RMS – Volume 2
Guthrie Mentions in the
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum (RMS)
Volume 2 (1424–1513)
Overview
Rich in prominent figures, especially Master David de Guthre of Kincaldrum (treasurer, clerk roles, multiple charters granting/confirming Guthrie barony lands, Petkarne, etc.). Witnesses include Alexander Guthre, William Guthre; family grants to sons (e.g., Malcolm natural son). Collegiate Church of Guthrie foundations and patronage. Strong Forfar/Perth sheriffdom ties.
Highlights: David’s roles (Treasurer of the King, Captain of Guard); marriage/kin alliances via witnesses (Ogilvy, Lindsay).
Genealogical value: Core for Kincaldrum/main line. Establishes barony of Guthrie, church patronage, and early cadet hints (e.g., Kingeny).
Rule over Scotland between 1424-1513:
Four monarchs from the House of Stewart reigned over Scotland during this nearly 90-year period. Their reigns were defined by royal power consolidation, cultural growth during the Renaissance, and the tragic conclusion of the Battle of Flodden.
The Kings of Scotland from 1424 to 1513 were:
- James I (1424–1437): Though he became king in 1406, James I did not begin his personal rule until 1424 because he spent 18 years imprisoned in England. He aggressively restored law and order to the realm until he was assassinated in 1437.
- James II (1437–1460): Crowned as a young child, his reign was marked by struggles with powerful noble factions. He grew into a strong, assertive monarch but was accidentally killed at age 29 by the explosion of one of his own cannons during the siege of Roxburgh Castle.
- James III (1460–1488): His reign saw Scotland acquire the Orkney and Shetland islands. However, his unpopular policies, favoritism, and conflicts with the aristocracy ultimately led to a rebellion that resulted in his death at the Battle of Sauchieburn.
- James IV (1488–1513): A popular Renaissance monarch. He patronized the arts, established Scotland’s first printing press, and built an impressive royal navy. His rule ended on September 9, 1513, when he and much of the Scottish nobility were killed at the catastrophic Battle of Flodden Field.
Chronological Summary of Major Charters
| Charter# | Date | Named | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 30 Oct 1521/22 | Alexander Guthrie of Kincaldrum | Notable | Witness |
| 57 | 8 Feb 1522 | John Hay, provost of Guthre | Notable | Provost of Guthrie collegiate church |
| 64 | 7 Jan 1524 | Alexander Guthrie of Kincaldrum (brother of James Rynd) | Major | Explicit brother relationship |
| 77 | 29 Apr 1525 | James Guthre | Notable | Witness |
| 92 | 4 Oct 1526 | Ninian Guthre | Notable | Witness |
| 103 | 10 Mar 1527 | Thomas Guthre | Major | Feu-farm grant in Ardmannach |
| 157 | 8 Sep 1528 | Thomas Guthre | Notable | Witness |
| 172 | 4 Mar 1528/29 | George Guthre | Notable | Witness |
| 185 | 27 Jul 1529 | John Guthre | Notable | Witness |
| 190 | 2 Sep 1529 | Ninian Guthre & Katherine Moncreiff (spouse) | Major | Land grant to Kingany branch |
| 193 | 6 Oct 1529 | Alexander Guthre de Kincaldrum | Notable | Witness |
| 210 | 29 Mar 1530 | Master John Guthre, notary public | Notable | Witness |
| 243 | 1 Oct 1531 | Master John Guthre, notary public | Notable | Witness |
| 246 | 8 Nov 1531 | Master William Guthre, Alexander Guthre alias Falkland signifer, Egidia Guthre (widow) & children | Major | Major family legal/financial matter |
| 249 | 6 Jan 1532 | Master James Guthre (rector of Kirkbotho) & son John Guthre | Major | Father-son feu-farm grant |
| 270 | 28 Jul 1530 | Alexander Guthre de Grandoun & Elizabeth Hay (spouse) | Major | Sale of Grandoun lands |
| 280 | 18 Dec 1532 | Alexander Guthre alias Falkland signifer | Major | Grant as sheriff-depute fee |
| 281 | 24 Dec 1532 | Alexander Guthre de Kincaldrum | Notable | Witness |
| 286 | 29 Mar 1533 | Alexander Guthre de Kinblathmont | Notable | Witness |
| 302 | 7 Jan 1533 | Alexander Guthre alias Falkland signifer | Notable | Valuation fee |
| 313 | 24 May 1534 | John Russell de Guthre; David Guthre de Esse | Major | Early Hiltoun/Eassie connections |
| 322 | 28 Sep 1534 | Alexander Guthre de Kyncardrum | Notable | Witness |
| 372 | 18 Dec 1536 | Alexander Guthre de Grandoun & Elizabeth Hay | Major | Sale of Grandoun |
| 388 | 31 Aug 1537 | Alexander Guthre alias Falkland signifer | Notable | Valuation fee |
| 417 | 10 Sep 1538 | Alexander Guthre de Kincaldrom | Notable | Witness |
| 422 | 3 Nov 1537 | Alexander Guthre de Halkertoun | Notable | Witness |
| 440 | 9 Mar 1538 | Andrew Guthre de eodem | Major | Re-grant of Barony of Guthrie |
| 476 | 10 Feb 1540 | Alexander Guthrye de Kyncardrum & brother Thomas Guthre | Major | Brother-to-brother land sale |
Charter Details in Chronological Order
95. Notable Minor / Supporting Entry
Charter 95, confirmed 26 July 1427, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 3, Image #32, Page 18)
The King confirmed the charter of Richard Wryth, perpetual chaplain of St. Clement the Martyr within the burgh of Dundee. The original charter (dated at Dundee, 20 May 1418) granted certain lands and rents for the support of one chaplain to celebrate divine services at the altar of St. Michael the Archangel in the Parish Church of Blessed Mary of Dundee.
Among the proprietors and holders of bounding tenements in the charter is: Rob. Guthre (Robert Guthre).
Guthrie’s Significance/Role within the Document:
Robert Guthre (Guthrie) appears as both a witness to the original 1418 charter and as one of the proprietors/occupiers of bounding tenements in Dundee. This places him in the burgh context of Dundee in the early 15th century, connected to a parish church chaplainry foundation.
Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:
- Early Dundee burgh presence for the Guthrie name (distinct from the main Forfarshire/Kincaldrum landholding line that dominates Volume 2).
- Links a Guthrie to the ecclesiastical and tenemental fabric of Dundee at a time when chaplains and altars in the Parish Church of St Mary were being actively endowed.
- Useful for tracing possible urban or mercantile branches alongside the landed Kincaldrum line.
- Spelling appears as Guthre.
113. Notable Minor / Supporting Entry
Charter 113, confirmed 2 August 1427 at Aberdeen
(RMS – Volume 3, Image #36, Page 22)
The King confirmed the charter of Walter de Ogilvy, lord of Luntrethyn (original charter dated at Dundee, 8 December 1421). Out of zeal for consanguinity and for the advice and assistance often given to him, Walter granted to his nephew Patrick de Ogilvy, lord of Grandoun, an annual revenue of 10 marks to be levied annually from the lands of Mykil-Barrese, vic. Mernis (Kincardineshire). The lands were to be held of the king in fee.
Witnesses to the original 1421 charter: Dav. de Ogilvy, Pat. Gray, David de Guthre, Tho. de Fothringame, Alex. de Guthre, and Joh. Ydill, notary public.
Guthrie’s Significance/Role within the Document:
Both David de Guthre and Alex. de Guthre appear as witnesses to this Ogilvy family transaction in 1421. This is an early documented appearance of two Guthries (very likely the same individuals who later become prominent as Master David Guthrie of Kincaldrum and his son/heir Alexander) acting in a supportive witness capacity within the Ogilvy network in the Angus/Mearns area.
Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:
- Moderate but useful for timeline and network mapping.
- Shows the Guthries already circulating in the circles of the Ogilvy lords of Luntrethyn by the early 1420s — well before the major land grants to David Guthrie of Kincaldrum begin to appear later in Volume 2.
- Helps establish the early social and political connections of the Kincaldrum line.
- No land is granted to the Guthries in this charter; their role is purely as witnesses.