Charter

Charter by which Alexander (II), King of Scots, grants to the Brethren at Pluscardin, in exchange for the forest of Lanarch which he formerly gave them, 20 nets on Inurespe. He also grants them his mill of Elgin with all other mills belonging thereto, his mills which formerly belonged to his castle at Foreys, and his mill at Dulpothin, the brethren to have them in free, etc. alms with the whole multure from all lands from which they receive or ought to receive it, if cultivated, at the time of this grant, together with their waters and ponds. He grants that the Brethren and their millers may take earth, stones and timber in neighbouring and suitable places for making, repairing and preserving the ponds of the said mills without any let. He also grants them in exchange for 24 nets which he granted them on the water of Findorin for 24 pounds, the lands of Fernanan, Thulidoui, Kep and Meikle Kyntessoch with appurtenances to have in free, etc. alms with all suits and pleas in their courts saving those specially belonging to the crown. He grants that they shall be free throughout his kingdom of all toll and custom for their chattels. All the aforesaid things which they now have or may in future justly acquire in his kingdom he grants that they may hold in free, etc. alms according to the tenor and form of the gifts made or to be made to them, as freely, etc. as any alms in his kingdom are most freely, quietly, etc. held by any religious. He takes them, their house and men, and all the goods and possessions of them and their men into his firm peace and protection and forbids anyone to inflict any injury, trouble or grievance upon them unjustly or to take poinds of them or their men for any debt, save for their own debt which they or their men owe, on pain of full forfeiture. If anyone presume to go against the aforesaid the diocesan concerned is, by ecclesiastical censure, to compel him to give satisfaction to the monks, and if, owing to his contumacy, he has been excommunicated and remained under the sentence for 40 days, the bailie is to imprison him; if the bailie neglect to do this after being requested three times, the sentence of excommunication shall be enforced by the course of justice. He also grants that, as often as injury is done to the Brethren or their men on their lands, mill, etc., the bailies, when required by them, shall, without awaiting a special Royal mandate, do them full and swift justice according to the assize and customs of the kingdom. He commands that no-one shall presume unjustly to detain their serfs or those of their lands found outside his domains on pain of full forfeiture.