"The Chiefs of Grant" (1883) by Sir William Fraser
Volume I, Chapter 10

JOHN GRANT, FOURTH OF FREUCHIE. LADY MARGARET STEWART, HIS FIRST WIFE. LADY JANET LESLIE, HIS SECOND WIFE. 1553-1585.

[125] No evidence has been found to show when John Grant, the fourth of Freuchie, was born. He was married to his first wife, Lady Margaret Stewart, in or about the year 1539, and would then be at least twenty years of age, which would make his birth occur before the year 1520. During the lifetime of his father he bore the designation of "John Grant of Mulben," and took part with him in several important transactions. He was named in 1548 as one of those by whose advice his father was to act in his dealings with Ewen Cameron of Lochiel. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 103. The young Laird also, like his father and grandfather, associated with the Earl of Huntly in the government of the Highlands; and he joined with his father in 1546 in a bond of manrent to the Earl, for which they were made bailies of the castle of Drummin, as narrated in the previous memoir. Ibid. p. 97.

According to a remission granted by Queen Mary, John Grant, younger of Freuchie, during his father's lifetime, joined the party of Matthew, Earl of Lennox, who had declared for England against the Earl of Arran, then Governor of Scotland. The remission is dated on 9th July 1552, and alleges that John Grant was with Matthew, Earl of Lennox, in arms against the Governor on Glasgow Moor in May 1544. Upon a comparison of dates, however, and also considering that the Earl of Glencairn, for it was he, and not the Earl of Lennox, who encountered Arran on Glasgow Moor, had with him only 500 men, and those hastily summoned from among his own friends in the west, Diurnal of Occurrents in Scotland (Bannatyne Club), p. 32. it may be doubted whether any of the Grants could have been present. It is not impossible that John Grant, or some of his clan, had joined Lennox's party [126] at an earlier period and Lad since returned home, but it is probable that the remission was merely a formal document, and was intended to condone any other possible offences committed by the young Laird.

John Grant succeeded to his father and became fourth Laird of Freuchie in August 1553. There is some discrepancy among the various documents relating to the subject as to the precise date of the decease of James Grant, third of Freuchie, but the two inquests held, the one at Elgin and the other at Inverness, for serving John Grant heir to his father. both declare the death of the latter to have taken place on 26th August 1553. John Grant was retoured heir to his father in the lands of Glencarnie and Ballindalloch, in the lordship of Glencarnie and sheriffdom of Elgin and Forres, at Elgin, on 6th October 1553. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 112. Sasine followed, taken "on the soil" of these lands in the ensuing month. Original Precept and Sasine at Castle Grant. The precept states the death of James Grant on 14th August 1554, which is apparently a clerical error.

In the same month of October, John Grant was retoured heir to his father in the lands which belonged to him in Inverness-shire, consisting of the lands of Freuchie, comprehending the town of Freuchie, with its mill. Dalfour, Auchnagall, and Glenlochy; the lands of Urquhart, namely, Brodland, with its fortalice, and the other lands comprehended; the half lands of Lochhroom; the half lands of Lochcarron and Kessoryne, including Strome Castle; the half lands of Lochalsh, including Glengarry; and the lands of Morar. The lands of Lochaish, and the lands of Kessoryne, with Strome Castle, and the office of constable there had formerly belonged to the Chief of Clan Cameron; the lands of Lochcarron, Lochbroom, Glengarry, and Morar, had belonged to Alexander Makane Makalester of Glengarry, now deceased; and all, as formerly narrated, had been apprised to the Laird of Freuchie as compensation for the raid of Urquhart.

The precept from the Crown, in terms of the retour, is dated 26th October 1553. and infeftment duly followed, sasine of the lands of Urquhart being given on the s oil of the lands of Brodland on 8th November in the same year. Sasine of the lands and barony of Freuchie was given at the "castle and fortalice of Ballachcastell" under reservation of the two Congashes, Auldcharn, and the two Culfoichs, held in liferent by [127] Margaret Stewart, wife of John Grant, and of a reasonable terce to Christina Barclay, relict of James Grant. Precept and Instruments of Sasine at Castle Grant On 3d November 1553, George, Earl of Huntly, as Sheriff of Inverness, issued a precept for infefting John Grant in the lands of Lochbroom, Lochcarron, Lochalsh, Glengarry, and others, Original Precept at Castle Grant. but there is no evidence extant of any formal infeftment in these lands. In regard to the lands of Freuchie, Urquhart, Lochalsh, and others above referred to, it may be stated that John Grant of Freuchie received a gift from the Crown of the relief duty due from his lands of Freuchie, Lochalsh, Kessoryne, Lochcarron, Lochbroom, Glengarry, and Morar, held for ward and relief, on 3d April 1554, and on 6th April he received a gift of the double feu-duty exigible on his entry to the lands of Glencarnie and Urquhart, held of the Crown in feu-farm. Original Gifts at Castle Grant. In the same year the Laird obtained a precept of clare constat from Patrick, Bishop of Moray, for infefting him as heir of his father in the church lands of Laggan, Ardinch, and other lands and fishings, in the Bishop's barony of Strathspey and regality of Spynie, upon which precept infeftment was duly given; Original Precept and Sasine, dated 30th March and 8th May 1554, at Castle Grant.and on another similar precept, he was infeft in the lands of Nether Auchroisk. Original Precept and Sasine, dated 20th and 27th June 1554, ibid.

In the same year, on 30th October, Robert (Reid), Bishop of Orkney, and his nephew, Walter, the lately elected Abbot of Kinloss, appointed the Laird of Freuchie as successor to his father in the office of bailie of the abbey. The preamble of the letter of' appointment shows that the first troubled movements which afterwards culminated in the Reformation, were beginning to be felt in the north. The purpose of the appointment is declared by the granters to be "for defence of ws, oure place and tennentes of Kinlos, in this brokin and troublus warld." The Laird of Freuchie is appointed bailie for life, with the usual powers, and with authority to appoint Alexander Cumming of Altyre as his depute. The document was signed at Kinloss by Bishop Reid and no fewer than nineteen monks or brethren. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 114. It is doubtful whether these all belonged to Kinloss; some of them may have been residents of Beauly Priory.

[128] While at Kinloss the Laird of Freuchie entered into a contract with his father's widow, Christina Barclay, as to her terce and other matters. Although his father's debts had exceeded his goods to a considerable extent, yet John Grant gave to his father's widow, in full payment of her claims, all the oats, bear, sixteen oxen, and the "insycht gudis" in Knockando, which she had possessed for a year, apparently as a dower house. He stipulates, however, that if she departed from Knockando permanently, she should leave in the house all the "treyne (wooden) insycht and brew lwmes" (vessels) that were in. it during her occupancy. She agrees that he should hold courts, punish trespassers, and act as her bailie on her terce lands, he guaranteeing the payment of her rental at the proper terms. In lieu of the customs of the widow's terce lands, the Laird assigns to her twenty wedders, and the kids and fowls from the barony of Knockando. The tenants of Wester Daltullies, Ballintomb, and other lands named, are to give her their homage and service, and to labour the mains of Knockando for her behoof. Further, the parties were to act towards each other as if they were mother and son. This document was signed by the Laird and his mother at Kinloss, in presence of the Bishop of Orkney and other witnesses, on 30th October 1554, and two years later, on 20th August 1 556, both parties were admonished, under pain of excommunication, to fulfil the terms of the contract in all points. Vol. iii. of this work, pp. 113, 114.

About this time the Laird of Freuchie added to the Grant possessions the lands of Muldares, Wester Muldares, and Bogbain, with mills, etc., in the earldom of Rothes, within the sherifidoni of Elgin and Forres. These he received from George, Earl of Rothes, and Andrew Leslie, Master of Rothes, as fiar of the earldom, by charter dated 12th December 1554. The lands were to be held blench of the granters. Original Charter at Castle Grant.

In the beginning of the year 1555, the Laird of Freuchie appeared at Inverness to make a protest in regard to the taxation of his property. It would appear that lie had been summoned to attend an inquest to be held for making up the taxed roll of every pound land of old extent in accordance with a requisition from the Crown. The 23d of March had been fixed as the date of the inquest, and the Laird was [129] summoned for that day, but on attending the court he found that the roll bad already been made up and sealed. He therefore protested that if the taxed roll affecting his lands did not conform to his "serwing of aid extent," that roll should not prejudice him or his heritage, as he had appeared on the day appointed to him. He also stated that he was ready to make payment to the Sheriff-depute of his part of the taxed roll so far as regarded his lands in the shire of Inverness, provided the Sheriff would give him a note of the amount, and that not being forth coming, the Laird protested that no harm should arise to him, therefrom, as he had offered to pay. Extract Protest at Castle Grant.

Hitherto the Laird of Freuchie had been engaged chiefly with his own affairs. He was now to act, if not in a wider sphere, at least with fuller authority, and as a power in the great problem of securing the peace of the Highlands. The Clan Ranald had always been troublesome to the Government, especially under the leadership of John of Moidart, called John Moydertach; and the Clan Cameron also refused to submit to the royal authority. Various commissions were issued against these clans without any good effect, and the disputes which arose between the Regent Arran and the Queen Dowager, Mary of Guise, as to the transfer of the regency to the latter, allowed the rebellious Highlanders to resist the Government for some time without check. Gregory's Highlands and Isles, pp. l82, l83 In April 1554 the Queen Dowager assumed the government, and with her usual vigour proceeded at once to take steps to bring the Highlands into obedience. Without entering into details foreign to the immediate purpose of this work, it may be said that the principle upon which the new Regent endeavoured to act was that pursued partly by King James the Fourth, and more decidedly by King James the Fifth, but which had for a time fallen into abeyance, namely, to make chiefs of clans responsible to the supreme Government for the acts of their followers, obliging them to apprehend and bring to justice the criminals of their own tribe. Ibid. pp. 91, 186.

The Laird of Freuchie, though personally law-abiding, yet as the chief of an extensive territory, came under the scope of the new policy. [130] On the 8th June 1555, he received a commission to act as justiciar of the Crown within the whole bounds and lands of Strathspey ("except so much as John Grant of Ballindalloch and his father occupy"), the whole lands of Urquhart and Glenmoristoun, and so much of the lands of Strathdoun (Strathavon) as belonged to him. The commission gave the Laird full power, and special command and burden were laid upon him to search out, examine, and arrest all persons, whether dwellers within the bounds or sojourners, accused or suspected of crime. The reasons assigned for granting the commission were that "divers homicides, murders, thefts, oppressions or sornings, reset of theft, and open or strong-handed rapine had existed within the bounds of the lands of Strathspey, Urquhart, Glenmoristoun, and Strathdoun, lying within our sheriffdoms of Inverness, Elgin and Forres, and Banff respectively, to the extreme depredation and destruction of our poor and faithful lieges, inhabitants of the same." vol. iii. of this work, pp. 116. This preamble was no doubt a formal one, and does not mean that the Laird of Freuchie's men were worse than their neighbours, but it implied that he was now to be held directly responsible for the punishment of their crimes.

As is shown by another commission from Archibald, Earl of Argyll, justiciar-general of Scotland, to the Laird of Freuchie on 15th May 1555, at least one freebooter in Strathspey claimed special attention at this time. This was John Reoch Grant, accused of common theft and other crimes, Original Commission at castle Grant. and the Laird of Grant was instructed to apprehend and bring him to trial. Who John Reoch Grant was does not appear, but he may have been John Roy Grant of Carron, who three years later was implicated in the murder of the head of the Ballindalloch family. There is a story told by the historian of the family of Sutherland, in referring to the events of this period, which shows the prompt compliance of the Laird of Freuchie with the duties laid upon him by the Government. Sir Robert Gordon states that when the Queen Dowager came north, which he says was in July 1555, though others place the event in 1556, Sir Robert Gordon. Gregory, p. 185. There are no means of accurately fixing this date, as the Privy Council Records for the period are wanting, but the Regent was certainly in the north in 1556. "she held justice-aires with most extreme and rigorous punishment, and charged every one of the [131] captains of the Highlands to bring in the offenders of their own kin, where through many were entered, both of Mackenzie kin, Balnagown, Lord Lovat, Mackintosh, Laird of Grant, and many others, whereof there were sundry executed; and among the rest, the Laird of Grant being charged to bring in a special friend called James Grant for his oppression, because he could not be apprehended and brought quick (or alive) to justice, he caused him and the rest of his company to be slain, and their heads to be presented to the Queen Regent." Sir Robert Cordon, quoted in Invernessiana, p. 224.

In this year, 1555, also, a question arose betwixt the Earl of Huntly and the Laird of Freuchie as to the service of the latter as heir of his father in the lands of Tullochgorm. The matter came for settlement before the Lords of Council, and a commission was issued to certain parties to proceed with the service. From the narrative contained in this document it would appear that on the 23d March 1554-5, while presenting his other brieves from Chancery to the Sheriff of Inverness, who was the Earl of Huntly himself, and his deputes, the Laird of Freuchie also produced a brief for his service in Tullochgorm, Curr, and other lands held feudally from Huntly, arid desired that it might be executed. This petition the Sheriff and his deputes refused to grant, and the Laird complained that they had caused him to lose his rents for the past term, and alleged that they intended him to lose his future rents, and to expel him from his heritage. The commission granted by the Supreme Court on 4th December 1555, gave those selected by the Lords full power to do everything necessary to complete the Laird's title to the lands in question. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 117.

In reference also to the lands of Cardells, the Laird entered into a contract, in 1556, with Alexander Grant, brother-german to John Grant of Ballindalloch, in which the appointed arbiters to settle a dispute which had arisen between them. Alexander Grant claimed these lands in heritage, and alleged that James, the late Laird of Freuchie, had ejected him, his servants and goods, from the lands of Mekill and Little Cardell, and the half town of Pitcroy, in time sheriffdom of Elgin and Forres, so far back as the month of March 1542-3, and that the profits had been violently withheld from him by the deceased Laird and his successor. The arbiters [132] appointed were as follows Arthur Forbes of Balfour, William Ogilvie of Allanbuy, John Roy Grant of Carron, and Sir John Gibson, chaplain in Elgin, or any two of them, on behalf of the Laird of Freuchie; George Meldrum of Fyvie, knight, William Leslie, younger of Balquhain, Master .John Leslie, Commissary of Aberdeen, and Alexander Con of Awchry, or any two of them, on behalf of Alexander Grant. Walter Leslie of Kininvie was chosen as oversman, and the arbiters, or so many of them, were to meet in "the kirk or cloister of the Gray Freris of Aberdene," on 20th September next, there to accept and hear the rights of parties, and to give decree within fifteen days thereafter. The parties bound themselves to abide by the decision of the arbiters. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 119. These lands, although for a time they were a source of trouble between the families of Freuchie and Ballindalloch, were eventually purchased by the Laird of Freuchie.

As already stated, the Queen Dowager came north to Inverness in person to settle the feuds in the Highlands. Among those summoned to her presence was Y-Mackay of Farr, ancestor of the Lords Reay, who had committed spoliation in Sutherland. Mackay refused to appear, and the Earl of Sutherland was sent to punish him, but he evaded the Earl, and, among other misdeeds, burned the church of Loth. Mackay was, however, soon after defeated by Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail, surrendered himself, and was committed a prisoner to the Castle of Edinburgh. The Laird of Freuchie became one of the sureties for Mackay's good behaviour, as appears from the bond of relief signed by the latter at Edinburgh on 25th July 1557, ibid. p. 124.in which Mackay promised to relieve the Laird of the sum of 1000 merks, the amount of his security. At a later period Mackay was released, and after good service on the Borders against the English, returned to Sutherland, where he made himself notorious, some years afterwards, by burning the town of Dornoch. History of the Earldom of Sutherland, p. 156.

In 1560, the Laird of Freuchie was again drawn into the current of events affecting the kingdom at large. He was in that year present in Edinburgh as a member of the Parliament which abolished the established religion and enacted the Confession of Faith; but his attention was soon afterwards engaged with affairs in his own neighbourhood. The youthful Queen of Scotland, [133] Mary, returned to her own country in 1561, and as she was at first much guided in her policy by her natural brother, James Stewart, she gave great offence to the Roman Catholic party in Scotland, especially to the Earl of Huntly; then the most prominent leader of that party. The Earl also incurred the distrust and resentment of the Queen by his double-dealing, and, irritated at her treatment of himself and his party, he resolved, on learning the Queen's intention to visit the north, to attempt a rebellion. On the 11th September 1562, Queen Mary arrived at Inverness, and was refused admittance to the castle by Huntly's retainers. A recent writer states that finding the castle closed against her, the Queen issued a proclamation which soon brought assistance; that the chief of the Mackintoshes exerted himself to rally his clan round his sovereign, and prevented the march of such as were proceeding from Badenoch to join Huntly. The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan, p. 226. The Queen soon found herself at the head of a considerable force, with which she occupied the town of Aberdeen. It would appear from a letter from James Stewart, Earl of Murray, to the Baron of Kilravock, appointing a rendezvous at Strathbogie, Rose of Kilravock, p. 237. that the Queen had intended to attack Huntly in his own castle, but the latter assembled his vassals, and marched rapidly towards Aberdeen. The result was disastrous; his force melted away, and on the 28th October 1562, his army, reduced to five hundred men, was confronted at Corrichie, about twelve miles from Aberdeen, by a force of two thousand under the Earl of Murray. In the conflict which ensued, Huntly's army was completely defeated, his two sons taken prisoners, and himself slain. Tytler's History of Scotland, vol. v. p. 224.

The Laird of Freuchie, as holder of lands in Strathavon and Badenoch, was a prominent vassal of Huntly's, but history is silent as to what part he took in the rebellion. Vassals were not bound to follow their feudal superiors against their Sovereign, and the Laird appears either to have refrained altogether from action, or to have joined the royal forces. It favours the latter alternative, that on the 4th November 1562, only seven days after the death of Huntly, and while still at Aberdeen, Queen Mary issued an order charging the keepers of the house or castle of Drummin [134] to deliver the same to the Laird of Freuchie, or "Laird of Grant," as he is also styled, to be kept by him for Her Majesty's behoof. If the keepers refused to give up the castle, authority was given "that the said Lard of Grant pas and tak the said hous, and . . . gif neid be, to lay assege to the samin." Vol. ii. of this work, p. 3. On Wednesday, the 2d December following, Falkland pursuivant, summoned the keepers, and required the delivery of the house and its keys within six hours, but what answer he received is not recorded. The next day the Laird of Freuchie, accompanied by the Queen's messenger, his own servants, and a notary to record the proceedings, appeared before the place, and the pursuivant, again required delivery. But to this challenge no one replied; the gates were closed, and the stronghold empty. The new custodier had to scale the wails, or, as the notary relates it, the Laird of Freuchie "causit leddyr the said castell, and causit his servandis wvth hymselfe enter in the said castell," and so took possession on behalf of her Majesty.

Towards the end of 1563, the Laird of Freuchie was again called upon to act on behalf of the Crown, this time against the Clan Gregor, who now began to trouble the Government. In the month of September, the Privy Council, in the name of Her Majesty, "understanding that the Clan Gregour, being hir hienes rebellis, and at hir home for divers horrible attemptatis committit be thame, hes nocht onlie massit thame selfis in greit cumpanyis. hot als hes drawin to thaim the maist part of the brokin men of the hale cuntre, quliilkis at thair plesour birnis and slayis the pouer liegis of this realme, revis and takis thair gudis, sornis and oppressis thame," etc., desired to provide a remedy for these crimes. To this end the Council issued an act to the noblemen and chiefs, or "principallis," of certain districts, which the Clan Gregor frequented, ordaining them to "expell arid bald the saidis brokin men furth of" their bounds, as specified. Among these chiefs, the Earl of Murray was made responsible for Braemar, Badenoch, Lochaber, Brae of Moray, and other districts in Inverness-shire, and the Laird of Freuchie was ordered to expel the rebels from Strathspey, Strathavon, and the Brae of Strathbogie. Full power and commission was given to the Laird and others to search for and apprehend [135] the rebels, to gather a force and pursue them, as also to besiege any house in which they might take refuge. The Laird and others were required. for the more effectual carrying out of the act, to muster their men on the 20th of October following, and to remain in arms, within their own bounds, for twenty days, to expel the rebels as far as possible. Register of the Privy Council of Scotland,22d September 1563, vol. i. pp. 248, 249. From this time onwards, the Clan Gregor continued to cause much disturbance in the country and annoyance to the Government, but this Laird of Freuchie was not again specially called to take part against them.

Another dispute, in which the Laird of Freuchie was interested, though he was not the direct raiser of the question, was settled by the Earl of Murray, in the Sheriff's Court at Inverness, on 17th October 1563. It arose out of a complaint made by Donald McInnes Mor against William Fraser of Strowie. The former alleged that Fraser had blocked or stopped the passage of Loch Ness. The defender, in his reply, admitted the charge, and gave as his reason the damage done to the woods "pertenyng to him, to my Lord Lowet, and the Laird of Grant, of the quhilkis he beris charge, continuallie cuttit, pelit, and distroiit be the travelloris vpon the said loucht," etc. The decision on the complaint was, first, that the passage of the loch should be "frie and unstoppit" in time to come, and that no impediment be made to any of the lieges. Secondly, to prevent the destruction and "peling" of the woods, a power of search was thenceforth given to the provost and bailies of Inverness, that they might arrest all green timber and bark brought to the town's market for sale, in any way, or from any place, unless the bringer of the wood could produce a satisfactory certificate in writing from the baron on whose lands he got the wood. Failing such certificate, all such wood, sold or unsold, was to be forfeited, and any one who had bought the wood before the official inspection, was to lose his money if the wood was arrested. The act was to come into operation on the 1st November 1363, and stringent provisions were made for staying the transit of' all timber from the port of Inverness. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 128. Act dated 17th October 1563.

It may be noted that the act just quoted, and the precept formerly narrated in. regard to the house of Drummin, are the first authoritative [136] documents in which the Laird of Freuchie is denominated Laird of Grant. This designation, however, though from this period onward it occurs front time to time in formal documents, was not adopted by the Lairds them selves, and they continued to be designated of Freuchie until a much later period.

No doubt on account of his personal influence, the Laird of Freuchie, in the following year, was accepted by the Government as cautioner or surety for Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the chief of the Clan Cameron. Certain parties, of whom John, Earl of Athole, was the principal, bound themselves to the extent of 2000 merks that Donald Cameron should remain in ward within Edinburgh until John Grant of Freuchie should come forward as security. Donald Cameron formally bound himself to keep good rule in his country, and in no way to trouble his neighbours. If he failed in this, lie offered the Laird of Freuchie as security that he would appeal before the Council to answer for his conduct, under the penalty of 2000 merks. This bond was executed by Lochiel at Edinburgh on the 3d, and by his cautioner, at Freuchie, on the 10th November 1564, and finally recorded before the Privy Council on the 27th of the same month. Register of Privy Council, vol. i. pp. 29:3, 294. in return for the Laird of Freuchie's obligation, Lochiel gave him a formal bond of relief, Vol. iii. of this work, p. 130. Bond dated 20th November 1564. and by an Act of the Privy Council, at Dunkeld, the Laird was fully discharged from all his obligations to the Government. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 132. Act dated 29th June 1565.

The Earl of Huntly, who was the son of the Earl slain at Corrichie, was a warm adherent of Queen Mary, and in his train the Laird of Freuchie was present at the Palace of Holyrood on 9th March 1565-6, that eventful night when David Rizzio was slain. The Laird's name has generally been overlooked in connection with this affair; but that he was one of the Queen's party at. that time is stated in a document, nearly identical with what is printed in the Appendix to Bishop Keith's History, but which is fuller and more minute in its details, Printed originally in London in 1699, and reprinted in "Tracts on Scottish History" in 1836. Apparently the same with the Cottonian MS., Caligula B. ix. f. 219*, known as Morton and Ruthven's Narrative the paper published by Keith being a copy.

[137] The circumstances leading to the murder of Rizzio, and the details of that tragedy, have been so often narrated, that they need not be repeated here, and reference will be made only to the part played by the Laird of Freuchie, or, as he is styled in the narrative of the affair, the Laird of Grant. It is well known how the conspirators entered the Queen's supper chamber, and, seizing their victim, dragged him, or were forced by the pressure of numbers, to the outer chamber, where he ,was despatched. While the tragedy was being enacted, Lord Ruthven returned to the Queen's presence, and, after the deed was done, the Earl of Morton passed out into the inner or nether court for keeping of the same and the gates. Queen Mary and Lord Ruthven were disputing in the inner chamber, neither being actually aware of the completion of the crime, when "one came knocking fast at the Queen's chamber door, declaring that the Earls Huntly, Athol, Bothwel, Cathness, and Sutherland, with the Lords Fleming, Levingstone, secretary, Tillibarn (Tullibardine), the comptroller, and Laird of Grant, with their own servants and officers of the palace, were fighting in the close against the Earl of Morton and his company." The king would have gone down, but Lord Ruthven stayed him, and himself went to keep order. He therefore, with support, went down to the court, but before his coming "the officers were dwong into their houses; and the lords were holden in at the gallery door by the Earl of Morton and others being with him, and were constrained to pass up to the gallery and to their chambers."

Lord Ruthven then "passed up to the Earl Bothwell's chamber, where he found the Earls of Huntly, Sutherland, Cathness, the Laird of Grant, and divers others." To them he explained that all had been done at the king's suggestion and desire, and that the banished Lords, Murray and others, were to be recalled. The Earls of Huntly and Bothwell promised to be reconciled to the Earls of Murray and Argyll, with whom they were at enmity, and gave their hands to Lord Ruthven, in token of good faith. The latter then went to the Earl of Athole's chamber, and was accompanied by the Earls of Caithness and Sutherland and the Laird of Grant. The latter was present at the interview between Athole and Ruthven, when explanations were again made as to the king's conduct, and the conference [138] then ended by Athole's desiring Ruthven to ask the king's permission for the Earl and those that were then in the chamber to pass to their own country.

During this interview the Earls of Huntly and Bothwell, taking alarm for their own safety, in view of the Earl of Murray's return, escaped from a low window of the palace; and at the same time the incident occurred of the townsmen of Edinburgh mustering for the Queen's safety, and being dismissed by an assurance from Darnley that both the Queen and he were well. When all was again quiet, and the King had left the Queen's chamber and retired to his own, Ruthven preferred the Earl of Athole's request, which the King was unwilling to grant without a bond. Lord Ruthven replied that the Earl was a "true man of his promise, and would keep the thing he said." The King and the Earl then had an interview, after which the Earl took leave, and went to his chamber, where lie and his company made ready to go forth, which they did ; and with him went the Earls of Sutherland and Cathness, the Master of Cathness," and others, including the Laird of Grant.

No further evidence as to the Laird of Freuchie's movements after he thus left Holyrood can be ascertained. Two days after the murder, Queen Mary made her celebrated flight to Dunbar, and was there joined by the Earls of Huntly, Bothwell, Caithness, and others, with their friends, of whom, probably, the Laird was one. The course of events ended in the Queen's imprisonment in Lochleven Castle. This last occurrence enabled the Laird of Freuchie to homewards to his own country, where turbulent neighbours, emboldened perhaps by his absence from home, were threatening to assail his estates.

Towards the end of Queen Mary's reign Donald Cameron of Lochiel was slain by some of his own kin, those accused of the crime being his uncles, Ewin Cameron of Erracht, and John Cameron of Kinlochiel, who also usurped the chieftainship of Donald's nephew and heir, then a minor. Gregory's History of the Highlands, pp. 202, 203. These self-constituted leaders of the Clan Cameron immediately began to trouble their neighbours, and the Laird of Freuchie's outlying possessions of Urquhart and Glenmoriston were threatened with an attack. Having [139] been informed of their intention, the Laird took the precaution of obtaining letters under the royal signet, directed against the intended marauders. As the lands of Urquhart and others were held of the Crown in feu, the Government had a direct interest in securing the integrity of the lands. This is stated in the letters, which narrate the petition of the Laird of Freuchie, that "he is credibly informit diuers wikkit personis of the Clanrannald and Clanchamroun . . . intendis schortlie to mak incursionis
vpoun the said Johnnes landis, and to burne, herrie, and destroy nocht onelie to his greit skayth and dampnage, hot to the hurt and detriment of ws, the saidis landis being of oure propirtie, quhilkis being heriit and laid waist, we will want the few males thairof." Charge is therefore given to Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, and Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail, and all others of the Clanchattane and Clankenzie," that they shall in no way permit the threatened raid, on pain of being proceeded against as art and part in the same. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 132. Letters dated 1st March 1567-8. These signet letters were issued in the name of King James the Sixth, as Queen Mary had been obliged to demit the crown in favour of her son, and was still a prisoner in Lochleven Castle. The precautions taken were effective in preventing the threatened attack.

On the 2d of May 1568 the Queen made her escape from Lochleven, and her friends in the west of Scotland mustered an army of nearly 6000 men in her behalf. As is well known, however, the Queen's party were defeated at Langside, and within a fortnight after her escape from Lochleven, she was a fugitive in England. Of the northern nobles, the Earl of Huntly adhered strongly to the fortunes of Queen Mary. After her flight into England he was appointed by her one of her lieutenants in Scotland. The Earl and his friends joined in subscribing a bond, by which they pledged themselves as faithful subjects to maintain tine Queen's authority, and to acknowledge "no other usurped authoritie." Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. iv. p. 156. The date of this agreement is 1568 568 but the day and month not being given, it is uncertain whether it was drawn up before or after the Queen's flight. It may have been executed while the northern barons were mustering to join the Queen after her escape from Lochleven. The Laird of Freuchie [140] was the first after the Earl of Huntly to sign this bond, and he evidently acted with the Earl in support of the Queen's party, as is proved by proceedings at a later date.

On account of his close adhesion to him in the national crisis, the Earl of Huntly showed considerable favour to the Laird at this time. Acting as the Queen's lieutenant, he bestowed upon the Laird the abbacy of Kinloss, and otherwise gave his friendly assistance in the Laird's own affairs. The gift of the abbacy of Kinloss arose out of a crime alleged against Walter Reid, the abbot. The abbey and dwelling-place of Kinloss, with all their belongings, are said to be escheated because the abbot had not found surety to underlie the law for the slaughter of a person named Fraser, for which he had been proclaimed a rebel. The whole profits of the abbacy were therefore bestowed upon the Laird of Freuchie, though it is probable he did not enjoy them long. The letter of gift is signed and sealed by the Earl of Huntly, at Aberdeen, on 18th February 1568~9. Original Gift at Castle Grant.

The Earl of Huntly also acted as arbiter in a dispute between the Laird and James Mackintosh of Gask in reference to the lands of Laggan. The dispute was complicated by a charge made against James Mackintosh for the murder of William McInchruter, a tenant or servant of the Laird of Freuchie, as well as for violent occupation of the lands of Laggan for five years. Huntly's decision as to the murder was, that as it was unpremeditated, James Mackintosh should crave pardon of the Laird and make a money payment to the deceased's family. With regard to the lands, Mackintosh was to restore the goods taken, and to remove himself from possession within a certain period. Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, Chief of Clan Chattan, pledged himself for his clansman's obedience to the decree, which was given by the Earl and signed by all parties at Huntly, on 30th September 1568. Original Decree at Castle Grant.

Shortly after the escape of Queen Mary from Lochleven, Huntly gave in his adhesion to the new government under the Regency of Murray, and the same document which bears his signature contains also that of the Laird of Freuchie. The document signed by them was a bond drawn up by the Regent's Privy Council, by which the subscribers acknowledged [141] the authority of King James the Sixth and the Earl of Murray as Regent, and swore to obey them in all points. Along with the signatures of the Earl of Huntly and John Grant of Freuchie, who signed on 15th April 1569, are those of a number of other northern barons. though it does not appear that the signatures were all appended on the 15th of April, hut more probably at various dates. Register of Privy Council, vol. i. p. 654

The Regent's Government, however, was not satisfied with a mere general testimony of allegiance by the Earl of Huntly or his vassals, the Laird of Freuchie, and the Chief of Mackintosh, and special articles of submission and arrangement were entered into between the Regent and Huntly, in the following month, at St. Andrews, in which the latter gave up his cannon, and engaged to support the Government, while the former promised to deal leniently with those who had supported Huntly. At a later date Lachlan Mackintosh tendered his submission, and on the 7th June 1569 the Laird of Freuchie appeared before the Regent at Aberdeen, and made his offer of allegiance. In this document he first formally acknowledges the new government. He then refers to the Earl of Huntly's submission and as the Earl had bound himself to satisfy all persons injured by him betwixt the 1st August 1568 and 31st March 1569, while "serving as pretendit lieutenent to the quenis grace," so the Laird promises to satisfy all persons "be-west Spay" for all injury (lone by himself or servants during the same period, and generally to keep "gud reull" henceforth. Ibid. vol. i. pp. 663-665, 668, 669; vol. iii. of this work, p. 136.Following on the above submission, the Laird received, on the 3d a precept, and on the 9th July 1569 a formal remission for himself and his clan. The precept and remission narrate the actual taking up of arms and marching to the field with the Earl of Huntly against the king's party, and other offences against tile Government. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 137.

From Aberdeen the Regent pushed northward to Inverness, and carried out as far as possible his plans for settling the government and punishing marauders in the Highlands. Among other minor offenders against whom commissions were issued, were certain persons named Alester McAllan, George McYntagart, and others their accomplices, who in October [142] 1568 had burned thre scoir boussis, with the insicht and cornis," on the lands of Rothiemurchus, and killed a servant of Duncan Grant, younger of Freuchie. In the following February they invaded the lands of Glencarnie, and burned eight houses, slew six men, and burned and destroyed their corns and goods, "quhairthrow the said landis ar all laid waist, besyde a nwmer of pover bairnis left fadirles to beg thair meit within the cuntre." A charge under the signet was directed to George. Earl of Huntlv, and others, to apprehend the offenders above named, and bring them to justice. Original Charge, dated 17th June 1569, at Castle Grant.

What effect this charge had is not apparent, but the Laird of Freuchie himself and his son took the punishment of the offenders into their own hands, and made a seizure of sonic of them, as is narrated in a Commission of Justiciary directed to the Laird and his son Duncan, to enable them to execute justice upon the persons captured. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 138.

In August 1569, the Laird of Freuchie received from the Regent Murray a letter, requiring him to pay ?172 (Scots) from the feu-duties of the lands of Urquhart, Glenmoriston, and other crown lands, to the Laird of Lochleven, as part of the expenses incurred by him while Queen Mary was under his charge. Vol. ii. of this work, p.11.These feu~duties had been assigned as a provision for supplying the Queen's table, and for other similar purposes, but had remained unpaid, and the Laird Was required to pay the sum, which he did promptly, as appears from a receipt in his favour by the Laird of Lochleven. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 140.

In the years 1570 and 1571, the Laird of Freuchie entered into special relations with his neighbours of Glengarry and Kintail. The possessions of Lochalsh, L Lochbroom, Lochcarron, and other lands, which, as formerly narrated, had been apprised to James Grant, third of Freuchie, as compensation for the raid on Urquhart, do not appear ever to have been of any real utility to the Lairds of Freuchie. The Laird of Freuchie, however, in the alliances he now made, transferred the greater portion of the lands from himself to those who were better able to deal with them effectually. This course was doubly politic: the Laird got rid of a troublesome possession, and by giving up so much territory at distance, obtained a greater [143] security that his lands of Urquhart and Glenmoriston should remain undisturbed It is for this reason chiefly that the marriage-contracts now to be referred to are worthy of notice.

A contract was concluded at Elgin betwixt the Laird of Freuchie, for himself and his daughter, Barbara Grant, on one part, and Colin Mackenzie, suit and heir of the late Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail, with consent of his curators, on the other part. The young chief of Kintail agreed to marry Barbara Grant, and to make over to her in liferent certain lands. Her father, on the other hand, bound himself to pay with his daughter 2000 merks of tocher, and also to infeft Colin Mackenzie in the half lands of Lochbroom, in the sheriffdom of Inverness. Original Contract, dated 26th July 1570, at Castle Grant. Barbara Grant had formerly been contracted (in 1568) to Robert Monro, younger of Foulis, but it does not appear that the marriage was solemnised or completed. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 133 On the day following the making of the contract, Colin Mackenzie gave his bond of manrent in favour of the Laird of Freuchie, specially obliging himself to defend the Laird against the Clan Ranald. Ibid. p. 142

A year later the Laird entered into another matrimonial contract, also at Elgin, this time with the chiefs of Clan Ranald themselves, for uniting his daughter, Helen Grant, with Donald, the son of Angus McAlestir of Glengarry. It was provided that Donald McAngus McAlestir should marry Helen Grant before the ensuing mid-summer, and that she should be infeft in certain lands. Angus McAlestir of Glengarry (Macdonald of Glengarry), father of Donald, binds himself and his successors, " Lairdis of Glengarrie," to serve the Laird of Freucliie and his successors, "Lardis of Frewquhy," against all persons, " the auctoritie of our souerane and his chieff of Clanranald onlie beand exceptit." If, however, Angus's chief should move against the Laird of Freuchie, then Angus would take part with the latter against his chief. Special provision is made for the protection of the Laird of Freuchie's lands of Urquhart and Glenmoriston. Angus of Glengarry hinds himself to defend these lands in every way possible, and also to hinder all thefts of cattle from Strathspey. On the other hand, the Laird of Freuchie consented to Angus enjoying the nine merk land of Lochalsh [144] apprised from the Clan Cameron, until he obtained possession of the lands of Auchindrone. The Laird of Freuchie also bound himself to infeft Glengarry and his heirs-male in the lands of Glengarry, Morar, part of Lochalsh, and Lochcarron, formerly apprised from Angus and his father for the raid of Urquhart. A penalty of no less than ?10,000 Scots was to be incurred by Angus Macdonald, if he failed to implement the contract. Vol. iii. of this work, PP. 143-149. Contract dated 17th November 1571.

A recent writer on the Macdonalds states that Donald McAngus of Glengarry refused to marry Helen Grant The same writer, after referring to the apprising of 1548, adds: "The estates" (Glengarry, etc., above named "had not passed to Grant in virtue of the above named apprising, but they were again apprised in consequence of Donald's refusal to marry Freuchy's daughter. They are, however, regranted by Grant to (Angus) Glengarry by a charter, already quoted, and confirmed by the Crown on the 8th July 1574." History, etc., of the Macdonalds of Glengarry, by Alexander Mackenzie, pp. 23, 24.

Whether the story of the repudiation in the case of Glengarry be true or not, the Laird of Freuchie took measures for securing, as far as pen and ink could do it, that Colin Mackenzie of Kintail should not play him false. At Forres, on 18th April 1572, the contract of 1570 was solemnly ratified, with this special addition, that if Colin Mackenzie repudiated Barbara Grant, then the Laird of Freuchie should again have access to the lands of Lochbroom. Colin Mackenzie also bound himself to act against Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, and all others, the king and the Earl of Ross excepted; the Laird of Freuchie on his part excepting the Earl of Huntly. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 149. Eight days after, at Ballachastell, on 26th April, two more contracts were signed by the parties, the first relating to the rents of Lochbroom, and an arrangement to be made with Angus Macdonald of Glengarry as to the lands of Auchindrone. The second contract is a solemn renewal by both parties, under " pane off periure and diffamatioun," of their former bond of mutual manrent and service. Special clauses were inserted to the effect that Colin should assist Grant against Mackintosh, and that Grant should aid Colin against invasion by Hew, Lord Fraser of Lovat. Ibid. pp. 150.152.

[145] These clauses were warranted by the disturbed state of the country, which was such, that in 1573 the Earl of Sutherland complained to King James the Sixth, in regard to his service as heir to his father in his lands in Inverness-shire, that he could obtain no inquest to sit at Inverness, because many barons and gentlemen of the sheriffdom, such as Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, Hugh, Lord Fraser of Lovat, Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, Robert Monro of Fowlis, with others, were at deadly feud among themselves. The king therefore directed an inquest to be held in the burgh of Aberdeen. Origines Parochiales, vol. ii. p. 668.
The enmity on the part of the Laird of Freuchie against Lord Lovat may have arisen or been quickened by personal considerations, if the following story be true, as narrated by the author of the History of the Fraser Family. Referring to Hugh Fraser, Lord Lovat, as constable of the castle of Inverness, the historian states: "His Lordship was a great promoter of manly sports, and an expert bowman. It was a general custom in those days for all the nobility to meet at stated periods for the purposes of tilting, fencing, riding the horses, and the like exercises. At one of these rencontres, in the chapel-yard of Inverness, Lord Lovat unhorsed the Laird of Grant and the Sheriff of Moray. This, with some taunt which followed, so irritated these gentlemen, as to occasion sharp words, when Lovat said that as he had given them a specimen of his tilting, he would now try the mettle of their riding. Dashing the rowels into his steed, he rode through the river, and made straight for the hill of Clachnaharry, bidding them keep apace; here he leaped his horse over the ledge of the rock, and dared his pursuers to follow. But they, terrified with the appearance of the place, judged it wisest to desist. The impression made by his horse's shoes below was visible for sixty years after, as it was kept clean by a man who had an annual pension for preserving it." Anderson's History of the Family of Fraser, p. 89.

The Laird of Freuchie was, at least in one instance, himself a sufferer from the disorganised state of the country, as appears from an extract decree of the Lords of Council against James Malcolmtosche McCounglas in Stroyne. The charge against him was that he had, on the 30th of August 1574, "within the feriot and clois tyme of harwist and vacance," taken [146] from the lands of Laggan, in the barony of Strathspey, belonging to the laird of Freuchie, certain goods and furnishings. These consisted, so far as the Laird personally was concerned, of cattle, sheep, and horses, which were upon the lands, and which are said to have been the Laird's "awin proper guidis," and were in keeping of John McAgodow, a servant or tenant. Besides the stock there were taken from the tenant certain implements, some of which indicate progress in agriculture; one brew caldron, value ?10 (Scots); another caldron, value 5 merks; one iron pot, value 26s. 8d.; one gyrdil, value 18s.; one pan, price 24s.; one "culter" (coulter) and one sock, price 26s. 8d.; two "bull axis," valued together at 23s. 4d.; two "womyllis and ane hethe," valued at 13s. 4d.; one great brew ' fatt," price 30s.; one small "fatt," price 15s.; four barrels, 13s. 4d. each; two iron "cruiks," value 45s.; with six pair of "thetis" (traces) for a plough, price 30s Original Decree at Castle Grant.

The Laird of Freuchie, it is said, assisted his son-in-law, Colin Mackenzie, in his contention with the Monros as to the possession of the castle and lands of the Chanonry of Ross. Mackenzie was also aided by his brother-in-law the Laird of Mackintosh. The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan, p. 232.Munro of Milntown had received from the Regent Murray a grant of the fortress, but his title was not completed at the Regent's death. The Mackenzies were jealous of the possession of the castle by the Monros, and laid siege to the place. The Monros held out three years, but one day, getting short of provisions, they made a sortie to the Ness of Fortrose, in the hope of securing fish from a salmon stall there. They were immediately discovered and followed by the Mackenzies, who killed their commander and twenty-five others. The garrison of the castle then surrendered, and the Mackenzies took possession. History and Genealogies of the Mackenzies,

In the beginning of 1574 the Laird was annoyed by his tenants in Urquhart damaging the woods and forests of that barony. The Highlanders, it is said, never counted it theft to take a tree from the forest or a fish from the river, and the Laird in this case, as the forests were Crown property, was obliged to obtain letters of inhibition against the destroyers of the woods. The letters narrate John Grant of Freuchie's complaint that [147] whereas he held the barony of Urquhart, with the woods called the Forest of Cluny, in the sheriffdom of Inverness, and had incurred great expense in dyking, parking, and preserving the green wood, growing trees, and meadows within the forest, that they should not be destroyed; yet the tenants and occupiers of the barony or lands adjacent to the forest, "alswele he day as vndir scilence and cloude of nycht, brekis doun and destroyis the dykis, parking, and haning thairof, makis entres to thame selfis, their hors, cat tell, and guidis thairintill, and nocht onlie cuttis doun . . the growand treis . . . but als . . . eitis, scheris, and destroyis the inedois, gers," etc. The names of the delinquents were to be specially proclaimed in public at their parish kirks; and a further proclamation made at Inverness inhibiting all from destroying the woods, under pain of the penalties imposed by Parliament. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 153.

In the same year the Laird of Freuchie became involved in a dispute with the Bishop of Moray, who claimed payment of certain rents and feu-duties for the crop of the year 1573. Signet Letters at Castle Grant. The Laird and others protested against this, and letters summoning all parties were issued by the Lords of Council, but the sequel of the matter cannot be ascertained from the muniments at Castle Grant.

Reference has been made to a contract in 1571, between the Laird of Freuchie and Donald MacAngus McAlister of Glengarry. In 1575, at the desire of the latter, the Laird of Freuchie joined with others in a special bond to the Privy Council, that a certain Alexander Betoun should enter ward in the castle of Blackness on forty days' warning. Register of Privy Council, vol. ii. p. 443. Bond dated 20th and 21st April 1575. Who this Alexander Betoun was does not appear; but on 20th March and 7th April 1575, John Grant also acts as surety for two other persons - Rory McKenzie, brother of Colin McKenzie of Kintail, and Alexander Ross who had made themselves obnoxious to the government. Register of Privy Council, vol. ii. pp. 442, 443. The Laird of Freuchie was also, three years later, summoned to assist Glengarry under somewhat peculiar circumstances. In 1576 a rupture had taken place between the Regent Morton and the Earl of Argyll, arising out [148] of a dispute between the latter and the Earl of Athole. The Earl of Argyll avoided the court and retired to his own country. In 1 577, or early in 1578, he mustered his vassals, nominally in pursuit of certain alleged "troublaris of the commoun quietnes of the cuntre," but in reality to invade the territories of Glengarry. Glengarry appealed to the Regent, and letters were at once issued by the Privy Council, directed on the one hand to the Earl of Argyll and his adherents, forbidding them in any way to molest or pursue Glengarry or his friends, who are described as "peciabill and gude subjectis;" and, on the other hand, to the Tutor of Lovat, Colin McKenzie of Kintail, John Grant of Freuchie, and others, commanding them to assemble their friends and servants to assist Glengarry against the Earl of' Argyll, when required to do so, and to remain under arms till all danger be past. Other letters of a similar ten or were directed to other parts of Scot land. Register of Privy Council, vol. ii. pp. 673-676. The cause of Argyll's threatened invasion of Glengarry is not known; in the Council's letters it is spoken of as "malice consavit causles" against Glengarry. The show of force made on behalf of Glengarry seems to have checked the proceedings of the Earl of Argyll, as no further record appears of the matter.

In 1577, the Laird received from Robert Douglas, Earl of Buchan, a lease of the lands of Fodderletter, Delnabo, and other lands in Strathavon, which were in the Earl of Buchan's hands by a gift from the Crown, as part of the ward of the Earl of Huntly. Original Lease at Castle Grant. The annual rent to be paid was ?136, 12s. 8d. Scots.

On 24th October 1581, George, Earl of Huntly, gave a special bond to the Laird in reference to a remission which the Earl was bound to obtain from the king for Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, that the remission should not take effect until Lachlan Mackintosh should cease front molesting the Laird of Freuchie in the occupation of certain lands. These were the lands of Rothiemurchus, Ballanespic (Ardinch), and Laggan, in the regality of Spynie; the lands of Dalfour, in the lordship of Badenoch; the lands of Clwne Raekmoir and Moir-Ciwne, in Strathnairn, within the earldom of Moray. These lands bordered on Mackintosh's territory, and were invaded by him, but the Earl of Huntly bound himself to insure that [149] the Laird of Freuchie and his tenants should enjoy peaceable possession of the territory in question.

The castle of Strome, which nominally belonged to the Laird of Freuchie, became, in the year 1582, the subject of dispute between the Macdonalds of Glengarry and the Mackenzies of Kintail, who were also at feud regarding another matter. The affair came before the Privy Council on a complaint by Donald of Glengarry against Colin Mackenzie of Kintail that the latter had come to the castle of Strome, where the former was residing, had taken him prisoner, and had spoiled his goods. Letters had gone forth against McKenzie to deliver up the castle to Macdonald, but without effect, and the Council again issued a charge for the delivery, dated 10th August 1582. Register of Privy Council, vol. iii. p. 505. On the 11th January following, Colin Mackenzie of Kintail made a counter complaint, narrating that he had waited on the Council until the meetings of the latter were interrupted by the Raid of Ruthven; that he had received the castle in terms of a contract with Macdonald; that lie had formerly been charged by the Lords of Session to render the castle of Strome to John Grant of Freuchie "as pertening to him in heretage," and therefore, under the double charge, he was uncertain to whom he should yield the fortress; further, that he had found security (of 2000 merks) that he would deliver the castle to Macdonald, if it were the king's wish. The Council, on hearing this complaint, suspended the charge at the in stance of Macdonald, providing, however, that Mackenzie should deliver the fortalice to such person as the king should appoint. Ibid. pp. 54 1-543. A charge was afterwards issued (on 8th March 1583) that Strome Castle should be delivered to the Earl of Argyll, then Chancellor. Register of Privy Council, vol. iii. p. 555. The Laird of Freuchie, however, as will presently be seen, still preserved his heritable rights in the castle and lands in the neighbourhood.

There is little further to relate regarding this Laird of Freuchie, so far as can be ascertained from the family muniments. In the beginning of the year 1582, he had to mourn the loss of his eldest son and apparent heir, Duncan Grant, younger of Freuchie. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 155. The Laird's declining years were still further harassed by the encroachments of neighbouring lairds, as [150] appears from the letter of appeal written by him to the gentlemen of his clan and their response, both dated 21st March 1584. Vol. iii. of this work, pp. 157, 158. The Laird writes to his "maist speciall freindis and kynnismen" to show them the feeble state of his health, and that he and his friends are "mishandlit" by their neighbours without any fault of their own. He sends his (second) son and grandson to speak with them, desiring to know if they have any fault to find with either, or with himself, for doing wrong to their neighbours, that the matter may be amended. This letter was dated from Ballachastell on a Sunday, and was received and answered on the same day by the gentlemen of the clan, gathered at the church of Cromdale. They unanimously declared that they would support their "chief and maister" against all invaders, not only with their goods, but with their bodies, and that they found no fault with their chief, his son or grandson, in any time past.

Feeling his bodily infirmities increasing, and rendering him unfit for the conduct of his own affairs, he made provision for retiring from active life, and for the management of his estates. By a deed dated at Ballachastell on 30th August 1584, he had made over a great part of his lands and estates to John Grant, his grandson and apparent heir. His reasons for this are set forth in the preamble to the document, and are as follows: that he knew himself to be affected with and liable to various diseases and ailments, and to be unable and unfit for taking part in public affairs, so that lie could no longer apply himself or give attention to the king's service, the defence of the country from invasion, and other public offices useful to the State. He therefore made over the whole of his lands of Freuchie, his lands in Lochalsh, Strome and its castle, Lochbroom, Glengarry, and others in Inverness-shire, with Easter Urquhill, Cantraydoun, and other lands in Nairn, and Mulben and other lands in Elgin. The Laird reserved to himself a liferent right in these lands, and to his wife, Janet Leslie, her reasonable terce. Original Disposition at Castle Grant.

Ten months after retiring from the management of his estates the Laird of Freuchie died at Ballachastell on the 3d of June 1585. At his death he possessed large landed estates, and considerable personal property. Besides the stock and rents of Ballachastell and other manors, and the [151] rents due from the tenants of Urquhart, Mulben, Knockando, Cromdale, Inverallan, Duthil, and Strathavon, he drew rents, probably in right of his second wife, from Balsusnie, Smeatoun, Bennochie, and other lands in Fifeshire. Of ready silver "in pois," or hoarded, he had at his decease the sum of 10,000 merks; and of coined gold "in ane box" the sum of 20,000 merks. The household goods at Ballachastell, with silver-work, bodyclothes, and armour of the deceased, were valued at no less than ?666, 13s. 4d. of then current money.

The value of the Laird's stock in his separate manors and his personal effects, including the ready money above stated, amounted to ?25,392, lOs. Scots; while the rents, etc., due to the deceased raised the sum to ?47,806, 16s. 8d. Scots. The debts owing by the Laird only amounted to ?621, 6s. 8d., thus leaving of "frie geir" the large sum of ?47,185, Os. 10d. Scots. Testament in Register of Testaments in Cornmissariot of Edinburgh, vol. xvii.

The value of some of the silver-work and other personal property belonging to the deceased may be gathered from letters under the royal signet, directed against Lady Jane Leslie, his relict, who refused to deliver the articles in question to the heir when he claimed them as heirship moveables. Original Letters, dated 26th November 1586, at Castle Grant.The property in dispute, said to have been in the Laird's possession at his dwelling-place of Freuchie, consisted of "ane cheinzie of gold weyand xx vncis, price of ilk vnce thairof xxx lib. ; ane pair of goldin braislattis veyand vj vncis, price of ilk vnce thairof foirsaid; ane syde nekit clok of fyne Franche blak, foirlappit with blak welwott, price thairof lx pundis; ane dowbiat of blak satene, price thairof xxx lib.; ane pair of breikis of grograne of silk, price thairof xx lib.; ane grene burde clayth of fyve elnis of lenth and sex quarteris of breid, price of the elne 1 s.; ane knok ovirgilt with gold, price thairof ten crownis, price of ilk crowne 1 s. money; ane fut mantel! of fyne Scottis blak, price of the same xij lib." By the letters Lady Jane Leslie was charged to deliver up these inoveables to the grandson and heir of the deceased.

The Laird, in his latter will and testament, appointed his body to be "bureit in the kirk of Dowthall, in Bogbegis Yll." That appointment [152] was carried out. His memorial stone was found in the Grant family burying-vault at Duthil, and is now at Castle Grant. It contains the armorial bearings of the Grant and Athole families impaled for husband and wife, with the date of the deaths of John Grant, his wife Lady Margaret Stewart, and their elder son Duncan Grant. A representation of the stone is here given. In his will he left ?1000 to his grandson John "to support him." Another legacy was 40 merks to Nichol Cumming, This Nicol Cumming is evidently the grandson of Patrick Grant Reoch of Auchnarrow, the son of Marjory Lade; the lands of Auchnarrow and others were apprised from him in 1585, and finally sold to the grandson and successor of John Grant, fourth Laird of Freuchie, in 1589. "ane pure man." After stating that he had provided his son Patrick Grant in the estate of Rothiemurchus, and that he had been much "inquietit" in the possession, the Laird goes on to say, "thairfoir I leif to the said Patrick Grant the haul guidis, geir, cornes, cattell, nolt, scheip, gold, siluer, cunzeit and vncunzeit, and all vtheris quhatsumewer . . . to support the said Patrick in his trubillis, and to help him to leif as ane honest (honourable) man." Patrick Grant was also appointed his father's executor. The will is dated at Ballachastell, 24th November 1584. Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Edinburgh, vol. xvii.

John Grant, fourth Laird of Freuchie, was twice married. His first wife was Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter of John, third Earl of Athole. The marriage took place before 19th February 1539, as on that date Margaret Stewart, spouse of John Grant, received a Crown charter of the lands of Mulben and others in the shire of Elgin and Forres, with the lands of the two Culfoichs and others in the shire of Inverness, in liferent, and she was duly infeft in these lands on the 3d and 10th November following. Original Charter and Sasines at Castle Grant. Lady Margaret Stewart predeceased her husband in the year 1555, as appears from the memorial stone here represented.

After remaining a widower for about two years, the Laird took a second wife, Lady Janet Leslie, daughter of the Earl of Rothes, who was herself a widow. The marriage was celebrated before 8th March 1557, as on that date John Grant of Freuchie and Janet Leslie, his spouse, received a Crown charter of the lands of Mulben. 4 Registrum Magni Sigilli, Lib. xxxii. No. 241.Lady Janet Leslie appears to have been the widow of the Laird of Naughton in Fife, [153] as she is designed "Lady Jeane Leslie, Lady of Naughton," in a seventeen years' lease granted to her b7 Robert Pitcairn, Commendator of Dunfermline, of the teindsheaves of Bogie, Bennochie, Smeatoun, and Balsusnie, in the shire of Fife, Lease at Castle Grant. dated in the year 1568. She had apparently the liferent of these lands. Lady Janet Leslie survived her second husband, and married again as her third husband, before 8th August 1590, James Elphinstone, brother-german of Robert, third Lord Elphinstone. But she did not long survive her third marriage, having died in Kirkcaldy on 17th December 1591. Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Edinburgh, voL xxv. vol. iii. p. 73.

By his first and second marriages, this Laird of Freuchie had two Sons and seven daughters.
1. Duncan Grant, younger of Freuchie, of whom a short memoir follows. He predeceased his father, and his eldest son, John, succeeded his grandfather.
2. Patrick Grant, who received from his father, about 1574, the lands of Rothiemurchus. He was the ancestor of Sir John Peter Grant of Rothiemurchus, as shown in a separate pedigree of the Rothiemurchus Branch.
The daughters were-
1. Elizabeth, Elspet, or Isobel. On 19th January 1560, and again in November 1561, Elizabeth Grant, daughter of John Grant, was contracted to William Fraser of Strowie, Original Contract at Castle Grant. but there is no evidence that the marriage was completed. On 23d July 1574, the Commissaries of Edinburgh assigned a term to Elizabeth Grant to prove the precept of divorcement pursued by her against John Leslie of Balquhain. The marriage-contract is said to be dated 15th February 1564, Historical Record of the Family of Leslie, which is so far corroborated by the receipts for the dowry, still existing at Castle Grant. In 1576, in a document connected with the process of divorce, she is called Isobel. On 21st January 1580, William Cuming of Inverallochy granted to Isobel, daughter of John Grant of Freuchie, in liferent, [154] and to the heirs-male to be born betwixt himself and her, his lands of Inverallochy, in terms of a marriage-contract of the same date. Copy Charter at Castle Grant. This Isobel is apparently identical with Elizabeth, as the latter is called by both these names.
2. Grissel. She was contracted in marriage, on 30th November 1565, to Patrick Grant, younger of Ballindalloch, and died before 1576.
3. Margaret, named after Grissel in a document dated 17th March 1558. She married (contract dated 20th February 1560) Alexander Gordon, son and apparent heir of George Gordon of Beldornie. Receipt for Dowry at Castle Grant.
4. Katharine, named after Margaret in a document dated in 1559. No further trace of her has been discovered.
5. Marjory, named after Margaret in a document quoted as of date 20th January 1561, but no further information regarding her has been ascertained.
6. Barbara, named after Marjory on 20th January 1561; contracted in marriage on 16th November 1568, to Robert Munro, younger of Fowlis. Vol. iii. of this work, p. 133. This arrangement may not have been completed, as on 18th April 1572, she was contracted to and married Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, and had issue. Ibid. pp. 149, 151.
7. Helen, contracted in marriage on 17th November 1571 to Donald McAngus McAlester, younger of Glengarry. Ibid. p. 143. She is said to have been repudiated by him.

Volume 1 Chapter 10