Title
Documents relating to the town of St Andrews
Subject
Miscellaneous documents which relate to the medieval town.
Source
Charter of David II
Know that whereas the former reverend fathers in Christ of honoured memory, the bishops of St Andrews, have in times past have had in times past the great customs of their own goods and those of the men of the city of St Andrews and have been in full possession thereof hitherto, we, not desiring to lessen the liberty and possessions of the said bishops but rather more fully to increase the same, and considering the various works and heavy expenses incurred and laid out, as effectively and faithfully, by the reverend father in Christ William Laundelis by the grace of God now bishop of St Andrews in sundry ways for the benefit of us and the common weal (res publica), we have approved, ratified and for ever confirmed to him and to his successors the said customs in form, possession and effect, as the same have been used and enjoyed hitherto; and of new for us and our heirs, of certain knowledge and deliberate counsel have bestowed upon and given to him the said custom for the term of his life in … the form underwritten, that is to say, that his citizens of St Andrews shall be free to buy wool, skins and woolly hides wherever they wish, as well in the burgh of Cupar as within other parts of Fife and Fothryff and elsewhere, being within the lands of the said bishop, and that they shall not be compelled to pay the great custom arising therefrom save to the bishops and his officer …; notwithstanding our grants made to any persons or places, for it was not our intention that, on account of such concessions, the liberties and privileges of the said father in Christ and the citizens should anywise suffer; and that the said bishop and his successors may freely possess the great custom of all goods owing to their burgh of St Andrews coming from the port thereof, or being borne to their port of Edyn, together with the escheat of wool, hides and woolly hides if found in these parts not paying customs; and that the cocket of the said burgh of St Andrews shall be as freely received and accepted everywhere in our realm as our cocket is received and accepted. Wherefore we order all our ministers and faithful subjects to maintain the bishop and men and servants in all and sundry things affecting our confirmation and grant … and we prohibit anyone molesting, disturbing or hindering the bishop and his men against the tenor and form of this confirmation.
Given at Edinburgh 5th June 1363
[Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, i]
Inquest about the Men of Cupar and St Andrews (1370)
This inquest being made at Cupar on Friday the fifteenth day of the month of January in the year of our lord 1369 (1370) by the trusty men underwritten, namely, Thomas Monypenny, Philip of Lochore, Alexander Scheyn, Henry Swinton, Stephen of Kilpatrick, Gilbert of Dowrye, Andrew Ramsay of Rothie, John Dishington, John Kinnear, Andrew of Forret, Archibald Forsyth, Richard Inglis, John Brekmond, who being sworn affirm that the burgesses of Cupar, subsequent to the precept of the justiciar, have molested the burgesses of St Andrews.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 8]
Judicial proceeding: the presidents of parliament’s judgement in a dispute between St Andrews and Cupar
In the parliament held at Perth on 7 February (1370), the venerable father, the bishop of St Andrews, in his name and [in the name] of the city of St Andrews, and several of the citizens of the city of St Andrews, in their names and [in the names] of the other citizens of the same city, from one party, and Duncan Balfour, who calls himself alderman of Cupar, and three other burgesses of Cupar in Fife, calling themselves brothers of the guild within the said burgh, from the other, compearing in the said parliament, since after a substantial controversy has been moved and continued for a long time between the said parties, concerning the purchase of fleeces, pells and hides and other things which are known to pertain to the guild, within the said burgh of Cupar by the said citizens, our lord king, wishing finally to settle the said controversy, caused the said parties with due solemnity to be assembled and legitimately summoned to his said parliament, in order to have and receive full justice in that parliament concerning and upon the said controversy.
The said lord bishop [compeared], accompanied by certain citizens of the city of St Andrews as his assistants, in his name and [the name] of his church, and of them and of the others [mentioned] above, and said that, although he and his predecessors and the said citizens had been and were freely in possession of a kind of right of buying fleeces, hides and pells, and the other things [mentioned above], however great, pertaining to the guild, within the said burgh of Cupar, by the citizens and inhabitants and other subordinate people of the same city, from a time beyond the existence in men’s memories of a different situation, the burgesses of Cupar, notwithstanding that for the part of the said lord our king it had been prohibited for them by public proclamation to in any way presume to disturb or disquiet the aforesaid bishop or the citizens of his city violently in the matter of the aforesaid right except by the way and form of common justice, have presumed to violently and de facto and rashly to disturb and disquiet this bishop and his citizens of his citizens of his said city and their servants and households in his same right of selling fleeces, hides, pells and the other things which [were mentioned] above, to the grave prejudice and harm of him and his church and his citizens. And this he, being in the same place, affirmed by his pledge, and asked that he and his said citizens to be restored [and] returned to the pristine possession of their right, if and in as much as they were rashly and de facto disturbed by the said burgesses of Cupar, and amends are to be made concerning the harm and injury inflicted upon him and his, which harm is assessed at the amount of 1,000 merks sterling, and moreover the same burgesses of Cupar are to have silence imposed on them that they should not presume to trouble him or his said citizens further concerning this otherwise than by the way and form of common justice.
The said Duncan Balfour, calling himself alderman as above, and the other three burgesses, his assistants as aforementioned, denied similarly and expressly the pretended possession by the said bishop and citizens of St Andrews, asserting themselves and their fellow burgesses, brothers of the guild of Cupar, to have been and to be the solely and collectively in possession of the right to sell fleeces, pells and hides, and the other things which [were mentioned] above, for a great time past. And when they had been asked on the king’s behalf if the pledge against them was found by the bishop, the said alderman and burgesses would then wish to oppose [him] according to the laws and customs of the realm approved hitherto, [and] they have refused to do this, expressly claiming themselves not to be held for, etc, because they did not have a suitable day or place for showing their evidence to [enable them] to contradict the said pledge being thus found.
Which things thus having been done and both parties having withdrawn, and diligent deliberation and negotiation having been had concerning this by the presidents of this parliament in the king’s presence and having been found in writs that the said pledge was not opposed by the said burgesses, the parties were recalled and returned to the presence of the king and of those who were presiding for giving justice in the said parliament. It was decreed by the presidents of the same parliament and adjudged by way of sentence that the bishop of St Andrews and his said citizens in the name which [is stated] above, are to be returned and restored and they returned and restored them in so far as it was in their power to the possession of the said right. And the adverse party was to be held and ought to be held to make satisfaction to them concerning the harm and injury which can be justly proved in the presence of the king’s justiciar at the day and place to be assigned to them by the said justiciar concerning this. And silence was imposed upon the said burgesses of Cupar by the same presidents of the parliament that they would not presume to trouble the said bishop or his said citizens further concerning this other than by the way and in the form of law and according to the laws of the kingdom approved hitherto.
And the justiciar then being present and receiving mandate was commanded that at a certain place and day to be assigned to him by the king’s letters he should convoke and convene to that place in the presence of the burgesses of Cupar, whether being absent from the said parliament or the said four who were present in the same place, and that he should accuse each of them on the king’s behalf of violation of the king’s prohibition thus publicly proclaimed, as aforementioned, and of the presumptuous act attempted against his prohibition by them, assessing the harm and disparagement of the king against each of them concerning this at £100 sterling. It was also decreed by the same presidents of the parliament that the same justiciar [should require] certain and secure pledges from the same four burgesses of Cupar then present in the same place for compearing in his presence under certain penalties at the said day and place to be assigned as aforementioned and for standing to law in the same place, and that then the same justiciar should cause the said lord bishop and his men to be satisfied concerning whatsoever damages, injuries and harms inflicted on them as reason should demand and the order of justice should dictate.
Records of the Parliaments of Scotland [1370/2/41]
Charter by John Scrymgeour to William Balmyle rector of Benhame (1410)
Charter by John Scrymgeour, natural son of Sir James Scyrmgeour constable of Dundee, knight, and Marion wife of John, narrating that after the death of Alexander Scrymgeour of Aberbrothock, possessor of certain lands and rights underwritten in the city of St Andrews, William Scrymgeour cousin and heir possessed the same and after Sir James who had acquired the right thereto granted the same to the said John Scrymgeour and Marion then his future spouse, who now with the consent of the said Sir James and other friends of his and his wife, sell and dispone the same to Sir William of Balmyle rector of the church of Benhame, St Andrews diocese, for a certain sum of money:
Viz, an annual rent of five shillings due and payable from the lands of James Brabaner in Market Street of the said city on the north side between the lands of Rankiny Brabaner on the west and the land of Laurence Peebles on the east; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of the said Rankiny Brabaner in Market Street of the said city on the north side between the lands of James Brabaner on the east and the land of John Bonar on the west; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of Andrew of Dunbrek in Market Street of the said city on the south side between the lands of the deceased Thomas Tody on the east and the land of Richard Narn on the west; an annual rent of ten shillings due and payable from the lands of the John Duncan in vico Piscatorum (Fishers Street) on the west side between the lands of the heirs of the deceased John Cass on the north and the land of Gilbert Guthry on the south; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of the deceased Galfrid Smith in North Street on the north side thereof between the land of John Scot the elder on the west …; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of Robert Johnson lying in the North Street on the north side between the land of John Scot on the east and the tenement of Laurence Peebles on the west; an annual rent of three shillings due and payable from the land of the said William Raa lying on North Street of the said city on the north side between the lands of John Gled on the east and the land of Robert Smith on the west; an annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence due and payable from certain land of the heirs of the deceased Thomas Tody in South Street of the said city on the north side between the land of John Bonar on the west and the land of the heirs of Thomas Tody on the east; an annual rent of nine shillings due and payable from the tenement of the said William Balmyle in South Street on the south side between the land of John Thomson on the east and the land of Robert Bower on the west; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the land of John Litstar in South Street on the north side between the land of Thomas Tailour on the west and the land of Duncan Robertson on the east; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the tenement of David Coinet in South Street on the north side between the land of Sir John Crab priest on the west and the land of John Wallace on the east; a certain waste land lying in South Street on the north side between the land of John Garden on the west and the heirs of the deceased Norman Gupylde on the east; an annual rent of two shillings due and payable from the land of Adam Ewinson in South Street on the north side between the land of Marion Bald on the east and another land of Adam on the west; an annual rent of four shillings from the land of John Frislay in Market Street on the south side between the land of Walter Spadebeard on the east and the land of John Bonar on the west; an annual rent of four shillings from the land of Alexander Lawson in Market Street on the south side between the land of Stephen Ferny on the west and David Baxster in the east; an annual rent of four shillings from the land of the prior and convent of the church of St Andrews in Market Street on the north side between the land of the heirs of the deceased David Chalmers on the east and the land of the prior and convent on the west; a certain waste land in North Street on the north side between the land of John Swan on the east and William Christison on the west; an annual rent of thirty pence from the land of William Christison in North Street on the north side between the land of William Balmyle on the east and William Millar on the west; an annual rent of two shillings from the land of William Millar in North Street on the north side between the land of William Christison on the east and another land of William Millar on the west; an annual rent of two shillings from the land of William Millar in North Street on the north side between the waste of Richard Purrock on the west and a land of William Millar on the east; two particates of land lying together in crofts on the north side of North Street between the land of John Stele on the east and Thomas Rogerson on the west; another particule of land lying in crofts between the land of John Michaelson in the west and Thomas Rogerson on the east; two particates of land in crofts on the south side of the common way of Galwhil between the land of Marion Hardgate to the east and John Stele to the west; an annual rent of sixteen shillings from four particules of the land of Stanycroft lying at the end of the lands of the heirs of the deceased Deky Thomson and master Robert Murehouse.
The which lands John and Marion have resigned into the hands of Roger Williamson bailie of St Andrews and other persons having an interest in the due and accustomed services.
Done in the Domus Urbi of St Andrews on Wednesday 2nd April 1410
Witnesses: Master Thomas Cairns official of St Andrews, Robert Butler alderman, Roger Williamson and John Smyth bailies, John Bonar, Duncan Mason, Laurence Narn and others, citizens and parishioners of St Andrews
Indenture concerning the construction of the new Parish Church of St Andrews (1410)
Instrument narrating that Sir William Lindsay lord of the Byres gave, granted and by his charter confirmed to God and Holy Mother Church in pure and perpetual alms for the safety of the souls of himself and Christian his deceased wife and his successors and all the faithful departed, all his lands lying in the city of St Andrews in South Street on the north side thereof between the lands of Rankin Brabonar on the west and the common vennel that leads to the market cross of the said city on the east, lately purchased and acquired by him from Thomas Butler and John Scissoris with pertinences, so that the Parish Church might be transferred for the betterment on to the said lands with the consent of Henry bishop of St Andrews and that the prior and convent of St Andrews as true patrons and rectors thereof and the citizens and parishioners of the said church might build and erect thereupon in honour of the Holy Trinity a church with a row of pillars on each side through the nave; Therefore the citizens and community considering the zeal and affection of the said Sir William to God and the Church and to the citizens and parishioners have granted and promised to Sir William to erect a chapel to be founded in honour of the Holy Trinity in the eastern bay in the row of pillars on the south side of the church and worthily to ceil and trellis the same with an altar and two windows each with three openings sufficiently glazed and adorned with the arms of the said Sir William, one on the east and the other on the south with frames; and if the said Sir William wishes any alteration made in position or size of the chapel such alteration is to be estimated for by skilled men mutually chosen by them and him, and he promises to pay therefore, while they build and maintain the same for ever, and if he or his heirs fail in payment, work shall stop until payment is made. Moreover it shall be lawful to the said William and his heirs to found and endow the said chapel as a college or otherwise, the presentation of chaplains being in his hands while collation shall belong to the bishop of St Andrews; and whosoever of them wishes to be buried in the said chapel shall have free sepulchre. The work is to be begun at Christmas next and to be performed with all speed, and after the death of the said Sir William his anniversary is to be celebrated for ever with the ringing of a bell through the streets of the city, and they likewise promise that chaplains of the Holy Rood and of Our Lady shall on feast days in their masses and prayers recommend the soul of Sir William with a special collect. Henry bishop of St Andrews and James prior of St Andrews and the chapter intimate their consent by attaching their seals.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 16]
Charter of Thomas Stewart esquire to James Haldenstone Prior of St Andrews
To all who see or hear this charter Thomas Stewart esquire, citizen of the city of St Andrews, gives greetings in the Lord. You should know that I with the consent, agreement and assent of my dearest lord and master, namely Thomas Stewart archdeacon of St Andrews, give, grant and specifically sell, also selling and alienating from me and my heirs in perpetuity and by this present charter confirming to the venerable father in Christ and lord, Lord James Haldenstone, by divine sanction prior of the cathedral church of St Andrews, all my lands with their appurtenances lying in the aforesaid city in the north street of the same, between the land of William Forsyth on the east side, and the common vennel which leads to the castle on the west side, for fifty-two merks of usual money, which the said lord prior paid in full. Concerning the which sum of money I hold myself well paid and content and hold the said prior and his heirs and assigns free of claim in perpetuity through these present letters. The said lord prior and his heirs hold and possess all the said lands with their appurtenances from me and my heirs in fee and heritage freely, quietly and well in perpetuity and peace, with all and each liberties and rights … through all their proper boundaries, as well in length as width without retention or contradiction. The said lord prior, his heirs or assignees rendering for this property to the lord bishop of St Andrews who was for that time, the rents and services by burgage tenure for as much as is owed and customary for these lands, paying to me and my heirs and my assignees five shillings of usual money in two terms of the year, namely Pentecost and Martinmas …
In testimony of the which, because I do not have my proper seal at present, I have borrowed the seal of my said lord archdeacon with the seal of the community of the city aforesaid attaching them to this my present charter, at St Andrews, the fourth day of the month of October A.D. 1422 before these witnesses, namely Master Thomas Stewart archdeacon of St Andrews, Thomas Ramsay, John Bawn and Thomas Williamson, for the time bailies of the said city, Thomas Wardlaw, Andrew Broun, John Fawhope, William Johnson, Richard Kyd, John Chalmers, James Lamby, John of Kenlochy and John Loch, citizens of the same city, and many others.
Charter of Laurence of Lindores to the Parish Church of St Andrews
Charter by Laurence of Lindores rector of Creich (diocese of St Andrews) and inquisitor of heretical pravity in the realm of Scotland, whereby having in honour of the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, Michael the Archangel and St Serf founded a new chaplainry in the new parish church of St Andrews at the altar of St Michael on the north side of the church near the column founded by John Carmichael, he, with the consent of Henry bishop of St Andrews grants and mortgages to God, the Virgin Mary, Michael the Archangel and St Serf and the chaplain serving the altar, for the health of the souls of Henry bishop of St Andrews, the granter’s father and mother, himself, his brother and sister and all the faithful, that the tenement belonging to him on the South Street, on the south side of the church of St Andrew between the land of Robert Skynnar on the west and the land of the deceased Sir John Menzies, knight, on the east; and thirty shillings annual rent from the tenement of Robert Skynnar on the said street, between David Broun on the west and his own on the east; five shillings from the tenement of William Smert in the said street between the land of Andrew Cameron on the east and the land of John Haldenstone on the west; paying for the granter’s tenants to the bishop of St Andrews an appropriate sum.
Done at St Andrews on the first of December (1434)
Witnesses: John Carmichael provost of St Andrew, Mr William Wishart chamberlain to the bishop of St Andrews, Mr Alexander of Casteltaris vicar of Forgan, Walter Monypenny of Kinkell, Thomas Arthur, William of Kinnaird, John Akeman, Duncan Gedy, John of Camroun and David Post – citizens of St Andrews
Charter to the Blackfriars of St Andrews
Charter by John Michaelson citizen of St Andrews giving and confirming to God and to the Virgin Mary and to the house of Friars Preacher and the friars thereof founded in the city of St Andrews, for the safety of the souls of himself and his wife Marjory, the annual rent of three shillings from certain lands with pertinences lying in the street which is called Argaile within the said city on the south side, between the lands of Adam Godherd on the west and that of the friars on the east. Done at St Andrews. The fourth day of August A.D. 1446.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 32]
Resignation to Blackfriars of St Andrews
John Alanson indweller of St Andrews resigns into the hands of Robert Arthur, one of the bailies thereof, with the consent of Thomas Peirson, an annual rent of six shillings and eight pence out of his yard, barn and threshing floor lying in South Street on the south side, between the yard or land of William Millar on the north and the lands of Thomas Rede on the east and the land of the heirs of the deceased Robert Wan on the west and the burn of the city on the south; the bailie gave sasine (possession) to Friar John Smyth, prior or custodian of the place of the Friars Preacher within the said city, for an anniversary with a requiem mass on the morning of the day of the said Thomas’ death. Done on the ground of the said yard. The fourteenth day of February, A.D. 1476 (1477).
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 65]
Know that whereas the former reverend fathers in Christ of honoured memory, the bishops of St Andrews, have in times past have had in times past the great customs of their own goods and those of the men of the city of St Andrews and have been in full possession thereof hitherto, we, not desiring to lessen the liberty and possessions of the said bishops but rather more fully to increase the same, and considering the various works and heavy expenses incurred and laid out, as effectively and faithfully, by the reverend father in Christ William Laundelis by the grace of God now bishop of St Andrews in sundry ways for the benefit of us and the common weal (res publica), we have approved, ratified and for ever confirmed to him and to his successors the said customs in form, possession and effect, as the same have been used and enjoyed hitherto; and of new for us and our heirs, of certain knowledge and deliberate counsel have bestowed upon and given to him the said custom for the term of his life in … the form underwritten, that is to say, that his citizens of St Andrews shall be free to buy wool, skins and woolly hides wherever they wish, as well in the burgh of Cupar as within other parts of Fife and Fothryff and elsewhere, being within the lands of the said bishop, and that they shall not be compelled to pay the great custom arising therefrom save to the bishops and his officer …; notwithstanding our grants made to any persons or places, for it was not our intention that, on account of such concessions, the liberties and privileges of the said father in Christ and the citizens should anywise suffer; and that the said bishop and his successors may freely possess the great custom of all goods owing to their burgh of St Andrews coming from the port thereof, or being borne to their port of Edyn, together with the escheat of wool, hides and woolly hides if found in these parts not paying customs; and that the cocket of the said burgh of St Andrews shall be as freely received and accepted everywhere in our realm as our cocket is received and accepted. Wherefore we order all our ministers and faithful subjects to maintain the bishop and men and servants in all and sundry things affecting our confirmation and grant … and we prohibit anyone molesting, disturbing or hindering the bishop and his men against the tenor and form of this confirmation.
Given at Edinburgh 5th June 1363
[Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, i]
Inquest about the Men of Cupar and St Andrews (1370)
This inquest being made at Cupar on Friday the fifteenth day of the month of January in the year of our lord 1369 (1370) by the trusty men underwritten, namely, Thomas Monypenny, Philip of Lochore, Alexander Scheyn, Henry Swinton, Stephen of Kilpatrick, Gilbert of Dowrye, Andrew Ramsay of Rothie, John Dishington, John Kinnear, Andrew of Forret, Archibald Forsyth, Richard Inglis, John Brekmond, who being sworn affirm that the burgesses of Cupar, subsequent to the precept of the justiciar, have molested the burgesses of St Andrews.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 8]
Judicial proceeding: the presidents of parliament’s judgement in a dispute between St Andrews and Cupar
In the parliament held at Perth on 7 February (1370), the venerable father, the bishop of St Andrews, in his name and [in the name] of the city of St Andrews, and several of the citizens of the city of St Andrews, in their names and [in the names] of the other citizens of the same city, from one party, and Duncan Balfour, who calls himself alderman of Cupar, and three other burgesses of Cupar in Fife, calling themselves brothers of the guild within the said burgh, from the other, compearing in the said parliament, since after a substantial controversy has been moved and continued for a long time between the said parties, concerning the purchase of fleeces, pells and hides and other things which are known to pertain to the guild, within the said burgh of Cupar by the said citizens, our lord king, wishing finally to settle the said controversy, caused the said parties with due solemnity to be assembled and legitimately summoned to his said parliament, in order to have and receive full justice in that parliament concerning and upon the said controversy.
The said lord bishop [compeared], accompanied by certain citizens of the city of St Andrews as his assistants, in his name and [the name] of his church, and of them and of the others [mentioned] above, and said that, although he and his predecessors and the said citizens had been and were freely in possession of a kind of right of buying fleeces, hides and pells, and the other things [mentioned above], however great, pertaining to the guild, within the said burgh of Cupar, by the citizens and inhabitants and other subordinate people of the same city, from a time beyond the existence in men’s memories of a different situation, the burgesses of Cupar, notwithstanding that for the part of the said lord our king it had been prohibited for them by public proclamation to in any way presume to disturb or disquiet the aforesaid bishop or the citizens of his city violently in the matter of the aforesaid right except by the way and form of common justice, have presumed to violently and de facto and rashly to disturb and disquiet this bishop and his citizens of his citizens of his said city and their servants and households in his same right of selling fleeces, hides, pells and the other things which [were mentioned] above, to the grave prejudice and harm of him and his church and his citizens. And this he, being in the same place, affirmed by his pledge, and asked that he and his said citizens to be restored [and] returned to the pristine possession of their right, if and in as much as they were rashly and de facto disturbed by the said burgesses of Cupar, and amends are to be made concerning the harm and injury inflicted upon him and his, which harm is assessed at the amount of 1,000 merks sterling, and moreover the same burgesses of Cupar are to have silence imposed on them that they should not presume to trouble him or his said citizens further concerning this otherwise than by the way and form of common justice.
The said Duncan Balfour, calling himself alderman as above, and the other three burgesses, his assistants as aforementioned, denied similarly and expressly the pretended possession by the said bishop and citizens of St Andrews, asserting themselves and their fellow burgesses, brothers of the guild of Cupar, to have been and to be the solely and collectively in possession of the right to sell fleeces, pells and hides, and the other things which [were mentioned] above, for a great time past. And when they had been asked on the king’s behalf if the pledge against them was found by the bishop, the said alderman and burgesses would then wish to oppose [him] according to the laws and customs of the realm approved hitherto, [and] they have refused to do this, expressly claiming themselves not to be held for, etc, because they did not have a suitable day or place for showing their evidence to [enable them] to contradict the said pledge being thus found.
Which things thus having been done and both parties having withdrawn, and diligent deliberation and negotiation having been had concerning this by the presidents of this parliament in the king’s presence and having been found in writs that the said pledge was not opposed by the said burgesses, the parties were recalled and returned to the presence of the king and of those who were presiding for giving justice in the said parliament. It was decreed by the presidents of the same parliament and adjudged by way of sentence that the bishop of St Andrews and his said citizens in the name which [is stated] above, are to be returned and restored and they returned and restored them in so far as it was in their power to the possession of the said right. And the adverse party was to be held and ought to be held to make satisfaction to them concerning the harm and injury which can be justly proved in the presence of the king’s justiciar at the day and place to be assigned to them by the said justiciar concerning this. And silence was imposed upon the said burgesses of Cupar by the same presidents of the parliament that they would not presume to trouble the said bishop or his said citizens further concerning this other than by the way and in the form of law and according to the laws of the kingdom approved hitherto.
And the justiciar then being present and receiving mandate was commanded that at a certain place and day to be assigned to him by the king’s letters he should convoke and convene to that place in the presence of the burgesses of Cupar, whether being absent from the said parliament or the said four who were present in the same place, and that he should accuse each of them on the king’s behalf of violation of the king’s prohibition thus publicly proclaimed, as aforementioned, and of the presumptuous act attempted against his prohibition by them, assessing the harm and disparagement of the king against each of them concerning this at £100 sterling. It was also decreed by the same presidents of the parliament that the same justiciar [should require] certain and secure pledges from the same four burgesses of Cupar then present in the same place for compearing in his presence under certain penalties at the said day and place to be assigned as aforementioned and for standing to law in the same place, and that then the same justiciar should cause the said lord bishop and his men to be satisfied concerning whatsoever damages, injuries and harms inflicted on them as reason should demand and the order of justice should dictate.
Records of the Parliaments of Scotland [1370/2/41]
Charter by John Scrymgeour to William Balmyle rector of Benhame (1410)
Charter by John Scrymgeour, natural son of Sir James Scyrmgeour constable of Dundee, knight, and Marion wife of John, narrating that after the death of Alexander Scrymgeour of Aberbrothock, possessor of certain lands and rights underwritten in the city of St Andrews, William Scrymgeour cousin and heir possessed the same and after Sir James who had acquired the right thereto granted the same to the said John Scrymgeour and Marion then his future spouse, who now with the consent of the said Sir James and other friends of his and his wife, sell and dispone the same to Sir William of Balmyle rector of the church of Benhame, St Andrews diocese, for a certain sum of money:
Viz, an annual rent of five shillings due and payable from the lands of James Brabaner in Market Street of the said city on the north side between the lands of Rankiny Brabaner on the west and the land of Laurence Peebles on the east; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of the said Rankiny Brabaner in Market Street of the said city on the north side between the lands of James Brabaner on the east and the land of John Bonar on the west; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of Andrew of Dunbrek in Market Street of the said city on the south side between the lands of the deceased Thomas Tody on the east and the land of Richard Narn on the west; an annual rent of ten shillings due and payable from the lands of the John Duncan in vico Piscatorum (Fishers Street) on the west side between the lands of the heirs of the deceased John Cass on the north and the land of Gilbert Guthry on the south; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of the deceased Galfrid Smith in North Street on the north side thereof between the land of John Scot the elder on the west …; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the lands of Robert Johnson lying in the North Street on the north side between the land of John Scot on the east and the tenement of Laurence Peebles on the west; an annual rent of three shillings due and payable from the land of the said William Raa lying on North Street of the said city on the north side between the lands of John Gled on the east and the land of Robert Smith on the west; an annual rent of thirteen shillings and four pence due and payable from certain land of the heirs of the deceased Thomas Tody in South Street of the said city on the north side between the land of John Bonar on the west and the land of the heirs of Thomas Tody on the east; an annual rent of nine shillings due and payable from the tenement of the said William Balmyle in South Street on the south side between the land of John Thomson on the east and the land of Robert Bower on the west; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the land of John Litstar in South Street on the north side between the land of Thomas Tailour on the west and the land of Duncan Robertson on the east; an annual rent of four shillings due and payable from the tenement of David Coinet in South Street on the north side between the land of Sir John Crab priest on the west and the land of John Wallace on the east; a certain waste land lying in South Street on the north side between the land of John Garden on the west and the heirs of the deceased Norman Gupylde on the east; an annual rent of two shillings due and payable from the land of Adam Ewinson in South Street on the north side between the land of Marion Bald on the east and another land of Adam on the west; an annual rent of four shillings from the land of John Frislay in Market Street on the south side between the land of Walter Spadebeard on the east and the land of John Bonar on the west; an annual rent of four shillings from the land of Alexander Lawson in Market Street on the south side between the land of Stephen Ferny on the west and David Baxster in the east; an annual rent of four shillings from the land of the prior and convent of the church of St Andrews in Market Street on the north side between the land of the heirs of the deceased David Chalmers on the east and the land of the prior and convent on the west; a certain waste land in North Street on the north side between the land of John Swan on the east and William Christison on the west; an annual rent of thirty pence from the land of William Christison in North Street on the north side between the land of William Balmyle on the east and William Millar on the west; an annual rent of two shillings from the land of William Millar in North Street on the north side between the land of William Christison on the east and another land of William Millar on the west; an annual rent of two shillings from the land of William Millar in North Street on the north side between the waste of Richard Purrock on the west and a land of William Millar on the east; two particates of land lying together in crofts on the north side of North Street between the land of John Stele on the east and Thomas Rogerson on the west; another particule of land lying in crofts between the land of John Michaelson in the west and Thomas Rogerson on the east; two particates of land in crofts on the south side of the common way of Galwhil between the land of Marion Hardgate to the east and John Stele to the west; an annual rent of sixteen shillings from four particules of the land of Stanycroft lying at the end of the lands of the heirs of the deceased Deky Thomson and master Robert Murehouse.
The which lands John and Marion have resigned into the hands of Roger Williamson bailie of St Andrews and other persons having an interest in the due and accustomed services.
Done in the Domus Urbi of St Andrews on Wednesday 2nd April 1410
Witnesses: Master Thomas Cairns official of St Andrews, Robert Butler alderman, Roger Williamson and John Smyth bailies, John Bonar, Duncan Mason, Laurence Narn and others, citizens and parishioners of St Andrews
Indenture concerning the construction of the new Parish Church of St Andrews (1410)
Instrument narrating that Sir William Lindsay lord of the Byres gave, granted and by his charter confirmed to God and Holy Mother Church in pure and perpetual alms for the safety of the souls of himself and Christian his deceased wife and his successors and all the faithful departed, all his lands lying in the city of St Andrews in South Street on the north side thereof between the lands of Rankin Brabonar on the west and the common vennel that leads to the market cross of the said city on the east, lately purchased and acquired by him from Thomas Butler and John Scissoris with pertinences, so that the Parish Church might be transferred for the betterment on to the said lands with the consent of Henry bishop of St Andrews and that the prior and convent of St Andrews as true patrons and rectors thereof and the citizens and parishioners of the said church might build and erect thereupon in honour of the Holy Trinity a church with a row of pillars on each side through the nave; Therefore the citizens and community considering the zeal and affection of the said Sir William to God and the Church and to the citizens and parishioners have granted and promised to Sir William to erect a chapel to be founded in honour of the Holy Trinity in the eastern bay in the row of pillars on the south side of the church and worthily to ceil and trellis the same with an altar and two windows each with three openings sufficiently glazed and adorned with the arms of the said Sir William, one on the east and the other on the south with frames; and if the said Sir William wishes any alteration made in position or size of the chapel such alteration is to be estimated for by skilled men mutually chosen by them and him, and he promises to pay therefore, while they build and maintain the same for ever, and if he or his heirs fail in payment, work shall stop until payment is made. Moreover it shall be lawful to the said William and his heirs to found and endow the said chapel as a college or otherwise, the presentation of chaplains being in his hands while collation shall belong to the bishop of St Andrews; and whosoever of them wishes to be buried in the said chapel shall have free sepulchre. The work is to be begun at Christmas next and to be performed with all speed, and after the death of the said Sir William his anniversary is to be celebrated for ever with the ringing of a bell through the streets of the city, and they likewise promise that chaplains of the Holy Rood and of Our Lady shall on feast days in their masses and prayers recommend the soul of Sir William with a special collect. Henry bishop of St Andrews and James prior of St Andrews and the chapter intimate their consent by attaching their seals.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 16]
Charter of Thomas Stewart esquire to James Haldenstone Prior of St Andrews
To all who see or hear this charter Thomas Stewart esquire, citizen of the city of St Andrews, gives greetings in the Lord. You should know that I with the consent, agreement and assent of my dearest lord and master, namely Thomas Stewart archdeacon of St Andrews, give, grant and specifically sell, also selling and alienating from me and my heirs in perpetuity and by this present charter confirming to the venerable father in Christ and lord, Lord James Haldenstone, by divine sanction prior of the cathedral church of St Andrews, all my lands with their appurtenances lying in the aforesaid city in the north street of the same, between the land of William Forsyth on the east side, and the common vennel which leads to the castle on the west side, for fifty-two merks of usual money, which the said lord prior paid in full. Concerning the which sum of money I hold myself well paid and content and hold the said prior and his heirs and assigns free of claim in perpetuity through these present letters. The said lord prior and his heirs hold and possess all the said lands with their appurtenances from me and my heirs in fee and heritage freely, quietly and well in perpetuity and peace, with all and each liberties and rights … through all their proper boundaries, as well in length as width without retention or contradiction. The said lord prior, his heirs or assignees rendering for this property to the lord bishop of St Andrews who was for that time, the rents and services by burgage tenure for as much as is owed and customary for these lands, paying to me and my heirs and my assignees five shillings of usual money in two terms of the year, namely Pentecost and Martinmas …
In testimony of the which, because I do not have my proper seal at present, I have borrowed the seal of my said lord archdeacon with the seal of the community of the city aforesaid attaching them to this my present charter, at St Andrews, the fourth day of the month of October A.D. 1422 before these witnesses, namely Master Thomas Stewart archdeacon of St Andrews, Thomas Ramsay, John Bawn and Thomas Williamson, for the time bailies of the said city, Thomas Wardlaw, Andrew Broun, John Fawhope, William Johnson, Richard Kyd, John Chalmers, James Lamby, John of Kenlochy and John Loch, citizens of the same city, and many others.
Charter of Laurence of Lindores to the Parish Church of St Andrews
Charter by Laurence of Lindores rector of Creich (diocese of St Andrews) and inquisitor of heretical pravity in the realm of Scotland, whereby having in honour of the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, Michael the Archangel and St Serf founded a new chaplainry in the new parish church of St Andrews at the altar of St Michael on the north side of the church near the column founded by John Carmichael, he, with the consent of Henry bishop of St Andrews grants and mortgages to God, the Virgin Mary, Michael the Archangel and St Serf and the chaplain serving the altar, for the health of the souls of Henry bishop of St Andrews, the granter’s father and mother, himself, his brother and sister and all the faithful, that the tenement belonging to him on the South Street, on the south side of the church of St Andrew between the land of Robert Skynnar on the west and the land of the deceased Sir John Menzies, knight, on the east; and thirty shillings annual rent from the tenement of Robert Skynnar on the said street, between David Broun on the west and his own on the east; five shillings from the tenement of William Smert in the said street between the land of Andrew Cameron on the east and the land of John Haldenstone on the west; paying for the granter’s tenants to the bishop of St Andrews an appropriate sum.
Done at St Andrews on the first of December (1434)
Witnesses: John Carmichael provost of St Andrew, Mr William Wishart chamberlain to the bishop of St Andrews, Mr Alexander of Casteltaris vicar of Forgan, Walter Monypenny of Kinkell, Thomas Arthur, William of Kinnaird, John Akeman, Duncan Gedy, John of Camroun and David Post – citizens of St Andrews
Charter to the Blackfriars of St Andrews
Charter by John Michaelson citizen of St Andrews giving and confirming to God and to the Virgin Mary and to the house of Friars Preacher and the friars thereof founded in the city of St Andrews, for the safety of the souls of himself and his wife Marjory, the annual rent of three shillings from certain lands with pertinences lying in the street which is called Argaile within the said city on the south side, between the lands of Adam Godherd on the west and that of the friars on the east. Done at St Andrews. The fourth day of August A.D. 1446.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 32]
Resignation to Blackfriars of St Andrews
John Alanson indweller of St Andrews resigns into the hands of Robert Arthur, one of the bailies thereof, with the consent of Thomas Peirson, an annual rent of six shillings and eight pence out of his yard, barn and threshing floor lying in South Street on the south side, between the yard or land of William Millar on the north and the lands of Thomas Rede on the east and the land of the heirs of the deceased Robert Wan on the west and the burn of the city on the south; the bailie gave sasine (possession) to Friar John Smyth, prior or custodian of the place of the Friars Preacher within the said city, for an anniversary with a requiem mass on the morning of the day of the said Thomas’ death. Done on the ground of the said yard. The fourteenth day of February, A.D. 1476 (1477).
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 65]
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