Appendix: Abstracts of charters and other documents

Extracts From the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1403-1528. Originally published by Scottish Burgh Records Society, Edinburgh, 1869.

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'Appendix: Abstracts of charters and other documents', in Extracts From the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1403-1528, ed. J D Marwick( Edinburgh, 1869), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/edinburgh-burgh-records/1403-1528/pp314-339 [accessed 5 October 2024].

'Appendix: Abstracts of charters and other documents', in Extracts From the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1403-1528. Edited by J D Marwick( Edinburgh, 1869), British History Online, accessed October 5, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/edinburgh-burgh-records/1403-1528/pp314-339.

"Appendix: Abstracts of charters and other documents". Extracts From the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1403-1528. Ed. J D Marwick(Edinburgh, 1869), , British History Online. Web. 5 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/edinburgh-burgh-records/1403-1528/pp314-339.

Abstracts of charters and other documents

* The asterisks denote those Charters or Documents which have not been found in the Archives of the City or are deposited elsewhere.

KING DAVID I.

[27TH APRIL 1124 TO 24TH MAY 1153.]

* [1.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE FIRST, under his Great Seal, to the Abbey of Dunfermline, of, inter alia, a house in the Burgh of Edinburgh. It is without date, but is believed to have been granted between the years 1124 and 1127.

The ancient Register of the Abbey of Dunfermline, preserved in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh.
Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. I., Appendix i., p. 45.
Registrum de Dunfermelyn (Bannatyne Club), p. 3.

[2.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE FIRST, under his Great Seal, to the Abbey of the Holy Rood of Edinburgh, of a yearly rent from his Burgh of Edinburgh, of a toft of ground in his burgh of Edinburgh, of a piece of ground beside his garden under the Castle Rock, of a moiety of the tallow, lard, and hides of the cattle slaughtered for his household at Edinburgh, and of liberty to found a burgh (now known as the Canongate) between the church of Holyrood and his burgh of Edinburgh. The Charter is without date, but is known from the persous by whom it is witnessed and other cirumstances to have been granted between the year 1143 and 1147.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City of Edinburgh.
Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, (Record edition), p. 185, Rot. IX., No. 14.
Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, Vol, I., pp. 46, 47.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis (Bannatynde Club), p. 3.
Facsimiles of the National MSS. of Scotland, Part I., No. 16.
Charters and othe Documents relating to the City of Edinburgh, No I., p. 1.
Maitland's History of Edinburgh, pp. 144–147.
Inventory of City Charters, vol. iv., p. 327.

* [3.] RUBRIC or TITLE of the LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF THE FOUR URGHS OF SCOTLAND, that is to say, Edinburgh, Roxburgh, Berwick, and Stirling, made by King David, as it is written in the most ancient manuscript now preserved, the Berne Manuscript, among the public Records of Scotland in Her Majesty's General Register House at Edinburgh.

Office copy of the Rubric certified by the Deputy Keeper of the Records of Scotland in the Archives of the City,
The whole code of the Burgh laws printed in the Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol, I., pp. 15–44 and in the Ancient Laws and Customs of the Burghs of Scotland (Scottish Burgh Records Society edition),pp. 4–58.
Precedence of Edinburgh and Dublin, p. 14.

KING MALCOLM II.

[7th June 1329 to 22d February 1371.]

* [4.] CHARTER by KING MALCOLM THE FOURTH, called "the Maiden," under his Great Seal, to the Abbey of Dunfermline, of a toft in Edinburgh which had been previously possessed by Robert de Londoniis. The Charter is without date.

Registrum de Dunfermelyn, p. 26.

KING WILLIAM THE LION.

[9th December 1165 to 4th December 1214.]

[5.] CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION by KING WILLIAM THE LION, under his Great Seal, to the Abbey of Holyrood, of all their possessions. This Charter is believed to have been granted between 1171–1177.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. II., p. 9.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, p. 22.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 327.

* [6.] CHARTER by KING WILLIAM, under his Great Seal, to the Abbey of Dunfermline, of, inter alia, a hundred shillings yearly from the ferme of the burgh of Edinburgh. The Charter is without date, but is known to have been granted in 1165.

Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. I., pp. 63, 64.
Registrum de Dunfermelyn, p. 28.
Precedence of Edinburgh and Dublin, p. 15.

* [7.] ACT OF KING WILLIAM, appointing two head Courts of Justiciary to be held annually in Edinburgh and Peebles. 1184.

Assise Regis Willelmi, c. 25, Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. I., p. 57.

KING ROBERT I.

[27th March 1306 to 7th June 1329.]

[8.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE FIRST under his Great Seal, confirming King David's Foundation Charter of Holyrood [No. 2.]. This Charter is not dated, but is believed to have been granted between 1327–1329.

Original Charter in Archives of the City.
Charters, &c, relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. III., p. 14.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, p. 74.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 328.

* [9.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE FIRST to the Abbey of Melrose of one hundred pounds from the fermes of the burgh of Berwick, or from the new customs of the said burgh, or if from any cause these should prove insufficient, then from the new customs of Edinburgh and Had dington. Dated at Arbroath, 10th January, in the twentieth year of the King's reign [1325–6].

Liber Sancte Marie de Melros (Bannatyne Club) Vo1. II., 327.

[10.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE FIRST, under his Great Seal, granting to the Burgesses of his Burgh of Edinburgh the foresaid burgh of Edinburgh, with the Port of Leith mills and other appurtenances, to be held of the King and his successors with all the franchises which it possessed in the time of King Alexander the Third, for payment of fifty-two merks yearly. Dated at Cardross 28th May, in the twenty-fourth year of the King's reign [1329].

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c, relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. IV., p. 16.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 1.
Precedence of Edinburgh and Dublin, p. 16.
Local Report on Edinburgh by the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Scotland, p. 282.

KING DAVID II.

[7th June 1329 to 22d February 1371.]

[11.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, confirming the Holy rood Charter of King Robert the First [No. 8], appointing the whole Abbey lands to be held in free Regality, giving the Abbot and Convent the chaplainry of the Chapel Royal, so that the Abbot should be principal chaplain. Dated at Ayr 6th June, in the fourteenth year of the King's reign [1343].

Original Charter in Archives of the City.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 329.

[12.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, confirming the Holyrood Charter of King Robert the First [No. 8]. This Charter is of the same tenor with the Charter immediately preceding, and is dated at Dunfermline 30th December, in the fourteenth year of the King's reign [1343].

Original Charter in Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. V., p.171
Inventory of City Charters, Vol.IV., p.330.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, p.89.

* [13.] PROCURATORY by the Burghs of Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverkeithing, Crail, Cupar, St Andrews, Montrose, Stirling, Linlithgow, Haddington, Dumbarton, Rutherglen, Lanark, Dumfries, and Peebles, for themselves and all the Burgesses and Merchants of Scotland, empowering certain Burgesses of Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, and Dundee to negociate and enter into obligations for the ransom of King David from his captivity in England. Dated at Edinburgh 26th September 1357.

Original Procuratory in the Record office, London.
Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. I., App. 13, 9 157.
Foedera (Record Edition), Vol. III., Part I,. pp. 371–372.
Ancient Laws and Customs of the Burghs of Scotland, (Scottish Burgh Records Society) pp. 194–199.
Charters, &c., relating to the city of Edinburgh, No. VI., P.19.

* [14.] OBLIGATION by the Burgesses of Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, and Dundee, as prucurators thus constituted, for fulfilment of the treaty with England anent the release of King David, and particularly for payment of 10,000 merks sterling to the King of England, dated at Berwick-on-Tweed 5th October 1357.

Original Obligation in the Record Office, London.
Foedera (Record Edition), Vol. III. Part I., pp. 377, 378.

[15.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, to the Burgesses and community of the burgh of Edinburgh, of a piece of ground in the High Street, on the west side of the old Tron, going up towards the Castle, for the purpose of building a new Tron thereon. Dated at Edinburgh 3d December in the 36th year of the King's reign [1364].

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Registrum Magni Sigilli, (Record Edition) p. 41, lib.I. No. 111.
Charters, &c., relating to the city of Edinburgh, No. VII., p.25.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol.I., p.2.

[16.] PRECEPT by KING DAVID THE SECOND, under hi Great Seal, directed to the Sheriff of Edinburgh and his deputies, commanding them to prohibit personally the holding of a fair at Newbotill as being contrary to the custom of the kingdom and prejudicial to the burgh of Edinburgh and its burgesses. Dated at Perth 12th November in the 39th year of the King's reign [1367].

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. VIII., p.26.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol.I., p.9.

* [17.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE SECOND to John Stewart, son to Walter Stewart of the customs of Edinburgh.

Robertson's Index of Charters, p.49, No 52.

* [18.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE SECOND, to William Baillie, of an annual furth of the customs of Edinburgh.

Robertson's Index of Charters, p. 50, No.14.

* [19.] CHARTER by KING DAVID THE SECOND to John edmunstoun of the Coronership of Edinburgh.

Robertson's Index of Charters, p.66, No.12.

KING ROBERT II.

[22d February 1371 TO 19th April 1390.]

* [20.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, to Adam Forrester, burges of Edinburgh, of twenty merks sterling out of the fermes of the Burgh, in exchange for twenty merks formerly granted to him our of the customs of the Burgh. Dated at Dundee 28th December, in the ninth year of the King's reign [1379].

Registrum Magnil Sigilli, (Record Edition) p.152, Rot. V., No.126.
Charters, &c., realting to the City of Edinburgh, No. IX., P.28.

* [21.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, to Adam Forrester, burgess of Edinburgh, of twenty merks sterling of the fermes of the Burgh, in exchange for the twenty merks formerly granted to him out of the customs of the Burgh. Dated at Edinburgh 4th July, in the thirteenth year of the King's reign [1383].

Registrum Magnil Sigilli, (Record Edition), p. 167. Rot. VII., No 32
Charters, &c, relating to the City of Edinburgh, No.X., p .29.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p.77

* [22]. CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, to the Abbot of Holy Rood of a piece of land within the Castle of Edinburgh on which he mighe erect a house to which the monks and their servants and families might repair in time of peace and war. Dated at Perth 18th January, in the thirteenth year of the King's reign [1384–5].

Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, p.99.
Charters, &c., realtin to the Ciry of Edinburgh, No.XI., p.30.

[23.] CHARTER by JOHN eldest son of the King [Robert II.], EARL OF CARRICK, and Steward of Scotland (afterwards King Robert and Third), with consent of his Council, to the Burgesses of edinburgh, so far as of good report and honest concersation, of the right to have and build houses in the Castle to which they might freely resort with their servants, families, and goods, without paying fees to the constable or porter. Dated at Edinburgh 4th July 1385.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the Ciry of Edinburgh, No. XII., p.32.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p.11.

[24.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, to the Burgesses and Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh and their successors, a of piece of ground sixty feet in length and thirry feet in breadth on the north side of the High Street, for the purpose of erecting thereon houses and biggings for the decoration of the Burgh. To be holden burgage for payment of a penny silver at Whitsunday if asked only. Dated at Edinburgh 25th July, in the sixteenth year of the King's reign [1386]. This Charter is endorsed "Carta funde de le Belhous." Charter of the site of the Belhouse.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No.XIII., P.83.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol.I., p.10.

* [25.] INDENTURE between Adam Forrester, Laird of Nether Libberton, and Andrew Dickson, provost of Edinburgh, and the Community of Edinburgh on the one part, and John Primrose, John of Scone, and John Squyer masons, on the other part, in regard to the buildings of five chapels on the south side of the Church of St Giles. This Indenture is dated at Edinburgh 29th November 1387, and has indorsed upon it receipts for partial payments.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Registrum Cartarum Ecclesie Sancti Egidii de Edinburgh (Bannatyne Club).p.24.
Charters, &c., realting to the City of Edinburgh, No.XIV., p.35.
Inventory of City Charters Vol. I., p. 78 Maitland's History of Edinburgh, pp.270–271.

[26.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE SECOND, under hi Great Seal, to Adam Forster of ten merks sterling out of the rents of the Burgh, which Janet Stury then received for her life. This Charter is dated at Stirling 25th February, in the nineteenth year of the king's reign [1389] and was registered as a Probative Writ in the Books of Session, 2d August 1709.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., realting to the City of Edinburgh, No.XV., p.37.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I, p.79.

* [27.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, to St Margaret's Chapel in the Castle of Edinburgh, of eight pounds sterling, furth of the customs of Edinburgh for maintaining divien service in the said Chapel. Dated at Perth 14th February, in the nineteenth year of th king's reign [1390].

Registrum Magni Sigilli, (Record Edition), p.197, Rot ..X. No 9.
Charters, &c., realting to the City of Edinburgh, No.XVI., P.38.

KING ROBERT III.

[19TH April 1390 TO 4th April 1406.]

* [28.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE THIRD. under his Great Seal, confirming the Charter to St Margaret's Chapel, dated 14th February 1390 [No. 27.]. This Charter is dated at Edinburgh 3d December, in the first year of the king'r reign [1390].

Registrum Magni sigilli, (Record edition), p.197, Rot. X., No.9.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No.XVI., p.38.

* [29.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, to Thomas de Moffat, of eight pounds of the great customs of the Burgh of Edinburgh, which were granted to Thomas de Moffat by King David and King Robert. Dated at Edinburgh 22d September, in the first year of the king's reign [1390].

Registrum Magni Sigilli, (Record edition), p. 188, Rot IX., No.19.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XVII., p.42.

* [30.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, to the Abbey of the Holyrood, confirming the Charter by King David the Second to the Abbey, dated 30th December 1343 [No. 12]. This Charter is dated at Edinburgh 5th April, in the first year of the king's reign [1391.]

Registrum Magni Sigilli, (Record edition),p. 184, Rot. IX., No.14.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, p.104
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV. p.330

* [31.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, to Sir william Stewart, of Jedworth, of an annual pension during his life of forty merks out of the great customs of Edinburgh and Linlithgow. Dated at Perth 27th March, in the second year of the King's reign [1392].

Registrum Magni Sigilli, (Record edition), p.204, Rot. X., No.25.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XVIII., p.44.

* [32.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, to Sir William of Lindesay of forty merks out of the great customs of Edinburgh and Haddington, redeemable as therein set forth. Dated at Edinburgh 2d January, in the second year of the king's reign [1392–3].

Registrum Magni Sigilli, (Record edition), p.206, Rot. IX., No.32.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XIX., p.46.

[33.] CHARTER by Sir ROBERT LOGAN, Knight, Lord of Restalrig, to his neighbours the Burgesscs and Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh, whereby he (1) gave them full power and liberty to cast and carry away the earth and gravel lying upon the bank or shore of the Water of Leith for enlarging their 'Port of Leith whenever and as often as they pleased,— to place a bridge over the said water, and to moor ships to any part of his lands without the said Port; (2) granted to them all his ways, roads, and passages through his lands of they barony of Restalrig and town of Leith going to the said Port, with power to make new roads of sufficient length and breadth; (3) granted to them full liberty to carry their goods through his lands by their said roads for unloading ships and vessels; and (4) renounced for himself, his heirs, and successors, the right to retail wine, to bake bread for sale, and to keep and hold girnels for victual, and booths of merchandise, &c, which were contrary to the liberties and customs of the said Burgh. All which grants and concessions he warranted absolutely, under the penalty of £200 stg., to be uptaken by the said Burgesses and Community in name of damages and expenses, and £100 stg. to the fabric of the Church of St. Andrews, before the commencement of any plea. And he thereby submitted himself to the jurisdiction and compulsion of the Bishop of St. Andrews, or his official for the time being. The Charter is dated at Edinburgh 31st May 1398, and is registered as a Probative Writ in the Books of Session on 10th December 1731.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XX., p. 48.
Inventory of city Charters, Vol. I. p. 39, Vol., p. 1.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 7, No. 10.

* [34.] CHARTER by KING ROBERT THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, to James Stewart of Kilbryde, and his heirs male, whom failing to John Stewart of Ardgowan of an annual furth of the Customs of Edinburgh.

Robertson's Index of Charters, p. 145, No. 11.

KING JAMES I.

[4th April 1406 to 20th February 1437.]

[35.] GRANT, under form of Instrument, by Sir ROBERT LOGAN, Knight, Lord of the Barony of Restalrig, to the Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh, for the service of the common weal of the Burgh, that a piece of ground in Leith, between the gate of John Petindrech and wall then newly built on the shore of the Water of Leith, should be free to the said community, for placing their goods and merchandise thereon, and carrying the same to and from the sea, through the said ground in all time coming. Dated in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, in the full Court there held, 27th February 1413–14.

Original Grant in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXI., p. 53.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 3.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 86.

* [36.] INDENTURE between Dene John of Leith, sometime Abbot of Holyrood on the one part, and the Alderman, Bailies, and others on behalf of the Community on the other part, whereby the said Dene John let to the said community for the spce of five years the Canon Mills and pertinents, with the sucken rent and multures and all freedoms pertaining thereto. Dated at Edinburgh 12th September 1423.

Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, pp. 126–128.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXII., p. 55.

* [37.] OBLIGATION by the Burgh of Edinburgh to pay to King Henry the Sixth of England, the sum of 50,000 pounds of English money on account of the expenses of King James the First of Scotland, during his captivity in England, in the event of that sum not being paid by King James himself. Dated 16th February 1423.

Each of the Burghs of Perth, Dundee, and Aberdeen granted similar obligations,— those of Perth and Dundee, dated 20th February, and that of Aberdeen dated 18th February 1423.

Original Obligation in the Record Office, London.
Rymer's Foedera, Vol. IV., Part IV., p. 108, and Vol. X., p. 326.
Rotuli Scotiae, Vol. II., p. 241.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXIII., p. 56.

* [38.] LETTER by KING JAMES THE FIRST undertaking to indemnify these Burghs of the sum of 50,000 merks, for which they had become bound to the King of England. the letter is dated at Durham, 26th March, in the eighteenth year of the King's reign (1424).

Original Letter in the Archives of the City of Aberdeen.
Abredoniae Vtrivsque Descriptio (Spalding Club), p. 45.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXIV., p. 61.

* [39.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE FIRST, under his Great Seal, whereby with consent of the Burgesses and Merchants of Edinburgh, and in augmentation of the fabric and reparation of the Port of Leith, he authorised certain tolls be uplifted of all ships and boats entering therein. Dated at Dunfermline 31st December 1428.

Inventory of Writs removed from the Charter House to the Town Clerk's Office in 1653, No. 94.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXV., p. 63.
Table of Tolls in Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), pp. 3,4.

KING JAMES II.

[21st February 1437 to 3d August 1460.]

[40.] GRANT by Patrick Abbot of Holyrood and his Convent to their dear and well beloved brother of chapter Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig, and his heirs, of the office of Baillie of the lands of Saint Leonards in Leith therein described, with the usual powers granted to a baillie of regality. Dated at their Abbey 27th March 1439.

Original Gift in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXVI., p. 64.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV. p. 117.

* [41.] LETTER constituting Sir John Logan of Restalrig, Sheriff-principal of Edinburgh. Dated 25th October 1444.

Abstract of Charters belonging to the City, and extant in the Lower Parliament House on 8th April 1724, prepared by John Corss, Keeper of the Laigh Parliament House, and presented by him to the City.

* [42.] LETTERS PATENT by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, whereby for the common good and public service, and also for the preservation and security of ships and goods coming into the Port of Leith, the want of repairing whereof had occasioned great damage through shipwreck, His Majesty, with consent of the Burgesses and Merchants of Edinburgh, granted during his pleasure the different taxes or customs therein specified on every ship entering the Port, for repairing and enlarging the same. Dated 25th September 1445.

Original Letters Patent in the Archives of the City.
Charter, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXVII., p. 66.
Inventory of Writs removed from the Charter House to the Town Clerk's Office, in 1653, No. 95.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 4.
Table of Taxes or Customs in Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society,) pp. 7,8.

[43.] GIFT by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Privy Seal, to the Burgesses and Community of the Burgh, of all right, property, and possession which he had to certain lands within the Burgh, which were in arrear of Certain rents of the two years' finances of his predecessor. Dated at Edinburgh 8th September, in the eleventh year of the King's reign [1447.]

Original Gift in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXVIII., p. 68.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 80.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 80.

[44.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, in favour of the Provost, Baillies, Council and Community of the Burgh, whereby with the advice of his Council he granted that they should have and possess, in all time coming, in the burgh and territory thereof, yearly on the morrow after the Feast of the Holy Trinity [the Sunday after Whitsunday], and for eight days immddiately following, a public Fair, beginning from mid-day of the said Feast, with the same privileges, prerogatives, liberties and customs as the said Community and Burgh possessed with reference to their Fair on the Feast of All Saints [1st November], or were in use to possess the same of old, which Fair on the Feast of All Saints was nevertheless appointed to continue unaffected. Dated at Edinburgh 24th November, in the eleventh year of the King's reign 1447].

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXIX., p. 68.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 12.
Guthrie's Inventory of Charters, p. 8. (No. 12.)

[45.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, confirming the Holyrood Charters of King David the Second, 6th June 1343 (No. 11, supra) and of King Robert the Third, 5th April 1391 (No. 30, supra.) Dated at Edinburgh 20th April, in the fourteenth year of the King's reign [1450.]

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Book IV., Nos. 238–241.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, pp. 139, 140.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol IV., p. 330.

[46.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE SECOND under his Great Seal, confirming the Holyrood Charter of King David the Second, 30th December 1343 [No.12, supra.] Dated at Edinburgh 20th April in the fourteenth year of the King's reign [1450].

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Book IV., Nos. 238, 239, 240, 241.
Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis, p. 140.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., 331.

* [47.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, empowering the Provest and Community of the Burgh to fosse, bulwark, wall, tower, turret, and otherwise strengthen the Burgh in such manner as might seem most expedient to them. Dated at Stirling 30th April in the thirteenth year of the King's Reign [1450.]

Original Charter in the Archives in the City.
Charters relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXX., p. 70.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 23.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 24, No. 6.
Maitland's History of Edinburgh, p. 137.
Stevenson's Chronicles of Edinburgh, pp. 38, 39.

[48.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, whereby he granted to the Burgesses and Community of the Burgh the following privileges—viz., (1) that they should in all time thereafter be free from payment of the custom of salt, and of the skins of schorlings, skaldings, footfells, lentrinware, lamb skins, tod skins, calf skins, cunning skins, otter skins and fumart skins, and (2) that they might sell or exchange as well to strangers and unfreemen as to other, as well within the kingdom as without, the foresaid weres of salt and skins without any custom being paid by the buyers except the small custom in use to be paid by strangers and unfreemen to the Burgh. Dated at Stirling 9th November in the fifteenth year of the King's Reign. [1451.]

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigili, Book IV., No. 157.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXI., p. 71.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 13.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 27.

[49.] LETTERS PATENT by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, whereby he made perpetual the several duties payable at the Port of Leith specified in the Letters. Patent, dated 25th September 1445 [No. 42 supra], and empowered the same to belevied and uplifted by the Burgesses of Edinburgh and their successors, and collectors in all times coming. Dated at Edinburgh, 4th November in the eighteenth year of the King's Reign [1454.]

Original Letters Patent in the Archives of the City.
Charters &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXII., p. 74.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol, IV., p. 5.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 7, No. 4

[50.] LETTERS PATENT by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal and Sign Manual, in favour of the Burgesses, commanding his Great Chamberlain to cause the Court of Parliament of the Four Burghs of Scotland to be held yearly at Edinburgh in all time coming, in manner used and wont, and as had been ordained by King James the First of Scotland with advice of the Three Estates of the Realm. Dated at Edinburgh 5h November in the eighteenth year of the King's reign [1454.]

Original Letters Patent in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXIII., p. 76.
Precedence of Edinburgh and Dublin, p. 17.
Printed Records of the Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, Vol. I., p. 542.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 31.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 7, No. 3.

* [51.] BOND by the Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of Edinburgh to William Prestoun of Goirtoun, son and heir to the then deceased William Prestoun of Goirtoun, whereby, on the narrative that the deceased had at great cost and trouble procured the arm bone of St. Giles, and had left the same without condition to the Kirk of St. Giles of Edinburgh, they undertook within six or seven years to build "an Ile furth of our Lady Ile" where the deceased was buried, with a monument and altar, &c.; that whensoever the relic should be borne the nearest in blood to the deceased should bear it before all others; and that chaplain should be appointed for five years to sing for him. Dated 11th January 1454–5.

Registrum Ecelesie Sancti Egidii, pp. 106, 107.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXIV., p. 79.

[52.] INDENTURE between the Provost Bailies Council and Community of Edinburgh on the one part, and Sir James Logan, Knight, and the inhabitants and indwellers of the Town of Leith upon the other part, for defending each other in their freedoms and privileges. Dated at Edinburgh, 12th January 1454–5.

Original Contract in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXV., p.80.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 5.

[53.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE SECOND, under his Great Seal, in favour of the Provost, Baillies, and Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh, and their successors for ever of the valley and low ground lying betwixt the rock commonly called Cragingalt on the east, and the common way and passage towards Leith on the west (now known as Greenside) for performing thereon tournaments, sports and other just warlike deeds, at the pleasure of the King and his successors. Dated at Edinburgh 13th August, in the twentieth year of the King's reign [1456.]

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No.XXXVI., p 82.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 833.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 7, No.5.

KING JAMES III.

[4th August 1460 to 11th June 1488.]

[54.] PROMULGATION by Andrew, Bishop of Glasgow, of the Bull of Pope Pius II., dated 23d October 1460, authorizing the annexation of the Hospital of Soltray to the Collegeiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity. Promulgation made at Linlithgow on 6th March 1461–2.

Transumpt in the Archives of the City.
Charters of the Collegiate Churches of Midlothian (Bannatyne Club) pp. 57–63.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXVII., p. 84.
Charters relating to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, Edinburgh, No. I.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p.176.

* [55.] LETTERS by QUEEN MARY OF GUELDRES, Widow of King James the Second, under her Great Seal, dated at Perth 25th March 1462, whereby for the causes therein set forth she craved James Kennedy Archbishop of St Andrews to confirm the founding and endowing of the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity; With Ratification and Confirmation of the said Archbishop of the said foundation and endowment; dated at St. Andrews 1st April 1462.

Sir Lewis Stewart's MS. Collections.
Charters of Collegiate Churches of Midlothian (Bannatyne Club) pp. 63–71.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXVIII., p. 96.
Charters relating to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, Edinburgh, No. II.
Maitland's History of Edinburgh, pp.207–210.

* [56.] BULL by POPE PIUS THE SECOND, addressed to Queen Mary of Gueldres, confirming the annexation of the Hospital of Soltray to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity of Edinburgh. Dated 14 Kal. Julii (18th June) 1462.

Theiner, Veters Monuments Hibernorum et Scotorum, No. 818, p. 439.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh.
Charters relating to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, No. III., p. 29.

* [57.] BULL by POPE PIUS THE SECOND, reciting the foundation by Queen Mary of Gueldres of the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, Edinburgh, and confirming the annexation thereto of the Hospital of Soltray, and of the Chapel of Utherogall, in the County of Fife, upon the petition of the said Queen and her eldest son King James the Third. Dated 6 Idus Julii (10th July) 1462.

Theiner, Vetera Monumenta Hibernorum et Scotorum, No. 821, p. 442.
Munimenta Britannica ex Autographis Romanorum Pontificum deprompta, vol. xxxiv., p. 266 (MS. British Museum, addit. MSS. 15,351 and 15,400 Plut.)
Charters of the Collegiate Churches of Midlothian, p. civ.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XXXIX., p. 110.
Charters relating to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, No. IV., p. 35.

* [58.] BULL by POPE PIUS THE SECOND, granting a plenary indulgence to all who in a devout spirit of contrition visit the Church of Trinity College, Edinburgh, in the course of five years during the feast of its dedication on the 10th of July, or the following week, called its Octaves, and the period was to be farther extended every five years until fifty years had expired. One third of the offerings of each person during the Octaves was reserved for the Papal treasury, to assist in carrying on war with the infidels; the other two-thirds were to be applied towards completing the building of the Church itself. Dated 6 Kal. Septembris (27th August) 1463.

Charters of the Collegiate Churches of Midlothian, p. cv.
Munimenta Britannica ex Autographis Romanorum Pontificum deprompta, vol. xxxiv., p. 226 (MS. British Museum, addit. MSS. 15,351 and 15,400 Plut.)
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XL., p. 115.
Charters relating to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, No. V.

* [59.] CHARTER by KING HENRY THE SIXTH of England, (fn. 1) whereby on the narrative that he and his royal Consort Margaret, and his son Edward, Prince of Wales, with divers of his nobility having been expelled his kingdom of England by certain rebellious traitors, had on his arrival and during his long residence in Edinburgh been honourably received and with great humanity, and had been favourably entertained by the Provost and Community of Edinburgh, therefore he granted to the said Community and their successors full and free liberty to traffic in England as the natives thereof, and to pay no other duties for their merchandise than his subjects the citizens of London did. Dated 2d January, in the forty-first year of his reign [1463–4.]

Maitland's History of Edinburgh, p. 8, referring to the Charter as in the Archives of the City.
Arnot's History of Edinburgh, pp 11, 12.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLI., p. 119.

* [60.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, consenting, at the request of the Provost, Bailies, Council, Burgesses and Community of the Burgh, to the erection of St Giles into a Collegiate Church. Dated at Stirling 21st October in the seventh year of the King's reign [1466].

MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Book 7, No. 90.
Registrum Cartarum Ecclesie Sancti Egidii (Bannatyne Club), p. 112.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLII., p. 120.
Abstract of Charters by John Cross or Corss, as in No. [42]. P. 111.

* [61.] BULL by POPE PAUL II., granting on the petition of the Provost, Bailies, Councillors, and Community of Edinburgh, commission to the Bishop of Galloway and the Abbot of Holyrood, to erect the Church of St. Giles into a Collegiate Church. Dated at Rome 8 Kal. March (22d February) 1467.

Theiner, Vetera Monumenta Hibernorum et Scotorum, p. 455.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLIII., p. 121.

* [62.] ACT of PARLIAMENT of KING JAMES THE THIRD, enacting that there shall be but two Sessions, one at Edinburgh and another at Perth. This Act forms chap. 4 of the Acts passed at Edinburgh in 1468.

Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. II., p. 92.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLIV., p. 127.

* [63.] BULL by POPE PAUL II., exempting, on the petition of the King and of the Provost, Bailies, and Community of Edinburgh, the Collegiate Church of St Giles, with its Clergy, from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of St Andrews, and subjecting the same directly to the Holy See, dated at Rome the day before the Kalends of May (30th April) 1470.

Theiner, Vetera Monumenta Hibernorum et Scotorum, p. 463.
Charters, &c., rolating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLV., p. 128.

* [64.] GIFT by KING JAMES THE THIRD, under his Privy Seal, whereby with advice and consent of his Council, for the repairing of the Port and Haven of Leith, and upholding the same, he granted to the Provost, Bailies, and Community of Edinburgh the customs and duties therein specified, to be raised and used by them and their successors in time coming. Dated at Edinburgh 16th November, in the twelfth year of the King's reign [1471].

Original Gift in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLVI., p. 133.
Inventory of City Charters, vol. IV., p 7.
Table of Customs and Duties in Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 25.

* [65.] LETTER by KING JAMES THE THIRD, under his Privy Seal, setting forth that for the common profit, and for the zeal and love he had to the Burgesses and Community, he had empowered them to fosse, bulwark, wall, tower and turret the Burgh for the keeping and defence thereof, in case their old enemies of England addressed them to invade the same; and therefore charging the whole burgesses, neighbours, and indwellers in the town, and also those who had lands, annuals, or possessions within it, (non-resident as well as resident), to contribute to the fortifying of the town according to the value of their rents, lands, possessions, annuals and goods within the burgh, and at the command of the Council and Community. The Sheriff and his deputes of Edinburgh, the Provost and Bailies of the same, were also required to compel and distrain those who refused compliance, and to cast down and removed all houses built upon the walls, in so far us might be necessary for strengthening the town and its defences. Further, all persons having tenements of land in the Burgh were charged to strengthen and fortify their head rooms in good and sure way, as might seem most expedient to the provost and council. All persons leaving the town with a view to evade liability for the burdens thus imposed on them were to lose the freedom thereof for themselves and their heirs, and their goods were to be arrested in payment of their proportion of the tax imposed upon them. Dated at Stirling 28th April, in the thirteenth year of the King's reign [1472.]

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLVII., p. 134.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., P. 24.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 7. No. 6.
Maitland's Histrory of Edinburgh, pp. 137, 138.

[66.] CHARTER of CONFIRMATION and MORTIFICATRION by KING JAMES THE THIRD under his Great Seal, whereby he approved, ratified, confirmed, and mortified the several donations and gifts therein specified, to the Friars of the order of the Blackfriars and their Church in Edinburgh any time bygone. As also the King confirmed and mortified the Foundation of the said Church and situation thereof, with the buildings, &c., pertaining to the said Church, and generally all other donations and concessions of lands, tenements, annual rents and alms made and granted to the said Friars and their Church in any time bygone. Dated at Edinburgh, 14th May, in the thirteenth year of the King's reign [1473.]

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., telating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLVIII., p. 136.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. III. p. 101.

[67.] LETTER by KING JAMES THE THIRD, under his Privy Seal, ratifying certain Statutes made by the Provost Bailies and Council in obedience to the King's special charge, whereby for the honour profit and benefit of the Burgh and plenishing of void places therein, the markets of the burgh to be held in time coming within the same, upon the market days fair days and all other days needful, were appointed to be held and set as therein prescribed. By the said Letter his Majesty futher charged his lieges and subjects, and specially the community and inhabitants of the Burgh, to observe and keep the said statutes, and to obey the Provost and Bailies in the settling and holding of the said markets. Dated at Edinburgh 3d October in the eighteeng year of the King's reign. (1477.)

Original Letter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. XLIX., p. 140.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., pp. 16–19.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), pp. 33, 34.
Maitland's History of Edinburgh, p. 8.

[68.] CHARTER by Mr WILLIAM FORBES, Provost of the Collegiate Church of Saint Giles, with consent of the Chapter thereof, whereby on the narrative that his parishioners had so greatly increased that when they died they could have no burying-place either within or without the Church in his parish, therefore he gave and granted to the Church a part of his yard lying contiguous to his manse beside the said church on the south side thereof, to be held in pure alms. Dated at Edinburgh 14th January 1477–8.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. L., p. 142.
Registrum Ecclesie Sancte Egidii, pp. 122, 124.
Inventory fo City Charters, Vol. III, p. 109.

* [69.] OBLIGATION by the Provost and the whole fellowship of the Merchants, Burgesses, and Community of the Town of Edinburgh to repay to King Edward the Fourth of England, the sum which had been advanced by him on account of the dowry of the Lady Cicely his daughter, provided he should think it expedient to draw back from the proposed marriage between the Princess and the Prince James, eldest son and heir apparent of the King of Scotland. Dated at Edinburgh 4th August 1482.

Original Obligation in the Record Office, London.
Rymer's Foedera, Vol. XII., p. 161.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LI., p. 146.

* [70.] INSTRUMENT upon the production of the foresaid Obligation to the Community of Edinburgh, by Garter, King of Arms, as ambassador of the King of England. Dated at Edinburgh 27th October 1482.

Original Instument in the Rcord Office, London.
Rymer's Foedera, Vol. XII., p. 167.
Charters, &c., jrelating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LII., P. 148.

[71.] BOND OF RELIEF by Andrew [Stewart] Elect vonfirmed Moray, John Earl of Athol, James Earl of Buchan, Mr James Lindsay Dean of Glasgow, John the Ross of Halket, Knight, and John Stuart of Craigiehall, to the Provost, Bailies, Council, Merchants, and Community of Edinburgh, whereby on the narrative that the Burgh had constituted procurators to appear in the banks of Rome, Venice, Florence, Bruges or others following the Court of Rome, and there or any other place needful, or amongst whatsoever Merchants, Scots, French, or Flemings, to bind them in the sum of 6000 Ducats of Gold de Camera, in case of the promotion of the said Bishop to the ArchBishopric of St. Andrews, or to any other benefice dignity or privilege; the said Bishop and other parties to the bond engaged to free and relieve the said Provost, Bailies, and Community of the Payment of the said sum or any part thereof, and of any costs, damages, and expenses which they might incur in connection therewith. Dated at Edinburgh 8th November 1482.

Original Bond in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LIII., p. 154.
Inventory of City Charters, I., 81–93.

[72.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, whereby, in consideration of the faith, loyalty, love, good-will and cordial service which the office-bearers of the Burgh of Edinburgh, the Provost, Bailies, Dean of Guild, Treasurer, Common clerk, Councillors and the whole Community of the said burgh had, with his brother Alexander Duke of Albany, rendered to his Majesty, at the peril of their lives, by freeing him from prison in the Castle of Edinburgh, and of the singular love he had towards the said Provost, Bailies, Clerk, Counsellors and Community, and for their free labours and services done and performed to the King, His Majesty gave granted and perpetually confirmed to the said Provost, Bailies, Clerk, Council, and Community, and their successors, the office of Sheriff within the Burgh for ever, to be exercised by the Provost for the time as Sheriff, and by the Bailies for the time as Sheriffsdepute conjunctly and severally; with full power to hold Courts, to punish transgressors not only by banishment but by death, to appoint officers of Court, and to do everything else appertaining to the office of Sheriff; as also to apply to their own proper use the fines and escheats arising out of the exercise of the said office; in respect of which they were taken bound to cause a funeral mass to be celebrated in the Collegiate Church of St. Giles on the 3d and 4th days of August Annually, for the weal of the souls of the King and his predecessors and succussors. And in respect that the process of the Four Courts of the said Burgh was tedious and slow, the said Provost, Bailies, &c., were empowered to appoint and hold a peremptory Court of twenty-one days whensoever necessity required. Farther the King empowered the said Provost, bailies, &c., in all time and common weill thereof, and ordain statutes and acts within the said Burgh for the good government and common weill thereof, and to punish the breakers thereof at their discretion. Dated at Edinburgh 16th November, in the twenty-third year of the King's reign (1482.)

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Lib. X. No. 80; Lib. XVI., No. 57.
Charters, &c., jrelating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LIV., p. 157.
Precedence of Edinburgh and Dublin, pp. 18–22.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 33–39.

[73.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE THIRD, under his Great Seal, whereby, on the same narrative as that in the immediately preceding Charter [No. 72], he gave, granted, renewed and confirmed to the said Provost, Bailies, Dean of Guild, Treasurer, Common Clerk, Councillors and Community and their successors the customs and moneys arising from the Port of Leith, therein specially enumerated, and all other exactions, commodities, and rents, as well from the said Port as from the road of Leith and from the Burgh of Edinburgh, with the whole customs and privileges which they and their predecessors had before, and of which they were then in the peaceable possession and enjoyment. Dated at Edinburgh 16th November in the twenty-third year of the King's reign (1482).

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Lib. X., NO. 79.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LV., p. 165.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 8.
Table of Customs in Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh. (Scottish Burgh Record Society,) pp. 41–45.

* [74.] DECREE of the Lords of Council, finding that the custome of cattle and goods coming to the fair and market of the Burgh were due not to the Sheriff of Edinburgh to land, but to the Provost and Sheriff of the Burgh, and referring the Provost and Sheriff to fix certain places in the burgh for the market of nolt, sheep, and horses in time of fairs. Dated 10th November, 1487.

Balfour's Practicks. p. 84.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Record Society), p. 53.

KING JAMES IV.

[11th June 1488 to 9th September 1513.]

[75.] RATIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under the Great Seal, of an Act or Decreet of the Lords of Council, dated 25th October 1493, upon a complaint by the Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh against David White and several other persons, residenters in Leith, in respect of their not having paid for two years bypast the anchorage customs and duties of their ships, and divers other goods which they should have entered, conform to the Town's infeftment, whereby they had incurred the penalty therein, specified, viz. —escheat of one half of the goods unentered to the crown, and the other half to the town. The Ratification is dated at Edinburgh, 28th October, in the sixth year of the King's reign [1493.]

Original Ratification in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LVI., p. 172
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. IV., p. 118

[76.] CHARTER granted by Mr WILLIAM FORBES, Provost of the Collegiate Church of St Giles, with consent of the Chapter thereof, whereby he gave to the Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of the Burgh, parishioners of the said Church, the north part of his mansion and glebs lying next to the said Kirk, viz., the land and chamber of the Curate and the school below, with all their bounds and limits, extending from the said Church to the north gavel of the house called the stable, and thence directly westward to the lands of Alexander Gray and William Bigholm, and that in augmentation of the Church-yard of the said Church, and burying-place of the parishioners thereof, to be held in pure alms, for which the Council were to build a new convenient chamber for the curate, and a school below the same, as also to build a privy in the house commonly called the gallery, in a suitable place. Dated at Edinburgh, 30th July 1496.

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No LVII., p. 174.
Registrum Ecclesie Sancti Egidii, p. 179
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. III., p. 110

* [77.] DECREE of the Lords of Council finding that all strangers importing merchandice to Leith should enter the same and account therefor to the Burgh of Edinburgh, and should make no market thereor save in the said Burgh, both for the profit of the King's custom, and in respect of the privilege and infeftment of free Burgh within the port of Leith given to the county of Edinburgh. Dated 23d February 1501.

Balfour's Practicks, p.51.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 95.

[78.] TRANSUMPT of CHARTER by JAMES ARCHBISHOP of ST. ANDREWS, whereby with advice of the Prior and Chapter of St. Andrews, he annexed the Church of Dunnottar to the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity, for the support of two prehendaries to officiate in the said Collegiate Church, with the title of Dean of the said Church and Prebendary of Dunnottar respectively. Charter dated Edinburgh 14th November 1502. Transumpt dated St. Andrews 21st March 1525.

Original Transumpt in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LVIII., p. 178.
Charters relating to the Collegiate Church and Hospital of the Holy Trinity, No. VI., p. 44.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. V., p.248.

[79.] LETTERS by King James the Fourth, under his Signet, with the advice of the Lords of his Council, granting permission to the merchants, inhabitants, and indwellers of Edinburgh and their servants to pass to Innerwickness, or any other parts thereabout, for recovering their goods and merchandise in the ship called "The Little Martin," lately stranded and broken there; and if they had communication with the King's rebels in passing, remaining, or returning, no crime should be imputed to them in consequence. Dated at Edinburgh 24th November, in the sixteenth year of the King's reign [1504.]

Original Letters in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No., LIX., p. 188.
Inventory of City Charters, vol. I., p. 84.

[80.] LETTERS by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under his Signet, addressed to the customers of the Burgh of Edinburgh, directing proclamation to be made at the market cross of the Burgh, prohibiting (1) the packing and peilling of goods or merchandise in Leith or Canongate, or the shipment of such goods until the same were seen and customed, and the customs thereof paid; (2) entered, and the duties applicable thereto had been paid to the town; (3) the export of goods or merchandise until the same had paid the customs exigible therefore, and until the shippers had received the cocquet thereof; (4) the sale to strangers in Leith of cloth hides wool or other customable merchandise, but that the same be sold in Edinburgh and not exported secretly. All under pain of escheat of the goods. Dated at Edinburgh 10th May, in the eighteenth year of the King's reign(1506).

Council Records of Edinburgh, Vol. I., fol. 24.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 109.
Charters, c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No., LX., p. 189.

[81.] LETTER of GIFT by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under his privy Seal and Sign Manual, whereby on the narrative that All Hallow Fair had been in time bygone proclaimed on All Hallow even, and then began, and so continued for eight days following, occasioning violation of the holidays that happened within the same, such as All Hallow day, Saul Mass day, and the feast of the dedication of St. Giles Kirk, which fell yearly on 3d November, and also another fair held yearly at Trinity Sunday—His Majesty, for eschewing thereof, and for observing and keeping the festival and holidays in time coming, to the honour and love of God and all Saints, and for the common profit of the Burgh and inhabitants thereof, — granted and perpetually confirmed to the Burgh, and to the Provost, Bailies and Community thereof, his Sheriffs within the same, their free and public Fairs to be held annually, within the bounds of the Burgh, the said All Hallow Fair on 4th November, and for eight or fifteen days thereafter, and the said Trinity Fair on the Monday next after Trinity Sunday, and for eight days thereafter, with all and sundry customs, tolls, fees, privileges, freedoms, profits and duties used and wont thereof, both to the Sheriff within the Burgh and freedom thereof, and to the Bailies and other officers of the same, sicklike and as freely as they and their predecessors had enjoyed the same, and as freely as any other free Fairs were granted and holden by any other persons at any other town or place within the realm. And all and sundry His Majesty's officers, lieges and subjects were charged and required to answer and obey the Sheriffs, Provost, Bailies, and Officers of the said Burgh, in the peaceable holding and enjoying of the said public and free Fairs, under the highest pain. Dated at Edinburgh 2d November, in the twentieth year of the King's reign [1507].

Original Letter of Gift in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LXI., p. 191.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 14.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 8, No. 13.

* [82.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under his Great Seal, in favour of the Provost, Bailies and Council of the Burgh of Edinburgh, whereby he gave them full power to set or feu the common mure and common myre to any person whom they might think expedient for augmenting their common good, provided that the person to whom the said lands might be so set were subject to the jurisdiction of the Burgh; and also granted the said lands for the building of houses, and the making of policies thereupon, provided they were noways prejudicial to the town of Edinburgh. Dated at Edinburgh 6th October 1508.

MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Lib. XVI., No. 56.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LXII., p. 193.
Abstract of Charters by John Cross or Corss [as in No. 42.]
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 7, No. 7, p. 21, No. 5, p. 111.

[83.] ORDER by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under his Signet, to the Provost, Bailies, Council and Community of Edinburgh, narrating that they had, at the King's request set one of their common shops in the Bell-house to William Dun, goldsmith, for the exchange of gold and silver, but that he had not furnished or occupied the shop, and had made his residence in other parts of the kingdom. The King, therefore, specially requests the Magistrates to let the shop, which was known in his grandfather's time as an apothecary's shop, to Mr Stephen, apothecary, to be used by him with his materials and spicery for the ready service of His Majesty and his lieges. Dated at Edinburgh 2d January, in the 21st year of the King's reign [1509.]

Original Order in the Archives of the City.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 125.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 85.

[84.] CHARTER of CONFIRMATION by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under his Great Seal, whereby His Majesty, with the advice and deliberation of the Lords of his Council, for the love and favour which he had to the Provost, Bailies, Council, Burgesses and Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh, and for their good, faithful and free service daily done to him, and for certain other thankful and reasonable considerations, ratified, approved, and perpetually confirmed to the said Provost, Bailies, &c., for the time being and their successors; (1) Charter by Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig, dated 31st May 1398 [No. 33]; (2) Charter by King James the Third of the Sheriffship, dated 16th November 1482, [No. 72] and (3) Charter by King James the Third of the Customs, &c., of Leith, dated 16th November 1482, [No.73] with the infeftments therein contained. Dated at Stirling 9th March, in the twenty-third year of the King's reign [1510.]

Original Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Lib. XVI., No. 57.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LXIII., p. 196.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol I., p. 38.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 39.

[85.] CHARTER by KING JAMES THE FOURTH, under his Great Seal, whereby he granted to the Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of the Burgh of Edinburgh for the time, and to their successors, the lands and harbour of Newhaven lying and bounded as therein contained, with the haven silver, other profits and duties appertaining thereto, with all and sundry liberties and immunities therein contained. Dated at Stirling 9th of March, in the twenty-third year of the King's reign [1510.]

Extract of Charter in the Archives of the City.
MS. Registrum Magni Sigilli, Lib. XVI., No. 58.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LXIV., p. 198.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. V., p. 407.
Guthrie's Inventory of City Charters, p. 3, No. 4.
Abstract of Charters by John Cross or Corss, View of Book of Charters, as in p. 111.

KING JAMES V.

[9TH September 1513 To 16th December 1542.]

* [86.] DECREE of the Lords of Council, finding—(1.) That no indweller of Leith or other unfreeman should buy any staple goods imported by strangers into Leith or any other port within the freedom of Edinburgh, until the goods were entered in the books of the Burgh, and the King's officers had taken as much thereof as was necessary for His Majesty's "awin proper use allanerlye not abydened upon making of pryces thairof." That thereafter the officers of the Burgh should make prices conform to the Acts of Parliament and laws of the Realm; that the King's officers should then "pay as the prices ar maid," and that the Lieges should have their parts of all such goods at the same price. (2.) That no such indweller or unfreeman should buy any fish entering the Port of Leith or other port within the freedom of Edinburgh, or salt and peill the same, nor export the same to England or elsewhere, "except the King's Comptroller, wha may tak samekle of the premisses, and use and dispose the samin in manner foresaid, as is necessar to the Kingis use allanerlie;" and, (3.) That no such indwellers nor unfree persons might make market of any goods within the freedom of Edinburgh, but within the said Burgh only. Dated 7th July 1517.

Balfour's Practicks, p. 51–52.
Acta Dominorum Concilii, vol. xxx., fol. 65.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 168.

* [87.] DECREET of the Lords of Council in favour of the Burgh of Edinburgh, against Robert Barton, indweller in Leith, and Comptroller of umquhile King James the Fifth, discharging him and others dwelling in Leith from decerning the inhabitants of Leith to desist from buying wool, hides, skins, cloth, and all merchandise in the country from unfreemen, and that all such merchandise be brought to Edinburgh, and there coft from the burgesses; and in like manner to desist from all packing and peiling within Leith, but within Edinburgh, and to pay their customers in Edinburgh for the same; and also decerning the whole inhabitants from buying wine, coals, victual, timber, pitch, tar, lint, and other goods coming to Leith by strangers, until first they make entry in the town's books, and be controlled there, and other officers be satisfied for the King's use; and also decerning the said inhabitants from all buying of killing, herings, selches, and other fishes coming within Leith, and peeling and salting of the same, and sending the same into England or other foreign parts. Dated at Edinburgh 16th November 1518.

Acta Dominorum Concilli, vol. xxxi., fol 184.
Ms. Collection of Sir Thomas Hope of Kerse, fol. 17.
Morrison's Dictionary of Decisions of the Court of Session, No. 1902.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 178.

(88.) LETTERS under the Signet, directed by the Regents of the Kingdom and the Lords of Council, to the Provost and Bailies of the Burgh of Edinburgh whereby on the narrative that it had been ordained by the said Regents and Lords, that all placks stricken during the reigns of the late and present Kings should be accepted by the lieges notwithstanding the metal of which they were made, and that false placks having been coined, searchers had been appointed in every Burgh to clip and destroy all false placks and to pass all good placks, which should thereafter be accepted by the lieges under pain of punishment to the death; it was arranged that two timber shops should be erected, one in the Meal Market, and the other betwixt the Tron and the Fish Market, in which shops the searchers should daily sit, and the Provost and Bailies were required, along with certain other persons named, to accept the office of searchers, and put the said Letters to due execution in all points. Dated 8th September in the fourth year of the King's reign [1519.]

Original Letters in the Archives of the City.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 190.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 93.

* (89.) DECREE of the Lords of Council and Session, finding in the same terms as the Decree dated 7th July 1517, No [86]. Dated 19th November 1519.

Balfour's Practicks, p. 51–52.
Extracts from tho Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 192.

[90.] BOND of MAINTENANCE by James Earl of Arran, Lord Hamilton, one of the Regents of the Kingdom, Lieutenant of the Mers and Lothian, and Warden of the East Marches, whereby he bound and obliged himself and his kin friends and servants to the Provost, Bailies, Council, and community of Edinburgh for amity and concord to be had between them for ever, that the said Earl should defend the said Provost, &c., and take their part in all just and lawful actions against whomsoever should unjustly invade them, and that the said Provost, &c., should be harmless and skaithless of the said Earl and his friends of deadly harm or otherways according to law. Dated at Edinburgh 20th January 1520.

Original Bond in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LXV.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 95.

* [91.] DECREE of the Lords of Council, finding that the Provost, Bailies, Council, and Community of Edinburgh had good right to buy, sell, or otherwise intromit with ships of war belonging to any strangers, and coming within the road or port of Leith, and to buy all such goods and merchandise as were imported by strangers, to the exclusion of the people of Leith, who had no power to buy or intromit therewith. Dated 24th January 1522.

Acta Dominorum Concilii, vol. XXXIII, fol. 125.
Balfour's Practicks, p. 51.
MS. Collection of Sir Thomas Hope of Kerse, fol. 17.
Morrison's Dictionary of Decisions of the Court of Session, No. 1903.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 210.

* [92.] DECREE of the Lords of Council, finding that the Water Bailie of Edinburgh might hold his Courts upon the Shore of Leith, under the stair of the King's Work. Dated 29th October 1524.

Balfour's Practicks, p. 52.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 220.

* [93.] ACT of the PARLIAMENT of KING JAMES THE FIFTH, against shooting guns from the Castle to the injury of the lieges, against removing artillery and military stores therefrom, and against admitting guns thereto without the authority of the Lords chosen of Council. Dated at Edinburgh 25th February 1524.

Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. II., p. 290, Sec. 11.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 221.

[95.] LETTERS directed to George, Abbot of Holyrood, Keeper of the Privy Seal, under the Signet, by deliverance of the Lords of Privy Council, narrating that His Majesty, with advice and consent of these Lords, considering the good, faithful, and free service done by the Provosts, Bailies, Council and Community of Edinburgh from the time of his father's death, and the great loss, trouble, and wrath of the nobility with which they were pressed down on account of the King's service, had remitted to the Provost, Bailies and whole community of the said Burgh, and to every one of them then actually dwelling within the Burgh, all rancour of mind and action towards them for their treasonable insurrection against the deceased John Lord Fleming, High Chamberlain, when sitting in judgement within the Tolbooth of the Burgh in the execution of his office; and also for their treasonable uprising and convocation against the Lord Chancellor and Lords of Council, and resisting James, Earl of Arran, Lord Hamilton, from entering the Burgh, and beating him back from the Netherbow, he being at the time his Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant and Provost of the Burgh; and for all other crimes and offences committed by them or any of them against the King's Person, murder, burning, and common theft excepted; and requiring the said Keeper of the Privy Seal to direct a precept under the said Seal to the Chancellor for making out Letters of Remission under the Great Seal, to the said Provost, Bailies, &c., upon the premises in due form of chancellary. Dated 27th January, in the thirteenth year of the King's reign [1525.]

Original Letters in the Archives of the City.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 224.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 85.

* [96.] ACT of the PARLIAMENT of KING JAMES THE FIFTH, whereby on the narrative of the great repair to Edinburgh of the lieges and other strangers, and of the necessity for providing them with "breid gude and sufficient stuff," Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in each week were appointed to be market days for the sale of bread; and Sunday, Monday, and Thursday weekly were appointed to be market days for the sale of flesh, by all the lieges both in Burgh and to land. Dated at Edinburgh 24th November 1526.

Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. II., p. 314, Sec. 2 and 3.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 228.

* [97.] ACT of the PARLIAMENT of KING JAMES THE FIFTH, whereby on the narrative of the great oppression committed and daily done by the Malt Makers of Leith upon the lieges through the exorbitant dearth raised by them, and of their causing through the whole realm, the Provost of Edinburgh, the Justice acting for the Lord Justice-General, and the Lord Justice-Clerk were appointed to put the said malt makers to the knowledge of an assie for common oppression, and if convicted to punish them according to law. Dated at Edinburgh 24th November 1526.

Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Vol. II., p. 315, Sec. 8.
Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh (Scottish Burgh Records Society), p. 229.

[98.] REMISSION granted by KING JAMES THE FIFTH, under his Great Seal in the terms authorised by the Letters dated 27th January 1525 [No.95.] Dated at Edinburgh 22d May in the fourteenth year of the King's reign [1527.]

Original Remission in the Archives of the City.
Charters, &c., relating to the City of Edinburgh, No. LXVI.
Inventory of City Charters, Vol. I., p. 97–99.

Footnotes

  • 1. This Monarch succeeded to the Crown of England on 1st September 1422. On 4th March 1461 he was deposed by Edward IV., but in October 1470 he recovered possession of the Throne, and resumed the Royal title which he held till the battle of Barnet, fought on Easter day, the 14th of April 1471, again drove him from the throne.