160 Sir JoHN Macsrair. 
They were known as ‘‘ Pope’s Knights’’) John Macbrair 
was incorporated in St. Salvator’s College, St. Andrews, in 
1530, became a Determinant in the following year, and ulti- 
mately took his degree of M.A., the entry being ‘* Johannes 
Makbrair Galvidie, xiid.’’ (Maitland’s Early Records of St. 
Andrew’s University, pp. 127, 228.) Thereafter he entered 
holy orders. 
In a criminal process against Lockhart of Bar and others, 
recorded in Pitcairn’s Criminal Trials,2 we next find Macbrair 
mentioned on 16th July, 1550, as ‘‘ Mr, alias Sir John 
M‘Brair, formerly Canon of Glenluce ’’ Abbey—a Cistercian 
House. 
What, in the meantime, actuated his conduct and con- 
strained him to enter the ranks of the reforming party in 
Scotland is unknown. Probably the corruptions of the time 
led to that result. According to the Wodrow MS (to be 
afterwards cited), “‘ he left his country for religion ’’ and 
went to England in King Edward’s reign (1547-1553) to be 
‘- a preacher of the Gospel,’’ not improbably in 1539, Wodrow 
thought. He may have meant to write 1549. At that period 
there existed as Abbot of Melrose (1526-1541) a very notorious 
monk, who went by the suggestive but unenviable soubriquet 
of ‘‘ Abbot Stottikin.”’ This Abbot, Andrew Durie 
(1500-1558), according to Knox,’ was a notorious free liver, 
opponent of the Evangel, and humorous poetaster, and died 
while maundering about a game at cards. He became Bishop 
of Galloway, Abbot of Tongland, and Dean of the Chapel 
Royal in July, 1541. Whether the cantrips of these 
‘““fenzied friars ’’ of Tongland, Glenluce, and Melrose influ- 
enced Macbrair is not yet known. As likely as anything, 
Abbot and Canon could not agree, and the association of the 
latter with the Reformers may date from 1541 at the latest. 
He probably did not break openly with the old church till 
some time after this. . 
In May, 1549, Macbrair was lying in prison in Hamilton 
Castle, having been apprehended and imprisoned on a charge 
2 Vol. i., p. 352. 
3 Hist., vol. i., p. 261 (Wod. Soc. Ed.). 
