First published in 1904

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

GENERAL APPEARANCE OF SCOTLAND IN THE

TIME OF MARY

19

Introductory

Subjects of the Book

What was the General Appearance of Scotland in the

time of Mary?

Authorities

Scarcity of Timber

Absence of Enclosures

Changes in the Surface of the Country

Extent to which the Country was under Cultivation

The East and Middle Marches

Lothian

Tweeddale -

Nithsdale

Galloway

Ayr

Clydesdale

Fife

The Carse of Gowrie

Angus, the Mearns and Moray

The Highland Country

The Western Islands

Crops cultivated, Fruits

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

31

139085

CHAPTER II

GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE VILLAGES AND TOWNS-

INTERCOMMUNICATION

PAGE

33

35

36

ib.

Descriptions of Scottish Villages by Foreign Visitors

Scottish Villages compared with those of England

Condition of the Scottish Peasant-

His Fellow in England, France and Germany

Scottish Towns

Absence of Walls of Defence

Pedro de Ayala's description of Scottish Towns

Reserves with which his description must be taken

Scottish Towns as described by other Foreigners

Glasgow

Edinburgh

Relative importance of the Towns

Roads, Bridges and Ferries

Hostelries and Taverns

Beggars

Piracy

45

51

56

63

66

69

CHAPTER III

CONDITIONS OF SOCIETY IN THE COUNTRY—THE

INTERIOR OF A Town.

Towns more important than the Country in time of Mary

Nobles and Gentry

Changes in their Habits and Modes of Life

Tenant-Farmers

New Conditions of Tenancy

Feu-Farm and its Results -

A “Model Farm”

Cottars, Labourers and Bondi

Development of Scottish Towns

PAGE

84

86

87

88

90

91

92

The Town Common and Town Moss

Rabbit Warrens and Fishings

The “ Town Acres

The Town Gates

Sounds and Sights

Middens and Swine

General Appearance of Dilapidation

The Parish Church and Churchyard

Dangers of the Streets

Forestairs and Booths

Furnishing of a House

Bastels

The Town Cross, Tron and Tolbooth

Vennels

The Town under Night

94

100

IOI

102

103

104

108

IIO

CHAPTER IV

TRADE, COMMERCE, AND INDUSTRY IN THE TOWNS

II2

113

114

115

116

117

ib.

Security and Self-Defence the chief consideration in the

Town Policy -

Conditions of Burghership

Hardships of these

Every Burgher a Man-at-Arms

Firma Burgi and its Results

Letting and Sub-Letting of “Subjects”

Houses and Mills -

Petty and Great Customs -

Trade between the Town and its Rural Precinct -

Fixing of Prices

Testing of Goods -

Regrating and Forestalling

Markets and Fairs

Burghs and their Trading Privileges

Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Leith-

I 20

123

ib.

125

126

127

128

130

141

142

143

144

145

146

147

149

151

152

155

156

Small Population of the Towns

Freemen and Unfreemen

“Out-Burghers"

Merchants and Craftsmen -

Merchant Guilds

The Crafts at the beginning of the Fifteenth Century

Difficulties of the Legislature in dealing with them

The Crafts in the Reign of Mary

Incorporation of Crafts

The Crafts and the Town Councils

Economical Objects of the Crafts and Merchant Guilds

Significance of the Conflicts between the Crafts and

Merchant Guilds

Ordinary Routine of Life -

Taverns, Gambling and Roystering

Similar Habits in other Countries -

Abolition of Saints' Days -

Growing Distaste for Mediæval Amusements

The Crafts and their Plays

Obligation on the Town Authorities to provide

Amusements

"Playing Fields"

Festival of Robin Hood and Little John

Indoor and Outdoor Games

Growth of Taste for Costly Raiment

Sumptuary Laws -

Liveries and Uniforms

Articles of Dress peculiar to Scotland

ib.

162

ib.

163

ib.

164