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The Emerald Charter

 

 

 

 

Emerald charterAllocation of lands to The Good Sir James Douglas in 1324

 

Transumpt of a Precept by King Robert the Bruce, directed to Bernard, Abbot of Abirbrothoc, Chancellor of Scotland, narrating that in partial discharge of 4400 merks sterling due by the King to James, Lord of Douglas, for the redemption of three French knights and their servants, who had been taken prisoners by the said Sir James at Byland in England, and had
been liberated by King Robert at the instance of the King of France, the King desired a charter to be granted to the said Sir James of the indictments of robbers, and the full administration thereof, within the bounds of the barony of Douglas, the King's forest of Selkirk, in which he was
officer, the constabulary of Lawder, the forest of Jedburgh, with Bonjedburgh, the barony of Bethocrulle, the baronies of Watstirker, Stabilgortoun, and Romannoks, and within all the lands in Scotland which the said James held in chief of the King, with power to him and his heirs to liberate any of his men who might be indicted by the King's justiciars within the foresaid lands ; reserving to the King and his heirs all other articles pertaining to manslaughter and the crown : To be held by the said James and his heirs, in fee and heritage, for ever, of the King and his heirs, declaring that the said James, his heirs and their men dwelling on the said lands in time to come, shall be free from suits of court, wardings of castles, prisages, talliages, carriages, captions, etc. ; reserving only common aid for the defence of the kingdom ; and that the charter might be observed, the King, with his own hand, placed a ring containing an emerald stone upon the finger of the said James, to abide as a memorial. Berwick-on-Tweed, 8th November [1324:], 11

[This charter is known as the Emerald Charter.]

 

 

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Last modified: Saturday, 17 December 2011