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THE PREFACE.
ix
who were followers of the exiled Earl of Douglas.[1] But from the manner in which our author is mentioned by Dunbar, and by Sir David Lyndsay, along with the other Scotish makars, or poets, whom they commemorate, we may readily infer, that he was esteemed as a writer of some distinction; and Lyndsay, who connects his name with those of Merser, Henryson, and three other of their contemporaries, says with emphasis:—
“Thocht they be deid, thair libellis bene livand,
Quhilkis to reherse, makis reidaris to rejoise."
b
- ↑ This is an act "for resisting and staynching of the tressoun of the traitour, James of Douglace, quhilk is now cummyng to the bordouris." Besides the reward offered, as above-mentioned, there is a free remission to others who should forsake Douglas and come over to the King; but from this act of grace, Holland is specially excepted. This clause of the act is in the following words:-
"Except the personis that pleses his hienes to except, That is to say, the tratouris, Jamis of Douglace, Alexander Jarding, Schir Richard Holland, and Maister Patrick Halyburton, priestis, and vther sic like tratouris that ar sworne Inglismen, and remanys in Ingland,"—Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol II. p. 139.
From this we learn, (supposing the person named to be our author,) that he was a priest, to whom the title of Schir in those days was given, and from whence originated the usual designation of their being the Pope's Knights. Thus Lyndsay says,
"The pure priest thinkis gettis na richt,
As Schir Thomas, and Schir Williame."
Be he nocht stilit like an knicht,
And callit Schir, before his name;
