The book Arran; - Cook Clan

58 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
term, the coroner is bound to take him personally or to
seize his goods. And if it should happen that the coroner
with his retinue of three men is not sufficient to put his
office in execution, then he summons all the inhabitants
to concur with him ; and immediately they rendezvous to
the place, where he fixes his coroner's staff. The perquisites
due to the coroner are a firlet or bushel of oats and a lamb
from every village in the isle, both which are punctually
paid him at the usual terms.' ^
A further explanatory sentence may be added to complete
the machinery of justice :
' The bailiff or steward has his
residence in this castle, and he has a deputation to act with
full power to levy the rents, give leases of the lands, and hold
courts of justice.' ^ That is to say, the bailiff acted for the
earl, in discharge of his rights of baronial justice. Beyond
this magistracy might be granted the power of Justiciary
for the Crown over the island.^ Martin remarks that the
inhabitants ' are very civil,' and that he ' did not hear any
oath in the island.' The 'ordinary asseveration is by Nale,*
which is usually taken to refer to some person of that name,
but seems to be the not unusual Gaelic interjection ndile^
' yea !
'
III
Turn now to consider the planting of some left-hand
Stewarts in Arran, royal offspring out of the legitimate line,
Robert ii. and Robert in. were both distinguished by an
outside, miscellaneous addition to the royal stock ; had
sultanic tastes, in fact, like several of their successors. But
they were not neglectful of their parental responsibilities.
For one ' natural ' son of Robert ii. found a place in the new
' Martin's Description, p. 2:i4. 2 /j,^;.^ p. 223.
3 1503: James, Lord Hamilton, constituted Justiciar for life. 1629: Marquis of
Hamilton, Earl of Arran, etc., granted hereditary office of Justiciar within the bounds,
of the earldom of Arran—as much of it as belongs to the said James {Registrum Mcigni.
Sigilli). See also p. 96.