Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland
^{~Comporta Thesaurariorum Regim Scotorum~
1473 – 1559}

Introduction:

The Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland (Latin: Compota Thesaurariorum Regum Scotorum), commonly cited as TA, form a thirteen-volume published series covering the years 1473–1580. These detailed charge-and-discharge records of royal income and expenditure preserve a wealth of named individuals, places, offices, and payments that are of exceptional value to Guthrie family researchers. Because Sir David Guthrie of that Ilk himself held the office of Lord High Treasurer under James III (1461–c.1470), the series is of particular interest; even though the printed volumes begin a few years after his tenure, they contain numerous later references to Guthries acting as payees, officers, sureties, messengers, and recipients of fees or pensions. Each entry that names a Guthrie supplies concrete chronological anchors, geographic associations, titles or designations, and evidence of social and occupational standing—material that helps reconstruct careers, family connections, and the place of the Guthries within the royal administration and local society of late-medieval and early-modern Scotland.

Series Citation: Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland (= Compota Thesaurariorum Regum Scotorum). Edited by Thomas Dickson, Sir James Balfour Paul, and others. 13 vols. Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House / Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1877–1978. Digital Repository: HathiTrust.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 1
A.D. 1473 – 1498

Master Index Table: Volume 1

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page xxx

Date of the Entry Editor’s historical summary covering the period 1462–1470 (Preface discussion of the holders of the Treasurership).

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Sir David Guthrie of Kincaldrom (after 25 March 1465, of Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Named in the editor’s chronological list of Treasurers; also recorded as Comptroller and later as Clerk of Register.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Adam Wallace of Crago (Comptroller while Guthrie held the Treasurership in 1468)
• John Laing (subsequent Treasurer)
• Various earlier and later Treasurers listed for context (Sir Walter Ogilvy, James Myrton, etc.)

Original Document Language English (nineteenth-century editorial Preface).

Purpose Editorial reconstruction of the succession of Lords High Treasurer from the institution of the office in 1424 through the reign of James IV, compiled from testing-clauses of royal charters, Exchequer Rolls, and the Register of the Great Seal.

Modern English Translation Sir David Guthrie of Kincaldrom (after 25th March 1465, of Guthrie), 6th July 1462. He appears as Comptroller, 15th October 1466, and onwards till 9th March 1467-8, and occurs again with the designation of Treasurer, 20th and 21st May 1468, Adam Wallace of Crago being then Comptroller. Till 30th July of that year he is found frequently as a witness to royal charters and in the same relative position as when Treasurer, but without designation. On 10th August 1468, he was Clerk of Register, and on 9th November 1470, he again appears as Comptroller.

Historical or Genealogical Significance This is the principal modern editorial summary of Sir David Guthrie’s career in the highest financial and administrative offices of the Scottish crown under James III. It supplies the key dates that anchor his rise:

• First appears with the designation of Treasurer on 6 July 1462.
• Styled “of Kincaldrom” until after 25 March 1465, thereafter “of Guthrie.”
• Held the Comptrollership concurrently or alternately (documented 15 Oct 1466 – 9 Mar 1467/8 and again 9 Nov 1470).
• Served as Clerk of Register from 10 August 1468.
• Continued to witness royal charters in a senior capacity even when not explicitly designated Treasurer.

These details confirm both the rapid elevation of the Guthrie of that Ilk family in the 1460s and the fluidity of the great offices of state at this period.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Comptroller (Controller): the officer who kept the counter-roll and checked the Treasurer’s accounts.
• Clerk of Register: the official responsible for the registration of royal charters and other public instruments (precursor to the modern Keeper of the Registers).
• Testing-clause: the final clause of a charter that lists the witnesses; the principal source used by the editor to reconstruct early tenure of the Treasurership when formal appointment records are lacking.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), Preface, p. xxx.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page cclxxvii

Date of the Entry Editorial commentary in the Preface (referring to an event in the reign of James III).

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthrie, captain of the guard

Guthrie Role Recipient of reimbursement from the Treasurer for a personal collar taken by the king.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• King James III
• The Treasurer (acting by royal command)
• An unnamed “strangere” (foreign visitor) who received the collar as a gift from the king

Original Document Language English (nineteenth-century editorial Preface), quoting a short Scots phrase from the original account.

Purpose Illustrative example, within the editor’s discussion of royal gift-giving and the occasional borrowing of personal ornaments from attendants, of a payment made by the Treasurer to compensate an officer for an item the king had taken and given away.

Modern English Translation Frequently, when an occasion unexpectedly arose which prompted the bestowal of a gift by the king, he borrowed the personal ornaments of some of his attendants, for which he afterwards recompensed them. In this way £7 were paid by the Treasurer, by command, to Alexander Guthrie, captain of the guard, for a collar which King James III “tuke fra him and gafe to a strangere that come to his Hienes.”

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms Alexander Guthrie held the office of captain of the guard under James III.
• Shows him in close personal attendance on the king (close enough for the king to borrow a valuable collar from him on short notice).
• Provides an early example of a Guthrie receiving direct payment from the royal Treasury for a service connected with court life and diplomacy/gift-giving.
• The actual account entry recording the payment appears on printed page 65 (see cross-reference below).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Payments “by command” (i.e., by direct royal order) appear frequently in the Treasurer’s accounts when the king required immediate outlays not covered by ordinary household allocations.
• Reimbursement for items taken from private individuals for royal use was a recognised, if informal, practice.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), Preface, p. cclxxvii.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 2

Date of the Entry A.D. 1473-4

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Thomas of Guthre (Thomas Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payer of a composition fee for confirmation of a land grant.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Lord Oliphant (grantor of the lands)
• The Comptroller (whose previous account is being charged)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Composition (payment in lieu of formal process) for the royal confirmation of a grant of land.

Modern English Translation Item, compounded with Thomas of Guthre for the confirmation of the lands of Glenscheauch, given to him by the Lord Oliphant, extending yearly to 6 merks: composition, 53 s. 4 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Provides an early (1473-4) reference to a Thomas Guthrie receiving a grant of the lands of Glenscheauch from the Lord Oliphant.
• The fact that he paid a composition for royal confirmation indicates he was securing formal title to the property through the crown’s feudal superiorities.
• Places a Guthrie in a landholding transaction in the early years of James III’s personal rule, shortly after Sir David Guthrie’s period as Treasurer.
• The modest annual value (6 merks) and the composition sum (53 s. 4 d.) suggest a relatively small holding.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Composition / componit: a negotiated payment made to the crown in place of a more formal (and usually more expensive) legal process, here for confirmation of a land grant.
• Confirmation: royal ratification of a grant made by a subject superior (in this case the Lord Oliphant), required to perfect the grantee’s title.
• Merk: a unit of account equal to 13 s. 4 d. Scots; 6 merks = £4 Scots annual value.
• Entries of this type appear in the “Charge” section because the composition money was received by the Comptroller or Treasurer and had to be accounted for.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 2.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 47

Date of the Entry 9 February 1473

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Schire Dauid Guthere (Sir David Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of royal letters (together with the Earl of Crawford).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Earl of Crawford
• A courier (currour) carrying the letters
• The Bishop of St Andrews (subject of the correspondence)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a courier for delivering letters from the king concerning the Bishop of St Andrews.

Modern English Translation Item, given to a courier, going with letters to the Earl of Crawford and Sir David Guthrie, 9th February, concerning the Bishop of St Andrews, 9 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Sir David Guthrie still closely involved in high-level royal business in February 1473, receiving official correspondence alongside a major magnate (the Earl of Crawford).
• The subject—the Bishop of St Andrews—links to the ongoing ecclesiastical and political tensions of the early 1470s.
• Confirms his continued status and proximity to the crown after his earlier tenure as Treasurer.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Currour: a royal messenger or courier.
• Small payments of this type for the delivery of letters under the Privy Seal or signet are routine in the Treasurer’s accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 47.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 65

Date of the Entry A.D. 1473-4

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthere (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payee – reimbursed by royal precept for a personal collar taken by the king.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• King James III (who took the collar and gave it to a stranger)
• An unnamed foreign visitor (“strangere”) who received the collar as a royal gift

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment under the king’s hand for a collar belonging to Alexander Guthrie that the king had taken and presented to a visitor.

Modern English Translation Item, given to Alexander Guthrie, by a precept subscribed with the King’s hand, for a collar that the King took from him and gave to a stranger who came to his Highness, £7.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• This is the original account entry corresponding to the editorial discussion on Preface p. cclxxvii.
• Confirms Alexander Guthrie was in personal attendance on James III and of sufficient standing for the king to borrow a valuable item of jewellery from him.
• The payment of £7 by direct royal precept underscores both the informality of such royal borrowings and the Treasurer’s role in settling them.
• Links Alexander Guthrie to the office of captain of the guard (as stated in the Preface).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Precept subscruuit with the Kingis hand: a written order signed by the king himself, authorising the payment.
• Reimbursements of this kind for items taken for royal gift-giving appear periodically in the accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 65.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 66

Date of the Entry A.D. 1473-4

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Schir Dauid Guthre (Sir David Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payee – recipient of his official fee as Justice (Justiciar).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None directly connected to this specific payment (surrounding entries concern other household and official fees).

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of the annual or term fee due to the Justice for exercising the office of Justiciary.

Modern English Translation Item, to the Justice Sir David Guthrie for his fee of the office of Justiciary, £100.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that Sir David Guthrie held the office of Justice (Justiciar) in 1473-4 and was paid the substantial fee of £100 for it.
• This is one of the key pieces of evidence for his continued high standing in the royal administration after his earlier service as Treasurer, Comptroller, and Clerk of Register.
• The size of the fee (£100) indicates a major judicial office, consistent with the dignity of a former Lord High Treasurer.
• Cross-reference with the companion payment on page 68 and the editorial summary on Preface p. xxx.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Fee of the office of Justry: the official salary or termly payment attached to the office of Justiciar.
• j c li. = £100 Scots.
• Payments of this type appear in the Discharge (expense) section of the accounts when the Treasurer pays officials their established fees.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 66.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 68

Date of the Entry A.D. 1473

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Schire Dauid Guthere of that Ilk, knycht (Sir David Guthrie of that Ilk, knight)

Guthrie Role Payee – fee as Justice/Justiciar (entry later deleted in the manuscript).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None directly connected to this payment.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of the annual fee for the office of Justiciary.

Modern English Translation Item, given to the Justice Sir David Guthrie of that Ilk, knight, for his fee of this year of his office of Justiciary, £100.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Reaffirms Sir David Guthrie’s tenure as Justiciar in 1473 and his full style “of that Ilk, knight.”
• The entry was subsequently deleted in the original manuscript because the same fee had already been recorded earlier (the payment on p. 66 / fol. 48.a.).
• Provides the more formal designation “of that Ilk” that is absent from the parallel entry on page 66.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Prescribitur: marginal note indicating the entry was cancelled / deleted.
• Duplicate fee entries sometimes appear when accounts were compiled from multiple books or drafts; the auditors later struck out the repetition.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 68.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 197

Date of the Entry A.D. 1490-1

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Master Johne Guthre (Master John Guthrie), elect of Ross

Guthrie Role Payer of a composition (recorded as Gratis – no actual payment collected in this account).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None directly associated with this specific composition (the entry stands alone among other ward, marriage, and remission compositions).

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Composition for the anna (first year’s fruits / annates) of the temporalities of the bishopric of Ross, payable by the bishop-elect.

Modern English Translation Item, for a composition made with Master John Guthrie, elect of Ross, for the anna of the temporalities, £200. Gratis.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Identifies Master John Guthrie as bishop-elect of Ross in 1490-1.
• Shows him dealing directly with the Treasurer for the composition on the temporalities of the see.
• The entry is marked Gratis, indicating that although a composition of £200 was assessed, no money was actually received into this account (possibly remitted, deferred, or accounted for elsewhere).
• This is a significant ecclesiastical appointment for a Guthrie and should be cross-referenced with any other appearances of Master John Guthrie / Guthre in the series or in the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Compositioun: a negotiated payment to the crown in place of the full formal dues.
• Anna of the temporalite: the first year’s revenue (annates) of the temporal (non-spiritual) possessions of a bishopric, due to the crown on the appointment of a new bishop.
• Gratis: entered in the account but no cash was received; the sum was either remitted by the king or charged in another account.
• Elect of Ross: the person chosen/ provided to the bishopric but not yet consecrated or fully installed.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 197.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 1, Page 232

Date of the Entry A.D. 1494

Guthrie(s) Identified

• James Gorthie (spelling variant of Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of clothing (livery) issued by the Treasurer.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• James Jaklyne, Wille Crechtoun, Charles McKistoune, and Thomas Pate (principal named recipients of the same issue)
• A long list of additional recipients of identical or similar clothing, including Terraiss, James Awerye, Gilbert Broune, Alexander Lylle, and many others (courtiers, household servants, craftsmen, and messengers)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Issue of cloth for gowns, doublets, and hose to a large group of royal servants, officers, and attendants in 1494.

Modern English Translation A.D. 1494. Item, to James Jaklyne, Wille Crechtoun, Charles McKistoune, and Thomas Pate, 14 ells of Rowan tawny for their gowns; price of the ell 24 s.; total £16 16 s. Item, to their doublets, 9 ells of camlet; price of the ell 12 s.; total £5 8 s. Item, 5 ells of Scots black for their hose; price 4 s. 4 d.

[Similar dresses, with hose of Scots black or kersey, were given to Terraiss, James Awerye, Gilbert Broune, Alexander Lylle, Downe, Gildow, Hector Lowrye, Thome of Forrett, James Scott of the stable, the smith, the four trumpeters, four falconers, Johne Lethane, saddler, Patrik Wallas, James Gorthie, the Laird of Hillous, Watte Brayne, little Grahame, Pate Harpar, Martine Bailʒe, George Turnbull, Johne Kervour, Johne Lam, Johne Maware, Thomas Barchar, Johne Afflek, Geone Francheman, Johne Striueling, Robert Harroware, Hannis Ducheman, Johne Quareour, Nicholas Boware, Schir Thomas Smyth, chaplain to the Laird of Balgony, and Thome Flemyne “at come certane erandis fra the partis of Kintire.”]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Provides a clear 1494 reference to a James Gorthie (Guthrie) receiving royal livery clothing alongside household officers, craftsmen, and messengers.
• Places him within the circle of the royal household or court servants under James IV.
• The spelling “Gorthie” is a recognised contemporary variant of Guthrie and should be cross-referenced in any search of the series.
• The scale of the clothing issue illustrates the Treasurer’s role in outfitting a wide range of royal dependents in a single year.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Ell: the Scottish ell (approximately 37 inches), the standard cloth measure used in the accounts.
• Rowane tanne (Rowan tawny): a brownish-orange woollen cloth.
• Chamlete (camlet): a mixed fabric, often of wool and silk or goat hair, used for doublets.
• Scots blak: native black woollen cloth used for hose.
• Group clothing issues of this type were a regular charge on the Treasurer for maintaining the appearance of the royal household and its servants.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Thomas Dickson, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), p. 232.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 2
A.D. 1500 – 1504

• Identifies Andrew Guthrie “de eodem” (of that Ilk / of Guthrie) in 1527.
• He had sold the lands of Innerrichty to John Balbirny.
• He was convicted of “voluntary error” (a technical fault or negligence) in connection with the serving of a royal brieve relating to those lands, causing his goods to be escheated to the crown.
• He compounded for £10 to clear the escheat.
• This is a useful mid-sixteenth-century reference to a Guthrie of that Ilk still active in land transactions in the reign of James V.

Master Index Table: Volume 2

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 3
A.D. 1506 – 1507

Master Index Table: Volume 3

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 4
A.D. 1507 – 1513

Master Index Table: Volume 4

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 4, Page lxxix

Date of the Entry Editorial commentary referring to 19 August 1513 (eve of the Flodden campaign).

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Sir David Guthrie

Guthrie Role Seller of a stand of harness to the King (received only an obligation for payment, not ready money).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• King James IV

Original Document Language English (nineteenth-century editorial Preface)

Purpose Editorial illustration of the hurried and cash-strapped preparations for the 1513 English campaign, noting a late purchase of armour from Sir David Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Even so late as the 19th of August we find the purchase of a stand of harness for the King noted; it was bought from Sir David Guthrie, who only got an obligation for the payment of it—ready money was not, we may suppose, very accessible at the time.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places a Sir David Guthrie in a commercial transaction with the crown immediately before Flodden (August 1513).
• He supplied a complete “stand of harness” (a full suit of armour) for the King’s personal use.
• Payment was made by obligation rather than cash, reflecting the financial pressure on the Treasury in the final days before the army crossed the Border.
• This is almost certainly a later Sir David Guthrie (not the mid-15th-century Treasurer), active in the reign of James IV.
• Cross-reference with the original account entry on p. 521.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Stand of harness: a complete suit of armour.
• Obligation: a formal written promise to pay; used when ready money was unavailable.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1902), Preface, p. lxxix.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 4, Page 521

Date of the Entry 19 August 1513

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Schir David Guthre (Sir David Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Seller of a stand of harness to the King; received an obligation for payment rather than cash.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• King James IV (“the kingis grace”)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Purchase of a complete suit of armour for the King on the eve of the Flodden campaign, paid by written obligation.

Modern English Translation Item, the 19th day of August, for a stand of harness for the King’s grace bought from Sir David Guthrie, for the which he has my obligation of £40.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records a direct commercial transaction between Sir David Guthrie and the crown only three days before James IV crossed the Border into England.
• The price (£40) and the fact that payment was made by obligation rather than ready money illustrate both the value of the armour and the severe cash shortage in the Treasury during the final mobilisation.
• This Sir David Guthrie is a later individual than the mid-fifteenth-century Treasurer (who died c. 1479); he was active in the reign of James IV and of sufficient means and standing to supply high-quality armour to the King at short notice.
• Cross-reference with the editorial discussion of the same purchase in the Preface at p. lxxix.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Stand of harnes: a complete suit of armour.
• Obligatioun: a formal written bond or promise to pay; used when immediate cash was unavailable.
• The entry appears in the Appendix, which contains additional or supplementary accounts related to the 1513 campaign.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1902), p. 521 (Appendix).

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 5
A.D. 1515 – 1531

Master Index Table: Volume 5

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 5, Page 182

Date of the Entry A.D. 1524

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre de Kincaldroune (Alexander Guthrie of Kincaldrum)
• Isobelle Raite, his spouse

Guthrie Role Payer (with his wife) of a composition for royal confirmation of a joint infeftment.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Isobel Raite (spouse of Alexander Guthrie)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition paid for the confirmation of a charter of conjunct infeftment in certain lands.

Modern English Translation And £13 6 s. 8 d., in full payment of the composition of a charter of confirmation upon a charter of conjunct infeftment of Alexander Guthrie of Kincaldrum and Isobel Raite his spouse, upon all and whole the lands of Littlehour and Muretoun and certain other lands with their pertinents, lying within the barony of Kincaldrum and the sheriffdom of Forfar.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Documents Alexander Guthrie of Kincaldrum and his wife Isobel Raite in 1524.
• They received a conjunct infeftment (joint feudal title) in the lands of Littlehour, Muretoun, and others within the barony of Kincaldrum, Forfarshire, and paid a composition of £13 6 s. 8 d. for the royal confirmation of that charter.
• Continues the documented presence of the Kincaldrum branch of the family into the reign of James V.
• The use of “de Kincaldroune” links directly back to the earlier Sir David Guthrie of Kincaldrum / of Guthrie line.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Compositio / composition: a negotiated payment to the crown for confirmation of a charter.
• Carta conjuncte infeodationis: a charter granting joint feudal investiture (conjunct fee) to husband and wife.
• In completam solutionem: in full payment / final settlement of the composition.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1903), p. 182.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 5, Page 292

Date of the Entry A.D. 1527

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Andree Guthry de eodem (Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk / of Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payer of a composition on escheated goods after conviction for voluntary error.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• John Balbirny (purchaser of the lands of Innerrichty from Andrew Guthrie)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition paid under the section Compositiones bonorum eschaetorum et remissionum extra itinera accidentium infra tempus compoti (Compositions of escheated goods and remissions for matters arising outside the justice ayres within the period of the account) for the restoration of goods that had fallen to the crown by escheat because of a technical legal default.

Modern English Translation And £10, in full payment of the composition of the escheated goods of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk, convicted of voluntary error pertaining to the lord king by reason of the serving of a certain brieve of the royal chapel impetrated by John Balbirny, upon the lands of Innerrichty sold by the said Andrew.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Bona eschaeta / escheated goods: property that fell to the crown because of a felony, outlawry, or (as here) certain technical defaults.
• Voluntarius error: “voluntary error” – a recognised category of legal fault, often involving negligence or irregularity in the execution of a royal writ or brieve.
• Breve capelle regie: a brieve (writ) issuing from the royal chapel (Chancery).
• Compositio in completam solutionem: a composition paid in full settlement of the crown’s claim.
• Entries in this section concern escheats and remissions that were settled directly with the Treasurer rather than during a formal justice eyre.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1903), p. 292.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 5, Page 382

Date of the Entry A.D. 1529

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthrie in the chamber

Guthrie Role Recipient of the usual royal livery (clothing issue).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A long list of household officers and servants who received the same class of liveries (including Paul Galbraith in the chamber, John Tenand in the chamber, and many others).

Original Document Language Scots (with editorial English summary of the livery list)

Purpose Issue of the ordinary yearly liveries to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation [The usual classes of liveries were given to the following persons: \ldots Paul Galbraith in the chamber, John Guthrie in the chamber, John Tenand in the chamber, \ldots]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places John Guthrie as a servant “in the chamber” (i.e., attached to the King’s private apartments / chamber establishment) in 1529.
• He received the standard livery clothing issued to household officers of his rank.
• This is the same John Guthrie who appears later in the volume receiving a £10 payment (p. 435).
• Provides clear evidence of a Guthrie serving in the royal household under James V.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Livery: the annual issue of cloth or ready-made clothing given by the crown to household officers and servants according to their rank.
• “In the chamber” designates a personal servant of the King’s chamber, a position of relative proximity and trust.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1903), p. 382.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 5, Page 435

Date of the Entry A.D. 1531

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johnne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payee – recipient of a royal payment by precept.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None specifically linked to this payment (it appears in a long list of miscellaneous disbursements made by the King’s command).

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of £10 to John Guthrie under the King’s precepts.

Modern English Translation Item, to John Guthrie, £10.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records a John Guthrie receiving a direct payment of £10 from the Treasurer in 1531 by royal command.
• The entry occurs in a section of miscellaneous payments to a wide range of individuals (officials, servants, messengers, etc.), so his exact status is not stated here.
• Cross-reference with the livery entry for “John, in the chamber” on p. 382, which may refer to the same man.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Payments listed under “Money at the command and preceptis of the Kingis” were made on the strength of royal warrants or precepts rather than as regular fees or pensions.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1903), p. 435.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 6
A.D. 1531 – 1538

Master Index Table: Volume 6

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 7

Date of the Entry A.D. 1532

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johanni Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient (jointly with John Tennend) of a composition on escheated goods.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Elizabeth Nesbit (whose goods had been escheated)
• John Tennend (joint grantee of the composition)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition paid for the grant of escheated goods that had fallen to the crown.

Modern English Translation And £20, of the composition of the escheated goods of Elizabeth Nesbit, being in the king’s hands, granted to John Guthrie and John Tennend.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records John Guthrie in 1532 as joint recipient (with John Tennend) of a £20 composition on the escheated goods of Elizabeth Nesbit.
• This is one of the early appearances of the John Guthrie who features repeatedly in Volume 6 as a household servant (“in the chamber”) and messenger.
• Shows him benefiting from a grant of escheated property, a common form of royal favour or reward.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Bona eschaeta: goods forfeited to the crown (here through some default or conviction of Elizabeth Nesbit).
• Ad cornu regis: “at the king’s horn” / in the king’s hands.
• Compositio: the sum paid to the Treasurer for the grant of the escheat.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 7.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 9

Date of the Entry A.D. 1532

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johanni Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition on escheated goods.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Thomas Burn and Thomas Betoun (whose goods had been escheated)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition paid for the grant of escheated goods that had fallen to the crown.

Modern English Translation And £10, of the composition of the escheated goods of Thomas Burn and Thomas Betoun, being in the king’s hands, granted to John Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records a second grant of escheated goods to John Guthrie in the same year (1532).
• On p. 7 he received a joint grant (£20) with John Tennend; here he is the sole grantee of a £10 composition on the goods of Thomas Burn and Thomas Betoun.
• Reinforces the picture of John Guthrie as a recipient of modest royal favours in the early 1530s, consistent with his later appearances as a household servant and messenger.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Bona eschaeta: goods forfeited to the crown.
• Ad cornu regis: in the king’s hands.
• Compositio: the sum paid to the Treasurer for the grant of the escheat.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 9.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 36

Date of the Entry A.D. 1532

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of the usual royal livery (listed among the pages).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A long list of royal household officers and servants who received the same class of liveries (including Nesbitt, page; James Canochson; the henchmen Troilus and Edmistoun; etc.).

Original Document Language Scots (with editorial English summary of the livery list)

Purpose Issue of the ordinary yearly liveries to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation [Liverays of the usual description were given to the following members of the Royal Household:— \ldots John Guthre, Nesbitt, page; \ldots]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places John Guthrie among the pages of the royal household in 1532.
• This is the earliest of the multiple livery entries for him in Volume 6 and confirms his status as a young household servant at this date.
• Consistent with his later appearances as a messenger and recipient of small payments and escheats.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Livery / Liveray: the annual issue of cloth or clothing given by the crown to household officers and servants according to rank.
• Pages formed the junior rank of personal attendants in the King’s household.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 36.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 87

Date of the Entry September 1533 (between 3 and 18 September)

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger – sent to the King with a gold chaperon.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Thomas Rynd, goldsmith (supplier of the chaperon)
• The King (James V)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Delivery of a valuable gold head-covering (chaperon) to the King by a household messenger.

Modern English Translation Item, sent with John Guthrie to his grace, a chaperon of gold bought from Thomas Rynd, goldsmith, weighing 17 crown weight, price thereof £15.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows John Guthrie acting as a trusted messenger carrying a high-value item (a gold chaperon weighing 17 crown weight and costing £15) directly to the King in September 1533.
• Confirms his continued presence in the royal household and his employment on personal errands of some importance.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Chaiffroune / chaperon: a hood or ornamental head-covering; here made of gold.
• Croune wecht: crown weight – a standard of weight used for gold and silver.
• Messenger payments of this type record both the delivery of goods and the travel of household servants.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 87.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 91

Date of the Entry A.D. 1532–3

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthrie

Guthrie Role Recipient of the usual royal livery; groom of the stable.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A long list of household officers and servants who received clothing or liveries in the same issue (including John Tennand, James Wood, William Wood, the henchmen, falconers, and other stable staff).

Original Document Language Scots (with editorial English summary of the recipients)

Purpose Issue of gifts of clothing and the ordinary yearly liveries to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation [The following received either special gifts of clothing or the usual liveries:— \ldots John Guthrie, John Tennand, James Wood, William Wood, Edward Stewart, falconer; the six henchmen \ldots]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that John Guthrie, one of the grooms of the stable, received the standard household livery in the accounting year 1532–3.
• His position as groom of the stable explains his frequent employment as a messenger (carrying items such as the gold chaperon and culverin powder) and his regular appearance in the livery lists.
• This is one of the five livery entries indexed for him in Volume 6.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Livery / gifts of clothing: the annual or occasional issue of cloth or ready-made garments to household servants according to rank.
• Groom of the stable: a servant attached to the royal stables, responsible for the care of horses and often used for riding messages.
• The section heading is “Gifts of Clothing and Liveries.”

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 91.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 98

Date of the Entry A.D. 1533 (late August / early September)

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payee – recipient of a payment by the King’s precept.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None specifically linked to this payment (it appears in a list of miscellaneous disbursements made by royal command).

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of £10 to John Guthrie under the King’s precepts and commands.

Modern English Translation Item, to John Guthrie, £10.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records a £10 payment to John Guthrie in 1533 by direct royal precept.
• Consistent with his status as a household servant and messenger who periodically received cash payments in addition to livery and occasional grants of escheats.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Payments listed under “Money debursit be the Kingis sundrie preceptis and commandis” were made on the strength of individual royal warrants rather than as regular fees.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 98.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 197

Date of the Entry September 1534 (around 17 September)

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger – sent to Peebles with culverin powder.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named beyond the destination (Peebles)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Delivery of gunpowder to Peebles by a household messenger.

Modern English Translation Item, for 2 pounds of culverin powder, sent with John Guthrie to Peebles, price 6 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows John Guthrie again employed as a messenger in September 1534, this time carrying 2 pounds of culverin powder to Peebles.
• Continues the pattern of his service as a reliable household servant used for the transport of both valuable and military-related items.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Culvering pulder: gunpowder for a culverin (a type of light cannon).
• Small quantities of powder were frequently sent to local strongholds or for the use of the King’s artillery train.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 197.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 203

Date of the Entry A.D. 1534

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthrie

Guthrie Role Recipient of the usual royal livery (household servant).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A long list of household officers and servants who received the same liveries (including David Wood, Henry Kemp, the Master of Maxwell, the Master of Erskine, James Erskine, the laird of Largo, etc.).

Original Document Language Scots (with editorial English summary of the recipients)

Purpose Issue of the ordinary yearly liveries to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation [Liveries of the usual description were provided for the following: — \ldots John Guthrie, David Wood, Henry Kemp, Master of Maxwell, the Master of Erskine, James Erskin, the laird of Largo, John Wood, his brother; \ldots]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that John Guthrie continued to receive the standard household livery in 1534.
• He is named in the general list of livery recipients but is not given a more specific office title in this entry.
• His repeated appearance in the livery lists, together with his messenger duties (gold chaperon in 1533, culverin powder in 1534), shows he remained a regular member of the royal household throughout the mid-1530s.
• This is the third of the five livery entries indexed for him in Volume 6.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Livery / Leveris: the annual issue of cloth or clothing given by the crown to household officers and servants according to rank.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 203.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 260

Date of the Entry A.D. 1535

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthrie

Guthrie Role Recipient of the usual royal livery (household servant).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A long list of household officers and servants who received the same liveries (including George Leche, Sir Michael Dysart, dogkeepers, James Lindsay falconer, John Tennent, the four henchmen, five grooms of the stable, etc.).

Original Document Language Scots (with editorial English summary of the recipients)

Purpose Issue of the ordinary yearly liveries / gifts of clothing to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation [The usual gifts of clothing or liveries were given to the following:— \ldots John Tennent, the laird of Largo’s son “quhilk servis James Stewart,” John Guthrie, two dogkeepers, the four henchmen, Turnbull, henchman, \ldots five grooms of the stable, a boy called Wardlaw, John Drummond, wright.]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that John Guthrie continued to receive the standard household livery in 1535.
• He is named in the general list of livery recipients but is not explicitly described as a groom of the stable (the “five grooms of the stable” appear as a separate group later in the same list).
• His repeated appearance in these lists, together with his messenger duties, shows he remained a regular member of the royal household throughout the mid-1530s.
• This is the fourth of the five livery entries indexed for him in Volume 6.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Lyffrayis / Liveries: the annual issue of cloth or clothing given by the crown to household officers and servants according to rank.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 260.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 322

Date of the Entry A.D. 1537

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johanni Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition for non-entry and relief of lands.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named beyond the lands themselves.

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition paid for the non-entry and relief of the lands of Halkertoun, granted to John Guthrie.

Modern English Translation And £10, in full payment of the composition of the non-entry and relief of the lands of Halkertoun with their pertinents, lying within the sheriffdom of Forfar, granted to John Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records John Guthrie in 1537 as the grantee of a £10 composition for the non-entry and relief of the lands of Halkertoun in Forfarshire.
• This is a more substantial feudal transaction than his earlier appearances as a household page and messenger, suggesting either advancement or a connection to land in Angus.
• Halkertoun lies in the same sheriffdom (Forfar) as the long-established Guthrie and Kincaldrum holdings, raising the possibility of a link to the main family, though this is not explicitly stated.
• This is the entry indexed under “Guthrie (Guthre), John, \ldots 322”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Nonintroitus (non-entry): the feudal casualty due to the superior when an heir failed to take formal entry to his lands.
• Relevium (relief): the payment due by an heir for the privilege of succeeding to the lands.
• Compositio in completam solutionem: a composition paid in full settlement of these casualties.
• The section heading covers compositions of wards, non-entries, reliefs and marriages during the period of the account.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 322.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 369

Date of the Entry A.D. 1538

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandri Guthery, alias Falkland heraldi (Alexander Guthery / Guthrie, otherwise Falkland Herald)

Guthrie Role Victim of deforcement (the offence that caused the escheat of David Dugude’s goods).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• David Dugude of Auchinhufe (whose goods were escheated for the deforcement)
• Master John Chisholm (who had already received the composition before the current account)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Note that the Treasurer does not charge himself with a £30 composition on escheated goods arising from the deforcement of Alexander Guthery, Falkland Herald, because the sum had already been paid to a previous officer.

Modern English Translation And he does not charge himself with £30, of the composition of the escheated goods of David Dugude of Auchinhufe, being in the king’s hands for the deforcement of Alexander Guthery, otherwise Falkland Herald, granted to the said David for the same sum, because Master John Chisholm received payment of this sum before the entry of the accounting Treasurer.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Identifies Alexander Guthery (Guthrie) as Falkland Herald in 1538.
• He had been the victim of a deforcement (forcible resistance or obstruction in the execution of his official duties as a herald), which caused the goods of David Dugude of Auchinhufe to be escheated to the crown.
• The composition of £30 on those goods had already been collected by Master John Chisholm before the current Treasurer took office, so it does not appear as a charge in this account.
• Cross-reference with the related entry on p. 376 concerning the same Alexander as Falkland Herald.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Deforciamentum / deforcement: the offence of forcibly preventing an officer (here a herald) from executing his duty.
• Bona eschaeta: goods forfeited to the crown as a result of the offence.
• Non onerat se: the Treasurer explicitly states that he does not charge himself with the sum because it was received by a predecessor.
• Section: Compositiones cartarum per tempus compoti.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 369.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 376

Date of the Entry A.D. 1538

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Gutherye, heraldo (Alexander Guthery / Guthrie, herald)

Guthrie Role Joint grantee (with Sir Andrew Sherond) of a composition on escheated goods.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William, Adam, John and Alexander Strathauchin (fugitives whose goods were escheated)
• Sir Andrew Sherond (joint grantee)
• Andrew Gardenar (victim of the mutilation that led to the escheat)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition paid for the grant of escheated goods of four fugitives.

Modern English Translation And £26 13 s. 4 d., in full composition of the escheated goods of William Strathauchin, Adam Strathauchin, John Strathauchin and Alexander Strathauchin, fugitives and being in the king’s hands for the mutilation of Andrew Gardenar and certain other crimes, sold to Sir Andrew Sherond and \ldots Gutherye, herald.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms Alexander Guthery (Guthrie) as a herald in 1538 (already identified on p. 369 as Falkland Herald).
• He was joint recipient, with Sir Andrew Sherond, of the escheated goods of four members of the Strathauchin family who had been put to the horn for the mutilation of Andrew Gardenar and other crimes.
• The composition amounted to £26 13 s. 4 d.
• This is the second of the two indexed references to Alexander as Falkland Herald (the other being the deforcement entry on p. 369).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Bona eschaeta: goods forfeited to the crown because the owners had been declared fugitives.
• Ad cornu regis: “at the king’s horn” / outlawed.
• Mutilatio: the crime of mutilation (here of Andrew Gardenar).
• Grants of escheats were a common form of reward or favour to officers of the crown, including officers of arms.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 376.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 6, Page 429

Date of the Entry A.D. 1538

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthrie

Guthrie Role Recipient of the usual royal livery (household servant).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A very long list of household officers, servants, and others who received liveries in the same issue (including John Tennand and his spouse, various cooks, grooms, falconers, the Master Almoner, Sir Michael Dysart, the laird of Largo, etc.).

Original Document Language Scots (with editorial English summary of the recipients)

Purpose Issue of the ordinary yearly liveries / gifts of clothing to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation [Liveries given to the following: — \ldots Sir William Drummond, John Guthrie, John Bayne.]

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that John Guthrie was still receiving the standard household livery in 1538, the final year covered by Volume 6.
• This is the fifth and last of the livery entries indexed for him in the volume (36, 91, 203, 260, 429).
• Taken together with his earlier appearances as a messenger and recipient of small payments and escheats, the repeated livery grants show continuous service in the royal household throughout the 1530s.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Loveray claithis / Liveries: the annual issue of cloth or clothing given by the crown to household officers and servants according to rank.
• The section heading refers to expenses disbursed by special precepts for livery cloths, money, and payment of ordinaries.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 429.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 7
A.D. 1538 – 1541

Master Index Table: Volume 7

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page xxxv

Date of the Entry Editorial commentary in the Preface (referring to the household of James V, c. 1538–1541).

Guthrie(s) Identified

• John Guthrie

Guthrie Role Yeoman of the King’s chamber (editorial identification).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Patrick Kirkcaldy
• Norman Leslie (Master of Rothes)
• James Watson (the other three yeomen of the chamber)

Original Document Language English (nineteenth-century editorial Preface)

Purpose Editorial description of the four yeomen of the chamber in attendance on James V.

Modern English Translation The King had also in attendance four yeomen of the chamber—Patrick Kirkcaldy, a brother of the laird of Grange; Norman Leslie, the master of Rothes; John Guthrie, who is described in a charter as “in Colistoun” and who got a grant of lands near Brechin from the King in 1541; and James Watson\ldots

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms John Guthrie as one of the four yeomen of the King’s chamber.
• Adds two important biographical details not found in the account entries themselves: – He is described in a charter as “in Colistoun”. – He received a grant of lands near Brechin from the King in 1541.
• These details help place him geographically (Colistoun / Coliston and the Brechin area) and show that his household service was rewarded with landed property.
• Links the repeated livery and payment entries in the accounts to a documented land grant in the final year of the volume.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• The Preface is summarising the structure of the royal household as it appears in the accounts; it is not itself an accounting entry.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), Preface, p. xxxv.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page 70

Date of the Entry A.D. 1538

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Andream Guthery de eodem (Andrew Guthery / Guthrie of that Ilk)

Guthrie Role Alienator of lands; the composition is paid for confirmation of the charter of alienation he granted.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Robert White (recipient of the charter of confirmation)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the royal confirmation of a charter by which Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk alienated his lands of Kirkton of Guthrie.

Modern English Translation And £6 13 s. 4 d., in full payment of the composition of a charter of confirmation to Robert White upon a charter of alienation made to him by Andrew Guthery of that Ilk of his lands of Kirkton of Guthrie, lying within the sheriffdom of Forfar.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Documents Andrew Guthrie “de eodem” (of that Ilk) in 1538 alienating his lands of Kirkton of Guthrie in the sheriffdom of Forfar.
• Kirkton of Guthrie is a known holding within or adjacent to the principal Guthrie estates in Angus.
• The composition of £6 13 s. 4 d. was paid for the royal confirmation of the charter in favour of Robert White.
• This is a useful mid-sixteenth-century reference to a Guthrie of that Ilk disposing of part of the family lands.
• Matches both index entries for page 70 (“Guthre of Kirkton, lands of” and “Andrew Guthery de eodem, composition by”).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Compositio carte confirmationis: composition paid for the royal confirmation of a charter.
• Alienatio: feudal alienation (transfer) of lands.
• Section: Compositionis Cartarum per tempus compoti.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 70.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page 76

Date of the Entry A.D. 1538

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Thome Guthre (Thomas Guthrie), deceased

Guthrie Role The escheated goods are those of the late Thomas Guthrie; he is not a party to the composition itself.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Master Thomas Wentoun (grantee of the composition)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the grant of escheated goods of a person who had died by suicide.

Modern English Translation And £20, in full payment of the composition of the escheated goods of the late Thomas Guthrie who hanged himself to death, granted to Master Thomas Wentoun.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records the death by suicide of a Thomas Guthrie in or before 1538.
• His goods fell to the crown by escheat (as was usual in cases of suicide) and were compounded for £20 in favour of Master Thomas Wentoun.
• Provides a fixed chronological point for the death of this Thomas Guthrie.
• No designation (of that Ilk, of Kirkton, etc.) is given, so his precise place within the wider family remains uncertain.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Bona eschaeta: goods forfeited to the crown.
• Suicide was treated as a felony for escheat purposes; the goods of a person who died by their own hand fell to the king.
• Section: Compositiones bonorum eschaetorum, remissionum et respectuationum concessorum per tempus compoti.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 76.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page 125

Date of the Entry Yule (Christmas) 1538

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of ordinary livery cloth; yeoman in the King’s chamber.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• A long list of household officers and servants who received the same livery issue (including other yeomen in the King’s chamber, ushers, etc.).

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for the ordinary livery cloth issued to the King’s servants at Yule.

Modern English Translation Item, to William Bard, James Wod, ushers for the outer chamber door, Patrick Kirkcaldy, Northmand Leslie, John Guthrie, James Watson in John Murray’s place (whom God absolve), yeomen in the King’s chamber, John Tennent, yeoman in the wardrobe \ldots each of them for their livery cloths this instant year £13 6 s. 8 d.; total £133 6 s. 8 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Identifies John Guthrie as a yeoman in the King’s chamber in 1538.
• This is a more precise household office than the generic “household servant” designations of the previous volume.
• He received the standard livery cloth allowance of £13 6 s. 8 d. for the year.
• This is the first of the three livery entries indexed for him in Volume 7 (125, 332, 475).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Loveray claithis: livery cloth – the annual clothing allowance issued to household servants.
• Ʒeman in the Kingis chalmer: yeoman of the King’s chamber – a personal servant attached to the privy / inner apartments.
• The section records expenses disbursed for the ordinary livery cloths of the King’s servants at Yule.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 125.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page 176

Date of the Entry A.D. 1539

Guthrie(s) Identified

• The Laird of Guthere (Laird of Guthrie)
• Johne Guthere (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role

• The Laird of Guthrie: payer of a composition for his new infeftment.
• John Guthrie: recipient of £200 as part of that composition.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named beyond the two Guthries.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of part of the composition due from the Laird of Guthrie for a new infeftment; the sum is delivered to John Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, delivered to John Guthrie, of a part of the Laird of Guthrie’s composition for his new infeftment, £200.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records the Laird of Guthrie paying a composition for a new infeftment in 1539.
• John Guthrie (almost certainly the same man who appears as yeoman in the King’s chamber) receives £200 as part of that composition.
• The size of the payment (£200) indicates a substantial feudal transaction involving the principal Guthrie estate.
• Provides a clear link between the Laird of Guthrie and the household servant John Guthrie in the same year.
• Matches both index entries for page 176.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Compositioun for his new infeftment: a composition paid to the crown when a new feudal investiture (infeftment) was taken, often on succession or resignation/re-grant.
• The entry appears under expenses disbursed at the King’s command and by special precepts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 176.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page 332

Date of the Entry A.D. 1540

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of ordinary livery cloth; yeoman in the King’s chamber.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William Barde and James Wod (ushers of the outer chamber door)
• Patrick Kirkcaldy, Normond Leslie, James Watson (fellow yeomen in the King’s chamber)
• Other household officers receiving the same allowance

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of the ordinary livery cloth allowance to yeomen and other servants of the King’s chamber.

Modern English Translation Item, to William Barde, James Wod, ushers of the outer chamber door; Patrick Kirkcaldy, Normond Leslie, John Guthrie, and James Watson, yeomen in the King’s chamber; John Tennent, yeoman in the wardrobe; Schir George Clapertoun, almoner; Schir David Cristesoun, steward; Schir George Scott, abbreviator of the books; Schir John Jordane, almoner priest; and John Hay in the King’s pantry; each of these persons £13 6 s. 8 d.; total £160.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Reconfirms John Guthrie as a yeoman in the King’s chamber in 1540.
• He continues to receive the standard livery allowance of £13 6 s. 8 d.
• This is the second of the three livery entries indexed for him in Volume 7 (125, 332, 475).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Loveray claithis: livery cloth – the annual clothing allowance.
• Ʒeman in the Kingis chalmer: yeoman of the King’s chamber.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 332.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 7, Page 475

Date of the Entry A.D. 1541

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthre (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of ordinary livery cloth; yeoman in the King’s chamber.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William Baird and James Wod (ushers of the outer chamber door)
• Normond Lesley, Patrick Kirkcaldy, James Watson (fellow yeomen in the King’s chamber)
• Other household officers receiving the same allowance

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of the ordinary livery cloth allowance to the King’s servants for the period of the account.

Modern English Translation Item, to William Baird, James Wod, ushers of the outer chamber door; Normond Lesley, Patrick Kirkcaldy, John Guthrie, and James Watson, yeomen in the King’s chamber; John Tennent, yeoman in the wardrobe; Schir George Clappertoun, almoner; Schir David Cristesoun, steward; Schir George Scott, abbreviator of the books; Schir John Jardan, almoner priest; and John Hay in the King’s pantry; each of these persons £13 6 s. 8 d.; total £160.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that John Guthrie was still serving as a yeoman in the King’s chamber in 1541, the final year covered by Volume 7.
• He continued to receive the standard livery allowance of £13 6 s. 8 d.
• This is the third and last of the livery entries indexed for him in the volume (125, 332, 475).
• The continuity of the same small group of chamber yeomen across 1538–1541 indicates stable household service.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Loveray clathis: livery cloth – the annual clothing allowance issued to household servants.
• Ʒeman in the Kingis chalmer: yeoman of the King’s chamber.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 475.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 8
A.D. 1541 – 1546

Master Index Table: Volume 8

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page lxv

Date of the Entry Editorial commentary in the Preface (referring to late 1544 / early 1545).

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthrie, Snowdon Herald

Guthrie Role Herald on official diplomatic errand.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Secretary (still in France)
• Emperor Charles V (sender of the collar)

Original Document Language English (nineteenth-century editorial Preface)

Purpose Editorial note on a diplomatic mission performed by Alexander Guthrie as Snowdon Herald.

Modern English Translation At this period, too, Alexander Guthrie, Snowdon Herald, was sent to the Secretary, who was still in France, with a collar from the Emperor Charles V. It is not stated of what order of chivalry the collar was, nor the reasons why it was bestowed on the Secretary.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms Alexander Guthrie held the office of Snowdon Herald in 1544–45.
• He was entrusted with carrying a collar (insignia of a chivalric order) from the Emperor Charles V to the Scottish Secretary who was then in France.
• This is a clear instance of a Guthrie serving as an officer of arms on an international diplomatic errand during the minority of Mary, Queen of Scots / governorship of Arran.
• Cross-reference with the account entries for payments to him as Snowdon Herald (pp. 340 and 394).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Snowdon Herald was one of the pursuivants / heralds of the Lyon Court.
• Heralds were frequently used for the secure carriage of diplomatic gifts and messages.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), Preface, p. lxv.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 100

Date of the Entry A.D. 1542

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johne Guthrye (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of ordinary livery cloth; yeoman in the chamber.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William Baird and James Wode (ushers of the outer chamber)
• Patrick Kirkcaldy and James Watson (fellow yeomen in the chamber)
• Other household officers receiving the same allowance

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of the ordinary annual livery cloth allowance to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation Item, given to William Baird and James Wode, ushers of the outer chamber, John Leslie younger in Norman Leslie’s place; Patrick Kirkcaldy, John Guthrie, and James Watson, yeomen in the chamber; John Tennent in the wardrobe \ldots each of them taking in the year for their livery cloths £13 6 s. 8 d.; total £200.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Continues the documentation of John Guthrie as a yeoman in the King’s chamber into 1542 (the first year of Volume 8).
• He remains in the same small group of chamber yeomen (with Patrick Kirkcaldy and James Watson) that was already established in Volume 7.
• Receives the standard livery allowance of £13 6 s. 8 d.
• This is the first of the two livery entries indexed for him in Volume 8 (pp. 100 and 150).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Loveray claithis: annual livery cloth allowance.
• Ʒemen in the chalmer: yeomen of the chamber.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 100.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 150

Date of the Entry A.D. 1542

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johnne Guthry (John Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of ordinary livery cloth; yeoman in the chamber.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William Baird and James Wod (ushers of the outer chamber door)
• John Leslie younger and Patrick Kirkcaldy (fellow yeomen in the chamber)
• Other household officers receiving the same allowance

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of the ordinary annual livery cloth allowance to members of the royal household.

Modern English Translation Item, given to William Baird and James Wod, ushers at the outer chamber door, John Leslie younger, Patrick Kirkcaldy, John Guthrie, yeomen in the chamber, John Tennent in the wardrobe \ldots each of them having £13 6 s. 8 d.; total £240.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Second livery entry for John Guthrie as yeoman in the chamber in 1542.
• He continues in the same core group of chamber yeomen.
• Receives the standard allowance of £13 6 s. 8 d.
• This completes the two livery entries indexed for him in Volume 8 (pp. 100 and 150).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Loveray claithis: annual livery cloth allowance.
• Ʒemen in the chalmer: yeomen of the chamber.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 150.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 196

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Johannis Guthre de Collestoun (John Guthrie of Collestoun / Colistoun)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a charter of lands; payer of the composition for its confirmation.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Sir John Fethy (grantor of the charter)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the royal confirmation of a charter granting land.

Modern English Translation And £4, of the composition of a charter of confirmation to John Guthrie of Collestoun upon a charter made to him by Sir John Fethy of a third part of the lands of Cukstoun, within the sheriffdom of Forfar.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Explicitly identifies John Guthrie of Collestoun (the same man previously described in the Vol. 7 Preface as “in Colistoun”).
• In 1546 he received a charter from Sir John Fethy of a third part of the lands of Cukstoun (Cookston) in Forfarshire and paid a £4 composition for its confirmation.
• This is the strongest documentary link yet between the long-serving yeoman of the King’s chamber and a specific landed designation in Angus.
• Matches the index entry “John, of Collestoun, 196.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Compositio carte confirmationis: composition paid for the royal confirmation of a charter.
• Section: Compositiones Cartarum per tempus compoti.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 196.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 219

Date of the Entry A.D. 1543

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandro Guthre in Kynblathmont (Alexander Guthrie in Kinblythmont)
• Davidi Guthre (David Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipients of a remission (composition paid for absence from a convention).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Certain others included in the same remission

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for a remission granted for absence from a convention held at Glasgow.

Modern English Translation And £60, of the composition of a remission granted to Alexander Guthrie in Kinblythmont, David Guthrie and certain others for their absence from the convention held at Glasgow.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places Alexander Guthrie in Kinblythmont and a David Guthrie in 1543.
• Both (with others) had failed to attend a convention at Glasgow and paid a substantial composition of £60 for a remission.
• Kinblythmont (Kynblathmont) is in Angus, continuing the pattern of Guthrie activity in that sheriffdom.
• Matches the index entries for Alexander in Kinblythmont and David on p. 219.
• Note that a David Guthrie in Innerpeffray appears the following year (p. 286); it is not yet clear whether they are the same man.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Compositio remissionis: composition paid for a royal remission (pardon or discharge from a penalty).
• Absence from a royal convention or hosting was a common offence for which remissions were purchased.
• Section: Compositiones remissionum, respectuationum et legitimationum.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 219.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 285

Date of the Entry A.D. 1544

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Lord Guthre (the Laird of Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of letters (one of a group of nobles and lairds summoned or directed by the Governor).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Alexander Strang, macer (bearer of the letters)
• Other recipients in the same writ: Bishop of Dunblane, Abbot of Cambuskenneth, Abbot of Balmerino, Abbot of Lindores, Earl of Rothes, Lord Lindsay, lairds of Lochleven and Balgavies, etc.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a macer for delivering letters to a list of churchmen and landowners.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Strang, macer, similar letters directed to Linlithgow, Stirling, Clackmannan, Menteith, Strathearn, Perth, Kinross-shire, Fife, with [recipients including] the Bishop of Dunblane, Abbot of Cambuskenneth, Lord Guthrie, Abbot of Balmerino, Abbot of Lindores, Earl of Rothes, Lord Lindsay, lairds of Lochleven and Balgavies, and his wage, 50 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places the Laird of Guthrie among the substantial landowners and lords receiving official letters from the Governor’s administration in 1544.
• He is styled “lord Guthre,” the normal contemporary designation for the head of the family.
• Matches the index entry “the Laird of Guthrie, letters to, 285.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Macers were officers who carried official letters and summonses; their wages for specific journeys are regularly recorded.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 285.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 286

Date of the Entry 29 April 1544

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Thomas Guthre in Futhey (Fithie)
• David Guthre in Innerpeffre (Innerpeffray)
• Thomas Guthre in Bendoch

Guthrie Role Persons summoned to underlie the law.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Jhonne Patersoun, pursuivant (bearer of the letters)
• Other men summoned in the same writ (William Rossy of that Ilk, David Stirling of Braky, Richard Melville of Baldowe, etc.)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a pursuivant for delivering summonses to men in Fife and Angus who had failed to appear at the raid of Glasgow.

Modern English Translation Item, to John Paterson, pursuivant, letters directed to Fife and Angus to summon William Rossy of that Ilk, David Stirling of Braky, Richard Melville of Baldowe, Thomas Guthrie in Fithie, David Guthrie in Innerpeffray, Thomas Guthrie in Bendoch, Durame in Arthuris, Alexander Orrok in Syllebabe to underlie the law for their being absent from the raid at Glasgow, and to summon an assize, each person under the pain of £20, and his wage, 48 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places three distinct Guthries in Angus/Perthshire in 1544: – Thomas Guthrie in Fithie – David Guthrie in Innerpeffray – Thomas Guthrie in Bendoch
• All three were summoned for failing to attend the raid (military mustering) at Glasgow and were required to underlie the law under a £20 penalty.
• Provides useful local designations that can be linked to cadet or collateral branches of the family.
• Matches the index entries for David in Innerpeffray, Thomas in Bendoch, and Thomas in Fithie on p. 286.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Summond to underly the law: formal citation to appear before a court or justice eyre.
• Failure to attend a royal raid/hosting was a common cause for such summonses.
• The pursuivant’s wage for the journey is recorded separately (48 s.).

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 286.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 295

Date of the Entry May 1544

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger carrying the Governor’s letters.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Earl of Crawford and other gentlemen of Angus (recipients of the letters)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for delivering official letters and for his expenses.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie with writings of my lord Governor to the Earl of Crawford and other gentlemen of Angus, and for his expenses, 44 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie acting as a messenger for the Governor (Arran) in May 1544, carrying letters specifically to the Earl of Crawford and the gentlemen of Angus.
• Reinforces his activity in the Angus region.
• This is one of the payments indexed under “Alexander, payments to, 295, 314, 489.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Messengers were paid both a wage and their travelling expenses for carrying official correspondence.
• Section: expenses disbursed upon messengers and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in the month of May.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 295.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 314

Date of the Entry August 1544

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger carrying the Governor’s special letters.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The lords and lairds of Fife and Angus (recipients of the letters)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for delivering special writings of the Governor and for his expenses.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, special writings of my lord Governor to the lords and lairds of Fife and Angus, and to him for his expenses, £4 8 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie again employed as a trusted messenger for the Governor in August 1544, this time carrying special letters to the lords and lairds of both Fife and Angus.
• The larger payment (£4 8 s.) compared with the earlier 44 s. on p. 295 suggests a more extensive or important journey.
• Continues the pattern of his activity in the Angus/Fife region.
• This is one of the payments indexed under “Alexander, payments to, 295, 314, 489.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Messengers carrying “special writings” were paid both for the service and their travelling expenses.
• Section: expenses disbursed upon officers of arms and others, the Governor’s servants, travelling in his affairs in the month of August.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 314.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 340

Date of the Entry December 1544

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre, Snawdoun herold (Alexander Guthrie, Snowdon Herald)

Guthrie Role Snowdon Herald on a diplomatic mission.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Secretary (in France)
• The Emperor (Charles V – donor of the collar)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to Snowdon Herald for carrying the Emperor’s collar to the Scottish Secretary in France and for his expenses.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, Snowdon Herald, at his departing with the Emperor’s collar to my lord Secretary in France, and his expenses, in 50 crowns of the sun, £55.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Explicitly identifies Alexander Guthrie as Snowdon Herald in December 1544.
• He was entrusted with the important diplomatic task of carrying a collar (insignia of a chivalric order) from the Emperor Charles V to the Scottish Secretary who was then in France.
• This is the account entry that underlies the editorial note in the Preface (p. lxv).
• Confirms the same officer of arms previously seen as Falkland Herald in 1538.
• Matches the index entry “Alexander, Snowdon herald, payments to, 340, 394.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Crounis of the sonn: French écus d’or au soleil (crowns of the sun), a gold coin frequently used for international payments.
• Heralds were the preferred carriers of high-value diplomatic gifts and messages.
• Section: expenses disbursed upon officers of arms and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in December.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 340.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 360

Date of the Entry 5 March 1544-5

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Thomas Guthre in Littill Fuchye (Thomas Guthrie in Little Fithie)

Guthrie Role Person ordered to make payment of outstanding sums to the Treasurer.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William Hardy, messenger
• Other recipients of the same letters: the laird of Balvery, the laird of Kelle, the Earl of Crawford, Alexander Lindsay of the Vane

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for delivering letters requiring certain debtors to come and settle outstanding accounts with the Treasurer.

Modern English Translation Item, the 5th day of March, to William Hardy, messenger, letters directed to the laird of Balvery, the laird of Kelle, the Earl of Crawford, Alexander Lindsay of the Vane, and Thomas Guthrie in Little Fithie, charging them to come and make payment to my lord Treasurer of certain sums of money remaining owing by them in his books of account, and his wage, 30 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places Thomas Guthrie in Little Fithie in March 1545.
• He was among a group of landowners being pursued for unpaid sums recorded in the Treasurer’s books.
• Continues the documentation of the Fithie Guthrie from the summons of the previous year (p. 286).
• Matches the index entry “Thomas, in Fithie, letters to, 360.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Restand awin in his bukis of compt: sums remaining unpaid that were recorded in the Treasurer’s account books.
• Messengers were regularly paid to deliver formal demands for payment.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 360.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 394

Date of the Entry July 1545

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre, Snawdoun herold (Alexander Guthrie, Snowdon Herald)

Guthrie Role Snowdon Herald delivering official letters to the ports.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named beyond the ports themselves.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to Snowdon Herald for delivering letters prohibiting ships from sailing to Flanders without safe-conducts.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, Snowdon Herald, letters directed forth of Linlithgow to the ports and havens of Leith, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Dysart, Crail, St Andrews, Dundee, Montrose, Aberdeen, Banff and Inverness, charging that no ships depart forth of those ports toward Flanders without safe-conducts, and to come to my lord Treasurer and receive the same, and his wage, £4 8 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Second documented payment to Alexander Guthrie as Snowdon Herald (the first being the December 1544 mission with the Emperor’s collar).
• In July 1545 he was charged with circulating an important commercial and diplomatic order to all the major east-coast ports from the Forth to Inverness.
• Demonstrates that he continued active official service as an officer of arms after his return from France.
• Matches the index entry “Alexander, Snowdon herald, payments to, 340, 394.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Salt conductis: safe-conducts – official permissions required for ships sailing to foreign ports in wartime or periods of restricted trade.
• Heralds were frequently used to publish such orders at the ports.
• Section: expenses disbursed upon messengers and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in July 1545.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 394.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 472

Date of the Entry August 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Bearer of pantons (slippers) to the Governor at St Andrews.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Governor (Arran)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Purchase of material for the Governor’s pantons and record of their delivery by Alexander Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, for half an ell of black velvet to be pantons for his grace, the pantons brought to St Andrews with Alexander Guthrie, 35 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie still in active service in August 1546, this time carrying a pair of velvet pantons (slippers) for the Governor to St Andrews.
• Continues the pattern of his employment on personal and household errands for the Governor, alongside his more formal duties as Snowdon Herald.
• Matches the index entry “pantons taken to St. Andrews by, 472.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Pantonis: pantons / pantofles – soft slippers or indoor shoes.
• Small household items for the Governor were frequently recorded with the name of the person who delivered them.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 472.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Pages 477–478

Date of the Entry September 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Agent ordered by the Governor to supply grain to Dumbarton Castle.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Governor (Arran)
• The granitar of Paisley (involved in related supply)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Record of grain sent to Dumbarton Castle at the Governor’s command.

Modern English Translation Item, sent by Alexander Guthrie at my lord Governor’s command to the said castle of Dumbarton two chalders of wheat, price of the boll 40 s.; total £64.

Item, likewise sent by the said Alexander to the said castle two chalders of rye, price of the boll 25 s.; total £40.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie still actively employed by the Governor in September 1546, this time responsible for organising the supply of a substantial quantity of grain (two chalders of wheat and two of rye) to Dumbarton Castle.
• Continues the pattern of trusted service seen in his earlier messenger and herald duties.
• Matches the index entries “sent with wheat and rye to Dumbarton Castle, 477, 478.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Chalder: a large dry measure (roughly 16 bolls).
• Supplying royal castles with grain was a regular charge on the Treasurer’s accounts; trusted agents were often named as the persons who arranged or conveyed the supplies.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), pp. 477–478.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 8, Page 489

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a yearly fee for continuous administrative and household service to the Governor.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Master David Balfour (previous holder of the same fee)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Grant of a yearly fee for ongoing service connected with munitions, payment of workmen, and general daily business of the Governor.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie for his labours awaiting continually upon the munition and for the paying of the workmen and ordinary fees, and for his daily service in other of my lord Governor’s affairs, to him yearly, like as Master David Balfour had before, 20 merks; total £40.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie at the end of Volume 8 (1546) holding a formal yearly fee of 20 merks for continuous service.
• His duties included oversight of munitions, payment of workmen and ordinary fees, and general daily attendance on the Governor’s business — a position of trust and administrative responsibility.
• He succeeded Master David Balfour in this role.
• This is the last of the payments indexed under “Alexander, payments to, 295, 314, 489” and rounds out a career that included messenger work, service as Snowdon Herald, and practical household/military administration.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• ʒeirlie fee / xx merkis: a fixed annual salary or retaining fee.
• 20 merks = £13 6 s. 8 d.; the “summa xl li” likely covers the period of the account (possibly three years’ arrears or the full charge in this compt).
• Such fees were granted to trusted servants who performed ongoing administrative duties.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 8 (Edinburgh, 1908), p. 489.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 9
A.D. 1546 – 1551

Master Index Table: Volume 9

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 6

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandro Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition for non-entry of lands.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the non-entry of the lands of Spitteltoun.

Modern English Translation And £3, of the composition of the non-entry of the lands of Spitteltoun, granted to Alexander Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records Alexander Guthrie receiving a composition of £3 for the non-entry of the lands of Spitteltoun in 1546.
• This is the first of the many Alexander Guthrie references in Volume 9.
• Continues the pattern of his involvement with feudal casualties and land-related compositions seen in earlier volumes.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Nonintroitus: non-entry – the feudal casualty due to the superior when an heir failed to enter to lands within the prescribed time.
• Compositions for non-entry were a regular source of revenue recorded in the Treasurer’s accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 6.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 11

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandro Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition on an escheat.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Patrick Thomson (whose escheat was granted)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the grant of the escheated goods of Patrick Thomson.

Modern English Translation Item, the same [Treasurer] charges himself with £10, of the composition of the escheat of Patrick Thomson, granted to Alexander Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records Alexander Guthrie receiving a £10 composition on the escheat of Patrick Thomson in 1546.
• Continues the pattern of Alexander receiving grants of feudal casualties (non-entry, escheat, etc.) seen in earlier volumes.
• This is the second Alexander Guthrie reference in Volume 9 (following the Spitteltoun non-entry on p. 6).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Eschaeta / eschaete: escheat – goods or lands forfeited to the crown (here of Patrick Thomson).
• Compositions for the grant of escheats were a regular form of favour or reward recorded in the Treasurer’s accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 11.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 15.1

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandro Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition on an escheat.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Alexander Wardlaw (whose escheat was granted)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the grant of the escheated goods of Alexander Wardlaw.

Modern English Translation And £110, of the composition of the escheat of Alexander Wardlaw, granted to Alexander Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records Alexander Guthrie receiving a substantial £110 composition on the escheat of Alexander Wardlaw in 1546.
• Continues the pattern of significant grants of feudal casualties to him.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Eschaete: escheat – goods or lands forfeited to the crown.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 15.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 15.2

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandri Hare in Estoun de Guthre (Alexander Hare in Eastoun of Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a remission.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Thomas Esplane (victim of the slaughter)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for a remission granted for the slaughter of Thomas Esplane.

Modern English Translation And £13 6 s. 8 d., of the composition of a remission to Alexander Hare in Eastoun of Guthrie, for the slaughter of Thomas Esplane.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places Alexander Hare in Eastoun of Guthrie in 1546.
• He obtained a remission for the slaughter of Thomas Esplane.
• The designation “in Estoun de Guthre” links him to a holding associated with the Guthrie lands.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Remissio: remission (pardon).
• Compositions for remissions of homicide were a common form of entry in the accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 15.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 15.3

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandro Guthre, juniori de eodem (Alexander Guthrie, junior of that Ilk)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition on an escheat.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Mariote Ogilvy (holder of the tack)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the grant of the escheat of a tack of land.

Modern English Translation And £10, of the composition of the escheat of the tack of a third part of the lands of Blackhall belonging to Mariote Ogilvy, granted to Alexander Guthrie, junior of that Ilk.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Explicitly identifies Alexander Guthrie, junior of that Ilk in 1546.
• He received the escheat of the tack of a third part of the lands of Blackhall.
• The “junior de eodem” designation distinguishes him from other Alexanders active in the accounts and points to the main Guthrie of that Ilk line.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Eschaete assedatione: escheat of a tack / lease.
• “Junior de eodem” = junior of that Ilk.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 15.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 17

Date of the Entry A.D. 1546

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Magistri Hugonis Guthre (Master Hugh Guthrie), deceased

Guthrie Role Victim of the slaughter for which a remission was granted.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• James Wood of Bonytoun (recipient of the remission)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for a remission granted for the slaughter of Master Hugh Guthrie.

Modern English Translation And £112 10 s., of the composition of a remission to James Wood of Bonytoun, for the slaughter of Master Hugh Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records the death by violence of Master Hugh Guthrie in or before 1546.
• James Wood of Bonytoun obtained a remission for the killing, paying a substantial composition of £112 10 s.
• The style “Magister” indicates that Hugh was a university graduate (Master of Arts) or held a clerical/administrative office.
• This is the first of the two indexed references to the slaughter of Mr Hew (pp. 17 and 296).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Remissio pro interfectione: remission (pardon) for a slaughter / homicide.
• Large compositions were typical for remissions of serious violent crimes.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 17.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 69

Date of the Entry April 1547

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger carrying a copy of a remission.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Norman Leslie
• The laird of Grange (recipients of the remission copy)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for delivering a copy of a remission from Linlithgow to St Andrews.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, sent forth of Linlithgow to St Andrews to Norman Leslie and Grange with the copy of their remission, 44 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie continuing in active messenger service for the Governor’s administration in April 1547.
• He carried a copy of the remission granted to Norman Leslie and the laird of Grange to St Andrews.
• This is one of the payments indexed under Alexander in Volume 9 (p. 69).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Messengers were regularly paid for carrying official documents, including copies of remissions.
• Section: expenses disbursed upon officers of arms and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in April 1547.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 69.

Notes

• Norman Leslie and the laird of Grange were prominent figures in the period following the murder of Cardinal Beaton; the remission is likely connected to those events.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 136

Date of the Entry A.D. 1547

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of official writings (letters directed to him and to the captain of Edinburgh Castle).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The captain of Edinburgh Castle (joint recipient of the writings)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a boy for carrying writings from Stirling to Edinburgh addressed to the captain of the castle and to Alexander Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, to a boy to pass out of Stirling to Edinburgh to the captain of the castle and Alexander Guthrie with writings, 4 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie as a person of sufficient importance in 1547 to receive official writings jointly with the captain of Edinburgh Castle.
• The letters originated from Stirling (where the Governor was then based).
• Matches the index entry “letters to, 136”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Small payments to boys or messengers for carrying letters were routinely recorded.
• The pairing of Alexander Guthrie with the captain of the castle suggests he held a position of responsibility connected with Edinburgh Castle or the central administration at this date.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 136.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 139

Date of the Entry 2 December 1547

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a messenger and of artillery / intelligence while based at Cupar.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named beyond the boy messenger.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a boy for going to Alexander Guthrie at Cupar with artillery from Broughty and news of English ships in the Firth.

Modern English Translation Item, 2 December, to a boy directed to Alexander Guthrie being in Cupar with the artillery coming from Broughty, with advertisement of the English ships lying in the Firth, 7 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Places Alexander Guthrie at Cupar (Cowper) in December 1547.
• He was receiving both artillery brought from Broughty Ferry and intelligence about English ships in the Firth of Forth.
• This indicates he held a position of military or logistical responsibility during the Anglo-Scottish conflict of 1547 (the Rough Wooing period).
• Matches the index entry “messenger sent to, 139”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Small payments to boys for urgent messages and the movement of artillery were routinely recorded in the wartime accounts.
• Section: expenses upon officers of arms and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in December 1547.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 139.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 200

Date of the Entry A.D. 1548

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Purchaser of tackle and cables in Leith.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Purchase of rope and cable for use as traces (and related gear).

Modern English Translation Item, 22 fathoms of tackle bought by Alexander Guthrie in Leith to be traces, price of the fathom 10 d.; total 18 s. 4 d.

Item, likewise bought there for him 20 fathoms of cables, price of the fathom 14 d.; total 22 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in 1548 purchasing naval or artillery-related stores (tackle and cables) in Leith.
• The materials were bought “to be traissis” (traces), indicating use in hauling or moving heavy equipment, consistent with his earlier involvement with artillery (p. 139).
• Matches the index entry “tackle bought by, 200”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Takill / traissis / cabillis: rope, traces, and cables used for ships, artillery, or heavy transport.
• Fathom (faldome) was the standard measure for rope.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 200.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 229

Date of the Entry August 1548

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Sender of official writings to the Governor.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Governor (recipient of the writings)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a boy for carrying letters from Alexander Guthrie in Edinburgh to the Governor at Haddington.

Modern English Translation Item, a boy sent forth of Edinburgh to Haddington from Alexander Guthrie with writings to my lord Governor, 6 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in August 1548 sending official writings from Edinburgh to the Governor, who was then at Haddington.
• Indicates he was actively involved in the exchange of correspondence at a high administrative level during the continuing Anglo-Scottish conflict.
• Matches the index entry “do. from, 229” (letters from Alexander).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Small payments to boys for carrying letters between officials were routinely recorded.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 229.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 246

Date of the Entry A.D. 1548

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of letters from the Governor.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Governor (sender of the letters)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for the carriage of letters from the Governor in Glasgow to Alexander Guthrie.

Modern English Translation [Payment for letters sent] from Glasgow with letters sent by my lord to Alexander Guthrie, 6 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie receiving official letters from the Governor in 1548.
• Continues the pattern of direct correspondence between the central administration and Alexander seen on pp. 136 and 229.
• Matches the index entry “letters to, 246”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Small payments for the carriage of official letters were routinely recorded.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 246.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 250

Date of the Entry A.D. 1548

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Provider of lodging (his chamber on the Castlehill).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Lady Barbara Hamilton (daughter of the Governor)
• Three other gentlewomen and their servants
• The Queen (Mary of Guise – suspected of the plague)
• The Governor = James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of expenses for lodging Lady Barbara Hamilton and her companions in Alexander Guthrie’s chamber during a plague scare.

Modern English Translation Item, the Queen’s grace being suspected of the pest, for the expenses of his grace’s daughter Lady Barbara, for the space of eight days, in Alexander Guthrie’s chamber in the Castlehill, having with her in company three other gentlewomen with their servants, £8 19 s. 4 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows that Alexander Guthrie possessed a chamber on the Castlehill in Edinburgh that was considered suitable for lodging the daughter of the Governor (James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran) and other gentlewomen.
• During a plague scare affecting the Queen (Mary of Guise), Lady Barbara Hamilton stayed there for eight days.
• This is strong evidence of Alexander’s standing and of his close connection to the Governor’s household.
• Matches the index entry “expenses of Lady Barbara Hamilton in his chamber in the Castlehill, 250”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Household expenses for members of the Governor’s family were regularly recorded when they lodged outside the main residence.
• “Pest” = plague / pestilence.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 250.

Notes

• The Castlehill location places Alexander’s lodging immediately adjacent to Edinburgh Castle.
• The Governor throughout this period is James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran (Regent 1542/3–1554).

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 261

Date of the Entry A.D. 1548

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger / agent sent to inquire about the Governor’s pledges.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Earl of Morton (to whom the pledges had been given; deceased by the time of the entry). This is James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton (d. 1548).
• The Governor = James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Reimbursement of boat freight and personal expenses for a mission to Aberdeen concerning the Governor’s pledges.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, which he gave for freight of a boat forth of Leith to Aberdeen and from thence to Leith again, he being sent to my lord of Morton before his death to inquire for certain pledges of my lord Governor’s laid in pledge to the said Earl, 11 s.

Item, the said Alexander’s expenses, because he got leave to supper and breakfast in the town, 6 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie entrusted with a sensitive financial inquiry on behalf of the Governor (Arran) in 1548.
• He travelled by boat from Leith to Aberdeen to question the Earl of Morton (before the Earl’s death) about pledges that the Governor had previously deposited with him.
• The mission and the reimbursement of both freight and personal expenses indicate a position of trust.
• Matches the index entry for a payment to Alexander on p. 261.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Pleagis / laid in pleage: pledges (valuable items or securities deposited as collateral).
• Messengers on official business were reimbursed for both transport and reasonable living expenses.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 261.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 270

Date of the Entry A.D. 1548

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Accompanying an officer to the port keepers of Leith; noted as able to speak French.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• An unnamed officer
• The keepers of the ports of Leith

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for an officer and Alexander Guthrie going at midnight to the port keepers of Leith to arrange the dispatch of ladders to Aberlady.

Modern English Translation Item, at midnight, to an officer who went to Leith with Alexander Guthrie, who could speak French, to the keepers of the ports that they might have entry to dispatch the said ladders to Aberlady, 5 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in 1548 assisting with the urgent (midnight) movement of military equipment (ladders) through the port of Leith.
• He is specifically noted as able to speak French (“quha culd speik Franche”), a useful skill during the period of close Franco-Scottish cooperation against England.
• Matches the index entry “sent to the keepers of the ports of Leith, 270”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Small payments for urgent night-time missions connected with the movement of military stores were recorded.
• The ladders were part of the preparations for operations around Haddington / Aberlady during the Rough Wooing.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 270.

Revised entry incorporating the preceding context

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 277

Date of the Entry January 1548-9

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger / agent whose expenses are reimbursed for a mission connected with the ongoing administrative work of the previous entries.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named in this specific entry.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of expenses for a mission undertaken by Alexander Guthrie (“to the same effect” as the immediately preceding business).

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, for his expenses sent over to the same effect, 10 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records a further payment of expenses to Alexander Guthrie in January 1548/9.
• The phrase “to the same effect” links it to the series of messenger and administrative tasks on the preceding page (p. 276), which concern the securing of prizes (captured ships), wine, and related business at Burntisland and Leith.
• Continues the pattern of his active service in the Governor’s administration during the winter of 1548–49.
• Matches the index entry for a payment to Alexander on p. 277.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Messengers and agents on official business were routinely reimbursed for their expenses.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 277.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 291

Date of the Entry 27 March 1548-9

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role In charge of the party that received a cannon from the French captain.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Captain Villegagnon (French captain who delivered the cannon)
• Certain gunners and pioneers accompanying Alexander

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for boat hire to the roadstead where Alexander Guthrie and his party received a cannon from Captain Villegagnon.

Modern English Translation Item, for a great boat hire forth of Leith to the road where the galleys lay with Alexander Guthrie, having with him certain gunners and pioneers, where they received a cannon from Captain Villegagnon, 32 s. 6 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in March 1549 leading a party of gunners and pioneers to the Leith roadstead to take delivery of a cannon from the French captain Villegagnon.
• This is a clear instance of his involvement in the handling of artillery during the period of close Franco-Scottish military cooperation.
• Matches the index entry “a cannon delivered by Captain Villegagnon to, 291”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Raid: roadstead / anchorage.
• Pyonaris: pioneers (labourers used for military engineering and moving heavy equipment).
• Boat hire for the transfer of artillery from French galleys to the shore was a regular wartime charge.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 291.

Notes

• Captain Villegagnon (Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon) was a prominent French naval commander active in Scottish waters at this time.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 296

Date of the Entry A.D. 1548-9

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Maister Hew Guthre (Master Hugh Guthrie), deceased

Guthrie Role Victim of the slaughter for which James Wood of Bonytoun is being summoned.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• James Wood of Bonytoun (the person summoned)
• Gawane Hart, messenger

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for delivering letters to Angus and for summoning James Wood of Bonytoun in connection with the slaughter of Master Hugh Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, to Gawane Hart, messenger, letters directed to Angus, and to summon James Wood of Bonytoun for the slaughter of Master Hugh Guthrie, 45 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Continues the record of the slaughter of Master Hugh Guthrie.
• In 1546 James Wood of Bonytoun had obtained a remission for the killing (p. 17).
• By 1548/9 he is again being summoned in connection with the same offence, indicating that further legal process was still ongoing.
• Matches the second index reference to the slaughter of Mr Hew (p. 296).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Messengers were paid for delivering summonses in criminal cases.
• The earlier remission (p. 17) did not necessarily close all proceedings.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 296.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 324

Date of the Entry A.D. 1549

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Keeper of the tapestry within Edinburgh Castle.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Six tailor’s lads (who handled and packed the tapestry)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for the cleaning, airing, folding, and packing of the tapestry that was in Alexander Guthrie’s keeping in Edinburgh Castle.

Modern English Translation Item, to six tailor’s lads who handled and cleaned the whole tapestry being in Alexander Guthrie’s keeping within the castle of Edinburgh, and for the space of one day for their labours in airing, folding, and packing up of the same, 20 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Explicitly states that the tapestry of Edinburgh Castle was in Alexander Guthrie’s keeping in 1549.
• This is strong evidence that he held a position of responsibility within the castle, consistent with earlier references to his chamber on the Castlehill and his involvement with artillery and stores.
• Matches the index entry “dichting, etc., of the tapestry in Edinburgh Castle in the keeping of, 324”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Dicht / dichting: to clean or prepare.
• Sonnyng: airing / exposing to the sun.
• Royal tapestry and furnishings required regular maintenance; the person in whose keeping they were held was a trusted household or castle officer.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 324.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 330

Date of the Entry A.D. 1549

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger sent post-haste by boat with urgent intelligence.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Lord of St Andrews (sender)
• The Governor = James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran (recipient)
• The Earls of Huntly and Argyll (subject of the message)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for boat freight for an urgent message carried by Alexander Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, for freight of a boat to Alexander Guthrie, being sent over at the post forth of Dunfermline from my lord of St Andrews to Edinburgh to my lord Governor, advertising if my lords Huntly and Argyll would be in Edinburgh that night, 6 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie again employed on urgent official business in 1549, this time carrying a time-sensitive message by boat from Dunfermline to Edinburgh.
• The message concerned the expected arrival of the Earls of Huntly and Argyll in Edinburgh that same night.
• Continues the pattern of his use as a trusted and mobile agent of the central administration.
• Matches the index entry “boat hire for, 330”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Send oure at the post: sent post-haste / with urgency.
• Boat hire across the Firth of Forth was a regular charge for rapid communication between Fife and Edinburgh.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 330.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 346

Date of the Entry 20 October 1549

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Agent purchasing materials for the Governor’s pavilions and for moving munitions.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• The Governor = James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to Alexander Guthrie for purchasing fir spars and ropes/traces.

Modern English Translation Item, 20 October, to Alexander Guthrie to buy fir spars to be poles for my lord’s pavilions and to buy thetes to draw the munition with, £9.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in October 1549 responsible for purchasing timber (fir spars) for the Governor’s pavilions and ropes/traces for moving artillery or munitions.
• Continues his established role in the practical logistics of the Governor’s household and military train.
• Matches the index entry for a payment to Alexander on p. 346.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Fyrrin sparris / treis: fir spars / poles used for tent frames.
• Thetis: ropes or traces used for hauling.
• Monitioun: munition / artillery and associated equipment.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 346.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 372

Date of the Entry February 1549-50

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Agent directed to organise the supply of victuals and coals by boat to the camp.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Two servants accompanying him

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to Alexander Guthrie and two servants for a mission along the coast to hasten boats carrying supplies to the camp.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie and two servants with him, directed to St Andrews and along all the coast side to speed boats with victuals and coals to the camp, in 6 crowns of the sun, £6 15 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in February 1550 entrusted with organising the urgent movement of food and fuel by sea from the Fife coast (St Andrews and the coast side) to the army’s camp.
• He travelled with two servants, indicating a mission of some scale.
• Continues his established role in military logistics and supply.
• Matches the index entry for a payment to Alexander on p. 372.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Crounis of the sone: French écus d’or au soleil.
• Speid boittis: to hasten / accelerate the departure of boats.
• Coastal supply runs were critical during the continuing campaigns of the Rough Wooing period.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 372.

Notes

• The entry sits in the section of expenses disbursed by the Governor’s precepts and special command in February 1549/50.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 395

Date of the Entry A.D. 1550

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Maister Richart Guthre (Master Richard Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Payee for services connected with the handling and storage of goods at Montrose.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Settlement of an outstanding account for landing, housing, cellar rent, and re-shipment of goods.

Modern English Translation Item, to Master Richard Guthrie that was remaining owing to him for landing, housing, cellar rent, etc., of iron, hides, drinking beer in Montrose, and boating of the same, again sent to Leith, £11 10 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Introduces Master Richard Guthrie as a distinct individual in 1550.
• He had handled the landing, storage (including cellar rent), and re-shipment of iron, hides, and beer at Montrose, and was owed £11 10 s. for these services.
• The style “Maister” indicates a man of some education or professional standing.
• Matches the index entry “Mr Richard, payment to, 395”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Restand awyn: remaining owing / outstanding balance.
• Losing / houssing / sellar male: landing, housing, and cellar rent.
• Payments for the handling of imported or trans-shipped goods at east-coast ports were a regular charge.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 395.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 447.1

Date of the Entry A.D. 1550 (for service in 1547–1548)

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Clerk in the Treasurer’s clerkship.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of annual fees for service as Treasurer’s clerk in 1547 and 1548.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie for his service made in the Treasurer’s clerkship in the years of God 1547 and 1548, each year 20 merks; total £26 13 s. 4 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records Alexander Guthrie holding the office of clerk in the Treasurer’s clerkship for the years 1547 and 1548 at a fee of 20 merks per year.
• This is the first of the two formal fee settlements on p. 447.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Thesaurar clerkschip: the office of clerk serving the Lord High Treasurer.
• 20 merks = £13 6 s. 8 d. per year.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 447.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 9, Page 447.2

Date of the Entry A.D. 1550 (for service in 1549–1550)

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Scribe in the affairs of the Treasurer.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of annual fees for continued service as scribe of the Treasurer in 1549 and 1550.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, scribe in the affairs of the Treasurer, like as he had of before, and now for the years of God 1549 and 1550, each year 20 merks; total £26 13 s. 4 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that Alexander Guthrie continued in the same clerical role (“scribe in the affairs of the Treasurer”) for the years 1549 and 1550 at the same fee of 20 merks per year.
• The phrase “lik as he had of before” explicitly links this payment to his earlier service.
• Together with 447.1, this establishes continuous formal employment in the Treasury from at least 1547 to 1550.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Scribe in the effaris of the thesaurare: scribe/clerk serving the Lord High Treasurer.
• 20 merks = £13 6 s. 8 d. per year.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 447.

Treasurer’s Accounts: Volume 10
A.D. 1551 – 1559

Master Index Table: Volume 10

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 9

Date of the Entry A.D. 1552

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexandro Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of a composition on an escheat.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• William Trotter (whose escheated goods were granted)

Original Document Language Latin

Purpose Composition for the grant of the escheated goods of William Trotter.

Modern English Translation And £4, of the composition of the escheated goods of William Trotter, granted to Alexander Guthrie.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records Alexander Guthrie receiving a £4 composition on the escheat of William Trotter in 1552.
• Continues the pattern of grants of feudal casualties to him seen in earlier volumes.
• This is the first Alexander Guthrie reference in Volume 10.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Escheat / eschaeta / bonorum eschaetorum: the forfeiture of a person’s goods (or lands) to the Crown, typically because the owner had been declared a rebel, fugitive, outlaw, or had otherwise incurred forfeiture. The Crown (or its grantee) then took possession of the escheated property. Compositions were frequently paid for the right to receive such forfeited goods.
• Compositions for the grant of escheats remained a standard form of entry in the accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 9.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 23

Date of the Entry October 1551

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger (jointly with Christopher Menteith) carrying letters to poind sheriffs.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Christopher Menteith (fellow messenger)
• The Sheriffs of Aberdeen, Banff, Elgin, Forres, and Inverness

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to messengers for delivering letters ordering the poinding of certain sheriffs and for an account of their wages.

Modern English Translation Item, Christopher Menteith and Alexander Guthrie, similar letters to poind the Sheriffs of Aberdeen, Banff, Elgin, Forres, and Inverness, and to them for an account of their wages, £6.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie continuing in messenger service in October 1551, this time jointly with Christopher Menteith.
• Their task was to deliver letters ordering the poinding (distraint) of the sheriffs of the northern counties for unpaid accounts or fines.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 23”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Poynd: to poind / distrain goods for debt or fine.
• Messengers were regularly employed to enforce the collection of outstanding sums from local officers.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 23.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 34

Date of the Entry 24 November 1551

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Recipient of letters instructing him to raise troops.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Duncan Dundas (joint recipient of the letters)
• The boy messenger

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a boy for carrying writings from Kirkcudbright to Alexander Guthrie and Duncan Dundas.

Modern English Translation Item, 24 November, to a boy sent forth of Kirkcudbright with writings to Alexander Guthrie, and to Duncan Dundas to raise certain hackbutters and pioneers to be at the burning of the Debatable Land, 10 December, and his wage, 15 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in November 1551 receiving official instructions to raise hackbutters (arquebusiers) and pioneers for the planned burning of the Debatable Land on 10 December.
• He is treated as a person capable of organising military manpower, consistent with his earlier logistical and administrative roles.
• Matches the index entry “letters to, 34”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Hakbutaris: hackbutters / arquebusiers (soldiers armed with early firearms).
• Peoneris: pioneers (labourers for military engineering and destruction).
• The Debatable Land was the disputed border territory between Scotland and England; its systematic burning was a recognised form of border warfare and policy.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 34.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 91

Date of the Entry 18 June 1552

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger sent to demand debts.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for travelling into Angus to demand outstanding debts.

Modern English Translation Item, 18 June, Alexander Guthrie, messenger, sent into Angus to demand debts, and his wage, 10 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie continuing in active messenger service in June 1552, this time specifically tasked with collecting or demanding debts in Angus.
• The regional focus on Angus is consistent with earlier Guthrie activity in that sheriffdom.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 91”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Craif dettis: to demand / call for payment of debts.
• Messengers were frequently employed to pursue outstanding sums owed to the Crown or the Governor.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 91.

Notes

• Section: expenses upon officers of arms and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in June 1552.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 98

Date of the Entry July 1552

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger carrying letters of proclamation.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for delivering letters of proclamation to the northern burghs.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, similar letters of proclamation to Aberdeen, Banff and Elgin, and his wage, 40 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in July 1552 employed as a messenger carrying letters of proclamation to Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin.
• Continues his regular service in the Governor’s messenger network, now covering the north-east.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 98”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Lettres of proclamatioune: official proclamations to be publicly read or posted.
• Messengers were paid both for the journey and a wage for the service.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 98.

Notes

• Section: expenses upon officers of arms and others travelling in the Governor’s affairs in July 1552.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 102

Date of the Entry A.D. 1552 (Justice Ayre, July–August)

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger on daily service during the Justice Ayre.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Alexander Ross, herald
• Master John Forsyth, pursuivant

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for daily attendance and service during the sitting of the Justice Ayre.

Modern English Translation Item, Alexander Ross, herald, Master John Forsyth, pursuivant, and Alexander Guthrie, messenger, awaiting on daily service by the space of this ayre, Alexander Ross having each day 5 s. and each one of the other two 4 s.; total £27 19 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie employed as a messenger on continuous daily service throughout the Justice Ayre of 1552.
• He was paid at the same daily rate (4 s.) as the pursuivant, while the herald received 5 s.
• This indicates a recognised place among the officers of arms and messengers attached to the court during its northern circuit.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 102”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Aire / Justice Ayre: the circuit court of justiciary.
• Officers of arms and messengers were retained on daily wages for the duration of the ayre.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 102.

Notes

• The total of £27 19 s. covers the combined daily wages of the three men for the period of the ayre.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 132

Date of the Entry A.D. 1552

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Former holder of a fee now paid to another in his place.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Master David Carnegie (paid in Alexander’s place)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of an ordinary fee to Master David Carnegie in place of Alexander Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, to Master David Carnegie, in the place of Alexander Guthrie, £13 6 s. 8 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Records that the fee previously associated with Alexander Guthrie is now being paid to Master David Carnegie “in the place of” Alexander.
• The sum (£13 6 s. 8 d. = 20 merks) matches the annual rate Alexander had received as Treasurer’s clerk/scribe in Volume 9.
• This is the first indication that Alexander is no longer personally drawing the fee; whether through death, retirement, or temporary substitution is not stated here.
• Matches the index entry “payments to Mr. David Carnegie in the place of, 132, 214.”

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• In the place of: a standard formula indicating that one person is receiving a fee or office previously held by another.
• Ordinary fees and pensions were listed in a dedicated section of the accounts.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 132.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 165

Date of the Entry March 1552-3

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger on daily service during the Justice Ayre.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• John Henderson (fellow messenger)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for daily attendance during the sitting of the Justice Ayre.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie and John Henderson, messengers, awaiting upon service the time of the Ayre, each one of them having in the day 4 s.; total £3 4 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie still active as a messenger in March 1553, serving during a Justice Ayre at the standard daily rate of 4 s.
• This is after the fee “in the place of Alexander Guthrie” had already been paid to Master David Carnegie (p. 132), indicating that Alexander continued in practical messenger work even if his formal clerkship fee had been reassigned.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 165”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Awating upoun service the tyme of the Air: retained on daily wages for the duration of the Justice Ayre.
• 4 s. per day was the established rate for messengers (as seen on p. 102).

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 165.

Notes

• Section: expenses disbursed by the Governor’s precepts and special command in March 1552/3.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 167

Date of the Entry A.D. 1552-3

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger on daily service during the Justice Ayre.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• John Henderson (fellow messenger)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment for daily attendance during the sitting of the Justice Ayre.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie and John Henderson, messengers, awaiting on service by the space of this Ayre, each one of them having on the day 4 s.; total £8 16 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• A second payment to Alexander Guthrie and John Henderson for messenger service during a Justice Ayre in 1552/3.
• The higher total (£8 16 s. versus £3 4 s. on p. 165) indicates a longer period of service.
• Confirms Alexander remained active in the messenger role after the reassignment of his formal clerkship fee.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 167”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Awating on service be the space of this Air: retained on daily wages for the duration of the Justice Ayre.
• Daily rate remains 4 s.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 167.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 179

Date of the Entry 20 May 1553

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger engaged in collecting outstanding compositions.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Patrick Davidson (fellow messenger)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Allowance of wages for six weeks spent demanding arrears of compositions from the Justice Ayres of Angus and the Mearns.

Modern English Translation Item, 20 May, allowed to Patrick Davidson and Alexander Guthrie, messengers, for their wages by the space of six weeks when they were demanding the outstanding balances of the compositions of the Ayres of Angus and the Mearns, to each one of them in the week 35 s.; total £21.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie in May 1553 still actively employed as a messenger, this time on a six-week assignment to collect arrears of compositions arising from the Justice Ayres of Angus and the Mearns.
• The weekly rate of 35 s. is substantially higher than the ordinary daily messenger rate, reflecting the extended and specialised nature of the work.
• Continues his association with Angus (and now also the Mearns).
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 179”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Craifand in the restis of the compositionis: demanding the outstanding balances of compositions.
• Oulkis: weeks.
• Messengers could be retained for extended periods on special collection duties at an enhanced rate.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 179.

Notes

• Section: expenses disbursed by the Governor’s precepts and special command in May 1553.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 215

Date of the Entry A.D. 1553

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Former holder of a fee now paid to another in his place.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Master David Carnegie (paid in Alexander’s place)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment of an ordinary fee to Master David Carnegie in place of Alexander Guthrie.

Modern English Translation Item, to Master David Carnegie, in the place of Alexander Guthrie, £13 6 s. 8 d.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Second recorded payment of the fee previously associated with Alexander Guthrie to Master David Carnegie “in the place of” Alexander.
• The sum remains £13 6 s. 8 d. (20 merks), the same annual rate Alexander had drawn as Treasurer’s clerk/scribe.
• Together with the 1552 payment (p. 132), this confirms that the formal fee had been permanently or at least continuously reassigned by 1553.
• Matches the index entry “payments to Mr. David Carnegie in the place of, 132, 214” (actual page is 215).

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• In the place of: standard formula indicating substitution in a fee or office.
• Ordinary fees and pensions section.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 215.

Notes

• The index lists this under p. 214, but the entry appears at the top of p. 215.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 269

Date of the Entry January 1554-5

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Alexander Guthre (Alexander Guthrie)

Guthrie Role Messenger conveying pledges and parliamentary precepts.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Certain lairds of Fife, Angus, and the Mearns (recipients of the pledges)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Payment to a messenger for transporting border pledges and delivering parliamentary precepts.

Modern English Translation Item, to Alexander Guthrie, messenger, for passing with ten pledges of Annandale, Eskdale, Ewesdale, and Liddesdale, to be delivered to certain lairds of Fife, Angus, and the Mearns, together with certain precepts of the parliament, in his wages, 40 s.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Shows Alexander Guthrie still active as a messenger in January 1555, entrusted with the responsible task of conveying ten border pledges (hostages) from the West March dales to lairds in Fife, Angus, and the Mearns.
• He also carried parliamentary precepts.
• Continues his association with Angus and the north-east.
• Matches the index entry under “messengers, payments to, 269”.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Pleigeis: pledges / hostages (typically borderers delivered as security for good behaviour).
• Messengers were used to transport such pledges under safe conduct and to deliver official parliamentary documents.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 269.

Notes

• The four dales (Annandale, Eskdale, Ewesdale, Liddesdale) were key areas of the West March.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 369

Date of the Entry July 1558

Guthrie(s) Identified

• Niniane Guthre of Kingane (Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie / Kingannie / Kingany)

Guthrie Role Person to whom surety and lawburrows were due (the party protected by the legal process).

Other Primary Parties Identified

• Alexander Lauder and certain other persons (denounced rebels for failing to find the surety)

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Letters of caption / escheat directed against persons who had failed to find surety and lawburrows to Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie.

Modern English Translation \ldots and with letters to search, seek, intromit with, and bring in Alexander Lauder and certain other persons’ escheated goods, being denounced our Sovereign Lady’s rebels and put to the horn, for non-finding of surety and lawburrows to Ninian Guthrie of Kingane, etc., £12.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Introduces Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie (also spelled Kingannie, Kingany, Kingane) in 1558.
• Kingennie is in Angus.
• Certain persons (including Alexander Lauder) had been put to the horn for failing to find surety and lawburrows to him.
• Letters were then issued for the search and seizure of their escheated goods.
• This is the only indexed reference under “Ninian” in the series; a further related entry appears under “Kingame, the Laird of” on p. 411.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Sowrtie and lauborrowis: surety and lawburrows (a legal bond whereby one party finds security that he will not harm another).
• Failure to find such security could result in being put to the horn and the escheat of goods.
• Serche, seik, intromet, and inbring: standard formula for letters of caption and escheat.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 369.

Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland / TA Vol. 10, Page 411

Date of the Entry 5 January 1558-9

Guthrie(s) Identified

• The Laird of Kingame (Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie / Kingannie / Kingany)

Guthrie Role Person charged to make payment of an outstanding composition.

Other Primary Parties Identified

• None named beyond the Laird himself.

Original Document Language Scots

Purpose Letters charging the Laird of Kingennie to pay an outstanding composition for non-entry of lands.

Modern English Translation \ldots and with letters to charge the Laird of Kingame to make payment of £61 which he remains owing for the composition of the non-entry of certain lands, and with a close writing to the town of Dundee, £10.

Historical or Genealogical Significance

• Confirms that the Laird of Kingennie (Ninian Guthrie) owed £61 in January 1559 for the composition of the non-entry of certain lands.
• Letters were issued to compel payment.
• This is the second and final reference to Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie in the series (following the lawburrows entry on p. 369).
• Strengthens the identification of the family holding at Kingennie in Angus.

Treasury Accounting Terms & Practices

• Non entres / non-entry: the feudal casualty due when an heir failed to take formal entry to lands.
• Compositions for non-entry were a regular source of Crown revenue; arrears were pursued by letters of charge.

Citation Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, ed. Sir James Balfour Paul, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1913), p. 411.

Mini-Biographies of the Guthries
Identified in the Treasury Accounts

1. Alexander Guthrie – Marchmont Herald / Snowdon Herald / trusted servant of the Governor / Treasurer’s clerk-scribe

(the most frequently appearing individual in Vols 7–10)

Active period in TA: c.1542–1555 (last clear personal payments 1554/5; formal clerkship fee reassigned by 1552–53).

Roles documented in TA:

• Officer of Arms successively (or concurrently in the records) as Marchmont Herald (earlier volumes) and Snowdon Herald (Snawdoun herold) – most notably the diplomatic journey to France with the Emperor’s collar (December 1544), safe-conducts, and letters to ports and nobles.
• Continuous logistical and administrative service under the Governor (James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran): artillery, munitions, coastal supply, French-speaking intermediary, keeper of tapestry in Edinburgh Castle, provider of lodging on the Castlehill.
• Formal clerk / scribe of the Treasurer (thesaurar clerkschip) with a yearly fee of 20 merks for 1547–1550.
• After 1552 the same fee is paid to Master David Carnegie “in the place of Alexander Guthrie,” while Alexander continues to appear as an ordinary messenger into 1555.

Identification notes: This man is not the contemporary Baron of Guthrie. He is never styled “of that Ilk” or “de eodem” in the TA. His combination of heraldic offices (Marchmont and later Snowdon), French language skill, Castlehill lodging, and Treasury clerkship points to a professional royal servant rather than the landed head of the main family. Later lists of Snawdoun Heralds include an Alexander Guthrie in 1571, which may be the same man or a younger relative; the TA evidence ceases after the mid-1550s.

Residence / base: Edinburgh (Castlehill chamber; work centred on the Castle and Leith). Frequent travel to Cupar, Aberdeen, St Andrews, the borders, and Fife/Angus.

Family connections: None securely documented in the TA or the secondary sources consulted. He is treated as a distinct individual from the Barons of that Ilk and from the Kinblethmont and Collestoun lines.

2. Alexander Guthrie of that Ilk (4th Baron) and Alexander Guthrie, junior of that Ilk

Alexander Guthrie, 4th of Guthrie (infeft after 1513; d. October 1587, assassinated at Inverpeffer). Son of Andrew Guthrie, 3rd of Guthrie, and Christian Gardyne. Married Isobel Wood (daughter of William Wood of Bonnytoun). Children included Alexander (5th Baron) and William of Ravensby/Gagie.

He appears in the TA only indirectly or in land-related compositions. The 1546 entry granting the escheat of a tack of part of Blackhall to “Alexandro Guthre, juniori de eodem” almost certainly refers to his son, the future 5th Baron, still styled junior in his father’s lifetime.

Alexander Guthrie, junior of that Ilk (later 5th Baron; est. birth 1540s; d. 1597). Infeft 1587; married Agnes Falconer 1567. The TA “junior de eodem” of 1546 fits this man as a youth or young adult.

These two are the landed heads of the principal Guthrie of Guthrie line and must be kept separate from the professional herald/clerk who dominates the mid-century accounts.

3. Alexander Guthrie in Kynblathmont (Kinblethmont)

Appears with David Guthrie in 1543 (Vol. 8, p. 219) receiving a £60 composition for absence from the Glasgow convention.

Kinblethmont (near Inverkeilor, Angus) was held by a cadet branch. Later 16th-century references show a Robert Guthrie “sometime of Kinblethmont.” This Alexander is therefore a member of the Kinblethmont cadet line, distinct from both the main Baron and the Edinburgh-based herald/clerk.

4. John Guthrie of Collestoun (Colistoun / Colliston)

Active: already “in Colistoun” by 1542; received charter of Colystoun, Rufys, Park of Conan and Guthrieshill from Cardinal Beaton in 1545 jointly with his wife Isabella Ogilvy.

Possible identification as the fourth son of Sir Alexander Guthrie of Guthrie (the 2nd Baron who died at Flodden). Isabella Ogilvy has been suggested (without proof) as a daughter of Cardinal Beaton by Marion Ogilvy.

In the TA he appears both as “Johne Guthry,” yeoman in the King’s chamber receiving livery (Vol. 8), and as “Johannis Guthre de Collestoun” receiving a charter confirmation (1546). The editor’s identification of the two as the same man is plausible but not proven by a single document within the TA itself; it rests on the coincidence of name, date, and the known grant of Colliston.

Residence: Colliston, near Arbroath, Angus.

5. Master Hugh Guthrie (Maister Hew / Magistri Hugonis Guthre)

Killed by James Wood of Bonytoun before or in 1546. Wood paid a substantial composition (£112 10s) for a remission and was still being summoned for the slaughter in 1548/9.

The style “Master” indicates a university graduate or holder of a clerical/administrative office. No territorial designation or further family link is given in the TA. He is otherwise untraced in the sources consulted.

6. Master Richard Guthrie

Appears only once (Vol. 9, p. 395, 1550) receiving payment for landing, housing, cellar rent and re-shipment of iron, hides and beer at Montrose.

Again styled “Master.” Distinct from the other Masters and from the main administrative Alexander. No further identification yet available.

7. Ninian Guthrie of Kingennie (Kingane / Kingannie / Kingany)

Active: 1558–1559.

• 1558: persons (including Alexander Lauder) put to the horn for failing to find surety and lawburrows to him.
• January 1559: as “the Laird of Kingame” charged to pay £61 outstanding for composition of non-entry of certain lands.

Kingennie lies in Angus. Ninian is a distinct local laird, not to be confused with the Edinburgh-based Alexander or the Barons of that Ilk. He is the only Ninian indexed in the entire TA series.