1450–59
1 December 1450.
[Burgessschip.]
The burges air payis for his burgesscip vj s. viij d. He that byis his
burgesschip payes xl s. Ane burges be richt of his wyfe payis vj s. viij d.
At this tyme many ar maid burgessis and callit postnati et postnate of
thair fatheris.
Danid Admnty effectus est burgensis hereditarius ratione avunculi sui
Joannis Crystesoun.
[David Admuty was made a hereditary burgess in right of his uncle John
Crystesoun.]
12th January 1450–1.
[Obligation by the Skinners
in favour of
the Altar of
St Cristopher
in the Kirk of
St Giles.]
Pro altari Sancti Cristoferi fundato in ecclesia parochiali Beati Egidii de
Edinburgh juxta forman eiusdem ecclesie pro pellipariis artis subscriptis in
instrumento sequenti dicti vero pelliparii condiderunt statuta and sustentacionem
dicti altaris vt patet per eiusmodi instrumentum quiquidem pelliparii requisiuerunt
instanter communem clericum notarium et scribam burgi regestare et
inscribere dictum instrumentum in libro communi gilde dicti burgi, et ita fieri
decretum est per prepositum Thomam de Cranstoun, et balliuos Johannem de
Halkerstoun Matheum de Cammera et Richardum de Farnele, Adam Cant
decanum gilde, Johannem Lamb thesaurarium, concilium et duodenam dicti
burgi, tenor vero instrumenti sequitur et est talis:—
In Dei nomine Amen. Per hoc presens publicum instrumentum cunctis
pateat euidenter quod anno ab incarnacione domini millesimo quadringentesimo
quinquagesimo, indictione decima quarta, die vero mensis Januarij duodecimo,
pontificatus sanctissimi in Christo patris ac domini nostri domini Nicholaij
diuina prouidentia pape quinti anno quarto in mei notarii publici et testium
[In favour of the Altar of Saint Christopher, founded in the Parish Church of St
Giles of Edinburgh, according to the rule of the said Chruch, for the Skinners of
the Craft underwritten in the following instrument. The said Skinners established
statutes for the maintenance of the said altar, as appears from the same instrument,
which instrument the Skinners forthwith required the common clerk, notary,
and scribe of the burgh to register and engross in the common book of the
guild of the said burgh, and it is ordained to be so done by the provost, Thomas
of Cranstoun, and by the bailies, John of Halkerstoun, Mathew of Chambers,
and Richard of Farneley, Adam Cant dean of guild, John Lamb treasurer, the
council and dusane of the said burgh. The tenor of the instrument truly follows,
and is thus:—
In the name of God, Amen: Be it known clearly to all by this present
public instrument, that in the year from the incarnation of our Lord one thousand
four hundred and fifty, in the fourteenth Indiction, in the twelfth day of the
month of January, in the fourth year of the pontificate of the most Holy Father in
subscriptorum presentia personaliter constituti prouidi et honesti viri videlicet:—Willelmus Skynner, Gillcrist Turnebule, Hugo Tod, Alanus Skynner,
Willelmus Staltt, Jacobus Harlaw, Dauid Littill, Thomas Yule, Willelmus de
Camusnethane, Edmundus Skynner, Johannes Mathe, Dauid Wilky, Thomas
Salman, Willelmus Lachlane, Johannes de Kympill, Willelmus Ramsay et
Andreas (blank), pelliparii infra willam de Edinburgh, una cum consenssu
et assensu obligati sunt in forma que sequitur videlicet:—Quod [ad] seruicium
et sustentacionem vnius capellani ad celebrandum apud altare Sancti Cristoferi
nouiter fundatum per supradictos infra ecclesiam Beati Egidii de Edinburgh
et ad reparacionem ornamentorum dicti altaris quilibet dictorum pro toto
tempore vite sue ac secundum faculatem bonorum manus adiutrices apponet.
Item quilibet accipiens prenticium ad artem pelliparii soluet ad reparacionem
dicti altaris quinque solidos monete tunc currentis, ac etiam quod nullus prenticius
[per] quemcunque ipsorum accipietur ad dictam artem pelliparii nisi
consimiliter obligatus fuit post lapsum annorum sui prenticii ad libertatem vt
supra manus suas aditurices secundum facultatem bonorum ad reparacionem
dicti altaris vt supradictum est apponi. Item quod quilibet prenticius antequam
ad artem pelliparii recipietur jurabit et obligabitur vt quam cito venerit
ad libertatem sui prenticii quod non recipiet quemcunque prenticium ad artem
Chrit and our Lord the Lord Nicholas the Fifth, by Divine Providence Pope, in
presence of me notary public and the witnesses subscribing personally appeared discreet
and honest men, videlicet:— William Skynner, Gillcrist Turnebule, Hugh Tod,
Alan Skynner, William Staltt, James Harlaw, David Littell, Thomas Yule, William
of Camusnethane, Edmund Skynner, John Mathe, David Wilky, Thomas Salman,
William Lachlane, John of Kympill, William Ramasay, and Andrew (blank), skinners
within the town of Edinburgh, with one consent and assent, are obliged in manner following,
videlict, That for the service and support of a chaplain to celebrate at the altar
of Saint Christopher, lately founded by the above written within the Church of St
Giles of Edinburgh, and for the repair of the ornaments of the said altar, each
of the said persons for the whole period of his life, and according to his means,
shall put to helping hands; Item, every one receiving an apprentice to the
craft of Skinners shall pay to the repairs of the said altar five shillings of the money
then current, and also that no apprentice shall be received by any one of them to
the said craft of Skinners unless he has been in like manner taken bound that, after
the expiry of the years of his apprenticeship to freedom, he shall put to his
pelliparii nisi ad reparacionem dicti altaris vt supradicimus soluat quinque
solidos et sic de similibus imperpetuum. Item ordinatum est quod si contingat
aliquam debatam discordiam ant controuersiam infra dictos pelliparios
quoquomodo imposterum [exoriri] ambe partes discordes determinacioni et
ordinacioni artis sociorum eorundem et decreto concilii et duodene burgi
stabunt et subibunt sine quacunque contradictione aut demanda, ac vt etiam
supradicta appunctuamenta inviolabilia perpetuis temporibus obseruent quilibet
dictorum pellipariorum per se compari juramento obligatus est. Super quibus
omnibus et singulis petiit sibi fieri dictus Willelmus Skynner nomine communi
pellipariorum tunc presentium et nominatorum vnum vel plura instrumentum
seu instrumenta per me notarium publicum infrascriptum. Acta
fuerunt infra ecclesiam Beate Marie de Campo hora tertia post meridiem anno
die indictione mense et pontificatu quibus supra presentibus probis et discretis
viris dominis Alexandro Hundby, Johanne Moffat, Johanne Hendirsone,
capellanis, et Thoma Broun, mercatore, cum aliis testibus ad premissa vocatis
specialiter et rogatis.
(And ane Johne Hogo preist in the dyosie of Glasquow is notar heirto.—Tr.)
helping hands according to his ability to the reparation of the said altar as aforesaid;
Item, that every apprentice, before he shall be admitted to the craft of Skinners,
shall swear and become bound, so soon as he shall come to the freedom of his
apprenticeship, not to receive any apprentice to the craft of Skinner unless he shall
pay five shillings to the repair of the said altar as aforesaid, and so in like cases for
ever; Item, it is ordained that if any debate, discord, or controversy among the
said Skinners shall henceforth happen to arise in any manner of way, both the contending
parties shall abide by and submit to the determination and judgement of said
matters by the brethren of the craft, and to the decree of the council and dusane of
the burgh, without any contradiction or appeal; and, moreover, that they may observe
the above mentioned appointments inviolably, each of the said Skinners for himself
has been taken bound by a like oath. Upon which, all and sundry, the said
William Skynner, in the common name of the Skinners then present and named,
asked one or more instruments to be made by me notary public subscribing. These
things were done within the Church of Saint Mary in the Field, the third hour
in the afternoon, of the year, day, indiction, month, and pontificate as above, in the
presence of good and discreet men Sir Alexander Hundby, John Moffat, John
Hendirsone, chaplains, and Thomas Broun, merchant, with other witnesses specially
called and required to the premises.]
1450
In Curia Camerarie tenta in Pretorio coram domino Jacobo de Creichtoun
camerario anno jm iiijc quinquagesimo.
[In the Chamberlain Court, held in the Tolbuith, before Sir James of
Creichtoun, chamberlain, in the year one thousand four hundred and fifty.]
Swyne.
The quhilk day it was ordanit be the chamberlane and the court and
statute all men and wemen that hes swyne in the towne outwith band be removit
out of the towne betuix and Sanct Androis day, or than that thai be
kepit in band, and that thai be nocht fundin lowse under the payne of escheitt,
and that to be applyet to the kirk wark.—(This act in the auldest buik revin.—Tr.)
Aill.
Item, that na man na woman brew aile to sell derare than for vj d. or
viij d. at the darrest, vnder the payne of escheitt of the aill. The vnlaw, the lede
tane vp and the bodome strukkin out vnforgevin bot ony fauour.
Wechts.
Item, that all merchands fra hyne furth sell irne, walx and vther merchandice
be wecht weiyit with the troyne and with na vther, vnder the payne of
escheitt of the guidis, saif allanerlie punds maid beyond se belangand to
spycerie.
Cordineris.
Berkit ledder.
Item, that na cordiner fra hyne furth sal schap and bark in the craft of
cordiner, vnder the pane of eschitt of the ledder barkit; na that thai by na
bydes to bark, vnder the samyn payne, bot it sall be lefull to thame to red
their handis of it that is in to bark betwix this and Candilmes. (Lowse leiffes.—Tr.)
12th May 1451.
Burgensis et
gilde artifex.
— Aitkyne, barbi tonsor, effectus est burgensis ad instantiam domine
Regine gratis datur et etiam conceditur sibi (blank) gilde pro tempore vite
sue et in amplius vt possit vti libertate gilde tempore vite sue, soluendo species
et vinum nusquam est sibi successurus post obitum ad libertatem gilde.—(In the auldest buik.—Tr.)
[—Aitkyne, barber, is made burgess at the instance of Our Lady the Queen,
without payment, and it is also conceded to him (blank) of the guild for the period
of his life, and further, that he might use the freedom of the guild for the period of
his life, paying spices and wine, and no one shall succeed him in the freedom of
the guild after his death.]
18th May 1451.
Burgensis
hereditarius.
— Rede, tinctor, effectus est burgensis ratione patris sui quondam
Joannis Rede, hereditarius, pro vino et speciebus.
[— Rede, dyer, is made burgess as in right of his father the late John
Rede, hereditary for wine and spices.]
14th June 1451.
Vnlawes for
occupeing the
fredome.
Henryk Rafe is adiugeit be dome in the townis will xx li. for wrangous
vsing the fredome, as is fundin be ane assyse; and in lyke maner Mairtyne
Hope is adiugeit to the sowm of xx li. for wrangous occupeing of the fredome,
as fundin is be assyse.
Secund sone.
Andreas Mowbray secundus filius patris sui effectus est burgensis ratione
patris sui, et finiuit vj s. viij d. proximum festum Beati Michaelis Archangel.
Plegio Jacobo de Bonkill.
[Andrew Mowbray, second son of his father, is made burgess as in right of his
father, and compounded for six shillings and eightpence at the next feast of Saint
Michael the Archangel, James of Bonkill being surety.]
9 November 1451.
[Exemption
from customs
of salt, skins,
&c.]
[By a Charter granted by King James the Second, under his Great Seal, of the
above date, the King, for the singular favour he bore towards his beloved merchants,
burgesses and community of his Burgh of Edinburgh, in respect of the manifold free
services rendered by them to His Majesty, granted and perpetually confirmed to the
burgesses and community, and their heirs and successors, burgesses of the said burgh,
that in all time thereafter they should be free absolved and quit from all payment
of the custom of salt, and of the skins underwritten, commonly called "schorlingis,
skaldingis, futefellis, lentrinwere, lamb skynnis, tod skynnis, calf skynnis, cunning
skynnis, otter skynnis, and fumart skynnis." He also granted to the said
burgesses and community free power and faculty to sell, barter, or exchange,
as well to strangers and unfreemen as to any other persons whatever, and
as well within his kingdom as without, the foresaid wares of salt and skins, without
any custom to be paid by the said strangers or others whatsoever in all time
coming, so that no custom should be paid by the strangers out of the said salt
and skins bought and purchased from the burgesses foresaid, unless only the small
custom due and in use to be paid by strangers and unfreemen to the said burgesses
and community off the said salt and skins in former times.]
1452.
[Election of
Officers.]
(In the Heid Court after Michaelmas 1452, electi in balliuos Thomas Prestoun,
Jacobus Boncle, Joannes Cairnis, seriandi four in number, appreciatores seruisie
four personis.) (This in the auldest buik.— Tr.)
30th October 1453.
Burges be his
mother brother
Joannes Hiane junior effectus est burgensis hereditarius ratione Thome
Spens avunculi sui, et finiuit pro libertate species et vinum, plegio Thoma
Levingtoun. (This in the eldest riven buik.— Tr.)
[John Hiane, junior, is made hereditary burgess in right of his uncle Thomas
Spens, and paid for the freedom spices and wine, Thomas Levington being surety.]
1453.
[Customs and
Water mett of
Leyth.]
(On ane lowse leiff daittit 1453, the customes of Leyth are callit:— Bolle custume
de Leyth, ac parue custume de pok pak barel et hujusmodi bonorum assedantur etc.)
[The Bolle custom of Leith, and petty custom of pok pak barrel, and sicklike
goods, are let, &c.]
(And on the sam leiff the watter mett of Leyth sett to Jhone Dow for ij
merks.—Tr.)
4 November 1454.
[The customs of Leith granted by King James the Second to the burgesses
and merchants of Edinburgh, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of date 25th
September 1445, to endure during the King's pleasure, were made perpetual by
Grant or Letters Patent of the same Sovereign, under the Great Seal, of the above
date.]
13th September 1456. (fn. 1)
Baxters,
Burgessis.
Fremen.
The qubilk day it was grantet be the provest baillies and counsale of the
toun in favoures of the haill craft of the baxteris that thair sall na man of that
craft be maid burges or freman without the avys and consent of the maist
pairt of the worthiest of the craft, and that it sall be sene that he be worthie
and sufficient to labour, and that he haif cunnying and power to labour, and
that thai pay their dewteis to the alter lyk as the laif of the craft dois.
Annual for repair
of St
V bert's Altar
in St Giles.
The said day, before the provest baillies and counsale of the toun, Patrik
Donald grantit and promittit that he sould gif ij. markis of annuell yeirlie to be
raisit of his tenement lyand in Todrikkis Wynd to the reparation of the altare
of Sanct Vbertis foundit be the craft, and till infeft it yeirlie, and gif sesing
thairof to the said altare for his stane and lair place that he hes befoir the said
altare, or ellis to remove the said stane and tak it away.
6th October 1456.
Electing of
maiestrats.
In the Tolbuith of Edinburgh, thir personalie wnderwrittin, that is to say
Alexander Naper, Williame of Cranstoun, Adame Cant, Lancelott Abernathie,
Thomas of Bigholme, John of Halkerstoun, Sandie of Schele, Robert Blak,
George of Pennicuik, etc.; be thair grit aith sworne, the haly Ewangellis
tuitchitt, in the preseus of ane rewarend Father in Chryst George Bischop of
Brichen, right honorabill and worschipfull Lord Iames of Levingtoun of the
Calender Chamerlane of Scotland, and of certane lordis of our Souerane Lordis
Counsall, deponit and delyuerit in manner and forme as followis: That is to
say, that the auld vse and custome heyan of tymes bygane was that aye vpoun
the day nixt befoir Michalmes day the dusane of the towne vsit to cheis the
lytis of the officiaris of the burgh as thai now did, and thairefter ay vpoun
the hede cort day the baillies war chosin of the lyttis that war new befor be
the dusane, and on the morne the prowest dene and officiaris of the gild war
chosin, and thai find that the auld wse thairof now at this tyme was brokin
throw the chesing of a baillie that is now chosin that was na lite befoir, and
thai fund that the caus of the doing thairof was throw Johne of Foulis, Thomas
Butler, Will. Bonnantine and Thomas Swyft.—(This amang the auld leiffes of
this daitt.—Tr.)
10 November 1457.
(In ane awld revin buik, qubilk is the first awld buik, I find the common rent
sett as follows:— Tr.)
[Setting of commoun rents.]
Assedationes terrarum et annuorum reddituum burgi facte in Pretorio euisdem
x Novembris 1457, a festo Beati Martini instantis anni usque ad festum.
[Tacks of the lands and annual rents of the burgh, made in the Tolbuith
of the same, 10th November 1457, from the feast of St Martin of the present
Martini 1458, et facte sunt hei assedationes, coram preposito et balliuis et
communitate dicti burgi.
Quo die parue custume burgi assedantur Patricio Donaldsoun et Patricio
Murray pro lxvij merkis, ad terminos burgi consuetos, plegio manu propria terras
redditus et possessiones ac omnia bona sua mobilia et immobilia habita et
habenda pro seipso et dicto Patricio.
Dicto die parue custume de Leyth de pok pak barell et hujusmodi bonorum,
cum lie met syluer, assedantur Joanni Robertsoun et Joanni Lowthiane pro
xxij merks, [plegio] pro Joanne Robesoun Hugone Debar, et pro Joanne
Lowthiane Alexander Naper de Merchinstoun.
Item lie pittie heavin syluer de Leyth assedatur dictis Joanni et Joanni
pro xxxiij merks, plegio dictis Hugone et Alexandro.
Botha prima camere pretorij assedatur Allano Broun pro xl s., plegio
Adam Cant.
Secunda botha assedatur Joanni de Dalrimpill pro xl s.
Tertia botha in manibus Malcomi Baird pro xl s.
4 botha assedatur Henrico Fowles pro xlv s., plegio seipso.
year to the feast of St Martin 1458, and the following tacks were made in
presence of the provost, bailies, and community of the said burgh.
Which day the petty customs of the burgh are let to Patrick Donaldson and
Patrick Murray for 67 merks, at the usual terms of the burgh, pledging by his own
hand his lands, rents and possessions, and all goods moveable and immoveable, had
and to be had, for himself and the said Patrick.
On the same day the petty customs of Leith of pok, pak, barrel, and sicklike
goods, with the "met-siller," are set in tack to John Robertson and John
Lowthian for 22 merks. [Sureties] for John Robertson, Hugh Debar; and for
John Lowthian, Alexander Napier of Merchiston.
Item, The petty haven siller of Leith is let to the said John and John for 33
merks. Sureties the said Hugh and Alexander.
The first booth of the chamber of the Tolbuith is let to Allan Broun for 40 s.
Surety Adam Cant.
The second booth is let to John de Dalrimpill for 40 s.
The third booth in the hands of Malcolm Baird for 40 s.
The fourth booth is let to Henry Fowler for 45 s., on his own security.
5 botha assedatur Jonete sponse quondam William Scott pro xlv s., plegio
Jacobo Dodds.
6 botha assedatur Thome Williamsoun pro xlv s., plegio Waltero Young.
7 botha in manibus Nicolai Spathy pro xv s.
Botha proxima in manibus Georgij Fawlau pro xlv s.
Due bothe ex parte occidentalj pretorij assedantur Roberto Mvray pro xliij s.,
plegio Waltero Young.
Botha orientalis ex parte australi pretorij assedatur Ioanni Law pro xx s., plegio
William Lawder.
Secunda botha assedatur Ioannj Best et datur sibi gratis pro feodo suo.
Tertia botha in manibus ville.
Botha 4aassedatur Joanni Gullane pro xx s., plegio Jacobo Schele.
Bothe 5 et 6 in manibus ville.
In domo campanilj domus supra gradum assedatur Jacobo Tailzeour pro l s.,
plegio Alexandro Schele.
2 domus assedatur Willelmo Balfour pro xlv s., plegio seipso.
Tertia domus assedatur Thome Nort pro xviij s.
The fifth booth is let to Jonete, spouse to the late William Scott, for 45 s.
Surety James Dodds.
The sixth booth is let to Thomas Williamson for 45 s. Surety Walter
Young.
The seventh booth in the hands of Nicholas Spathy for 15 s.
The next booth in the hands of George Fawlau for 45 s.
The two booths on the west side of the Tolbuith are let to Robert Murray
for 43 s. Surety Walter Young.
The east booth on the south side of the Tolbuith is let to John Law for 20 s.
Surety William Lawder.
The second booth is let to John Best, and is given to him gratis for his fee.
The third booth in the hands of the town.
The fourth booth is let to John Gullane for 20 s. Surety James Schele.
The fifth and sixth booths in the hands of the town.
In the bell-house, the house above the stair is let to James Taylor for 50 s.
Surety Alexander Schele.
The second house is let to William Balfour for 45 s., on his own security.
The third house is let to Thomas North for 18 s.
4. domus assedatur Waltero Carnis pro xx s.
Lie penteis sub gradu assedatur Ade Cant pro xix s. vj d., plegio seipso.
Supremum sollarium assedatur Malcomo Boyde pro xxx s., plegio seipso.
Botha proxima lie penteis assedatur Thome Quhytelok pro xl s., plegio seipso.
Botha proxima assedatur Willelmo Turnour pro xl s., plegio seipso.
Botha proxima assedatur Willelmo Hall pro xliiij s. v d., plegio Willelmo
Turnour.
Botha proxima assedatur Harmanno Beltmaker pro xliiij s. vj d., plegio
Jacobo Schele.
Botha proxima assedatur Ade Spens pro xliiij s. vj d., plegio Waltero Young
decano.
Domus carnificum assedatur carnificibus pro x merk plegio quolibet pro alio.
Lie butter trone assedatur Margarete Bertrem pro iiij li. vj s., plegio Adamo de
Cranstoun.
Molendini remanent in manibus ville.
The fourth house is let to Walter Carnis for 20 s.
The penthouse under the stair is to let to Adam Cant for 19 s. 6 d., on his own
security.
The uppermost chamber is let to Malcolm Boyd for 30 s., on his own security.
The booth next the penthouse is let to Thomas Whitelock for 40 s., on his own
security.
The next booth is let to William Turner for 40 s., on his own security.
The next booth is let to William Hall for 44 s. 5 d. Surety William Turner.
The next booth is let to Harman Beltmaker, for 44 s. 6 d. Surety James Schele.
The next booth is let to Adam Spens for 44 s. 6 d. Surety Walter Young,
deacon.
The fleshhouse is let to the fleshers for 10 merks, each being cautioner for the
other.
The butter trone is let to Margaret Bertrem for £4, 6 s. Surety Adam de
Cranstoun.
The mills remain in the hands of the Town.]
1458.
[Election of
officers.]
(In the Heid Court after Michaelmas 1458 is electet thre bailies, four seriandes, thre gustatores seruisie, twa appreciatores carninum.) (This amang the auld leiffes of this
daitt.—Tr.)
[See note to extract, dated 3 October 1403, supra p. 2.]
3 October 1459.
[Gild brother.]
Edward de Boncle effectus frater gilde et datur gratis pro suo auxilio et
consilio. (Gild court leiffes—this leif merket 8.—Tr.)
[Edward de Boncle is made guild brother, and it is given gratis for his aid and
counsel.]