Series 3 > Charters of the Abbey of Inchcolm
(35) Page xxx
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xxx ( HARTERS OF THE ABBEY OF INCHCOLM
The Inchcolm charters supply an instance of the device
frequently adopted by Scottish religious houses in the
sixteenth century, when their prestige was declining.
The appointment of some neighbouring laird as the
monastery’s bailie was often an indication that the jealousy
with which its lay neighbours regarded its immunities and
privileges and the envy with which they looked upon its
possessions could be restrained by conciliation when
ecclesiastical or political ‘ sanctions ’ could no longer be
effectively applied. There is no suggestion, however, when
Henry Stewart of Rosyth was appointed hereditary bailie
of the Abbey of Inchcolm, in 1538, with power to exercise
judicial functions within its lands,1 that he was other than
well-disposed to that house; and it was no doubt of
advantage to the Abbey to have the services, in the
capacity of bailie, of one of the magnates of its neighbour¬
hood.
One would wish to know the provenance of the docu¬
ment of 1548 (to which reference has already been made),
which records the excommunication of the Abbey at the
instance of William Spittall of Leuchat.2 The use against
the religious, at the instigation of a layman, of what was
formerly a formidable instrument in their own hands, is a
significant illustration of the decline of monastic prestige.
Several deeds in the present collection are concerned with
the characteristic controversies that arose out of the
monastery’s possession of or interest in mills, which placed
it in the position that it could exact feudal services from
the vassals of the lordship in which the mill was situated,
although it was not their feudal lord. The canons’ claims
to multures and other services of the mill were apt to be
resisted by the lord on whose land the mill was situated,
who saw what were otherwise his rightful dues claimed by
those whom he could not but regard as intruders. Thus,
3 Ibid., No. LXVI.
1 Charters, No. lviii.
The Inchcolm charters supply an instance of the device
frequently adopted by Scottish religious houses in the
sixteenth century, when their prestige was declining.
The appointment of some neighbouring laird as the
monastery’s bailie was often an indication that the jealousy
with which its lay neighbours regarded its immunities and
privileges and the envy with which they looked upon its
possessions could be restrained by conciliation when
ecclesiastical or political ‘ sanctions ’ could no longer be
effectively applied. There is no suggestion, however, when
Henry Stewart of Rosyth was appointed hereditary bailie
of the Abbey of Inchcolm, in 1538, with power to exercise
judicial functions within its lands,1 that he was other than
well-disposed to that house; and it was no doubt of
advantage to the Abbey to have the services, in the
capacity of bailie, of one of the magnates of its neighbour¬
hood.
One would wish to know the provenance of the docu¬
ment of 1548 (to which reference has already been made),
which records the excommunication of the Abbey at the
instance of William Spittall of Leuchat.2 The use against
the religious, at the instigation of a layman, of what was
formerly a formidable instrument in their own hands, is a
significant illustration of the decline of monastic prestige.
Several deeds in the present collection are concerned with
the characteristic controversies that arose out of the
monastery’s possession of or interest in mills, which placed
it in the position that it could exact feudal services from
the vassals of the lordship in which the mill was situated,
although it was not their feudal lord. The canons’ claims
to multures and other services of the mill were apt to be
resisted by the lord on whose land the mill was situated,
who saw what were otherwise his rightful dues claimed by
those whom he could not but regard as intruders. Thus,
3 Ibid., No. LXVI.
1 Charters, No. lviii.
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Scottish History Society volumes > Series 3 > Charters of the Abbey of Inchcolm > (35) Page xxx |
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Description | Over 180 volumes, published by the Scottish History Society, containing original sources on Scotland's history and people. With a wide range of subjects, the books collectively cover all periods from the 12th to 20th centuries, and reflect changing trends in Scottish history. Sources are accompanied by scholarly interpretation, references and bibliographies. Volumes are usually published annually, and more digitised volumes will be added as they become available. |
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