Letter of Pope Boniface VIII to William Comyn (1298)
[Stevenson, Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland, ii, 280-1]
Boniface … to the dear son William Comyn our chaplain, provost of the church of Saint Mary in the
city of St Andrews
Your petition shown to us stated that recently the church of St Andrews being vacant by reason of
the death of William bishop of St Andrews and a day being set for the election of the next bishop,
you, asserting that it was owed to you by reason of your provostship of the church of Saint Mary to
have an interest in this election, sought to be admitted to the performance of this election. And
because the chapter of the same church of St Andrews, in contempt of you, proceeding to the same
election, elected our dear son master William de Lamberton chancellor of the church of Glasgow to
the bishopric, you, appealing because of this to the apostolic see, finally after many disputes here
and there at the said see, you, led greatly by our approach, agreed to renounce your appeal freely,
so that the said church of St Andrews may not be subjected to misfortune for a long time by reason
of its bereavement, saving the right which belongs to you and your successors as provosts of the
same church of St Mary’s and to the church of St Mary’s itself, or which may then belong to them in
the time of the election of a bishop of St Andrews to be conducted hereafter.
Because, we, to whom the care of all churches belongs in general, must therefore aid the same
church of St Andrews, but we do not oppose the church of St Mary’s, even being inclined to your
claim we wish and by the tenor of these present letters decree that, by the renunciation of these
rights (as above) we do not prejudge them, indeed on the contrary you and your aforesaid
successors may freely pursue and possess this right in seeking or in possessing as if the same had not
be renounced.
Given at Rome, at Saint Peter’s, 7th May 1298
Letters of Pope Boniface VIII confirming the election of William Lamberton as Bishop of St
Andrews (1298)
[Theiner, Veteri Monumenta, 165-6]
Boniface … to the venerable brother William de Lamberton bishop of St Andrews, greetings.
It is lawful that the care of the whole church from what belongs to the pastoral office belongs to our
care, about this however, it is understood that we are more strongly concerned and we watch over
with so much care those who are directly subjected to the Apostolic See, and bear more strongly the
care of them, so that we think of their favourable state. Therefore they who lament the misfortune
of bereavement arouse our special care so that suitable pastors of them are put first, so that by their
efforts they light up spiritual things and are successful in increasing earthly ones.
For the church of St Andrews in Scotland being deprived of the solace of a pastor by the death of
William Fraser of good memory, bishop of the same church, the dear sons of the chapter of the said
church calling all who wished, ought and were able legitimately to take part, gathering in one body
on the arranged day of election and deliberating concerning this on the way to proceed by the
process of compromissus, they proposed unanimously and freely to provide in place of the church of
the pastor full power to our dear sons John the Prior, John Mair and William Landon archdeacon,
Adam the sub-prior, John Kayrer, Adam of Laurbeden and Thomas of Auchtermuchty, canons of the
said church, appointing them to renew and retain their bishop and pastor that person whom they, or
the greater part of them, appoint by election.
The same prior, archdeacon, sub-prior and canons, having received these powers, considering that
since you, a man of great wisdom and discretion, and with knowledge of letters, being of honest life
and commended by sober manners would be able to cause an increase in the honour of the said
church, they appointed you, then the chancellor of the church of Glasgow, by their vote: And the
said prior from the power resigned to him and the aforesaid archdeacon, sub-prior and canons by
the chapter, elected you as bishop and pastor of St Andrews by the consent and commission of the
said archdeacon, sub-prior and canons, and this election being solemnly announced by the said
prior, the said chapter unanimously approved it.
And you, consenting to the said election in proper time, on account of this came to the Apostolic
See, and both you in person and the aforesaid prior and chapter, through their specially appointed
procurators and envoys, John called Rufus, Martin de Ketketon and Thomas of Auvhtermuchty,
presenting us the election decree, beseeched us humbly that we might confirm this election.
We, therefore, having the proofs of this, had them diligently examined, and because we found the
election to have been carried out canonically by suitable persons, by apostolic authority and with the
brothers of our council we made this to be confirmed…
Given at Rome at St Peters, 15th Calends of July, the fourth year of our Pontificate (1298)
Extract from the articles propounded against the Bishop of Saint Andrews (August 1306)
Articles propounded against the bishop of St Andrews concerning the counsel, assent and adherence
performed by him to Robert Bruce in his rebellion against the king of England.
Then after the bishop of St Andrews who then was had died and the people of the land of Scotland
by the council and prompting of the prelates and clergy of the same land made to raise war with
William Wallace, then rebel and enemy of our lord king and chieftain and governor of the people of
Scotland who then were against our lord the king, their liege lord in whose homage and loyalty they
had been bound by their letters and instruments public on these acts: there, where the chapter of St
Andrews had elected master William Comyn, who the whole time held to the faith of our lord the
king and of his friendship: William Wallace and his adherents and enemies of our lord king, to whom
the said master William Lamberton had given his adherence against his oath and his allegiance: by
force and constraint made them elect him bishop of St Andrews without licence sought and without
the assent of our lord king as was appropriate behaviour from the right and according to the usage
of the kingdom in prejudice of him and right of the crown and by such an election he was made
bishop, entering and occupying the temporalities of the said bishopric and since then he has held
them, from which many evils have happened.
Thus, when our lord king had discomfited his enemies so that all those of the said land of Scotland,
who had been raised in war against him as aforesaid, were coming to him as their liege lord and
rightful king of Scotland and had placed themselves high and low in his grace for their trespass
aforesaid: then the said bishop of St Andrews came to Stirling willingly and of his free will (on) the 4th
day of May the year of grace 1304 and of the king’s reign 32nd and asked him for his grace and
received it kindly and thus the said bishop did another time swear fealty to the king of England
aforesaid as to his liege lord and righful king and lord of all Scotland and the said bishop then swore
on the body of Jesus Christ and on the Holy Evangelists and on the Cross Neith and the Black Rood of
Scotland loyally to hold and keep his said faith from the hour forwards to our lord king and his heirs
king of England as fully contained in letters and in instruments.
The day following this said fealty, when the said bishop of St Andrews was addressed by our lord
king of England that he had occupied the said temporalities of his bishopric without licence and
assent of him in great prejudice of the right of his crown as aforesaid and took from that time the
issues and levies of the said bishopric, because he was not properly consecrated, recognised by
mouth and by his writing sealed with his seal the said challenge of our lord the king to be true for
which he put himself high and low at the will of our lord the king to answer to him for the said issues
and levies and to be ready concerning this at his (the king’s) ordinance at whatever time that he (the
king) wished to speak to him as stated by his said letters and public instruments done on this.
After this when the king had established all the lands of Scotland to peace, and had put and assigned
certain justiciars and guardians to keep the peace, and had retained the bishop in his council and
had made him chief of these guardians ... and Robert de Bruce was raising himself by treason against
his sovereign lord the King of England ... and had murdered John Comyn lord of Badenoch ... because
John would not assent to the treason which Robert planned against the King of England; to rise up
and make himself King of Scotland by his power, and had taken the castle of Dumfries and
imprisoned the king's justices and ministers, and from there went to Scone ..., then the said Bishop
of St. Andrews knew all the plots of Robert Bruce, even on the day he was with the king's council at
Berwick to give advice about the crime done by Robert Bruce, ... and on the king's business in
Scotland. He left them at night to go to Scone and honour Robert on the day he was crowned and
called King of Scots.
When the Bishop of Saint Andrews was going and holding with the Earl of Carrick, he saw the power
which the king assembled in Scotland and, perceiving that the king's enemies would be unable to
maintain their foolish and wicked enterprise long, he surrendered to Sir Aymer de Valence, the
lieutenant of the king in those parts ... and asked that for certain business touching his church ... he
be given leave to go and return after a short time. Sir Aymer, thinking that he would be loyal,
suffered him to go, and the bishop, going to his men, men-at-arms as well as footmen, brought them
to the Earl of Carrick to help him in battle with Sir Aymer.
And for this Most Holy Father, that the said bishop bears himself wickedly against our lord the king
of England in many ways as said above and especially that he was sworn to be of the council of our
lord the king and was made chief guardian of his land of Scotland.
Thus Holy Father at the time of the dismissal of the said bishop of St Andrews, master William
Comyn brother of the earl of Buchan, who well and loyally holds to the faith of our lord king was
elected by the chapter of the said church, and William Wallace who then was chieftain and governor
of the people of Scotland who were rebels and enemies of our lord the king by force and against his
will made William de Lamberton, then chancellor of Glasgow, to be elected as bishop of the said
church … and if he would please you, in place of him, to make the said William Comyn bishop who
has well and loyally held to the faith of our lord the king for which it is clear that he will be profitable
for the estate of the church and the peace of the land also.
Summary of the Jurisdictions around St Andrews from the Sixteenth Century Black Book
Decision in the dispute between the Culdees and the Bishop concerning the Jurisdiction of land
made through Thomas Randulph warden on this side of the Scottish Sea 1309
In the register of the Monastery of St Andrews were clauses concerning conferences held and
concluded on a certain matter in dispute in which it was decided concerning the jurisdictions of the
regality of the episcopate of St Andrews dated A.D. 1309
And it was found and in due and proper form made public that within the Boar’s Chase (Cursus Apri)
there are but three baronies, to wit, the barony of the Lord Bishop of St Andrews, the barony of the
Lord Prior of St Andrews, and the barony of the Culdees, which baronies with their inhabitants are
held immediately of the Bishop of St Andrews and his Church, and of no other. Whence, by reason of
the said holding, the foresaid baronies, as much by law as by established custom, are held bound to
give suit and attendance at the Court of the said Lord Bishop and there to be concerned with … as
well as the carrying out of other judicial acts concerning condemned persons.
Further it was found that if any judgement within the court of the lord provost of the Culdees or of
any barony within the Boar’s Chase is challenged by anyone, the same is to be appealed to the court
of the lord bishop, and there judgement is to be determined and declared.
Further it was found that if anyone inhabiting the said baronies has been seized outwith the Boar’s
Chase either by bailies of the lord king or by others, he shall be claimed and repledged to the regality
of St Andrews only by the justiciar of the Lord Bishop or his servants and not by any bailies of the
said baronies.
Moreover it was found and in due and proper form on the said day proclaimed that the Lord Bishop
or his justiciar has the power of making investigation in all pleas of the king’s crown and concerning
life and limb in the Boar’s Chase and what is more, that out of a plenitude of kingly power the Lord
Bishop may, within the Boar’s Chase, give life and limb to the condemned.
[Calendar of St Andrews Charters, SAUL B65/22, no. 4]
Letters of Visitation by William Bishop of St Andrews (1369)
Letters of visitation by William bishop of St Andrews to the abbot of Scone and to the prior and
convent of the same, recording that on occasion of his visitation of their monastery made on the 23rd
day of October in the year of our lord 1369 he has ordained as follows, viz:
That divine service should be daily and piously observed at regular and accustomed hours by night as
well as well as by day and that the Prior and other monks appointed to discharge duty should be
present at morning mass and other hours unless excusably prevented, also that all canons, priests
should, as often as they can , perform their masses and if any of them should omit doing so for more
than three days, enquiry should immediately be made by the Abbot or Prior as to the cause of their
absence from mass so long.
Also that due silence in fitting times and places and other regular lawful and usual observances
should be maintained.
Also that the Abbot should give up a Statement and Account within the next six weeks of his office of
Treasurer from the time when he intromitted (entered office) and that within the same time all
other monastic officials should render accounts of their offices as is the custom elsewhere.
Also that the Abbot should commit the office of Treasurer to any Canon who seems competent to
discharge that office, but that he may nevertheless appoint as his assistant any canon, instructing
and informing him as to the things pertaining to that office, so that the Abbot himself may to that
extent be relieved of that burden, and have leisure to attend to the government of his monastery.
Also that a plurality of offices should not be conferred on any one person when one person is
scarcely able to rightly fill one office, and especially that the office of victualler should be deputed to
one who is able to give daily attention to it.
Also that order be taken regarding the fabric and repair of the church and buildings and that
necessary artificers and workmen be employed for this purpose.
And finally in order to avoid scandal, that women stay not continuously within the walls of the
monastery, and especially that they be removed and kept at a distance from the sick ward and
surgical chamber so that the sick may be able to have their bed chamber, their usual recreations and
their proper and accustomed comforts without suspicion of evil.
The forgoing ordinance for the improvement of divine worship and the amelioration of their own
condition and that of the monastery he enjoins to be in all points implemented and firmly observed
by the Abbot, the Prior and the Convent under canonical penalties, and that these letters should be
presented to him at his next visitation.
Given under seal at the place and date foresaid.
[National Archives of Scotland, RH6/150]
Confirmation of a charter of Bishop Wardlaw to his constable
The king (James II) confirmed the charter of Henry Bishop of St Andrews which, with the consent of
his chapter, granted to John Wemyss of Kilmany for his loyal council and help to the said bishop and
performed and to be performed to the church of St Andrews by him and his successors in posterity,
and to Janet Wardlaw his wife; the office of constable of the castle and city of St Andrews with the
land of Muirton and Achokyre in the regality of St Andrews. Being held by the said John and Janet
and the longer living of them and their legitimate heirs procreated between them, failing which the
male heirs of the said John whoever, from the the said bishop and his successors. Making and
upholding to the said bishop and his successors all the labours which are known to pertain to the
said office, for all other services etc.
Witnessing the which (the bishop’s charter): Malcolm Fleming lord of Cumbernauld, Master John
Scheves doctor of decreets and official general of the diocese of St Andrews, John Lumsden sheriff of
Fife, John Carmichael nephew of the said bishop, Dominus William Wishart his chamberlain,
Dominus William Cairns his chaplain and vicar of Glamis; with the seal of the bishop and with the
seal of the said chapter.
[The king’s charter dated 10th August 1440]
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, ii, no. 244
Charter confirming the ‘Golden Charter’ to the Bishops of St Andrews
The king (James III) confirmed the charter of King James II which with the consent of the three
estates of his kingdom and on account of the deserving loyalty of James Kennedy bishop of St
Andrews his cousin performed on many occasions, confirmed all earlier gifts made by his
predecessors to the church of St Andrews and the bishop of the same church in perpetuity and gave
the lands underwritten and others from his predecessors in free and special regality; viz – the lands
of St Nicholas of Kinkell, Kingask, Byrehill, Fauside, Kilmonane, Kenlochquhy, Putky, Bonyngtoune,
Balcaythly, Dunenoch, Stravethy, Balaly, Petarthy, Kynalldy-suthir, Kynaldy-northir, Gilmourtoune,
Balrymont-Estyr, Carngoure, Lambeislethin, Priourislethin, Newgrange, Langraw, Balrymont-Westyr,
Kylrynny, Invergelly, Invary, Kynlonchare, Balbuthy, Petcorthy, Murecambosse, Athirny, Lathame,
Balgormo, Baldastard, Balmane, Scuny, Balbethe, Monfloure, Levynnis-brig, Methkyll, le Hache,
Torre, Crannoch, Cavill, Bynnis, Urwell, Lathokir, Muretoune, Lathone, Raderny, Camerone,
Fedynche, Keyrnis, Ballochin, Strakynnes, Wilkynston, Greigstone, Drumcarach, Lawdeddy,
Kynninmonde, Baldunny, Arnydy, Claremounthe, Malgask-uvir, Malgask-nethir, Clattow, Balgrife,
Stratirne, Kyncapill, Neutoune, Nydy-estyr, Nydy-westir, Kynnarde, Kenbak, Blabo, Myretoune,
Deresy, Crag-fudy, Mydil-fudy, Westyr-fudy, Fengask, Burchle, Newmyll, Ballase, Kylmany,
Freretoune, Kirkland of Luchris, Forgund, Priouris Kynmuck, Monymeyll, Lathane, Cunyochy,
Muretoune-in-Luchris, Culluthy, Owthirmunsy, Berelais, Carny, Outhirrudirstudyr, Cragroyhill, Tarvat,
Nethir-Tarvat, Gledny, Kyrkforthir, Balmalkyn, Balmungy and Machrise: furthermore it is granted to
the said bishop and his heirs as he had, held and possessed his lands written here in special regality,
viz the lands called Byschapis-schire, Muckart-schire, Scottis-crag and le Fery, Petcunty, Murefeld
and the lands of the priory of Petynweme, viz Petynweme, Litill-Anstrudir, Fauside, Lyngow, Pettotyr,
Crangbregis, Gradn-mure (sheriffdom of Fife) and the lands of Estir-Rynde and Westir-Rynde
(sheriffdom of Perth); the which lands are incorporated into the regality of St Andrews. Being held
in one special regality or regalia, called the regality of St Andrews in perpetuity with the four points
and pleas of the crown; and furthermore the king willed that the tenants or renters of the said
bishop and their goods dwelling between the waters of Forth and Tay should only be arrested in the
ayres of justiciar and chamberlain in the courts of the bishop and in no way should they be brought
together to pay royal taxation or tallage and he willed that the present donations should not be
revoked by the king or his successors but they should defend the said powers and nothing else.
(Owing) nothing except the saying of devotions and prayers for the king, his predecessors and
successors
[King James II’s charter granted at Edinburgh, 14th June 1452]
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, ii, no. 1444
Extracts from the Rental of the Archbishop of St Andrews (1543-1545)
Account of Master Bernard Bailie rector of Lamington and Chamberlain, rendered at St Andrews,
Wednesday 13th May 1545; involving arrears of Master Alexander Kinninmonth’s account (6th March
1543) and his own receipts and expenses (1543-4)
Discharge
Cutting and winning hay of Radernie, £4; of Monimail, 20s; fermes of the ward of Inchmurdoch in
the Cardinal’s hands, 13s 4d; repair of dykes thereof, 5s; …
Fee of the gardener of Monimail, 20s; also of the gardener of St Andrews Castle, 40s; of Ambrose
Skyrling, janitor of the outer gate of the castle, 40s; of the watchman, 20s; of the sergeants or
officers of Monimail, Scotscraig and Byrehills (40s each); also Byschopshire and Mukartschire (26s 8d
each), Angus (£3 6s 8d), Keig and Monymusk (£3), Dairsie (50s), Stow (£3), Kyrkliston (53s 4d) – £17
3s 4d
(Fee) of the laird of Lochleven bailie of Byschopshire and Mukartschire, £10; of Alexander Jardine,
head cook, £6 13s 4d; … Sir Henry Balfour, to pay a Frenchman for 73 beche schulis and 6 stones 13
pounds of towys (cordarum) for work at the castle (as per the precept, St Andrews, July 23 1544) £5
1d; Alexander Myllar, fishermen in Pittenweem, for freight thence to St Andrews of 20 chalders of
lime for the castle (as per the quittance of Sir Henry Balfour, one of the masters of work, St Andrews,
June 19, 1544), £6
Sir Henry Balfour, iron and other materials (£5 8s 9d) to Master Wolf, gunner, to make a moyane
culverini, fee of Robert Smyth and two servitors (£3 6s) working for 3 weeks, and a payment to
Balfour himself (44s), in the castle garden … £10 18s 9d
To Sir James Bickerton, master of work for the castle … £159 3s 6d …
To Sir Michael Hog, almoner, for the poor from 19 Dec 1543 to 19 Aug 1544 inclusive … £33 4s
To Archibald Campbell burgess of Dundee to buy certain puncheons of wine for the Cardinal’s use in
St Andrews Castle … £110
Wages of household servitors of the Cardinal with their horses remaining outside the household
from 9 Feb to end of that month 1543, from 10 March to 2 April 1544 and on to 8 … £336 18s
To Alan Couttis for the expenses of the Cardinal and household from 10 March 1543 to 19 July 1544
… £583 14s 3d
Fee of William Murray the household cook … 33s 4d
Fee of Robert Hall, cook serving in the Cardinal’s kitchen, 28s
To Alexander Gibsoun, cook and keeper of the capons and poultry, £3 6s 8d; Fee of Walter Hervey,
keeper of the hall pewter, 20s; Of Rutlege and Troilles, kitchen boys, 30s
Alexander Naper, saddler in St Andrews by mandate of Robert Lindsay, master of the stable to
purchase necessaries for the horses and stable … £32
Master Andrew Oliphant … purchase of 132 chalders of lime in June and July 1544 for the castle
(bought in Wemyss, Crail and St Andrews) … £98 11s 10d
To Robert Hall in Kinghorn, 14 chalders of coal for the use of the Cardinal in the castle … £25 4s
To John Beton of Balfour, captain of the castle, for the fabric thereof … £325 15s
Andrew Moncrieff, the Cardinal’s servitor, sent from St Andrews to Stirling and Hamilton by
mandate … 22s
Master John Meffen to wash the ornaments of the altar of the chapel of St Andrews, also for bread
and wax candles … 24s
Robert Boswell for hire of horses to conduct Andrew Leslie son of the earl of Rothes from Edinburgh
to St Andrews … 22s
Drinksilver to a servant of the provost of St Andrews presenting a horse to the Cardinal 22s
Robert Boswell for hire of a horse from Stirling to Castle Campbell and for expenses of conducting an
Italian auditor to Lindores 44s
An indweller in Muckhart to lead the way to Kincardine with the Cardinal 10s
Two servants sent from Kincardine to Doune Castle to bring back two silver flasks of the Cardinal,
22s
Robert Boswell to hire horses to bring the coffers of the Cardinal from Kincardine to St Andrews, 12s
Freight of materials for Master Wolf engineer from Limekilns to St Andrews to make guns, 44s
For the gardener of St Andrews monastery (14 Aug 1544) presenting artichokes to the Cardinal, 22s
A man bringing iron bullets from Dunbar Castle to St Andrews Castle, 44s; culveriners who came to
be hired by the cardinal, 22s; 21 barrels of ale received from John Dikesone for the Cardinal and
household in Edinburgh, £28; John Pardovane, George Hepburn and Thomas Davidson servitors
remaining in St Andrews Castle, 34s; David Smyth watchman of the castle (Martinmas 1543 –
Whitsun 1544), £6 13s 4d
Master John Arnott for gunpowder bought by him for John Beaton of Balfour captain of the castle …
£28 6s 8d
Metals and other necessaries for Master Wolf, engineer, to make a culverayne moyane £134 11s 7d
Petty expenses of of Sir Andrew Myll, by boat from Edinburgh to St Andrews with the Cardinal’s
great tapestries, £4 11s 8d; Expenses of James Symsoun sent from St Andrews to Leith to receive the
Cardinal’s wine
Account of Master Robert Auchmouty, granitarius, rendered at St Andrews Castle, Wednesday 16th
Sept 1545 …
210 chalders of coal put in the castle for the Cardinal, the captain and their households, from May
1543 to August 1545 … £404 15s 1d; For carters of St Andrews taking the coals from the harbour to
the castle … £21 11s 6d; Servitors carrying them into the coal-house … £7 6d
Part of the expenses of the Earl of Arran’s eldest son, John Beaton of Balfour the captain, servitors,
household and guards in the Cardinal’s absence, paid by the accountant to William Patterson,
provisor at the castle (April 1544-August 1545), £351 7d
To Sir James Bickerton, master of works at the castle, for the fabric at various times … £153 11s 8d
Clothes for the pages Claude and Guthrie, another little page named Prophet, and the servant of the
Lord of Tullibardine detained captive in the castle for two years from 1 Nov 1543 … £35 5s 8d
26½ ells of white woollen cloth, coarse and broad, for 6 pairs of double blankets, and 52 ells of
coarse linen for 6 pairs of sheets for the beds of the guards (castellanorum), delivered to John
Beaton of Balfour … £7 7s 3d; 3 pairs of fine linen sheets delivered at Little Monimail when the Earl
of Huntly was entertained there (which were not restored after his departure), 50s
Part payment to Robert Smyth in Argyle, working with Master Wolf the engineer, at the making of a
gun in the castle … £3 6s
Rentale Sancti Andree 1538-1546, Scottish History Society (1913), 175-200