thairof, that is na cryme of the law. And now it man be refpectit, that thair is na mair in our Dittay, bot only the beiring, weiring and schuiting, &c.; vnder proteftatioun, that the pannell nawayis grantis the samyn.

ASSISA.

Johnne Lyndfay of Auchinfkeach, Jo. Mertene, bailz ie of Blaikschaw, Michell Anderfonn, burges of George Reidik of Airdrie, Adame Strudgeoun of Myllerland, Dumfreis,

Johnne Turnour of Ardwell,

Williame Williamefoune, burges

of Dumfreis,

Johne Slowane1 of Garroche,

Harbert Strudgeoun of Towcroce, Clement Edger of Kirkblane,

Johnne Richiefoune, burges of Harbert Mckie in Prestoun,
Dumfreis,
Robert Edger of Blaikfchaw,
Robert Rediche of Barnehowrie.

Johnne Gibfoun, burges thair.

OBJECTION to an Affifor.-It is allegit that Williame Maxwall of Merfyde can nocht pass of this Affyfe, becaus he was nocht of perfyte age, viz. vpoun the age of xiiij yeiris, the tyme of the committing of the fact lybellit.—It is anfuerit, be the Aduocat, the allegeance aucht to be repellit, in respect of his present age. -The faid Williame Maxwall being inquyrit be the Juftice and fuorue, ‘Quhat age he was prefentlie of?' Declairit he was outwith xxv yeiris of age.—It is allegit be the pannell, that the said Williame Maxwall of Merfyde, the tyme of the committing of the fact lybellit, was nocht foure yeir auld.

THE JUSTICE Repellit Williame Maxwall, in refpect of his awin confeffioune, quha declairit that he was tennent to Harbert Maxwall of Kavenfe.

The Aduocat takis inftrumentis of the fweiring of the Affyfe, and proteftis for Wilful Errour gif thay acquit: As also of the fweiring of the Dittay be the perfeweris; and that the defunct was flane be Williame Maxwall appeirand of Cowhill, be ane fchott.

SPECIAL VERDICT of the Afife.

THE faidis perfones of Affyfe, be the mouth of the faid Johnne Lyndfay of Auchinfkeach, chanceller, ffand, pronuncet and declairit, all in (ane) voce, the said ARCHIBALD MAXWALL elder of Cowhill to be Clene, innocent and acquit of the beiring, weiring and schuiting of hagbuttis and piftolettis, committit vpon the faidis landis of Reidbank, in the moneth of Junij, the yeir of God Im.Vc. fourfcoir thre yeiris: AND ficklyke, ffand, pronuncet and declairit, all in ane voce, be the mouth of the faid Chanceller, the faid WILLIAME MAXWELL, appeirand of Cowhill, to be ffylet, culpabill and convict of the beiring, weiring and schuiting of ane hagbut; committit in the moneth of Junij, the yeir of God Im. fyve hundreth fourfcoir thre yeiris, vpone the grund of the faidis landis of Reidbank, within ane 1peir-lenth to the hous thairof, pertening than to the said Archibald Maxwall; the said Williame Maxwall than being within the age of fourtene yeiris. IN witnefs quhairof, the chanceller, for him felf, and in name of the haill remanent perfones of Affyfe, hes subscryuit thir prefentis with his hand. (Sic fubfcribitur) JHONE LYNDESAY.

Quhairupoun the faidis Archibald and William Maxwallis afkit actis and inftrumentis: and the faid Charles Maxwall, in name of our faid fouerane lordis Aduocat, Proteftis for remeid of Law and Wilfull Errour aganis the said Affyse. 1 Aflowane' in another place. 'A' was tha common prefix to many names in the south of Scotland, as Amulligan, Acannan, Alasone, Ahaunay, &c.

[Per Comitem de Ergyle, Jufticiarium Generalem; et Magiftrum Wilelmum Hairt, ejus Deputatum.]

Fire-raising — Burning the Place of Littlegill—– Slaughter — 'Rapt' —Adultery-Theft, &c.

Aug. 9.-THOMAS JARDANE of Birnok, Vmphra and Alexander Jardanes, his fones.

Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the treffonabill Raifing of ffyre, burning and diftroying of the Place of Littillgill, with the haill laiche houffis, barnes and byres thairof, and haill inficht and pleniffing being thairin; and for the crewall Burning and flaying of vmqle Alexander Bailzie of Littilgill, Rachaell Bailzie, dochter to Mathow Bailzie, now of Littillgill, and vmq1e . Achiefone, fervand to the faid Mathow; the faidis vmqle thre perfones being all within the faid place the tyme of the burning and diftroying thairof; committit in the moneth of the yeir of God, ImVc fourfcoir nyne yeiris. AND ficlyk, for airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmqle Robert Broun in Culter; committit in the moneth of Junij, the yeir of God ImVlxxxxvj yeiris: AND ficlyk, for airt and pairt of the Rapt and Raviefching of Katharene Johnneftoune, fpous to. . . . Airmeftrang of Arkiltoune; committit in anno IVlxxxxv yeiris: AND for the cryme of Adulterie, committit be him with hir, contrair the tennour of the Actis of Parliament,' &c. &c.

• ..

Williame Creichtoun of Darnehauche and Johnne Carmichell younger of Potiefchaw, as cautioners for the appearance of the pannels, vnlawit in the pane of tua hundreth merkis for ilk ane of thame. The Jardanes ordained to be denounced Rebels, and their moveables to be efcheit, &c.

[Mr Williame Borthuik, Juflice-Depute.]
Bestiality.

Sep. 17.-JOHNNE JAK, alias SCOTT, fervand to Thomas Boirthuik, in

Roifling.

Dilaitit of the abhominabill and monftrouous fact of Sodomie,' &c.

6

SENTENCE. To be tane to the Caftell hill of Edinburghe, and thair, he to be first bund to ane ftaik and wirreit thairat; and thaireftir, with the faid meir to be brunt in afches, as he that, vpone his awin Confeffioun, was convict of the crymes aboue writtin; and his haill moveabill guidis to be efcheit to his Maiefteis vfe,' &c.

1 There are also numerous acts of theft of horses, cattle, sheep, &c. enumerated, but unnecessary to be noticed here. 2 A case of a similarly disgusting description (the only instance in the early part of the Record) was purposely omitted, Sep. 1, 1570. The crime (Sodomy) is designatedwyild, filthie, execrabill, deteftabill and unnaturall. Johnne Swan and Johnne Litfter, fmythis and feruandis to Robert Hannay,' the pannell, were likewise burnt on the Castle-hill of Edinburgh.

Slaughter.

Nov. 5.-WILLIAME JARDANE in Yle, Johnne Carfane in Erfik, Fergus

Heroune at the Kirk of Glaftrune, Johnne Allowane in Tyllochbloun, Nicoll Dungalfoun in Claymadie, Robert McBay in the Maynes of Quhithorne, James M'conene in Caringdone, and Harie Stewart in Lagane.

Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmq' Harbert Maxwall, callit Harbert of the Coittis; committit in September ImVlxxxxvij yeiris.-Johnne Dumbar of Mynnieweik become plege and fouertie, that thai fall compeir befoir the Justice, the xvij day of December nixtocum.

(Dec. 17.)-Johnne Dumbar vnlawit in the pane of ane hundreth merkis, for ilk ane of the faidis perfones: The Juftice ordanit that thay be denunceit rebellis, &c., and all thair moveabill guidis to be efcheit.

[Mr Williame Hairt, Juflice-Depute.]
Slaughter.

Nov. 6.-HARBART MAXWALL of Kavense.

Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmqle Sir Robert Maxwall of Dynwiddie, knycht.

1

PERSEWARIS, Archibald Maxwell of Cowhill, Williame Maxwall, appeirand of Kowhill, Archibald Maxwell, his brother, Sir Thomas Hammiltoun of Monkland, knycht.

The Guidman of Kavenfe takis inftrumentis of this entrie, and proteftis for releif of his cautioner.

The Justice continewis the matter to the Air of Dumfreis, or foner, vpone xv dayis wairning. Johnne Broune, of the Land, cautioner.-Archibald Myller, bailzie-depute to my Lord of Moirtoune, of the Regalitie of Moirtoune, Protestis, that the Guidman of Kavenfe finding of Cautioune, preiudge nocht the previledge of my Lord of Moirtones Regalitie; quhilk the Justice admittit.

Mutilation and Bemembration.

Nov. 23.-ROBERT MCDOWELL and JOHNNE MCDOWELL, fones to Peter
Mcdowell of Machirmoir.

Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Mutilatioune of Patrick Murdoche of Camlodden and Alexander Mckie, his fervand, of thair richt handis.

PERSEWER, Patrik Murdoche of Camloddene, Alexander M'kie, his fervand, Sir Thomas Hammil

toune (knycht), Aduocat to our fouerane lord.

PRELOCUTOURIS for the pannell, Mr Alexander King, Peter Mcdowell of Machirmoir, The Laird of Mondurk, Robert Dougall, merchand.

Peter Mcdowell of Machirmoir become pledge and fouertie for Robert and 1 See Aug. 6, 1605.

Johnne Mcdowellis, his fones, that thay fall compeir befoir the Justice or his deputis, the thrid day of the nixt Juftice-air of the Sherefdome of Kirkculdbrycht, or foner, vpone xv dayis wairning, to vnderly the Law,' &c.

[Mr Williame Borthuik, Juflice-Depute.]
Slaughter.

Dec. 6.-DAUID MARSCHELL, meffinger.

Dilaitit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of vmqle Richard Spens.2 Continued to the Juftice-air of Air, tertio Itineris (vel fuper premonitione), xv dierum. Plegio, Roberto Stewart de Pitheveles.'

[Mr Williame Hairt, Juflice-Depute.]

Murder-Shooting of Vagbuts and Pistolets.

Dec. 11.-JOHNNE JOHNNSTOUNE of Auchrynnie; James, Johnne and
Patrik Forbes in Mylnebowie.

Dilaitit, accufet and perfewit off the crymes following, viz.

PERSEWER, Alexander Irwing, as fader.

PRELOCUTOURIS (for the pannell), Mr Laurence M'gill, The Laird of Corfindae.

FORSAMEKILL as thai, with thair complices, with convocatioun of our fouerane lordis leigis, to the number of ten perfones or thairby, all bodin in feir of weir, with jakis, fecreitis, fteil-bonnetis, plaitflevis, fpeiris, lance-stalffis, fuordis, quhingeris, gantillettis, hagbuttis, dagis and pistolettis, expreflie prohibeit to be borne, worne, vfet or schot with, be dyuerfe our fouerane lordis Actis of Parliament and Secreit Counfall, vnder dyuerfe panes, mentionat thairintill; haifing confauet ane deidlie feid, rancour and malice, caufeles, aganis vmqle Robert Irwing in Baddis, laitlie, in the moneth of Februar lastbypaft, come to the toun and landis of the Kirktoun of Skene, quhair the faid vmqle Robert was for the tyme, accumpaneit with certane freindis and nichtbouris in the cuntrey, at ane bankett, making mirrie, lipning for na harme, iniurie or perfute of ony perfones, bot to haif levit vnder Godis peax and our fouerane lordis; thair, about ten houris at evin, vnder filence and clud of nycht, enterit within the faid hous of the Kirktoun of Skene, quhair the faid vmqle Robert was, as faid is, and schot and dilafchet thair hagbuttis and pistolettis at him, quhairwith thai schot him throw the body; and thaireftir, with thair fuordis, hurt and woundit him in dyuerfe pairtis of his body. Off the quhilkis fchotis and crewall ftraikis, the faid vmqle Robert depairtit this lyfe; and fa, was maist crewallie flane and murdreift, vnder nycht, be the faidis perfones; and thai, and ilk ane of thame, ar airt and pairt of the famyn Slauchter and Murthour, committit vpoun fet purpois, prouifioune and foirthocht fellony; in hie and manifeft contempt of our fouerane Lord, his hienes auctoritie and lawis.

VERDICT. The Affyfe, be the mouth of Robert Watfoune in Auchincloche, ffand, pronuncet and declairit, all in ane voce, the faidis Johnne, &c. to be Clene, Innocent and Acquit of airt and pairt of the Slauchter of the said vmqle Robert Irwing; and haill remanent poyntis of the said Dittay.

1 James Gordoune, burges of Kirkcubreycht (and 26 others) amerciat in payne of ane hundreth merkis,' each, for not appearing to pass upon the Assise of the Mcdowells. 2 See Jul. 25, 1605.

Dec. 11.-Mr ROBERT IRWING of Moncoffer, Dauid Gray in the Lyn,
Alexander Maynie in Adiestoune, and Andro Many in Auch-

quhartene.

Dilaitit of the crymes vnderwritten, viz.

PERSEWARIS, Johnne Forbes of Mylnebowie, as father; Patrik Forbes, James Forbes, brether; Sir Thomas Hammiltoune of Monkland, Aduocat.

PRELOQUUTOURIS for the pannell, the Erle of Home, the Maifter of Marfchell, the Maister of Moirtoune, Mr Johne Ruffell, Mr Robert Lyntoune.

FORSAMEKILL as thai, with thair complices, with convocatioune, &c. laitlie, vpone the tent day of Februar lastbypast, haifing confauet ane deidlie feid, rancour and malice aganis Johnne Forbes younger in Mylnebowie, be thame felffis and thair complices, of thair speciall caufing, fending, hounding out, reffetting with the bluidie hand, airt, pairt-taking, command, affiftance and ratihabitioune, come be way of Hame-fukkin to James Hallis duelling hous at the Kirk of Skene, quhair the faid vmqle Johnne Forbes was for the tyme, doand his liefull effaires and buffines, traisting na evil, &c.; and thair violentlie brak vp the durris of the faid hous, enterit within the famyn, fet vpone the faid vmqle Johnne, and maift crewallie and vnmerciefullie flew the faid vmqle Johnne, be geving of him of dyuerfe bluidie woundis, in the wambe; and thai and ilk ane of thame ar airt and pairt, &c.

The perfeweris paffis fimpliciter fra the perfute of Mr Robert Irwing, for the crymes contenit in the Letteris.-The perfones accufet denyis the haill Dittay, and haill circumstances thairof; alfweill of the Slauchter as of the beiring of piftolettis. Mr Johnne Ruffell, prelocutour for the pannell, declairis, that Dauid Gray and Andro Many war abfent fra the Slauchter; and Dauid Gray, the tyme of the committing thairof, was fleipand in his bed, and knew nathing of the doing thairof, quhill' it was done.

VERDICT. The Affyfe, be the mouth of the said chancillar, all in ane voce, ffand the faidis Dauid, &c. to be Clene, Innocent and Acquit, &c.

[APUD LYNLYTHGOW, Mr Williame Hairt of Levelandis, Juflice-Depute.] Treason—Declining the Jurisdiction of the Secret Council—Holding a General Assembly of the Kirk, after being charged, &c. Jan, 10, 1606.—Mr JOHNNE FORBES, Minister at the Kirk of Airfurd, (Moderator,) Mr JOHNNE WELSCHE, Minifter at Air, Mr ROBERT DURIE, Minifter at Anftruther, Mr ANDRO DUNCANE, Minister at Carraill, Mr ALEXANDER STRAUCHANE, Minister at Creiche, Mr JOHNNE SCHERPE, Minister at Kilmany.9

Dilaitit, accufet and perfewit be Sir Thomas Hammiltoun of Monkland, kny*, 1 Until. 2 As the circumstances are so very fully detailed in the course of the following proceedings, it seems to the Editor only to be necessary to refer the enquiring reader to Wodrow's Church History, pp. 506-516; Hailes' Memorials and Letters, James I. pp. 1-4; Cook's History of the Church of Scotland, II. 160, &c. An elaborate account of this remarkable struggle is also given, by he learned Dr M'Crie, in his interesting Life of Andrew Melville, Vol. II. p. 201, &c.