The Acts of Edward Balliol, king of Scots (1332-56)

Compiled by Matthew Hammond, 2019

Documents types:

Agreements/ indentures - 5

Charters - 17

Letters (admin.) – 1

Letters (correspondence) - 2

Letters patent - 9

Document languages:

French - 8

Latin - 19

Entered from an English summary - 7

Place-dates:

Bamburgh (mistake for Roxburgh?) - 1

Berwick-upon-Tweed - 2

Bishop Auckland - 1

Buittle castle - 2

Carlisle - 1

Edinburgh – 6

Falkirk – 1

Glasgow – 2

Hestan Island - 2

Newcastle-upon-Tyne – 1

Perth - 2

Roxburgh - 7

*I would like to acknowledge the debt this work owes to Amanda Beam’s The Balliol Dynasty, 1210-1364 (Edinburgh, 2008), in particular her Appendix D, ‘Selected Documents for Edward Balliol’, which lists 91 documents related to Edward’s life, both acting as king and the periods before and after his kingship. This calendar should be consulted alongside Beam’s Appendix, which includes a large number of ‘lost acts’ of Edward Balliol as king, as well as some acts as king which are non-Scottish and thus are outwith the parameters of the People of Medieval Scotland database. For a list of these documents which were not included in PoMS, see below, under the calendar. - MH

The Acts

Download a pdf of the Acts of Edward Balliol here.

1/56/1 Edward, king of Scots, has given his beloved clerk Simon of Sandford custody of the hospital of Rutherford next to Jedburgh with all the burdens of the hospital, for his lifetime, with all its customary rights and liberties

Teste me ipso

Letters (admin.)

26 July 1332, at Berwick

Rot. Scot., i, 327

Latin

Amanda Beam, The Balliol Dynasty, App. D, no. 6

1/56/2 Edward, king of Scots, has given his beloved and faithful Thomas Uhtred, knight, for his impending good and laudable service the manor of Bunkle and all the other lands that John Stewart knight had in Scotland, which came into the king’s hands due to his forfeiture, with knight’s feus, wards, reliefs, escheats, forfeitures, marriages, advowsons of churches, toll team infangenthef and outfangenthef, for service owed and wont; and if John or his heirs are able to recover these lands, by consideration of his council or by petition in parliament, he shall hold them peaceably until saised of lands of equal value within the kingdom.

Witnesses: Henry de Beaumont, earl of Buchan; David of Strathbogie, earl of Atholl; Duncan, earl of Fife; Gilbert de Umfraville, earl of Angus; Richard Talbot; Henry de Ferrers; Alexander de Mowbray; Eustace Maxwell, knights

Charter

20 Oct. 1332, at Roxburgh

Rot. Scot., i, 273-4; CDS, iii, no. 1128

TNA, C 81/214(7888) – Writs of Privy Seal

Latin

Beam, no. 9

1/56/3 Edward, king of Scotland, noting that the kingdom of Scotland and its islands are and must be held of the kings of England by homage, liege and fealty, and noting that the debate after the death of King Alexander III was tried by King Edward I of England and decided for his father, who made homage to the king of England, and that by the favour of Edward III, king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, and with the help of those dispossessed by the heirs of Lord Robert Bruce (i.e., the Competitor), has come into the kingdom of Scotland as his heritage, as crowned king of Scotland and the isles, with the assent of the prelates, earls, barons, knights and all others there, and he wills and concedes that £2,000 librates of land be given to the king of England be assigned, given and delivered, including the town, castle and county of Berwick. These lands will be severed from the royal dignity and crown of Scotland for all time. And he obligates himself to the king of England to provide 200 men at arms at his expense when the king of England orders, and his heirs and successors to provide 100 men at arms. And he shall take Joan, sister of the king of England, in marriage, for a dowry of 500 librates of land within three months' time of the marriage; and he will pay £10,000 if he does not take her as wife; and he will provide for the estate of David Bruce; all of this on a surety of £10,000.

Letters patent

23 Nov. 1332, at Roxburgh

Foedera, II, ii, 847-8.

French

Beam, no. 12

1/56/4 Edward, king of Scotland, as his dearest lord and cousin, Edward, king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, has bound himself to support Edward [Balliol], he obligates himself and his heirs to come in person to the aid of the said king of England at his own expense.

Letters patent

23 Nov. 1332, at Roxburgh

Foedera, II, ii, 848

French

Not in Beam

1/56/5 Edward, king of Scots, grants the lands of late William de Eughless, rebel, to William Duresme, burgess and merchant of Darlington, as to the extent of £40 yearly. He and his heirs are to answer at the exchequer of Scotland for anything in excess of that amount, for services due to the chief lords.

Witnesses: Henry de Beaumont, earl of Buchan; David of Strathbogie, earl of Atholl, Richard Talbot; Thomas Uchtred; John of Felton, knights.

Charter

Sunday, 25 July 1333, at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

27 May, 1335, at York: Inspeximus and confirmation by Edward III Beam, The Balliol Dynasty, App. D, no. 17

Entered from an English summary

CPR, 1334-38, 110

1/56/6 Edward, king of Scots, has granted his beloved and faithful relative, Henry de Percy, the Peel of Lochmaben (DMF), Annandale, and Moffatdale, holding as Thomas Randolph, late earl of Moray, held them, saving to the king the forfeitures of war.

Charter

29 July 1333, at Falkirk

Percy Chartulary, 448

Latin

Beam, no. 18

1/56/7 Edward, king of Scotland, noting that the kingdom of Scotland and its islands are and must be held of the kings of England by homage, liege and fealty, and noting that the debate after the death of King Alexander III was tried by King Edward I of England and decided for his father, who made homage to the king of England, and that by the favour of Edward III, king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, and with the help of those dispossessed by the heirs of Lord Robert Bruce (i.e., the Competitor), has come into the kingdom of Scotland as his heritage, as crowned king of Scotland and the isles, with the assent of the prelates, earls, barons, knights and all others there, and he wills and concedes that £2,000 librates of land be given to the king of England be assigned, given and delivered, including the town, castle and county of Berwick. These lands will be severed from the royal dignity and crown of Scotland for all time. And he obligates himself to the king of England to provide 200 men at arms at his expense when the king of England orders, and his heirs and successors to provide 100 men at arms. And he shall take Joan, sister of the king of England, in marriage, for a dowry of 500 librates of land within three months' time of the marriage; and he will pay £10,000 if he does not take her as wife; and he will provide for the estate of David Bruce; all of this on a surety of £200,000.

Letters patent

12 Feb. 1334, at Edinburgh

RPS, 1334/1 (9 Feb 1334)

CDS, iii, no. 1108

Latin

Beam, no. 23

1/56/8 Edward, king of Scotland, noting the support of his dearest lord and cousin, Edward, king of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of Aquitaine, with the assent of his prelates, earls, etc., in parliament at Edinburgh on the 9 February, binds himself to the king of England to come in person at his own expense in assistance against those would make war against the king of England, with a preparation time of six months.

Letters patent

RPS, 1334/2 (9 Feb 1334)

12 Feb. 1334, at Edinburgh

CDS, iii, no. 1110

French

Beam, no. 24

1/56/9 Edward, king of Scots, has appointed Lord Alexander de Moubray and Lord John of Felton as his special procurators and attorneys, and gives them authority to carry out the terms of perpetual peace agreed between the kingdoms of England and Scotland at Roxburgh on 23 Nov. 1332.

Letters patent

RPS, 1334/3 (9 Feb 1334)

12 Feb. 1334, at Edinburgh

CDS, iii, no. 1111

French

Beam, no. 25

1/56/10 Edward, king of Scots, out of affection for his most beloved lord and relative Edward, king of England, wished for the king to have 2,000 librates of his land, and in partial fulfilment of this, has given and assigned the castle, vill and sheriffdom of Berwick-upon-Tweed. And he will assign further lands making up to 2,000 librates on the marches of Scotland and England. In his parliament on 9 Feb., he ratifies the king's possession of these. Dated on the 12th of February.

Charter

12 Feb. 1334, at Edinburgh

RPS, 1334/4; A1334/9 (9 Feb 1334)

CDS, iii, no. 1109 (Foedera, ii, ii, 877?)

Latin

Beam, no. 22

1/56/11 Indenture made between Edward, king of Scots, and Richard Talbot, knight, whereby the king consents to deliver Kildrummy castle to the knight, provided he obligates himself not to quarrel with the king, and that the castle will be ready for the king of Scotland without hindrance.

Agreement

17 Feb. 1334, at Edinburgh

Nat. MSS. Scot., ii, no. 35 (full text)

British Library, Lord Frederick Campbell charters, xxx, 11

NRS, RH 1/2/107

Latin

Beam, no. 15

1/56/12 Indenture made between Lord Edward, king of Scots, and Lord Richard Talbot, knight, noting that Richard is bound to Lord William Montague, by the command of the lord king of Scotland, for 960 marks for the delivery of the lands of Keith (ELO) to the use of Lord Robert Keith, to pay half to William at Berwick on the following Martinmas, and the rest at the following Whitsun. And it is agreed between King Edward and Richard due to the delivery of Kildrummy castle in Mar, that the king shall pay half of the above sums and Richard shall pay the other half.

Agreement (Indenture)

17 Feb. 1334, at Edinburgh

Nat. MSS. Scot., ii, no. 37 (full text)

British Library, Lord Frederick Campbell charters, xxx, 12

NRS, RH 1/2/604/2

French

Beam, no. 16

1/56/13 Edward, king of Scots, noting the 2,000 librates of land in southern Scotland which he owes the king of England, gives his lord and cousin, Lord Edward, king of England the castles, towns, and counties of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Roxburgh, the town, castle and forest of Jedburgh, the town and county of Selkirk, the forests of Selkirk and Ettrick, the town, castle and county of Edinburgh, with the constabularies of Haddington and Linlithgow, the town and county of Peebles, and the town, castle and county of Dumfries, separated from the royal dignity and crown of Scotland forever.

Charter

12 June, 1334, at Newcastle upon Tweed

Foedera, ii, ii, 888; CDS, iii, no. 1127

Latin

Beam, no. 30

1/56/14 Edward, king of Scots, has [given and?] granted to his beloved and faithful relative, Henry de Percy, all the forfeitures of the lands and holdings of all the men within the Peel of Lochmaben. He is not to receive anything further from Edward for besieging the Peel.

Charter

28 Aug. 1334

Percy Chartulary, 448, no. 1066

Latin

Beam, no. 33

1/56/15 [Edward, king of Scots, gives Henry de Percy the] manor of Carse Stirling which was William of Stirling knight’s, …, lands of Duncan Campbell knight in the barony of Red Castle (ANG), lands that were Walter of Corrie’s, Thomas Brisbane of Inchinnan, John…, Gilbert of Carrick knights, William Douglas of Lothian’s, John…, Reginald More, lands that were Colban of Glen’s, lands that were William de Muhaut’s in Winkston and Broughton (PEB), lands that were Godfrey of …gelton in Lothian, all the lands of ‘Leterdounbretaigne’ that were William Stirling of Calder knight’s, lands of Bangour (WLO) that were Archibald of Aberchirder’s, and ‘Peresax’ and ‘Williamby’ that were Thomas of Kirkpatrick’s, ‘Kirkepenyland’ and Auchensoul that were Robert of Cunningham’s, lands of William Moungell brother of the late Thomas Moungell in the sheriffdom of Stirling, lands of Calewel’ that were Malcolm Fleming’s, lands of ‘Anghenton’ that were [William?] de Montague’s, Inchinnan (RNF) that was Alan Stewart’s, lands of Bargarran (RNF) that were John del …ghe’s, lands of Hugh son of Robert of Morton in the valley of Styth’, lands of Manor (PEB) that were Roger Marischal of ‘Bladeby’, and the lands of Thomas Clerk of Carruthers, …ridr’ del Hallathis in Hallathis, Gilbert Johnston of Brackenthwaite, Simon of Horsburgh, …he of Hastings, James Spott and Gilbert Hunter; having and holding by the said Henry of the king, providing that if they are found to exceed £690 16s 6d the surplus is to be at the king’s will.

Letters patent

5 Sept, regnal year 2 (1334)

Percy Chartulary, 446-7, no. 1063

Latin

Beam, no. 34

1/56/16 Edward, king of Scots, has granted to his beloved valet William of Stapleton all the lands and holdings which were Adam of Dalmain’s and John, son of William Inglis’s in Liddesdale and the lands called ‘Hirdmanistoun’ in Teviotdale. The lands will not be held of the crown but of the chief lords of the feus, for service owed and wont.

Witnesses: Henry de Beaumont, earl of Buchan; David of Strathbogie, earl of Atholl; Richard Talbot, Alexander de Mowbray, Thomas Uhtred, John of Stirling, knights.

15 September, regnal year 2, at Glasgow.

Charter

15 Sept. 1334, at Glasgow

Rot. Scot., i, 728

Latin

Beam, no. 35

1/56/17 Edward, king of Scots, has inspected a charter of John, king of Scots, his father, quoting it in full. [Glasgow Reg., no. 249; H1/51/6: John, king of Scots, has granted 40s. annually for the lighting of the church of Glasgow, which William, late king of Scots gave in perpetuity for the maintenance of the same lighting from the ferme of Rutherglen (LAN) annually. He grants also 10 marks for the maintenance of a deacon and a sub-deacon in the same church, that is, 4 marks from the ferme of Cadzow (LAN) and 6 marks from the ferme of Rutherglen. He also grants 100s. for a priest at the altar of Blessed Kentigern, by the sheriff of Lanark and his baillies of Rutherglen, as contained in the charter of Kings William, Alexander, and Alexander, his predecessors, which he has inspected. He instructs the sheriff and his baillies of Lanark to cause said payments to be made.] King Edward ratifies, approves and confirms in perpetuity these sums of money made by his progenitors for the lighting of the church of Glasgow.

Witnesses: Lords Henry de Beaumont, earl of Buchan; David of Strathbogie, earl of Atholl; Alexander de Mowbray; Richard Talbot; Thomas Uchtred; John of Stirling, knights

Charter

25 Sept. 1334 (regnal year 2), at Glasgow

Glasgow Reg., no. 283

Latin

Beam, no. 36

1/56/18 Letter from Edward Balliol to Edward III, urging the loyalty of the abbot and convent of Dundrennan in Galloway, and their losses in consequence.

Letter (correspondence)

1 May, 1335, at Carlisle

CDS, iii, no. 1157

Entered from an English summary

Beam, no. 41

1/56/19 Indenture made at the toun of Perth on Thursday, 12 Sept., AD 1336, between the most excellent prince lord Edward, illustrious king of Scots, on one side, and John of the Isles on the other side, whereby the lord king granted that John, for his good and laudable service, the island of Islay, the land of Kintyre, land of Knapdale, isle of Gigha, half of isle of Jura, isle of Colonsay, isle of Skye, isle of Lewis, land of ‘Kenelbadon’ and of Ardnamuchan, held by John and his assigns. He also has granted the wardship of Lochaber until the legitimate age of the son and heir of Lord David of Strathbogie, the last earl of Atholl. For which grants John of the Isles binds himself and his heirs as liege and faithful men of the lord king and his heirs in perpetuity, and to oppress all his enemies and rebels wherever and whenever he may find them; this is secured by a bodily oath by John over the holy Eucharist, chalice, altar and missal.

Indenture

12 Sept. 1336, at Perth

TNA, C81/1330

Acts of the Lords of the Isles, no. 1; Rot. Scot., 463-4; CDS, iii, no. 1182; Foedera, iv, 711

Latin

Beam, no. 49.

1/56/20 Charter of King Edward to Anthony de Lucy of the barony of Drumsargard (LAN) and all the lands which belonged to Maurice Murray, knight, beyond the Scottish sea, with the barony of Carmunnock (LAN), which belonged to Patrick of Dunbar, formerly earl of March, forfeited by the said Maurice and Patrick, the king's enemies and rebels. Anthony is to answer for the value of the lands in excess of 600 marks; declaring that the said lands do not belong to the crown and are not part of the king's patrimony and that no grant has been made of them hitherto.

Charter

2 December 1336, at Perth

Beam, The Balliol Dynasty, App. D, no. 51

Reid, ‘Balliol’, 62

John Maitland Thomson transcript from 15th century copy at Cockermouth castle

Entered from an English summary

1/56/21 Edward, king of Scots, writes to Master Robert of Stratford, chancellor of England, notifying him that the abbot of Lindores has come to his peace.

Letter (correspondence)

1 July 1337

Beam, The Balliol Dynasty, App. D, no. 53

CDS, iii, no. 1234

TNA C47/22/4/46

French

1/56/22 Edward, king of Scots, has given his beloved John Stirling, knight, for his good and laudable service, all the lands and holdings which were William Keith knight's, and all the lands and holdings which were John Stirling of Glenesk knight's, his enemies and rebels, which came to his hands due to their forfeitures; for service owed and wont, saving the king's right.

Letters patent

21 May 1339, Auckland

Beam, The Balliol Dynasty, App. D, no. 58

NRS, RH 1/2/110

Latin

1/56/23 Edward, king of Scots, has inspected a charter of John, hsi father, late king of Scots. [Charter of King John to William of Silksworth his sergeand, for his homage and service, all the land of Balmuto (FIF) which the late William of Cromarty, clerk, held in the holding of Kinghorn (FIF).] King Edward confirms this gift.

Charter

9 August 1339, at Bishop Auckland

Nat. MSS. Scot., ii, no. 38

Durham, Misc Ch 363

Latin

Beam, no. 59

1/56/24 An agreement between Lord Edward, king of Scotland, and Lord Henry de Percy, that Henry will remain for the term of his life or for the term of Edward's life, with 100 men-at-arms, or a banneret with 30 knights, against all men in Scotland, except King Edward of England his lord; for this, Edward agrees and is held to give Henry and his heirs 2000 markates of land in Scotland.

Agreement

circa Jan. 1347.

Percy Chartulary, 447-8

French

Beam, no. 67

1/56/25 Charter of King Edward, as lord of Galloway, to William of Auldburgh, his vallet, of the lands of Kirkandrews and Balmaghie (KCB), for service owed and wont.

Charter

20 and 21 Sept. 1348, at Hestan Island

CDS, iii, no. 1578

Entered from an English summary

Beam, no. 68

1/56/26 Letters of King Edward, erecting Kirkandrews and Balmaghie into free baronies, in order to maintain peace and keep down robbers, with pit and gallows, etc.

Letters patent

21 Sept. 1348, at Hestan Island

CDS, iii, no. 1578

Entered from an English summary

Beam, no. 69

1/56/27 Charter of King Edward to Lord William of Auldburgh, all the lands in Glenken called the barony of Kells (KCB), with the king's castle called 'Insula Arsa', and the reversions of his barony of Crossmichael and ‘Kisdale’ in Galloway (KCB’, for a rose during rose season, if requested.

Charter

29 Nov. 1352, at Buittle castle

CDS, iii, no. 1578

CPR., 1354-58, 142-3

Entered from an English summary

Beam, no. 71

1/56/28 Letters of King Edward erecting the barony of Kells in Glenken (KCB), his castle of ‘Insula Arsa’ into a free barony.

Letters patent

1 Dec. 1352, at Buittle castle

CDS, iii, no. 1578

Entered from an English summary

Beam, no. 72

1/56/29 Edward, king of Scots, gives, grants and confirms to his beloved lord and relative Edward, king of England, and fully transfers the kingdom, government, title, and crown of Scotland, with the islands of the sea, and their pertinents, holding them as freely as previous kings of Scotland, and with all its pertinents in England and Galloway; and he vests and saises him in this by the golden crown of Scotland, with warrandice against all.

Witnesses: Venerable father, Lord Thomas, bishop of Durham, Lords Lionel, earl of Ulster, and John, earl of Richmond; Henry, duke of Lancaster; William de Bohun, earl of Northampton, Roger de Mortimer, earl of March, Ralph, earl of Stafford, Gilbert, earl of Angus, the abbots of Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh and Dryburgh; Henry, lord of Percy; John, lord de Mowbray, Ralph, lord de Neville, Walter, lord of ‘Manny’; John of Charlton, lord of Powys, John de Grey, lord of Rotherfield; Geoffrey, lord de Say; William, lord de Latimer; John of Stirling, Thomas of Rokeby, Robert of Harley, William de Warenne, William of Auldburgh, knights

Charter

20 Jan. 1356, at Roxburgh

Foedera, III, i, 318-19

CDS, iii, no 1592

Rot. Scot., I, 787-8

TNA, E 39/100/131

Latin

Beam, no. 77

1/56/30 Edward, king of Scots, gives, grants and confirms to his beloved lord and relative Edward, king of England, and fully transfers the kingdom, government, title, and crown of Scotland, with the islands of the sea, and their pertinents, holding them as freely as previous kings of Scotland, and with all its pertinents in England and Galloway; and he vests and saises him in this by the golden crown of Scotland, with warrandice against all.

Charter

20 Jan. 1356, at Roxburgh

Foedera, iii, 317

CDS, iii, no 1591

Rot. Scot., I, 788

TNA, E 39/23

Latin

Beam, no. 77

1/56/31 Indenture between Edward king of Scots and Edward king of England whereby the king of England grants a £2,000 annuity for the cession of his kingdom.

Indenture

20 Jan. 1356, at Bamburgh (sic: Roxburgh?)

CDS, iii, nos 1593-4

Foedera, iii, 319

TNA, C81/365 (22990B)

French

Beam, no. 78

1/56/32 Edward, king of Scots, makes and constitutes Edward, king of England and France, his heir to the kingdom and crown of Scotland, including the islands of the sea, and all the regalities, lordships, lands, possessions, and rights pertaining to it, as well as those in England and Galloway, and he transfers all of these to Edward and his heirs and assigns forever, and he gives, grants and confirms to Edward the kingdom and crown of Scotland with all its pertinents, and releases and quitclaims them forever.

Charter

25 Jan. 1356, at Roxburgh

Foedera, iii, 320

CDS, iii, no. 1596

TNA, E39/24A, B

Rot. Scot., i, 789

Latin

Beam, no. 79

1/56/33 Edward de Balliol, formerly king of Scotland, son and heir of John de Balliol, king of Scotland, gives, grants and confirms by his charter to his lord and relative, Edward, king of England and France, his kingdom, government, title and crown of Scotland, with all its pertinents, and remits, releases and quitclaims to Edward, all right, action and claim that he had in the kingdom, as well as all allegiances, promises, agreements and contracts between the two of them, before the 20th of January.

Charter

25 Jan. 1356, at Roxburgh

CDS, iii, no. 1597

Foedera, iii, 321

TNA, E/39/32

Latin

Beam, no. 80

1/56/34 Edward de Balliol, son of the late Lord John de Balliol, former king of Scots, has given his lord, Lord Edward, by the grace of God, king of England and France, the kingdom and crown of Scotland, and he transferred all right and claim that he had to Edward, making sasine with the oath, stated in full.

Charter

27 Jan. 1356, at Roxburgh

CDS, iii, no. 1603

Foedera, iii, 321-2

TNA, E39/92/7

Latin

Beam, no. 84

The following documents in Amanda Beam’s appendix are lost acts: Beam, nos. 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 57, 61, 63, 64, 66, 70, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83.

The following documents in Amanda Beam’s appendix have not been entered into the PoMS database because they do not relate to Scotland: Beam, nos. 52, 54, 55, 56, 60, 62, 65