174 Transactions. 



shape of formality in the transaction of burghal business could 

 hardly be looked for. The legal status and privileges of the com- 

 munity, whatever they were, might well pass into abeyance and 

 be forgotten under such conditions. Before the 17th century no 

 provost or bailie of Annan is ever— so far as I have been able to 

 discover — named. But in the 16th century things were shaping 

 towards order. The year 1539 witnessed a great fact in Annan 

 history — a confirmation or revival of its burghal dignity by a 

 Charter of Novodamus of James V. Those who have any regard 

 for the memories and the honour of the town have some reason 

 for a glow of satisfaction in the language of the King's charter : 



" Whereas," says the document, still cherished among the 

 burgh's archives,* " the town of Annan, situated upon the 

 western marches very near adjacent to the realm of England, 

 within the Stewartry of Annandale, has been very often burnt 

 and destroyed, and the burgesses and inhabitants plundered and 

 slain by the English in defence of the realm of Scotland, as well 

 in time of peace as of war, and liave ever remained leal Scots, 

 true to our Crown ; and whei-eas the ancient charters of founda- 

 tion and the infeftments of said burgh made by our predecessors 

 have been destroyed and burnt in sieges and fires by our enemies 

 and otherwise, in consequence whereof the use of markets has 

 ceased among them. Therefore, we have of new granted in fee 

 to said burgesses and community the Burgh and Town of Annan 

 as a free burgh for ever, with all its lands and annual rents, 

 possessions and fishings whatsoever to the same pertaining." 



These are then particularised, as well as the various privileges, 

 such as the liberty of having a market cross, a weekly market on 

 Saturday, and an eight days' fair yearly, beginning on All Hallow 

 Thursday.t Into the large subject of those things the limits of 

 space prevent me at present entering. 



XIX. Lord Whartons Design upon Annan (1543-45). 



The disaster of Sol way Moss in 1542, without its like in 

 Scottish history, overwhelmed James V., who died of shame and 

 grief. The reign of the child-Queen, Mary Stewart, began under 

 circumstances of great national depression. The town was 



*It of course passed the Great Seal. Registrum Magni Sifjilli, vol. iii. , 

 No. 1919. 



tAscension Day, 39 days after Easter Day. 



