declinatour being firft difcuffit. It is allegit be the pannell and his prelocutouris, vnder proteftatioun that the former declinatour be firft difcuffit, and na vtherwayis, that Mr Patrik Bannatyne can nawyis be admittit to be clerk in this proces, for tua cauffis ; ffirft, because he is Depute to my Lord Juftice Clerk, aganis quhome the former exceptioune declinatour is proponit, and hes his office only of his lordship prefentlie; and fua the exceptioune competent aganis the Clerkprincipall, man be also competent aganis his Depute: Nixt, becaus Mr Walter Bellenden, quha is prelocutour, and Mr Patrik is thridis or ferdis of kyn to Sir Johne Bellenden of Auchnoull, and James Bannatyne of Newtyle ar thridis or ferdis of kyn; and declairis that Sir Johnne Bellenden,' father to Mr Walter, and James Bannatyne, father to Mr Patrik, ather thair guidschiris or grandschiris war brether. And Mr Patrik Bannatyne being fworne, declairit that the former alledgeance of kynreid was nocht trew.

THE JUSTICE ffindis proces; and ordanis Mr Patrik Bannatyne to be Clerk to this proces, quha is ordiner Clerk to all our fouerane lordis leigis, to the Justice. The pannel takis inftrumentis of the Juftice Interlocutour; and proteftis for remeid of law.

The Defender declairis he will nocht feik the perfeweris ayth, vpone the verificatioun of the Dittay; bot only craves quhat the perfewer produces to verifie. The perfewer declairis that he fall fchaw his mutilatioune to the Assyse.

VERDICT. THE ASSYSE, be the mouth of Williame Johnneftoun in Over Keyth, chanceller, be pluralitie of voittis, ffand, pronuncet and declairit the said George Forrester to be ffylit, culpable and convict of the Hurting, Wounding and Mutilatioun of the faid James Skirving of his richt airme and richt hand, in maner specifeit in the faid Dittay.'

Slaughter.

May 22.-WILLIAME THOMESOUNE in Reddene.

Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmqle Niniane Edzer.

Sir Andro Ker of Hietoun, knycht, become pledge and fouertie that he fall compeir befoir the Juftice or his deputis in the Tolbuth of Edinburghe, the tuentie-fyve day of July nixtocum, to vnderly the law, &c. vnder the pane of Ten thousand markis; quhairof the ane half fall be payit to the Kingis Maiefteis Thefaurer, and the vther half to the pairtie perseweris.—On Jul. 25, the Justice continued the cafe to the air of Roxburcht, tertio Itineris (vel fuper premonitione) xv dierum, Plegio, Joanne Ker de Bowdene.'

Slaughter – Shooting with Pistolets and Guns.

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May 31.-JOHNNE MURE of Auchindrane, Johnne Mure of Craigfkene, 1 Of Auchnoule. 3 See the Trial of this infamous man, Jul. 7, 1600, &c., for the atrocious Murder of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzeane, &c.

2 The Sentence is not contained in the Record.

Moyfes Lokhart, brother to the Laird of Bar, James Bannatyne in Chapel-Donall, Dauid Kennydie, younger of Maxwaltoun, Charles Dalrunipill, burges of Air, George Campbell, younger of Schankftoune, and Gilbert Kennydie in Machar. Dilatit, accufit and perf-wit, be Richart Spens, in Vgftoune, as father to vmqle Richart Spens, feruitour for the tyme to Johnne Erll of Caffillis, and Sir Thomas Hammiltoune of Monkland, Aduocat to our fouerane lord, for his hienes interes, ffor airt and pairt of the Slauchter of the faid vmq Richart Spens; and for bering, wering and schuteing of piftolettis and gunnis,1 contrair the tennour of the Actis of Parliament; committit vpoune the nynt day of December, the yeir of God Im.Vjc. and ane yeiris, vpoun the landis of Pennyglenne.

PERSEWER, Richerd Spens in Vgstoune, Sir Thomas Hammiltoune of Monkland, Aduocat. PRELOCUTOURIS for the pannell, My Lord Vchiltrie, The Laird of Drumlanrig, The Laird of Rowallane, Jofias Stewart (of Boningtoun), Mr Johnne Ruffell, Mr Williame Oliphant. (The two Mures, Lokhart and Bannatyne,) tuik thame to our fouerane lordis Refpett, produceit, vnder the Previe Seil, of the daitt, att Falkland, the tuelff day of Junij, the yeir of God ITM.Vjo. and tua yeir, for the faidis crymes. Quhilk Refpett the Juftice admittit; and ordanit thame to find caution and fouertie to fatisfie the pairtie, for airt and pairt of the faid flauchter: Lyke as, Matho Stewart of Dunduff, Jofias Stewart of Boningtoun, and George Campbell younger of Schauleftoun become cautioneris and fouerteis with thame felffis, coniunctlie and feuerallie, to fatisfie the pairtie, for airt and pairt of the Slauchter of the faid Richard Spens.

George Campbell alfo obtained oure fouerane lordis Refpett, produceit, vnder the Prewie Seill; of the dait, at Halyruidhous, the last day of November, 1602.' Matho Stewart of Dunduff, Jofias Stewart of Boningtoun and Johnne Mure of Auchindrane become pledgeis, &c.

The cafe was continued, as to the remainder of the perfons on pannel, to the Juftice-air of Air, tertio Itineris (vel fuper premonitione) xv dierum.'

[Mr William Hairt of Levelandis and Mr William Borthuik, Juftices-Deputes.] Mutilation and Demembration.

Jun. 11.-EDUARD JOHNNESTOUNE, younger, merchand burges of Ed'. Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Demembring of Johnne Broun, goldsmyth, of the thombe of his left hand; committit vnder nycht, the fevintene of May laft. PERSEWERIS, Johnne Broun, goldfmyth, Sir Thomas Hammiltoune of Monkland, Aduocat. PRELOCUTOURIS for the pannell, The Laird of Johnneftoune, The Laird of Waftraw, Mr Alexander King, Mr Thomas Gray and Mr Johnne Johnneftoune (Advocates.)

It is allegit be the pannell, that this matter can nocht be put to the knawledge 1 This is the first instance in the Record of the term 'gun;' hagbut' being the prevalent name for that weapon. 2 Remission, respite.

of ane Affyfe; becaus the fact lybellit is committit vnder fcilence of nicht, and the faid Johnne Broune, being convenit befoir the Lordis of his hienes Secreit Counfall, he is convict on ane manifeft Ryote, for the wrangus invaiding, trubbilling and molefting of the defender, his wyf and fervand, vnder filence of nycht, and fua, quhatfumeuir fell out be that occafioune, the falt was in the perfewer; and of the law, albeit he had been flane, the said defender had bene in na danger: In respect quhairof, the famyn aucht nocht to be put to the knawledge of ane Affyfe. For verificatioune quhairof, producet the Lordis of Secreit Counsellis decreit, daitit the xxiij day of Maij laft, 1605. It is anfuerit, that the allegeance nawayis meittis the Dittay; feing the Dittay is the faid Johnne Brounes perfute, for redrefs and pwneifchment of the Mutilatioune and Difmembring of him, quhairof thair was nather complent nor tryell, befoir the Secreit Counfall; nather can ony thing, done in that judgement, ftay the puting of ane relevant Dittay to ane Affyfe, befoir the Juftice; feing, the Counfall could nocht be Judges to the fanyn; and the matter being put to ane Affyfe, the Affyfouris will try, quhither the fact was done in lauchfull defense of the pannell or nocht. THE JUSTICE Continewis this Interlocutour to the xviij of this inftant. Plegio, Waltero Ker, portionario de Diriltoune.'

(Jun. 18.)-On xviij June,' The Juftice ffindis proces, nochtwithstanding of the allegeance proponit the last dyett, and left at Interloquutour. And eftir the pronuncing of the faid Interloquutour, of confent of bayth the pairteis, continewis this perfute (quhill the) xxvij day of Junij instant. Plegio, Mr Joanne Johnneftoune, aduocato.'

DITTAY against Edward Johnnefloun, Younger.

FORSAMEKILL as, vpone the fevintene day of Maij lastbypast, vnder nicht, thair fell out ane debait2 betuix the faid Eduard Johnneftoune and Patrik Robertfoune, feruitour to George Cuninghame, goldfmyth, burges of the Cannongait, vpone the hie ftreit of the burgh of Edinburghe, aboue the Stinkand-ftyle thairof: and for efchewing of hurt that micht haif fallin to aither of the faidis parteis, the faid Johnne Broune, amangis vther honeft nichtbouris, preiffit to red' thame: Nochtwithstanding, it is of veritie, that the faid Eduard Johnneftoune, perfaveing the faid Johnne Broun to cum and resist and stay his furie, he left the faid Patrik, and but5 offence gevin be the faid Johnne Broun to him, ather be word or deid, he fett vpone the faid Johnne with ane drawin fwoird, and maift crewallie invaidit him for his flauchter, hurt and woundit bim in his left hand, to the effufione of his bluid in grit quantitie ; and hes Mutilat and dismemberit the said Johnne of the thombe of his faid left hand, and cuttit the famyn away; and fa hes maid him alluterlie vnhabill to wyn his leving, in his airt of goldsmyth-craft; to his vtter wrak, and to the grit contempt of our foucrane lord, his hienes authoritie and lawis: And the faid Eduard Johnnestoun is airt and pairt of the faid Mutilatioune, demembring and cuting away of the faid Johnne Brounes thombe of his faid left hand. For the quhilk he aucht and fould be pwneifhet, conforme to the lawis of this realme, in exampill of vtheris to commit the lyk, in tyme cuming. 1 Mr Williame Oliphant is added to the Prelocutouris, and on 27 June, Mr Thomas Craig. 2 An altercation and scuffle. 3 A narrow passage to the eastward of the entrance to Haddo's-hold, New North Church, and celebrated for similar rencontres. 4 Separate 5 Without provocation, excepting the proverbial fate of those who indiscreetly interfere in such matters. The 'redding-straik' was no child's play in those days, when sword and dirk were the swift ministers of vengeance!

VERDICT. The Affyse, be the mouth of Dauid Fairlie, merchand burges of Edinburghe, chanceller, for the maift pairt, ffand, pronunceit and declairet the faid Eduard to be Clene, innocent and acquit of airt and pairt of the Mutilatioune, &c. ; in refpect, vpone thair confciences, as thay haif tryit and confidderit, the famin proceidit vpone the faid Johnne's awin default; and was committit and done be the faid Eduard, the tyme foirfaid, in defence of him felff, his wyfe and fervand, quha war invaidit and moleftit be the faidis Johnne Broune and Patrik Robertfoune, vnder nycht. Quhairupoune the faid Eduard afkit inftrumentis.

'Umbesetting'-Rape - Child-murder.

Jun. 18.-JOHNNE BROUNE, goldfimyth, burges of Edinburghe. Dilatit for Vmbefetting of Katherene Rae, fpous to Eduard Johnnestoune, younger, merchand burges of Edinburghe, and preiffing to fforce hir; and cauffing hir to pairt with bairne.

PERSEWAR, Eduard Johnnestoune, younger, merchand burges of Edinburghe. Preloquutouris for the pannell, The Laird of Phillorth, Mr Johnne Ruffell, Mr James Donaldfoune. THE JUSTICE continewis this matter to the xxvij day of Junij instant.

DITTAY against Johnne Bronne.

(Jun. 27.)-FORSAMEKILL as, vpone the fevintene day of May lastbypaft, the said Katharene and Eduard, bir busband, haifing fouppit in pair faperis hous, and being returning eftir fupper, about ten houris at evin, fra pair faid faperis house to pair awin ludgeing, in peceable and quyet maner, lipning for na harme, iniurie or perfute of ony perfones, bot to haif past in peceable maner throw the Hie-ftreit of pe faid burgh of Edinburghe to pair said ludgeing, vnder Godis peax and our fouerane lordis; it is of verritie, that pe faid Johnne Broun, goldfmyth, accumpaneit with Patrik Robertfoune, burges of Aberdene, perfaueing the faid Katharene to be hir felff, allane, accumpaneit allanerlie' with ane fervand woman; and finding pe gait2 to be quyet, fa that nane was pairupone, to mark pair doingis, or to stay thair intendit schamefull and villanuse interpryse; the said Johnne Broun and Patrik Robertsoune refoluet violentlie to haif fforcet pe faid Katharene and bir fervand woman: And for pis effect, the said Johnne come to the faid Katbarene, and brak furth in findrie vncumlie and vnhonneft fpeiches to hir, beleifing to haif perfwaidit bir to haif yeildit to his filthie luft and beifilie appetite; and finding him felf difapointit of þat meane, he, in his beistlie rage and furie, as ane poffeft with ane wikket fpreit, maift fchamefullie and crewallie grippit pe faid Katharene Rae be the gorget, and violentlie drew hir aff pe hie freit to ane cloife-heid, vnder ane flair; and pair crewallie, with his faldit neiffis, ftrak and dang hir in the face, and caufet hir to bleid at mouth and neise in grit quantitie; raif bir courche1 and remanent ornamentis of hir heid, and cuift pe famyn vnder his feit; and, with his kneyis, punchet pe faid Katharene in the bellie, fcho being grit with chyld; and had nocht faillit to haif abufet hir chaftitie, gif pe faid Eduard, hir bufband, and vperis nychtbouris (heiring hir and hir faid fervand gif pe fprache and cry3) had nocht cum, with diligence, and releiuit bir furth of his cruell grippis. Be occafioune quhairof, the faid Katharene was led hame to hir awin hous, quhairin scho hes layne continuallie bedfast fenfyne, in grit pane and dollour, vnder pe cuir of Doctouris and chirurganes; fa that, vpone the xxj day of May lastbypast, or pairby, fcho pairtit with ane deid bairne; and scho hir felff hes bene, and as 3 The numerous narrow alleys running downwards from the north and south sides of the High-street of Edinburgh, are termed closes; the close-heid signifies the entrance to one of these passages. ✦ Tore her curtche, a sort of cap or head-dress. Old Fr. 5 Give the alarm; the hue and cry.

1 Only. 2 Street, way.

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zit is, in grit haizard and danger of hir lyfe: Committing pairthrow manifeft villany, vnder nycht, within the faid burch of Edinburghe, vpone pe Hie-ftreit pairof, quhilk fould be ane faiftie and place of refudge to all honeft men and wemen; fpeciallie, to the honeft nychtbouris, inhabitantis pairintill; Lyk as, pe faid Johnne Broune is airt and pairt of the famyn villany and barbarus cryme: As also, is airt and pairt of the Slauchter and diftructione of the said Katharenes infant bairne, quhairwith scho hes pairtit, be occafioune foirfaid. For the quhilkis, the faid Johnne aucht and fould be pwneischet, conforme to the lawis of pis realme, as ane brigane' and Murtherour vnder nycht; to the terrour and exampill of vtheris to commit the lyk, in tyme cuming.

It is allegit that the Summondis is nocht relevant; in refpect the fact lybellit is only ane naikit intentioune. It is anfuerit be the perfewer, that he conioynis the haill crymes lybellit togidder, to be tryit be the Affyfe.

THE JUSTICE ffindis the fummondis relevant, in refpect of the anfuer.

It is forder alledgit, that this matter can nocht pass to ane Affyse, in respect it is tryit alreddie, befoir the Secreit Counfall, and ane Sentence gevin thairin alreddie. It is anfuerit be the perfewar, that the Secreit Counfall ar nocht Judges Criminall, and that na Precognition tane be thame can be in preiudice of decifioune to the Juftice, to put crymes to ane Affyfe; as was laitlie decydit betuix Johnneftoune of Newbie contrair Williame Maxwall.2

THE JUSTICE remittis this matter to the tryall of ane Affyfe.

VERDICT. The Affyfe, be the mouth of Dauid Fairlie, merchand burges of Edinburgh, ffand, pronuncet and declairit the said Johnne Broune to be ffylet, culpable and convict of the Invaiding and molefting of the faid Katharene Rae, vnder nycht; committit the tyme foirfaid, contenit in the said Dittay: And declairit the faid Johnne to be Clene, innocent and acquit of the Murthour and distructioun of the said infant bairne, committit the tyme foirfaid; in respect thair was nathing producit for verifeing thairof: Quhairupoun aither of the faidis parteis afkit inftrumentis.3

[Mr Williame Hairt, Juflice-Depute.]

Hamesucken-Besieging the Tower of Newbie—Shooting Pistolets —Taking Captive, &c.

Jun. 21.-WILLIAME MAXWALL of Gribtoune, Barbara Johnneftoune, his fpous, Elizabeth Johnneftoure, relict of vmqle Johnne Johnneftoune, appeirand of Newbie (mother to the faid Barbara.) Dilaittit, accufit and perfewit, be vertew of THE DITTAY following, viz. FORSAMEKILL as, albeit be dyuerfe guid Actis of Parliamant and Secreit Counfall, refpectiue, oure fouerane lord hes prohibeit and discharget the beiring and weiring of hagbuttis and pistolettis vnder certane panes mentionet in the faidis Actis; nochtwithflanding, it is of treuth, that fic is the wikket difpofitioun of fum perfones, quha preferring thair awin inordinat appetite and revenge, to the dew reuerence and obedience of his bienes faidis lawis, thay and thair domestik fervandis daylie and conti1 Fr. brigand. 2 See Jun. 21, the following Case.

3 The Sentences are not Recorded.