Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. I42S-] SAINT DAVID MENZIES. 105
document, dated 16th July 1425, in the form of a licence granted to Sir David
the Menzies, giving him his freedom, and allowing him to return to Scotland, as
he had delivered into the hands of the Bishop of Winchester hostages
equal in rank and influence with himself. The record reads thus : — " Licence to
George Cambell and David Meignes, Scotch hostages, to return to Scotland,
as they have delivered two substitutes. Similar licence for Thomas, Earl of
Moray ; Robert, Lord Keith, Marshal of Scotland, and seven others." — From the
Syllabus of Rhymer's Fcedera, p. 642, vol. ii., &c.
During the confinement of Sir David in the English prisons King James I.,
out of gratitude for his sufferings on his behalf, and as an acknowledgment of
his own and his ancestors' patriotic services to Scotland, gave to Sir David
the Menzies, with consent and by Act of the Scottish Parliament, the lands of
Dalketli and Kerliglippis, which lie north of the Menzies' lands of Vogry, and
may have joined them — the Parliamentary record of which, translated, reads : —
"In the Parliament held at Perth, nth day of March 1425. By an Act of
Parliament of James 1st, by the Grace of God, King of Scotland, held at Perth
on the nth day of the month of March 1425 anno, and in the 35th of his age and
the 20th of his reign. For holding certain Crown possessions as lord under
the king, for these lands gives the king the usual salutes [services], whereby they
are bound or joined together, as showen by records in order descending suc-
cessively, and represented by the noble Sir David Menyhes of Vogry, granted
together as showen by the noble donner, with power of gift by James of Douglas,
the gift of Dalketh, with right of future superior of these lands, together with those
of Kerlinlippis, to the said David and his heirs legitimately in peacefull possession,
for a 1 2th part yearly, with the other lands of the said David, from his remote
ancestors descending, as a recognition of faithfull and patriotic services his large
possessions were given."
This is followed by another Parliamentary record, which refers to the same : —
" Power to borrow is given to Alan of Erskyne, with security as usual, the said
lands as under the usual custom entrance is given to said David [Menzies] for
a full quantity of good grain, under the which as indeed custom demanded, with
full service as understood at the present time, and rehearsed in the records of
Parliament, provided he remains undisgraced before God, given by the said
donner in the hearing of Parliament to the said David, as far as the root from
this time is founded for State business. And given for good reasons merited
after consideration of duty, decree the said lands of ' Kerliglippis ' and the said
donation of Dalketh given in the usual form declared as a recognition of the
debt and interest in that place of the said David, as possessed by him legally untill
now. Firmly [confirmed] by my full liberty, given under witness of the Great
Seal and donnation of the King, into the possession of the said David, at