Agnews of Lochnaw

1469.] THE SECOND HEREDITARY SHERIFF. 91
The Lancasterians having been totally routed at Towton in
Yorkshire on Palm Sunday in the year 1461 ; Henry and Queen
Margaret, with their suite, crossed the Solway, and landed at
Kirkcudbright. The king stayed there some time, the queen
making a journey alone on a visit to the queen-dowager at
Edinburgh.
A letter of Sir Eobert Whitynghame, preserved by the
" Paston Family," fixes the date.
"The King Herry is at KirJchowbre with four men and a
childe. Quene Margaret is at Edinburgh and hir son.
" These are the names of those men that ar in Scotland with
the Quene : —
" The Lord Eoos and his son,
" Sir John Fortescue,
" Sir Thomas Fyndern,
" Sir Edmond Hampden,
" Sir Henry Eoos,
" Sir John "Welpdalle,
" Mr. Eog . clerk of London,"
(And sixteen others all named.)
"30th August 1461." l
Unsatisfied with " the best ox and unridden horse" at fairs, it
seems that the sheriffs expected fees on every sort of merchandise,
and that other inferior officials oppressed the poor traders. Hence
in 1469 an Act of Parliament set forth that —
" Whereas in fairs, parliament times, and general councils,
the great constables of castles, sheriffs, and baillies, take great
extortions of the king's poor lieges which they call fees, such as
of every load of flesh, fish, victuals, meal, malt, or fowls, borne
on men's backs ; it seemeth expedient that all such tilings be
foreborne in time to come."
In 1469, the Sheriff's eldest son entered the married state,
though not yet of lawful age ; on which occasion his father
* Original Letters of the Paston Family, 6 vols. 4to, 1787. A very curious
book.