Agnews of Lochnaw

106 THE THIRD HEREDITARY SHERIFF. [I49I-
judgment to go against themselves by default. They had not,
however, the slightest intention, as will be presently seen, of
foregoing their pretensions, any statute to the contrary notwith-
standing.
On the 3d of July, the Sheriff's nephew, " Patrick Wauss
(Vaux), Sir Alexander Stewart of Garlies, John M'Dowall, and
their complices," were brought into Court, charged with the
wrangous occupation and manuring the lands of Kittisdale and
Ardborg, in the Sheriffdom of Galloway, belonging to Sir (the
Eeverend) William Knollis ; also for " withhalding the house of
the same, and for the wrangous distroubling of him therintill." It
was proved that the parson was aggrieved, and Sir Alexander
and his friends were ordered " to devoid and red the lands, the
same to be bruicked and manured by the same Sir William."
The reverend gentleman was also given to the 13th of October
to ascertain the costs and scaith he had sustained by being kept
out of his house, and having lost a crop, for which the de-
fenders were to indemnify him.
In 1490, M'Kie of Mertoun-M'Kie laid a complaint against
the Sheriff of having made a raid on his property ; but the Eecords
of Council state : —
" Before the Lords of Council compeirit Quintine Agnew,
Sheriff of Wigtown, and protested that because John M'Kie of
Mertoun gert summoned him at his instance for the spuilzie of
seven kye out of the lands of Mertoun, with their profits, as was
alledged, and as is containit in the summons, and would not com-
peir to follow him, that therefore the Council decree accord-
ingly."
The Lords of Council immediately acquitted the Sheriff.
In the spring of 1491, the Sheriff was ordered to issue a pro-
clamation for a grand gathering of all men capable of bearing
arms, at midsummer ; accompanied with minute details relative
to the accoutrements of the various ranks of lieges.
Every gentleman having ten pound worth of land was to be
sufficiently " harnessed and enarmed with basnet, sellat, quhite
hat, gorget or pessane, haill leg-harness, sword, spear, and dagger ;