Agnews of Lochnaw

108 THE THIRD HEREDITARY SHERIFF. [^494-
annexed it to the Bishopric of Galloway. This added con-
siderable importance to the see, which was afterwards designated
" Candidae Casse et Capellse Begiae, Strivelingencis." The see was
the oldest in Scotland ; and from the celebrity of the shrine of
St. Mnian, its holder ranked first among the bishops, and next
after the archbishops. 1
The first bishop that held this new chaplaincy, was George
Vanx, the Sheriff's brother-in-law ; who, as royal dean, obtained
much influence over the king, " moving him first to true penitence"
for his share in his father's death ; and at last inducing him to
wear a heavy iron belt as a penance, which the " king wore daily
about him, and eikit it every year certane unces weight." 2
George Vaux, the Bishop, unduly elated at this visible re-
sult of his influence, seems to have thought that the Sheriff of
Galloway might also be enthralled in the iron fetters of the
Church ; and pitting the ecclesiastical against the civil authority,
he deliberately commenced a system of interference in the
adminstration of justice within his diocese.
Quentin Agnew had however less superstitious veneration for
the Church than his royal master, and vigorously resisted any
infringment of his rights. M'Dowall of Garthland was then a
sheriff-depute ; and, apparently to add to the prestige of the office,
he appointed Sir Alexander M'Culloch of Myrton another of
his deputes — a very powerful baron, two of whose daughters,
Katherine and Agnes, were married to Patrick and Fergus 3
M'Dowell respectively, the Lairds of Logan and Freuch. 4 Sir
1 The coat armorial belonging to the See of Galloway is Argent, St. Ninian
standing full-faced, proper, clothed with a pontifical robe purpura, on his head
a mitre, and in his dexter hand a crosier or. — Spotswood.
2 Pitscottie.
3 Fergus was, properly speaking, young Laird of Freuch ; he predeceased his
father, Gilbert M'Dowall, leaving a son Gilbert (by Agnes M'Culloch), who suc-
ceeded his grandfather.
* On the 11th July 1494, Sir Alexander M'Culloch, sheriff-depute of Wigtown,
sued Patrick M'Dowall of Logan for infeftment for his sister, into locality lands,
for her dower. The Lords of Council ordered letters to be written to Patrick, de-
siring him to give in conjunc feftment to Katherine M'Culloch, his spouse, two