Douglas book > Angus memoirs

WARDEN OF ESKDALE, 1500. 129
two Wardens, to be held at Oanonbie in Eskdale, when Dacre demanded
redress of several complaints which he had made against marauding Scots.
The Master pointed out that he had received the " hills " (as the complaints
were termed) from the king only on the previous day, and had not had time
to summon those accused to answer for themselves, and it was not their custom
to convict any one unheard. Lord Dacre further complained that bills pre-
sented to the Master more than six months previously had not been dealt
with, and was reminded that at his own instance the hearing of these had been
deferred to the 1st of March next. After some discussion of special cases,
the wardens parted without coming to any definite conclusion, and the whole
question was referred to the Privy Council. They, with consent of the Master
of Angus, and a representative of Lord Dacre, appointed a day of final redress
to be held at Dumfries. 1 But Eskdale was lost to the Douglases about three
years after this, having been resigned apparently as the price of the liberation
of the Earl of Angus from imprisonment in Dumbarton. 2
During his wardenry on the Borders, an instance occurred of the Master
being required to fulfil his engagement to the Treasurer. One of his
vassals, Symon Scott of Arkyn, had been convicted of theft from the English,
1 Vol. iii. of this work, pp. 170-174. The of whom paid the last penalty of the law at the
Master of Angus was consulted by the Council " Hullirbus " and Canonbie. The raid was
on 24th April 1500, and explained in presence planned some time before it was executed,
of the lords some points of Border law. [Bal- In June the king sent Bute pursuivant to
four's Practicks, p. 596.] the King of England to secure his co-operation
2 Vol. iii. of this work, pp. 17S-1S0. The on the English side of the Border, but it
king appears to have retained Eskdale in his was August before he visited the district,
own hands for some time, but it afterwards Preparations were largely made during the
passed into the hands of the Maxwells. In interval, and when the king was in Eskdale,
the autumn of 1504 James the Eourth held a Lord Dacre was close at hand to supply all
justice ayre at Dumfries, and from that place needful assistance. [Treasurer's Accounts for
made an unexpected raid upon Eskdale, to the 1504, quoted by Pitcairn, Criminal Trials,
consternation of the Border thieves, not a few vol. i. p. 121*.]
VOL. II. II