Agnews of Lochnaw

1 45 7-] VARIOUS DUTIES OF A SHERIFF. 87
In aid of this an Act was simultaneously passed, the sum total
of which was, " That the foot-hall and golf be utterly cried down."
The sheriffs, as well as all barons and lords, spiritual and tem-
poral, were to put a stop to all such pastimes, and to punish
those who persevered in such frivolities. Instead of such child's
play, butts were ordered to be set up in every parish, and the
practice of archery was to be insisted on by force, if necessary ;
and as an inducement to the lieges to come forward with good
will, it was further ordained a that twa pennies be given to them
that comes to the bow-marks to drink."
The estates proceeded to pass sumptuary laws with regard to
gowns and veils ; enacting that sheriffs should see that " na women
wear mertricks nor letteis, nor tails unfit in length, nor furred
under, bot on the Halieday. And that na woman come to kirk
nor market with her face mussaled that she may not be kend."
It is the eternal protest against crinoline ! — the Galloway lass
going bare-foot to. her work in dirty finery is thus ridiculed by
the early poet : —
"Ane mureland Meg, that milkis the yowis,
Claggit with clay abone the howis ;
In barn, nor byir, scho will nocht byde,
"Without hir kirtill taill be syde." 1
Thus sung Lyndsay 2 in "contemptioun of syde taillis" —
adding this counsel to his sovereign : —
" Bot wald your grace my counsall tak,
Ane proclamation ye suld mak,
Both threw the land and borrowstounis,
To schaw thair face, and cut thair gownis."
His satires, written about 1538, prove the utter failure of
the Act of 1457 :—
" In burrowis wantoun burges wyvis,
Quha may have sydest tailis stryvis ;
Quhare ever thay go it may be sene
How kirk and calsay they soup clene." !
Syde signifies long. 9 Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount.
8 " In contemptioun of syde taillis."