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222 Further Essays on Border Ballads
Mr. Lang is incorrect in saying that my theory depends upon when Hogg
and Leyden first became acquainted.'
The editor would call attention to the paper on Border Ballads by
Professor W. Paton Ker on page 190 of this number of the Scottish
Historical Review.
EARLY CHARTER AT INVERARAY. The following charter,
found last year by me at Inveraray, in the Argyll charter chest, into which
it seems to have strayed in some manner, is the earliest writ now extant
in that charter room, and I suppose the lands named are in Fife. Two
earls of Fife bore the name of Malcolm, the former holding the earldom
from 1203 to 1228 and the latter from 1228 to 1266, and it is probably to
the latter that this writ should be assigned. Alexander of Blar, a witness
herein, had himself a charter of the lands of Thases, Kinteases, and Ballendurich
for service of one knight from Earl Malcolm of Fife, to which
William of Wiuille, Walter and Gregory, chaplains, are all witnesses.
(Vide Fourth Report Hist. MSS. Com.^ p. 503, penes Earl of Zetland,
formerly penes Earl of Rothes.)
'Comes Malcolmus de fif omnibus amicis suis et hominibus salutem
Sciant presentes et futuri me dedisse et concessisse et hac mea carta
confirmasse Ricardo filio Andree de Lintune meas tres tarvez per rectas
divisas suas cum omnibus justis pertinentiis suis et Findakech et medietatem
de Balebranin per rectas divisas suas et cum omnibus ipsius pertinentiis
quibuscunque. In bosco et piano in pratis et pascuis In moris et
maresiis In stagnis et molendinis et In omnibus aliis aisiamentis eisdem
terris predictis pertinentibus. Tenend sibi et heredibus suis de me et
heredibus meis in feudo et hereditate, adeo libere et quiete plenarie et
honorifice sicut aliquis miles in regno scocie feudum suum de comite ut
barone liberius quiecius plenius et honorificentius tenet et possidet faciendo
servicium unius militis in Testibus Alexandro et Willelmo de Blar,Willelmo
de Wyvilla, Elia filio odonis, Willelmo filio Alexandri, Waltero et
gregorio capellanis. Stephano de Blar, Gregorio filio Walteri de Ecclis,
Rogero de berkelay, Willelmo clerico cum nonnullis(?) aliis.'
A very fine and perfect seal in green wax remains appended on a cord
of interwoven black and brown thread, bearing the equestrian figure of
an armed knight apparently crowned with flowing surcoat, sword in hand
and shield on breast. Legend, SIGILLUM MALCOLMI COMITIS DE FIF.
Reverse, a small shield (obliterated) ; legend, SECRET COMIS M DE FIF.
Dimensions of charter, 8-| inches by 4 inches plus I inch folded over.
* Dorso is written, Charter be Malcolm Earle of Fife to Richard sone
to Andrew of Linton of the lands of Tarbet without date,' and another
hand has written *
1217-1266.'
I have expanded the numerous contractions in the above transcript.
NIALL D. CAMPBELL.