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The Emerald Charter
This was a gift, not of lands, but of the criminal jurisdiction of all the extensive baronies which Douglas held of the Crown at that time ; of the " indictments of robberies, and full administration thereof," over all his lands within the kingdom, with the exception of articles relating to manslaughter and the Crown, which the king reserved. It further freed James, Lord of Douglas, and his heirs and tenants, from all the usual feudal services, such as suits of court, warding of castles, poindings and captions, etc., except the common aid due for the defence of the realm. Included were the Barony of Douglas, Constabulary of Lauder, Forest of Selkirk, Forest of Ettrick, Forest of Traquair, Forest of Jedburgh with Bonjedburgh (Bonjedward), the Barony of Bethocroul (Bedrule), and the Baronies of Westerkirk (Wastyrker - Half Barony in 1321), Staplegorton in 1320 and Romanno. One feature which was unique about this grant was the mode of investiture, which was given by the king taking an emerald ring off his own finger and placing it on the finger of the Lord of Douglas, as an enduring memorial in name of sasine, that the grant should be firm and secure to him and his heirs for ever. It is also worthy of remark that the grant is made absolute, and is not accompanied with any terms of reddendo. This extensive judicial authority was conferred on Douglas when the king and he were together at Berwick-on-Tweed, on 8th November 1324.
Further details may be found in the attached article kindly submitted by
Sally Douglas
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