Frasers of Philorth > Volume 1

THE FRASERS OF TOUCH-FRASER, ETC., AND COWIE. 79
in Buchan, and to retire into England in 1334; and during the next two
years Sir Andrew overran and wasted all Kincardine and Forfar, compelling
such friends of Baliol as could escape to fly for their lives. 1
The origin assigned for the prayers performed by the citizens in the chapel
of the castle on each Sunday is probable enough, and their continued resort
to the same spot at similar times, after the cause of their assembling in that
manner was forgotten among them, shows that it was a custom of very long
standing.
About 1334, also, there was a John Fraser in existence, who, from his
position, as nephew to the late King, son and heir of Sir Alexander Fraser,
and a rightful owner of large estates in the neighbourhood, of which he had
been deprived by Edward Baliol's party, and from the connection of his
family with the burgh of Aberdeen (his father, and, at least, one of his
uncles, Simon, had been honorary burgesses), 2 was a most likely person to
raise the citizens in support of the royal family, from which they had received
so many favours, and to lead them to the victory that they are credited with
by Kennedy.
A passage occurs in the Chamberlain Bolls, where the heirs of Bobert
de Keith and of Alexander Fraser of "Ewnysedale" are said to have
usurped the office of Vicecomes or Sheriff of Aberdeen for several years prior
to 1345-6. 3
The date of the entry is 1348, and at that time Sir Edward de Keith was
Marischal ; but down to 1346 he had been heir to his grandnephew, Sir
Bobert de Keith, the Marischal, who was killed at the battle of Durham.
As Sir Edward's son, William, married John Fraser's only daughter,
Margaret, there can be little doubt that their respective fathers were the
persons to whom the passage refers, and perhaps John Fraser's successful
leadership of the citizens of Aberdeen may have enabled him and his friend,
Sir Edward de Keith, to seize upon that office for a time.
It is not easy to decide upon the interpretation of the word " Ewnysedale "
in the passage, for no estate of that name appears to have been in the posses-
1 Fordun, Gesta Annalia, cl., clvi.
2 Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. v. p. 10.
3 Chamberlain Rolls, vol. i. p. 2S7.