Mr. Hunt 
of Pittencrieff, and other heritors ; the Magistrates of the burgh, the members 
of the Presbytery, the Kirk-Session of Dunfermline, the Town Council, 
together with many gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood. 

On the procession arriving at the site of the intended structure, distin- 
guished, according to its historical repute, as the depository of the remains 
of no less than nine Scottish sovereigns, one of whom was the celebrated 
King Robert the Bruce, Lord Elgin, as preses of the meeting of heritors, 
then deposited in the foundation-stone a bottle, enclosed in lead, in which 
were inserted four rolls of parchment. One of these rolls had written on it a 



596 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

list of the heritors having a valued rent of ^loo and upwards. The second 
contained a list of the Magistrates and Town Council of Dunfermline ; the 
third a list of the members of Presbytery ; and the fourth a description relative 
to the building. There were deposited besides the bottle of parchments, the 
London Courier, the Morning Chronicle, the Ediiibiirgh Evening Coicrant, and 
several of the current coins of the realm. His Lordship then poured upon 
the bottle, according to custom, corn, wine, and oil, uttering the usual Masonic 
benediction. On the stone being laid, with the accompanying forms of 
Masonry, the Rev. Allan M'Lean, as first minister of the parish, delivered a 
most appropriate and highly impressive prayer, after which the band played 
the Masons' Anthem. 

Lord Elgin then ascended an elevated piece of ground, and, supported by 
the Rev. Messrs. M'Lean and Chalmers, addressed the audience, consisting 
of, according to the nearest computation, 8000 or 10,000 people, in a most 
eloquent and masterly speech, delivered with an animation and enthusiasm 
of which it is impossible to give any adequate description, but the effects of 
which were most visible in the alternate deep silence and plaudits of the 
listening crowd. 

His Lordship commenced by alluding to the unexpected manner in 
which he had been called to do the honours of the day, and with passing a 
high and well-merited eulogium on the dedicatory prayer of Mr. M'Lean, 
after which he rehearsed some of the leading circumstances which led to the 
erection of the edifice. On adverting to the manner in which the ruinous 
state of the Abbey was occasioned, partly, as he remarked, by the brutal 
revenge of an English soldiery, and partly by the mistaken though well-meant 
devastations of the Reformers, he drew a most striking and beautiful contrast 
between the tumultuous and destructive effects of the military and religious 
conflicts of former days and the peacefulness and happiness which characterize 
the exertions of nations at the present period, almost all the sovereigns of 
Europe being, as he said, at this moment engaged in no other contest than 
that which had for its object the palm of pre-eminence in the diffusion of glad 
tidings of peace and good-will to the children of men. This latter idea he 
most happily enforced by an allusion to the circumstance of the Rev. Dr. 
Henderson, a native of Dunfermline, having no later than the Friday preceding 
been employed in detaihng to a numerous assemblage of his townsmen, in a 
most interesting narrative, the progress and success of the Bible societies in 
the north of Europe. His Lordship then noticed a very striking and fortunate 
coincidence which had occurred that day, namely, that in the foundation-stone 
of the building just laid was deposited a London nevvspaper, which arrived by 
that very day's post, announcing a recommendation by Government to the 
two Houses of Parliament, for taking into consideration the request of the 
Prince Regent for increasing the number of churches throughout the British 
kingdom. " And," said his Lordship^ with great animation, " it is worthy of 
particular remark, that a speech emanating from the Throne at the com- 
mencement of the Nineteenth Century, on the occasion of the opening of 
Parliament (that great announcement of the political situation and wants of 
the country), contained nothing, positively nothing in the shape of novelty, or 
even of ordinary interest, but a request to the Lords and Commons of the 
two Houses of Parliament to augment to the inhabitants of these realms the 
accommodation for religious worship ; and it is matter," as he further observed, 
"of high exultation to us to think that within these two days we have had the 



EARL OF ELGIN'S SPEECH. 597 

gratification to learn that our present operation, undertaken under the most 
favouring and congenial train of events, has been distinguished by the most 
encouraging and animated sentiments of good-will and approbation on the 
part of the Government of the country," 

But now came the most interesting and affecting part of his Lordship's 
speech. "Think, my friends," said he, "on the venerableness and the 
sacredness of the spot on which you now stand. Within the precincts of the 
ground on which you tread, and which is destined to be the site of our pro- 
posed church, are deposited the remains of many of our Scottish sovereigns 
and other illustrious personages; and only a few weeks have elapsed since the 
remains of a hero, whose deeds make every Scotsman proud of the land of 
his birth, and which, after a lapse of near five hundred years, were found in a 
state of almost entire preservation, were fortunately discovered, I mean," 
(uttering the words with great emphasis) "King Robert the Bruce." His 
Lordship was here interrupted by three loud cheers from the assembled crowd. 
"But," continued he, with uncommon enthusiasm, "look at that helmet 
which was worn, and that sword which was wielded, and successfully too, by 
this celebrated character, for the very purpose of restoring and securing the 
independence of Scotland, and say if your hearts are not warmed by the 
proud recollection." (Here his Lordship introduced, with happy effect, the 
first stanza of the admired patriotic song of " Scots ivha hae wi Wallace bled," 
&c., and the crowd reciprocated the impression by another peal of loud and 
reiterated huzzas !) His Lordship, now borne away by the train of delightful 
remembrances suggested to his mind, and observing that every heart of his 
numerous auditory beat responsive to the feelings of his own, proceeded to 
say, — "I have not done, my friends; this same illustrious personage, under a 
religious sentiment natural to the times, however strange and even unjustifiable 
it may appear to us, with our superior Christian education, entrusted to his 
most endeared friend, with his dying breath, a commission to carry his heart 
to the Holy Land ; but a wise providence willed it otherwise. The messenger 
in the faithful endeavour to fulfil his commission was stopped in his progress, 
and slain in a military engagement ; but this precious relic was secured from 
hostile violence, and safely restored to its native land; and, my friends, may 
Scotland never see the day when it can be doubted that we have the heart of 
Robert the Bruce amongst us!" The crowd once more demonstrated their 
joy and patriotic pride at these grateful recollections by the most cheering 
plaudits. The band played, with excellent effect, "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace 
bled." David Wilson, Esq., Provost of the town, made a short but suitable 
reply to the address of Lord Elgin. 

The procession returned by the same route, but in reverse order, to the 
Town-house, the band playing as they went the "Masons' Anthem." On 
reaching the door of the Town-house the procession paused; and by his 
Lordship's particular desire, the helmet and sword of Robert the Bruce were 
elevated in the air, and the band again struck up " Scots wha hae wi' Wallace 
bled," the people standing uncovered, and seemingly melted into one general 
feeling of patriotic enthusiasm. The day was fortunately most favourable, 
and although the crowd was immense, and the pressure great, no accident 
occurred." {Mercer's Hist. Dunf. pp. 99-106; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 
^2>Z^ i53j 534> 538> &c. ; also Report of the King's Remembrancer Relative to 
the Tomb of King Robert the Bruce, the Church, d^c. Published at Edinburgh, 
1821.) 



598 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The following inscription is copied from the parchment roll refer- 
ring to the new building, &c. There is also a copy framed and glazed 
in the Session House of the Abbey Church : — 

THIS FOUNDATION STONE 



PatijBff) Cfturcl) of Dunfermline, 

Now to be rebuilt at the joint expense of the 

Heritors, Magistrates, and Town Council 

OF THE Burgh, 

07t part of the Site of the 

OLD ABBEY CHURCH, 

Founded in the Eleventh Century by 

Malcolm HI. (Canmore) King of Scotland ; 

And afterwards destroyed 

Partly by the English, under the Reign of 

Edward I. in 1303, and 

Partly at the Reformation, in 1360; 

WAS LAID 

This loth day of March, in the Year of our Lord, rSiS, 

And 

In the s 8th Year of the Reign of 0^0-R.Gis. Ill, 

King of Great Britain and Ireland, 

By the Right Honourable 

THOMAS, EARL OF ELGIN AND KINCARDINE, 

In presence of a numerous meeting of 

Heritors and Magistrates and Town Council 

of the Burgh ; 

David Wilson, Esq., being Provost ; 

The Rev. Allan M'Lean and the Rev. Peter Chalmers 

being Collegiate Ministers of the Parish, 

Cojitainijig a Population of 13,000 Souls : 

William Burn, Esq., Architect; and 
Messrs. John Bonar and Alex. Morton, 

Contractors and Builders. 

The Expense, by Estimate, of the Buildijig, 

£8300. 



SANCTUARY HOUSE, MAYGATE. 599 

It may here be noted, to satisfy the curiosity of future generations, 
that the foundation-stone, containing the articles just mentioned, lies 
in the north foundation of the small door-way or entrance into the 
Session-house below the great eastern window. (Note from Mr. John 
Bomtar, one of the Bnilding Contractors.) 

Literature. — " Sermons on Important Subjects. By the Rev. John 
Fernie, lately one of the ministers of Dunfermline. Printed and sold 
by John Miller, Dunfermline. loth August, 1818." This is an 8vo 
vol. of 387 pages, and contains twenty-two sermons. The work has 
been long out of print. 

"The Tower-Hill Encampment" Society, instituted March 
1818, became dormant in 1826. It was resuscitated by Sir Arthur 
Halket, in March, 1862. 

"The Abbey Royal Arch" Society was instituted in March, 
1818. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dunferm- 
line, was re-elected Provost, Sept., 18 18. (Burgh Records.) 

Literature. — " Two Shorter Catechisms, mutually connected, to 
zuhich are added. The Gospel Catechism, and other Hymns for Children. 
Published by John Miller, printer, Dunfermline. 18 18." This is a 
i6mo work of 120 pages. The principal part of it is a reprint of the 
Shorter Catechism of the Rev. John Brown of Haddington. 

1819.— Number of l.OOU?>— Estimated Value. — About the begin- 
ning of the year 18 19, it was ascertained, by " a careful count out," that 
there were 1507 looms in the parish of Dunfermline; out of the parish, 
namely, in Carnock, Cairneyhill, Torryburn, &c., united, there were 142 
looms. Total, 1649 looms, "dependent on the Dunfermline trade," 
the estimated value of which, united, was ;^i 20,000 stg. {MS. Note; 
see also Chal. Hist Dunf. vol. i. p. 376.) 

Flesh-Market. — The Flesh-Market, erected between the High 
Street and Queen Ann Street, was closed this year for want of 
support. It had for many years been declining, and at last no one 
but Johnie Barrowman, the flesher, stood in it with flesh for sale. 
(MS.) 

Sanctuary House, Maygate.— This old house, with large 



6oo 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



'' vaulted entrance," was the Sanctuary, or house of refuge for 
debtors, malefactors, &c., and belonged to the Abbey. It was removed 
in the summer of 1819. It stood on the north side of the Maygate, 
nearly opposite to the Maygate Chapel. The following view of the 
Sanctuary is from a water-colour taken by the late Mr. Andrew 
Mercer shortly before it was removed to make way for modern 
improvements. 




The Debt of the Burgh of Dunfermline in November, 18 19, 
was found to amount to ^^20,401 4^-. lod. (MS.) 

Precentor of the Abbey Church, &c. — The Offices of Song 
School, and Precentor of the Abbey Church were, in 18 19, conferred 
on Mr. James Rankine, of Glasgow, by the usual patrons of these 
offices. {MS. Note; also Chal. Hist. Diuif. vol. i. p. 41.) 

Remains of King Robert the Bruce Re-Entombed sth 
November, i8ig. — The remains of King Robert the Bruce, which 
were accidentally discovered in the forenoon of 17th February, 18 18, 
were re-entombed on 5th November, 18 19. The remains, during the 
interval — 626 days — were guarded during the night by relays of the 



REMAINS OF ROBERT THE BRUCE RE-ENTOMBED. 6oi 

town's constables. The following are a few notanda relative to this 
memorable event : — 

Dr. Gregory, of Edinburgh, had been consulted regarding the best method 
of securing the remains from future decay. He recommended the Barons of 
the Exchequer to pour melted pitch on the remains, which was done — five 
barrels of pitch (about 1500 lbs.) being employed for that purpose. The new 
lead coffin was very large — almost 7 ft. long by 2 ft. 8 in. broad at the 
shoulders, and 2 ft. 4 in. deep. At the ceremony of the re-entombment were 
the Barons of the Exchequer, the King's Remembrancer, Dr. Gregory, Dr. 
Munro, Mr. Scoular, sculptor, Edinburgh, the Provost, Magistrates, Heritors, 
and other gentlemen of DunfermUne and neighbourhood. Mr. Scoular made 
a plaster cast of the Bruce's head previous to the pitching process. The King's 
Remembrancer, Sir Henry Jardine, in the works which he afterwards published 
regarding the re-entombment, says : — 

In the coffin was first poured melted pitch, to the depth of 4 inches, and 
then the following articles were deposited : — 

Barbour s Life of Bruce, 4th ed., 17 14. (Given by Dr. Jamieson.) 
Lord Hailes' Annals of Scotland. 2 vols. 8vo. 

Kerr's Llistory of the Reign of King Robert the Bruce. 2 vols. 8 vo. 1 8 1 1 . 
The History of Dunfermline, by the Rev. John Fernie. 8vo. 18 15. 
The Edinburgh Almanack and Directory for 18 ig. 

With a variety of the Edinburgh newspapers of the day, together with the 
following coins of the reign of his Majesty, King George the Third : — 



Gold Coins. 

One Guinea, 1788 

One Half do. , 1 7 9 1 

One Do. do., 1802 

One Sovereign, 1817 

One Half do., 1817 

One Seven ShilHng Piece,... 18x0 
One Quarter Guinea. 



Silver Coins. 

Crown Piece, 1819 

One Half do., 1816 

One Do. do., 1819 

One Shilling, 1816 

One Do., 1819 

One Do., 1787 

One Sixpence, 1787 

One Do., 1816 

One Do., 1819 

The coins were first put into a small copper-box, and then enclosed in one of 
lead ; and all the other articles (books, &c.) were enclosed in leaden boxes 
closely secured. 

The Skeleton was then placed upon the top of the leaden coffin, resting 
upon the wooden board by which it had been raised ; and, in order to gratify 
the curiosity of an immense crowd of people who had assembled outside the 
church, the south and north doors of the church were thrown open, and the 
people were allowed to enter by the south door, passing along the side of the 
vault, and retiring by the north, which they did in the most decent and orderly 
manner. 

As soon as the public curiosity was gratified, the vault was levelled to the 
floor, which was also taken up and laid level, and upon the top of it was placed 
a bed of bricks laid in mortar, on which, and in the exact situation in which 
the skeleton was found, /the new leaden coffin was placed, and the body care- 
fully deposited in it. It was then filled up within two inches of the top with 
melted pitch, and the top soldered on. 

411 



602 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



The following cut represents an outline of the cover or lid of the leaden 
cofifin containing the remains. It is copied from that given in The King's 
Remembrancer' s Report. The name, King Robert Bruce, and the dates, 
T329, 1819, referring to the year of .the king's death, and that of his re- 
entombment, are in raised letters on the lid at the place here indicated : — 



/ 



\ 



KING • ROBERT • BRUCE 
1329 
1819 



The sides of the vault were then built up with bricks, the whole arched 
over, and a strong wall 18 inches thick was built all round the brick-work, 
(See Report of the King's Remembrancer Relative to the Tomb and Skeleton oj 
King Robert the Bruce, published at Edinburgh in 182 1, pp. 39-43; see also 
the Histories of Dunfermline.) The site of this vault, containing the remains 
of King Robert the Bruce, is under the pulpit-stair of the present Abbey 
Church. 

At the time of the re-entombment of "The Bruce," the new church walls 
were about seven feet high all round. It was resolved, shortly after the dis- 
covery of the remains, to have the new walls raised to this height in order to 
keep back the pressure of the crowd at the re-entombment ; hence the cause 
of the 626 days elapsing between the discovery and the re-interment. 

Dr. Gregory, in his letter to the Barons of the Exchequer already alluded 
to, says — "If Prince Posterity shall insist upon seeing the King's remains in 
10,000 or 20,000 years hence, he will find it hard work to pick him out of his 
shell," We should think that the chemistry in these our days would suggest 
some other method of "preservation" than by means of melted pitch, and as 
efficacious. This re-entombment in a pitch shroud was " for many years the 
theme of conversation in Dunfermline and throughout Scotland." (MS. 
Note.) 



LITERATURE. 603 

Another note may here be given as it will touch a sympathetic chord in 
the bosoms of many still alive, viz., "After the re-entombment of the King, a 
great deal of wasted patches of pitch were scattered around the site of the 
tomb. Much of it was permitted to be taken away for the purpose of turning 
into flambeaus for New-Year and Hansel mornings ; and accordingly, New- 
Year's morning and Auld-Hansel-Monday morning of 1820 were ushered 
in by hundreds of flambeaus, carried through the streets by 'the boys of the 
period.' This unusual 'blazing turn-out' was looked upon as an honour done 
to the memory of the glorious King Robert the Bruce." The writer was one 
of the torch-bearers on the occasion ! 

The late Dr. Gregory composed an elegant Latin inscription for a tomb 
then proposed to be erected over the remains of the great King, of which the 
following is a translation : — 

^^ Here, amidst the ruins of the old, in building a neiv Church, in the year 
1818, the grave of Robert Bruce, King of Scots, of immortal memory, being 
accidentally opened, and his remains recognised by sure tokens, with pious duty 
were again conunitted to the earth by the people of this town. A distant genera- 
tion, 48g years after his death, erected this monmnent to that great hero and 
excellent King, who, with matchless valour in war, and wisdom in peace, by his 
own energy and persevering exertions, re-established the almost ruined and hope- 
less state of Scotland, long cruelly oppressed by an inveterate and powerful enemy, 
and happily avenged the oppression, and restored the ancient liberty and glory 
of his country." 

(Taken from Dr. Gregory's Manuscript Translation of iSig ; see also 
An. Dtmf. date 1330 ; dial. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 138, 152.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dun- 
fermline, re-elected Provost, Sept., 18 19. (Burgh Records.) 

Literature. — "■Dunfermline Abbey: A Poem, with Historical 
Notes and Illustrations. By Andrew Mercer. Dunfermline, printed 
and sold by J. Miller. 18 19." This is a small i2mo volume of 184 
pages; the greater part is in poetry, the concluding part is in prose. 
It is an excellent little work, now out of print. According to the 
conclusion of its preface, it was published on the 4th June, 18 19. The 
author begins with "The Hunt," and makes the result of it account 
for the origin of the name Dunfermline. Afterwards he continues in 
Sections, viz., "The Monastery Founded,"— "The Culdees,"—" Utility 
of Monasteries," — "The Storm," — "St. Margaret's Hope," — "The 
Marriage," — "The Epithalamium," — " Queen Margaret," — "Alexander 
First,"— "David First," — "The Requiem,"— "Alexander Third,"— 
"Destruction of the Abbey,"— "Robert Bruce,"— "Henryson,"— "The 
Reformation," — "The Ruins," — "Prospect from the Church," — Histo- 
rical Illustrations, in prose, from p. 94 to p. 184. As quotations 
have already been given in the Annals from this work, another in 



6o4 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



full {rom one of the above sections will suffice here, viz., "The Abbey 
Ruins:"— 



"These crumbling ruins now survey; 

Long centuries have rolled away, 

Since, from their lofty heights o'erthrown, 

Their towers along the ground were strewn ; 

Yet still some fragments may be seen 

To mark the site where they have been. 

Tho' tempest-worn, the Brothers-hall 

Can boast its massy Southern Wall, 

And Western Window, — once the pride 

Of some superior artist skilled 

To fashion stone even as he willed ; 

Until the mimic figures vied 

With all the pencil's art supplied. 

The ancient portal yet remains, 

And on its strong-ribbed roof sustains 

A ruined gate-house ; once the guard 

Of entrance to the main-court-yard. 

Exists one wall alone to tell 

Where did the learned Monarch dwell. 

When hapless Charles first saw a world. 

From which he was so rudely hurled. 

Of Malcolm's Tower, by crooked rill, 

Is seen a shapeless fragment still ; 

That royal Fort of ancient fame. 

From which Dunfermline took its name. 

The venerable Church uprears 

Its pond'rous mass, embrowned with 

years ; 
From age to age its form repaired. 



Them still the skilful eye can trace. 
By antique shape and shrivelled face ; 
Like aged thorns that long have stood 
The rifted patriarchs of the wood. 
But lo ! amid these ruined halls, 
A Temple rears its hallowed walls; 
(Like fabled bird that upward springs, 

From the warm ashes of its sire, 
Feels new life vibrate thro' its wings, 

And all its youth renewed by fire !) 
Sublime it lifts its Gothic form 

Beside the ancient fane so grey; 
Destined to resist the storm. 

While centuries roll their years away ! 
But man's fast-fleeting transient day, 
(Alas ! how soon that day is passed, 
His feeblest works himself outlast !) 
Shall often, — often quench its ray, 
Before those walls all ruined lie. 
In future ages' wondering eye ! 
The crumbling Fabric by its side, 

To this the fame of ages lends ; 
And with the bloom of youthful pride. 

Its venerable aspect blends. 
No longer shall the royal Tombs, 

Despoiled, unsheltered, now remain;— 
Their ashes, and their sacred homes 

Outraged, defiled by hands profane, — 
Shall, honoured with due reverence, lie. 

Beneath a splendid cemetry! " 



Few ancient fragments now are spared ; 

{Mercers '■^ Dunfermline Abbey: a Poem" pp. 30-33.) 

It may here be noted that the first seventeen lines refer to the 
Monastic ruins; the following four to the ruins of the Royal Palace; 
then to the ruins of the Tower, on Towerhill; afterwards to the Old 
Abbey Church, and concludes with allusions to the New Abbey 
Church, then in process of building at the time the poem was published. 
(See also ^;/. Z?//;// dates 1813, 1816, 1828; and 1838 for Mercer's 
other works.) 

The Old Abbey Choir Ruin Removed, Nov. i 8 19.— This 
ruin was the last remaining fragment of the Great Eastern Church or 
Choir, erected in 1226. The ruin consisted of a massive old wall, 
about 40 feet in length by 24 in height, in which were four tall 
Gothic windows. The ruin stood on the southern boundary of the 



THE BRUCE'S grave HOAX-PLATE. 605 

old or North Churchyard, adjacent to the door of the north transept 
of the New Abbey Church. 

"The old green-top'd melancholy wall " 

was removed in November, 1819, to make way for the north transept 
of the New Church, then in progress of building. Previous to its 
removal, the late Mr. Mercer made several views of the ruin; two of 
these in water-colours, taken from the north and south, are in the 
possession of the writer. Mr. J. Bayne, surveyor, Edinburgh, has a 
fine pen and ink sketch of the old window, done by him in 1790, to 
be seen in his MS. Sketches of Dmifermline, now- in the possession of 
David Laing, Esq., LL.D., Signet Library, Edinburgh, from which 
view a reduced but not very accurate copy was taken by the late 
Dr. Chalmers for his first volume of the History of Dunfermline. 
( Vide dial. Hist. Diuif. vol. i. plate xiv. page 117.) 

The Bruce's Grave Hoax-Plate. — We take from our MS. 
Notes the following particulars of this celebrated hoax : — 

The discovery of the remains of the immortal King Robert the Bruce, 
sent a thrill of joy and delight through the heart of every Scotsman ; but 
although the remains were found lying in the place indicated by our early 
historians, Barbour and Fordun, and by anatomical tests, yet there were 
sceptics who doubted the genuineness of the "find." It occurred to some wags 
to satisfy the sceptics, and have a plate made to meet their objection. A 
privy council, and sworn to secrecy, undertook to supply a plate with a rude 
engraving on it. Mr. John Bonnar, one of the builders of the New Abbey 
Church; Mr. Thorn, artist and portrait painter; Mr. A. Mercer, the historian 
of Dunfermline; and Mr. Robert Malcolm, brewer, were the " ingenious 
persons who conducted the affair to a great success." The plate was manu- 
factured and engraved in Edinburgh, and then sent for use to DunfermUne, 
where it was submitted to a chemical process, to render it more antique looking ! 
and slipt quietly amongst the rubbish in the near locality of the Bruce's grave. 
In due time it was discovered, and a loud ring of intense delight was again felt 
everywhere, by having the resting-place of the hero-king settled for ever. The 
plate was most sacredly prized. Mr. Miller, printer, &c., Dunfermline, got 
Mr. Thorn, the arch-inventor of the hoax, to make an exact drawing of the 
found plate; this was done, and an engraving was made of it, copies from which 
were long sold by the publisher at one shilling each I We have a copy of this 
now extremely rare production. The print on the plate appears to have been 
made by some chemical process, so as to look superbly time-worn like, and 
measures 53^ inches in height by 4 in breadth; the edges are irregularly cut, 
or worn like ; there are round holes at two of the extreme corners ; the other 
two, at the remaining corners, are mutilated ; in the centre of the engraving 
there is a miniature plan of the Abbey Church, then building; at the top there 
is an antique formed crown; along the transepts are the words — " Rouertus 
ScoTORUM Rex," and below, at foot, there is a large cross, with four pointed 
stars in the angles, and outside the foot of the print, are the following 
words: — "In filling up the pit where the vault containing the Remains of 



6o6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

King Robert the Bruce was discovered on the i8th February, 1818, the 
plate of which this is an engraving was found, the loth November, 18 19. On 
the 5th November, 18 18; these Sacred Remains, after the inspection of the 
Barons of Exchequer, &c., were re-interred in the exact spot where they had 
been originally deposited in 1329," 

The above inscription has a wrong date on it. King Robert's 
remains were discovered on 17th February, 1818, and not on the i8th 
as on the plate. (See An. Dunf, p. 560, for a plate found in the same 
locality in 1807, having on it a somewhat similar inscription to that 
fo2md in 18 19.) May not the former inscription have suggested that 
for the latter ? This successful hoax for a long time engaged the atten- 
tion of the committee who carried it through. The present writer, in 
after times, by exposing the hoax in the public prints, kept the affair 
from becoming allied to authentic history. 

Literature. — ''Poems on Various Siibjects. By Walter Bell. Dun- 
fermline: Printed for the Author by John Miller. 1819." This small 
volume, now very scarce, is a i2mo of 160 pages, and contains 113 
songs, hymns, &c., some of which are of considerable merit. Several of 
them are satires, and are curious. The following will suffice as a fair 
specimen of this author's compositions : — 

"On J N T N, Tailor. 

Ye Tailors all, hail Deacon John 

And let your praises rise 

In his behalf loud in a song, 

And all his merit prize. 

ITe reigns the King above you all, 

The standard now he bears ; 
Dunfermline town shall never fall, 

While his fierce band appears. 

1 1 is rosy face placed at their head 

Would make the Fi^ench retire ; 
With needles long in time of need. 

Their souls would burn like fire 

Walter Bell, tailor, Dunfermline, had a weakness for holy-zvater, as he 
called it. He was otherwise an amiable man. He died of cholera, in 
Dunfermline, in 1832, aged about 70 years. His poems have been 
long out of print. The writer possesses the copy gifted to him by 
the author. 

1820.— Public WnirpiNG. — Three colliers were publicly whipped 
in March, 1820, "for an unprovoked malicious assault on a woman in 
one of the suburban streets of the town. Fearing a general rising of 



To meet the foe where'er they land 

On fair Britannia's shore ; 
Should Bonny come, with heart and hand, 

He falls to rise no more. 

To press him down with goose red hot 

Would be a noble deed ; 
To clip from him the fame he's got 

Would make his heart-strings bleed. 

O Johnny ! use your sheers with might, 

And guillotine the rogue ; 
Could turtle heroes catch the wight, 

To roast him like a frog." 



DOMESTIC SPINNING. 60/ 

the colliers of the district to rescue their comrades, the Magistrates, 
by application, obtained a large detachment of dragoons from Edin- 
burgh, who on the whipping day marched up the High Street in a hol- 
low square form — the Edinburgh hangman and the three culprits being 
in the middle of the square. The crowd was immense." (MS. Note,) 

Circulating Library. — A Circulating Library was established 
in the High Street by David Adams, bookbinder, &c. (MS. Note.) 

Limekilns Church — Death of the Rev. Mr. Hadden. — The Rev. 
William Hadden, minister of the Secession Church, Limekilns, died 
17th May, 1820, in the 60th year of his age and thirty-sixth of his 
ministry. (MS. Note.) 

Union of the Burgher and Anti-Burgher Churches. — 
" In consequence of the general Union of the Burghers and Anti- 
Burghers this year, the congregations of these bodies in Dunfermline, 
as elsewhere, joined into one loving denomination of worshippers 
after a separation of seventy-three years. (See An. Dimf. date 1747.) 

The Pittencrieff Union Friendly Society was instituted in 
1820. Finlay Jones, preses; Alex. Trail, clerk. {Dttnf. Regis, for 1829.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson, of Dunferm- 
line, re-elected Provost, Sept., 1820. (Biirgh Records.) 

Literature. — ^^The Dunfermline Songster: being a Selection of 
the most Fashionable Songs for the Use of Schools. By James Rankine. 
Published by J. Miller, 1820." This is a small 24mo of 26 pp., con- 
tains thirty-one popular songs, and has been long out of print. (See 
Ati. Dunf. date 1823.) 

Anti-Burgher Kirk (Secession Chnrch.) — The Rev. George 
Barlas was ordained colleague and successor to the Rev. Dr. Black 
on 17th October, 1820. {Mackelvie's An. and Stat. p. 176 ; see also 
An. Dunf date Sept., 1832.) 

Domestic Spinning. — Under date 1745 we give extracts from 
Mr. Wilson's letter relative to distaffs and spinning-ivheels. He con- 
cludes said letter by referring to the " state of things " with regard to 
them in 1820 : — 

In 1820 the spinning-wheel had almost become a thing of the past. The 
spinning-wheels, which numbered in town and vicinity at the commencement 
of the century about 850, had in 1820 dwindled down to a score. The 
pleasant industrious hwn of the wheel was then scarcely heard. . . . The 
sound of the wheel was long ago heard from numerous houses in every street. 
. . . These wheels, single and double-handed , gave employment to females, 



6o8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

old and young. . . . When passing along the streets, the pecuHar sound 
from the wheels often put me in mind of the distich-lines— 
" Si^in on, spin on, my birring wheel, 
Bir on, bir on, my spinning-wheel," &c. 

It may be here noticed, that after Tower-hill was enclosed, and became 
private ground, the spinners had recourse to the Back-Braes, the 
Anti-Burgher Green, and latterly to the Public Green and Washing- 
house near Halybluid Acres, from 1811 to 1822. (MS. Note.) 

Reid's Park "was, in 1820, feued for building, when Reid Street 
commenced to be built." (MS. Note.) A foot road, on the site of 
Reid Street, was previous to this period, known as " Geelies' Wynd " 
(Gillies' Wynd, i.e., Servants' Wynd— notably the old wynd for servant- 
traffic to and from the Abbey). 

Literature. — " A Collection of Excellent New Songs, and other 
Pieces on Different Subjects. Printed by the Author. D. Patton, 
Dunfermline, 1820." — This small work, like the rest of this author's 
productions, is a 24mo of 104 pages, and embraces a great variety of 
subjects, illustrated by 22 small rough wood-cuts of howlets, castles, 
men in arms, &c., from the author's cutters. The first part of this 
volume appears to have been published in 1820, the second part about 
1822. The author once informed the writer that he had printed only 
thirty copies of his book. It is long since out of print. The copy in 
our possession is perhaps the only one extant. 

1821.— WooDHEAD Street Benevolent Funeral Society, 
established January 26, 1821 ; confirmed. May, 1833. (M^i. Note.) 

The Charlestown Library Avas established in 1821— the Right 
Hon. the Earl of Elgin, president ; R. Menzies, treasurer ; James 
Blyth, librarian. {Regist. Dunf. for 1829.) 

Census. — The third Government census of Dunfermline, &c., was 
taken in April, 1821, with the following result: — Population of Dun- 
fermline and Suburbs, 8041 ; Parish, 13,690. Increase of population 
in the Burgh since 18 11, 1549; Parish, 2041. 

Death of the Rev. James Husband, D.D. — At Dunfermline, 
on the 17th May, 1821, the Rev. James Husband, D.D., minister of 
the First Charge of the Secession Church, Queen Ann Street, died in 
the 70th year of his age and the forty-sixth of his ministry. He was 
interred in " Ralph Erskine's grave," near the south-east corner of the 
North Churchyard. 



WEAVING. 609 

The Freedom of the Burgh was Conferred on Walter Scott, 
Esq., of Abbotsford, fune ij, 1821. About a year afterwards, he was, 
by George IV., created a baronet. " The Great Wizard," " the Great 
Unknown," &c., were then his cognomens. (BiirgJi Records.) He 
visited the Abbey Church and the Monastic and Palace ruins. The 
heritors promised to send the pulpit of the Auld Kirk to Abbotsford, 
which was done the following year. (MS.) 

ROLLAND Street School, — In 1821, the sum of j^iooo was 
bequeathed to this school by Adam Rolland, Esq., of Gask, the 
interest derived from which to be distributed annually for educational 
purposes. 

Death of Mrs. Gedd. — This lady (the last of the old family of 
Gedd of Baldridge) died on the 12th of June, 1821, in the 93rd year 
of her age. 

William Cant — Walking on the Sea. — Early in the year 
1 82 1, William Cant, an ingenious blacksmith and machine-maker, 
Bridge Street, Dunfermline, completed his newly-invented machine for 
walking on the water, concerning which we here reproduce an account 
taken from our MS. Notes: — 

The machine consisted of a kind of raft, somewhat resembling the letter X, 
having at the extremities air-vessels of considerable size, which unitedly were 
capable of supporting a weight of about 300 lbs. From the raft, slender metal 
arms rose to a height of two feet or so above the centre of it, which bore on 
their top a small seat (saddle fashion). On this saddle Cant sat in gj-eat state, 
and worked his raft hither and thither with alacrity and considerable speed, 
by means of jointed valve-pieces fixed on the soles of his shoes. Such was 
the machine for walking on the water/ At best it was a roughly-made instru- 
ment, and a sorry attempt to walk on water ; yet, notwithstanding this, great 
crowds of people went to see his exhibitions at Limekilns and elsewhere. On 
such occasions he sat with dignity on his seat, armed with a gun, and now 
and then bringing down sea-fowl, and moving about with great speed. In 
August, 1822, he left Leith harbour to meet the squadron which conveyed 
George IV. to that port. His machine came to grief amongst the flotilla of 
small craft then moving about the offing of the harbour. It is understood that 
the King gave private orders to have the machine repaired at his expense. 

Weaving — A Gentleman's Shirt Woven in the Loom. — Mr. David 
Anderson, weaver, a native of Dunfermline, but who removed to Glas- 
gow this year (182 1), completed the weaving of a gentleman's shirt in 
the loom. It was made of fine linen, and had on its breast the British 
Arms, and the usual ruffles then in fashion. For this ingenious feat 
he received £10 from a fund in Glasgow for the encouragement of 

41 



6lO ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

inventors, &c. This shirt was sent by Mr. Anderson (through Lord 
Sidmouth, Secretary of State) as a present to his Majesty King 
George IV. Along with the acknowledgment of its receipt by the 
King, he received the sum of ^50. {Chalmers's Hist, of Dunf. vol, i. 
p. 380.) 

The New Abbey Church, — This Church was finished and 
opened for worship on Sunday, 30th September, 1821 ; by the Rev. 
Allan M'Lean in the forenoon, and the Rev. Peter Chalmers in the 
afternoon. It may here be noted that the last sermon preached in 
the Old Church was on Sunday afternoon, 23rd September, 1821, by 
the Rev. Peter Chalmers, from i Peter i. 24, 25. Nearly two years 
were taken up in levelling the site and building this church, ''the 
interior of which is splendid, zuhile the exterior is very common-place. 
The great tower is out of architectural proportion, and the words, 
' King Robert the Bruce,' round the top of it is in bad taste." 
The Church is seated for 2,050 hearers. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Major David Wilson (residence, 
the house in Queen Ann Street, fronting Crosswynd) was re-elected 
Provost, September, 1821. (Burgh Records.) 

The Dunfermine Female Beneficent Society was estab- 
lished November, 1821, "to relieve the wants of distressed and infirm 
old women." (Dunf. Register.) 

Inglis Street. — "This street was laid out in the year 1820 ; 
and the first house in it was built in the summer of 1821." (MS- 
Note.) 

Miniature View of the New Abbey Church. — At the close 
of 1 82 1, W. W. Christie, a native, and a self-taught engraver on wood, 
executed a very good miniature woodcut of the New Abbey Church 
from the south-cast, a reduced view from the copperplate then recently 
published. 

1822.— Death of Major David Wilson.— Major Wilson died 
on the 13th March, 1822, and was interred within the area of the 
Nave of the Abbey Church. He was for 15 years Provost of the 
Burgh, a Major in the Marines, and, from 18 10, a partner in the 
firm of Messrs. Wilson and Beveridge, bankers. 

Numbering of Houses. — The numbering of houses was, this 
year, suggested by Mr. James Fernie, messenger-at-arms. About a 



hatton's mouse thread-mill. 6ii 

dozen of houses in the east part of the High Street were numbered 
early in 1822, but it did not become general till 1834. 

Hatton's Mouse Thread-Mill. — David Hatton, a small grocer 
in PittencreifF Street, Dunfermline, in the early part of this year, con- 
trived and constructed with his own hands a curious little machine — 
a miniature kind of thread-mill, driven by a mouse. In June, 1824, 
the inventor sent a drawing and description of his mouse thread-mill 
to the Glasgoiv Mechanics' Magazine, which was duly inserted in that 
work, and to which the reader is referred for particulars. {Glasgoiv 
Mechanics' Magazine vol. iii. 305-307.) Previous to that description 
the novelty of the contrivance had found a place in several news- 
papers. It would appear that the account of it in the newspaper 
paragraphs was inspired by Hatton, one of which we shall give in 
full as it is somewhat unique : — 

''Mouse Thread-Mill by Friend Hatton [1822]. — Mr. Hatton, of 
Dunfermline has had two mice constantly employed in the manufacture of 
sewing-thread for upwards of twelve motiths ; and that the curious may be 
entertained with a fair statement of facts, I hope you will give a place to the 
following description, which is by no means exaggerated, as I, having often 
seen his mouse thread-mills, thoroughly understand the amusing operation. 
The mouse thread-mill is so constructed, that the common house-mouse is 
enabled to make atonement to society for past offences, by iwistins^, training, 
and reeling from 100 to 120 threads per day (Sunday not excepted), of the 
same length, and equally with the enclosed hank, which I send as a specimen 
of their work for the inspection of the curious. To complete their task, the 
Httle pedestrian has to run 10^ miles. This journey is performed with ease 
every day. An ordinary mouse weighs only half an ounce. A halfpenny worth 
of oatmeal, at 15^. per peck serves one of these treadmill culprits for the long 
period of five weeks. In that time it makes (no threads per day being the 
average) 3850 threads of 25 inches, which is very near nine lengths of the 
standard reel. A penny is paid here to women for every cut made in the 
ordinary way. At this rate, a mouse earns ()d. every five weeks, which is just 
one farthing per day, or yj. 6d. per an. Take 6d. off for board, and allow is. for 
machinery, there will arise 6s. of clear profit from every mouse yearly. The 
last time I was in company with the mouse-employer he told me he was going 
to make appUcation to the heritors for a lease of an old empty house (the 
auld kirk) in Dunfermline, the dimensions of which are 100 feet by 50, and 
50 in height, which, at a moderate calculation, will hold 10,000 mouse-mills, 
sufficient room being left for the keepers and some hundred of spectators. 
Allowing ;^2oo for rent and taskmasters, and ^500 for the interest of ;^ 10,000 
to erect machinery, there will be a balance of ;^ 2,300 per annum. This, sir, 
you will say is projecting with a vengeance, but it would surely be preferable 
to the old South-Sea speculation." (Vide Edinburgh Star, July 7, 1822; 
Liverpool Kaleidescope, Aug. 12 th, 1822.) 

Visit of King George IV. to Scotland.— Our Note referring 



6l2 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

to this celebrated visit of George IV., states that " Dunfermline was 
in great commotion, old and young running about with heather and 
broom in their caps or hats ; and on the day of the King's procession 
to Edinburgh Castle, on 22nd August, the town turned inside out, 
and went to Edinburgh, although the day was dreeping wet." (MS. 
Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— John Scotland, Esq,, of East 
Luscar, near Dunfermline, elected Provost, Sept., 1822, as successor 
to Major David Wilson. 

Levelling of the South Churchyard — Ornamental Walks, 
and the Widening of St. Catherine's Wynd. — Regarding the levelling, 
the alterations, and the decorations accomplished on the grounds 
south side of the church, there are several notes. We prefer those 
given by the late Mr. John Bonnar, one of the contractors for build- 
ing the new Abbey Church : — 

"Shortly after the Abbey Church was finished and opened for public worship 
in Sept, 182 1, the ground on the south side of the church was still filled 
with masons' sheds, hewn and unhewn stones, immense logs of wood, and 
covered in great part with stone chips. Right in front of the great western 
window of the Frater Hall there was a deep hollow space of about 8 ft., which 
extended eastward to the end of the Frater Hall wall, about 120 ft. in length 
by about 34 ft. in breadth (the size of the Frater Hall.) On the north-east 
corner of this hollow space saw-pits were erected for the sawyers, Hooper and 
Cooper, for sawing the great logs into deals for church use. In October, 1821, 
this ground was by the heritors ordered to be cleared of rubbish, levelled, and 
decorated with ornamental walks. This was immediately proceeded with, but 
was not completed before July, 1822. 

"The deep hollow, 120 ft. long, 34 ft. broad, and about 8 ft. below the 
present surface, was partly filled up with the rubbish at hand, then filled with 
earth, and covered with trees. This being done, the whole surface of the 
ground was cleared of the rubbish and levelled, and ornamental walks laid 
out on the surface, which was completed at the time noted. 

" In July, 1822, the rough rising ground which ascended from the street to 
the west wall of the church, &c., was partly removed, as also were the stable 
and the byre, which figure in the foreground of some old views of the Church 
and the Monastery, namely, those shown in Grose's Ant. Scot., Forsyth's 
Beauties of Scotland, &=c. [See view under date 181 7, A/i. Diinf.'\ At the 
foot of the Monastery Tower, close on the street at the Tends, there was an 
arched or pended way which led into the interior of the tower, 10 ft. in height, 
7 ft. in breadth, and a passage into the tower of 20 ft. This vaulted passage 
had the name of Deel's Hole, which is also shown in these works. It was 
cleared away at the same time. In October, 1822, a dyke 10 ft. or so in 
height, was run up from the side of this tower to the Church Gates at foot of 
the Kirkgate. The building of the upper part of this dyke was the cause of 
much grief to many of the inhabitants. During the building of the lower part 
of this wall it was resolved that St. Catherine's Wynd be widened to the extent 



A GREAT SNOW-STORM. 613 

of 8 ft. at the foot of the wynd, tapering off till it united with the Church 
gates. This necessitated the removal of a great many graves, wholly or in 
part. Many a harrowing sight took place at the removal of these graves, with 
saddened hearts and weeping eyes." 

The Old Kirk — Galleries, Seatijig, &c., Removed. — Although the 
New Abbey Church was opened for public worship in Sept., 1821, "it 
was not until late in 1822 that the seats, &c., in the old building were 
disposed of by public auction (in the Old Kirk), and it was not until 
the spring of 1823 that the whole building was stripped clean of its 
ecclesiastical furniture. Since then the old building has been empty 
and now serves a second time as a noble vestibule to an eastern 
church." (See Addenda An. Diuif) 

Weaving -Looms. — In 1822 it was ascertained that there were 
1800 looms in Dunfermline and immediate vicinity. 

Theatricals in the Guild Hall. — Mr. Samuel Johnson, 
manager, had a respectable troupe of actors. He v/as occasionally 
assisted by the celebrated Charles Mackay (Bailie Nicol Jarvie), from 
the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, as also Miss Noel and other celebrities. 
The performances were conducted in the large ball-room, entrance 
from Guildhall Street, and were continued nightly for several months. 
The speculation was a great success. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — " Tiuo Discourses on the Sin, Danger, and Remedy 
of Duelling, &c. By the Rev. Peter Chalmers, A.M., one of the 
Ministers of Dunfermline. Published by Thomson Brothers, Edin- 
burgh, 1822." This is a small i2mo volume of 260 pages. The two 
discourses were delivered in the Abbey Church, shortly after the duel 
between Sir Alexander Boswell and James Stuart, Esq., of Dunearn, 
in a park about eight miles east of Dunfermline, and had special refer- 
ence to this occurrence. 

"Weavers' Strike."— This year (1822) the "Weavers' Table of 
Wages " were reduced. This occasioned a strike in the trade, which 
continued for nearly ten months. "Great distress was the conse- 
quence. Many of the weavers got employment on the public roads 
and other works." (MS. Notes.) 

1823.— Great Snow-Storm.—" 28th Jan., 1823 : After snow- 
ing for about ten hours, the average depth of snow on the streets was 
found to be about 3^ feet, and the height of drifted snow in several 
places 10 and 12 feet. (Vide Annals of Dujifermline, " Snow-Storm 
in 1827.") 



6l4 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Death of the Rev. James M'Farlane.— The Rev. James 
M'Farlane, minister of the Second Charge of Queen Ann Street 
Secession Church, died on loth April, 1823, in the 64th year of his 
age, and 33rd year of his ministry. 

Commercial Bank. — A branch office of the Commercial Bank 
of Edinburgh was established in Dunfermline in 1812, but shortly 
afterwards it was withdrawn. This year (1823) it was re-established 
permanently, Mr. Ker, Collier Row, manager. (MS. Note.) 

Fish Market at the Tron. — This winter and spring there was 
so plentiful a supply of haddocks and herring from the east of Fife, 
that the former were selling at the rate of 12 and 13 lbs. for /[d., and 
the latter at i%d. per dozen! (MS.) 

The Chamber Flute-orum, Invented by David Hatton. — David 
Hatton, originally a weaver, afterwards a small grocer in Pittencrieff 
Street, Dunfermline, completed early in 1823 his new musical instru- 
ment, which he called a " chamber flute-orum," and in the scheming of 
which, he tells us, he had been engaged about 20 years. This machine 
became quite celebrated ; so much so, that the inventor was better 
known by the name "flute-orum" than by his own name. The machine 
consisted of two large German flutes, mounted on a solid base of wood, 
in connection with air-cisterns and bellows. These bellows were worked 
by the elbows. Thus he was enabled to accompany " the flute-orum 
music" with his own voice, which he says, "pleases me well, and has met 
with the approbation of many hundreds of visitors." In the Glasgoiv 
Mechanics' Magazine for 31st July, 1824, vol. ii. p. 17, there is a copper- 
plate engraving of the flute-orum, with Hatton in the back-ground, in 
Quaker dress, in the act of performing on his instrument. David 
Hatton left Dunfermline for Bridge of Orr, about 1829, where for 
several years he kept agrocery store. He died on 12th March, 1851, 
aged 6^. 

The St. Crispin Procession — Dunfermline 2gth August, 1S2J 
— The forthcoming Crispin Procession was the talk of the town and 
country-side for months before it took place, and when the day came, 
the procession was a splendid affair, and was witnessed by at least 
8000 spectators. The following is an extract from the Mitiute-Book 
of the St. Crispin Lodge of Dunfermline regarding this great and 
splendid procession, viz. : — 

It has been known for some time past that the Cordwainers of Dunferm- 



ST. CRISPIN PROCESSION. 



615 



line have been employed in forwarding preparations for celebrating with due 
pomp the Festival of their Patron Saint. This ceremony will accordingly take 
place on Friday the Twenty-ninth of August this present year, being Eighteen 
Hundred 'and Twenty-Three (1823), when the Craft will assemble in the 
Town Hall at 10 of the clock forenoon, and the Grand Procession will move 
at one o'clock precisely. 

The following members are appointed a Committee to manage the proces- 
sion, viz. : — Henry Lawrie, David Simpson, David Wardlaw, Robert Westwood, 
John Simpson, George Marshall, Alex. Bennet, John Marshall, Alex. Swrles, 
Alex. Mossman, Robert Chalmers, James Anderson. 

It was resolved and agreed upon that the following members bear the 
respective titles to which their names are annexed when in the proc ession: — 



David Simpson. 

George Marshall. 

John Marshall. 

Andrew Young. 

George Shaw. 

Henry Lawrie. 

Robert Burns. 

James Simpson. 

David Wardlaw. 

Robert Chalmers. 

Michael White. 

David Kennedy. 
( George Thomson. 
( James Black. 

James M'Grouther. 

Alexander Bennet. 

Andrew Moyes. 

James Ellis. 

Alex. Mossman. 

James Drysdale. 

James Allison. 

Robert Glass, J^ed Rod. 

Thos. Caw, Black Rod. 

Order of the Grand Procession : — 

Two Heralds on Horseback. 

Three Broad Swordsmen, Mounted. 

Six Girls Strewing Flowers. 

Four Spearmen (Two and Two). 

Champion's Banner. 

Champion's Shield and Spear. 

Champion, 

(Mounted). 

Two Macers. 

Secretary of State in his Rohes (Supported by two Lords). 

Six Gentlemen Ushers. 



Champion, .... 
Macer, ..... 
Secretary of State, . 
Chaplain, .... 
Archbishop, .... 
Lord High Chancellor, . 

KiJig, _ 

Crisp inus, .... 
Lord Mayor, 

Aldermen, .... 

Lndian Prince, 

Aids-de- Camp to the Lndian Prince, 

Page to Lndian Prince, . 
Field- Marshal, 

Aids-de- Camp to Field-Marshal, 

Sir LLngh, .... 

Supporters to Sir LLngh, . 

Standard Bearers to Sir LLugh, 



6l6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Sword of State. 

Chaplain in his Gown and Bands. 

Archbishop 

(In his Canonicles, with two Supporters). 

THE KING 

(Supported by Two Dukes), 

And guarded by Six Highlanders on each side. 

Knight Marshal, Crispianus 

(Brother to the King-Captain General). 

The Lord Mayor in his Robes, 

Supported by two Aldermen. 

Band of Music. 

President, 

And Two Supporters. 

Treasurer, 

And Two Supporters. 

Two Ensigns bearing Colours. 

Half of Main Body. 

Stand of Colours. 

Half of Main Body. 

Band of Music. 

Six Knights 

(Three and Three). 

Indian Prince, 

Supported by Aids-de-Camp on each side, 

All Mounted on Horseback. 

Page 

(Mounted). 

Field-Marshal, 

Supported by Aids-de-camp on each side. 

All on Horseback. 

Two Ushers — Black Rod and Red Rod. 

Sir Hugh, 

In his Robes, supported by Two Knights. 

Six Knights 

(Three and Three). 

Three Broad Swordsmen. 

It would appear from one of our notes that there were 356 per- 
sons in the procession, and that it was composed of members of 
several other trades in the town. About this period a great many 
towns in Scotland enjoyed the pleasure of seeing these mock pro- 
cessions. (MS. Note.) . 



THE farmers' society. 617 

Limekilns' Church.— Rev. William Johnstone, A.M., ordained 
minister of this church, 27th August, 1823. {SeeA?i. B?m/. date 1874.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Scotland, Esq., of East 
Luscar, re-elected Provost, Sept., 1823. (Burgh Recoi'ds.) 

Plan of the Town of Dunfermline Published. — In 
September, 1823, Mr. J. Wood, surveyor, Edinburgh, published a 
large and very accurate plan of Dunfermline, from his actual survey 
made during the months of July and August, 1822. The plan, a 
copperplate engraving, is 22^ inches from east to west, and 21 inches 
from north to south, and is entitled — "Plan of the Town of Dun- 
fermline from Actual Survey, by J. Wood, Edinburgh. 1823." The 
scale is 264 feet to the inch ; the price was one guinea. It is to be 
regretted that " The Gardener's Land " buildings are not on the plan. 
The only error the writer can find on the plan is the position of the 
Palace Wall, at No. 17; on the plan this wall ought to have been laid 
down on a site farther to the north, and to have terminated at No. 18. 
The writer retains a lively recollection of leading Mr. Wood's chain 
in 1822, assisting him a little in measuring round the Auld Kirk, 
Monastery, Palace, and the Tower-Hill. Mr. Wood, between 1820 
and 1826, made plans of a great number of the larger towns of 
Scotland, and his labours were very favourably reviewed in the 
newspapers of the time. 

Water. — Caimcubie Water Tank or Pond ivas constructed and 
built iji 1823. This large tank collects all the surface water which 
may run into it, and increases the Cairncubie supply. {MS. Note; 
see An. Dimf. date 1797; Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 15.) 

The Postal Revenue this year amounted to ^1000 2s. id. 

A Roman Catholic Congregation was formed in Dunfermline 
during the summer of this year. (MS. Note.) 

1824.— Farmers' Society. — The Dunfermline Farmers' Society 
was instituted in 1765 ; discontinued its meetings early in the century, 
and this year, 1824, it was resuscitated, and its constitution remodelled. 
(See An. Dunf. dates 1765 and 1834.) 

The Western District of Fife Bible Society Instituted, 
1824. — This Society distributes a considerable number of Bibles 
annually among the poor in the parish. The aggregate collections 

4K 



6l8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

average about £2$, which is transmitted to the Bible Society man- 
agers in Edinburgh, (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. —James Blackwood, Esq., of Colton, 
near Dunfermline, elected Provost, September, 1824. (Bur. Rec.) 

Stage Coach called TJie Antiquary, commenced to run between 
Dunfermline and Edinburgh, October, 1824, and vice-versa, every day 
of the week, Sundays excepted. Fares to and from Edinburgh, 6s. 
inside, and 4.^. outside. (MS.) This means of conveyance ceased in 
March, 1878. 

Postal Revenue. — From Post-Office, ^^1,867 19^-. Z%^- {Mercer's 
Hist. Du?if. p. 153.) 

The Rev. David Black, D.D., Minister of the AntiburgJier or 
West Chnrch, Chalmers Street, died on 5th November, 1824, in the 
6 1st year of his age, and the 35th of his ministry, (See An. Dunf. 
date 1789 and 1866.) He was the author of '' Sermofis on Death',' 
''The Covenanter's Directory^' 1806, an Essay on ''■Early Piety',' and a 
small work entitled "Edwin and Emma','' a pastoral tale in verse. 

1825.— Meteorological Tables by Rev. Henry Fergus. — 
In January, 1825, the Rev. Henry Fergus, minister of the Relief 
Church, Dunfermline, commenced his Meteorological Observations 
and Register; for ten years from 1825, he took his readings every 
morning at nine o'clock, recording the then state of the barometer, 
thermometer, &c. (See also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol, i. pp, 10-13) 

Two Men Condemned to be Executed in Dunfermline.— 
The two burglars, Henry Baleny and James M'Neil, who broke into 
the ironmongery shop of Messrs. Lock and Hutton, Bridge Street, 
Dunfermline, in December, 1824, were tried on 25th March, 1825, at 
the High Court of Justiciary, Edinburgh, and condemned to be 
"hanged by the neck until they were dead, at Dunfermline, where 
their crimes were committed." This sentence caused great excite- 
ment in Dunfermline and western district of Fife. "The Edinbursfh 
gallows was hired for the occasion, and on its arrival in Dunfermline 
it was carted to the open square of the Fleshmarket." " The wrights 
in town joined in trials to put it together to be ready, but the two men 
were respited shortly after, and banished for life to Botany Bay. 
The commotion in town and country then subsided." (MS. Note.) 



QUEEN ANN STREET CHURCH DISRUPTION, 619 

The National Bank, Edinburgh.— Mr. John Malcolm was 
engaged by the National Bank as their bill collector for Dunfermline 
and district this year, 1825. (MS. Note.) 

The Old Abbey Barley-Mill.— This mill, which had stood 
from perhaps A.D. 1270 at top of the Collier Row [Bruce Street], was 
removed in March, 1825, to make way for Messrs. Wilson & Malcolm's 
spinning mill. This was one of the "three mills of Dunfermline" 
mentioned in old charters, title-deeds, &c. 

Weaving. — The "Jacquard Machine" introduced into the art of 
weaving by Alexander Robertson, Esq., and the Messrs. Kerr, manu- 
facturers, in the summer of 1825. Matthew Parker commenced to 
manufacture these machines shortly after their introduction. 

Provost oe Dunfermline. — James Blackwood, Esq., of Colton, 
re-elected Provost in September, 1825. (Burgh Records.) 

Limekilns' Church Rebuilt. — This church was rebuilt in 
1825, and seated for about 1050 persons. {MS. Note; see An. Dunf. 
date 1784.) 

Brucefield Spinning Mill nearly Destroyed by Fire. — 
The old Plax Spinning Mill at Brucefield, near Dunfermline, con- 
ducted by Mr. Struthers, was nearly destroyed by fire on the evening 
of the 26th October, 1825. (See An. Dunf. date 1792.) 

Queen Ann Street Church Disruption. — "In consequence 
of unpleasant misunderstandings among the members of this church, 
in their several attempts to choose a minister, and of "the military 
sort of defiance and worrying displayed by the dominant party 
towards the minority," the members and hearers composing the 
minority of 600, left Queen Ann Street Church in September, 1825, 
and formed themselves into a new congregation. The new body 
took a short lease of the Maygate Chapel until one was built for 
them." (See An. Dunf. 1827, for "St. Margaret's Church.") 

Mechanics' Institution Established, 2oth Sept., 1825. — 
A general meeting of the inhabitants of Dunfermhne friendly to the 
formation of a Mechanics' Institution, was held in the Relief Meeting 
House on Tuesday, the 20th Sept., 1825 — the Right Honourable 
the Earl of Elgin in the chair. Upwards of 400 mechanics and 
others were present. The Rev. Messrs. Chalmers, Fergus, and Brand, 
successively addressed the meeting on the design and importance of 
the Institution, and Lord Elgin concluded with an animated speech 



620 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

to the same effect. After which, the Institution was declared to be 
constituted, and the following office-bearers were appointed, — 

The Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin, President. 

James Hunt, Esq., of Pittencrieff, and Rev. Peter Chalmers, Vice-Presidents. 

Mr. Henry Inglis, Treasurer. — Mr. David Laurie, Secretary. 

Directors. 

Messrs. Alexander Pattison. 



The Rev. Henry Fergus. 
The Rev. George Bell Brand. 
Messrs. Andrew Rutherford. 



John Roxburgh. 
John Scotland. 



Alexander Robertson. ,, James Gumming. 

Andrew Peebles. ., James Allan. 



WiUiam Hunter. 
William Ferguson. 



Robert Bonnar. 
Robert Hay. 
William Meldrum. 



{Glasgoiu Mechanic^ Magazine, vol. iv. pp. 214-215; see other dates in An. 
Dunf. relative to lectures, &c.) The inhabitants were solicited for subscrip- 
tions for a fund to defray the expenses of the institution, when ^215 14^-. 6d. 
was collected. (MS. Note.) 

Mechanics' Institute Lectures. — Immediately after the for- 
mation of the Mechanics' Institute on 20th September, the Directors 
engaged the Rev. Henry Fergus to deliver a course of twelve lectures 
on Natural Philosophy, on Wednesday evenings, commencing 26th 
October, 1825, until finished; 3^-. the ticket for the course; single 
lecture, is. These lectures were delivered by Mr. Fergus in his own 
church — the Relief Church; 312 tickets were sold at 3^-. ; average 
attendance, 450. Mr. Fergus received £26 $s. for the delivery of his 
course of lectures. (MS. Note.) 

Ancient Timber Tenement in High Street Removed. — In 

November, 1825, a singular old timber tenement, the property of Mr. 

James Hempseed, baker, south side of High Street (next door above 

Mr. Clark's, bookseller), was partly taken down, and the entire front 

rebuilt of stone. According to MS. Notes — 

The lower part of this house was built of stone, having a close in the 
middle, through which the public had a right-of-way to the back premises. 
On each side of the close there was a shop with projecting or bow-windows. 
Above the shops there was a timber-front, extending over the whole breadth 
of the building, the middle part of which was sunk a few inches. Along 
the bottom and top of this part there was a kind of wooden tramway, 
along which the window-frames slid horizontally to any required opening, 
with check-bars in the middle and at the end. Above this came a slated 
roof, then rose to the height of a kw feet another timber front (the garret- 
front), having in it three small windows. This garret was covered with 
an uneven tile-roof At each end towered to a considerable height the 
chimneys of the old building. 



DEATH OF THE OLDEST INHABITANT. 



621 



We took a sketch of this house in October, 1825, just before it was 
taken down, and we reproduce it here as one of the last representa- 
tives of Dunfermline in the olden time. 




1826.— Death of the Oldest INHABITANT.—Ralph Miller, 
Damside Row, a disabled weaver, died on the loth March, 1826, at 
the great age of ninety-eight years and two months. " Auld Ralph," 
as he used to be called in his latter days, was born in January, 1728, 
in the second year of George the Second. He had a remarkably 
strong memory ; could recollect incidents concerning Dunfermline, 
and relate them with great distinctness, as far back as the year 1740. 
Between 1824- 1826 the writer interviewed him on a great many points 
of local history. Several of his memorabilia are recorded in the 
Annals under the cover of " MS. Notes." 

Secession Church in Maygate Chapel. — The Rev. Robert 
Brown, of Jedburgh, was ordained minister of this new congregation 
on 17th May, 1826. He was the first minister of this congregation, 
(See An. Dunf. date April, 1828.) 

The Limekilns Swimming Club was instituted in 1826, and in 
a short time "managed to get 56 members on their roll." 



622 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Planetarium and Lunarium Machines. — These two machines 
were made this year by the ingenious David Paton, a man for whose 
memory the writer has the highest respect. The Planetarium (a very 
fine one) was made entirely of wood — wooden wheels, wooden pinions, 
tin tubes, &c. It showed with great accuracy the mean motions of 
all the planets round the Sun. The Lunarium showed the apparent 
diurnal revolutions of the Sun and Moon, as also the time of high and 
low water at Limekilns. These machines were "the talk of the town" 
for a long period, and many came to see them from far and near. 
They afterwards came into the possession of the writer. 

The " Dunfermline Drawing Academy." — This Academy 
was established on the 17th of July, 1826. The class assembled in the 
hall of St. John's Masons' Lodge, Maygate. It was established by 
the Dunfermline Manufacturers and the Board of Trustees, for the 
purpose of teaching young men to make designs for the damask 
manufacture. Mr. Campbell was appointed teacher for five years. 
There were 37 pupils on the opening-day. He was succeeded by Mr. 
Joseph Paton, pattern designer, Wooer's Alley, in July, 183 1. Soon 
after this date the Academy ceased to exist. (MS. Note.) 

A Stage Coach was established to run between Edinburgh and 
Crieff, via Dunfermline, on 22nd May, 1826. Another stage coach, 
called the "Aurora," also commenced running between Kirkcaldy 
and Glasgow, via Dunfermline, on 5th June, 1826. 

Postal Revenue. — The Post-office revenue of Dunfermline 
amounted to £12^0 los. io}id. {Mercer's Hist. Dunf. p. 153.) 

A Scientific Club. — This year a " Scientific Club " was formed 
by John Millar, Ebenezer Henderson, Sinclair Thomson, James Smith, 
&c. They met weekly in a garret, at the top of the Kirkgate, for 
scientific discussion, and performing of scientific experiments. Their 
library had 36 vols. ; apparatus — a telescope, microscope, electrical 
machine, galvanic battery, mechanical powers, a planetarium, &c. 
The Club continued for about 2^ years. 

A Hot Summer. — "The summer of 1826 was very warm, and 
there was great drought, the thermometer frequently ranging between 
95° and 100° of heat in the shade; no rain during the months of June, 
July, and part of August ; the springs and burns were nearly dried up; 
great scarcity of water ; water-carts, with barrels and tubs of water, 
travelled the streets, the water being sold at a halfpenny and one penny 



ORRERY AND ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK. 623 

tJie sioupfuiy This summer was long remembered and referred to as 
'the hot sinivierr 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Blackwood, Esq., of Colton, 
was re-elected Provost, Sept., 1 826. (Burgh Records.) 

The Weaving Trade. — The Weaving Trade was " in a very 
depressed state, hundreds of weavers out of employment." (MS.) 

POLLOK, A^cthor of '^ The Course of Timer — The Rev. Robert 
PoUok, came to Dunfermline for a change of air for the benefit of his 
decaying health. He had been advised to come to the town by 
his friend Mr. Campbell, drawing-master, in September, 1826. He 
lodged with Mr. Hempseed, baker, High Street. While in Dunfermline 
(from September, 1826, to April, 1827) he composed a considerable 
portion of his celebrated poem, " The Course of Time" and amused 
himself at intervals in making sketches. The writer enjoyed many 
pleasant interviews with this amiable young man during his short stay. 

Astronomical Lectures. — A short course of lectures on Astro- 
nomy was delivered by Mr. Keir, illustrated with apparatus, in May- 
gate Chapel, in October, 1826. 

1827.— Snow Storm.— On the 15th January, 1827, snow fell for 
eight hours. The average depth of snow on the streets was 4 feet, 
and the drift was 10 feet in many places throughout the town and 
adjacent districts. (MS. Note.) 

Mechanics' Institute Library. — According to the Institute 
Report, there were 230 volumes in the library on 23rd of January, 
1827. 

The Dunfermline Equitable P^riendly Institution was 
established on 9th February, 1827. (MS. Note.) Its rules, &c., were 
confirmed at Cupar- Fife on 28th March, 1831. 

Queen Ann Street Cn^jRcn— Ordination.— The Rev. Alex. 
Fisher, of Edinburgh, was ordained minister of Queen Ann Street 
Church on 20th of March, 1827. (See Annals of Dunfermline, date 
Sept., 1829.) 

Orrery and Astronomical, Clock. — Between the years 1826 
and 1828 the writer constructed an orrery and a complicated astro- 
nomical clock. The newspapers and magazines of the period gave in 
many instances exaggerated descriptions of them, and many of those 
who came to see them, not being able to understand the varied 



624 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

motions, carried away rather singular accounts of what they had seen, 
which tended to float many improbable remarks as to their con- 
struction and movements. As the writer still finds, at the distance 
of 50 years, some incorrect remarks in circulation relative to these 
machines, he has been induced to give here correct notes regarding 
them : — 

The Orrery was a small machine contained in a box of twelve sides, 
corresponding to the twelve signs of the Ecliptic, which supported a brass 
ring, on which were engraven the signs and degrees of the Ecliptic, days of 
the months, &c. It exhibited the rotation of the Sun on its inclined axis in 
25 days 6 hours, the solar and sidereal rotations of the Earth on its inclined 
axis and its revolutions round the Sun in 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes 57 
seconds — of the synodic revolution of the Moon in 29 days 12 hours 45 minutes, 
and of the Nodes of her orbit in 18 years 224 days ; and consequently all the 
eclipses of the sun and moon. The orrery contained 2t wheels and 5 pinions, 
and was i2 inches in diameter, and 7 inches deep. 

The Astronomical Clock was constructed of brass wheels and steel 
pinions, mounted in a mahogany clock-case of about seven feet in height, and 
exhibiting the following astronomical particulars, viz., the seconds, the jnmutes, 
the hours, day of the month, day of the Sun entering the sign of the Zodiac : the 
time of the rising and setting of the Sun throughout the year, with the different 
lengths of the days and nights; the age and phases of the Moon ; the apparent 
diurnal revolutioji of the Sun and Moon ; the ebb and floiv of the Tides, and 
,ti7?ies of their occurrence; Solar and Sidereal Time. The ring on which the 
latter was shown had the necessary motion of a revolution on its axis in 
25,920 solar, or 25,868 sidereal years : and hence, supposing the clock to 
keep in motion for say 200 years, the sidereal and solar motions would be 
indicated on the dial-plate with great precision. This clock contained 32 
wheels, and 7 pinions, and is now in Liverpool. 

Statistical Notes. — The hard soap works of the Messrs. Laurie 
manufactured during the past year 216,282 lbs. of soap. One of the 
three tobacco manufactories in the same time produced 60,000 lbs. of 
tobacco. 20,000 gallons of water flowed into the reservoir daily. 
Weavers' looms in the Parish, 2795. Debt of the Burgh, ^^26,000. 
(MS. Note.) 

St. Margaret's Church, East Port Street. — "The foundation of 
this church was laid in the summer of 1826. It was finished and 
opened for public worship on Sunday, 2nd Sept., 1827." (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— James Blackwood, Esq., of Colton, 
re-elected Provost, September, 1827. (Burgh Records.) 

Mechanics' Institute Lectures. — The Rev. Mr. Gray, of 
Kirkcaldy delivered a course of twelve lectures on " Astronomy, 



mercer's "history of DUNFERMLINE." 625 

Mechanics, Hydrostatics, and Pneumatics," in the Maygate Chapel, 
once a week, between September and January. He was engaged by 
the committee of the Mechanics' Institution, had an extensive and 
splendid apparatus, and had large audiences each evening. (MS.) 

Mathematical and Geometrical Lectures, which met with 
tolerable success, were, during the months of October, November, and 
December, delivered in the Grammar School, by Mr. A. Haxton, the 
Rector. 

1828.— Dunfermline Missionary Prayer-Meeting Insti- 
tuted. — The meetings were held in the Chapel-of-Ease, North Chapel 
Street, on the first Monday of each month, at seven o'clock. The 
meetings were conducted by ministers of the Established and Seces- 
sion churches. (MS. Note.) 

Lithographic Printing. — Early in 1828 Mr. Miller, printer, &c., 
Dunfermline, introduced lithographic printing, which met with much 
encouragement. (MS. Note.) 

Death of the Rev. Robert Brown. — On 19th April, 1828, the 
Rev. Robert Brown, minister of St. Margaret's Church, died in the 
30th year of his age, and second of his ministry. 

Literature. — " The History of Dimfermlme: from the Earliest 
Records down to the Present Time; including Historical Notices, and 
Present State of the ParisJies of Inverkeithing, Dalgety, Aberdour, 
Beath, Torrybnrn, Carnock, and Saline, with a Descriptive Sketch of 
the Scenery of the Devon. By A. Mercer, author of ' Dunfermline 
Abbey.' Dunfermline : Printed and Published by John Miller, 1828." 
This small-sized 8vo volume of 330 pages was published early in the 
year 1828, price Js. 6d. A view of the New and Old Abbey Churches 
from the south-east fronts the short title. The first eighty pages 
refer to ecclesiastical matters, not strictly belonging to Dunfermline. 
Pages 81 to 196 treat of Dunfermline, its antiquities, institutions, 
trade, &c. ; pages 197 to 301 treat of the "Country Parts of the 
Western District ; while the remaining thirty pages treat of Sundries, 
&c. This history is rather a superficial one. Many interesting parti- 
culars relative to Dunfermline have been passed over ; but still there 
are to be found in it notanda which are not noticed in Fernie's History 
of Dunfermline, published in 18 15. The writer, during the years 1826 
and 1827, collected several interesting facts for this history ; and after 
it was printed, he continued to collect antiquarian and other informa- 

4L 



626 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

tion relative to Dunfermline, and then formed the design of compiling 
these Annals. Mercer's History has been long out of print. (See An. 
Dunf. date 1834.) It may be noted here, that Mr. Mercer, while 
engaged over his History, lodged with Mr. Leskie, customer-weaver. 
Rotten Row [West Queen Ann Street] — half up this street, north side. 
(See dates 1813, 1816, 1819, and 1838 for Mercer's other works.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Blackwood, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, September, 1828. (Burgh Records.) 

St. Margaret's Church. — The Rev. John Law was translated 
from Newcastleton, and inducted minister of St. Margaret's Church, 
East-Port Street, on ist October, 1828. (See An. Dnnf. 1850.) He 
resigned his charge on December, 1850, and died at Eskbank, Dalkeith, 
29th November, 1875, aged 85 years. 

Literature. — 'M Description of about joo Animals, &c. Dun- 
fermline : Printed and Sold by John Miller, 1828." This compilation, 
the work of Mr. Miller, forms a i2mo volume of 268 pages, and is 
embellished with 123 small wood-engravings of animals, birds, insects, 
&c. Many of the wood-cuts are the work of a native self-taught 
artist, now deceased (Mr. W. W. Christie.) This little work — a very 
useful and interesting one — is now seldom to be met with, and has 
been long out of print. 

Gas Company. — The Dunfermline Gas Company was established 
on nth November, 1828. Subscribed capital, £6oqo\ director of the 
works, Mr. Oliphant. {Dunf. Reg., 1832; An. Dunf. Oct., 1829. 

Literature. — "■Tables of Land Measuring: Being tables for 
converting Scottish Land Measure into imperial, and the price or rate 
per Scottish acre into that of the imperial acre; with other tables 
useful to the gentleman farmer, and agriculturists in general. By 
Eben. Birrell, land-surveyor, Dunfermline. Printed by John Miller. 
1828." This is a i2mo work of 32 pages, price is. These tables 
have been long out of print. Mr. Birrell left Dunfermline in 1834. 

Dunfermline Savings' Bank. — At the end of 1828 there were 
440 depositors connected with this bank, and the total sum deposited 
by them amounted to £"2,467 3^. 4^^. 

Weather Statistics. — Between ist Jan., 1828, and 31st Decem- 
ber, 1828, there were 157 rainy days in Dunfermline; during 57 of 
these days it rained incessantly; the number of days the wind blew 



GAS-WORKS COMPLETED. 627 

from the west and south-west were 211; 39 from the south ; 56 easterly, 
and 59 from the north, &c. (MS. Note.) Mean height of the bar- 
ometer, 29^ degrees; thermometer, 48^ degrees. 

1829.— Literature. — ''The Dunfermline Register for 1829: 
containing many useful lists connected with the Western District of 
Fife, the Counties of Clackmannan and Kinross, and the Culross 
District of Perthshire, comprising Public Offices, Civil and Religious 
Institutions, with their Office-Bearers, Roads, Coaches, Carriers, Fairs, 
&c., within these Districts. Printed by John Miller, Dunfermline. 
Price Ninepence, i6mo, 68 pp." This was the first number published 
of this useful little work. It was from this date issued yearly in January 
up to 1866, Avhen it was discontinued. 

Gas-House in the course of erection in Priory Lane, and the 
streets are being opened for laying down the cast-iron pipes for the 
transmission of the gas throughout the burgh, &c. 

Dunfermline Florist Society Established 1829. — This 
society has for its object "the cultivation and improvement of the 
best fruits, the most choice flowers, and most useful vegetables." 
{JDunf. Regist. 1829.) 

Infant School. — On 9th March, 1829, the Dunfermline Infant 
School was instituted, but not opened until 5th July, 1830. Children 
admitted between the ages of two and a-half and five years; entry 
payment, 6d.\ fee, 2d. weekly. 

Dunfermline in the Olden Time — Douglas Street. — During 
the spring of 1829 a venerable specimen of "Grey Dunfermling" was 
removed to make way for the thorough opening up of Douglas Street. 
It had a pended front of three large arches, with peaked windows 
above them ; the middle arch covered the common entry which led 
up from High Street to "the toun's mercate." The writer made a 
sketch of this singular old house just before its removal, and in 1854 
made a reduced copy of it for Chalmers's History of Dunfermline, page 
131. Traditionally, it was known as the French Ambassador s House. 

Gas-Works Completed. — The Gas-House, Priory Lane, was 
completed on 26th Oct., and the main pipes, with the small branch 
pipes from them into the dwelling-houses, shops, &c., being all laid, 
" the gas zvas let on" on the evening of Wednesday, October 28, 1829. 
A great turn out of the inhabitants; the streets were crowded with 



628 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

town and country people to see the grand sight. There were some 
curious devices to be seen; one in particular at the west end of 
Bridge Street, which acted on the principle of Barker's Mill, viz., at 
the point where the burner is usually fixed, four horizontal arms 
proceeded from the centre of the stalk ; at the extreme ends of each 
there were small holes, out of these issued the gas, and put them in 
motion. They were kept whirling round by gas-power from seven 
till ten o'clock evening, to the admiration of thousands. 

The Rev. Alexander Fisher, minister of Queen Ann Street 
Church, died on the 26th September, 1829, in the twenty-seventh 
year of his age, and third of his ministry, (See also A7l Dunf. date 
March, 1827.) Mr. Fisher was the author of " Theological Gems,'' and 
'^Memoirs of Alexander Clark." 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Blackwood, Esq., re-elected 
Provost. {BurgJi Records, September, 1829.) Mr. Blackwood died 
on 1 8th December following. Provostship vacant until May, 1830. 
The first magistrate acted as provost during the interval. 

1830.— Literature. — ''Remains of the late Rev. Alex. Fisher, 
Minister of Queen Anne Street Congregation, Dunfermline, with a 
Brief Memoir of his Life. By Rev. John Brown, Edinburgh. 1830." 
This is an octavo volume of 448 pp., and contains eleven Lectures 
and Sermons, and six Sacramental addresses, &c. A profile likeness 
faces the title-page. 

Dunfermline Temperance Society was instituted 15th Feb., 
1 830. Coffee-house and Reading-room, St. Catherine's Wynd. (Dunf. 
Register.) 

Weaving. — Jacquard machines for looms, recently introduced 
into the trade, had hitherto made but small progress, only about a 
dozen being in use. About the beginning of 1830 a great impetus 
was given to them, and a great many of them were made by Matthew 
Parker and others. By the end of 1830 about 100 "Jacquards" were 
in use. (MS. Note.) 

Relief Cpiurch. — The Rev. Charles Waldie from Kelso was 
ordained assistant and successor to the Rev. Mr. Fergus on 3rd June, 
1830, and translated to Dalkeith 17th Dec, 1834. (Mackelvies An. 
and Stat., p. i ^6. 

Douglas Street, — The old tenement and adjacent house on the 



DUNFERMLINE DIRECTORY. 629 

east, noticed under date 1829, being removed, along with some old 
back-dikes, the street was in May this year opened for passengers and 
traffic, and had the name of Douglas Street given to it in compliment 
to the proprietor of most of the property here, viz., James Douglas, 
Esq., Writer. 

Tide-Table for Limekilns. — " Calculated by and published for 
E. Henderson, by Wm. Meldrum, printer, Nethertown, April, 1830." 
This table is printed on a slip of paper i2mo size, at the top of which 
there is a woodcut engraving showing the increasing and decreasing 
phases of the moon, beneath which is " the Table," divided into four 
columns: the first contains the moon's age; the second, the moon's 
southing; the third, the high water, morning ; and in the fourth, high 
water, evening; and concludes with an " Example," viz., Find out the 
age of the moon in the first column, then in the same horizontal line 
in the other columns will be found the moon's southing and morning 
and afternoon mean tides. Editions of this Table were printed in 
1830, 1832, 1836; since the latter date it has not been printed. (The 
writer of the A?mals is the author.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Since the death of Provost Black- 
wood, 1 8th Dec, 1829, there was no Provost in Dunfermline. On 
the 29th May of this year (1830) George Meldrum was elected Pro- 
vost till the usual time of elections in September. (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— George Meldrum, Esq., was re- 
elected Provost in Sept., 1830. (Burgh Records.) 

Dunfermline Total Abstinence Society was established in 
Sept., 1830, by Mr. John Davie, and other friends of the teetotal cause. 

Literature — Dunfermline Directory. — In December, 1830, Mr. 
John Miller compiled and published the first number of his "-Directory 
for the Toivn of Dunfermline, containing ah Alphabetical List of the 
Inhabitants, and also Gentlemen's Seats and Farm Steadings in the 
Neighbourhood, with their Proprietors' or Tenants' Names at Martin- 
mas, 1830. Dunfermline: Printed and Published by John Miller, 
Dec. 25, 1830." 32 pp. i6mo. This Directory contains the names of 
about 730 of the inhabitants, their professions, and places of residence, 
and was afterwards made the " Addenda" to the Dunfermline Register; 
but it soon ceased to exist. (MS. Note.) 

1831.— Dunfermline SKx\ting Club was formed in Jan., 1831. 



630 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Literature. — " The Gasometer ; or Dtmfermline Literary Maga- 
zine. Dunfermline: Published by John Miller." The first number of 
this i2mo monthly of 36 pp. was published on Saturday, ist January, 
1831. This miscellany was, during 1831-32, published at the begin- 
ning of each month ; the contributors to it were " native artists," &c., 
whose papers referred to "anything and everything. It might have 
lived longer, had many of said contributions been thrown into the 
waste-basket. The gas of the Gasometer was turned off on the 
appearance of the 12th number on Dec, 1831. The Gasometer, thus 
brought to a close, was bound and sold as a small vol., i2mo, pp. 497. 
It is now rarely to be seen ; our copy from the editor was, we observe, 
presented to us in Jan., 1832. 

Great Snow Storm — Death of the Tozvn Drummer in a Snotv- 
Drift. — There was a great fall of snow in the middle of January, 
1831; medium depth of snow on the street, 3^ feet; in drifts, from 
5 to 8 feet. James Dow, the town drummer, had, on the evening of 
the snow, been sent with a message to Headwell, a little to the north 
of the burgh; on his return home he mistook his way, got into a drift, 
and there perished. He was found on the following morning lying in 
the drift as if he had been asleep. Much sympathy was felt for his 
widow and family. 

Dr. John Mackie died, at Chichester, on 29th Jan., 1831, aged 
82 years. This eminent physician was born in the Queen's House, 
Dunfermline, on 3rd June, 1748, and was educated in the Grammar 
School, Dunfermline. Sometime before his death, he wrote and 
published for private circulation "A Sketch of a Neiu Theory of Man." 
The late Rev. Sir Henry Moncrieff, one of his schoolfellows, says of 
him, that, both at school and at college, young Mackie "was the most 
remarkable youth he had ever known." (CJial. Hist. Dunf vol. i, pp. 
532, 534-) 

A Great Reform Meeting was held in Queen Ann Street 
Church, on 8th March, 1831 — Provost Mcldrum in the chair. (MS.) 

Census. — The fotirtJi government census of Dunfermline was 
taken in April, 1831. The result was as follows: — Population of 
Dunfermline and suburbs, 10,625; of parish, 17,068; males in the 
burgh and suburbs, 5,399; females, 5,225; males in the parish, 8,440; 
females, 5,628. Increase of the population of the burgh and suburbs 
since 1821 census, 2,584 souls; in the parish, 3,378 souls. {Burgh 



THE REFORM BILL. 63 1 

Register, Augnst, 1831.) Thus, since 1801, Dunfermline had nearly 
doubled its population, while the parish was 1,892 souls short of the 
duplication, showing thereby an influx of the country population into 
the town. 

The Reform Bill. — As in other places at this period, "the bill, 
the whole bill, and nothing but the bill" occupied much of the public 
mind. The following extract from the Fife Herald of 31st March, 
1 83 1, will show how matters were going on in the grey toim: — 

" So great was the crowd at the Temperance Reading Room when the 
post arrived on Friday evening (25th March) anxious to hear the result of the 
division on t/ie second reading of the bill, that they had to adjourn to the May- 
gate Chapel, when, in the course of a few minutes, a congregation of nearly 
300 assembled, who seemed to hear with intense delight [read to them] the 
summary in the Titnes relating to the subject, and who united in three hearty 
cheers to the King and his Ministers. The corporation of wrights walked through 
the principal streets with flags and music. At the Cross was drunk the toast 
*' The King, his Ministers, and Mr. J^ohistone, our Member." At eight o'clock 
several hundreds of the inhabitants walked in procession from the town-house, 
and notwithstanding the immense multitudes present no accident took place." 

Reform Procession on ioth August, 1831. — "This was the 
first of a great many reform processions between 1831 and 1832." 
(MS.) 

Queen Ann Street Church Ordination. — The Rev. James 
Young, of Mauchline, was ordained minister of Queen Ann Street 
Church on ist June, 1831, as successor to the late Rev. Alexander 
Fisher, who died in September, 1829. (See Att. Dnnf date December, 
1829.) 

British Linen Company. — The British Linen Company re- 
established a Branch Bank in Dunfermline on 31st July, 1831, Robert 
Douglas, Esq., St. Margaret's Street, Agent. Note. — This Banking 
Company established a Branch in Dunfermline in 1804. Shortly 
afterwards it was withdrawn. 

Weaving Trade. — There were 2,670 looms in Dunfermline, and 
450 in the vicinity; total, 3,120 in the parish. (MS. Note.) 

Municipal Electors in the Burgh of Dunfermline ascertained 
to be 493, or 9 more than the electors of all the Stirling Burghs 
united. {Newspapers of this date.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Kerr, Esq., manufacturer, 
Bothwell Haugh Row, elected Provost, as successor to Mr. George 
Meldrum. {Burgh Records, September, 183 1.) 



632 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Literature. — "Orighml Songs, by Robert Gilfillan." Published 
September. This small i2mo volume of 149 pages, contains sixty- 
three songs and seven ballads. The songs are chiefly love songs, 
which we shall pass over, and give the following eight lines as a 
specimen of his composition, entitled The Bright Sim d Simmer: — 

" The bright sun o' simmer but lately was shining, 

The birds sang in joy and the earth blossomed green ; 
An' hope spoke of days without care or repining, 
Like those that in dreams o' my childhood I've seen. 

"But now the brown leaves o' the forest are fa'ing. 
An' quickly the sun hastens down through the sky ; 
The winds frae the caverns of winter are blawing, 
They tell me that simmer, like youth, has gone by." 

This small work was well received by the public, and has passed 
through several editions. {Vide An. Dtinf. date December, 1850.) 

1832.— Cholera Morbus Alarm.- -In February, of this year, 
" there was great consternation and alarm in Dunfermline, in conse- 
quence of intimations in newspapers, that the Cholera which had for 
some time before been raging on the Continent, had been imported 
into the town of Gateshead, near Newcastle. The magistrates ordered 
every species of nuisance to be instantly removed." 

Union of the Tradesmen's and Mechanics' Libraries. — 
The Mechanics' Institute Library was united to the Tradesmen's 
Library in 1832, in consequence of the depressed state of the Institute. 
The united Library, under certain restrictions, was then designated 
" The Tradesmen's and Mechanics' Library." (MS.) 

A Local Board of Health and Soup-Kitchen for Dunfermline 
were instituted in April, 1832. (Dtinf. Register.) 

Reform Procession. — There was a great Reform Procession in 
Dunfermline on 8th May, 1832. From our notes, it appears that — 

" About 4000 took part in the procession, walking five men abreast. The 
pole-bearers carried, on poles and otherwise, many curious emblems and 
devices. On the top of a pole there was an excellent model of a loom and 
drivers. On the top of another pole sat the figure of an old woman, with her 
piriKvheel at work. The colliers of Halbeath had on a pole a pretty large 
steam-engine. The Spinning Factory men had sets of heckles mounted on 
the tops of their poles ; while the incorporated trades of the burgh had their 
flags, and numerous bands of music enlivened the gay scene ; and, lastly, 
in a cart there was a Printing Press, worked by William Wilson and Henry 
Ogg, printers from Mr. Miller's printing establishment, who threw off, and 
threw out on all sides of them, printed slips regarding the cause of Reform. 



CHOLERA MORBUS. 633 

This grand procession moved on to the west end of the Nethertown, into a 
park on the north side of the bridge, where hustings were erected for the 
spcechijiers and for spectators. The Provost had only uttered a few words of 
his speech when the hustings fell ; no lives were lost, but several persons were 
severely hurt. This awkward occurrence threw a damp on the proceedings, 
which soon after were brought to a close. It was computed that at least 10,000 
spectators (inhabitants and strangers) accompanied this, the greatest procession 
ever heard of in Dunfermline." 

Cholera Morbus. — This terrible scourge reached Dunfermline 
on Sunday, 2nd September, 1832; "it made its first appearance 
in the suburb of Baldridge Burn, and caused great excitement and 
terror. A man named Mercer, a weaver, near Baldridge - Burn Toll, 
was the first who died in the district of cholera." (MS.) 

The Mason Lodge, Queen Ann Place, was built in 1832. This 
New Union Lodge is a chaste building of two storeys ; the upper 
storey is the lodge-room or hall, the under one is occupied by the 
Infant School, capable of accommodating 260 pupils ; both rooms arc 
very spacious. 

The Rev. George Barlas was, on September 2nd, 1832, sus- 
pended from the ministry of Chalmers Street Church. He formed a 
new congregation on the 12th September, 1832, with the sanction of 
the Presbytery. The Maygate Chapel was purchased for ;^440 los., 
and used as a meeting-house of this new congregation; sittings, 410." 
{Mackelvie's An. and Stat. p. 176.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Henry Russell, Esq., merchant, 
was elected Provost, in Sept. 1832. (Burgh Records.) 

Cholera Morbus — Fast-Day. — "Thursday, October nth, 1832, 
was kept as a Fast-day, and was observed with great solemnity on 
account of the rapid spread of the disease." (Fife Herald, &c.) 

William Cobbett in Dunfermline. — "On October 15, 1832, 
the celebrated politician, orator, and author, visited Dunfermline. 
During his short stay, he delivered a political lecture in the Maygate 
Chapel to a numerous audience." {Fife Herald, October 18, 1832.) 

Cholera Morbus. — Dunfermline and vicinity, on November 17, 
1832, "was declared to be free of pestilence." From the commence- 
ment, on the 2nd September, to 17th November, 1832, a period of y6 
days, there occurred 349 cases of cholera and 158 deaths. "When at 
its height, there were from 15 to 24 funerals a-day." A note states 
that " the dead-cart collected the coffins at the doors of the deceased 

4M 



634 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

persons, and drove them to the Churchyard, where they were interred. 
Few of the relations followed the cart for fear of infection. Walter 
Bell, tailor and poet, Willie Nicol, the blue beadle, and other notables, 
died during the cholera period." (MS. and Neivspaper Notes.) 

1833.— Literature. — "The Precursor: a Monthly News- 
paper, edited by Thomas Morrison, senior, and printed by W, Liddell, 
west end of Bridge Street; on Tuesday, ist January, 1833. Price 
twopence." It was a small 4to of four pages, and contained news, 
advertisements, &c. The publication of it ceased with No. 3. 

The Dunfermline Sunday School Association was instituted this 
year, 1833. (Dunf. Reg.) 

The Dunfermline Voluntary Church Association was also insti- 
tuted this same year. (Du,nf. Reg.) 

Literature. — ^^TJie Testimony of N attire and Revelation to the 
Beitigy Perfections, and Government of God. By the Rev. Henry 
Fergus, Dunfermline. March, 1833." This is an octavo of 387 pages, 
and is divided into the following sections, viz. : — Of the Origin of the 
World; Evidences of Design in Nature; Of the Perfections of Deity; 
and of the Gospel. (See also An. Dunf. date 18 10.) 

Drawing Academy. — The Dunfermline Drawing Academy, 
established on 17th July, 1826, was abandoned in 1833 for want of 
proper support. 

St. Andrew's Church, yV^/Y/^ Chapel Street. — In 1832 the old 
"Chapel of Ease" being considered too small and incommodious, it 
was resolved to remove it, and to erect a large building on the same 
site. The new church was finished and opened for public worship on 
23rd June, 1833; there were sittings for 800. The old name, "Chapel 
Kirk," was deleted, and that of St. Andrew's Church substituted. 
{MS. Note; see also An. Dunf date 1835.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Henry Russell, Esq., merchant, 
re-elected Provost, September, 1833. (Bu,rgh Records.) 

Ordination, Chalmers Street ChurcJi. — Rev. Robert Cuthbertson 
was ordained minister of this church on 13th November, 1833. He 
resigned his charge in September, 1845. {Mackelvie's Annals and 
Statistics, pp. 176, 177.) 

The Collierow — Bmce Street. — The Collierow, which had for 



CHARLESTOWN HARBOUR. 635 

upwards of 400 years been known by this name, was, at the end of 

1833, changed; for a few weeks it was called King Street, but 
ultimately, the name Bruce Street was given to it, which still continues 
to be the name of this ancient thoroughfare. The Messrs. Ker, 
manufacturers in this street, were the prime movers in getting the 
name altered. (MS. Note.) 

Mr. Robert Flockhart, weaver, politician, and poet. Back of 
Dam, died at an advanced age. (See An. Dunf. date 1798.) He died 
much respected by all who knew him. 

1834.— Numbering of the Houses. — In 1822 an attempt was 
made to have all the houses in the burgh numbered, but very few 
were found to favour the new-fangled notion; only a few persons 
in the eastern division of the High Street adopted the proposal. 
Nothing farther was done in the matter until January, 1834, when 
a general numbering of the houses set in, and during the year all the 
houses were duly numbered. (MS. Note.) 

Dunfermline and Charlestown Railway. — Early in 1834, a 
branch railroad was made, uniting the Elgin waggon road with the 
lower part of the town, south-west of the Nethertown, for the con- 
veyance of goods and passengers from Dunfermline to Charlestown ; 
it was worked by horse-power. (MS.) 

New Church. — A new Baptist Church was built in East Queen 
Ann Street, opposite the top end of Bonnar Street. (MS. Note.) 

The Dunfermlitie Horticultural Society Instituted in May, 1834. — 
This Society was instituted for improvement in the science of 
horticulture, and awarding prizes for superior horticultural produce. 
(MS. Note.) 

The Western District of Fife Agricultural Association Instituted, 
2'jth May, 18J4.. — The Chicken Pie Club, instituted in 1760, and the 
Dunfermline Farmers' Society of 1765, united into one club under the 
designation above given. It meets annually in July. 

Literature. — ''Monthly Advertiser for the Counties of Fife, 
Clackmannan, Kinross, and Vicinities. No. i. Published ist May 

1834. Gratis. By William Liddell, Printer, 28 High Street, Dun- 
fermline." This Monthly was a small quarto of 4 pages, 83^ by 73^ 
inches. We arc in possession of No. 3, dated 5th July, 1834; it is 



6^6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

filled with advertisements, no news of any kind in it, and was dis- 
tributed gratis, and depended on advertisements for its existence. 

Views of Dunfermline, &c. — Nine excellent Views of the 
Abbey, Monastery, Palace, and general view of the city from the 
south-east, were this year, 1834, engraved and published by John 
Johnstone, Edinburgh, Many of these embellish the first volume of 
Dr. Chalmers's History of Dunfermline. 

Theatricals. — Mr. Ryder, with a large staff of artistes, arrived in 
Dunfermline in June, 1834, when the Mason Hall was fitted up for 
their performances. The handbills announced that Mr. Ryder "had 
a greater diversity of scenery than was ever before displayed in 
Dunfermline; an unlimited wardrobe, comprising the costumes of 
various ages and nations, and a large company of performers, 
musicians," &c. On 7th July the subject of performance was "The 
Rivals," with "Gilderoy" as the after-piece. Pit, 2s. 6d.; Gallery, li'. 
Mr. Ryder was well patronized. 

Exhibition of Drawings. — The numerous drawings made by 
Mr. Campbell's pupils were exhibited in Mr. Rankine's Hall on 15th 
and 1 6th July, from nine o'clock morning till eight o'clock in the 
evening. (MS. Note.) This exhibition was well attended ; great 
many views of the Abbey, the Fratery, Palace, and of notable objects 
in the locality. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — The Provost this year was elected 
in November, under the provisions of the New Reform Municipal 
Act, instead of the old use-and-wont Martinmas election in Septem- 
ber. Henry Russell, Esq., merchant, was re-elected on 9th November. 
He was, as one of our notes states, "the first reform Provost of 
Dunfermline." 

" Berry - Law - Tap " Cairn. — During the year 1834 a slight 
digging was made into the highest peak of Berry- Law-Tap. Nothing 
was found excepting a kind of cairn and one mouldered bone. There 
were no coins. (MS. Note.) 

Ancient Tenement Removed. — The old house at the corner 
angle of High Street and Shaddo Wynd (now Bonnar Street) was 
removed during the autumn of 1834. As the north part of the pend 
of the East Port was connected with this house, it had in former times 
the name of the East Port House. A sketch of it was made for the 
writer in August, 1832, by J. Carmichael, and we here reproduce it as 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF DUNFERMLINE. 



637 



an illustration, as being, perhaps, the last remnant of Grey Dunfermline. 
On the wall of this house, near the top, there is a man's head, cut in 
stone, also a stone having "W C, 1609," cut on it. These stones 
have been set into the walls of the modern building. 




Literature. — ''A Historical and Chronological Table of the 
Ancient Town of Dunfermline, from 106^ to iSj^. Printed by John 
Johnstone, 19 St. James's Square, Edinburgh, for A. Mercer." This 
table is printed in seven perpendicular columns, on a sheet of paper 
25 by 21 inches, and contains, in a condensed form, the Annals of 
Dunfermliiie, from 1064 to the end of the year 1833, price \s. 6d.; 
on rollers, 3^-. 6d. Dr. Chalmers, in his History of Dunfermline, vol. i. 
p. yd), refers to the authorship of this Chronological Table, and, in order 
to corroborate his statement, it may be repeated here that, with a few 
exceptions, this Table was compiled by the writer of the present 
volume, who gave the manuscript to Mr. Mercer, in free gift, to get 
printed for his own benefit. The writer, some years afterwards, had 
the pleasure and satisfaction of being told by that worthy and 
amiable man himself, that by the sale of the Chronological Table he 
had "realized considerable pecuniary benefit." 

The Dunfermline Scientific Association was instituted 
28th November, 1834 — David Lawrie, Esq., preses. (Dunf Regist.) 



638 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Burials in Dunfermline Chnrchyard. — From ist January, 1833, 
to 1st January, 1834, inclusive, there were 331 interments in the 
Churchyard. (Diinf. Regist. Burials.) 

1835.— St. Andrew's Church, North Chapel Street, was 
erected into a quoad sacra parish church in 1835, and a contiguous 
district of the town, containing about 3000 of a population, was 
assigned to it. 

Bleaching Machine.— In the year 1835, William Cant, the 
" water- walker," invented an engine for bleaching yarn. {Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. i. p. 371.) 

The Western District of Fife Reform Association was instituted 
3rd June, 1835 — Sir J. D. Erskine, Bart., of Torry, chairman ; James 
Hunt, Esq., of Pittencrieff, deputy-chairman ; James Macfarlane, Esq., 
secretary. (Dunf. Regist.) 

The Town-Jiouse Clock-Dials First Illuminated by Gas. — The 
apparatus was fixed up in July, 1835, by Mr. Robert Hart, Glasgow, 
and the clock was lighted for the first time in October, 1835. T^- ^^J 

The Holy Catholic Apostolic Congregation \v2a formed in 1835 — 
Rev. William Cannan, pastor. (MS.) 

Relief Church. — The Rev. Neil M'Michael, A.M., was ordained 
assistant and successor to the Rev. Henry Fergus, on nth August, 
1835. This church is now known as Gillespie's Church. (See An. 
Dunf date 1874.) 

Debt of the Burgh of Dunfermline Mortgaged. — On 1 3th October, 
1835, the debt was found to be ^13,421 \2s. c^Y^d. This year the 
Town Council executed a deed conveying the whole property and 
revenues of the burgh, with the exception of the petty customs, to an 
accountant in Edinburgh for behoof of the creditors. {Chal. Hist. 
Dunf vol. i. pp. 397, 398.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Henry Russell, Esq., merchant, 
was re-elected Provost, November, 1835. (Burgh Records.) 

Weaving — Yam Purchased in 18^5. — In the year 1835, IHax, to 
the value of ;^58,35o was purchased by the Dunfermline manufac- 
turers. (MS.) 

Piivsior.OGicAL Lectures. — A course of twelve lectures on 



ANNULAR ECLIPSE. 639 

physiology was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Barlas in Maygate Chapel. 
(MS. Note.) 

1836.— The Annular Eclipse. — The following extract re- 
garding the Annular Eclipse of the Sun, of the 15th May, 1836, is 
taken from the writer's notes : — 

This rare type of an eclipse excited great interest over the whole of 
Britain, especially over that tract where the full annulus, or ring, of the Sun 
could be seen surrounding the dark disc of the Moon. Dunfermline being 
situated to the north of that tract, a perfect, or complete luminous ring, of 
different breadths, was distinctly seen at the middle point of the eclipse. The 
day was particularly favourable for witnessing such a splendid sight. As it had 
been predicted, the middle of the eclipse occurred at 7 minutes after 3 o'clock 
on the afternoon of Sunday, i5lh May, 1836. The ministers of the several 
churches in town delivered lectures in the forenoon, having reference to the 
eclipse, from appropriate texts, and, before dismissing their congregations, 
informed them that the churches in town were to be closed during the after- 
noon, so that all might have an opportunity of "seeing a glorious, but seldom- 
seen phenomenon, for none of them would ever see the like again." Accord- 
ingly, the streets of the town and the country-roads became crowded with 
spectators, some looking out for the eclipse through pieces of smoked glass, 
and dark silk napkins ; while others contented themselves with looking 
through their nearly-closed fingers, and when 3 h, 7 min. came, great interest 
was manifested, and "the greater portion of the lookers-on were much gratified;" 
a number, however, were disappointed. Still, some had expected that it would 
be "pitch dark" at the middle of the eclipse; others expected that there would 
have been "a very considerable darkness at that time." The darkness at 3h. 
7 min. was not greater than is experienced at 30 minutes before sunrise, or 
the same length of time after sunset. For explanation of which, see works 
on Astronomy. (See An. Dunf. p. 248.) 

Weaving Trade. — The following tables were compiled by a 
Committee of the Dunfermline Manufacturers in July, 1836, for the 
use of the late Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P. : — 

Table I. — The Description and Number of Persons Employed, and 
their Average Weekly Wages. 



Weavers (men and boys), .... 

Warpers, Warehousemen, and Lappers (men] 

Winders and Pirn-fillers (women and girls), . 

Yarn Boilers (chiefly women). 

Bleachers of Yarn, ..... 

Bleachers of Cloth (men and women), . 

Lappers in the Public Lapping Houses (chiefly men), 

Designers or Pattern Drawers (men), . 

Do. do. Assistants, 

Pattern Cutters (men and women), 
Dyers (men), ...... 

Total number of Persons employed, . . 5044 





Average Weekly 


Number. 


Wages. 

S. D. 


• 35^7 


18 


150 


15 


HOC 


4 


29 


7 


35 


7 


150 


8 6 


n), 29 


9 6 


5 


— 


7 


— 


12 


10 


10 


18 



640 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



Table II. — The Amount of Capital Employed in the Weaving Trade in 

Dunfermlijte and immediate Vicinity. 
3517 Looms, producing annually finished Goods to the amount 

of (calculating each Loom at ;^ 1 00), .... ;!£"35i,7oo 

Value of Loom-shops and Work-houses, .... 156,000 

„ 3000 Damask Looms, at ;^io each, . . . 30,000 

,, 517 Diaper Looms, at ;^3 each, . . . i,55x 

Mounting, or Patterns, and Cards for the 3517 Looms, . 4,500 

The Houses and Warehouses of the Manufacturers, . . 20,000 

Warping Mills and Bobbins, 500 

Floating Capital, at ;^6o for each Loom, .... 211,000 

Machinery and Houses for boiling Yarn, .... 3, 100 

Floating Capital for do., . . . . 250 

Machinery, Ground, and Houses for bleaching Yarns, . . 6,000 

Floating Capital for do., . . 3,500 

Houses, Ground, and Machinery for bleaching Cloth, . . 20,000 

Floating Capital for do., . . 8,000 

Houses for calendering, lapping, and finishing Goods, . . 6,000 

Floating capital for do., . . 1,000 

Houses and Machinery for cutting Patterns, . . . 1,250 

Floating Capital for do., .... 340 

Houses and Machinery for dyeing Worsted and Cotton, . 620 

Floating Capital for do., . . 950 



Table III. — Number, 
Single Diaper, 
Single Damask, . 
Double do., 
Table Covers, 
Worsted Warps, . 
Linen (full harness) 
Bed Quilts, . 



Total, 
and Differ 



;j^826,26l 



Total number. 
Table IIIa 



ent Kinds of Looms. 
770 
1880 
369 
445 
13 
15 
17 



3517 



Date. 


Looms within 
the Parish. 


Looms out of 
the Parish. 


Total. 


Value. 


1749 


About 400 


— 


400 


— 


1788 
1792 


820 


About 380 


900 
1200 


z 


1813 


930 


70 


1000 


^95.000 


1818 


1500 


150 


1650 


120,000 


1822 


— 




1800 


— 


1831 

1836 (July) 

1837 (Aug.) 


2670 

2794 
2983 


450 
723 
717 


3120 

3517 
3700 


35i>7oo 
370,000 



These tables were sent to us by the late Mr. Alex. Halley, in 1836, 



DEATH OF REV. HENRY FERGUS. 641 

Death of the Rev. Allan M'Lean.— The Rev. Allan M'Lean, 
who had been minister of the First Charge of the Abbey Church, Dun- 
fermline, since 30th June, 1791, died on 3rd June, 1836. 

Spinning Mills in the Parish of Dunfermline. — In the 
year 1836 there were seven spinning mills in full operation in the 
parish, namely, at Harvie-Brae, Golfdrum, Millport, top of Bruce 
Street, Knabbie Street, Clay-Acres, Milton Green, and Midmill. 
(MS. Note.) "Shortly afterwards the Milton Green Mill was closed, 
and Millport and Golfdrum Mills suspended." At these seven mills, 
160 men and 160 women were employed; number of spindles, 7,704, 
and about 1,060 tons of flax were consumed yearly. 

Dunfermline Abbey Church. — Rev. Peter Chalmers, A.M., 
who had been minister of the Second Charge of this church since 
1 8th July, 1 8 17, was, on the death of Rev. Allan M'Lean, inducted 
minister of the First Charge on 5th October, 1836. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — George Birrell, Esq., manufacturer, 
elected Provost. {Burgh Records^ Nov., 1836.) 

Post-Office Revenue in 1836, ;^i,402, lOi-. 10^.; Stamp-Office, 
;^2,34i, 8i-. 6d. 

The Weaving Trade. — It was estimated by several of the 
manufacturers, near the end of this year, that table-linen and other 
goods woven in Dunfermline, and exported to America in 1836, 
were of the value of i^i 53,000, and for home consumption, ;6^i98,7oo. 
(MS. Note.) 

Late and Bad Harvest. — The harvest of 1836 around Dun- 
fermline was uncommonly late, and much below the average. The 
stooks were standing among the snow on 7th November. 

1837. — The Dunfermline Harmonists' Society was instituted in 
1837 t>y Mr. James Rankine, master of the Song School, Dunfermline. 

Abbey Church Ordination. — The Rev. John Tod Brown was 
ordained minister of the Second Charge of the Abbey Church, Dun- 
fermline, on nth May, 1837. He resigned his charge in 1844, and 
went to Liverpool, where he was for a short period minister of the 
Scotch Church, Rodney Street. {MS. Note.) 

The Rev. Henry Fergus, minister of the Relief Church, died 
in his manse. North Chapel Street, on the 2nd July, 1837, aged 

4N 



642 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

seventy-three. He was an eminent historian and philosopher, and 
the first who lectured to the members of the Mechanics' Institute in 
1825. Mr. Fergus was the author of the following works: — "A Short 
Account of the Laws and Institutions of Moses," 1810; "The 
Testimony of Nature and Revelation to the Being, Perfections, and 
Government of God," 1833. "The History of the United States of 
America," &c., for Lardner's Encyclopedia. (MS. Note.) 

The Rev. George Barlas, minister of Chalmers Street Church 
from 1820 to 1832, and of the congregation, Maygate Chapel, from 
1832 to 1837, died in Viewfield House, Dunfermline, on 29th July, 
^^?)7, aged forty-two years. (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — George Birrell, Esq., re-elected 
Provost. {Bur£/i Reeords, Nov., 1837.) 

Stagnation in the Weaving Trade. — A great many of the 
weavers were paid off at the end of this year; many hundreds going 
idle. Subscriptions to the amount of about i^ 1,000 collected to assist 
in relieving distress, about ;^6oo of which was laid out in giving 
employment to the most necessitous in road and street repairs. 
(MS. Note.) 

Great Distress in Dunfermline during 1837. — Influenza, 
typhus fever, and measles prevailed to a great extent, of which 
ailments a great many died, and hence there was a great increase in 
the number of deaths on the register. During 1837 there were 493 
interments in the Abbey Churchyard, being 182 of increase over that 
of 1836. (Pai'ish Register.) 

1838. — Coal. — From time immemorial, down to January, 1838, 
the Burgh of Dunfermline worked its own coal at Townhill. At this 
period the workings, which extend to about 700 acres, were let on 
lease to a company. (MS. Note.) 

Death of the Rev. George Bell Brand. — On 21st February, 
1838, at his house, east end of Abbey Park Place, died suddenly, the 
Rev. George Bell Brand, of St. Andrew's Church, in the 52nd year of 
his age, and 21st of his ministry. 

The Heritable Jurisdiction Fj:u and Teind Dues. — In 
1748, these dues, &c., reverted to the Crown. In 1780, the vassals, 
represented by the Earl of Elgin and the Countess of Rothesay, 
obtained a nineteen years' lease of them, which lease expired in 1799. 



WEAVING STATISTICS. 643 

The vassal rights were held by tacit relocation (silent acknowledge- 
ment) until March, 1838, when the quiet lease came to an end. The 
dues, payable to the Crown, are now managed by the "Commissioners 
of Woods and Forests." (MB. Note). 

The Dunfermline Savings Bank was established in 1815. In 
1838 it was connected with the National Security Savings Bank. 
Since then the business of the Bank has very greatly increased. This 
year 430 accounts were opened ; amount deposited, £^^^7^ I2J-. <^d.\ 
principal sums and interest paid, £10"] '^s. t</.; transactions, 605. 
(MS. Note.) 

View of the Abbey. — In Beattie's "Scotland Illustrated," pp. 
144-146, published in 1838, there is a short description of Dunferm- 
line Abbey, &c,, along with a view of the Abbey and Fratery, taken 
at a point about 50 yards south-east of the new Abbey Church. 
The view, although in many respects good, is not very correct. The 
great eastern window is stunted, and the great western window of the 
Fratery is not correctly taken. 

Weaving Statistics.— In the month of July, 1838, a Committee 
of the Weavers of Dunfermline compiled the following table for the 
use of the Hand-loom Commissioners : — 

Looms belonging to Single Men in the burgh, &c., . . 475 

,, „ Married Men „ . . 2,098 

,, ,, Warehousemen, ,, . . 156 

,, ,, Manufacturers, „ . . 218 



Total, 2,947 

Owners of looms who work, and who are unmarried, . . 279 
„ „ married, . _ . 695 

„ „ Journeymen unmarried, 762 

„ ,, married, . . 231 

„ ,, Apprentices bound, . 44 

„ „ unbound, . . 554 

„ ,, married weavers, 926 

Number of families — married, ...... 4,422 

Of these at the loom, ....... 1,394 

Winding of pirns, ........ 1,155 

Not of age, ......... 1,873 

In July, 1838, there were 617 weavers unemployed. (These statistics 

were sent to the writer by Mr. Alex. Halley on September, 1838.) 

The Stagflation in the Weaving Trade greatly abated, and con- 
sequently the distress was much reduced. (MS. Note.) 



644 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

A Large Drawing, entitled '' Fight between Bothwell and Balfour" 
(" Old Mortality "), was this year designed and drawn by Mr. Joseph 
N. Paton. This was this celebrated artist's first work. (For a short 
list of his works, see end o{ Adde?ida, An. Dunf.) 

Maygate Secession Chapel. — The Rev. Thomas Smith was 
ordained minister of this church 24th April, 1838. He was deposed 
26th November, 1839. 

A Plan of the Town and Parish of Dunfermline was drawn in 
1826, and corrected to 1838, from astronomical observations by 
E. Henderson, F.R.A.S. It was published in 1838, price \s. 6d. Size, 
19 in. by 15 in., drawn on stone, and lithographed. 

Baldridge Works, north-west end of Golfdrum, was built by 
Mr. R. Robertson, manufacturer, for the weaving of table linen, &c., 
by steam-power. It did not succeed, was given up, and sold to 
the Government for military barracks in 1855, and re-sold to Mr. 
Mordaunt Gray, Edinburgh, in 1859. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Jas. Morris, Esq., elected Provost. 
{Burgh Records, Nov., 1838.) 

Literature. — " Summer Months among the Moimtains. By 
Andrew Mercer. Published by Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh. 
1838." This is a i2mo volume of 200 pages, and contains thirty-nine 
poetic pieces. The following will suffice as a specimen, page 89 : — 

"Dunfermline Abbey — Time, Midjiight. 

"On abbey wall, and palace hall i "O'er many a rood of holy glade 

The winter moon is gleaming ; , Their fabrics huge extended ; 

Those ruins dun — their race now run — i And architecture gave its aid, 

Huge skeletons are seeming 1 | And strength with beauty blended. 

Yet rose their towers magnificent Rich grants munificently given 

Throughout the ancient ages, i By kings, in their emotion 

Adorned with every ornament | Of saintly piety, to Heaven — 

That eye and heart engages. | Their homage of devotion." 

They rose, amid the wilds around, j 
Like some fair isle on ocean found. 

(See also Annals of Dunfermline, dates 1813, 1816, 1819, and 1828, 
for Mercer's other works.) 

Geological Lectures. — Mr. Rose, geologist and mineralogist, 
Edinburgh, finished his popular course of lectures on Geology, &c., in 



THE PENNY POSTAGE. 645 

1839, — Legal Assessment for the support of the Poor was first 
introduced early this year, in consequence of the refusal of many 
heritors, farmers, and others to continue their voluntary contribu- 
tions. (MS. Note.) 

Astronomical Lectures. — A short course of three lectures on 
Astronomy (with apparatus, &c.) was delivered in January, 1839, i" 
the Maygate Chapel and St. Margaret's Church, by E. Henderson, 
LL.D., the writer of the Annals. There were large audiences. 

St. Andrew's Church. — The Rev. Andrew Sutherland was 
ordained minister of this church on 28th March, 1839, 

Lord Dunfermline. — The Right Honourable James Aber- 
crombie, M.P., and Speaker of the House of Commons, on being 
"called to the House of Peers," in 1838, took the title of Lord 
Dunfermline. He died in April, 1858, and was succeeded in the 
title by his son. 

Assessed Taxes. — The amount of assessed taxes in the burgh, 
from April, 1838, to April, 1839, was £<)'j6 13^-. 

Dunfermline and Charlestown Railway. — "Between 15th 
May, 1838, and 15th May, 1839, there were 22,940 passengers shipped 
and landed at Charlestown. The most of these used this railway." 
(Mr. Wilson.) 

The Original Burgher Church, Canmore Street (the Auld-Licht 
Kirk), was erected into a quoad sacra church in connection with the 
Establishment in 1839. ^^ was removed in 1843 to make way for a 
site for the Free Abbey Church. (See " P>ee Abbey Church," yi;/. 
Dimf. date 1843, 1844.) 

National Security Savings Bank. — In 1839 there were 435 
accounts opened; ^^8,203 ^s. 2d. deposited; ^3,276 13^-. 2^., principal 
sums and interest repaid ; transactions, 2,508. (M^. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Morris, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1839. (BurgJi Records.) 

Postal and Stamp Revenues. — Revenue derived from the Post 
Office, £1,611 ys. 6d, ; from Stamp Office, ;!^2,402 \\s. gd. 

1840.— Penny Postage — loth January, 1840. — A note written 
shortly after this date, states that " a great deal of letter-writing by 



646 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

both old and young was done in Dunfermline on January 9th and 
lOth, to send through the Post to "friends at a distance." Many 
thought that this cheap post was "too good to last!" The postage 
boon was, as in all other places, hailed with joyous satisfaction in 
Dunfermline. 

Literature. — The Rev. Mr. Chalmers's Prize Essay on the 
Dnnfermli7ie Coal Field was printed in the Quarterly Journal of the 
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland for June, 1840. (See 
also CJial. Hist. Dunf, vol. i. pp. 18-27.) 

Water-Pipes. — In consequence of a deficient supply of water, 
and the old pipes becoming encrusted and filled up, a new line of 
water-pipes of cast-iron, 8 inches in diameter, was this year (1840) 
laid down between Grant's Bank Toil and the Reservoir. (MS.) 

Printing. — Mr. William Clark, bookseller. High Street, com- 
menced printing, and shortly afterwards published the first number 
of his Dnnfennline Journal. (See An. Dunf. dates 1862 and 1872.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Morris, Esq., manufacturer^ 
was re-elected Provost, Nov., 1840. (BurgJi Records.) 

The North Church (Golfdrum), founded early in 1840, was 
finished and opened for public worship in November, 1840; sittings 
for 800. (MS.) Cost of the building, ^1,673, of which p^i,oo2 was 
raised by subscription, and ;^4i received from the General Assembly's 
Extension Fund. 

Weaving — Beaming Machine. — " In the month of July, 1840, the 
Operative Weavers' Committee offered a premium of ;^io to any one 
who should invent and construct an apparatus for facilitating the 
beaming of webs. Several persons entered the lists, but at last the 
reward was equally divided between Robert Lawson, weaver, and 
James Robertson, wright, their machines being equal in merit. 

1841.— Maygate Chapel — Ordination. — The Rev. James Gib- 
son was ordained minister of this chapel on the 20th of January, 1841. 
(Mackelvies S talis, p. 178 ; see also An. Dunf.) He demitted his 
charge on the 20th of June, 1847, and went to Brechin. 

Street Lamps. — In 1841 it was found that there were 250 public 
lamps in the town — a great contrast to the number in 1752, when 12 
lamps were considered sufficient for the service. (MS. Note) 



FIFTH GOVERNMENT CENSUS. 647 

Old Silver Coin Found.— A ten-shilling piece of King James 
VI. was found in a garden in Woodmill Road, in 1841 — obverse^ a 
bust of the King, with sword ; reverse, " HONOR REGIS, 1582," Scotch 
arms, crowned, "J. R.," and "Xj-/^." at the sides ; it was in the posses- 
sion of the Rev. Mr. Chalmers. (Vide dial. Hist. Dim/, vol. i. p. 283.) 

The Ornithological Society was instituted in Dunfermline 
" for rearing and improving singing-birds, in plumage and melody." 

Literature. — A small volume, consisting of three lectures and 
thirteen sermons, by the late Rev, George Bell Brand, was published 
in 1 84 1, under the editorial care of the Rev. David Dickson, West 
Church, Edinburgh. 

Census. — The Fifth Government Census of Dunfermline was 
taken in April of this year. The population of the Town and Parish 
of Dunfermline was 20,239 ; Town and Suburbs, within the new Par- 
liamentary Boundary, 13,323 ; of which 6,741 are males, and 6,582 
females. (For further particulars, see Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. pp. 
327-331 ; see also Dunf. An. Regist. for 1842.) In 1831, the popula- 
tion within the Old Royalty Boundary was 10,625 ; that of 1841, 
within the new Parliamentary Boundary, 13,323, showing an increase 
of population in the 10 years of 2,698, partly arising from the natural 
increase, and partly by taking the enumeration over a wider area. 

Assessed Taxes. — ^The amount of Assessed Taxes in the Burgh 
for 1 841 was £61^ lis. ^d. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — ^'Scotland: Its Counties, Cities, Chief Toivns, &c., 
with their Localities. Interspersed with numerous Anecdotes, Descrip- 
tive and Historical. Iji Verse; for the use of Schools and Private 
Families. By Andrew Thomson. Published by W. Clark, Dunferm- 
line, 1841," i2mo, 32 pp. 

This year the Municipal Boundary of the Burgh was extended and 
altered " to suit the increased population, and other circumstances." 
{Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i, p. 399.) 

The Rechabites.— The "Robert the Bruce" Tent of Rechabites 
was formed in Dunfermline in 184 1. 

North Church, Golfdrum.— The Rev. Charles Marshall was 
inducted minister of this Church in June, 1841. (MS. Note.) 

Scottish Baptist Church, James Street. — In 1841 this small 
church, originally formed in 1805, broke up into two congregations. 



648 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

one worshipping in James Street, and the other in the Music Hall, 
North Inglis Street. (MS. Note.) 

The Railroad or waggon-road connecting Townhill and Halbeath 
coal works with the Port of Inverkeithing completed. (MS. Note.) 

The Professorship of Systematic Theology and Church History 
was conferred on the Rev. Neil M'Michael by the Relief Synod in 
1 84 1 . (Newspaper.) 

The Charlestown Sick-Fund was instituted in 1841. {MS>. Note.) 
Provost of Dunfermline. — James Morris, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost. {BiL7'gJi Records, Nov., 1841.) 

Death of the Earl of Elgin. — Thomas Bruce, the seventh 
Earl of Elgin, and eleventh Earl of Kincardine, died at Paris on the 
14th November, 1841, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He was 
succeeded by his eldest son James, eighth Earl of Elgin, and twelfth 
Earl of Kincardine. (MS., Newspapers, &c.) 

Mortality for 1841. — The number of interments in Dunferm- 
line Churchyard, during the year 1841, was 513, "the largest number 
ever known." (MS. Note.) 

Gas. — Webster's Improvement for purifying and cheapening gas 
was introduced into Dunfermline Gas Works on 29th December, 1841. 
(Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol i. p. 393.; Gas Book, &c.) 

1842.— Congregational Church. — This Church is in Can- 
more Street, "was founded in 1841, and opened for worship on the 
2nd of January, 1842; sittings for about 700." It has a handsome 
facade, and is furnished with an excellent organ — the Rev. George 
Thomson, pastor. 

Oddfellows. — The Malcolm Canmore Lodge of Oddfellows was 
instituted on the 19th of April, 1842. (See Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. 
p. 461.) 

On the Dunfermline and Charlestown Railway, between 15th 
May, 1 841, and 15th May, 1842, "there were 24,485 passengers who 
travelled on this railway." (MS.) 

Savings Bank. — In 1842, in the National Security Savings Bank, 
there were 212 accounts opened, and £6,6n 12s. lod. deposited; 
principal sums and interest repaid, £7,S^S ^^J". ; transactions, 2,956. 
(Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol i, p. 386 ; Bank Ledger, &c.) 



DEATH OF ANDREW MERCER. 649 

The Old Churchyard, — This ancient burying-ground had long 
been in bad condition. This year it was levelled, many of the grave- 
stones removed, and others laid flat." (MS. Note.) 

Death of Mr. Andrew Mercer. — On July 12th, 1842, Mr. 
Andrew Mercer, historian, poet, and drawing-master, died in the 70th 
year of his age, and the 32nd of his residence in Dunfermline. He 
was a native of Stow, in Midlothian, and in early life studied for the 
ministry of the Associate Synod, under Dr. Lawson, of Selkirk, in 
1796 ; but after a time relinquished such studies. In 1804 he edited 
the North British Magazine, and, through his position as editor, 
became acquainted with many of the celebrated literati of the day. 
In 1 8 10 he came to Dunfermline, having been engaged by Mr. John 
Johnstone to take charge of the higher classes in his academy, and 
to teach Drawing. Mr. Johnstone,, in 18 16, abandoned the profession 
of teacher, and went to Inverness to conduct a newspaper in that 
town. Mr. Mercer was thus thrown upon his own resources. By the 
advice of friends he formed a Drawing-Class, which, along with the 
sale of his literary works, was his sole dependence for a great many 
years. His productions will be found noticed in the '^Annals','' under 
the date of their publication, viz.: — ^^Duufermlifie Abbey: a Poem" 
1 8 19; ^'History of Dunfermline^' 1828; ^^ Chronological Table of Dun- 
fermline" (by E. Henderson), 1834; and "Sjimmer Motiths among 
the Mountains" 1838. Mr. Mercer, with whom the writer was long 
on intimate terms of friendship, was a most worthy man, an excellent 
classical scholar, and a kind-hearted cheerful friend. He died in his 
lodgings, in the old Mason Lodge House, top of Bruce Street, and was 
interred in Dunfermline old churchyard, where a small tombstone, 
erected by some friends to his memory, indicates his last resting-place. 

Weavers' Strike. — In the autumn of 1842 there was a great 
strike of weavers in Dunfermline for a rise of wages, which caused 
much loss both to masters and men. {MS. Note ; vide also Chal. 
Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 50.) 

Coin of King Robert the Bruce Found — A silver penny of King 
Robert the Bruce was found in the Churchyard, in 1842, while a grave 
was being dug. It was claimed by "the Barons of the Exchequer." 

The Trinity Episcopal Church, in Queen Ann Place, was founded 
at the end of the year 1841, and was consecrated and opened for 
worship on 25th October, 1842. This is a handsome building. The 

40 



650 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



front, which faces the east, is highly ornamented. The church has 
a fine-toned organ. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Erskine Beveridge, Esq., manu- 
facturer, was in November this year elected Provost. (Bur. Rec.) 

The M'Lean School, Golfdrum, was " opened for scholastic duties, 
November, 1842." (Neivspaper.) 

Number of Schools in the Parish. — In 1842 it Avas ascertained 
that there were 33 schools in the Parish, with a total attendance of 
2,200 scholars, of which number 1,200 were boys and 1,000 girls. 

Postal and Stamp Revenues. — The revenue of the Post Office, 
Dunfermline, for 1842, was ^2,787 i is. 6d.) Stamp Office, ^2,625 6s. ^d. 
(MS. Note.) 

The Old MS. Chartulary of Dunfermline Abbey, Avhich is in the 
Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, was published at the end of the year 
1842, by the Bannatyne Club, under the editorship of Professor Cosmo 
Innes, and entitled, " Registrum de Dunfermelyn." It is a thick 
quarto of 562 pages, containing 604 charters, writs. Popes' bulls, and 
memoranda from 1128 to 1560. (See An. Dunf. under different dates, 
and Appendix.) 

1843.— Heritors and Landowners of the Parish. — The 
following shows the names of the landowners in the Parish of Dun- 
fermline, in April, 1843, with their valuations in the Cess Book of the 
county : — 

The Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin, 

Mrs. Madox Blackwood, of Pitreavie, . 

James Hunt, of Pittencriefif, . 

Sir John Halket, Bart., Pitferrane, 

Andrew Moffat Wellwood, of Garvock, . 

George Robertson Barclay, of Keavil, . 

Charles Durie, of Craigluscar, 

Robert Downie, of Appin, for Touch, &c., 

Col. Martin Lindsay, of Halbeath, 

Adam RoUand, of Gask, 

Lady Buchan Hepburn, of Blackburn, . 

James Kerr, of Middlebank, . 

Mrs. Winstanley, |-th of Pitliver, &c., . 

Messrs. Aitken, of South Fed, 

The Guildry of Dunfermline, 

Police Commission. — On 30th April, 1843, the debts of the 
Board were ;i^2,044 I4-^' S^- This debt is in gradual process of 
being reduced, by payment of yearly instalments. 





£aa2(> 


19 


6 




t8oi 


18 


5 




1706 


15 


6 




1553 


8 


4 




1220 










1008 


II 


4 




702 


3 


4 




399 


13 


7 




367 


6 


8 




317 


7 


II 




3H 


4 


7 




310 


3 


3 




305 










283 





10 




268 


I-? 


II 



' ECCLESIASTICAL EXCITEMENT. 65 1 

Weaving — J acqitard Machines. — These machines, when first intro- 
duced in 1825, cost from £12 to £1^. In 1843 the same description 
of machine could be purchased at from £2 $s. to £1 5^-, (MS. Note.) 

Great "Ecclesiastical Excitement" — The Free Kirk. — As 
in other parts of Scotland, at this period, "the citizens of Dunfermline 
were much agitated on the subject of non-intrusio7i when they heard 
of the vote of the General Assembly at Edinburgh, and of the march 
of the non-intrusion ministers to Tanfield Hall," May, 1843. "Great 
ecclesiastical excitement" was the consequence. "After this the 
building of Free Kirks became the order of the day." {MS. Note.) 

Stamp or Die Found on Towerhill. — During the summer of 
1843, while "digging" on the site of the Towerhill, an iron or steel 
" coining-stamp " was found. It is supposed to be the coining-stamp 
of some ancient coiner. It is now in the Museum of the Society of 
Antiquaries, Edinburgh, (Vide Aiitiq. So. Miis. Catal. p. 88 ; Chal. 
Hist. Dim/.) 

The Poor-House (Old Town Green) was finished and occupied in 
July, 1843. It is a plain oblong building of two storeys, capable of 
accommodating 1 30 persons. (MS. Note.) 

The Postal and Stamp Revenues for 1843 were — Post Office, 
;^3,275 los. 9^.; Stamp Office, £2,^77 ^s. lod. 

The Assessed Taxes for 1843 amounted to ;^555 igs. ^d. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — "In consequence of a Town Council 
hitch," Henry Kidd, banker, was in September, 1843, olected pro tent. 
Provost. In November, 1843, James Smith Ronaldson, banker and 
writer, was elected Provost, (BiLrgJi Records.) 

Pawnbrokers. — In December, 1843, there were no less than 
twelve pawnbrokers in Dunfermline, " besides others who did a quiet 
business in a similar way." They styled themselves general merchants 
(MS. Note.) 

National Security Savings Bank. — The number of depositors 
in December, 1843, was 1021; total fund of bank, ;^i8,9i5 lys. iid. 
(MS Note.) 

Shitping at Limekilns and Charlestown. — At the end of 
the year 1843 the shipping at these places was as follows: — Lime- 
kilns — 6 brigs, 980 tons ; 7 schooners, 641 tons ; 16 sloops, 738 tons ; 



652 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

I pinnace, 16 tons. Charlestown — 2 schooners, 137 tons; 4 sloops, 
121 tons. Sailors, &c., 185 ; wages, from £2 per month, (MS. Note.) 

1844.— Free Abbey Church. — This church was founded in 
June, 1843, and was finished and opened for public worship on 21st 
January, 1844; it had yyy sittings. The gable or front of this church 
is of a singular type, having two dwarfed towers, affecting the old 
Cathedral style, but it is a most decrepit imitation. {Newspapers for 
Jan., 1844.) The "auld licht kirk" was purchased by this congregation 
immediately after the Disruption, when it was taken down for a site 
for the Free Abbey Church. 

Ecclesiastical Census. — The following ecclesiastical census 
was compiled for the Rev. P. Chalmers, A.M., Abbey Church, early 
in 1844 • — Members of all ages belonging to the Established Church, 
about 4,000; Free Church, 2,500; United Secession Church (U.P.), 
8,000; Relief Church, 700; Baptists, 300; Episcopalians, 163; Con- 
gregationalists, 436; Roman Catholics, 105; Rowites, about 50; 
Swedenborgians, 60 ; Methodists, 30 ; Unitarians, 36 ; Universalists, 
26 ; Friends, 8 ; about 3,420 not belonging to any congregation. (MS.) 

The Ancient Society of Gardeners in January, 1844, had about 
270 members. 

The Weaving Trade was in a state of depression this year, 1844; 
there were about 500 unemployed. (Nezvspapers.) 

Baths were established in Queen Anne Street by Mr. Edward 
Young, slater, &c. (MS.) 

Literature. — " T/ie Stratiger's Companion Amid the Antiquities 
of Dunfermline. Printed and sold by J. Miller & Son. 1844. Price 6(^." 
This is a small i2mo of 60 pages, and is divided into six chapters, and 
contains a very good account of ancient and modern Dunfermline. A 
small vignette of the Monastery from the north-west fronts the title 
page. This little work went through several editions, and is now out 
of print. 

Mr. David Paton died at his residence. Wooer's Alley, Dun- 
fermline, on 13th July, 1844, in the 78th year of his age. We take 
the following from our MS. notes: — 

Mr. Paton was originally a weaver, but in after-life he constructed a 
turning-lathe, and commenced the business of turner, supplying weavers with 
pirns, bobbins, &c., and was often in request by youths for their peeries and 
tops. He was a great mechanical genius; his workshop was quite a repository 



CHALMERS' STREET CHURCH. 653 

of art and science, being well filled with all kinds of mechanical nick-nacks of 
his own making, finished and unfinished, such as box camera obscura's; 
telescopes and microscopes; a magic lantern, made out of an old tea-chest; 
a Franklin harmonicon; wooden clocks, common and astronomical; a plane- 
tarium constructed with wooden wheels, the teeth of which were cut with a 
knife, and finished up with a file, but which, nevertheless, showed very 
satisfactorily the motions of all the then known planets round the sun; a 
machine for twining thread; a mouse-mill, which twined thread by the 
mouse driving round a wheel, and which also showed several curious me- 
chanical exhibitions; and last, though not least, a model for a perpetual 
motion, but which would not continue its movement longer than seven and 
a-half minutes. Besides all these contrivances, he constructed a curious 
printing press in 18 10, and by its aid he printed a great many little books 
between that period and 1826, which are noticed in the Annals under the 
dates of publication. The types, of which he had but a moderate supply, 
were much worn out. A story is still current that he made his own types ! 
This is a mistake, such a feat was beyond the reach of his art; besides, had 
he been able to make one type, it would have taken a life time to have pro- 
duced a few thousands of them. It is true, however, that he cut initial letters 
about half an inch square for his books, &c., and he likewise made his own 
woodcuts for his illustrations; these letters and woodcuts were made by the 
assistance of a penknife, small chisel and sprig-bits (brugs) of various sizes. 
The writer has again to repeat his great respect for the memory of this 
ingenious man, having in his early days spent many of his leisure hours in his 
little workshop. (See An. Dunf. pp. 569, 575, 581, 582, 588, 608.) 

Literature. — '^Historical a?id Statistical Account of Dunfermline. 
By the Rev. Peter Chalmers, A.M., Minister of the First Charge, 
Abbey Church, Dunfermline, 1844." This is a most elaborate volume; 
full of ancient lore and modern detail ; and to future generations it 
will show forth the unwearied and persevering researches of its learned 
author. The work is a large octavo of 592 pages, and has 17 fine 
illustrative copper-plate engravings. Published by William Black- 
wood & Sons, Edinburgh and London, 1844; price \/\s. 

Episcopal or Trinity Church, St. Ann's Place. — The Rev. 
William Bruce was ordained minister of this church in 1844. (See 
An. Dunf. 1847.) 

The Dunfermline Presbytery was this year disjoined from Kinross. 
Fourteen members (clergymen) now constitute the Presbytery of Dun- 
fermline. (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James S. Ronaldson, Esq., banker, 
&c,, re-elected Provost, November, 1844. (Burgh Records.) 

Chalmers' Street Church. — The Rev. T. Walker was ordained 
minister of this church on i6th November, 1844. He resigned his 
charge in July, 1858, having received a call to Ballarat, Australia. 



654 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1845. — The New Prison, which had for some time past been in 
course of erection, was finished and occupied early in January, 1845. 

Rotten Ro\w~ Wesl Queen Ann Street. — The Rotten Row, lead- 
ing east from the middle of Collier Row, or Bruce Street, had its 
name changed to West Queen Ann Street, in 1845, because it was 
an " ugly name." The Dunfermline Rotten Row was known by this 
name 400 years ago. {}IS. Note ; see An. Dunf. dates 1487, 1500, 
1735.) In reference to the name Ratton, Rattin, and Rattan, it may 
be noted that it was anciently applied to undressed timber. Houses, 
when constructed entirely of rattons, were ratton-houses, and when a 
number of such ratton-houses adjoined each other, they were known 
as ratton rows. There was a quay at Ayr known as the Rattan Quay. 
(See Burns's Poems.) When worship was conducted in the nave of 
the Abbey Church, Dunfermline, there was "a sounding roof" thrown 
across the church, half way up to the " top roof," to keep " the sound 
down." This roof was constructed wholly of undressed timber, and 
was known as the rotten or rattan laft. The Rotten Row of London 
appears to have got its name from a row of undressed timber huts. 

Abbey Church — Indtiction. — The Rev. James French, of St. 
Bernard's Church, Edinburgh, was inducted minister of the Second 
Charge of the Abbey Church, Dunfermline, on 2nd May, 1845. 
(Parish Regist.) 

The BnrgJi-Tron afid Site of Fish-Market, &c., Removed, i8^j. — 
" From time immemorial the public Tron and Market for the sale of 
sundries was near the lower end of the High Street (north side). When 
the Tron-beam was put in its place, " the top beam overhung the 
pavement, and as the weighing scales were suspended from this beam, 
it caused great annoyance to passers-by. This year the site was 
changed to Black's Close, High Street." (Newspaper.) 

Cartoon — " Spirit of Religion.'' — The splendid cartoon, entitled, 
" The Spirit of Religion," painted by Mr. Joseph Paton, was finished 
early in 1845, and gained the Government prize in August of same 
year. (MS. Note.) 

Gymnasium. — A very excellent gymnasium was erected in 1845 
in the play-ground of the High School, by Mr. A. Haxton, the 
Rector, which was much appreciated. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Smith Ronaldson, Esq., 
banker, &c,, re-elected Provost, November, 1845. (Burgh Records.) 



STIRLING AND DUNFERMLINE RAILWAY. 655 

Police. — " A night-watch of twelve policemen was this year per- 
manently established by the Commissioners of Police. They were 
clothed in uniforms, and were supplied with dark lanterns for night 
service." (MS. Note.) 

Halbeath Coal-Pit. — The fitting up of Halbeath Coal-Pit, 
executed during the year 1845, is said to have cost about ;^i 2,000. 
(MS. Note.) 

Dunfermline Prison Statistics, — During 1845, the fij'st year's 
term of the new jail, there were 262 prisoners for short periods of 
confinement. 

1846. — The Western Bank of Scotland opened a branch in 
Dunfermline in February, 1846. It was closed in February, 1858, 
in consequence of the disastrous failure of the head bank in Glasgow. 

New Water Company P'ormed. — In consequence of the frequent 
dearth of water experienced about this time, and occasioned by the 
great increase of inhabitants and the erection of public works, a new 
water company was formed, early in 1846, with a share-capital of 
;^i 3,500 (subscribed). The water to be brought from Craigluscar to 
the town. {MS. Note; see also Chal. Hist. Diuif. vol. ii. pp. 63-65.) 

Fossil Organic Remains.— In the spring of 1846 several speci- 
mens were discovered of the tooth of the MegalicJithys at Halbeath 
Colliery. They were highly prized, and excited great interest. Some 
of the specimens were given to the Rev. Mr. Chalmers. (MS, Note, 
and Neivspapers.) 

The Proposed Stirling and Dunfermlhie Railway. — A petition in 
favour of this railway was, in April, 1846, sent to the House of Com- 
mons, in London, with 2,000 signatures appended to it. (Dimf. Advert.) 

A Grand Procession and Public Meeting took place in Dunferm- 
line, in honour of the Repeal of the Corn Laws, on 3rd July, 1846. 
The sum of £'jZ was subscribed to defray expenses. There was a 
concert and soiree in the evening. (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

Hughes's Mammoth Establishment of Elephants, Camels, and 
Horses visited Dunfermline early in August. Business was almost 
entirely suspended. Upwards of;^25owas drawn on that occasion 
by the establishment. (Dimf. Advertiser.) 

Roman Catholic Congregation.— The members of this con- 



656 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

gregation in 1846 numbered 397. Their clergyman then became a 
residenter. (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

Destructive Floods in Dunfermline. — The Dimfermline 
Monthly Advertiser, in noticing the floods, says : — 

"On the evening of Sabbath, 5th July [1846], this district was visited by- 
one of the most tremendous floods ever whnessed here. The rain fell, not in 
torrents, but in cataracts. About four o'clock on Monday morning the various 
streams in the neighbourhood were swollen to raging rivers. 'Tumblin' 
broun, the burns cam doun, roarin' frae bank tae brae.' Fifty-eight looms 
were immersed. The water rose 6 inches above the webs. A set of cards 
worth £,-^0 was destroyed. Part of the Spittal Brig fell. Embankments 
and dykes were levelled. Mr. Beveridge, of Urquhart, sustained a loss 
of nearly ;^2oo by such mishaps as sheep drowning, &c. Several persons 
were drowned. Several bridges on the Carnock-burn were overthrown. 
Gardens were inundated with slush, mud, rubbish, &c." (See also Chal. Hist. 
Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 283, 284.) 

The Earl of Elgin Appointed Governor of Canada. — The Right 
Hon. the Earl of Elgin was appointed Governor of Canada, September, 
1846, which office he held until September, 1854, when he was selected 
to proceed on a special mission to the Chinese Government. (News- 
papers, &c.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Smith Ronaldson, banker, 
re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records.) 

The East of Scotland Malleable Iron Company was formed by 
Alexander Allison, Esq., of Blair, Parish of Culross. A large co- 
partnery was formed. It never proved remunerative, and ended in a 
disastrous failure, in November, 1850. (Newspapers.) 

The Freedom of the Burgh was conferred on the Right Hon. the 
Earl of Elgin, along with a MS. address, on i6th December, previous 
to his leaving this country to assume the Governorship of Canada. 
{Burgh Records, i6th December, 1846.) 

1847. — "Earl of Elgin. — A public dinner was given to the 
Earl of Elgin in the Free Abbey School in January, 1847, previous 
to his departure to assume the reins of government in Canada." 
(Dnnf. Advertiser.) 

The Free Abbey Schools were opened by Mr. Bruce on 15 th 
February, 1847. There was a large attendance of boys and girls. 

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway. — The Dunfermline 
portion of this railway was commenced by James Anstruther, Esq.^ 
who cut the first turf on the 8th March, 1847, i" ^ field near Miles- 



OLD CHURCH REPAIRS. 657 

mark. A grand procession afterwards took place of the Directors, 
and also of the Trades, the Mason Lodges, the Gardeners, &c. After 
the procession a public dinner was partaken of with the usual hilarity 
and toasts. (Dunf. Adver.) 

Union of the Secession and Relief Churches. — The 
union of these churches throughout Scotland was effected on the 
13th May, 1847, in Tanfield Hall, Edinburgh. The Relief Church 
of Dunfermline had its name changed to the Gillespie Church, and 
the Secession, along with the new adherents, was called the United 
Presbyterian Church (U.P.). (Newspapers.) 

The Rev. William Bruce was inducted minister of Trinity 
Church, Bath Street (Episcopal), in 1847. 

Old Church Repairs. — The repairs on the old Abbey Church 
(internal and external), by the direction of H.M. Board of Works, 
were commenced in May, 1847, under the superintendence of Mr. 
Andrew Balfour, builder. 

Free St. Andrew's Church, St. Margaret's Street, was finished 
and opened for public worship May 23, 1847. The opening service was 
conducted by the Rev. Dr. Candlish, Edinburgh. (Dimf. Advertiser.) 

The Rev. J. Middleton was inducted minister of St. Andrew's 
Church in April, 1847. (MS. Note.) 

The Dunfermline Steam-Power Weaving Factory. — This 
factory, erected in Pitmuir Street for another purpose about 18 16, was, 
in the year 1847, established by Mr. Scott, but it turned out unsuc- 
cessful. The present proprietors, Messrs. A. Reid & Co., have had this 
factory since 1859, ^^^ they employ about 500 operatives. (MS. Note.) 

A Branch of the Scottish Educational Institute was established 
in June, 1847. (Dtuifermline Advertiser.) 

Relief Church Untenable. — In July, 1847, the old Relief 
Church, built in 1775, was declared untenable. A new building was 
proposed, the congregation removing in the meantime to Maygate 
Chapel. 

Thornton Raiiavay. — The construction of this railway com- 
menced in October, 1847 — the pick, spade, and crowbar, being busy 
at work at the east end of Reform Street, Gardener's Land, &c. 
This railway is a continuation eastward of the Stirling and Dun- 
fermline railway also forming. (Dunfermline Advertiser.) 

4P 



658 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

A New Coach was "started to run" between Dunfermline and 
Burntisland in connection with the Edinburgh and Dundee Rail- 
way. 

1848.— Greenwich Time. — The Dunfermline Advertiser for 
February says, — "On Sabbath, 30th January [1848], the early ringing 
of the bells took both ministers and people by surprise, the clocks 
having been put forward 12^ minutes all over the country to bring 
them to Greenwich time." It would have been more correct to have 
stated that all the clocks in the country had to be set to Greenwich 
time, because many of them were "put forward" more or less than the 
above-noted minutes. Some clocks required no alteration at all, 
while others were " put back " several minutes, according to their 
position east of the Greenwich meridian. The difference of time 
between Dunfermline and Greenwich meridians is 13 minutes 50^ 
seconds — that is, Dunfermline time is so much behind Greenwich 
time. 

Literature — The Dunfermline Monthly News. — The first number 
of a small news-sheet, under the above title, was issued on the 23rd 
February, 1848. It ceased to exist on 23rd February, 1855. 

East of Scotland Malleable Iron Company.— The follow- 
ing note is taken from the Dnnfermline Advertiser for February, 
1848;— 

" The first annual general meeting of the shareholders of this company 
was held in Hutton's Inn, Bridge Street, when 60 shareholders were present, 
representing 3443 shares. It was reported at this meeting that the works 
would be in operation about the end of June, 1848, and turning out 150 tons 
of iron weekly. It was also stated at this meeting that 9928 shares had been 
allocated, and the calls paid on these, ;^2 1,474 5^-." 

Another note, from the same paper of nth August, 1848, says : — 

"Wednesday, the 2nd of August [1848] was a great day at our Malleable 
Iron Works. The large foundry and machinery being all in working order, it . 
was resolved to start the works that day, and by the kind permission of Mr. 
Cadell, the public were permitted to view the whole. The steam, having been 
got up in three very large boilers, was set on, and immediately the engine 
went off in majestic style, playing sweetly and easily in all its parts, and setting 
in motion those ponderous wheels and beams which lately passed through the 
streets of the town. The engine is 80-horse power ; the fly-wheel, which is 
27 tons, makes 70 revolutions per minute," &c. 

Gillespie Church. — "The foundation-stone of this handsome 
church was laid by the Rev. Professor M'Michael, on the 19th Sept., 



RALPH ERSKINE'S STATUE. 659 

1848 ; but the church was considerably advanced' at this period." 
{Dunf. Advertiser ; An. Dimf. date 1849.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James S. Ronaldson, Esq., banker, 
&c., was re-elected Provost, in November. (Burgh Records.) 

1849.— The Electric Light.— On the evening of January 26, 
1849, Mr. J. H. Pepper, of London, delivered a lecture in the Inde- 
pendent Chapel, Canmore Street, on "Light, and Natural Magic," 
during which he exhibited the Electric Light, "the lion of the even- 
ing," to the great delight of a well-filled house. 

Song-School of Dunfermline. — Mr. George Martin received 
the appointment of Master of the Song-School, and Parish Clerk 
in April, 1849. (Dimf. Advertiser.) 

Mr. James Rankine, Master of the Song-School, and Parish 
Clerk of Dunfermline, died on April 21, aged 52 years. 

Mr. Rankine was appointed to these offices in November, 181 9, and had 
therefore held them for the long period of nearly 30 years. In 1820 he estab- 
lished a school in the Mason Lodge, Maygate, for " teaching English Reading, 
Writing, Arithmetic, and Music." The speculation turned out unsuccessful, 
and his school was closed early in 1822. In the years 1820 and 1823 he 
published "Song Books" (of which notices are given in the ^w^^j/r under 
these dates). Mr. Rankine was a great master of music ; he had a fine melo- 
dious voice, and sang with great taste and effect, for which, says a newspaper, 
" his fame was in all the churches." He was kind, open-hearted, genial, and 
social, and a popular man wherever he was known. He had been long sickly 
and incapable of attending to his duties of Precentor of the Abbey Church 
and Session-Clerk of the Parish of Dunfermline. He died highly respected 
and deeply regretted. "He was interred in the South Abbey Churchyard, 
where there is to be seen a small tombstone with a strung harp cut on it, 
erected by some of his admirers." (MS. Note.) 

The Society of Maltmen and Whipmen was dissolved on the 26th 
of May, 1849. (Dimf. Advertiser.) 

Ralph Erskine's Statue. — The statue of Rev. Ralph Erskine, 
sculptured by Mr. Handyside Ritchie of Edinburgh, was erected by Mr. 
A. Balfour, builder, Dunfermline, in June this year, in front of Queen 
Ann Street Church, a few yards from the position occupied by the 
pulpit in the kirk of 174.0. It was inaugurated on the 27th of 
that month. " There was a grand procession on the occasion, com- 
posed of a great number of ministers and members of the Secession 
Church in Dunfermline and elsewhere, accompanied by the Free- 
masons of Dunfermline, and deputations from the Grand Lodge of 



66o ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Edinburgh, and St. John's Lodge, Cupar, accompanied by the Dun- 
fermHne Instrumental Band," &c. {Annals of Dunfermline, dates 
1740 and 1799.) 

North Church — Indnction. — The Rev. Charles Rogers was 
inducted as minister of this church in July, 1849. ^^ relinquished 
his charge in June, 1850. (See Dr. Rogers's ^^ Leaves from my Bio- 
graphy" for an account of his work while in Dunfermline.) 

M'Lean's Hospital — This hospital is situated to the east of the 
Poorhouse — a commodious building of two storeys ; it was finished in 
June, 1849. It is so named in consequence of a donation of ;^500 
from the Rev. A. M'Lean's trust-funds for its erection, at the sugges- 
tion of the trustees. {Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. ii. p. 322.) 

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway. — "The works on this 
line at Boufies Brae are progressing rapidly. A viaduct of five noble 
arches is to span the valley ; two of the arches are thrown, and the 
piers for the others are built ; while to make way for several minor 
bridges, &c., several small houses have been swept away, and the 
aspect of the district has been completely changed." {Dunfermline 
Advertiser, Aug. 17, 1849.) 

The Cholera. — " The ravages of this disease here during the 
week were fearful, about eight or ten being reported dead every morn- 
ing. The medical men are nobly doing their duty, and standing 
between the living and the dying. The prayer-meetings in Queen 
Ann Street Church were well attended." {Dunf. Advertiser, Oct. 12, 
1849.) 

The Rev, Mr. Craig was inducted Minister of the Independent 
Church, Canmore Street, in 1849. 

Free Abbey Church, Caninore Street. — The Rev. James 
M'Kenzie, from Annan, was inducted minister of this church on 
1st November, 1849. (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

Gillespie Church was opened for divine service on Sunday, Nov. 
4, 1849; builder, Mr. Andrew Balfour. The collection during the day 
amounted to ;!^242 5^". 4<^. Captain Cameron, R.E., Ordnance Map 
Office, Southampton, once informed the writer that Gillespie Church 
stands on the highest ground in the city, 354 feet above the level of 
the height of mean tide in the Firth of Forth. This site brings to 



FIRST LOCOMOTIVE IN DUNFERMLINE. 66 1 

our remembrance the inscription on the stone in Pannier Alley, 
the highest elevation in ancient London. It may be applied to the 
site of Gillespie Church : — 

' ' When ye have sought the City round, 
Yet still this is the highest ground." 

What a fine site for a steeple ! Since this church was built the want 
of a steeple has often been regretted. A fine and large lithographic 
view of this church, facing the street, was published in October, 1849, 
by Miller & Buchanan, Glasgow. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — William Kinnis, Esq., was elected 
Provost, Nov., 1849. (Burgh Records.) 

First Locomotive Engine in Dunfermline. — The Dunferm- 
line Netvs, of 24th November, 1 849, says : — 

"About the 9th inst. [November, 1849], happening to be in the eastern 
district, my attention was arrested by several youngsters bawling out to their 
faithers and mithers, 'The steam-coach is coming! Come! come!' In an 
instant the click of the shuttle ceased, and almost every door poured forth its 
inmates, while men and women were to be seen making their way through 
closes and yards. When it passed the bridge at the Old Washing Green, it 
gave the warning whistle, and many jokes were passed. It has been no 
stranger since, as it may now be seen every hour dragging a score of waggons 
behind it." 

Opening of the Railway from Dunfermline to Crossgates. — The 
Dunfermline Advertiser of 14th December, 1849, says : — 

" On Thursday, the 13th [December, 1849], this line was opened for traffic 
from Dunfermline to Crossgates, whereby 25 minutes are saved, and the 
journey to Edinburgh performed in two hours and a-half. A spacious road 
to the terminus, or station, near Inglis Street, has been made from James' 
Street, at the back of St. Margaret's Church, which will be the entrance to 
the railway at present. A considerable number of the inhabitants were astir 
to witness the start, dark as the morning was." 

Literature. — "Poems" Published by Andrew Ewing Shool- 
bred. The Scottish Press newspaper says : — " We commend this 
modest, but very meritorious volume to all who relish real poetry 
offered without pretension." The volume consists of 312 pages ; 
price $s. December, 1849. The following is an extract from one 
of the hymns, entitled, " Sun of Righteousness " : — 

' ' When darkening clouds of sorrow roll, 
And cast a gloom across the soul, 
To Thee I turn for cheer and bliss, 
Thou glorious Sun of Righteousness." 

County Buildings.— The large spired edifice at the Cross, sue- 



662 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

cessively known as the Cross Buildings, the Guild Hall and Spire 
Hotel, was, during the later part of 1849 and 1850, converted into 
a public Court-House, &c., for the use of the Sheriff of the County 
and his Substitute for the Western District of Fife, to hold their 
courts in. The Procurator-Fiscal has also offices in the same build- 
ing. The business of the Post Office is conducted in one of its spacious 
rooms fronting the High Street. 

1850. — Literature. — "■Poems and Songs, chiefly for tJie Encour- 
agement of tJie Working Classes. By Henry Syme, Dunfermline. Pub- 
lished by Wm. Clark, 1849." This is a i2mo of 140 pp., and contains 48 
Poems and 23 Songs on a great variety of subjects. As a specimen 
of these Songs, we shall give two verses of " The Shuttle Rinsl' to the 
tune of the "Boatie Rows" : — 

•' The weaver's wife sits at the fire, 
And ca's the pirn wheel, 
She likes to hear her ain guidman 
Drive on the shuttle weel. 

The shuttle rins, the shuttle rins, 

The shuttle rins wi' speed ; 
O sweetly may the shuttle rin 
That wins the bairns' bread. 

" Thread after thread makes up the claith, 
Until the wage he wins, 
And ilka weaver makes the mair, 
The mair his shuttle rins. 
The shuttle rins," &c. 

Dunfermline Museum. — The following is a copy of an adver- 
tisement of date 31st January, 1850, regarding the Museum : — 

^^ Museum. — The Museum of the Mechanics' Institution, in the Large 
Room above the Savings Bank, High Street, can now be seen on Tuesdays and 
Saturdays, between 1 2 and 2 o'clock, and by strangers on any day. Tickets 
of admission to be had at the shop of Mr. Clark, bookseller. Contributions, 
especially of a local nature, are earnestly requested, and will be gratefully 
received, notice of which may be sent either to the Rev. P. Chalmers, or to 
David Reid." 

It is greatly to be regretted that this place of intellectual entertain- 
ment was allowed to fall Towns of far less importance support 
museums. Had the days and hours fixed for visiting the museum 
anything to do with the fall 1 (See An. Dnnf. date 1855.) 

Royal Academy. — In March, 1850, Mr. Joseph Noel Paton was 
elected an Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy. 



THE RAILWAY— A GENERAL HOLIDAY. 663 

Craigluscar Water. — On Wednesday evening, the 15th May, 
1850, the water from the Works at Craigluscar was introduced into 
the pipes lately laid down under the streets ; daily supply estimated 
at 50,000 cubic feet, or 300,000 gallons of water delivered daily. 

The East of Scotland Malleable Iron Works, Transy, ceased 
working. All hands were dismissed, May, 1850. 

First Railway Pleasure Party to Dunfermline. — A large 
pleasure party arrived in Dunfermline on 17th July, 1850, by the 
Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee Railway. " It was the first railway 
pleasure trip to Dunfermline. The party visited all the lions of the 
place. When they went to the Auld Kirk, the Rev. Dr. Chalmers 
addressed them from the steps of the east end on the popular points 
of the history of the old building." 

The First Trial Trip on the Railway, from Dunfermline to 
Alloa, took place on the 8th of August, 1850, on the " StirHng and 
Dunfermline Railway." 

A General Holiday was held in Dunfermline on August 30, 
1850. All the shops were shut, and business was suspended. Above 
3,000 left town ; 2,100 went to various places by cheap special trains. 
{Dimf. Advertiser, Sept., 1850.) 

North Free Church (Bruce Street). — This church, which had 
for some length of time been in course of erection, was finished and 
opened for public worship on the nth October, 1850. The opening 
service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Begg of Edinburgh. This 
church has seats for about 760. (Neivspapers.) 

Literature. — " The Social Curse (or, Intemperance) : A Rhyme ; 
and other Pieces. By Alexander Macansh, Published 1850." This 
is a i2mo of 208 pages. The Social Curse, the great poem of the 
work, occupies 53 pages, and is followed by 53 rhymes on a great 
variety of subjects. 

Death of Archibald Haxton.— Archibald Haxton, Rector of 
the Grammar School of Dunfermline, died in October, 1850, after the 
long service of 40 years (18 10- 1850.) He was a native of Kirkcaldy. 
In 1809 he studied under the Rev. Dr. Lawson, of the Secession 
Church, Selkirk, but did not prosecute his studies. He was a suc- 
cessful teacher, and turned out a great many first-rate scholars. He 
was interred in Dunfermline. {MS, Note ; see An.Dunf. date 1810.) 



664 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— William Kinnis, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1850. (Burgh Records.) 

The East of Scotland Malleable Iron Works, Transy, were, in 
November, 1850, purchased for iJ"! 5,250 by the Weardale Iron Works 
Company. (See also An. Dunf. dates 1855, 1856 ; Chal. Hist. Dimf, 
vol. ii. p. 346.) 

Town Clerk's Offices Removed to the Tozvnhoiise. — The Town 
Clerk's Offices, or City Chambers, were in November, 1850, removed 
to the upper storey of the Townhouse, which apartment had been the 
common jail since 1795^ but had in consequence of the erection of the 
new prison become useless. (Newspapers.) 

Death of Mr. Robert Gilfillan. — Mr. Robert Gilfillan died 
on 4th December, 1850, aged 52. The writer knew the poet well. 
He was a most worthy man and sincere friend. (See An. Dimf. date 
1 83 1.) He died at Leith, where he had long resided, and was interred 
there. He was for some time a clerk in the office of Messrs. M'Ritchie, 
Leith, and latterly in the Tax-Office there. 

Boisterous Wind. — Early on the morning of 8th December, 
1850, a great hurricane of wind visited the town, which caused the 
house-tops and high walls to shake in an extraordinary manner. The 
roof of the Free North Church was partially stripped of its slating, 
and the turret blown down. The Gas-work chimney, and that of Mr. 
Walker's bleachfield, were overthrown. The post was several hours 
behind time. (Newspaper.) 

Rev. Mr. Law's Soiree. — A deeply interesting meeting was held 
in St. Margaret's Church, on Monday evening, i6th December, 1850, 
on the occasion of his taking leave of his congregation for Innerleithen. 
He was presented with his portrait. 

1851.— Theatre Royal, Nethertown. — A large wooden 
building was comfortably fitted up in the Nethertown, by Mr. Wynn, 
for his theatrical performances, under the designation of the Theatre 
Royal. 

Geological Lectures — Mr. HugJi Miller. — Towards the end 
of February this year, the celebrated Hugh Miller, the geologist, and 
editor of the Witness newspaper, delivered two popular lectures on 
Geology, in the Free Abbey Church, Canmore Street, to large 
audiences. 



CONTRIBUTORS TO THE GREAT EXHIBITION. 665 

Find of Silver Coins of King Charles I. — In the month of 
February, 185 1, some labourers, while cutting a trench in a field, on 
the site of the Battle of Pitreavie (165 1), three miles south-east of 
Dunfermline, turned up the bones of some of the old combatants. 
Near the breast-bone of one of them lay a leathern bag, filled with 
silver coins of Charles I. On one of the coins was the king on horse- 
back, surrounded by the following inscription : — 

CAROLVS • D.G. MAG ' BRI ' FRA * ET * HIB * REX. 

" Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland r 
And on the reverse side — 

CHRISTO • AUSPICE " REGNO. 

"/ reigti by Christ'' s authority T 

{Newspaper ; see also Chal. Hist. Dnnf vol. ii. p. 282.) 

Census. — The sixth Government census of Dunfermline was 
taken in April, 185 1. The following are the results : — Population of 
the Town and Parish of Dunfermline in April, 185 1, 21,234; Town 
and Suburbs within the new Parliamentary boundary, 13,861, of 
which 6874 were males, and 6987 females; showing an increase of 
only 538 souls between 1841 and 185 1. (Newspapers, &c.) 

Dunfermline Table Linen and the Great Exhibition 
IN London, 185 i. — The following is a list of the contributors to the. 
Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, April, 1851 : — 

Messrs. Hunt & Son, George Birrel, Messrs. Dewar & Son, Erskine 
Beveridge, William Kinnis, Peter Bonnar — (Table Linen, Table Cloths, &^c.) 
William Clark — (Specimens of Bookbinding.) 

The Water Company's Annual Revenue for 15th May, 185 1, was 
£6y() 4s. 4d. {Chal. Hist. Dnnf. vol. ii. p. 64.) 

The Old Reservoir, Douglas Street, was converted into the Water 
Office, and for the storage of pipes. 

The Nethertown Improvements — Rose Decorations, &c. — This 
year Broad Street, Nethertown, north side, was much improved in 
appearance by the raising of roses in plots before the several houses. 
The roses were sent by Mr. Ferguson, a native of the district. (MS. 

Note.) 

Erection of St. Leonards Steam-Poiver Weaviiig Factory. — This 
factory was erected by Messrs. Erskine, Beveridge, & Co., Proprietors, 
at St. Leonard's Place, Nethertown, and was opened for work in June, 

4Q 



666 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

185 1. There are about 1,200 operatives, &c., employed at this estab- 
lishment. (MS. Note.) 

The Elgin Bleachfield, for boiling and bleaching linen yarn, 
was commenced by Mr. Walker in 185 1, Since then the establishment 
has much increased; in 1877 it gave employment to about fifty 
persons. (MS. Note.) 

The Rev. David Russell was ordained minister of St. Margaret's 
Church, East Port Street, on 3rd September, 185 1. (Dunfermline 
Advertiser.) 

Roman Catholic Chapel. — The Masons' Hall, in Queen Ann 
Place, was taken on lease by this body of worshippers, and by them 
fitted up for their place of worship in October, 185 1. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — William Kinnis, Esq., was re- 
elected Provost in Nov., 185 1. (Burgh Records.) 

East of Scotland Malleable Iron Works, Transy. — These 
Works were purchased by the Weardale Iron Co. in Nov., 1850, but 
finding after a year's trial that they had been carried on at a great 
loss, resolved to remove and transport all the machinery to Weardale, 
so that the works were closed, and all was quiet before the end of 
December, 185 1. From first to last these works were an unfortunate 
und unhappy speculation, as noted in the newspapers of the time. 

Literature. — The first number of The Dunfermline Register, was 
published in the end of December, 185 1. The Register was issued on 
Mondays at a penny, but ceased to exist at the end of 1852. 

1852. — A Murder Committed on the High Street. — Two young 
men, named Charles Fancoat and Michael Harrigan, who had been 
fellow-workers at the late malleable iron-works, had for some time 
been on unfriendly terms. On Saturday, 14th February, 1852, they 
had been drinking, when irritating words passed between them. In 
the evening of the same day they chanced to meet near the east end 
of the High Street. Fancoat went into a flesher's shop and borrowed 
a knife under false pretence. Armed with the knife, he rushed out 
into the street in search of Harrigan, and seeing him, fatally stabbed 
him. For the murder Fancoat was tried at Perth, on 28th April, and 
condemned to be executed. The decision of the Court occasioned 
great excitement in the town. A petition for commutation of the 
sentence was drawn up, and received 1250 signatures. Early in May 



THE CHOLERA. 66^ 

the petition was forwarded to the Home Secretary. On 17th May the 
Provost received notice that a respite had been granted, upon which 
" the excitement and commotion subsided." (MS. Note.) 

Dunfermline and Charlestown Railway. — In February, 
1852, a locomotive engine was applied for the first time to the pas- 
senger train running between the Nethertown and Charlestown, 
instead of the horse formerly used. The distance from the Nether- 
town to Charlestown, 31^ miles, is now done in about 10 minutes. 
(MS. Note.) 

The Victoria Lodging-House, Nethertown, was opened for 
lodgers on March, 1852. Terms, -^d. per night. (MS. Note.) 

Penny Savings' Bank. — "There were Penny Savings' Banks 
established in connection with some of the factories in town and 
collieries in the vicinity." (MS. Note.) 

A Presentation was made to the Rev. Robert Cuthbertson on 
the occasion of his leaving Dunfermline for England, April, 1852. 

The Post-Office was removed to the County Buildings at the 
Cross, May, 1852. 

Congregational, or Independent Church, Canmore St}^eet. — The 
Rev. Alexander M'Auslane was ordained pastor of this church on 
26th May, 1852, (See An. Dimf. date 1858, the year when he 
demitted his charge; MS. Note.) He resigned in August, 1858, for 
Newport, Monmouthshire. 

Races and Games. — In August, 1852, public races were run on 
both the north and south sides of the town. There were also games 
of various sorts. (MS. Note) 

Agriculture — Bell's Reaping Machine. — Bell's Reaping Machine 
was practically exhibited in September, on Clune Farm. Thousands 
witnessed the performance, and highly lauded the contrivance. (MS. 

Note.) 

The Cholera — Sanitary Dnties, &c. — Much excitement prevailed 
in consequence of the probability of another visit of cholera. The 
Sanitary Laws were put in force, and a general cleansing of houses, 
&c., in the town took place. (MS. Note.) 

The Duke of Wellington's Obsequies.— The shops, &c., in 
town were closed on the i8th November, 1852, in respect for the 



668 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

memory of the Great Duke, whose remains were deposited in St. 
Paul's Cathedral on that day. At intervals the muffled bells tolled. 
The Abbey Church pulpit and Magistrates' seat were draped with 
black, and appropriate sermons were delivered in the several 
churches. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— William Kinnis, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1852. (Burgh Records.) 

A Relief Centenary Soiree was held in Gillespie Church, on 
November, 1852. There was a large attendance. Prof. M'Michael 
occupied the chair. (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

A Property Investment Society was established in Dunfermline. 
Shares to the amount of ^18,100 were subscribed. {Dunf. Advertiser, 
December.) 

Music Hall. — The large and commodious Music Hall, capable 
of holding an audience of about 1500, was opened by a grand concert 
on 30th December, 1852. The principal entrance is from Guildhall 
Street. (Dwif. Advertiser.) Mr. Clark, bookseller, &c., is the pro- 
prietor. The building was in progress during the whole of the year 
1852. 

1853.— Monastery Ruins. — A public subscription was raised to 
defray the expense of removing the filth and rubbish lying between 
the entrance of the west approach to the Abbey Church and the 
Pends; as also to clear away the stones, rubbish, &c., lying on the 
vacant triangular piece of ground below the Pends, at foot of Frater 
Hall wall. The clearance above, or north of the Pends, was effectually 
made, but the rubbish lying below the Pends was untouched. (MS. 
Note.) 

Literature. — The first number of a newspaper called The Dun- 
fermline CJironicle, was published on Friday, April 22, 1853, by John 
Henderson, bookseller, 51 High Street. 

Brucefield Estate was purchased by Erskine Beveridge, Esq., 
from A. Struthers, Esq., for about i^ 12,000. (Neivspapers.) 

Weaving. — A Patented Improvement. — Mr. Houston took out a 
patent for a new plan of weaving without the use of the leads. (Dunf. 
Advertiser.) 

Master of the Song School. — Mr. John Locke, the favourite 



{ 



v^ 



THE SCOTTISH BAPTIST CHURCH. 669 

candidate for this office "made his psalmody trial in the Abbey 
Church in June, when t/ie Church ivas filled to overflowing. There 
was much excitement and curiosity manifested." 

Powder Magazine. — The Powder Magazine on Garvock Hill, 
built at the expense of the Burgh, was finished in June, this year, and 
all those who dealt in powder were ordered to store it in the new 
Magazine, they being allowed to retain a few pounds' weight on their 
premises for sale. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Erskine Beveridge, Esq., was 
elected Provost, November, 1853. (Burgh Records.) 

Mr. John Locke received his legal appointment to the office of 
Master of the Song School, and Parish Clerk of Dunfermline, Nov. 13, 
1853. Mr. Locke was elected sometime before this date, but, owing 
to some irregularity in conducting the election, he did not receive his 
" legal orders " until this date. 

1854.— Sheriff Courts. — The Sheriff Courts, which had here- 
tofore been held once a week, began in January, 1854, to sit twice a 
week, "for the quicker despatch of business." (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

The Foundation-stone of the New School of Arts was laid in 
March, 1854. (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

The School of Arts was re-opened on April 17th, 1854. There 
were 387 pupils ; Mr. Leonard Baker, master. The Masons' Hall was 
used as a temporary school. 

Stone Pavements were ordered by the Town Council to be 
laid in all the streets of the Burgh, "which will be a great con- 
venience to those daily using them, especially the out-streets." 

Scottish Baptist Church. — The congregation of Scottish 
Baptists here (established in 1805), after many changes, broke up on 
7th July, 1854. Their place of worship was sold to the Holy Catholic 
Apostolic Congregation (Rowites, or Irvingites), who worshipped in 
the Maygate Chapel. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 319, 320.) The 
body, on breaking up, joined the English Baptists. 

The Centenary of the Cairneyhill Congregation was held in 
the church there on July 17th, 1854. It was a large meeting. 



6/0 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Cholera. — The Cholera broke out in Limekilns and Charles- 
town. The cleaning-out of the houses in these places was done 
vigorously, as also in Dunfermline, &c. (Dunfermline Advertiser.) 

Agricultural Show. — Grand Show of Cattle, &c., at Urquhart 
in August. The exhibition was greatly admired and commended. 
(Dunfermline Advertiser.) 

Electric Telegraph. — According to two of our notes, the 
electric telegraph was conducted into the Post-Office, and made ready 
for business on 4th October, 1854. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., merchant, 
elected Provost. {Burgh Records, Nov.) 

Stock Market. — Early in December a Stock Market was opened 
under the Music Hall, Guildhall Street, which was inaugurated by a 
dinner. (Dunfermline Advertiser.) 

Weaving Trade. — Great dulness in the weaving trade prevailed 
in the town and suburbs; 800 looms reported to be idle, and 500 men 
out of work. (Dunfermline Advertiser.) 

Patriotic Fund. — The amount collected in the town and 
district in aid of this fund during November and December, was 
found to be close on ;i^iooo. (Dunfermline Advertiser.) 

Photography. — Mr. Louis opened a studio in the High Street 
for taking likenesses at 2s. 6d. each. It was the first photographic 
establishment in Dunfermline. 

1855.— Register Office, Maygate. — On ist January, 1855, 
the new Act for the registration of births, marriages, and deaths came 
into operation. (MS. Note.) 

Stone Coffins Discovered. — Several stone coffins were found 
on 1 2th January, whilst a grave was being dug for the remains 
of Ex-Provost Kinnis, at the south-east corner of Abbey Church. 
(Newspapers.) 

The Elgin Dinner. — A public dinner was given in the Music 
Hall to the Earl of Elgin, on Friday, 2nd February, 1855. Provost 
Robertson occupied the chair. There was a large audience. The 
dinner and speeches passed pleasantly off. 

North Queensferry was disjoined from the parish of Dun- 



SALE OF ANTIQUARIAN RELICS. 6/1 

fermline, and united to that of Inverkeithing, by the Sheriff, " for the 
better carrying out of the new Registration Act." (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

Evangelical Union. — On Sunday, 7th January, 1855, this 
recently formed congregation assembled for worship in the Masons' 
Hall, Queen Ann Place, under the pastorship of the Rev. J. Frame. 

The Dunfermline School of Science and Arts, known also as the 
School of Design, was opened in their new building in the Newrow, 
on Monday, 8th January, 1855, and provided with a complete collec- 
tion of casts, &c., from the Department in London. The master of 
the school was Mr. Leonard Baker. 

Dunfermline Surveyed. — Early in March, 1855, Capt. Baylis, 
R.E,, of the Ordnance Office, with his staff of assistants, began to 
survey the streets of the burgh for the plan of the city of Dunfermline. 
(See An. Dunf. date 1853. Much interest and curiosity was excited. 
The plan was engraved, finished, and on sale in the month of Dec, 
1856. 

Monastery Diggings. — During the months of May and June, 
1855, Mr. William Clark, jun., bookseller, along with his assistants, 
made numerous diggings within the area of the Monastery for the 
purpose of tracing out the contour and the extent of the old walls 
underground for E. Henderson, LL.D. The underground foundations, 
&c., were discovered, and much that was extremely interesting ascer- 
tained. {Vide Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 132-134.) 

Sale of Dunfermline Antiquarian Relics. — The late Mr. 
Laurence Wilson, of Mid-Mill, near Dunfermline, previous to his leav- 
ing the locality for America, in the end of July, 1855, had a public sale 
of his household effects. Among the articles sold were the following 
Dunfermline relics, viz. : — A splendid carved oak cabinet, and a small 
cupboard, called the Queen's Amrie, also beautifully carved; these 
were sold to an Edinburgh gentleman, and considerable regret was 
expressed that they had not been retained in the town; also an 
original portrait of Queen Anne by Kneller, purchased by Mr. Hunt, 
Pittencrieff, and several antique looking glasses and pictures were 
also disposed of The servet or napkin woven by James Blake in 
1719, was sold privately by Mr. Wilson, shortly before his sale, to 
Mr. E. Beveridge, manufacturer. The writer from time to time, 
between 1840 and 1855, received from Mr. Wilson many interesting 
letters relative to Dunfermline in the olden time. 



6/2 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Dunfermline Harmonist Society was resuscitated in Sept., 
1855. (Dunfermline A dvertiser. ) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, Nov., 1855.) 

Soldiers' Barracks, Golfdrum. — The Government authorities, 
early in 1855, purchased the old Flax Mill at west end of Golfdrum 
for the purpose of converting it into military barracks. During- the 
year the mill underwent a thorough revolution in its internal fittings, 
for the accommodation of a detachment of military; by the end of 
December, 1855, it was ready, but some unknown hitch occurred, and 
no soldiers were forthcoming! (MS. Note.) 

1856.— Ordnance Plan of Dunfermline a^id Tozvn Council 
Minute. — The writer of the ''Annals " had, for a considerable length 
of time, been in correspondence with the Secretary of War and the 
officials of the Ordnance Map Department at Southampton, relative 
to having the word " Citj/" engraved on the Ordnance Plan of Dun- 
fermline as its proper title, instead of " tozan," "city" being the ancient 
designation. After due consideration, the above authorities resolved 
to adopt the suggestion, and he afterwards received the following note 

announcing it : — ■ 

" Ordnance Map Office, Southampton, 
6th February, 18^6. 

" Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 21st ultitno, 
and to say, that, after consulting the Solicitor to the War Department, we 
have decided oji designating Du7ifermline a City. — I have the honour to be, 
&^c., " Henry James, 

" To Dr. Henderson," o^c. Lie.ut.-Col., Royal Engineers. 

The writer sent this note to Provost Robertson of Dunfermline, who, 
on February 14th, laid it before a meeting of the Town Council, held 
that day, when they unanimously 

" Resolved, — That in all zvrits issuing in the name of the Magistrates, 
or Council, or in which they or the town shall be referred to, the title ' City ' 
shall be used in place of ' Burgh ' or * To7c>n ' as heretofore, when this falls to 
be done ; and the Clerk is instructed to this effect.^' 

{Burgh Records, Feb. 14, 1856; also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 55.) 
The City Clerk should attend to this resolution of the Council. 

Coal Out-Put. — The quantity of coal raised this year from all 
the pits in the Dunfermline district, ending with May 15, was 100,000 
tons. (Newspapers.) 



KOSSUTH IN DUNFERMLINE. 6/3 

Kossuth in Dunfermline.- -About the beginning of June this 
year (1856) several of the admirers of M. Kossuth, the late Governor 
of Hungary, invited him to Dunfermline. The invitation was accepted, 
and June 24th fixed for the day of his visit. We take the following 
from our notes at the time : — 

Great excitement prevailed in the town and country around; a day or 
two previous to the 24th was employed in erecting triumphal floral arches, 
flower decorations, flags, bannerets, and bunting. There were three triumphal 
floral arches erected, viz. : — One of noble proportions and height was erected 
at the Townhouse, and there was displayed on it with unique eff'ect the word 
"Welcome" in burning fire! One at Mr. E. Beveridge's, Priory House, 
having on it — "Welcome Kossuth, and Freedom to Hungary," The third 
and finest arch was erected on the road at St. Leonard's Factory, by the 
operatives ; it was decorated with four banners, having the inscriptions — 
"Kossuth," "Hungary," "Italy," "Poland." In the High Street there were 
several banners with inscriptions on them such as — "Hungary Independent," 
"Italy Free," "Poland Restored," "An Honest Man's the Noblest Work of 
God," &c. The yoiirnal Office displayed, a "Free Press is a Nation's Bul- 
wark," while the Advertiser Office had a banner with — "Hail, Kossuth," "All 
Honour to Kossuth," &c. All these being in settled preparation for the 
great event, the 24th arrived, when Kossuth, along with Madame Kossuth, 
left Edinburgh via Queensferry for Dunfermline. " The whole way was an 
ovation." On arriving near Dunfermline the crowd was immense, and the long 
and loud huzzas of the vast multitude the ringing of the town bells, and 
other demonstrations of joy, exceeded all bounds. On getting into his hotel, in 
Bridge Street, Kossuth addressed the people from an open window amid great 
excitement. At eight o'clock in the evening he delivered an address in Queen 
Ann Street Church to an audience of about 2,000 persons relative to Hungary, 
Austria, Russia, &c., and the part he had taken in the late wars. After the 
oration, a set of damask table linen was presented to Madame Kossuth by 
the workers of St. Leonard's Factory, through Mr. Dobbie, the manager. 
Kossuth returned thanks for the handsome gift. Shortly afterwards, Madame 
Kossuth sent a letter of thanks to the donors. 

The "Freedom of the Burgh conferred on M. Kossuth. — 
Kossuth visited Dunfermline a second time on July the 14th, and was 
presented with the freedom of the Burgh on July i6th. On this visit 
he was taken to the Abbey Church and adjacent grounds. He pon- 
dered awhile over the tomb of his great countrywoman St. Margaret, 
at the east end of the Abbey (outside). In the evening he delivered 
a valedictory political oration to a large audience. At his own request, 
this visit was unaccompanied with any popular demonstration. 

The West of Fife Mineral Railway. — The Bill for the con- 
struction of this railway received the Royal assent on July 14, 1856. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1856. (Biirgh Records.) 

4R. 



6/4 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Literature. — ''Royal Tombs at Dunfermline, by E. Henderson, 
LL.D., published by W. Clark, Dunfermline, Nov., 1856." This small 
i2mo, of 28 pages, is a re-publication of several short papers, which 
appeared in Mr. Clark's journal, on the Royal Tombs, by the writer. 
A fine small woodcut of the Abbey Church fronts the title-page. 
It is now out of print. 

Plan of the City of Dunfermline. — The first parcel of the 
Ordnance Plan of the City of Dunfermline, from the Ordnance Map 
Office, Southampton, arrived in Dunfermline early in December, 1856. 

The Plans are splendid. They are of a large size. Scale, 5 inches to 
a mile = xoSe J consequently the plan of the City is as minute as it is correct 
in all its details. The survey was accomplished in 1855 "by Captain Bayly, 
R.E., and staff of assistants ; engraved under the direction of Captain Cameron, 
R.E., in 1856, at the Ordnance Map Office, Southampton; and published by 
Lieut. -Colonel James, R.E., F.R.S., M.R.I. A., &c., superintendent." In sheets, 
price 2s. per sheet. 

There is a smaller Plan of the City, forming part of the map of the county 
of Fife, surrounding Dunfermline. Scale, 6 inches to a mile = x^ie oj ^.nd is 
the most minute and accurate map of Dunfermline and its environs ever 
published, the survey for vi'hich was accomplished in 1853, engraved in 1854, 
and published in 1856, by the same staff of officials who did the City Plan. 
Price per sheet, 2s. (See An. Dunf. dates February, 1853, March, 1855, and 
February, 1856.) Sheets on sale by Messrs. John Millar & Son, and Mr. 
William Clark, bookseller, Dunfermline, December, 1856. (MS. Notes.) 

The East of Scotland Malleable Iron Works. — During the last 
half of the year 1856 the whole of the machinery, &c., belonging to 
these works were removed piece-meal, and in December the tall 
chimney was blown up, or rather blown down, by gun-powder charges, 
so by the end of December nothing was to be seen but a great mound 
of rubbish where the works once stood. (MS. Note.) 

1857.— Post-Office Pillar-Boxes. — These useful pillar-boxes 
were introduced into Dunfermline on ist March, 1857, when one was 
erected at the top of Chalmers Street, facing Pittencrieff Street, the 
other at the top of Moodie Street. (Dimf Advertiser.) 

Three Cists and a Cinnerary Urn were found at Craigdhu (or 
Blackcraig), near North Queensferry, on 3rd May, 1857. They were 
exhibited to a select party by J. Douglas, of Craigdhu, on 25th May, 
1857. {Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p. 387.) 

The average number of Prisoners in Dunfermline Jail during the 
three years ending in June, 1857, was found to be 13 per day. The 
gross cost per head of maintaining the prisoners, including clothing, 



THE CRIMEAN HERO TABLE-CLOTH. 675 

bedding, fuel, officials' fees, &c., averaged ^31 15^-. 8d. a-year. {Chal. 
Hist. Diinf. vol. ii. p. 382.) 

"The Crimean-Hero Table-Cloth" dQ5\gne.d by Mr. James Balfour 
for Messrs. Dewar & Sons, London, was exhibited for three days in 
the Music Hall, near the end of September, when it was visited by 
about 11,000 people. There was quite a furor to see it. {Chal. Hist. 
Dmif. vol. ii. p. 343.) 

Debt of the Burgh. — On 15th October, 1857, the debt of the 
Burgh of Dunfermline was ;^6,i88 4^-. 4^<^., being a decrease of 
^7>233 8j-. 5</. since October, 1835. {CJial. Hist. Diinf. vol. ii. p. 358.) 

The Assessed Taxes for the Burgh for 1856-57 amounted to 
;!^275 19^-. 6d. 

The number of letters which passed through Dunfermline Post- 
Office, between 31st October, 1855, and 31st October, 1856, amounted 
to 320,000, or at the rate of 890 per day. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1857. (BiirgJi Records.) 

Literature. — ''A Descriptive and Historical Gazetteer of the 
Counties of Fife, Kinross, and Clackmannan, by M. Barbieri, surgeon. 
Published 1857." There is in this work an excellent and concise 
account of Dunfermline and vicinity. {An. Dnnf. date 1862.) 

Russian Gun. — On i6th December, 1857, ^ Russian Gun was 
brought to Dunfermline and placed in position in front of the small 
area known as the Bowling Green (the old south transept of the 
Monastery). The Secretary at War, the Hon. Fox Maule, through 
Dr. Henderson, presented it as a gift to the city. The gun is a thirty- 
six pounder, nine feet in length, and is mounted on a light iron 
carriage. {Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. ii. p. 199.) 

1858.— St. Andrew's Church. — Rev. James Rose inducted 
minister of this church in January, 1858. 

Failure of the Western Bank of Scotland. — A branch 
of this bank was established in Dunfermline in February, 1846. In 
February, 1858, the bank declared itself bankrupt, and many persons 
in Dunfermline suffered severe losses and reverses. (MS. Note.) 

Agriculture. — It was ascertained in 1858 that there were 5000 
acres of land in the Parish under turnips. (MS. Note.) 



^'jG ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

National Security Savings' Bank. — The amount received 
from depositors during the year, from 9th Feb., 1857, to gth Feb., 1858, 
with interest, was ;^ 12,863 i8j-. ^d, and the amount repaid to depositors, 
;^ II, 92 8 3^. \d. 

James Hunt, Esq., proprietor of Pittencrieff, died at Pittencriefif 
House, Dunfermline, on the 6th of March, 1858, aged ^2 years. He 
succeeded his brother in the estate in 18 12; "in politics he was a 
Liberal; an able and eloquent speaker; courteous, kind, and obliging 
to all." (Neivspaper.) 

iNGLis Street Steam-Power Loom Factory. — This factory 
was erected in North Inglis Street by Mr. Andrew Boag, proprietor. 
It employs about 120 operatives, &c. The Messrs. Kirk Brothers, 
were the proprietors in 1877. (MS. Note.) 

Number of Scholars in the Parish. — In April, 1858, it was 
ascertained that 3,018 pupils attended the 23 schools in the parish, 
which had then an estimated population of 22,000 souls. 

The Hon. James Abercrombie, Baron Dunfermline, died 
in April, 1858. He was succeeded by his son. (MS. Note.) 

The Rev. Thomas Smith was ordained minister of the United 
Presbyterian Congregation in Maygate Chapel, on April 24, 1858. 

Death of the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Henderson — Died, on 
the 1 6th May, 1858, at Mortlake, near London, the Rev. Ebenezer 
Henderson, D.Ph., D.D., aged 74. He was a native of the parish of 
Dunfermline, and uncle of the writer. " He was an eminent linguist 
and divine, and was the author of the following works : — 'Journal of 
a Residence in Iceland' — 'Biblical Researches and Travels in Russia' 
— ' Commentaries on Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,' &c." From 1826 
to 1850, he was the Theological Professor of the Dissenting Colleges 
at Hoxton and Highbury. He was interred in Abney Park Cemetery, 
near London. (See An. Dunf. date 1800.) 

Wilson's School, Newrow. — This school was finished and 
opened on 17th May, 1858, for the free education of children in the 
town and suburbs of Dunfermline, a preference being given to those 
of the name of Wilson, and to children whose parents are members of 
the Free Abbey Church — Mr. Andrew Spittal, master. {MS. Note.) 

Death of Mr. Andrew Balfour. — "On 17th July, 1858, Mr. 
Andrew Balfour, builder, died at his residence in Bath Street, aged 



BURNS'S CENTENARY. G^J 

45. The deceased was held in so much respect by the community, 
that the shops, on the line of route taken by the funeral procession, 
were closed. He was employed by her Majesty's Board of Works 
on the Abbey Church and the Monastic Ruins, which arduous task he 
completed to the satisfaction of all parties. He was the builder of 
Gillespie Church, &c., and was also the prime mover in the carrying 
out of a resolution to erect a statue to the memory of Ralph Erskine. 
This he successfully accomplished." (Newspapers.) 

Resignation of the Rev. Robert Walker. — The Rev. Robert 
Walker, who had been minister of Chalmers's Street Church since 
6th November, 1844, resigned his charge on loth August, 1858, and 
went to Australia, where he became a mission preacher. 

Insurance Agents. — According to the Register of Dimfermline, 
there were in Dunfermline in 1858 31 life, fire, and annuity agents. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., was re- 
elected Provost, November, 1858. (Bw'gJi Records.) 

Births, Marriages, and Deaths. — At the end of December, 
1858, the public Registrar found by his entries that there had been 
822 births, 174 marriages, and 422 deaths during 1858. 

1859.— BuRNS's Centenary, 2sth January. — The celebration 
of the centenary exceeded all expectations. At three o'clock a nume- 
rous procession, consisting of the United Burns's Club and the trades, 
accompanied by three bands of music, promenaded the principal 
streets. In the evening the St. John's and Union Lodges paraded 
in torch-light. The Senior Burns's Club, the oldest in Scotland, dined 
in Milne's Hotel, the door of which was decorated with flowers and 
evergreens by Mr. John Reid. The bells rung merrily at inter- 
vals. The members of the United Burns's Club did justice to their 
supper in the Hall, Queen Ann Place. The 25th January, 1859, was 
a red-letter day in Dunfermline. For the occasion Mr. A. Thomson, 
Commercial Schools, composed, and afterwards had printed, a very 
appropriate set of verses. They were read by the author to a large 
gathering in the Music Hall. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — ''Our Banner and its Battles ; or, An Evening in 
a Free Church Manse. By a Disruption Minister [the Rev. James 
Mackenzie, Free Abbey Church, Dunfermline.] Published by James 
Nichol, Edinburgh, 1859." This is a small i2mo of 64 pages, illus- 
trated with upwards of twenty wood-cut engravings, amongst which 



6/8 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

are John Knox — Knox's House, Edinburgh — The "Maiden" — Jenny 
Geddes's Stool— The "Thumbkins"— The "Boots"— Martyr's Monu- 
ment, Edinburgh — the Bass Rock and Prison, &c. This is an interest- 
ing little v/ork. It has passed through several editions. 

Literature — The Dtmfej'inline Pi-ess. — This newspaper was first 
issued on 2ist April, 1859, under the editorship of Mr. Thomas Brown. 
A newspaper cutting of the period informs us, that "the School of 
Arts building, in the New Row, was purchased by Erskine Beveridge, 
Esq., for ;^48o, for the purpose of altering it into a newspaper office, 
March, 1859. Early in April a steam-press and two hand-presses 
arrived. An editor, sub-editor, and staff of assistants, were engaged by 
the proprietor. Being at first a bi-weekly, the second number appeared 
on Saturday, the 23rd April." After a short period, the Press ceased 
to be issued bi-weekly, and one issue only (on Saturdays) was resolved 
on, which still continues (1878), and with the designation of The 
Dunfermline Saturday Press, and West of Fife Advertiser. A. 
Romanes Esq, is the second editor, and also the proprietor. (Nezvs- 
paper and MS. Note.) 

A Water Conduit, running north and south, was discovered 
8 feet under the surface, and about 6 feet to the west of the East 
Walk in the South Churchyard. It was built on sides and top with 
stones neatly joined. The top was covered with puddled clay, to 
keep out surface-water. (Newspaper.) 

Literature. — ''Historical and Statistical Account of Dunferm- 
line. By Peter Chalmers, D.D., A.M., F.S.A., Scotland, Minister of 
the First Charge, Abbey Church, Dunfermline. Second Volume ; 
illustrated with numerous additional Engravings. Published by 
William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London." This volume, 
published about the end of May, 1859, is an octavo, and similar to 
vol. i. It is an elaborate production of 476 pages. Much of it, how- 
ever, is taken up with corrections of vol. i. ; but it likewise contains 
many interesting particulars collected by the learned author between 
the publication of his first volume, in 1844, and that of the second, in 
1859. It is embellished with 14 fine copperplate engravings. 

The Annunciation Stone — An Important Archceological Dis- 
covery. — In the Annals of Diinfermline, under date 181 2, there is a 
drawing and short description of this stone, to which the reader is 
referred. From 1812 to 1859, the supposed date iioo had often been 
made the subject of controversy, inasmuch as the Arabian numerals 



THE ANNUNCIATION STONE. 679 

were not in use until about tJie middle of the ijih ceiitury ! The 
following is a notice of the discovery taken from a newspaper of the 
period : — 

In August, 1859, Mr. John Ions, photographer, Dunfermline, resolved on 
taking a camera-likeness of the stone ; and as its surface was in some places 
covered with small patches of wliat he took to be hardejied dust, he ascended 
to the stone to clear such blemishes away. During the process of cleaning, 
he found that the patch, which lay on the space on the right of " iioo," which 
had been supposed to cover the letters "a.d." (anno domiin), covered the 
letters " c o n," which, when the lime was picked out, stood out sharp and 
clear. At this stage of the cleaning, the strip of stone at the bottom was 
found to read " coNiioo "; but this reading was as great a puzzle as before, 
and made him inspect more closely the supposed 11 00. He soon dis- 
covered that what had been taken for the first unit and the first cipher of the 
supposed date, were slightly covered with minute patches of plaster, which, on 
being carefully removed, revealed that the first unit was an f, and the first 
cipher a tr — thus, instead of 1 100, it now read "fido," which, on " con" being 
prefixed to it, brought out the Latin word — 



confiDo 



which signifies ^"^ I trust, '^ and being directly under the shield of George Dury, 
the last Abbot of Dunfermline, may be the motto of the Dury Arms. 

It may be remarked that the Latin word " Confido " is to be found over 
the doorways of many religious and other houses, erected between the i6th 
and 1 8th centuries. "/;/ Domino Cotifido" (the title of Psalm xi.) is cut on 
a stone in the front wall of an old house, in the West Bow, Edinburgh. {Chamb. 
Gazetteer of Scotland, p. 333.) Again, over the ancient Monastery of Black- 
friars at Edinburgh, there was a sculptured stone, which had on it — " Avt 
Maria, Gratia Plena, Dominus Tecum" — that is, "Hail Mary, full of favour, 
the Lord be with you !" — which, with the exception of Maria, is precisely what 
we have on the Annunciation Stone. Would such a motto at Blackfriars, in 
Edinburgh, be likely to occur to Abbot Dury's mind for one of his mottoes on 
the stone at Dunfermline? (See Arnolds Hist. Edin. 1816, p. 187.) 

Thus was set at rest, and satisfactorily explained, what had been "a puzzle 
and a bone of contention'' with antiquarians for 47 years. Had the plaster 
which covered the whole surface of the stone been all carefully removed in 
1812, it would have given many a quiet hour to zealous antiquarians! It is 
singular that such a finely sculptured stone should have been made the roof- 
part of the bay-window in the Palace ; perhaps it may have been taken in 
"troublous times" from the Abbey Church, and placed in the roof of said 
window, and plastered over with lime for safety. The stone has been semi- 
circular, and is still very nearly so, having a radius of about 2 feet 10 inches ; 
the base is 5 feet 9 inches in length ; and from its middle to top of curve, 2 
feet 2 inches. These measures so nearly coincide with that of the top of the 
arch of the innermost or lowest of the receding arches of ^h^ great western door 
of the Abbey, that it is not unlikely that its original place was in the top of this 
arch. Be that as it may, if placed here, it would have a fine appearance, well 



68o ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

seen, and appreciated by all. Many of the great-weslern-door arches of Eng- 
lish Cathedrals are embellished with Scriptural Stones. The great west door 
of Rochester Cathedral, which very much resembles that of Dunfermline 
Abbey, has in its lowest receding arch a beautifully sculptured stone of great 
age, which has often been referred to by antiquarians, historians, &c. (See 
All. Dunf. date 1812.) 

Honorary Burgess — The Freedom of the Burgh. — On the 31st 
of August, 1859, the freedom of the Burgh of Dunfermline was con- 
ferred on Ebenezer Henderson, LL.D., for his antiquarian researches, 
and in recognition of his services in connection with the restoration 
of the Burgh to its ancient status of a City. He was, in the evening, 
entertained to a public dinner, presided over by Robert Robertson, 
Esq., Provost. (Neivspaper.) 

Patriarchal Dinner. — Forty "auld Dunfermline men," whose 
ages varied from 70 to 93, dined in Mr. Aitken's hotel at the Cross, 
on 23rd September, 1859. "The united ages of the forty old oues 
amounted to 3,003 years. Toasts, songs, and " cracks," were " the 
order" of the evening ; and they one and all enjoyed a very pleasur- 
able evening. 

Chalmers Street Church — Ordination. — The Rev. Alex. 
Milne Jervie was ordained Minister of this Church on the 7th Sept., 
1859; resigned in 1876. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., was re- 
elected Provost in November, 1859. (Burgh Records.) 

The Volunteers. — The Dunfermline Volunteer Corps originated 
at a public meeting, held on the 14th November, 1859. 

I860.— Townhouse Steeple. — /'The wooden cone above the 
bartizan of the Townhouse Steeple was removed on nth January, 
i860, in consequence of a report regarding the unsoundness of the 
timber; it was, however, ascertained that the timber work was sound, 
but instead of replacing it, the tower was allowed to remain without a 
cone for six years!" (MS. Note.) "Lament of the Steeple for want 
of its Cone-cover!" (See Addenda, Afi. Dunf) 

A Memorial Window. — Early in i860. Lady Willoughby 
D'Eresby, of Drummond Castle, caused one of the windows in the 
south aisle of the old Abbey Church to be filled with stained glass 
to the memory of her ancestor. Queen Annabella Drummond, Con- 
sort of Robert HL On a brass-plate underneath is the following 



DUNFERMLINE VOLUNTEERS, ETC. 68 1 

inscription : — " This memorial, bearing the escutcheon of Annabella 
Drummond, Queen of Scotland, was erected by Clementina Sarah 
Drummond, Lady Willoughby D'Eresby, in memory of her royal 
ancestor." This was the first stained-glass window put into the 
Abbey. 

The Countess of Elgin died in Paris on 31st March, i860, 
and was interred in the Elgin Vault, Dunfermline Abbey, on the 12th 
April. (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — " T/ie Pilgrim Psalms ; an Exposition of the Songs 
of Degrees, Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv. By the Rev. Neil M'Michael, D.D., 
Dunfermline. Price 4s. 6d." This work was published in May, i860. 

St. Leonard's Schools were erected at St. Leonard's Factory, 
St. Leonard's, near Dunfermline, in i860. 

Mounted Volunteers. — This corps was first suggested at a pub- 
lic meeting held in March, i860, and were organised in July and Aug. 

Berrylaw Tap. — The top of the Berrylaw, traditionally known 
as a sepulchral site, was dug into on July, i860, at the instance of 
Mr. Joseph Baton, Wooer's Alley, Dunfermline. Nothing particular 
turned up, excepting charred wood, rotten bones, and a few rough 
flat stones. (See An. Dnnf. Addenda^ 

The Dunfermline Volunteers repaired to Edinburgh (Aug. 7, 
i860) to take part in the Grand National Review in the Queen's Park. 

Abbey Gardens Factory. — This factory, erected by Messrs. 
Reid & Sons, proprietors, in St. Margaret Street, was finished in 
Sept., i860, when 175 steam-looms were set in motion; it employs 
about 450 hands. 

View of the City of Dunfermline. — A fine chromo-litho- 
graphic view of Dunfermline from the west-north-west, 30 inches by 
18, was published by Mr. W. M'Farlane, lithographer, 19 St. James 
Square, Edinburgh, price 2\s. (This chromo view is taken from the 
original painting by Mr. Andrew Blair, artist, Dunfermline.) 

Louis Blanc, the celebrated French Deputy, delivered a lecture 
to a numerous audience in the Music Hall on the evening of October 
II, i860. Subject, — "On the Mysterious Persons and Agencies in 
France towards the end of the i8th Century." (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Robert Robertson, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, i860. (Burgh Records.) 

4R 



682 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Lassodie Fountain. — This elegant granite fountain built into 
the north-west corner of Queen Ann Street Church boundary wall, 
has the following inscription cut upon it, — "Lassodie Fountain. 
Presented to the City of Dunfermline, by Henry A. Dewar, M.D., 
Aberdeen, i860." 

1861. — The Dunfermline Co-operative Society (Limited) was 
inaugurated in Jan. 1861. The rules were registered on ist May, and 
the first shop opened on ist June, 1861. {An. Dunf. date 1866.) 

Public Dinner and Presentation. — On 8th P'ebruary, Ex- 
Provost Robertson was entertained to dinner by upwards of 100 
gentlemen of the city and district in the Mason Hall, Queen Ann 
Place, and presented with a beautiful silver tray, value £<^o, bearing 
the following inscription: — "Presented to Robert Robertson, Esq., 
lately Provost of Dunfermline, by his fellow-citizens, in token of their 
appreciation of the zeal, ability, and integrity with which, during a 
period of six years, he discharged the duties of his office as chief 
magistrate of this city. Dunfermline, 8th February, 1861." Provost 
Whitelaw occupied the chair, and E. Beveridge, Esq., presented the 
testimonial. The speeches delivered on the occasion were most 
interesting, and the whole proceedings a complete success. 

The Dunfermline Penny Savings' Bank was instituted early in 
April, 1861 ; there were 359 depositors on i6th April. 

Volunteers. — The Volunteer Corps created a great sensation in 
town on Saturday, 5th April, when the whole body of them turned 
out for the first time. The chief attraction was the band, nineteen in 
number, and their dress is lighter in shade and gayer in trimmings 
than that of the riflemen. " The rifle band will be a credit to the city. 
The corps marched to Brucefield Park, and, on their return, they 
paraded through the principal streets of the city. Dunfermline felt 
proud of the martial appearance of her sons." (Dunf. Advertiser.) 

The Census. — The seventh Government census was taken in 
April, 1 86 1. Results relative to the Parish of Dunfermline: — Popu- 
lation of the town and parish of Dunfermline, 20,952 ; town and 
suburbs within the Parliamentary boundary, 13,504. Of these 6,438 
were males, and 7,066 ferrtalcs. Compared with 185 1, it shows a 
decrease of 436 males, but an increase of 79 females ; total decrease, 
357. Males in the parish of Dunfermline, 10,016; females, 10,936; 
total decrease in the parish, 382. 



EARL OF ELGIN'S RECEPTION, ETC. 683 

Grand Reception to the Earl of Elgin. — On 17th April, 
1 861, the Magistrates, being apprised of the time when the Earl would 
arrive at Dunfermline Railway Station, ordered the bells to be rung, 
and the flags to be hung out, while they walked in procession, escorted 
by the volunteers, to await his arrival. His Lordship, Lady Elgin, 
and family were conducted to the Council Chambers, where his Lord- 
ship was presented with an address. This was a great day in Dun- 
fermline. 

Presentation. — Mr. Andrew Thomson, of the Commercial 
School, during the winter delivered a series of readings gratuitously. 
These lectures, which were very popular, were brought to a close on 
4th April, 1 86 1. At the concluding meeting Provost Whitelaw pre- 
sided, and presented Mr. Thomson with the sum of ^^30 as a testi- 
monial for his labours. 

Chalmers Street Church. — The old church of 1789 being 
removed, the foundation-stone of a new and more commodious place 
of worship was laid on July, 1861. In a case were enclosed a brief 
history of the congregation, a copy of the principles of the United 
Presbyterian Church, the local newspapers, and the current coins of 
the realm. The case was placed in a hollow, cut in the foundation- 
stone, and properly secured. (Neivspapers.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Whitelaw, Esq., ironfounder, 
elected Provost, November, 1861. (Bitrgh Records.) 

A Public Dinner and Presentation were given to James Mac- 
farlane, Esq., November, 1861. 

1862. — Meteorology, &c. — According to a note in our posses- 
sion, by J. M., from ist March, 1861, to ist March, 1862, the wind 
blew from south, south-west, and west, 191 days, and from the north, 
north-east, east, and south-east, 174 days. There were 127 rainy 
days, and 228 without rain. The average height of the barometer in 
summer was 30x''oths. The average height of the thermometer in 
July was 92° in the sun, and 79° in the shade. 

Mr. Andrew M'Donald died at Swinton, near Manchester, on 
4th June this year, aged 68. He was for upwards of thirty years an 
eminent teacher in Dunfermline, in connection with the Commercial 
Academy. 

Chalmers Street Church finished and opened for worship. 
(See A?i. Dunf. dates 1789, 1861.) 



684 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The Regality House, East Nethertown Street, was removed to 
make way for another building. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Whitelaw, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1862. (Burgh Records.) 

M. Barbieri, surgeon (late of Limekilns), died at Inverkeithing 
on 20th November, aged 81 years. For some years previous to his 
death he corresponded with the writer. Dr. Barbieri had a fine taste 
for antiquities and history. 

The Dimfennline Journal (Messrs, Clark, publishers), after an 
existence of about twenty-two years, issued its last number in 
December, 1862. (See dates 1840 and 1872.) 

1863. — Literature. — The first number of " The Fifeshire Illus- 
trated Family Almanac and General Advertiser for 186 j" was published 
by D. Campbell, Chalmers Street, Dunfermline. It is an 8 vo. Price i<^. 

The Dunfermline Advertiser, published by Mr. Miller, after an 
existence of about twenty-nine years, issued its last number in May, 
1863. Mr. Miller's Advertiser and Mr. Clark's Journal were at first 
monthly papers. Afterwards they appeared fortnightly, alternating 
with each other, and thus giving the public the advantage of a weekly 
paper betwixt them. But the F>imfennli7ie Press, established in 1859, 
took the lead, and was the cause of the extinction of the Advertiser 
and Journal. {MS. Note ; see An. Dunf date 1834.) 

The New Cemetery was opened for interments on 31st July, 1863. 
The cemetery is about ^ths of a mile east from the burgh, comprises 
about 6 acres, and is tastefully laid out in walks, &c. 

The Public Park, Hallbank, was opened in August, 1863. 

The Dunfermline and Charlestown Railway was in September 
this year discontinued, after having done good service for about 
twenty-nine years. (MS. Note.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Whitelaw, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1863. (Burgh Records.) 

Lord High Constable of Dunfermline's Dinner. — The 
Dinner of the Lord High Constable, an old institution, which had been 
long discontinued, was this year, in November, revived by Mr. James 
Macdonald, writer, who was then Lord High Constable. The Provost, 
Magistrates, &c., were his guests. Toasts and speechifying were the 



LITERARY WORKS. 685 

order of the evening. The dinner was held in Turnbull's Hotel. 
(MS. Note.) 

13g4_ — Literature. — An 8vo tractate, of 34 pp., was published 
this year, entitled ^^Biirgh Life in Dimfermline in the Olden Time: a 
Lecture. By the Rev. William Ross, Aberdour. Delivered in the 
Music Hall, Dunfermline, 8th February, 1864, at the request of the 
Literary Society of that Town, Published by Edmonston and Douglas, 
Edinburgh, 1864." This little work is brimful of most interesting 
extracts from the oldest of the -5/^r^/^ Records (1473-1506). We are 
indebted to it for many of the entries in the Annals, and for extracts 
taken from it. 

"Dunfermline in the Olden Time." — A lithographic view 
(9 by 71^ inches) under this designation was published by the writer 
early this year, finely done by Schenck and M'Farlane of Edinburgh. 
It is a composition view, drawn from several detached sources, and 
pieced together to represent as follows : — The Porch-door and " Auld 
Kirk" Steeple, the Constabulary and Bailie House, the Queen's 
House, and a Pend which has erroneously been styled " the West 
Port'' by the print, whereas it was erected so late as 1770 as a private 
gateway to Pittencrieff Policy. The said view is supposed to be taken 
from the foot of the Kirkgate (omitting the West Port in St. Catherine's 
Wynd) as the view would appear in 1790. The price was \s. 6d. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Whitelaw, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost in November, 1864. (Burgh Records.) 

1865. — Literature. — There was published in May, this year, 
"Extracts from the Kirk- Session of Dunfermline, from A.D. /d/o to 
i68g inclusive ; or a Glimpse of the Ecclesiastical History of Dunferm- 
line for a period of Fifty Years. With Illustrative Notes. Edited by 
E. Henderson, LL.D. Printed by FuUarton and Macnab, Edinburgh. 
May, 1866." This is a thin i2mo of d>2 pages, and contains a few 
hundred extracts from the long lost and now oldest records of the 
Dunfermline Kirk-Session. The frontispiece (a woodcut) represents 
the Ruins of the Abbey Choir, Auld Kirk, &c., of Dunfermline. It is 
a composite drawing by Dr. Henderson. A great many of the 
extracts are to be found in the Annals of Dunfermline, between 
dates 1640 and 1689. 

The Bothwell Steam-Power Weaving Factory was erected in 



686 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Elgin Street, by David Dewar & Sons, in June, 1865. About 900 
operatives were employed. The present proprietors are J. Mathewson 
& Son. 

The Town-house Bell, which had, since the year 1654, "served 
the town at all times when bell-sound was needed — for Council 
meetings, opening of the old market-days, days of rejoicing, and 
funerals, was disused this year, 1865, in consequence of its getting 
out of tune, and giving an uncertain sound." It was replaced by 
another, set to G — no very great improvement upon its predecessor. 
(See An. Dunf, date 1876 ; MS. Note) 

Provost of Dunfermline.— John Whitelaw, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1865. (Burgh Records.) 

Congregational Church — Induction. — The Rev. Jas. Mitchell 
Robbie was inducted minister of the Congregational Church, Canmore 
Street, in November, 1865. 

1866. — The Malcolm Canmore Lodge was instituted in January 
this year. 

Literature. — " Clarkson Gray, and Other Poems (with Illustra- 
tions). By Mrs. James Morton, Dunfermline. Published by William 
P. Nimmo, Edinburgh, 1866." This interesting small quarto of 218 
pages is embellished with several well-executed engravings. It was 
well reviewed, and has had a pretty extensive sale. 

Literature. — "A Working Man's Bye-Hours ; consisting of 
Essays, Lectures^ Poems, &c. By Alexander M'Cansh. Published by 
William Clark, High Street, Dunfermline. 1866." This is an 8vo 
volume of 294 pages, and consists of thirty essays, &c., on miscel- 
laneous subjects. 

Joseph Noel Paton, R.S.A., was this year appointed her Majesty's 
Limner for Scotland. (MS. Note.) 

The Dunfermline Co-operative Society. — The foundation stone of 
their new buildings was laid by Provost Whitelaw on 4th June, 1866, 
at the top of Randolph Street. There was a public procession on 
the occasion. {An. Dunf. dates 1861, 1867.) 

Town-House Spire Re-Erected. — The lead-covered wooden 
cone above the bastion of this steeple was removed by mistake in 
the year i860, and was re-erected in October this year. 



EXTENDED BOUNDARIES. 68/ 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Whitelaw, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1866. (Burgh Records.) 

1867. — The Dimfermline Co-operative Society. — The Committee 
of this Society at the end of their first year's transactions, find that the 
amount of business done reached the sum of £6,^^! iqj. 8^^. (See 
An. D2inf. dates 1861, 1866.) 

LiLLIE-HILL FIRE-ClAY AND TERRA COTTA WORKS. — Messrs. 
Lindsay & Anderson began these now extensive works on 7th May, 
1867. About 100 persons are employed at the works. Here terra 
cotta work of the finest quality is manufactured ; sewerage pipes, fire 
bricks, and many other articles made from clay are turned out in 
large quantities, and sent to the most distant parts of the kingdom, 
as also to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and ports on the Black Sea, 
&c. The works are about two miles north-east of Dunfermline. 

Gymnasium. — On Monday, 13th May, 1867, the Gymnasium of 
the Dunfermline Athletic Club was opened at eight o'clock, evening. 
The Honorary President, the Lord Provost of the city, in the chair; 
Andrew Blair, Secretary. (Neivspapers.) 

Canmore Steam-Power Weaving Factory Erected. — This 
factory, in Damside Street, stands on the site once covered by the 
waters of the dam. It was erected in 1867 by the Messrs. J. & T. 
Alexander, proprietors, and employs about 850 operatives. (MS. Note.) 

Society of Solicitors. — The Solicitors of Dunfermline (ten in 
number) formed themselves into a society on 4th July, 1867, under 
the Act 28th and 29th Vict., cap. 2>6. (MS. Note.) 

Sir Joseph Noel Paton, Knight. — This eminent artist, a native 
of Dunfermline, received this year (1867) from her Majesty's hand, at 
Windsor, the honour of knighthood. (MS. Note.) 

Extended Boundaries. — In an Application, presented to the 
Sherifif of the County of Fife, by Robert Alston, watchmaker and 
jeweller, residing in Golfdrum Street, Dunfermline, and others. 
Ratepayers in respect of Lands and Heritages situated beyond the 
existing Boundaries of the Royal Burgh of Dunfermline, praying 
him to take the steps provided by the Acts 20 and 21 Victoria, cap. 
70, for extending the Boundaries of said Royal Burgh, the Sheriff- 
Substitute pronounced deliverance thereanent. As it must be both 
interesting and important to the inhabitants of Dunfermline that the 



688 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

extended Boundary of the Burgh should be accurately known, we 
here give in full the Sheriff's finding in this case : — 

" Dunfermline, igth yuly, i86y. — The Sheriff-Substitute having resumed 
consideration of the foregoing Petition, with Minute thereon for the Petitioners, 
Plan produced, and Report by Mr. Peter Maccallum, civil engineer, Dun- 
fermline, and having inspected the proposed extended boundaries of the Royal 
Burgh of Dunfermline, specified in the Petition, and the area embraced within 
the same, is of opinion that the boundaries hereinafter defined and specified, 
which include an area two-thirds of which is wholly or partially built on or laid 
out for building, will be suitable for the extended boundaries of said Burgh, 
viz. : — (First), From a point on the Brucefield or Wood mill Road, where the 
present Royalty Boundary is intersected by the Parliamentary Boundary, 
northward along the Parliamentary Boundary to another point, about 315 
yards distant from the last mentioned point, where said Boundaries again 
intersect one another : (Second), From a point on the Parliamentary Boundary, 
where it is intersected by the Royalty Boundary, on the north side of the 
Park called Couston's Park, northward along the Parliamentary Boundary to 
another point, about 27 yards distant from the last-mentioned point, where said 
Boundaries again intersect one another : (Third), From a point on the lands 
of Headwell, where the said Royalty and Parliamentary Boundaries intersect 
one another, westward along the Parliamentary Boundary to another point on 
said lands, where it is again intersected by the Royalty Boundary, about 330 
yards distant from the last-mentioned point : (Fourth), From the bridge carry- 
ing the footpath leading from Castle-Blair to Beveridgewell across the Castle- 
Blair or Broomhead Burn (which burn forms the present Royalty Boundary at 
this point), northwards along the wall forming the western boundary of the 
park on the lands of Broomhead, called Rosevale Park, to the north-east 
angle of the enclosing wall of Rosevale Cottage and Grounds ; thence west- 
ward along the north enclosing wall of said cottage and grounds to the gate 
at the entrance to the approach from Beveridgewell to Broomhead House; 
thence north-westward along the western fence or boundary of said Rosevale 
Park, tin it reaches the wall on the south side of the public footpath leading 
from Beveridgewell to Wellwood ; thence westward in a straight line to the 
bridge by which the West of Fife Mineral Railway crosses the Carnock Road ; 
thence southward along the north fence or boundary of said railway to its 
junction with the Stirling and Dunfermline Railway ; thence eastward along 
the north fence or boundary of said Stirling and Dunfermline Railway, till it 
reaches the road or street commonly called the Coal Road ; thence southward 
along the west wall or boundary of said Coal Road to a point thereon opposite 
the footpath leading along the north side of the feus on the north side of 
James' Place ; thence westward across the Charlestown branch of the North 
BriUsh Railway, and along said footpath till it reaches the boundary line of 
the parishes of Dunfermline and Inverkeithing ; thence southward along said 
parish boundary till it reaches the turnpike road leading from Dunfermline to 
Crossford : thence across said road in a diagonal direction to the commence- 
ment of the south boundary wall of the feus on the south side of James' Place; 
thence along said wall till it reaches said Charlestown Branch Railway; thence 
across said railway and the Coal Road aforesaid, in a diagonal direction, to 
the west end of the wall separating the feus on the south side of Pittencrieff 
Street from the policy grounds of Pittencrieff; thence eastward along said wall 



EXTENDED BOUNDARIES. 689 

till it reaches the east boundary wall of the feu immediately on the west of 
Pittencrieff Entry ; thence northward along said last-mentioned wall to Pitten- 
crieff Street ; thence along the south side of Pittencrieff Street to the west 
boundary wall of the feu immediately on the east side of said Entry; thence 
southward along said last-mentioned wall till it joins the wall separating the 
feus on the south side of Pittencrieff Street, west side of Chalmers' Street, and 
south side of Bridge Street, from Pittencrieff policy grounds ; thence along 
said last-mentioned wall till it reaches the Tower Burn ; thence southward 
along the east bank or margin of said burn, till it reaches the wall running 
from said burn to the footpath leading from St. Catherine's Wynd to Pitten- 
crieff House ; thence along said wall to its junction with the wall on the north 
side of said footpath ; thence along said last-mentioned wall to St. Catherine's 
Wynd, but excluding the small house called " the Lodge " at the entrance to 
said footpath ; thence southward along the wall on the west side of St. 
Catherine's Wynd, the Pend, and Monastery Street, till it reaches the granary 
of the old Heugh Mills ; thence westward along the outer wall of said granary 
to the wall forming the south boundary of the Royal Palace Grounds ; thence 
along said wall till it joins the wall enclosing the grounds of Pittencrieff on 
the east ; thence along said last-mentioned wall to its termination near the 
Netherton Bridge ; and from thence along the Tower Burn to the present 
Royalty Boundary at said Netherton Bridge. 

As also, that the lands, houses, grounds, and others, which are locally 
situated within the present royalty, but were, and are still, excluded therefrom 
by the Local Police and Improvement Act, passed in 181 1, should be included 
within the said burgh, viz. : — (i.) The lands, houses, grounds, and others, 
belonging to the trustees and representatives of the late Erskine Beveridge, 
Esq., manufacturer in Dunfermline, described in said Act of 181 1 as "the 
planted or policy grounds of the said David Black," but the boundaries of 
which are not now defined, and cannot be ascertained or fixed; and (2.) the 
houses and grounds, then belonging to, or held of the late William Hunt, 
Esquire of Pittencrieff, as superior thereof, and now belonging to or held of 
his successors in said superiority, as these are delineated and coloured red on 
said plan, and embraced within the following boundaries, viz. : — From the 
south-east corner of the feu on the north side of James' Street, belonging to 
Alexander Roy, cabinetmaker, northward along the east boundary wall of 
said feu, and from the termination of said wall, in a straight line, to the hedge 
or fence separating Pilmuir Park from the park formerly known as Mr. Hunt's 
Park, now belonging to the North British Railway Company, on the north 
side of their station ; thence westwards along said hedge or fence, and the 
south boundary walls or fences of the feus on the south side of Campbell 
Street, belonging to William Moir, Robert Fisher, and George Anderson, to 
the old west boundary wall of said park, formerly called Mr. Hunt's Park; 
thence southward along the west boundary of said park, and a straight line 
running parallel with the backs of the houses on the east side of South Inglis 
Street, but eighteen inches east thereof, to the north enclosing wall of the 
Baptist Chapel in James Street; thence eastwards along said last-mentioned 
wall, and the north boundary walls of the properties of Mr. Robert Wilson 
and Mrs. James Aitken; thence southward along the east boundary of Mrs. 
Aitken's property to James Street, and from thence eastward along the channel 
or gutter on the north side of said street to the point first described. 

Further, in terras of section ist of the Act 20 and 21 Vict., chapter 70, 

4S 



690 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



appoints publication of this Deliverance to be made, by inserting the same 
once in each of the following newspapers for two consecutive weeks, viz., the 
Dunfcrfnline Saturday Press, Fifeshire journal, and Daily Scots}?ian. 

(Signed) Andrew Beatson Bell. 
(From the Dunfermline Press of 2']th yuly, 1867. ) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — John Whitelaw, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost, Nov., 1867. (Burgh Records.) 

1868.— Castle Blair Steam-Power Weaving Factory.— 
This factory at Castle Blair, Dunfermline, was erected by Messrs. 
Inglis and Co, the proprietors. There were upwards of 400 opera- 
tives employed. (MS. Note.) 

Ralph Abercromby, 2nd Lord Dimfermline, died on 12th July, 
1868, in the 63rd /ear of his age, and was buried in the Grange 
Cemetery, Edinburgh. He succeeded his father, the ist Lord Dun- 
fermline, in 1858. (Newspapers.) 

Re-erection of the Old Market-Cross Stone-Pillar. — 
This Pillar was re-erected on August 15th, 1878. {Sq& Appen. U.) 




Literature.—" Clark's Guide to the Abbey and its Antiquities. 



GENERAL BRUCE'S MONUMENT. 69 1 

Containing an Account of the Abbacy; the Royal Tombs; Discovery 
of the Grave of King Robert the Bruce ; the Monastery, the Royal 
Palace, Malcolm Canmore's Palace ; Malcolm Canmore and Queen 
Margaret ; the Persons whose Portraits adorn the Town Hall ; Queen 
Margaret's Cave ; Mr. Paton's Collection of Antiquities, &c. Pub- 
lished by William Clark, 12 High Street, Dunfermhne. 1868." This 
i2mo contains 64 pp. of interesting local details, and is embellished 
with a fine copperplate frontispiece engraving of the Abbey Church 
from the north-east. 

Erection of General Bruce's Monument in the South Tran- 
sept, Abbey Church. — This monument (or, rather. Altar Tomb, of white 
marble), was erected in October, 1868. It was executed by Folley, 
the sculptor, and was done by order of the Bruce family at Broom- 
hall, in memory of General Bruce, tutor to the Prince of Wales, and 
has beautifully cut on it, in alto, several emblematical representations 
in connection with his visit to the Holy Land with the Prince. The 
tomb is on the east side of the South Transept of the New Abbey 
Church (above the Elgin vault). 

The Tomb of the Bruce. — A fine painting, entitled, " The Tomb 
of the Bruce," by Waller Hugh Paton, Esq., R.S.A., was exhibited this 
year at the Royal Scottish Academy. (For a short list of his works 
see Addenda of An. Dunf.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Henry Reid, Esq., manufacturer, 
was elected Provost, Nov., 1868. (Burgh Records.) 

Literature. — " The Tomb of the Bruce!' Recited to the Knights 
Companions of the Royal Order of Scotland," &c., by the author. Rev. 
J. B. Johnstone (8vo pamphlet, 8 pp., and 16 stanzas). Published by 
W. Clark, Dunfermline. 

Election of Four Bailies instead of Two. — " From time 
immemorial," down to 1868, two bailies had been chosen for the 
Burgh. For " the proper dispatch of business, and holding weekly 
courts, the following were elected : — Messrs. Morrison, Duncanson, 
Balfour, and Walker." (Dunf Press.) 

Presentation to Ex-Provost Whitelaw. — A soiree was held 
in the Music Hall, on Tuesday evening, ist December, in honour 
of Ex-Provost Whitelaw, when he was presented with a testimonial 
consisting of a time-piece and upwards of iJ'2Cx:) worth of silver-plate, 
subscribed for by the inhabitants, in appreciation of the many valuable 
services he had rendered to the town. (Newspapers.) 



692 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

1869. — Literature. — " The Dunfermline and West of Fife 
Annual Register and Almanac for i86g. Published by Andrew 
Ker, bookseller, Dunfermline." First number. 

Rev. James M'Kenzie, minister of the Free Church congregation, 
Canmore Street, died on loth June, 1869, aged 51. An obelisk, 21 
feet in height, was erected over his remains in the New Cemetery, 
with the following inscription in gilt letters : — ■" Erected by the Free 
Abbey Congregation, in affectionate remembrance of the Rev. James 
M'Kenzie, for twenty years their beloved pastor. Born, 21st July, 
1818. Ordained 2nd March, 1843. Died loth June, 1869." 

Literature. — " TJie Clashin' Wives d Pittencrieff, and Other 
Original Songs. By David Fleming. Published by A. Romanes, 
Press Office, 1869. Price 2d." 

The New Slaughter Houses, Baldridge Burn, were finished, and 
opened for business on Tuesday, 17th August, 1869. The same day 
the following members of the " Slaughter-House Committee " visited 
the premises : — Provost Reid, Ex-Provost Robertson, Bailies Morrison 
and Balfour. (For full description of the building and its conveniences, 
see Dimf. Press of 2 1 st August, 1 869.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Henry Reid, Esq., re-elected 
Provost, November, 1869. (BiirgJi Records.) 

Rev. James Young, minister of Queen Ann Street Church, died 
suddenly, in his manse, on 5th December, 1869, in the 66th year of 
his age, and 39th of his ministry. He was the author of " The 
Remembrance and Imitation of Depai'ted Ministers" 1849, ^.nd of 
" Our Refuge" in connection with the Crimean War, 1854. (See An. 
Dunf. date 1831.) 

1870.— Consumption of Animal Food in Dunfermline. — 
Since the Slaughter-House (Baldridge Burn) was opened on 17th 
August, 1869, to 1st January, 1870, a correct account of all animals 
slaughtered in it has been kept. The following is copied from the 
"Slaughter-Book": — "17th August, 1869, to ist January, 1870 (140 
days), 8 bulls, 203 oxen, 43 cows, 208 heifers, 12 calves, 1868 sheep 
and lambs, and 273 pigs. Total animals slaughtered, 2615. 

St. Margaret's Works— 5/^^;;/ Pozver Weaving Factory Erected. 
— This steam-loom factory, erected by the firm of Messrs. Robertson 



SCARCITY OF WATER. 693 

& Hay, Foundry Street, was put in motion on 21st January, 1870. 
About 270 operatives were employed. (Neivspaper.) 

Street Sweeping Machine. — The new patent machine for 
sweeping streets was tried in April for the first time, when it was 
found to do its work admirably. (MS.) 

Free Abbey Church, Canmore Street — Induction. — The Rev. 
James M. Shiach was ordained minister of this church on the i8th of 
May, 1870, as successor to the late Rev. James M'Kenzie. 

The Rev. Peter Chalmers, D.D., A.M., F.A.S., historian of 
Dunfermline, died on nth April, 1870, in the Abbey Church Manse, 
in the 80th year of his age, and 52nd of his ministry. 

Scarcity of Water — The Loch Gloe Scheme. — In consequence 
of the great scarcity of water experienced in Dunfermline for some 
years past, in time of drought, but especially in 1870, the Town 
Council resolved to increase the supply by bringing water into the 
burgh from Loch Gloe, which is about six miles north of Dunfermline. 
The " Loch Gloe Water Scheme " was shortly afterwards abandoned 
in consequence of the great opposition it met with from the rate- 
payers. The expenses incurred amounted to £70(^ i$s. lod. (Burgh 
Records.) 

The Devon Water Scheme. — "The Loch Gloe scheme having 
been abandoned, Mr. George Lauder, a retired merchant, began to 
advocate, with commendable persistency, the claims of the Devon 
Scheme." (See A?t. Dunf. date 1875, &c.) 

Queen Ann Street Church — Ordination. — The Rev. Robert 
French, was ordained minister of this church on 5th October, 1870. 
He resigned in May, 1872, and was inducted minister of Derby Road 
Chapel, Bootle, Liverpool, on 4th June, 1872. (Newspapers.) 

"The Dashwood Bruce Monument." — Early in October, 1870, 
a beautifully sculptured panelled white-marble monument was erected 
in the south transept of the Abbey Church, over the Bruce family 
vault, to the memory of Charles Dashwood Preston Bruce, who was 
killed by a fall from his horse on 26th August, 1864. (See Aft. Dunf. 
October, 1868.) 

Evangelical Union Church.— The Rev. John Adam, who was 
inducted pastor of this church in 1869, demitted his charge in 1870. 

Abbey Q\\\5V^QYL—Ordination.~-'T\iQ Rev. John Pitt was ordained 



694 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

minister of the Second Charge of the Abbey Church on the 22nd of 
September, 1870. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Henry Reid, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost, Nov., 1870. (Burgh Records.) 

Consumption of Animal Food. — From ist January, 1870, to 
the 31st of December, 1870, the following is the number of animals 
slaughtered in the Slaughter House for Burgh consumption, viz. : — 
Bulls, 30; oxen, 871 ; cows, 156; heifers, 326; calves, 129; pigs, 857; 
sheep and lambs, 3,312 — total, 5,68 1. (Slaughter House Book.) 

1871.— The " King Robert the Bruce" Lodge, of the Order 
of Foresters, was instituted on the 21st January, 1871. 

Free Templars. — " King Robert the Bruce Lodge," No. 3, of the 
United Temperance Association, was instituted in Dunfermline on 
2 1st January, 1871, under the name of "Free Templars of St. John'' 
A union was effected in 1875, by which it was agreed in future to 
designate the association as the " United Temperajice Association." 
{MS. Note.) 

The "Bruce Lodge," No. 280, of the Independent Order of 
•Good Templars, was instituted at Dunfermline on the 23rd January, 
1871. 

Memorial Window. — In March, 1871, a beautifully-stained glass 
memorial window, to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. Chalmers, was 
erected in one of the old Norman windows on the south side of the 
old Abbey Church, by his widow Louisa Maria Chalmers. 

Census. — The eighth Government Census was taken in April, 
1 87 1. The following are the results for the Parish of Dunfermline: — 
Population of the Town and Parish of Dunfermline in April, 1871, 
23,116: population of the Town within the new extended boundary, 
14,958 ; of which 6,744 are males, and 8,214 females, being an increase 
of 1,882, since 1861, in Town and Parish, and of the extended munici- 
pality alone of 1097. (Newspaper Note.) 

Evangelical Union Church — Induction. — Rev. James Foote, 
was inducted minister of this church in 1871. 

Floral: "The Yucca Gloriosa." — This curious plant, called 
Yucca Gloriosa, or Adam's Needle, was in full bloom in the garden of 
Mr. John Reid, James's Place, Dunfermline, in the month of August, 



THE PALACE RUINS AND MR. IIUNT's CLAIM. 695 

1871 ; it has been said that the Yucca flowers only once in 100 years, 
therefore, should this rare plant live, it will not appear in bloom again 
until August, 1 97 1. Mr. Reid has had this plant in his garden for 
twenty-five years; it stands about eight feet high from the ground, 
the leaves are of a deep-green colour, sharp-pointed, lance-shaped, 
stiff, and has a beautiful and graceful appearance. (MS. Note.) 

The Sir Walter Scott Centenary. — The 15th August, 1871, 
was held as a partial holiday in Dunfermline in memory of the Great 
Wizard. Flags floated from several houses, as well as from the Town 
House Steeple. In the afternoon a banquet, managed by an equal 
number of citizens and town councillors, was held in the Music Hall, 
and in the evening a Scotch Festival was held in the same place. 
The chair at the afternoon's banquet was occupied by Sir James 
Colville, of Craigflower. Sir James was supported on the platform 
by Sir Peter Arthur Halket, Bart, of Pitfirrane, and lady, Provost 
Reid, Thomas Spowart, Esq., Bailie Duncanson, and Ex-Provost 
Whitelaw. There was a very large and respectable company, and 
speechifying, anecdotes, and song-singing, were the order of the 
evening. Although not equal to the Burns' Centenary, yet it was a 
success. (MS. Note.) 

The Palace Ruins and Mr. Hunt's Claim. — The proprietor- 
ship of the palace ruins, which had been the subject of litigation for 
the last twenty years, was finally settled in favour of the Crown on 
Monday, 25th September, 1871. The House of Lords had decided 
that the Royal Palace Ruins at Dunfermline, with as much ground 
around them as would be sufficient to give access thereto, belonged 
to the Crown. It was remitted to the Court of Session to apply the 
judgment, which was done on 25th September, 1871, in presence of 
James A. Hunt, Esq., proprietor of the adjoining ground, Mr. Rankine, 
Advocate, Mr. Kerr, of H.M. Board of Works, Mr. Peddie, C.E., 
Edinburgh, and Mr. P. Macallum, C.E., Dunfermline. 

Theological Prize Essay. — Mr. William Home, M.A., our 
talented young townsman, highly distinguished himself in literary 
composition, by carrying off the Prize of ;^ioo offered by an anony- 
mous donor for the best Essay on "The Nature and Contents ot 
Scripture Revelation as compared with other forms of Truth." Mr. 
Home, when a student at the University of St. Andrews in 1869, 
obtained the Rector's Prize, value £2$^ for the best Essay on the 
" Principle of Inseparable Association." {Dunf. Press, Nov., 1871.) 



696 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Provost of Dunp^ermline. — Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, ^OY., 1871.) 

Temperance Association. — The Queen Mary Lodge, No. 8, of 
the United Temperance Association, was instituted in Dunfermline 
on 8th Dec, 1871, under the same designation as that into which 
the King Robert the Bruce Lodge merged, and the same explanation 
as to change of name is also similar. 

Consumption of Animal Food in Dunfermline. — Between 
the 31st December, 1870, and 31st December, 1871, there were 
slaughtered in the new slaughter-house, 33 bulls, 83 oxen, 117 cows, 
551 heifers, 86 calves, 2,633 sheep, and 868 pigs — total, 5,126. 

1872. — Died, at his residence in Rolland Street, Dunfermline, 
Alexander Dick Miller, aged 29. " He was the tallest man in Great 
Britain, being nearly 7 feet 5 inches in height." (Nezvspaper.) 

Memorial Window — Abbey Steeple Be/fry. —During the month 
of August, this year, the Abbey belfry window was glazed with 
stained emblem-glass, by the late James Hunt, Esq., of Pittencrieff, 
in memory of his father. (For description of window, see Dimfermline 
Pr^jj of August, 1872.) 

Great Fall of Rain. — About midnight, of August 26th, a 
*' heavy rain began to fall ; it increased in fury and volume of fall 
until about six o'clock in the morning, when it began to moderate. 
All the burns in the district overflowed their banks, the streets were 
flooded, and much damage was done to house-roofs and exposed 
places. The damage done was estimated at iJ"2,200." (Newspapers.) 

The Dunfermline Journal, after a suspension of about ten years, 
began to be republished, in a much enlarged form, on Oct. 12, 1872, 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., was 
re-elected Provost, Nov., 1872. (Burgh Records.) 

1873.— City of Glasgow Bank. — A branch of this bank was 
established in Queen Ann Street, in Jan., 1873^} ohn Ross, Esq., agent. 

The Concord Lodge, No. 840, of the Independent Order of Good 
Templars, was instituted in Dunfermline on Feb. 7, 1873. (MS. Note.) 

The Dunfermline Orchestral Society was instituted in 
March, 1873. 



MEMORIAL WINDOWS. 697 

First School-Board Election. — On the 20th March, 1873, 
the polling for the Burgh School Board took place in the High 
School by ballot, when the following were declared elected : — James 
Hunt (Pittencreiff), 1084; Dr. Dow, 843; Provost Mathieson, 653; 
Rev. A. Mitchell, 449 ; Dr. Morris, 296 ; A. Jackson, founder, 284 ; 
James Mullen, broker, 265 ; T. Spowart, of Broomhead, 263 ; Bailie 
Walls, 260. 

Opening of the Roman Catholic Chapel.— The new Roman 
Catholic Chapel in Martyr's Place, which had for some months pre- 
vious been building, was finished and opened with great ceremony on 
March 23, 1873. Bishop Strain, of Edinburgh, officiated. 

Queen Ann Street Church. — The Rev. Robert Alexander 
was inducted minister of this church on ist October, 1873. 

Literature. — '' Dimimarle, Perthshire, i8jj. By J. Todd, Sept., 
1873." This is the title of a manual-guide to Dunimarle, near Culross. 
It is a i2mo of 16 pages. 

Provost of Dunfermline.— Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., re-elected 
Provost. {Burgh Records, 9th November, 1877.) 

Literature. — " The Book of Jonah: the Text Analysed, Trans- 
lated, and the Accents Named, being an Easy Introduction to the Hebrew 
Language. By the Rev. Alexander Mitchell, M.A., North Parish, 
Dunfermline. Published by Bagster & Sons, London. December." 
This little work, which has been very highly commended by the 
critics of the newspaper press, is a demy 8vo of 89 pages. 

The Dunfermline Savings' Bank, East Port Street, was built 
this year. 

Memorial Windows in the Old Abbey Church. — Two of 
the windows in the north aisle of the Old Church, during December, 
1873, were decorated with stained glass figures emblematical of Scrip- 
ture subjects. One of these windows was erected by Mr. Robert Reid 
of Iffley, in memory of his parents ; the other (above Pitcairn's Tomb), 
by Thomas Alexander, in memory of his parents and relatives. 

The " Reid Memorial " has emblazoned on it a large illustration of the 
family of Bethany, which occupies the main part of the window, and is by 
the old stone dials divided into three parts. In the centre division there is a 
representation of Jesus, with Mary seated at His feet ; in the other is their 
sick brother Lazarus reclining upon a couch. Two tracery openings above 
contain figures of angels, emblematic of the Resurrection. In the under part 
of the window there are three subjects, viz., Nicodemus's visit to Christ by 

4T 



698 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

night ; Christ blessing children ; and Christ at supper with the two disciples 
at Emmaus. 

The "Alexander Memorial" is the easterly window of the nave. The 
emblazoned subjects represent, in the main arch, the baptism of our Lord 
— Jesus receiving the glorification of the Spirit of God being the grand central 
figure in the design ; in the side divisions of the window are figures of John 
the Baptist, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph ; while the three smaller 
groups underneath are " The Sower," " The Good Shepherd," and " The 
Good Physician." 

Both these windows were executed by Messrs. Ballantyne of Edin- 
burgh. It is much to be regretted that the top part of the old histori- 
cal monument of Secretary Robert Pitcairn had to be removed for the 
display of the under part of the emblazonments of the last-mentioned 
window. This fine tomb ought to be restored to its original condition. 

1874. — Literature.— "^//(S^j- of Scripture Geography, cotisisting 
of Sixteen Maps and Plaits, with Historical and Geographical Q?iestions 
and Answers on each Map, by Andrezv Thomson, Diinfermlifie. Pub- 
lished by Collins, Sons, & Co., Glasgoiv. March, 1874." This work 
is a i2mo of 128 pp., and is embellished with sixteen very beautifully 
engraved maps, on each of which a series of questions is put and 
answered. There are about 2,000 questions and answers in this 
useful little volume. 

Bust of Dr. Livingstone, from the chisel of Mrs. D. O. Hill, 
was presented by that lady to the Members of St. John's Lodge, 
Dunfermline (No. 26), on 25th March, 1874. (For a short list of Mrs. 
Hill's sculpture works, see Addenda to An. Dunf) 

Joseph Paton, Esq., F.S.A., died at his residence. Wooer's 
Alley, Dunfermline, on 14th April, 1874, in the 78th year of his age. 
During the last half century he was celebrated as an indefatigable 
collector of Scotch and other antiquities, books, &c. In early life 
Mr. Paton was a weaver; afterwards, for a short time a printer, in the 
printing office of the late Mr. John Miller, Dunfermline, and at last 
settled down about the year 18 18 as a pattern designer, which pro- 
fession, from this period till within a month of his death, he prosecuted 
with great success. His antiquarian museum, books, &c., were dis- 
posed of by Mr. T. Chapman, auctioneer, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, 
on 6th, 7th, 9th, loth, nth, and 12th, November, 1878. The greater 
part of the articles brought high prices, and like many other anti- 
quarians, he was frequently deceived by sellers of antiquities, and 
consequently, many of the items could not be relied on as genuine. 



DEATHS OF EMINENT CITIZENS. 699 

Mr, Paton's remains lie interred in the Old Churchyard, Dunfermline. 
A small granite tombstone, cut in the form of a cross, was erected 
in 1876 by his two sons. Sir J. Noel and Waller H. Paton. It has an 
appropriate inscription, and marks his last resting-place. The writer 
became acquainted with Mr. Paton about the year 1822, and from 
that date to his death, he enjoyed without interruption his kind, free 
and easy sociable friendship. (For list of Dunfermline relics, &c., 
which belonged to Mr. Paton, and which were sold at Chapman's 
public sale in Edinburgh, see Addenda to Annals of Dnnfermline) 

The Rev. Neil M'Michael, D.D., A.M., minister of Gillespie 
Church, died in his manse, Dunfermline, on the 3rd April, 1874, in 
the sixty-eighth year of his age and the thirty-ninth of his pastorship. 
In 1 841 he was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology and 
Church History by the Relief Synod, and in 1847, Professor of 
Ecclesiastical History, &c., by the United Presbyterian Church, on 
the union of the Secession and Relief Churches; and, in 1850, he 
received the degree of D.D. from St. Andrews University. On 9th 
June, 1869, he was presented with a Silver Epergne and ;^i,6oo by a 
large number of friends and admirers. In 1853 he published his 
celebrated lecture on " Hildebrand and his Age;" in 1856, "The 
Messiah's Greatness;" "Family Worship;" and "Pilgrim Psalms," &c. 

Caledonian Steam-Power Weaving Factory Erected. — 
This factory was erected in Knabbie Street by Messrs. Steel & Co. 
in 1874, and employs about 220 persons. (MS. Note.) 

Death of Ex-Bailie Birrell. — Died, at his residence in St. 
Margaret's Street, Dunfermline, on the 9th May, 1874, David Birrell, 
Esq., Ex-Bailie of the City, in his 79th year. In his earlier days he 
was a captain of the famous Edinburgh "Six-Foot Club," and was 
acquainted with Sir Walter Scott, Professor Wilson, and other eminent 
men. He was also a member of the old Edinburgh Celtic Society ; 
and in August, 1822, did duty as one of the Guards by whom George 
IV. was escorted during his sojourn in Edinburgh. {Scots7nan, May 
i6th, 1874.) He was an enthusiastic antiquarian, and possessed an 
excellent private museum. The writer was long favoured with Mr. 
Birrell's interesting letters on the antiquities of Dunfermline. 

The Dunfermline Association Foot-Ball Club was formed in 1874. 
It is in connection with the Dunfermline Cricket Club. 

Died, the Rev. William Johnstone, A.M., D.D., minister of the 



700 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

U. P. Church-, Limekihis, on the 24th May, 1874, in the 74th year of 
his age, and the 51st of his ministry. 

The Albany Steam-Power Weaving Factory was erected in Gar- 
dener's Street by Messrs. Walker, Reid, and Co., the proprietors, in 
1874. There were upwards of 260 operatives employed. 

Feeing Market.— The first Feeing Market, for the western dis- 
trict of Fife, was held at the Town Green on the 15th September. It 
was the opinion of all concerned, that the market had supplied a want 
which had long been greatly felt in the district. {Dimfermline Press, 
19th September, 1874.) 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., was re- 
elected Provost in November, 1874. (Burgh Records.) 

1875.— The Rev. John M'Farlane, LL.D., died at Clapham 
London, on 7th February, 1875, in the 69th year of his age and 40th 
of his ministry. He was "one of the most popular divines and 
eminent literary sons of Dunfermline." We have before us a letter 
from Dr. M'Farlane, received many years ago, which gives a note of 
his works. They are the following : — 

" Life and Correspondence of the Rev. Henry Belfrage," 360 pages ; 
"Dissenting Neutrality," 33 pages; "Memoir of Rev. John Campbell," 264 
pages ; " Good Will to Israel,' 43 pages ; " The Mountains of the Bible," 
412 pages ; " The Night Lamp," 328 pages ; " The Hiding Place," 370 pages; 
" Why Weepest Thou?" 264 pages; "An Aged Christian," 38 pages ; "Tribute 
to Ralph Wardlaw, D.D.," 12 pages; "Altar Gold," 66 pages; "Church En- 
dowments," 32 pages ; " Life and Times of George Lawson, D.D.," 480 pages. 
All these works are in octavo. 

The Palace Dyke Removed. — The coarse wall, erected towards 
the end of last century by a proprietor of Pittencrieff, for the purpose 
of enclosing the Palace ruins within his grounds, and keeping out the 
public, was, in March and April this year, removed by Her Majesty's 
Board of Works, and a new dwarf wall built, on which a substantial 
iron rail is erected. This alteration opens up a fine view from the 
public road of the Old Palace wall. The ground between the public 
road or street, together with the ruin, and a small strip of ground 
outside of it on the west, are now royal property. (Newspaper.) 

Gillespie Church — Induction. — The Rev. J. W. Dunbar was 
inducted minister of this church on 24th March, 1875. He was trans- 
lated from Wolverhampton. 



THE DEVON WATER SCHEME. 701 

Insignia of Office for the Provost and Bailies, — Previous 
to this period some discussion had arisen in the Council as to the 
necessity of having a badge of office to distinguish the Magistrates 
on certain public occasions. It was ultimately agreed that the Provost 
and the four Bailies should have badges of distinction. Messrs. 
Mackay & Cunningham, jewellers and silversmiths, Edinburgh, 
were accordingly instructed to make them. In April, 1875, the 
badges were presented to the authorities. The Provost's badge is of 
gold, oval in form. It has on one side the Burgh arms, with the old 
motto, " Esto Burgess Inaccessa," surrounded by the words, in bold 
relief, " CiTY OF DUNFERMLINE," while on the reverse side is a 
representation of Justice. The gold chain to which it is attached is of 
a massive link-pattern, and has three pendant festoons. The whole 
forms an official badge of which no municipality need be ashamed. 
The Provost's insignia cost about £100, and the gold chains of office 
for the four Bailies, £2$ each. (Nezvspapers.) 

The Devon Water Scheme. — Although Mr. Lauder " steadily 
kept this scheme before the public, by letters in the Dunfermline 
Press, and otherwise, yet nothing was done in the matter until the 
autumn of 1875. In August this year Mr. Lauder sent a letter on 
the subject to the Provost, who sent him an encouraging reply. Mr. 
Lauder, along with others, then got up a petition in favour of the 
Devon scheme, signed by 2166 of the ratepayers. This petition was 
presented to the Council, on 24th September, 1875. It asked the 
Council to " adopt the necessary means, by applying to Parliament for 
obtaining for Dunfermline a supply of water from the river Devon." 
The Council took action upon the petition, and, on the suggestion 
of the engineers, Messrs. Leslie, of Edinburgh, who considered the 
Devon to be too much tainted with moss, adopted instead the Glen- 
sherup Burn, a tributary of the Devon, and in the session of 1876 
obtained an Act of Parliament to procure a supply from that source, 
at an estimated cost of ;f 65,000. Mr. Lauder, " the father of the Devon 
Scheme,ha.s, however, the credit of having ^rj'^ pointed out the locality 
from whence an ample supply of water was to be obtained. (See An. 
Dunf date 29th June, 1877, ^^^ Sept. 6, 1878; and the Burgh Records) 

The Young Men's Literary Institute. — This Institute was 
formed in 1875 for the moral and mental improvement of its members 
by essays, debates, readings, &c. The place of meeting was Queen 
Ann Street Mission Hall. 



702 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Baptist Church, Maygate. — The Rev. J. T. Hagen was in- 
ducted minister of this church in October, 1875. This church was 
the property of the late Ex-Provost Robertson. Shortly before his 
death, in 1 871, he bequeathed it in his will as a free gift to the con- 
gregation. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., re- 
elected Provost, November, 1875. (BnrgJi Records.) 

1876.— The Old Town-House. — The last town council meet- 
ing was held in the Old Town-House, on Dec. 13, 1875 ; operations for 
the removal of the building began on Jan. 21, 1876, and it was entirely 
cleared away by June, when the New Town-House buildings were 
commenced. For view of the Town- House just removed, see Annals 
of Dunfermline, dates 1795, 1769, and 1793. The old private houses 
on the west side of the Kirkgate, and south of the Town-House, 
began to be taken down at the same time. These houses, five in 
number, were very common-place ones, excepting the one in the 
centre of the group, which was pended or arched in the under 
apartment, and, until 1824, had a pended door-way entrance to the 
Kirkgate ; from time immemorial, this house was known as " the 
Danish Ambassador's House." (MS. Note.) 

Literature. — '■^ Local Musings, by Henry Syine, Dnnfermline. 
Printed and published by A. Romanes, Press Office, New Row." This 
is an elegantly got up i2mo of 252 pages, and contains 109 pieces. 

Ordination. — The Rev. William George was ordained minister 
of Chalmers Street U.P. Church on 28th March, 1876. 

Victoria Steam-Power Weaving Factory. — This Factory 
was erected in Grantsbank Street in 1876, and employs about 750 
operatives. 

St. Andrew's Free Church. — The Rev. David Imrie was 
inducted minister of this church on 20th April, 1876. He succeeded 
the Rev. Andrew Bryde, who was inducted in 1856. 

St. Margaret's Hall. — The foundation-stone of this ornate 
and commodious hall was laid in June, 1806, and finished in April, 
1878. (See Appendix W.J 

The Memorial Tablet of Lady Augusta Stanley. — The 
memorial of this excellent and pious lady was erected by her hus- 



THE ERSKINE AND GILLESPIE MONUMENTS. 703 

band, the Dean of Westminster, on the west wall of the south transept 
of the Abbey Church, on the 12th August, 1876. 

" It is of Carrara marble, 6 feet high, and 3 feet 3 inches broad, beautifully 
chiselled by the iron of Miss Grant. The Hkeness, in relievo, of the deceased 
lady is considered a very correct one. She is represented in the attitude of 
devotion ; the whole expression of the form and features is most impressive. 
Under the figure is the following inscription : — * To the dear memory of Augusta 
Elizabeth Frederica Bruce, fifth dau'^hter of Thomas, Earl of Elgin and Kin- 
cardine, and beloved wife of Arthur Penryn Stanley, Dean of Westminster ;' and 
to the right and left of the figure are sets of pious notanda." {Dunfermline 
Press, 1 2th August, 1876.) 

New Town-House.— The Foundation-Stone of this building was 
laid on Oct. 11, 1876. A grand masonic procession took place, and 
orations were delivered on the occasion. The foundation-stone, 
according to our note, is located near the foot of the Steeple-door (top 
of Kirkgate), north foot of the door, on a level with the first floor. The 
new Town-House, in November, 1878, is still in an unfinished state. 
It is thought that it will not be ready for business until about the 
month of March, 1879. {MS.; and for description and a detailed 
note of the costs of this singular building, vide Appendix V.) 

The Erskine and Gillespie Monuments. — These monu- 
ments were erected between August 25th and September 6th, 1876. 

The monument placed over the grave of Erskine, at the south-east corner 
of the old churchyard, is in the form of a sarcophagus, and measures 6 feet 
6 inches in height, and 8 feet by 3 feet 6 inches at the base. The work is 
purely classic, and presents a very elegant design ; the lower part of the work, 
which forms the pedestal, rises from a moulded basement, and is enriched 
with carved rustic coignes, from which are projected inscription panels. The 
sarcophagus rests upon a square block, consisting of moulded base, cornice, 
and die ; the cornice and base have carved mouldings. On the four sides 
die-moulded panels have been introduced, and, each bearing bas-reliefs, on 
which are inscriptions relating to the character and work of Erskine, and also 
of his successors, the Rev. John Smith, Rev. James Husband, D.D., and the 
Rev. Robert Brown, of St. Margaret's Church. On the south side of the die, 
and immediately above the panel, there is a beautiful alto relievo, showing an 
arrangement of drapery disposed in easy folds over a clasped Bible, and a 
number of other books and manuscripts ; while at the top appears a laurel 
wreath, entertwined with an oak branch. The bas-relief on the north side 
shows a rustic cross and palm branch, which are most effectively arranged. 
The two panels at the end bear the words, " Erected by the United Presbyterian 
Presbytery of Dutifennline, 1876;" and on the east end there is the following 
text of Scripture, which was on the former stone — ^'Remember them ivhich had 
the rule over you, who have spoken tinto you the Word of God ; whose faith follow 
considering the end of their conversation ; J^esiu Christ, the same yesterday, to-day y 
and forever'^ (Heb. xiii. 7, 8). The south panel bears the following inscrip- 
tion : — "/// memory of the RetK Ralph Erskine ; born i8th of March, 1683 ; 



704 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE, 

ordained a Parish Minister of Dunfennline lyth August, 171 1; left the Estab- 
lished Church and joined the Secession, i8th Feh-uary, 17 jy. He was Minister 
of Queen Ann Street Church from the formation in J 740 till his death in 1752, 
in the 68th year of his age, and 42nd of his Mifiistry.^' The panel on the north 
side has on it the following inscription : — " /;/ memory of the Rev. John Smith, 
Minister of the Gospel, first at Jedburgh, afterwards in Dunfermlitie, 70/10 died 
7th Deceniber, 1780, in the ^8th year of his age, and the j6th of his Ministry. 
Also, in memory of the Rev. James Husband, D.D., Minister of the Gospel in 
Dtinfermline, who died 17th May, 18 21, in the 70th year of his age, and 46th of 
his Ministry. And of the Rev. Robert Brozvn, Minister of the Congregation of 
St. Margaret's; ordained 17th May, 1826 ; died igth April, 1828, in the jot h 
year of his age, and the 2nd of his Ministry." 

The Gillespie Monument is erected in the wall of the north aisle of the 
nave of the Abbey Church ; it consists of a tablet of polished Sicilian marble, 
and measures 8 feet by 2 feet 3 inches, and bears the following inscription : — 
" I?i memory of the Rev. Thomas Gillespie ; born at Clear burn, Duddingston, 
1708 ; ordained by Mr. Doddridge at Northampton, and inducted as Parish 
Minister of Carnock, 17 41 ; deposed by the Gena-al Assembly for refusing to take 
part in the forced settlement of a Minister at Itwerkeithing, 17S2, he formed a 
congregation iji £>u?fermline in the same year. He was the founder of the Relief 
Church. Died igth January, 1774.'^ 

The Erskine Monument is composed of Binney freestone. Both 
monuments have been executed, with great artistic skill, by Messrs. 
Stewart, M'Glashan, and Son, Edinburgh. 

Burgh List of Voters for 1876. — There were in the Burgh of 
Dunfermline, on ist October, 1876, 2501 voters. In the first ward, 
618; second ward, 590; third ward, 562; and fourth ward, 731. 
( Dimferi)ili7ie Press.) 

The Branch Bank of the British Linen Company in the 
High Street (foot of Douglas Street) was built this year, and the 
business transferred to it from their old premises in Canmore Street 
on 1 8th September — John Landale, agent. This is a very handsome 
building and a great ornament to the Burgh. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., re- 
elected Provost, November, 1876. (Burgh Records.) 

The Pittencrieff and Milesmark Schools were erected during this 
year. (MS.) 

1877.— Number of Employees at the Factories. — Early in 
January, 1877, it was ascertained that there were 5,930 operatives 
connected with the eleven factories in town. A great many of the 
workers come from adjacent places, within four miles of Dunfermline. 
(MS. Note.) 







..V* 



1^ 






Carnegie Baths. 



CARNEGIE BATHS. 705 

A Bonded Warehouse, Carnegie Street, was erected by Messrs. 
Bruce and Glen, merchants, Dunfermline, during 1876, and was opened 
by charter, or warrant, in April, 1877. The building is 154 feet long 
by 40 in breadth, and consists of two flats ; the lower one is the bonded 
warehouse, the upper is used as a public hall, gymnasium, &c. 

Dunfermline Co-Operative Society.— At the end of the i6th 
year of the existence of this society (1877), it was ascertained by the 
committee of management that the transactions for this year amounted 
to ;^52,43i 8j. 5^?., being an increase of ^^45,959 8j. <^d. above that of 
the first year. {An. Dunf. dates 1861, 1866, 1867.) 

Miniature View of Dunfermline Sold for ;^4oo. — A small 
water-colour painting of Dunfermline, by the celebrated water-colour 
painter Turner, occupying the space of only 4 in. by 3^ was put up at a 
public sale in London, in June this year, and brought ;^400 ! (Newsp.) 

The Carnegie Baths Opened. — "On 12th June, 1877, these 
splendid baths, situated in School End Street, were publicly opened. 
They were erected at the sole expense of Andrew Carnegie, Esq., a 
native of the city, but now of New York, and were by him bequeathed 
in free gift to his fellow-citizens. The building cost about ;^5ooo. 
Mr. Carnegie being at that time in Dunfermline, the opportunity 
was embraced of having the Baths opened by the donor. He, accord- 
ingly, on the day specified, along with the Provost, Magistrates, Town 
Council, and other citizens, repaired to the Baths, formally opened the 
same, and handed them over to the authorities 'for the benefit of 
the inhabitants for ever — they keeping them in good working order 
in all time coming.' The Baths were opened for bathing, &c,, on the ist 
September." (Newspapers.) 

Freedom of the City Conferred on Mr. Andrew Carnegie. 
— Immediately after the ceremony of opening the Baths, on 12th June, 
Mr. Carnegie had the honour of the freedom of the City conferred on 
him, in the Council Chamber, Bruce Street, amid the applause and 
congratulations of the burgesses and citizens. (Newspaper.) 

New Water Scheme — Glensherup Bum. — "The first sod of the 
new water-works was cut, lifted, and tilted by Kenneth Mathieson, 
Esq., Provost, at Glensherup, on 29th June, 1877, in presence of a 
deputation, consisting of several members of the Town Council, the 
engineers, contractors," &c. (Newspaper.) The Glensherup Reservoir 
is about 1 7 miles north-west of Dunfermline. 

4U 



706 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

Memorial Window. — Early in the month of August a new 
memorial stained-glass window was erected on the south side of the 
Old Abbey Church to the memory of the late James Douglas, Esq., 
and Helen Black, his wife. The inscription on it is as follows: — "In 
memory of James Douglas, Esq., and Helen Black, his wife. Erected 
by David Douglas, Esq., writer to the signet, 1877." 

Pitfirrane and Keavil Estates Sold. — Lawrence Dalgleish, 
Esq., of Dalbeath, purchased the estates of Pitfirrane and Keavil in 
August, 1877, for ;^i 32,500. Pitfirrane is mentioned in the Chartulary 
of Dunfermline Abbey under date 1363, and the Halket family have 
been possessors of the estate of Pitfirrane for upwards of 470 years. 
(See Dimf. Press of ist Sept., 1877, and Ajt. Dimf. pp. 152, 153.) 

List of Burgh Voters. — The new list of voters in the Burgh, 
made out in September, 1877, has the following totals: — voters in the 
first ward 500; second ward, 570; third ward, 530; fourth ward, 683; 
total number of voters, 2,382. {Dtmf. Press, 3rd Nov., 1877.) 

Sewage Works. — The works for conveying the sewage of Dun- 
fermline to Charlestown commenced in May, 1876, and were completed 
about the end of September, 1877, at a cost of about ;^io,ooo. 

The Dunfermline and Edinburgh Railway was opened for traffic 
on 1st November, 1877. The station is at Comely Park, Dunfermline. 
There was no public demonstration at the opening, as no one seemed 
to take any interest in the matter. This may be explained, however, 
in consequence of the disheartening turn things had taken some time 
prior to the completion of the railway. 

The following extract shows the balance-sheet of the National 
Security Savings' Bank, Dunfermline, for year ending Nov. 20. 1877: — 

The total balances due to depositors amounted to ;^ioj,789 14 7 
The total funds amounted to . . . 101,818 10 7 



Cash Surplus, 
Number of depositors, .... 
Transactions during the year, viz. : — 

Receipts, 

Payments, 

Total, , 
Amount deposited during the year, including 

interest added to depositors, amounted to 
Repayments, ..... 



£2% 16 o 



3,322 

5,098 
3,150 

8,241 



;^23,533 16 II 
20,148 13 8 



Increase for this year, 3,385 3 3 



GLENSHERUP WATER. 707 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Walls, Esq., was elected 
Provost, 9th Nov., 1877. (Burgh Records.) 

1878.— St. Margaret's Hall Organ. — A bazaar was held in 
St. Margaret's Hall, on 23rd, 24th, and 27th April, 1878, to raise funds 
for erecting an organ. In the hall there were stalls containing sundry- 
articles superintended by ladies, who had the art of extracting from 
their sale the handsome sum of ;^i,85i ys. Zy^d., which sum includes 
what was drawn from the takes at the exhibitions of the model room 
— Ptmck and the Performing Elephant. On the 23rd the bazaar was 
opened by Mr. Campbell-Bannerman, M.P. ; on the 24th, by the Right 
Hon. William P. Adam, M.P. ; and on the 27th, by Provost Walls. 

The Names of the Streets Altered. — By order of the Town 
Council, the names of the following streets were altered, viz, : — The 
place formerly known as Martyr's Place, to be henceforth called 
Holyrood Place ; South Chapel Street, to be called Randolph Street 
(after the great Randolph of Bannockburn renown); School End 
Street, to be called Bath Street ; and Knabbie Street, Carnegie Street. 

The Town-Hill Church was founded in the summer of 1877, 
and opened for divine service in May, 1878. (M 8. Note.) 

The Dunfermline Tanworks were destroyed by fire on 13th July, 
1878. The damages amounted to ;^i4,ooo. 

Coin Found. — A silver penny of Edward I. of England (1272- 
1307) was found, in a worn-out condition, in the grounds of Mr. George 
Robertson, Comely Park, Dunfermline. It is probably a relic of one 
of the visits of that monarch to Dunfermline, between 1290 and 1304. 

Polling Places in Fife. — On 22nd August this year the Sheriff 
of the County of Fife legalised a new arrangement in the polling places 
in Fife. Dunfermline was constituted the polling place for the parishes 
of Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, and Dalgetty. 

Glensherup Water was brought into the Burgh, on 6th Sept., 
1878, direct from Glensherup. It is to be hoped that no "water- 
famine " will again occur in Dunfermline for at least a hundred years 
to come. (For detailed account, see Appendix X.) 

School Attendance in Dunfermline. — According to a printed 
note, dated 7th September, 1878, there were on the School Board roll 
2,963 pupils, of whom there were 2,552 in actual attendance. This is 



708 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

about I pupil for every 6 of the population of the Burgh. (Dunf. 
Press, 7th September, 1878.) 

The Foundation-Stone of the Forth Bridge was laid, on Inch 
Garvie, on 30th September, 1878. (Newspapers.) 

St. Margaret's Hall Organ. — This splendid organ was erected 
in St. Margaret's Hall during the months of August and Sept., 1878. 
A grand concert was given on Tuesday evening, ist October, when 
the inauguration of the organ took place. Concerning the construction 
of the organ, the Dunfermline Press of 3Tst August says : — 

The organ was erected by Messrs. T. C. Lewis & Co., Brixton, London, 
and is of a very superior character. Placed in the space reserved for the 
purpose, the organ greatly improves the interior aspect of the hall. It 
measures 24 feet in height, and 18 feet by 10 feet otherwise. It contains 26 
stops, and 1,522 pipes — the metal used being what is called " spotted metal." 
The fittings include various important improvements, specially introduced by 
the builders, and the motive blowing power is supplied by the ingenious 
hydraulic engine patented by Mr. Joy, of Leeds. The case of the organ, 
which is composed of pitch pine, is tastefully decorated with moulded panels. 

City Arms Hotel. — Since this Inn. was built (about the end of 
last century) it has been known by a variety of names, such as "The 
New Inn," "Maclean's Inn," "Dow's Inn," "Hutton's Inn," "Milne's 
Hotel," &c. The present proprietor, Mr. Laurence Anderson, in order 
to give the hotel a permanent designation, has just appropriately 
named it "The City Arms Hotel," 

Post Office. — The number of letters, circulars, post cards, and 
newspapers, which passed through Dunfermline Post Office during 
one week lately, were found to be as follows : — Letters, 11,072; circu- 
lars, 3157; post cards, 1891; newspapers, 151 — total, 17,630. 

City of Glasgow ^k^yl— Bankruptcy. — The branch of this 
unfortunate bank, established in DunfermHne in January, 1873, 
ceased to exist on October 2, 1878, in consequence of the disastrous 
failure of the head bank in Glasgow on that day. 

Provost of Dunfermline. — James Walls, Esq., was re-elected 
Provost on the 9th of November. (Burgh Records.) 



END OF "THE ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE." 



APPENDIX. 



( A. ) 

MALCOLM CANMORE'S FOUNDATION CHARTER OF 
DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 

This Charter was printed in Dugdale's " Monasticon Anglicanum " (vol. ii. 
part ii. p. 1054), London, 1661, from the manuscript of Sir James Balfour, 
Lyon King-at-Arms for Scotland, who, in his copy, attests that it agreed with 
the original in every respect. This manuscript copy is now in the Advocates' 
Library, Edinburgh. It would appear that it had been sent by a friend of Sir 
James to Mr. Roger Dodsworth, an antiquarian, and one of the compilers of 
the early part of the "Monasticon." It was afterwards copied by Hay in his 
" Diplomata Varia," written about the years 1 690-1 700. (MS. in Advocates* 
Library, Edinburgh, lib. i. p. 373.) It is also to be found, printed in black 
letter, in " Registrum de Dunfermelyn," p. 417, and in Chalmers's "History 
of Dunfermline," vol. i. p. 499. 

Some antiquarians assert that this Charter is apocryphal. Dalrymple, in 
his " Collections," pp. 228, and 401-2, does not positively affirm that it is 
spurious, but says that it would have been more to the credit of Sir James 
had he told where he had seen it; or if it was to be found in the "Register of 
Dunfermline," from the discrepancies in it, he " would rather take it to be a 
Charter by King Malcolm IV." Chalmers, in his "Caledonia," vol. i. p. 754, 
notifies that " it is convicted of forgery by its own context." Mr. Innes, in his 
preface to the printed "Chartulary of Dunfermline," expresses a similar 
opinion, and gives his reasons for coming to such a conclusion. His reasons 
(or objections) are eleven in number ; many of them have little force, while 
some of them appear frivolous. They are as follow, with our answers appended 
to each : — 

Objection i. — "The Original Charter," Mr. Innes says, "/mj never been seen ; it is 
not mentioned in the 'Register of Dunfermline Abbey.'" 

It appears to us that this is not much of an objection. If the holding of property depended 
upon the sight of original charters, the whole of the holders of property in this country would 
be likely to "lose suit." Again, the "Register of Dunfermline" is not complete, as a few 
of the early charters are awanting, viz., those of Malcolm III., Ethelred, Duncan, Edgar, 
and Alexander I. "Dunfermline Register" begins in or about 1127, with a charter of David 
I. All of the charters preceding the reign of David I. have also "never been seen," but 
still the gifts of each year in the preceding reigns are mentioned in David's charter. Objec- 
tion 1st may be passed over. 

Obj. 2. — " The Style of Basileus, though adopted in a charter by a succeeding King, is 
a Saxon affectation, not likely to have occurred to Malcolm Canmore, and very likely 
to have been invented by some Scotch defender of the independence, when that came 
into dispute J'^ 

After the Battle of Hastings (Oct. 1066), Scotland became flooded with exiles, fugitives 
flying from the tyranny-rule of William the Conqueror. These, uniting with the original 



7IO ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

mixed population, made up a people of many languages, viz., Scots, Galwegians, Saxons, 
Celts, Danes, French, English, &c.,|all of whom'were under allegiance to the King of Scots. 
Many of the early charters begin with the King declaring himself "King of Scots, English, 
French, and Galwegians," may not Basileus have been considered in Malcolm Canmore's 
time (when the Saxons and the P'rench covered the land) a higher designation to cover so 
many peoples of different nations? If not, then, seeing that Malcolm had long resided at a 
Saxon Court, and that Margaret, his consort the Queen, and her retinue were Saxons, what 
was to prevent Malcolm from adopting the Saxon style of Basileus? Mr. Innes appears to 
have entertained the idea that Basileus was invented during the Wars of Independence (1285- 
1314) ! King Edgar, son of Malcolm Canmore, who began his reign in 1097, four years 
after his father's death used a national seal which had engraven on it ^^ Basileus." Had King 
Edgar taken "Basileus" from his father's documents for the legend on his seal? It may 
be farther noticed, that Mr. Innes, long after he made his objections to this charter, wrote his 
excellent work, "Scotland in the Middle Ages." At page 51 of this work, regarding "Basi- 
leus," he says — "An affectation prevailed among the later Saxons of copying the high-sounding 
titles of the Emperors of the East and West, as Augustus Basileus," and, in a foot-note, adds 
"So King Edgar styles himself on his seal, ^ Scotorum Basileus.' " There are still in pre- 
servation several charters of Edgar (1097-1107), to which are affixed wax impressions of 
Edgar's Seal, having on them "the barbaric style of Basileus." If the son could adopt the 
high-sounding phrase of "Basileus" a few years after the father's death, we do not see what 
could prevent the father from using such a style in his Charters. Therefore, this objection 
(No. 2) appears to be of no force ; to refer it to the War of Independence is also out of place. 

ObJ. 2,- — Earls and Barons. — "The Earls and Barons," Mr. Innes thinks, "are too 
ostentatiously put forward at a time when it may be doubted if their respective ranks 
were quite ascertained." 

It is understood that Malcolm Canmore, shortly after ascending the Scottish throne in 
1056- 105 7, began to create Earls and Barons, conferring such marks of distinction on those 
who had assisted him to overthrow Macbeth, and gain the crown ; thus he was both 
generous and politic. If we suppose that such creations were made in 1057, we do not see 
why their respective ranks could not be perfectly understood and ascertained by 1075 — the 
supposed date of the Foundation Charter. Surely a period of 18 years was quite sufficient 
for such a purpose. 

ObJ. 4.— The Phrase, "Acquiescence of the People." — Mr. Innes objects to this 
phrase, and supposes that it had been adopted from the Charters of David I. 

Was David the inventor of the phrase? or had he taken it from phrases in writings 
previous to his reign ? There is not much in this objection. 

Obj. 5.— "MoNS," OR "In Monte Infirmorum. — "The punning translation, 'Mons 
Infrmorum,' of the Celtic descriptive appellation of Dunfermline is like. the trick 
[says Mr. Innes] of a more artificial age." 

Charter scholars, and other readers of old documents, are aware that old scribes too fre- 
quently make use of the letters e and i as interchangeable — they are used indiscriminately 
even in a single Charter, and it is therefore not improbable that had "monte 'mfrmoxwca" 
been repeated in this disputed charter, it would have assumed the form of " Monte Inferm- 
orum, with an e instead of an /. About thirty years ago the writer of the Annals had his 
attention drawn to a phrase in Charter 443 of the Register de Dunfermelyn, viz., "aqua de 
ferm." Had \}a&ferm been repeated in this 443rd Charter, very likely it would have been as 
firm — " aqua[dey?r;«," instead of "aqua d^ferm," as it chances to stand. It at once occurred 
to us that this ferm in the 443rd Charter was the firm in Malcolm Canmore's Foundation 
Charter, and hence they both referred to the middle syllable of 'DvmfermYmQ. Therefore, 
instead of reading " Monte infirmorum," as in the Foundation Charter, read "Monte mferm- 
orum," as previously noticed. Mons in Latin is just Duti in Celtic ; therefore Mons inferm 
is equivalent to Dun ferm in the Celtic language. The affixes line, lyne, and ling appear to 
have been added to the name Dunferm after the time of Malcolm Canmore. The Ferm 
Water, or Tower Bum, runs through the heart of Dunfermline, and makes a graceful horse- 
shoe sweep round the base of the hill on which Malcolm Canmore's Tower stood. Thus we 
have the Dun and the ferm. About 200 yards south-east of the Tower-hill there is a little 
water-fall or lyn, of a 16 feet fall; and, undoubtedly, this fall was adopted as the lyn for 
the last syllable of Dunferm/j/w or Dunferm/«w. A great many historians, topographers, &c., 
have translated infirmorum as equivalent to infirmary. (See Appendix on the " Mons 



MALCOLM CANMORE'S FOUNDATION CHARTER. 7 1 I 

Infermorum" of such writers.) Had Mr. Innes applied the firm in Charter 443 of Regist. 
Du7tf., as we have done, very likely he would not have made it one of his objections, by 
writing it down as being probably " the trick of a more artificial age." (See " Introductory 
Remarks," An. Dunf.) 

Obj. 6. — FoTHRiF. — It is probable that Fothrif, or Forthrif, may have been of small 
extent when this gift of it was made to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dunfermline. 

Perhaps it was a farm ; and afterwards the name may have been extended to take in a wide 
area of country, which enlargement would not in whole be under the jurisdiction of said 
church, just as small towns or clusters of houses give names to counties. 

Obj. 7. — MusELBURGE. — Mr. Innes says: — "There is reason to suspect that Muselburge 
was not a name in the days of Canmore. 

David I. by charter, in 1 127, bequeathed Great Inveresk to the Abbey, which included 
the Burgh and Port of Musselburgh. The following rhyming tradition is very old : — 

" Musselbrogh was a brogh 
When Edinbrogh was nane ; 
And Musselbrogh will be a brogh 
When Edinbrogh is gane." 

The "Statistical Account of Inveresk," published November, 1840, mentions, that when 
the Lothians were ceded to the King of Scotland, in 1020 A.D., "the Ecclesia de Muskil- 
burge" came under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of St. Andrews. But still, the original 
document intimating this may not be so old as 1020, but written after this year, when the 
name Muselburge came to be known by another name than that of Inveresk, and therefore 
no definite conclusion can be given regarding this oliscure point. Still, Musselburgh may be 
a name as old as 1056-1093 a.d. (See Chatnbers' Rhymes of Scotland, p. 46.) 

Obj. 8. — The Names of the Witnesses Adhibited to this Charter. — Mr. Innes 

says — "The witnesses to the charter are remarkable. The deed bears to be testimoniis 

£piscoporum, and in subsequent charters the Bishops seem alone to have affixed their 

cross of subscription." 

If we adopt the year 1075 a.d. as the date of this charter, then it maybe met in the same 

way that Mr. Innes does the existence of the earls and barons, and that too with a probably 

greater degree of certainty, viz., "It may be doubted if their respective ranks, &c., were 

quite ascertained in 1075. When did bishops first adhibit their initials and cross-marks to 

charters?" 

Obj. 9. — Ivo AND Earls M'Duff and Duncan. — Mr. Innes goes on to say, "Then, 
without dwelling on Ivo, the Culdee Abbot, and Earls M'Duff and Duncan — names 
which might be guessed at," &c. 

It is difficult, sometimes impossible, to give "place and position" to many early names, 
except when brought to the surface by some remarkable circumstance in reference to them. 
There may have been an Ivo, an Abbot of the Culdees, in Scotland in 1075. Many names 
appear in remote history only once, apparently because there was nothing connected with 
them which required to be mentioned a second time. Probably this Ivo may be added to 
the number. Hales, in his An. Scot. vol. i. p. 86, notices an Ivo as being Abbot of Furness, 
before I134. There are no fewer than four St. Ivo's in the "Saints' Calendar." (See Lard- 
ners Cabinet Cyclopedia, " Chronology of History," p. 145.) Might not one of the four have 
been our Ivo ? M'Duff, probably the " Thane of Fife," who had so materially aided Malcolm 
Canmore to gain his crown, was likely elevated to the dignity of an earl, along with others, 
in 1057. Earl Duncan may have been a relation of the Thane, and at the same time created 
an earl on account of his valour. 

Obj. 10. — Earl Araldus. — Mr. Innes says this Earl is not known ever to have existed, 
&c. 

If he was not one of the then recently-created earls (in 1057), perhaps he may have been 
either an English or a Norman earl, who had " retired into Scotland from the rule and sway" 
of the Conqueror. Between 1066 and 1090, it is well known, many of the foreign nobility 
emigrated to Scotland ; and, if he was not a Scotch earl, he might have been an immigrant 
earl. Be this as it may, it does not disturb the validity of the charter. It may be noted here, 
that it has been suggested " that this Araldus is simply a contracted form of writing Ethraldus, 
one of the sons of Malcolm Canmore, who was an ecclesiastic and Earl of Fife. 



712 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

Obj. II. — Nets, the Son of William. — Referring to this name, Mr. Innes says again, 
" There is a person of the peculiar name of Ness, the son of William (Nes Fitzwilliam), 
of whom we know nothing, in Canmore's time, but who is a frequent witness about a 
century later, " &c. 

There is a person named Ness, mentioned in a charter by Ethelrede, son of Malcolm 
Canmore, regarding the possession of Admore, circa iioo-iiio. If this Ness was, say 30 
years old in 1075, in the year mo he would be about 65, and may therefore have been the 
Ness of this charter. In these early times the people had a peculiar way of dealing with 
their genealogy. It would be difficult, by following their method, to determine the name of 
this Ness's father or grandfather. In charters of this early period, ** the son" of so-and-so 
is continued through a series of generations. In the time of Malcolm IV. (1154-1165) there 
is a Ness who adhibits his name to charters. He, too, is also the son of some William. 
Sibbald, in his history, notices " Nesso filio Comtissse" — i.e., Ness, the son of the Countess. 
(Sibbald^ s History of Fife, p. 168.) Who was he? The name Ness has, from the times of 
unwritten history, been associated with the east of Fife, and at the present day many persons 
of that singular name are still to be found. In short, were the genuineness of early charters 
to depend on the signatures of witnesses appended to them being known, or proven to be 
genuine, how few of our prized early charters would stand the test. For example, there are 
appended to some charters of David I. (1124-I153) witnesses having the following names, 
viz., Earl Fereth, Earl Melcolmess, Earl Gillemichel, Earl Morgund, Robert Corbet, Thoro, 
vice-commita, the son of Swani, Mac Chimpethin, &c. Who were they? Where did they reside ? 

Merleswain (Maerleswegen). — Professor Innes takes no notice of Merleswain. But 
it is presumed that he is the same person who formed one of the retinue of St. Margaret, 
&c., on their arrival in the Firth of Forth in 1069. Long afterwards this name is to be 
found in connection with an estate of central Fifeshire. 

Our answers to the preceding objections, we think, make it evident that 
objections very much stronger than those thrown out by Professor Innes are 
requisite before this Foundation Charter can be entirely shelved and declared 
to be " apocryphal. " 



( B. ) 

PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE. 

" MoNS Infermorum." — This Latin designation of Dunfermline is no- 
where to be found excepting in the suspected foundation charter of Malcolm 
III. It is impossible to say definitely hotu and when such a designation 
arose. If it comes from the Roman period, then it must belong to a.d, 
83-440; on the other hand, if it was unknown to the inhabitants of the 
country by this name, then the name known to the inhabitants may have been 
so Latinized by them to suit their tongue, and it may have been thus carried 
down to the time of Malcolm III. as the most suitable designation for his 
residence on the tower hill, in the locality. If not, then it may have been 
first suggested by some Latinist in the court of Malcolm, on the instant, as the 
most suitable form of the name for his foundation charter. Thus, if Motis 
infermorum was the first and the last attempt at giving a Latin name to 
Dunfermline, no discredit whatever would fall on the form of it given in the 
suspected charter. 

For some time before, during, and after the reign of Malcolm III., a great 
many of the original names of places in the locality began to wear out, and 
others were, in part, very much mutilated. For instance, Scotwater came 
to be known as the Phorth — Forth; the name Ardehinnechenam began to be 



PRE-HISTORIC DUNFERMLINE. /I 3 

called Partus Regince, and afterwards, in the vernacular, the QueoHs Ferry. 
During these transformations of names, the Mons of '^ Mofis infermorwn" 
may have been changed into Dun, the Celtic for a hill, being the equiva- 
lent for Mons, a hill; Mons inferm and Dun inferm having precisely the 
same meaning in the Latin and Celtic languages. So far, this change of 
name for Duiifer7n is a simple process, but where does the affix lyn or lyne 
come from? Some authors, apparently, without having investigated this 
point, have contented themselves by referring to the lyn, or lyne burn, which 
flows from east to west on the south side of the burgh; but, it must be 
observed, that the name "lyn" was not given to this burn until about the year 
1450, and could not be used before 1126 as an affix. In a charter in 
"Registrum de Dunfermlyn," dated about the year 131 1, this lyn is desig- 
nated as the 7-ivulet of Garvock, or Garvock Burn. In a charter of 1496, a 
change in the name had begun to be used; at this date it is designated as 
being vulgarly (commonly) called the lyji; from these notes it will be seen 
that the burn now commonly called the lyn has nothing whatever to do with 
the affix, lyn of Dunferm/j';/. We are therefore forced to conclude that the 
lyn in connection with the name Dunferm/y/^ has been taken from the lyn — a 
fall in theferm bum, about 200 yards south-east from the tower on the Dun 
or Mons; and immediately to the south end of the palace wall the Ferm water 
has a fall of about sixteen feet, and is of sufficient importance to give to 
Dunfermlyn its affix. The syllable lyn in Celtic is either a fall or the pool 
into which the fall is received; hence from these derivations comes the word 
DunfermHne. Dun, a hill in Celtic, Mons, a hill in Latin; ferm, applicable 
to both the Latin and Celtic definitions, indicative of the bend of the burn at 
Tower-hill, and lyn, afterwards written line, the cascade or water-fall in the 
Ferm water to the south of the dun or hill. We may append a note to this 
illustrative of pool or lyn. Fordun informs us that in the time of Malcolm 
III. the tower or tower hill was so strongly fortified by nature that it was 
almost inaccessible to man and beast. What were the appliances used to make 
this tower a place of such strength? May not the Roman army when they 
had possession of the place have done as they did in so many well-known 
instances, viz., thrown an earthen rampart or wall of great strength across the 
Ferm water on the south side of Tower-hill, and to such a height, that it would 
throw the greater part of the base of the hill into broad and deep water, 
especially on the north and west sides, the water overflowing by a weir or 
sluice in the earthen wall? Had such been done, all north of Tower-hill would 
have been covered from bank to brae, of great breadth and depth. This 
expanse of water on the north would be a lake or large pool, or lyn. Be this 
as it may, we cannot suppose that the tower would be invulnerable without 
the burn being brought into play in the defence. We have exceeded our limits 
with Mons-infermorum, but as the origin of Dunfermline must be interesting, 
especially to all natives, we have given a full account of what we hold on the 
subject. It may also be noted, however, that there is a place called Feorline 
in the island of Arran; it only wants the prefix Dun to make it Dunfermline. 

We may again note, that it was during our readings in the ^^ Fegistrum de 
Dunferfnlyn" in 1854 that we came upon Charter 443, page 335; in it we 
found the words aqua deferni; we at once saw that Xhxsferm was the middle 
syllable of the name Dunfertn-WnQ. (See also our remarks on Professor 
Innes's objections to The Foundation Charter, Appendix A, and Annals of 
Dunfermline, date 1496.) 

4X 



7H ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE— APPENDIX. 

(C. ) 

MONS-INFIRMORUM. (Dunfermline Infirmary!) 

A GREAT many authors during the last, and even in the present century, 
have perpetuated the "infirmary hypothesis" without any investigation on 
these points. They affirm that the name Mons-injirmomm is found in several 
old manuscripts, but this is not the case, it is only to be found in the "sus- 
pected foundation charter of Malcolm III." We lay before the reader a few 
of "the elegant extracts" to show how careless book-makers copy each other, 
almost word for word, and thus circulate errors. The Mons-t?ifirmorimi title 
will be found in our preliminary remarks. 

1. In some old manuscripts it is o.'nW.e.A. Monasterium de monte infinnorum, hence some 
have conjectured that it was originally intended for an hospital or infirmary. {Sibbald's Hist, 
of Fife et Kin. p. 294, first edition; published 1 710.) 

2. Perhaps it was an hospital, for it is designated in some old manuscripts Monasterium 
de monte infirmoruiii. {Hope s Minor Practicks, App. p. 426; published 1734.) 

3. It was probably first intended for the pious and more useful purpose of a religious 
infirmary, being styled in some old manuscripts as Monasierium ab monte infirtnorum. 
(Petmant's Tour in Scot. pp. 214, 215; published 1776.) 

4. It was probably first intended for the pious and more useful purpose of a religious 
infirmary, being styled in some old manuscripts Monasterium de monte injirmorum. {Caley's 
Views in Scot. p. 2 ; published 1791.) 

5. In some old manuscripts it is called Monasterium de inotite i^ijirmorum, from whence 
it is supposed to have originally been intended as an hospital. {CardonneV s Picturesque 
Atitiq. Scot., published 1793.) 

6. It is by some thought to have been originally intended for an hospital or infirmary, 
being styled in some old manuscripts Monasterium ab monte infirmorum. {Grose's Antiq. 
Scot. vol. ii. p. 285; published 1797.) 

7. It is by some thought to have been originally intended for an hospital or infirmary, 
being styled in some old manuscripts Mojiasterium cib 7nonte infirmorum. {Forsyth's Beauties 
of Scot. vol. iv. p. 123; published 1806.) 

(See also Annals of Dunfermline Introduction, pre-historic period.) 

It is curious to observe how near the names of persons come to that of 
places. Some years ago the newspapers announced the following marriage : — 
"The Due de Monteferme, lieutenant-colonel of the Hussards, is to be married 
on Saturday (to-day), to Mile. Tann, an Alsatian, who picked him up at 
Gravelotte, and nursed him as a Sister of Charity." — Diinf. Press, loth Aug., 
1872. Again, Dun Farlari means Fartholan's Toiuer. — " M'Lauchlan's Early 
Scottish Church," page 333. There is also a farm named Feorlme on the 
south coast of Mull. It only requires the prefix Duti to make it Dunfermline. 
A work lately published gives the following as an etymology, viz., — "Dun- 
fermline, the port of the alder-tree pool, or the iumdi?ig pool." When it can be 
shown that the middle sy liable /'/v;/,}?/-;;/, ox fearm of Dunfermline had any 
connection with alder-trees, it may get a passing review, but this twisted fancy 
has to be laid aside. (See "Blackie's Etymological Geography," p. 58.) 



( D. ) 
ST. MARGARET'S CAVE. 



Thts Cave is situated in the glen, about half way between the upper end 
of Bruce Street and the middle of Chalmers Street, and 290 yards north-north- 



CHARTULARY OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 715 

east of the ruins of Malcolm Canmore's Tower on Tower-Hill. The entrance 
into the Cave is in the base of a free-stone rock fronting the west. It is rather 
difficult of access; a road should be made into it running from the north side 
of Chalmers Street Church down the steep descent, and carried over the burn 
by a foot-bridge direct up to it. From the days of St. Margaret down to 
1770, there was a road from Tower-Hill to the Cave, winding along the 
margin of the burn. On the building of the bridge under Bridge Street in 
this year (1770), the access in this direction was entirely cut off, and there is 
not now a trace of this ancient regia via. 

The Cave and the adjacent property on the east and west of it was lately 
purchased by Thomas Walker, Esq., one of the magistrates of the burgh, and 
since our notice of it was written in the Preliminary Remarks, the Cave has 
been cleared of the accumulated debris of ages, as also of the silt which lay at 
the entrance. This clearance has given a difference to the mouth of the Cave 
and to the inside height, so much so, that we resolved on getting the wood- 
cut slightly altered, by giving a greater depth to the entrance; it is nearly two 
feet deeper now than formerly, and the cut now represents the Cave as it now 
is, and which, undoubtedly, would be its aspect in the days of Malcolm III. 
and of Margaret his Queen. 

During the process of clearing out the Cave, December, 1877, two stone 
seats or benches were discovered along the base of the north and south sides, 
which appear to be those mentioned by the "old man of 1700" (see "Pre- 
liminary Remarks"), but there were no carvings or devices seen on them. 
Near the back of the Cave a small sunk well was found, but it is now covered 
over with a stone flag. 

A stone or cast-iron plate should be inserted somewhere in front of the 
Cave, with a suitable inscription notifying in few words how the Cave became 
of historical interest. The tradition regarding the Cave is as follows — 

"Margaret, the Queen, who was of a very pious frame of mind, and who often became 
indisposed in consequence of her long vigiis, fastings, and mortifications, was wont frequently 
to retire privately to this cave for secret devotion. Malcolm, her husband, doubting the 
object of her many visits to it, on one occasion followed her, or lay in wait for her near 
the cave, unobserved, where he had a view of the interior. He saw her enter it, and, accord- 
ing to the usages of those times, was prepared to deal immediate justice should his suspicions 
be realized. To his great surprise and heart-felt emotions he beheld her kneel down and 
engage in her pious devotions. Quite overjoyed, he ran to her, and in testimony of his great 
satisfaction had the cave suitably fitted up for her as an oratory or place of devotion." (Taken 
from her Life by Turgot, the Confessor of Margaret, consort of Malcolm III.) 



( E. ) 
CHARTULARY OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 

The Chartulary of the Abbey is a large folio volume, consisting of 169 leaves 
of vellum. The pages are 12^ inches long, 9^ inches broad, and when the 
volume is closed, i^ inches thick. It is now bound in brown ornamental 
leather. It is, and has been for these 200 years past, preserved in the 
Advocates' Library at Edinburgh. It contains about 600 deeds, writs, and 
charters relative to the possessions, &c., of the Abbey, "apparently arranged 
according to a certain order, but which has not been strictly adhered to. 



7l6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

later deeds, &c., being sometimes found interpolated among earlier writs, and 
vice versa, just as a vacant space seemed to have aflforded a place convenient 
for their insertion," 

From this occasional irregularity in the chronological registration of the 
writings, as well as from the great variety of styles of writing which appear in 
it, from the early part of the Thirteenth, down to a little past the middle of 
the Sixteenth Century, the volume has a rather singular appearance. 

Nearly the whole of the volume is written in Latin. A very small portion 
is in Scotch. It, like many early MSS., also abounds iu contractions and 
other peculiarities. The MS. is pretty clean, considering its great age, and 
the ink has a clear and black appearance. The titles of the charters are 
rubricated ; the large initial letters are either in blue, or red ink, and some of 
them are ornamented. 

The principal or earlier part of the Chartulary is a record of Crown 
charters, and is the most ancient part of the volume. This portion appears 
uniform, and has apparently been written, by one person {a scribe), before the 
year 1250. Probably it might have been commenced when the New Eastern 
Church or Abbey Choir was opened, about the year 1226. A different form 
of writing, and less careful and regular mode of registering, began about 1250. 
At this time the embellishing of the initials ceased. 

The classification of the older part of the volume is, with few exceptions, 
under the following heads : — 

Charters of the Kings, from David I. to about 1250 a.d. 

„ of the Bishops of St. Andrews and Dunkeld. 

„ of the Chapter of St. Andrews. 

,, of the Earls of Fife and Athol. 

,, of Countesses Ada and Ela. 

„ of Laymen. 

„ regarding disputed Territories. 
Bulls from Popes, from about 1164 till about the year 1450. 

After these follow — 

Charters of the Abbots, &c., of Dunfermline Abbey. 
,, of the other Kings, from Robert L to James V. 
„ or other Writs regarding Sundries. 

The most ancient charter, as previously mentioned, under date 11 28, is 
the first Confirmation Charter of David I. of that date. Before the reign of 
David I., Malcolm and Margaret, Duncan, Edgar, and Alexander I. had given 
valuable possessions to the Abbey ; whether orally or by charter is now not 
known ; at least there is no notice of them in the Chartulary, although their 
gifts are in all the Confirmation Charters of succeeding sovereigns. (Regarding 
a charter attributed to Malcolm JTI, see our remarks under date 1 115 a.d.) 

The celebrated antiquary, Walter Macfarlane (of that ilk), made a tran- 
script of the Chartulary in 1 738 ; in 1809 Sir John Graham Dalzell popularised 
the volume in his " Monastic Antiquities,'^ by the many curious condensed 
extracts he published ; and lastly, in 1842, the Bannatyne Club published the 
Chartulary in quarto, edited by Prof. Cosmo Innes, and under the designation 
of " Registrum de Dunfermelyn : Liber Cartarum, Abbatie Benedictine S. S. 
Trinitatis et B. Margarete Regine de Dunfermelyn'' The original volume has 
the following superscription: — "Est • Margarete • de • Dunfermelyn 



HARDICANUTE. 



717 



Liber • Iste." The printed Registrum de Dimfermelyn by the Bannatyne 
Club, has the same preceding the ist Charter of David I. 

The Chartulary, now known as the printed Register of Dunfermline, is a 
thick quarto volume, printed on very strong paper, and occupies 562 pages. 
It is understood that only 100 copies were published for the Club. It is, 
therefore, a scarce quarto. In one of Mr. T. G. Stevenson's catalogues — the 
Antiquarian Bookseller, Edinburgh — for 1853, it is priced at four guineas. 

Although very little of the history of the Abbey is to be found in the 
chartulary, yet, in other details — in rights, privileges, possessions, &c. — it is 
full. To this document the Annals of Dim/ermlijie \i ra.\xc\i indebted. (Vide 
DalzelPs Monastic Antiquities; Pernios Hist. Diinf p. 75: Mercer's Hist. 
Dunf pp. 54-86; Chal. Hist. Dunf vol. i. pp. 71-77, &c.) 



( F. ) 

HARDICANUTE (2nd October, 1263.) 

It is generally understood that the heroic ballad, entitled, " Hardicanute," 
refers to the Battle of Largs, fought on 2nd October, 1263, between the forces 
of Alexander III. of Scotland and those of Haco, King of Norway, and that 
it was composed about the year 17 16 by Elizabeth Halket, spouse of Henry 
Wardlaw, of Pitreavie, near Dunfermline. The composition has also been 
ascribed to her brother-in-law, Sir John Hope Bruce, of Kinross ; but this 
idea has long ago been abandoned. When questioned on the subject, "the 
lady pretended she had found the poem, written on shreds of paper, in a vault 
of the Abbey." The ballad was first pubUshed in folio by James Watson, 
Edinburgh, in the year 1719 ; a second edition, in quarto, was published by 
R. Dodsley, London, in 1740 (36 pages). The following is a copy of its 
title-page : — 

^^Hardicanute — a Fragment: being the First Canto of an Epic Poem, with General 
Remarks and Notes. ' Attiinos in martia bella versibus exacuit'' (Horace). London : 
Printed for R. Dodsley, at Tally's Head, in Pall Mall, MDCCXL." [36 pages 4to ; 
42 stanzas.] 

A copy of this edition is in our possession. This ballad has been referred to 
and quoted by historians and others. The following are a few extracts taken 
from the second edition : — 



"Stately stept he East the Wall, 

And stately stept he West : 
Full Seventy years he now had seen, 

With scarce Sev'n years of Rest. 
lie liv'd when Britons' Breach of Faith 

Wrought Scotland meikle woe ; 
But aye his Sword told to their cost 

He was their deadly Foe. 

High on a Hill his Castle stood, 

With Halls and Tow'rs a-height, 
And goodly chambers, fair to see, 

Where he lodg'd many a Knight. 
His Dame, so peerless once, and fair 

For Chaste and Beauty deem'd, 
No Marrow had in all the Land, 

Save Eleoner the Queen. 



Full thirteen Sons to him she bore, 

All men of valour stout ; 
In Bloody fight, with sword in Hand, 

Nine lost their lives bot doubt. 
Four yet I'emain ; long may they live 

To stand by Liege and Land. 
High was their Fame, high was their Might, 

And high was their Command. 

Great Love they bore to Fairly Fair, 

Their Sister, soft and dear. 
Her Girdle shevv'd her Middle jimp. 

And gowden glist her Hair. 
What woeful Woe her Beauty bred I 

Woeful to Young and Old ; 
Woeful, I trow, to Kyth and Kin 

As Story ever told ! 



7i8 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 



The King of Norse in Summer Tide, 

Puff'd up with Pow'r and Might, 
Landed in fair Scotland, the Isle, 

With many a liardy Knight. 
The tidings to our good Scots king 

Came as he sat at Dine, 
Witli Noble Chiefs in brave Array, 

Drinking the bluid-red Wine. 

To Horse, to Horse ! my royal Liege, 

Your Foes stand on the Strand ; 
Full twenty thousand glittering Spears 

The King of Norse commands. 
Bring me my Steed Mage, dapple gi-ey. 

The good King rose and cry'd, 
A trustier Beast in all the Land 

A Scots King never sey'd. 

Go, little Page, tell Hardyknute, 

That lives on Hill so high. 
To draw his Sword, the Dread of Foes, 

And haste and follow me. 
The little Page, flew swift as Dart, 

Flung by his Master's Arm. 
Come ao7vn, come doivn Lord Hardyknute, 

And rid your King from Harm. 

Then red, red grew his dark-brown Cheeks 

So did his dark-brown Brow : 
His Looks grew keen, as they were wont 

In Dangers great to do. 
He has ta'en a Plorn as green as Grass, 

And giv'n five Sounds so shrill, 
That trees in Green-wood shook thereat ; 

So loud rang every Hill. 

His Sons in manly Sport and Glee 
Had past that Summer's Morn, 

When lo ! down in a grassy Dale, 
They heard their Father's Horn. 

That horu, said they, ne'er sounds in Peace ; 
We've other sport to bide : 



And soon they hy'd them up the Hill, 
And soon were by his side." 

* * * * 

[The battle is fought, the Norsemen are 
vanquished.] 

"There on a plain, where stands a Cross 

Set up for Monument, 
Thousands full fierce that Summer's Day 

Fill'd Keen War's black Intent. 
Let Scots, while Scots, praise Hardyknute, 

Let Norse his name ay dread. 
And how he fought, oft how he spar'd 

Shall latest Ages read. 

Loud and chill blew the W^estlin Wind, 

Sare beat the heavy show'r ; 
Mirk grew the Night ere Hardyknute 

Won near his stately Tow'r. 
His Tow'r that us'd with Torches Blaze, 

To shine so far at Night, 
Seem'd now as black as mourning Weed ; 

No marvel sore he sighed. 

' There's no Light in my Lady's Bow'r, 

There's no Light in my Hall ; 
No Blink shines round my Fairly Fair, 

Nor Ward stands on my wall.' 
' What bodes it ? Robert, Thomas, say ; ' 

No Answer sits their Dread. 
' Stand back, my Sons; I'll be your Guide;' 

But by they past with speed. 

'As fast I've sped o'er Scotland's Foes ;' 

There ceased his Brag of Weir ; 
Sore 'shamed to mind ought but his Dame, 

And Maiden, Fairley Fair. 
Black Fear he felt, but what to fear 

He will not yet with Dread ; 
Sore shook his Body, sore his Limbs, 

And all the Warriors' fled." 



(See also Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 98-105 ; and Chal. Hist. Dunf.) 



( G. ) 

THE LAST DAYS OF KING ROBERT THE BRUCE. 

During the truce between England and Scotland, it happened that King 
Robert of Scotland, who had been a very valiant knight, waxed old, and was 
attacked with so severe an illness (the leprosy), that he saw his end was 
approaching. He therefore summoned together all his chiefs and barons, in 
whom he most confided, and after having told them that he should never get 
better of this sickness, commanded them, upon their honour and loyalty, to 
keep and preserve faithfully and entire the kingdom for his son David, and 
obey him, and crown him King when he was of proper age, and to marry him 
with a lady suitable to his station. He after that called to him the gallant 
Lord James Douglas, and said to him, in presence of the others — 



ROYAL INTERMENTS IN DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 719 

"My dear friend, Lord James Douglas, you know that I have had much to 
do, and have suffered many troubles during the time I have lived to support 
the rights of my crown. At the time I was most occupied I made a vow, 
the non-accomplishment of which gives me much uneasiness. I vowed that 
if I could finish my wars in such a manner that I might have quiet to govern 
peaceably, I would go and make war against the enemies of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and the adversaries of the Christian faith. To this point my heart 
has always leaned; but our Lord was not willing, and gave me so much to do 
in my lifetime, and this last expedition has lasted so long, followed by this 
heavy sickness, that, since my body cannot accomplish what my heart wishes, 
I will send my heart instead of my body to fulfil my vow ; and as I do not 
know any one knight so gallant or enterprising, or better formed to complete 
my intentions than yourself, I beg and entreat of you, dear and special friend, 
as earnestly as I can, that you would have the goodness to undertake this 
expedition for the love of me, and to acquit my soul to our Lord and Saviour; 
for I have that opinion of your nobleness and loyalty, that if you undertake it, 
it cannot fail of success, and I shall die more contented; but it must be executed 
as follows : — I will, that, as soon as I shall be dead, you take my heart from 
my body, and have it well embalmed ; you will also take as much money from 
my treasury as will appear to you sufficient to perform your journey, as well 
as for all those whom you may choose to take with you in your train ; and you 
will then deposit your charge at the holy sepulchre of our Lord, where he was 
buried, since my body cannot go there. You will not be sparing of expense, 
and provide yourself with such company and such things as may be suitable 
to your rank ; and wherever you pass you will let it be known that you bear 
the heart of King Robert of Scotland, which you are carrying beyond seas, by 
his command, since his body cannot go thither ! " 

All those persons began bewailing bitterly ; and, when the Lord James 
could speak, he said, "Gallant and noble King, I return you a hundred 
thousand thanks for the high honour you do me, and for the valuable and 
dear treasure which you entrust to me ; and I will most willingly do all you 
command me with the utmost loyalty in my power; never doubt it, however 
I may feel myself unworthy of such a high distinction." 

The King replied — " Gallant knight, I thank you ; — you promise it, then ?" 

"Certainly, sir, most willingly," answered the knight." He then gave his 
promise upon his knighthood. 

The King said, "Thanks be to God, for I now shall die in grace, since I 
know that the most valiant and accomplished knight of my kingdom will per- 
form that for me, which I am unable to do for myself." 

Soon afterwards the valiant Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, departed this 
life on the 7th of June, 1329. His heart was embalmed, and his body buried 
in the Abbey of Dunfermline. (See Frotssart's Chronicles, translated by J. 
Johnes, vol. i. pp. 72, 73.) 



( H.) 

LIST OF ROYAL INTERMENTS IN DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 

(a.d. 1093-1403.) 
Previous to a.d. 1093 the remains of the kings of Scotland were interred 
in the Cemetery of lona (Icolmkill), one of the Western Isles. After the 



720 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 



founding of his great Church of Dunfermline, Malcohn III., as previously 
noticed, ordained that the lona Cemetery should no longer be the place of 
royal sepulture, and that in future Dunfermline should be the locus sepiiitui-ce 
regius (the place of royal sepulture). The locus set apart for this purpose was 
a large area of Dunfermline Church, near its east end, contiguous to the sites 
of the high and the rood altars. The first royal interments that took place 
were in 1093, being those of Queen Margaret and her son Prince Edward, 
the heir apparent to the throne of Scotland. {Annals of Dimfennline, date 
1093.) Between a.d. 1093 and 1 165 the following royal remains were interred 
in this locality, below the pavement, near the east end of the original church, 
now known as the Auld Kirk of Dunfermline, viz. : — 



Margaret (Queen, Consort of Malcolm III.), . 

Edward (Prince, heir apparent), . • . 

Duncan II., ........ 

Ethelrede (Prince, son of Malcolm and Margaret (circa 

Edgar (the King), 

Malcolm III., exhumed at Tynemouth, re-interred at Dun 
fermline, ........ 

Alexander I. (the King), 

David I. (King), 

Malcolm IV. (King), 



Interred. 
1093 
1093 
1094 
1096 
II07 

1 124 

1154 
I165 



Thus in the original church, the present Auld Kirk, there were interred 6 Kings, 
I Queen, and 2 Princes. 

Between the years 12 15 and 1226, a large eastern addition was made to 
the original church of about 170 feet in length, consisting of a choir, transepts, 
Ladye Chapel, and tall lantern-tower. When this new addition was completed, 
about 1226, the high altar in the old building was removed and erected near 
the east end of the new church, and before it the daily church services were 
conducted ; immediately in front of it a large space was consecrated as the 
new locus sepulturce regius. Thus there were two places of royal sepulture in 
Dunfermline Abbey, viz., in the original church (Auld Kirk) from 1093 to 
1250, and from 1280 to 1403 in the then great Eastern Church or Choir. 

List of Royal Interments in the Choir of the Abbey, 
A.D. 1250-1602. 

Malcolm III., the King, and Margaret the Queen, his Consort, 
translated from their old resting-place in the Auld Kirk to the 
Ladye Chapel at the extreme east end of the new Eastern Church 



or Choir, 
Margaret (the Queen, Consort of Alexander III., 

David (Prince), • I sons of Alexander III., . . 
Alexander (Prince), J 

Alexander III. (the King), 

Elizabeth (Queen, Consort of King Robert the Bruce), 
Robert L (King Robert the Bruce), .... 
Matilda (Princess, daughter of King Robert the Bruce), 
Christian (Princess, sister do. do. . 

Annabella (Queen, Consort of Robert III.), 
Robert (^Prince, the infant son of James VI. and Anne), 



1250 
1274 



1254 
1327 
1329 

1356 
1366 

1403 
1602 



ROBERT HENRYSON'S POEMS AND FABLES. 



721 



In this Eastern Church or Choir there were interred, so far as hath been 
authentically ascertained, the remains of 2 Kings, 3 Queens, 3 Princes, and 
2 Princesses. In the Auld Kirk, 6 Kings, i Queen, and 2 Princes; total, in 
both places, between a.d. 1093 and 1602, 19 royal interments. (See also 
Annals of Dunfermline under the several dates for full particulars, and the 
two engravings under dates 11 15 and 1226 for sites of the two places of royal 
sepulture.) Some authors state that Margaret, in 1274, was interred in the 
Nave ; we think she would be interred in the Choir. Her husband, Alexander 
III., is buried there, and it is probable he selected the Choir before his death 
as the place of sepulture of his family. 



( i- ) 

ROBERT HENRYSON, "THE GUID SCHUILMASTER OF 
DUMFERMLINE" (1460-1499). 

The following are specimens of Henryson's compositions, extracted from the 
last complete edition, published in 1865, 8vo, and entitled ''The Poems and 
Fables of Robert Henryson, now first Collected, with Notes, and a Memoir 
of his Life, by David Laing, LL.D."; to which an excellent glossary of the 
hard words to be found in the volume are appended : — 

THE CHAPEL, OR ABBEY WALK. 



Alone as I went up and doun 
In ane Abbay was fair to se 

Thinkand quhat consolatioun 
Was best in to adversitie 
On caiss I kest on syd myne e, 

And saw this written upoun a wall, 
Of quhat estait, Man, that thou he., 

Obey, and thank thy God of all. 

Thy Kindome and thy grit empyre. 

Thy ryaltie, nor riche array, 
Sail nocht endeur at thy desyre, 

Bot, as the wind, will wend away; 

Thy gold, and all thy gudis gay, 
Quhen f ortoun list will frae the fall ; 

Sen thou sic sampillis seis ilk day, 
Obey, and thank thy God of all. 

Job was moist riche, in Writ we find, 

Thobe moist full of cheritie ; 
Job woux pure, and Thobe blynd, 

Baith tempit with adversitie. 

Sen blindnes wes infirmitie. 
And poverty wes naturall ; 

Thairfoir rycht patientlie hath he 
Obeyit, and thankit God of all. 

Thocht thou be blind, or haif ane halt, 
Or in thy face deformit ill, 

Sa it cum nocht throu thy defall, 
Na man suld thee repreif by skill. 



Blame nocht thy Lord, sa is his will ; 
Spurn nocht thy fute aganis the wall ; 

Bot with meik hairt, and prayer still. 
Obey, and thank thy God of all. 

God of his justice mon correct, 

And of his mercie pitie haif; 
He is ane Juge, to nane suspect, 

To puneiss synfull man and saif. 

Thocht thou be lord attour the laif, 
And efterwart mind bound and thrall, 

And puire begger, with skrip and staiff. 
Obey, and thank thy God of all. 

This changeing, and grit variance, 

Of erdly staitis up and doun, 
Is nocht but casualtie and chance, 

As sum men sayis without ressoun. 

Bot be the grit provisioun 
Of God aboif that rewll thee sail ; 

Thairfoir evir thou mak thee boun, 
To obey, and thank thy God of all. 

In welth be meik, heich not thyself ; 

Be glaid in wilfuU povertie ; 
Thy power, and thy warldis pelf 

Is nocht bot verra vanitie. 

Remember him that deit on tre, 
For thy saik taistit the bittir gall ; 

Quha heis law hairtis, and lawis he, 
Obey, and thank thy God of all. 



This moral poem has been entitled The Chapel Walk, as also The Abbey 
Walk; in either designation, it appears to refer to Dunfermline Abbey, where 

4Y 



722 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 



Henryson resided, " The Walk" may either refer to the walk along both 
sides of the interior of the Abbey, where, in the olden time, altars and chapels 
abounded on each side, or to the cloisters-walk, on the south side of the 
exterior of the nave, in front of the old chapter-house, along the north front 
of the Frater Hall, and under the dormitory. This range of walk called the 
cloisters-walk, was probably the walk where Henryson "went up and doun 
in ane abbey fair to se." Should this have been the case, the poem must be 
especially interesting to natives of DunfermUne. (Vide Percy's " Reliques of 
Ancient English Poetry;'' Finlafs ^'Scottish Historical and Romantic Ballads;" 
Thomson's '^Orpheus Caledonius ;" Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 89-105; Chal. 
Hist. Dimf, vol. i. and ii., &c.) 



Wald my gud Lady lufe me best, 
And wirk eftir my will, 

I suld ane Garmond gudliest 
Gar mak hir body till. 



THE GARMOND OF GUID LADEIS. 

Hir belt suld be of benignitie, 
About hir middell meit ; 

Hir mantell of humilitie, 
To thoU bayth wind and weit. 



Off he honour suld be hir hud, 

Upoun hir held to weir, 
Garneist with governance so gud, 

Na denying suld hir deir. 

Hir sark suld be hir body nixt, 

Of chesetie so quhyt, 
With schame and dreid togidder mixt, 

The same suld be perfyt. 

Hir kirtill suld be clene Constance, 

Lasit with lasum lufe 
The maileyheis of continuance, 

For nevir to remufe. 

Hir gown suld be of gudliness, 
Weill ribband with renowne, 

Purfillit with plesour in ilk place, 
Furrit with fyne sassoun. 



Hir hat suld be of fair having, 

And hir tepat of trewth, 
Hir patelet of gude pausing, 

Hir hals ribbane of rewth. 

Hir slevis suld be of esperance, 

To keip hir fra dispair 
Hir glovis of the gud govirnance. 

To hyd her fingearis fair. 

Hir schone suld be of sickerness. 
In syne that scho nocht of slyd ; 

Hir hoiss of honestie I ges, 
I suld for hir provyd. 

Wald scho put on this Garmond gay, 

I durst sweir by my seill. 
That scho woir nevir grene nor gray 

That set hir half sa weill. 
(Laing's " Henryson' s Poems," pp. 8-9.) 



THE RESSONING BETWIXT DETH AND MAN. 



DETH. 
O Mortall Man ! behold, tak tent to me, 
Quhilk sail thy mirrour be baith day and 
nicht ; 
All erdly thing that evir tuik lyfe mon die, 
Paip, empriour, king, barroun, and knycht, 
Thocht thay be in thair ryell stait and hicht, 
May not ganestand, quhen I pleiss schute the 
derte ; 
Wal-townis, castellis, and towris never so 
wicht, 
May nocht resist quhill it be at his hert. 



MAN. 

Now quhat art thow, that biddis me thus tak 
tent, 
And mak ane mirror day and nicht of 
thee? 
Or with thy dert I sowld richt soir repent ? 
I trest trewly off that thow sail sone lie. 
Quhat freik on fold sa bold dar manis 
me, 
Or with me fecht, owthir on fute or horss ? 

Is non so wicht or stark in this cuntre, 
Bot I sail gar him bow to me on forss. 
{Laing's ^'ffetiry son's Poems," pp. 27-29.) 



ANE PRAYER FOR THE PEST. 



O Eteme God ! of power infinyt ! 

To quhois hie knawlege na thing is obscure 
That is, or was, or evir sal be, perfyt. 

In to thy sicht, quhill that this warld indure ; 



Half mercy of us, indigint and pure : 
Thou dois na wrang to puneiss our offens : 

O Lord ! that is to mankynd hail succure. 
Preserve us fra this perrelus pestilens. 



ABBOTS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



723 



Haif mercy, Lord ! haif mercy, hevynis king ! 

Haif mercy of thy pepill penetent : 
Haif mercy of our petouss punissing ! 

Retreit the sentence of thy just jugement 

Aganis us synnaris, that servis to be schent ; 
Without mercy, we ma mak no defens ; 

Thow that, but rewth, upoun the rude was 
rent, 
Preserve us from this perrellus pestilens. 

O Prince prelair ! this care quotidiane 

We thee exhort, distort it in exyle ; 
Bot thow remeid, this deid, is bot ane trane 

For to dissaif, the laif, and thame begyle ; 

Bot thow sa wyiss, devyiss, to mend this 
byle 
Of this mischeif, qua ma releif us ocht ? 

For wrangus win, but thow our sin, oursyll, 
Lat nocht be tynt that thow so deir hes 
bocht. 

Sen for our vyce, that Justyce mon correct ; 

O king most hie, now pacific thy feid ; 
Our syn is huge, refuge, we not suspect 
As thow art Juge, deluge us of this dreid. 
In tyme assent, or we be schent, with deid. 
We us repent, and tyme mispent fortliocht, 

Thairfoir, evermoir, be gloir, to Godheid : 
Lat nocht be tynt that thow so deir has 
bocht. 

(Vide Laing's " Henry/son's Poems and Fables," pp. 39-42.) 
This poem of " The Pest " contains 88 lines — too many for insertion here. 
Those given are a fair specimen of the whole. For a list of Henryson's poems, 
see date 1498. 

( J- ) 

LIST OF ABBOTS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The following is a list of the Abbots of Dunfermline, from Gaufrid (the 
first Abbot), in 11 24 a.d., to George Durie (the last), in 1560 a.d., and of the 
four Commendators who succeeded them, inter 1560-1587 : — 

A.D 



We thee beseik, O Lord of lordis all ! 

Thy eiris inclyne and heir our grit regrait ; 
We ask remeid of thee in generall, 

That is of help and comfort desolait. 

But thow with rawth our hairtis recreat, 
We are bot deid but only thy clemens ; 

We thee exhort, on kneis law prostrait, 
Preserve us fra this perrelus pestilens. 

We ar richt glaid thou puneiss our trespass 
Be ony kynd of uthir tribulatioun, 

Wer it thy will, O Lord of hevin ! allais 
That we sould thus be haistely put doun, 
And dye as beistis without confessioun. 

That nane dar mak with uthir residence. 
O blissit Jhesu ! that woir the thorny croun, 

Preserve us frome this perrelus pestilens. 

Use derth, O Lord ! or seikness, and hungir 
soir. 
And slaik thy plaig that is so penetryve. 
Thy pepill ar perreist, quha ma remeid thair- 
foir ; 
Bot thow, O Lord ! that for thame lost thy 

lyve, 
Suppois our syn be to thee pungityve, 
Our deid ma na thing our synnys recompens ; 
Haif mercy. Lord ! we may not with thee 
stryve. 
Preserve us from? this perrelus pestilens. 



I . Gaufrid or Galfridus I. (deCanterbury) 1 1 24 



2. Gaufrid I L,. 




1154 


3. Archibald (Erkenbaldus), 




1178 


4. Robert I. (de Berwick), 




1198 


5. Patrick I. 




1202 


6. William I., . 




1223 


7. William II., 




1223 


8. Gaufrid III., 




1238 


9. Robert II. (de Keldelecht), . 




1240 


10. John I., . 




1251 


II. Matthew, .... 




I2S6 


12. Simeon, .... 


1269-1270 


13. Ralph (Radolphus de Greenlaw), 1275 


14. Hugh, .... 


1 303- 1 306 


15. Robert III. (de Grail), 


1313-1316 


16. Alexander I. (de Berwick), . 


1327-1331 


17. John II. (Black),. 


• 1353 


18. John III. (Strathmiglo), 


• 1353 


19. John IV. (Balygemach), 




1362 



A.D. 

20. John v., . . . . 1379-1380 

21. John VI. (de Terry), . . . 1399 

22. William (of St. Andrews), . 1409-1413 

23. Andrew I., 1427 

24. Richard (de Both well), . -1445 

25. Alexander Thomson, . . . 1472 

26. Henry Crichton, .... 1472 

27. Adam, 1483 

28. George Crichton, . . . 1499 

29. Raffaelle (Italian), . . .1593 

30. Robert IV. (Blackadder), . 1499- 1500 

31. James I. (Prince of Scotland), . 1500 

32. James II., 1504 

33. Alexander II., . . . .1511 

34. James III. (Hepburn) . , . 1513 

35. Andrew II. (Foreman) . . J 516 

36. James IV. (Beton), 2nd election, 1522 

37. George II. (Durie), . . 1539-1560 



724 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

COMMENDATORS. 

A.D. I A.B. 

1. Robert Pitcairn, .... 1560 3. George Gordon (Earl of Huntly), 1587 

2. Patrick (Master of Gray), . . 1584 1 4. Henry Pitcairn, . . . 1587-1592 

Thus, between 11 24 a.d. and 1560, there were 37 Abbots of Dunfermline 
Abbey, and 4 Commendators between 1560 and 1592. It may here be noted 
that the number of Abbots has sometimes been disputed. Some authorities 
state that there were 34 Abbots only, while others give 36 and 37 as the num- 
ber. Some dispute the existence of the 20th Abbot, John V., and also John 
VI. (See Choi. Hist. Dunf. vol. i. p. 179.) This hypothetical Abbot the 
writer has deleted in the Annals. Again, there is John Black, the 17th Abbot, 
and Alexander Thomson, the 25th, who appear never to have been consecrated 
Abbots, while there has been a diversity of opinion regarding the tenor of 
Abbotship of Raffaelle Sansoni. He never appeared in Dunfermline. George, 
the 28th Abbot, undoubtedly exercised all the functions of an Abbot from 
about 1490 to 1499. Abbot George may have acted, for two years or so, for 
Raffaelle, viz., from 1491 to 1493. The writer has stated, at page 204, that 
there were "34 Abbots of Dunfermline between 1124 and 1560." It should 
have read " 34 consecrated Abbots." The 3 unconsecrated Abbots we have 
put on record, thus making the number previously mentioned, viz., 37, as the 
total consecrated and unconsecrated Abbots. It may be added, that Raffaelle 
Sansoni de Riari, Cardinal Deacon of the Romish Church, was appointed 
Abbot commendatory of the Monastery of Diinfermlifie, by the Bull of Pope 
Innocent VI IT., on 12th August, I4gi — an Abbot unknown until our friend, 
General Allan, discovered the fact. 

There exists considerable uncertainty as to the dates of election of Abbots 
12, 14, 15, 16, 20, and 22. The nearest dates have been given of their elec- 
tion. The several dates are those of the election of the 37 Abbots. The first 
21 Abbots exercised the functions of chief-magistrate of the Burgh of Dun- 
fermline, the King reigning at the time acting as their superior. 

The Dunfermline " Religious House " was at first a Priory (from about 
1 1 15 to 1 1 24), and in this latter year was raised to the dignity of an Abbey, 
though it did not then cease to have Priors. (See An, Dunf pp. 38-63.) 

Peter the Prior. — There is on record only one Prior of Dunfermline 
previous to the date of the first Abbot, viz., that of Peter. We refer to him at 
p. 38. The Latin quotation there given may be read — "One of these, a cer- 
tain monk, and Prior of DunfermUne, Peter by name." 



( K. ) 

THE OFFICIALS OF THE ABBEY. 

The following is a description of the officials of the Abbey, and also their 
designations : — 

I. Abbot. — This designation is derived from the Syriac, which signifies "Father," the 
Abbot being the father, or superior of the monks. At first they were secular functionaries, 
and were distinguished by the designations of "Earl- Abbots," "Arch- Abbots," "Military 
Abbots," &c. Abbots soon rose inlo consequence and power, spiritual and temporal, and 
were dignified with the title of Lord, and were distinguished into several classes according to 
their pre-eminence, such as Mitred and non-Mitred Abbots, Crosiered, and non-Crosiered 



ABBEY OFFICIALS. 725 

Abbots, Cardinal and non-Cardinal Abbots, &c. Mitred Abbots were endowed with episcopal 
authority within the limits of their jurisdiction, and were free "from the law and rule of their 
diocesan." The other Abbots were subject to the diocesan in spiritual affairs and duties. 
The Mitred Abbots were Lords of Parliament, and lived in great pomp in private apartments 
in the Monastery, or in a house adjacent thereto. He wore red shoes, had a short cloak, and 
carried a pastoral staff, with crooked head when in dress. He had a large retinue of servants; 
had horses, hawks, and hounds ; and entertained guests and members of the Convent at his 
private table. His chaplain, besides attending to his spiritual duties, had the charge of his 
household affairs. {For an Ahhot in /ul/ vesiwe, see print at page 77, An, Dun/.) 

2. Prior. — The Prior of a Monastery was next in dignity to an Abbot. He was chosen 
by the Abbot, and acted for him at conventual meetings in the Choir, Chapter-house, Refec- 
tory, &c., in his absence. He lived "in considerable state and pomp" in his apartments in the 
Monastery. Besides a common Prior there were also Lord-Priors, who had special jurisdic- 
tions, and were Lords of Parliament. In Dunfermline Abbey there was at least one Prior 
before the Abbots were introduced (see An. Dun/, dates 1104-1120); and although they are 
not always specially mentioned in the Register of the Abbey, still every Abbot would have 
his Prior; and thus there would beat least 37 Priors of Dunfermline between A.D. IIOO 
and 1560. 

3. Sub-Prior. — This functionary was the Prior's assistant, and sometimes acted as his 
substitute. His special duties appear to have been to take notice of any of tlie conventual 
brethren who neglected their duties, or were absent without leave. He took care that the 
doors were kept locked from five o'clock in the evening till five o'clock in the morning, and, 
when at the dormitories at night, to read or call over the names of the monks who were bound 
to answer him. 

4. The Seneschal, Bailie, or Steward, was the Abbot's deputy, in his character of 
temporal lord of the Abbey property. This office was usually held by a layman of distinction 
in the locality. Latterly, the office became in a great measure hereditary in families. 

5. The Sacrist, Sacristan, or Secretarius, took charge of the vessels and orna- 
ments of the altar and church, and of the robes, chalices, candles, sacramental elements, &c, 

6. The Precentor or Chanter led the service of the choir, taught the boys music, 
and was keeper of the Abbey seals, missals, breviaries, festival robes, all the records, and 
frequently the library of the monastery. He was sometimes assisted by a sub-chanter. Two 
singing boys usually attended each mass-priest or canon daily, in singing mass at the side 
altars, ringing the small bell, and holding up the priest's train, &c. ; they had their own 
particular dress and daily allowance. In Dunfermline Abbey there were at least 20 altars. 
(See An. Dunf. date 1500, p. 180.) 

7. Librarian, — He occupied apartments near to the room where the Abbey records, 
books, &c., were kept, which was called the Scriptorium, or writing-room, where some of 
the monks were always engaged during set hours daily in transcribing books. 

8. Thesaurarius or Treasurer. — He had the charge of collecting the revenues and 
settling all the Abbey accounts, wages, &c. 

9. Camerarius or Chamberlain. — He had the charge of the wardrobes and the 
dormitory, and provided whatever was required by the abbot or the prior when they set out 
on a journey. 

10. Cellararius or Cellarer. — He superintended the Abbey store-house, and pro- 
vided victuals, wine, &c., for the monastery tables. 

11. The Refectioner, or Dapifer, took care of the plate, dishes, &c., and ordered 
the arrangement of the viands upon the table in the Refectory or Eating-room. The south 
wall of Dunfermline Refectory still exists, often called the Frater Hall, i.e.. Brothers Hall. It 
was about 120 feet long, 34 feet broad, and was lighted on the south by nine Gothic windows 
two of which were almost united, and formed the oriel. 

12. Eleemosynarius, or Almoner, distributed food, clothing, and money to the poor, 
especially the fragments or left meals on certain days, when tlrey assembled at the Convent 
gates. He also frequently visited them at their own dwellings, and supplied their wants. 
At the lower end ot the New Row, Dunfermline, near the angle of Woodmill Street, there 
were "almonry acres, or lands," probably somehow connected either with this officer indivi- 
dually or with his gifts, 

13. The Hostiarius, or Hospitaller, superintended the Hospice, or Guest- Chamber, 
and provided for "the accommodation of strangers and wandering poor." Strangers of rank 
were entertained by the Abbot. 



T26 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

14. Infirmararius, or Infirmarar, had the charge of the sick of the Convent, and 
administered the medicines prescribed by the Medicus, or physician, of the Monastery, and, 
on urgent occasions, acted as confessor "to the dying sick." 

15. The Master of the Novices had the superintendence of the training of the young 
persons who were on trial in the Abbey for admission into their Order, Sometimes he was 
designated Master of the Converts. 

16. The Marescallus, or Stable-Master, had the charge of the Convent stables. 

17. Hebdomadarii, or Weekly Officers, was a name applied to monks while 
employed in waiting at table, or in other services, which they performed by weekly turns. 
' ' Of this class were the Readers, who stood at a desk, or near the head of the table in the 
Refectory, or dininghall, and read a portion of the Scriptures while the rest of the monks 
were at their meals. Tradition informs us that this functionary read his Scripture lesson from 
the Mural Chamber (within the double windows) in the south-east end of the south wall of 
Dunfermline Frater Hall. (See " Refectioner, " previously noticed at No. 11.) 

18. The Lay Brethren, who were sometimes called converts, acted as servants, and 
were generally employed in agricultural pursuits ; they wore the dress of monks, &c. 

19. The Magister Operis ; or, master of the zuorks, who kept the Abbey and monastic 
buildings in repair, &c. 

20. The Porter kept the convent gates, and had a small place adjoining to them where 
he resided, and had the power to admit pilgrims, strangers, &c., and to exclude all improper 
persons. 

" There were also a refectioner or chief cook, brewer, carpenter, forester, 
huntsman, &c., with their numerous trains of subordinates, who were generally 
laymen; those of them who were married lived without the monastic walls," 
such as the Abbey masons, wrights, slaters, tailors, foresters, shepherds, 
grainerers, horticulturers, agriculturers," &c. (See Mortons Monastic Annals 
Teviotdali, App. pp. 325, 326; Carres Hist. Coldijigham Priory; Chambers's 
Edinburgh J^oufnal, No. 74; Old MS. An. of Dun/., byE. H., 1830; Darfs 
Hist, of Antiq. Canter b. fol. 1726.) 



( L. ) 

MONASTIC DEVOTIONS AND DEVOTIONAL HOURS. 

The monastic brethren performed their devotions seven times in the twenty- 
four hours, and they began at a very early hour with matins. According to 
"Morton's Annals," "they were awaked by the bell of the dormitory, which 
was rung as long a time as would be required to say the seven penitential 
psalms; during which they dressed themselves, and said their private prayers, 
till, upon a sign from the prior, they proceeded regularly into the church, 
each individual kneeling in the middle of the choir, and bowing reverently 
toward the altar before he went to his seat. The matutinal service being 
finished, they went to bed again, and reposed till the hour of prime, or six 
o'clock, when they were summoned to attend during the celebration of the 
ordinary mass, and the private masses, which, on particular days, might 
happen to be said at any of the side altars at the same hour. After this, they 
were accustomed to remain some time in private prayer in the church ; and 
some of them went to confession in the chapter-house. Such exercises 
occupied the time until the bell rang for holding the daily meeting of the 



MONASTIC DEVOTIONS. 727 

chapter, when they assembled in the cloister before proceeding into the 
chapter-house; the copiers of books, and those at work out of doors, hastening 
in to be present with the rest. Every one, as he entered, bowed towards the 
place of dignity, the high altar, and the abbot, when they were all assembled, 
invoked a blessing upon them. Suitable prayers having been said, a lesson 
was then read from the rules of the order, and the names of those appointed 
to any particular services were read from the register; every one, on his name 
being pronounced, bowed reverently in token of obedience. Next, the deaths 
and other events to be commemorated, were given out from the calendar; 
then the abbot, standing in his place, pronounced the absolution of the souls 
of the dead. Those who had been convicted of any fault were accustomed 
at this time to prostrate themselves on the ground, make a humble confession, 
and entreat forgiveness; penance was enjoined, and, if it was judged fit, 
punishment was sometimes inflicted on the spot by the prior or his deputy; 
accusations were likewise heard by the abbot openly in the chapter against 
any one under his jurisdiction or authority. The business being concluded, 
they united in singing Psalm cxxx. {Deprofundis), viz., — 

' I. Out of the deepe places haue I called 
unto thee, O Lord. 

'2. Lord, heare my voyce; let thine eares 
attend to the voyce of my prayers,' &c. 

When it happened to be a high festival, then the abbot or president said, — 
' Our helpe is in ye name of the Lord^ and the rest of the brethren added, — 
* Who made heaven and earth.^ In winter, the hour of tierce, or nine o'clock, 
immediately followed the chapter; and the Salve Regiyia having been given 
out by the precentor, they proceeded into the church two by two, singing this 
hymn. In summer there was an interval before tierce, during which they went 
about their usual employments. High mass was sung at tierce in summer, but 
at sexte, or twelve o'clock in winter. 

" The community dined in the great hall or refectory (Fraters-hall) at one 
o'clock, and the abbot, if present, said the blessing. During this, and their 
other meals, one standing at a desk, at the side of the hall, read to them out 
of the Holy Scriptures or some edifying book, and the brethren took this 
office by weekly turns. (See foregoing, Hebdotnadarii.) They also waited 
on each other at table in the same rotation, having taken their meal previously 
along with the reader. They all stood in their places till blessing was pro- 
nounced, after which, the reader having mounted to his desk, began to read 
and the rest to eat. Only two dishes were allowed, except on particular 
occasions, when another, called a pittance — usually consisting of some meat 
or more delicate food — was added. It was brought in after the second dish 
and presented to the abbot, or to him who presided in the abbot's place, who 
caused it to be distributed. Much civility and politeness was practised ; they 
were attentive to each other's wants, and informed the cellarer of them, or the 
serving brother. They bowed to each other on presenting or receiving any- 
thing; the person to whom the abbot or president sent anything first bowed 
to the servant who brought it, and then, rising up a little, bowed to the 
superior who sent it. They who came into the hall too late, and without any 
good excuse for their delay, said a Paternoster and an Ave Maria by way of 
penance, and had to sit down at the bottom of the least frequented table, and 
were not entitled to any ale or wine without the special permission of the 



728 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

abbot or president. After dinner some went to repose, others kept up a con- 
versation till the hour of no7tes, or three o'clock, when there was another 
service in the church, at the end of which they washed their hands, and sat 
down together in the cloister, till a signal being given, they entered the 
refectory for a few minutes to drink. At six o'clock they attended at vespers 
or evening service. The completorium or compline, was said or sung in the 
church after seven, and then taking a light supper, called coUatio, they went 
to bed. Sheets were not allowed, nor any linen, except in sickness, and they 
all slept in the same room called the dormitory, but in separate beds and in 
their usual clothes." (Vide Morion's Man. An. of Teviotd. pp. 292-294.) 



Abbey Adjunct Buildings. — In Abbeys and Monasteries there were 
usually the following adjunct buildings or apartments, &c. : — 

1. The Cloisters, or the place for burial, and in which the monks walked 

and studied. 

2. The Navis Ecclesia : The Nave, or body of the Church. 

3. The Rood Loft, which contained the crucifix and the music. 

4. The Graditoriuni : A space containing the ascent out of the Nave into 

the Choir. 

5. The Presbyterium, or the Choir, on the right side of which was the 

Abbot's Stall, and that of the Prior on the left; the monks were on 
each side, and chanted the service alternately. 

6. The Vestiariutn : The Vestry, where the monks' copes, &c., were 

deposited. 

7. The Vaulta, or Vault, being an arched room over part of the Church, 

which, in some Abbeys, was used to enlarge their Dormitory, where 
monks had beds on which they took repose. 

8. The Concameraiio was an arched chamber, between the east end of the 

Church and the High Altar. 

The remaining rooms, &c., of the Monastery stood at a distance from the 
main structure, such as — 

1. Eleewosynaria, or Almonry : where the monks attended to the poor. 

2. The Sanctuary, where debtors and malefactors obtained refuge. 

3. The Infirmary, in which the sick were attended to. 

4. The Stables stood at a distance, over which the Stallarius, or the 

Master of the Horse presided, and under him X\\& Provendarius, who, 
as his name imports, provided provender for the horses, &c. These 
were divided into four ranks. 

5. The Teter et Fortis Career, being the Abbot's hideous and strong prison, 

where the obstinacy of the monks was corrected, and general delin- 
quents dealt with. 

6. The Grafige : Dunfermline Abbey Grange was situated at the distance 

of one mile due south of the Abbey. The site still retains the 
name of ** The Grange." 

The cloisters of Dunfermline Abbey were constructed along the south 
outside wall of the Church, along the front of the Chapter-house, on the east, 



JOHN HENRYSON OF DUNFERMLINE. 729 

along the outside of the north wall of the Monastery, and the east wall of the 
Dormitory (between the Monastery and the Abbey on the east), thus forming 
a covered walk of about 420 feet in circuit. 

The Auld Kirk is again the Nave for the second time : the Choir is in 
front of the present pulpit ; the site of the Vestry is unknown ; the Vaulta, 
somewhere about the south-west corner of the Nave. 

The Concameratio : This apartment was probably on the north side of the 
interior of the Abbey, likely the /ocus where the "six large flat through-stones " 
— ouee thought to be the place of royal interment — on which the north tran- 
sept of the present Church stands. 

The Eleemosynaria : The site is unknown — probably somewhere about the 
gate of the Monastery. The Almonry lands consisted of a few acres which 
lay at the foot of the New Row, on the east, near the junction of the New 
Row with Woodmill Road. 

The Sanctuary : There were two sanctuaries, or places of refuge, in the 
locality of the Abbey, viz., at the Girth Bow, near the Tower Bridge ; and a 
refuge-house in the Maygate, on the north side of the street, and which stood 
nearly opposite the Maygate Chapel. It was removed in 18 19. 

The sites of the Abbey Stables, Infirmary, &c., are unknown. The Grange 
was situated one mile due south from the Abbey. The name of ''The Grange " 
is still given to the farm-house and offices which stand on the site. An old 
drawing in our possession shows the Grange from the north. In the view 
there is an old house with a large lf07a, or pended arch — probably the last 
fragment of the ancient grain-house of Dunfermline Abbey. 

Dunfermline Abbey and Monastery, and a few of the adjacent houses, 
were surrounded by a massive wall, 1 2 feet in height and 4 feet thick, and 
about 3,600 feet in circumference, or nearly two-thirds of a mile. 



( M.) 

JOHNE HENRYSOUN OF DUNFERMLINE.— B. OF SANCT 

ANDROS. 

Apud Halyrudehous, ijth October, 1573- 

Anent our Souerane Lordis letters raisit at the instance of Johne Henrysoun 
Mr of the Grammer Schole within the Abbay of Dunfermling Makand men- 
tioun That quhair he and his predecessouris has continewit maisteris and 
teachearis of the youth in letters and doctrine to thair grit commoditie within 
the said Schole past memor of man admittit thairto be the Abbottis of Dun- 
fermling for the tyme as havand the vndoubtit richt and privilege to that 
effect be virteu of the foundatioun of the said Abbay. — Like as he is willing 
to contineu and tak pains to the instructioun and leirning of the youth to the 
vttermaist of his power. Notwithstanding, David Fergusoun, Minister of 
Dunfermling, alleging him to have command of Maister Johne Dowglas 
Archbischope of Saintandros, hes charget the said Johne Henderssoun to 

4Z 



730 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

abstane fra all forder teiching within the said schole in tyme cuming vnder 
the pane of pronounceing of the sentence of excommunicatioun aganis him 
intending gif he do in the contrair to proceid to the said sentence wranguslie 
considering it is of veritie. That he and his predecessouris hes continuit 
Maisteris of the said Schole in tymes past without interruptioun admittit 
thairto, as said is, of the said Abbot, sua that gif ony sic charge suld have 
bene maid, the same suld have bene extendit toward him, and the said Abbot 
admonest and warnit to have providit sum vther persoun in the same place in 
cais the present possessour had not bene qualifyt to vse the charge or vther- 
wyis of evill conversatioun or lyfe. Bot trew it is that not only has the said 
Johne Henrysoun gavin confessioun of his faith and professioun of the trew 
kirk, bot alsua has behavit himself honestlie in conversatioun and lyff never 
techeing or vtherwyis moving ony thing to the sklander of the Evangell. 
Lykeas he is content to submitt him to the judgement of sic as hes under- 
stand and leirnit of his doctrine or ony otheris honest and famous personis, 
and in cais ony offence had bene ministrat be him worthy depriviations of the 
said charge (as their is nane) — yet be the lawis and practique of this realm 
can not nor aucht not, ony sic chargeis or sentence be led aganis him, the 
actioun being mair civile and professone and thairfor the said bischope and 
minister ar na judgeis competent thereto. And na law yet establishit or 
approvit that gevis thame sic power. Bot the samyn sentence being only 
ordanit to be pronuncit vpoun sic as had not nor wald not acknawlege the 
trew Kirk quilk on na wyis can be imputt to the said Johne Hendersoun ffor 
vtherwyis the said sentence of excommunicatioun suld be extendit to all vther 
maner of actionis of quhatsumeur qualitie thay wer and be that way the 
ministeris of the kirk suld mak thameselfifs judgeis in all causs vuther be 
direct or indirect means quhilk wer ane grit absurditie, and thairfore the saidis 
chargeis gevin to the said Johne to the effect foirsaid with all that has foUowit 
or may follow thairvpoun aucht and suld be suspendit simpliciter and to have 
na fordee strength in tyme cuming. — And anent the charge gevin to the saidis 
Archbischope and David Fergusoun, minister, to compeir befoir my Lord 
Regentis Grace and lordis of Secreit Counsall at ane certaine day by-past to 
heir and se thame dischergeit of all forder pronuncing or vsing of the said 
sentence againis the said Johne or impedment making to him in vsing of the 
said charge in tyme cuming or ellis to schaw ane ressonable caus quhy the 
samyn suld not be done, with certificatioun to thame, and thair failzie my 
Lord Regentis Grace wald discharge in manner aboue written likeas at mair 
length is contanit in the saidis letters execution and indorsatioun thairoff : 
Quhilks being callit at sundrie dietts the said Johne Hendersoun comperand 
personalie and the saidis Archbischope and David Fergusoun, minister 
(oftymes callit) naither be thame selffs nor na vtheris in thair names not com- 
perand, my Lord Regentis Grace with auise of the Lordis of Secreit Counsall 
fTyndis that na sic forme or ordour of sentence of excommunicatioun suld be 
gevin or pronuncit againis the said Johne, in maner foirsaid. And thairfore 
dischargeis the said Archbischope and Minister of all proceeding or vsing of 
the said sentence vpon the said Johne in maner aboue mentionat, in tyme 
cuming, and of thair offices in that part without prejudice alwayis to thame to 
persew him vtherwyis for removing fra the said charge or zit to him defend 
conform to this lawis and practique of this real me. (Vide Privy Council 
Register ; also Laing^s and Hendry son's Poems, &c., Appendix., pages. 55, 
56, 57-) 



PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND DUNFERMLINE. 73 1 

( N. ) 

THE AULD KIRK STEEPLE AND THE PORCH. 

It has been supposed by some parties that the Auld Kirk Steeple and the 
Porch were erected about the beginning of the 15th century. There are 
others, and they are in the majority, who are of opinion that the Steeple and 
the Porch, as also a portion of the interior north-west end of the Nave, and a 
few of the buttresses, were erected after the period of the Reformation in 
1560. 

As already mentioned, like other great abbey churches built during the 
nth and 12th centuries, Dunfermline Abbey was flanked by two massive 
towers. {^QQ Annals, T^. 31.) The south-west tower stood until 1807, when 
it was thrown down during a thunderstorm. Why should that tower come 
down almost entire to the year 1807, and its neighbour tower, which stood 
on the site of the steeple, disappear before the year, say, 1420 ? Why should 
the one tower stand about 400 years longer than the other? The only reason- 
able answer to such an inquiry is, that the tower which occupied the site of 
the steeple was thrown down by violence, and the only "violence period" on 
record is the period of the Reformation. On March 28th, Dunfermline 
Abbey was destroyed by the Reformers. After the Choir had been destroyed, 
the Bell-tower, with its baptised bell, would be attacked and overthrown. This 
was the opinion of the late eminent ecclesiastical architect. Sir Gilbert Scott, 
conveyed by note to the writer. Sir Gilbert was well acquainted with all the 
details of Dunfermline Abbey Church and Nave. In one of his remarks, he 
states that had the north-west tower, or bell-tower, been destroyed between 
the years 1380 and 1405, the tower would have been rebuilt in its origuial 
form, so as to harmonise with the neighbour tower in the south-west angle. 
The Abbey authorities were particular in adhering to sympathy and harmony 
of details, and that it was not until after the Reformation period that " incon- 
gruities of ill-matched steeples and pillars were added to decayed abbey build- 
ings." We are of the same opinion; and also, that the Steeple at Dunfermline, 
the Porch, and a portion of the north-west end of the Nave, were erected 
between the years 1593 and 1607. (See these dates in An. Dunf) The 
Porch has been built right against the fine old Norman north-door. This 
would not have been perpetrated in the days of the Abbey. The tall reeded 
column inside the north door would also be built at this time, for the building 
appears to have been much "riven" asunder in the parts where the Steeple 
now stands, {^tt General HuttoiUs Papers,'^ zxiA other papers in the Advo- 
cates' Library, Edinburgh, referring to expenses incurred in repairing and 
renovating churches and religious houses after the Reformation; also consult 
the Article on the "Reparation of the Kirk" in An. Dunf. pp. 211, 212, and 
pp. 244, 245, 264.) 



( 0.) 
THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND DUNFERMLINE. 

It is singular that there should be discrepancies regarding the birth-place of 
Elizabeth, first and eldest daughter of James VI., particularly so when she 



732 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

was born at so recent a period as 1596. We shall give extracts from works 
which state that she was iDorn at Dunfermline, and also from those which state 
that Falkland was the place of her nativity, concluding with remarks deduced 
therefrom. 

Extracts from Works in favour of Dimferviline: — 

1st, " Upon the xix day of September, 1596, the Queinis Majestic was deliveritt at Dun- 
fermling of the Princess Elizabeth. " (Moyse's Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland; Bannatyne 
Club, 1830; Maitland Club, 1830.^ 

2nd, "Elizabeth, Princess of Scotland, borne in Dunfermling the 19th August, 1596 
zeirs." (Chronicles of Perth, p. 6; Maitland Club.) 

3rd, "The queene was delivered of a maid childe at Dunfermling upon the 19 day of . . . 
1596." [Calderwood' s Hist. Kirk Scot. fol. 1704, p. 330; Wodrozo Society, vol. v. p. 438.) 

4th, "In the Palace of Dunfermline were born King Charles I., with his sister Eliza- 
beth, Queen of Bohemia." {Macfarlanes Geograph. Coll., MS. vol.; Advo. Lib. Edin. 

5th, "The Princess Elizabeth, from whom his present Majesty is descended, was born 
in the Palace of Dunfermline." (_Stat. Vcc. Scot., vol. xili. p. 448; Campbell's Journey 
through Scotland; De Foe's yourney through Scotland, 1728, p. 173.) 

Extracts from Works in favour of Falkland: — 

1st, "The 15th day of August (1596) the Queyne was delyverit of a ladie in Falkland, 
and baptesit be the nayme of Elizabeth." {The Historic and Life of King fames the Sex t; 
Bannatyne Club, 1825.) 

2nd, " The 15th day of August (1596) the Queyne was delyverit of a ladie in Falkland, 
and baptesit be the nayme of Elizabeth." (C^'xAq Letters to King James the Sixth, p. 26, 
Maitland Club, 1835.) 

These two extracts are identically the same in every respect. 

3rd, "The Princess Elizabeth was born at Falkland Palace on the i6th August, 1596." 
(Vide Miss Anne EveretCs Lives of the Princesses of England, p. 146.) (Miss Everett refers 
to a Harleian MS., 1368.) 

Referring to the extracts in favour of Dunfermline as being the birth-place 
of Elizabeth Stuart, we may observe that extract No. i is from Moyse's work. 
Moyse in the dedication of his book — "To the King's Most Excellent 
Majesty" — says, "Having followed and served your highness in a place of 
credit in Scotland above thirty years, where I was an eye-witness to many of 
the incidents falling out in your Majesty's minority and tender years, when 
factions overruled the land, and were a great hindrance to your Majesty's 
honourable and most gracious inclination ; which having collected and set 
down in this little volume, for memory, lest the same should be buried with 
me, now at the point of death, I have presumed to bestow the same upon 
your Majesty, as a thing your Majesty can best censure and reserve in your 
Majesty's private memory. And so, expecting your Majesty's acception 
thereof in good part, my meaning being always loyal and dutiful towards your 
Majesty, I pray to the King of all kings for your Majesty's well and long 
government and rests. Your Majesty's own old ?Jtan and humble servant, 
David Moyses." 

It is not to be supposed that his Majesty's '' own old man," who had 
"served him thirty-seven years" and was an "eye-witness" to many of the 
incidents in his Majesty's life, would make a mistake as to the place of birth 
of his first and oldest daughter. He gives 19th Sept., 1596, as the date of 
the birth of this princess, and Dunfermline as that of her nativity, which date 



PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND DUNFERMLINE. 733 

and place would be read by his Majesty. This announcement by Moyse is 
worth a score of hearsay notices, and it cannot be set aside. 

Besides this indisputable evidence, there are the following other indirect 
notices relative to the birth-place, viz. : — " 1596. Vpon the 17 Juli the Queene 
went over from Edinburgh to Dunfermline, convoyed with a number of noble- 
men and weomen." [Calderwood' s Hist. Kirk. Scot.; Wodrow So. vol. v. 
p. 99.) It will be observed that 17th July, 1596, was about two months 
before the Queen's accouchement, and as her dowry house was in Dunferm- 
line, no doubt she went to Dunfermline to prepare for "the auspicious event." 
1596. In another convention of the Estates at Dunfermline, the penult 
of September, the baptism of the princess, who was born on the nineteenth of 
August — appointed to be at Halyrud hous, the twenty-eight of November 
next." {Spottiswood's Hist. Ch. Scot. Edin, 1850.) Here, it will be observed 
that this account makes the birth of Elizabeth a month earlier than Moyse 
does — some misprint, probably; but, be that as it may, the date is of less 
consequence than the place. A convention of the Estates was held at Dun- 
fermline on 30th Sept., 1596, when, after, no doubt, consulting with the 
Queen, who was in her house adjacent to the palace, they determine on the 
day and place of baptism of the princess. 

Again, " 1596, The 2nd of Nouember the Princess came out of Dunferm- 
ling to the Abbay of Halyruid house." (BirreHs Diary.) 

From these collateral notes, it is evident that Queen Ann went from 
Edinburgh to DunfermHne on the 17th day of July, 1596 ; that she gave birth 
to the princess in her dowry house there on 19th August; and that she left 
Dunfermline for Holyrood house on Nov. 2 of the same year to prepare for 
the baptism of her daughter. (See also An. Dunf., date 1663.) 

There are several notices in old works which go to show that the king 
resided much in Falkland between 13th August and 25th September, 1596. 
He was, with many of his courtiers, assiduously engaged in hunting, and may 
he not have gone there in order that the domestic quiet needed for the queen 
might not be disturbed, and in consequence given rise to the rumour that 
because the king was then in Falkland, that the princess was born there ? A 
few Falkland notices may be given here: — ^'■Elizabeth Stuart, the eldest 
daughter of the fnarriage of y^ames, King of Scotland and Ann of Denmark, 
was born in the Palace of Falklana on igth August, i66p" — [j'SP^]- (Miss 
Benger's Memoirs of ElivMbeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia, vol. i. p. 64.) The 
authoress appears to have taken her Falkland from "The Life of King James 
the Sixth," which was continued by another author till past date, 1506. (See 
No. I, Falklafid Extracts.) Since then, a number of topographical and other 
writers, without testing, take Miss Benger for their authority. For instance, 
Miss Strickland quoting from Miss Benger or from the same source as she 
did, without further investigation produces, of course, a notice somewhat 
similar, but with the word "beautiful" palace thrown into it, viz. — ^^ Elizabeth 
Stuart, the eldest daughter of the marriage of King J^ames VI., king of Scotland, 
and Anti of Denmark, was born at the beautiful palace of Falkland, igth 
August, T^g6." (Vide Miss Strickland's Lives of the Queens and Princesses of 
Scotland, vol. viii. p. 2.) 

It would therefore appear after carefully comparing and weighing these 
matters, that Queen Ann resided in her dowry house at Dunfermline from 
17th July until the 2nd November, 1596, and that she gave birth to her first 
and eldest daughter there on the 19th of August, 1596, while the king was 



734 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

enjoying the sport of hunting at the time with his courtiers at Falkland, and 
that from this circumstance some careless writers, dealers in hearsay, had 
jumped to the conclusion that because the king was hunting at Falkland 
about the time of the birth, that the princess was born at Falkland. There 
are, unfortunately, too many such instances of false logic in the history of 
Scotland. 



( P-) 

THE DESCENT OF VICTORIA I. FROM ELIZABETH, ELDEST 
DAUGHTER OF JAMES VL OF SCOTLAND. 

The following is the line of descent of Queen Victoria from the Princess 
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of James VI. of Scotland, who was born in the 
Royal Palace of Dunfermline in 1596 : — 

1. James VI. of Scotland, born 1566; married, in 1590, Ann, daughter 

of the King of Denmark. James succeeded to the Enghsh throne 
in 1603, and died in 1625. His Queen died in 161 7. 

2. Elizabeth, daughter of James VL, born at Dunfermhne in 1596 ; 

married, in 1613, Frederick, Elector Palatine of the Rhine, after- 
wards King of Bohemia. She died in 1662. 

3. Sophia, daughter of Elizabeth and Frederick, born in 1630; married, 

in 1658, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. She died in 17 14. 
(Had she lived six weeks longer, she would have been Queen of 
England at the age of 84.) 

4. George L, son of Sophia and Ernest Augustus, born in 1660; married, 

in 1682, Sophia Dorothea, daughter of George William, Duke ofZell; 
succeeded to the English throne on the death of Queen Anne, in 
1714. He died in 1727, and his Queen in 1728. 

5. George II., sonofGeorgeI.,bornin 1683; married, in 1705, Wilhelmina 

Carolina Dorothea, daughter of John Frederick, Margrave of Braden- 
burg. He succeeded his father, George I. in 1727, died in 1760, 
and his Queen in 1737. 

6. Frederick Louis, son of George II., born in lyod ; created Prince of 

Wales in 172^ ; married, in lyjS, Augusta, daughter and fifteenth child 
of Frederick II., Duke of Saxe Got ha. Prince Frederick died in I'JSi, 
and the Princess Augusta in 1772. 

7. George III., born in 1738, son of the preceding; came to the throne 

on the death of his grandfather, George II. In 1761, he married 
Charlotte Sophia, daughter of Charles Lewis Frederick, Duke of 
Mecklenburg-Strelitz. George III. died in 1820, and his Queen in 
1818. 

8. Et>wart>, fourth son of George III, born in 1767 ; created Duke of Kejit 

in I7gg; married, in 1818, Victoria Maria Louisa, daughter of Francis, 
Duke of Saxe Coburg Saalfield. He died in 1820 (just a week after his 
father). The Duchess of Kent died in 1861. 



LIST OF THE KINGS OF SCOTLAND. 



735 



9. Victoria, daughter of the preceding, born 24th May, 181 9 ; succeeded 
her uncle, William IV., on the 20th June, 1837 ; married, on loth 
February, 1840, her cousin, Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emanuel, 
Duke of Saxe, Prince of Coburg and Gotha, born in August, 1819, and 
died 14th December, 1861. 

To this "line of descent" we add that from Malcolm III. to James VI., so 
that the links in the royal chain may be traced to an unbroken line from a.d. 
1056 to 1877. 



( Q. ) 

LIST OF THE KINGS OF SCOTLAND. 

The following is a list of the Kings of Scotland from Malcolm III. a.d. 1056- 
1093, to James VI., a.d. 1567-1625 :— 

Malcolm HI. reigned from . . . . . 1056 to 1093 
Donald from 1093 to 1094; again from 1095 to 

1097; Usurper (brother of Malcolm III.) 

Duncan, natural son of Malcolm III., . . . 1094- 

Edgar, son of Malcolm III., .... 1098 

Alexander L, do., .... 1107- 

David I. do., . . . .1124 

Malcolm IV., grandson of David I., . . . 1153 

William (The Lion), brother of Malcolm IV., . 1165 ■ 

Alexander IL, son of William The Lion . . 1214 - 

Alexander III., son of Alexander II. , . . 1249 ■ 

Margaret, grand-daughter of Alexander III., . 1285 ■ 

{Interregnum — Plottings of Edward I. of England), 

John Baliol, elected King of Scotland by Edward I., 1292 • 

{Interregnitm- — Baliol deposed by "plottings" of 

Edward I.), 1296 

Robert L* (through David, Earl of Huntingdon, 

2nd son of Prince Henry), .... 1306 ■ 

David IL, son of King Robert the Bruce, . . 1329 
Robert 1 1., grandson of do. . . .1371 
Robert HI. (originally called John), eldest son of 

Robert IL, 1390 ■ 

James I., son of Robert HI., .... 1406 

James IL, son of James I., . . . . . ^437 

James HI., son of James II. , .... 1460 

James IV., son of James HI., .... 1488 

James v., son of James IV., ..... 1513 

Mary Stuart, daughter of James v., . . . 1542 

James VI., son of Mary Stuart, . . - . 1567 



1095 
1107 
1124 

"53 
1165 
1214 
1249 
1285 
1290 

1296 

1306 

1329 

1371 
1390 

1406 

1437 
1460 
1488 
1513 
154-2 

1567 
1625 



* The line of Robert I. the Bruce descends from the Princess Isabella, the 2nd daughter 
of David Earl of Huntingdon, 2nd son of Prince Henry, son of David i. The son of this 
princess was the Robert Bruce who competed with John Baliol for the Crown in 1290; this 
Robert was the grandfather of Robert the Bruce, of "glorious memory," recorded above. 



736 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

( R.) 

COPY OF A LETTER FROM PRINCESS ELIZABETH. 

The following is a copy of a letter from the Princess Elizabeth to Mr. Maule 
of Panmure, dated 1628, preserved in the muniinent chest, Panmure Castle, 
Forfarshire, (Vide J^ervis' Memorials of Angus and Meartis, pp. 241, 242.) 
There are now very few relics of this unfortunate Princess extant, we therefore 
give insertion to the following short note : — 

"Good Mr Maul. 

Those whom the King, my Father, held worthy of his Service, I 
always Esteemed as most deserving of my Love, Especially, to me wards as you have done. 
Wherefor, with Thanks for yours, I return you this in earnest of my Kind Acceptance, and 
Assurance of my ready will to perform any thing that God shall enable me, whereby I may 
express myself your most assured Friend 

The Hague, 26th Sept., 1628. Elizabeth," 

— (See A}tn. Dutif., date 1663.) 



( S.) 

THE WARDLAW BARONETCY. 

The first Baronet — Sir Henry Wardlaw — was created by King Charles I. in 
1631, nearly 250 years ago. Playfair in his History of Family Antiquity, 
published in 181 t, narrates that the first ancestor of the family sprang, accord- 
ing to Nisbet, from the race of MacDonald, and according to others, from 
Robertson of Struan, and that, under circumstances of peculiar bravery, he 
killed a wolf with his skene-dhu, or dagger, in the presence of one of the early 
Scottish monarchs, from whence he took his surname of Skene, and called 
his lands by that name. The family of Skene of Halliards, in Aberdeenshire, 
is a younger branch of the family. Sir Henry Wardlaw, the second Baronet, 
intermarried with a daughter of Skene of Halliards. The present holder of 
the title, Sir Henry Wardlaw, Tillicoultry, is the grand nephew of Sir 
William, the nth Baronet, whose sons, Alexander, William, and Archibald, 
in succession enjoyed the title. Sir Archibald died, unmarried, on 20th 
January, 1874, and thereupon Sir Henry acquired right to the Baronetcy. 
The ancient family town house, of quaint interior, and some historical interest, 
is situated in Chessels Court, Canongate, and the old residenters still remem- 
ber its having been occupied by the baronets. {Alloa journal, April 6, 1878; 
An. Dunf, dates 1602, 1612, 1615, 1616, 1631, &c.) 



( T. ) 

DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF KING CHARLES L— 1813. 

King Charles I. being a native of Dunfermline, the following account of 
the discovery of his remains in 18 13 (as related by Dr. Villiers) will be 



MONASTIC DEVOTIONS. 737 

highly interesting, at least to the indwellers of the ancient city of Dunferm- 
line : — 

" The mausoleums of mortality of most of the kings of England, in ages 
more remote than that of Charles I., have been discovered, but how the burial- 
place of that unfortunate monarch has so long been enveloped in obscurity, 
without a decided knowledge of the place of his interment, is a matter of much 
surprise. Wood in his AthencB mentions Windsor, but upon . this point of 
supposition, until the year 1813, we have no direct proof. However, the 
investigation which took place this year in the vault of King Henry the Eighth 
at Windsor, immediately after the funeral of the Duchess of Brunswick (March 
J813), in the presence of George Prince of Wales, his physicians, and several 
persons of distinction, confirmed this opinion. In this vault, amongst other 
coffins, was discovered one bearing the inscription, "King Charles, 1648," 
in large legible characters, on a scroll of lead, and which after a pause was 
opened, and found to contain the body of that unfortunate king; for such was 
the impression made upon the observer from the striking resemblance to the 
picture of that monarch by Vandyke. The head certainly did present 
sufficient criterion to observe the fixing and adjustment of it by a cement to 
the shoulders; the forehead and temples had lost little of their muscular sub- 
stance; the nose had fallen from the loss of the cartilage, but the left eye, at 
the first moment of exposure was open and full to view, though it vanished 
almost instantly by being exposed to the air; the shape of the face was oval, and 
several of the teeth perfect; the left ear, in consequence of the interposition 
of the preparation used in those times for the preservation of the dead, was 
found entire. The head being examined, the back part of the scalp was 
in a perfect state, and had a fresh appearance; the tendons and ligaments of 
the neck were of considerable substance, and firm; the hair was thick and 
black, the beard brown, and the complexion of the skin was dark and dis- 
coloured, very similar to an Egyptian mummy. The hair on the head was 
not more than an inch in length, and had, probably, been cut off for the better 
convenience of the executioner. 

" Even under these circumstances, the countenance certainly had a strong 
and marked resemblance to his likeness on the then current coins, and to the 
several portraits of King Charles the First by Vandyke and other painters, by 
which it was familiar to many; and it cannot be denied but that the shape of 
the face, the forehead, the eye, and the pointed beard, so characteristic of the 
period in which he lived, are most striking and important features by which 
the resemblance is determined; on further examining the separation of the 
head from the neck, the muscles had evidently contracted, and the fourth 
cervical vertebrae of the continuation of the backbone to the head was found 
cut through transversely, leaving the surfaces of the divided portion of bones 
smooth, and which certainly could have been produced only by the blow of a 
sharp axe, which circumstances furnish us with sufficient proof to identify the 
body of King Charles the First. 

" After passing through the ceremony described, the head and other parts 
were restored to their place, when the coffin was closed upon the remains of 
the unfortunate monarch. Among the other coffins which were presented to 
view were those of King Henry the Eighth and Queen Jane Seymour." (The 
Mirror, by Lombard, vol. i. p. 333; see also An. Diinf. dates 1600, 1648, 
and 1649, &c.) 

5A 



738 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

( u. ) 

RE-ERECTION OF THE MARKET CROSS. 

Early in 1868, we felt desirous to have the Pillar or Column of the Old 
Market Cross, with its Unicorn, removed from the corner of the house, in the 
north-west angle of Guildhall Street, to a more conspicuous and isolated site, 
within the railings of the County Buildings. In order to carry our object into 
effect, we applied to the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council, to whom 
the property belonged, for permission to remove it. This was kindly granted. 
We then, through Mr. Landel, Town-clerk, applied to the County authorities 
at Cupar, to allow it to be placed within the iron railings, north-west corner of 
County Building. This liberty was also readily granted. We, then, in con- 
nection with Joseph N. Paton, sent out subscription papers for subscriptions 
to defray costs. The sum of ^^27 5^-. (yd. was collected. For this sum Mr. 
Thomas Chalmers, builder, agreed to erect the old Pillar, furnish the finely- 
sculptured stone on which the unicorn rests (which was designed by Mr. Paton), 
the wall on the sunk area, and the octagonal steps on which the pillar is placed. 
The re-erection was accomplished on the 15th August, 1868, in presence of a 
large assembly of people. (See An. Dimf. p. 461.) 



( V. ) 

THE NEW TOWN-HOUSE. 
(From the Dunfermline Press of 2jrd October, iSy^.) 

The New Corporation Buildings, which, architecturally speaking, will exhibit 
a combination of the French and Scotch Gothic styles, will have a frontage 
towards Bridge Street of 66 feet, and to Kirkgate of 144 feet. The principal 
feature of the design is a tower 23 feet square, and 117 feet high, surmounted 
by a flag-staff 20 feet high at the corner of the two thoroughfares. At the base 
of the tower, fronting Kirkgate, is the main entrance, in the form of an arched 
doorway, with buttresses on each side, bearing granite pillars, which support 
a balcony and square projecting window above. The Bridge Street front of 
the tower shows a projecting oriel window, supported on an ornamental shaft 
and corbels, and finished with a stone-crocketed roof. Above this window, 
as also over the doorway, are dials for illuminated clocks. The upper portion 
of the tower is flanked at the angles with circular turrets, and the slated roof 
is finished a-top with ornamental iron-work. The Bridge Street front is two 
storeys in height, the elevation being broken up by a central crow-stepped 
gable, on which is a tablet with the burgh arms, and a projecting oriel finished 
as a turret at the end. The main feature of the Kirkgate front is an octa- 
gonal turret in the centre. Between these are the windows of the Burgh 
Court, circular-headed, and finished with rockets and spires ; while between 
the main tower and the central turret diversity of outline is given by 
gablets over the windows, and a projecting balcony, supported on trusses and 
granite pillars. The roof is finished with an ornamental iron railing. As to 
the interior, the street-floor of the Bridge Street front has been appropriated 
as a branch office of the City of Glasgow Bank ; but the whole remainder of 



THE NEW TOWN-HOUSE. 739 

the building is devoted to municipal purposes. The main entrance from 
Kirkgate leads into a vestibule i6 feet 6 inches square, and this to a hall 38 
feet by 20. From the inner hall a passage leads to the rooms of the Town- 
Clerk, the Master of Works, the Collector and Book-keeper, all of which 
are towards Kirkgate. An ornamental stone staircase with carved oak pedes- 
tals for the railings, gives access from the inner hall to the first floor. Here is 
a hall corresponding with that on the street floor, from which the Council 
Chamber is entered on the right, or Bridge Street front. The room is 39 feet 
long, 25 feet broad, and 26 feet in height, with an open timber-roof, having 
circular principals and ribs, supported on carved brackets. Opening from the 
Council Chamber is a committee-room, formed in the tower, with square pro- 
jecting window, and balcony towards the Kirkgate, and oriel windows towards 
Bridge Street. From the upper hall, towards Kirkgate, a corridor, with wit- 
ness-rooms and lavatories on either side, leads to the Burgh Court-room, 32 
feet wide by 50 feet long, and 27 feet high. This room has an open timber- 
roof, supported on carved stone brackets, and is reached from Kirkgate by 
two staircases — that at the south end being for the public, and at the north 
for officials and witnesses. In consequence of the fall of the ground towards 
Kirkgate, there are on that side two storeys below the Bridge Street level, and 
these are set apart for police cells, pohce officers, and superintendent's rooms, 
keeper's house, and miscellaneous offices. The whole buildings will be heated 
by Perkins' hot-water apparatus, to be fitted up in the basement floor. 

The buildings are from a design by Mr. J. C. Walker, Edinburgh, and do 
the highest credit to his taste and professional abihty. The whole exterior 
will be of the most ornate character, nothing having been omitted which 
might be calculated to heighten the general effect. The two styles of archi- 
tecture will be pleasingly blended, and the details will be carried out with 
the utmost care, so as not to mar the general harmony of the work. 
The interior arrangements will be all that could be desired to meet the 
requirements of the respective departments in connection with the Corpora- 
tion. The entire structure will be an ornament not only to the street but 
to the city ; and it will complete the greatest public improvement which has 
been effected since Provost Mathieson took the lead in civic affairs in Dun- 
fermline. To Provost Mathieson is due (in a very large measure) the credit 
of proposing and carrying out the scheme, and with his name it will be closely 
identified in the future. 

NEW TOWN-HOUSE — DETAILS OF EX 

Mason Work, W. & J. Hutchison, Dunfermhne, 
Joiner Work, H. & J. Philp, do., . 

Slater Work, John Beveridge, do., . 

Plumber Work, Malcolm Williamson, do., . 
Plaster Work, H. & J. Ramsay, do., . 

Carving Work, William Wilson, Edinburgh, . 
Furnishings, Gas Fittings, &c., 
Architect's Fee, ...... 

Cost of Site and Old Houses in Kirkgate, 
Cost of the Old Town-House and its Site (?) . 

The total cost of the New Town-House, omitting I /- o o 
Old Town-House and its Site, . . J '^ '^^ 



:nse. 

. .;^8,3o6 








2,995 








296 


10 





464 








276 


15 





485 








1,325 








950 








3,450 









740 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 



Through the kindness of Mr. Romanes, the proprietor of the Dunfermline 
Press, we have the pleasure of placing before our readers the following view 
of the New Town-house, for which he will please accept our thanks. 




The New Town-House, Dunfermline, from the north-east (Nov., 1878). 

A correspondent informs us, that the New Town-House will be completed 
in all its interior details, and opened for municipal business, about the month 
of April or May, 1879. 



( W.) 

ST. MARGARET'S HALL. 

The following description of St.- Margaret's Hall is taken from the Dunferm- 
line Press of 20th April, 1878 : — 

" In fixing the design of the Hall, Mr. Starforth, the architect, had grave 



ST. MARGARET'S HALL. 74 1 

difficulties to contend with. He had not only to keep in view the necessity 
of adopting a style of architecture which would be perfectly suited to the 
objects of the building, and consonant with the means at his disposal, but 
which would not in any way interfere with the amenity of the Abbey Church. 
We have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Starforth has been eminently success- 
ful in meeting the requirements of the case. The structure, which is now to 
be seen in St. Margaret's Street, is not only in perfect harmony with the 
surroundings — even in the most minute details — but it is at once graceful 
and dignified, and it is only just to say that it has elicited the unqualified 
approbation of the Company and the public. The style chosen is the early 
English, with closer adaptation to domestic use; and throughout the entire 
design ample evidnce is given of the great care which has been taken to work 
out truly harmonious and artistic effects. 

" The main frontage — which looks to the east, and measures 92 feet in 
length and 40 feet in height — presents a strikingly simple, yet massive and 
picturesque appearance. All the windows are muUioned — those in the ground 
floor having double arch mouldings, over which a graceful continuous string 
course is carried. The chief entrance, and all the doorways, are furnished 
with joint mouldings and pillars, with chastely foliaged capitals — the upper 
portions beneath the arches being filled in with quatrefoil moulded sinkings. 
The upper windows have a continuous hood moulding, which is carried over 
the arches throughout; while above the centre of each window a very richly 
foliated patera is fittingly introduced. The south-eastern part of the building 
rises higher than the rest, the wall heads being surmounted by beautifully-cut 
balustrades and cornices, which, taken in combination with the roofs, form a 
very effective arrangement. 

" The plan of the interior — which embraces an area nearly forming a square 
— displays a great amount of architectural skill, while it is in every way calcu- 
lated to answer the purposes for which the building is intended. The large 
hall — which is situated on the north side of the area — is 80 feet in length by 
60 feet in breadth^ and 43 feet in height. Access to the vestibule and stair- 
cases of the room is obtained from St. Margaret's Street. It will afford ample 
and comfortable sitting accommodation for 1,320 people — 770 on the ground 
floor and 550 in the gallery. The eastern portion of the gallery assumes a 
circular form, and is supported by ornamental cast-iron pillars with brackets 
(of a handsome design) for sustaining the front of the gallery. The horizon- 
tal beams by which the frame-work of the gallery is supported are laminated 
and curved (so as to suit the circular lines of the gallery, and the effect thus 
produced cannot but be highly pleasing. The gallery columns (which are in 
complete uniformity with this design) are carried up so as to form supports to 
the roof. From the capitals of these columns a number of arches — with pun- 
elled sofits and elaborate moulding — are disposed in longitudinal order, and 
above the arches so arranged there is an ornamental cornice, from which there 
diverges (directly over each pillar) beautifully moulded raised ribs, by which 
the roof of the hall is divided transversely into eight portions ; while by ribs 
of a similar character the central part of the roof is divided into three parts 
longitudinally. The side portions of the roof between the pillars and walls 
are horizontal, and divided into panels in the manner already indicated. The 
lighting of the hall is excellent — consisting of three 2 -light windows in the east 
end, and two 3-light windows in the west end, and fourteen roof lights. Suffi- 
cient provision has been made for the construction of two additional side 



742 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — APPENDIX. 

galleries, should such be required at any future time. The orchestra and 
organ gallery occupy a space of about 42 feet by 21 feet; while the refresh- 
ment room, which also measures 42 feet by 21 feet, is placed beneath the 
orchestra, and at a little lower level than the floor of the hall, being lighted 
from the west. The stage arrangements are in all respects adequate, due care 
being taken to provide for the comfort of performers. On the southern side 
of the large hall, facing St. Margaret's Place, the ground floor is occupied by 
a suite of rooms — capacious and well arranged — for a variety of purposes. In 
the south-eastern angle of the building referred to, there is a ' business room ' 
of considerable dimensions; and, to the westward of it, are committee and 
retiring rooms, together with lavatory and other requisite conveniences — all 
of which are constructed on the most improved principles. 

" On the second floor of the southern front is the lesser hall, which measures 
56 feet in length, 28 feet in breadth, and 26 feet 6 inches in height. The 
room is provided with a platform, and all the other necessary appliances, and 
the ceihng is divided into sections by moulded ribes. Access to this hall is 
obtained both from the east and south fronts of the building, and the vestibule 
and stair accommodation is ample. Reading and committee rooms (of good 
proportions) are also situated on the second floor of the southern front. On 
the third floor there are two large billiard rooms, to which entrance is got by 
the principal stair leading from the St. Margaret's Street entrance. 

" The two halls, as well as the vestibule on the east front, and the large 
corridors on the south front, are heated by means of hot water pipes. In 
regard to the ventilation (which is one of the most important features in the 
design of such a building), Mr. Starforth has evidently endeavoured to make 
it as complete as possible, while at the same time he has exercised a due 
amount of care toward the prevention of accidents by fire. The total cost of 
the Hall amounts to about ^^9,000 — including the price of the site and other 
expenses. The contractors were as follows : — Mr. Thomas Chalmers, mason; 
Mr. Robert Walls, joiner; Messrs. Smith & IngHs, plumbers; Messrs. 
M'Gregor & Anderson, plasterers; and Mr. Charles Stalker, slater." 



( X.) 
GLENSHERUP WATER SCHEME. 



The Act of Parliament for the Glensherup Water Scheme passed on 24th 
July, 1876. Including the preHminary engineering and other expenses, the 
Act cost ;^i,9i7, los. The pipe track-works were commenced on the i6th 
April, 1877, but the reservoir works at Glensherup were not commenced till 
June following. The pipe track-works were completed early in May, 1878, 
as far as Craigluscar, and on nth May, the Glensherup water ran into Craig- 
luscar Store Ponds, and continued to do so till 8th June. On the 8th July 
Glensherup water commenced to flow direct (that is, without going through 
Craigluscar Ponds) to Milesmark, or north-west district of the Burgh. On 
26th August, Glensherup water commenced to flow into Craigluscar Ponds, 
and has since continued to do so. On 6th September, 1878, the city was, for 
the first time, supplied with water direct from Glensherup. It cannot be 
said, however, that the works are finished till the reservoir at Craigluscar is 
completed. (Burgh Recordi^.) 



ADDENDA. 



THE BURGH RECORDS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

In the A?inals, date 1473, we note (also Chal. Hist. Dimf. vol. i. p. 398) that 
the Burgh Records were then commenced. There have been erasures in some 
of the early dates, and this fact associates with them a degree of uncertainty. The 
dates are given in small single letters, as was customary in those times. The 
first in the old Record \s m°cccclxxviij. (1478). The original date appears to 
have been M°ccccLXXxvnj. (1488), but by a clumsy erasure it has been con- 
verted into the former date. The "l" has been erased, and the first "°c" 
converted into " l." The same process appears to have been performed on 
several subsequent dates on the first page, which, correctly stated, would be 
respectively 1487, 1488, 1487, 1487. The first entry on the second page is 
M°ccccLxxix. (1479). This may have led to the alteration of dates of the 
previous entries. The second, and subsequent dates, are respectively, 1488, 
1487, 1487, 1488, 1488, 1487, 1488, 1488, after which they flow on pretty 
regularly. The other volumes of the Burgh Records are (i.) a small folio, 
extending from January, 1556, to 15th November, 1575, in parchment covers. 
On a fly-leaf at the end of it there is the following note on the coronation of 
James VI. : — 

*' Regis Coronatio. — The coronatioun and inauguration of our Souirane James, be ye 
grace of God, King of Scotis, the sext of zat name, was maid and solempnizat the xxix. day 
of July ye yeir of God Javj. V9 lxvij. (1567), and in the sameyn yeir upoun ye XV. day of 
December was Ralefeit and approvit in parliament haldyn at Edinburgh." 

Vol. iii. commences in 1578, and ends in 1580, Vol. iv. extends from 1580 
to 1 591, after which there are no records till 1673, where vol. v. begins. It 
extends to 1687, and continues in a regular series up to the present time. 



ROYAL BURGHS AND REGALITY BURGHS. 

Royal Burghs. — An eminent historian, referring to royal burghs, says, 
" Early in the Twelfth Century, when the land of Scotland began to be divided 
into royalty and regality, those parts which were known by the term ' royal ' 
were subjected to the jurisdiction of the king, his judges, or substitutes." At 
this period the sovereign and his deputies exercised supreme authority over 
their royalties and the towns which had been built on them. Some of these 
towns were taken into peculiar favour by the sovereign, and invested with limited 
burghal privileges. The king, in his charters conveying gifts, &c.,to one of them, 
designated it burgo meo, viz., " my burgh " — hence, a king's or royal burgh. 



744 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

Dunfermline appears to have been so designated as early as 1109, 11 12, 11 15. 
(See Annals under these dates.) As just noted, the sovereigns were the 
supreme heads of these little burghs, and deputed judges and other function- 
aries to " exercise and adjust" all cases in connection with their rights. After- 
wards, in many instances, when ecclesiastics were invested with the power of 
" ruHng in civil affairs," they were deputed by the sovereign to act for him, 
reserving for himself the supreme authority of reversing any judgment that 
appeared to him to be faulty. Subsequently these burghs became differently 
constituted, and were ruled by aldermen, or prce;positi, who presided over a 
council elected from amongst the inhabitants, and who for a long period gave 
" rule and law" to the burgh. In course of time, when several trades became 
of importance, they were incorporated, and their heads, or deacons, became 
members of the burgh council. With slight alteration this burgh council 
continued until 1834, when the Reform Bill " completely deranged the old 
happy family-system," and gave such burghs the constitution they now " hold 
and have." 

Regality Burghs. — Those parts or districts which were comprehended 
under the name of "regalities," acknowledged the jurisdiction of such eccle- 
siastics or nobles as had received a grant of land from the Crown, with 
the rights of regality annexed to it. Thus originated Burghs of Royalty and 
Barony. It would appear that the " ecclesiastics were the first who prevailed 
with the Crown to convey to them the right of holding their courts in the 
fullest manner, and to give judgment by fi7-e, by water, or iron combat, as also 
immunity from the superior judges, together with all the privileges pertaining 
to their court, including the right in all persons resident within their regal 
territories of refusing to answer except in their own proper courts." These 
rights were endorsed generally by each succeeding sovereign shortly after 
ascending the throne. We find such rights granted to the Bishop of St. 
Andrews, and the Abbots of Dunfermhne, Holyrood, Aberborthic, Kelso, &c., 
and perhaps possessed, at least to some extent, by every religious house in the 
kingdom. (See Tytler's Hist. Scot. vol. ii. pp. 246, 247.) Dunfermline stood 
partly on regality land, and its burghers paid annually certain sums to the 
Abbot as rentals, &c., so that, in later times, the Royal Burgh Courts and the 
Courts of Regality sometimes became hostile regarding their " real or assumed 
rights." Regalities and Regality Courts were abolished in 1 748, (See An. 
Dunf. date 1748.) 

Tytler, in his History of Scotland, vol. ii. pp. 246, 247, in referring to the 
privileges possessed by Burghs Royal and Burghs of Regality, says : — 

•'At a very early period — probably about the middle of the Twelfth Century (Reg. Mai. 
IV.) — when the land of Scotland began to be partially divided into Royalty and Regality, 
those parts which were distinguished by the term ' Royalty' were subjected to the jurisdiction 
of the king and his judges. The districts, on the other hand, which were comprehended 
under the name of ' Regalities,' acknowledged the jurisdiction of those ecclesiastics or nobles 
who had received a grant of land from the Crown, with the rights of regality annexed to it. 
The clergy appear to have been the first who, in the charters of land which they often pro- 
cured from the Crown, prevailed upon the sovereign to convey to them the right of holding 
their own courts, and to grant them an immunity from the jurisdiction of all superior judges. 
As early as the reign of Alexander the First a Royal Charter conferred on the monks of the 
Abbey of Dunfermline and Scone the right of holding their own court in the fullest manner, 
and of giving judgment either by combat of iron or by water, together with all privileges per- 
taining to the court, including the right in all persons resident within their territory of refusing 
toj answer except in their own proper court, which right of exclusive jurisdiction was con- 
firmed by successive monarchs. The same grants were enjoyed, as we know from authentic 



THE DESIGNATIONS: "CITY" AND "LORD PROVOST." 745 

documents, by the Bishop of St. Andrews, and the Abbots of Holyrood, Dunfermline, Kelso, 
and Aberborthic, and we may presume, on strong grounds, by every religious house in the 
kingdom." 

Dunfermline Abbey possessed the right of exercising exclusively a civil 
and criminal jurisdiction over the occupiers of lands or other property belong- 
ing to it wherever situated. 



THE DESIGNATIONS, "CITY" AND "LORD PROVOST." 

During the last twenty years the question, "What is a City?" has frequently 
been proposed, and, in too many instances, puerile and unsatisfactory answers 
to explain the vexed question have been given. Many appear to think that 
the designation, " City," can only be applied to a cathedral-town, forgetting 
the while that the term does not originate in an ecclesiastical, but from a 
civil root, as the name applies. Again, others imagine that the designation 
can only be given to a University town, but without giving their reasons for so 
thinking ! 

As far as regards Scotland, the historical and charter reader is aware that 
all cities must be burghs — must have a municipal constitution, as one of the 
elements of the superior designation ; the other element, or qualification, con- 
sists in the burghs having a superior status to the common burghs, viz., a 
" mother burgh'' (metro-btirgiim), having a jurisdiction over the common burgh. 
For instance, Dunfermline was a royal burgh at a very early period ; and the 
Abbots of its Abbey, in their temporal capacity, were, for a lengthened period, 
the superiors, aldermm, or prceposiii of the burgh ; and they had, during their 
official existence, the jurisdiction of the burghs of Kirkcaldy, Kinghorn, 
Burntisland, and Musselburgh. DunfermUne being thus the superior of these 
burghs, it had a higher name than "burgh" to designate its higher position, 
and the designation, ^^ Civis" or ^^ City, ^' came to distinguish it, and other 
burghs having similar claims. It was not until after 1450 that the term of 
City came to be used in Scotland, and long after this period, the names or 
words "burgh" and "city" (juunicipium) were freely used as interchangeable 
terms of equivalent value. The Bishops and Abbots of the olden times exer- 
cised their functions on a small scale, as did the Pope in his almost universal 
sway, for they were spiritual and temporal functionaries. Sitting in their chap- 
ter-houses on spiritual cases, they could in a moment, by repeating a word or 
two become temporal jurists, and convert the court over which they presided 
into a civil court. Thus Dunfermline was a royal burgh — a superior burgh, 
or mother burgh — and hence a Civitas, or City. 

Those who aver that all cathedral towns are and must be cities, must under- 
stand that the cathedral towns of Sodor, Lismore, Dunblane, Dwikeld, &c., 
had no municipal itistitutions. Few inhabitants — perhaps no more than fifty 
or sixty, inclusive of the members of their cathedral — being thus principally 
resident within the walls of their sacred edifices, the designation of " O'/y" 
could never apply to such places. Such were simply Episcopi Sedes, or Epis- 
copal Seats — not cities. It would be curious to contemplate a city with fifty 
or sixty of a population, such as those places had in early times! Besides 
being a mother burgh or city, the ecclesiastical and civil courts held in Dun- 
fermline were endowed with peculiar and extraordinary privileges. Alexander 

5B 



746 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

I. conferred on the judges of its civil court the right to hold their courts " in 
the fullest manner," and to give judgment either " by Jire, by water, or by iroji;" 
while the jurisdiction of the Abbot was exempted from " the law and rule" of 
the Bishop of the Diocese, thus conferring on it Episcopal functions. The 
Abbot of Dunfermline was, from a.d. 1244, a mitred Abbot, and sat in the 
high courts of the realm. Further illustration of early designations may be 
here given. 

The designation ^w/zV^ is superior to that of "Kingdom." An empire 
has under its jurisdiction one or more kingdoms ; hence "empire" covers the 
lesser designation of '' kingdom." 

A University is superior to that of "College." A university has under its 
jurisdiction, or incorporation, one or more colleges; and therefore " university" 
covers the lesser designation of " college." 

A City is a burgh which has, or has had, under its jurisdiction one or more 
burghs, and is a mother burgh, and therefore "city" covers the lesser designa- 
tion of " burgh." 

Mother Burgh is the head burgh, just as metropolis signifies "mother," or 
" head city," in an Empire, Kingdom or State. 

Early in the year 1856, the writer laid before the officials of the War Office 
in London the claim which Dunfermline had to be called a city, in order that 
the old designation should be restored. The following reply to the applica- 
tion came to the writer from Southampton : — 

" OrdfiMice Map Office, Southampton, Feb. 6, 1856. 

"Sir, — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your note of the 21st ultimo, and to say 
that, after consulting the Solicitor to the War Departinent, we have decided on 
designating Dunfermline a City. 

"Henrv James, Lieut.-Colotiel, Royal Engineers.'^ 

On the appearance of the Government plan of the burgh, it was designated 
"City of Dunfermline." (See An. Dunf date 1855.) 

As noticed in the " Annals,'^ Dunfermline has an old Matrix Seal, as old 
as 1570 at least (the older one previous to this date is lost). With this seal 
all essential legal documents of the city have been sealed for upwards of 300 
years. Round the inner circumference of this seal are the words — "sigillvm • 
civiTATis • fermilodvni" — that is, "Seal of the City of Dunfermline." The 
designation "City" is of no practical importance now; cities must use the 
designation Burgh in their Parliamentary announcements, &c. It may also 
be added that, on application being made to W. Anderson, Esq., the March- 
mont Herald of Scotland, regarding this legend on the seal, he said, "Unques- 
tionably, it signifies the seal of the City of Dunfermline" (For " Cities," see 
Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 3-55.) 

Lord Provost. — It has been thought by many that the chief magistrates of 
cities are entitled to be designated '^ Lord Provost." It has not been ascer- 
tained when or how this title first came into use. It is certain, however, that 
on the Records of several very small burghs there are frequent notices of their 
"Lord Provost." For instance, the Town Council Records of Inverkeithing 
have frequent allusion to their " Lord Provost." It appears to us that the 
title has some connection with the arrangement of the members of old Town 
Councils. In the old constitution of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, at least, 



LIST OF THE PROVOSTS OF DUNFERMLINE. 747 

we find Neiv Provost and Old Provost, Netv Bailies and Old Bailies, New Dean 
of Guild and Old Dean of Guild, New Treasurer and Old Treasurer, New 
Deacofis and Old Deacons, &c. It was those only who were designated New 
who were the Primus, or who really held office. The New Provost was the 
reigning Provost, and hence superior to his neighbour in the Council, who was 
known as the "Old Provost;" and as the chief magistrate was the highest and 
first functionary of the burgh and the Council Board, he was Dominus, or the 
highest in office among the Council. Dominus was of frequent application in 
old times to superior personages. Dominus Pi-cepositus, or Lord Provost, 
appears therefore to have been used as a kind of necessity, to distinguish the 
real Provost from his secondary the Old Provost, he being besides the highest 
civil dignitary in the burgh. If this is not the true solution, then it may be 
left as a puzzle to amuse the future and present historian and antiquarian. 
(See "Set of Burghs" in Annals of Dunfermline, date 23rd September, 1724.) 
It may be added that the title "Lord Provost," given to the chief magistrates 
of Scottish burghs, had come to be a common distinction in the middle of the 
17th century. To reduce the distinction, King Charles II., in 1667, sent a 
letter or writ to Sir Alexander Ramsay, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, which 
enacted that " the Provost of Edinburgh should have the same precedence in 
Scotland as the Mayor of London had in England ; and that no other Provost 
in Scotland should have the title of Lord Provost, but the Provost of Edinburgh.'^ 
(Vide Edi?i. Burgh Records, &'c.) 

Lord Constable. — It may here be noted, that, from time immemorial, 
there has been an institution of Constables, whose chief or head is designated 
Lord Constable. This institution and designation may have some connection 
with the days of the Abbey. (See An. Dunf. dates 1580, 1600, and 1863.) 



LIST OF THE PROVOSTS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

(From 1 1 28 to i8y8.) 

As has been previously mentioned, Dunfermline in early times was a hamlet 
adjacent to the stronghold or tower of Malcolm III., and seems to have been 
erected into a King's or Royal Burgh about the year 11 15 (See Afi. Dunf. 
date 1 1 15), the jurisdiction of which appears to have been vested in the 
sovereign. In the year 11 28, David I. conveyed or delegated by charter his 
rights of ruler of the Burgh to the then Abbot (Gaufrid) of Dunfermline, and 
to his successors in office, with the exception of his holding the right of 
"exercising his royal authority for the good of the public should the Abbot and 
his court decide cases with a disregard to justice.''^ Thus, the Abbots of Dun- 
fermline, in their civil capacities, were the early chief magistrates of the King's 
Burgh, and his court the tribunal where burghal cases were tried and doom 
pronounced. 

In the year 1395, the then Abbot (John) conveyed his right of jurisdiction 
over the Burgh to an Alderman, Bailies, &c. {Regist. de Dunf page 276, 
Charter 396.) Thus the sway and rule of the Abbot-Provosts of Dunfermline 
terminated in 1395, after having held the right of office for 267 years, during 



748 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 



which long period, as far as has been ascertained by the writer, the following 
Abbot-Provosts ruled the Burgh, viz. : — 



Gauf rid I. , 1 1 24 

Gaufrid II., 1 154 

Archibald, 1178 

Robert I., 1 198 

Patriclt I., 1202 

William I. , 1 223 

William II., 1223 

Gaufrid III., 1238 

Robert II., 1240 

John I., 125 1 



Matthew, 1256 

Simon, 1269— 1270 

Ralph, 1275 

Hugh, 1303— 1306 

Robert III., 1313 — 1316 

Alexander I., 1327 — 1331 

John II., 1353 

John III., 1353 

John IV., 1362 

John v., 1379— 1395 



Thus, it will be seen, there were twenty-one Abbot-Provosts of Dunfermline 
between the years 11 28 and 1395, after which lay Aldermen, Frcepositi, or 
Provosts, were elected. (See An. Dunf. for date of a Charter in 1322, and 
also date 133 1 in the Bruc^s Funeral Expenses.) 

LIST OF THE LAY PROVOSTS OF DUNFERMLINE. 

This list, with few exceptions, has been compiled from the Burgh Records. 
The names and designations of the early chief magistrates of the burgh are 
very irregularly entered in the Burgh Records, and their designations of status, 
viz., that of "Alderman" and "Proepositus," appears to have been written 
indiscriminately as interchangeable terms. These designations continued in 
use from the year 1395 to about the year 1565, after which period the equiva- 
lent of that of Provost came to be affixed to the name of the chief magistrate, 
and has continued so ever since. The name of the Alderman in 1395 is not 
mentioned, and the first so named is that of John Wright (Johannes Wright, 
Propositus), who was chief magistrate of Dunfermline in the year 1448. The 
following list includes the names of those who held the office of Provost from 
the year 1448 to 1877 : — 



John Wright,* 1448 

David Couper, , 1487 

Sir John Cockbum, 1488 

William Stewart, 1489 

David Couper, 1489 

John Monteith, 1491 

Sir John Cockbum, 1492 

David Couper, 1493 

William Symson, 1497 

David Couper, 1499 

John Fergusone, 1518 

The Laird of Pittencriefif, 1523 

John Wemys, of Pittencriefif, Charter, . . 1570 
George Halket, Laird of Pittencrieff, . . . 1584 
Sir Robert Halket, of Pitfirrane, 1601 — 1609 

James Reid, Merchant, 1609 — 16 12 

Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic, t . • • 161 7 — 1623 
Alexander Clark, of Pittencriefif, . . 1623 — 1624 
Thomas Wardlaw, of Logic, .... 1624 — 1636 

James Reid, Merchant 1636 — 1640 

Peter Law, do,, 1640 — 1642 



James Reid, Merchant, 1642 — 1647 

William Walker, do., 1647 — 1648 

Peter Law, do., 1648 — 1649 

William Walker, do., 1649 — 1654 

James Reid, do 1654 — 1655 

Peter Walker, do., 1655— 1656 

William Walker, do., 1656— 1658 

Peter Walker, do 1658— 1661 

James Mudie, Manufacturer, .... 1661 — 1662 

Peter Walker, Merchant, 1662 — 1665 

Capt. Geo. Dury, of Craigluscar, 1665 — 1666 

William Walker, Merchant, 1666— 1668 

Peter Walker, do 1668 — 1674 

Robert Walwood, 1674 — 1675 

John Walwood, 1675 — 1676 

Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 1677— 1684 

Captain George Dury, 1684 — 1685 

Sir Charles Halket, of Pitfirrane, 1685 — 1697 
Sir Patrick Murray, of Pitdennis, 1697 — 1700 
Sir James Halket, of Pitfirrane, . . 1700 — 1705 
Sir Peter Halket, do., .... 1 705 — 1 734 



* Register of Dunfermline, page 305, where he is designated as that "prudent and 
circumspect man, Johannes Wright, Praepositus." (See also An. Dunf p. 155.) 

t Between 1500 and 161 7 few of the Provosts are named in the Burgh Records. The 
names of the Bailies, however, are always given. 



LIST OF FREE BURGESSES. 



749 



Patrick Black, Merchant, 

The Marquis of Tweeddale, 

{Records ixom 1734 to 1 739 lost). 
Lord Charles Hay, of Blansh, , . . 1739- 
Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, . . 1752- 
Alex. Wedderburn, Advocate, ••1755- 
Maj or Francis Halket, Pitfirrane, 1758- 

David Turnbull, Merchant, 1760- 

John Wilson, jun., Stationer, .... 1765- 

John Kirk, Merchant, I774- 

David Turnbull, do., 17.78- 

John Wilson, Stationer, 1783- 

Adam Low, of Fordell, 1787- 

John Wilson, Merchant, 1789- 

James Moodie, do. 1792- 

John Wilson, of Transy, 1807- 

Major David Wilson, 1808- 



1734 
1734 

■1752 
■1755 
-1758 

1760 
-1765 
-1774 

1778 
-1783 
-1787 
-1789 
-1792 
-1807 
-1808 
-1822 



John Scotland, of East Luscar,. . 1822 — 1824 

James Blackwood, of Colton 1824 — 1830 

George Meldrum, Baker, 1830— 183 1 

John Kerr, Manufacturer, 1831 — 1832 

Henry Russell, Merchant,* 1832— 1836 

George Birrell, Manufacturer, 1836— 1838 

James Morriss, do., 1838 — 1842 

Erskine Beveridge, do., 1842—1843 

H. Kidd, Banker, interim Provost 1843 

James Smith Ronaldson, Banker, 1843 — 1849 
WiUiam Kinnis, Manufacturer, .. 1849 — 1853 

Erskine Beveridge, do., 1853 — 1854 

Robert Robertson, do., 1854— 1861 

John Whitelaw, Ironfounder 1861 — 1868 

Henry Reid, Manufacturer, 1868—1871 

Kenneth Mathieson, Contractor,.. 1871— 1877 
James Walls, 1877— 1878 



LIST OF FREE BURGESSES OF DUNFERMLINE. 

The following is a list of those who have been created Free Burgesses of 
Dunfermline from the earliest known burghal period to the year 1877. The' 
names were collated from the Tozun Council Records of Dunfermline by the 
writer : — 

Sir Andrew Peirson, Chaplain of St. Margaret's Altar, I497- 

John Thomson, at ye command of my Lord Mar, 1499' 

David Peirsoun, July, 1 607. 

Andrew Law, September, 1607. 

John Watsoun, do. 

John Gib, '. June, 1609. 

Patrick Murray, of Pardeus, do. 

Laurence Alissoune, September, 1609. 

John Henderson, of Fordell 24th May, 1624. 

George Dury, of Craigluscar, do. 

Philip Abel, l6th Sept., 1693. 

The Captain, Serjeants, and the Corporals of Lord Jedburgh's 

troop, as also William Garrock, 25th May, 1695. 

John Theophilus Desagulier, LL.D., London, 26th Aug., 1720. 

William Walls, .. do. 

Samuel Walker, Leeds, England, 17th Oct., 1720. 

John Wilson, Dunfermline, Inventor of Fly-Shuttle, 26th Feb., 1780. 

John Burt, of Bald ridge Coal Works, 31st Jan., 1795. 

The Hon. John Cochrane, M. P., 6th Jline, 1796. 

William Tate, Advocate, 13th April, 1797. 

Walter Scott, afterwards Sir Walter, 13th June, 1821. 

Right Hon. James Earl of Elgin, i6th Dec, 1846. 

Louis Kossuth, Hungarian General, 14th July, 1856. 

Ebenezer Henderson, LL.D., 31st Aug., 1859. 

Andrew Carnegie, of New York, 12th June, 1877. 

It will be observed that John Henderson of Fordell, and George Dury of 
Craigluscar, were created Free Burgesses of Dunfermline on 24th May, 1624, 
the day before the disastrous fire. It has been supposed that this George 
Dury, grandson of the last Abbot of Dunfermline, was then elected Provost 

* The Reform Act came into operation on 9th November, 1834, when Mr. Russell was 
re-elected Provost. 



750 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

of the Burgh. Dr. Desagulier was an eminent Lecturer on Natural and 
Experimental Philosophy in London, and a friend of Sir Peter Halket of 
Pitfirrane, at whose suggestion it would appear the Doctor and his friend, Mr. 
Walls, were made Free Burgesses of the Burgh. Walter Scott, the eminent 
novehst, is here simply designated by his name, he was not created a baronet 
until August, 1822. (See Burgh Records zxxd. A?mals of Du?ife}'Piline Mnditx 
the above dates.) 



ESCUTCHEONS AND RELIGIOUS MOTTOES IN THE OLD 
ABBEY CHURCH. 

Previous to the removal of the galleries, seats, bughts, &c., from the Old 
Kirk, in the autumn of 1822, there were to be seen hanging, "diamond- 
fashion," to some of the stone-pillars large escutcheons (about 6 feet square), 
having black grounds, with armorial-bearings, &c., painted on them in white 
colours. " They were hung up by heritors and others as deep memorials of 
their departed relatives." It may here be noted, that between each of the 
stone-pillars, on both sides of the kirk, there were double-galleries, which were 
approached by " crooked wooden stairs." In the body of the kirk there were 
numerous bughts, pews, forms, chairs, &c. The galleries had the name of 
lofts. There were the Musicians'' Laft, at the east end, and the Scholars' Lafi, 
at the west, between the steeples. Then there were the Sailors' Laft (over 
the south porch), IVeaz'ers' Laft, Wrights' Laft, Bakers' Laft, Fleshers' Laft, 
Tailors' Laft, Shoemakers' Laft, Masons' Laft, and Smiths' Laft ; also, the 
Magistrates' Gallery (near the pulpit), the Pittencrieff Seat, Pitliver Seat, 
Baldridge Seat, Craigluscdr Seat, St. Mary's Aisle, Rood Aisle, and Communion 
Aisle. All these relics were swept away in 1822. (See An. Dunf. date 1822.) 

The Pulpit. — It was made of carved oak, and was secured to the plain 
round (stone) Norman pillar, the fourth west from the "spiral pillar" on the 
north side. The two iron rods which supported the sounding-board are still 
to be seen projecting from this pillar. On the top of the pulpit-back were 
the words — 

" Who is sufficient for these things V 

The King's Laft. — The royal gallery occupied the space between the 
two pillars opposite to the pulpit — a little to the east of the front — the book- 
board of which was 10^ feet above the floor of the church. On the lower 
part of its ceihng were painted and gilded the crowns of Scotland and Denmark, 
and below them respectively were the initial letters "I. R." and "A. R.," for 
James and Ann. Near the top was the crown of Scotland, and under it the 
letters " I. R." and the Scotch thistle between them. On the strip of oak 
finishing the top of the gallery there were the following nearly worn-out words : 

" /;/ • Deum ' Cogita ' Qui ' Dat ' Vitam ' Et ' Necessaria, 16 10." 

That is — "Think on God; He gives life and all things necessary." This 
gallery, it may be mentioned, was about 18 feet in length. The front was of 
dark oak, beautifully carved and gilt in many of its parts. On the western 



ESCUTCHEONS AND RELIGIOUS MOTTOES. 75 1 

wooden partition of the gallery might have been seen, partially erased, the 
following inscription : — 

" Per • Religionem ' Deiis • Cognoscitur • Neque ' Potest ' Fieri • Cognitus ' Qiiin 
Ametur ' Et ' Co/atur," and " ITic ' Deum ' Adora.^' 

That is — " By religion God is known, and he cannot become known without 
being loved and worshipped. Here adore God." 

The Earl of Dunfermline's Laft. — The laft or gallery of the. Earl of 
Dunfermline (afterwards the Marquis of Tweeddale) was the first to the west 
of the royal one. On the ceiling of it were painted and gilt two coronets, 
with other designs, which had become untraceable. On the ceiling were the 
following inscriptions : — 

^^Quum • Deum ' Vocas ' Dominum ' Fac ' Illi ' Servias," ^^c. — " Vita • Christi 
Testatur ' Humanain • Ejus • Probitatem • Miracula ' Divinitatis ' Om/ii- 
potentiam ' Lex • Coelestis ' Sapientiam." — "//// • Omnia • Credere ' Debetntis 
In ' Cujus ' Potestate ' Sunt ' Rerum • Omnium ' Event us. '" — "Petite ' a 
Deo • Et ' Aeeipietis," cj^c. — ^'Ifac ' Est ' Vita • ^Eterna ' tit ' Cognos- 
cafnus ' Pairem ' Et • Quem ' Ille ' Misit • J^esum • Christum." 

That is — " When thou callest on the Lord God, see that thou serve Him," &c. 
"The Hfe of Christ bears witness to His human excellence ; His miracles to 
the omnipotence of His divinity; His heavenly doctrine to His wisdom." " We 
ought to trust all things to Him, in whose power are the issues of all things." 
" Ask from God, and you shall receive." " This is life eternal, that we know 
the Father, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent." 

Between the Earl's Gallery and the Royal Laft, just above the door, there 
were four square compartments connected with each other. On the first one 
was cut the word Cole, z>., worship; on the second, Deum, God; on the 
third, Te Ipsum, thyself; the fourth compartment was much damaged, but 
Cog could be made out, and, probably, when entire, the word would be 
Cognosce, know; there were also the words Praestes, mayest thou excel; and 
a little below it, Vives, thou shall live. On the front of the gallery there was 
a long panel, on which were cut several words and some curious devices, 
viz.. Semper, always the same; Nec ' Cede • Adversis • Rebus • Nec • Crede 
• Secundis, neither yield to adversity or trust to prosperity. The devices were 
crescents, a coronet, a few mullets, and two white horses. The pulpit was 
presented to Sir Walter Scott, and is still to be seen at Abbotsford. (Extracted 
from Old MS. Notes of 1822.) 



INSCRIPTIONS ON OLD TOMBSTONES IN DUNFERMLINE 
ABBEY AND CHURCH- YARD. 

In ancient times the interments were conducted within the consecrated walls 
of the Abbey, and a small strip of ground around it. The grand old royal 
tombs were destroyed in great part at the period of the Reformation, perhaps 
not intentionally, but accidentally, during the process of pulling down the 
massive walls and pillars of the interior of the Abbey. There are not now 



752 ANNALS or DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

the slightest vestiges of a royal tomb remaining, excepting the plinth base of 
St. Margaret's tomb, at the east end (outside), of the new Abbey Church, and 
such of the tombs or monuments of the ancient nobility remaining are, except- 
ing one, Pitcairn's tomb, in a fragmentary state, and lying about the western 
area of the Old Church, away from their original sites. We shall here give a 
few extracts from our old notes regarding them. 

The oldest sepulchral stone now extant is the one in the pavement of the 
Old Church, near the centre; in old worn out church-text letters are still to be 
seen these words — "^ohmnts Scott: mo-b'^-bni," — viz., Johannes, or John Scott, 
1508. No opinion has hitherto been offered as to who this individual was, but as 
the position of this stone is in such close proximity to the site of the old rood 
altar, he must have been a person of consequence. The writer thinks that he 
was one of the chaplains or secular clergy belonging to the establishment of 
the Abbey service. In the Burgh Records, between dates 1485 and 1500, 
the name Sir J^o/ui Scot often appears amongst those of the secular clergy of 
the Abbey who conducted mass-service at one of the many altars which were 
within its walls, both in the nave and the choir. Schir and sir were then 
used as a prefix to the secular clergy instead oi Rev., and that of Dean to the 
monks of the Abbey. (See An. Dunf. pp. 168-1 79.) There is therefore reason 
to conclude that the remains interred under the gravestone were those of Sir 
John Scott, a secular clergyman in office, and one of the altar chaplains. 



Monumental Tomb of Robert Pitcairn, Commendator of Dunferm- 
line Abbey, and Secretary of State for Scotland. — This large monu- 
mental tomb stands in the north-east angle of the Auld Kirk, — the nave. It 
was erected in 1854 to the memory of Robert Pitcairn, Commendator of the 
Abbey, and Secretary of State for Scotland. This is a fine specimen of an 
old monumental tomb; it is of considerable height and breadth; the lower 
part of the tomb rests on an arch, within which there probably lay, in a 
recumbent position, a stone effigy of the Commendator and Secretary in his 
official robes. The tomb appears to have been painted in different colours 
at the ornamental parts, and the following is a free translation of the very 
laudatory inscription on the front panel of the stone: — 

" To Mr. Robert Pitcairn, Abbot of Dwifermlinc, Archdeacon of St. Andrews, 
Royal Legate, and Secretary of his Majesty. 

''Here is interred, in a plaiti urn, the Hero Robert Pitcairn, the hope and 
pillar of his country, whom virtue, gravity, worthy of a generous heart, 
and fidelity, with sincere piety adorn. After various changes of life, he 
now, ivith the mass of his body left behind, proceeds in spirit to the Elysian 
Grove. He died in the year 1584, on i8th October, aged 64 J' 

Monteith in his Theatre of Mortality, page 209, gives the following 
poetical translation : — 

" To Mr. Robert Pitcairn, Abbot of Duifermline, Archdeacon of St. Andrews, 
his Majesty s Ambassador, and one of his Privy Council. 

"In" this small grave here lies his Country's hope, 
Robert Pitcairn, its Confidence and Prope ; 
Grave, Generous, loyal. Virtuous, and true, 
With all the Gifts, kind Stars him did endue : 
From various Fleetings of this life, his Clay 
Left here, his Soul to Heaven made Way." 



INSCRIPTIONS ON OLD TOMBSTONES. 753 

It may be noted that Pitcairn was never Abbot of Dunfermline; there were 
no Abbots after the year 1560. He was Cormnendator of DunfermHne Abbey 
only. 



William Schaw's Monument. — Until the year 1794, another monumental 
tomb, but of greater dimensions, stood against the north wall of the church, a 
few yards to the west of Pitcairn's tomb — viz., the massive tomb of the cele- 
brated " Maister William Schaw," Master Mason, &c., of Scotland. It was 
removed in said year to the belfry, in order that the minister might have more 
light ; it stood immediately behind the pulpit. It is still to be seen in a frag- 
mentary state, in the "bell-place" at the foot of the steeple. We give a free 
translation of the inscription on this tomb : — 

" To his most intimate loving friend, William Schaw. 
Live with the Gods, thou worthy, live for ever; 
From this laborious life, death now doth thee deliver. 

"Alexander Seton, D.F. 

" This small structure of stones covers a man of excellent skill, notable probity, singular 
integrity of life, a man adorned with the greatest virtues, William Schaw, Master of the King's 
Works, Sacrist, and the Queen's Chamberlain. He died i8th April, 1602. 

*' Among the living he dwelt 52 years; he had travelled to France and many other king- 
doms for the improvement of his mind ; he wanted no liberal art or science ; he was most skilful 
in architecture ; he was early recommended to great persons for the singular gifts of his mind ; 
he was not only unwearied in labours and business, and indefatigable, but daily active and 
vigorous ; he 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 Ann caused this monument to be erected to the memory of this most excellent 
and most upright man, lest his virtues, which deserve eternal commendation, should fail or 
decay by the death or corruption of his body." 



Murray of Per-Dieus' Tombstone. — There is to be seen amongst the 
rubbish in the west end of the nave (auld kirk) the gravestone of James 
Murray, of Perdws, near Dunfermline. It has been finely carved. There are 
two angels' heads at the top of the stone, with the words, "Memento Mori," 
in capital letters, between them; underneath is a very large shield decorated, 
below which are the following words : — 

*■'■ Honorabilis ' Viri • yocobi Mvrravii ' De ' Perdxvs 
Motivmmtvm ' Qvi Obiit • 28 Sept. 1S92.'' 

That is, The monument of the honourable man, James Murray, of Per-Dieus, 
who died 28th Sept., 1592. 

There is another stone belonging to the same family in the same place — 
the top is mutilated, but it shows an ornamented shield, with "A, L" in capital 
letters below ; two letters appear to have been at the top, but are nearly 
broken off. Round the three edges of this second stone are the following 
words : — 

" . . . obvs • Jacohvs • Moravivs • De • Perdetvis ' Filivs 
Qvondam • D. Gvlielmi ' Moravii "De" 

Regarding this inscription the late Rev. Dr. Chalmers, of Dunfermline, put 
some queries to W. Anderson, the Marchmont Herald — the initial word appears 
to have puzzled him — and has given it as his opinion that the mutilated 

5C 



754 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

word obvs is simply Jacobus, thus giving the singular repetition of Jacobvs, 
Jacobvs, and adds that he cannot account for the obvs in any other way. 
The writer is of opinion that the " puzzle-word" has, when entire, been Probvs, 
and therefore the inscription may be read as follows : — " Here lies the Good 
James Moray, of Perdewis, son of the late Mr. William Murray, of Kirk- 
forthaur." (See Chal. Hist. Dunf., vol. ii., p. 151.) 



DuRY OF Craigluscar's Tombstone. — In the north wall of the old 
church (inside) there is an old tombstone, having on it, round its border, the 
following mutilated inscription : — "hic • jacet • honorabilis • vir • henricvs • 
DVRi • D • R • VD • ID. AXIS * sv^' 63." On this stone, in the centre, there is a 
shield, party per chevron, and three crescents. 



The Gask Tombstone. — In the north porch, on the east wall, there is a 
marble, with an inscription in Latin on it, to the memory of Adam Rolland, 
Esq., of Gask, who died in 1763. (See An. of Dunf., date 1763.) 



On the west wall of the porch, opposite the Gask marble, there is a fine 
specimen of an old tombstone to the memory of Robert Adie, who died, when 
first Bailie of the burgh, in 1 7 1 o. 



Ferguson's Monumental Tomb. — According to tradition and several 
old notes, "the remains of Rev. David Ferguson, the first Protestant minister, 
were in 1598 (see An. Dunf. date 1598) interred below that triangular-backed 
monument in the north churchyard, on the west side of the walk, midway 
between the porch and churchyard gate." The inscription is now entirely 
gone. 



The Elgin Tomb. — Until 1819, the place of sepulchre of the Elgin 
family was a few feet to the north-east of the mutilated tomb-marble of St. 
Margaret. Here there was a monumental tomb into which was inserted a 
white marble slab recording the virtues of Charles, Earl of Elgin and Kincar- 
dine, who was interred here in 177 1. This monumental tomb is lying in 
fragments at the bottom of the south tower of the nave. (See An. Dunf., 
date 1 771.) 



The Pittencrieff Tomb stood adjacent to the Elgin place of sepulchre, 
and was removed to make way for the New Abbey Church, then building. 



"God's Acre." — The North Kirkyard of Dunfermline had anciently an 
area of about 4500 square yards, and, therefore, about an acre of ground for 
the interment of the dead, and was, like other old graveyards, colloquially 
known as " God's Acre," with " The Gospel Oak" in the centre of it. Accord- 
ing to old notes, Dunfermline kirkyard was in the olden time " thickly scat- 
tered over with monumental stones great and small, plain and carved," many 
of them having cut on their surface pious and quaint inscriptions, as records 
of the dead. With their names and years, spelt by the unlettered muse, a few 



VIEWS OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY, ETC. 755 

of the old stones still remain; the following are Specimens of rhyming 
inscriptions on some of them : — 

"Time Cuts Down All 
Both Great and Small" 



" Of worldly cares we've had our share, 
When in this world as you now are: 
But now our bodies rest in dust, 
Waiting the rising of the just." 



' ' Reader, see how death all doun puis. 
And nought remains but shanks and skuls, 
For the greatest champeon ere drew breath, 
Was allwise conquered by death." 

Another stone, a small one, between the thorn tree and the walk to the 
porch, has inscribed on it a ludicrous inscription caused by the selection of 
the word ^'present," viz. : — 

" Here lyes the corps of Andrew Robertson, present deacon and convener of the weavers 
of this Burgh, who died 13th July, 1745." 

While, nearer the porch door, we have " a naval one," viz. (William West- 
wood's) : — 

"Tho' Boreas' blasts and Neptune's waves 

Have tossed him to and fro. 
Quiet by the order of God's decree 

He harboui's here below. 
Where now he lies at anchor sure 

With many of the fleet. 
Expecting one day to set sail 

His Admiral Christ to meet." 



Near the centre of the churchyard stands the " Gospel Thorn," under which 
tradition affirms that the mother of Sir William Wallace lies. The Cross 
which stood here was removed at the Reformation, and a gospel thorn put in 
its place. (See An. Dimf., 1303 and 1784; also for other Epitaphs, see 
An. Bunf.) 



VIEWS AND PLANS OF DUNFERMLINE ABBEY, &c. 

The following is a list of Views, Plans, &c. (in MS.), by J. Baine, C.K, Edin- 
burgh, done in May and June of 1790. The MS. quarto book of Baine's 
views is still extant, and in good condition; it is and has been, for many years 
past, in the possession of David Laing, Esq., LL.D., &c., Signet Library, 
Edinburgh : — 

1 Plan of the Church and part of the Abbey (occupies 2 pp. ) 

2 Plan of the remaining part of the Ruins. 

3 Plan of the Town of Dunfermline. 

4 Plan of the Royal Cellars, commonly called the Magazine. 

5 Plan of the Royal Kitchen. 

6 View from the Dove-col of the Glebe. 

7 The remains of King Malcolm's Tower. 

8 Arms on a stone on the outer wall of Clark Black's Stable. 

9 View of the inside of the Royal Kitchens, 



756 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE— ADDENDA. 

10 View of the inside of the Royal Cellars. 

1 1 Details of the Arches of the inside of the Royal Cellars. 

1 2 West Wall of the Royal Kitchen and Cellars. 

13 Walls of the Cells in a sunk Garden east of the Monastery, 

14 View of Dunfermline near Pittencrieff Dove-cot. 

15 Windows in the north end of the Transept of the Church. 

16 Outside of the window below the apartments where King Charles I. and Princess 

Elizabeth were born. 

17 View of the Tower Bridge. 

18 Inside of the fine Window below where Charles I. was born. 

19 South Wall of the Cells in Sunk Garden east of the Monastery. 

20 West Wall of these Cells, going towards Frater Hall. 

21 View from the Street of the Cells (from east Arch of the Pends). 

22 View of Dunfermline from the bend of the Back Burn, below the Bridge at Boufies 

Brae (north end of town). 

23 View of Dunfermline from the west side of the Spittal. 

24 View from the Inn, Bridge Street. 

25 View from the Heugh Mills. 

26 View from the corner of the Glebe, showing the Heugh Mills and Ruins. 

27 View of the Heugh Mills from the Dam below them. 

28 View of the outside of Prater's Hall from the Cells, now filled up with rubbish. 

29 View of the Church from the same place. 

30 View of inside of the Frater Hall from the east. 

31 View of the Church from the north-east corner of the Churchyard. 

32 View of the High Altar in the Psalter Churchyard. 

33 View of the proper Door of the Church, long since filled up (great west door). 

34 View of the inside of the Palace from the west end of the Church. 

35 View of the outside of the Palace from the walk on the north-west. 

36 View of the Archway below the Queen's House. 

37 View from the east end of the Bowling Green. 

38 The Grange Farm from the south. 

39 View of Inverkeithing Bay. 

40 View of North Queensferry from the point of the Quay. 

41 View of Inch Garvie. 

42 A Pencil View, apparently of the "Spittal Brig." 

43 St. Margaret's Cave. 

44 View of Dunfermline from the south-east. 

45 St. Margaret's Stone and Road. 

46 Supposed appearance of Canmore's Tower, &c. 

(Also, Measurements of the Abbey Chtcrch Walls, the Walls of the Monastery, 
the Palace, and the Tower Ruins, for which see Addenda, p. 758.) To these 
measures we have added a few of our own, which makes the list more com- 
plete and interesting. Mr, Baine died in 18 15, when his effects were disposed 
of by public sale. It appears to the writer that the first half of the "Sketches " 
were drawn in May and June, 1790, the latter half about the end of the same 
year. 



ANTIQUE ARTICLES FROM DUNFERMLINE PALACE. 

The following list of articles of Mr, Paton's museum — extracted from Chap- 
man's Catalogue of Sale — are noted as being frojn Dunfemiline Palace, &c., 
and is a complete list : — 

32. Rare Antique Scotch Clock, in engraved brass open-work frame, with bell on top, 
"Humphry Mills at Edenbrough /^«'/," from Dunfermline Palace. 

34. Antique Brass Clock, by Thomas Bradfor, London, from Dunfermline Palace. 

78. Antique Oak Tray, with perforated sides : the Baby Clothes Basket of King Charles 

the First, from Dunfermline Palace. 
112. Piece of Chain and a Padlock, taken from an under Cell of the Tolbooth of Dun- 
fermline. 



ANTIQUE ARTICLES FRQM DUJStFERMLINE PALACE. 757 

142. Old Town Weight, with inscription, from the Tron of Dunfermline. (Sold for 22s. ) 
159. Deacon's Baton of the ancient Corporation of Weavers of Dunfermline (1683), with 

tips and shield. (Sold for 34s. ) 
284, Antique Iron Burgonet, without neck-guard, from Battlefield of Pitreavie, near Dun- 
fermline. 
303. Old Scotch Brass and Iron Grate from Dunfermline Palace. 
,, Curious old Scotch Brass Fire-Shovel and Tongs, from Dunfermline Palace. 

323. Antique Scotch Oak Arm-Chair, carved with five royal crowns. Math spiral supports, 

and Utrecht velvet seat, from Dunfermline Palace. 

324. Old Scotch Arm-Chair, carved with five royal crowns, from Dunfermline Palace. 
326. Set of Four Old Scotch High-backed Chairs, with spiral stretchers and supports, 

carved with scrolls and five royal crowns, from Dunfermline Palace. 
332. Very fine Old Scotch Oak Chair, with elaborately carved and perforated back, sur- 
mounted by a crown, spiral supports and stretchers, seat and back stuffed and in 
sewed work, from Dunfermline Palace. 

353. Old Oak Table, inlaid with ebony, on massive ball supports, with stretcher, from 

Dunfermline Palace. 

354, Remarkably fine Old Carved-Oak Bedstead, the back and head having carved panels, 

the foot-boards finished with open arcading, from Dunfermline Palace. 
358. Extremely fine Antique Oak Buffet, of elegant design, having carved panels, pilasters, 

and figures ; the centre portion — the cupboard at top, and shield of Scottish arms 

— are from Dunfermline Palace ; the top and the laase of it are from Stirling 

Castle. 
362. Fine Old Scotch Table, in dark oak, from Dunfermline Palace. 
372. The Old Kitchen Grate of Dunfermline Palace, with original Roasting Spit, Pot- 

Hook, &c. , a very interesting and early specimen of Scottish ironwork. (See An. 

Dunf. date 1621.) 

375. Old Portrait of King James the Sixth, from Dunfermline Palace. 

376. Portrait of King James the Sixth at the age of 17, dated 1583, from Dunfermline 

Palace, in the original oak frame. 
392, The Woman taken in Adultery, on a panel, from Dunfermline Palace. (Very rudely 

executed. ) 
420. Old Coat-of-Arms, from the loft of the Abbey Church, Dunfermline. 
530. Two Old Delf Flower-Holders, from Dunfermline Palace. 
544. Large Blue Delf Bottle-shaped Vase, from Dunfermline Palace. 
630. Curious early Ecclesiastical Bronze Ring, engraved with figure of the Cross and 

inscription ; found in a cuttwg at Dumfermline. [When, and what cutting ?] 

654. Small Antique Pewter Platter, stamped with a cross and ancient crown, and the 

initials "R. B." — found in the ruins of Dunfermline Palace. It is presumed to 
have belonged to King Robert the Bruce. 

655. A Handle and a Bit of the Lead of the Coffin of Robert the Bruce ; obtaiited at the 

time of his exhumation. 

656. Part of the Cioth of Gold in which the body of Robert the Bruce was wrapped, when 

found in the Ruins of the Abbey of Dunfermline. 

657. Two small Bones of Robert the Bruce, obtained at the time of the exhumation of 

the body (from his skeleton). 
,, Several portions of the Monument of Robert the Bruce, in marble and calm-stone, 

destroyed at the Reformation. 
686. Two Curious Carved Marble Salt-Cellars, found in the Ruins of Dunfermline Abbey. 

(Sold for 22s. ) 
707. Iron Cannon Ball found on the battle-ground of Pitreavie. 
713. Old Clay Pipes, from the Ruins of Dunfermline Abbey. [Palace?] 
717. Four Fragments of Old Stained Glass, from Dunfermline Abbey. 
749. Carved Oak Sconce, from Dunfermline Palace. 

752. Three Oak Pillars, with carved initials, and two flat pilasters, part of the King's Loft 

of the Abbey Church of Dunfermline. 

753. Two Pillars, with carved capitals and arch, from the Abbot's House, Maygate, Dun- 

fermline. 

754. Fine Old Carving, with coat-of-arms and motto, "God bless the Joiners of Dun," 

from the front of the Joiners' laft, Abbey Church of Dunfermline. 

758. The Door of the Old Tolbooth of Dunfermline, with three Keys. 

767. Linen Shift, woven without seam in the i8th century, from the Gate Tower of Dun- 
fermline Palace. 

776. Two Iron Clappers of tho Old Bells of Dunfermline Abbey Church. 



758 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA.. 

785. Six Fragments of Carved Stones, from Dunfermline Abbey. 
785. Cup, made from Oak of a Rafter of Dunfermline Abbey Church. 

It IS greatly to be regretted that the larger portion of these interesting 
relics of the past glory of Dunfermline was not purchased by local gentlemen, 
and retained as a nucleus for a museum in Dunfermline. {An. Dun/, date 
April, 1874.) 



MEASUREMENTS OF THE WALLS OF THE OLD AND NEW 
ABBEY CHURCHES, &c. 

The following are the measurements of the Monastery, the Palace, and Can- 
more's Tower, taken in the year 1790, by J. Baine, C.E., Edinburgh, with 
which are incorporated several measurements by E. H., taken in 1825: — 

AULD KIRK MEASUREMENTS, A.D. HIS- 

Length of the Old Church (inside), west door to east wall, 106 feet ; breadth, 55 feet; 
height of wall supported by the Stone Pillars, 54 feet. The Columns — 5 on each side — 
from west to east, are 20 feet in height, 13 feet 6 inches in circumference, and 4 feet 5 inches 
in diameter ; they are about lOg feet from each other, and from north side to south side 
pillar, 20 feet. The Steeple is 156 feet 4 inches in height ; the Bartizan is 98 feet from the 
ground to the flags ; the Steeple is 22 feet in breadth ; from Bartizan to Weather Cock, 58 
feet 4 inches ; the centre of Clock Dial is 59 feet 2 inches ; the Dial is 6 feet square ; the 
Walls of the Church and Steeple are 5 feet thick ; number of steps from the stone floor of 
Church to the Bartizan, 122. From the Bartizan a view of part of 14 counties is to be had, 
viz., Fife, Kinross, Clackmannan, Stirling, Linlithgow, Edinburgh, Haddington, and the 
tops of mountains in the counties of Perth, Dumbaiton, Lanark, Peebles, Selkirk, Roxburgh, 
and Berwick. 

NEW ABBEY CHURCH MEASUREMENTS, A.D. 182I. 

Length of New Abbey Church from west to east, including the west adjunct and Session- 
house (inside), 169 feet ; Breadth, inside, 73 feet ; height, 54 feet ; Transepts — north door 
of North Transept to south door of South Transept, 115 feet ; the Tower is in height 103 
feet ; height of Great Eastern Window, 34 feet, breadth, 16 feet ; length outside from outer 
arch of Great West door of the Auld Kirk to the wall of Session-house, 169 feet. 

MEASUREMENTS OF THE MONASTERY RUINS. 

From south wall of Auld Kirk to north side of wall whereon the small conical tower 
I'ests, 105 feet ; from ditto to the ruins of Frater Hall Windows, 105 feet ; length of Frater 
Hall Wall, 121 feet ; thickness of Wall, 5 feet ; number of Windows, 7 large Gothic and 2 
small ones ; height of Frater Hall Wall, east end, outside, 45 feet ; Ditto, inside, 28 feet ; 
the Great West Window inside is 20 feet in height by 16 feet in breadth, the Pillars which 
support the tracery are each 6 feet 7 inches in height. Small Tower, north corner of top of 
western window, is 63 feet 9 inches in height outside. On the S.E. lower side of this Tower 
there is a cutting into the stone for some feet ; the western edge of the roof of the Monastery 
probably terminated and lay in this cutting. From the inclination and direction this cutting 
takes, a measure of the altitude of the ridge of the roof of the Monastery may be ascertained. 
1 he Pends, connecting the Palace with the Monastery, is 46 feet in height and 20 feet in 
breadth. The Arch spanning the road-way is about 17 feet average width, height 12 feet, 
length of way 3 1 feet. The Pends in the lower flat has two rooms ; there is a passage leading 
from the north of these rooms east into the Fratery. The upper room is 27 feet by 13^ feet. 

An addition appears to have been made to the Wall of the Palace Ruins 
about the year 1540. 

PALACE RUINS. 

Length of southern portion of Wall, 512 feet ; north part, 92 feet — total 132^ feet. 
Height of Palace Wall inside, 28^ feet ; on side measure outside, 150 feet. The breadth 
appears to have been 29 feet. The Wall runs in a line N.W. and S.E. nearly. The Wall, 
Royal Cellars, and Kitchens form part of the Palace Wall, and being thus continued in a 



SIR NOEL PATON'S PICTURES, ETC. 759 

S.E. direction to the extent of about 45 feet. This added to the Palace Wall of 150 feet, 
gives a length of 195 feet to the Wall, and, including projecting buttresses at the ends, a 
length of 204}^ feet. The King's Cellar, or "Magazine," is 44 feet by 24, and above it are 
the King's Ovens and Kitchen, of nearly the same dimensions. 

SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGES. 

Near the North-east corner of the King's Cellar there is an opening 2 feet 
wide and 2^ feet in height, which leads upwards by a gentle incline into a 
small recess. This opening appears to us to be the top part of an ancient 
door-way. Were the accumulated earth and rubbish to be cleared away in 
front of said opening, it is likely that a flight of steps would be found descend- 
ing to the foot of the now unseen door-way, or steps going down by the side 
of the wall. This done, a number of steps would likely be discovered leading 
up into this small recess just mentioned. In February, 1877, our friend Mr. 
George Robertson (Comely Park), armed with lights and a magnetic compass, 
ascended said opening or top of door. The following are a few of the 
interesting details he has kindly sent to us, and for which we return thanks : — 
" In the said recess there is a water-course, which apparently comes from the 
north foot of the wall below the great western window. There is also an 
ascending small opening, covered with an iron grating, just below the cause- 
way of the Pends. In the north-west corner there is a Gothic entrance — the 
entrance to the subterranean passage — which goes in a north-west direction 
parallel to the Palace wall. The passage is not straight, but bends a little at 
several places. The entire length of the passage is 89 feet, and 2^ feet in 
breadth, and about 4^ feet in height." (See also C/ia/. Hist, Dimf. vol. i. 

PP- 95-97)- , ,. , . . . 

It appears to us that the uneven and somewhat slight circular direction in 

some places of the passage would indicate the foundations of circular towers, 

which may have stood on each side of the main door of the Palace, similar 

to those seen at Holyrood and Falkland. 

TOWER RUINS (mALCOLM CANMORE's), TOWER HILL. 

Of this celebrated tower there exists only small fragments of the south and 
the west walls. In 1790 the south wall measured 31 feet in length, the west 
wall 49}^ feet, with a height of about 8 feet, and a thickness of about 8 feet. 



LIST OF PICTURES AND OTHER WORKS OF ART BY 
SIR NOEL PATON, R.S.A., LL.D., &c. 

The following paintings, &c., are the work of two eminent natives of Dun- 
fermUne who have, through their productions, conferred great honour on 
the "old grey city" — namely. Sir Joseph Noel Paton, R.S.A., LL.D., Her 
Majesty's Limner for Scotland, and Mr. Waller H. Paton, R.S.A. Also a list 
is added of the sculptured works from the chisel of their talented sister, Mrs, 
D. O. Hill, now all resident in Edinburgh. 

List of a few of Sir J^oseph Noel Patotis Works from 18 j8 to i8j8. 

"Fight between Bothwell and Balfour," 1838. "Rachel Weeping for her Children," 
1845. Qi^iarrel of Oberon and Titania," 1846. " Puck and Fairy," 1847. " Christ Bearing 
His Cross," 1847 — life size. "ReconciUation of Oberon and Titania," 1847; these two 
Pictures jointly obtained a Prize in the Second Class of ;^300 at the Westminster Hall 



760 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

Competition this year. "Thomas the Rhymer and the Queen of Fserie," 1851. "Christ 
Blessing Little Children," 1852. "The Pursuit of Pleasure," 1855, an Allegorical Picture, 
painted in Wooer's Alley, Dunfermline, and exhibited in the Music Hall, Dunfermline, for 
a benevolent purpose. "Home from the Crimea," 1856. "In Memoriam," 1858, an Illus- 
tration of the Indian Mutiny. By Command of Her Majesty a large Photograph was taken 
from this Picture. "The Entombment and Gethsemane," i860. "The Dowie Dens of 
Yarrow," 1862; six Pictures, Engraved for the Royal Association for the Promotion of the 
Fine Arts. "Illustrations to Coleridge's Ancient Mariner," 1864. "Fact and Fancy," 
i860. "Faith and Reason," 1869. "Christ and Sleeping Disciples," 1870. "The Good 
Shepherd," 1872. "Bruce and the Spider," 1873. "Christ and Mary at the Sepulchre," 
1873. " Satan Watching the Sleep of Christ," 1874. "The Man of Sorrows," 1875— life 
size. "Christian Arming in the House Beautiful," 1876. "Christ the Great Shepherd," 
1876, &c. 



List of a few of the Paintmgs, Drawi?igs, and Water Colottrs, &'c., Exhibited by 
Waller Hugh Faton, Esq., F.S.A. 

"Ellen Masson," 1851. "Edinburgh from the Fife Coast," 1852. "The Black Pool 
and Upper Pool, Finnich Glen," 1853. "Outlet of Loch Achray," 1859. "The Two 
Templars," 1861. "Cologne, from Bridge of Boats," 1862. "Rome from the Pincian 
Hill," 1862. "Holyrood Palace," 1862. "Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat," 1864. "Loch- 
aber no more," 1865. "The Island of Graves, Skye," 1867. "Tomb of the Bruce, 
Dunfermline," 1868. "Castle Campbell," 1870. "The Fair of St. Olaf, Kirkwall," 1874. 
"Entrance to Glencoe," 1877, &c. 



List of Sculptured Works by Mrs. D, O. LLill (Amelia Paton). 

Bust of Noel Paton, 1842 (first attempt). Bust of the Countess of Elgin, 1863. Bust of 
Mrs. A. Burns Shand, 1865. Bust of Dr. Livingstone, 1866. Bust of Sir R. Murchison, 
1866. Bust of Thomas Carlyle, 1867. Bust of Sir David Brewster, 1867. Bust of Sir 
George Harvey, 1868. Marble Statuette of Hugh Miller, 1869. A Marble Statuette of 
Robert Burns, 1870, &c. 



MR. ANDREW BLAIR'S PAINTINGS. 

The following is a list of a few of the Paintings by Mr, Andrew Blair, 
Dunfermline; many of these were exhibited in Edinburgh, were most favourably 
criticised in the newspapers of the day, and were disposed of at high prices : — 

" City of Dunfermline from the North-West," — A large Lithographic Print was taken 
from this Painting in 1862. "A Shadowy Lane, Pittencrieff Glen," 1864. "The Tay, 
above the Bridge of Aberfeldy," 1865. "Old Porter's Lodge, near Dunfermline Palace," 
1866. "Old Mills, Monastery Street, Dunfermline," 1866. "Dunfermline Palace from 
the King's Kitchen," 1866. "Edinburgh from the Bell-House Rock, Aberdour," 1867. 
"Norham Castle," 1869. "Loch Awe," 1869. "North Porch of Old Abbey Church, 
Dunfermline," 1873. "Frater Hall, Dunfermline from the West," 1873, &c. 



MR. A. P. TAYLOR'S PHOTOGRAPHS. 

The following is a list of a few of the full-plate Photograph Views of the 
public buildings, &c., in and around Dunfermline, by Mr. Alexander Taylor, 
photographer, East Port Street, viz. : — Two large views of Dunfermline from 
the south and the south-east — The Abbey Church, from the north and the 
south — Interior Views of the Nave — The Monastery Ruins (interior and 
exterior) — The Great Western Window and " The Tends" — The Palace, from 
Pittencrieff Glen, and from the north-east. The Old Tov.'n-House, the New 
Municipal Buildings, the County Buildings, the Carnegie Baths, &c., and, on 
a smaller scale, many of the Churches, the High School, and the principal 



SITE OF ALTARS IN DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 76 1 

Streets, as also the Mansion Houses of Pittencrieff, Pitfirrane, Pitliver, 
Broomhall, Fordel, &c. Two of the views were used by the engraver for the 
illustrations at pp. 521 and 533. The view of the City at first page was done 
by Mr. Taylor expressly for the A?uiah, which he handsomely presented to 
our publisher, for which we tender him our thanks. 



SITE OF ALTARS IN DUNFERMLINE ABBEY. 

It is now impossible to point out the sites of all the altars of Dunfermline 
Abbey. (See An. Dunf. p. 180.) The sites of only two are known with cer- 
tainty, viz., that of the High Altar and the Altar of the Holy Cross. 

The High Altar, from circa a.d. 1075 to 1226, occupied a site near the 
extreme east end of the then Abbey — afterwards known as the Nave, and 
latterly as the Atdd Kirk. In the space between the two spiral cut columns at 
the east end of the kirk the high or "grate awtre" stood for about 151 years, 
and right in front of it, and near, was an area known as the loctis sepultiirce 
regiim, or royal burying-place. In this area, between a.d. 1093 and 1250, 
many of the royal remains were interred. (See An. Dunf. for dates of royal 
interments, and Appendix). After a.d. 1226 the High Altar was transferred 
to the east end of the then newly built Choir, about three yards to the east of 
the present Session-house door. 

The Holy Cross Altar, or "Rwde Awtre," stood in the space between 
the zig-zag cut pillar on the south side and the plane pillar near to it on the 
west. Before this altar the remains of St. Margaret were interred, and near 
to it one of her sons (Ethelrede), whose remains were discovered in 1847, 
when the flooring of the Auld Kirk was being levelled and repaired. Probably 
St. Mary's Altar stood opposite this Rood Altar on the north side — viz., the 
Altar of our Lady Mary. 

St. Margaret's Tomb. — The base or plinth stones of this tomb are in a 
very dilapidated state, probably broken, as we find them, by the fall of some 
wall which "wes castit doun" at the Reformation, in 1560. The site is 
covered by two stones — the largest, the undermost one, is about 9 feet in 
length by 6 in breadth ; the upper stone, which lies upon it, is about 7 feet 
by 4. These stones are composed of a kind of blue limestone, marked all 
over by shells and other figures. They were probably quarried in 1250, from 
either Charleston or Roscobie, as the quarries in these places abound in com- 
pact limestones similarly marked. On the surface of one of the stones are to 
be seen six circular indentations, which, according to a vague tradition, were 
pointed out to the curious as being places on which once stood tall candle- 
sticks with their candles, which were kept perpetually burning on the tomb. 
Shortly after the Chartulary of the Abbey was printed, in 1842, we went 
carefully over many of the old charters, when we discovered that the lights 
were kept perpetually burning, not on the tombs, but before them, or on the 
outside of them. We consequently came to the conclusion that the six circular 
marks on one of these stones were simply the worn-out sockets from which 
arose tall slender stone pillars, which supported an ornamental canopy, or 
^'herss,^' considerably above these stones, and that on the upper would be a 
full-length figure, in stone, of St. Margaret lying on her back, with clasped 
hands, as observed on other royal tombs. 

5 1> 



762 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

High Altar Step. — Mr. John Baine, C.E., who made so many plans and 
took so many sketches of the old ruins in 1790, has indicated on one of his 
plans the site of the old High Altar, and notices the position of the retnainijig 
step belonging to it. In his plan this step lies on a site between the present 
pulpit and the Session-house door. When the ground in this locality was 
being levelled, in 181 7, for the New Abbey Church, this old step was removed. 
The step still exists, and may be seen doing service as a seat for the weary at 
the outside of the south wall of the New Abbey Church, a few yards east of 
the entrance to Pitreavie burying vault. Here it rests on two pillars which 
were taken from a grave in the north churchyard. By . inspecting this very 
interesting relic of the past, it will be seen that in its composition it is pre- 
cisely similar to the base or plinth stones of St. Margaret's tomb. 



ETYMOLOGIES. 

The following etymologies of names of places near Dunfermline are taken 
from Fcrnies History of Dimfennline, pp. 130, 131 : — 

Balmule, from bal (Gaelic), a dwelling; and maol (Irish), an eminence or promontory — 

"the dwelling on the eminence." 
Beath, from the British, dedev ; or Gaelic, heath — "Birchwood." 
Cavel, it derives its Celtic name from the British, cavell, signifying retired, or "enclosed 

place, a retreat." 
Craigluscar, from the British and Irish, craig, a rock; and the Gaelic, lusca, a cave, 

or luscair, signifying a person who lives in a cave — "the rock of the hermit." 
Drumtuthil, from the Gaelic, drum, a ridge, and tuathal, northern — "the northern 

ridge "— (double ridge ?) 
DuxDUFF, from the Gaelic, dun a hill, and duhh, black — "the black hill." 
Garvock or Garvoch, an abbreviation of the Gaelic garbh-cnoc ; garbh, rough ; cttoc, 

a hill — "the rough hill." 
Knockhouse, from cnoc, Gaelic; and house, English — "the house on the hill." 
LoGiE, from the Gaelic, lagan, signifying a hollow; the Gaelic an, as a termination, is 

often changed into the Scoto-Saxon; hence "kilnlogie." 
PiTTENCRiEFF, from the G^.e\.ic, pit-an-croibh ; pitmihe Gaelic and /iV/ in the British 

signify a hollow; craobh, pronounced criev, a tree — "the hollow of the tree; perhaps 

the hollow of the wood." 
PiTFiRRANE, or PiTFERRAN, from the Gaelic, pit, a hollow, sioA. fearn, land — "the 

hollow of the land." 
PiTLivER, in the British hliver signifies a flux or flow, probably the hollow of the 

stream or water; in the neighbourhood of Pitliver the burn or water runs through a 

deep hollow or glen. 
RoscoBlE, from the British rhos-cobau — "the moor with mounds." 
Touch, from the British tuach, signifying the side of the water. 

To which we add the following from our own list: — 

Limekilns was known before the middle of the sixteenth century as Limekilhill, Lymekill, 
&c., the name originating from the limestone kilns. Inverkeithing, inver (Gaelic), i.e., 
at the mouth of the Keithing. Aber~^o\\x (British), mouth — "at the mouth of the Dour." 
Carnock or Caer-enoc, caer (British), a castle; and cnoc, an insulated hill. Caer-tteil — "the 
castle at the termination of, or end of the wall." Carniehill may either come from cairn, 
heap of stones for the dead, or from caer, a castle ; and i)i or n, on, and hill ; English — "the 
cairn of stones on the hill, or the castle on the hill." Qxo^'s.iox&l Corsford) Scotch —"stepping 
stones across the rivulet." Crossgates, the site where cross roads meet. Rosythe (Ross- 



ETYMOLOGIES. 763 

hythe), derived from ross, old British, which means a promontory, and kylhe, from the 
Saxon, rae^mng a. port ox la^iding place — "the port or landing place of Edgar, \.\yQ atheling, 
and his Saxon retinue in the year 1069. This root of the word rosythe was discovered by the 
writer in 1835, and by him then made the subject of an Essay, showing that the name was 
derived from its being the port where the Saxon exiles landed in 1069. "Ross" being tiie 
primitive name, and hythe being added to Ross after the Saxon landing. (See An. Dunf. 
date 1069.) "Saline" — some writers refer the origin of this n'xxa.Q \.o saline ox saltish. In 
charters of date about 1300, the name is sanely 71, quite a different root from our now common 
name, saline. The meaning of sat4el has not been ascertained ; lyn, a pool or waterfall ; 
sauel may therefore have some connection with the contour or aspect of the ground or view in 
the locality of the lyn. 



1. Par-DIEU Knoll. — This knoll, or knowe, appears to be artificial; "it lies" on a 

level extent of ground at a distance of about 230 yards directly south of the Netherton 
Bridge. Fernie in his History of Dunfermline, p. 83, notes that it is 30 feet in 
circumference, and about 16 feet in height, and adds, that according to tradition it 
was formed by people who brought sand on their backs from the sea, as a penance 
enjoined in the days of popery, and that the name of the hillock seemed to favour 
the story of its origin. We rather think that its name is derived from the ancient 
name of the land on which it is situated, viz., Pardusin, a name alluded to by King 
David I. in his first confirmation charter to the Monastery of Dunfermline in A.D. 
1 128. The site came afterwards to be known as Pardews, Per-deus, and the 
hillock appears to be a large tumuli, in the centre of which probably lie the remains 
of some unrecorded hero or heroes who fell in battle on the spot. 

2. Whirlbut. — The origin of this name is now unknown ; the grounds of Whirlbut, 

probably a toft or acre, lie immediately to the south of the "Spittal Brig," on the 
west side. Some old dictionaries state that Whirlbut was an old game, and Jones 
in his Dictionary states that Wliirlbat means anything moved rapidly round to give 
a blozv. There is a tradition that Wappenshaws were conducted here, and that the 
arrows were shot against Par-dieu fCnoiue as a target, the distance between Whirlbut 
and the knowe being about 600 yards. ( Whorle also refers to ancient spinning.) 

3. BUYT-ACRE, some times called Boot-acre, but the proper name would be Butt-acre, 

an acre adjacent to Par-dieu Knowe, the annual proceeds of which would likely be 
expended on keeping up the archery butts, &c. A tradition also exists which asserts 
that a butt was set up on a site near the parish manse, west end of Priory Lane, 
and the arrows were shot from a site near Par-dieu Knowe, about 500 yards distant. 

4. Mount Hooly, or Mount Holy, as it has some times been designated, is the name 

of a property adjacent Rumbling Well Toll Bar, east end of Baldridge Burn. The 
origin of the name is unknown, but perhaps the name is not an old one. There are 
several Mount Hoolies in Fifeshire. 

5. Geelies Wynd; or, Jeelies Wynd. — A well-known name from a remote period 

down to the end of the first quarter of the present century. This ancient wynd 
about 1820 was named Reid Street, and the Abbey Wall, the lower parts of which 
still front Reid Street, had a private gate on it here, for the use of the Abbey 
servants, &c., hence Gillie's Wynd, or Servant's Wynd. The Abbey Servants 
Wynd or Road led to the Abbey Grange, about three-fourths of a mile south south- 
east from Gillie's Wynd. 

6. Bee- Alley Garden. — This is evidently a corruption of the Bailie Garden, the garden 

on the east side of the old Royal Bowling Green (back of the mill). It appears this 
garden belonged to the bailie of the monastery. 

7. The Quest-end Yards "were yairds lyand at the lower back of the Collieraw, 

near the Tolbooth." Some writers have translated quest-end into Ostend? As 
these yards belonged to Mr. Phillian of the olden time, were situate at the extreme 
west end, or termination of the Burgli, there can be no doubt that quest, an old 
name or pronounciation of west, simply meant the west end yards ! 

8. Maison Dieu Lands (now known as Mason Lands) lie about 100 yards east from 

the site of Castle Blair (the Peel-muir). There are a great many m.iison dieus and 
lands in Scotland, and are all of ecclesiastical origin ; and, no doubt, the Dunferm- 
line maisojt dieu lands were, in the olden time, in connection with some religious 
house. 



764 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

9. PiLMUiR. — There are a great many Pilmuirs, or Peelmuirs, in Scotland. They appear 
to have derived their names from some early, now unknown, Peel or Peil — i. e., a 
keep, or castle. Perhaps the site called Castle Blair, the foundations of which were 
visible about the middle of last century, may have been the "Peil ;" and the swamp 
and muir, lying to the east of it, and belonging to it, may have given the name of 
"Pilmuir" in its contracted form. 

10. Berry-law. — This height (BerrylawTop), about one-and-a-quarter miles west-north- 

west from the Cross of Dunfermline, is a conspicuous height crowned with trees. 
A great many places in Scotland have the name of Law, from British blaw — a hill. 
"Berry" is probably a corruption for "Burgh," so that "Berry-law" means Burgh 
Hill. [S&&An. Dunf. date i860.) 

11. Haly-Bluid Acres. — These acres are in the immediate vicinity of Dunfermline, 

being less than half-a-mile east of the Cross. "The annuals" arising from these 
acres belonged to the Abbey, and were disposed of to the monk who officiated at 
the Haly-bluid Altar, in the Haly-bluid Aisle of Dunfermline Abbey. A miscon- 
ception of the designation applied to the row of houses built on their site is 
evident by being designated Martyr's Place! — presuming that holy, or " haly bluid," 
must have been shed on the spot ! The place has had its name changed lately to 
Holyrood Place— z. more appropriate name. The Acorn Ward lies a little to the 
south-east of these acres. 

12. The Almonry Lands. — This piece of ground lies at the foot of the New Row, at 

the back of the house forming the south-west angle of Woodmill Street, or Road, 
the annuals for which went to the poor as alms, or doles, under the supervision of 
Abbey officials. 

13. Gallowrigg Hill. — It is distant about a mile-and-a-half south-south-west from the 

Cross. This farm has been noticed in some writings, as having derived its name 
from some gallows that may have been in "walking order" here in early times. We 
rather think not. It is probable that the name is rather a corruption of Galrig, 
mentioned in an Abbey charter of date 1290. (See "Stone and Coal Charter," 
An. Dunf. date 1290, p. 103.) 

14. Gallows Bank was sometimes called Garlic Hill. There are some traces of evi- 

dence left which go to show that it was in this locality that i]\Q private gallows of the 
Laird of Baldridge was erected, and hence the name is a genuine one. (See An. 
Dunf. dates 1583 and 1587.) This site is about two miles north of Dunfermline. 

15. Boofie's Brae. — The origin of this name has not yet been clearly elucidated. It may, 

perhaps, be derived from Buffie. which signifies rough and shaggy — i. e., the rough, 
shaggy brae. It has been said that Boofie is the old vernacular for rabbit — Rabbit's 
brae ; or hare, Harie Brae. Again, Buffers Brae signifies the Boxing Brae. 

16. GoLFDRUM lies in the north-west district of Dunfermline. It is said, but without 

substantial evidence, to have been the drum or ridge on which King James and his 
followers amused themselves at the game or pastime of Golf. Such at least is the 
traditional account. 

17. Wallace Spa. — This well is situated about 200 yards south from the Ruins of 

Malcolm Canmore's Tower, on Tower Hill. Until the middle of last century it 
was a public well, and was held in high esteem for its cooling effects, and other 
properties. As a mineral well, it would be called Well-of-Spa, in Scotch Wall-o^-Spa, 
which easily passes into Wallace Spa. 



MEMORIAL STONES, OR TABLETS, TO INDICATE THE SITES 
OF THE OLD BURGH PORTS. 

It would be interesting to the historian and the antiquary were memorial 
stones secured to the fronts of the houses which stand on the sites, and were 
connected with the walls of the several Ports of the Burgh, to indicate 
where they stood, with their old known date inscribed on them, and the 



MEMORIAL STONES, ETC. 



765 



year when they were removed. The following were composed by the author 
many years ago, and might be used should such memorial-stones or tablets 
be erected: — 



THE WEST 


PORT 


OF 




132 7 




Stood Across the St 


reet Here. 
1780. 


Removed in 



THE EAST 


PORT 


OF 




1488 




Stood Across the St 


reet Here. 
1752. 


Removed in 



THE COLLIER ROW; 

OR, 

MILL PORT, 

Stood Across the Street Here. 



Removed in 1754. 



the 
GROSS WYND PORT 

Stood Across the Street Here. 



Removed in 1752. 



the 
ROTTEN ROW PORT 

Stood Across the Street Here. 



Removed (circa) 1754. 



THE 

TOLBOOTH PORT 

Stood Across the Street Here. 



Removed in 1769. 



F.S. — Very likely there would be a Port or "Yett" at the extreme east end of Maygate. 



INSCRIPTIONS FOR TABLETS FOR ST. MARGARET'S STONE 
AND ORATORY. 



ST. MARGARET'S STONE. 



St. Margaret, Consort of Malcolm 
III., according to tradition, often 
rested on this Stone between the 
years 1069 and 1093. 



ST. MARGARET'S ORATORY. 



Queen Margaret, Consort of Mal- 
colm III., according to tradition, 
used this Cave as an Oratory be- 
tween the years 1070 and 1093. 



P.S. — There are two houses or sites which should be indicated by memorial 
stones or plates, viz., the house situated at the north corner of the Cross Wynd, 
stating that on the site stood a house in which Elizabeth Halket, authoress of 
the celebrated warlike poem Hardiknute, for sometime lived, and that here 
she died, in 1727. In the first open space down that close in High Street, 
that leads down to the east end of the Maygate, there is an old house with 
the date 1607 on its "lintel stane." A plate or stone should be placed above 
this date, certifying that the Rev. Ralph Erskine for some time lived in this 



7^6 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

house, that here he died on 6th November, 1752, and that it was in this house 
that the Associate Synod met to confer with the Rev. George Whitefield in 
order that he should become a member of their body. Many of the sites of 
the places of sepulture, and of the sites of some of the old altars, can yet be 
seen 3 such interesting sites are surely worthy of a memorial stone or plate. 



RELICS OF "DUNFERMLINE IN THE OLDEN TIME." 

The following Relics of " Dtmfermline in the Olden Time " are this year (1878) 
in the possession of E. Henderso7i, LL.D. : — 

1. The Brass Matrix Cocquet (Double) Seal of the RegaHty of Dunferm- 

hne. (Vide An. JDunf, date 1302, p. 120.) 

2. A Glazed Case, containing eight fragments of Stained Glass from the 

Choir of the Abbey (found 1818) ; a double impression in lead of the 
Burgh Matrix Seal, supposed to have been attached to some old 
charter or deed ; fragment of the Oak Coffin of King Robert the Bruce, 
found in his Stone Coffin, 18193 fragment of Glazed Brick from the 
pavement of the Choir (1818) ; fragment of carved Blue Stone, and one 
of Marble, from the Tomb of King Robert the Bruce (1818) ; a small 
bit of Oak from the rafters of the Nave of the Abbey ; a Penny of 
King Robert the Bruce ; a bit of Pewter-lead, being part of an orna- 
mental ball from weather-cock stalk. 

3. A Large Piece of the Oak Tabernacle Work of the Choir, found in 

the Choir area, 1818. (Vide Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. plate iii. p. 3.) 

4. The Burgh of Dunfermline Arms (in iron), from the last Town-House. 

5. A Large Collection of old Prints, Drawings, Sketches, Plans, Maps, 6^^ 

of Dunfermline and vicinity (about 150) ; also, Copies of numerous 
Works printed in Dunfermhne, between the years 1780 and 1878, and 
works printed elsewhere by natives of Dunfermline. 

6. A Penny of Edward II. of England, found in the walls of an old house 

in the Collier Row in 1807. (Vide An. Dunf., date 1807.) 

7. A Small Circular Box, containing a fragment of a Finger-Bone of King 

Robert the Bruce, and bit of decayed Oak from his Stone Coffin, and 
Coffin-Nail (1818). 

8. A Clock from "Queen Ann of Denmark's" House, Dunfermline, 

adjacent to the Palace. (The wheels of this clock are of iron.) 

9. A Carved Oak Pannel from the King's Gallery in the Nave of Dun- 

fermline Abbey {circa 1580-1600.) 

10. An Oak Chair from Dunfermhne Palace, ornamented with five Scottish 

Crowns, the Chair of King James V. (1513-1542). 

11. The Weavers' Flag of Silk, having various devices woven on it. (See 

An. Dunf, date 1734.) 

12. Seamless Shirt, woven by a Dunfermline weaver in the year 1702. 

{An. Dunf, date 1702.) 
The Exterior and Interior Views of the north fragment of the Ruins of the 
Old Abbey Choir, in water colours, by Andrew Mercer, Dunfermline, 
1 818. {An. Dunf, date 18 19.) 



THE DEVON WATER SCHEME. 



7^7 



TOWN HOUSE STEEPLE (i860). 

At page 680 we notice "the cone-less" state of the Town House Steeple. 
The following lines were at the time composed on behalf of the Steeple by 
our respected friend Mr. A. Stewart, of Her Majesty's Customs, Liverpool 
(May 2 1 St, 1866). These Hnes were understood to be the means of leading 
the Authorities to re-cap the Steeple with a cone similar to the old one. (See 
Town House View, page 533.) 

HUMBLE PETITION OF THE TOWN-HOUSE STEEPLE, DUNFERMLINE. 



A liunder years hae o'er me passed 
Since first I faced the winter's blast, 
Seen far and near — baith east and wast — 

My weather-cock ; 
A headless thing I am at last, 

A laughin' stock. 

The strangers and the passers by, 

Look to the lift wi' wonderin' eye. 

And, "Bless my heart," I hear them cry, 

"Was that a steeple?" 
A public standin' joke am I 

'Mong decent people. 

Through sun and shower and tempest keen 
A usefu' ornament I've been, 
The pride o' mony glowrin' een, 

But noo a stump ; 
Shorn o' my head and shoulders clean, 

A' but the rump. 

An' has it come to this at last, 
Will no ane doon the gauntlet cast, 
Or nail his colours to the mast. 

For his auld toon, 
An' keep the landmarks o' the past 

Frae tumblin' doon ? 



Oh ! wae is me, we ha'e a host 

O' stranger men wha rule the roast, 

O' magistrates wi' scarce a ghost 

O' public speerit. 
This weel I ken, unto my cost, 

An' try to bear it. 

'Tis not that ready cash is scanty, 

O' this they're often flush and vaunty; 

Does mither's son want for his aunty 

A testimonial ? 
He'll no wait lang, for cash they'll grant ye 

An' ceremonial. 

Ye wha's sma' souls nae higher rise 
Than chimney cans that cleave the skies, 
Wha's very name and memory dies 

When life ye sever, 
Know, on Time's page Dunfermline lies 

Engraved for ever ! 

Then ye wha rule this ancient toon, 
Frae you I crave a precious boon; 
Bestow on me a decent croon, 

As, ance of yore, 
A noble, generous-hearted loon 

Bestowed before. 



If that my prayer ye do not grant, 

I swear my ghost your path shall haunt. 

An' by your death-beds mock and taunt. 

An' laugh and snigger. 
An' in your glazin' een shall flaunt 
My rumpit figure. 



THE DEVON WATER SCHEME. 

Mr. George Lauder, to whom the community of Dunfermline is so much 
indebted for their water supply, has sent us the following letter, giving us the 
details of his exertions in the case of the Devon Water Supply : — " Sir, — In the 
month of October, 1870, the Council of Dunfermline applied to Parliament 
for a bill to bring water from Loch Glow. An agitation was got up against it, 
and was continued for months. A plebiscite was taken, which resulted in above 
1000 of a majority against the bill. The bill was withdrawn in 187 1, the expense 
of which being above ^^700. At that time I launched the Glendevon Water 
Scheme, which was to bring 2,000,000 gallons of water per day to Craigluscar 
Ponds for the supply of the West of Fife, by means of clay pipes, more than 



y6^ ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

half-way, with a fall of three feet to the mile, and 10,000 yards of iron pipes, 
with a compensation pond there for the supply of the river, the estimated cost 
of which was ^^30,000. The agitation was kept up by me for nearly six years 
by letters to the Press newspaper and otherwise. Lithographed plans were 
printed in 1876, showing Glensherup, the Boreland Burn, &c., as issue streams 
for a town supply. The Council took this scheme up, and carried it into effect 
by means of above 2000 yards of clay-pipes, the remainder of iron pipes, with 
a large pond on Glensherup Burn, as a compensation pond, for the city supply, 
thereby setting aside Craigluscar Ponds altogether. The pipe-tract was finished, 
and the water let on in Dunfermline in August, 1878, We are now supplied 

with water four times more in quantity than the city needs The 

Store and Compensation Ponds are at present progressing [October, 1878], and 
will be completed in about two years. Cost of the scheme above ;^6o,ooo. 
I am still engaged in trying to get Crossford, Charleston, Limekilns, Inver- 
keithing, and Aberdour supplied from otir abtindance of water. I may here 
mention, that the daily supply from the Glensherup Scheme is about 1,600,000, 
gallons, which is about 100 a-day to each head of the inhabitants of the city. 
The Loch Glow Scheme would have cost about ;^ 10,000 ; and its distance 
from Dunfermline about 6 miles north. Glensherup Pond is about 17 miles 
north-west of the city, and about 900 feet above its level." (See also Annals 
of Dunfermline, dates 1870, 1875, 1876, 1878.) 



NOTANDA RECEIVED BY THE PRINTER TOO LATE FOR 
INSERTION IN THEIR PROPER PLACES. 

1798. — Literature. — ^^ Sketch of the Times : a Dialogue between a 
Weaver and a Smith, contrasting the Netu Light with the Days of Old. By 
Robert Flockhart. Edinburgh : Printed for the author by J. Simpson, 1798." 
(This octavo, of 31 pp., long out of print, should have been noticed at page 
538. A reference is made to 1798 at p. 635, instead of to this page of the 
Addeiida. ) 

1827. — Literature. — " The Elements of Arithmetic, in Two Parts, for 
the Use of Schools," published in 1827 by A. Haxton, Rector of the Gram- 
mar School, Dunfermline. This is a 12 mo work of 194 pp., with an appendix 
of 32 pp. and contains several curious questions relative to Dunfermline. 

1851 — 1854. — Boundary of the Quoad Sacra Parishes of St. 
Andrews and North Church. — In the deeds of erection of these parishes, 
the boundary between them is declared to be the Water of Line ! ! ! There 
never was a Water of Line in such a locality, and those interested in this 
matter should at once get this "vitiating mistake" rectified. 

1851. — North Church — Ordination. — The Rev. Alexander Mitchell, 
M.A., was ordained Minister of this Church, on 17th April, 1861. 

1852. — The Dunfermline Bowling Club was established this year 
and leased a piece of ground at the north end of Woodhead Street, where 
they constructed a Bowling Green. There were 36 members, 

1855. — The Abbey Park Bowling Green Club was laid out by its 
members this year, on a piece of ground leased from the Bank of Scotland. 



LIST OF BOOKS, ETC. 769 

1857. — The Bankruptcy of the Western Bank of Scotland. — 
The head bank in Glasgow failed on Nov. 9th ; according to another account, 
on Feb. 4th. The former appears to be the correct one. The branch of this 
bank in Dunfermline consequently ceased to exist on November gth of this 
year. A few days after it was closed, the National Bank of Scotland opened 
a branch of their bank in Dunfermline (November, 1857) under the agency 
of William Beveridge, Esq., who still holds that position. 

1859.— The " Dunfermline" and the "Abbey Park" Bowling Green Clubs 
united and enlarged the Green leased by the DunfermHne Club. In i860, 
under the Presidency of Provost Whitelaw, their " Club Rules and Laws of 
Game" were adopted and published by A. Romanes, Fress Office. These clubs, 
although united in the matter of their enlarged Green, retain their original 
designations. 

1864, — The Public Park and Sir Joseph Paxton. — On the 17th of 
August, 1864, Sir Joseph Paxton arrived in Dunfermline, for the special pur- 
pose of inspecting the Public Park. He made a survey of the park, and drew 
up a plan for laying it out, &c. 

1876. — Literature. — " Local Musings. By Henry Syme. Printed by 
A. Romanes, DunfermHne." This handsomely got up 12 mo vol. of 252 pp., 
containing 109 musings (in poetry), are very interesting, instructive, and 
amusing. (See also Annals, p. 662, for Mr. Syme's first work.) 



LIST OF WORKS, &c., CONSULTED BY THE WRITER WHILE 
PROGRESSING WITH THE ANNALS. 

Bannatyne and Maitland Club Books. — Registrum de Dunfermelyn; 
Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree; Registrum Episcopatus 
Glasguensis; Chronicon Coenobii Sanctse Crucis Edinburgensis; Liber 
Ecclesie de Scone; Liber S. Marie de Calchou; Liber Sancte Marie 
de Melros ; Registrum Cartarum Ecclesia Sancti Egidii de Edinburgh ; 
Registrum S. Marie de Neubotle ; Chronicon de Lanercost ; Regis- 
trum Monasterii S. Marie de Cambuskenneth; Rotuli Scotise in Turri 
Londinensis ; Chamberlain Rolls ; Extracts from the MS. Charters of 
Abbey of St. Colm; Liber Santa Marie de Balmerinach; Laing's Fer- 
guson Tracts. 

Manuscripts. — Town Council Records of the Burgh of Dunfermline, 
from 1473; the Records of the Guildry and the Regality Courts, and 
the Parish Records from 1648; DunfermHne Burgh Charters; Title- 
Deeds of Old Houses in Dunfermline and the Western District of 
Fife; Private Letters from Old Natives referring to dates between 1750 
and 1830; the Town Council Records of Inverkeithing, from the 
earliest period to i860; a collection of Notes from, and Remarks on, 
the works of Matthew of Paris, Matthew of Westminster, &c., relative 
to Dunfermline. 

Old and Modern Printed Works on Scotland. — Barbour's History of 
Scotland; Fordun's Scotichronicon; Boece's History of Scotland; the 

5E 



770 ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE — ADDENDA. 

Saxon Chronicles; Chronicles of Scotland; Langtoft's Chronicles; 
Buchanan's History of Scotland; the Booke of the Universal Kirk of 
Scotland; Lamont's Chronicles of Fife; Chronicles of the Kings of 
Scotland; Chronicles of Perth; Leslie's History of Scotland; Mait- 
land's History of Scotland; Ecclesiastical Records of Fife; Scotia 
Depicta; Wynton's Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland; Fragmenta Scoto 
Monastica ; Anderson's Diplomata Scotise ; Dalyell's Fragments of 
Scottish History ; Dalyell's Monastic Antiquities ; History and Life of 
King James the Sext; the Wallace Papers (1841); Kerr's Scotland 
from 1326 to 1329; Spottiswood's Religious History of Scotland ; Cal- 
derwood's History of the Kirk of Scotland; Balfour's Annals of Scot- 
land ; Hailes' Annals of Scotland ; Lindsay's Chronicle of Scotland ; 
Wilson's Pre-Historic Scotland ; Crookshank's History of the Church 
of Scotland ; Moniepennie's Scots Chronicles ; Innes's Scotland in the 
Middle Ages ; Chambers's Domestic Annals of Scotland ; Sibbald's 
History of Fife and Kinross ; Keith's Scottish Bishops ; De Foe's 
Journey through Scotland ; Forsyth's Beauties of Scotland ; Pennant's 
Tour in Scotland ; Jamieson's Historical Account of the Culdees ; 
Lyon's History of St. Andrews ; Morison's History of Perth ; Penny's 
Traditions of Perth ; Skene's Chronicles of the Picts and Scots ; Bur- 
ton's History of Scotland; Moyse's Memoirs of the Affairs of Scot- 
land; Arnot's History of Edinburgh; History of Scotland from 1436 
to 1561 ; Account of the Affairs of Scotland from 1542 to 1592; 
Hardyknute (Poem); Dunbar's Select Poems; Acts of Parliament of 
Scotland from 1124 to 1705; Gordon's Scotichronicon and Monasti- 
con ; the Scots' Magazine, early dates ; Nicholson, Scottish Historical 
Library ; Hamilton's Wallace and Bruce ; Slezer's Theatrum Scotise ; 
Ross's ]3urgh Life in Dunfermline (1487-1500); Sinclair's Statistical 
Account of Scotland ; Chalmers's Caledonia ; Swan's Fife Illustrated ; 
Robertson's History of Scotland ; Guthrie's Historical and Commer- 
cial Geography ; Pinkerton's History of Scotland ; Morton's Monas- 
tic Antiquities ; Balfour's Ancient Heraldic and Antiquarian Tracts ; 
Nimmo's History of Stirlingshire; Aikman's History of Scotland; 
Carr's History of Coldingham ; Grose's Antiquities of Scotland ; 
Chambers's Picture of Scotland, Book of Days and Gazetteer, Tradi- 
tions of Edinburgh, &c. ; Hay's Scotia Sacra ; Laing's Henryson's (of 
Dunfermline) Poems, &c, ; Dalyell's Darker Superstitions of Scotland; 
Hall's Travels in Scotland ; Miscellanie Scotia; ; Paton's, Fernie's, 
Mercer's, and Chalmers's Histories of Dunfermline ; Mercer's Dun- 
fermline Abbey : a Poem ; Frazer's Diary of the Rev. Ralph Erskine, 
of Dunfermline ; the King's Remembrancer's (Jardine's) Report 
relative to the Tomb of King Robert the Bruce ; Ty tier's History 
of Scotland; Struthers' History of Scotland; Dawson's Statistical History 
of Scotland; the Dunfermline "Gasometer, or Literary Magazine." As 
also numerous Edinburgh and Glasgow newspapers from an early date, 
and Dunfermline newspapers from 1834 to the present time, with a 
large collection of local pamphlets, magazines, poems, printed slips, 
and other curious printed memoranda. 

THE END. 



I N D E X . 



Abbey,* pages 14, 15, 16, 42, 44,46, 56, 63, 
66, 67, 68, 73, 75, 77, 82, 90, loi, 102, 

103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, no, III, 

113, 115, 118, 119, 121, 124, 125, 130, 

131. 135. 137, 149, 151. 157, 159. 179. 
188, 189, 191, 200, 208, 242, 244. — 
Abbey Founded, 14, 39. — Monastery 
Burnt, III, 113. — "Spoilzed," 191. — 
Abbey and Monastery Destroyed, 204, 
205. — Abbey Possessions, 206, 207. — 
New Church Built, 595, 610. — Nave of 
AuldKirk Repaired, &c., 657. 

Abbey Gardens Steam Weaving Factory, 681. 

Abbey, Seals of, 52, 66, 70, 72, loi, 120, 
194. 

Abbot and Commendators of Dunfermline 
Abbey :— Gaufrid I., 40; Gaufrid II., 54; 
Archibald, 61; Robert I., 63; Patrick I., 
65; William I., 69; William II., 69; 
Gaufrid III., 76; Robert II., 76; John I. 
92; Matthew, 93 ; Simeon, 95 ; Ralph, 96; 
Hugh, 1 15 ; Robert III., 1 16 ; Alexander 
I., i3i;JohnII. 136; Johnlll., 136; John 
IV., 138; John v., 141 ; John VI., 147 ; 
William III., 150; Andrew I., 151 ; 
Richard, 154; Alexander I., 162; Henry, 
162; Adam, 166; George, 170; Raffaelle, 
172; Robert IV. 180; James I. 1835 James 
II., 183; Alexander II., i86; James III., 
187; Andrew II., 187; James IV., 189; 
George II., 193. Commendators, Robert, 
204 ; Patrick, 225 ; George, 229 ; Henry, 
230. List of Abbots, &'c., 723. 

Abbot of Kelso, 187. 

Abercrombie Church, 56, 66, 279. 

Abernethy, 6. 

Absolution, 135. 

Acome Ward, 263. 

Act, New Gift to the Queen, 243. 

Ada, Countess of Northumberland, 52. 

Address to the King, 442. 

Agatha, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13. 

Agriculture, 476, 512, 635, 667, 670, 675. 

Aisle, Our Lady's, 171. 

Aisles in Dunfermline Abbey, 180, 

Albany Steam-Power Weaving Factory, 700. 

Alderman, 144, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 
185. 

Aldstelle, Fishings, &c., 166. 



Alexander I. (the King), 20, 38, 39. 

11. „ 75- 

III. ,, 84, loi, 102, 103. 

(the Prince), 679. 

Alexander, Rev. Robert, 697. 

Allen, Rev. John, 554, 569. 

Almshouse at the East Yett, 168. 

Almshouse and Westport (or Yett), 123. 

Altars in Dunfermline Abbey, 180. 

Aliar Lights, 170, 172, 173. 

Ancient So. of Gardeners, 397,400, 421, 538. 

Andrew's Church, St., 634. 

Anglo-Saxons, 13. 

Angus, Andrew, 5x5, 549. 

Annabella (the Queen), 149. 

Annunciation Stone, 579, 580, 678, 679. 

Antiburgher Kirk, 457, 521, 529, 683. 

Antiquarian Relics, Sale of, 671, 699, 756. 

Apocryphal Vision, 42. 

Aqua de Ferm, 160, 710. 

Archery and Bow Butts, 151, 152, 160. 

Ardeninnechenam (see " North Queens- 
ferry "), 62. 

Aspect of Dunfermline Streets, 301. 

Associate Synod, First, 439. 

Astronomical Clocks, 524, 623. 

Lectures, 563, 623, 645. 

Athol, Earl and Countess of, 63, 221. 

Auld Kirk. After the destruction of the 
Abbey in 1560, its nave was fitted up for 
worship, and then, or shortly afterwards, 
came to be known as the "AuldKirk," 
which name it still retains, and the pages 
where interesting notanda occur regarding 
it are as follows — 21 1, 244, 245, 296, 300, 
376, 403, 417, 613. 

Auld-Licht Kirk, 541, 545, 557, 587. 

B 

Balchristie, 60. 
Baldridge, 2. 

Gallows, 229. 

Coal Pits, 314. 

Balfour, Andrew, 659, 660, 676. 

Baliol, Edward, 132. 

Barclay's Description of Dunfermline Parish, 

409, 411. 
Barlas, Rev. George, 607, 633, 642. 
Bark Pits (tanning), 166. 
Baptist Church, 507, 669, 702. 
Barbieri M., 675, 684. 



* Under this designation is comprehended "The Church of the Holy Trinity," as also that of the 
Monastery. These names appear in almost every page between the years 1075 and 1590; therefore, those 
pages only will be given where interesting notanda occur regarding them. 



772 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



Battle of Pitreavie, 324-326. 

Trafalgar, 556. 

Waterlou, 587. 

Bell, Walter, 606. 

Auld Kirk, 307, 411, 415, 417, 419, 

422. 

Townhouse or Tolbooth, 328, 329, 686. 

Hand and Dead, 360, 366, 471, 524. 

Berrylaw-tap (Burgh-law), 681. 
Berwick, 44, 47. 
Beugo, Gavin, 477. 
Birrell, David, 699. 

George, 437. 

Black Rood, or Cross (St. Margaret's) 16. 

Rev. David, D.D., 522, 556, 558, 6i8. 

Hole of Inverkeithing and Dunfermline 

Provost, 534. 
Black Saturday, 248. 
Black's Tower (High Street), 579. 
Blackwood, Adam, 194-195, 282. 
Blair, Arnold (Chaplain), 105, 123, 124. 

Andrew (Artist), 681, 760. 

Blasphemous Speech, 305. 
Bleachfield, 423, 425, 426, 441, 473, 487, 666. 
Blessed Margaret's Chamber (Ed in. Castle), 97. 
Blue Gown (mendicants), 316, 528. 

Blanket, the, of Dunfermline, 349, 350. 

Bodolria, Sea of, 3. 

Bolgin, 6, 15. 

Bonded Warehouse, &c., 705. 

Bondmen of the Abbey, 50, 60. 

Bonar, Myse, her curses, 323, 324. 

Bonnar's Weaving Patent, 551, 

Boofie's Brae, Brig, 486. 

Book of St. Margaret, 17. 

Book with the black covering, 198. 

with the white covering, 228. 

Books of the Covenant, 311. 
Borthwick, 11. 
Bothwell Haugh, 90, &c. 

David, of the Haugh, 190. 

Steam Weaving Factory, 685. 

Bow-Butts (archery) 151, 152, 190. 

Boy-Bishop, no, in. 

Bra, David (town clerk), 165. 

Brand, Rev. George B., 591, 642. 

Branks (for culprits) 316, 327. 

Brass Jug and Ell Measure, Weights, &c., for 

the Burgh, 382. 
Brawling Wife, 328, 
Breach, The, 453. 
Bride and Bridegroom Act, 345. 
Bridge Street, 483, 490, 494, 495. 
Brieryhill, Dunfermline, 195. 
British Linen Company, and Weaving, 454, 

704. 
Brotherstone, Rev. Peter, 564. 
Brown, Rev. William, 150, 166. 

Rev. Robert, 621, 625. 

Rev. John Tod, 641. 

Bruce, (see Earl of Elgin). 

Christian (Princess), 138. 

Matilda (Princess), 140. 



Bruce, Edward (Kinloss), 261. 

Rev. William, 653, 657. 

• Street Church (North Free) 663. 

— Lodge, the, 694. 
Brucefield Mills, 528, 585. 
Buchanan, Rev. Thomas, 387, 395. 
Bull's Hole (Prison), 469. 
Bulls, Pope's, 57, 58, 62, 66, 69, 73, 74, 94. 
Burgh Accounts to be kept in English money, 
482. 

Charters, 121, 138, 143, 196, 231. 

Fines, 169. 

Records, 163, 164, 198, 220, 222, 278. 

Seals, 3, 145, 236, 237, 340. 

Poverty of, 370. 

Burgesses (honorary), List of, 749. 
Burgum Meum de Dunfermlyn, 42. 
Burntisland, 196, 198, 298. 
Burial of the Laird of Rosyth, 219. 

Custom Abolished, 382. 

Curious Letter regarding, 476. 

Burns, Robert (the Poet), 517, 677. 
Butter and milk for Abbey use, 159. 
and cheese (arbitrary laws), 415. 



Cadgers, 173. 

Calder Church, 56, 

Calender House, A, 430. 

Caledonia Steam Power Weaving Factory, 699, 

Caley's Views, 526, 527. 

Cairncubie, 2, 535, 569. 

Cameronian Kirk, 509. 

Cambuskenneth, 67. 

Campbell, Margaret, 331, 

David, 475. 

Rev. John, 557. 

Candleworks, 455, 456. 
Can more Street, 480. 

Steam Weaving Factory, 687, 

Cannon, The, 494. 

Canonisation of St. Margaret, 80, 81. 

Cant, William, 609. 

Canterbury, 40, 54. 

Caps for the Monks, 77. 

Cairniehill, 2, 453, 457, 459, 467, 527, 669. 

Cardonnel's Views, 519. 

Carnegie, Andrew, 704, 705. 

Carneil, 2, 499. 

Carnock, 2, 94, 238, 307, 345, 356. 

Casisagait, Causagait, 181. 

Castle-Beath, 2. 

Castle-Blair, 493. 

- — — Steam Power Weaving Factory, 690. 

Catholic Church (Roman), 617, 697, &c. 

Catherine's, St., Chapel, 123, 180, 181, 213, 

214. 
Cave, St. Margaret's Oratory, 18, 19, 20. 
Cemetery, The New, 684. 
Census, The, 467, 547, 570, 608, 630, 647, 

665, 682, 694. 
Circulating Library, 562. 



INDEX. 



773 



City of Dunfermline, g, 221, 236, 238, 393, 
429, 674, 681. Seal of, 237, 239, 340, 

. .341- 

Civil Privileges, 37. 

Chalmers, Geo. (Pittencrieff), 482, 483, 490. 

Rev. Peter, D.D., 592, 598, 613, 646, 

653, 678, 693. 

Street U.P. Church, 521, 522, 653, 683, 

702. 

Chapmen's Stands, 387. 

Chapel Kirk, Dunfermline (St. Andrew's Ch.), 
507, 511, 529, 539, 564, 568, 584. 

Chapel of Inverkeithing, 55. 

Charity School, 535. 

Charles I., 252, 253, 299, 300. 

Charleston, 476, 492. 

Chartulary of the Abbey, 114, 715. 

Charters, 15, 16, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 
54, 55. 56, 57, 58, 60, 75, 80, 97, 103, 
104, 115, 116, 119, 120, 121,* 122, 124, 
125, 138,* 139, 143,* 144, 152, 153, 156, 
159, 160, 161, 190, 195, 196,* 197, 199, 
213, 215, 231,* 236.— Those marked 
with an * refer to the burgh, 

Charter Keeper, 197. 

Chicken Pye Club, 474. 

Child, Royal (remains of found), 154. 

Cholera Morbus, 630, 660, 667, 670. 

Choosing Deacons in the Auld Kirk, 348, 349. 

Choir, The New, 67, 69, 80. 

Christian Princess, 12, 21. 

Christian Bruce — Princess, 138. 

Church of the Holy Trinity (see Abbey). 

Churchyard of Dunfermline, 332, 334. 

Church, New Secession (Ralph Erskine's), 

437, 438. 
Clackmannan, 2. 
Clayacres Loch, 531. 
Cleish Chapel, 66, 73, 192. 
Clerical Meeting Frustrated, 227. 
Clerk, A., of Pittencrieff, 270. 
Clock, The Auld Kirk, 263, 363, 411, 427, 

441, 444, 445- 
Clock Smith, 460. 
Clock, Astronomical, made of buttons, 524. 

Astronomical, 624. 

and Watches, 496. 

for Townhouse, 496, 497, 498. 

Clunie (Queen Sibella's Gift), 36, 82, 153, 

189, 193, 265. 
Cluttiscroft (Cloudscroft), 195, 212. 
Coal Charter (Pittencrieff), 103. 
Coals in the Town's Muir, 343. 
Cobbet, William, 633. 
Cochrane, Hon. John, 534. 
Cock Fighting, 376. 
Cocquet Seal and Charter, 120, 121. 
Coins (Finds), 485, 499, 562, 647, 649, 665, 

707. 
Coldingham Piiory, 140, 141, 167, 185, 186. 
Collier Row and Port, 165, 262, 466. 
Commendators of Dunfermline Abbey, 204, 

226, 229, 230, 242. 



Comet, The, 576. 

Commercial Schools, or Academy, 590. 

Commissioners' Meeting at Dunfermline, 146. 

Common Vennel, 165, 181. 

Concord Lodge, 696. 

Confession of Faith, 223. 

Confirmation Charters (David I.), 44 — 48. 

(James II.), 156, 159. 

Confirmation Charters (Abbot Dury), 197. 

(James VI.), 231, 236. 

Congregational Church, 648, 660, 667, 686. 

Co- Operative Store, 686. 

Constableship of the Palace, 246, 263, 

Constable, Lord High of Dunfermline, 684. 

Constantine, Earl of Fife, 46. 

Consumption of Animal Food, 692, 694, 696. 

Conveners' Court Book, 353. 

Conventicle Meetings, 341, 342, 345, 347,352. 

Convention held at Dunfermline, 247. 

Copper Smith, 431. 

Corn Market, 581. 

Councillors Unmannerly, 305. 

Countess of Dunfermline, Death of, 331. 

County Buildings, 661. 

Couper, Rev. Simon, 351, 353, 359, 361. 

Cousland Church, 50. 

Covenant, Solemn League and, 246, 310. 

Crabtree, Rev. Mr., 587. 

Craig, Rev. Mr., 660. 

Craigluscar, 188. 

Water, 663. 

Craigmillar, 49. 

Cramond, 47, 65, 

Creation of Earldom of Dunfermline, 262. 

Crebarrin, lands of, 74. 

Creer, J., 512. 

Crespeis, 55. 

Crichton, the Warlock, burnt, 317. 

Crispin Procession, 614 — 616. 

Cromwell's Army, 326, 327. 

Crossgates U.P. Church, 548, 554, 569, 578. 

Cross, The Market, 146, 180, 292, 293, 360, 

371, 436, 461, 462, 465, 690. 
Cross Wynd, 167, 181, 293, 296, 529, 535. 

Port, 373, 462. 

Crucifix, or Cross of St. Margaret, 16. 

Erected in Abbey Church, 272. 

Culdees, 6, 90. 

Culprits, 169. 

Culross, 6, 72. 

Cumerlachie, 26, 50, 

Cunningham, Marion, the Witch, her Prayer, 

323, 324- 
Cunyngayrland (see "Burntisland"). 
Cursers and Swearers, 377. 
Customs and Tron, 139, 356. 
Cuthbert, St., lands of, 190. 
Cuthbertson, Rev. Robert, 634, 667. 
Cutler, 427. 

D 

Dalziel, Rev. Willi£im,587. 
Damask Weaving, 400. ^ 



774 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



Danish Ambassadors, 226, 227. 

Darien Company, 360, 361. 

David I. (King), Charters, 40—53. 

Death and Funeral, 53, 54. 

Prince of Scotland, 97. 

II. (King), 122, 136, 138, 139. 

Davidson, Rev. John, 196, 251, 262. 

Dawsdean (Deals of), 454. 

Dean of Guild Court, 192. 

Dearths (Famines) in Dunfermline, 153, 323, 
362, 364, 366, 436, 469, 543, 547. 

Debt of the Burgh, 360. 

Dedication (Consecration), Romish, of Dun- 
fermline Abbey, 51. 

Defoe, Daniel, 406, 407. 

Dempster, John, Pitliver, 280. 

Desagulier, Rev. Dr. J. T., 403, 404. 

Descent of Queen Victoria from James VI. of 
Scotland, 734, 735. 

Destruction of Dunfermline Abbey, 204, 205. 

Destructive Floods, 656. 

Devon Water Scheme, 693, 701. 

Dismemberment of the Parish, 321. 

Distances of Towns from Dunfermline, 10. 

Distillery, 511. 

Disturbance at Laird of Rosyth's Funeral, 
332, 333- 

Diving Jacket (or Bell), 515. 

Dollar Forest, 75. 

Don Club, The, 590. 

Donald Bane, 23. 

Douglas Street, 628, 629. 

Drawing Schools, 538, 557, 622, 649. 

Drinking Customs, 414. 

Drummer and Piper's Duties, 371, 416. 

Drummond, Annabella (the Queen), 149. 

Lord, his charity, 353. 

Drysdale's Bequeathment (Charity), 346, 348. 

Duke of Wellington's Obsequies, 667, 668. 

Dunbar, Rev. Alex., 347. 

Rev. J. W., 700. 

Duncan, King, 25, 26. 

Dunduff, 2, 74. 

Dunearn, 2. 

Dimfermline — The names of the city occur 
too frequently in the pages of the Annals 
for registering ; the pages where several 
interesting and important notanda are to 
be found will only be given, viz. : — 

Dunum-Fermlini, 351, 

Dunfermline, Earl of, 262, 265, 274, 279, 306, 

343, 355- 

Possessions, 206, 207, 

Lord, 64s, 676. 

Witch, llie, 240. 

Races, 372, 

Fencibles, 532, 536, 537. 

and Charleston Railway, 635, 645. 

Steam Power Weaving Factory, 657. 

Abbey — a Poem; by A. Mercer, 13, and 

603, 604. 
Dungloe, 2. 
Dunibustle, 2, 241. 



Dunkeld, 56, 57, 62. 

Durie, George, Abbot of Dunfermline, 196, 
197. 

E 

Earl of Dunfermline, 262, 274, 279, 306, 

343, 355- 
Earthquakes, 265, 349, 516, 522, 540, 549. 
East Port of Dunfermline, 168, 262, 263, 267, 

376, 399, 462. 
Eccles Church, 50. 
Eclipses, 248, 639. 
Edgar the Atheling, 10, 11, 12. 

the King, 26, 28. 

Edinburgh, 44, 47, 97, 140, 157, 190. 

Education, 349. 

Edward I. , King of England, in Dunfermline, 

104, 105, no, 113. 
Electric Telegraph, 670. 
Elgin, Earls of, 434, 453, 476, 491, 519, 520, 

540, 595, 648, 656, 681. 
Election of Dunfermline Town Council, The 

First, 168, 169. 
Elizabeth, Consort of Robert L, 124, 125. 

Princess, daughter James VI., 247, 334. 

Elliot's Hill, near Dunfermline, 195. 
Elymosyner of St. Leonards, 274, 277. 
English Soldiers, 330. 
English Congregation, 543. 
Engravings, illustrating the Annals, viz. : — 

Portrait of E. Henderson, hL.T>.—/roH- 
iispiece. 

View of the City of Dunfermline, i. 

Canmore's Tower, 4. 

The Stone, 8. 

St. Margaret's Cave or Oratory, 19. 

Canmore's Church, 31. 

Ground Plan of, 34, 

Trinity Seal, 52. 

Abbot Patrick's Seal, 66. 

Plan of Extended Abbey, 68. 

View of Ditto, 69. 

Abbey Capitular Seal (and Reverse), 70, 
72. 

Mitred Abbot, 77. 

Caped Monk, 77. 

Organ, 79. 

Shrine of St. Margaret, 88. 

Seal of Abbot Ralph, loi. 

Restored View of the Monastery, 114. 

Seal of Regality, 120. 

Old Seal of the Burgh, 145. 

Plan of Dunfermline, 182. 

Seal of Abbot Durie, 194. 

Dunfermline Abbey (1226- 1560), 195. 

Lintel Advice-Stane, May Gate, 219. 

Matrix Seal of the City, 237. 

Shaw's Monogram Stone, 260. 

Rotten Row Port Stane, 264. 

The Golden Rose Lintel-Stane, 266. 

Plan of the Great Fire of Dunfermline, 
286. 

The "Praise God" Stone, 289. 



INDEX. 



775 



Engravings— Continued. 
Grammar School, 290. 
The Market Cross, 292. 
Market Cross Date and Arms Stone, 293. 
The Cross Wynd "Fire Stone," 294. 
" God Bless this House" Stone, 297. 
Old Sculptured Stone, 301. 
Manual Seal of the City of Dunfermline, 

340- 

Ruins of the Abbey Choir, View, 342. 

View of the Palace Ruins, 408. 

Rev. Ralph Erskine's Kirk, 437. 

Inscription Stone of, 438. 

West Port, 508. 

West Port Sculptured Stone, 509. 

Antiburgher Kirk, 521. 

Dead-Bell Man, 525. 

Old Town-House, 533. 

Guild Hall, 577. 

Annunciation Stone, 579. 

Fratery of Dunfermline Abbey, 592, 

Sanctuary House, 600. 

Hempseed's Wooden Tenement, 621. 

East Port House, 637. 

Market Cross Pillar, 690. 

New Town-house, 740. 
English Soldiers in Dunfermline, 330. 
Episcopalians, 373. 
Erskine, Rev. Ralph, 383, 387, 388, 397, 

398, 429, 431, 432, 433, 435, 440, 444, 

462, 480. 

Monument, 703. 

Ethelrede, Prince, 20, 37. 
Evangelical Union Church, 671. 
Evening Service in the Abbey, 311. 
Excommunication Privilege, 78, 1 15, 135, 271, 
Execution of King Charles I., 317, 319. 
Exiles, Influx of, 13, 14. 
Extended Burgh Boundary, 687. 
Extension of Dunfermline Abbey, 67. 



Fairfould, or Fairfoul, Rev. John, 251, 

252, 265, 266. 
Fairs, 236, 371, 381. 
Family of Malcolm III. and Margaret, his 

Consort, the Queen, 20. 
Famine (See Dearths). 
Fanners, 427. 
Farewell of the Royal Family to Dunfermline, 

261. 
Farmers' Society, 483. 
Female Thieves Whipped, 457, 474. 

Skeleton of a, Found, 485. 

Fergus, Rev. Henry, 525, 569, 620, 634, 641. 
Ferguson, Rev. David, 200, 207, 209, 212, 

216, 217, 218, 221, 246, 248, 250. 
Fermelinodunum, 223, 355, 488. 
Ferm Bum {Aqua de fenne), 9, 160, 712. 
Fernie, Rev. Thomas, 443, 516, 518. 

Rev. John, 520, 587, 590. 

Fife and Fothriff (nV/J), 2, 3, 6. 



Fifeshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 538, 
Fire, Great, of Dunfermline, 283, 288 ; other 
fires, SI I, 565, 568, 570,619. 

Buckets, 475, 480. 

— — Machine, 515. 

Engines, 569. 

Firth of Forth, 3. 

Fisher, Rev. Alexander, 623, 628. 

¥\s\i&s {Crespeis, Whales), 55. 

Fitzalan, Walter {Son o/A/an), 59. 

Flechour, Nichol (mariner), 172. 

Fleshers and Blown Meat, 374. 

Fleshmarket, 515, 517. 

Flightofthe Abbot of Dunfermline, 190, 191. 

Flute-Orum (Hatton's), 614. 

Fly Shuttle Invented, 506. 

Foirspeaker (an Advocate), 169, 

Foot Mantle, 375, 381. 

Foot-Paith, The, 506. 

Foote, Rev. James, 694. 

Forbes, Colonel John (Pittencrieff), 371, 455. 

Forest of Dunfermline, 366. 

Forsyth's Description of Dunfermline, 558. 

Forth Bridge, The, 708. 

Foster, Rev. Andrew, 252, 271, 272, 275. 

Fothad, Bishop of St. Andrews, 12. 

Foul Vennel, 170, 1 8 1. 

Foundry, 590. 

Foundation Charter of the Abbey, 15, 709. 

Founding of New Abbey Church, 595. 

Fracas in the Auld Kirk, 502, 

Free Abbey Church, 652. 

St. Andrew's, 657. 

North, 663. 

Templars, 694. 

French Nobility in Dunfermline, 135. 

Warriors, 203. 

French, Rev. James, 654. 
Friends of the People, 531. 
Funeral of Provost Halket, 362, 363. 
Etiquette, 505. 



Gallows, Dunfermline and Baldridge. 

Gallowgate of Dunfermline, 261, 

Gallows Stolen, The, 469. 

Gardeners' Race, The, 409. 

Garmound of Gude Ladeis : A Poem, 722. 

Garvock and burn, 95, 142, 174. 

Gas, 586, 591, 626. 

Gedd, Mrs., 414, 609. 

Gellald, Grange of, 139. 

Geological Lectures by Hugh Miller, 664. 

George, Rev. William, 702. 

Gibson, Rev. Mr., 646. 

Gifts or Donations to Dunfermline Abbey 

(see " Charters "). 
Giles's Church, St., Edinburgh, 161. 
Gilfillan Robert, 632, 664. 
Gillebridus, Sheriff of Dunfermline, 61. 
Gillespie, Rev. Thomas, 459, 498, 499, 704. 
Gillespie Church, 658, 660, 661. 



71^ 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



"God Bless this House" Stone, 297. 
Gold in Fife, 50. 

Golden Rose (Tavern Stone), 266. 
Golfdrum, Dunfermline, 331, 494. 

North Church, 646. 

Gordon, George, Earl of Huntly, 229, 242. 

Gospatric (Cospatric), 11. 

Gow, Neil (Famous Fiddler), 541. 

Gowe, The (for Culprits), 171. 

Graham, Patrick, Archbishop of St. Andrews, 

164. 
Grame, Rev. James, 353, 355, 356, 385, 402, 

403- 
Grammar School, 241, 267, 269, 290, 545, 

568, 575, 588. 
Grange, 214. 
Grassmuirlands, 214. 
Gray, Patrick, Commendator of Dunfermline, 

226, 228, 229. 
Gray, Rev. John, Dunfermline, 354. 
Great Customs of Dunfermline, 122, 261. 
Greenwich Time, 658. 
Greig, Rev. Christopher, 542, 564. 
Grose, Captain Francis, 526. 
Gude Toune of Dunfermline, The, I73' 
Guildry of Dunfermline, 192, 307, 323, 405, 

408, 411, 421. 

Minute Book, 223. 

Baton, 411. 

Colours, 421. 

Guild Hall, 559, 564, 567, 568, 576, 578. 
Gullane, Rev. William, 358. 
Gunpowder Plot Rejoicings, 263. 
Gymnasium, 654, 687, 705. 
Gyrth Bow, The, 123. 

H 

Haddin, Rev. William, 514. 

Haddington, 47. 

Hagen, Rev. J. T., 702. 

Hailes, 27, 167, 184, 192. 

Halbank (Hawbank), 195, 212. 

Halden, Rev. James, 540. 

Halkets, of Pitfirrane, 300, 335, 343, 348, 

354, 372, 415, 505, 706. 
Haly-bluid Acres, 454. 

Altar, 180. 

Hamilton, Sir Gilbert (the Orator), 126. 
Hangman and Witch jjurner, 305, 320, 425, 

489. 
Hardicanute, a Poem, 94. 
Harmonist's Society, 641, 672. 
Hatton, David, 611, 614. 
Haugh (Bothwell), 190. 
Hautboy appointed, 416. 
Haxton, Archibald, 568, 625, 663. 
Head Court of Yule, 180. 
Hebrew Tablets, Hillhouse, 281, 282. 
Henderson, Rev. Ebenezer, D.D., 544, 596, 

676. 

Ebenezer, LL.D., 622, 629, 675, 680. 

Henryson, R. (Poet), 165,167, 175, 178, 279. 



Henryson, John, 218, 729. 
Heriot, George (Goldsmith), 247 248. 
Heritable Bailie (Regality), 222, 270, 302, 
• 320, 337, 358. 

Jurisdictions Bill, 453. 

Het Sickness, (Pest or Plague), 19.I. 
Heuchs (Heugh Mills), 427, 428. 
Hexham, John, the Prior of, 53. 
High Street (He-Gate), 167, 181. 
Hill, Lands of, 279. 

House of, 2S1, 282. 

Hill, the Rev. Rowland, 540, 541. 

Mrs. D. O. , 698, 760. 

Histories of Dunfermline, 581, 587, 625, 653, 

678. 
Hoax (find), 605. 
Horse Stealers, 440. 
House of Correction, 344. 
Huchtercaledour (over-Calder) 56. 
Human Attire, 461. 
Hunts of Pittencrieff and Logic, 544, 562, 

578, 676. 
Hunter, John (and Astronomical Clock), 524. 
Huntly, Earl of, 229, 242. 
Husband, Rev. James, D.D., 504, 608. 
Hythe (Rhos-hythe — Ross-hythe), 6, 7. 



Imrie, Rev. David, 702. 

Inchgarvie, 188. 

Indentour of S. Karwour and his Prentice, 

184, 185. 
Independent Kirk (Tabernacle), 507. 
Indigo Mill, 512. 
Influx of Exiles, 13. 

Ingibiorg (First Wife of Malcolm III.), 26. 
Inglis Street Steam Weaving Factory, 676. 
Inoculation, 497. 

Insignia, Provost and Magistrates, 701. 
Insurance Agents in Dunfermline, List of, 

677. 
Interments, Royal, in Dunfermline : — 

Malcolm III., Margaret (Queen), and 
Princes Edward and Ethelrede, 23, 

24. 25, 35. 37- 
Duncan IL, 26. 
King Edgar, 28. 
Alexander I., 38, 39. 
David I, 53. 
Malcolm IV., 58, 59. 
Margaret, Consort of Alexander III., 95. 
Princes David and Alexander, 97, 98. 
Alexander III., loi, 102. 
Princess Christian, 138. 
Princess Matilda, 140. 
Elizabeth, Consort of Robert I., 124. 
Robert I. (Bruce) 125, 126. 
Annabella, the Queen (Robert III.), 149. 
Prince Robert, 260. 
Inverkeithing, 46, 48,49, 55, 56, 60, 114, 130, 

131. 
Ship of, 46. 



INDEX. 



777 



Inveresk, 15, 49. 
Isle of May, 6, 



Jacquard Machines (weaving), 619, 651. 
James's, Chapel, St., N. Queensferry, 165, 324. 
James I. (bom in Dunfermline), 141, 151, 152. 
James II., 156, 159. 

III., 162, 163. 

IV., 184, 185, 187. 

v., 193. 

VI., 214 — 261 ; Confirmation Charter 

to the Burgh, 231 — 236. 

Jerman's Mortification, 339. 

Jerome's Bible, used in Dunf. Abbey, 41. 

Jervie, Rev. Alex. M., 680. 

John's, St., Chapel (Garvock), 142, 199. 

Johnstone, Mrs. (the Saxon and Gael), 586. 

Rev. William, D.D., 617, 699. 

Jubilee Rejoicings, 565, 566. 
Juggs, The, (for culprits), 304, 305. 
Juke's View of Dunfermline, 528. 

K 

Kay, Rev. Robert, 328, 334, 335, 337. 

Keirsbeath, 2. 

Keith Chapel, 66. 

Kemp, Rev. Hugh, 371, 376. 

King Malcolm III., i — 36. 

Duncan II., 26. 

Edgar, 27, 28, 29. 

Alexander, i, 29, 38. 

David I., 39—54. 

Malcolm IV., 54—59. 

Alexander III., 82, loi, 102. 

Robert I. (Bruce), 120, 125. 

Kinghorn, 76, &c. 

Kinglassie, 74, 75. 

King's Birthday Rejoicings, 334, 341. 

King Robert Bruce Lodge, 694. 

Kinross, 2, 1 1 6, 197. 

Kirkcaldy, 6, 15, 76, 98, 132, 133, 156, 191, 

199. 
Kirkcaldy, New Road to, 468. 
Kirk Bell (see "Bells"). 
Kirk-Session Records of Dunfermline, 306, 

329, 685. 
Kirkgate, Dunfermline, 181, 478. 
Kirkheugh, 6. 
Kirkyard, 354. 
Knabbie Row, 500, 557. 
Kossuth, M. Louis, 673. 
Kyneder Charter, 120. 



Lady's Altar, Our, 170, 171, 173. 
Lady Dunfermline, 240. 
Lambinus, Prior of Dunfermline, 63. 
Lamps, Six ordered for Public Use, 459, 460. 
Lantern Tower of the Abbey, Fall of, 397. 
Lassodie Fountain, 682, 701. 
Lauder, George, 693, 701, 742, 767. 
Laur, 15. 



Laurence's Altar, St., 160, 

Law, Rev. John, 626, 664. 

League and Covenant, 223, 246, 302, 310, 329. 

Lear-Stane, the, 178, 179. 

Ledmacduuegil (Masterton), 54. 

Legacy or Bequest to the Poor, Drysdale's, 

346, 347- 
Legate's Brig, 319. 
Leith, Toft in, 72. 
Leonard's Chapel, St., and Hospital, 95, 140, 

323, 506, 538. 

Steam Power Weaving Factory, 665. 

Schools, 681. 

Leslie, 11, 61. 

Letter of King James VI., 221. 

Libraries, 388, 520, 561, 562. 

Lighting of the Abbey, 63. 

Lillie Hill Terra Cotta Works, 687. 

Limekilns, 222, 225, 274, 403, 513, 514, 

557,586. 
Lin (Lyn), 9. 

Linlithgow, 47. (See Confirmation Charters.) 
List of Henryson's Poems, 177, 178. 
Literature — Books, Pamphlets, &c. , published 

by natives. (See dates between 1490 

and 1878.) 
Livingstone, 11. 
Lochend, or Luscrevyot, 218. 
Lochgloe Water Scheme, 693. 
Loch Leven, 6. 

Moncur (Town Loch), 122, 123. 

Lochgelly Gipsy Band, 538. 
Locke, John, Music Master, 669. 
Lord Broomhill, 319. 

Drummond, 353. 

Dunfermline, 676, 690. (Earl of, see 

Earl of Dunfernilhw. ) 

Warden, 274. 

High Constable, 684. 

Commissioners, Constables, 271. 

of Chapman's Stands, 391. 

Lothian, James, 580. 

Low, Adam (Provost of Dunfermline), 517, 

519, 592. 
Lunarium, 622. 
Luscrevyot. (See Loc/iitnd.) 
Lyme-House Prison, The, 316, 317. 

M 

Macansh, Alexander, 663. 
M'Auslane, Rev. J., 667. 
Macfarlane, Rev. James, 515, 614. 

Rev. John, LL.D., 700. 

Mr. James, Testimonial to, 683. 

W. H. 681. 

Macmillan Kirk, 509. 

M'Lean, Rev. Allan, 511, 529, 64I. 

M 'Lean's Hospital, 660. 

School, 650. 

M 'Michael, Rev. Neil, 638, 648, 681, 699. 
M'Kenzie, Rev. James, 660, 677, 692. 
M'Whir, Rev. John, 568. 
Mackie, John, manufacturer, 503. 



778 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



M'Neil and Baleny condemned to be exe- 
cuted, 6 1 8, 

Magic Lantern Exhibition, 513. 

Maison-Dieu Lands, 493. 

Magill, Rev. Harry, 280, 308. 

Malcolm III. (the king), frequently mentioned 
in the Annals, but see pp. 10 to 23. 

Malleable Iron Works, The, 656, 658, 663, 
664, 666, 674. 

Malvoisine, Bishop, his wine allowance, 65. 

Map of Fife, 355. 

Margaret, St. — There are notes regarding her 
in many of the pages of the Annals, but 
more particularly between pages 6 and 92. 

Margaret's Street, St., 479. 

Margaret's, St., Chuixh, East Port St., 624. 

Hall, 702, 740. 

Steam Power Weaving Factory, 692. 

Market Cross, 146, 180, 292, 293, 360, 461, 
462, 465 ; Re-erected, 690. 

Marking Iron of Dunfermline, The, 224. 

Marshall, Rev. Charles, 647. 

Martin, George (Song School), 659. 

Mary, Lands of the Blessed, 190. 

Mary, the Queen, 208, 209, 215. 

Masking and Pot Stirring on Sundays, 347. 

Masonic Guild and Lodge, 251, 252, 370, 

375. 389, 399, 401, 415. 419, 477> 584- 

Master of the Song School (regarding its Con- 
stitution), 267, 270. 

Maurice, 11. (In ship with exile family.) 

Maxwell, 11. do. do. 

Maygate, 168, 170, 181, 551 ; Chapel, 587. 

Mayne, Patrick (the hangman) 305, 320. 

Mayor of the Regality Palace, 221. 

Meal Act, 359; Market, 436 ; Mobs, 491. 

Mechanics Institution, 619, 620, 

Meldrum, William, 582. 

Melville Church, 192. 

Memorial Windows, 680, 694, 696, 697, 698, 
706. 

Mercer, Andrew, Historian of Dunfermline, 
5, 13, 70, 112, 589, 590, 603, 625, 649. 

Merlesweign, 11. (In ship with the exiles. ) 

Meeting of Heritors about a Second Minister 
to the Parish, 308. 

Middleton, Rev. J., 657. 

Military Funeral, 548. 

Millar, John, Bookseller, 554. 

• Ralph, 621. 

Mill-Hills, 195. 

Mineral Railway, the West of Fife, 673. 

Miracles, 11, 53, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85. 

Mirk Monday, 327. 

Mitchell, Admiral, 531, 538, 540-42, 555, 556- 

Rev. Alexander, 697, 768. 

Janet, Executors of, 384. 

Mitred Abbot, Dunfermline, 77. 

Moir, Rev, John, Caimeyhill, 586. 

Monastery (see Abbey). 

Moncur Loch, 122, 233. 

Monks of Dunfermline, Names of, 179 ; ad- 
ditional, 120; Vestments, 150. 



Monro, Rev. Alexander, 345, 346, 

Mons Infirmorum, 2, 15, 709-714, 

Monteith, Rev. John, 407, 

Moray, Rev, John, 275. 

Morning Gift to the Queen, 236, 242. 

Morning Service, 171, 

Mortification, Queen Ann School, 267, 269. 

Moulin Church, 61, 192. 

Mouse-Thread Mill, Hatton's, 611, 

Mowtry, Margaret, and the Juggs, 304, 305. 

Municipal Improvement Act, 570-575, 

Murder of the Earl of Moray, 241. 

of a Woman in Dunfermline, 513, 314. 

of Gibson, 541. 

■ of Harrigan, 666, 667, 

Murray, George, of Pittencrieff, 352. 

James, of Perdieus, 241, 280. 

Rev, David, 584, 590, 

Museum, 662. 

Music Hall, 668. 

Musselburgh, 15, 73, 134, 139, 162, 166, 709. 

N 
Names of Monks and Chaplains of Dunferm^ 

line Abbey, 179. 
Names of Streets, 181, 566, 567, 707, 
National Bank (Branch of), 769. 
Neglected Ordinance of the Sacrament, 354. 
Nether Yett, The, 165, 456. 
Netherton, or Nethertown, 95, 181, 456, 665 ; 

Bridge, 319; Wells, 483; Improvements, 

665. 
Newlands Church, 117. 
New Presbytery formed, 354, 355. 

Road to Kirkcaldy, 468. 

Road to N. Queensferry, 468. 

— • — Row, Dunfermline, 164, 184, 195. 

Town House, 703, 738, 

Newton Church, 55. 

Night Police Patrol, 655. 

Nomenclature of the District, 2. 

Nomina Locorum, 27. 

Norrie, Rev. Robert, 348, 353. 

North Free Church, 663. 

Queensferry (Ardehinnechenam), 7, 123, 

670, 671, 
Numbering of the Houses, 610, 635. 
Nuptials of Malcolm III. and Margaret, 12, 13. 
Nuptial Bed of Queen Ann, 482. 

O 

Oath of Allegiance, 336, 359. 
Oberwill, William (Coal Charter), 103, 104. 
Obit Register of Dunfermline, 277. 
Obstreperous Deacon, An, 389. 
Officers' Livery, Town's 427, 558, 559. 
Ogilvie, The Laird of. Searched, 257. 
Oliphant, Rev, William, 335, 354. 
Opening and Shutting of Ports, 228. 
"O Rare Ben Johnson," 277, 
Orchestral Society, 696, 
Order on St, Benedict, 39, 40, 
Ordinance of the Sacrament Neglected, 354, 



INDEX. 



779 



Ordnance Plan of the City of Dunfermline, 

672, 674. 
Organ of the Abbey, 79. 

of St. Margaret's Hall, 707, 708. 

Orok, John (Town-Clerk), 164. 

Orologe Bell of the Abbey, 167. 

Orreiy, 624. 

Orwell Chapel, 116, 197. 

Our Lady's "Lichts," 173, 174. 



Painting in Pennicuik House, 7. 

Palace of Dunfermhne, 122, 195, 257, 382. 

Claim to, 695. 

Pan-House, Limekilns, 274. 

Pardusin (Pardieus, Perdewis, &c.), 15, 190, 

241. 
Parish Altar in Dunfermline Abbey, 171. 

of Dunfermline, 312, 320, 644. 

Parliament held in Dunfermline, 133. 
Parliamentary Bridle, 399. 

Election Riots, &c., 534- 

Paton, David, 569, 575, 581, 582, 588, 608, 

652. 

Joseph N., 622, 681, 698, 756. 

Sir Joseph Noel, 644, 662, 686, 687, 

759, 760. 

Waller, 691, 760. 

Amelia (Mrs. D. O, Hill), 698, 760. 

Patriarchal Dinner, 680. 
Patrick's Day, St., 539. 
Paul Jones, 506. 
Pawnbrokers, 651. 
Peats, the Town's, 339. 
Peirson, Rev. William, 337. 
Pendulum to Auld Kirk Clock, 411. 
Penelands of Dunfennline, 195, 212. 
Penny Weddings, 297, 388. 

Savings Bank, 667, 682. 

Perpetual Lights in Dunfermline Abbey, 93, 

"S> "9- 
Perth, 61, 75, 93, 134, 153, 
Pest (or Plague) in Dunfermline, 175, 176, 

187, 191, 225, 227, 312, 314. 
Peter, the Prior of Dunfermline, 28, 38, 49. 
Petnurcha, 14. 
Phantom Warriors, 94. 
Philip, John, his patent, 554. 
Phin, Captain George, Pittencrieff, 517. 
Phorth, 3. 

Photography, 670, 760. 
Pillory, The, 502, 537. 
Piper, The, 365, 371, 416. 
Pitt, Rev. John, 693, 694. 
Robert Pitcaim, 204, 212, 214, 215, 216, 

219, 220, 224, 225. 

Henry, 230, 242. 

Pittencrieff, 2, 103, 213, 223, 270, 323, 436, 

478, 517, 544. 562. 
Pitathrie, 2. 
Pitbauchlie, 2, 264. 
Pitconochy, 2. 
Pitcorthie, 2. 



Pitdinnie, 2. 

Pitfirrane, 2, 152, 153, 213, 215, 227, 228, 
300, 706. 

Coal Chartei", 213. 

Silver Plate, 215, 381. 

Pitliver, 2. 

John Dempster, 280. 

Pitreavie, 2, 275 ; Battle of, 324-26; Hospital, 

345, 481 ; Wilderness of, 377. 
Pitscotie, 2. 
Pittenweem, 6. 
Planetarium, 622. 
Plan of Extended Abbey, 68, 69. 
Plans of Dunfermline, 182, 617. 
Pluscardine Priory, 192. 
Poems, Henryson's, 177, 178. 
Pollock, Rev. Robert, 623. 
Population of Dunfermline, 356. 
Portmoak, 6. 

Portus Reginze (Queensferry), 57. 
Ports of the Burgh, 145, 146, 168, 228, 462, 

466, 507. 
Post Office, 356, 552, 562, 576, 650, 708. 

Pillar Boxes, 674. 

Postulate of the Abbey, 187, 

Potatoes, 423, 441. 

Powder Magazine, 669. 

Pra^positus or Provost (early), 168, 169, 174. 

Prsetor Hill, 2. 

Praitorium of the Burgh, 174. 

"Praise God" Stone, 289. 

Preaching Tent, 433. 

Press-Gang in Dunfermline, 535. 

Pre-Historic Dunfermline, i — 8, 712, 

Prince Alexander, 98 ; David, 97 ; Edward, 

22 ; Ethelrede, 37 ; Robert, 258. 
Princess Christian, 138 ; Elizabeth, 247 ; 

Matilda, 140. 
Prison, The New, 654. 
Presbyteries of Dunfermline, 223, 354, 355. 
Primrose, 199. 

Printing Presses, 512, 549, 554, 580, 582. 
Property Investment vSociety, 668. 
Proverbs, Scottish, 311. 
Provosts of Dunfermline. (See names of 

Abbots from page 40 to 204, and Lay 

Provosts from page 204 to 708 ; also see 

List, 748, 749. 
Public Benevolence, 288. 

Park, 684. 

Wells, 483. 

Whipping, 606. 



Queen Annabella, Consort of Robert III, 149. 
Ann, Consort of James VI., 236, 239, 

240, 242, 254, 255, 267, 520, 536. 

Letter, 273. 

Elizabeth, Consort of King Robert the 

Bruce, 124, 125. 
Margaret, Consort of Alexander III., 

95. 96. 
Margaret St., see pages 6 to 92. 



78o 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



Queen Mary, 208, 209, 215. 

Ann Street U.P. Church, 437, 542. 

Queensferry, North, 57, 96, 123, 165, 166, 
468, 511, 670, 671 ; South, 208, 265. 

R 
Races, 381, 408, 409, 431, 544, 667. 

Saddle, 408. 

Ragewin, Gillepatric, &c, 50. 

Railways, 578. 

Ramsay, Earl of Fife, 138. 

James, Execution of, 423 — 425. 

Randolph, Earl of Moray, 119, 120, 131, 132. 
Rankine, James, 6cx), 607, 641, 659. 
Reader of Dunfermline Church, 304. 
Reasonings betwixt "Deth and Man," 722. 
Rebellions, 395, 396, 446 — 450. 
Rebuilding of Dunfermline Abbey, 288. 
Reform Bill period, 630 — 632. 
Reformation, 200, 201. 
Regality Court, 223, 229, 234, 455 ; Seal, 

120 ; House, 278. 
Register of Charters, with black coverings, 198, 

with white do., 199, 228. 

of St. Leonard's, 323. 

of Lordship of Dunfermline, 261. 

Cartarum Annse, 252. 

Registrar's Office, Maygate, 670. 

Registrum de Dunfermlyn, 715. 

Reid, John, teacher, 487, 590, 591. 

Reid's Mortification, 502, 583. 

Relics of St. Margaret, 489. 

Rehef Kirk, 502, 504, 525, 619, 657, 668. 

Religious Society, 544. 

Renat and Ferguson Controversy, 209, 210. 

Rental of Dunfermline Abbey, 207. 

Repairing of the Auld Kirk, 211, 212, 216. 

Richard Mongal, Prior of Dunfermline, 49. 

Richardson, Master Robert, 212. 

Ringan's, St. (St. Ninian's Altar), 179. 

Rivulet de Garvock, 1 74. 

Robbie, Rev. J. M., 686. 

Robert de Bruce (King), 115, 125, 130. 

Robertson, Rev. James, 529. 

Provost, 682, 692, 702. 

George, 707, 759. 

Roger, the Prior of Dunfermline, 50, 63. 

Rogers, Rev. Charles (now LL.D.), 660. 

Rolland, Adam, of Gask, 478. 

Romish Consecration of the Abbey, 51. 

Roman Urns found, 499. 

Roman Catholic Congregation, &c., 617, 655> 

666, 667. 
Rose, Rev. James, 675. 
Ross, Rev. William, LL.D., 164, 685. 
Rosythe, 6, 7, 139, 152, 208, 217, 219, 220, 

301. 330. 363- 

Sold, 357. 

Rotten Row, 167, 181, 430, 434. 

Rotten Row Port, 264, 430. 

Row, Rev. Sa.muel, 304. 

Royal Tombs Explored, 559 — 561, 

Interments (see "Interments Royal"). 



Royal Cellar, Limekilns, 222. 

Gifts, 14 — 150. 

Vault, 276. 

Royal Gallery in the Kirk, 265. 

Russell, Rev, David, 666. 
Russian Gun, 675. 

S 

Saint Catherine's Altar, 180; Almshouse, 123; 
Chapel, 123 ; Yard, 213. 

Cuthbert's Altar, 180 ; Yard, 190. 

James's Chapel, 165; Altar, 171, 180. 

-John's Chapel, 142; Altar, 171, 180. 

Laurence's Altar and Yard, 160. 

Leonard's Chapel, 95. 

Margaret's Altar, 87, 155, 172, 173; 

Lands, 214; Shrine, 87; Day and Fes- 
tival, 87 ; Well, 481 ; Oratory or Cave, 
19, 714; Tomb, 86, 761; Hall, 702, 
707 ; 708, 740 ; Church, East Port 
Street, 624; Street, 479. 

Mary's Altar and Yard, 132, 512. 

Michael's Altar, 180. 

Nicholas's — 180. 

Ninian's — 180. 

-Peter's — 170,180. 

Salvator's — 171, 180. 

Stephen's, — 180. 

Thomas's ■ — 180. 

Trunzean's, — 180. 

"Sair Saint to the Crown," 151. 

Sanitary Notice, Early, 173. 

Sansoni, Raffaelle, Abbot of Dunfermline, 172. 

Savile, Rev. David, 539. 

Savings Bank, 587, 705. 

Schaw, William, "master of works," &c., 
239, 247, 258, 260, 298. 

Schire de Kirkaldenet, 15. 

de Fothriff, 6, 44, 47. 

Schools of Perth and Stirling, 60. 

New, in Dunfermline Parish, 315, 349. 

of Science, New Row, 671. 

Schoolmasters, 218. 

Schoolmistress, An Accomplished, 472. 
Scientific Association, The Dunfermline, 637. 
Scott, Sir Walter, 609, 695. 

Scotwater, 57. 

Scottish Baptist Church, 555- 

School of Arts, 669. 

Sculptured and Lettered Stones, 219, 253, 

264, 266, 276, 281, 282, 289, 293, 294, 

297, 301, 438, 508, 
Seals of the Burgh of Dunfermline, 144, 145, 

237—239, 340. 
Search for Silver, 510, 

Seaton, Alexander, Earl of Dunfermline, 262. 
Secession Church, 433-35, 437-38, 537. 542- 
Secret Yett, 169. 
Sewage Works, &c., 705. 
Shaking-of " Master of Gray's House," 222. 
Sheeling-Hill, 428, 496. 
Sheriff of Dunfermline, 68. 
Court, 454, 669, 



INDEX. 



781 



Shiach, Rev. James M., 693. 

Shirts and Shifts Woven in the Loom, 372, 

563, 584, 609. 
Shoolbred, Andrew Ewing, 661. 
Shrines of S t. David and St. Margaret watched, 

222. 
Sibbald's History of Fife, 386. 
Sibilla, the Queen, 36. 
Silver Vessels, 16. 

Basin and Ewer, 166. 

Cups and Coins, 485. 

Situation of Dunfermline, 9. 

Si ward, an Exile, ii. 

Skating Club, 629. 

Sklat House, 170. 

Slanderers Punished, 296, 297. 

Slaughter- Houses, 516, 692. 

Slaying of Cattle, 174. 

Slezer's Views of Dunfermline, 356, 357. 

Smith, Rev. John, 475, 510. 

Rev. James, 504. 

Rev. Thomas, 676. 

Adam, author of " Wealth of Nations," 

499- 

William, Crossford, 584. 

Smith, Copper, 431. 

Smiths' Incorporation, 178. 

Smithy Coal and Pitfirrane Charter, 213. 

Snow Storms, 494, 498, 503, 514, 530, 531, 

532, 613, 623, 630. 
Snuffing in the Kirk prohibited, 316. 
Snuff-Mill, 434. 
Soldiers' Barracks, 672. 

Solemn League, Confession of Faith, &c,, 
223, 246, 302, 310, 329. 
■ Solicitors, Society of, 687. 

Song School, 267, 270. 

Spade Manufactory, 505, 

Spens, Sir Patrick, 98, 100. 

Spittal Brig, 374. 

Henry, "foir speaker" (advocate), 169. 

Staff Man of Dunfermline, 365, 367. 

Stage Coach, "The Antiquary," 618. 

Stamp Office, 552, 576, 650. 

Stationer, First, in DunfermHne, 422. 

Statistics, 491. 

Steel Mills, 442, 469. 

Stereotyping and Ged, 414. 

Stewart, Andro, vagabond, 224. 

Stirling, 60, 161, 162. 

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway, 656. 

Stocks for Culprits, 173. 

Stock Market, 670. 

Stone Coffins discovered, 485, 670. 

Stoneware Shop, 519. 

Street-Sweeping Machinery, 693. 

Streets, Names of, altered, 707. 

Strivihn, Sir John de, 133, 134. 

Strublance, or Quarrels, 171, 173. 

Sub-Committee of Royal Burgh, 412. 

Sutherland, Rev. Andrew, 645. 

Sunday Desecration, 330. 

Play prohibited, 218, 219. 



Sunday Fracas in the Kirk, 502 . 
Swine-Killing on the Street, 497. 
Sword of State and the Abbot of Dunf., 185. 
Syme, Henry, 662, 702. 

T 
Tabernacle (Independents), 507, 550. 
Tablet Memorial (Stanley), 702. 
Tambouring, 556. 
Taylor, "the Water Poet," 277. 

Alexander P., 521, 533, 760. 

Tea, Excessive Use of, 441. 
Temporalities of DunfermHne Abbey, 230. 
' ' Terror of Dunfermline, " 511. 
Theatricals, 555, 636, 664. 
" The King sits in Dunfermling Toun," 98. 
Thomson, Rev. James, 441, 523, 524, 

George (Limekilns), 473. 

James, pattern-drawer, 489. 

Andrew, teacher, 647, 683, 698. 

Thorn Tree, 512. 

Thornton Railway, 657. 

Tide-Table for Limekilns, 629. 

Toll-bars, 523. 

Tolbooth (Townhouse), 174, 296, 328, 329, 

448, 457, 487, 490, 493. 

Port of, 446. 

Torryburn Witches, 297. 
Tower, Malcolm Canmore's, 3. 

Bridge (Gyrth-bow), 270, 519. 

Town-Clerk, 164, 165, 497. 

Ports, 145, 146, 168, 228, 462. 

Piper, 365, 371, 393, 416. 

Guard, 411. 

Green, 532. 

House, &c., 487, 490, 492, 493, 532, 

534, 680, 686, 702. 

Livery, 427, 558, 559. 

Muir planted, 513. 

Bell, 328, 686. 

Trades in Dunfermline, i8i. 

Deacons, chosen in Auld Kirk, 348, 349. 

Tradesmen's Library, 563, 632. 
Transcript of the Abbey Charter, 432. 
Translation of St. Margaret, 82—85. 
Trees Planted round the Palace Ruins, 420. 
Trinity Church, 649, 653, 657. 
Tron and Customs, 139, 141, 483. 

Bum, 472. 

Tunnel under the Forth (proposed), 557. 
Turgot (St. Margaret's Confessor), 12. 

U 
Umbrellas introduced in Dunfermline, 516. 
Union, Opposition to, in Dunfermline, 377 — 

380. 
Union Mason Lodge (No. 250), 584. 
Unmannerly Town Councillors, 305. 
Urquhart Priory, 42, 151 ; Cutts, 503, 504. 
Usufructuarius (of Abbey), 191. 

V 

Vaccination, 543. 

Vennel, Common, 165 ; do.. Foul, 170. 



782 



ANNALS OF DUNFERMLINE. 



Vicarage of Dunfermline Abbey, 141, 142. 
Victoria (the Queen), descent of, 734, 
Victoria Lodging House, 667. 

Steam Power Weaving Factory, 702. 

Volunteers, 553, 555, 680, 681, 682. 

W 
Waldie, Rev. Charles, 628. 
Walden, Lord, entertained, 274. 
Walker, Rev. T., 653. 

Samuel, of Leeds, 404. 

Robert (Bell-man), 524. 

Wallace, Sir William, and his Mother, 107, 

109, 123, 124, 513. 
Walwood (the learned Monk), 161. 
Wardlaw, of Pitreavie, 149, 261, 274, 275, 
276, 736. 

Rev. James, 401. 

Warlock burnt. A, 317, 338, 339. 

Water Schemes, 439, 479, 481, 483, 498, 

S35> 536, 555, 558, 569- 

Craigluscar, 655, 663. 

Glensherup, 655, 693, 701, 705, 742. 

Watt, Hew, Vagabond, 229. 

Weavers' Calender House, 430. 

Weapon Shawing, 161, 284. 

Weaving and Weavers, 171, 181, 372, 401, 
413, 414, 428, 431, 454, 456, 475, 503, 
505, 506, 509, 5". 5i5> 516, 522, 530, 
551, 554, 563, 584, 64s, 665, 668. 

Weaver's Baton, 352 ; Flags, 428, 

Webb of Canone, 181. 

Webster, Rev. Dr., and Population, 467. 

Wedderburn, Provost, 467. 

Weddings, Penny, 297. 

Weights and Measures, 375. 

Wemyss, John, Pittencrieff, 271, 470. 

Well-o-Spa, 497. 

Wells, Public, 483. 



Wells, Netherton, 483. 

Western Bank of Scotland, Branch of, 675. 

West of Fife Mineral Railway, 673. 

West Port, the, 123, 484, 507, 508. 

Whale Stranded, 327. 

Wheat Mill, 526. 

Whitefield, Rev. George, 439. 

Whitelaw, Provost, 691. 

Whirlbut and Warlocks, 274. 

Wife, A Brawling, 320. 

Wilson, John, hon. burgess, 505, 507. 

Lawrence, 671. 

Rev. Thomas, 578. 

School, New Row, 676. 

Window Tax, 470. 
Wine, Abbey shortcomings, 65. 
Witches, 240, 241, 297, 307, 309, 314, 319, 
321, 322, 338, 349. 

Prayer, A, 321, 322, 349. 

Witch Dub, 526; Acres, 537. 

Wood's Plan of Dunfermline, 617. 

Woo'er's Alley, 389. 

Wright, John, first-named Provost, 155. 

Wrights of Dunfermline, 178, 298. 

Wymet Church, 76. 

Wynton's Chronicle, 12, 22, 23, 25, 28, 39, 

41, 53, 59, 82, 86, 95, 96, 97, 98, 102, 

126, 132, 133, 134, 143. 

Y 

Yarn Market established, 463. 
Yeaman, Alexander, of Pittencrieff, 356. 
Yett, East, 168, 267; also "East Port;" 

Nether, 165 ; Secret, 167. 
Young, George, and Bible Revising, 218. 

Rev. James, 631, 692. 

■ Men's Literary Institute, 701. 

Yucca Gloriosa, 694. 

Yule, Feasting and Rioting, 306. 



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