286 Local Documents, Bamburgh, 1384. 



Alexander Comyn got 3, and three others in the forest of "Buthen;" and 

 coming back to the forest of Selkirk, Master Adam de Botindon, the vice- 

 chancellor of Scotland, received 4 stags, (p. 9). Also, while the King was 

 at Berwick, 12th July, 1292, John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, keeper of the 

 forests of Durrus, Colyn, and Aberdeen, was to allow William [Frazer], 

 bishop of St. Andrews, to have 30 deers of the gift of the king, (p. 10). 



In 1296, when in consequence of Balliol's deposition, the personal author- 

 ity of Edward was again established in Scotland, the royal forests were anew, 

 although in a less degree, turned to political purposes. On the 30th August, 

 the keeper of the forest of Platers is enjoined to let the abbot of Aberbrothock 

 have 50 oaks suitable for timber-work, (p. 24). Berwick, Sept. 15, 1296, 

 James, the Steward of Scotland, was to have 10 stags as a kingly gift from 

 the royal forest of Jeddeworth ; and by a prescript from Alnwick, 20th Sept., 

 John de Stryvelyn had orders for 10 stags from the forest of Alith (p. 33). 

 Strevelyn had recently been re-possessed in his lands, (p. 28). By a brief 

 from Berwick, Sept. 15, the keeper of the king's forest of Selkirk is to pre- 

 sent Beginald de Crauford with 6 stags, (p. 34). He was made sheriff of 

 Air by Edward at Roxburgh, 14th May, 1296. This is the uncle of Wallace, 

 the patriot, the same who was afterwards treacherously murdered by the 

 English governor of Air. Finally, king Edward issued a mandate from 

 Durham 5th Oct., 1296, to John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, keeper of his 

 realm of Scotland, to bestow on Walter de Agmodesham (Keith calls him 

 Agmundesham) , the Scottish Chancellor, 8 deers from the forest of Selkirk 

 (p. 36). 



Thus within these five years, 1291-1296, 266 deers and 158 timber trees, 

 of oak, were drawn by Edward I., from the royal forests, to conciliate the 

 Scottish grandees. 



IV. BAMBUBGH, 1384. Coals in Bamhurghshire. 



To John de Nevill, Lord of Baby and keeper of the East Marches, 

 licence is allowed of digging Coals, if they can he found in the domain 

 of Bamburgh, for use of the men dwelling in the Castle of Bamburgh. 

 (Eot. Scot., vol. ii., p. 8. 8 Kichard II.) 



The King to all whom, &c, Greeting. Be it known that seeing our be- 

 loved and faithful John Lord de Nevill, has the keeping of our castle of 

 Bamburgh with its pertinents, for the term of his life, from our grant, as is 

 more fully contained in our patent letters passed for that cause ; we at the 

 entreaty of John himself, with the assent of our council, have conceded- and 

 given licence for ourselves and our heirs, that he may make search and cause 

 to dig for sea-coals throughout our domain of Bamburgh, in our lands and 

 wastes there, and that he may have power to take of the coals if hey be discov- 

 ered there, from time to time during his lifetime, as many as may serve for the 



