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Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland
Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum
About the Privy Seal Register
The Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum, or Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, records royal letters, warrants and precepts passing through the Privy Seal office. The published series covers the surviving register from 1488 through 1584.
Entries include appointments, remissions, legitimations, protections, respites, pensions, presentations to benefices, confirmations, property transactions and warrants forming part of the process leading to Great Seal charters.
For Guthrie research, these records can document spouses, natural children, siblings, territorial designations, royal offices, ecclesiastical appointments, landholding and property succession.
Current Online Access
Volumes I–II can be read in full. Volumes III–VIII are publicly available through HathiTrust only as Limited — Search Only items, although participating institutions may offer additional viewing options.
| Vol. | Period | Access | Source Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1488–1529 | Full View | Internet Archive • HathiTrust |
| II | 1529–1542 | Full View | HathiTrust — Full View |
| III | 1542–1548 | Limited — Search Only | HathiTrust |
| IV | 1548–1556 | Limited — Search Only | HathiTrust |
| V | 1556–1567 | Limited — Search Only | HathiTrust |
| VI | 1567–1574 | Limited — Search Only | HathiTrust |
| VII | 1575–1580 | Limited — Search Only | HathiTrust |
| VIII | 1581–1584 | Limited — Search Only | HathiTrust |
Volume I
Volume I contains the earliest Guthre material in the published Privy Seal series. The surviving references range from direct royal licences and charter proceedings to legitimations, royal service and institutional references connected with the collegiate church of Guthry.
Among the named Guthres are Robert Guthre of Glensauch, Thomas Guthre, and Alexander Guthre / Guthrie. The volume also preserves an important institutional reference to the collegiate church of Guthry.
Read Volume I Online
Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, Volume I, A.D. 1488–1529. Edited by M. Livingstone.
Volume I — Guthrie Finding Aid
| Page | Date | Guthrie Reference | Role / Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 | 27 Jan 1504/05 | Robert Guthre of Glensauch Royal licence and protection • No.1059 | Licensed to undertake pilgrimage to Saint James in Galicia and granted Crown protection and respite during his absence. |
| 618 | 19 Jan 1505/06 | Collegiate church of Guthry Institutional / place reference • Appendix No.329 | Confirmation and mortification relating to the collegiate church of Guthry, its provost, three prebendaries and one canon. Cross-reference: RMS II, no.2910. |
| 221–222 | 10 Sept 1507 | Thomas Guthre Servitor of Archbishop of St Andrews • No.1537 | Identified as a servitor of the Archbishop of St Andrews in a precept of legitimation. |
| 630 | 13 Sept 1507 | Thomas Guthre Archbishop’s servitor • Appendix No.552 | Appears as servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews in a precept connected with Andrew Pettindreich’s feu-farm charter. Cross-reference: RMS II, no.3130. |
| 637 | 28 Aug 1508 | Alexander Guthre Charter confirmation • Appendix No.668 | Named in a precept of charter confirmation. Cross-reference: RMS II, no.3259. |
| 655 | 27 May 1511 | Alexander Guthrie Charter precept • Appendix No.983 | Named in a royal charter precept. Cross-reference: RMS II, no.3575. |
| 684 | 10 Mar 1526/27 | Thomas Guthry Feu-farm charter precept • Appendix No.1493 | Direct recipient of a feu-farm charter precept. Cross-reference: RMS III, no.428. |
| 582 | 12 Dec 1528 | Alexander Guthre Royal pursuivant appointment • No.4012 | Appointed royal pursuivant for life with an annual Crown payment of £10. |
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529.
27 January 1504/5 — Robert Guthre of Glensauch Licensed to Make Pilgrimage to Saint James
Volume I • No. 1059 • p.155
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
Robert Guthre of Glensauch received royal authority to leave Scotland on pilgrimage to the Apostle Saint James in Galicia. The grant was more than permission to travel: it also provided him with a protection and respite affecting actions in which the Crown had an interest.
The protection was to operate from the date Robert departed the realm and continue during his pilgrimage and for a further year immediately after his return.
The entry states that the grant passed “Per subscriptionem Regis” — by the King’s subscription.
Complete Printed Entry
“Ane Licence maid to ROBERT GUTHRE of Glensauch, to pas in pilgrimage to Sanct James in Galice, and ane protectioun and respitt for all actionis pertening the King to ceis and rest fra the day of his passing furth of the realme and ane yeir nixt and immediatlie thairefter following. Per subscriptionem Regis.”
Modern English Rendering
A licence was granted to Robert Guthre of Glensauch permitting him to travel on pilgrimage to Saint James in Galicia.
At the same time, he received royal protection and a respite from legal actions belonging to or involving the King. That respite was to begin when he left Scotland and continue through his absence and for one full year immediately after his return.
The warrant was issued by the King’s own subscription.
This entry securely identifies Robert Guthre of Glensauch at the beginning of the sixteenth century and associates him with a specific territorial designation. It is also a direct Crown grant in which Robert is the principal beneficiary rather than merely a witness or administrative participant.
Evidence in Perspective
The source establishes Robert Guthre’s name, territorial designation, intended pilgrimage and the royal protection granted for his absence. It does not name a spouse, children, parents or other Guthrie relatives.
The pilgrimage destination is Saint James in Galicia, the major shrine associated with Santiago de Compostela. The record itself, however, simply grants the licence; it does not document whether Robert completed the journey.
The phrase “Per subscriptionem Regis” records the authority under which the grant passed. It should be preserved as a feature of the document without turning it, by itself, into evidence of a personal relationship with the King.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Licence: formal royal permission to undertake an act that required Crown authority.
- Protection: royal safeguard granted to a person, often while absent from the realm.
- Respite: temporary suspension or postponement of specified legal proceedings or obligations.
- Per subscriptionem Regis: “by the King’s subscription,” identifying the authority for the grant.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), no. 1059, p.155.
10 September 1507 — Thomas Guthre, Servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews
Volume I • No. 1537 • pp.221–222
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
The principal document is a precept of legitimation for Patrick Adamson. Thomas Guthre is not the person being legitimated. Instead, he appears at the close of the entry in an administrative capacity as servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews.
The precept passed under the Signet and was issued gratis. Thomas’s appearance is therefore valuable primarily for what it reveals about his occupational or household connection with the Archbishop rather than about Patrick Adamson’s family.
Complete Printed Entry
“Ane Preceptum Legitimationis PATRICII ADAMSON, bastardi, in communi forma, etc. Per Signetum. Gratis M. Thome Guthre, servitori archiepiscopi Sancti Andree.”
Modern English Rendering
A standard royal precept was issued for the legitimation of Patrick Adamson, who was described as illegitimate.
The precept passed under the Signet and was issued without the ordinary fee. Thomas Guthre is identified in connection with the entry as servant of the Archbishop of St Andrews.
Although Thomas Guthre is not the principal party, the record places him in the service of the Archbishop of St Andrews in 1507. A second Privy Seal entry only three days later again identifies Thomas in the same capacity, strengthening the evidence that this was an established role rather than an isolated mention.
Evidence in Perspective
The source establishes Thomas Guthre’s connection to the Archbishop’s service but does not define the precise nature of his duties. Servitor could encompass household, administrative or professional service and should not be expanded beyond what the record states.
Thomas is not a party to Patrick Adamson’s legitimation, and no kinship between Guthre and Adamson is suggested by the entry.
The later 13 September 1507 entry at p.630 again styles Thomas Guthre as servant of the Archbishop of St Andrews. Taken together, the two entries provide a stronger occupational identification than either record alone.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Precept of legitimation: royal warrant used to alter the legal status of a person born outside lawful marriage.
- In communi forma: “in the common form,” indicating use of the standard legal formula.
- Servitor: servant, assistant or subordinate in another person’s household or administration.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- Gratis: issued without the ordinary fee.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), no. 1537, pp.221–222.
19 January 1505/6 — Precept Concerning the Collegiate Church of Guthry
Volume I • Appendix No. 329 • p.618
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
This appendix entry records a Crown precept issued at St Andrews on 19 January 1505/6 relating to the collegiate church of Guthry.
The precept concerned confirmation and mortification in favour of the provost and three prebendaries, together with a charter to one canon in the collegiate church. The Privy Seal entry cross-references the resulting Great Seal record at RMS II, no. 2910.
No individual bearing the Guthrie surname is named in this brief Privy Seal entry. Its value lies instead in documenting the ecclesiastical institution bearing the Guthrie name.
Complete Printed Entry
“329. Apud Sanctum Andream, 19 Jan. Preceptum carte confirmationis et admortizationis facte preposito et tribus prebendariis, et carte uni canonico in ecclesia collegiata de Guthry. [R.M.S. II., 2910.] Per preceptum sub Signeto. Gratis M. Thome Dikson. iii. 38.”
Modern English Rendering
At St Andrews on 19 January, a precept was issued for a charter of confirmation and mortification made in favour of the provost and three prebendaries, together with a charter to one canon, in the collegiate church of Guthry.
The corresponding charter is recorded in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Volume II, no. 2910. The precept proceeded under the Signet and was issued gratis for Mr Thomas Dikson.
This entry adds an institutional Guthrie reference absent from the legacy Privy Seal presentation. It documents the collegiate church of Guthry within the Crown charter process and provides a direct bridge to the corresponding Great Seal record.
Evidence in Perspective
This is a place and institution reference, not evidence for a named Guthrie individual. It should therefore remain visually and analytically distinct from records naming Robert, Thomas or Alexander Guthrie.
The entry is also a good example of the relationship between the Privy Seal and Great Seal registers. The Privy Seal records the precept forming part of the charter process, while the corresponding completed charter can be followed into RMS II, no. 2910.
The word mortification here concerns the permanent dedication or conveyance of property or revenue to an ecclesiastical purpose. It does not refer to death or bodily punishment.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Collegiate church: a church served by a college of clergy rather than by a monastic community.
- Provost: the head of the collegiate foundation.
- Prebendary: a member of the collegiate clergy supported by the income attached to a prebend.
- Mortification: permanent dedication of property or income to a religious, charitable or other enduring purpose.
- Per preceptum sub Signeto: by precept under the Signet.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), Appendix no. 329, p.618; cross-reference RMS II, no.2910.
13 September 1507 — Thomas Guthre Again Identified in the Archbishop’s Service
Volume I • Appendix No. 552 • p.630
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
Three days after Thomas Guthre appears in Patrick Adamson’s legitimation record, the appendix preserves another entry naming him in precisely the same occupational relationship.
The principal transaction was a precept for a feu-farm charter to Andrew Pettindreich, issued at Edinburgh on 13 September 1507. The resulting charter is cross-referenced to RMS II, no. 3130.
Thomas Guthre is again styled servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews. The entry was issued gratis in connection with him.
Complete Printed Entry
“552. Apud Edinburgh, 13 Sept. Preceptum carte feodifirme Andree Pettindreich. [R.M.S. II., 3130.] Per Signetum. Gratis M. Thome Guthre, servitori archiepiscopi S. Andree. iii. 130.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 13 September 1507, a precept was issued for a feu-farm charter to Andrew Pettindreich.
The corresponding Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS II, no.3130. The precept passed under the Signet and was issued without the ordinary fee for Mr Thomas Guthre, servant of the Archbishop of St Andrews.
This second record only three days after the Patrick Adamson legitimation strengthens the occupational identification of Thomas Guthre as a servitor of the Archbishop of St Andrews. It also shows him appearing in the administrative environment of a separate Crown charter transaction.
Evidence in Perspective
Thomas Guthre is not the grantee of the feu-farm charter. Andrew Pettindreich is the principal beneficiary. Thomas appears in the docket explaining the gratis treatment of the Privy Seal precept.
The two September 1507 records can reasonably be treated as references to the same Thomas Guthre because both occur within three days and both give the identical designation servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews. Even so, neither entry supplies Thomas’s parentage, residence or wider Guthrie family connections.
The record should also remain distinct from the later Thomas Guthry who receives a feu-farm charter precept in 1526/7 unless independent evidence demonstrates that they were the same man.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Feu-farm charter: a form of heritable landholding under which land was held in return for a fixed annual payment or feu-duty.
- Servitor: servant or administrative subordinate; the term alone does not define Thomas Guthre’s precise duties.
- Per Signetum: the precept proceeded under the royal Signet.
- Gratis: without the ordinary fee.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), Appendix no.552, p.630; cross-reference RMS II, no.3130.
28 August 1508 — Alexander Guthre Receives a Precept of Confirmation
Volume I • Appendix No. 668 • p.637
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
At Perth on 28 August 1508, the Crown issued a precept for the confirmation of a charter previously made to Alexander Guthre.
The Privy Seal entry is brief because it records an administrative stage in the charter process rather than reproducing the underlying grant in full. The completed Great Seal confirmation is cross-referenced to RMS II, no. 3259.
Complete Printed Item
“668. Apud Perth, 28 Aug. Preceptum carte confirmationis super carta facta Alexandro Guthre. [R.M.S. II., 3259.] Per Signetum. Gratis.”
Modern English Rendering
At Perth on 28 August 1508, a precept was issued for a charter confirming an earlier charter granted to Alexander Guthre.
The resulting Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS II, no. 3259. The warrant passed under the Signet and was issued without the ordinary fee.
Alexander Guthre is the direct beneficiary of the underlying charter. The Privy Seal record therefore provides a firm documentary link to a separate Great Seal charter that may preserve fuller details concerning the property, rights or privileges being confirmed.
Evidence in Perspective
The Privy Seal entry itself does not describe the lands or rights contained in the earlier charter. Those details must be taken from the corresponding Great Seal entry rather than reconstructed from this abbreviated precept.
The name Alexander Guthre alone is not sufficient to identify him automatically with every contemporary Alexander Guthrie. In particular, the later 1528 royal pursuivant appointment should be compared with independent chronological and biographical evidence before the two records are assigned to the same man.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Precept of confirmation: a royal warrant authorizing confirmation of an earlier charter.
- Charter: a formal instrument granting or confirming lands, rights, offices or privileges.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- Gratis: issued without payment of the ordinary fee.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), Appendix no. 668, p.637; cross-reference RMS II, no.3259.
27 May 1511 — Alexander Guthrie Named in a Further Charter Precept
Volume I • Appendix No. 983 • p.655
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
A further Appendix entry dated 27 May 1511 records another Crown charter precept naming Alexander Guthrie. The warrant was issued at Tain and is cross-referenced by the editor to RMS II, no. 3575.
Like the 1508 entry, this is an abbreviated Privy Seal record. Its chief value is that it points researchers to another stage of Alexander Guthrie’s charter history and to the fuller Great Seal record.
Printed Entry / Editorial Abridgment
The printed Appendix entry records a precept of charter in favour of Alexander Guthrie, issued at Tain on 27 May 1511, and cross-references the resulting Great Seal record as RMS II, no. 3575.
Modern English Rendering
On 27 May 1511, the Crown issued a charter precept naming Alexander Guthrie. The Privy Seal register preserves the administrative warrant and directs the reader to the related Great Seal charter in RMS II, no.3575.
This is one of the additional Guthrie references recovered during the full-volume audit. It demonstrates that an Alexander Guthrie appears in more than one early-sixteenth-century charter process and provides another direct bridge between the Privy Seal and Great Seal registers.
Evidence in Perspective
The Privy Seal entry is too abbreviated to identify the property or complete terms of the charter on its own. Those particulars should be taken from RMS II, no.3575.
The similarity of name and the short interval from the 1508 Alexander Guthre record make comparison worthwhile, but the Privy Seal entries alone do not prove that the two charter recipients were the same individual.
For the same reason, this Alexander should not automatically be equated with the Alexander Guthre appointed royal pursuivant in 1528 without corroborating evidence.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Precept of charter: a royal warrant authorizing the preparation or issue of a charter.
- Privy Seal stage: an administrative step that could precede the completed charter recorded under the Great Seal.
- RMS: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), Appendix no.983, p.655; cross-reference RMS II, no.3575.
10 March 1526/7 — Thomas Guthry Receives a Feu-Farm Charter Precept
Volume I • Appendix No. 1493 • p.684
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 10 March 1526/7, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept for a feu-farm charter to Thomas Guthry. The Privy Seal entry is concise but identifies Thomas as the direct recipient of the warrant.
The editor cross-references the completed Great Seal charter as RMS III, no. 428. The Privy Seal entry also records that the precept passed under the Signet.
Complete Printed Entry
“1493. Apud Edinburgh, 10 Mar. Preceptum carte feodifirme Thome Guthry. [R.M.S. III., 428.] Per Signetum. vi. 59 et vii. 64.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 10 March 1526/7, a royal precept was issued for a feu-farm charter in favour of Thomas Guthry.
The corresponding charter is recorded in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Volume III, no. 428. The Privy Seal warrant passed under the Signet.
This entry was absent from the legacy Privy Seal presentation and adds a later Thomas Guthry as the direct recipient of a Crown land-related warrant. The RMS cross-reference provides the route to the fuller property evidence.
Evidence in Perspective
The Privy Seal entry does not identify the lands or other detailed terms of the feu-farm charter. Those particulars belong to RMS III, no. 428 and should not be reconstructed from this abbreviated notice.
This Thomas Guthry should not automatically be identified with Mr Thomas Guthre, servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews, who appears in 1507. Nearly twenty years separate the records, and the later entry supplies no occupational or relational detail that securely joins the two men.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Feu-farm charter: a charter granting heritable possession subject to a fixed annual feu-duty or rent.
- Precept: a formal royal warrant authorizing the preparation or issue of another instrument.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- RMS: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), Appendix no.1493, p.684; cross-reference RMS III, no.428.
12 December 1528 — Alexander Guthre Appointed Royal Pursuivant for Life
Volume I • No. 4012 • p.582
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 12 December 1528, at Edinburgh, Alexander Guthre received a royal letter appointing him pursuivant to the King for life.
The grant also awarded Alexander an annual payment of £10, to be paid by the Comptroller from the King’s casualties. The warrant passed under the King’s signature and that of the Comptroller.
Complete Printed Entry
“4012. At Edinburgh, 12 Dec. Ane Lettre maid to ALEXANDER GUTHRE,—makand him piursevant to our soverane lord for all the dais of his liffe, and gevand zeirlie to the said Alexander the soum of x lib. to be pait to him be the comptrollar of our soverane lordis casualiteis, etc. Per Signaturam Regis et compotorum rotulatoris. Gratis. viii. 32.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 12 December 1528, a royal letter was issued to Alexander Guthre appointing him pursuivant to the King for the remainder of his life.
Alexander was also granted an annual payment of £10, payable by the Comptroller from the Crown’s casualties. The appointment passed under the King’s signature and the authority of the Comptroller’s office and was issued without the ordinary fee.
This is one of the strongest personal-identification records in Volume I. It documents Alexander Guthre’s formal lifetime appointment to a royal office and preserves the annual salary attached to that appointment.
Evidence in Perspective
Pursuivant is an office title. The entry establishes Alexander Guthre’s position in royal service but does not state where he lived, identify his parents, or give any family relationship.
The annual £10 grant strengthens the evidence that this was a continuing official appointment rather than a temporary errand or isolated ceremonial duty.
Volume I also contains charter-related records for men named Alexander Guthre or Guthrie in 1508 and 1511. Similarity of name makes comparison worthwhile, but this 1528 office appointment should not be assigned to the same individual without independent evidence linking the records.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Pursuivant: a junior royal officer of arms, serving in heraldic, ceremonial and messenger functions.
- Casualties: Crown revenues arising from feudal incidents and other occasional sources rather than ordinary rents.
- Comptroller: royal financial officer responsible for administering specified Crown revenues.
- Per Signaturam Regis: by the King’s signature.
- Gratis: issued without the ordinary fee.
Source: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), no.4012, p.582.
Volume I — Guthrie Research in Perspective
Volume I places the Guthrie name in several quite different parts of royal administration between 1504/5 and 1528. The surviving references range from direct royal favour and Crown office to charter procedure, ecclesiastical administration and an institutional reference to the collegiate church of Guthry. Read together, they demonstrate both the breadth of the Privy Seal register and the importance of distinguishing a principal grantee from a servant, officeholder or place-name reference.
Robert Guthre’s 1504/5 pilgrimage licence is one of the clearest personal records in the volume. He is named territorially as “of Glensauch” and receives both permission to travel to Saint James in Galicia and Crown protection during his absence. The record securely establishes Robert’s name and territorial designation, but it does not identify his relatives.
Two entries only three days apart in September 1507 identify Mr Thomas Guthre as servitor to the Archbishop of St Andrews. In neither case is Thomas the principal beneficiary of the Crown act. His importance lies instead in the repeated occupational designation, which places him within the archbishop’s administrative or household service.
The 1508 and 1511 entries document men named Alexander Guthre or Guthrie as recipients in charter proceedings. Both records point directly into the Register of the Great Seal, illustrating how Privy Seal precepts can preserve an earlier administrative stage of a transaction whose fuller property terms appear elsewhere.
The 1528 appointment is different in character from the charter material. Alexander Guthre was appointed pursuivant to the King for life and granted an annual £10 payment from Crown revenues. The record establishes a continuing royal office, but does not itself prove that this Alexander was the same man as either earlier charter recipient.
The newly recovered 1526/7 entry names Thomas Guthry as the direct recipient of a feu-farm charter precept. Because almost twenty years separate this record from Thomas Guthre’s appearances in the Archbishop’s service, the shared name alone is insufficient to identify them as the same person.
The 1505/6 church entry is not a personal Guthrie record. It documents the collegiate church of Guthry and its provost, prebendaries and canon within a confirmation and mortification process. Preserving it separately prevents a place or institutional name from being mistaken for evidence of an individual.
Source basis: M. Livingstone, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, I, A.D. 1488–1529 (Edinburgh, 1908), Guthrie-bearing material at pp.155, 221–222, 582, 618, 630, 637, 655 and 684, including the Appendix entries and their RMS cross-references.
Volume II
Volume II contains a remarkably rich body of Guthre evidence during the reign of James V. The records move well beyond isolated surname references: they identify spouses, fathers and natural sons, brothers, territorial designations, royal servants, ecclesiastical officeholders, property transfers, respites and charter transactions.
Particularly important clusters concern Guthre of that Ilk and the barony of Guthre, Andrew Guthre and Kirktoun of Guthre, John and Andrew Guthre of Balnabreich, Alexander and Thomas Guthre of Kincaldrum, Sir James Guthre of Kirkbuddo and his natural son John, and several Guthres documented in direct royal service.
The printed index primarily gathers the surname under the spelling Guthre, although individual body entries sometimes use Guthrie. Source spelling is retained throughout.
Read Volume II Online
Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, Volume II, A.D. 1529–1542. Edited by David Hay Fleming, LL.D. Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House, 1921.
Volume II — Guthre Finding Aid
| Page | Date | Guthre Reference | Role / Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 27 May 1529 | John Guthrie of Lownan Licence and exemption • No.120 | Receives a lifetime exemption from hosts, raids, wars, wapinschawings and gatherings. |
| 36 | 2 September 1529 | Ninian Guthre & Katherine Moncreiff Husband and wife • No.306 | Jointly named in a charter precept, providing a direct marital identification. Cross-reference: RMS III, 832. |
| 37 | 3 September 1529 | Mr Thomas Dikson, Provost of Guthre Collegiate church / office reference • No.315 | Confirmation relating to Mr Thomas Dikson as provost of the collegiate church of Guthre. Cross-reference: RMS III, 834. |
| 55 | 14 December 1529 | Johnne Guthre Gift of escheated goods • No.454 | Receives the movable and immovable goods of the late William Lichtoun of Inveraritie after the property fell to the Crown through bastardy and lack of lawful heirs or disposition. |
| 71 | 16 March 1529/30 | John Guthre; Sir James Guthre; William Guthre; David Guthre Legitimation and parentage • No.586 | John Guthre is identified as the natural son of Sir James Guthre, Vicar of Kirkbuddo; William Guthre is identified as the natural son of the late David Guthre. Both sons receive legitimation. |
| 89 | 3 August 1530 | Johnne Guthre Gift of escheated goods • No.714 | Johnne Guthre and Johnne Wod receive goods belonging to John Wischert and David Straquhin after the latter men incurred escheat for alleged treasonable conduct. |
| 112–113 | 7 April 1531 | John Guthre Servitor of the King • No.867 | Named as a royal servitor in a Crown nomination letter. The entry spans two printed pages. |
| 145 | 6 January 1531/32 | Sir James Guthre & John Guthre Father and natural son • No.1106 | Charter confirmation naming Sir James Guthre, Rector of Kirkbuddo, and John Guthre, his natural son. This independently reinforces the relationship already stated in no.586. |
| 146 | 8 January 1531/32 | Johnne Guthre Gift of escheated property • No.1113 | Receives goods, money, debts, tacks and other property forfeited by Thomas Burn in Atbe-toun. |
| 157 | 26 March 1532 | Johnne Guthre Familiar servitor of the King • No.1200 | Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent, described as the King’s familiar servitors, receive mails, ferms, profits and duties from lands belonging to Elizabeth Nesbitt while those revenues are in Crown hands through escheat. |
| 165 | 16 May 1532 | Johnne Guthre Elizabeth Nesbitt lands • No.1255 | A further grant to Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent involving the mails, ferms, profits and duties of Elizabeth Nesbitt’s lands. |
| 180 | 28 July 1532 | Alexander Guthre in Grandoun & Elizabeth Hay Husband and wife • No.1353 | Charter confirmation naming Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Elizabeth Hay his spouse. Cross-reference: RMS III, 1201. |
| 194–195 | 7 December 1532 | Alexander Guthre, signifer Royal officer / apprising • No.1449 | Precept of apprising involving lands in Aberdeenshire. The printed office index identifies Alexander under Falkland pursuivant. |
| 197 | 18 December 1532 | Alexander Guthre, signifer Royal officer / apprising • No.1461 | A second precept of apprising for Alexander Guthre. Cross-reference: RMS III, 1247. |
| 209 | 8 March 1532/33 | Alexander Guthre in Grandoun Letter of regress • No.1521 | Regress concerning the lands of Grandoun, previously sold and alienated by Alexander Guthre to James Gordoun of Mydmar and Jonete Leith his spouse. |
| 234 | 20 May 1535 | Thomas Guthre & John Guthre Natural son and father • No.1674 | Thomas Guthre is explicitly identified as the natural son of John Guthre and receives a precept of legitimation. |
| 342 | 27 June 1537 | Hercules Guthre Respite • No.2295 | Receives a nineteen-year respite for the slaughter of the late James Layng and other actions, with specified grave offenses expressly excluded. |
| 348 | 21 July 1537 | Johnne Guthre Halkertoun revenues • No.2326 | Receives the mails, ferms, profits and duties of the lands of Halkertoun in Forfarshire while they remain in Crown hands through ward and nonentry. |
| 389 | 23 June 1538 | Johnne Guthre; Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk Barony of Guthre • No.2600 | Johnne Guthre receives the mails, ferms, profits and duties of the entire barony of Guthre, including its tower, fortalice, tenants, fisheries, free tenants, collegiate church, prebends and chaplainries, following the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight. |
| 435 | 9 March 1538/39 | Andrew Guthre Charter precept • No.2925 | Precept of charter in favour of Andrew Guthre. Cross-reference: RMS III, 1932. |
| 454 | 10 July 1539 | Andrew Guthre Kirktoun and mill of Guthre • No.3074 | Confirmation of Robert Quhite’s charter of alienation from Andrew Guthre concerning part of Kirktoun of Guthre, the mill of Guthre, mill lands, astricted multures and sequels, within the barony of Guthre. |
| 454 | 10 July 1539 | Andrew Guthre Letter of regress • No.3075 | Corresponding letter of regress over the lands and mill described in no.3074. |
| 485 | 10 January 1539/40 | John Guthre of Balnabreich Respite • No.3278 | Receives a six-year respite concerning the mutilation of the late Patrick Annand and other crimes, subject to extensive exclusions. |
| 492 | 10 February 1539/40 | Thomas Guthre Charter confirmation • No.3331 | Precept of charter confirmation for Thomas Guthre. Cross-reference: RMS III, 2085. |
| 493–494 | 11 February 1539/40 | Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum & Thomas Guthre Brothers • No.3341 | Letter of regress concerning Carret and part of Kincaldrum. Alexander had alienated the lands to Thomas Guthre, his brother-german, providing an explicit full-brother relationship. |
| 494 | 11 February 1539/40 | William Guthre Named as homicide victim • No.3343 | A respite granted to James Cossynnis alias Rettray refers to his participation in the slaughter of the late Mr George Lindsay and William Guthre. |
| 579 | 10 February 1540/41 | Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum Charter alienation • No.3852 | Confirmation involving a charter of alienation made by Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum to John Ker, Vicar of Chirnside, over portions of Kincaldrum and its mill and multures. |
| 580 | 10 February 1540/41 | Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum Letter of regress • No.3858 | Regress over portions of Kincaldrum, its mill and multures previously alienated by Alexander to John Ker. |
| 642 | 4 October 1541 | Mr Hugh Guthre King’s servitor • sacristan of Tain • No.4258 | Mr Hugh Guthre, servitor of the King, is presented to the office and service of sacristan in the collegiate church of Tain, vacant by the death of Sir James Wichand. |
| 642 | 5 October 1541 | Mr Hugh Guthre Daily servitor of the King • No.4260 | The following day Hugh, now styled the King’s daily servitor, receives the escheated goods of the late Sir James Wychthand, former chaplain and sacristan of Tain. |
| 646 | 6 November 1541 | John Guthre of Balnabreich; Andrew Guthre Balnabreich succession • No.4289 | Charter precept to John Guthre of Balnabreich for all the lands of Balnabreich with the mill and pertinents. The lands had previously belonged heritably in feu-farm to Andrew Guthre, who resigned them into the King’s hands. The act documents property succession but does not state their kinship. |
| 659 | 16 December 1541 | James Guthre & Margaret Fauld Marital identification • No.4349 context | Land in the barony of Panmure is described as occupied by Thomas Fauld and Margaret Fauld, spouse of James Guthre. The entry supplies an explicit marriage identification. |
| 675 | 10 January 1541/42 | John Guthre in Collistoun Servitor of the King • No.4458 | Precept of charter naming John Guthre in Collistoun, servitor of the King. Cross-reference: RMS III, 2577. |
| 715 | 4 July 1542 | John Guthre Cukistoun property • No.4742 | Letter of regress concerning lands of Cukistoun in the lordship of Brechin, resigned by David Blantyre in favour of John Guthre, his heirs and assignees, following sale and alienation to him. |
| 768 | 13 July 1531 | Henry Guthre Privy Seal fee memorandum | A fee memorandum records letters delivered to Henry Guthre in connection with the accounting of Privy Seal fees. |
Finding-aid source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), checked against the complete printed Index of Persons, Index of Places, Index of Offices and all Guthre-bearing source pages identified during the volume audit. The predominant source spelling is Guthre; occasional Guthrie spellings are preserved as printed.
27 May 1529 — John Guthrie of Lownan Granted a Lifetime Exemption
Volume II • No. 120 • p.15
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 27 May 1529, at Edinburgh, the Crown granted John Guthrie of Lownan a licence and exemption relieving him from several forms of compulsory public and military attendance.
The exemption covered hosts, raids, wars, wapinschawings and gatherings and was granted for all the days of his life.
The entry states that the grant was subscribed by the King and issued gratis.
Complete Printed Entry
“120. Apud Edinburgh, 27 Maii. Ane Lettre of Licence and Exceptioun maid to JOHNE GUTHRIE of Lownan—exemand him fra all passing to ony oistis, raidis, weris, wappinschawingis, gaderingis for all the dais of his life, etc. Subscripta per Regem. Gratis. viii. 49.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter was issued to John Guthrie of Lownan exempting him for life from attending hosts, raids, wars, wapinschawings and public gatherings of the kinds named in the act.
The grant was subscribed by the King and issued without the ordinary fee.
This entry provides a secure territorial identification for John Guthrie of Lownan and records a substantial lifetime royal exemption rather than a temporary dispensation.
Evidence in Perspective
The source establishes John’s name, territorial designation and the scope of his exemption. It does not identify his parents, spouse, children or the reason the exemption was granted.
Because the grant is framed as a lifetime exemption, it is stronger evidence of John’s standing and legal status than a one-time administrative mention, but the record itself does not explain the social or political circumstances behind the favour.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Host: the feudal or royal levy summoned for military service.
- Raid: an armed expedition or military riding.
- Wapinschawing: a formal muster and inspection of weapons and military readiness.
- Subscripta per Regem: subscribed by the King.
- Gratis: issued without the ordinary fee.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.120, p.15.
2 September 1529 — Ninian Guthre and Katherine Moncreiff Named as Spouses
Volume II • No. 306 • p.36
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
At Edinburgh on 2 September 1529, the Crown issued a charter precept naming Ninian Guthre and Katherine Moncreiff, his spouse.
The entry is brief, but it provides a direct and explicit marital identification. The completed Great Seal charter is cross-referenced as RMS III, no. 832.
Complete Printed Entry
“306. Apud Edinburgh, 2 Sept. Preceptum Carte NINIANI GUTHRE et KATHERINE MONCREIFF ejus sponse. [R.M.S. iii. 832.] Per Signetum. x s. viii. 87.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 2 September 1529, a precept was issued for a charter to Ninian Guthre and Katherine Moncreiff, his wife.
The corresponding completed charter is recorded in RMS III, no.832. The Privy Seal warrant passed under the Signet.
This is a concise but genealogically strong entry because it explicitly documents the marriage of Ninian Guthre and Katherine Moncreiff.
Evidence in Perspective
The Privy Seal notice establishes the marital relationship but does not state their parentage, residence, children or the lands involved in the underlying charter.
Those fuller property details should be taken from the related Great Seal record, RMS III, no.832, rather than inferred from this abbreviated precept.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Ejus sponse: “his spouse” or “his wife.”
- Precept of charter: a royal warrant authorizing the issue or preparation of a charter.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.306, p.36; cross-reference RMS III, no.832.
3 September 1529 — Mr Thomas Dikson, Provost of the Collegiate Church of Guthre
Volume II • No. 315 • p.37
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 3 September 1529, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept of charter confirmation concerning Mr Thomas Dikson, identified as Provost of Guthre.
The entry is institutional rather than genealogical: no individual bearing the Guthre surname is named. Its value lies in documenting the collegiate church and its provostry within the royal charter process.
The corresponding Great Seal record is cited as RMS III, no.834.
Complete Printed Entry
“315. Apud Edinburgh, 3 Sept. Preceptum Carte Confirmationis quondam M. THOME DIKSOUN, prepositi de Guthre. [R.M.S. iii. 834.] Per Signetum. Gratis. viii. 105.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 3 September 1529, a precept was issued for a charter of confirmation relating to the late Mr Thomas Dikson, Provost of Guthre.
The related Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS III, no.834. The precept passed under the Signet and was issued gratis.
This record documents the collegiate church of Guthre as an established ecclesiastical institution and identifies its provost. It also confirms that the institution continued to appear in Crown charter administration after the Volume I references.
Evidence in Perspective
This is a place and office reference, not a record of a Guthre individual. It should therefore remain visually distinct from entries naming members of the Guthre family.
The source gives Mr Thomas Dikson’s office but does not supply information about the collegiate church’s foundation, endowments or personnel beyond what is contained in the brief precept.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Provost: head of a collegiate church or ecclesiastical college.
- Precept of confirmation: royal warrant authorizing confirmation of an earlier charter or grant.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- Gratis: issued without the ordinary fee.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.315, p.37; cross-reference RMS III, no.834.
14 December 1529 — Johnne Guthre Receives the Escheated Goods of William Lichtoun
Volume II • No. 454 • p.55
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 14 December 1529, at Edinburgh, the Crown granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, the goods that had belonged to the late William Lichtoun of Inveraritie.
The entry states that the property had fallen to the King because Lichtoun was born illegitimate and died illegitimate without lawful heirs of his body and without making a lawful disposition of his goods during his lifetime.
Johnne Guthre is therefore the direct beneficiary of the Crown’s escheat grant.
Complete Printed Entry
“454. At Edinburgh, 14 Dec. Ane Lettre maid to JOHNN[E] GUTHRE, his airis and assignais,— of the gift of all gudis movabill and unmovabill and utheris quhatsumevir, quhilkis pertenit to umquhill William Lichtoun in Inveraritie, and now pertenyng to our soverane lord becaus the said umquhill William wes borne bastard, and deit bastard without lauchfull airis of his body or lauchfull dispositioun maid be him of his gudis in his liftyme, etc. Per Signaturam [ut in 445]. Gratis. viii. 154.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter was issued to Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, granting him all movable and immovable goods formerly belonging to the late William Lichtoun of Inveraritie.
Those goods had fallen to the Crown because Lichtoun was born illegitimate, died without lawful heirs of his body, and had made no lawful disposition of his property during his lifetime.
This entry places Johnne Guthre as the direct beneficiary of a Crown escheat grant. It is one of several Volume II records in which men named John Guthre receive property or revenues from the Crown.
Evidence in Perspective
The record establishes Johnne Guthre’s receipt of the escheated property but gives no territorial designation, office or family relationship for him.
Because Volume II contains several contemporary John Guthres, this entry should not automatically be identified with John Guthre of Balnabreich, John Guthre in Collistoun, or the natural son of Sir James Guthre without independent evidence.
The language explaining why William Lichtoun’s goods fell to the Crown concerns Lichtoun’s legal status and estate. It does not imply kinship between Lichtoun and Guthre.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Escheat: property falling to the Crown because of specified legal circumstances such as forfeiture, bastardy or absence of lawful heirs.
- Umquhill: deceased; “the late.”
- Heirs and assignees: successors and persons to whom rights could lawfully be transferred.
- Per Signaturam: by royal signature or signed warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.454, p.55.
16 March 1529/30 — John Guthre and William Guthre Legitimated
Volume II • No. 586 • p.71
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
This is one of the strongest genealogical records in Volume II. On 16 March 1529/30, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept of legitimation for two Guthre men.
John Guthre is explicitly identified as the natural son of Sir James Guthre, Vicar of Kirkbuddo. The same act also names William Guthre as the natural son of the late David Guthre.
The wording gives two direct father-son relationships within a single documentary act.
Complete Printed Entry
“586. Apud Edinburgh, 16 Mar. Preceptum Legitimationis JOHANNIS GUTHRE, bastardi, filii naturalis D. Jacobi Guthre vicarii de Kirkbuddo, et WILLELMI GUTHRE, bastardi, filii naturalis quondam Dauid Guthre, in communi forma, etc. Per Signetum. Gratis. viii. 172.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 16 March 1529/30, a precept of legitimation was issued for John Guthre, the natural son of Sir James Guthre, Vicar of Kirkbuddo, and for William Guthre, the natural son of the late David Guthre.
The act was issued in the common form, passed under the Signet, and was granted gratis.
The entry provides two explicit Guthre parent-child relationships: Sir James Guthre → John Guthre and David Guthre → William Guthre. It is therefore among the most genealogically significant records in the volume.
Evidence in Perspective
The relationship language is direct and unambiguous: filii naturalis identifies each man as a natural son. The record does not identify either mother.
Sir James Guthre is here styled Vicar of Kirkbuddo. A later record, no.1106, again links Sir James and John and styles Sir James as Rector of Kirkbuddo, strengthening the same father-son identification across two separate acts.
William Guthre’s father, David Guthre, is already deceased in this entry. The act does not provide David’s residence, office or wider family connections.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Natural son: a son born outside lawful marriage.
- Legitimation: royal act altering the legal status of a person born outside lawful marriage.
- In communi forma: in the common or standard legal form.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- Quondam: the late or deceased.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.586, p.71.
3 August 1530 — Johnne Guthre and Johnne Wod Receive Escheated Goods
Volume II • No. 714 • p.89
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 3 August 1530, at Stirling, the Crown granted Johnne Wod of Balbegrenoch and Johnne Guthre, together with their heirs and assignees, the movable and immovable goods belonging to John Wischert in Auchcarny and David Straquhin in Vuer Craiginestoun.
The goods had fallen to the Crown by escheat because Wischert and Straquhin were accused of treasonable remaining at home from the King’s host and army and of going to the Borders despite royal letters, proclamations and charges.
Complete Printed Entry
“714. At Striuiling, 3 Aug. Ane Lettre maid to JOHANNE WOD of Balbegrenoch and JOHANNE GUTHRE, thare airis and assignais . . .,—of the gift of all gudis movabill and unmovabill, money, dettis, takkis, stedingis and utheris gudis quhatsumevir, quhilkis pertenit to Johanne Wischert in Auchcarny and Dauid Straquhin in Vuer Craiginestoun, and now pertenyng to our soverane lord be resoun of eschete throu thare tresonable remanyng and biding at hame fra our soverane lordis oist and army, passand to the bordouris apoun the first day of July last bipast for apprehending of thevis and misdoaris being thareone, incontrar the lettres, proclamatiounis and chargis maid thareupoun, incurrand tharethrow the panis contenit in the sammyne, etc. Per Signaturam [ut in 713]. Gratis. viii. 197.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter was issued to Johnne Wod of Balbegrenoch and Johnne Guthre, their heirs and assignees, granting them the movable and immovable goods, money, debts, leases, holdings and other property formerly belonging to John Wischert in Auchcarny and David Straquhin in Over Craiginestoun.
The property had fallen to the Crown by escheat because the two men were accused of remaining at home instead of attending the King’s host and army and of going to the Borders contrary to royal orders concerning the apprehension of thieves and wrongdoers.
This is another direct Crown grant to a man named Johnne Guthre, but the act provides no territorial designation or family relationship that would securely identify him with one of the other John Guthres in Volume II.
Evidence in Perspective
The record documents the grant of escheated property to Guthre and Wod. The treasonable conduct described in the act concerns Wischert and Straquhin, not the grantees.
Because several John or Johnne Guthres appear during this period, this entry should remain unidentified beyond the wording supplied by the source unless independent evidence connects him to a particular territorial branch or office.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Escheat: forfeited property falling to the Crown under specified legal circumstances.
- Host / oist: royal military levy or army.
- Tacks: leases.
- Stedings: holdings, farmsteads or occupied properties.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.714, p.89.
7 April 1531 — John Guthre Named as Servitor of the King
Volume II • No. 867 • pp.112–113
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
This record begins at the foot of p.112 and continues onto p.113. The entry concerns a royal nomination involving John Guthre, who is explicitly described as servitor of the King.
The occupational title is the most important Guthre evidence in the act. It places John directly within royal service and supplies an official-capacity identifier that can help distinguish him from other contemporary men of the same name.
Printed Source
The entry is headed as a royal nomination and names JOHANNI GUTHRE, servitori domini regis, identifying John Guthre as a servant of the King.
Modern English Rendering
A royal nomination was issued concerning John Guthre, who is identified in the source as a servant of the King.
This entry provides a secure occupational designation: John Guthre was in royal service by April 1531. That title becomes especially useful when compared with later entries describing a John Guthre as a familiar servitor of the King and another as servitor of the King in Collistoun.
Evidence in Perspective
The office wording is secure, but the source does not state John’s residence, parentage or territorial branch.
It would therefore be premature to identify him automatically with John Guthre of Balnabreich, John Guthre of Lownan, John Guthre in Collistoun, or the natural son of Sir James Guthre. Those connections require independent evidence.
Because the act spans two printed pages, it should remain one documentary unit rather than being divided at the page break.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Servitor: servant, attendant or administrative subordinate in royal service.
- Nomination: formal appointment or designation to an office, duty or position.
- Domini regis: “of the lord King.”
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.867, pp.112–113.
6 January 1531/32 — Sir James Guthre of Kirkbuddo and His Natural Son John
Volume II • No. 1106 • p.145
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 6 January 1531/32, at Edinburgh, the Privy Seal register records a charter confirmation involving Sir James Guthre, Rector of Kirkbuddo, and John Guthre, his natural son.
This is the second independent Volume II act documenting the same father-son relationship already stated in no.586.
The corresponding Great Seal charter is cross-referenced as RMS III, no.1104.
Complete Printed Entry
“1106. Apud Edinburgh, 6 Jan. Preceptum Carte Confirmationis D. JACOBI GUTHRE, rectoris de Kirkbutho, et JOHANNI GUTHRE ejus filio (sic). [R.M.S. iii. 1104.] Per Signetum. Gratis. ix. 70.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 6 January 1531/32, a precept of charter confirmation was issued involving Sir James Guthre, Rector of Kirkbuddo, and John Guthre, his son.
The printed index identifies John more specifically as Sir James’s natural son, consistent with the earlier legitimation record at no.586.
The related Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS III, no.1104.
This record independently reinforces the genealogical relationship Sir James Guthre → John Guthre and also confirms Sir James’s ecclesiastical office at Kirkbuddo.
Evidence in Perspective
No.586 explicitly describes John as the natural son of Sir James Guthre, Vicar of Kirkbuddo. No.1106 again links the same two men and styles Sir James Rector of Kirkbuddo.
The style “Sir” in this record is clerical rather than necessarily knightly. In pre-Reformation Scottish usage, priests were often styled “Sir,” so this entry should not be treated as evidence that James Guthre had been knighted.
These two independent acts therefore provide unusually strong support for the father-son relationship.
The source still does not identify John’s mother, nor does it establish that every later John Guthre in Volume II is this same man.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Rector / Vicar: ecclesiastical offices associated with a parish benefice; the register uses both designations for Sir James in separate acts.
- Sir: in pre-Reformation Scottish ecclesiastical usage, a common honorific for a priest; it does not by itself indicate knighthood.
- Natural son: a son born outside lawful marriage.
- Charter confirmation: Crown confirmation of an earlier charter or property grant.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1106, p.145; cross-reference RMS III, no.1104.
8 January 1531/32 — Johnne Guthre Receives the Escheated Goods of Thomas Burn
Volume II • No. 1113 • p.146
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 8 January 1531/32, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a letter to Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, granting him the goods and other property of Thomas Burn in Atbe-toun.
Burn’s property had fallen to the Crown by escheat because he was fugitive from the law and at the horn for alleged participation in a slaughter. The grant transferred the escheated property to Guthre.
Complete Printed Entry
“1113. At Edinburgh, 8 Jan. Ane Lettre maid to JOHANNE GUTHRE, his airis and assignais,—of the gift of all gudis movabill and unmovable, money, dettis and utheris quhatsumevir, quhilkis pertenit to Thomas Burn in Atbe-toun, and now pertenyng to our soverane lord be resoun of eschete, throw being of the said Thomas fugitive fra the law and at the horne for art and part of the slauchter of umquhill [blank] Briantoun; with power to the said Johnne, etc. Per Signaturam [ut in 1101]. Gratis. ix. 70.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, all movable and immovable goods, money, debts and other property formerly belonging to Thomas Burn in Atbe-toun.
Burn’s property had fallen to the Crown because he was a fugitive from the law and had been put to the horn for alleged involvement in the killing of a person whose name is left blank in the printed entry.
The act adds another direct Crown grant to a Johnne Guthre in the early 1530s. It shows a Guthre receiving property by royal escheat, but supplies no territorial designation or family relationship by which this John can be securely identified with the other contemporary men of that name.
Evidence in Perspective
The alleged homicide concerns Thomas Burn, whose property was forfeited. Johnne Guthre appears as recipient of the Crown grant, not as a participant in the underlying offense.
Because the volume contains several John or Johnne Guthres, this entry should remain separate from John Guthre of Balnabreich, John Guthre in Collistoun, Sir James Guthre’s natural son John, and John Guthre of Lownan unless other evidence establishes an identity.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- At the horn: formally denounced as a rebel for failing to obey legal process.
- Art and part: participation in, assistance with, or responsibility for an offense.
- Escheat: forfeited property falling to the Crown.
- Tacks: leases.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1113, p.146.
26 March 1532 — Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent, Familiar Servitors of the King
Volume II • No. 1200 • p.157
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 26 March 1532, the Crown granted Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent, expressly described as the King’s familiar servitors, the mails, ferms, profits and duties of lands belonging to Elizabeth Nesbitt, spouse of Thomas Sinclar.
The lands and their revenues had fallen into Crown hands by escheat because Elizabeth Nesbitt was at the horn and had remained so for a year and a day.
Guthre and Tennent received authority to collect the revenues at Whitsunday and Martinmas, manage the property, and set the lands to tenants during the period covered by the grant.
Complete Printed Entry
“1200. At Edinburgh, 26 Mar. Ane Lettre maid to JOHANNE GUTHRE and JOHANNE TENNENT in forme following—James [etc.], to all and sindry our liegis and subditis quham it effeiris, quhais knawlege thir our lettres sal cum, greting. Wit ze us, to have gevin and grantit, and be thir our lettres gevis and grantis, to our familiar servitouris Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent, thare airis and assignais ane or ma,— all the malis, fermes, proffittis and dewiteis of all the landis pertenyng to Elizabeth Nesbitt, the spous of Thomas Sinclar, be resoun of terce or conjunct infeftment, and now pertenyng to us as eschete during the said Elizabeth Nesbittis liftyme be the lawis and consuetude of our realme, be resoun that scho is at our horne and hes remanit tharat be the space of ane zeir and a day bygane:
To be haldin and to be had all the saidis malis, proffittis and dewiteis of all the saidis landis with thare pertinentis to the saidis Johnne and Johnne, thare airis and assignais . . . with all and sindry commoditeis, fredomes, proffittis, asiamentis and richtuis pertinentis quhatsumevir pertenyng or richtuisly may pertene tharto; with power to the saidis Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent, thare airis and assignais, to intromett and tak up the saidis malis and dewiteis and fermes zeirlie at Witsonday and Mertymes, during the said Elizabeth liftyme, and gif neid be to poynd and distrinze tharfor, and to occupy the samyn landis or to sett thame to tennentis during the said space as thai sall think maist expedient, with all and sindry utheris commoditeis, frelie, quietlie, weile and in peax, but ony revocatioun, impediment or agane-calling quhatsumevir. . . .
Gevin under our prive sele. Per Signaturam manu S.D.N. Regis subscriptam, etc. Gratis. ix. 118.”
Modern English Rendering
The King granted his familiar servants Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent, their heirs and assignees, the rents, farm payments, profits and duties of lands belonging to Elizabeth Nesbitt, wife of Thomas Sinclar.
Those revenues were in Crown hands because Nesbitt had remained legally denounced at the horn for a year and a day.
Guthre and Tennent were authorized to collect the rents and duties at Whitsunday and Martinmas, distrain for nonpayment, occupy the lands themselves or let them to tenants, and enjoy the associated profits and rights during the term of the grant.
This record supplies an unusually useful occupational description: Johnne Guthre was one of the King’s “familiar servitors.” The phrase indicates more than a casual appearance in Crown business and places him within the King’s personal or household service.
Evidence in Perspective
The earlier no.867 identifies a John Guthre simply as servitor of the King. This 1532 act identifies a Johnne Guthre as a familiar servitor. The similarity makes a possible identification worth testing, but the records alone do not prove that they are the same man.
The grant also gives Guthre significant administrative authority over rents and property during the escheat, but it does not make him owner of Elizabeth Nesbitt’s hereditary title to the lands.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Familiar servitor: a servant attached closely to the King or royal household.
- Mails: rents.
- Ferms: fixed rents or farm payments.
- Whitsunday and Martinmas: traditional Scottish term dates for payment and accounting.
- Poind and distrenzie: seize goods or otherwise distrain to enforce payment of debt or rent.
- Terce: a widow’s legal interest in a portion of her deceased husband’s heritable estate.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1200, p.157.
16 May 1532 — Further Grant to Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent
Volume II • No. 1255 • p.165
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 16 May 1532, Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent appear together again in connection with revenues from lands associated with Elizabeth Nesbitt.
This follows the more extensive grant of 26 March 1532 at no.1200, where both men were expressly styled the King’s familiar servitors and received authority over mails, ferms, profits and duties from Nesbitt’s lands while those revenues were in Crown hands.
The May entry is a separate Crown act and therefore remains a separate Finding Aid record even though it belongs to the same administrative sequence.
Printed Entry / Editorial Abridgment
The printed entry records a further grant to Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent concerning the mails, ferms, profits and duties of lands associated with Elizabeth Nesbitt.
Modern English Rendering
Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent received a further royal grant connected with the rents, farm payments, profits and duties of Elizabeth Nesbitt’s lands.
This act continues the same property-revenue context documented in the earlier March grant but constitutes a distinct royal instrument.
No.1255 strengthens the evidence that Johnne Guthre and Johnne Tennent were repeatedly entrusted together with Crown-controlled revenues. Read with no.1200, it suggests an ongoing administrative responsibility rather than a single isolated grant.
Evidence in Perspective
The earlier no.1200 supplies the clearer occupational identification, calling both men the King’s familiar servitors. This later act should be linked to that record without assuming that every detail of the March grant was automatically repeated unchanged in May.
Nothing in this entry identifies Johnne Guthre’s parentage, residence or territorial branch. He should therefore remain distinct from other contemporary John Guthres unless outside evidence securely links them.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Mails: rents or income payable from land.
- Ferms: fixed agricultural rents or farm payments.
- Escheat: property or revenues falling temporarily or permanently to the Crown under specified legal circumstances.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1255, p.165.
28 July 1532 — Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Elizabeth Hay, His Spouse
Volume II • No. 1353 • p.180
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 28 July 1532, the Privy Seal register records a charter confirmation naming Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Elizabeth Hay, his spouse.
The entry is especially useful because it combines a territorial designation with an explicit marriage identification. The related Great Seal charter is cross-referenced to RMS III, no.1201.
Complete Printed Entry
“1353. Apud Edinburgh, 28 Jul. Preceptum Carte Confirmationis ALEXANDRI GUTHRE in Grandoun et ELIZABETH HAY ejus sponse. [R.M.S. iii. 1201.] Per Signetum.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 28 July 1532, a precept was issued for the confirmation of a charter involving Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Elizabeth Hay, his wife.
The corresponding Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS III, no.1201.
This entry securely documents the marriage Alexander Guthre of/in Grandoun + Elizabeth Hay and gives Alexander a territorial association useful for distinguishing him from other contemporary Alexander Guthres.
Evidence in Perspective
The marital wording is explicit: Elizabeth Hay is identified as ejus sponse, “his spouse.”
A later record, no.1521 of 8 March 1532/33, again identifies Alexander Guthre in Grandoun in a property transaction involving the lands of Grandoun. Those two entries form a useful documentary sequence and can be read together with the related Great Seal evidence.
The Privy Seal notice itself does not name Alexander’s parents or children and should not be used to infer wider Guthre-Hay kinship beyond the documented marriage.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- In Grandoun: a territorial or residential designation associating Alexander with Grandoun; it is not necessarily equivalent to a later hereditary “of Grandoun” style without further evidence.
- Ejus sponse: “his spouse” or “his wife.”
- Charter confirmation: royal confirmation of an existing charter or grant.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1353, p.180; cross-reference RMS III, no.1201.
7 December 1532 — Alexander Guthre, Signifer, Receives a Precept of Apprising
Volume II • No. 1449 • pp.194–195
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 7 December 1532, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept of apprising for Alexander Guthre, styled in the body of the record as signifer.
The act concerned fifty-two shillings’ worth of two ploughlands within the sheriffdom of Aberdeen that had belonged heritably to John, Lord Forbes and were held of the King by ward and relief.
The lands were to be apprised toward satisfaction of £52 owed to Alexander. If sufficient movable goods could not be found to satisfy the debt, the landed property could be used in the apprising process.
Printed Source
“1449. Apud Edinburgh, 7 Dec. Preceptum Carte Appretiationis dicti ALEXANDRI GUTHRE [signiferi]—super quinquaginta duabus solidatis duarum carrucatarum terrarum de Allathane cum pertinentiis, jacen. infra vic. de Abirdene, que fuerunt Johannis Domini Forbes hereditarie per ipsum de rege, per servicium warde et relevii, tente in capite; et debite appreciari pro summa quinquaginta duarum librarum dicto Alexandro pro suo feodo in appreciacione duarum carrucatarum terrarum de Futhesbeg, unius carrucate terrarum in Auchnacant, brasine de Futhes, et le outsett Blairechelle nuncupato, cum suis pertinentiis, debita; etc. in defectu bonorum mobilium pro dicta summa distringibilium sibi ipsi Alexandro vendite et assignate, etc. Per Signetum. Gratis. ix. 169.”
Modern English Rendering
A Crown precept authorized an apprising in favour of Alexander Guthre, described as signifer, involving lands in Aberdeenshire.
The process related to a debt of £52 owed to Alexander. The act names lands at Allathane and refers to two ploughlands at Futhesbeg, one ploughland at Auchnacant, the brewhouse of Futhes, and an outsett called Blairechelle.
If sufficient movable property was unavailable to satisfy the debt, the named landed property could be sold or assigned to Alexander through the apprising process.
The record gives Alexander Guthre an official designation, signifer, and documents a substantial financial claim secured through landed property. The printed Office Index separately places Alexander Guthre under “Pursuivant — [Falkland]” for A.D. 1532.
Evidence in Perspective
The body of the act itself calls Alexander signifer. The editor’s Office Index, however, classifies Alexander Guthre as Falkland pursuivant. Both pieces of source information are retained here rather than silently replacing one with the other.
Signifer literally denotes a standard-bearer, but in this source the indexed office context places Alexander among the royal officers of arms. The exact relationship between the Latin styling and the office title should therefore be presented cautiously.
A second precept only eleven days later, no.1461, again styles Alexander Guthre signifer, strengthening the occupational identification.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Signifer: literally “standard-bearer”; the printed Office Index places Alexander Guthre under Falkland pursuivant.
- Pursuivant: a junior officer of arms serving heraldic, ceremonial and messenger functions.
- Apprising: legal valuation and adjudication of property toward satisfaction of a debt.
- Ward and relief: feudal incidents arising from Crown superiority and succession.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1449, pp.194–195; Office Index under Pursuivant, “[Falkland], Alexander Guthre (A.D. 1532).”
18 December 1532 — Second Apprising Precept for Alexander Guthre, Signifer
Volume II • No. 1461 • p.197
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
Eleven days after no.1449, another precept of apprising was issued at Edinburgh for Alexander Guthre, again explicitly styled signifer.
The Privy Seal entry is very brief and directs the researcher to the corresponding Great Seal material at RMS III, no.1247.
Complete Printed Entry
“1461. Apud Edinburgh, 18 Dec. Preceptum Carte Appretiationis ALEXANDRI GUTHRE, signiferi. [R.M.S. iii. 1247.] Per Signetum. Gratis. ix. 169.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 18 December 1532, another precept was issued for a charter of apprising in favour of Alexander Guthre, signifer.
The corresponding Great Seal record is cited as RMS III, no.1247. The precept passed under the Signet and was issued gratis.
The second use of signifer within eleven days makes Alexander’s official styling especially secure and supports the Office Index’s identification of him with the Falkland pursuivant.
Evidence in Perspective
No.1461 is a distinct Crown act and should not be merged with no.1449 even though the same man and legal process are involved.
The shorter Privy Seal notice does not reproduce the lands, valuation or debt terms. Those details should be sought in the associated Great Seal entry rather than inferred from no.1449.
These office records should also remain separate from Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum unless independent evidence demonstrates that any of those men were identical.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Signifer: the styling used in both Privy Seal acts for Alexander Guthre; see the Office Index classification under Falkland pursuivant.
- Apprising: legal process by which property could be valued and adjudged toward payment of debt.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- Gratis: issued without the ordinary fee.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1461, p.197; cross-reference RMS III, no.1247; Office Index under Pursuivant.
8 March 1532/33 — Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and the Lands of Grandoun
Volume II • No. 1521 • p.209
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 8 March 1532/33, at Edinburgh, the Privy Seal register records a letter of regress concerning the lands of Grandoun in Aberdeenshire.
The lands had previously been sold and alienated by Alexander Guthre in Grandoun to James Gordoun of Mydmar and Jonete Leith, his spouse.
This record therefore adds a second documentary stage to the Grandoun material already seen in no.1353, where Alexander Guthre and Elizabeth Hay his spouse appear together in a charter confirmation.
Complete Printed Entry
“1521. Apud Edinburgh, 8 Mar. Litera Regressus JACOBI GORDOUN de Mydmar et JONETE LEITH sue sponse—super terris de Grandoun cum pertinentiis, jacen. infra vic. de Abirdene, per ipsos Alexandro Guthre in Grandoun venditis et alienatis, etc. Per Signaturam. x s. ix. 177.”
Modern English Rendering
A letter of regress was issued to James Gordoun of Mydmar and Jonete Leith, his wife, concerning the lands of Grandoun with their pertinents in the sheriffdom of Aberdeen.
The lands had been sold and alienated to them by Alexander Guthre in Grandoun.
This act strengthens the identification of Alexander Guthre with Grandoun and provides a concrete property transaction involving that estate.
Evidence in Perspective
No.1353 and no.1521 should be read together. No.1353 identifies Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Elizabeth Hay his spouse; no.1521 shows Alexander acting in relation to the lands of Grandoun through sale and alienation.
The source does not identify Elizabeth Hay in this later act, so her absence should not be used to infer a change in marital status.
The wording “in Grandoun” remains the source’s territorial styling and should not automatically be upgraded to a hereditary “of Grandoun” designation without additional evidence.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Letter of regress: instrument preserving or restoring a right of return or re-entry in relation to lands that had been conveyed.
- Alienated: transferred or conveyed to another.
- Pertinents: rights and appurtenances belonging to the lands.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1521, p.209.
20 May 1535 — Thomas Guthre Legitimated as Natural Son of John Guthre
Volume II • No. 1674 • p.234
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
At Kelso on 20 May 1535, the Crown issued a precept of legitimation for Thomas Guthre.
Thomas is explicitly identified as the natural son of John Guthre, providing a direct father-son relationship in the source.
Complete Printed Entry
“1674. Apud Kelso, 20 Maii. Preceptum Legitimationis THOME GUTHRE, filii naturalis Johannis Guthre, in communi forma. Per Signetum.”
Modern English Rendering
At Kelso on 20 May 1535, a standard precept of legitimation was issued for Thomas Guthre, natural son of John Guthre.
The act passed under the royal Signet.
The act provides a direct genealogical statement: John Guthre → natural son Thomas Guthre. No inference is required for the relationship itself.
Evidence in Perspective
The source names Thomas’s father but does not identify his mother, residence, age or territorial affiliation.
Volume II contains several contemporary men named John Guthre. This act therefore proves Thomas’s father was a John Guthre, but it does not by itself establish which other John Guthre record in the volume belongs to the same man.
The editorial footnote is also worth preserving: in one manuscript location the name Thomas Guthre appears after Johannis Guthre had been deleted, while another register describes Thomas as a bastard/natural son. That variant manuscript history reinforces the editor’s final reading rather than creating a second relationship.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Natural son: a son born outside lawful marriage.
- Legitimation: royal alteration of the legal status of a person born outside lawful marriage.
- In communi forma: in the standard legal form.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.1674, p.234.
27 June 1537 — Hercules Guthre Receives a Nineteen-Year Respite
Volume II • No. 2295 • p.342
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 27 June 1537, at Edinburgh, the Crown granted Hercules Guthre a respite concerning his involvement in the slaughter of the late James Layng and other actions.
The respite was to endure for nineteen years, but the source expressly excludes several serious offenses from its protection.
Complete Printed Entry
“2295. At Edinburgh, 27 Jun. Ane Respitt maid to HERCULIS GUTHRE for the slauchter of umquhill James Layng, and for all utheris actionis, etc.,— tresoun in the kingis persoun, fyre rasing, reuising of wemen, murthur, and commoun thift exceptit; And for xix zeris to indure, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. (xl d.) xi. 41.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal respite was granted to Hercules Guthre for the slaughter of the late James Layng and for other actions.
Treason against the King’s person, fire-raising, ravishing of women, murder and common theft were specifically excluded from the protection of the respite.
The respite was to remain in force for nineteen years.
The entry securely places Hercules Guthre in a dated legal proceeding and identifies both the principal offense covered by the respite and the unusually long period for which protection was granted.
Evidence in Perspective
The source records a respite, not an acquittal and not a declaration of innocence. It temporarily protected Hercules from prosecution or enforcement for the covered offense.
The serious crimes listed after the principal offense are exceptions to the respite. The entry does not say that Hercules committed treason, fire-raising, ravishing of women, murder or common theft.
The printed source reads “xix zeris”, meaning nineteen years. That duration should be used in the Finding Aid and detailed record.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Respite: temporary royal suspension of legal proceedings or penalties for specified offenses.
- Umquhill: deceased; “the late.”
- Excepted: expressly excluded from the scope of the protection.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.2295, p.342.
21 July 1537 — Johnne Guthre Receives the Revenues of Halkertoun
Volume II • No. 2326 • p.348
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 21 July 1537, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a letter to Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, granting him the revenues of the lands of Halkertoun in the sheriffdom of Forfar.
The lands were in Crown hands by reason of ward and nonentry following the death of Alexander Ogilvy of Auchterhouse, or another last lawful possessor and immediate tenant.
The grant covered past terms and future terms until the lawful heir entered the lands, together with the relief when due.
Complete Printed Entry
“2326. At Edinburgh, 21 Jul. Ane Lettre maid to JOHANNE GUTHRE, his airis and assignais ane or ma,—of the gift of the malis, fermes, proffittis and dewiteis of all [and] haile the landis of Halkertoun with the pertinentis, liand within the schirefdome of Forfare, of all zeris and termes bigane that the samyn hes bene in our soverane lordis handis or his predecessouris, sen the deces of umquhill Alexander Ogiluy of Ouchterhous, or ony uthir last lauchfull possessour and immediat tennent to our soverane lord or his predecessouris of the samyn, and siclik of all zeris and termes to cum ay and quhill the lauchfull entre of the richtuis are or airis tharto, with the relief tharof quhen it sal happin; with power, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. (Gratis.) x lib. xi. 17.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, the rents, farm payments, profits and duties of all the lands of Halkertoun in Forfarshire.
Those revenues belonged temporarily to the Crown because the lands were held in ward and nonentry following the death of the previous lawful holder.
Guthre was entitled to the revenues for past terms and future terms until the rightful heir lawfully entered the estate, along with the relief payment when it became due.
This entry documents a substantial Crown revenue grant to Johnne Guthre involving an identifiable Forfarshire estate. It may provide a useful clue for distinguishing this John from other men of the same name if supporting local or property records can be found.
Evidence in Perspective
The grant concerns the revenues and feudal casualties of Halkertoun while the estate was in Crown hands. It does not state that Johnne Guthre became hereditary owner of Halkertoun.
The source gives no territorial designation or family relationship for Johnne Guthre. His identity should therefore remain open rather than being assigned automatically to a known Guthre branch.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Ward: feudal right of a superior to hold lands during the minority of an heir.
- Nonentry: period during which an heir had not yet completed lawful entry to inherited lands.
- Relief: feudal payment due when an heir entered the estate.
- Mails and ferms: rents and farm payments.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.2326, p.348.
23 June 1538 — Johnne Guthre Receives the Revenues of the Barony of Guthre
Volume II • No. 2600 • p.389
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 23 June 1538, at St Andrews, the Crown granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, the revenues of the entire barony of Guthre.
The grant is unusually detailed. It includes the barony’s tower and fortalice, tenants, tenandries, free tenants, fisheries, and the advowson and donation of the collegiate church, together with its prebends and chaplainries.
These revenues had come into Crown hands following the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight, or another last lawful possessor and immediate Crown tenant, and were to remain available until lawful entry of the rightful heir or heirs.
Complete Printed Entry
“2600. At Sanctandrois, 23 Jun. Ane Lettre maid to JOHANNE GUTHRE, his airis and assignais ane or ma,—of the gift of all malis, fermes, proffittis and dewiteis of all and haile the barony of Guthre, with the tour and fortalice of the samyn, tenent, tenandrie, service of fre-tennentis of the samyn, with advocatioun and donatioun of the college kirk of the samyn, prebendis and chaplanriis tharof, of all zeris and termes bigane that the samyn hes bene in oure soverane lordis handis, or his maist noble predecessouris . . ., sen the deces of umquhill Schir Alexander Guthre of that ilk, knycht, or ony uthir last lauchfull possessour and immediat tennent to our soverane lord or his predecessouris of the samyn; and siclik of all zeris and termes to cum ay and quhill the lauchfull entre of the richtuis are or airis tharto being of lauchfull age; with the releiff tharof quhen it sal happin; with power, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. (xl d.) iic lib. xi. 93.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, the rents, farm payments, profits and duties of the whole barony of Guthre.
The grant extended to the tower and fortalice, tenants and tenandries, services of free tenants, fisheries, and rights of patronage over the collegiate church together with its prebends and chaplainries.
These revenues were in Crown hands following the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight, and were to remain so until the lawful entry of the rightful heir or heirs, with the associated relief when due.
This is one of the most important Guthre records in Volume II. It ties Johnne Guthre directly to the revenues of the entire barony of Guthre and preserves a remarkably full description of the barony’s feudal, economic and ecclesiastical components.
Evidence in Perspective
The act documents the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight before 23 June 1538 and establishes that the barony’s revenues had entered Crown hands thereafter.
Unlike the clerical styling of Sir James Guthre of Kirkbuddo, this source explicitly adds “knycht” after Sir Alexander’s name. His “Sir” is therefore securely knightly, not merely clerical.
The grant to Johnne Guthre does not, by itself, state that John was Sir Alexander’s son, heir or successor in blood. It grants him the Crown-held revenues during the period before lawful entry of the rightful heir. Any genealogical relationship between John and Sir Alexander must therefore be established from other evidence.
The entry is especially valuable when read alongside later references to Kirktoun of Guthre, the mill of Guthre and other property within the barony.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Barony: a territorial and feudal estate held under a baronial title and jurisdiction.
- Tower and fortalice: fortified residence and associated defensive structure.
- Tenandry: tenancy or group of lands held by tenants under a superior.
- Advowson: right of patronage or presentation to an ecclesiastical benefice.
- Prebend: endowment or income supporting a member of collegiate clergy.
- Nonentry: period before a lawful heir had completed entry to inherited lands.
- Relief: feudal payment due when the heir entered.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.2600, p.389.
9 March 1538/39 — Charter Precept for Andrew Guthre
Volume II • No. 2925 • p.435
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 9 March 1538/39, at Linlithgow, the Crown issued a precept of charter to Andrew Guthre.
The Privy Seal entry is brief and does not identify the lands or terms of the underlying transaction. The editor cross-references the completed Great Seal charter as RMS III, no.1932.
Complete Printed Entry
“2925. Apud Linlithgow, 9 Mar. Preceptum Carte ANDREE GUTHRE de eodem. [R.M.S. iii. 1932.] Per Signetum. xxx s. (x s.) xii. 84.”
Modern English Rendering
At Linlithgow on 9 March 1538/39, a royal precept was issued for a charter to Andrew Guthre.
The related Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS III, no.1932. The precept passed under the Signet.
This is the first of several Volume II references to Andrew Guthre. Later records connect an Andrew Guthre with Kirktoun of Guthre and with the earlier hereditary holding of Balnabreich, making this charter worth cross-checking closely against RMS III, no.1932.
Evidence in Perspective
The phrase “de eodem” is abbreviated contextual wording and is not sufficient here, by itself, to assign Andrew a particular territorial designation beyond what the related charter may show.
The Privy Seal record does not state that this Andrew is necessarily the same Andrew Guthre who appears in nos.3074–3075 or the Andrew Guthre named as former hereditary holder of Balnabreich in no.4289. Those possible connections should be tested against the fuller property evidence.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Precept of charter: royal warrant authorizing preparation or issue of a charter.
- De eodem: “of the same”; abbreviated wording whose precise referent should be checked against the fuller charter context.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- RMS: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.2925, p.435; cross-reference RMS III, no.1932.
23 June 1538 — Johnne Guthre Receives the Revenues of the Barony of Guthre
Volume II • No. 2600 • p.389
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 23 June 1538, at St Andrews, the Crown granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, the revenues of the entire barony of Guthre.
The grant is unusually detailed. It includes the barony’s tower and fortalice, tenants, tenandries, free tenants, fisheries, and the advowson and donation of the collegiate church, together with its prebends and chaplainries.
These revenues had come into Crown hands following the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight, or another last lawful possessor and immediate Crown tenant, and were to remain available until lawful entry of the rightful heir or heirs.
Complete Printed Entry
“2600. At Sanctandrois, 23 Jun. Ane Lettre maid to JOHANNE GUTHRE, his airis and assignais ane or ma,—of the gift of all malis, fermes, proffittis and dewiteis of all and haile the barony of Guthre, with the tour and fortalice of the samyn, tenent, tenandrie, service of fre-tennentis of the samyn, with advocatioun and donatioun of the college kirk of the samyn, prebendis and chaplanriis tharof, of all zeris and termes bigane that the samyn hes bene in oure soverane lordis handis, or his maist noble predecessouris . . ., sen the deces of umquhill Schir Alexander Guthre of that ilk, knycht, or ony uthir last lauchfull possessour and immediat tennent to our soverane lord or his predecessouris of the samyn; and siclik of all zeris and termes to cum ay and quhill the lauchfull entre of the richtuis are or airis tharto being of lauchfull age; with the releiff tharof quhen it sal happin; with power, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. (xl d.) iic lib. xi. 93.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal letter granted Johnne Guthre, his heirs and assignees, the rents, farm payments, profits and duties of the whole barony of Guthre.
The grant extended to the tower and fortalice, tenants and tenandries, services of free tenants, fisheries, and rights of patronage over the collegiate church together with its prebends and chaplainries.
These revenues were in Crown hands following the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight, and were to remain so until the lawful entry of the rightful heir or heirs, with the associated relief when due.
This is one of the most important Guthre records in Volume II. It ties Johnne Guthre directly to the revenues of the entire barony of Guthre and preserves a remarkably full description of the barony’s feudal, economic and ecclesiastical components.
Evidence in Perspective
The act documents the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight before 23 June 1538 and establishes that the barony’s revenues had entered Crown hands thereafter.
Unlike the clerical styling of Sir James Guthre of Kirkbuddo, this source explicitly adds “knycht” after Sir Alexander’s name. His “Sir” is therefore securely knightly, not merely clerical.
The grant to Johnne Guthre does not, by itself, state that John was Sir Alexander’s son, heir or successor in blood. It grants him the Crown-held revenues during the period before lawful entry of the rightful heir. Any genealogical relationship between John and Sir Alexander must therefore be established from other evidence.
The entry is especially valuable when read alongside later references to Kirktoun of Guthre, the mill of Guthre and other property within the barony.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Barony: a territorial and feudal estate held under a baronial title and jurisdiction.
- Tower and fortalice: fortified residence and associated defensive structure.
- Tenandry: tenancy or group of lands held by tenants under a superior.
- Advowson: right of patronage or presentation to an ecclesiastical benefice.
- Prebend: endowment or income supporting a member of collegiate clergy.
- Nonentry: period before a lawful heir had completed entry to inherited lands.
- Relief: feudal payment due when the heir entered.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.2600, p.389.
9 March 1538/39 — Charter Precept for Andrew Guthre
Volume II • No. 2925 • p.435
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 9 March 1538/39, at Linlithgow, the Crown issued a precept of charter to Andrew Guthre.
The Privy Seal entry is brief and does not identify the lands or terms of the underlying transaction. The editor cross-references the completed Great Seal charter as RMS III, no.1932.
Complete Printed Entry
“2925. Apud Linlithgow, 9 Mar. Preceptum Carte ANDREE GUTHRE de eodem. [R.M.S. iii. 1932.] Per Signetum. xxx s. (x s.) xii. 84.”
Modern English Rendering
At Linlithgow on 9 March 1538/39, a royal precept was issued for a charter to Andrew Guthre.
The related Great Seal charter is recorded in RMS III, no.1932. The precept passed under the Signet.
This is the first of several Volume II references to Andrew Guthre. Later records connect an Andrew Guthre with Kirktoun of Guthre and with the earlier hereditary holding of Balnabreich, making this charter worth cross-checking closely against RMS III, no.1932.
Evidence in Perspective
The phrase “de eodem” is abbreviated contextual wording and is not sufficient here, by itself, to assign Andrew a particular territorial designation beyond what the related charter may show.
The Privy Seal record does not state that this Andrew is necessarily the same Andrew Guthre who appears in nos.3074–3075 or the Andrew Guthre named as former hereditary holder of Balnabreich in no.4289. Those possible connections should be tested against the fuller property evidence.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Precept of charter: royal warrant authorizing preparation or issue of a charter.
- De eodem: “of the same”; abbreviated wording whose precise referent should be checked against the fuller charter context.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- RMS: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.2925, p.435; cross-reference RMS III, no.1932.
10 July 1539 — Andrew Guthre, Kirktoun of Guthre and the Mill of Guthre
Volume II • No. 3074 • p.454
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 10 July 1539, at St Andrews, the Crown issued a precept of confirmation concerning a charter of alienation made by Andrew Guthre to Robert Quhite of Maw.
The property comprised two-thirds of Andrew’s lands called Kirktoun of Guthre, together with the mill of Guthre, the mill lands, astricted multures and sequels.
The lands lay within the barony of Guthre in the sheriffdom of Forfar and were held of the King.
Complete Printed Entry
“3074. Apud Sanctandrois, 10 Jul. Preceptum Carte Confirmationis ROBERTI QUHITE de Maw—super carta alienationis sibi facta per Andream Guthre de eodem, super dimedietate terrarum ipsius Andree, Kirktoun de Guthre nuncupatarum, incipien. ad solem, ac de molendino de Guthre cum terra molendinaria, astricta multura et sequelis ejusdem, jacen. in baronia de Guthre infra vic. de Forfare; de rege tenend., etc. Per Signetum. x s. (xl d.) xiii. 13.”
Modern English Rendering
A precept was issued confirming a charter by which Andrew Guthre had alienated property to Robert Quhite of Maw.
The property included a substantial portion of Andrew’s lands called Kirktoun of Guthre, together with the mill of Guthre, its mill lands, the multures owed to the mill and the associated sequels.
These lands lay within the barony of Guthre in Forfarshire and were held of the King.
This is an important property record because it ties Andrew Guthre directly to Kirktoun of Guthre and the mill of Guthre and places both within the wider barony of Guthre.
Evidence in Perspective
The record identifies Andrew as the party alienating the property. It therefore documents his interest in Kirktoun and the mill before the transfer to Robert Quhite.
The related no.3075, issued on the same day, preserves Andrew’s right of regress over the same property. The two acts should be read together.
This transaction also complements no.2600, which describes the broader barony of Guthre and its appurtenances. Together, the entries help distinguish the specific Kirktoun and mill property from the barony as a whole.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Alienation: transfer or conveyance of property to another person.
- Kirktoun: settlement or lands associated with the parish church.
- Astricted multure: obligation requiring tenants to have grain ground at a particular mill and pay the customary milling dues.
- Sequels: subsidiary dues and rights belonging to the mill.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3074, p.454.
10 July 1539 — Andrew Guthre Retains a Right of Regress over Kirktoun and the Mill
Volume II • No. 3075 • p.454
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On the same day as the charter confirmation in no.3074, Andrew Guthre received a letter of regress concerning the lands and mill he had alienated.
The entry refers directly back to the property described in the immediately preceding act rather than repeating the full description.
Complete Printed Entry
“3075. Apud Sanctandrois, 10 Jul. Litera Regressus ANDREE GUTHRE de eodem—super terris et molendino suprascriptis per ipsum ut premittitur alienatis, in communi forma, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. (xl d.) xiii. 13.”
Modern English Rendering
A letter of regress was issued to Andrew Guthre over the lands and mill described in the preceding record, which he had alienated as stated there.
The instrument was issued in the customary form and preserved Andrew’s right of return or re-entry under the terms of the transaction.
No.3075 shows that Andrew Guthre’s conveyance of the Kirktoun and mill property did not simply end his legal relationship to it. A right of regress was preserved, an important qualification when reconstructing the property’s ownership history.
Evidence in Perspective
No.3074 and no.3075 are separate legal instruments but form one closely connected transaction. The first confirms the alienation; the second preserves the right of regress.
The brief no.3075 does not independently redescribe the lands. Its property identification depends expressly on the preceding act.
Neither record states Andrew Guthre’s parentage or broader family relationship. His identity should be reconstructed through the property sequence and related charter evidence rather than surname alone.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Regress: reserved right to return to or recover property under specified conditions following a conveyance.
- In communi forma: in the customary legal form.
- Suprascriptis: “written above,” referring to the property described in the preceding entry.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3075, p.454.
10 January 1539/40 — John Guthre of Balnabreich Receives a Six-Year Respite
Volume II • No. 3278 • p.485
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 10 January 1539/40, at Edinburgh, the Crown granted John Guthre of Balnabreich a respite concerning the mutilation of the late Patrick Annand and other actions.
The respite was to continue for six years. As in several contemporary respite grants, a number of serious offenses were expressly excluded from the protection.
Complete Printed Entry
“3278. At Edinburgh, 10 Jan. Ane Respitt maid to JOHNE GUTHRE of Balnabreich for the mutilatioun of umquhill Patrik Annand, and for all utheris crymes, etc.,—tresoun, murthur, fyre, reuising of wemen, thift, resett of thift and all slauchter exceptit; And for six zeris to indure, etc. Per Signaturam. x s. (xl d.) xiii. 42.”
Modern English Rendering
A royal respite was granted to John Guthre of Balnabreich for the mutilation of the late Patrick Annand and for other offenses.
Treason, murder, fire-raising, ravishing of women, theft, receiving stolen goods and all slaughter were expressly excluded from the respite.
The protection was to remain in force for six years.
The entry gives a precise territorial identification: John Guthre of Balnabreich. That makes it especially useful when read alongside the later 1541 charter precept for the lands of Balnabreich.
Evidence in Perspective
This is a respite, not an acquittal. It records temporary royal protection from legal consequences for the covered offense.
The listed crimes of treason, murder, fire-raising, ravishing of women, theft, reset of theft and slaughter are exceptions. The source does not say John Guthre committed all of those offenses.
No.4289 later places John Guthre in a property succession involving all the lands of Balnabreich and names Andrew Guthre as the former hereditary feu-holder. These records belong to the same territorial cluster but do not, by themselves, state a kinship between John and Andrew.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Respite: temporary royal suspension of legal proceedings or penalties for specified offenses.
- Mutilation: serious bodily injury or maiming.
- Reset of theft: receiving, concealing or harboring stolen goods or thieves.
- Umquhill: deceased; “the late.”
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3278, p.485.
10 February 1539/40 — Charter Confirmation for Thomas Guthre
Volume II • No. 3331 • p.492
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 10 February 1539/40, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept of charter confirmation for Thomas Guthre.
The Privy Seal notice is brief and does not describe the lands or terms of the underlying charter. The completed Great Seal record is cross-referenced as RMS III, no.2085.
Complete Printed Entry
“3331. Apud Edinburgh, 10 Feb. Preceptum Carte Confirmationis THOME GUTHRE. [R.M.S. iii. 2085.] Per Signetum. x s. (xl d.) xiii. 55.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 10 February 1539/40, a precept was issued for confirmation of a charter involving Thomas Guthre.
The corresponding Great Seal record is RMS III, no.2085.
The entry gives a dated charter reference for Thomas Guthre immediately before the Kincaldrum sequence that explicitly names Thomas Guthre as brother-german of Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum.
Evidence in Perspective
This abbreviated Privy Seal entry does not identify Thomas by residence, office or relationship. It should therefore not be assigned automatically to the Thomas Guthre of Kincaldrum without checking the fuller RMS III, no.2085 charter.
The following day’s no.3341 provides much stronger relational evidence because it expressly describes Thomas as brother-german of Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Charter confirmation: Crown confirmation of an existing charter or property grant.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
- RMS: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3331, p.492; cross-reference RMS III, no.2085.
11 February 1539/40 — Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum and Thomas Guthre, His Brother-German
Volume II • No. 3341 • pp.493–494
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 11 February 1539/40, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a letter of regress to Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum concerning the lands of Carret and part of Kincaldrum.
The lands had been alienated by Alexander to Thomas Guthre, his brother-german. This wording gives a direct and unusually valuable sibling relationship between the two men.
Complete Printed Entry
“3341. Apud Edinburgh, 11 Feb. Litera Regressus ALEXANDRI GUTHRE de Kincaldrum—super totis et integris terris de Carret cum pertinentiis, jacen. in baronia de Kincaldrum, infra vic. de Forfare, et de quarta parte terrarum de Kincaldrum in warantum earundem, per eum Thome Guthre suo fratri germano alienatis, etc. Per Signaturam. x s. xiii. 57.”
Modern English Rendering
A letter of regress was issued to Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum concerning all the lands of Carret with their pertinents, lying in the barony of Kincaldrum in Forfarshire, together with a quarter of the lands of Kincaldrum held in warrandice for them.
Alexander had alienated these lands to Thomas Guthre, his full brother.
This is one of the strongest genealogical records in Volume II because it explicitly establishes that Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum and Thomas Guthre were full brothers.
Evidence in Perspective
The phrase fratri germano is specific: Thomas was Alexander’s brother-german, meaning a full brother rather than merely a kinsman or half-brother.
The record also ties the brothers directly to the Kincaldrum property sequence. Later entries nos.3852 and 3858 again involve Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum and portions of the estate and mill.
This act does not name the brothers’ parents. Their shared parentage should therefore not be reconstructed from this entry alone.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Brother-german: a full brother sharing both parents.
- Letter of regress: instrument preserving or restoring a right of return or re-entry following conveyance of lands.
- Warrandice: land or security used to warrant or guarantee title to another holding.
- Alienated: conveyed or transferred to another person.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3341, pp.493–494.
11 February 1539/40 — William Guthre Named Among the Victims of a Slaughter
Volume II • No. 3343 • p.494
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 11 February 1539/40, at Edinburgh, a royal respite was granted to James Cossynnis, alias Rettray.
The underlying offenses included participation in the slaughter of the late Mr George Lindsay and William Guthre, together with the mutilation of Patrick Lindsay.
William Guthre is therefore not the recipient of the respite: he is one of the deceased men whose killing forms part of the offense described in the act.
Complete Printed Entry
“3343. At Edinburgh, 11 Feb. Ane Respitt maid to JAMES COSSYNNIS, alias RETTRAY, for art and part of the slauchter of umquhill M. George Lindsay and Williame Guthre and mutilatioun of Patrik Lindesay, and for all utheris actionis, etc.,—tresoun and reuising of wemen alanerlie exceptit; And for six zeris to indure, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. xiii. 64.”
Modern English Rendering
A six-year royal respite was granted to James Cossynnis, also called Rettray, for participation in the killing of the late Mr George Lindsay and William Guthre, and for the mutilation of Patrick Lindsay, together with other actions.
Treason and ravishing of women were expressly excluded from the protection of the respite.
The entry documents that William Guthre was deceased by 11 February 1539/40 and had been killed. Although it provides no territorial designation or kinship, the dated homicide reference may be valuable when distinguishing contemporary men named William Guthre.
Evidence in Perspective
William Guthre is a victim in this record, not an offender or beneficiary. The respite belongs to James Cossynnis alias Rettray.
The terms “treason” and “ravishing of women” are exclusions from the respite. They should not be attributed either to William Guthre or automatically to the specific slaughter for which the respite was granted.
The source supplies no parentage, residence or office for William. It therefore does not establish whether he is the William Guthre appearing elsewhere in Volume II.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Art and part: participation in or assistance with the commission of an offense.
- Slaughter: killing or homicide.
- Mutilation: serious bodily injury or maiming.
- Respite: temporary royal protection from legal proceedings or penalties for specified offenses.
- Umquhill: deceased; “the late.”
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3343, p.494.
10 February 1540/41 — Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum Alienates Lands and Mill to John Ker
Volume II • No. 3852 • p.579
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 10 February 1540/41, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept confirming a charter made by Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum to Sir John Ker, Vicar of Chirnside.
The alienation concerned the eastern three-quarter parts of the lands of Kincaldrum, together with the whole mill, its multures and associated pertinents.
The property lay within the barony of Kincaldrum in the sheriffdom of Forfar and was held of the King.
Complete Printed Entry
“3852. Apud Edinburgh, 10 Feb. Preceptum Carte Confirmationis D. JOHANNIS KER, vicarii de Chirnsyde,—super carta alienationis sibi facta per Alexandrum Guthre de Kincaldrum, super totis et integris tertiis quartis orientalibus partibus omnium et singularum terrarum de Kincaldrum, unacum integris molendino et multuris earundem, cum suis pertinentiis, jacen. in baronia de Kincaldrum, infra vic. de Forfare; de rege tenend., etc. Per Signetum. x s. xiv. 60.”
Modern English Rendering
A precept was issued confirming a charter by which Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum had transferred to Sir John Ker, Vicar of Chirnside, the eastern three-quarter parts of the lands of Kincaldrum.
The grant also included the whole mill of Kincaldrum, the multures belonging to it and the associated pertinents. The lands lay in the barony of Kincaldrum in Forfarshire and were held of the King.
This record adds another substantial property transaction for Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum and confirms his direct interest not only in the lands but also in the mill and its multures.
Evidence in Perspective
This transaction belongs to the same broader Kincaldrum property sequence as no.3341, but the receiving party is different. In no.3341 Alexander had alienated Carret and part of Kincaldrum to Thomas Guthre, his brother-german. Here the grantee is Sir John Ker, Vicar of Chirnside.
The act documents a conveyance, not necessarily a permanent loss of Alexander’s interest. The companion record, no.3858, issued on the same day, preserves his right of regress over the same lands, mill and multures.
The source does not identify Alexander’s parents or state how this property descended to him. Those questions require the wider Kincaldrum charter sequence.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Alienation: transfer or conveyance of property to another person.
- Multures: dues payable for grinding grain at a particular mill.
- Pertinents: rights and appurtenances belonging to the lands.
- Vicar: ecclesiastical officeholder serving a parish benefice.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3852, p.579.
10 February 1540/41 — Alexander Guthre Retains Regress over Kincaldrum Lands and Mill
Volume II • No. 3858 • p.580
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
The same day as the charter confirmation in no.3852, Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum received a letter of regress over the property he had alienated to Sir John Ker.
The act again identifies the eastern three-quarter portions of the lands of Kincaldrum, together with the whole mill, its multures and pertinents.
Complete Printed Entry
“3858. Apud Edinburgh, 10 Feb. Litera Regressus ALEXANDRI GUTHRE de Kincaldrum—super tribus quartis orientalibus partibus omnium et singularum terrarum de Kincaldrum, unacum integro molendino et multuris ejusdem, cum suis pertinentiis, jacen. in baronia de Kincaldrum, infra vic. de Forfare, per ipsum D. Johanni Ker, vicario de Chirnsyde, alienatis, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. xiv. 74.”
Modern English Rendering
A letter of regress was issued to Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum over the eastern three-quarter parts of the lands of Kincaldrum, together with the whole mill, its multures and associated rights.
These were the properties Alexander had alienated to Sir John Ker, Vicar of Chirnside.
No.3858 shows that Alexander’s conveyance to John Ker was qualified by a reserved right of regress. This is essential to any reconstruction of ownership or control of Kincaldrum at this date.
Evidence in Perspective
Nos.3852 and 3858 form a matched legal pair. The first confirms Alexander’s alienation of the property; the second preserves a legal route of return.
They should therefore not be summarized merely as evidence that Alexander “sold Kincaldrum.” The legal position was more qualified: he transferred the property while retaining a right of regress.
Together with no.3341, these entries establish a continuing documentary connection between Alexander Guthre and the barony of Kincaldrum across separate land transactions.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Regress: reserved legal right to return to or recover property after conveyance under specified conditions.
- Molendinum: mill.
- Multures: customary milling dues.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
- Gratis: issued without the ordinary fee.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.3858, p.580.
4 October 1541 — Mr Hugh Guthre, King’s Servitor, Presented as Sacristan of Tain
Volume II • No. 4258 • p.642
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 4 October 1541, at Kincardine, the Crown presented Mr Hugh Guthre, expressly identified as servitor of the King, to the office and service of sacristan within the collegiate church of Tain.
The office had become vacant by the death of Sir James Wichand, the last sacristan and possessor of the benefice.
The presentation was made to the King’s presentation and the collation of the Bishop of Ross.
Complete Printed Entry
“4258. Apud Kincardin, 4 Oct. Presentatio M. HUGONIS GUTHRE, servitoris regis,—super officia et servitio sacristarie infra collegium de Thane et deocesim (sic) Rossensem, nunc vacante per decessum quondam D. Jacobi Wichand ultimi sacristarii et possessoris ejusdem ad presentationem domini regis et collationem episcopi Rossensis spectante, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. xv. 46.”
Modern English Rendering
At Kincardine on 4 October 1541, Mr Hugh Guthre, servant of the King, was presented to the office and service of sacristan in the collegiate church of Tain in the diocese of Ross.
The office was vacant because of the death of Sir James Wichand, its previous sacristan and possessor. The right of presentation belonged to the King, with ecclesiastical collation by the Bishop of Ross.
This entry gives Mr Hugh Guthre two useful identifiers at once: royal servitor and sacristan of the collegiate church of Tain. The combination helps distinguish him from other contemporary Guthres and places him in both royal and ecclesiastical service.
Evidence in Perspective
The source directly styles Hugh servitor of the King. The printed Office Index independently lists Mr Hugh Guthre under the sacristans of the collegiate church of Tain.
This is an appointment record, not proof that Hugh had already entered possession of every income or right associated with the office before the act was completed.
The following day, no.4260, Hugh appears again—this time as the King’s daily servitor—and receives the escheated goods of the deceased Sir James Wychthand. The two acts form a tightly connected sequence but are legally distinct.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Sacristan: church officer responsible for the care of sacred vessels, vestments and other practical matters relating to worship.
- Presentation: nomination to an ecclesiastical benefice or office by the patron entitled to present.
- Collation: formal ecclesiastical admission or institution by the appropriate bishop.
- Servitor of the King: servant or attendant in royal service.
- Per Signaturam: by signed royal warrant.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.4258, p.642.
5 October 1541 — Mr Hugh Guthre, Daily Servitor to the King, Receives Sir James Wychthand’s Escheated Goods
Volume II • No. 4260 • p.642
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 5 October 1541, one day after his presentation to the sacristy at Tain, Mr Hugh Guthre appears again in the Privy Seal register.
He is now expressly styled daily servitor to the King and receives the movable and immovable goods, debts, tacks, holdings and sums of money belonging to the late Sir James Wychthand, chaplain and sacristan of the kirk of Tain.
The entry states that Wychthand’s goods had fallen to the Crown by escheat after he killed himself.
Complete Printed Entry
“4260. At Kyncarne, 5 Oct. Ane Lettre maid to M. HEW GUTHRE, daylie servitoure to our soverane lord, his airis and assignais,—of the gift of all gudis movabill and unmovable, dettis, takkis, stedingis and soumes of money pertenyng and that happinnis or may pertene to umquhile Schir James Wychthand, chapellane and sacristane of the kirk of Thayn, and now pertenyng to his hienis be resoun of eschete becaus the said Schir James, be inspiratioun of the evill spreit, hes murdreist and slaine himself cruelly; with power, etc. Per Signaturam. Gratis. (Gratis.) xv. 44.”
Modern English Rendering
At Kincardine on 5 October 1541, a royal letter was issued to Mr Hugh Guthre, daily servant to the King, his heirs and assignees.
Hugh received all movable and immovable goods, debts, leases, holdings and sums of money belonging to the late Sir James Wychthand, chaplain and sacristan of the church of Tain.
Those goods had fallen to the Crown by escheat after Wychthand died by suicide. The source expresses this according to the religious language of the period.
This second record strengthens Hugh Guthre’s occupational identification by calling him the King’s “daily servitor” and links him materially to the office he had been presented to only the day before.
Evidence in Perspective
Nos.4258 and 4260 form a clear two-day documentary sequence: first Hugh is presented to the office of sacristan; then he receives the escheated goods of the deceased former officeholder.
The act’s statement that Wychthand acted “by inspiration of the evil spirit” reflects the wording and beliefs of the sixteenth-century source. It should not be converted into a modern medical or psychological diagnosis.
The grant of Wychthand’s escheated goods is distinct from Hugh’s ecclesiastical presentation. Receipt of the former officeholder’s property should not be treated as if it were automatically part of the sacristy itself.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Daily servitor: a servant in regular or close attendance upon the King.
- Escheat: property falling to the Crown under specified legal circumstances.
- Tacks: leases.
- Stedings: holdings or farmsteads.
- Umquhile: deceased; “the late.”
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.4260, p.642.
6 November 1541 — John Guthre of Balnabreich Receives the Lands Formerly Held by Andrew Guthre
Volume II • No. 4289 • p.646
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 6 November 1541, at Falkland, the Crown issued a precept of charter to John Guthre of Balnabreich for all the lands of Balnabreich, together with the mill and pertinents.
The source states that the lands had previously belonged heritably in feu-farm to Andrew Guthre. Andrew, personally and through his procurators, resigned the lands into the King’s hands at Falkland.
The charter then regranted the lands to John Guthre under a stated annual feu-duty.
Complete Printed Entry
“4289. Apud Falkland, 6 Nov. Preceptum Carte JOHANNIS GUTHRE de Balnabreich—super omnibus et singulis terris de Balnabreich, cum molendino, et earundem pertinentiis, jacen. in dominio de Brechin, infra vic. de Forfare, que fuerunt Andree Guthre de eodem hereditarie perprius in feodifirma, et per ipsum et procuratores suos in manibus regis apud Falkland resignatis, etc.; Reddendo, etc., summam xxviii marcarum monete Scotie ad duos anni terminos, Penthecostes et Sancti Martini in hieme, per equales portiones, etc. Per Signetum. Gratis. xv. 50.”
Modern English Rendering
At Falkland on 6 November 1541, a royal precept was issued for a charter to John Guthre of Balnabreich covering all the lands of Balnabreich, together with the mill and their pertinents, lying in the lordship of Brechin in Forfarshire.
These lands had previously belonged heritably in feu-farm to Andrew Guthre. Andrew and his procurators resigned them into the King’s hands, after which the Crown regranted them to John.
The annual feu-duty was twenty-eight merks Scots, payable in equal portions at Whitsunday and Martinmas.
This is a major Balnabreich record because it documents a clear property succession from Andrew Guthre to John Guthre and names the whole estate, mill and annual feu-duty.
Evidence in Perspective
The act proves that Andrew Guthre was the former hereditary feu-holder and that John Guthre received the lands following Andrew’s resignation.
It does not state the kinship between Andrew and John. They may have been related, but the relationship should not be supplied unless another source establishes it.
This source materially strengthens the Balnabreich property chronology because it shows a documented transition in possession and tenure rather than merely repeated association of Guthres with the estate.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Feu-farm: heritable tenure held in return for a fixed annual payment or feu-duty.
- Resignation: formal surrender of lands into the hands of the superior so they could be regranted.
- Procurator: authorized legal representative.
- Whitsunday and Martinmas: traditional Scottish term dates for payment.
- Pertinents: rights and appurtenances belonging to the lands.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.4289, p.646.
16 December 1541 — Margaret Fauld Identified as Spouse of James Guthre
Volume II • No. 4349 context • p.659
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
In a letter of regress dated 16 December 1541, the source describes lands in the barony of Panmure and identifies Margaret Fauld as spouse of James Guthre.
Margaret appears together with Thomas Fauld in the occupation context of the lands being described.
The principal act concerns another party’s right of regress, so the Guthre value of the entry lies in the explicit marital statement rather than in the main legal transaction.
Printed Source Passage
The entry describes lands in the barony of Panmure “quam Thomas Fawd et Margareta Fauld, sponsa Jacobi Guthre, nunc occupant,” identifying Margaret Fauld as the spouse of James Guthre.
Modern English Rendering
The lands were then occupied by Thomas Fauld and Margaret Fauld, wife of James Guthre.
The entry provides a direct marital identification: James Guthre + Margaret Fauld.
Evidence in Perspective
James Guthre is not the principal party to the act. His appearance is indirect, through the identification of Margaret Fauld as his spouse.
The record does not identify James’s residence, parentage, office or territorial branch. It therefore documents the marriage securely without establishing which wider Guthre family this James belonged to.
Margaret’s association with Thomas Fauld and the Panmure lands may be useful for later research into her own family and the circumstances of the Guthre-Fauld marriage, but no precise kinship between Margaret and Thomas is stated in this passage.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Sponsa: wife or spouse.
- Letter of regress: instrument preserving or restoring a right of return in relation to conveyed property.
- Occupant: person in possession or occupation of the lands; not necessarily the hereditary proprietor.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.4349 context, p.659.
10 January 1541/42 — John Guthre in Collistoun, Servitor of the King
Volume II • No. 4458 • p.675
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 10 January 1541/42, at Edinburgh, the Crown issued a precept of charter to John Guthre in Collistoun.
The entry also identifies John as servitor of the King, providing both a place association and an occupational designation in the same record.
The completed Great Seal charter is cross-referenced to RMS III, no.2577.
Complete Printed Entry
“4458. Apud Edinburgh, 10 Jan. Preceptum Carte JOHANNIS GUTHRE in Collistoun, servitoris regis. [R.M.S. iii. 2577.] Per Signetum. Gratis. xv. 93.”
Modern English Rendering
At Edinburgh on 10 January 1541/42, a royal precept was issued for a charter to John Guthre in Collistoun, servant of the King.
The corresponding Great Seal record is RMS III, no.2577.
This is a particularly important record for the Colliston research because it documents John Guthre in Collistoun and identifies him as a servitor of the King.
Evidence in Perspective
The wording “in Collistoun” is the source’s territorial or residential designation. It should be preserved as written rather than silently upgraded to “of Colliston” unless the related Great Seal charter or another source establishes heritable possession.
The royal-service designation may help distinguish this John from the several other John Guthres in Volume II. However, similarity with the earlier royal-servitor entries at nos.867, 1200 and 1255 is not enough by itself to prove they are the same man.
The RMS cross-reference is especially important here because the brief Privy Seal notice does not identify the property or full charter terms.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Servitor of the King: servant or administrative attendant in royal service.
- In Collistoun: source wording associating John with Collistoun; not automatically proof of lairdship.
- Precept of charter: royal warrant authorizing preparation or issue of a charter.
- Per Signetum: passed under the royal Signet.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.4458, p.675; cross-reference RMS III, no.2577.
4 July 1542 — John Guthre and the Lands of Cukistoun
Volume II • No. 4742 • p.715
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
On 4 July 1542, at Edinburgh, the Privy Seal register records a letter of regress for David Blantyre of Leggisland involving lands called Cukistoun in the lordship of Brechin.
The lands had been resigned into the King’s hands by David Blantyre in favour of John Guthre, his heirs and assignees, following their sale and alienation to John.
The act therefore documents John Guthre as purchaser or transferee of a substantial property interest in the Brechin area.
Complete Printed Entry
“4742. Apud Edinburgh, 4 Jul. Litera Regressus DAUIDIS BLANTYRE de Leggisland—super tota et integra tercia parte omnium et singularum ville et terrarum de Cukistoun, cum pertinentiis, jacen. in dominio de Brechin, infra vic. de Forfare, per resignationem factam per dictum Dauid in manibus regis in favorem Johannis Guthre, heredibus suis et assignatis, vendita et alienata, etc. Per Signaturam, etc. Gratis. xvi. 28 et 45.”
Modern English Rendering
A letter of regress was issued to David Blantyre of Leggisland concerning one-third of the town and lands of Cukistoun, with their pertinents, lying in the lordship of Brechin in Forfarshire.
David had resigned the property into the King’s hands in favour of John Guthre, his heirs and assignees, after selling and alienating the lands to him.
This entry gives another direct property transaction involving John Guthre in the Brechin/Forfarshire area and documents him as the beneficiary of a sale and resignation of land.
Evidence in Perspective
The act securely establishes John Guthre as the person in whose favour David Blantyre resigned the Cukistoun property.
The letter of regress belongs to David Blantyre, meaning David retained or received a right of return connected with the conveyance. The transaction should therefore not be simplified to an unconditional permanent sale without consulting the fuller charter material.
The printed footnote points to another version at folio xvi.45, where the editor notes wording stating that the lands had been alienated by John Guthre. That manuscript relationship may deserve comparison if the Cukistoun transaction becomes important to a particular Guthre lineage.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Letter of regress: instrument preserving or restoring a right of return in property following conveyance.
- Resignation: formal surrender of lands into the superior’s hands for regrant to another.
- Alienated: sold or otherwise legally conveyed.
- Pertinents: rights and appurtenances attached to the lands.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), no.4742, p.715.
13 July 1531 — Letters Delivered to Henry Guthre in the Privy Seal Accounts
Volume II • Fee Memorandum • p.768
Open Record Details
Document Summary / Context
A memorandum in the Privy Seal fee accounts records payments and delivery of letters during the justice-ayre of Aberdeen.
Among the accounting items is a payment associated with letters delivered to Henry Guthre.
The entry is administrative rather than a substantive grant, but it confirms Henry Guthre’s presence in the Privy Seal paper trail in July 1531.
Printed Source Passage
“Memorandum that the feis of the prive sele the tyme of the justice-are of Abirdene extendis to lxx lib. xvi s. viii d., … and letteres pertenyng to James Betoun and letteres deliveirt to Henry Guthre xxi s. viii d.; … Subscrivit be the said Johne the xii day of Julii, the zeire of God imvcxxxi zeris.”
Modern English Rendering
In an account of Privy Seal fees associated with the justice-ayre of Aberdeen, the clerk recorded a charge for letters delivered to Henry Guthre.
The memorandum was subscribed in July 1531.
Although brief, this entry independently places Henry Guthre within the administrative circulation of Privy Seal letters in 1531.
Evidence in Perspective
The memorandum does not state the subject of the letters delivered to Henry Guthre, nor does it give his residence, office, parentage or relationship to another Guthre.
It should therefore be treated as a documentary presence and administrative reference rather than a genealogically rich record.
The printed index includes Henry Guthre at p.768, confirming that the editor regarded this memorandum as a distinct personal reference.
Terms & Scottish Practice
- Privy Seal fees: administrative charges connected with the issuing, processing or delivery of Privy Seal documents.
- Justice-ayre: circuit court of the King’s justiciars.
- Letters: formal royal or administrative writs; the specific type is not identified in this memorandum.
Source: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), fee memorandum, p.768.
Volume II — Guthre Research in Perspective
Volume II is one of the richest Guthre sources in the published Privy Seal series. Between 1529 and 1542, the register preserves direct evidence of marriages, natural sons, full brothers, royal servants, ecclesiastical officeholders, property succession, charter transactions, respites and the continuing administrative importance of the barony and collegiate church of Guthre.
Two separate acts identify John Guthre as the natural son of Sir James Guthre. No.586 styles James Vicar of Kirkbuddo; no.1106 styles him Rector of Kirkbuddo. The repetition across distinct documents makes this one of the strongest genealogical relationships in the volume.
Sir James Guthre’s title must be read in its pre-Reformation ecclesiastical context. His “Sir” is the clerical honorific commonly used for priests, not evidence of knighthood. This contrasts sharply with Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, whom no.2600 explicitly calls “knycht”.
Volume II preserves several explicit parent-child statements: Sir James Guthre → John Guthre; David Guthre → William Guthre; and John Guthre → Thomas Guthre. These relationships are stated directly in legitimation records and should be treated as stronger evidence than surname or property association alone.
No.3341 explicitly identifies Thomas Guthre as brother-german of Alexander Guthre of Kincaldrum. Later property acts at nos.3852 and 3858 continue Alexander’s association with Kincaldrum, its mill and multures. Together, these records establish a secure sibling relationship and a substantial property sequence.
No.1353 identifies Alexander Guthre in Grandoun and Elizabeth Hay his spouse. No.1521 later shows Alexander alienating the lands of Grandoun. The two acts form a useful marriage-and-property sequence, while still preserving the source’s wording “in Grandoun” rather than automatically upgrading it to a hereditary “of Grandoun” style.
No.4289 records Andrew Guthre as former hereditary feu-holder of Balnabreich and John Guthre of Balnabreich as recipient after Andrew’s resignation of the lands into the King’s hands. This is a direct documentary property succession, but the act does not state the kinship between Andrew and John.
No.2600 is one of the most important estate records in the volume. It describes the entire barony of Guthre, including the tower, fortalice, tenants, fisheries and the patronage of the collegiate church, after the death of Sir Alexander Guthre of that Ilk, knight.
Nos.3074–3075 place Andrew Guthre directly in the property history of Kirktoun of Guthre and the mill of Guthre. The first act confirms an alienation; the second preserves Andrew’s right of regress. The pair should be read together rather than summarized as a simple sale.
Volume II places multiple Guthres in direct Crown service: John Guthre as servitor and familiar servitor of the King; Mr Hugh Guthre as servitor and daily servitor of the King; and Alexander Guthre as signifer, indexed under Falkland pursuivant. These office references are valuable identifiers but should not be merged across individuals without corroboration.
Nos.4258–4260 form a tight two-day sequence. Hugh is first presented as sacristan of the collegiate church of Tain while styled servant of the King, then appears the next day as the King’s daily servitor receiving the escheated goods of his deceased predecessor.
No.4458 identifies John Guthre in Collistoun, servitor of the King. The wording is particularly relevant to the Colliston research, but the source says “in Collistoun,” not “of Collistoun,” so heritable possession should not be inferred without the related charter evidence.
The volume explicitly documents several marriages: Ninian Guthre + Katherine Moncreiff, Alexander Guthre in Grandoun + Elizabeth Hay, and James Guthre + Margaret Fauld. These are direct source statements rather than reconstructed relationships.
Source basis: David Hay Fleming, ed., Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, II, A.D. 1529–1542 (Edinburgh, 1921), all Guthre/Guthrie-bearing entries identified through the printed Index of Persons, Index of Places, Index of Offices and the corresponding source pages, including the fee memorandum at p.768.
Volume III
Volume III is currently available through HathiTrust only in limited search-only form. The digitized pages cannot be opened for full reading because of copyright restrictions, but surname searching reveals a significant body of Guthre material.
Searches of the HathiTrust text locate 25 results for “Guthre” and 3 results for “Guthrie.” No results were found for the other usual Guthrie spelling variants searched.
Volume III — Current Access
HathiTrust identifies the volume as search-only and not available for full online reading because of copyright restrictions.
Volume III — Guthre Search Summary
| Search Form | Results | Visible Hit Locations | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthre | 25 | pp.84, 87, 99, 139, 158, 162, 196, 198, 204, 217, 231, 260, 323, 325, 356, 403, 406, 407, 422, 425, 448, 517, 518, 619, 621 | Search-only. Exact individuals, roles and repeated acts cannot yet be reconciled. |
| Guthrie | 3 | pp.73, 518, 611 | Search-only. At least one hit may overlap a Guthre result on the same printed page. |
Volume IV
Volume IV is currently available through HathiTrust only in limited search-only form. The digitized pages cannot be opened for full reading because of copyright restrictions, but HathiTrust surname searching provides a useful map of Guthre references throughout the volume.
Searches locate 24 results for “Guthre”, 5 results for “Guthrie”, and 2 results for “Guthry.” No results were found for the other usual Guthrie spelling variants searched.
Volume IV — Current Access
HathiTrust identifies Volume IV as Limited — search only. Full page images and complete text are not publicly available online through this record because of copyright restrictions.
Volume IV — Guthre Search Summary
| Search Form | Results | Printed Page Locations | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthre | 24 | pp.3, 21, 90, 106, 108, 119, 120, 191, 224, 266, 303, 311, 312, 371, 379, 390, 400, 439, 451, 521, 606, 631, 640, 734 | Search-only. Exact individuals, roles, relationships and documentary boundaries cannot yet be reconciled. |
| Guthrie | 5 | pp.58, 172, 592, 640, 734 | Search-only. Pages 640 and 734 overlap with the Guthre search and may represent the same underlying records or OCR variants. |
| Guthry | 2 | pp.435, 640 | Search-only. Page 640 also appears under Guthre and Guthrie and should not be counted automatically as three separate records. |
Volume V
Volume V is currently available through HathiTrust only in limited search-only form. Full page images cannot be opened publicly because of copyright restrictions, but surname searching identifies a small group of Guthre and Guthrie references.
HathiTrust searches locate 3 results for “Guthre” and 3 results for “Guthrie.” No results were found for the other usual Guthrie spelling variants searched.
Volume V — Current Access
HathiTrust identifies Volume V as Limited — search only. Full page images and unrestricted text are not publicly available through the current record.
Volume V — Guthre Search Summary
| Search Form | Results | Printed Page Locations | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthre | 3 | pp.50, 63, 615 | Search-only. Exact individuals, roles and documentary boundaries cannot yet be determined. |
| Guthrie | 3 | pp.105, 225, 694 | Search-only. Exact individuals, roles and documentary boundaries cannot yet be determined. |
Volume VI
Volume VI is currently available through HathiTrust only in limited search-only form. Full page images cannot be opened publicly because of copyright restrictions, but surname searching identifies a substantial group of Guthrie and Guthre references.
HathiTrust searches locate 12 results for “Guthrie” and 4 results for “Guthre.” No results were found for the other usual Guthrie spelling variants searched.
Volume VI — Current Access
HathiTrust identifies Volume VI as Limited — search only. Full page images and unrestricted text are not publicly available through the current item.
Volume VI — Guthrie Search Summary
| Search Form | Results | Printed Page Locations | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie | 12 | pp.35, 55, 181, 189, 392, 548, 580, 644, 645, 649, 650, 652 | Search-only. Exact individuals, offices, relationships and documentary units cannot yet be determined. |
| Guthre | 4 | pp.305, 346, 479, 548 | Search-only. Printed p.548 overlaps with the Guthrie search and may represent the same underlying record or OCR spelling variation. |
Volume VII
Volume VII is currently available through HathiTrust only in limited search-only form. Full page images cannot be opened publicly because of copyright restrictions, but surname searching identifies a substantial body of Guthrie and Guthre references.
HathiTrust searches locate 18 results for “Guthrie” and 6 results for “Guthre.” No results were found for the other usual Guthrie spelling variants searched.
Volume VII — Current Access
HathiTrust identifies Volume VII as Limited — search only. Full page images and unrestricted text are not publicly available through the current item.
Volume VII — Guthrie Search Summary
| Search Form | Results | Printed Page Locations | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie | 18 | pp.36, 72, 97, 206, 228, 339, 346, 393, 448, 450, 478, 480, 508, 550, 551, 556, 576, 580 | Search-only. Exact individuals, roles, relationships and documentary units cannot yet be determined. |
| Guthre | 6 | pp.129, 158, 186, 306, 478, 480 | Search-only. Printed pp.478 and 480 overlap with the Guthrie search and may represent the same underlying records or OCR spelling variations. |
Volume VIII
Volume VIII, the final published volume in the series, is currently available through HathiTrust only in limited search-only form. Full page images cannot be opened publicly because of copyright restrictions, but surname searching identifies a substantial group of Guthrie and Guthre references.
HathiTrust searches locate 16 results for “Guthrie” and 3 results for “Guthre.” No results were found for the other usual Guthrie spelling variants searched.
Volume VIII — Current Access
HathiTrust identifies Volume VIII as Limited — search only. Full page images and unrestricted text are not publicly available through the current item.
Volume VIII — Guthrie Search Summary
| Search Form | Results | Printed Page Locations | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie | 16 | pp.77, 160, 170, 264, 452, 482, 528, 551, 562, 572, 585, 610, 612, 659, 663, 666 | Search-only. Exact individuals, roles, relationships and documentary units cannot yet be determined. |
| Guthre | 3 | pp.262, 412, 562 | Search-only. Printed p.562 overlaps with the Guthrie search and may represent the same underlying record or an OCR spelling variation. |
Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland — Collection Summary
The eight published volumes of the Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum cover the period from 1488 through 1584 and preserve a wide range of royal administrative acts issued under the Privy Seal. For Guthrie research, the series is especially valuable for identifying individuals in royal service, tracing property transactions, documenting spouses and natural children, and connecting Privy Seal precepts with fuller charters recorded in the Register of the Great Seal.
These volumes are available in full view and were reviewed directly against the printed text, indexes and Guthrie surname variants. Their detailed records include full source wording, modern-English renderings, genealogical context and cross-references to related Great Seal entries where supplied by the editors.
These volumes are currently available publicly only in limited search-only form. HathiTrust surname searches were used to identify printed-page targets for Guthre, Guthrie and other relevant spellings, but the pages themselves could not be opened for complete review.
The audited volumes recovered explicit marriages, father-son relationships, natural sons, full brothers, territorial designations and property successions that were absent or only partially represented on the legacy page.
Particularly important clusters include the barony of Guthre, Kirktoun and the mill of Guthre, Balnabreich, Kincaldrum, Grandoun, Collistoun and other Forfarshire and Brechin-area properties.
Guthres appear as royal servitors, familiar servitors, pursuivants, clerics and ecclesiastical officeholders. These occupational descriptions are often among the best tools for distinguishing men who share the same given name.
Spellings such as Guthre, Guthrie and Guthry are preserved as printed. Likewise, pre-Reformation clerical styling such as “Sir” is interpreted in its historical context and should not automatically be read as evidence of knighthood.
Collection basis: Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, Volumes I–VIII, A.D. 1488–1584. Volumes I–II were reviewed in full; Volumes III–VIII were mapped through HathiTrust search-only access using Guthrie surname variants and printed page locations.