CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 149 



Red herrings seem to have been also in general use in 

 England about the same time. We read that on Maun- 

 day Thursday, Cardinal Wolsey washed and kissed the 

 feet of fifty poor people, gave each twelve pence, three ells 

 of good canvass for shirts, a pair of shoes, and a cask of 

 red herrings.* 



In 1579 James YI. renews the Act as to the compelling 

 the landing of herring and " quhite fishe," to this effect — 

 " That our Soveraine Lordis lieges may be first served, 

 and gif abundance occurred, that they might be salted and 

 transported be free burgesses." This ill considered law 

 must have had a pernicious effect on the fishery at that 

 time, by preventing unlimited sale to other countries.f 



In 1584 a new Act was passed by King James YL, of 



» " Howifs Visits, p. 260. 



t " FOE STAPLING AND TEANSPURTING OF HEEKINGS AND QUHITE FISCHE. 



" Forasmeikle as divers Actes hes bene maid be our Soveraine Lordis 

 maist nobil progenitoures in time bygane, ordaining that the slayers of 

 herrings and quhite fisch, suld bring the samin to the next adjacent bur- 

 ro wes and townes, quhair the persones slayeris theirof dwellis, to the effict 

 that our Soveraine Lordis lieges may be first served, and gif abundance 

 occurred, that they micht be salted and transporting be free burgesses. 

 And that the said actes throw negligence and oversights hes nocht received 

 execution. 



" Quhair throw our Soveraine Lord hes been greatlie defrauded in his 

 custoraes, and his hienes lieges wanted the fruit of the sea appointed be 

 God for their nurishment, and the burgesses and free men of burrowes dis- 

 appointed of their trafficque and commoditie. Therefoir, our Soveraine 

 Lordis, and the three estaites of parliament, ratifies and approvis all the 

 saidis actes and constitutiones, maid anent the saidis herring and quhite 

 fische, and using thereof specialle the Actes maid in the times of umquhile. 

 Lis hienes dearest Grandschir, King James the Fourth, of gude memorj'-, 

 and be his Majestie the time of the regiment of his richt trest cousing 

 James, Erie of Mortoun, Lord of Dalkeith, Regent to his Hienes, his 

 realme, and lieges for the time. And ordainis all and sundrio the saidis 

 Actes to be observed and keiped in all poyntes after the forme and tonour 

 theirof, and the contraveneris of the samiu punisched according thereto. 

 And that the Schirelfes, Stewartes, Baillies, Lordes of Royalties, Provests, 

 Aldermen, and Baillies of burrowes, and Judges ordinar, quhatsumever, put 

 the saidis Actes to execution upon the contraveneris thereof. And to that 



