Part 7

That quhair that eftir the cummyng of LORD ROBERT STEWART, fewar of Orknay and Zetland, to the dominioun of the saidis cuntries, LAURENCE BRUCE of Cultemalindie obtenit of him the office of Fowdrie of Zetland; and schortlie eftir the said Laurence enterit to the possessioun of the said office, he himselff, his servandis and complices in his name, of his causing vsit sic diuers wrangis and extortiounis vpon ws contrair the lawis and auld custome of the said Cuntrie: And specialie it was the auld vse and custome of Zetland observit in all tymis bygane, that thair was ane discreit man of ilk paroche, by the rest, callit The Lawrichtman, quha mesurit oure dewitie, callit Wadmell, and weyit our dewitie of buttir; and now the said Laurence hes causit ane of his awin chesing to do the samyn contrair our lawis, to our grit hurt, Insamekle that the said Laurence hes continualie sen his entrie, quhilk was in the moneth of Maij or thairby, the zeir of God I^m v^c lxxj zeiris, vptaking our landmale and dewitie, callit Wadmaill, with ane wrang mesour; swa that for ilk thrie scoir cuttell quhilk we aught to have payit, he hes compellit ws to pay ffour scoir cuttell wadmell, and swa hes augmentit ws the fourt pairt of our dewitie.

The Ferd and Fyft dayis of Februar _respective_, 1576, the Inhabitantis and Parochinaris of Tingwale, Quhytnes, and Weisdale, was ressauit, sworne, admittit, and examinit vpoun the Article aboue specifiit, quhais names followis—

Henrie Halcro, Vnder Fowde Henrie Halcro, Officiar Huchoun of Brankishammersland Johannes of Brankishammersland Thomas of Girdilsta Erasmus of Watbustar Laurence of Hammersland John of Hammersland Thomas of Wathsettar Jacob of Linksettar Magnus of Linksettar Nichole of Balzesta Gilbert Thomassoun Nichole of Hammersland John Twait of Hammersland Thomas of Laxfirthe Nichole of South Laxfirth Jacob Tait Williame Tait James Leslie John Gudlat John Bondissoun Olaw Bondissoun Stephanus of Kebustar Walter of Strand Nichole Gudlait Thomas Gudlait Erasmus of Got Laurence of Got John Sclaitter in Got Magnus Halcro Malcolme Halcro Robert of Weisgarth Nichole of Lie Magnus of Lie Laurence of Daill Erasmus of Daill Nichole of Daill Olaw of Fiche Eirick in Ansta John Andersoun in Vennerbrek Nichole Ramsaye Nichole Benedickssone James of Scalloway Magnus of Scalloway John Hubert John Michell Robert Wilsoun John Ross David Thomsoun Williame of Berrie Johne Vmphra Johne of Berrie Nichole of Burwik Nichole Thomassoun Nichole Smyth Thomas Yrrewing Johne Lummisdaine Erasmus of Garth Cast Erasmussoun Thomas in Northsettare Magnus Peirsoun of Vstenes Paule Magnussoun Johne Hammer Magnus of Howane Nichole of Mayneland Olaw Smyth of Brek Nichole of Brek Magnus of How Thomas Marteinsoun Johannes of How Magnus Olawsoun in How Robert Petirsoun in How Magnus Tate now in Olagarth Nichole in Browaland Nichole in Eistthouss Magnus Nichole in Stromness Magnus Magnussoun in Wormadaill Magnus Androissoun in Hugrasta Magnus Nichole in Hugrasta Stephin Zowtsoun in Dessabrek James Sinclair in Cova Martein in Huchsettar Nichole of Cot Magnus of Cot Erasmus of Sound Magnus of Sound Magnus of Helliabuster Andro of Helliabuster Nichole of Helliabuster Johne Benedicsoun of Stenswall Magnus Mandeissoun of Tuslavoll Ereik Magnussoun in Scarpagarth David Huip in Wastoiff Laurence Smyth in Hamragarth Johne Magnussoun thair Olaw in Housto in Weisdaile Sowart in How Magnus Guthreissoun in How Olaw Magnussoun in How Thomas Jacobsoun in Toft Benedick in Overbustare Thomas Benedickssoun in Overbustare Olaw Jacobsoun in Overbustare Magnus Paulsoun in Setir Boun in Kirkgar John Thomassoun in Kirgar Laurence Johnsoun in Kirgar Jacob of Scarrane Magnus of Scarrane

Quhilk persounis, examinit upoun the Article foirsaid, deponis as eftir followis all in ane voce, That thair hes not bein ane Lawrichtman in thair parochin of Quhytnes, Tingwell, and Weisdale, sen the Laird of Cultemalindeis last entres, quhilk was in the zeir of God I^m v^c lx twelff zeiris; quhilk Lawrichtman of auld vse and consuetude was ane necessar officiar in everie seuerale yle and paroche of the cuntrie, chosin with the commoun consent and electioun of the Fowde and Commownis to keip and giff attendence to the lawful and just cuttell; quhilk is thair mesour or elwand quhairwith thai mett thair clayth, callit Wadmell, quhilk is ane dewitie thai pay to the Kingis Maiestie for thair scat and landmales zeirlie. And siclyk to keip the just wecht callit the Bismeir, quhairupoun thair haill buttir, bayth of scat and landmales was weyit, togidder with ane just Can quhairwith thai mesourit thair vlie payit in scat to the King. With the quhilks cuttell, bismeir, and can, the said Lawrichtman mesurit, met, and weyit the saidis dewiteis of butter, wadmell, and vle fra the Commownis, and delyuerit the saimen to the Fowdis, swa that bayth the Fowde and Commownis gat just mesour and wecht without hurt, fraude, or gyle. And mairattour, it was ane pairt of his office, as ane speciale man chosin for his discretioun and jugement, to be Chancellar of the assyiss in all courtis, that quhair ony difficill questioun come in hand, he schew the law, vse, and practik thairupoun, and gaif the rest of the assyiss informatioun how to decerne, and pronouncit the decreits, perqueyre, in defalt of scrybis; and had ane ordinar stipende of the Commownis thairfoir, and was as ane procuratour and defendar of thair richtis and commownwelth. And sensyne thai haue had na Lawrichtman bot men of the Lairdis awin inputting to vse the said office, quha with new cuttellis, bismeiris, and cannis maid by the just met, mesour, and wecht, vsit of befoir, be the Lairdis command and causing, hes hurt the Commownis grittumlie. And nocht onlie be the saidis wrangus wechtis, mettis, and mesouris, bot alswa be the handis that weyit and mesurit the saimen, and in speciale maist be the hand, swa that of everie pact of wadmell, quhilk contenis thre scoir of cuttellis, he tuik fra thame mair nor the just ten cuttellis, swa that quhair he suld haue had bot thre scoir of cuttellis, he tuik fra thame three scoir ten cuttellis.

The Aught day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid, the Inhabitantis and Parochinaris of Brassay beand ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpoun the foirsaid First Article, quhais names followis—

Erasmus of Kirkbustar Gregor of Holme John of Holme Christopheir of Grindiscole Magnus of Patafirth Jacob of Vstensta Nichole of Vstensta Torwald of Hoversta Magnus in Hoversta Nichole in Hoversta Johne in Hoversta Johne Smyth Erasmus in Keldibustar Nichole of Crowasettar Magnus in Howane Magnus of Bowasettar Magnus Leslie Andro Leslie Nichole in Garth Sandie of Nossound Magnus in Nossound Magnus Johnsoun in Burgh Duncane Inksettar Olaw in Burgh Erasmus in Burgh Johne in Grymsettar Andro in Grymsettar Erasmus in Watbustair Thomas of Kirkbustar

Thir foirsaid persounis examinit vpoun the First Article befoir writtin, ar conforme to the formar deponaris anent the ressait of the wadmell be the Laird of Cultemalindeis ressavearis; and farther, giff thair was na mair tane of thame, be the cuttell and the handis, of wadmell, thair was na less. And that of ane pack quhilk was of the wadmell of Weisdaile, quhilk suld be bot thre scoir of cuttellis of just mesour, thair was thre scoir and fyftein cuttellis tane, swa thair was fyftein mair nor aneuche; as the mettar thairoff, Magnus Leslie, confessit in presence of the Commissionaris; and the said Magnus and the haill Commownis confessis that thai war compellit be the Laird and certane his servandis beand present, to met sa largelie, and durst do na vtherwyiss for feir of him; and thai afferme, that he ressauit with ane mesour fra the Commownis, and delyuerit agane with ane less mesour to the merkat.

The Nynt day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid, the Inhabitantis and Parochinaris of Nesting, Lunasting, Quhalsay, ressauit, sworne, and examinit upoun the foirsaid Article, quhais names followis—

Ereik in Vtrabustare Johannes in Hamnavo Nichole in Colafirth Henrie Foster Dauid in Sweining James in Swening Olaw in Tronasettar Adame in Vydlaw Robert Mackbayth thair Magnus in Gillisbrek Johannes thair Laurence in Garth Petrik thair Olaw in Kirkabustar Antonius thair Magnus in Kirkabustar Nichole of Neip Andro in Skalberrie Edwarde Kettill thair Johannes in Fluagar Gelis Kettill Antone Laurencesoun Johne in Grunzefirth George Olawssoun in Laxfirth Erasmus thair Williame Reid Thomas of Kirkabustar Laurence Thomassoun Magnus in Houssabustar Michael in Brattabustar Olaw Erasmussoun Andro Olaussoun in Sheldesta Andro Nicholsoun thair Williame Magnussoun Dauid Strang Edwarde Thomassoun in Garth Alaster Suthirland thair Symon and Magnus his sonnis, thair Alaster Strang in Aythiswyk Erasmus in Aswyk Alexr. Duff in Glaitness Christopheir Thomassoun thair Olaw Huchessoun thair Magnus in Raillisburgh William Gairoche in Vassie Christopheir Symyonesoun in Freasetter Henrie in Catfirth and Christopheir thair Magnus Huchesoun in Crowne Magnus in Flamesta

THE MEN OF QUHAILSAY

Pole in Sca Magnus Petirsoun thair Magnus Laurencessoun thair Petir in Gardishouss James Suthirland George Work Robert Huntar Magnus Sandeissoun Magnus Matheisoun Erasmus in Hinksettar Jacob in Levasettar Dauid Watsoun in Clett George and Thomas Harwode thair Christopheir in Sandwyk Erasmus Bothwell Culbein of Sinbuster, sumtyme Lawrychtman Olaw in Morasettar Antone Culbeinsoun John Culbeinsoun Magnus in Neisthehouss Henrie Work thair Magnus Androissoun thair Magnus Petersoun thair Petir Thomassoun in Houle James Williamsoun in Houle William Huntar in Lie Magnus Olawssoun thair Olaw in Scheldasetter

Quhilkis persounis, inhabitaris of Nesting, Lunasting, and Quhailsay, examinit vpoun the First Article, deponis anent the Lawrichtman, the ressauing of thair wadmell, and the wrang done to thame thairintill, conforme to the formar depositionaris in all thingis.

The Ellewint day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid, the Inhabitantis of Goldberwyk, Quharf, Trondra, and Burray, beand ressauit, sworne, and examinit, vpoun the first foirsaid Article, quhais names followis—

Thomas of Grymbuster Johne in Sound Stephane in Sound Erasmus in Sound Robert Ballie thair Martein in Sound Magnus his brother, thair Nicole of Vtrabustar Magnus Nicholsoun in Crope Magnus Nicholsoun in Soirtoun Williame Swainssoun in Weyk Johne Swainssoun thair Andro in Satir Swaine in Brindista Nicholaus Magnussoun Petrik Magnussoun

QUHARFF.

Magnus Nicholsoun in Cowasettar Olaw Huchesoun in Eister Quharff Olaw Nicholsoun thair Nichole Johnsoun Olaw Johnsoun Olaw in Vpswall Beriald Nicholsoun Williame Petirsoun in Swening William Johnsoun in Tow Magnus in Vradale Richart in Houle Magnus Laurencesoun in Sound

TRONDRA.

Magnus Williamsoun Olaw Laurencesoun Huchoun of Trondra Benedick Laurencessoun

BURRAY YLE.

Richart in Browsaclett Dauid Sinclair in Hugoland James of Northbustar Sandie of Northbustar Erasmus in Sinbustar Thomas in Sinbustar Laurence Dauidsoun in Myre Robert in Clett Magnus in Sandwyk Magnus Kettill in Grunzesound Nichole Ewmondsoun in Hugoland Magnus of Burgh Laurence and Gelis of Burgh Magnus Symounesoun Magnus Erasmussoun Robert Nicholsoun Laurence Magnussoun Magnus in Brek Olaw Magnussoun Henrie Tailzour Magnus Sandeissoun Andro Jacobsoun Erasmus Johnsoun in Papill

Thir foirsaidis persounis examinit vpon the First Article anent the Lawrichtman and the ressait of the wadmell, ar conforme to thame that hes deponit affoir; and affermis, giff thai tuik na mair of the wadmell thai tuik na less, and that be the large and wrangus gripping of the handis that mett the saimen, done at the Lairdis command; ffor quhan thai complanit of him of the wrangus mett, he said, it was na velvat, swa thai gat no vther remeid, bot quhan thai held the wadmell in thair hand to haue gottin richt mett, thay wald giff thame ane straik on the hand with the cuttell to gar thaim lat it gang.

The Tuelft day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid, the Inhabitantis of the Skerries, of the Ylis of Zell, Fetlar, and Vnst, ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpon the First foirsaid Article, quhais naimes followis—

SKERREIS.

Magnus in Browarie Halbart Magnussoun Christopheir in Gaill Erasmus Magnussoun Magnus Clerk Petir Olawsoun Petir Nichollssoun Ever in Skerries

ZELL.

Christiane in Satir Nicholaus in Graven Dauid Spence Williame Spence Nicolaus of Culzevo Donald Fresour William Olawssoun Erasmus in Brek Sewart of Bosta Dauid of Burgh Magnus Hacla Gelis of Cowasetter Swaine of Windass Donald of Volista Martein of Rago Johne of Bowasetter Michael of Garth Salomon Scot James of Vralie Robert Fresour Johne Fresour Erasmus Laurencesoun Olaw in Graven Olaw in Quyon James of Swairasetter Magnus Nipiebak Thomas of Kettilsetter Magnus of Littilasetter Erasmus in Airisdale Machis in Howland Laurence of Copasetter Magnus in Sandfre Garth Vlsta Petir in Bega Olaw in Cladoun Nicholaus in Netherhoule John in Burgh Dauid Randell Thomas in Scatlandishouss Petir Nisbet Thomas Cowpasetter

FETLAR.

Edwarde of Odsta Niniane in Sand Stephane Vrie Magnus Erasmussoun Erasmus in Culbinstoft Magnus in Muklagarth Magnus Johnsoun Magnus of Still Sowart of Kirkhous Williame Scot Olaw Symonesoun Thomas Blanx Antonius in Ayth Olaw in Hellyhous Olaw in Nesthous Olaw Suthirland Magnus Burgar Gavill in Toft Nicholaus in Crocebustare Olaw Gregoursoun James Suthirland

VNST.

Christopheir and Williame in Sca Olaw of Kirkatoun Phinne of Torwall Olaw Vnderfeald Nicholaus of Westerhous Erasmus in Skega Williame Smyth John Coupland of Ska Andro in Burrafirth Williame in Magneland Andro in Gardie James in Geo Symon in Gardie Johane in Clogon Olaw in Gardoun Vryell in Bwanes Pole in Maill Walter Hall Johne Phea Magnus Snaburg Laurence Hill Walter Smyth Antone Watbustare Olaw in Lyn Olaw in Crocebustare Andro in Crocebustare Gutrum Petrasetter Johne Mowat of Sandwyk Henrie Hay Olaw in Hamroun Petir in Clovacast Magnus Rvnon Williame Magnussoun Williame Makriche Waltir Moreissoun Barthole Strang Siluester Frangorde Andro Farquhar Magnus of Cathhouss Williame of Langhouss Henrie of Stoiff Thomas of Bodoun

Thir persounis immediatlie aboue writtin examinit, affermis, all in ane voce, concerning the Lawrichtman, the mesour, and the hand in the intaking of the wadmell, conforme to thame that hes deponit of befoir vpon the First Article.

The Fourteint day of Februar, zeir and place foirsaid, the Inhabitantis of the parochin of Delting and Scatsta ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpon the First foirsaid Article, quhais names followis—

Magnus of Howbinsettar Thomas of Voxsettar Olaw of Gonfirth Paule of Gonfirth Magnus in Barfensettare Thomas of Flett Olaw in Skewa Petir of Kirkhouss Angus in Voy Nichole in Back Nichole in Theon Petray thair Magnus of Clovagarth Laurence in Lie Johne in Sorsetter Erasmus in Southirhouss Elzen thair Erasmus Youngar in Southirhouss Magnus in Eisterscorde Andro Hall Erasmus of Gruting Magnus of Sandgarth Andro Peirsoun in Daill Erasmus thair Donald in Toft Magnus of Gardoun Laurence of Brek Olaw of Collafirth Olaw Cull Symon of Outhallistoft Thomas in Quhom Andro Giffurde, Vnderfowde Nichole Hardwall Andro Hawick of Scattsta Antonius of Grawen Thomas Yrrewing Thomas of Laxvo Magnus of Laxvo Jacob thair Olaw of Neagarth Erasmus of Stenswall Williame of Bordigarth Boun Yrrewing in Garth Sewart in Caldbak Nichole of Orquoy Erasmus of Crogasetter Andro thair Olaw in Burgh Melschor Culane Petir in Neschon John in Burness Benedick thair Erasmus, elder and younger, thair Ereick in Burness Laurence of Firth John in Firth Thomas in Swynasetter Andro thair Magnus thair John Denone, Vicair