Extracts from the Records: 1480-89 | British History Online

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

Citation:

'Extracts from the Records: 1480-89', 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/pp37-58 [accessed 27 July 2024].

1480–89

5 January 1479–80.

[Frauchtismen.]

(Amangis the lowse leiffes, 5 January 1479, I fynd quhair thair is chosin awcht frauchtismen.—Tr.)

Victual cumand in at Leith.

It is statute and ordanit be the provest and counsall of the toun that in tyme to cum quhane that ony victuallis, quheit, beir, malt, ry, rymeill, or massilyon cumis in to the port of Leyth to be sauld, that or the entre be tane the bell pas throw the toune and warne all the nichtbouris thairto in the tolbuith and in na vther place, and at the provest offer ane penny to the merchand, and to by it vpon ane competent price to the behuif of the haill nichtbouris, ilk man to haif his pairt thairof as it beis bocht, and gif they can nocht aggre thairvpon at the said merchand sall sell his corne to fremen as he best may, and gif ony vther nychtbour byis the guidis efter the entre that ilk nychtbour haif his pairt thairof to his awin houshold and behuif vpoun the samyn price as it is maid with the merchand and na darrer, swa that it sall nocht be regratit nor derthit vpoun the nychtbouris, vnder the pane of eschete and pvnysing thair personis at the will of the counsall of the toun, and that the merchandice be maid heir in the burgh and in na vther palce vnder the samyn pane, and quhen sic thingis hapinis that the toun be quarterit, and ane bailye with twa of the counsall pas and tak ane clerk with thame to Leyth and deill it evinly to the nychtbouris takand ane penny of the laid for thair lawbouris. (Amang the lowse leiffes.)

1480–1.

(The rent of the towne as it wes of awald, the setting thairof, and acts thairvpon, is as followes contenit in the lowse leiffes of sum auld revin rentale buik quhilk it has semit to writt heir word be word.—Tr)

[Tacks of the lands and annual rents.]

Assedationes terrarum et annuorum reddituum burgi de Edinburgh, facte in Pretorio euisdem coram preposito et balliuis et communitate x die mensis instantis Novembris anno etc. lxxx° a festo Martini instantis usque ad festum Martini etc. lxxxj° 1481. Quhilks assedatiouns ar sett after the tenour of certane acts maid thairvpoun.

[Tacks of the lands and annual rents of the Burgh of Edinburgh, made in the Tolbuith of the same, before the provost, bailies, and community, the 10th day of the present month of November in the year etc. [14]80 from Martinmas present till Martinmas etc. [14]81.]

The quhilk day the customes of Leith ar sett with all lawfull dewteis, after the tenour of the clerks buik to be gevin in writt, to Jhone Young for aucht score merkis and xv, fra Mairtymes to Mairtymes, ay payment to be maid at ilk moneth end to the thesaurer but ony langer delay, quhilk sett is maid with al daynger of weir. Souerty and dettour heirfore, Jhonne of Boncle and Robert Folkart.

The petite customes of the towne are sett to Jhonne of Farnely and Jhonne of Loch fra Mairtymes to Mairtymes, with all daynger of weir, for j^c. xvj merk to be payit at the moneth end to the thesaurer but langer delay. Thameselffis souerteis and dettouris.

The customes of the aventures of schippis ar sett in lykewyise with all daynger of weir fra Mairtymes to Mairtymes to James Richardsoun for xxj^xx merkis, ay to be payit at the monethis end to thesaurer but langer delay. Souerty heirfore and dettoures himself Jhone of Boncle Will. of Dunsyre and Rychart Hopper.

[Tacks of the lands and annual rents.]

The commoun mylnes ar sett with all daynger of weir fra Mairtymes to Mairtymes to Dauid Quhyteheid for vj^c merks, to be payit ay at the monethis end to the thesaurer but langer delay. Souertie and dettour heirfore himself and Jhone Quhyteheid.


On the north syde the Tolbuith

The first buith to Allane Broun for	iiij	li.
The secund buith to William Frog for	iiij	li.
The third buith to Andro Bertram for	iiij	li.
The ferd buith to James Fowler	v merks
The fyft buith to Robert Rind	iiij	li.
The sext buith to Isobell Williamsoun	iiij	li.
The sevint buith to Thomas Harly	iiij	li.
Vnder the Tolbuith on the south syde
The first buith to Jhonne Currour	ij	li.
The 2 buith to the male of the clerks buith
The 3 buith waist
The 4 buith to Robert Fowler	ij	li.
The 5 buith to Robert Fowler	xx	s.
The 2 littill buithis vnder the stair to Robert Nory	ij	li.
The sext buith is maid a presoun.
The foure buithis vnder the tolbuith are sett to Wiiliam Ramsay, Matho Harlawbanks, Will. Trumbill, Adam Bell, for	viij	li.
The belhouse vnder the stair.
The first buith to Archibald Todrick for	iiij	li.
The 2 to James Findguid	v merks
The 3 buith to Will. Hall	v merks
The 4 buith to Jhonne Cliddisdaill	xx	s.
The fyft buith Rob. Gray	xx	s.
The littil seller to Hector Meldrum	xxiiij	s.
The fleschehous sett for	viij	li.
Vpoun the stair.
The first buith Jhone Saidler	xl	s.
The 2 buith to Alexander Balfour	l	s.
The 3 to Hew craik	xxx	s.
The 4 to Alexander Hourlaw	xxx	s.
The loft to Henry Cant	xl	s.

17 October 1481.

Actum pro Stallangiatoribus.

Thomas Tod, Ewmond Chisholme, William Turnour, Andro Gray, Jhone Patersoun, Archibald Todrik, Alexander Bonkill, Roger Moray, Dauid Crawfurd, David Lawsoun, Thomas M'Colme, William Barroun, Alexander Gray, William of Dunsyare. Jhone of Lawder, Jhone M'Clennane, Thomas of Wod, Alexander Crawfurd, Dauid Quhyteheid, Patrik Barroun, Thomas Cant, Jhone of Prestoun, Jhone Hoppare, Robert Vans, Thomas Carkettill, William of Rynd, Jhone Barcare, Gilbert Fische, Robert Hathwy, Andro Cramby, Jhone Haukin, William Blak, Jhone Fowlare tailyeour, Jhone Towart, Thomas cranstoun, James Smyth.—36.

The quhilk day the prouest and the persouns abouewrittin, beand the greitt dusane and deikins, thinks expedient that the commoun clark and a seriand with him gather of ilk stallenger pure body that may nocht beir the cost of burgesry, and occupeis the fredome of the towne ij s. in the yeir; and all stallangeris that may be burges to occupy the fredome as stallangars but for a yeir and na langer bot gif he be burges or ellis devoyde the towne.

1481.

Provestis fie.

(The first ordinance that the provest suld have xx libris of fie, anno j^m iiij lxxxj°:—Tr.) (fn. 1)

Item, it is thocht expedient that the provest of the tovne for honour and worschip of the tovne have yeirlie to his fie xx libris of the commoun purs, and to endure perpetually.

10 November 1482.

Baxteris bying

The quhilk day it is avisit consentit and thocht expedient, statvte and ordanit, be the provest baillies counsall and communitie of this burgh, for the honour and commoun proffeit of the samyn, that all baxteris within this burgh that byis ony floure fra ony pairtis beyound the sey or within the realme to baik sell breid of, or gif the samyn be les messur kor mair, sall pay to the fermorar of thair commoun mylnis the multour thairof as efferis, and that na merchant within this burgh tak vpoun hand to tap or sell ony floure in small bot in greit, under the pane of escheit of the smyn quhair evir it may be foundin or ourtane, etc.

Vnfre craftis. Wha sall occupye the fredome.

Item, inlykewayis it is statvte and ordanit that na craftismen nor vtheris induellaris within this toun occupy the samyn or fredome thairof, be intrometting thair practike or craft quhateuir it be, bot gif thai be fre burgessis, or lif as stallangeris for the yeir and pay thair dewtis thairfoir to the clerk as efferis, according to the lawis of the burgh, and this statvte to be extendit of all maner of vnfre folkis, baith merchantis broustaris baxteris and regratouris of fische butter cheis eggis wilde foullis and all vther thiongis sauld and occupyit within this burgh, etc .

[Tracks of the mills and rents.]

Assedationes molendinorum et reddituum burgi de Edinburgh, per prepositum dominum Johannem Murray, balliuos, consules et communitatem eiusdem, x^mo die mensis Nouembirs anno j^mo iiij^c lxxxij, etc.

[Tracks of the mills and rents of the Burgh of Edinburgh, by the provost Sir John Murray, the bailies, councillors, and community of the same, the 10th day of the month of November in the year 1482, etc.]

The mylnis are set for this yeir tocum, with the aventour of deid and weir, efter the forme of the act maid vpoun the assedatioun, to Jhone Quhitheid for the sowme of iiij^c lxxx markis, to be payit efter the forme of the said act, that is to say, alway as the space of fourtie days beis beyrun to pay the ferme thairfore Dettouris heirfore himself and the provest Sir Jhone of Murray of Tulchad knycht, coniunctlie and seuerally.

The petit customes of the toun in siclykways are set to James of Cairnis Jhone and Cuthbert Young for the sowme of vij^xxmarkis. Dettouris heirfore James Richartsoun baillie and Jhone Quhitheid, coniunctlie and seueralie.

The petit customes and havin silver set to Adame Halkerstoune, thesaurare, for the sum of j^cand ten markis. Dettour heirfor, himself.

[Tacks of the mills and rents.]

The wild aventouris set to the said thesaurare for the sowme of xij^c and x markis. Dettour heirfor himself


The setting of the buiths under the auld tollbuith Bothe ex boreali parte pretorii

The eistmaist to Maister Richart Lawsoun	iiij	li.
The nixt to Jhone of Lawder	iiij	li.
Andro Bartrame	iiij	li.
Williame Blakfurd	iiij	li.
James Aikman	iiij	li.
Williame Rynd	iiij	li.
Jhone Wicht	iiij	li.
The north penteis vnder the tollbuith to Williame Meile	xxx	s.
The south penteis to Williame Morison	xxx	s.
Ex australi parte pretorij
Jhone Currour	l	s.
Patrik Forous	l	s.
Patrik Harlaw	l	s.
Robert Foulare	l	s.
Henry Foulis	xl	s.
The skynnaris buiths
Adam Bellis	xxx	s.
Jhone Vallange	xxx	s.
James Harlawbankis	xxx	s.
Robert Lanerok	xxx	s.
Williame Ramesay	xxx	s.
Alexander Flimman	xxx	s.
The pentis vnder the belhous stair to Hector Meldrum	xx	s.
The vther new pentis to Jhone Carswell	xx	s.
Aboue the b[el]hous stair
Jhone Saidlare	xx	s.
Jhone of Balfour	l	s.
Nichole Hannay	xxx	s.
The belhous loft to Henry Prestoun for	xl	s.

16 November 1482.

[By a Charter under the Great Seal, of the above date, King James the Third, in consideration of the loyal and hearty services which the provost, bailies, dean of guild, treasurer, common clerk, councillors, and the whole community of his Burgh of Edinburgh, with his brother Alexander Duke of Albany, had rendered to the King, by freeing him from the Castle of Edinburgh in which be bad been detained against his will,—gave, granted, renewed, and confirmed to the provost, bailies, council, and community for ever, the customs and moneys coming out of the harbour of Leith, with the exactions and rents as well of the said port as of the road of Leith and the said Burgh, whereof they were then in peaceable possession and enjoyment, viz.:—]

The customes of all maner of guidis. (fn. 2)

The customes of all maner of guidis.

In primis, that thai be fre foir euirmare of all payment of customes of salt, and of schorlingis, skaldings, futefellis, lentrinware, lamb-skynnis, tod-skynnis, calf-skynnis, cunning-skynnis, otteris and foulmartis skynnis, and that it sall be lefull to thame to sell and permute the salt and skynnis abouewritten to alinaris or strangearis or ony vtheris that thai mak merchandice with, custome fre, outher to be payit be thame or be the strangearis, exceptand the petie custume of the toun of Leith to the ressauouris thairof vsit of befoir tyme. (fn. 3)

Item, the havin siluir of Leith of all maner of personis, fremen, vnfremen and strangearis, bringand or havand ony gudis in or out at the port of Leith:—



Inprimis, of ilk freman of all the Kingis burowis, of ilk serplaith woll or skynnis	iiij	d.
And of strangearis and vnfremen	viij	d.
And of ilk tun of guids:
Of fremen	iiij	d.
And of strangearis and vnfreman	viij	d.
And of all vther siclike thingis, baith polk, pak, and barell, proportionally ansuerand to the serplaith and to the tun.
Item of ilk last hydis:
Of fremen	xvj	d.
And of strangearis and vnfremen	xxxij	d.
Of ilk chalder of corne, meill, malt, or salt:
Of fremen	iiij	d.
And vnfremen	viij	d.
Item, of ilk chalder of colis or lyme cummand in or gungand furth of the havin	ij	d.
And of ilk tun of girnale guids:
Of fremen	iiij	d.
And of strangearis and vnfremen	viij	d.
Item of fremen of vther burowis byand ony guids in Leith to have away, to pay at the outpassing	iiij	d.
And barrell according thareto.
Of ilk last of meil or hering	viij	d.
Of ilk hundredth burdis, gestis, treis, bowstreyngis, plankis, and siclike gudis	viij	d.
Of ilk fercost that cummis in the havin	xij	d.
Of ilk greit boit with victalis or vther gudis	vj	d.
Of ilk smal bate	ij	d.
Of ilk tun of gudis sald in Leith, be fremen to fre or vnfremen passand outward of the byare; the barrel or barrellis according thareto.	iiij	d.
And of ilk fery bait cummand inwart in the havin	ij	d.
and outwarde	ij	d.
Of ilk bait chairgit in the haven to pas to the rade	ij	d.
and siclike wise chargit in the rade agane to the havin	ij	d.
Item of ilk drag boit and handlyne boit cummand in the havin with bait fisch, at thair incumming	iiij	d.
Of ilk stane bait cummand and losand in the havin	j	d.
And lykewis the men of Orknay and Cathnes and thare guidis payand siclike havin siluir.

The customes of all maner of guidis.

And attour apon landin to Leith or within the watir, thir custumys to be payit vndir writtin to the toun of Edinburgh, by the hevin siluir:—



In primis, ilk barrell of ter, pik, ass, or ony vther barell gudis sald thare to vnfremen	ij	d.
Of ilk laid of vnyeons, [apillis,] corne, buttir, cheis, or vther gudis met and sald in Leith to vnfremen to be had away	j	d.
And of ilk layd vnmet	j	ob.
Item, of ilk laid of quhite fisch or hering cumand our of Leith	j	d.
And of the j^c grete fisch, as keling, stok-fisch, leyngis, salmound, and siclike fische, vnbarralit	iiij	d.
Item of ilk pak of claith that cummis to schore of vnfremen	iiij	d.
And of ilk laid of salt met thare doun	j	d.
Of ilk grete [geist or] dormound sauld thare doun	j	ob.
Of smallare geistis, iiij d., of the dosane.
Item of j^csperris	viij	d.
Item of the hundredth widde of oismond irne, of unfremennis [cumand to Leith]	viij	d.
And of ilk dakir of hydis cummand on land in Leith or to Leith, of vnfremennis [quhatsumeuer]	ij	d.
Item of the hundreth skynnis, wollin, calfiis, gaitis, hyddis, cunyngis, or ony vtheris nocht payand custome [in Edinburgh]	iiij	d.
Item all the toun vyndouris of gudis ventit or temyt in the rade havin or toun of Leith or the privileges and be dewiteis to the toun of Edinbrgh.
And attoure to be insert in this our said Chartir the grete custumys and dewiteis that the thesaurare [of the toune] resavis and takis of strangearis, and vnfrement of schippis and gudis cummand in at the port of Leith, and enterit in the tounis bukis, togidder with the eschete of the samyn quhare it beis fundin vnenterit of ony vnfremenis.
Inprimis of ilk last of barrell gudis, sic as pak, ter, meil, ass, or siclike gudis	xvj	d.
Of ilk tun wyne	xvj	d.
Of ilk boit malvesy	xij	d.
Of Rynch wyne becaus of greit steikis of ilk crovn as it is bocht	ij	d.
Item of the thousand irne	ij	s.
Of the hundredth sail canves	ij	s.
And of the grete canves [ of the crovn]	ij	d.
Of all dry mersor mechandice and costly gudis, of ilk croun	ij	d.
Of a barell of saip, oley, buttis, vynager, flesche, or tallone	vj	d.
Of ilk barrell of vnyeonis or apillis	iiij	d.
Item of a pak of lynt contenand a last	v s. iiij	d.
Of the hundredth tymmer, greit [or] small burdis, [or] dalis	xvj	d.
Of the hundredth bowstringis	xvj	d.
Of the pak of wald	xij	d.
Of a tun wad	xiiij s. iiij	d.
Of ilk schip in generale of guidis, ij bollis, ane behynd the mast and ane vther befoir, to Sanct Geilis werk.
Item the ankyrage of ilk grete schip, single or doubill for castellit	xiij s. iiij	d.
[The secundare	x.	s.
The middlest	vi s. viij	d.
The caumferis	v	s.
The whilkis strangeris and unfremen sall pay for custome of their guidis outward to the toune:
Of ilk chalder of salt	viij	d.
Of ilk chaldir of smethy colis	xxxij	d
Of ilk last hydis	xxxij	d.
Of ilk sek wole and skynnis	xvj	d.
Of a pak of claith	viij	d.
Of a pak of cunyng skynnis, lamb skynnis, otteris, toddis, foulmertis, and sicklie	viij	d.

And attour that na maner of stapill gudis of strangearis remane or be housit langare in Leyth efter it be dischargit and losit than it may be cartit and brocht to the toun, under the payne of eschete. And that they mak na merkatt in Leyth under the samyn payne, to be takin and vsit be the saidis provest and bailyeis for the tyme to the tounis vse. And in like wise that the saidis provest, bailyeis, clerk, consale, and communitie, and their successourie, bruke, joyse, and vse all vthir customas and provilegis within the saide burgh Leyth and watir, according to the commone law within thare watir courtis, attachiamentis, unlawis, and dewities, siklike as thai and thare predecessouris has had of before with vse and wont.]

2d May 1483

The Hammermenis Seill of Cause.

Till all and sindrie quhais knawledge thir present lettres salcum, Sir Patrik Baroun of Spittalfield knychtr and provest of Edinburgh, Patrik Balbyrnie of that ilk, Dauid Crarfuird of St Gely Grange, and Archibald Todrik, baillies of the said burgh, with the consent and advyse of the counsall of the samyn, gretin, fordamekill as the hedismen and maisteris of the Hammermen craft, bayth blaksymythis, goldsmythis, lorymeris, saidlaris, cutlaris, buclar makaris, armorerism and all vtharis, within the said burgh of Edinburgh, the day of the daitt of thir present lettres, presentit thair bill of supplicatioun till ws beseikand reformatioun and remeid of the greitt iniuris and skaythis done to thame, as was contenit in thair said bill, of the quhilkis thair followis a pairt, that thairthrow the said iniuris and vtharis may he eschewit, in tyme to cum, sen thay depend tharipoun, and in lyikwis vpoun the honor and worschip of the said burgh, als weill as vpoun thair singular avail and proffit: In the first thair compalint buir and specifyit that they war rycht havely hurt and put to greit poverty throw the doun cumming of the blak money, walking [and] warding, and in the payment of 3eldis and extentis quhilkis thay war compellit to do be vse. amd tp ne compelit thairto be our Lordis authoritie mandimentis and chargis, and in lyik wyis that thay wer havely hurt be the dayley mercat maid throu the hie streitt in cramis, and on the baksyde the toun in bachling of hammermenis werk pertening to thame of thair craft, in greit dishonour to the burgh, and inbraking of the auld gude rule and statutes of thair craft, and vpoun vtheer skathis that they sustenit in defalt of reformatioun. We heirfoir, havand etc., till equitie and iustice of remeid, considering weill thair supplicatioun and iust petitioun according to the gud reule of the burgh, haf statute and ordanit, and be thir oure latteris statutis and ordanis, that na hammerman, maister, ferit man, servand, nor vtharis, tak vpoun hand fra this tyme furth till exerce or vse ony ma craftis bot alanerly ane, and to live thairvpoun, sua that his vther brether and craftismen of the saidis craftis be not hurt throu his large exercitioun and exceding of boundis. Item, that thair sall [be[na oppin mercat vsit of ony of the saidis craftis, or werk pertening to thame of thair craft, vpoun the hie streittis, nor in crammis vpoun buirdes, nor bachlit nor schawn in handis, for to sell in na pairt foir nor baksyde wihtin this burgh, bit akaberkt ib the mercat day. Item, that upoun ilk Settirday erternone tua or thre of the worthiest maisters and maist of knawledge of the saidis craftis quhilk sall haif powar with ane officiar with thame to pas serch and se all mennis work of the said craftis, gif it be suhhicient in stuff and workmanship gude worht and hable work to serve the Kingis liegis, with and quhair it beis fundin faltine to forbid the samyn, to be sauld vnder the pane of escheitt as oft as it happinis to be fundin faltine. Item, that all vnfre hammermen baith buith-halderis and vtharis fra this tyme furth cum to the maisteris of the saidis craftis or he be maid maister, to be examinat gif he be worthy thairto, and than he to be maid freman gif he beid fundin sufficient, and gif he beis sufficient in his craft, and not of powar to mak his expenssis hastely vpoun his fremome, he sal bruk the priuiledge of a langer for ane veir and na langar for ane yeir and na langar, and all vthris that ar vnfre, not examinit nor worthy to hald buiths, sall either be prentis to a maister for certan yeiris, or ellis, gif he be aigit, to be a feit man with a maister, and not to laubour his awn werk vnto the yme that he be habill and worthie to be maister and do his dewtie thairfoit as said is. Item, it sall not be lauchfull to ony maister of the saidis arafts to ressett or resaif ane vthar mannis prentis as servsn, nor gif him ony werk, sa lang as he is bunden to his maister at he cummis fra, and beis payit of his dewtie and fee. Item, that na commoun cramaris in the toun vse to sell or tapp ony hammermenis werk, nor regrat it agane till vthar mennis vse, and that all thir crafts or resaif ane vthar mannis prentis as servand, nor gif him and to commoun vpoun the breking of thir statutes aboue exprimit, and to certifie the provest and baillies thairof that iustice and pwnitioun may be done thairvpoun quhen and how it requyris, and that every man brekar of thir for writtin statutis pay for ilkane of thame, als aft as thay happin to be brokin, in his defalt pay viij s. to the reparatioun and habillimentis of thair altar, and specially that all men of the siad craftis fo and fulfis thair auld consuetude and vse to the vphald of devyne service at tha said altar weikly and daly, and to the priest craft and altar as effeiris. And this till aal quhom it efferis or may effer we mak knwin faythfully be thir our presentis, to the quhilkis in witnessing we haif gart hing our commoun seill of caus at Edinburgh, the secund day of May, the yeir of God a thousand four hundreth auchty and ther eiris.

1483–4.

Statuta. Fleschouris, selling of fische.

The ordour for breiking of fische in Lentrene conforme to the auld actis drawin furth of the approvit scrollis of the auld bukis of the dait anno [j^m cccc] lxxxiij, Lentrene.

Item, that na regratouris by fische to sell again befoir xij houris vnder t he pane of viij s. and pvnissing of thair personis, and that na fische be oppinit on the hie gaitt vnder the said pane.

Itme, that na fische be halden nor keipit into houssis nor brokin into houssis bot in the market, vnder the pane of escheit and vnlaw of viij s.

Item, that na fische be halden ouer nycht and presentit the morne to the merket vnguttit or clengit vnder the said pane.

Item, that na greit fische be brokin nor sauld before ix houris vnder pane of viij s.

Item, that ane baillie with ane of the counsale of the toun and tua seriandis keip the fische mercat quhill Pasche, ilk ane thair oulk about, and se that thir statutes ke keipit, and that the fleschouris braik thair fische honestlie for thair fe quhilk is statute thairfor as followis:

Item, ilk fleschour sall haue to his fie for braiking of ilk killing, lyng, skait, j d.; and for the turbet, iiijd.; and for pellok sauld derrer nor xx^tischillingis, xij d., and within xx s., vj d.; and for ilk salmond, ij d.; and siclike of all vther greit fische.

Item, that na fleschour bye na fische to sell and regraitt agane, bot to brek thame allanerly for thair fie as said is and handell thame honestly.

Fysche prissarris:—Thom. Yair, Robert Gray, Jhonne of Boncle, Jhonne Fouller.

The baillie, Jhonne Barcar, Archibald Todrick, Will. Tunner, Jhonne Bonkle, for the first oulk.

Robert Lokart, Andro Bartrem, Wyll. Clerk, Jhonne Andersoun, the nixt oulk.

N. Peblis, La. Tailzfer, Dauid Craufurd, Thomas Yair, the thrid oulk, and sua furth till Pasche oulk be.

5 October 1484.

(Consules ville anni presentis Joannes Cant, Ninianus Peblis, and otheris twelf in nummer, and Jhone Halkerstoun assessour ville.—Tr.)

Counsale convening.

It is statute and ordaint at thir persouins aboue written sall convene and gadder in the inner Tolbuith twyse in the wolk, Wednisday and Fryday, ilk day be the hour of ix, and sitt and commoun vpone the commoun proffeitt of the towne, and the commoun rents inbringing, and quba at bydes ower the ceissing of the bell of ix sall pay vj d., and quha at bydes away the hail day withoutin [licence] of the provest or the dene of gild sall pay xij d., vnforgevin, and thir vnlawes to be gadderit be the thesaurer to the behuif of the counsale. (Lowse leiff.—Tr.)

[Commissioners to Parliament and to the court of Four Burghs.] [Master of Works.]

On the sam leif writtin:—commissarij ad parliamentum four in nummer; and besyde written:— commissarij iiij^or burgorum.

The same leiff:—Alexander Gray chosin and sworne maister of the werk to the towne for this yeir to cum, for the quhilk he sall haif xx^ti merk of fie.—Tr.)

7 November 1485. (fn. 4)

That na fremen be perteneris with Leith.

It is statute and ordanit that gif ony merchand of this toun takis ony man of Leyth in company with him in his merchandice-making he sall pay ane vnlaw of xl s. to the kirk werk, and tyne his fredome for yeir and day.

Setting of the tounis rentes.

It is statute and ordanit that nane of the commoun rentis be set bot till famous men, inhabitantis of this toun and of substance, and haue ane vther bound with him.

Item, it is statue that nane of the commoun rentis be set to ony man of Leith, nor yit that ony nychtbour cum dettour thairfoir, nor yit that ony of the toun that takis ony customes set thame to ony man of Lieth, or have ony of Leith partinare thair of with him, nor yit to have in seruice thairof vnder him any persoun duelland in Leith, vnder the pane of x li. to the kirk wark and tynsall of his fredome for yeir and day.

Tuychin reft gudes.

It is statute that gif ony nichtbour byis ony reft guidis that happinis to cum in be sey, that he sall fynd souertye to the provest and baillies that the toun and marchanids sall be skaythles of ony clame thairefter tocum, the quhilk souertie sall pay the dampnage and skaith that happinis to cum thairof quhatsumeuir.

Setting of the mylnis.

It is statute that quha takis the commoun mylnis sall do on this wis fra thyne furth, th ethesaureare and baillies sall deliuer thame to the efferis to the mylnis, and fra thyne furth the fermorair sall vphold thame the haill yeir with sic graith as plesis him vpoun his awin expensis, and sall deliuer thame at the nixt Martymes with all gangand graith als guid as he ressavit thame, and this assedatioun is and salbe all tymes maid; the customes and all vther rentis of the toun to be sett with all aventour and dangeris of deid and weir, ay payand the first half-quarter payment befoir hand to the thesaurare of the toune. (Lowse leiffies.—Tr.)

10 November 1485.

[Setting of the mills, customs, and annual rents.]

Assedationes molendinorum custumatorum et reddituum burgi de Edinburgh, facte in Pretorio eiusdem per Johnnem Murray prepositum, ad hoc specialiter congregata communitate secundum effectum et tenorem actorum prepositorum vt consuetum fuit, decimo die mensis Novembris anno domini j^m iiij^c lxxxv°.

[Tacks of the mills, customs, and rents of the Burgh of Edinburgh, made in the Tolbuith of the same, by John Murray, Provost, the community being specially assembled for this purpose, according to the effect and tenor of the acts of the magistrates, as custom was, on the 10th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1485.]

The setting of the petie customes

The petit customers ar sett with the eventure of deid and weir, efter the actis aboue writtin, for this year tocum, to Jhone Fairnly, Jhone Lany, and James Richartosoun, for the soume of fourscoir ten markis. William Barroun dettour for Jhone Fairnlie, and Jhone Lany [and] James Richartsoun dettour for thame self and their pairt thairof.

The petie customes of Leyth.

The petit customers of Leith are sett with the eventour of deid and weir, efter the tenour of the saidis actis to Jhone of Bonckel for the sowme of j^c. pundis. Henry Rynd and David Craufurd dettoris, etc.

The setting of the mylnis.

The commoun mylnis of the toun, with certane conditiouns contenit in the actis above written, ar set to Laurence Tailliefer theasurare fo rthe sowme of ^xxxxiiij markis.

The setting of the fleschous.

The fleschhous is sett to Laurence Tailiefere and Jhone of Levingtoun for the sowme of ten pundis, ilk are of thame dettour for vtheirs.

3 October 1486.

Crameris.

(Be complaynt of the merchants) It is statute and ordanit be the provest bailies and counsale of the toune, for the common proffieit of our Sourerane Lordis lieges and this burgh, that na maner of persoun freman nor vnfire fra this hour furth hald or vse any cramis or buirdis with merchandice vpoun the hie gaitt or vnder any stairis, or haif a buird vpoun the gaitt with any clayth, wollin, or lynning, vnder payne of xl s. the first tyme at he beis fundin standin, the second falt his crame and buird to be escheit, and the third falt to tyne his fredome and banist the towne for yeir and day, bot allenarly on the mercat day or in frie and thir vnlawes to be raisit and inbrocht to the kirk wark. (Lowse leiffes.—Tr.)

8 August 1487.

Prouest President.

The quhilk day a richt nobill michty Patrick Lord Hales my Lord Provest, chosin of this burgh for this yeir to cum fra Michaelmes furth and quhill Michaelmes, hes with the consent of the baillies and counsale and a pairt of the community of this burgh [hes] chosin James of Creichtoun of Felde to be his depute and president vnder him indurant his will, becuase the haill towne committit power to his lordship to cheise his deputes and presidentis are or ma at his will as aft as he sall think expedient, to do and minister justice vnder him as efferis. (Lowse leiffes.—Tr.)

15 August 1487.

Feying of the common pyper.

The quhilk day the provest baillies counsale and deikynis of the towne [ordanis] that the commoun pyperis of the towne be feyit for the honour of the town, on this wyse, that thai sall pas to all honest persounis of substance that may sustene the same and tak thair meitt of ilk ane of thame ane day of bout and hip nane, and gif thai tak wedge that thai sustene thame selff thairpoun that day, and at the persoun that gevis thame [not] thair meitt gif to thame ix d. on the day, that is to ilk pyper iij d. at the leist.

10 November 1487.

Of custumes pertenand to Edinburgh.

The cattell and guds that cumis to the fair and merkat of the burgh of Edinburgh aucht na custume to the schiref of Edinburgh to the land, bot the provest, as schiref of the burgh of Edinburgh, aucht and sould have the cus. tume of all the said cattell and gudis cumand to the merka, and within the cuming nouther the said schiref of Ediburgh to the land, nor na utheris, may rais or tak ony custumis of the cattell or gudis foresaidis without the merkat and boundis of the fredmome of the said burgh, be resoun the samin aw na custume quhill they cum and be presentit to the said burgh, merkat and fredome thairof. And attour the said provest and schiref of Edinburgh aucht and sould limit and bound certane places, within the boundis and fredome of the said burgh, to the quhilk nolt, scheip, and horse sould be brocht and be sauld the tyme of the fairis. And als, the tyme of the saidis faires and merkattis thair aucht na custume to be raisit or tane bot efter the auld use and consuetude. [The Provest and Schiref of Edinburgh contra the Schiref of Edinburgh to land.]

16 November [14]87.

Meill mercat.

The quhlik day it is devyst expedient be the provest baillies and counsall of the tovne, for the commoun proffiet of the nychtbouris thairof and vtheris oure Souerane Lordis lidges, that na nychtbouris inhabitaris of this burgh tak vpoun hand fra this tyme furth to by ony meill to sell and regrait agane, bot alanerlie to his awin vse wekly, vnder the payne of escheit of the meill and banesing of the persoun that besis aprehendit doand the contrair heirof, at the discretopim of the persoun that beis aprehendit doand the contrair beirof, at the mercat day to all our sourerane lordis lieges landmen that cumis to this burgh with victualllis quhatsumeuir to sell the samyn but impediment or demant with les meosur or mair; and that they set the meill in the commoun mercat and nocht in houssis nor vnder stairis; and that the baillies pas incontinent ot ceirs the regratouris of meill that hes brokin the actis maid thairvpoun of befoir sen this is the first tyme, and that they tak all that meil ordainit sa to regrait and sell in commounly to all our souerane lordis lieges for ix s. the boll, and fra thencefurth that they regrate na mair in tyme cumming bot on the mercat day, vnder the payne abouewirtten, and the customaris of this burgh furneis pek and half pek to the landmen heirto.

11 April 1488.

The Fleshouirs Seil of Cause.

The allewint day of the monethe of Aprile the yeir of God j^m foure hundrethe anchtie and aucht yeiris. The quhilk day compeirit in judgement in the chalemer of the Tolbith of Edinburgh in present of richt nobill and worschipfull men Thomas Tod Prouest for the yme, George of Touris, James of Cubing, and Thomas of Yhere, bailleis, John Foular den of gild, Johnne of Tuedy the saurer, and the laif of the counsall of the toun and burgh of Edinburgh, compeirit and pressentit ane supplicatioun and bill of complaint Richard Furde, deykin of the fleshouris for the tyme, Robert, Gray, John Malcolm younger, Adame Edgear, Adrow Sillar, John of Ryfe, JOhnne of Loche, John Towart, Robert Gilary, Dauid Johnstoun, Richard Phillop, Dauid Airth, Gilleis ker and vtheris, principall maisteris of the saidis fleshouris craft, desyrand of the saidis prouest bailleis and counsale of the toun that, considering the grit trubill and wexatioun that officers haid of before tyme be the evill reull multitude of dyuerssi persouns vnhabill contenit in the burgh, [quha] scalnder and blashpheme men of the toun and the haill craft throw evill payment and vther wrngous iniuris and deidis vsit amangis the craft, in grit hurt and preiudice of the toun and commoun profeit, that sic things micht be retreitit and reformeit be the prouest bailleis and counsall of the toun, with awyse of the deykin and principale maisteris of the craft, with sic statutis and rewlis and ordinance as the said craft thinkis expedient with awyse of the said toun. The quhilk bill of suplicatioun and complaint oppinlie red hard and sene be the saidis prouest baileis and counsall, thay thairwith, in absence of the craftiemen, awysit and considerit the said bill, and fand it was profitabill and neidfull for the commoun proffeit that amangis them selffis, for the guid reule of the craft, at thai sould mak certane statutis, quhilk the guid toun with the deykin of the craft and the maisteris of the craft presentit to the saidis prouest baillies and counsale thair desyris statutis and rewlis, and caussit them in the Tolbuith to be red and vnderstandin, with the quhilkis the saidis prouest bailleis and counsall was thair desyris statutis and rewlis, and caussit them in the Toulbuith to be red and vnderstandin, with the quhilkis the saidis prouest bailleis and counsall was awysit, and the tennour of them followes in this maner"—Imprimis. We the deykin and principale maisteris of the fleshouris craft within this burgh thinkis it edpedient for the comoun proffeit that all vnfremen, laidis and boyis, vsand our craft be expellit thairfra bot gif he owthir wil be ane vomannis prenteis or ane feit man, gif he can wirk for crtance yeiris, efter the tennour of the ald acties of the toun maid of before, sua that na man handill menis sustentatioun owther at his stok or btherwayis but honestlie and nane vtheris vnder the pane of xl. the tua pairt to be raisit be the deykin of craft to the reparatioun of thair awin alter vnforgevin; and siclyk all the vnlawis of thair stautes vnderwritten beiris. Item, We think it expedient for the honour and honestie of fremen of this craft that ar of small substance, quhill God refresche them. that thairfor sic a burges bot na vther persoun marrow him with ane maister of substnce, and lay his penny to his, and sua far as it will reik the pennyvorthis to be bocht betwixt them and thai to dele thairvpioun vyning and tynsell as] effeireis, and sua far as ilk pairt reikis; and gif this fremen gttis credence in the cuntrey of ony sufe he to bring it to the guid toun and sll it oppinlie in the mercatt, the said fremen first fyndand souerty at the craft sall nocht be blasphemit throw hie evill payment, nor yit the officeris of the toun to be wexit for administratioun of iustice, vnder the pane of xl s. for ane vnlaw to be disponit and raissit as first saidis be the officeris of the toun and the deykin of the craft for the tyme. Item, We think expedient that the deykin and best of the craft daylie serche the craft gif ony of them owther byis slais or sellis ony infectit fleshe or fishe with or keippis rottyn purit beistis, cassin or deid be the selff, or ony vther insufficient sustentatioun owther of fishe or fleshe; and quha that beis apprehendit thairwith to be depryuit of his fredome, the guid to be escheit to the seik folk in almous, and he to be baneist the toun and craft be the officiars at thair discretioun for euir mair. Item, We thinkit expedient that na freman of this craft dele nocht be pairtis man with ane vnfreman becumis his guidis vnder cullour of his awin contrair his aith, vnder pane of depriuand of his fredome and putting fra the craft and escheting of the stufe that he collouris. Item, that na fleshe be brokin nor sauld in hiddillis nor in bak houssis, bot oppinlie in the hie mercatt quhair it may be sene and sercheit be the deykin and the craft with ane officer of the toun, that the falt may be sene and pvneist, and the guides falteis to be escheit and delt; and siclyk quhair ony nolt hydis or ony vther infectit fleshe bene brokin to sell amangis guid stufe to the Kingis leidgeis that stufe to be escheit, and the persoun pvneist at the discretioun of the provest baillies and counsale, and be awyse of the deykin and the heidis men of the craft. Item, We think it expedient that na man of craft, candilmakeris nor vtheris, in tyme to cum, but fremanis soneis of the craft vse the craft, and that can handill it himselff baith in slaing and breking as a craftisman honestlie at his stok, and as [he] hes bene leirnit and brocht vp thariwith vnder a maister, vnder the pane of xl s.and escheitting of thair guidis assaid is and banysing of the craft. Item, we think it expedient that na man of this craft pas owtwith the toun nor send thair seruandis to by ony stufe, fishe or fleshe beif mwttoun veill lameis swyne nor kiddis fra Pashe to Mydsomer day, that all beistis may be in ply, vnder the pane of escheit; and gif a maister sendis bis servnad to landwart to feche ony beistis to sla at his maister has coft hi selff, and nocht be his seruand under cwllour, be sall first certefie the deykin and vtheris maisteris of the craft that thai guidis was coft be the maister him selff, and nocht be the seruand, quhilk sall nocht haiff authoritie nether to by nor sell. Item, that na maister ressaue ane vther manis seruand or prenties in seruise quhill the ishe of thair termes, and it be weryfeit to the deykin the tyme of his leive taking. Item, we think it expedient that ilk prenteis desire of the deykin and maister that lykis to vse the craft that first thai desire and obtene the fredome of the toun, and gif he [be] fund abill to be ressauit to the craf and to pay his dewties to the craft and alter as efferis. Item, we think it expedient that the dykin senche all faltis and to pvneishe tua faltis, and the thrid falt to be pvneist be the toun with all rigour. Item, that na fleshe that hes [been] presenit [in] the mercatt tuyis and hes tynt the sessoun be put to the mercatt agane vnder the pane of escheit; nor yit thay ony of our craft by ony fishe fra the vyffis nor regratours of the toun duelland in Leith. Item, that quhat persone of the craft dissobeyand the deykin in thevsing of his office foirsaid, that ane officer pas and pvneis his persoun as effeirs, and quha that heis obstinat to be put in ward quhill he amend the falt. The quhilk statutes and supplicatioun being red sene and vnderstand be the saidis provest bailleis and, counsale, thai fand the samyn consonand to ressou, and for commoun proffeit and incressing of guid sheip fishe and fleshe, and gude reule in the toun, thai ratyfeit and appreuit the saymn in sa far as in them was in all thingis, according to the commoun proffeit, and in sua far with the help of God will autoreis the samyn. Written vnder the seill of caus of the burgh, in corroboratioun of the samyn, day yeir and place abourwriten.

6th August 1489.

[Seal of Cause to the Cooper Craft.]

Till all and syndry quhais knawledge thir present lettres sall cum, the provest, ballies, and counsall of the burgh of Edinburgh greting in God euirlesting, wit ye that the day of the making of thir present lettres comperit befor ws sittand counsaly gadderit and for jugement within the Tolbuith of the said burgh, in the inner chalmer of the samyn, thir persouns vnder written, Alexander Browne cowper, Jhone Richartsoun, William Couper, Jhone Jhonsoun, and Gilbert Turnour, masteris of the Cowpar craft within the said burgh, and thar presentit till ws thair supplication and bill of complant makand mentioun that diverssis personis of the said craft quhilkis ar and has bene of lang tyme obstinat and inobedient in obseruying and keping of gud reull ordinance and statutis maid and ordaint of befor and confirmit be our predecessorires to the maisteris of the wrichtcraft for the uphald of diuine seruice and augmentatioun thairof at Sanct Jhonis altar situat in our College Kirk of Sanct Gele within the said burgh, and speciale in the withhalding and disobeying in the deliuering and paying of the oulkly penny to God and to Sanct Jhone and to the reparatioun of the said altar, and als in the disobeysance in teh payment making of thar prentis siluer at thair entre, qubilk is five shilling, to the reparatioun and polesy of the said alter, nor yit will nocht pay thair dewteis at the wpsetting of thar buthis siclyke as the masters of the wrychtis ar ordaint and statut to pay, considering the said Couper craft is conformit to tharis and bundin with tham to fulfill the reulis and pay siclyke dewteis to the Sanct and altar as thai and thai lymmit togidder, and [adionit] to gadder and inbring the samyn dewteis and mak compt and rekynnyng thairof to thair dekyin and kirk maisters of the Wrichtis as efferis, and siclyke as is vsit amangis vther craftis of the said burgh, and as anentis the outlandisfolkis that the said masteris of the Cowpar craft complanit vpoun lauborand and vsand thair craft and practik thairof in this tovne, passand fra hous to hous mendand and spilland nychtbouris wirk and stuf, hafand nother stob nor stake within this towne, nor yit walkis nor wardis nor yit beris sic portable chargis with tham as extentis and vtheris quhen thai occur, nor yit beand sufficient in thair labour and werkmenschip, and thairthrow neuertheles hurtis and scaithis the saidies masteris in thair fredomes and priuilegis contrar to all gud reull ordour and polecy within burgh, Quharupon the saidis masteris of the Cowpar craft besocht ws of remeid for the honour and loving of God and Sanct Jhone, and the sustentatioun and wphalding of divine seruice at his altar forsaid, patrone to the saidis craftis, The qubilk bill and supplicatioun beand red herd and vnderstandyn and diligentle considerit be ws that thair petitioun was consonant to ressoun and to the lovage of God and thair patrone forsaid, and als consonand to the commoun proffet of the said burgh, we decret ordanis and deliueris concordand to thair resonable desyris and petitioun that all the poyntis and articlis contenit in the statutis of the Wrichtis confermit be the tovne be obseruit and kepit to the masteris of the Cowpar craft, and be tham in all thingis accordand to thair craft, and quha that disobeyis tham that ane officer pas with tham and tak a poynd of the disobeyar, and mak penny [payment] thairof to the awale and quantite of the dewteis awand to Sanct Jhone the altar and chaplane thairof for the tyme, siclyk as vse and wont has bene, and at the said officeris sall caus the masteris and ingadderaris of the said dewteis to be answerit and obeyit thairvntill, and thai to mak compt rekynning and payment to the dekin and kirkmaster of the said altar, and at all the laif of the wrichtis statutis forsaid be obseruit and kepit with tham and be tham according to thair faculte; and anentis the outlandismen quhilkis prevenis tham in thair laubouris and proffetis, that officeris pas with tham and forbid and put tham fra the occupatioun thairof in this towne, bot gif thai mak residence thairvntill, and pay thair dewteis to Sancht Jhone and the craft, and be resauit thairvntill, be the masteris thairof, and to fulfill the statutis aboue expremit as efferis, sa that the disobeyaris be pvnist be the officeris of the towne efter the tenour of the saidis wrichtis statutis maid of befor and confermit be our predecessouris. In witnes of the quhilk thing we haue gart append our commoun sele of caus to thir present lettres at Edinburgh the xxvj day of August the yeir of God j^m four hundreth auchty and nyne yeiris.