The Register: Kirkgunzeon (continued)

Kirkgunzeon (continued),

255. (C. pp. 216, 217).—Whereas there has been some doubt as to the bounds of the grange of Kircwynni and the land of Culwen, on the eve of St. Peter in Cathedra [Feb. 21st], 1289, in the presence of Sir Robert, abbot of Holm, and Sir Thomas f. Gilbert de Culwenne, with Michael f. Durand and Walter his son, Adam de Culwenne, Patrick mac Coffoc, Patrick Magilboythin and Thomas his son, Thomas de Arbigland, Hugh de Hur, Gilaffald [? Gilaffall, i.e. Gille-Paul], Gilchrist mac Karnachan, Achyne mac Nele and Monc [? Mungo] Macgilherine, the bounds were drawn thus:—from the burn which falls into the water of Southayke between Largeuahan and Locancur, up to le Bathepot; up by a sike to le Bracanhirst, then southwards to le Stanrayse [i.e. cairn] and then to a hummock [pinnaculum] on the moss called Moynhonyld; and so west to another hummock in the same moss, and thence to le Broue on le Gile called Tauenaherothery; and so straight down to the Pollenhaune, and by it until it falls into the moss; and by the moss to the great white rock in the moss, and so straight west to le Birkeheved; then to a fallen oak and to Stodfald; then to an oak marked with a cross; down by the sike which falls into Boghar on the south, and by that sike as it falls into the burn between Clochoc of the monks and Clochoc Beg of Culwenn; and in particulars as the abbot and Sir Thomas with others, who perambulated the boundary that day, arranged that crosses, cairns (stanrayses) and other visible marks should be made. [This agreement relates to the bounds of Kirkgunzeon plus land granted by no. 127. Mr. R. C. Reid suggests that these bounds practically follow the Dalbeattie road from the modern Auchinskeoch lodge where the Cleuchburn flows into the Southwick burn. He is inclined to identify Auchenloch with Locancur and Willie's Cairn with Stanrayse. The land would then consist of Auchenloch farm and hill, Drumstinchall hill, Auchenhay hill (but not farm) and Little Cloak farm. The date is 1289.]

[In order to carry on the history of Kirkgunzeon the following are inserted:—

(Papal Petitions, i, 576).—The abbot of Holm petitions that the Pope will commit the church of Kyrkgunnyne in the diocese of Glasgow to Thomas de Glenlus of that monastery in the diocese of Whithorn, which in time of peace was served by one of the monks of Holm, but now, by reason of schism and the wars, Englishmen cannot dwell in Scotland, so that the church of Kyrkgunnyne is neglected and committed to laymen, being served now by one priest, now by another. Granted for the duration of the schism.

(Ibid. 585).—William de McMorin, B.C.L., of noble origin, lately papal nuncio in Scotland has Kyrcwinan in commendam, and petitions for a canonry of Glasgow. (He was archdeacon of Teviotdale, and dead in 1407.)

(Papal Letters, vii, 67).—William Croyser held the parish church of Kyrthgunen in commendam, 1418.

(Ibid. vii, 344).—1424, iv Kal. Oct. Mandate to the Official of Glasgow narrating the petition of William Croyser, canon of Dunkeld, which set forth that, owing to the Border wars, the union, if such ever existed, of the parish church of Kirkgonzan in the diocese of Glasgow with the Cistercian monastery of Holm Cultram was likely to be of small profit to Holm Cultram. The Pope granted the said church in commendam, until a lasting peace should be made, to the said William Croyser, who already held it in commendam under a grant of the late Peter de Luna, called Benedict XIII. It narrates also the petition of Patrick Leche, clerk and M.A. of the diocese of Glasgow, which stated that in hope of such a peace a seven years' truce had been made; that it was difficult for the proposed union to take place, if indeed it existed at all, because (1) the commendo had gone on for forty years, (2) the church had been so long void that there is no certain knowledge of the mode of voidance. Leche's petition also stated that William Croyser was already opulently beneficed to the extent of 160 marks a year, and that his other benefices with cure were incompatible with the exercise of the cure of Kirkgunzean. The mandate therefore ordered the Official to summon William Croyser to appear in the matter of the commendo and Holm Cultram to appear in the matter of the union; and if facts are found to be as stated, to suppress both the commendo and the union, and to collate Patrick to the church, worth 20 marks of old sterlings.]