Genealogical account of the family of Edmonstone of Duntreath

NOTES TO GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
printed a poem, a fragment of which only remains, called Ragmannes Roll, consisting of a
list of good and bad women in alternate stanzas. It is a name given to the Devil.' In
the Encyclopaedia Britannica there is a different explication of the term.
Note 28, Page 20.
There is rather a curious coincidence as regards the two charters of the coronership.
The former, to Sir John, his heirs and assigns, is dated Aberdeen, 4th November, twenty-
third year of King David the Second, which would be 1352, seven years before he was
served heir to his father ; the other, restricting the grant to his own life, is dated Aberdeen,
November 5th, thirty-third year of our reign, which would be 1362.
The following are the terms of the first Charter : — ' David Dei gratia Rex Scotorum
omnibus probis hominibus suis ad quos presentes literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis
quod concessimus dilecto et fideli nostro Johanni de Edmondstoun et heredibus suis, et
suis assignatis officium Coronariae Laudoniae cum pertinentibus suis tenendis et habendis
eidem Johanni heredibus suis et assignatis cum omnibus et singulis feodis, rectis, con-
suetudinibus, libertatibus, commoditatibus aissamentis, et justis pertenentibus quibus-
cumque addictum officium spectantibus, seu quoquomodo juste spectare valentibus in
futurum : Quibus omnibus et singulis quorum interest, vel interesse poterit distincte
precipimus et mandamus quatenus eidem Johanni haeredibus suis et suis assignatis in
omnibus et singulis quae ad dictum officium pertinent, respondeant, pervenient, et intendant
sub poena quae competet in hac parte. In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus sigillum
nostrum precepimus apponi apud Aberdonium quarto die Novembris, anno regni nostri
vigesimo tertio.
As regards the office of Coroner, Baron Hume, in his Commentaries on the law of
Scotland, says, 'This officer, Coroner, now unknown in our practice, is specified as a
subsisting and necessary officer in the ordinance of Edward the First. One principal part
of his duty seems to have been by arrestment of the person, effects, or otherwise, to secure
the compearance of offenders for trial.' Several instances are then adduced. Hume,
Comment, vol. ii. page 24, note.
Note 29, Page 23.
The author of the Memorie of the Somervilles is very pertinacious in his error about
the acquisition of Cambusnethan. 'The same year,' he continues, 'wherein the nation
was in consternation (about the Earl of Douglas, 145 1) there is an instrument taken by
him (William Lord Somerville), in the hands of John Geddes, publick Notar of Glasgow,
wherein is contained and insert three ancient charters granted by King David the Second
in favour of Sir John Edmondstone,this nobleman's (William Lord Somerville's) own grand-
father, to the lands and barony of Cambusnethan, which for a long time belonged to the
name of Baird who was heritor of that barony before the forfaulture. The charters bear
date the seventeenth year of that King's reign, A.D. 1351.' Mr. Riddell states that there
is a charter by David the Second to Sir Alexander Stuart of Darnley, dated December 26,