The Greyfriars' Convent of Dumfries. 19 



The original endowment, which, it is reasonalile to infer, 

 would be made available by the Founder for the support of the 

 Friars, was derived from a toll levied at the Brigend of Dumfries; 

 and the Founder's successors in the Lordships of Galloway, first 

 the Countess of Douglas in 1425, and again James Earl of 

 Douglas in 1452, confinned by charters which are still extant, 

 the gifts in favour of the Friars. Shortly after the confirmation 

 by the Countess some damage appears to have happened, by 

 flood or otherwise, to the already ancient structure, but the 

 Countess, although still alive, did not overtake the repairs 

 rendered necessary, and the Friars, it may be presumed, were too 

 poor to do so. I am indebted to Mr Moir Bryce for the tenor 

 which follows, of a Relaxation by the Pope, granting absolution to 

 all who should contribute towards the needed work of repair : — 



1431-2. — " Relaxation, valid during twenty years only, of a 

 year and forty days of enjoined penance to penitants, who on the 

 principal feasts of the year and that of the dedication of the below 

 named Chapel, the usual octaves and days, and of a hundred days 

 to those who during the said octaves and days visit and gave alms 

 towards the building of the bridge which has been recently begun 

 over the river Xith near the burgh of Dumfries (prope Burgum 

 de Drumfes), in the diocese of Glasgow, by the burgesses and 

 inhabitants of those parts, and also for the amplication of the 

 Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin, founded near (prope) the said 

 bridge " (Cal. of Papal Registers, Letters viii., p. 347). 



In regard to the words " recently begun, ' ' Mr Moir Bryce 

 writes : — " The explanation to my mind is the probable fact that 

 the bridge had been partialh' injured bv some flood. The words 

 ' recently begun ' can only mean that the repairs had commenced. 

 It was quite the practice to speak in olden times in this indefinite 

 manner. You will notice that the two grants by the Douglases of 

 the bridge toll appear separate and distinct grants by different 

 people, instead of being as the last undoubtedlv is, simple con- 

 firmations of the original grant. In view of the gift to the Friars 

 in 1426, it is quite impossible to accept this relaxation as evidence 

 of the first building of the bridge. Then another point is — it 

 undoubtedly belonged to the Lords of Galloway, who probably 

 refused to put the bridge in repair; hence the appeal to the 

 Pope." 



Xo addition to this explanation is needed. It seems con- 

 clusive. 



