James, steward of Scotland, states that formerly, through the death of Alexander [III], the late king of Scotland, the peace of the kingdom was disturbed, and he was demanding the presentation of arms and aid for the protection of the peace of the people and the kingdom from the men of the abbot and convent of Melrose living in their land of Kyle (AYR), which the monks hold from him and his ancestors in free, pure and perpetual alms, and also for the defense of James’s lands and their lands in Kyle. However, the abbot and convent stood firm in principle [against these procurations] because they held their lands in Kyle in free alms, quit from whatever kind of exaction, no matter how small. Nevertheless, eventually the monks granted to James, by special grace, and in consideration of the people, for peace and tranquility, the need James articulated in this charter, namely that he may have the aid of their men remaining in their land of Kyle, and James states that he wishes and grants that no injustice is to befall the abbot and convent or their liberties in the land of Kyle granted by his ancestors in posterity, because of the monks’ grant (i.e. that no future demands are made because of this precedent).
Firm date
1296 X 16 July 1309
Probable date
probably 1306 × 16 July 1309
Dating Notes
date of the commencement of the conflict × death of James