THE EXTINCT BRITISH WOLF. 
253 
In a grant of Alexander II. (1214-1249) to the monks of 
Melrose, in Ettrick Forest, mention is made of 44 Wulfhope,” a 
name still familiar in the south of Roxburghshire. * 
In 1283, there was an allowance made for one hunter of wolves 
at Stirling, f 
In 1427; in the reign of James I. of Scotland, an Act was 
passed for the destruction of wolves in that kingdom. Further 
Acts with the like object were passed in 1457, in 1525, and in 
1577. The Act of 1525, however, is merely a modernized ver- 
sion of the law of 1427, which is referred to in the statute of 
1577 as 44 the auld act made tharon.” 
The law required 44 that ilk baron within his barony in 
gangand time of the year sail chase and seek the quhelpes of 
wolves and gar slay them. And the baron sail give to the 
man that slays the woolfe in his barony and brings the baron the 
head, twa shillings. And when the baron ordains to hunt and 
chase the woolfe, the tenants sail rise with the baron. And 
that the barons hunt in their baronies and chase the woolfes four 
times a year, and als oft as onie woolfe beis seen within the 
barony. And that na man seek the woolfe with schott, but 
allanerly in the time of hunting them.” The duty of sum- 
moning the people for a wolf-hunt devolved upon the 64 schireffs” 
or 44 bailyis,” three times a year, between St. Mark’s Day (April 
25th) and Lammas (August 1st), for, as the Act states, 44 that 
is the tyme of their quhelpes.” The penalty for disregarding 
this summons was 44 ane wedder,” 44 quhatever he be that rysse 
not.” On the other hand, it was enacted that whoever slew a 
wolf 44 sail haif of ilk householder of that parochin that the 
woolfe is slayne within, a penny.” 
The Act of James the Second’s time (1457), provided that 
44 they that slayis ane woolfe sail bring the head to the schireffe, 
baillie, or baronne, and he sail be debtour to the slayer for the 
summe foresaide. And quhatsumever hee bee that slayis ane 
woolfe, and bringis the head to the schireffe, lord, baillie or 
baronne, he sail have sex pennyes.” J 
In some active instances, the exertion of these statutes 
might have cleared local districts, and a remarkable example of 
success was given by a woman — Lady Margaret Lyon, Baroness 
to Hugh third Lord Lovat. This lady having been brought up 
in the low country, at a distance from the wolves, was probably 
the more affected by their neighbourhood, and caused them to be 
so vigorously pursued in the Aird, that they were exterminated 
* Chalmers’ Caledonia, ii. p. 132. 
t Innes’ “ Scotland in the Middle Ages,” p. 125. 
t “Laws of the Parliament of Scotland,” t folio, 1781, pp. 18, 19. See 
also Glendook’s Scots Acts, 7 James I. c. 104, and 14 James II. c. 88. 
