The Roll of Submission and Fealty
Commonly called the Ragman Roll
Dumfriesshire, Wigtownshire & Ayrshire
On 28 August 1296, Edward I, king of England, held a "parliament" at Berwick, at which, the earls, barons and major landholders, the heads of religious houses and clergy, and the burgesses of royal burghs and major towns, swore fealty to him for their lands and fiefdoms in Scotland. These acts of homage, numbering over 1500, were recorded in deeds of submission and fealty, commonly known as the Ragman Roll; the greater number of homagers attached their own personal or family seal on ribbons to an instrument of deed, which usually recorded groups of men drawn from the same sheriffdom, though, in some cases, individuals from several sheriffdoms, geographically distant, were grouped together. Prior to the Parliament of 28th August, a number of deeds of submissions and fealty had already been made personally during Edward I’s progress up through Scotland, as far as north as Elgin, during the summers months. Some of these are included below, as they record the names of some Dumfriesshire and Galloway magnates.
The Ragman Roll
[Roll whereon are recorded the original instruments of submission and fealty by John de Balliol King of Scotland, with the clergy, nobles, and community of Scotland, to Edward I., in the 26th year of his reign, commonly called in Scotland The Ragman Roll.]
Begins with a statement of the reasons for which the record is drawn up at the King’s command. Then starts with Sir James the Steward of Scotland, knight, who of his own free will, renounced the leagues with the King of France, and swore fealty at Roxburgh on May 13, 1296. The roll in all contains nearly 2000 names, and the following three submissions contain the names of knights from Dumfriesshire, Wigtownshire and Ayrshire.
[p.194] July 10, 1296: At Montrose: - Sir Alexander de Balliol, knight, Sir John Comyn of Badenagh, senior, knight, Sir Herbert de Maxwell, knight, Sir John le Mareschal of Tosken, knight, Sir John de Moravia, knight, renounced the league with France, swore fealty, and do homage for their lands, each oath separately enrolled. (Endorsed).
[p.195] July 28, 1296: Instrument of Submission at Elgin in Moray: - Sir John de St. Michael, Sir Robert de Normanville, Sir Dovenald fitz Can, and Sir Adam Gordon, knights, William called ‘Wisman’, John de Montfort, Alexander de Hateley, James son of Godfrey de Ros, senior, Reginald de St. Michael, clerk, James son of Godfrey Ros, junior, Robert de Trembleye, Audomer Comyn, William de Lasceles, and Gilbert de Southeyk, swear fealty and do homage for their lands.
[p.185] August 28, 1298: Instrument of Submission taken at Berwick-on-Tweed by Humfrey de Boys, knight, Roger de Kirkpatric, knight, Huwe Mauleverer, Gilberd de Jonestone, Huwe de Orre, Cutberd Makeleinwra, Gilberd Maleraghe*, John de Buneb[y], Fergus [le Mareschal], [Rouland le] Mareschal, Moriz de Esttubbille, Gilberd de Sutheyk, Gilberd de [Karlel, Wauter fitz] Cummstun, Thomas [de Coleville], William de Colven, Thomas de Sutheyche, Michael de Cardelnes, [Duncan] fiz Andrew, Nigel fiz Gothrek, [Aleyn de Roffa], Roger de Dunsqueir and William de Heriz, of the county of Dumfries, swear fealty and do homage for their lands. [The oath taken by each is recited].
Note: * Makenaght in Ragman Roll.
Afterwards in the Parliament of the nobles and prelates of both the realms, held at Berwick-on-Tweed in the octaves of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary thereafter [August 28, 1296], the Ragman Roll names over 1500 nobles, prelates, knights, and others, who had done homage for their lands, again renouncing the league with France, and did homage as follows: -
Clergy from Dumfriesshire and Wigtownshire
[p.196] Thomas bishop of Whithorn swore fealty by joint letters with Robert Bishop of Glasgow and Henry bishop of Aberdeen, form of oath by each recited.
[p.196] John abbot of Sweetheart (Douzquer), Alisanundre abbot of Tungland, Walter abbot of Dunndreynan, Dungal abbot of Holywood (Seint Boyse), Robert abbot of Holmcoltram, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.202] Alisaundre de Kethe persone del eglise de Hodolme, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p. 206] Giles persone del eglise de Egglesfeyan, and others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p. 206] Barthelmeu de Egglesham, chapeleyn, warden of the New Place of Sanquhar (Seneware), and others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.208] Henry vicaire del eglise de Laurinetone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.208] Robert de Tyndale persone del eglise de Graunt Daltone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.212] Wauter persone del eglise de Mortone and master of Caldestreme, Pieres de Jarum persone of Killos, Johan vicar of Urres, Wauter de Dernyngtone persone of Partone, Master William de Goseford persone of Castlemilke, Robert de Carsan persone of the moiety of the church of Kircandres, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.213] Alianore prioress of Lencludan del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.214] Johan de Mundeville parson of Moffet, Nicol de Swafham parson of Great Daltone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
Knights and others from Dumfriesshire
[p.198] Henry de Mundeville, Thomas de Coleville, Andrew de Chartres, David le Mareschal, Humfrey de Gardyn, Mariot de Sutton, Patrick de Botyl, Dovenald fiz Can, Wautier de Twynham, William de la Chaumbre, Johnan de Gevelestone, Wautier fiz Richard de Twynham, Stevene de Kilpatrick, Wautier Durant, Matheu de Leghe, Thomas Kirconnel, Thomas de Bardonan, Robert de Muffet, Rogier de Faussyd, Duncan de Coningesburgh, Gilmighel Mac Ethe, Macrath ap Molegan, John Murthok, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.202] Robert de Chartres del counte de Dunfres, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.202] Johan de Jonestone knight and Johan le Blunt of Eskeby, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.203] Henry de Graham, Johan de la Leye, Johan de Setone, Pieres de Graham, Beatrice de Karlele, Adam de Hodolm, Eustace de Boyville, Ive le Messager, Richard de Setone and James de Torthorald, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.203] Huwe de Urre del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p. 206] Nicol de Corry, Johan de Dordofe, Raufe de Eryngtone, Symon de la Chaumbre, Robert de Dunbretan, Robert Freyser, William de Hellebeke, Henry de Gillonby, Robert de Perresax, Johan de Kirkepatrike, Thomas Moffet, del counte de Dunfres, and others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p. 206] Maucolum MacCuffok, William le Taillur, Patrick fiz Matheu de Partone, del counte de Dunfres, and others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.209] Wauter Curry, Henry Crake, John de Normanville, del counte Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.209] Gilbert Maccoignache, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.210] Johan de Aroz, Patrick de Bardonan, Morice Macsalny, Johan de Haytone, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.210] Humfrey de Boys, knight, Rogier de Kirkpatrik, knight, Huwe Mauleuerer, Gilbert de Jonestone, Huwe de Orre, Cutbert Makelemwyn, Gilbert Makanaght, John de Bundeby, Fergus le Mareschal, Rouland le Marescha, Morice de Estubbille, Gilberd de Sutheyk, Gilberd de Carlele, Wauter le fitz Gummestune, Thomas de Coleville, Adam Colwen, Thomas de Sutheyk, Michel de Cardelness, Duncan fiz Andreu, Dougal fiz Gothrik, Aleyn de Roffa, Robert de Drumsquem. William de Heriz, del counte de Dumfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.211] Thurbrandus de Logan, Johan de Kerdernesse, del counte de Dunfres, with others, swore fealty, jointly, form of oath by each recited.
[p.211] Sir Herbert del Makeswelle, Sir Richard Fresser, del counte de Dunfres, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
Knights and others from Wigtownshire
[p.198] Immediately follows the Dumfries submission of John Murthok: - John le Mareschal of Tosketon, Thomas de Torthorald, Fergus MacDowilt, Roland MacGachen, Thomas Maculagh, William Polmaloc, Andreu de Logan, Johan de Meynrethe, William de Champaigne, Dougal Macdowyl, del counte de Wyggetone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.200] Rauf de Chaumpayne del counte de Wygetone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.202] Immediately follows the Dumfries submission of Johan le Blunt of Eskeby: - Hectur Askeloc and Arthur de Galbrathe del counte de Wygetone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p. 205] Gilbert Hannethe, Fergus Askolo, Gilbert de Hannethe and Thomas de Kithehilt, del counte de Wiggetone, and others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.209] Immediately follows the Dumfries submission of Gilbert Maccoignache: - William Maculaghe del counte de Wygtone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.211] Immediately follows the Dumfries submission of Sir Herbert de Maxwell and Sir Richard Frazer: - Dougal Gotherykessone, Michel Maculagh, del counte de Wygetone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
[p.214] Eufemme widow of William de Hornedene, William de Westone, William de Strivelyn, William de Buskeby del counte de Wyggetone, amongst others, swore fealty under joint letters, form of oath by each recited.
Clergy, knights and others from Ayrshire
[p.197] Robert de Brus ‘le viel’ and Robert de Brus ‘le jeovene’ earl of Carrick.
[p.199] Thomas de la Tour, Richard de Warwyk, Gilchrist More, Huwe de Kelshowe, Goddfrai de Ardrossan, Fergus Fostresone, Mestre Gilbert de Templeton, William Kerre, Robert de Ros, John de Parys, Dovenald fitz Gilbert, Patrick de Comenaghe, Thomas Gelghagi, Mestre Neel Cambel, Adam le Taillour of Coningham, Ingram de Umfranville, del counte de Are.
[p.200] John de Swyneburne, Reynaud de Craunford del counte de Are.
[p.202] Johan de Crauforde, Thomas de Wincestre, Aleyn Waleys, Robert Boyt, Adam fitz Grimbaud, Nicol de Slanes, and Patrick le Archer, ‘tenantz le Roi du counte de Are.
[p. 205] Gilbert fitz Roland, Johan de Knoudolyan, Gilbert Maklurke, Mestre Neel Cambel, Johan fiz Roland, Johan fiz Neel de Carryk, Duncan de Carletone, Patrick Beg, Johan le Clerk, Aleyn de Wynton, Adam le Waleys, Reynaud de Kilmernou, Arthur de Donon, William de Kathkerke, Robert le Harpur, Johan de Langemor, Nicol le Waleys, Pieres de Burghe, Wautier de Ros, William fiz Gervays, Gilbert de Conynburke, Renaud del More, Roger de Crauford, Huwe of the Blare, Renaud de Crauford (Trauford), Robert de Boyville, William fiz Lorence, Aleyn le Flemynge, William Bule, Aylmer le Hunter, Thomas Galfagy, Adam de Hom, Rauf de Eglyntone, Roger de Rathe, Alisaundre de la Butelerie, Thomas de Cregeyn, Neel fitz Robert de Dunlop (Dullope), Robert de Pictone, Adam de la More, Aleyn le Barbur, Gilmor fitz Edward, Rauf Faireye, William de Crauford (Craunford), Wautier de Lynne, Thomas de Wyntone, James de Ros, Johan vicaire del eglise de Garvan, Murchauche de Montgomery, Duncan fitz Gilmor Edward, Renaud Mor, Nicol de Achithelege, Aleyn de Keres, Symon de Spalding persone del eglise de Ogheltre, Maucolum Lockare, del counte de Are.
[p. 203] Roger de Crauford del counte de Are.
[p.207] William Gobynsckeghe del counte de Are.
[p.208] Adam ‘prior de Cardoyl’, de counte de Are.
[p.210] Richard de Boyvile de counte Are.
[p.210] Michel de Mohaut knight, Ewyn fiz Duncan, William de Mongale, Johan Manuel, Anegos de Aghenros, Robert de Redbeghe, Johan de Luvetot, Robert fiz Rauf ‘persone del eglise de Seint Cuthbert de Ewytesdale’, Nicol de Camp ‘vicaire del eglise de Grenlawe’, Johan de Conevethe ‘persone del eglise de Alnecrom’, ‘Mestre Walram persone del eglise de Yetham’, Robert de Done ‘persone del eglise de Wiltone’, Huwe Urry, Thomas Daberdalgyn, Renaud de Crauford, Johan fiz Johan de Langemor, del counte de Are.
[p.213] Druwet de Kilbryde de counte de Are.
[p.214] Thomas de Bartone, Johan de Crauuford, del counte de Are.
[p.214] Andreu fiz Godefrey de Ros de counte de Are.
The Ragman Roll ends with the following statement.
The attestation by Andrew son of the late William de Tang, clerk of the diocese of York and apostolic notary, certifies, that he was present during the execution of the several instruments of homage and fealty, duly executed by the various persons and communities named, to which their several seals are appended, and has recorded them ’de verbo in verbum’ with his own had on these thirty-five pieces of parchment sewn together, and after collating them carefully with Sir Robert de Osbaldewyk chaplain, and Thomas de Welleburne clerk, has made certain specified corrections, and verified the whole both at the ‘sutures’ and at the end by his accustomed notarial sign.
[Source: Bain, Joseph: Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland 1272-1307, Vol. II]
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