very fair House of the Kings a goodly Church and a fishful Lake of which Lake it may seem to have assumed that Name For Lin in the British Tongue soundeth as much as a Lake A Sheriff it had in times past by inheritance out of the Family of the Hamiltons of Peyle and now in our days it hath for the first Earl Sir Alexander Livingston whom King James the sixth raised from the Dignity of a Baron wherein his Ancestors had flourished a long time to the Honour of an Earl In the same Shire is situat Livingstoun the Peyle of Livingstoun which was burnt by Oliver Cromwell and did antiently belong to the Family of Livingston who from the seat and sirname were first designed Lairds of Livingstoun And afterward Callender of that Ilk being Forfaulted for adhering to the Baliol. A Daughter of that Family was married to Livingstoun who by Right of Blood and Grant from King Robert the Bruce obtained the Lands and Barony of Callender whose Successor Sir Alexander Livingston of Callender was great Counsellor to King James the first and by him appointed Governour to King James the second himself or his Heir was created Lord Livingstoun Alexander Lord Livingstoun about the year 1603 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Linlithgow and was one of the Commissioners for the Union 1604. George Earl of Linlithgow great Grand child to the first Earl doth presently enjoy the Dignity and is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury Near to Livingstoun is the Castle of Calder which antiently belonged to the Family of Sandilands in the Reign of Queen Mary 1563 Sir James Sandilands being Preceptor of Torphichen and Lord of St. John was created Lord Torphichen whose Successor Walter Lord Torphichen doth enjoy the Title The Sheriffdom of Linlithgow being annexed to the Barony of Abercorn it doth belong to Charles Hope of Hoptoun who doth inherit the Barony and Sheriffship CHAP. VIII SELGOVAE BEneath the Gadeni toward the South and West where now are the small Territories of Liddesdale Eusdale Eskdale Annandale and Nidesdale so called of little Rivers running through them which all lose themselves in Solway Firth dwelt in antient times the Selgovae the Reliques of whose name seemed to the Author to remain in that name Solway In Lidesdale there riseth aloft Armitage so called because it was in times past dedicated to a solitary life of old a very strong Castle which belonged to the Hepburns who draw their Original from a certain Englishman a prisoner whom the Earl of Merch for delivering him out of a danger greatly enriched These were Earls of Bothwell in Clydsdale and a long time by the right of inheritance Admirals of Scotland But by a Sister of James Earl of Bothwell the last of the Hepburns married unto John Prior of Coldinghame base Son to King James the fifth who begat many Bastards the Title Inheritance both came unto his Son now extinct Hard by is Branksholm the Habitation of the warlike Family of Buckcleugh surnamed Scot of whom already in Teviotdale or the Shire of Roxburgh where Branksholm is situat beside many little Piles or Forts of military Men every where In Eusdale one would deem by the affinity of the Name that old Vzellum mentioned by Ptolomy stood by the River Euse. In Eskdale some are of Opinion that the Horesti dwelt into whose Borders Julius Agricola when he had subdued the Britains inhabiting this Tract brought the Roman Army especially if we read Horesci insteed of Horesti For Ar-Esc in the British Tongue betokeneth a Place by the River Eske The Author hath disjoyned this Chapter too far from the Description of Teviotdale but gives an Entry to treat of Annandale CHAP. IX ANNANDALE UNto this on the West side adjoyneth Annandale that is The Vale by the River Annan into which the Access by Land is very difficult The Places of greater note herein are these a Castle and Town by Lough-Maban three parts whereof are environed with Water and strongly walled and the Town Annan at the very mouth almost of the River Annan which lost all the Glory and Beauty it had by the English War in the Reign of Edward the sixth In this Territory the Johnstons are Men of greatest Name a Kindred even bred to War between whom and the Maxwels there hath been professed an open Enmity over long even to deadly Feud and Blood-shed which Maxwels by Right from their Ancestors had the Rule of this Seneschalsie or Stewartrie for so it is accounted This Vale Edgar King of Scots after he was restored to his Kingdom by auxiliary Forces out of England gave in Consideration and Reward of good Service unto Robert Bruse or Brus Lord of Cliveland in York-shire who with the good favour of the King bestowed it upon Robert his younger Son when himself would not serve the King of Scots in his Wars From him flowered the Bruses Lords of Annandale of whom Robert Brus married Isobel the Daughter of William King of Scots by the Daughter of Robert Avenal His Son likewise Robert the third of that Name wedded the Daughter of David Earl of Huntington and of Garioch whose Son Robert surnamed The Noble when the Issue of Alexander the third King of Scots failed challenged in his Mothers Right the Kingdom of Scotland before Edward the first King of England as the direct and superiour Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland so the English give it out or an honourable Arbitrator for so say the Scots as being nearer in proximity in Degree and Bloud to King Alexander the third and Margaret Daughter to the King of Norway although he was the Son by a second Sister who soon after resigning up his own Right granted and gave over to his Son Robert Brus Earl of Carrick to his Heirs the Author alledges this out of the very Original all the Right and Claim which he had or might have to the Kingdom of Scotland But the Action and Suit went with John Balliol who sued for his Right as descended of the eldest Sister although in a degree farther off and Sentence was given in these words For that the Person more remote in the second Degree descending in the first Line is to be preferred before a nearer in a second Line in the succession of an Inheritance that cannot be parted Howbeit the said Robert Son to the Earl of Carrick by his own vertue at length recovered the Kingdom unto himself and established it to his Posterity A Prince who as he flourished notably in regard of the glorious Ornaments of his Noble Acts so he triumphed as happily with invincible Fortitude Courage over Fortune that so often crossed him Sir Richard Murray of Cock-pool Baronet was first created Viscount of Annan is so designed in the year 1623 and thereafter in the 1624 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Annandale The Laird of Johnstoun was created Lord
Stuart Heiress and Countess of Angus of which marriage was George Douglas Earl of Angus who married King Robert the Thirds Daughter have been Earls of Angus and reputed the chief and principal Earls of Scotland and to whom this Office belongeth to carry the Regal Crown before the Kings at the solemn Assembly of the Kingdom The sixth Earl of Angus out of this stock was Archibald who espoused Margaret Daughter to Henry the seventh King of England and Mother to James the fifth King of Scots by whom he had Issue Margaret Wife to Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox who after her Brothers decease that died Childless willingly resigned up her Right and Interest in this Earldom unto Sir David Douglass of Pittindreich her Uncles Son by the Fathers side and that with consent of her Husband and Sons to the end that she might bind the surer unto her self by the link also of a beneficial demerit that Family which otherwise in Blood was most near what time Henry her Son went about to Wed Mary the Queen by which Marriage King James the sixth the mighty Monarch of Great-Britain was happily born to the good of all Britain and from these Earls of Angus Douglass the Marquess of Douglass is lineally descended From an Abbacy in this Shire James Elphingstoun second Son to Secretary Elphingstoun Lord Balmerinoch was created by King James the sixth Lord Couper but dying without Issue the Title and Dignity is confounded in the person of the now Lord Balmerinoch The Sheriffship of this Shire being at the Kings disposal Patrick Earl of Strathmore is Sheriff CHAP. XXVIII MERNIS OR Shire of KINCARDIN THese Regions were in Ptolomy's time inhabited by the Vernicones the same perhaps that the Vecturiones mentioned by Marcellinus But this their name is now quite gone unless we would imagine some little piece thereof to remain in Mernis For many times in common speech of the British Tongue V. turneth into M. This small Province Mernis lying on the North-side of the North-Water of Esk abutting upon the German Ocean and of a Rich and fertile Soil lieth very well as a plain and level Champion But the most memorable place therein is Dunnotyr a Castle advanced upon an high and unaccessible Rock whence it looketh down to the underflowing Sea well fensed with strong Walls and Turrets which hath been a long time the habitation of the Keiths of an antient and very noble Stock who by the guidance of their Vertue became Hereditary Earls Mareschals of the Kingdom of Scotland in the Reign of King Robert Bruce and Sheriffs of this Province of whom is descended William now Earl Mareschal In a Porch or Gallery here is to be seen that antient Inscription formerly mentioned of a Company belonging to the twentieth Legion the Letters whereof the right Noble and Honourable Earl George Commissioner to the Parliament 1609 a great lover of Antiquity caused to be Guilded Somewhat further from the Sea standeth Fordon graced in some sort and commendable in regard of John de Fordon who being born here diligently and with great pains Compiled Scoti Chronicon that is The Scottish Chronicle unto whose laborious studies the Scottish Historiographers are very much indebted but more glorious and renowned in old time for the Reliques of St. Palladius bestowed and shrined sometime as is verily thought in this place who in the year 431 was by Pope Coelestinas appointed the Apostle of the Scottish Nation In this Shire the Laird of Arbuthnet of that lik of an antient Family was created Viscount Arbuthnet by King Charles the first about the year 1641 whose Great Grand-Child is Robert Viscount of Arbuthnet As also Sir Alexander Falconer one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the first anno 1648 Created Lord Halcartoun whose Grand-Child is now Lord Halcartoun Also Lieutenant-General Middletoun of an antient Family designed by that Surname was by K. Charles the second appointed Commissioner for holding the Parliament 1661 and Created at that time Earl of Middletoun his Son is Charles Earl of Middletoun who was first Secretary of Scotland and then of England to King Charles the second and King James the seventh In this Shire is Inverbervie a Burgh-Royal In the antient times the Countrey Horestia did comprehend both Angus and Mernis in this matter I must be allowed to differ from the Learned Author who places the Horesti in the Countrey of Eskdale a small and inconsiderable Countrey surrounded with others and not bordering on the Sea whereas Tacitus in the Life of Agricola Describing his War in our part of Britain saith The third year of the War Agricola discovered new Nations which he conquered even to the River Tau And after this he adds Agricola having beat Galgacus near to the Grampian Hills brought back the Roman Army to the boders of the Horesti and having received Hostages from them he ordered the Commanders of the Roman Fleet to sail about the Isle The chief part of this quotation is on the Margin in the words of the Author which is only applicable to the Mouth and Firth of Tay and the Countrey of Angus and Mernis situat thereupon where the Roman Navy hath Landed their Men and in the which station remained to receive them at the end of the expedition and from this Port to the Grampian Hills through the large Countrey of Strathmore they have marched their Army and Carriages and by the same Way returned them to their Ships of which great ways there are certain Vestiges remaining but there is no direct continued way betwixt the Grampian Hills and Eskdale nor could any army with such great Carriages march betwixt these places nor thereafter be Embarked at Eskdale See more of this in Sir George Mckenzies Answer to St. Asaph CHAP. XXIX MARRIA OR MAR. FRom the Sea in the Mediterranean or In-landparts above Mernis Mar enlargeth it self and runneth forward threescore Miles or thereabout where it lieth broadest VVest-wards it swelleth up with Mountains unless it be where the Rivers Dee which Ptolomy calleth Diva and Don make way for themselves and infertile the Fields Upon the Bank of Don Kildrummy standeth as a fair Ornament to the Countrey being the antient Seat of the Earls of Mar and not far distant from it the Habitation of the Barons Forbois who being issued from a Noble and Antient Stock assumed this Surname whereas before time they were called Bois after that the Heir of that Family had manfully killed a Savage and Cruel Bare of whom is Descended William now Lord Forbes But at the very Mouth of this River there be two Towns that give greater Ornament which of the said Mouth that in the British Tongue they call Aber borrowing one Name are divided asunder by one little Field lying between the hithermost of them which standeth nearer to Dee Mouth is much ennobled by an Episcopal Dignity which King David
after it hath passed as it were in a straight Channel by Drumelzier Castle by Peebles a Burgh Royal which had for the Sheriff thereof Baron Yester now Earl of Tweddale Lord high Chancellor who sold his Estate in that Shire and the Sheriff-ship to the Duke of Queensberry of whom afterwards in East-Lothian In this Shire the Laird of Traquair as a Baron Commissioner to the Parliament 1621 was by King Ch. the first created Lord Stuart of Traquair and in anno 1633 was made Earl his Predecessor was a Lord of Session in the year 1560 he himself was first Thesaurer-deput and afterwards Lord high Thesaurer and high Commissioner for the King whose Grand-child is Charles Earl of Traquair In this Shire also Sir Patrick Murray of Elibank was designed in the rescinded Parliament 1644 Lord Elibank whose Father Sir Gideon Murray Thesaurer-deput was admitted a Lord of the Session anno 1613 the great Grand-child is Alexander Lord Elibank Likeas Selkirk a Burgh Royal hard by hath another Sheriff out of the Family of Murray of Falahill an ancient Family designed of Philiphaugh James Murray now of Philiphaugh is one of the Lords of Session and Sheriff This place is famous by the Defeat of the Army of the great Marquess of Montrose By King Charles the first anno 1646 Lord William Dowglas second Son to the Marquess of Dowglas was created Earl of Selkirk was married to Anna Dutchess and Heiress of Hamilton and by King Charles the second after the Restauration created Duke of Hamilton he was Commissioner to two Sessions of this current Parliament and enjoyed many great and honourable Offices who in his Lifetime did convey and establish the Title and Dignity of Earl of Selkirk on Charles his second Son now Earl of Selkirk his Lady Anna Dutchess of Hamilton and James Earl of Arran doth survive Tweed also receiveth Lawder a Riverat upon which is situat a Royal Burgh and seat of a Bailliary belonging to the Family of Lawderdale within the Sheriffdom of Berwick near to which stands Thirlestane Castle a very fair House of Sir John Maitlands sometime Chancellor of Scotland whom for his singular Wisdom King Ja. the sixth created Baron of Thirlstane Sir Richard Maitland of Lethingtoun was his father who is marked in the Book of Sederunt of the Lords of Session 1553 amongst the Lords being then an extraordinary Lord In the Sederunt 1561 he is admitted an ordinar Lord and his eldest Son William then Secretary is admitted Extraordinar and thereafter Ordinar in place of Sir Robert Carnagie deceased it being Customary at that time first to be entered Extraordinar and then Ordinar This Sir Richard was Privy Seal to Queen Mary and continued an Ordinar Lord till his old Age when he demitted the eleventh of July 1584 in favours of Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice-Clerk upon the Kings Letter bearing Lethingtoun to have served his Grand-sir Good-sir Good-dame his Mother and himself faithfully in many publick Offices and now greatly disabled by Age he had demitted in favours c. Reserving all Profits to himself during his Life which notwithstanding of his Dimission he enjoyed till his death anno 1586. The said Mr. John Maitland of Thirlstane his second Son was in April 1581 admitted Lord of the Session and about the year 1584 Secretary and in the 1586 Vice Chancellor and thereafter Chancellor and in the 1592 designed Lord Thirlstane Chancellor whose Son John was created Viscount of Lauderdale by King Ja. sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 and in June 1618 under the Designation of Viscount of Lauderdale he is admitted an ordinar Lord of Session and thereafter created Earl of Lauderdale by King Ja. thessixth about the year 1624 whose Son John Earl of Lauderdale was Secretary to King Ch. the second by him created Duke of Lauderdale in the year 1672 he was high Commissioner to the hail Sessions of the second Parliament King Ch. the second Convention of Estates 1678 and enjoyed many other honourable Offices and upon his decease without Heirs-male of his Body his brother Charles Maitland of Haltoun Thesaurer-deput and a Lord of the Session succeeded to him in his Dignity of Earl of Lauderdale the Title of Duke being extinct with himself whose Son is Richard Earl of Lauderdale Then Tweed beneath Roxburgh augmented with the River of Teviot resorting unto him watereth the Sheriffdom of Berwick throughout a great part whereof is possessed by the Humes wherein the chief man of that Family exerciseth the Jurisdiction of a Sheriff so passes under Berwick the strongest Town of Britain where he is exceeding full of Salmons and so falleth into the Sea CHAP. VI. MERCHIA MERCH or MERSâ— MERCH which is next and so named because it is a March Countrey lyeth wholly upon the German Sea In this first Hume Castle sheweth it self the ancient Possession of the Lords of Home or Hume who being descended from the family of the Earls of Merch are grown to be a noble and fair spred Family Out of which Alexander Hume who before was the first Baron of Scotland Sheriff of Berwicks was about the 1604 advanced by James the 6. the first King or Great Britain to the Title of Earl of Hume to whom Charles now Earl of Hume succeeds Sir James Dowglas Brother to the first Marquess of Douglas married the Heiress of Oliphant and in her Right had the Precedency of the Lords of Oliphant with the Dignity of Mordingtoun whose Grand-child is presently Lord Mordingtoun Near unto Hume Castle lyeth Kelso famous sometime for the Monastery which with thirteen others King David the first of that Name built out of the ground for the propagation of Gods glory but to the great empairing of the Crown-Land Then is to be seen Coldingham which Bede calleth the City Coldana and the City of Coludum haply Colania mentioned by Ptolomy a place consecrated many ages since unto professed Virgins or Nuns whose chastity is recorded in ancient Books For that they together with Ebba their Prioress cut off their own Noses and Lips choosing rather to preserve their Virginity from the Danes than their Beauty and Favour and yet for all that the Danes burnt their Monastry and them withal Hard by is Fast-Castle a Castle of the Lord Humes so called for the firmness and Strength thereof at the Promontory of the said Saint Ebbe who being the Daughter of Edilfrid King of Northumberland when her Father was taken prisoner got hold of a Boat in Humber and passing along the raging Ocean landed here in safety became renowned for her Sanctimony and left her Name unto the place But this Merch is mentioned in the Historiographers a great deal more for the Earls thereof than for any places therein who for Martial Prowesse were highly renowned and descended from Gospatrick Earl of Northumberland whom after he had fled from William Conquerer of England Malcom Canmor that is
and Inheritance As touching the Earls of Lennox themselves to omit those of more ancient and obscure times there was one Duncan Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the Third who died and left none but Daughters behind him of whom one was married to Allan Stuart descended from Robert a younger Son of Walter the Second of that Name High Stewart of Scotland and Brother likewise to Alexander Stuart the Second from whom the noblest and Royal Race of Scotland hath been propagated This sirname Stuart was given unto that most noble Family in regard of the honourable Office of the Stewart-ship of the Kingdom as who had the Charge of the Kings Revenues The said Allan had Issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert Captain of that Company of Scottish men at Arms which Charles the Sixth King of France first instituted in lieu of some Recompence unto the Scottish Nation which by their Valour had deserved passing well of the Kingdom of France who also by the same Prince for his vertues sake was endowed with the Seigniory of Aubigny in Auvergne Iohn had a Son named Matthew Earl of Lennox who wedded the Daughter of James Hamilton by Marion Daughter to King James the Second on whom he begat John Earl of Lennox he taking Arms to deliver King James the Fifth out of the hands of the Dowglasses and the Hamiltons was slain by the Earl of Arran his Uncle on the Mothers side This John was Father to Matthew Earl of Lennox who having sustained sundry Troubles in France and Scotland found Fortune more friendly to him in England through the favour of King Henry the Eight considering that he bestowed upon him in marriage his Neice with fair Lands By the means of this happy Marriage were brought into the world Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had Issue James the Sixth King of Brittain by the propitious Grace of the Eternal God born in a most auspicate and lucky Hour to knit and unite in one Body of an Empire the whole Island of Brittain divided as well in it self as it was heretofore from the rest of the World and to lay a most sure Foundation of an everlasting Security for our Heirs and the Posterity As for Charles he had Issue one only Daughter Arbella married to the Earl of Hertford in England who above her Sex so embraced the Studies of the best Literature that therein she profited and proceeded with singular Commendation and comparable with the excellent Ladies of old time When Charles was dead after that the Earldom of Lenox whereof he stood Enfeoffed was revoked by Parliamentary Authority in the year of our Lord 1579. and his Uncle by the Fathers side Robert Bishop of Caithness had some while enjoyed this Title in lieu whereof he received at the Kings hands the honour of the Earl of March. King James the Sixth conferred the honourable Title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart Son to Iohn Lord D' Aubigny younger Brother to Matthew aforesaid Earl of Lennox which Lodowick Esme his Son after him did enjoy For since the time of Charles the Sixth there were of this Line Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before named and Bernard or Eberdard under Charles the Eighth and Lewis the Twelfth who is commended with great praise unto Posterity by P. Jovius for his noble Acts most valourously exploited in the War of Naples a most firm and trusty Companion of King Henry the Seventh when he entered into England who used for his Emprese or Devise a Lyon between Buckles with this Motto Distantia Jungit for that by his Means the Kingdoms of France and of Scotland severed and dis-joined so far in distance were by a straighter League of friendship conjoyned likeas Robert Stuart Lord D' Aubigny of the same Race who was Marshal of France under King Lewis the Eleventh for the same cause used the royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a border Gules which the Earls and Dukes of Lennox have ever since born quarterly with the Arms of Stuart The Dukes of Lennox were also heretably great Chamberlains of Scotland and High-Admirals and had several Regalities and the Baillerie of Glasgow The Race of the Earls and Dukes of Lennox aforesaid being extinct by the death of Charles Duke of Lennox and Richmond Ambassador for King Charles the Second in Denmark about the year 1672 his Estate in Scotland did fall to the King by Succession who bestowed it on his Son Charles by the Name of Charles Lennos Duke of Lennox about the year 1675 who enjoyeth that honour Lord George Dowglass one of the younger Sons of William Marquess of Dowglass Collonel of the Scottish Regiment and Mareschal of the Camp in France thereafter Lieuetenant General in Brittain was by King Charles the Second before the year 1677 created Earl of Dunbarton whose Son doth enjoy that Title CHAP. XVIII STIRLING UPon Lennox North-eastward bordereth the Territory of Stirling so named of the principle Town therein for fruitful Soll and numbers of Gentlemen in it second to no Province of Scotland Here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Dunbritton Firth and Edinburgh Firth piercing far into the Land out of the West and East Seas are divided asunder that they meet not one with the other Which thing Julius Agricola who marched hitherto and beyond first observed and fortified this Space between with Garisons so as all the part of Brittain on the east and south side was then in possession of the Romans and the Enemies removed and driven as it were into another Island in so much as Tacitus judged right truly There was no other bound or limit of Brittain to be sought for Neither verily in the time ensuing did either the Valour of Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which scarcely could be stayed set out the Marches of the Empire in this part of the World farther although with Inrodes they other whiles molested and endamnaged them But after this glorious Expedition of Agricola when himself was called back Brittain as saith Tacitus become for-let neither was the Possession kept still thus far for the Caledonian Brittains drave the Romans back as far as to the River Tine in so much as Hadrian who came into Brittain in person about the fortieth year after and reformed many things in it went no further forward but gave commandment that the God Terminus which was wont to give ground unto none should retire backward out of this place like as in the East on this side Euphrates Hence it is that S. Augustine wrot in this wise God Terminus who gave not place to Jupiter yielded unto the will of Hadrianus yielded to the rashness of Iulian yielded to the necessity of Jovian in so much as Hadrian had enough to do for to make a Wall of Turff between the Rivers Tine and Esk well near an hundred Miles southward on this side Edinburgh Firth
yea and of Pit Coals the Sea besides other Fishes affordeth Oysters and and Shell-fish in great abundance and the Coasts are well bespread with pretty Townlets replenished with stout and lusty Mariners In the south side hereof by Forth first appeareth westward Culross which gave the Title of a Barony to Sir I. Colvil created Lord Colvil of Culross about the year 1604 and is the last in the Decreet of Ranking except the Lord Scoon his Father was a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Culross and King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Sir Robert Colvil of Cleish Lord Colvil his Successor is Robert Lord Colvil Near to Culross to the north-west is Kincardine whereof Edward Bruce of Carnock was created Earl by King Charles the First anno 1648 his Brother Alexander succeeded him in his Dignity who was one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury to King Charles the Second his Son is Alexander Earl of Kincardine Culross and these places adjacent albeit surrounded with Fife and Clackmannan yet make a part of the Shire of Perth Then standeth Dumfermling a famous Monastery in old time both the Building and Burial place of King Malcolm the Third which gave both name and honour of an Earl unto Sir Alexander Seton a most prudent Counsellor whom James King of Great-Brittain worthily raised from Baron of Fivie to be Earl of Dumfermling and Lord Chancellor of the Realm of Scotland of the Succession of this Earl mention is made in the Description of the Family of Seton in East Lothian Then Kinghorn standeth hard upon the Forth from which place Sir Patrick Lyon Baron Glames received at the bountiful Hand of K. James the 6th the Title and honour of an Earl anno 1606. After this there is upon the Shore Dysert situat on the rising of an Hill from whence there lyeth an open Heath of the same name where there is a good large place which they call the Cole-plot that hath great plenty of an earthy Bitumen and partly burneth to some damnage of the Inhabitants William Murray of the Bed-chamber of the Family of Tullibardine was by King Charles the First created Earl of Dysert whose Daughter and Heiress Elizabeth Countess of Dysert is Dutchess of Lawderdale by Marriage with John late D. of Lawderdale and by a former Marriage her Son Sir Leonald Talmash L. Huntingtour residing in England is to succeed her as Earl of Dysert Her second Son of that Marriage was Thomas Talmash who attended his Majesty in his Expedition to Brittain in the year 1688 who for his Valour in the Wars and Reduction of Ireland was advanced to be General Major and thereafter Lieutenant General which Office he did worthily discharge in Flanders and in the Summer 1694 being chief Commander in the Attempt upon Brest was unfortunatly wounded whereof he died after his landing in England Unto it adjoineth Ravens-Heugh as one would say the steep hill of Ravens the Habitation of the Barons Sinclar whose Successor is Henry Lord Sinclar Above it the River Levin hideth himself in the Forth which River running out of the Lake Levin wherein standeth the Castle of the Dowglasses which belonged to the Earls of Mortoun Sir Alexander Lesly General of the Scots Forces was by K. Charles the 1st created Earl of Levin anno 1641 whose Successor is David now Earl of Levin second Son to George Earl of Melvil begotten on Lady Katherine Leslie Grandchild and Heiress to the said Earl of Levin which River hath at the very mouth of it Weyms Castle the Seat of a noble Family bearing the same sirname The Laird of Weyms is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 one of the Commissioners for the Shire of Fife he was thereafter made Lord Weyms and in the Parliament Rolls 1633 is ranked after the Lord Newburgh and before Ashtoun of Forfar and in the same year created Earl of Weyms whose Grandchild Margaret now Countess of Weyms was married to Sir James Weyms who by K. Charles the 2d was made Lord Burntisland from a Burgh Royal of the same Shire and hath a Son Lord Elcho to succeed her in that Dignity From hence the Shore draweth back with a crooked and wiuding Tract unto Fife-ness that is the Promontory or Nose of Fife Above it Saint Andrews an Archiepiscopal City hath a fair Prospect into the open main Sea the more ancient name of the place as old Memorials witness was Regimund that is Saint Regulus Mount in which we read thus Oeng or Vng King of the Picts granted unto God and Saint Andrew that it should be the chief and mother of all Churches in the Picts Kingdom Afterward there was placed here an Episcopal See the Bishops whereof like as all the rest within the Kingdom of Scotland were consecrated by the Arch-bishop of York as is asserted by the English Historians until at the Intercession of King Iames the Third by reason of so many Wars between the Scottish and English men Pope Sixtus the fourth ordained the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Primat and Metropolitan of all Scotland and Pope Innocentius the eighth bound him and his Successors to the imitation and precedent of the Metropolitan of Canterbury in these words That in Matters concerning the Archiepiscopal state they should observe and firmly hold the Offices Droits and Rights of Primacy and such like Legacy and the free Exercise thereof the Honours Charges and Profits and that they should endeavour to perform inviolably the laudable Customes of the famous Metropolitan Church of Canterbury the Arch-bishop wherewhereof is Legatus natus of the Kingdom of England c. Howbeit before that Laurence Lundoris and Richard Corvel Doctors of the Civil Law publickly professed here good Literature laid the Foundation of an University which now for happy increase of Learned men for three Colledges and the Kings Professors in them is become highly renowned Hard by there loseth it self into the Sea Edan or Ethan a little River which springeth up near Falkland a place from which Carry an English man had the Designation of Viscount from King James the Sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 his Successor is Anthony Viscount of Falkland a Member of the House of Commons in the current English Parliament it belonged anciently to the Earls of Fife and was a retiring place of the Kings when residing in Scotland and is very well Seated for hunting Pleasures and Disports sometimes it was reckoned amongst the Burghs Royal and is the Seat of the Stewartry of Fife this River hath its Course under a continued Ridge of Hills which divide this Country in the midst by Struthers a place so called of a Reed plot a Castle of the Barons Lindsey of whom is descended Iohn Lord Lindsey created by King Charles the First anno 1633 Earl of Lindsey And in anno 1641 was Lord High Thesaurer and after the Forfaulture of
Lodowick Earl of Crawford and by vertue of a former Entail the Honour Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Crawford was declared in Parliament to belong to him and his Successors and since ratified in Parliament anno 1661 he was by King Charles the Second restored to be Thesaurer from which Office he had been removed in the year 1649 his Son William now Earl of Crawford was President of the Parliament 1689 and 1690 and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury the secondary Title belonging to his eldest Son is Lord Lindsey Eden also runneth by Cowper a notable Burgh where the Sheriff sitteth to minister Justice Now where the shore turneth inward a Front northward hard by the Salt water of Tau there flourished in old time two goodly Abbeys Balmerinoch built by Queen Ermengard Wife to King William Daughter of Viscount Beaumont in France King James of Great Brittain advanced Sir James Elphingston of Barntoun to the honour of Baron Balmerinoch about the year 1604 being mentioned in that Parliament one of the Commissioners for the Union with England he is placed in the Decreet of Ranking after the L. Abercorn and before the L. Tullibardine he was a Lord of the Session Secretary thereafter succeeded to the L. Fyvie to be President of the Session anno 1605 whose Grand-child is John L. Balmerinoch The other Abbey is that of Lindoris Founded among the Woods by David E. of Huntingtoun is the Barony of Sir Patrick Lesly created L. Lindoris about the year 1604 and placed in the Decreet of Ranking immediatly after the Lord Roxburgh and before the Lord Lowdoun his Successor is Iohn Lord Lindoris Between which standeth Banbrich the Habitation of the Earl of Rothes strongly built Castle-wise Near to these places on the Confines toward Perth-shire is Balvaird which belongs to the Murrays ancient Cadets of the Lairds of Tullihardine their Successor was created L. Balvaird by K. Charles the 1st after the year 1641 his Grand-child hath succeeded to the Dignity of Lord Scoon and Viscount Stormonth by entail Sir David Murray the first Lord and Viscount being a younger Brother of the Laird of Balvaird The Governour of this Province like as of all the rest in this Kingdom was in times past a Thane that is in the old English tongue The Kings Minister as it is also at this day in the Danish Language but Malcolm Canmore made Macduff who before was Thane of Fife the first hereditary Earl of Fife and in consideration of his good desert and singular service done unto him granted that his Posterity should have the Honour to place the King when he is to be Crowned in his Chair and to lead the Vant-guard in his Army and if any of them should happen by casualty to kill either Gentleman or Commoner to buy it out with a piece of Money Not far from Lindoris there is to be seen a Cross of Stone which standing for a limit between Fife and Strathern had an Inscription of barbarous Verses and a certain priviledge of Sanctuary that any Manslayer Allied to Macduff Earl of Fife within the ninth Degree if he came unto this Cross and gave nine Kine with an Heifer should be quit of Manslaughter When his Posterity lost this Title and Priviledge is uncertain but it appeareth that King David the Second gave unto William Ramsey this Earldom with all and every the Immunities and Law which is called Clan-Mac-Duff and received it is for certain that the Linage of the Weymesses and Dowglasses yea and that great Kindred Clan-Hatan the Chief whereof is Mac-Intoshech descended from them And the most learned Sir John Skeen of Currie-hill Clerk of Register in his Treatise de verborum significatione informs that by an Indenture at Perth the penult day of March 1371 betwixt Robert Stuart Earl of Monteith and Dame Isabel Countess of Fife Daughter and Heir to Duncan Earl of Fife The Countess is obliged to resign her Earldom in the Kings hands in favours of the said Earl for new heretable Infestment thereof to be given to him which Earl being afterwards designed of Fife and Monteith was thereafter Duke of Albany and affecting the Kingdom with cruel Ambition caused David the Kings eldest Son to be most pitifully famished to death which is the highest extremity of all misery But his Son Murdac suffered due punishment for the Wickedness both of his Father and his own Sons being put to death by King James the First for their violent Oppressions and a Decree passed that the Earldom of Fife should be united unto the Crown for ever But the Authority of the Sheriff of Fife belongeth in right of Inheritance to the Earl of Rothes the Heir of which Family was Iohn Earl of Rothes who after he was High Commissioner for King Charles the Second to the Parliament and Conventions of Estates and enjoyed several other honourable and profitable Employments was made Chancellor anno 1668 in which Office he continued till his death in anno 1681 and was shortly before created Duke of Rothes which Dignity is extinct by default of Heirs male of his Body but his eldest Daughter Margaret Countess of Rothes being married to Charles Earl of Haddingtoun hath Iohn Lord Leslie who is to succeed in the Dignity of the Earl of Rothes and Thomas who hath succeeded his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Hadingtoun Since Printing of the former Edition several Lords were created in this Shire some whereof have already been mentioned and also others to be mentioned viz. Sir Michael Balfour of Balgarvie by K. James the 6th created L. Burghlie July 16 1607 whose Successor is John Lord Burghlie And by the same King Sir Robert Melvil first of Murdocairny and thereafter of Burntisland who had been Thesaurer Deput and Thesaurer before the year 1592 and an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1594 was created Lord Melvil about the year 1617 to whom succeeded Robert his Son he is ranked in the Parliament 1633 after the Lord Deskford and before Carnegie and is amongst the Commissioners for holding that Parliament who had been admitted an extraordinar Lord of Session upon the dimission of his Father and then by entail the honour fell to the Laird of Raith descended of the eldest Brother and the only Male representative of the ancient Family of the Melvils George Lord Melvil his Son is the 4th Lord who was sole Secretar of State to and created by Their Majesties Earl of Melvil Lord High Commissioner to the second and third Sessions of this current Parliament 1690 and now Lord Privy Seal his Son Alexander Lord Raith was constitute Thesaurer Deput anno 1689. Mr. John Lindsey of Belcarras was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians of the Thesaury Secretary before K. Ja. his Succession to the Crown of England his Grand-child Alexander about the year 1633 was created Lord Belcarras by King
small River coming out of Athol This Athol that I may digress a little out of my way is infamous for Witches and wicked Women the Countrey otherwise fertile enough hath Valleys bespread with Forrests namely where that Wood Caledonia dreadful to see for the sundry turnings and windings in and out therein for the hideous horrour of dark Shades for the Burrows and Dens of Wild Bulls with thick Manes whereof I made mention heretofore extended it self in old time far and wide every way in these parts As for the Places herein they are of no great account but the Earls thereof are very memorable Thomas a younger Son of Rolland of Galloway was in his Wives Right Earl of Athol whose Son Patrick was by the Bissets his Concurrents Murdered in Feud at Had dingtoun in his Bed-chamber and forthwith the whole House wherein he Lodged burnt that it might be supposed he perished by casualty of Fire To the Earldom there succeeded David Hastings who had Married the Aunt by the Mothers side of Patrick whose Son that David surnamed of Strathbogie may seem to be who a little after in the Reign of Henry the third King of England being Earl of Athol married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Richard base Son to John King of England and had with her a very goodly inheritance in England She bare unto him two Sons John Earl of Athol who being of a variable disposition and untrusty was hanged up aloft on a Gallows fifty Foot high and David Earl of Athol unto whom by Marriage with one of the Daughters and Heirs of John Cummin of Badzenoth by one of the Heirs of Aumer de Valence Earl of Pembroch there fell great Lands and Possessions His Son David who under King Edward the second was other whiles amongst English summoned to the Parliaments in England and under King Edward Baliol made Lord Lieutenant General of Scotland was vanquished by the valerous Prowess of Andrew de Murray and slain in Battel within the Forrest of Kelblen in the year of our Lord 1335 And his Son David left two young Daughters only Elisabeth Wedded unto Sir Thomas Piercy from whom the Barons of Burrough are descended and Philip Married to Sir Thomas Halsham an English Knight Then fell the Title of Athol unto that Walter Stuart Son to King Robert the second who cruelly Murdered James the first King of Scotland who for this execrable cruelty suffered most condign punishment accordingly in so much as Aeneas Sylvius Ambassadour at that time in Scotland from Pope Eugenius the fourth gave out this Speech That he could not tell whether he should give them greater commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with sharper Censure of Condemnation that distained themselves with so hainous a Paricide After some few years passed between this honour was granted unto John Stuart of the Family of Lorn the Son of James surnamed The Black Knight by Joan the Widow of King James the first Daughter to John Earl of Somerset and Niece to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster whose posterity at this day enjoy the same The eldest son of Tullibardine being descended of the Stuarts of Athol whose successor is John Marquess of Athol as hath been said Lord Charles Murray second Son to the Marquess of Athol was by King James the seventh Created Earl of Dunmore and Sir Robert Nairn of Straâ—hurd one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the second about the year 1681. Created Lord Nairn his only Daughter to be Married to a younger Son of the Marquess of Athols by vertue whereof William Lord Murray is now Lord Nairn The Marquess of Athol is Heretable Sheriff of Perth This River is increased by receiving the River of Braâ—n which having given name to a Strath through which it passeth loseth its name by augmenting of Tau at Dunkeld which was adorned by King David the first with an Episcopal See Sir James Galloway Master of Requests to King James the sixth and King Charles the first was by the latter Created Lord Dunkell about the year 1646. whose Grand Child is Forfeited for opposing their Majesties in the Highlands by force of Arms. In these bounds lyes Gillichrankie a place remarkâ—ble for the Defeat of the Kings Forces under the Command of General Major Mckay by the late Viscount of Dundee and his Associats but himself was killed in the Action which fell out the 27th of July 1689. Most Writers grounding upon the signification of that Word suppose Dunkeld to be a Town of the Caledonians and interpret it The Mount or Hill of Hazeles as who would have that name given unto it of the Hazel-trees in the Wood Caledonia from hence the Tau passeth forward to the old Castle of Kincleiven where it is much augmented by the River Ila a very pleasant and large River and thence goeth downward by the Carcass of Bertha a little desolat City remembring well enough what a great loss and calamity he brought upon it in times past when with an extraordinary swelling Floud he surrounded all the Fields laid the goodly standing Corn along on the Ground and carried headlong away with him this poor City with the Kings Child and Infant in his Cradle and the Inhabitants therein In steed whereof in a more commodious place King William builded Perth which straightways became so wealthy that Necham who lived in that age versified of it in this manner Transis ample Tai per rura per oppida per Perth Regnum sustentant istius urbis opes By Villages by Towns by Perth thou runn'st great Tay amain The Riches of this City Perth doth all the Realm sustain But the posterity ensuing call it of a Church founded in honour of Saint John Saint Johns Town and the English whiles the Wars were hot between the Bruces and the Balliols Fortified it with great Bulwarks which the Scots afterwards for the most part overthrew and disman led it themselves Howbeit it is a proper pretty City pleasantly seated between two Greens and for all that some of the Churches be destroyed yet a goodly shew it maketh ranged and set out in such an uniform manner that in every several Street almost there dwell several Artificers by themselves and the River Tau bringeth up with the Tide Sea Commodities by Lighters King James the sixth having erected it to the Title of an Earldom Created James Baron Drummond Earl of Perth of whom in Strathern Unto Perth these places are near Neighbours Methven near to which runneth the river of Almond which passing downward falleth in Tau near to the place where the antient Town of Bertha stood Margaret an English Lady Widow unto King James the fourth purchased Methven with ready Money for her third Husband Henry Stuart descended of the Royal Blood and for his Heirs and withal obtained of her Son King James the fifth for him the dignity of a Baron since extinct and was one of the
into the Sea it is scarce with the labour to mention them That there be little Birds engendred of old and rotten Keels of Ships they can bear Witness who saw that Ship wherein Francis Drake sailed about the World standing in a Dock near the Thames to the outside of the Keel whereof a number of such little Birds without Life and Feathers stuck closs Yet it would be thought that the Generation of these Birds was not out of the Logges of Wood but from the very Ocean which the Poets termed the Father of all things A mighty Mass likewise of Amber as big as the body of an Horse was not many years since cast upon this shoar The learned call it Succinum Glessum and Chryso Electrum and Sotacus supposed that it was a certain juice or liquor which distilleth out of Trees in Britain and runneth down into the Sea and is therein hardened Tacitus also was of the same Opinion when he wrote thus I can verily believe that likeas there be Trees in the secret and inward parts of the East which sweat out Frankincense and Balm so in the Islands and other Countries in the West there be Woods and Groves of a more fatty and firm Substance which melting by the hot Beams of the Sun approaching so near runneth into the Sea hard by and by force of Tempest floateth up to the hoars against it But Serapio and the Philosophers of later times write that it ariseth out of a certain clammy and bituminous Earth under the Sea and by the Sea-side and that the Billows and Tempests cast up part thereof a land and a Fishes devour the rest In the Reign of King Alexander the Second Alexander Cummin rose up to the honour of Earl of Buquhan who married the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester in England and his Niece by a Son brought the same Title unto Henry de Beaumont her Husband for he in King Edward the Third his days had his place in the Parliament of England by the name of Earl of Buquhan Afterwards Alexander Stuart Son to King Robert the Second was Earl of this place unto whom succeeded John a younger Son of Robert Duke of Albany who arriving in France with seven thousand Scottish men to aid Charles the Seventh King of France bare himself valiantly and performed singular good Service against the Englishmen and that with so great Commendation as having victoriously slain Thomas Duke of Clarence Brother to Henry the Fifth King of England at Baugie and discomfited the English he was made Constable of France But in the third year following when the fortune of War turned he with other most valiant Knights to wit Archibald Dowglass Earl of Wigton and Duke of Tourain c. was vanquished at Vernoil by the English and there slain Whom notwithstanding as that Poet said aeternum memorabit Gallia cives Grata suos titulos quae dedit tumulos France thankfully will ay recount As Citizens of her own On whom both Titles glorious And Tombs she hath bestown And whereas under the Kings K. Charles the Sixth and Seventh France was preserved and Aquitain recovered by thrusting out the English the Frenchmen cannot chuse but acknowledge themselves much beholden to the fidelity and fortitude of the Scots But afterwards King James the First gave the Earldom of Buquhan unto George of Dumbar moved thereto upon pity and commiseration because he had deprived him before of the Earldom of March by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Crime and not long after James the Son of James Stuart of Lorn sirnamed the Black-Knight whom he had by Queen Joan Sister to the Duke of Somerset and Widow to King James the 1st obtained this Honour and left it to his Posterity but for default of Heirs-male it came by a Daughter marryed to Robert Dowglass a younger Brother of Dowglass of Lochlevin to the Family of the Dowglasses and so to James Ereskin eldest Son of the Earl of Marr Thesaurer by his second Wife Daughter to Esme Duke of Lennox of whom is descended the present Earl From Buquhan as the Shore bendeth backward and turneth full into the North lyeth Boena and Bamff a small Sheriffdom also Ajuza a little Territory of no especial account and Rothamay Castle the dwelling place of the Barons of Salton sirnamed Abernethy Beneath these lyeth Sirathbolgy that is the Vale by Bolgy the Habitation in times past of the Earls of Athol who of it assumed their sirname but now the principle Seat of Marquess of Huntly For this Title King James the Sixth conferred upon George Gordon Earl of Huntly Lord Gordon and Badzenoth a man of great Honour and Reputation for his ancient nobleness of Birth and the multitude of his Dependants and Followers whose Ancestors descended from the Setons by Parliamentary Authority took the Name of Gordon when as Sir Alexander Seton had taken to Wife the Daughter of Sir John Gordon Knight by whom he had a large and rich Inheritance and received the Honour of the Earl of Huntly at the hands of King James the Second in the year 1445 his Successor George Marquess of Huntly was by King Charles the Second about the year 1683 created Duke of Gordon In this Shire also did reside the Ogilvies of Findlater of whom Walter Ogilvie was by King James the Sixth created Lord Deskford and in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 he is Ranked immediatly after the Lord Cranstoun and before the Lords Melvil Carnegy and Ramsey his Son James was created Earl of Findlater by King Charles the First anno 1633 who marryed his Daughter and Heiress to Ogilvie of Inch-martine in Perth Shire an ancient Family of that sirname the Son of the Marriage is James now Earl of Findlater who doth compet with the Earl of Airly both for the Antiquity of his Family and Precedency as an Earl his second Son Sir James Ogilvie is designed of Ogilvie from a Barony which belonged to their Family purchased by him he is his Majesties Sollicitor and a Member of this present Parliament for the Royal Burgh of Cullen In this Shire Ogilvie of Dunlaguse afterward designed Sir George Ogilvie of Bamff Baronet descended of the Ogilvies of Boyn also in this Shire who are Cadets of Findlater was by King Charles the First anno 1639 created Lord Bamff whose Successor is George Lord Bamff Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth in Right of his Mother Abernethy Daughter to the Lord Saltoun was by Grant of King Charles the Second declared Lord Saltoun and approven in Parliament 1670 upon the death of Alexander Abernethy last Lord Saltoun of that sirname whose Grand-child is William Fraser now Lord Saltoun he carries the Arms of Abernethy quartered with the Arms of Fraser His Majesty hath nominat the forementioned Sir James Ogilvie Sheriff of Bamff CHAP. XXXI MORAVIA Or MVRRAY THe Vacomagi remembred by Ptolomy anciently inhabited on the
With the great head King of Scotland entertained enriched him with the Castle of Dunbar and honoured with the Earldom of Merch Whose Posterity besides other goodly and fair Lands in Scotland held as appeareth plainly in an old Inquisition the Barony of Bengelly in Northumberland that they should be Inborow and Utborow between England and Scotland What the meaning should be of these Terms let others guess In the Reign of King James the first George de Dunbar Earl of Merch by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Rebellion lost the Property and Possession of the Earldom of Merch and the Seignorie of Dunbar And when as he proved by good Evidences and Writings brought forth that his Father had been pardoned for that Fault by the Regents of the Kingdom he was answered again that it was not in the Regents power to pardon on Offence against the State and that it was expresly provided by the Laws that Children should undergo Punishment for their fathers Transgressions to the end that being thus Heirs to their fathers Rashness as they are to their Goods and Lands they should not at any time in the haughty Pride of their own Power plot any Treason against Prince or Countrey This Title of Earl of Merch among other honourable Titles was given afterward to Alexander Duke of Albany and by him forfeited And this Title of Honour was revived again in Robert the third Brother of Matthew Earl of Lennox who being of a Bishop of Cathanes made Earl of Lennox resigned up that Title soon after unto his Nephew then created Duke of Lennox and he himself in lieu thereof received of the King the Name and Stile of the Earl of Merch Which Title was also brooked by Charles Uncle to King James and younger Brother to Henry Lord Darnley afterward King Collonel John Churchhil was created by King Charles the second Lord Churchhil of Eymouth near Berwick who is now Earl of Marleburrow in England And Sir Patrick Hume of Polwarth Baronet was by Their Majesties created Lord Polwarth in the year 1691. CHAP. VII LAUDEN or LOTHIEN LOTHIEN which is also called Lauden named in times past of the Picts Pictland shooteth out along from Merch unto the Scottish Sea or the Forth having many Hills in it and little Wood but for fruitful Corn-fields for Courtesie also and Civility of Manners commended above all other Countries of Scotland which is divided in three Shires Haddingtoun called East Lothian Edinburgh called Mid-Lothian and Linlithgow called West-Lothian About the year of our Salvation 873 Edgar King of England between whom and Keneth the third King of Scotland there was a great Knot of Alliance against the Danes common Enemies to them both resigned up his Right unto him in this Lothian as Matthew the Flour-gatherer witnesseth And to win his Heart the more unto him He gave unto him many Mansions in the way wherein both he and his Successors in their coming unto the Kings of England and in return homeward might be lodged Which unto the time of King Henry the second continued in the hands of the Kings of Scotland In this Lothian the first place that offereth it self to the view to these coming from the Mers is Dunbar a passing strong Castle in old time and the Seat of the Earls of Merch aforesaid who thereupon were called Earls of Dunbar A Piece many a time won by the English and as often recovered by the Scots But in the year 1567 by Authority of the States in Parliament it was demolished because it should not be a Hold and place of Refuge for Rebels But James King of Great-Britain conferred the Title and Honour of Earl of Dunbar upon Sir George Hume Thesaurer who is marked last Earl and after Dumfermling in the Decreet of Ranking March 5. 1606 for his approved Fidelity whom he had created before Baron Hume of Berwick to him his Heirs and Assigneys Afterward the same King did confer the Dignity of Viscount of Dunbar upon an English Gentleman of the Name of Constable whose Heirs in England doth presently enjoy that Dignity this Viscount is marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621. Hard by Tine a little River after it hath run a short Course falleth into the Sea near unto the Spring-head whereof standeth Yester which hath his Baron out of the Family of the Hays Earls of Erroll John Lord Yester was by King Charles the first created Earl of Tweddale about the year 1646 John now Earl of Tweddale his Son after he had enjoyed several honourable publick Employments was by Their Majesties constitute Lord High Chancellor of Scotland The Lord Hay of Yester is descended of the antient Family of the Hays of Locherward near Borthwick which raise to greatness by the Marriage of three Heiresses viz. of Frazer of Oliver-Castle in Tweddale and the Heiress of Gifford of Yester the Heiress of Cunninghame of Belton both in East Lothian his chief Residence is Yester which he hath extraordinarly improven beautifyed by Planting Inclosing By the same Riveret some few miles higher is seated Hadingtoun or Hadina in a wide and broad Plain which Town the English fortifyed with a deep and large Ditch with a Mure or Rampire also without four-square and with four Bullworks at the Corners and with as many other at the Inner-wall and Sir James Wilford an Englishman valiantly defended it against Dessie the Frenchman who with Ten thousand French and Dutch together fiercely assaulted it until that by reason of the Plague which grew hot among the Garrison Soldiers Henry Earl of Rutland coming with a royal Army raised the Siege removed the French having laid the Munitions level conducted the English home And King James the sixth about the year 1606 ranged Sir John Ramsey among the Nobles of Scotland with Title and Honour of Viscount Haddingtoun for his faithful Valour as whose Right hand was the Defender of Prince and Countrey in that most wicked Conspiracy of the Gowries against the Kings Person I shall choise this place to speak of Sir Thomas Hamilton whose last Designation was Earl of Haddingtoun and the more particularly in respect he did pass through very many Degrees in the Session and enjoyed many publick Offices and attained to great Honour and Riches the first of November 1587 in the Books of Sederunt of the Lords of Session Mr. Thomas Hamilton appear and Heir of Priestfield was admitted an ordinar Advocat he was Son to Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield afterward a Lord of the Session descended of the Hamiltons of Inner weick one of the most antient and great Cadets of the Family of Hamilton he was admitted Lord of the Session 1592 under the Designation of Lord Drumcairn he is appointed one of the Commissioners for the Thesaurey and Exchequer commonly called Octavians in the year 1595 and is admitted in February thereafter Kings Advocat the fifteen of May 1612 under the Designation