Henry Stewart, Master of Orkney

Evidence Published by the National Records of Scotland

17 July 1572: Feu Charter by Adam, Bishop of Orkney and Zeitland, with consent of the chapter, granting to Lord Robert Stewart, feuar of the earldom lands of Orkney and Zeitland, in liferent, and to Henry Stewart, his lawful eldest son in fee, and the heirs male of his body, whom failing, Patrick Stewart, brother german of said Henry and the heirs male of his body, whom failing, said Lord Robert and other heirs male of his body Whom failing, Robert and James Stewart, natural sons of said Lord Robert, and the heirs male of their bodies successively, whom failing, the heirs male of the body of umquhile James, Earl of Murray lord Abirnethy, whom failing, Lord Frances Stewart, Commendator of Kelso and the heirs male of his body, whom failing, Robert Steward, brother natural of said Lord Robert, and the heirs male of his body, whom all failing, said Lord Robert's heirs male whomsoever bearing the names and arms of Stewart, without division, 112 merklands within the parish of Dunrosnes, 22 1/2 merklands in the isle of Burray, 14 merklands called Grymbusta in Goldberuik, 15 1/2 merklands in the isle of Brassay, 16 merklands in the parish of Tingwell, Quhytnes and Wesdaill, 39 merklands with 6 'uris' lands in the parish of Nesting and Lunasting, 11 merklands with 6 'uris' lands in the isle of Quhalsay and in the small isles called 'holmes' adjacent thereto, 89 merklands in the isle of Fetlare, 132 1/2 merklands in the isle of Unst, 84 merklands in the isle of Yell, 89 merklands in the parish of Northmavin, 33 merklands in the parish of Delting, 55 1/2 merklands in the parish of Vaus (eg Walls), 55 1/2 merklands in the parish of Sandsting and Aythsting, and 9 merklands in the isle of Fair-Yle, also all other kirklands or 'kirk-umbothis' pertaining to said bishopric, and all quoylandis, outbrekis, towmales, tofts, crofts and other lands having no definite names in the bishop's rental, with the houses, lakes, fishings and yards of all the lands foresaid, lying within the bishop's regality and the sheriffdom or foudrie of Zeitland: all which he erected into one free tenandry to be called the tenandry of Grymbusta, granting that one Sasine to be taken at the chief messuage of Grymbusta should suffice for all. To be held 'de nobis'. Rendering therefor yearly £19 10s Zeitland payment, eg two thirds thereof in woollen cloth called in Norse 'wadmell', and one third in butter, extending to 26 'pakkis' of 'wadmell' and 14 barrels 8 'lesponds' of butter (or for each pack 20s, for each barrel, £3, in all £69 6s 8d Scots), and £6 13s 4d augmentation, in all £76 Scots; also 3 suits at 3 head courts to be held at Grymbusta or elsewhere; and defending the bishop and his clergy to the best of their power; and doubling one year's feu duty at the entry of heirs: and if they fail to pay the duties for 3 terms successively, so that 3 terms pass into a fourth with any payment made, the lands should revert to the superior. With Precept of Sasine addressed to James Menteith of Salcottis. t Leyth and Kirkwall 17 Jul and [-] Sep 1572 Witnesses: Sir John Bellenden of Auchinnoull, Kt, justice clerk, Master John Scharp, advocate, Oliver Kennedy, lawful son of John Kennedy of Drumnellane, Robert Gourlaw, Walter Callender, Alexander Kincaid, servitors of the bishop, Master Alexander Chalmer, vicar of Barro, William Elphingstoun, brother german of Robert, Lord Elphingstoun, William Henresoun, Dingwell pursuivant, Alexander Lausoun, notary public, 'cum diversis aliis' National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2254