208 SomE DocuMENtTS RELATING TO GLENCAIRN. 
to one another’s courts, and Craigdarroch was exempted 
from Crichton’s jurisdiction.19 
On 27th February, 1515-16, James Douglas of Drum- 
langrig sought exemption for himself and his men, tenants 
and servants, from the jurisdiction of Robert, Lord Crichton 
of Sanquhar, Sheriff of Dumfries. He alleged that Lord 
‘Crichton had purchased a commission to hold a ‘* court of 
-quera,’’ and had summoned him and his retainers to appear 
for their destruction, Lord Crichton being at mortal enmity 
with him and them, and therefore a “‘ suspect judge.’’ The 
lords of council continued the case to a later date, and mean- 
while granted exemption.2° A year later-—on 106th February, 
1516-17—the case came again before the lords. Drumlanrig 
repeated his averments, and added that his father had been 
exempted from the jurisdiction of Lord Crichton’s father, 
_and that since their decease the old enmity had continued, 
mainly on account of the slaughter at Edinburgh hy Lord 
-Crichton’s people of his son, James Douglas. The lords 
granted exemption and ordained that Wauch of Shawis and 
John of Menzies of Castlehill should be deputes to minister 
justice to Drumlanrig and his men, and should hold courts 
in what place within the sheriffdom they thought convenient.” 
We may be permitted to venture on a short digression 
and ask—what was a court of “‘ quera?’’ By an enactment 
-of 1475,” it was provided that ‘‘ Becauss there has bene ane 
abusione of law vsit in tymes bigane be shireffis, stewartis, 
bailzeis and utheris officiaris in the haldin of courtis of guerra 
‘to the grete hereschip and skathe of our souereine lordis liegis 
and of his awin hienes in his Justice Aris quhilkis ar spylt 
be the said guerra courtis, It is statut and ordanit that in 
tyme to cum thar be na courtis of guerra haldin be na maner 
-of persons under the pane of punicione as for a man slaer and 
a Refare of his gudis and vsurpare of the Kingis autorite.”’ 
19 Acta Dom. Conc., xxv., 177, 195. Sir William died the day 
-atter Flodden. 
20 Ib., xxvii., fol. 190. 
4 Ib., fol. xxix., fol. 12. 
22 St.. 1475, c. 11; Fol. Acts, ii., 112. 
