Chapter X · (continued 3)

The shrines and the wells of the saints were regarded with much devotion, while their relics were objects of extreme veneration, and it was believed that they possessed marvellous virtues. The continuator of Fordun, who wrote in the first half of the fifteenth century, gave an account of a cross which was found when the church of Peebles was founded in the reign of Alexander III.; and he then tells that, “In the place where the cross was found frequent miracles were worked by it, and are still worked, and multitudes of the people flocked thither, and do still devoutly flock, making their oblations and vows to God.” The relics of St. Fergus were preserved at Scone, where they performed many famous miracles; and the bones of one of the arms of this saint were preserved in the cathedral of Aberdeen. The relics of St. Fillan were in great repute, especially his crosier, which was believed to possess many rare virtues, the most singular of which was its power of tracing stolen cattle and goods. James IV. had a relic of St. Duthac set in silver, which was preserved for its miraculous power of healing.¹

¹ Burgh Records of Peebles, pages 152, 156; Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, Volume II., page 97; Origines Parochiales Scotiæ, Volume I. page 229; Pitcairn’s Criminal Trials, Volume I.

The ideas concerning the sacredness of Sunday which subsequently obtained currency, were totally unknown in Scotland in the fifteenth century. Sports and amusements were openly and freely practised and enjoyed, and shooting at the butts on Sunday in every parish of the kingdom was commanded by Act of Parliament.

In closing this account of the social condition of the people during a period of two centuries, the chief subjects touched on may be briefly recapitulated. The chapter commenced with a statement touching the origin, the development, and the peculiarities of parliament, and the functions which it assumed and exercised. After a brief reference to the law courts of the kingdom, subjects connected with the land were taken up. It was stated that from the accession of David I. to the termination of the War of Independence, the greater part of the land of the country had changed owners many times, and that new families had risen to power; but it was observed that Robert I. rather increased than limited the feudal privileges of the nobles, and consequently their power soon overshadowed the authority of the Crown, and they became oppressive and anarchial. The state of the occupiers and the tillers of the land was indicated; and a reference was then made to the extent of the Crown lands in the fifteenth century, and the tenants and occupiers of these lands. The condition of the labourers of the land; and the causes of the emancipation of the bondmen and serfs were treated. The burghs of the kingdom and the communities inhabiting them were handled at length, and the custom, the revenue, the commerce, and the coinage of the kingdom were noticed. The internal and every day life of the burgh communities were then treated in detail, and many interesting particulars and points were narrated, including the incorporation of the different craftsmen of Edinburgh. A brief notice of the burghs which belonged to the Church was presented. The military characteristics of the people, their armour, weapons, and tactics, and the introduction of cannon, were described. The probable number of the population was indicated; and the state of the roads, the establishment of inns, the sanitary condition, and the want of medical science, was pointed out. Drinking customs, festivals, and the amusements of the people were handled; the dress of the people, and of the different ranks of society, sumptuary laws, and ornaments, were described. The price of the staple articles of food during the period was indicated. After careful consideration, I then made a statement touching the condition of the tenants and the labourers on the Crown lands, embracing the period from the return of James I. to the end of the fifteenth century. Having indicating the wages of tradesmen and labourers, the custom of begging, the state of crime, the defects in the administration of justice, and the forms of punishment were handled and explained. Social vice was touched on. The dwellings of the nobles, royal palaces, and the church architecture of the period were briefly treated. Monasteries, nunneries, the different orders of friars, and the hospitals, were handled concisely; and finally, the religious feeling and sentiments of the people were dealt with, and various forms of their practical manifestation were presented.