Page:Essays and studies; by members of the English Association, volume 1.djvu/116

Something, although not much, can be deduced from certain indications of particular knowledge of local institutions; those alone crucial are such as concern the burgh and county of Perth. The poet had a peculiar interest in the town of Perth and its vicinity, and also in its institutions. Perth is made the model illustration of Wallace's thrice freeing Scotland^[1] (although this was a mere figment, as Scotland was only freed once by Wallace), for Wallace in the poem thrice besieges and captures Perth^[2] from the English. Early in the book Wallace says,

Rycht sor I long Sanct Jhonstoun for to se,^[3]

and his very last exploit is its capture for the third time.^[4] Both on the surface and under it there are signs of special knowledge; Harry knows that Strathearn is a separate jurisdiction,^[5] that Perth itself has that very rare attribute of a city-county, a 'schirreiff off the toun',^[6] and that it has that distinctive officer, a 'mar'.^[7] Besides, it is worthy of noting by the way that Jop, the herald and gallant comrade of Wallace, bears a most unusual name, which in records of the fourteenth century is found borne by a burgess of Perth.^[8] Very significant too is the part played in the story by Rutliven, the 'gud Ruwan' of many an episode Ruwan, who is twice made sheriff of the burgh of Perth^[9] a poetical

1. Wallace, i. 349, 358, xi. 959.
2. Ibid. vii. 958, ix. 756, xi. 756–904.
3. Ibid. iv. 350.
4. Ibid. xi. 895–904, 959.
5. Ibid. vii. 1027.
6. Ibid. This was a very special feature of Perth, resulting from a charter granted to Perth by Robert II in 1394 (Registrum Magni Sigilli, vol. 1593–1608, page 376). Contra-distinguished from this minute accuracy about Perth may be set the seeming error of assigning to Ayr a 'schireff of that towne' (Wallace, i. 25), apparently an unhistorical institution.
7. Wallace, iv. 359. The 'mar' long continued a hereditary officer in Perthshire; see Inquis. ad Capellam, Retours of Perth, No. 67.
8. Wallace, vi. 316, vii. 366: cf. Liber de Scon, 128.
9. Wallace, vii. 1027, ix. 774.