Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

BRUCES OF AIRTH. 601
These charters prove that " Alexander Bruse," who got the first from James
II., 26th December 145 1, was the son of" Sir Robert Bruce of Arthe, who for-
feited, with his father-in-law, Sir Alexander Livingstone, in 1449 ; and that
Robert de Bruse, who got the second from James IV., was the grandson of Sir
Alexander, having served heir to his father, Sir John, in 1483, for Stanehouse,
and to his grandfather, Sir Alexander, for Airth, &c, in 1489.
Amongst the witnesses to the charter of James II. are the names of " Wil-
lelmo, Comite de Douglas et de Avandale, Domino Galwedie," " Willelmo,
Domino Creichton, Cancellario," &c. &c. Amongst those to the charter of
James IV. are the Bishops of Glasgow, Dunkeld, and Aberdeen ; Colino, Comite
de Ergile, Domino Campbell et Lome ; Willelmo, Comite de Eroll, Domino
Hay ; Johanne, Domino Glammys ; Andrea, Domino Gray ; Laurence, Domino
Oliphant, &c. &c.
It is asserted that "Andreas de Methven " de eodem married "Isabel, 1505.
daughter of Robert Brus of Airth " (Douglas quotes from a MS. history of the
family, but does not say in whose possession). She is named as the mother
of John and Andrew Methven, and the grandmother of Paul, son of John,
who, being zealous Protestants, withdrew early in Queen Mary's reign to Eng-
land ; and Paul, being particularly favoured by Queen Elizabeth, became a
prebend of the Cathedral of Wells, and the founder of the family of the Meth-
vens of Corsham in Wilts.
Andrew's posterity remained in Scotland, and fell into the lower ranks.
John de Methven is particularly mentioned in a charter in the public archives
from King James V. to Mr Edward Bruce, of some lands about Clackmannan,
24th April 1537.
Instrument of resignation by Robert Bruce of Erth, knight, and John Mont-
gomery, of the lands of Baldorane, in the earldom of Levinax and shire of
Dumbarton, into the hands of George Colquhoun of Glen, their superior, who
then resigns in the hands of Matthew, Earl of Levinax, his superior, in favour
of Sir Robert and Euphemia. These things were done in the chamber of the
said Earl of Levinax, within the palace of our sovereign lord the king, within
the Monastery of Holyrood, near Edinburgh, at 8 hours A.M. on the 25th day
of April 1508.
Precept by Matthew, Earl of Levinax, for infefting Robert Bruce of Erth,
knight, and Euphemia Montgomery, his spouse, in the lands of Baldorane, in
terms of his charter made in the above resignation, confirmed by King James
IV of the same, dated the penult day of February, ann. R. 22.
Charter by Thomas Dunlop of Auchinskaith, and Marion Lindsay, his spouse,
to Sir Robert Bruce of Artht, knight, and Lady Euphemia Montgomery, his