Documents from Dunfermline Abbey, manuscripts on parchment [Scotland 1557 & 1566]

Two documents from the archive of Dunfermline Abbey relating to its dissolution, in Latin, single sheet manuscripts on parchment[Scotland (Dunfermline Abbey, Fife), dated 10 December 1557 and 20 January 1566 respectively] Two charters: (i) Deed of George Dury, commendator, and the chapter of Dunfermline Abbey, granting to Archibald Preston of Valleyfield, half the lands of Newton, 23 long lines in Scottish secretarial hand, flourished initial, with the seal of the chapter of the abbey (75mm., showing the celebration of the mass under three arches; three-quarters remaining, ,losses to left-hand side), some folds, else excellent condition, 235+20 by 375mm.; (ii) Deed of Robert Pitcairne, commendator, and the chapter of Dunfermline Abbey, granting to James Edmonston lands in Edmonston, 79 long lines in a Scottish secretarial hand, flourished initial, with the seal of the abbey (diam. 75mm.; about a third missing, what remains in two pieces), some small smudges and spots, 510+22 by 265mm.; both in red-cloth folding cases Provenance: 1. Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity and St. Margaret of Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland probably with monks from Christ Church, Canterbury. It is the resting place of St. Margaret of Scotland and is one of that nation's most important cultural sites, housing more of its royal and noble dead than any other site with the exception of Iona. It was closed and looted in March 1560 during the Scottish Reformation.2. Kennedy family, Ayrshire, Scotland.3. Dr. Jeremy Griffiths (1955-1997) of Oxford.4. Schøyen Collection, London and Oslo, their MS 1594, acquired from Griffiths in July 1992. Text: The Scottish monastic communities viewed the English dissolution of the monasteries with great alarm. In order to protect their interests, they began to dispose of their landholdings to local landowners, usually members of influential and powerful families, with the understanding that such lands were to be returned to the monasteries at a later date. George Dury (1496-1561) served as post-Reformation commendator of Dunfermline and archdeacon of St. Andrews, and was beatified in 1563. He was succeeded by Robert Pitcairne (c. 1520-1584), who also became the secretary of State for Scotland in 1570, and was one of the council of twelve men chosen to govern the country in the name of the young King James VI.