120 Transactions, 



striking featiu'e remained until 1769, and this was the Port or 

 Gateway, with the toll-keeper's residence on the centre of the 

 bridge. At this point there would be a drawbridge in the original 

 wooden structure, so that until payment to the toll-keeper a yawn- 

 ing gulf prevented any one from crossing it. On many a stormy 

 night of that far distant time the toll-keeper, wrapt in slumber, 

 would leave the belated traveller to stay until daybreak at 

 either end of the bridg-e ; and some house of rest would be the 

 eai'liest building erected in what is now the Maxwelltown end, to 

 refresh those who had travelled from the wilds of Galloway to 

 Dumfries. 



The Franciscan Order was founded by St. Francis of Assise 

 in Italy, and came to Scotland about A.D. 1230. They were also 

 called "Minorites" — i.e., fratres minores, or lesser brethren — either 

 because the Dominicans had preceded them or as a sign of their 

 humility. They were also called " Cordelliers," from, the thick 

 rope which they wore round the waist. Their highest official was 

 called Minister, the elect of all, yet the servant of all. Their 

 habit was a long grey robe over a black tunic, a grey hat, and a 

 strong cord for a girdle, hanging down in front to the feet, with 

 three large knots on it. They had eight monasteries in Scotland, 

 and it was at the high altar of their church in Dumfries that the 

 Red Comyn was slain by Robert Bruce and his friends A.D. 1305. 

 It is believed that the learned John Duns Scotus was an inmate ; 

 and military knights and pilgrims, when dying, asked to be buried 

 in the Franciscan habit, as a sure passport to heaven. 



In addition to the above, there were two Orders of jeligious 

 knights who owned lands and churches in this district, called 

 Knights Templars or Red Friars, and Knights of St. John, called 

 Knights Hospitallers — the former founded to send money to free 

 captives and protect pilgrims in the Holy Land ; the latter to 

 maintain an hospital for those of them who became sick or dis- 

 abled on the journey. 



They originated in the East, and settled in Scotland in the 

 13th century, and throughout this district their lands are still 

 called Temple land, or Templand, a list of which is given in 

 M'Dowall's " History of Dumfries." One of their principal houses 

 was at Kirkstyle, in the parish of Ruthwell, and many sculptured 

 stones, with sword and cross upon them, have been dug up. Their 

 houses were called Hospitals ; their churches Temples ; and their 



