The Church of St Andrews and the Scottish Parliament

The Church of St Andrews and the Scottish Parliament

The following comprises records from RPS in which St Andrews is mentioned. It does not include records in which the bishop, archbishop or any other clerics based in St Andrews acted as witnesses, judges, notaries or ambassadors. It also does not include references to St Andrew himself.

‘The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (RPS) is a fully searchable database containing the proceedings of the Scottish parliament from the first surviving act of 1235 to the union of 1707. The culmination of over ten years’ work by researchers from the Scottish Parliament Project based in the School of History at the University of St Andrews, the online edition seeks to make this key historical source freely available to all in a technologically advanced and user-friendly format.
The inclusion of new parliaments and conventions of estates, committee records, parliamentary minutes and additional material makes the online edition the most comprehensive record of Scottish parliamentary proceedings ever available. All the sources which make up the proceedings of the pre-1707 Scottish parliament are fully cited and an extensive editorial apparatus included, enabling for the first time a proper understanding of the many and varied sources which make up Scotland’s parliamentary record. A parallel translation of the original Latin, French and Scots text into English and the standardisation of place and personal names, where identifiable, enables keyword searches on an infinite number of subjects, with direct links from the modern translation to the original manuscript record.’

K.M. Brown et al eds. (St Andrews, 2007-2015).

All entries can be found at http://www.rps.ac.uk/

[A1321/7/1]
Letters: patent of Agnes de Mordington recording the sale of Glanderstone in Garioch at parliament
To all sons of holy mother church who shall see or hear the present writing, Agnes de Mordington, daughter and heiress of Sir Peter de Mordington, knight, greeting in the Saviour of all. All of you shall know that I, not by force, trickery or fear, but voluntarily, purely and simply, for me, my heirs and successors whomsoever, have sold to John, son of Adam Browning, and conveyed the title of the sale to him in person, all the land of Glanderstone in Garioch with all its pertinents, freedoms and profits whatsoever pertaining to the said land, or which may pertain in future in any way. Also [you should know] if, concerning the same, it was proper to make special mention for the 360 merks of good and legal sterling in coin paid into my hands, of which sum of money I quitclaim the said John by the present [letters] and renounce on this behalf, exception being made of money not counted and of any deceit which might be interposed. And for the faithful and inviolable observing of this, I gave a bodily oath into the hands of the venerable father the lord William de Lamberton, by the grace of God bishop of St Andrews, and notwithstanding I swore touching the holy Gospels in the presence of all the prelates assembled in council at Perth on 9 July 1321, that I hold my said sale to be established and valid in perpetuity for myself and my heirs and successors, and not to come against the same directly or indirectly by myself or through others in any way in future. And if it should occur that I, my heirs or successors oppose the aforesaid sale in any way de facto, since I shall not be able to do so de jure, I oblige myself, my heirs and successors to pay the said John, his heirs, successors and assignees £200 sterling before the same John, his heirs, successors or assignees are held to answer me, my heirs, successors or assignees, concerning the aforesaid lands in any way; and, notwithstanding, to pay £1,000 sterling both for the construction of the cathedral church of St Andrews and the cathedral church of Aberdeen. And that this my present sale and full transference of rights shall be firm and strong, I have renounced, resigned and surrendered, in full parliament held at Perth on the day and year stated above, into the hands of the most serene prince Lord Robert by the grace of God illustrious king of Scots, with rod and staff, all the aforesaid land of Glanderstone with each of its abovesaid pertinents. Wherefore, indeed, the lord king, both as king of Scotland and as heir of Sir Robert Bruce of good memory, the superior lord of the aforesaid tenement of Glanderstone, conferred the said land and tenement with its pertinents, as was said, upon the aforesaid John, his heirs and assignees, purely, simply and freely, and he infeft the same concerning the said land, and he invested him concerning the same. And for observing all [and] each of the foregoing without deceit, I oblige myself, my heirs, successors, assignees and executors, and all our goods, moveable and immoveable, wherever they shall be, notwithstanding anything to be proposed. And I, my heirs, successors and assignees shall guarantee and protect the aforesaid land with its pertinents in perpetuity for the aforesaid John, his heirs, successors and assignees. And I renounce by oath the plea of deceit, evil and error and the plea which can be brought of deception, beyond the means of just entreaty, procured or to be procured in episcopal, royal or papal letters, and all other remedy, both of canon and civil law, whereby the validity of the present [letters] can be annulled in any way. In testimony of which matter, in the presence of the aforesaid prelates, I appended my seal to the present letters. And because my seal is not sufficiently known, I have procured the seals of the venerable fathers the lords William de Lamberton, William de Sinclair, Henry Cheyne, John de Kinninmonth and Farquhar Bellejambe, by the grace of God bishops of St Andrews, Dunkeld, Aberdeen, Brechin and Caithness, and of the noble men the lords Gilbert de Hay, constable of Scotland, and Robert de Keith, marischal of the same, to be appended to the present [letters]. Given at Perth on 10 July 1321.

[1339/1]
Letters: Robert the Steward to John Douglas, keeper of Loch Leven
Robert the Steward of Scotland, lieutenant of our most serene prince the lord David, by the grace of God illustrious king of Scots, to master John de Douglas, keeper of Loch Leven castle, greeting. Because it was determined in full parliament at Perth on 24 October by the prelates and magnates of the kingdom that [John de Gowrie] prior [of St Andrews] and the convent of St Andrews should not be troubled by reason of a certain obligatory letter sealed by the common seal of the said prior’s chapter, by which he and the convent are obliged as sureties for a certain sum of money owed for garrisoning the said lake by the community of Fife, we order you on the behalf of the said lord our king and ourselves that henceforth you should not presume to trouble the said lords the prior and convent by reason of the said surety, and anything received from them up until now should be restored to the same without delay, nothing to be proposed withstanding. In testimony of which matter we ordered our seal to be appended to the present document. Given on the day and at the abovesaid place, in the year of our lord 1339.

[1366/7/18]
The amount of taxation and of the true value of churches presented in the aforesaid parliament
The bishoprics
Galloway
by the old assessment, £368 15s 6d
by the true value, £143 20d
Argyll
by the old assessment, £281 6s 8d
by the true value, £133 6s 8d
Aberdeen
by the old assessment, £1,492 4s 4d
by the true value, £1,358 17s 8d
Ross
by the old assessment, £320 7s 11½d
by the true value, £246 12s
Dunblane
by the old assessment, £607 13s 4d
by the true value, £376 13s 4d. And £30 19s 4d from the bishop's lands.
Brechin
by the old assessment, £441 3s 4d
by the true value, £321 16s 8d
Moray
by the old assessment, £1,418 11s
by the true value, £559 8s 8d
Caithness
by the old assessment, £286 14s 10½d
by the true value, £86 6s 8d
Dunkeld
by the old assessment, £1,206 5s 8d
by the true value, £602 13s 4d
Glasgow
by the old assessment, £4,080 12s 2d, but now the old assessment is £3,239 for that place because many of the churches of the deaneries of Teviotdale and Eskdale are at the fealty of the king of England.
by the true value, £2,028 10s 6½d excepting Annandale and the many churches of the said deaneries at the fealty as above.
St Andrews
by the old assessment, £5,414, but because many of the churches within the Merse are at the peace of the English king, the old assessment of the said bishopric is now £5,340 13s 4d by subtraction of so much as £73 6s 8d from the church of the Holy Trinity at Berwick.
by the true value, £3,507 except the deanery of Merse which extends to approximately £120.
Sum total of the assessment of the churches of all the bishoprics of Scotland except the bishopric of the Isles according to the old assessment, £15,000 56s
Sum total of the true value of the same except as above, £9,396 6s 6d

[A1371/1]
Non-parliamentary record: account of the coronation of Robert II and the homage given to him by the prelates and magnates
In the year 1371 after the incarnation of the Lord, on 26 March at Scone, Robert the Steward of Scotland, earl of Strathearn, nephew of the lord David [II] de Bruce of glorious memory, the illustrious king of Scots who recently died, was crowned and anointed as king by the reverend father in Christ the lord William de Landels, bishop of St Andrews. At which coronation and anointing, the lords prelates, earls and barons and all the nobles written below were present, with a great assembled multitude of people from all parts of the kingdom of Scotland.

[1416/1]
Letters: transcription of Edward III's renunciation of claim to Scotland, 1 March 1328
To all sons of the holy mother church to whom notice of the present letters shall come, Henry [Wardlaw], by divine compassion bishop of St Andrews, greeting in the eternal Lord. Know all of you that recently in our presence, sitting before a tribunal in the chapel next to the great bridge of the burgh of Perth in our diocese, the revered father in Christ Gilbert [Greenlaw], by the grace of God bishop of Aberdeen, chancellor of Scotland, appearing in the name and on behalf of the three estates of the kingdom of Scotland then assembled and holding the general council in the house of the Friars Preachers of the said burgh, produced certain letters of the late most renowned lord Edward [III], by the grace of God king of England of honourable memory, and exhibited and revealed their tenors to us, described below word for word. Which letters the same lord bishop and chancellor asked to be transcribed and copied and rendered in public and authentic form for future memory of the matter by our authority and ordinance, with the insertion of the decreet, lest through the absence of proof of the things contained in the same letters, our lord the king of Scotland who shall be for the time, and the kingdom and its inhabitants whomsoever, might be disturbed and troubled by the loss or destruction of the original letters. We therefore, to assist by evidences lest justice should perish if the truth were concealed, these letters having been seen, read and diligently inspected in our presence, word for word, by the notaries public written below, reputed to be true without suspicion, and with the originals having been examined and the seals appended to the same uninjured and genuine as is well evident, commanded and caused the aforesaid letters of the same lord bishop and chancellor's petition to be transcribed and copied, as far as is reasonable, by the notaries public written below, resolving by the tenor of the present [letters] that such a transcription or copy hereafter should be employed by all in all good faith, both in judgements and otherwise, as the original letters touched on already. Which things, all and singular, we inserted by our authority and decreet. The tenors of the letters are such.
To all who shall inspect he present letters, Edward [III], by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, eternal greeting in the Lord. Since we and several of our predecessors, kings of England, have attempted to obtain the right of ruling the lordship or superiority of the kingdom of Scotland, and from this has stirred the fearful division of the wars of England and Scotland which have long afflicted the kingdoms, paying attention to the killings, slaughters, crimes, destructions of churches and innumerable evils which, on occasion of these wars, were befalling the inhabitants of both kingdoms in many ways, and the good which would abound in both kingdoms being joined for mutual profit by the stability of perpetual peace, wishing the kingdom to be secure with greater protection against the noxious attempts of those wishing to rebel or attack it, we wish and grant by the present [letters] for us, our heirs and successors, with the common counsel, assent and consent of the prelates and nobles, earls and barons, and of the communities of our kingdom in our parliament, that the kingdom of Scotland shall remain in perpetuity, by its rightful marches as they were held and protected in the times of Alexander [III], king of Scotland of good memory, last deceased, with the magnificent prince the lord Robert [I], by the grace of God illustrious king of Scotland, our most beloved ally and friend, and his heirs and successors, divided in all ways from the kingdom of England, complete, free and at peace, in perpetuity, without any subjection, servitude, claim or demand. And if we or our ancestors have asked for any right in the kingdom of Scotland in any way from the aforementioned king of Scotland, his heirs or successors, we thoroughly and entirely renounce and demit them all for us, our heirs and successors; also the obligations, agreements and pacts entered into in whatsoever way by any kings or inhabitants, clerics or laymen of the same kingdom of Scotland with our predecessors at any time, upon the subjection of the kingdom of Scotland or the inhabitants of the same. And if any letters, charters, muniments or instruments should be discovered henceforth anywhere concerning the making of these sorts of obligations, agreements and pacts, they should be considered as in vain, useless, void and empty, and we wish [them] to be of no value or importance. And for observing all the foregoing fully, peacefully and faithfully, we have formerly given full power and special mandate by our letters patent to our beloved and faithful Henry de Percy, our kinsman, and William de la Zouche of Ashby, and either of them, for performing an oath on our soul. In testimony of which matter we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Given at York on 1 March in the second year of our reign [1328] by the king himself and the council in parliament.
Item, Edward [III], by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, to his beloved and faithful Henry de Percy and William de la Zouche of Ashby, greeting. Since by a charter or our letters patent we had granted to the magnificent prince Robert [I], king of Scots, that he should have the kingdom of Scotland by its rightful marches as they were held and protected in the times of Alexander [III], king of Scotland, last deceased of good memory, and we have renounced the right, if any, that we or [former kings] demanded in any way from the same lord king of Scots, we, being fully confident of your faithfulness and provident circumspection for strengthening and fortifying all and singular things contained in the said charter or letters by performing an oath on our soul, commit power and special mandate to you, and either of you, by the tenor of the present [letters]. And we make this clear to all and singular whom it concerns, or whom it may concern, by our present letters patent, strengthened by the reinforcement of our seal. Given at York on 1 March in the second year of our reign [1328] by the king himself and the council in parliament.
Moreover the said letters were sealed by a great and round seal of white wax, on one side of which was the pattern of a throne in which was the image of the king sitting clothed as though in regal garments with a crown on the head and a sceptre in the right hand, and on either side of the throne a lily flower, and on the circumference were written in legible letters 'Edward by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Aquitaine'. Moreover on the other side of the seal was and image of the king in armour, sitting upon a horse, holding an unsheathed sword raised in his right hand, and upon his left shoulder was a shield on which were the images of three leopards† walking, and in the circumference was written in legible letters 'Edward by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Aquitaine'.
In testimony of all and singular of which we ordered the present letters or instrument to be written and published by the notaries public written below, and we caused [it] to be reinforced by the appending of our seal. Given and enacted in the chapel written above on 17 March 1415 AD, ninth year of the indiction, twenty-second year of the pontificate of the most holy in Christ our father and lord by divine providence the Lord Pope Benedict XIII. Present the reverend fathers and lords in Christ by the grace of God lords William [Lauder] bishop of Glasgow, Henry [Leighton] bishop of Moray, Walter [Forrester] bishop of Brechin, Thomas [Buittle] bishop of Galloway, Finlay [Colinson] bishop of Dunblane. Alexander [Waghorn] bishop of Ross, and Alexander [Vaus] bishop of Caithness, by the grace of God William [de St Andrews] abbot of Dunfermline, Walter [Paniter] abbot of Arbroath, John [Hailes] abbot of Balmerino, William [Blair] abbot of Kinloss, John [Peebles] abbot of Culross and Patrick [Callander] abbot of Cambuskenneth, with many other witnesses specially called and invited to see and hear the aforementioned publication.
And I, Richard de Craig, priest of St Andrews diocese, by imperial authority notary public from the mandate of my lord, the bishop of St Andrews, and by his pre-eminent authority, rendered the said instrument in public form, written by my hand, nothing added or taken away that might change or spoil the sense, and, in the presence of the judge and witnesses with the masters Patrick de Houston, canon of Glasgow, Richard Knight, parson of the church of Conveth, and the Sir Walter Rae, parson of the church of Garvald, notaries public, I listened diligently and faithfully with the original [as it was being] comprehended, and I saw these original letters and showed and read the witnesses, not spoiled, nor cancelled, nor destroyed or suspect in any of their parts, neither in the charter, nor in the writing, nor in the seal, and all and singular the other foregoing things, while they were done and enacted in this way, as set out before, in his presence and therefore here I have subscribed and appended my customary sign, asked and requested in surety and testimony of all the foregoing.
And I, Richard Knight, clerk of St Andrews diocese, by imperial authority notary public, was present in their midst while all and singular the foregoing were done and enacted in this way, as stated above, before my aforementioned lord, the bishop of St Andrews, along with the aforenamed witnesses, and I saw and heard that these things were done, and with the notaries written below I have undertaken it to be published in the note and present public instrument written by another's hand by the mandate of the said lord bishop [...], and along with the appending of the seal of the said reverend father, [and] having been asked and requested I have signed it with my usual and customary sign and subscription, in testimony of all the foregoing.
And I, Robert de Cairnie, clerk of St Andrews diocese, notary public by apostolic and imperial authority, was present in their midst while all and singular the foregoing were done and enacted in this way, as stated above, and before the aforesaid lord the bishop of StAndrews, along with the aforenamed witnesses, and I saw and heard that these things were done in this way as stated before, [and] along with the notaries written below I have published the present public instrument written by another's hand by the mandate of the aforesaid lord bishop, and therefore I have subscribed it here with my usual and customary sign and subscription by my own hand, asked and requested in testimony of all the foregoing, along with the reinforcement of the seal of the said reverend father, before the witnesses and notaries abovesaid in testimony of the truth of all and singular the foregoing.


[1466/26]
Judicial Proceedings
The action that exists between [David Ramsay], prior of St Andrews, on the one part, and Sir William Leslie, on the other part, touching the lands of Seggieden, is, by the consent of the said prior and of Sir Andrew Leslie, procurators to the said Sir William, continued by the lords auditors of complaints before our sovereign lord and his council where his highness happens to be until 26 January next, with continuation, and both the said parties consented that the lords of our sovereign lord's council shall have the full power of the parliament and of all other courts for deciding the said action.

[A1469/1]
Legislation: confirmation of papal indult
In our sovereign lord's parliament held and begun at Edinburgh on 20 November 1469, it is enacted and decreed by our sovereign lord and the three estates in the said parliament that, for as much as [Paul II], our holy father, the pope, and the see of Rome have granted a privilege and a perpetual indult to the prelates the bishops of St Andrews to confirm the persons who shall be chosen or postulated by convents to be abbots or priors within the diocese of St Andrews, and this indult and privilege is right honourable in itself and leads to the common profit of the realm and to our sovereign lord's lieges, that therefore the said indult and privilege shall be observed and kept by our sovereign lord, his successors, and lieges in the future without infringement or breaking of the same. And that no persons, his lieges or subjects of whatever estate, degree or order of our sovereign lord to which they belong act to the contrary of the said indult or privileges by any manner of means or ways in the future and purchase any abbacies or priories that will become vacant within the diocese of St Andrews in the future, pertaining to the confirmation of the said prelate bishop of St Andrews current at the time except through the said indult and privilege, or raise any commission against the persons now promoted or to be promoted, confirmed and to be confirmed by the said prelate bishop of St Andrews for the time under the pain of perpetual banishment and proscription from the realm and under all the highest pain of treason and crime of our sovereign lord's and his successor's injured majesty. And similarly it is ordained that no persons, lieges to our said sovereign lord, may purchase any benefice outside the realm which is from ancient use and custom and was ever observed and used to be presented, given or confirmed within the realm by the patrons or ordinaries of the diocese, or raise any commission thereupon under such similar pain and the incurring of the king's high indignation. And that the abbacies and priories within the said diocese of St Andrews, that is to say the priory of St Andrews, the abbacy of Kelso, the abbacy of Dunfermline, the abbacy of Arbroath, the abbacy of Holyroodhouse, the abbacy of Scone, the abbacy of Lindores, the abbacy of Cambuskenneth, the abbacy of Dryburgh, the abbacy of Balmerino, the abbacy of Coupar [Angus], the abbacy of Newbattle in the priory of Coldingham, the priory of Restenneth, the priory of Portmoak and all other prelacies and priories pertaining to the see of St Andrews by privilege, ancient custom or by the said indult, shall have this act and decreet of parliament with the said indult fully inserted under our sovereign lord's great seal, if it be required, in perpetual memory of the said constitution, act and deliverance of parliament for the conservation and keeping of the common good of our sovereign lord's realm and lieges. And that our sovereign lord and his successors, together with the three estates of his realm, shall by his royal authority defend the said privilege and indult as is said against all and sundry lieges who would do or attempt to do in contrary thereof in the future, and execute dutifully by pain of proscription and treason against the said persons attempting to the contrary of the said indult in the most rigorous fashion.

[1471/5/45]
Judicial Proceedings
The cause between [William Cameron/John Wallace?], prior, and the convent of St Andrews against Alexander Leslie concerning the lands of Seggieden is continued until 8 July next, with continuation of days, in the same form as it is now, with the consent of procurators of both parties, and the lords of council will have the power of parliament for the determination of the said cause.

[1479/3/20]
Transumpts and confirmations: of acts concerning the clergy and privileges of St Andrews
On which a certain act of parliament was presented by the said most excellent prince the lord James III, our supreme lord the king, reinforced by his great seal, of which the tenor follows word for word, as follows: James, by the grace of God king of Scots, to all his good men to whom the present letters shall come, greeting. Know that in our parliament held at Edinburgh and begun on 20 November 1469 it was enacted, statue, decreed and delivered by our three estates in this form:
In our sovereign lord's parliament held and begun at Edinburgh on 20 November 1469 it is enacted and decreed by our sovereign lord and the three estates in the said parliament that for as much as our holy father the pope and the see of Rome have granted a privilege and a perpetual licence to the prelate bishops of St Andrews to confirm the persons who shall be chosen or nominated by convents to be abbots or priors within the diocese of St Andrews, which licence and privilege is very honourable in itself and leads toward the common profit of the realm and of our sovereign lord's lieges, that therefore the said licence and privilege shall be observed and kept by our sovereign lord's successors and lieges in the future without transgression or the breaking of the same, and that no person, his lieges or subjects no matter whichever estate, degree or order they belong to, by any manner of means or ways in the future, act in contradiction to the said licence or privileges and purchase any abbeys or priories that become vacant in the future within the diocese of St Andrews pertaining to the confirmation of the said prelate bishop of St Andrews for the time, under the pain of perpetual banishment and proscription from the realm and under all the highest pain of treason and crime of our sovereign lord's hurt majesty and his successors. And similarly it is ordained that no persons who are lieges to our said sovereign lord purchase any benefice outwith the realm which is an old custom and habit and was always observed and used to be presented, given or confirmed within the realm by the patrons or ordinaries of the diocese, or raise any commission thereupon under such like pain and incurring of the king's high indignation. And that the abbeys and priories within the said diocese of St Andrews, that is to say the priory of St Andrews, the abbacy of Kelso, the abbacy of Dunfermline, the abbacy of Arbroath, the abbacy of Holyrood, the abbacy of Scone, the abbacy of Lindores, the abbacy of Cambuskenneth, the abbacy of Dryburgh, the abbacy of Balmerino, the abbacy of Coupar Angus, the abbacy of Newbattle, the priory of Newbattle, the priory of Coldingham, the priory of Restenneth, the priory of Portmoak, and all other prelacies and priories pertaining to the see of St Andrews by privilege, old use and custom, or by the said indult, shall have this act and statute of parliament with the said indult fully inserted under our sovereign lord's great seal, if it is required, for the perpetual memory of the said constitution, act and deliverance of parliament, in the conserving and keeping of the common good of our sovereign lord's realm and lieges. And that our sovereign lord and his successors, together with the three estates of his realm shall, by his royal authority, defend the said privilege and indult, as is said, against all and sundry, or his lieges, that would do or attempt to the contrary thereof in time to come, and execute dutifully the pains, proscription and treason against the said persons attempting to the contrary of the said indult in the most rigorous ways.
Given and extracted from the register of acts by me Alexander Scott, clerk of the council of the king and depute of the venerable man Master David Guthrie of that Ilk, clerk of the rolls and register of our supreme lord the king, given under the seal of the office of the said master, and under my sign and subscription manual. Which act, statute and decree, and everything contained in the same, in all its points, articles, conditions, pains, measures and circumstances whatsoever, we approve, ratify and confirm for us, our heirs and successors, in all ways, by our authority and that of our said parliament, as before, in perpetuity, strictly forbidding that anyone presume to come against the said act, statute and decree in any way in future, under pains contained in the same. Given under our great seal at Edinburgh on 7 December 1469, and tenth year of our reign.
Which act, statute and decree, and everything contained in the said act, statute and decree, in all its points, articles, conditions, measures and circumstances etc., under the pains contained therein, by all the best means etc., our same most excellent lord the king, with the consent and express assent of the three estates of the realm there present, approved, ratified and, for himself and his successors - with his royal authority, and the authority of parliament of the aforesaid three estates of the realm - confirmed in perpetuity; and ordained that letters under his great seal in the customary form of chancellery be given to to the metropolitan church of St Andrews and the most reverend father William [Scheves], archbishop of St Andrews and his successors, and the other abbots and priors abovewritten.

Letters: confirmation of charters to William Scheves and diocese of St Andrews
[1479/10/9]
The same day our aforesaid sovereign lord, with the consent of his three estates being present there, confirmed, ratified and approved all gifts, donations, grants, privileges, liberties and freedoms granted and given for all lands, churches, privileges and freedom previously given by his predecessors or any of them at any time in the past to the see of St Andrews to the most reverend father in God William [Scheves], archbishop of the metropolitan see of St Andrews, and further our aforesaid sovereign lord ratified, approved and confirmed all unions and annexations of any benefices made by our holy father the pope to the said metropolitan see in favour of the said see, and ordained letters under the great seal to be given thereupon to the said William, archbishop, and his successors in due form from the chancellery.
[1479/10/10]
And then immediately rose Dean Walter Davidson, prior of Pittenweem, and protested that the said grant of our sovereign lord should be no prejudice to him or his said priory of Pittenweem for his time, which the said most reverend father William [Scheves], archbishop of St Andrews, present there, agreed that the said unions or annexations should not prejudice the said priory of Pittenweem or any other being in any benefice or annexed as is said for their times.
[1479/10/11]
James, by the grace of God king of Scots, to all good men of all his land, clergy and laymen, greeting. Know that, whereas previously - being in our perfect and lawful age, in our full parliament held and begun at Edinburgh on 4 October 1479, with the consent and assent of the three estates of our realm gathered in our aforesaid parliament, in honour of almighty God and St Andrew the apostle, patron of our realm, and for the special favour we have for our same patron, also for the singular favour, zeal and love which we bear towards the reverend father in God William Scheves, archbishop of St Andrews, our intimately beloved counsellor, on account of his worthy, free and faithful services devoted to us in our tender age, and for a long time - on the seventh day of the said month of October, enthroned in the same parliament, we have confirmed, approved and ratified all and sundry of the infeudations, gifts and mortifications of all lands, annualrents and possessions, liberties and privileges, given and granted by us, or whomsoever of our predecessors, or by whatsoever devout persons, in the past to the see and church of St Andrews and its prelates; and all and sundry the charters and evidences of the same. And similarly with the consent and assent of the said three estates in our aforesaid parliament, we have given our consent, and have approved, ratified, and confirmed all annexations, unions and gifts given in the past by our most holy father the pope, and by us and our predecessors, or by whomsoever other persons, of whatsoever lands, rents, possessions, regalities, royalties, churches, benefices religious or otherwise, and of all indults, liberties and privileges given and granted to the said see and prelates of St Andrews, and especially the indult granted and given by our late most holy father Pope Nicholas V to the reverend father in Christ James Kennedy, bishop of St Andrews, or to his successors and predecessors and to the see of St Andrews, concerning the confirmation of all abbacies and offices of prior, and abbots and priors, within the diocese of St Andrews, and the other privileges specified in the bull of the said most holy father pope Nicholas; and all other indults, liberties and privileges given and granted by our most holy father, the present pope, Sixtus IV, to the said most reverend father in Christ archbishop William, and to the metropolitan see of St Andrews. All and sundry which aforesaid gifts, infeudations and grants we have approved, ratified, mortified and confirmed, and by the presents approve, ratify, mortify and confirm, for ourself and our our successors, with the advice and consent of the three estates of our realm in our aforesaid parliament, for the reasons stated above, to the said most reverend father in Christ archbishop William, and to the metropolitan see of St Andrews, and to his successors the archbishops of St Andrews and metropolitans, perpetually. Having and holding all and sundry the lands, annuals, rents, possessions, liberties, privileges, regalities, royalties, annexations, unions, churches, benefices and indults and aforesaid concessions to the aforesaid most reverend father in Christ archbishop William, and to his successors the archbishops of St Andrews and metropolitans, in pure property as perpetual mortmain; and that as freely, tranquilly, fully, wholly, well and in peace, in and by all things, without any reservation or contradiction by us or whomsoever of our successors, as the charters, bulls, acts and evidences made thereon purport and testify, notwithstanding whatsoever inhibitions made or to be made in future by acts or statutes of parliament contrary to the aforesaid gifts and confirmations. Reserving to ourself and our successors only the offering of the devout prayers of the said archbishop of the see and metropolitan church of St Andrews and his successors. In witness whereof we have ordered our great seal to be affixed to the present charter of confirmation and mortification. And in more evident witness of the foregoing, the seals of diverse reverend and venerable fathers in Christ the bishops, abbots [and] priors; and of our cousins, the earls, barons, freeholders, peers and commissioners of the burghs of our realm, gathered in our said parliament, have been appended. At Edinburgh, 9 July 1480, and in the 20th year of our reign.
[1479/10/12]
James, by the grace of God king of Scots, to all good men of all his land, clergy and laymen, greeting. Know that we have fully understood a certain charter of our late father - God rest his soul - under his great seal, to the church of St Andrews and the prelates thereof, with the advice, consent and deliberation of the three estates of our realm, made in the time of our late uncle, the reverend father in Christ James Kennedy, bishop of St Andrews, confirming all the lands and gifts earlier granted by our predecessors to the church and the bishops of St Andrews, and especially concerning the lands, rents, possessions, liberties and privileges below-written ([which charter], seen, read, inspected and diligently examined at our command, [was] sound, whole, not razed, not cancelled, nor suspect in any of its parts), in this form:
James, by the grace of God king of Scots, to all good men of all his lands, clergy and laymen, greeting. Know that - in praise of God and to the glory of his blessed mother, and to the honour of all saints, and especially of the blessed Andrew, brother of the chief of the apostles [and] patron of our kingdom; and for the exaltation and solace of the church of St Andrews, and the comfort and especial support of its prelates, the bishops; and for the augmentation of divine worship, because of the birth of our eldest son within the place and chief messuage of our same patron, [a] fortunate [event], by the favour of divine clemency, pleasing and joyful to us and to our realm's inhabitants of both sexes, which, with God's favour, has also achieved the assured future and lineal succession of our royal majesty, and brought us most pleasing advancement in the world; and on account of the welcome offices rendered to us many times by the reverend father in Christ James Kennedy, bishop of St Andrews, our dearest cousin - we have, with the advice and the full and mature deliberation of the three estates of our realm, ratified, approved and, for ourself and our heirs and successors perpetually, confirmed all and sundry the gifts and grants hitherto made by our predecessors to the church of St Andrews and the bishop of the same church on and about the below-written lands, formerly given and granted by our predecessors to the said church and bishop in mere, free and special regality or royalty, namely the lands of St Nicholas of Kinkell, Kingask, Byrehills, Falside, Kylmonane, Kenlochquhy, Peekie, Bonnytown, Balkaithly, Dunino, Stravithie, Beley, Pittarthie, South Kinaldy, North Kinaldy, Gilmerton, Balrymonth, Easter Carngour, Lamboletham, Priorletham, Newgrange, Langraw, Balrymonth Wester, Kilrenny, Innergellie, Invary, Kilconquhar, Balbuthie, Pitcorthie, Muircambus, Aithernie, Letham, Balcormo, Baldastard, Balmain, Scoonie, Balbeth, Mountfleurie, Leven Bridge, Methil, le Hach, Torre, Crannoch, Cavill, Binns, Urwell, Lathockar, Muirton, Lathones, Radernie, Cameron, Feddinch, Cairns, Ballochin, Strathkinness, Wilkieston, Greigston, Drumcarro, Ladeddie, Kininmonth, Baldinnie, Ardhu, Claremont, Magask, Over Magask, Nether Clatto, Balgrise, Stration, Kincaple, Newton, Nydie Easter, Nydie Wester, Kinnaird, Kemback, Blebo, Myreton, Dairsie, Craigfoodie, Middlefoodie, Westerfoodie, Fingask, Burchle, Newmill, Ballas, Kilmany, Friarton, Kirkland of Leuchars, Forgan, Priouris Kynmuk, Le Chawmeris Kynmuk, Monimail, Lathane, Cunnoquhie, Muirton in Leuchars, Colluthie, Auchtermoonzie, Berelais, Carnie, Auchterutherstruther, Cragroyihill, Tarvit, Nether Tarvit, Gladney, Kirkforthar, Balmaken, Balmungy and Machrise. Moreover we have granted, and by the tenor of our present charter grant, to the said reverend father in Christ and his successors, the bishops of St Andrews, that in future they have, hold and possess their below-written lands in mere and special regality or royalty, namely the lands called Byschapis Schire, Mukart Schire, Scotscraig and the Ferry, Petcunty, Muirfield; and the lands of the priory of Pittenweem, namely Pittenweem, Little Anstruther, Falside, Lingo, Pittotar, Grang[muir] Bridge and Grangemuir lying within the sheriffdom of Fife, and the lands of Easter Rhynd and Wester Rhynd lying within the sheriffdom of Perth; which aforesaid lands by the tenor of this charter we annex, incorporate and unify perpetually to the aforesaid regality of St Andrews. Having and holding all and sundry the aforesaid lands, with pertinents, to the said reverend father in Christ James, bishop of St Andrews, and his successors, the bishops of the church of St Andrews, in one, mere, free and special regality or royalty, in perpetuity to be called the regality of St Andrews, with the four points or pleas appertaining to our royal crown, of us, our heirs and successors in fee and heritage perpetually, according to all their right, ancient and devised marches, as they lie in length and breadth, in woods, plains, muirs, marshes, roads, paths, waters, ponds, streams, meadows, grazings and pastures, mills, multures and their sequels, hawking, hunting, fishing, peat-muirs, turbaries, coal-mines, quarries, stone and lime, smithies, maltings, heath and broomlands, doves, dovecots, with common pasture, with courts and their issues, heriots, blood-wits and merchets of women, with justice and chamberlain ayres and escheats and issues, amercements and profits of the same, free forest and warren, with usual and customary parliament, and minting, with pit and gallows, sok, sak, toll, theame, infangthief, outfangthief, hamesucken, fees, forfeitures, wrack and wair; with tenants, tenandries and the services of freeholders; and also with all and sundry their liberties, profits, easements and just pertinents whatsoever, whether not named or named, appertaining, or in future, in whatsoever manner, coming justly to appertain, to free regality or royalty, by law or custom of our realm; and that as freely, tranquilly, fully, wholly, honourably, well and in peace, just as any regality or royalty within our realm is granted or given by us or whomsoever of our predecessors in the past, or may be given or granted in the future, in any way more freely, more tranquilly, more fully, more wholly or more honourably. Moreover we approve, ratify and confirm, for ourself, our heirs and successors in perpetuity, whatsoever other regalities [and] lands previously given and granted by our predecessors to the said church of St Andrews, and any manner of gifts and grants, regalities, customaries, liberties and privileges, in all and sundry their manner, form, points and articles, to the aforesaid church and abovementioned bishop. And we wish the aforesaid gift, grant, approval, ratification and confirmation to be observed inviolably in all and sundry the aforesaid things, notwithstanding whatsoever grants or letters made by us or our predecessors contrary to the present letters, or to be made in future. Furthermore we wish that in future the inhabitants, tenants or renters of the said bishop's lands dwelling between the waters of Forth and Tay, or his goods, are not attached or arrested to whatsoever justice or chamberlain ayres, or to whatsoever courts, for whatsoever trespass or offence, other than to the ayres and courts of the said bishop; and that the abovementioned tenants and inhabitants are in no way compelled by us, our heirs and successors, nor by whomsoever others our officers, to pay tallages, taxes, exactions or burdens, or any secular service, so that the tenants and inhabitants of the said lands are free in perpetuity from whatsoever burdens, aids, imprests, tallages, taxations and contributions imposed on the other by us, our heirs or our successors. And we wish that our present gifts, grants, approvals, ratifications and confirmations are not revoked by us, our heirs and successors, or in any manner attacked in future, but are more strongly enforced, strengthened and defended by us, our heirs and successors. Rendering the aforesaid bishop of St Andrews and his successors for the aforesaid regality nothing other than the offerings of devout prayers. Witnesses: the reverend fathers in Christ William [Turnbull], John [Winchester], Robert [Lauder] and George [Lauder], the bishops of Glasgow, Moray, Dunblane and Argyll; the venerable fathers in Christ William [Bonar], prior of St Andrews, Archibald [Crawford], abbot of Holyrood and Richard [Bothwell], abbot of Dunfermline; our dearest cousin George [Douglas], earl of Angus; William [Crichton], lord Crichton, our chancellor and much-loved cousin; our dear cousins John [Stewart], lord Lorn, William [Hay], lord Hay, constable of our realm, Patrick [Graham], lord Graham, Duncan [Campbell], lord Campbell, Alexander [Montgomery], lord Montgomery, William [Somerville], lord Somerville, George [Seton], lord Seton, George [Leslie], lord Leslie, John [Lindsay], lord Lindsay of the Byres, Andrew [Gray], lord Gray, master of our household; Masters John Arous, archdeacon of Glasgow, and George Shoreswood, parson of Culter, our clerk. At Edinburgh, 14 June 1452, and in the sixteenth year of our reign.
This, our father's charter, in all its points and articles, conditions and modes, liberties and privileges and circumstances whatsoever, equally in form and effect in and by all things contained therein, with the advice and consent of the three estates of our realm in our parliament held at Edinburgh and begun on 4 October 1479 - in honour of almighty God and St Andrew the apostle, patron of our realm, and for the singular devotion which we have for our same patron, also for the singular favour, zeal and love which we bear towards the most reverend father in Christ William Scheves, archbishop of the metropolitan see of St Andrews, our intimately beloved counsellor, on account of his worthy, free and faithful services devoted to us in our tender age and for a long time - on the 7th day of the said month of October, enthroned in the same parliament, we have ratified, approved, and, for ourself and our successors, have perpetually confirmed and mortified, and by the presents ratify, approve, confirm and mortify, to the dear reverend father in Christ William Scheves, and to his successors the archbishops, and to the metropolitan church of St Andrews. And furthermore, with the advice and consent of the aforesaid three estates of our realm, for the reasons stated above, we have approved, ratified, mortified and confirmed, and by the tenor of the presents approve, ratify, mortify and confirm to the said most reverend father in Christ archbishop William, and to his successors and the metropolitan church of St Andrews perpetually, all and sundry the privileges, and all the liberties, charters, gifts, mortifications and infeudations, made and given by whomsoever of our predecessors to whomsoever of the predecessors of the same archbishop in all times past. Reserving to us and our successors, from the said archbishop of the see and metropolitan church of St Andrews, and his successors, only the offerings of devout prayers. In witness whereof we have ordered that our great seal be set to the present charter of mortification. And in more evident witness of the foregoing, the seals of diverse reverend and venerable fathers in Christ, the bishops, abbots and priors; and of our cousins, the earls, barons, freeholders, peers and commissioners of the burghs of our realm, gathered in our said parliament, have been appended. At Edinburgh, 9 July 1480, and in the 20th year of our reign.

[A1482/3/5]
Item, our sovereign lord and his three estates have in this present parliament approved, ratified and confirmed all the acts and statutes of parliament made previously touching the observation and keeping of the indult and privilege granted by our holy father the pope to the archbishop and see of St Andrews regarding the confirmation of election of abbots elect and postulates, which acts and pains contained in them shall also be extended to those who break them, who assist or aid, supply, finance or support it as on the principal. And also with extension of the same acts to all other places in the realm within the diocese that have been the custom, habit or possession of confirmation of elections, postulations of abbots, priors or priests in the past in the diocese. And similarly that all other privileges and indults previously given by our holy fathers the popes to our sovereign lord and his progenitors for the profit and value of their successors or people be similarly observed and kept in all points and articles contained in the same, in so far as shall be seen profitable to the good public of the realm and particularly by popes Celestine and Innocent to the kings of good mind William and Alexander, his progenitors, and that letters be written to our holy father the pope for this, and this to be extended by the cause as is contained in the act of parliament made thereupon previously.

[1483/3/46]
Judicial Proceedings
In the action and cause pursued by the most reverend father in God William [Scheves], archbishop of St Andrews, on the one part, against Master James Balfour, chancellor of Brechin, and David Fotheringham, on the other part, regarding the wrongful withholding of the teinds, fruits and profits of the priory of Restenneth, and of the oxen, cows and corns of the same priory, and certain other goods, both the said parties being present themselves and their procurators, and their reasons, allegations, proof and witnesses taken in the said matter heard, seen and understood, the lords auditors decree and deliver that the said Master James Balfour and David Fotheringham shall restore and return to the said most reverend father the archbishop of St Andrews 42 chalders of oats and 8 chalders of barley, spulzied and taken by them from the mains of the priory of Restenneth, as was sufficiently proved before the lords, and as to the cattle, furnishings and other goods contained in the act previously given by the lords of council, the lords appoint 14 June next, with continuation of days, for the said most reverend father to prove the said goods were taken and their value and quantity, and ordain him to have letters to summon his witnesses and the party to hear them sworn.

[1484/10/15]
Judicial Proceedings
The action and cause pursued by [Walter Monypenny], prior, and convent of St Andrews, on the one part, against David Monypenny of Kinkell, David Turnbull, David Dewar and George Broadfoot, on the other part, regarding the administering and conveying of the fermes, teinds, mails, profits and duties of the churches, lands and rents pertaining to the prior of St Andrews of next Whitsunday [22 May] and Martinmas [11 November] terms after the death of Dean William Cameron, prior of the same, and for the withholding from the said prior and convent of two silver basins, a ewer, a salt dish, a cover, two silver pieces totalling the sum of £160, and for the withholding and conveying of the household furnishings of the whole room and other office house of the said place with goods, jewels and ornaments pertaining to the said prior and convent totalling the sum of £100, as was alleged, is continued by the lords auditors until 14 January next, with continuation of days, with consent of party in the same form as it is now without prejudice of party, and both parties are summoned according to the act. And further, in the presence of the lords the said David Monypenny has promised and taken upon himself to cause [John Crambe], abbot of Scone to supersede and delay requesting payment of the sum of £100 owed to him by the said venerable father the prior of St Andrews until the said 14 January, despite [the fact] that the same sum should be paid at the next feast of the Nativity of our Lord [25 December], and if it is so that the session is not held but is continued on 14 January, the said David shall cause the request for the said sum of £100 [to] be superseded until the next session that [is] held or else shall pay the said sum of £100 himself, so that before the next session the said venerable father the prior shall be undisturbed for that sum.

[1485/5/14]
[…] the said commissioners shall show [Innocent VIII], our said holy father the pope, in the name of our sovereign lord, how his highness has written and made supplication many times both to our holy father and his predecessors for the promotion of his dear clerk and councillor Master Alexander Inglis, dean and [bishop-]elect of the bishopric of Dunkeld, to the bishopric of the same and do all their diligence possible for his said promotion; and also for the promotion of our sovereign lord's clerk and trusted councillor Master John Ireland, professor in theology, to the archdeanery of St Andrews, when it happens to fall vacant through the promotion of the said Master Alexander to the said bishopric of Dunkeld, and that they shall show and declare determinedly to our said holy father that our sovereign lord will not suffer Master George Brown or any others who have presumed to be promoted to the said bishopric of Dunkeld, in contradiction to our sovereign lord's intention, will and particular writing, to have any possession of the same. And that there be new special letters from our sovereign lord under the privy seal directed to our said holy father with the consent and decision of his three estates still as before for the promotion of the said Master Alexander and Master John as is said, and to retract and revoke the assumed promotion made to the said Master George. And further to make supplication to our holy father that as he has promoted reverend fathers Robert Blackadder to the bishopric of Glasgow, William Elphinstone to the bishopric of Aberdeen and John of Hepburn to the priory of St Andrews, who are satisfactory persons to our sovereign lord and of his special council and received and admitted by his highness to their temporalities, that therefore his holiness will defend them in [their promotions] if any persons would try to make trouble for them or may work against them.

[1485/5/16]
Also the said commissioners shall labour to get confirmation of all old privileges and indults previously granted to the see of St Andrews, with such other indults and privilege as may be obtained newly granted to the same see, for the honour and profit of our sovereign lord and the realm; and also that there be sought and obtained for all other bishoprics of the realm all indults that can be granted to the honour and profit of the seats and of our sovereign lord and the realm, as is said, providing always that no annexations nor unions be made to bishoprics or abbacies, pensions or commends in contradiction to the acts and statutes of parliament made previously.

[1485/5/18]
Also that there be letters of special supplication and request to [Innocent VIII], our holy father the pope, from our sovereign lord exhorting and praying his holiness to have consideration for the great trouble that has been made for the church of St Andrews and the great debt that the most reverend father William [Scheves], archbishop of the same, has already paid and is still owed to the chamber through the said trouble, and therefore to show him favour in the said debts, and also to grant him and his church such honourable privilege and indults as shall be shown and sought by him when he arrives at our said holy father's, and that the lords of the three estates write their letters of such similar supplication according to our sovereign lord's writing.

[A1493/5/7]
Item, regarding the indult, privilege and faculties granted by our holy father the pope in perpetuity for the sees of St Andrews and Glasgow, the bishops of the same sees and their successors, to confirm the elections of all abbacies within their diocese, as purported by the said bulls and faculties, and that the said abbacies confirmed by them shall not need provision from the court of Rome, it is decreed and ordained in this present parliament that the said indult, bull, privilege and faculties granted to the said sees to remain for perpetual memory be observed and kept in all things in the future, despite any alleged renunciation or resignation made in the court of Rome by any particular person, without the advice and decision of the king's highness and estates, since the said privileges were granted for the common good of the realm and the said sees and cannot be renounced or given up without the consent of the king and the three estates and the chapters of St Andrews and Glasgow. And similarly, all other privileges, indults and faculties granted to Glasgow and to all other bishoprics and prelacies of the realm be observed and kept that are for the public good of the realm. And that our sovereign lord allow none of his lieges to work or try against [this act].

[A1493/5/8]
Item, regarding the contention and plea now pending in the court of Rome between the [arch]bishops of St Andrews and Glasgow, the expense of which plea is an inestimable damage to the realm, for this reason it is thought expedient by the lords of the articles that the king's highness should write letters to both the said prelates exhorting and requesting them to leave their contentions, lawsuits and pleas against others now moved and pending between them in the court of Rome. And for the causes and motion of their plea, our sovereign lord shall cause to be seen and understood what is most profitable to be had and desired for the common good of the realm, and [he] shall send his letter to our holy father the pope conforming to it, just as shall be seen expedient by the king and his estates spiritual and temporal, and [he shall] command the party against to cease and to stop working against the thing which will be seen as profitable for the welfare and profit of the realm; with a warning to the said prelates that if they do not cease and leave the said pleas in the court of Rome and obey the plan and decision of our sovereign lord and his three estates, his highness will command and charge his lieges within his realm that none of them are to lend money or pay them fermes, rents or mails in order to sustain the said pleas and [thereby] exporting money from the realm. And similarly warning them that if any of them have in the past gone against the acts and statutes of this realm and the public good of the same, that he will have the one guilty of it become blamed, known and punished, as is fitting, according to the form and statutes of this realm.

[1546/7/69]
Judicial proceeding: sentence of forfeiture
On the which day, in presence of [James Hamilton, earl of Arran], my lord governor, and the three estates of parliament, Thomas Hall, dempster of the same, after the reading of an act of parliament made on 14 August instant where his grace and the three estates, for certain considerations moving them, for the time superseded the doom given upon Norman Leslie, fiar of the earldom of Rothes, being convicted by the judgement of parliament for the cruel and odious slaughter of the late David [Beaton], archbishop of St Andrews, cardinal legate and chancellor of Scotland, and of the taking and withholding of the fortalice and castle of St Andrews, contained in a summons of treason raised against him, until this day, as at more length is contained in the same, who gave doom thereupon as follows hereafter: This court of parliament shows for law and I give for doom that the said Norman Leslie, fiar of Rothes, has committed and done treason in the cruel and treasonable slaughter of the late David, cardinal of St Andrews, cardinal legate and chancellor of Scotland, representing our sovereign lady's person, of his causing, command, assistance and ratihabition in the month of May last within his fortalice and castle of St Andrews, and in the treasonable taking and holding of the said castle and fortalice of his own authority, without the command or consent of our sovereign lady and her dearest tutor, and thereby has incurred the horrible crime of treason and lese-majesty according to the acts of parliament, and therefore decrees all his goods, moveable and unmoveable, lands and other gear pertaining to him to be forfeited and confiscated to our sovereign lady's use, to remain with her grace perpetually in property, and his person to have incurred the pains of treason and death. And this I give for doom.