raised a stately Statue of King Charles the second on Horse-Back in Brass And to the South-west on a rising Ground is a curious and large Hospital built with the Money left by George Heriot Gold-smith which doth entertain above an hundred young Boys Children of decayed Burgesses This City is well watered with five large Fountains on the high and broad Street thereof In this City also by King James the sixth an University was founded over which within a large Park riseth an Hill with two Heads called of Arthur the Britaine Arthurs Chair On the West side a most steep Rock mounteth up aloft to a stately hight every way save only where it looketh toward the City On which is placed a Castle with many a Tower in it so strong that is counted impregnable which the Britains called Castle Myned Agned the Scots The Maidens Castle and the Virgins Castle of certain young Maidens of the Picts royal Blood who were kept there in old time and which may seem in truth to have been that Castrum Alatum or Castle with a Wing abovesaid John Bothwel Commendator of Holy-rud-house who being one of these Honourable persons who attended King James the sixth to England in the year 1603 was by him created a temporal Lord of Holy-rud-house in the year 1607 which Honour is now extinct he was a Lord of the Session as also was his father Adam Bishop of Orkney who excambed that Bishoprick with Robert Stuart for the Abbacie of Holy-rud-house and the Heir of the one became Earl of Orkney and the Heir of the other Lord Holy-rud-house In the Institution of the Colledge of Justice Mr. Richard and Francis Bothwels were nominated two of the Lords of Session Near to Edinburgh is Brughtoun which belonged to the Family of the Ballendens and Sir William Ballenden being Thesaurer Deput to King Charles the second was by him made Lord Ballenden of Brughtoun about the year 1661 whose Honour was conveyed to John Ker now Lord Ballenden Uncle to the present Earl of Roxburgh who carries the Name and Arms of Ballenden Of this Family were Sir John Ballenden of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and one of the ordinar Lords of Session in the Reign of Queen Mary and King James the sixth and Sir Lewis Ballenden also of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and an ordinar Lord of the Session in the Reign of King James the sixth by Cnarter under the Great Seal Sir John Ballenden foresaid had the Heretable Office of Usher to the Exchequer which is transmitted to the Lord Ballenden and is exerced by a Deput named by him Fairfax an English Gentlemen was created Lord Cameron who is in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 his Successor Thomas Lord Fairfax is a Member of the House of Commons for the County of York in this current Parliament Richardson an English Gentleman was created Lord Cramond About the same time Lord Forrester of Corstorphine was created by King Charles the first anno 1633. George Lord Forrester of Corstorphine is one of the Commissioners for the holding of the Parliament 1633 and yet in the Rolls of the same Parliament he is marked Sir George Forrester for the Shire of Edinburgh so that he hath been Nobilitat after he was chosen for the Shire and before the sitting of the Parliment his Grand-child is William Lord Forrester How Edinburgh in the alternative Fortune of Wars was subject one while to the Scots and another while to the English who inhabited this East part of Scotland until it became wholly under the Scots Dominion about the year of our Salvation 960 what time the English Empire sore shaken with the Danish Wars lay as it were gasping and dying How also as an old Book of the Division of Scotland in the Library of the right honourable Lord Burghly sometime high Thesaurer of England sheweth Whiles Indulph reigned the Town of Eden was voided and abandoned to the Scots unto this present day as what variable Changes of reciprocal Fortune it hath felt from time to time the Historiographers do relate and out of them ye are to be informed A Mile from hence lyeth Leith a most commodious Haven hard upon the River Leith which when Dessey the Frenchman for the security of Edinburgh had fortified by reason of many men repairing thither within a short time from a mean Village it grew to be a big Town Again when Francis the second King of France had taken to Wife Mary the Queen of Scots the Frenchmen who in Hope and Conceit had already devoured Scotland and began now to gape for England in the year 1560 sttengthned it with more Fortifications But Elizabeth Queen of England solicited by the Nobles of Scotland that embraced the reformed Religion to side with them by her Puissance and Wisdom effected that both they returned into France and these their Fortifications were laid level with the Ground and Scotland ever since hath been freed from the French As also near this place is New-Haven from which an English Gentleman of the Name of Cheney being by K. Charles the second anno 1681 created Viscount got the Designation of Viscount of New-Haven Where this Forth groweth more and more narrow it had in the midst of it the City Caer Guidi as Bede noteth which now may seem to be the Island named Inchkeith Whether this were that Victoria which Ptolomy mentioneth I will not stand to prove although a man may believe that the Romans turned this Guidh into Victoria as well as the Isle Guith or Wight into Victesies or Vecta truely seing both these Islands be dissevered from the shore the same Reason of the Name will hold in both Languages For Ninius hath taught us that Guith in the British Tongue betokeneth a separation In West-Lothian the first remarkable place in the same Forth is the Burgh of Queens-Ferry supposed to be called from Saint Margaret Queen to King Malcom Canmore as the shortest and easiest Passage over the River of Forth to Dumfermling where she did much reside and began to found that Monastry Upon the same Forth is situat Abercorn in Bedes time a famous Monastry which by the gracious favour of King James the sixth gave unto James Hamilton eldest Son to Claud Hamilton first Commendator and then Lord of Pasley youngest Son to the Duke of Chattelrault the Title of Lord of Pasley in Renfrew he is ranked after the Lord Torphichen â—nd before the Lord Newbottle James his said Son was created Lord Abercorn about the year 1603 and is ranked after the Lord Kinloss and before Balmerinoch and in the year 1606 was created Earl of Abercorn which Title is enjoyed by Hamilton Lord Straband an Irish Peer descended of the first Earls of Abercorn And fast beside it standeth Blackness Castle and beneath it Southward the anctient City Lindum whereof Ptolomy maketh mention which the better learned as yet call Linlithgow commonly Lithgow beautified and set out with a
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
Son to Alexander the first Earl of Linlithgow who by King Charles the First was created Lord Almond and then Earl of Callender in the year 1641 he was Lieutenant General to the Parliaments Army his Successor by entail is James Brother Son to George now Earl of Linlithgow mention hath been made of the Earl of Linlithgow in Lithgow Shire The Family of the Barons Fâ—â—â—ing dwelling hard by at Cumbernald which they received at the hands of King Robert Bruce for their Service valiantly and faithfully performed in defence of their Country whereby also they attained unto the hereditary Honour to be Chamberlanes of Scotland and the favour of King James the Sixth honoured this House with the Title of Earl of Wigtoun About the year 1606 his Predecessor had that Title with the Lordship of Galloway in the Reign of King David Bruce which they resigned to the Earl of Dowglass who and his Successors amongst other Titles were designed Earls of Wigtoun till the Forefaulture in the Reign of King James the Second and the Dignity was vacant till conferred by King James the Sixth as said is the Heir of this Family is Iohn Earl of Wigtoun In a place near adjoyning standeth Elphingstoun which likewise hath his Barons advanced to that Dignity by King James the 4th of whom is descended Iohn now Lord Elphingstoun And where Forth full of his windings crooked Cranks runneth down with a rolling pace and hath a Bridge over him standeth Stirling commonly called Striviling and Stirling Burgh where on the very brow of a steep Rock there is mounted on high a passing strong Castle of the Kings which King James the Sixth beautified with new Buildings and where of a long time the Lords of Areskine Earls of Marr have been Captains unto whom the Charge and Tuition of the Princes of Scotland during their Minority have been at other times committed Whereas some there be that would have the good and lawful money of England which is called Sterling money to take the name from hence they are much deceived for that Denomination came from the Germans of their easterly Dwelling termed by English men Easterlings whom King John of England first sent for to reduce the silver to the due fineness and purity and such Monies in ancient writing are ever more found by the name of Easterling About two Miles hence the Banock-burn runneth between exceeding high Banks on both sides and with a very swift Stream in Winter toward the Forth a Burn most famous for as glorious a Victory as ever the Scots had what time as Edward the Second King of England was put to flight who was fain to make hard shift and in great haste and fear to take a Boat and save his life yea and the most puissant Army which England had before sent out was discomfited through the valiant prowess of King Robert Bruce insomuch as for two years after the English came not into the Field against the Scots About Stirling Ptolomy seemeth to place Alauna which is either near the little River Alon that here entreth into the Forth or else by Alloway an house and ordinar Residence of the Areskins who by Inheritance are the Sheriffs of all this Territory without the Burgh but have been of a long time Earls of Marr from a country in Aberdeen Shire to be described after The Sheriffship of this Shire belongs to the Earls of Callender Sir William Alexander was the Kings Lieutenant in Nova Scotia and had Precedency of all those Baronets he succeeded Sir Archibald Aitchison as Secretary of State to King Charles the First and is so designed in the Kings Letter anent the Baronets November 17. 1629. Amongst the Commissioners for continuing the Parliament August 4. 1631 is William Viscount of Stirling principal Secretary he was created Earl of Stirling anno 1633 his Heir doth reside in England To conclude this Chapter take here a Description of the principal Seal of the Burgh of Stirling which carries on the one side a Bridge of seven Arches with a Cross mounted on the the middle and armed men on each side of the Cross with this Inscription Hic armis Bruti Scoti stant hic Cruce tuti And on the other side a large strong Castle in a Wood with this Motto Continet hoc in se Nemus Castrum Strivlingnense Which two Inscriptions they give us in English thus The Brittains stand by force of Arms The Scots are by this Cross preserv'd from Harms The Castle and the Wood of Stirling town Are in the compass of this Seal set down Which agreeth well with what Buchanan said that the River Carron was the Boundary of the Roman Conquests and Stirling the Limits of the Brittains and Scots However it be the Seal and Inscription must be very old when special notice is taken of a Wood at Stirling whereof there is but small Remains and at this place doth the River Forth admit of a Bridge which is the secure Passage betwixt the South and North of Scotland CHAP. XIX CALEDONIA WHatsoever part of Brittain lyeth northward beyond Grahams Dyke or the Wall of Antoninus Pius before named and beareth out on both Seas is called by Tacitus Caledonia likeas the people thereof Brittains inhabiting Caledonia Ptolemy divideth them into many Nations as Caledonii Epidii Vacomagi c. who were all of them afterward for continuing their ancient manner and custom of painting their Bodies named by the Romans and provincial people Picts divided by Ammianus Marcellinus into two Nations the Dicalidones and Vecturiones howbeit in the approved and best Writers they go all under the name of Caledonians whom I would think to have been so called of Kaled a Brittish word that signifieth Hard and in the plural Number maketh Kaledion whence the word Caledonii may be derived that is to say hard rough uncivil and a wilder kind of people such as the northern Nations for the most part are who by reason of the rigorous cold of the Air are more rough and fierce and for their abundance of Blood more bold and adventurous Moreover beside the position of the Climat this is furthered by the nature and condition of the Soil which riseth up all throughout with rough and rugged Mountains and Mountainers verily all men know and confess to be hardy stout and strong But whereas Varro alledgeth out of Pacuvius that Caledonia breedeth and nourisheth men of exceeding big Bodies I would understand the place rather of Caledonia the Region of Epirus than this of our although ours may also justly challenge unto it self this commendation Among this was the Wood Caledonia termed by Lucius Florus Saltus Caledonius that is the Forrest of Caledonia spreading out a mighty way and impassible by reason of tall Trees standing so thick divided also by Gramp Hill now called Granizbain that is the crooked bending Mountain That Vlysses arrived in Caledonia saith Solinus appeareth plainly by a votive Altar with
Charles the First and afterward Earl of Belcarras by King Charles the Second when in Scotland his Son is Colin Earl of Belcarras The Viscount Fentoun of whom before was created by King James the Sixth about the year 1617 Earl of Kelly and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 next after the Earl of Roxburgh and before Buckcleugh whose Successor is Alexander Earl of Kelly Sir John Living stoun of Kinnaird Baronet was by K. Charles the First made Lord Newburgh and Earl of Newburgh by King Charles the Second whose Male Successor is deceased lately in England without Issue Male. Sandilands Laird of St. Minnans was by King Charles the First advanced to the Title of L. Abercromby in the year 1648 whose Honour is not now claimed by any Lieutenant General David Lesly Son to the Lord Lindoris was created by King Charles the Second Lord New-warkî he had been Lieutenant General to the Scots Army and at Philiphaugh surprised and defeat the Marquess of Montross he was General of the Army at Dumbar and Worcester his Son being deceased without Heirs Male the Grand child is married to Mr. Alexander Anstruther a younger Son of Sir Philip Anstruther of that Ilk. Beside the Burghs Royal mentioned in this Shire there are also others viz. Innerkeithing Kirkaldy Anstruther Easter and Wester Pitttenweem Crail and Kilrenny all lying on Forth from the West to the East CHAP. XXI STRATHERN AS far as to the River Tau which Boundeth Fife on the North-side Julius Agricola the best Proprietar of Brittain under Domitian the worst Emperour marched with victorious Armies in the third year of his warlike Expeditions having wasted and spoiled the Nations hitherto Near the out-let of Tau the notable River Ern intermingleth his Waters with Tau which River beginning out of a Lake or Loch of the same name bestoweth his own name upon the Country through which he runneth for it is called Strathern which in the ancient Tongue of the Brittains signifieth the Vale along Ern. The Bank of this Ern is beautified with Drymein Castle belonging to the Family of the Barons of Drummond advanced to highest Honours ever since that King Robert Stewart the third took to him a Wife out of that Linage for the Women of this Race have for their singular Beauty and well favoured sweet Countenance won the prize from all others insomuch as they have been the Kings most amiable Paramours Baron Drummonds Successor was created by King James the Sixth Earl of Perth about the year 1605 and so designed from the head Burgh of the Shire of whom is descended James now Earl of Perth his great Grand-child who was an extraordinar Lord of the Session Justice General and Chancellor to K. Ch. the 2d K. Ja. the 7th James a Son of this Family was created by K. Ia. the 6th Lord Maderty and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 after the Lord Garlies and before the Lord Kintail whose Successors second Son L. General William Drummond was by King James the Seventh about the year 1686 created Viscount of Strathallan to whom his Son William now Viscount of Strathallan succeeded and also is Heir to his Uncle the Lord Maderty Upon the same Bank Tullibardine Castle sheweth it self aloft but with greater jollity since that by the propitious favour of King James the Sixth Sir John Murray created Baron of Tullibardine before the Lords Colvil and Scoon was raised to the Honour and Estate of Earl of Tullibardine anno 1606. By an unprinted Act anno 1612 there is a Ratification to the Master of Tullibardine of the Lands of the Earldom of Athol who was the Earl of Tullibardines eldest Son Earls eldest Sons at that time being designed Masters and not Lords this Master afterward William Earl of Tullibardine having married the Heiress of Stuart Earl of Athol his Son John succeeded to the Dignity of Earl of Athol and his Uncle Sir Patrick Murray by Resignation became Earl of Tullibardine whose Son James Earl of Tullibardine dying without Issue his Estate and Dignity fell to his Cousin Iohn Earl of Athol Son to the Earl of Athol before named who liveth and was to King Charles the Second Lord Justice General and thereafter Lord Privy Seal and extraordinar Lord of the Session and before the year 1677 created Marquess of Athol he retains the sirname of Murray and carries the Arms of Stuart Earl of Athol quartered Upon the other Bank more beneath Duplin Castle sometime the Habitation of the Barons Oliphant reporteth yet what an overthrow the like to which was never before the English men that came to aid King Edward Balliol gave there unto the Scots insomuch as the English Writers in that time do write that they won this Victory not by mans hand but by the power of God and the Scottish Writers relate how that out of the Family of the Lindseys there were slain in the Field fourscore persons and that the name of Hays had been quite extinguished but that the chief of that House left his Wife behind him great with Child The Precedency of Oliphant is transmitted to Dowglass Lord Mordingtoun as Heir of Line of whom before and Charles Lord Oliphant residing in the Shire of Bamff as Heir-male doth also claim the Precedency The Lands of Duplin were purchased by Sir George Hay of Kinfauns a Lord of the Session and Clerk of Register and thereafter in the year 1622 made Lord Chancellor September 25 1629 George Viscount Dupline is one of the Commissioners for holding of the Parliament in a Roll of the Nobility about that time he is ranked last Viscount after the Viscount of Drumlanrig and in anno 1632 created by King Charles the First Earl of Kinnoul to whom he continued Chancellor till his death and was succeeded by John Spotswood Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews the Earl of Kinnoul his Successor resides in England Not far from it standeth Innermeth well known by reason of the Lords thereof the Stuarts out of the Family of Lorn this Dignity at present is claimed by none Inch Chafra that is in the old Scottish tongue the Isle of Masses hereby may be remembered when as it was a most famous Abbey of the Order of Saint Augustine founded by Gilbert Earl of Strathern about the year 1200. When Ern hath joined this Water with Tau in one Stream so that Tau is now become more spacious he looketh up to Abernethy seated upon his Bank the Royal Seat in old time of the Picts and a well peopled City which as we read in an ancient Fragment Nectane King of the Picts gave unto God and St. Brigid until the day of Doom together with the bounds thereof which ly from a stone in Abertrent unto a stone near to Carfull that is Loghfoll and from thence as far as to Ethan But long after it became the possession of the Dowglasses Earls of Angus who are called Lords of Abernethy
Peace of the Nation wherein the Chancellor by his Office doth preside and after him the President of the Council who hath the same precedency as in England The Persons are chiefly named out of the Nobility with the addition of some Barons In the Thesaury and Exchequer the Lord high Thesaurer doth preceed but this Office is frequently in Commission as it is at present and then the Lord Chancellor is and uses to be one and Chief of the Commission as also the Lord Thesaurer Deput and they together with the Lords of Exchequer nominat by Their Majesties do Order Determine and dispose of the Kings Rents Revenues Gifts and Casualities I have omitted particular Lists of them in regard the Commissions to the Council Thesaury and Exchequer are some times changed as the King doth think fit and that the persons employed in them are eminent of whom occasion will be to make mention in some part of this Treatise either as Noblemen Sheriffs of or Commissioners from Shires or otherwise CHAP. IV. GADENI or LADENI UPon the Ottadini or Northumberland bordered as next Neighbours the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is GADENI who also by the inversion or turning of one Letter upside down are called in some Copies of Ptolomy LADENI seated in that Countrey which lieth between the mouth of the River Tweed and Edinburgh Forth And is at this day divided into many petty Countries The chief whereof are Teviotdale Tweddale Merss and Lothian in Latine Lodenium under which one general Name alone the Writers of the middle time comprised all the rest CHAP. V. TEVIOTDALE TEviotdale that is to say the Vale by the River Tiviot or Teveat lying next unto England among the edges of high craigie Hills is inhabited by a war-like Nation which by reason of so many Encounters in foregoing Ages between Scots and English are always most ready for Service and sudden Invasions The first place among these that we meet with is Jedburgh a Burgh well inhabited and frequented standing near unto the confluence of Teviot and Jed whereof it took the Name Also Melros a very ancient Monastry wherein at the beginning of our Church were cloistered Monks of that ancient Order and Institution that gave themselves to Prayer and with their Hand-labour earning their Living which holy King David restored and replenished with Cistertian Monks And more Eastward where Tweed and Teviot joyn in one Stream Rosburgh sheweth it self called also Roxburgh and in old time MARCHIDUN because it was a Town in the Marches where stands a Castle that for natural Situation and towred Fortificatons was in time past exceeding strong Which being surprised and held by the English whiles James the second King of Scots encircled it with a Siege he was by a piece of a great Ordnance that broke slain untimely in the flower of his youth A Prince much missed and lamented of his Subjects As for the Castle it was yielded and being then for the most part of it lay'd even with the ground is now in a manner quite vanished and not to be seen The Territory adjoyning called of it the Sheriffdom of Roxburgh hath one hereditary Sheriff out of the Family of the Dowglas who is usually called the Sheriff of Teviotdale The Heir of this Family is Sir William Dowglas of Cavers who is present Sheriff and one of the Commissioners of the Shire to this present Parliament And now hath Roxburgh also a Baron Roxbert Ker through the favour of King James the sixth out of the Family of Kers a famous House and spred into a number of Branches as any one in that Tract Out of which the Fernhersts and others inured in martial Feats have been of great Name Sir Robert Ker of Cessfuird was amongst other great Men chosen by K. James the sixth to attend him in his Journey to England in the year 1603. to take possession of that Crown at which time he was created Lord Roxburgh and is mentioned amongst the Commissioners for the Union Parl. 1604. first of all the Lords created about that time and in like manner in the Decreet of Ranking and the several Rolls of Parliament he is placed before Loudown Lindores c. till the year 1617 when he is designed by the Rolls of that Parliament Earl of Roxburgh he was Lord Privy Seal to King Ch. the first whose Grand-childs Grandchild is Robert Earl of Roxburgh The Laird of Berneherst the other principal Family of that Name was by King James the sixth created Lord Jedburgh which Peerage doth belong to the Lord Newbottle eldest Son to the Earl of Lothian and in the Quality of Lord Jedburgh William Lord Newbottle is a Member of this present Parliament which is special to the Earl of Lothians Family that both the Father and the Son are Peers Sir Robert Ker the youngest Brother of the first Lord Jedburgh a great Favorite of King Ja. the sixth was by him made Thesaurer of Scotland and Earl of Somerset in England Also of the Family of Ferneherst Sir Robert Ker of Ancrum was created Earl of Ancrum by King Cho. he first in the year 1633 of whom is descended Robert Earl of Lothian by his Father William Earl of Lothian who married the Heiress and the younger Brother succeeded to his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Ancrum residing in England who sat in the Parliament 1681. Collonel Rutherfoord of the Family of Hunthill was created Earl of Teviot by King Cha. the second who left his Fortune and the Dignity of Lord Rutherfoord to the family of Hunthill which hath been possessed by three Brothers the youngest is Robert Lord Rutherfoord The Dignity of Viscount Teviot was conferred by King Ia. the seventh anno 1686 on the Lord Spencer eldest Son to the Earl of Sunderland in England In the same Shire lived Sir Walter Scot of Branâ—holme who by King Ja. the sixth 17 May 1606 was created Lord Scot of Buckcleugh he was the next after the Lord Scoon and these mentioned in the Decreet of Ranking and was immediatly created before the Lord Blantyre his Son Walter was created Earl by the same King in the year 1619 in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 is ranked after the Earls of Roxburgh and Kellie and before the Earl of Melrosâ— his Son Earl Francis was Father to Countess Margaret married to Walter Scot of Heychester who shortly deceased her Husband was by King Cha. the second created Earl of Tarras during life by whose decease the Dignity is extinct the younger Daughter Countess Anna was married to James Scot Duke of Monmouth Son to K. Ch. the second and was by him created Dutchess of Buckcleugh about the year 1661. who liveth and her Son is James Earl of Dalkeitb Tweed aforesaid runneth through the midst of a Dale taking Name of it replenished with Sheep that bear Wool of great request A very goodly River this is which springing more inwardly Eastward
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
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
was slain be the Lord of Mongumry and ane Douchter Gregane quhylk was maryit efter on the Erl of Casselis and efter the deith of the Lord Boyd this Douchter of James the Secound was maryit on the Lord Hammylton and be that way the House of Hammylton is decorit in the Kyngs Blude And thereafter in Parliament 1542 James Earl of Arran the Grand-child of this marriage was declared Governour of the Kingdom during the Nonage of Queen Mary And in the year 1548 was by Henry the Second King of France created Duke of Castle-herald in France and thereafter his Son Iohn was by King James the Sixth created Marquess of Hamilton anno 1599 and was the first that enjoyed that Dignity in Scotland his Son James Marquess of Hamilton was Commissioner for the King to the Parliament 1621 whose eldest Son James Marquess of Hamilton was created thereafter Duke of Hamilton his second Son Lord William Hamilton was Secretary to King Charles the first and created Earl of Lanerk in the year 1640 from the Head-Burgh of the Shire who after the death of his Brother Duke James was also Duke of Hamilton the Lives and Actions of James and William Dukes of Hamilton and Castle-Herald are set forth in the Memoirs written by Dr. Gilbert Burnet now Bishop of Salisburry William Duke of Hamilton as well as James Duke of Hamilton having deceased without Heirs-Male of their own Body the Dignity of Hamilton and Castle-Herald did descend upon Dutchess Anna eldest Daughter to Duke James who married that Noble and Stately Person William Earl of Selkirk thereafter Duke of Hamilton formerly mentioned who have that advantage above others of many excellent Children who already have appeared much in the World viz. Their eldest Son James Earl of Arran who after he had finished his Travells Abroad Resided at the Court of England and from King Charles the second and King James the seventh enjoyed many Honourable Employments The second Lord William of great Hopes dyed in France Upon his third Son Lord Charles descended his Dignity of Earl of Selkirk as is said who is one of the Gentlemen of Their Majesties Bed-Chamber The fourth Son Lord John is General of Their Majesties Mint and married to Lady Anna Kennedy Daughter to John Earl of Cassils by his most excellent and vertuous Lady Susanna second Daughter to James Duke of Hamilton Their fifth Son Lord George Collonel of that Valiant and Renowned Regiment ordinarly Commanded by one of the Family of Dowglass of which this Lord is a Grand-child The sixth Son Lord Basile married to Mrs. Mary Dumbar Heiress to Sir David Dumbar of Baldone Baronet in the Shire of Wigtoun her Grand-father by his Son of the same Name married o Lady Helen Montgomery Daughter to Hugh Earl of Eglington The seventh Lord Archibald is Commander of the Woolage one of Their Majesties Ships of War Their eldest Daughter Lady Katharine is married to John Lord Murray eldest Son to the Marquess of Atholl The second is Susanna Countess Dowager and Mother of William Earl of Dundonald and Lady Margaret is married to James Earl of Panmure The River Glotta or Clyde runneth from Hamiltoun by Bothwel which glorieth in the Earls thereof namely John Ramsey whose greatness with King James the Third was excessive but pernicious both to himself and the King and the Hepburns of whom already Near to this place is Blantyre from which Walter Prior of Blantyre Lord Privy-Seal and afterward Thesaurer and one of the Octavians to King James the Sixth and an extraordinar Lord of Session was created Lord Blantyre July 10. 1606 his Descendant is Alexander Lord Blantyre This River runneth straight forward with a ready stream through Glasgow in ancient times past a Bishops Seat but discontinued a great while until that King William restored it up again but now it is an Arch-bishops See and an University which Bishop Turnbul after he had in a pious and religious intent built a Colledge in the year 1454 first founded This Glasgow is the most famous Town of Merchandise in this Tract for pleasant Situation Apple-trees and other like Fruit-trees much commended having also a very fair Bridge supported with eight Arches Near to it is Rutherglen a Burgh Royal and head Burgh of the nether-ward of Clydsdale as Lanerk is of the whole Shire and specially of the upper-ward Lower on the Bank of Clyde lyeth the Barony of Renfrew anciently in the Shire of Lanerk but by King Robert the 3d. erected in a Shire so called of the principle Town which may seem to be Randvara in Ptolomy upon the River Cart which had the Baron of Cathcart dwelling upon it carrying the same sirname of ancient Nobility The present Lord Cathcart is called Allan his Residence is now at Sundrom in Kings-kyle on the River of Kylne near where it falls into the River Air. Near unto Cathcart for this little Province can shew a goodly Breed of Nobility there Bordereth Cruikston the Seat in times past of the Lords of Darnley from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earls of Lennox whence Henry the Father of King James the Sixth was called Lord Darnley Halkead the Habitation of the Barons of Ross descended orginally from English Blood as who fetch their Pedegree from that Robert Ross of Wark who long since left England and came under the Alledgeance of the King of Scots of whom is descended William Lord Ross. Pasley sometimes a famous Monastery founded by Alexander the Second of that name High-steward of Scotland which for a gorgeous Church and rich Furniture was inferior to few but by the beneficial Favour of King James the Sixth it yielded both Dwelling-place and Title of Baron to Lord Claud Hamilton a younger Son of the Duke of Chasteu Herald the eldest Son of the Earl of Abercorn is designed Lord Pasley of whom already And Semple the Lord whereof Baron Semple by ancient Right was Sheriff of this Barony The Lady Heiress of Semple being married to Francis Abercrombie of Fiternier he was by King Charles the 2d created Lord Glasford and is Father to the present Lord Semple In this Country of Renfrew is Areskine the Seat of the ancient Lords of Areskine now Earls of Marr. But the Title of Baron of Renfrew by a peculiar priviledge since the Reign of King Robert the 3d. doth appertain unto the Prince of Scotland The heretable Sheriffs of this Shire are the Earls of Eglington The Author Camden is not to be blamed for asserting that Alexander the Second Great Stewart of Scotland Founded the Monastry of Pasley since it was generally related by the Scottish Historians but because the Errors in this Matter are so many and gross to the disadvantage of the Great Stewarts of Scotland Progenitors to our Kings and that a wrong Genealogy of them is printed with our Acts of Parliament I must be allowed to prevent the further
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
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
Sheriffs who being descended from the Grays of Chillingham in the Country of Northumberland came into Scotland with King James the First at his return out of England of whom is descended Patrick now Lord Gray upon the first of whom named Andrew the King of his bounteous liberality bestowed the Segniory of Foulis together with Helen Mortimer in Marriage for his Advancement Ashtoun an English Gentleman was created Lord Forfar about the year 1633 by King Charles the First and Archibald second Son to the Earl of Angus and Brother to James Marquess of Dowglass was by King Charles the Second created Earl of Forfar about the year 1651. Hard by the mouth of Tay is situat Dundee sometimes called Alectum others term it in Latine Taodunum a Town verily of great resort and Trade and the Constable whereof by a special priviledge was Standard bearer to the King of Scots Hector Boetius who was here born expounded this name Dundee by way of allusion to Donum Dei that is Gods gift This Hector in the reflourishing time of Learning wrote the Scottish History elegantly and that out of such hidden and far fetched Monuments of Antiquity that Paulus Jovius wondered in his Writings there should be Records extant for above a thousand years of these remote parts of the World Scotland the Hebrids and the Orcads considering that Italy the Nurse of fine Wits for so many Ages after the Goths were cast out was defective of Writers and Records The ancient Family of the Scrymsours of Dudup Constables of Dundee was first created by King Charles the first Viscount of Dudup and by King Charles the Second Earl of Dundee and by gift of last Heir and Recognition being carried to Charles Maitland of Haltoun came afterwards to be at the Kings disposal who gifted the same to Collonel John Graham of Claverhouse who by King James the Seventh was created Viscount of Dundee and opposing their Majesties in Arms was killed at Gillichrankie in Athol in July 1689 and both he and his Brother David also present at that Action were forefaulted in Parliament 1690. From hence standeth within sight Brochty-Craig which being a good Fortress was with the English Garison Souldiers manfully defended made good for many Months together what time as in their affectionat love to a perpetual peace they desired and wished for a Marriage between Mary Heir apparent of Scotland and Edw. the 6th K. of England and upon promise thereof demanded it by force of Arms and in the end of their own accord abandoned the said place Then there lyeth full against the open Ocean Aberbroth short Arbroth a place endowed with ample Revenues and by King William dedicated in old time to Religion in honour of Thomas of Canterbury beside which the Red-head shooteth into the deep Sea and is to be seen a far of Hard by Southesk voideth it self into the Ocean which River flowing amain out of a Lake passeth by Finnevin Castle well known by reason of the Lindseys Earls of Crawford keeping Residence there of whom is already written And downward on the same River standeth Kinnaird the Inheritance of the Carnagies who amongst other Families by being Members of the Colledge of Justice have raised their Fortunes and advanced into great Honours Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird in the year 1553 is marked in the Sederunt of the Lords of Session And about the year 1561 under the designation of Sir Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird admitted Ordinary Lord of Session Mr. David Carnagy of Coluthy I suppose his second Son was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians he dyed in the year 1598 his Son Sir David Carnagy of Kinnaird succeeded of whom frequent mention is made in the Acts of Parliament of King James the Sixth he was by that King created Lord Carnagy after the Lord Binnie and is so ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617. In the Books of Sederunt July 5th 1616 David Lord Carnagy is admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session in the year 1633 by King Charles the First he was created Earl of Southesk his great Grand-child is Charles Earl of Southesk Sir John Carnegie of Ethie younger Son to the before named Mr. David Carnagie of Colluthy and Brother to David Earl of Southesk was by King Charles the First created Lord Lour and thereafter by that same King Earl of Ethie his eldest Son David exchanged the said Titles with these of Earl of Northesk and Lord Rosehill as being more agreeable to the Title of Earl of Southesk the Chief of the Family David Earl of Northesk is great Grand-child to the first Earl Then upon the said River standeth Brechin which King David the First adorned with a Bishops See Patrick Maul of Panmure of the Bed-chamber of an ancient Family was created by King Charles the First about the year 1646 Earl of Panmure Lord Maul and Brechin immediatly before the Earls of Selkirk Tweeddale and Northesk whose Grand-child is James Earl of Panmure And at the very mouth thereof standeth Montross as one would say the Mount of Roses a Town in times past called Celurca risen by the fall of another Town bearing the same name which is seated between the two Esks and imparteth the Title of Marquess to the Family of the Grahams Not far from hence is Boschain belonging to the Barons of Ogilvy of very antient Nobility lineally descended from Alexander Sheriff of Angus who was slain in the Bloody Battle at Harlaw against the Mac-Donald of the out Isles In this Shire is also Airlie which was the first Designation of the Lord Ogilvie of Airlie Andrew Lord Ogilvie was created by King Charles the first anno 1633 Earl of Airlie whose Son is James Earl of Airlie As touching the Earls of Angus Gilchrist of Angus renowned for his brave exploits under King Malcolm the fourth was the first Earl of Angus that we read of About the year 1241 John Cummin was Earl of Angus who died in France and his Widow haply inheritrix to the Earldom was married to Sir Gilbert Vmfranvill an Englishman For both he and his Heirs successively after him were summoned to the Parliament in England until the third year of King Richard the second by the Title of Earls of Angus Howbeit the Lawyers of England refused in their Brieves and Instruments to acknowledge him Earl for that Angus was not within the Kingdom of England until he had brought forth openly in the face of the Court the Kings Writ and Warrant wherein he was summoned to the Parliament by the name of Earl of Angus In the reign of David Bruce Thomas Stuart was Earl of Angus who by a sudden surprise won Berwick and straightways lost it yea and within a while after died miserably in Prison at Dunbritton But the Douglasses Men of invincible Hearts from the time of King Robert the second when VVilliam first E. of Douglas married
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
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