RECORDS OF THE BURGH OF LOCHMABEN. 105 
to be called Loch-ma-ban, meaning “The Lake in the White 
Plain,’’ in allusion, it is presumed, to the white mists that pre- 
vailed at certain seasons of the year. The most probable 
conjecture is that Mabon, meaning a warrior, gave the name to 
the burgh, which in ancient times was no doubt the birthplace of 
heroes and warriors. In this connection it is curious to note 
that the name Mabon is conferred upon a well-known Welsh 
member of Parliament. 
The existing Charter of the Burgh was granted by King 
James VI., and is dated 16th July, 1612. The narrative clause 
is as follows: “ Be it known, Because, understanding that our 
most noble Progenitors of most worthy memory, and beyond the 
memory of man, erected and called the town of Lochmaben, lying 
in the Western Marches of our Kingdom of Scotland, within our 
Stewartry of Annandale, into a free Royal Burgh, with all and 
sundry the privileges and immunities of a free burgh; and also 
gave and granted to the free Burgesses and Inhabitants of the 
same, and their successors, divers and various lands, fishings, 
farms, profits, and possessions of the same; And that the said 
Burgesses and free Inhabitants of the said Burgh of Lochmaben 
and their predecessors, beyond the memory of men, were in 
possession of the said lands with the pertinents lying within the 
bounds above mentioned, as their own proper lands without any 
impediment and obstacles; and on account of the by-past great 
tumults, disturbances and wars, and incursions of foreign 
enemies, which were at that time in Scotland, the said Burgh of 
Lochmaben was often and at divers times burnt and spoiled, 
with all the ancient Charters, Infeftments, Evidents, and Erections 
of the said Burgh given and granted by our most noble pro- 
genitors, all which being within the said Burgh at the time were 
lost, burned, and destroyed.’’ It will be seen from the terms of 
the narrative clause that this is not the original charter of the 
burgh, Tradition says that Lochmaben was created a royal 
burgh by King Robert the Bruce ; and the Reddendo clause of the 
charter shows that it was a royal burgh in the year 1447, for the 
burgh maill of 40s is declared to be “the ancient duty formerly 
paid by the Provost and Bailies of the said burgh according to an 
account rendered by them in our Exchequer in the year 1447.” 
As the burgh had its Provost and Bailies in the year 1447, and 
paid burgh maill like other burghs, it is very probable that it had 
