[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

—
;
JOHNIE
FAA.
The style of this letter is another argument against the statement of Chambers.
It would have been insulting Cassillis to have used such consolatory
language had the deceased " deir bedfellow^" been the paramour of
Su- John Faa of Dunbar.
That the ballad was founded upon a reality—and that the main features
of the tragedy have been preserved by tradition—can scarcely be doubted
but as -to the time, and the individual actors in it, there is good reason
for believing that we are yet in entire ignorance of both the one and the
f other. " Johnie Faa" was no imaginary character. He was the acknowledged
head of the Egyptians, or Gypsies, in Scotland. Severe enactments
were passed against the tribe whose lawlessness and idle habits
were a great nuisance to the country.
" Johnne Faw, Lord and Earl
of Little Egypt," as he was styled, hada letter under the Privy Seal,
from James V.—Feb. 15, 1540— establishing his authority over the tribe,
and calling upon all sheriffs and persons in authority in Scotland to " assist
him in executioune of justice vpoun his company and folkis."
As the
letter may be interesting to the reader we copy it :
" Letter, under the Privy Seal, by King James V. in favour of
'
Jolmne
Faw, Lord and Erie of Little Egypt.' Feb. 15, 1540.
" James, be the grace of God, King of Scottis ; To oure Schereffis of
Edinburglie, principal], and within the constabularie of Hadingtoun, Berwik,
Roxburghe, Selkirk, Perth, Forfar, Fife, Clackmannane, Kinrose,
\
Kincardin, Abirdene, Banf, Elgin and Fores, Name, Innernese, Linlithqw,
Peblis, Strivillng, Lanark, Renfrew, Dunbertane, Air, Dumfries, Bute,
and Wigtoun; Stewartis of Annanderdale, Kirkcudbrycht, Menteitlie,
and Stratherne ; BaiUies of Kile, Carrik, and Cunynghame ; and thaire
deputis; Provestis, aldermen, and bailies of oure burrowis and cieteis
of Edinburgh, Hadingtoun, Lawder, Jedburgh, Selkirk, Peblis, Perth,
Forfar, Cowper, Sanctandrois, Kincardin, Abirdene, Banf, Elgin and
Fores, Name, Innernese, Linlithqw, Striuiling, Lanark, Glasgow, Ruthirglenne,
Renfrew, Dunbertane, Air, Dumfries, Wigtoun, Irwyne, Kirkcudbricht,
Quhitterne; and to all otlieris Schereffis, Stewartis, provestis,
auldermenne, and bailleis Avithin oure realme, greting. Forsamekill as
it is huimlie nienit and schewin to ws be our louit, Johnne Faw, Loed and
Ekle of LiTiLL Egypt ; That quhair he obtenit oure Letters vnder oure
grete seile, direct to zow, all and simdry oure saidis Schereffis, stewartis,
baillies, prouestis, aldermen, and baillies of burrois, and to all and sindry
vthiris havand autorite within oure realme, to assist to him in exectioune
of justice vpoun his cumpany and folkis, conforme to the lawis of Egipt,
14