Part 8

Thir persounis immediatlie aboue writtin, examinit vpon the First Article, concerning the Laurichtman of this parochin, thai all afferme that Nichole Hardwall was thair Laurichtman, bot in the Lairdis tyme he gat na place to use his office, nor to delyver the wadmell as he aucht to haue done, bot the Land causit vtheris of his awin chesing to met their wadmell fra the Commownis; zit nevirtheless the Commownis war compellit to pay the Laurichtman his accustomit fee zeirlie, albeit he gat na place to do his office. Thai ar conforme to the formar deponaris anent the wrang of the mettein of the wadmell, with this additioun, giff ony of thame wantit ane cuttell of wadmell of his dewitie, the Laird compellit thame to pay thairfoir twa schillingis Scottis; and giff thai had ane cuttell attour thair dett vpon the end of their wob or mair, he wad not giff that superplus of to thame, bot wald giff them twa s. for ilk cuttell that thai had owr thair dett; and sum tyme wald tak it and gif thame na thing thairfoir.

The Fyfteint day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid, the Parochinaris of Northmaven ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpone the First foirsaid Article, quhais names followis—

Laurence of Hagrasettare Olaw of Ylisburgh Magnus in Mangosettar Olaw Nebon Laurence of Gvnzesetter Olaw of Hammer Laurence of Orabustare Antonius in Vrafirth Magnus in Awsetter Thomas in Over Vre Thomas of Findeland Turberrie thair Olaw of Videfeild Laurence Tulloch of Westhouss Olaw of Sandwyk Thomas of Tangweyk Thomas of Stanehous Erasmus of Brekown Laurence thair Erasmus in Frangorde Magnus and Thomas of Grithouland Henrie and Magnus of Stow Gregorius of Lyascole Thomas of Vigginsgarth Androis of Vre Nichole, eldar and youngar, thair Johne of Awisgarth Thomas of Bravehouland Laurence of Mvrone Thomas of Hamnavoy Erasmus of Okcratoun Olaw Northhous in Occratoun Magnus in Sonderhous thair Thomas of Hekzevir thair Magnus of Vzea Olaw of Vzea Botulff in Vzea Erasmus thair Magnus, elder and younger, in Sandvo Johne of Bratbustare Bothwell of Sater John of Houle Gregorius, elder and younger, in Vsbister Johne of Fluagarth Johne of Burravo Christopheir thair James in Howland Erasmus in Caldsta Magnus thair Huchoun in Skelberry Bodwell, elder and zounger, in Houssettar Thomas in Colafirth Andro in Colafirth Magnus Tulloch in Hoxnasettar Thomas in Vnderfeald Olaw of Voe Nichole of Swynasettar Alexander M’Baythsoun Magnus in Quoyfirth John of Lyen Johannes of Howen Petir of Northweyk Magnus in Vstness Gilbert Portuiss in Hugoland Johne in Lunasettar Andro Robertsoun in Fiblasettar John Robertsoun in Nestasettar Magnus in Turvasettar John in Bardasettar Laurence and Andro in Gluss Gregorius and Olaw in Burroland Nicholaus in Clodasetter Olaw in Howle Gregorius in Toft in Sowlim Ereik and Johne in Sowlim Thomas in Lunnasettar

Thir persounis, Parochinaris of Northmaven, examinit; thai ar conforme to the formar deponaris anent the wrangus ressait of the wadmell fra thame be the Laird and his doaris; als thai grant that thai had ane Lawrichtman, callit Dauid Tulloch, quha gat na leiff to vse his office, quharthrow thai war grittumlie hurt.

At Tingwall, the xvi day of Februar 1576. The Induellaris of the parochinaris of Wawiss, ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpon the foirsaid First Article, quhais names followis, with the pendicle thairoff callit Papa—

Laurence of Grunzevo Magnus of Quhytisness Olaw of Garmatwait James Paulsoun Magnus Erasmussoun Symon Magnussoun Johannes of Stennestwait Christopheir Laurencesoun Paule Watsoun Magnus Watsoun Magnus Jacobsoun Johannes of Burroland Nichole of Burroland Andro Wischart Nichole Flett Nichole Thomassoun Williame Voy Christopheir Nicholsoun Nichole Turbensoun in Brek Johannes in Stannisland Mr. Robert Chene James of Swarvasettar Nichole in Huvedigarth Johne of Glen Nichole Schewartsoun Nichole Olawsoun Jacob in Satir Gelis and Thomas thair Andro Fresur Laurence in Torradaill Laurence in Kinkavale Andro and Johne Mudie Nichole of Gossater Vriale of Daill Johannes of Hucsettar Petir of Sunsquoy Erasmus Andersoun Erasmus Johnsoun John Wischart Magnus in Garth

PAPAY.

Nichole Johnsoun Olaw Christopheirsoun James Christopheirsoun Erasmus Androissoun Boun Olawsoun Erasmus Zoungar Johne Magnussounun William Erasmusson Olaw Knodsoun Johannes Erasmussoun Andro Bowhous Olaw Boll Olaw Andersoun Olaw Johnsoun John Nicholsoun

Quhilkis persounis, immediatlie befoir writtin, examinit vpon the First Article; thai ar agreeable concerning the Lawrichtman, and the vsing of his office to the formar deponaris of Delting and Scattstay; and siclyk anent the delyuering of the wadmell, in all poyntis.

The xxj day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid, the Parochinaris of Sandsting and Aythsting, ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpon the First foirsaid Article, quhais names followis—

Magnus in Vnzefirth Thomas and Henrie thair Johne Wischart Williame in Sater Magnus and Olaw in Closta Petir and Olaw in Vzeasound Thomas in Ayththisness Erasmus and Myches in Vphous Olaw in Papay Patrik in Burrafirth Magnus Mowat Magnus Reid Benedict and Nichole in Howasetter Magnus and Johne of Cumming Olaw Twait in Northous Petir Longascole Andro in Kirkhous John of Brek Magnus Bigsetter Laurence in Trusta Henrie Sandsound Magnus Halcro Williame Bairfield Magnus Michelsoun Olaw and Thomas in Sand John in Sunlasetter Magnus and Paule of Skeld Magnus Johnsoun Petir Wischart Williame of Skeld Thomas Ryssie Johne of Cultisweyk Christopheir in Haistensetter Magnus and Johannes in Sellivo Johannes of Gruting Johne Murray Olaw Hugonsoun in Browaland Johne Rolland thair

Thir persounis, immediatlie preceding, examminit, vpon the First Article thai ar aggrieable in all things, conforme to the formar deponaris.

The foirsaid xxj day of Februar, the zeir and place foirsaid. The Parochinaris of Dunrostnes, ressauit, sworne, and examinit vpon the First Article, quhais names followis—

Olaw Flattabustare Williame and Erasmus thair Erasmus of Ocraquoy Magnus in Howkenasettar Johannes of Blostoiff Olaw Magnussoun Olaw of Hellyness Magnus Bramer Magnus of Cutha Ereik and Magnus of Goird Olaw in Sterkagar Magnus in Tow Symone in Culbinisgarth Swaine Eldegar Williame in Brind Hectour of Brind Nichole of Clapwall Brownie of Scarpagarth Magnus of Wattisgarth Magnus in Wastano Olaw of Maill Magnus of Maill James Cloustane Williame Hog Thomas in Leabuttin Olaw Smyth in Sand Magnus Mowat of Burrowland Andro of Howland Thomas of Culzesettar Antone in Cumlaweyk Magnus in Viasettar Johne Johnstoun in Hoisweyk Magnus Tullo Williame and Antone of Channerweyk Magnus thair Laurence Lesk in Gord Thomas Antonissoun Nichole Segarth Magnus Mowat in Lavenweyk Nichole Mowat thair Claus and Olaw Haldensoun Niniane and George of Clumming Gawane of Longasettar Magnus Trosweyk Henrie in Outvo Magnus in Skelberrie Magnus Symondsoun Olaw in Vo and Johne in Vo Henrie and Williame Lesk Henrie Mowat and James Mowat Laurence Lesk Laurence Sinclair Johne Yrrewing Johne Torquele John Petirsoun Johne Sclatter Johne Sinclair Magnus Lesk and Laurence Lesk Ereik of Burroiss Magnus Thomassoun Henrie Thomassoun Arling Johnsoun and Williame Johnsoun Gregorius Olawsoun Williame Pattisoun John Smyth and Henrie Smyth Williame and Symone of Loball Leonarde Coupland and Gilbert Coupland Magnus Erlingsoun Maguns Nicholsoun Johne Gybsoun James of Brek Arling of Bw Johne and James Sinclair in Garth Andro Cheild Thomas Patoun Olaw Magnussoun out of Mo Olaw and Alaster Sutherland William in Eistishouss Magnus thair Henrie Strang Johne Cromertie Orme and Andro of Quendale Nichole Flett Robert Scartane Edward Sinclair in Town Robert Archbauld Johne Hendersoun Thomas Bernissoun Rull of Ringista Andro Ringista Thomas Ormissoun Williame in Brek Johne of Colsettar Magnus Beindsoun in Backasettar Nichole in Sunlasettar Henrie in Noss Stewin of Forvo Thomas of Fuktoun Williame Sinclair in Sater Henrie Emlay Matho Fuktoun Magnus Greg and his sounis Thomas in Mawik

Thir persounis immediatlie aboue writtin, examinit vpone the First Article; thay ar conforme to the formar deponaris, with this additioun, Erling of Bw, Lawrichtman of Dinnrosness hes testifeit, in presence of the Commissionaris, that he broucht at dyuerss tymes, twa sindrie cuttellis of just mesour, to haue delyuerit the wadmell of Dunrosness thairupon, conforme to his office, bot the Laird of Cultemalindie refusit outher to lat him met, or zit to lat the wadmell be mett with his cuttell: Quhairfoir the said Lawrichtman, seing he was refusit, in sing of the disobedience and wrang that was done, in presence of the haill Commownis, he brak his cuttellis and requyrit the haill Commownis witness heiroff.

THE SECUND ARTICULE OF THE GENERALE COMPLAYNTIS giffen in befoir the Regentis Grace and Secreit Counsale be Arthour Sinclair of Ayth, as eftir followis—

Secundlie, The said Laurence hes compellit us to pay the dewitie of our buttir on his wecht, callit the Bismeyr, ffor ilk twelff lespund buttir quhilk was payit of auld, fyftein lespundis, swa that we ar compellit to pay the fyft pairt of our dewitie of buttir mair nor was ever payit of befoir.

The foirsaidis Parochinaris of Tingwale, Quhytness and Weisdaill, sworne and examinit befoir the Commissionaris, day, zeir, and place foirsaid, vpon the Secund Article, deponis as followis—

Thay depone, that the thrie zeiris bypast, viz., J^m V^c Lxxij, Lxxiij, and Lxxiiij zeiris, thair was tane fra thame be the Laird and his weyaris, for everie just lespund quhilk extendis to xxiiij merkis, thay tuik fra thame be wrang wechtis, and be the handis that weyit, thretty merkis. Bot this last zeir of Lxxv zeiris crope, thai depone that thai war relevit of the ane halff of the wrang wecht, swa that thai payit bot xxvij merkis this last zeir for the lespund, quhilk was bot thre merkis mair nor just of ilk lespund.

The foirsaidis Parochinaris of Brassay, sworne and examinit befoir the saidis Commissionaris, day, zeir, and place foirsaid, vpon this Secund Article, deponis as followis—

Anent the ressait of thair butter, thai are conforme to the men of Tingwall, Quhytness and Weisdale, formar deponaris vpon the said Secund Article; with this additioune, Erasmus of Kirkbustare, quha was Laurichman of Brassay in tyme of vmquhile Olaw Sinclair of Avera, Fowde of Zetlande, testifyit in presence of the Commissionaris, that he ressauit ane bismeyr, quhilk Williame Vrwing of Trondra maid, be the haill consent bayth of the Fowde and Commownis of Zetland; quhilk bismeyre he hes keipit neir xxx zeiris bypast, quhilk was haldin ane just bismeyre, ay and quhill the Laird of Cultemalindie enterit Fowde; bot sensyne the Laird hes refusit to ressaue ony buttir vpon that bismeyre, but causit ane new bismeyre to be maid, transmonting sax, sewin, or aucht merkis mair, betuixt the wecht and the hand that weyit, nor that auld just bismeyre was; and he hes continewit sen his entress to ressaue the buttir on that maner, except this last zeir, quhair in the ressait of the buttir, he diminissit ane pairt of the wrang wecht to the quantitie of twa or thre merkis of euery lespund that he had wount to tak in the zeiris befoir, bot zit he come not to the just auld wechtis be thre merkis at the leist, as the formar deponaris has declarit. And als the foirsaidis parochinaris affermis, that the Laird gart serse out the grittest bismeyre that was amang the Duchemen; and quhan he had gottin the same, the quhilk was thre or four merkis mair nor just, zit he wald not ressaue the buttir thairupoun, bot upon his awin bismeyre, quhilk he had gart mak; quhilk was twa or thre merkis mar of everie lespund nor the grittest bismeyre that was amangis the Duchemen.

The foirsaidis Parochinaris of Nesting, Lunasting, Quhailsay, Skerreiss, Burray, Trondray, Quharff, Goldberwyk, Vnst, Fetlar, Zell, Delting, and Scatsta, Northmaven, Wawiss, Sandsting and Aythsting, and Dunrostnes, sworne and examinit befoir the saidis Commissionaris, dayis, zeir, and place befoir specifiet, respectiue, vpon the Secund Article, deponis as followis—

Thay all affirmis and aggreis anent the bismeyre and the ressait of the buttir, and vpon the zeiris, conforme to the formar deponaris, wyth this aditioune of the parochinaris of Burray, Quharff, and Goldberwyk, quha affermit, that the man that weyit thair buttir durst do na vyther wayis for feir of the Laird, because he stude besyde him all the tyme of the weying: And wyth this additioune of the grittest nummer of the parochinaris of Scatstay and Delting, quha deponit, that thai gat nathing doune of the wrang wechtis the last zeir: And wyth this additioune of the haill parochinaris of Northmaven aboue specifeit, quha declarit, that Dauid Tulloch, thair Laurichtman, broucht his bismeyre wyth him to the Duchemennis buyt at Gluss, till haue weyit the buttir thairupoune to the Laird, according to the dewitie of his office, bot the Laird wald not suffer him to do the saimen; and he said to the Laird, It was ewill done that he wald not lat him wie the Commownis buttir with the just bismeyre quhilk he had broucht with him thair, and said it was not aneuche that he suld oppress the Commownis with ane wrangus bismeyre; and because he spak tha wourdis to the Laird for the rycht in favour of the Commownis, or ever the Laird wald luik on him with patience, he gart him pay to him for the said speiche fyve dolouris: And wyth this additioune of Magnus Reid of Ayth, quha producit in presence of the Commissionaris and the haill Commownis of Sandsting, Aythsting, and Dunrostness, ane letter under the commown seale of Zetland, of the electioune of Nichole Ayth of that ilk, fader to the said Magnus, to the office of Lawman-generale of all Zetland, quhilk is of the dait, In the Ting holm of Tingwale, the xxvij day of July, in the zeir of God J^m V^c xxxij zeires, togidder with ane bismeyre, quhilk the said Lawman keipit and observit as ane just bismeyre all his dayis. Lykas the said Magnus his sone, affermit, that he had keipit it sen his said faderis deceiss, and was repute and haldin as ane just and attentik wechte, and for verificatioune thairoff, the Fowdis merk and Lawmannis merk war ingravit in the same; quhilk bismeyre beand conferrit with the Lairdis bismeyre, quhilk he hes usit commounlie sen his entress, the foirsaid Lardis bismeyre transcendis and surmontis the said Lawmannis laufull bismeyre vpon the lespund wecht, aucht merkis mair nor just, quhilk extendis to the third pairt of ane lespund, swa that the Laird hes of the Commownis be hes bismeyre, of everie thre lespundis he ressavis, he hes the fourt lespund attour the just wecht wranguslie; and this was verifiit be the haill twa parochinaris aboue mentionat, befoir the saidis Commissionaris.

THE THRID ARTICLE OF THE GENERALE COMPLAYNTIS, giffen in befoir the Regentis Grace and Lordis of Secreit Counsale, be Arthour Sinclair of Ayth, as eftir followis—

Thridlie, The said Laurence hes, sen hes entrie foirsaid, compellit ws to pay our restis and dettis, and to delyuer to him silver zopindales for twa gulliounis, quhair as the samyn hes commoune courss in tymes bygane, and was ressauit for thre gudlingis be all Fowdis preceiding this tua hundreth zeiris bygane.

The haill Inhabitantis of Zetland befoir mentionat, sworne and examinit befoir the saidis Commissionaris, dayis, zeir, and place respective, foirsaid, vpon this Thrid Article, deponis as followis—

Thay all in ane voce deponis, that the Laird of Cultemalindie tuik the zopindale fra thame in payment of ony rest of dettis that thay war awand to him, for twa gudlingis allanerlie, quhair as of befoir, it was ay tane for thre gudlingis; and as zit the Duchemen will not giff ane zopindaill bot for thre gudlingis wourth of wairis, and thay ar compellit to giff it to him for twa gudlingis, swa hes rasit up vpon thame the thrid mair of all detties and dewities quhilk thai haue not in wairis, ffor the quhilk thay man pay monie, quhilk is the occasioune that bayth kirkmen, merchandis, and vtheris traffeicand in the cuntrie, will ressave the said zopindaillis and vther monie in na vther maner nor the Laird ressaveis the samen; as alswa, the angell nobill, quhilk was wount to be allowit in thair dettis for sax gudlingis, is now ressauit fra thame for fyue gudlingis, quhairby thai ar gritlie opprest be the Laird continualie sen his entres to the office. And als it is deponit be the Inhabitaris of the North Yles of Zetland, viz.—of the Yles of Zell, Fetlar, and Vnst, that [the] Laird tuik the zopindale fra the Duchemen, quhilk lay within thair Yles, for tua gudlingis, and quhat wairis he tuik fra thame againe, he compellit thame to tak the zopindale, in payment thairoff, for thre gudlingis. And als it is deponit be the men of Northmaven, that the Laird compellit all thame that wantit zopindales or angel nobillis to pay thair restis with, to pay for ilk gudling xxiiij s. Scottis, swa that for the dolour st. that suld haue bein thre gudlingis, to thame allowit in dettis to thame be him bot for tua gudlingis, thai payit xxxvj s. Scottis. And affoir his entres, the gullioune was nevir bot vj s. Scottis, swa that, quhair in tymes bypast the pryce of tua gudlingis was bot xij s. Scottis (to the quhilk pryce of tua gudlingis the Laird hes put the haill dolour to quhair he ressaues monie fra thame), notwithstanding, quhair thai uant the dolour, he compellis thame to pay thairfoir xxxvj s. Scottis, quhilk is thryss als mekle as thai war wount to pay of befoir.

THE FERD ARTICLE OF THE GENERALE COMPLAYNTIS, giffen in befoir the Regentis Grace and Lordis of Secreit Counsale, by Arthour Sinclair of Ayth, as eftir followis—

Ferdlie, the said Laurence hes compellit the Duchemen and vther strangeairs resortand to the cuntrie of Zetland, be quham the haill traffeck of the said cuntrie consistis, to pay him als meikle dewtie be way of brybrie and extrordinar impostis, as thay war wount to pay of befoir to our souerane Lord and his Fowdis for his Hieness toll and custome; quhairthrow the saidis strangearis, quha furnist ws all victuales, clayth, yrne, hemp, and vther necessaris, ar appeirand till abstein fra traffeck in our said cuntrie, lykas the principall men of thame hes ellis done, and that for the oppressioun committit vpon thame, till our grit skayth, without remied be maid in tyme.

The haill Inhabitaris of Zetland befoir mentionat, sworne and examint befoir the said Commissionaris, dayis, zeir, and plaice respective, foirsaid, vpon this Ferd Article, deponis as followis—