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most clamant cases of oppression。 The Council declined interference
with the course of the ordinary justice of the county；
（which was completely under the said Earl of Cassilis' control；）
and only enacted； that he should forbear molestation of
the unfortunate Comendator； under the surety of two thousand
pounds Scots。 The Earl was appointed also to keep the
peace towards the celebrated George Buchanan； who had a pension
out of the same Abbacy； to a similar extent； and under the
like penalty。
The consequences are thus described by the Journalist already
quoted。
‘‘The said Laird of Bargany perceiving that the ordiner
justice could neither help the oppressed； nor yet the afflicted；
applied his mind to the next remedy； and in the end； by his servants；
took the house of Denure； where the poor Abbot was
kept prisoner。 The bruit flew fra Carrick to Galloway； and so
suddenly assembled herd and hyre…man that pertained to the
band of the Kennedies； and so within a few hours was the house
of Denure environed again。 The master of Cassilis was the
frackast ＇_i。e。_ the readiest or boldest） and would not stay； but
in his heat would lay fire to the dungeon； with no small boasting
that all enemies within the house should die。
‘‘He was required and admonished by those that were within
to be more moderate； and not to hazard himself so foolishly。 But
no admonition would help； till that the wind of an hacquebute
blasted his shoulder； and then ceased he from further pursuit
in fury。 The Laird of Bargany had before purchest ＇obtained＇
of the authorities； letters； charging all faithfull subjects to the
King's Majesty； to assist him against that cruel tyrant and
mansworn traitor； the Earl of Cassilis； which letters； with his
private writings； he published； and shortly found sic concurrence
of Kyle and Cunyngbame with his other friends； that
the Carrick company drew back fra the house： and so the other
approached； furnished the house with more men； delivered the
said Mr Allan； and carried him to Ayr； where； publicly at the
market cross of the said town； he declared how cruelly he was
entreated； and how the murdered King suffered not sic torment
as he did； excepting only he escaped the death： and； therefore；
publickly did revoke all things that were done in that extremity；
and especially he revoked the subscription of the three writings；
to wit； of a fyve yeir tack and nineteen year tack； and of a
charter of feu。 And so the house remained； and remains （till
this day； the 7th of February； 1571；） in the custody of the said
Laird of Bargany and of his servants。 And so cruelty was disappointed
of proffeit present； and shall be eternallie punished； unless
he earnestly repent。 And this far for the cruelty committed；
to give occasion unto others； and to such as hate the monstrous
dealing of degenerate nobility； to look more diligently upon their
behaviuours； and to paint them forth unto the world； that they
themselves may be ashamed of their own beastliness； and that
the world may be advertised and admonished to abhor； detest；
and avoid the company of all sic tyrants； who are not worthy of
the society of men； but ought to be sent suddenly to the devil；
with whom they must burn without end； for their contempt of
God； and cruelty committed against his creatures。 Let Cassilis
and his brother be the first to be the example unto others。
Amen。 Amen。''*
* Bannatyne's Journal。
This extract has been somewhat amended or modernized in
orthography； to render it more intelligible to the general reader。
I have to add； that the Kennedies of Bargany； who interfered
in behalf of the oppressed Abbot； were themselves a younger
branch of the Cassilis family； but held different politics； and
were powerful enough in this； and other instances； to bid them
defiance。
The ultimate issue of this affair does not appear； but as the
house of Cassilis are still in possession of the greater part of the
feus and leases which belonged to Crossraguel Abbey； it is
probable the talons of the King of Carrick were strong enough；
in those disorderly times； to retain the prey which they had so
mercilessly fixed upon。
I may also add； that it appears by some papers in my possession；
that the officers or Country Keepers on the border； were
accustomed to torment their prisoners by binding them to the
iron bars of their chimneys； to extort confession。
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXXI
Note F。…Ulrica's Death song。
It will readily occur to the antiquary； that these verses are
intended to imitate the antique poetry of the Scalds…the minstrels
of the old Scandinavians…the race； as the Laureate so happily
terms them；
‘‘Stern to inflict； and stubborn to endure；
Who smiled in death。''
The poetry of the Anglo…Saxons； after their civilisation and
conversion； was of a different and softer character； but in the
circumstances of Ulrica； she may be not unnaturally supposed
to return to the wild strains which animated her forefathers
during the time of Paganism and untamed ferocity。
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXXII
Note G。…Richard Cur…de…Lion。
The interchange of a cuff with the jolly priest is not entirely
out of character with Richard I。； if romances read him aright。
In the very curious romance on the subject of his adventures
in the Holy Land； and his return from thence； it is recorded
how he exchanged a pugilistic favour of this nature； while a
prisoner in Germany。 His opponent was the son of his principal
warder； and was so imprudent as to give the challenge to
this barter of buffets。 The King stood forth like a true man；
and received a blow which staggered him。 In requital； having
previously waxed his hand； a practice unknown； I believe； to
the gentlemen of the modern fancy； he returned the box on the
ear with such interest as to kill his antagonist on the spot。…_See；
in Ellis's Specimens of English Romance； that of Cur…de…Lion_。
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXXIII
Note H。…Hedge…Priests。
It is curious to observe； that in every state of society； some
sort of ghostly consolation is provided for the members of the
community； though assembled for purposes diametrically opposite
to religion。 A gang of beggars have their Patrico； and
the banditti of the Apennines have among them persons acting
as monks and priests； by whom they are confessed； and who
perform mass before them。 Unquestionably； such reverend
persons； in such a society； must accommodate their manners
and their morals to the community in which they live； and if
they can occasionally obtain a degree of reverence for their supposed
spiritual gifts； are； on most occasions； loaded with unmerciful
ridicule； as possessing a character inconsistent with all
around them。
Hence the fighting parson in the old play of Sir John Oldcastle；
and the famous friar of Robin Hood's band。 Nor were
such characters ideal。 There exists a monition of the Bishop
of Durham against irregular churchmen of this class； who associated
themselves with Border robbers； and desecrated the
holiest offices of the priestly function； by celebrating them for
the benefit of thieves； robbers； and murderers； amongst ruins
and in caverns of the earth； without regard to canonical form；
and with torn and dirty attire； and maimed rites； altogether
improper for the occasion。
NOTE TO CHAPTER XLI。
Note I。…Castle of Coningsburgh。
When I last saw this interesting ruin of ancient days； one
of the very few remaining examples of Saxon fortification； I
was strongly impressed with the desire of tracing out a sort of
theory on the subject； which； from some recent acquaintance
with the architecture of the ancient Scandinavians； seemed to
me peculiarly interesting。 I was； however； obliged by circumstances
to proceed on my journey； without leisure to take more
than a transient view of Coningsburgh。 Yet the idea dwells so
strongly in my mind； that I feel considerably tempted to write
a page or two in detailing at least the outline of my hypothesis；
leaving better antiquaries to correct or refute conclusions
which are perhaps too hastily drawn。
Those who have visited the Zetland Islands； are familiar with
the description of castles called by the inhabitants Burghs； and by
the Highlanders…for they are also to be found both in the Western
Isles and on the mainland…Duns。 Pennant has engraved
a view of the famous Dun…Dornadilla in Glenelg； and there are
many others； all of them built after a peculiar mode of architecture；
which argues a people in the most primitive state of society。
The most perfect specimen is that upon the island of Mousa；
near to the mainland of Zetland； which is probably in the
same state as when inhabited。
It is a single round tower； the wall curving in slightly； and
then turning outward again in the form of a dice…box； so that
the defenders on the