The family of Burnett of Leys, with collateral - Electric Scotland

DEESIDE BURNETTS : VI. ALEXANDER. 1 1
this date onward is applied sometimes generally to the lands in the
Forest of Drum, called Killenachclerach, in the charter of 1323, some-
times more specifically, to the portion of them immediately adjoining the
Loch of Banchory. From about this date the surname of the family
becomes less uniform Burnat, Burnet, Burnate, and Bornat being all
frequently found. John died between Whitsunday and Martinmas, 1454,
and was succeeded by (probably his son)
VI.
ALEXANDER BURNARD of Leys, who continued in possession for
half-a-century (1454-1505), and was, as will be seen, the first "Baron of
Leys" during the reigns of James II., III., and IV. Lord Keith, in his
account rendered pth July, 1455, debits himself with 6 135. 4d., being
one term's fermes, "liberi tenementi de Leyis," in the King's hands at
the Martinmas term preceding, sasine not having been yet recovered,
and with two chalders of meal as double blench ferme of Leyis on his
sasine, the Sheriff being directed by the Exchequer Auditors to certify
whether the blench ferme of one chalder meal was really the reddendo of
Leyis, or a larger blench ferme that had been paid in times past (Exch.
Rolls, VI., 83).
The blench ferme of a chalder of meal had, as has been seen, come
to be paid by the Crown to Irvine of Drum as keeper of the Park of
Drum ; but, three years after his succession, on 2nd March, 1457-8, this
laird of Leys acquired for himself a right to the chalder in question by
the surrender of a portion of land to Drum. Among the Leys writs is
a charter of excambion of date 2nd March, 1457-8, by Alexander Irvine
of Drum, conveying to his dearest cousin, Alexander Burnet of Leys, a
chalder of meal of annual rent due from Wester Cardney and Leys,
belonging to the said Alexander, in exchange for a water then belonging to the south
piece of land
side of the Park of Drum.
and
The
precept for Burnard's infeftment of the same date has also been preserved.
The fatal conspiracy by which James III. lost his throne and his life
is trite matter of history. The Earl of Angus and other chief actors in
the entente at Lauder Bridge, persuaded that, whatever outward recon-
ciliation had been effected between them and the King, their conduct
was really past forgiveness, set themselves, in 1488, with the help of
England, to organize a fresh revolutionary movement; and gaining,