(2) MALCOLM I

(ALEXANDER III, KING OF SCOTLAND 1249-1286)

Neis I, according to tradition and Douglas's Baronage, was followed by his son Malcolm I, though there is no record evidence either of the sonship or the succession. But Malcolm may fairly be identified with the Malcolm de Ramesey who attested the grant of a piece of land near Markinch made by William de Valoniis to the Priory of St. Andrews, 30th November 1284. The John de Ramesey who also signs I take to be his cousin the laird of Forthar in Fife.1

1 St. Andrews Charters, p. 420. For the Ramsays of Forthar see the New Genealogist for July 1914.

(3) ADAM I

(JOHN BALLIOL, KING OF SCOTLAND 1292-1296; ROBERT I,

1306-1329)

From Malcolm I we are taken to Adam "de Rameseye", who first appears on the 20th November 1293, and again a year later, as paying, or being called on to pay, the "relief" due for the land of "Clatey" (Clatto), on behalf of Nicholas de Rameseye the heir, who was under age.1 Adam is not designated as ' of Bamff'; in fact in one place Clatto is spoken of as his land' (terræ suæ); but the Clatto pedigree at this point is too clear to admit of any doubt as to the ownership of the property. Adam must have paid this money as guardian for the young laird of Clatto; this of course implies a near degree of relationship between Bamff and Clatto. Adam is next found swearing allegiance to Edward I at Berwick on the 28th August 1296 in company with a band of Fife men, such as the lairds of Anstruther, Cambo, and Balcasky, with three Ramsays besides himself, one of them apparently being the laird of Forthar. Adam's seal is extant, attached to his ragman or bond of allegiance to Edward, with the device of a small hawk on the left hand gloved between three roses.2 A few days later, being still at Berwick, Adam was put upon a jury along with one Malcolm, doubtless his son.3

Twelve or thirteen years later we have Adam de Ramesay and Malcolm described as of Balmeharge-evidently the same two men-sitting on an assize or jury to settle a dispute between the Abbot of Lindores and the men of Newburgh. The fact that 1 Stevenson, Documents illustrative of Scottish History, i. 408, 409, 413. See also the New Genealogist, sup.

2 Bain, Calendar of Documents, ii. 204 and Appendix of Seals.

3 Id., No. 824.

4 Cartulary of Lindores, p. 12 (Abbotsford Club).

this Malcolm is described as of Balmeharge is conclusive as to his connexion with Bamff, because later on we shall find Balmeharg a Bamff possession. The charter bears the absurd date of Thursday before St. Peter "In cathedra anno gratiæ millesimo tricesimo nono" (1039). But the names of the attesting witnesses prove that the date should be read Anno Gratia millesimo tercentesimo nono, namely, 16th January 1308-9. I append a copy of the oath of allegiance sworn by Adam to Edward I at Berwick. It was evidently a common form, and may be taken as the oath sworn by all the other nobility, gentry, and good men of Scotland. Adam was still living 9th January 1315–16.

COPY RAGMAN OR BOND OF ALLEGIANCE TO EDWARD I, sworn by Adam Ramsay: 28th August 1296.

66

[Form given by Palgrave, Documents, No. lxiv, p. 166.]

A TOUZ ceux qui cestes lettres verront ou orront Adam de Ramesey saluy. Pur ce que je su venuz a la foi et a la volunte du tresnoble prince nostre chier Seigneur Edward par la grace de Dieu Roi d'Engleterre, Seigneur d'Irlande et Ducs d'Aquitaine, je promets pur moi et pur mis heirs sur peine de cors et d'avoir et sur quant que nous peussoms encour que nous li servirons bien et loiament contre totes gentz qui porront vivre et morir totes les foiz que nous seroms requis ou garnis de par nostre Seigneur le Roi d'Engleterre avantdit ou par ses heirs. Et qu nous leur damage ne saveroms qu nous nel destourberoms a tot nostre pouer et le lor faceoms a savoir. E a cestes choses tenir et garder je oblige moi et mes heirs et touz nos biens et outre ce ai je jure sur Seintes Ewangeiles. En tesmoignance de queu chose je ai fait faire cestes lettres overtes selees de mon seal Donees a Berewic le vintisme huit jour d aust de lan du regne nostre Seigneur le Roi d'Engleterre avandit vintisme quart."