Irwing 7. Bamff The Trinity Friers or Mathurins follow These were also called Robertines and De Redemptione Captivorum whose work was to beg mony of well-disposed people for Ransoming of Christian Captives from the Slavery of the Turks These Friers had their Houses At 1. Falle 2. Houstoun 3. Dornoch 4. Cromarty 5. Scotland-well 6. Aberdene 7. Peeblis I can give no account concerning the several Orders of NVNS in Scotland Their Convents were 1. The Priory of North-Berwick in Lothian founded by Duncan Earl of Fife 2. The Priory of Haddington in Lothian founded by Ada Countess of Northumberland Wife to Prince Henry onely Son of King David the First 3. The Priory of Saint Bothans in Lammer-moor founded by Christiana Countess of March 4. The Priory of Manuel in Lothian founded by King Malcolme the Fourth 5. The Priory of Coldstream in Mers founded by the Countess of March 6. The Priory of Ecclis in Mers founded by King David the First The Gray Sisters had their Houses At 1. Dundee 2. Aberdene 3. Sheens near Edinburgh What kind of Monks were in the following Monasteries I have not as yet learned 1. The Monastery of Abernethy in Strath-Jerne founded by Caranachus the King of the Picts 2. The Monastery of Saint Andrew de beugh founded by King Constantine the Second 3. The Abbey of Soutre in Lothian founded by King Malcolm the Fourth 4. The Priory of Cannabie in Eskdail 5. The Priory of Star-inch in Lewis founded by Maclewid Baron of Lewis 6. The Priory of Rowadill in Harrigh founded by Maclewid Baron of Harrigh 7. The Priory of Inchmahomo in Perth-shire 8. The Monastery of Elbottle a Cell belonging to South Berwick 9. The Priory of Gulane in Lothian a Cell belonging to South Berwick founded by King David the First 10. The Priory of Aberdowr in Fife Thus much concerning Monks and Friers BEsides the Convents of Regulars there were Colledges erected for SECVLAR PRIESTS and amply endowed with Revenues The chief person of the Colledge of Secular Canons was called the Provost and the Colledge it self the Provostry Let us take a view of them 1. The Colledge of Bothwell in Clidisdail founded by Archbald the First Earl of Douglas It was before a Cloister of Nuns 2. The Colledge of Linclowden in Nithisdail founded by the same Archbald 3. The Colledge of Bothans in Lothian founded by William Hay Baron of Yester 4. The Provostry of Minniboll in Carrict founded by Sir Gilbert Kennedy Knight 5. The Colledge of Dumbar in Lothian founded by George Earl of March 6. The Colledge of Carnwath in Clidisdail founded by Thomas Lord Summervile 7. The Colledge of Methuen in Strath-Jerne founded by Walter Stewart Earl of Athol 8. The Provostry of Dalkeith in Lothian founded by James Douglas the second Earl of Morton 9. The Provostry of Fowlis in Angus founded by Andrew Gray of Fowlis 10. The Colledge of Kilmund in Cowal founded by Sir Duncan Campbell Knight 11. The Provostry of Dirlton in Lothian founded by Sir Walter Haliburton of Dirlton 12. The Colledge of Rosseline in Lothian founded by William Sinclair Earl of Orkney 13. The Provostry of Dunglas in Mers founded by Alexander Hume Lord Hume 14. The King's Colledge of Striveling founded by King James the Third 15. Trinity Colledge in Edinburgh founded by Mary Widow of King James the Second 16. The Provostry of Restalrig in Lothian founded by King James the Fourth 17. The Provostry of Seaton in Lothian founded by the Lord Seaton 18. The Provostry of Costorphine in Lothian founded by the Baron of Costorphine Forrester 19. The Colledge of Creighton in Lothian founded by the Earl of Bothwell Hepburn 20. The Provostry of Sempill in Ranfrew-shire founded by the Lord Sempill 21. The Colledge of Kilmawers in Cunninghame founded by the Earl of Glencarn 22. The Colledge of Hamilton in Clidisdail founded by the Lord Hamilton 23. The Colledge of Dumbarton in Lennox founded by one of the Countesses of Lennox 24. The Provostry of Tillibarden in Strath-Jerne founded by the Baron of Tillibarden Murray 25. The Provostry of Tayne in Ross founded by King James the Fourth 26. The Provostry of Abernethie in Strath-Jerne founded by one of the Earls of Douglas The chief Church in great Towns was a Collegiate-Church as Saint Giles in Edinburgh c. LAST of all follow the KNIGHTS TEMPLARS This Order was instituted by Pope Gelasius about the year of our Lord 1120. Their Office and Vow was to defend the Temple and the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem to entertain Christian Strangers that came thither for Devotion and to guard them in safety when they went to visit the places of the Holy Land Their Habit was a White Cloak with a Red Cross and a Sword girt about them They were suppressed by Pope Clemens the Fifth about the year 1310. and their Lands were by a General Council held at Vienna conferr'd on the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem called also Joannites and after Knights of the Rhodes and lastly of Malta where they live at this day The Templars and their Successours spoken of before had onely one House in Scotland which was the Hospital of Saint Germans in Lothian This House was dissolved Anno 1494. and the greatest part of its Revenues by King James the Fourth conferr'd upon the King's Colledge of Aberdene then newly founded by Bishop William Elphingston Though I cannot give an account in what year every particular Monastery in Scotland was founded yet their general Dissolution was about the year 1560. There was also a Convent of Red Friers at the mouth of Teviot near Kelso but by whom built I cannot learn CHAP. III. The UNIVERSITIES of SCOTLAND THere are four Universities in Scotland SAINT ANDREWS GLASGOW ABERDENE EDINBVRGH The Vniversitie of SAINT ANDREWS WAS founded by Bishop Henry Wardlaw Anno Christi 1412. It is endowed with very ample Privileges The Archbishops of Saint Andrews are perpetual Chancellours thereof The Rectour is chosen yearly and by the Statutes of the Universitie he ought to be one of the three Principals His Power is the same with that of the Vice-chancellour of Oxford or Cambridge There are in this Universitie three Colledges viz. SAINT SALVATOR'S SAINT LEONARD'S NEW COLLEDGE SAINT SALVATOR'S Colledge James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews founded this Colledge built the Edifice furnished it with costly Ornaments and provided sufficient Revenues for the maintenance of the Masters and Professours Persons endowed at the Foundation were A Doctour A Bachelour A Licenciate of Divinitie Four Professours of Philosophy who are called Regents Eight poor Scholars called Bursars Benefactours I can give little or no account of the Benefactours The Earl of Cassils hath founded a Professour of Humanitie to teach the Latin tongue George Martyn cieled the great Hall Present Professours George Weemis Doctour of Divinity Provost James Rymer Professours of Philosophy George Thomson Professours of Philosophy Edward Thomson Professours of Philosophy James Strachan Professours of Philosophy The Arms of Saint Salvator's
King's Name The present Advocate is Sir John Nubet of Dirlton The Seventh Officer is the Lord Treasurer Deputy who is assistent to the Lord High Treasurer and is a Check upon him and presides in the Exchequer in his absence This Office is executed by Sir Charles Maitland of Hatton The Eighth Officer is the Lord Justice Clerk who assists the Lord Justice general in Criminal causes The present Justice Clerk is Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie All these have the Title of Lord and the precedency of all under Noblemen and their eldest Sons The Privy Council is chiefly employed about publick Affairs and judges of Riots and any Disturbance given to the Peace of the Kingdom Anciently the Lords of the Session were the King's Council and so are still called the Lords of Council and Session but the Power of the Privy Council has been most raised since King James got the Crown of England that by reason of the King 's necessary absence from Scotland the King hath lodged much of His Power with the Privy Council Lawyers do plead the causes of Riots before them and when Sentence is given every Privy Councellour gives his Vote and the major Vote carries it Lords of His Majestie 's Privy Council John Earl of Rothes Chancellour of the Kingdom Lord President of the Privy Council James Lord Archbishop of Saint Andrews his Grace John Duke of Lauderdail his Grace Alexander Lord Archbishop of Glasgow his Grace William Marquess of Douglas John Marquess of Athol Archbald Earl of Argile John Earl of Errol George Earl Marischal William Earl of Morton Alexander Earl of Murray Charles Earl of Mar. Earl of Linlithgow John Earl of Wigton Patrick Earl of Kinghorn Alexander Earl of Kelley David Earl of Weemis James Earl of Airley William Earl of Dundonald George Lord Ross Sir Charles Maitland of Hatton Sir James Dalrymple of Stair Sir John Nisbet of Dirleton Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie Sir James Fowlis of Collington Sir William Sharp of Stainibill Sir William Scot of Ardross Sir George Kinnaird of Rossie Sir John Wachop of Nidrie Sir Gerge Monro of Culkairn Lieutenant General Thomas Dalyell The Supreme Court of Judicature about the Property of the Subject is called the Colledge of Justice or the Session which was anciently an ambulatory Court but was settled as it now is by King James the Fifth Anno Christi 1532. to consist of fourteen who are called Senatours of the Colledge of Justice or Lords of Councill and Session and a President to whom are added the Lord Chancellour and four extraordinary Lords who are of the chief Nobility The extraordinary Lords have no Salary and are not obliged to attendance but when they come they have a Vote This Court sits from the first of June till the last of July and from the first of November till Christmas-Eve and from the first of January till the last of February they sit from 9 a clock in the Morning till 12 all the days of the Week except Sunday and Monday There is an Outer House and an Inner In the Outer there is a Bench where one of the Senatours sits a Week and all of them except the President have their turns in it who hears all Causes originally and where the Case is clear he gives Sentence But if it be difficult or if either party desires it he reports it to the rest of the Senatours who either send out their Answer by him or if it be very intricate and the parties or either of them desire it do appoint it to be heard before themselves This is a Court of great dispatch But besides the Judge on the Bench there is a Side-Bar to which one of the Judges comes out weekly by turns as in the former and receives and answers all Petitions and Bills The Inner House where all the rest of the Senatours sit is a Court of great State and Order The Senatours sit in a semicircle in Robes under them sit their Clerks who write the most material heads of all that is pleaded at the Bar where the Pleadings are long and very learned When the Senatours have after all the parties are removed reconsidered their Arguments they give their Sentence and the major Vote carries it Their final Sentence determines the business there lying no Appeal from them onely the Parliament as the Supreme Court may review and repeal their Sentence and they are called Decreets from the Latin Decreta Senatours of the Colledge of Justice Sir James Dalrymple of Stair President Sir John Nubet of Dirleton Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie Sir Charles Maitland of Hatton Sir James Fowlis of Collington Sir Robert Nairn of Strathurd Sir David Nevoy of Nevoy Sir Peter Wederburn of Gosfurd Sir John Baird of Newbyth Sir John Lockart of Castlehill Sir Richard Maitland of Pitrichie Sir David Balfour of Forret Sir Thomas Murray Sir James Fowlis of Sir David Falconar of Newton The Law of Scotland is made up of the Municipal and Civil Laws The Municipal consists either of Acts of Parliaments or of the Customes and Practicks of the Colledge of Justice which are held of no less force then Acts of Parliament and where neither of these contradicts the Civil Law the Roman Law is of force This makes our Lawyers generally great Civilians for they goe either to Leiden Poictiers or Bourges and study the Civil Law in which some are learned to a high degree The Law of Scotland is easie and regular by reason of our Registers which are so full that Titles are much more easily cleared here then can be done where those Registers are not which may appear from the following Instances No man can have a Right to any Estate but by his being seised of it which is done by the delivery of Earth and Stone upon which an Instrument is formed called a Sasine and this must be registred within 60 days otherwise it is of no force by which means all secret Conveyances are cut off for if no Sasine be passed upon them or if these be not put in the publick Registers which every one may search the Conveyance is of no force All Bonds have a Clause in them for inserting them in the publick Registers and they being registred without any farther action by a charge of six days the Debitor must make payment otherwise Writs called Letters of Horning Caption and Poynding are given out by the first of which the party is under Outlawry and Rebellion and forfeits to the King his personal Estate and if he continues a year under it the Life-rent of his real Estate in which the Creditor is to be preferred for his interest the rest goes into the Exchequer By the Letters of Caption the party is seised on and put in prison nor is his House a place of security but may be searched for him By the Letters of Poynding the Debitor's Goods may be distrained where-ever they can be found A third Instance to which I shall adde no more is that any
Dean of Aberdene Principal Henry Scougal Professour of Divinitie George Nicolson Professour of the Laws Patrick Vrqhuart Doctour and Professour of Physick Andrew Massie Subprincipal Patrick Gordon Professour of Humanitie and of the Oriental Languages Robert Forbes George Middleton John Buchan Professours of Philosophy There are also A Student of Divinitie Fifteen Bursars of Philosophy A Cantor who is Master of the Musick-School in the Town An OEconomus A Janitor A Cook A Gardener and other inferiour Servants Learned men and Writers Hector Boeth Principal according to the Learning of the Times he lived in was very considerable for whose Character see Page 68. in the foregoing History John Leslie Canonist in the King's Colledge and Official of Aberdene was a very worthy person and of great Learning in those days he lived in he suffered much for his Loyalty to his Princess Queen Mary John Forbes Doctour and Professour of Divinity All I shall say to this great man is that he was one of the best Scholars that ever our Kingdom bred as will apppear to all that ever read his Instructiones Historico-Theologicae which these unhappy Times suffered him not to finish to the great regret of all Learned men His Irenicum does also shew both his Learning and Moderation But his Piety and Devotion was so signal that his Name will be alwaies remembred there with great honour William Guild Doctour of Divinity Principal He wrote Commentaries on several Books of the Old Testament a Systeme of Divinity and many Treatises against the Papists He had a fair Estate which he left wholly to pious uses Arthur Johnston Doctour of Physick and Rectour of the Universitie was an excellent Poet. William Douglas Professour of Divinity a man of great Industry he wrote some little Treatises There were also three Brothers descended from a Noble Family Duncan Thomas and Gilbert Burnet who were bred here and were in great esteem The first was a Doctour of Physick and practised in Norwich he was a learned holy and good man The second was of the same Profession and likewise in great esteem in Braintrey where he practised Physick The third was a Professour of Philosophy first at Basil then at Montaubon and was in such esteem there that a National Synod of the Protestants in France appointed his Philosophical Writings to be printed at the expence of the Clergy But he dying before his Manuscripts were put in order onely his Book of Ethicks was printed They all three flourished about the year 1630. George Middleton Doctour of Physick was once a Professour of Philosophy here a man of considerable Parts of good Learning and well skilled in the practice of Physick He died very lately William Gordon Doctour and Professour of Physick here was a very worthy person of great Judgment and well seen in that Science He died Anno 164 James Sandilands Doctour and Professour of the Laws here and Official of Aberdene was a Learned man and a great Civilian He died Anno 164 Many other Learned men have been Professours here besides those who have had their Education in this Colledge THE MARISCHAL Colledge of Aberdene was founded by George Keith Earl Marischal Anno 1593. Persons endowed were A Principal Three Professours of Philosophy Since that time there have been added A Professour of Divinitie Mathematicks A fourth Professour of Philosophy Twenty four poor Scholars Benefactours George Earl Mariscbal Founder gave towards the maintenance of the Professours certain Lands lying near Aberdene and at Bervie in Mernis The Town of Aberdene built most part of the Edifice Thomas Reid left an annual Salary to a Library-keeper Bernard Cargill gave a considerable summe of money towards the maintenance of a Professour of Divinitie Duncan Liddell Doctour of Physick left a considerable summe of money towards the maintenance of a Professour of Mathematicks Sir Alexander Irwing of Drum left in Legacy towards the maintenance of poor Scholars or Bursars of Philosophy and Divinity a thousand pounds Sterling mony King Charles the First bestowed on the Colledge the third part of the Rents of the Bishoprick of Aberdene so long as the See should continue vacant Anno 1641. Alexander Reid Doctour of Physick left in Legacy to the Colledge and Grammar-School two hundred pounds of English mony Alexander Ross Doctour of Divinity Minister in Aberdene William Guild Doctour of Divinity Minister in Aberdene Patrick Dune Doctour of Physick Each of them gave mony to maintain Bursars Several of the Benefactours left their Books to the Library Principals 1593. Robert Howy first Principal 159 Gilbert Gray 160 Andrew Aidie 161 William Forbes Doctour of Divinity afterwards Bishop of Edinburgh 162 Patrick Dune Doctour of Physick 1639. William Moir 1663. James Leslie Doctour of Physick Professours of Divinity 162 Robert Baron Doctour and Professour of Divinity afterwards Bishop Elect of Orkney 164 John Menzeis Present Professours George Meldrum Minister in Aberdene Rectour James Leslie Doctour of Physick Principal John Menzeis Professour of Divinity Duncan Liddell Professour of Mathematicks Robert Paterson George Peacock John Farqbuar John Paton Professours of Philosophy The Earl Marischal is the onely Patron of this Colledge Learned men and Writers William Forbes Doctour of Divinity Principal was a person of rare Endowments vast Learning and a celebrated Preacher He was the first Bishop of Edinburgh and indeed a most holy person of whom all that ever knew him give this Character that they never saw him but they thought his heart was in heaven He was indeed a fit pattern to all that should come after him Robert Baron Doctour and Professour of Divinity was a person of incomparable worth and Learning He had a clear apprehension of things and a rare facultie of making the hardest things to be easily understood He is well known by his Book De objecto formali Fidei and his Metaphysicks and other small Treatises there are many other excellent Manuscripts of his that are not yet published and he bare the greatest share of that famous Debate Anno 1638. between the Doctours of Aberdene and the Covenanters Alexander Reid Doctour of Physick was bred here he grew very famous in London and left a great part of his Estate to pious uses in and about the places of his Education Duncan Liddell Doctour of Physick was a person much esteemed for his learned Writings as his Book De Febribus and several other Books which he wrote But since I have named some Physicians educated in Aberdene I must not pass over Sir Alexander Fraser His Majesties's First Physician whose great Learning and happy Practice of Physick as they have raised him to such esteem and dignity so his constant Loyalty and high Generosity do answer that Noble race of the Frasers from whom he is descended The Vniversity of EDINBVRGH WAS founded by King James the Sixth of blessed memory for Anno 1580. upon the Magistrates of that Citie 's Supplication and Address to him for that effect he granted to them a Charter under the
Regalia the Lion Herauld with some Heraulds and Pursevants riding before the Honours last of all when the King is present in person rides the Lord Chancellour bearing the Great Seal but this is not done before a Commissioner After these rides the King or His Commissioner with the High Constable who is by Inheritance the Earl of Arroll on his right hand with a white Batton on his hand and the great Marischal who is also by Inheritance the Earl Marischal on his left hand with a silver Batton in his hand If the King be present in person the Marquesses and Dukes ride after the Earls but if His Commissioner onely be there they follow him at some distance At the outward Gate of the Parliament-house they all alight off their horses and the Earl Marischal receives and conducts the King to the inner Gate where he is received by the High Constable and led into the House where the Parliament is held The Throne is raised six steps high with a State over it and there the King or the Commissioner in His absence sits And in the first step under him on a Bench sits the Lord Chancellour with other Officers of State on both hands of him In the next step under these sit the Lords of Session or Judges On the right hand of the Throne is the Bishops Bench that rises up three steps and rows of Benches On the highest the two Archbishops sit and in the lower steps sit the Bishops according to the dignity of their Sees On the left hand of the Throne there is another great Bench of three steps and rows of Benches on which sit the Nobility according to their precedency In the middle of the Floor there are two Tables on the one of them the Regalia are laid and in two great Chairs by them sit the Constable and the Marischal at the other Table sits the Lord Clerk of Registers with his Deputy-Clerks who are the Clerks of the Parliament There are also Fourms placed on the floor those on the right side are for the Commissioners of the Shires and those on the left hand are for the Commissioners of the Burroughs When all are placed the Parliament is fenced as the phrase is in the King's Name Then the King speaks to them if He be present sitting in His Robes with the Crown on His Head all standing up bare-headed but when a Commissioner represents Him he is in an ordinary Sute and stands and speaks also bare-headed nor is the Commissioner covered but when there is pleading at the Bar but continues bare-headed as all the Members are and tells them the reason for which they are called together which is enlarged upon by the Lord Chancellour Then they goe about the chusing of the Lords of the Articles who are Eight for every State who have been chosen in different ways Sometimes the Bishops did chuse the eight Lords of the Nobility and the Nobility eight for the Bishops at other times the Bishops did chuse their own eight and the Nobility their eight but now it is settled by an Act of Parliament that the King or His Commissioner names eight of the Bishops the Lords chuse eight for themselves and those sixteen do chuse eight Commissioners for the Shires and as many Commissioners for the Burroughs These Thirty two are the Committee of Parliament to prepare Matters When a Bill is drawn by them it is brought into the Parliament And anciently all these Bills were brought in the last day of Parliament on which the Members ride in the same State as they do the first day and the Bills being read they were put to the Vote of Parliament and either were approved or not and then being approved were presented to the King who by touching them with the Sceptre gave His Assent to them which also is done by His Commissioner in His absence if he refused to touch them they were of no force But of late times matters have been at full length and freely debated in Parliament They sit all in one House and every one answers distinctly to his Name and gives his Vote which is in these Terms I approve or not onely those who are not satisfied one way or another say Non liquet which is a great ease to those who are consciencious and a common refuge to the cunning Politician the major Vote carries it No Dissents or Protests are allowed in publick Acts but are accounted treasonable but in private Acts that relate to mens Properties and Rights any one may protest for his Interest After all business is ended the King or His Commissioner makes a Speech to them and dissolves them A Convention of Estates is made up of the same Members that constitute a Parliament but can make no Laws onely that can lay Impositions on the Subjects they do not sit in state and have been most used before the Kings were Crowned The Lord Chancellour is President in both these Courts and the Votes are taken and numbered by the Clerk of Registers And whatever Acts are passed in Parliament or Convention are to be proclaimed soon after their Dissolution at the publick Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh by the Lion Herauld who is at present Sir Charles Erskin of Cambo with a great deal of state and Ceremony after which they are obligatory on the Subjects And so much for the Parlaiment and the Three Estates whose Authority is supreme and it is Enacted that none of the Lieges shall presume to impugn the Dignity and Authority of the Three Estates or to seek or procure the Innovation or Diminution of the Power and Authority of the same Three Estates or any of them in time coming under the pain of Treason The Government of the Kingdom being wholly in the Crown the King administers it by His Officers of State and Privy Council The Officers of State are Eight The First is the Lord Chancellour who is Keeper of the Great Seal and President in all Courts where-ever he is except in the Exchequer This Office is now in the person of the Right Honourable John Leslie Earl of Rothes The Second Officer is the Lord High Treasurer who governs the Revenue and presides in the Exchequer This Office is now in Commission The Third Officer is the Lord Privie Seal who is at present the Marquess of Athol These three take place of all the Nobility The Fourth Officer is the Lord Secretary who keeps the Signet and is a Lord by his Office and takes place of all of his rank The Office of Secretary is executed by his Grace the Duke of Lauderdail The Fifth Officer is the Lord Clerk of Registers who has the charge of all the publick Records Rolls and Registers and names all the Clerks of Parliament and Session and the Keepers of publick Registers The Sixth Officer is the King's Advocate who is also called the Lord Advocate He is commonly a Judge except in Causes in which the King is concerned and in those he pleads in the