Bishopric of Caithness Estate
The bishopric of Caithness held enormous estates in Caithness and Sutherland. From its first endowment it is plain that the bishop was expected to play a major role in the politics and society of the far north – as well as its religion. The bishop needed lands and tenants to support that role.
Which lands? We have various references over the centuries and the following tables attempt to capture that data. We have two important texts from the thirteenth century and we also have a cluster of documents from the time of the Reformation which allow us to describe parts of the estate in great detail.
Firstly, there is a Constitution for the Chapter of Caithness (1223-1245) which gives us the ecclesiastical lands which were assigned to the bishop and the cathedral chapter. Some of the resources referred to are tiends or tithes of produce (1/10ths); others refer to ‘altarage’ dues; others still refer to churches, chapels (and their pertinents), and parishes. (For what ‘altarage’ might include see Dowden, The Medieval Church in Scotland, pp 137-8). With each church or chapel there were usually some lands assigned to its upkeep. Often, this might be a davach or half-davach but the evidence is sketchy. There were also crofts and tofts in Dornoch to help support the canons on a day-to-day basis. (See Two Ancient Records of the Bishopric of Caithness, from the Charter-Room at Dunrobin. Bannatyne Miscellany III, Edinburgh, 1855, pp 11-15, 17-21; W. Fraser, The Sutherland Book, Vol III – Charters, No 4, Edinburgh, 1892; OPS II, II pp 601-2).
Secondly, there is an agreement between the Bishop of Caithness and the Earl of Sutherland dated 1275. (See Two Ancient Records of the Bishopric of Caithness, from the Charter-Room at Dunrobin. Bannatyne Miscellany III, Edinburgh, 1855, pp 15-16, 21-24; W. Fraser, The Sutherland Book, Vol III – Charters, No 7, Edinburgh, 1892; OPS II, II pp 603-4).
Thirdly there is a charter, dated 1557, by Robert, Bishop of Caithness to John Earl of Sutherland, and Helen, his wife, of extensive lands in Caithness and Sutherland. There is much detail about the rents. (See W. Fraser, The Sutherland Book, Vol III – Charters, No 97, Edinburgh, 1892, pp xlii-xliii, 116-124).
Fourthly, there is a royal confirmation (RMS IV (1669) 1565) of a charter by Robert, bishop of Caithness, following a direction dated March 1563/4, concerning the entry of Alexander Gordoun, son and heir apparent of John, formerly earl of Sutherland, in lands which John held of the bishop. This details lands and rents in Sutherland and Caithness. RMS VI (2155) 1608 (on an original of 1607) is a very similar document, the printed version of which includes some minor but important extra material. Subamster is given as 1d, Tayclyb is named as a croft of Sithera, and Ernoch is named amongst the lands of Dornoch. (Is Ernoch a mistake for a name like Embo)?
Fifthly, we have a number of entries from the Books of Assumption of the Thirds of Benefices which date to the period 1561-c.1565. These are to be found in J. Kirk, (ed.), The Books of Assumption of the Thirds of Benefices, Oxford, 1995, pp 627-649. (The bishopric is detailed pp 627-9 but the parishes and chapter lands are scattered through the following pages).
These last three sets of documents treat of the same lands paying the same (or very similar) rents and give us more confidence in the overall validity of the data.
Other relevant documents include:
RMS II (1404) 1478 on original of 1455
RMS IV (2578) 1576 on original of 1560, (2965) 1579-80 on original of 1576, (2995) 1580 on original of 1561.
RMS V (277) 1581 on original of 1580, (1729) 1590, (1766) 1590 on original of 1587, (1977) 1591, (2078) 1592
RMS VI (2) 1593, (803) 1598, (1467) 1603 on original of 1600, (1729) 1606, (2155) 1608 (on an original of 1607)
RMS VIII (481) 1623 on original of 1622
RMS IX (1098) 1642
RSS VII (987) 1577
RSS VIII (1551) 1583
Retours (Sutherland) (2) 1605
Retours (Caithness) (6) 1605
Sutherland Book, Vol III, No’s 119, 120, 1591
Henderson, J., Caithness Family History, pp xxviii-xxix
The following 3 tables list the churches, church-lands and farms in the various documents describing the estate of the bishopric of Caithness.
Firstly, the constitution of the cathedral chapter – 1223-1245:
Office | Parish or Church | Garbal teinds | Altarage | Other lands | Extent or Comment |
Bishop (+
Abbot of Scone) & rest of Chapter |
14 parishes | To support bishop and chapter of 10 canons including bishop, abbot, 5 officials, 3 ordinary canons | |||
Bishop | 6 parishes (unnamed) | To support Bishop. See below. | |||
Dean | Clun Church(Clyne) | Durnach
Ethenboll |
¼ of Durnach |
Methandurnach + Toft & Croft in Durnach |
Dornoch (civitatis)
Embo (ville) (Meadhan or Mid-Dornoch?) |
Precentor | Crech Church(Creich) | Promci
Auelech Stradormeli Askesdale Rutheuerthar |
¼ of Durnach | Huchterhinche apud Durnach + Toft & Croft in Durnach | Proncy
Evelix Strathormlary (Dornoch parish) Astle Riarchar |
Chancellor | Rothegorth Church (Rogart) | Scelleboll (12 davach estate) | ¼ of Durnach | + Toft & Croft in Durnach | Skelbo |
Treasurer | Larg Church (Lairg) | Scitheboll
Sywardhoch |
¼ of Durnach | + Toft & Croft in Durnach | Skibo &
Cyderhall. (Except precentor’s garbal teinds of Stradormeli = Strathormlary) |
To resident canons | Farr Church | Excepts teinds of Helgedall (Halladale). This was an incentive to reside. | |||
Archdeacon | Bouer Church (Bower)
Watne Church (Watten) |
+ Toft & Croft in Durnach | |||
Chancellor
Treasurer Archdeacon |
Pethgrudi
2 Herkhenys + common pasture of ‘civitatis’ of Durnach |
Pitgrudy
Divided equally between them |
|||
Prebend of the Abbot of Scone | Kelduninach Church (Kildonan) | + Toft & Croft in Durnach | |||
3 remaining prebends | Olrich Church
Donotf Church Cananesbi Church Scynend Church |
+ Toft & Croft in Durnach each | Olrig
Dunnet Canisbay Skinnet – (all 4 churches in common). |
||
To providing light and incense | Dyrnes Church | Durness | |||
To bishop’s vicar in Cathedral Church | Thoreboll
Kynald |
20 acres at Durnach + Toft & Croft | Torboll, Dornoch
Kinnauld, Dornoch |
The 6 parishes belonging to the bishop are unnnamed but almost certainly comprised:
Kilmaly/Golspie, Loth, (Sutherland); Reay (part Sutherland, part Caithness); Thurso, Wick, Latheron (Caithness). This is evidenced by the fact that these 6 parishes are the ones whose garbal teinds (teind sheaves) went to the bishop in the data from the Books of Assumption given below.
There is some uncertainty about the parochial situation in the early 13th century. OPS II, II p 601 fn 5 states:
“Lairg at that period included Edderachillis; Far included Tongue; and Skinnet included Halkirk and Spittal. Assynt, the only remaining parish, was probably not a distinct parish at the time”.
(I have doubts with regard to Edderachillis and Assynt. Both lie west of Druim Alban and I am not persuaded they were formally attached to either Creich or Lairg – which lie east. Assynt may not have been considered a part of the bishopric when it was first consituted. By 1455 it certainly was – see Assynt text file. The relationship between the parishes of Skinnet and Halkirk, and the ‘hospitality’ of Spittal, is largely unknown).
The next important document is the agreement, dated 1275, which seems to have settled a long argument between the bishop and earl about the ownership of certain lands. All were claimed by the bishop but a compromise was reached whereby the lands were split between the two parties. In total the bishop had claimed 33¾ davachs. After 1275 he retained 16½ davachs, and the earl was allocated 17¼. Of the lands that the bishop ‘lost’ several are mentioned in the table above in the context of the bishop and chapter receiving the teinds. These include Promci (Proncy), Auelech (Evelix), Askesdale (Astle), Rutheuerthar (Riarchar), Thoreboll (Torboll) and Kynald (Kynnauld). The fact that these lands are specifically mentioned suggests the bishop had at least some claim on them. If we add their values to what the bishop retained in 1275 we may reach a better idea of the extent of the bishop’s estate c. 1200. The totals are 16½ (retained 1275) + Proncy (3 davachs), Evelix (2 davachs), Astle (¾ davach), Riarchar (1 davach), Torboll (3 davachs), Kinnald (2 davachs) taking us to 28¼ davachs. It looks as if 1275 saw a successful, secular, raid on the Bishop’s estate. This may have had political support from the highest level.
1275:
Lands | Valuation | Claimed by | Allocated to | Parish | Comment |
Scytheboll (Skibo) | 6 davachs | Bishop | Bishop | Dornoch | |
Sytheraw (Sidera) | 6 davachs | Bishop | Bishop | Dornoch | + ferry |
Miggewet (Migdale)
Swerdisdale (Swordale) Creych (Creich) |
2.5 davachs | Bishop | Bishop | Creich | + fishing of Bunnach |
Cuttheldawach | 1 davach | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | |
Mouimor | 2 davachs | Bishop | Bishop | Clynw | |
Awelec | 2 davachs | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | |
Promsy | 3 davachs | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | |
Rowecherchar | 1 davach | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | |
Haskesdale | 3 quarters | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | = Astle |
Hacchencossy | ½ davach | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | = Achosnich |
Thorbolle | 3 davachs | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | |
Kynalde | 2 davachs | Bishop | Earl | Dornoch | |
Largge | 4 davachs | Bishop | Earl | Lairg | |
Total | 33¾ | 16½ bishop
17¼ earl |
The wealth of the bishopric is confirmed by entries in the Exchequer Rolls Vol I for 1328. On p 113 the receipts from the vacant seat are given as £133 6s 8d (200 merks). There were some expenses (listed on pp 114 & 116) but, in comparison, they were very small. The Earl of Sutherland got 50s (£2-10s (3¾m)) for looking after the bishopric for one term; 62s 4d (< 5m) was spent watching the castle at Scrabster and ‘Hermann’ got £8 (12m) for his service in the bishopric whilst it was in the king’s hands.
The next table compares the entries for the documents listed at points 3, 4, & 5 above. What is particularly important about these documents is that they give rentals. Rentals which are the same (or similar) give us added comfort that our data is correct.
SB = Sutherland Book Vol III; RMS = RMS IV (1669) 1565 based on an original of 1564; BA = Books of Assumption.
In the above entries, Skibo, Skelbo, Torboll etc refer to large estates of many davachs. In the table below the names just refer to the head farm from which the estate took its name.
For the sake of brevity I have not given all the spelling variants which occur in these documents.
Rental figures given are per annum. Under County: S = Sutherland, C = Caithness.
RM(2) = Rent details match between 2 separate documents. RM(3) = Rent details match between all 3 documents.
*indicates minor arithmetic difference.
Period covered = 1557-1565
Lands | SB No 97, 1557 | RMS IV (1669) 1564 | BA, 1561-5 | Parish/County | Comment/Extent |
Sutherland | |||||
West Skibo | Wester Skebo | Westir Skebo | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 12d/2 davachs | |
Skebo-castell + Bramoirt called Estir-part de Skebo | Dornoch, S | ||||
Dowcatland + brasina | Dornoch, S | Dovecot + alehouse | |||
Cyderhall | Sythera | Sithera | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 12d/2 davachs | |
Cuthill/Ullestrie | Vllest | Wllest | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 6d/1 davach | |
Ardalie | Ardalles/Ardellis | Ardeles | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 6d/1 davach | |
Ferretoun | Ferritoun | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 3d/½ davach | ||
Davachfin | Dawatsin/Dawauchsin | Dawoichfyn | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 6d/1 davach | |
Drumdivan | Drumdewane | Drumdewan | Dornoch, S | RM(2) 6d/1 davach | |
Achvaich | Auchiveyauch/Auchoveyich + pendicles of: | Auchewaicht + pendicles of: | Dornoch, S | RM(2) | |
Achormlarie | Cuthegermolaye/Auchgormuta | Auchegormoley | Dornoch, S | RM(2) | |
Auchenecolas/Auchenicholas | Auchenicolas | Dornoch, S | RM(2) | ||
Skibo mill | Skebo mill | Skebo mill | Dornoch, S | RM(2) | |
Embo | Dornoch, S | 2 davachs | |||
Palace of Dornoch | Palace of Dornoch | Dornoch, S | |||
Tofts and crofts in Dornoch | Crofts & tenements in Dornoch | Crofts & tenants in Dornoch | Dornoch, S. | ||
Ernoch | Dornoch, S. | RMS VI (2155) 1608 (on original of 1607) | |||
Caithness | |||||
Brims | 13½d (Half-)Brymms | Brymis | Thurso, C. | RMS IV (2578) 1576 on original of 1560
RMS V (1766) 1590 on original of 1587 Half-Brymmes in (1607) |
|
Thursetter | Thurso, C. | RMS IV (2578) 1576 on original of 1560
RMS V (1766) 1590 on original of 1587 |
|||
Fors | Force | Fors + mill and
salmon-fishery |
Forss | Thurso, C. | RM(3)* |
Baillie | Ballze | Bailye | Bailyie | Reay, C. | RM(3)* |
Lythmoir | ⅔ Lythtmoir | Twa pairt Lochmair | Thurso, C. | RM(2)* | |
Lyth | Lycht | Bower, C | |||
Lythmoir | 2d of ⅓ Lythtmoir | Tua penny land mair | Thurso, C | RM(2)* | |
⅓ Lyth | Bower, C | RMS VI (2) 1593 | |||
⅔ Lyth | Bower, C. | RMS IX (1098) 1642 | |||
1¼d in Kirk | Bower, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 &
RMS IX (1098) 1642 |
|||
Oust | ⅔ Owest | Twas pairt Albist | Thurso, C. | RM(2)* | |
Stemster | Stambuster/Stambustar | Stambustar | Stainunsteir | Reay, C. | RM(3) |
Wick 10d | 10d Weik | 10d Weik | 10d Weik | Wick, C. | RM(3)*
RMS II (1404) 1478 on original of 1455 RMS VI (1467) 1603 |
Piper’s Croft, Wick | Wick, C. | RMS VI (1467) 1603 | |||
Tenement, Wick | Wick, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 | |||
Canzeouch Quyis/ Kennochquyis | Kennochquyis | Canis Quyis | Wick, C. | RM(3)* | |
Bischopis Quyis | Bischopisquyis | Bischopis Quyis | Wick, C. | RM(3)* | |
N. Killimster | North Killummister/Kilimster | North-Kilmister | North Kilmster | Wick, C. | RM(3). 18d. |
S. Killimster | South Killummister/ Kilimster | South Kilmister | Wick, C. | RM(2). 18d. | |
Winless | Mill of Wyndeles | Mill of Windeleis | Miln of Vindleis | Wick, C. | RM(3) |
⅜d Myrelandnorne | 3 octiuinis in Myreland Norne | 3 octams in Myreland-nornie | 3 ottounis in Netherland Norne | Wick, C. | RM(2) |
½d Myrelandnorne | Wick, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 &
RMS IX (1098) 1642 |
|||
3¼d Myrelandnorn | Wick, C. | RMS VI (1467) 1603
RMS VIII (481) 1623 on original of 1622 |
|||
Lythmoir | Mill of Lyche/Lychmoir | Mill of Lytht[moir] | Mylne of Lychtmoir | Thurso, C. | RM(3) |
Scrabster | 9½d Scrabustar/Scrabuster | 9½d Scrabistar | Strabusteir | Thurso, C. | RM(2) |
Crofts of Scrabustar | Crofts of Scrabistar | Crofts of Strabuster | Thurso, C. | RM(3) | |
Lie Wairdis & Langrig de Scrabister | Thurso, C. | RMS VI (2155) 1608 (on original of 1607) | |||
¼ of salmon fishing of River Thurso | ¼ of salmon fishing of River Thurso | ¼ of Watter of Thurseth | Thurso, C. | RM(3) | |
Annuals of Thurso | Thurso, C. | ||||
Barony of May* | Canisbay, C. | See below | |||
May | Canisbay, C. | RMS VI (1467) 1603
RMS VIII (481) 1623 on original of 1622 |
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Nesseter | Canisbay, C. | RMS VI (1467) 1603
RMS VIII (481) 1623 on original of 1622 |
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Hollandmey | Canisbay, C. | RMS VI (1467) 1603
RMS VIII (481) 1623 on original of 1622 |
|||
2d in Stroma | Canisbay, C. | RMS II (1404) 1478 on original of 1455
RMS VI (1467) 1603 RMS VIII (481) 1623 on original of 1622 |
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2d in Olrik | Olrig, C. | RMS VI (1467) 1603 | |||
3d Ormelie | Thurso, C. | RSS VII (987) 1577 | |||
Sutherland | |||||
The following are the components of the 15 davach barony
£81 6s 8d (122m) |
15 Davach barony of Ardurmes
£81 6s 8d (122m) |
Durness, S. | RM(2) | ||
Galdwell | Gauldwale | Durness, S. | |||
Keoldale | Kualdale | Durness, S. | |||
Cranagak | Crannega | Durness, S. | |||
Borley | Borrole | Durness, S. | |||
Slains | Slanis | Durness, S. | |||
Oldshoremore | Aistlairmoir | Ex Durness, S. | |||
Oldshorebeg | Estlarbeg | Ex Durness, S. | |||
Sandwood | Sandwat | ||||
Carragavife alias Carragarrow | Carragavis (1607) | ||||
Carnagarrow (1607) | |||||
Carramanicht | |||||
R. Awingarroun | Now Rhiconich River | ||||
R. Sandwood | R. Sandwatt | R. Sandwood | |||
Eilean Hoan | Island of Hoa | Durness, S. | |||
Laxford | ½ fishing of Laxfurde | ||||
Fishery of Ardurnes | Durness, S. | ||||
Fishery of the Cruves | |||||
Garbal teinds of parish of Ardurnes | Durness, S. | Total income (rents etc) = £81 6s 8d | |||
Skail | Skaill | Skaill | Farr, S. | RM(2), Strathnaver | |
Ribigill = Regeboll | Regeboill | Regeboll | Tongue, S. | RM(2), Strathnaver | |
Caithness | |||||
Dorrery
(1d) |
Dorare | Dorare | Thurso, C. | RM(2), RMS II (1404) 1478 on original of 1455 | |
Olgrinmore | Ulgraniemoir or Mekle Wlgranie | Halkirk, C. | |||
Olgrinbeg | Ulgraniebeig | Lytill Ullagrahame | Halkirk, C. | RM(2) | |
1d Subamster in 1607.
= Sibster, Halkirk |
Subambustar | Subunster | Halkirk, C. | RM(2) RMS VI (2155) 1608 (on original of 1607) | |
Halkirk | Halkirk + mill | Halieerik | Halkirk, C. | RM(2) | |
Wester Dale | Westir-Dale | Wnsterdaill | Halkirk, C. | RM(2) | |
Easter Dale | Estir-Dale | Kisterdaill | Halkirk, C. | RM(2) | |
Tormsdale | Thormeskaith alias Thormesdale | Thornisdaill | Halkirk, C. | RM(2) | |
Miremichaelis | Mereinethalis | RM(2) | |||
Durran | Diren | Derane | Olrig, C. | RM(2) | |
Alterwall | Alterwall | Atterdaill/Alterwaill | Bower, C. | RM(2), RMS II (1404) 1478 on original of 1455 | |
Stanstill | 3½d Stanstell
2½d Stanstell |
Stansall | Bower, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 & RMS IX (1098) 1642 | |
Trala & Tinga | Bower, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 | |||
Lie Beillis & Medosched | Bower, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 | |||
½ Bulsett | Bower, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 | |||
Hestycrow | Bower, C. | RMS VI (2) 1593 | |||
Total =
£475 12s 10d |
|||||
Sutherland | |||||
Kilmallie Kirktoun | Kilmale-Kirktoun + pendicle called Auchnachaill | Kilmallie, Kirktoun | Kilmallie, S | Auchnacalzie (1607) | |
Rogart-more | Rogartmoir + mill & alehouse | Reard | Rogart, S. | ||
Swordale | Stoirdaill | Creich, S. | |||
Migdale | Nygdaill | Creich, S. | |||
Little Creich | Lytill Creicht | Creich, S. | |||
Teinds/Offices | |||||
Teind sheaves Reay | Reay, C. | ||||
Teind sheaves Thursoche | Thurso, C. | ||||
Teind sheaves Weik | Wick, C. | ||||
Teind sheaves Lothrin | Latheron, C. | ||||
Teind sheaves Loth | Loth, S. | ||||
Teind sheaves Kilmaly | Kilmallie, S. | ||||
Parsonage & Vicarage of Kildonan 80m | Kildonan, S. | ||||
Parsonage & Vicarage of Assynt 60m | Assynt, S. | ||||
Parsonage & Vicarage of Farr 80m | Farr, S. | ||||
Deanery of Caithness 10c. bere + 40m for vicarage of Kirktoun of Clyne & | Clyne, S. | ||||
Denes feild (Auchindean) | Dornoch, S. | ||||
Chantory of Caithness £100 | Creich, S. | ||||
+ 40s for the Chantouris feild | Dornoch, S. | ||||
Treasurership of Caithness 3½ c. bere + 100m. | Lairg, S. | ||||
+ 40s for the Thesaureris feild | Dornoch, S. | ||||
Chancellory of Caithness 6 c. bere + 100m | Rogart, S. | ||||
+ 40s for the Chancellaris feild | Dornoch, S. | = Pitgrudy | |||
Archdeaconry (‘archdenrie’) of Caithness – teind sheaves of Bower & Watten. 2 different rentals: £55 18s 8d, 27c. 11b. OR 240m | ‘archdene, his corporall landis’: Scarneclati with Larillis, Galthie Feild, Cloak & Camster = 18d
(Above all Bower, C.) |
||||
Vicarages of Bower & Watten £40 | Bower, C.
Watten, C. |
||||
Parsonage (175m, 17c. bere) & Vicarage (20m+) of Canisbay | Canisbay, C. | ||||
Parsonage & Vicarage of Olrig £134 9s | Olrig, C. | ||||
Vicarage of Thurso (£16) | Thurso, C. | p 631 and p 648 | |||
Halkirk & Skinnet (8c. bere) | Halkirk, C. | ‘called the common kirks of Cathnes’ | |||
Parsonage of Spittal £80 | Halkirk, C. | Part of Halkirk? | |||
Vicarage of Wick £40 | Wick, C. | ||||
Vicarage of Reay £20 | Reay, C. & S, | ||||
Vicarage of Latheron £40 | Latheron, C. | ||||
This table is of ecclesiastical lands that were not part of the bishopric
Chaplainry of St Andrew (15m) | Golspie, S. | Golspie | |||
Chaplainry of Helmsdale (30m) | Loth, S. | St John’s, Loth | |||
Chaplainry of Clyne (15m) | Clyne, S. | To Moray cathedral | |||
Chaplainry of Kinnald | Dornoch, S. | OPS II, II p 622 |
* Barony of May
PSAS 11 (1875): John Stuart, ‘Articles by Robert, Bishop of Caithness’, … AD 1549, starts with an address to the Earl of Caithness whom the bishop refers to as ‘his wassall [vassal] and tennent of the baronie of May’. See also RMS VI (1467) 1603, on original of 1600.
For Skibo Castle see also RMS II (1404) 1478 on original of 1455.
The Cathedral dignitaries were supported by parishes elsewhere but they also seem to have had plots of ground in Dornoch to maintain them whilst in residence. So we know of ‘fields’ in Dornoch parish belonging to the Chancellor, Treasurer, Chanter, Dean and Archdean. We know the first three rented at 40s p.a. c. 1561. Since Achinchanter was 3d in 1623 it is probable Achintreasurer and Pitgrudy had the same value. See, for example, RMS V (1729) 1590.
Originally a Norse stronghold, Caithness was gradually encroached upon by Gaelic speakers from the south and west. The issue of linguistic division was a source of comment over the centuries. The church was not immune to this. Clerics had to be able to speak the language of their congregations:
Caithness and Sutherland Records Vol I, Part VI, London, 1912, p 154, 1366, John Wasil prepared to resign canonry of Caithness ‘especially as he is ignorant for the most part of the language of the people of that part’.
PSAS 11 (1875) pp 87-102: John Stuart, ‘Articles by Robert, Bishop of Caithness, against George, Earl of Caithness’, … AD 1549.
This is a valuable source concerning a dispute between the Bishop of Caithness and the Earl of Caithness. The Bishop makes 9 accusations of wrongdoing against the Earl. To each the Earl makes a reply and in turn the Bishop offers a further response or ‘confutation’. At this distance it is difficult to weigh merit, not least because the Bishop always has the last word! Some further detail is available in Pitcairn’s ‘Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland’ Vol 1 Parts I (pp 149, 222) & II (pp 337, 394-5). We may deduce the following:
There was ‘sanctuary’ at the Kirk of Wick, in the parish of Watten, and at the kirk of Farr. It also appears there were ‘field chapellis’ (field chapels) in Farr – which, it is implied, the Earl had burned. We know of a great many chapels scattered through the Highlands so the phrase ‘field chapellis’ gives us an idea of their status. They were of lesser importance than parish churches and appear not to have offered sanctuary, but for the widely dispersed rural population they made religious observance accessible. In a huge Highland parish such as Farr travelling to the parish church could be a major undertaking.
The last article or allegation concerns the judicial execution of some men who had been taken out of a ‘gyrd’ (girth or garth). In the Bishop’s ‘confutation’ it appears that the ‘gyrth’ was that of ‘Saint Magnus’ which suggests Spittal in Halkirk parish. What was the difference between a ‘gyrd’ and the sanctuary provided by a normal parish church? A girth was probably more formal with (at least) 4 girth crosses marking the boundary at the 4 cardinal points. The parish churches of Caithness each provided sanctuary. The girth of Halkirk was bigger. It was situated near to the ancient place of assembly on Spittal Hill. The area of the girth may well have been big enough to accommodate herds of livestock. There was also a ‘gyrth’ at Tain in Ross – ALI No 29 (pp 45-6) 1439.
The Earl had the ‘steding of Substerwyk’ (‘steading of Sibster Wick’ – so called to distinguish it from other Sibsters such as that in Halkirk).
‘Vestmistar’ is mentioned in the context of Watten. This is the Westbuster which is now lost to the map.
The Bishop was upset by the Earl’s ‘brekking of sanctuarie’ or ‘violatione of sanctuarii’. Goods had been taken from the church of Farr including ‘the chalice chrissumstok [chrism-vessel for the holy oil] Eucharest [the pyx or container for the consecrated bread] and ornamentis of the altaris’. The Bishop wanted the Earl to make ‘Johne Sutherland in Barredale [Berriedale] restoir the messe buik [mass-book, missal] of the kirk of Far, and utheris [other] Cathenes men the ornamentis of the altar thairof’.
The Earl had helped himself to corn from Deran (Durran in Olrig parish). The Earl had also withheld ‘the few male of byrsbanis myln’ (feu mail [feu duty] of Brisbane’s mill);
broken down the mill of ‘Ormelye’ (Ormlie in Thurso parish);
stopped the ‘bigging of ane myll in litill Wlgrame pertenyng to the said reverend fader, inuist withhalding of ane strath of gyrss and ane watter fisching callit sleacht pertenying to the said toun’ (stopped the building of a mill in Olgrinbeg [Halkirk parish] pertaining to the said reverend father, unjustly withholding a strath of grass and a river fishing called Sleacht pertaining to the said toun [i.e. Olgrinbeg]);
[Sleach Water lies west of Loch More – into which it drains. Evidently this was the shieling for Olgrinbeg – and the Earl had usurped it];
‘certane landis reft maisterfullie fra the tennentis of Deran and Vyk be the said Erle and his tenentis’, (certain lands torn masterfully from the tenants of Durran and Wick by the said Earl and his tenants);
‘and ane mert tane fra ane puir man in Stamistar and ettin be the said Erle in Brawle’ (and a mert [cow] taken from a poor man in Stemster and eaten by the said Earl in Brawll).
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