THIS Country in our English Language is call'd Orkney; by the Latins, both Ancient and Modern, it is call'd Orcades. Pomponius Mela writes it with an aspi­ration, Orchades. What reason there is for the Name is not condescended up­on, but it's probable the Latin Name may be from Orcas, which Ptolemy makes to be a Promontory of Cathnes over-against this Country, or from some [Page 2] Colony of the Picts, who first Planted this Country, and from some Similitude with the Name whereby they call'd themselves, might be so call'd by the Romans. As for the English name Ork­ney, it may be derived from some Pictish Prince, as Erick or Orkenwald, or some other who has been famous in the first Plantation; or might have got the name from some remarkable Title which the first Planters the Pights took to them­selves; for Picts or Pights (as Verstegan says) in the Teutonick Tongue signifies Fighters; and Orkney may come from Ear, which signifies Honour, and Kyn, which signifies on Off-spring, as if the name were intended to shew, That they were an Off-spring or Generation of Honour.

This Country lies in the Northern temperate Zone and thirteenth Cli­mate; the Longitude being 22 De­grees and 11 Minutes, and Latitude 59 Degrees and 2 Minutes, the Compass varying eight Degrees; so that the length of the longest Day is eighteen Hours and some odd Minutes; yet not­withstanding that this Country is so far remov'd to the North, the Air is tem­perate and wholsome, agreeing well [Page 3] with those Constitutions that can en­dure a little Cold. At Midnight it is so clear for a great part of June, that one may read a Letter in his Chamber; yet it cannot be true what Bleau reports, That from the Hill of Hoy a Man may see the Sun at Midnight; for it cannot be the true Body of the Sun that is seen, but the Image of it refracted through some watry Cloud about the Horizon, seeing it must be as far depressed un­der our Horizon in June, as it is elevated above it in December, which is by many Degrees; for from that Hill the Sun is to be seen in the shortest Day in December above five Hours.

The Air and Clouds here, by the o­peration of the Sun, do sometimes gene­rate several things; as some Years since, some Fishermen Fishing half a League from Land, over-against Copinsha, in a fair Day, there fell down from the Air a Stone about the bigness of a Foot-ball, which fell in the middle of the Boat and sprung a Leake, to the great dan­ger of the Lives of the Men that were in it, which could be no other than some Substance generated in the Clouds. The Stone was like condensed or pe­trefied [Page 4] Clay, and was a long time in the custody of Captain Andrew Dick, at that time Steward of this Country; and Cap­tain Dick, who is yet alive, told me he gave it to the late Earl of Glencairn.

Here the Winters are generally more subject to Rain than Snow; nor does the Frost and Snow continue so long here as in other parts of Scotland, but the Wind in the mean time will often blow very boisterously, and it Rains sometimes not by drops but by spouts of Water, as if whole Clouds fell down at once. In the Year 1680, in the Month of June, after great Thun­der, there fell flakes of Ice near a foot thick.

This Country is wholly surrounded with the Sea, having Pightland-Firth on the South, the Deucaledonian Oce­an on the West, the Sea that divides it from Zetland on the North, and the German Sea on the East. Zetland stands North-East and by East from Orkney, and from the Start of Sanda in Orkney to Swinburg Head the most Southerly Point in Zetland is about eighteen leagues, where there is nothing but Sea all the [Page 5] way, save Fair Isle, which lies with­in eight Leagues of Swinburg-Head.

Pightland-Firth, which divides this Country from Cathnes, is in breadth from Duncansbay in Cathnes to the near­est point of South-Ronalsha in Orkney about twelve Miles, in it are a great many different Tides, reckon'd to the number of twenty four, which run with such an impetuous force, that a Ship under sail is no more able to make way against the Tide, than if it were hinder'd by a Remora, which I con­ceive is the reason why some have said they have found the Remora in these Seas.

In this Firth, about two Miles from the Coast of Cathnes, lies Stroma, a lit­tle pleasant Island, but because of its vicinity to Cathnes, and its being still under the Jurisdiction of the Lords of that Country, it is not counted as one of the Isles of Orkney. On the North-side of this Isle is a part of Pightland-Firth, call'd the Swelchie of Stroma, and at the West-end of the Isle, betwixt it and Mey in Cathnes, there is another part of the Firth, call'd the Merry Men of Mey, both which are very dangerous to Sea­men.

[Page 6] The Sea ebbs and flows here as in other places, yet there are some Phae­nomena, the reason of which cannot so easily be found out; as in the Isle of Sanda, it flows two hours sooner on the West-side than it does on the East­side; and in North Faira (which lies betwixt Eda and Westra) the Sea ebbs nine hours and flows but three: And at Hammoness in Sanda, both ebb and flood run one way, except at the be ginning of a quick Stream, when for two or three hours the flood runs South.

The Sea here is very turbulent in a Storm, and uneasie even to those on Land, especially in those places of the Country that lie expos'd to Pightland-Firth, and the Western Ocean, for when the Storm beats that way, the Sea da­shes with such violence against the Rocks, that a great deal of the Sea is carry'd (in some places near a quarter of a mile) on the Land, and falls like a great shower of Rain on the Ground, which is very oft prejudicial to their Corn at certain Seasons.

[Page 7] The Tides also are very swift and violent, by reason of the multitude of the Isles and narrowness of the Passage; for, when all the rest of the Sea is smooth, these Tides carry their Waves and bil­lows high, and run with such violence that they cause a contrary motion in the Sea adjoyning to the Land, which they call Easter-birth or Wester-birth, according to its course; yet notwithstanding of the great rapidity of these Tides and Births, the Inhabitants, daily almost, travel from Isle to Isle about their se­veral affairs in their little Cockboats or Yoals, as they call them.

Whatever the Ancients have written of the number of the Islands of Orkney, it's certain there are but twenty six, at present inhabited, viz. South-Ronalsha, Swinna, Hoy and Waes, Burra, Lamb­holm, Flotta, Faira, Cava, Gramsey, Po­mona or Mainland, Copinsha, Shapinsha, Damsey, Inhallo, Stronsa, Papa-Stronsa, Sanda, North-Ronalsha, Eda, Rousa, Wyre, Gairsa, Eglesha, North-Faira, Westra, Papa-Westra. The rest of the Islands are call'd Holms, and are only used for Pasture; all of them being separated from one another by some narrow [Page 8] Streights. Most of these Islands names end in a or ey, which in the Teutonick signifieth Water, to shew that these Isles are pieces of Land surrounded with Water.

These Islands are of different Natures, some Sandy, some Marsh, some aboun­ding in Heath and Moss, and some that have none, some of them Mountainous and some Plain. Of these some are call'd the South-Isles, and others the North-Isles, and that as they stand to the South or North of the greatest Island, call'd the Mainland.

South-Ronalsha is the Southermost of these Islands, five Miles long, fertile in Corn, and abounding with People. To the South-East lie the Pightland Sker­ries, dangerous to Seamen; but to the North is St. Margarets Hope, a very safe Harbour for Ships, which has no diffi­culty in coming to it, save a Rock in the middle of the Sound, betwixt this Island and Burra, call'd Lippa. From Burwick, in this Isle, is the usual Ferry to Duncansbay in Cathnes.

A little separated from this, to the South-West, lies Swinna, a little Isle, and only considerable for a part of Pight [Page 9] land-Firth lying a little to the West of it, call'd the Wells of Swinna, which are two Whirlpools in the Sea (occa­sion'd, as is thought, by some Hin­tus that is in the Earth below) that run about with such violence, that if any Boat or Ship come within their reach they will whirl it about and about till it be swallow'd up and drown'd. They are only dangerous in a great Calm; for if there be any Wind, and the Boat under Sail, there is no danger to go over them. If a Boat happen to come near them in a Calm, by the force of the Tide driving that way, the Boats-men, for their preservation throw a Barrel or an Oar, or any bulky thing that comes next to hand, into the Wells, and when it is swallow'd up the Sea remains smooth for a time for any Boat to pass over.

Beyond this, and to the West of South-Ronalsha, lies Waes and Hoy (thought to be the Dumna of Pliny) which are but one Isle, about twelve Miles in length, full of high Mountains, and but thinly inhabited, unless in Waes, where the Ground is very pleasant and fertile. From Snelsetter in Waes is the [Page 10] other Ferry from this Country to Ham, in Cathnes. Here are several good Har­bours, as Kirk-hope, North-hope, Ore­hope, and others, but not now much frequented, tho' North-hope be one of the best Harbours in this Country, if not in the whole World, and most pro­per for those that design a Fishing Trade.

To the North of South-Ronalsha lies Burra, a pleasant little Isle, fruitful in Corns and abounding in Rabbits. Be­twixt Burra and the Mainland is Lamb­holm, and to the West, towards Hoy­mouth, lies Flotta, Faira, Cava, Gram­sey, all of them fruitful and pleasant I­slands, tho' they be not large.

Next to these is the Mainland, call'd by the Ancients Pomona or Pomonia, about twenty four Miles in length, and well inhabited. About the middle of this Island, to the North, stands Kirk­wall, the only Town in all this Coun­try. There are in the Mainland four excellent Harbours for Ships, one at Kirk­wall, both large and safe, without any danger by Shoals or blind Rocks as they come to it, unless they come from the West by Inhallo and Gairsa: A­nother [Page 11] Harbour is at Deirsound, which is a great Bay, and a very safe Road for Ships, having good anchoring ground, and capable of sheltering the greatest Navies. The third is at Grahamshall, toward the East-side of this Isle, where there is a convenient Road; but the Ship that sails to it from the East, would do well to keep betwixt Lamb­holm and the Mainland, for the other way betwixt Lambholm and Burra (which appears to them to be only open) is very shallow and dangerous, even for small Ships. The fourth is at Kair­ston, a small Village, at the West end of the Mainland, where there is a ve­ry safe and commodious Harbour, well fenc'd against all Winds by two small Holms that stand at the entry.

To the East of the Mainland lies Copinsha, a little Isle, but very conspi­cuous to Seamen, as is that Holm to the North-East of it, call'd the Horse of Copinsha.

To the North of the Mainland, lie the North-Isles, the first of which is Shapinsha, about five or six Miles in length, and hath a very safe Harbour for Ships at Elwick.

[Page 12] Of an equal bigness to that toward the South-East lies Stronsa, where there is two very good Harbours; one at Lingasound, fenc'd with Lingaholm, the other at Strynie, fenc'd with a little pleasant Isle to the North of it, call'd Pa­pa-Stronsa.

Beyond these, toward the North, at some distance, lies Sanda, about twelve Miles long, but very narrow, well in­habited; it hath two Roads for Ships, one at Kitletoft, guarded by a little Holm, call'd the Holm of Elsnes, the o­ther at Otterswick, guarded by the most Northern-Island in all this Country, call'd North-Ronalsha, which is a little fruitful Isle, but both it and San­da have no Moss Ground, but are ob­liged to bring their Peits and Turfs (which is the only Fuel they have thorough this whole Country) a great way off, from the next adjacent Island, Eda.

This Eda lyeth to the South-East of Sanda, thought to be the Ocetis of Pto­lemy, near five Miles in length, full of Moss and Hills, but thinly inhabited, unless it be about the skirts of it; it [Page 13] has a safe Road to the North, call'd Calf-sound.

Three Miles to the West of Kirk­wall, at the bottom of a large Bay, lies a little Island, call'd Damsey, with a Holm near it as large as it self.

To the North North-West lies Rou­sa, about six Miles long, but very hil­ly and ill inhabited. Betwixt it and the Mainland lies Inhallo, and towards Kirkwall lies Wyre and Gairsa, small but profitable Islands.

North from Kirkwall, at eight Miles distance, is Eglesha, near three Miles in length, very pleasant and fertile, having a safe Road for Ships betwixt it and Wyre. In this Isle there is a little hand­some Church, where, it is said, that Saint Magnus, the Patron of this Country, lies Bury'd.

To the North of Eglesha is Westra, seven Miles long, pleasant, fertile and well inhabited. There is in it a conve­nient Harbour for Ships, at Piriwa. At the East of it lies Faira, call'd for di­stinction, Faira by North; and to the North and by East, is Papa-Westra, a pleasant Isle, three Miles in length, fa­mous in this Country for Saint Fredwell's [Page 14] Chapel and Lake, of which many ridi­culous things are reported by the Vul­gar.

All these Islands are indifferently fruit­ful, well stor'd with Fields of Corn and Herds of Cattle, and abound with Rab­bits, and the greatest plenty of Muir­fowl and Plover that there is any where, but have no Hares or Partridges.

The chief products of this Country, and which are Exported yearly by the Merchant, are, Butter, Tallow, Hides, Barley, Malt, Oatmeal, Fish, Salted Beef, Pork, Rabbit-skins, Otter-skins, white Salt, Stuffs, Stockings, Wool, Hams, Writing-Pens, Downs, Feathers, &c.

A South-East and North-West Moon causeth high Water throughout all this Country.

I Did not find this Country so well stor'd with Plants as I expected; as for instance, I found none of the Malva kind, nor several other Plants that I thought might have agreed well enough with this Country; but such as I did find, I thought an ac­count of them might not be unaccep­table, tho' I am far from pretending this to be so very exact as it should have been; these being the Names of those only I have by me.

• [Page 16] Acetosa pratensis B. P. common Sorrel.
• Acetosa arvensis Lanceolata B. P. Sheeps Sorrel.
• Adianthum album Tab. Ruta muraria B. P. white Maiden-hair.
• Adianthum nigrum Off. I. B. black Mai­den-hair.
• Adianthum aureum majus Ger. golden Maiden-hair.
• Alchimilla vulgaris B. P. Ladies Man­tle.
• Alchimilla minime montana Percepier An­glorum Ger. Parsly break-stone.
• Alliaria B. P. Sauce alone, or Jack-by-the-Hedge.
• Alsine media B. P. common Chickweed.
• Alsine arvensis hirsuta magno flore I. B. Mouse-ear Chickweed.
• Alsine plantaginis folio B. P. Plantain­leav'd Chickweed.
• Alsine sperula dicta major B. P. Spurrey.
• Alsine minor multicaulis B. P. fine Chick­weed.
• Alsine palustris portulacae aquaticae similis J. Ray, small water Chickweed.
• Alsine Hederulae folio B. P. Ivy-leav'd Chickweed.
• Alsine veronicae foliis flosculis cauli adhae­rentibus B. P. speedwell Chickweed.
• [Page 17] Ambrosia campestris repens, Swines cres­ses.
• Anagallis flore Phoeniceo B. P. Male pim­pernell.
• Anagallis aquatica major folio oblongo B. P. the greater long-leav'd Brook-lime.
• Anagallis aquatica minor folio subrotundo B. P. common Brook-lime or Water­pimpernell.
• Androsaemum Mathioli Park. Ascyrum sive Hypericum glabrum bifolium non perfo­ratum B. P. Mathiolus his Tutsan or elegant St. John's wort not perfo­rate.
• Angelica Sylvestris B. P. wild Angelica.
• Angelica Sylvestris minor sive erratica B. P. Goutweed or Ashweed.
• Anthillis maritima B. P. Sea-pimpernel.
• Aparine vulgaris B. P. common Goose­grass.
• Argentina Ger. Argentine or Silverweed.
• Artemisia vulgaris J. B. common Mug­wort.
• Arundo vulgaris B. P. common Reed.
• Asperula Ger. common white-flower'd Woodroof.
• Asphodelus minimus luteus palustris Acori folio Lob. Hist. Oxon. Bastard Aspho­del.
• [Page 18] Atriplex Sylvestris angusto & folio oblon­go B. P. narrow-leav'd wild Arrach.
• Atriplex marina nostras J. Ray; English Sea-Arrach.
• Auricula muris pulchra flore albo J. B. Mouse-ear with a white Flower.
• Auricula muris pulchra, flore albo, folio te­nuissimo J. B. fair-flower'd Mouse-ear with cut leaves.
• Barba Caprae floribus compactis B. P. Mea­dow-Sweet or Queen of the Mea­dow.
• Bardana major sive Lappa J. B. Burdock.
• Bellis major J. B. the greater wild white Daisie.
• Bellis Sylv. minor B. P. common small wild Daisie.
• Buglossum Sylvestre minus B. P. wild or corn Bugloss.
• Buglossum Sylvestre minus caulibus procum­bentibus B. P. small wild Bugloss.
• Bursa Pastoris J. B. Shepherds purse.
• Bursa Pastoris minor loculis oblongis B. P. Paronychia vulgaris Ger. Nailwort or whitlow Grass.
• Calamintha vulgaris arvensis verticulata B. P. Water Calamint.
• Caltha Palustris J. B. small marsh Mari­gold.
• [Page 19] Campanula pratensis rotundifolia vulgaris B. P. the lesser round leav'd Bell­flower.
• Campanula pratensis flore conglomerato B. P. little Throatwort or Canterbury Bells.
• Carduus vulgatissimus viarum Ger. com­mon-way Thistle.
• Carduus nutans J. B. Thistle with a bend­ing head.
• Carduus lanceatus B. P. the Spear-thistle.
• Carduus Polyacanthus primus Ger. Thistle upon Thistle.
• Carduus Polyacanthus secundus Lob. walted Thistle with small leaves.
• Caryophyllata vulgaris B. P. Avens.
• Caryophyllus pratensis laciniato flore simplici B. P. wild Williams or Cuckoc-flow­ers.
• Caryophyllus minimus muscosus nostras Park. Chickweed-breakstone.
• Caryophyllus montanus minor B. P. Thrift or Sea Gilliflower or Arby.
• Chaerephyllum Sylvestre B. P. common wild Chervile.
• Chamaeustus flore luteo B. P. Dwarf Cistus or little Sun-flower.
• Chamaedrys Sylvestris Ger. wild German­der.
• [Page 20] Chamaemelum inodorum B. P. Mayweed or Dogs Chamomel.
• Chamaemelum inodorum flore pleno, double­flower'd Mayweed.
• Cheledonium minus Ger. lesser Celandine.
• Chrysanthemum Segetum Ger. Corn Mari­gold.
• Cicuta major B. P. common Hemlock.
• Cochlearia folio sinuato B. P. common Sea-Scurvy-grass.
• Consolida media pratensis B. P. common Bugle.
• Convolvulus minor arvensis B. P. small Bindweed.
• Coronopus Sylvestris hirsutior B. P. Buck­horn Plantain.
• Cruciata vulgaris B. P. Crosswort.
• Cyanus minor segetum B. P. common blew­bottle or Sun-flower.
• Cynaglossum majus vulgare B. P. common Hounds-tongue.
• Daucus nostras, wild Carrot or Birds­nest.
• Dens leonis B. P. Dandelyon.
• Digitalis purpurea folio aspero B. P. purple Fox-gloves.
• Echium marinum B. P. Sea-bugloss.
• Echium scorpoides arvense B. P. Mouse-ear Scorpion-grass.
• [Page 21] Echium Scorpoides palustre B. P. water Scorpion-grass.
• Equisetum arvense longioribus setis B. P. common Horse-tail.
• Equisetum palustre longioribus setis B. P. the greater Marsh Horse-tail.
• Equisetum palustre brevioribus setis poly­spermon B. P. Female Horse-tail.
• Equisetum faetidum sub aqua repens B. P. stinking-water Horse-tail.
• Equisetum nudum Ger. naked Horse-tail.
• Erica baccifera procumbens nigra B. P. Ber­ry bearing Heath.
• Erica vulgaris glabra B. P. common Heath or Heather.
• Erica humilis cortice cineritio Arbuti flore B. P. fine leav'd Heath.
• Erica ex rubro nigricans Scoparia B. P. Low-Dutch-Heath or Broom-Heath.
• Eruca Sylvestris minor luteo parvo (que) flore J. B. small water Rocket.
• Erysimum vulgare B. P. Hedge Mustard.
• Erysimo Similis hirsuta non laciniata alba B. P. Hairy-hedge Mustard with un­cut leaves.
• Eupatorium aquaticum folio integro Park. water Agrimony with undivided leaves.
• Euphrasia J. B. Eyebright.
• [Page 22] Euphrasia pratensis rubra B. P. Eyebright Cow-wheat.
• Filix ramosa major pinnulis obtusis non dentatis B. P. common Brakes or female Fern.
• Filix non ramosa dentata B. P. male Fern.
• Fumaria officinarum B. P. Fumitory.
• Gallium album J. B. white Ladies Bed­straw.
• Gallium luteum B. P. yellow Ladies Bed­straw.
• Gallium sive Molugo montana minor Gallio albo similis J. Ray. small Mountain Bastard Madder.
• Gentianella autumnalis centauri minoris foliis Park. Dwarf autumnal Gentian.
• Geranium Batrochoides folio Aconiti B. P. the lesser Crowfoot Crainsbill.
• Geranium Cicutae folio inodorum B. P. un­savory Crainsbill.
• Geranium Columbinum tenuius laciniatum B. P. Doves-foot with uncut leaves.
• Geranium lucidum saxatile B. P. shining rock Crainsbill.
• Geranium Robertianum primum B. P. Herb Robert.
• Glaux Maritima B. P. Sea-Milkwort.
• [Page 23] Gnaphalium montanum flore rotundiore B. P. Mountain Cudweed or Cats­foot.
• Gnaphalium medium B. P. middle or black headed Cudweed.
• Gramen Caninum Arvense B. P. Dogs­grass.
• Gramen Cristatum J. B. smooth crested grass.
• Gramen Avenaceum panicula flavescente lo­custis parvis J. Ray. Oat-grass with a yellow pannicle.
• Gramen aquaticum genicalatum spicatum B. P. spiked flote Grass or water Grass.
• Gramen Asperum J. B. rough Grass.
• Gramen avenaceum dumetorum spica sim­plici J. Ray. Single-spiked-hedge Oat­grass.
• Gramen Cyperoides majus angustifolium Park. the greater narrow-leav'd Cy­perus Grass.
• Gramen exile duriusculum in muris & ari­dis proveniens J. Ray. small hard Grass.
• Gramen palustre echinatum J. B. Hedge­hog-grass.
• Gramen pratense paniculatum majus B. P. the greater Meadow Grass.
• [Page 24] Gramen pratense paniculatum minus B. P. the lesser Meadow Grass.
• Gramen pratense paniculatum molle B. P. soft tufted Meadow Grass.
• Gramen parvum praecox spica laxa canescen­te, J. Ray. Vernal-grass with a soft loose Spike.
• Gramen secalinum Ger. Rie-grass.
• Gramen Sparteum spicatum foliis mucrona­tis vel spica secalina B. P. Sea Matweed or Bent.
• Gramen Tomentosum Ger. Cotton-grass.
• Gramen Tremulum J. B. Quaking-grass.
• Gramen Typhynum majus Ger. the great­est Cats-tail-grass.
• Hieracium minus folio subrotundo B. P. small Swines succory.
• Hieracium dentis leonis folio obtuso ma­jus B. P. Long-rooted Hawk-weed.
• Hieracium Chondrillae folio radice succisa majus B. P. yellow Devils-bit.
• Horminum pratense foliis serratis B. P. common wild-clary.
• Hyoscyamus niger vulgaris B. P. Black­henbane.
• Hypericum vulgare B. P. common St. John's-wort.
• Hypericum Ascyrum dictum caule qua­drangulo J. B. common St. Peter's-wort.
• [Page 25] Jacea nigra pratensis laetifolia B. P. Black knap-weed.
• Jacobaea vulgaris J. B. common St. James's-wort.
• Imperatoriae affinis maritima umbelliferae scotica Sutherlandi. Scot's sea Master-wort.

I don't know why some chuse ra­ther to call this an Apium, others á Seseli, and some a Ligusticum; I shall describe the Plant, and take liberty to do it in Latin, since it runs best that way, and so any may judge whether it has more the Character of an Apium or Impera­toria. Folia allata sunt ex tribus seg­mentis amplis subrotundis, laete virentibus, palmaribus, tripartitis & in ambitu inci­sis componuntur. Caulis ad cubitum as­surgit, striatus, cavus, geniculis nonnul­lis interceptus, in quibus folia adsunt in­ferioribus longe minora. Flores in um­bellam planam & latam disponuntur, rosa­cei, pentapetali, candidi, cum calice in duo semina abeunte striata, compressa, & ala foliacea tenui (que) cincta. There is no Plant more common by the Sea side on the Rocks, especially in Waes and Hoy, than this; but 'tis very frequent in most o­ther places of this Country.

• [Page 26] Iris palustris lutea sive Acorus Adulteri­nus J. B. yellow water Flagg or Flow­er-de-luce.
• Juncus acutus panicula sparsa B. P. com­mon hard Rush.
• Juncus laevis panicula sparsa major B. P. common Rush.
• Juncus maximus & scirpus major B. P. Bull Rush.
• Juncus aquaticus capitulis equiseti major B. P. club Rush.
• Juniperus vulgaris B. P. the Juniper Bush.
• Kali spinosum cochleatum B. P. prickly Glasswort.
• Lamium album B. P. white dead Nettle or Archangel.
• Lamium rubrum B. P. red dead Nettle or Archangel.
• Lapathum vulgare folio obtuso J. B. round leav'd Wild Dock.
• Lapathum folio acuto B. P. sharp-pointed Dock.
• Lapathum folio acuto crispo B. P. sharp­pointed Dock with curled leaves.
• Lapathum unctuosum sive Bonus Henricus J. B. common English Mercury.
• Latuca Sylvestris costa spinosa B. P. cut­leav'd wild Latice.
• [Page 27] Lens palustris J. B. Duck Meat.
• Lichen sive hepatica terrestris B. P. com­mon ground Liverwort.
• Lichen cinereus terrestris J. Ray. Ash-co­lour'd-ground Liverwort.
• Linaria lutea vulgaris J. B. common Toad­flax.
• Linum pratense flosculis exiguis B. P. Dwarf wild flax.
• Lolium album Ger. Darnel.
• Lonchitis aspera B. P. great bastard Spleen­wort.
• Lotus sive Melilotus pentaphyllos minor gla­bra B. P. Birds-foot trefoil.
• Lunaria minor Ger. small Moonwort.
• Lychnis Sylvestris alba simplex B. P. the white Campion.
• Lychnis segetum major B. P. Cockle.
• Lychnis Sylvestris quae Behen album vulgo B. P. Spatling Poppy.
• Lychnis Maritima repens B. P. English Sea Campion.
• Lychnis Sylvestris viscosa rubra angustifo­lia B. P. German Catchflea with white Flowers.
• Lysimachia Siliquosa glabra major B. P. the great smooth leav'd loose Strife.
• Lysimachia Siliquosa galbra minor B. P. the lesser or smooth leav'd loose-Strife.
• [Page 28] Lysimachia Siliquosa hirsuta parvo flore B. P. hairy-codded willow Flower.
• Marubium nigrum faetidum B. P. black Horehound.
• Melampyrum luteum common Cow-Wheat.
• Mentha rotundifolia palustris sive aquatica B. P. Water Mint.
• Millefolium vulgare B. P. Yarrow or Mil­lefoil.
• Millefolium aquaticum ranunculi flore & capitulo Park. Crowfoot Water-Mil­foil.
• Muscus terrestris clavatus B. P. Club­moss.
• Muscus clavatus foliis cupressi B. P. Cy­press-moss or Heath-moss.
• Muscus pixiodis terrestris B. P. Cup or Chalice-moss.
• Myrrhis Sylvestris seminibus asperis B. P. small Hemlock Chervil.
• Myrtillus, Whortle bush or Whorts.
• Nasturtium pratense magno flore B. P. La­dies Smock or Cuckoe Flowers.
• Nasturtium pratense magno flore sive Car­damini flore albo, Hist. Oxon. Ladies Smock with white Flowers.
• Nasturtium aquaticum B. P. common Wa­ter-cresses.
• [Page 29] Nasturtium Sylvestre tenuissime divisum B. P. Flixweed.
• Nymphaea major alba B. P. the great white water Lily.
• Oenanthe Apii folio succo viroso Morisoni, Hemlock Dropwort.
• Ononis spinis carens purpurea B. P. Purple Rest-Harrow.
• Ononis non spinosa flore albo, white flow­er'd Rest-Harrow without prickles.
• Ophrys bifolia B. P. two blade.
• Orchys mus foliis maculatis B. P. the male Fools Stones.
• Orchys faemina B. P. the female Fools Stones.
• Panax Coloni B. P. Clowns All-heal.
• Papaver erraticum majus B. P. Corn Poppy.
• Papaver corniculatum luteum B. P. yellow­flower'd Horn-Poppy.
• Pedicularis pratensis lutea B. P. yellow rat­tle or Cocks-comb.
• Pedicularis pratensis purpurea B. P. red rattle Grass.
• Pedicularis pratensis rubra clatior J. Ray. great red rattle or Louse-wort.
• Persicaria mitis maculosa & non maculosa B. P. dead or spotted Arsmart.
• [Page 30] Persicaria urens sive Hydropiper B. P. hot Arsmart.
• Petasites major B. P. common Butterbur.
• Pimpinella Saxifraga major umbella candi­da B. P. great Burnet Saxifrage.
• Pimpinella Saxifraga minor B. P. small burnet Saxifrage.
• Plantago latifolia sinuata B. P. great Plan­tain.
• Plantago angustifolia major B. P. Ragwort or lesser Plantain.
• Plantago aquatica latifolia B. P. Water­plantain.
• Polygala vulgaris B. P. Blew Milkwort.
• Polygonum latifolium B. P. common Knot­grass.
• Polypodium vulgare B. P. common Polypody
• Potamogeiton rotundifolium B. P. round leav'd Pondweed.
• Potamogeiton salicis folio B. P. narrow­leav'd Pondweed.
• Prunella vulgaris B. P. Self-heal.
• Ptarmica, Sneezewort.
• Ranunculus pratensis repens hirsutus B. P. common Crowfoot.
• Ranunculus pratensis erectus acris B. P. upright Meadow Crowfoot.
• Ranunculus palustris Apii folio laevis B. P. round leav'd marsh Crowfoot.
• Ranunculus longifolius palustris major B. P. the great Spearwort.
• [Page 31] Ranunculus palustris serratus B. P. dented Spearwort.
• Ranunculus aquaticus folio rotundo & ca­pillaceo B. P. water Crowfoot with various leaves.
• Ranunculus aquaticus Cotyledonis folio B. P. marsh Pennywort.
• Raphanus rusticanus B. P. Horse-radish.
• Rapistrum slore luteo B. P. wild Mustard.
• Ros solis folio rotundo B. P. Sun-dew.
• Rosa Sylvestris vulgaris B. P. the common wild brier bush.
• Salix pumila repens Ger. small creeping Willow.
• Sanicula officinarum B. P. common Sani­cle.
• Sanicula montana slore Calcari donato B. P. Butterwort.
• Saxifraga rotundifolia alba B. P. common white Saxifrage.
• Saxifraga rotundifolia aurea B. P. Golden Saxifrage.
• Saxifraga Anglicafacie seseli pratensis Park. Meadow Saxifrage.
• Scabiosa pratensis hirsuta quae officinarum B. P. common Scabious.
• Scandix semine rostrato sive pecten Veneris B. P. Venus comb or Shepherds-Nee­dle.
• [Page 32] Scordium alterum sive Salvia agrestis B. P. Wood Sage.
• Scrophularia nodosa foetida B. P. common Figwort.
• Scrophularia aquatica major B. P. Water Betony or Figwort.
• Sedum parvum acre flore luteo J. B. Stone crop or Wall-pepper.
• Sedum Tridactylites tectorum B. P. parony­chia folio rutaceo Ger. Rue Whitlow Grass.
• Senicio minor vulgaris B. P. common Groundsell.
• Serpillum vulgare minus B. P. wild Thyme.
• Sideritis alsines trissaginis folio B. P. I­ronwort with Germander Chickweed leaves.
• Sium angustifolium majus B. P. Water-Parsnip.
• Sium minimum foliis ferulaceis Hort. Reg. Blessen. minimum Jo. Ray. the least Water-parsnip.
• Sonchus laevis laciniatus latifolius B. P. smooth Sow-thistle.
• Sonchus asper laciniatus & non laciniatus B. P. prickly Sow-thistle.
• Soncho affinis Lampsana Domestica B. P. Nipplewort or Balagan.
• Sparganium non ramosum B. P. Bur-reed.
• [Page 33] Sphondylium vulgare B. P. Cow-parsnip.
• Succisa sive morsus Diaboli J. B. Purple­flower'd Devils Bit.
• Telephium vulgare B. P. common Or­pine.
• Thalictrum minus B. P. the lesser Mea­dow Rue.
• Tithymallus Helioscopius B. P. Sun surge.
• Tormentilla Sylvestris B. P. Tormentil.
• Tragopogon pratense luteum B. P. yellow Goats beard.
• Trifolium pratense album B. P. white flower'd trefoil.
• Trifolium pratense purpureum B. P. Purple flower'd trefoil.
• Trifolium luteum lupulinum minimum Hist. Oxon. the least hop trefoil.
• Trifolium palustre B. P. marsh Trefoil.
• Tussilago J. B. Coltsfoot.
• Typha palustris major B. P. Cats-tail.
• Valeriana Sylvestris major B. P. great wild Valerian.
• Valeriana palustris minor B. P. small wild or marsh Valerian.
• Verbascum vel primula veris flore simplici B. P. common Primerose.
• Veronica mas supina & vulgatissima B. P. the male Speedwell or Fluellan.
• [Page 34] Vicia Multislora B. P. tufted Vetch or Birds tears.
• Vicia segetum cum siliquis plurimis hirsu­tis B. P. small wild Tare.
• Viola martia inodora Sylvestris B. P. wild or Dogs Violet.
• Viola tricolor arvensis B. P. Pansies or Hearts-ease.
• Virga aurea angustifolia minus serrata B. P. common golden Rod.
• Urtica aculeata foliis serratis sive Canabis spuria B. P. Bastard Hemp.
• Urtica urens maxima B. P. common Net­tle.

There are no Trees any where in all this Country, except some few Ashes Thorn and Plumb Trees that are in the Bishops Garden in Kirkwal. There are in some Gentlemens Gardens in Kirk­wal, and several other places of the Country, some Apple and Cherry-trees, but they seldom bear Fruit that comes to any maturity; and the Trees grow never higher than the Garden Walls. And, except some few wild Roses and Juniper that I see in Hoy, and the Myr­tillus and Heath, which is common eve­ry where, I don't remember to have seen any Bush or Shrub growing wild [Page 35] in all the Country. Yet in a great ma­ny Gardens they have several very good Plants both for Use and Ornament; Cabbage, Turnip, Carrot, Parsnip, Skir­ret or Crummocks, &c. grow to as great a bigness here as any where; and Ar­tichokes to a greater than ever I have seen them in any other place.

I do not understand the reason why Trees don't grow here, since in the same Latitude in Norway, and some de­grees more Northerly, Trees thrive ve­ry well, even on small Rocks surroun­ded by the Sea. I know not whether it be in places where the Sea makes such a breach as it does in some places of this Country, where the Sea-water, with the violence of the Storm, is carry'd a great way on the Land, and blasts all it falls on: This, with the violent Winds that oft blow in this Country, I think, may be one reason why Trees don't prosper so well; but if they have the same Breaches in Norway, I don't know what to say to it. Whether Trees have grown here of old; or, what is more probable, if it be the remains yet of the Flood, but commonly, in their Mos­ses, [Page 36] they find Trees of twenty or thirty Foot long.

After Storms of Westerly Wind, a­mongst the Sea-weed, they find com­monly in places expos'd to the Western-Ocean these Phaseoli, that, I know not for what reason, go under the Name of Molucca Beans. The in­genious Doctor Sloan in the Philosophi­cal Transactions, Number 222, gives a very satisfactory Account, how from the West-Indies, where they commonly grow, they may be thrown in on Ire­land, the Western parts of Scotland and Orkney. You have the Figures of four different sorts of them.

Here is good store of Sheep and Cows, which tho' they be little, yet yield abundance of Milk. Their Ewes are so fertile, that most of them have two at a Birth, some three. I my self saw one that had four all living and following the Dam.

Their Horses are but little, yet strong, and can endure a great deal of Fatigue, most of which they have from Zet­land and are call'd Shelties. There are great Herds of Swine and rich War­rens almost in every Isle, well stor'd [Page 37] with Rabbits. Frogs are seen but sel­dom, yet there are some Toads, tho', as it is thought, they are not poisonous, as indeed there are few, if any, poiso­nous Animals in all this Country.

Many Ottars and Seols are to be had every where, and oft times Spout Whales and Pellacks run in great number up­on the shore and are taken, as in the Year 1691, near Kairston in the Main­land, there run in a Bay no less than a hundred and fourteen at once.

The Stellae-marinae and Urtica-Marina are oft thrown in great plenty. In the Sea they catch Ling, Keeling, Haddock, Whiting, Mackrel, Turbat, Scate, Con­gre-Eels, Sole, Fleuks, &c. and some­times they catch Sturgeon.

In the Year 1682, in Winter, there was taken a strange but beautifull Fish in Sanda (where several of them had been taken before) it was about an Ell in length, deep Breasted, and narrow at the Tail; the Head and Finns, and a stroke down the Back were all of a deep scarlet colour, which made it beau­tiful to look on; the rest was of a brown­ish colour, without scales, having se­veral whitish spots in the Body; the [Page 38] Fish of the half next the Head was like Beef, and of the other half next the Tail was like Salmon.

Herring swim thorough these Islands in great plenty, but the People are not so frugal, or have not the way, to catch them. Some Years ago, many Ships from Fife frequented this Country for the catching of Herrings; but the Sea­men having been in the Year 1645, at the Battle of Kilsyth, they were there almost all Killed; since which time that Trade failed; tho' the Hollanders, to our eternal Reproach, fail not to keep it up to their great advantage.

Sometimes strange Fishes are cast a shore, to which the People give as strange Names. I see one like a Goose Feather, the Body being like the Quill, and the Tail like the Feather, of a red­dish colour. This seems to be what Gesner calls, Penna Marina Sitardi. As for that strange sleeping Fish that Boe­thius mentions in his Description of this Country, I could never hear of it.

I have oft observ'd in the Head of the grayish Snail, those bright white Stones Doctor Lister mentions in his excellent Book, De Cochleis & Araneis Angliae, [Page 39] The People here beat them to Powder, and reckon it a Specifick for the Gra­vel.

As to their Land Shells, I cannot so well describe, since, after I understood any thing of that part of Natural Hi­story, the very short time I staid there gave me but little opportunity to make so nice an enquiry as I should other­wise have done; only I observ'd a great variety of the Cochleae Terrestres, both as to their Maculae and Fasciae, and that buccinum rupium, &c. which Dr. Lister describes Tit. 8. De Cochleis Terrestribus. Since there are no Rivers, there can no River-shells be expected here; but in their small Rivolets the buccinum exi­guum trium spirarum à sinistra in dextram convolutarum was common: And of the Sea-shells I found the

Ostreum vulgare maximum. The lar­gest Oysters ever I see any where, are got in some places of this Country, and the fittest for pickling; I have seen them so large that they must be cut in two or three pieces before they can be eat­en: But the people are so careless that they have in few places Drags to take them up as they do elsewhere, but for the most part at a great ebb, go in a­mongst the Rocks and cut them off with a Knife.

I could name a great many more of these kind of Pectines, that are by some reckon'd distinct species, but I think them all of the same kind, and that they have these accidental Colours, &c. from their being sometime expos'd to the weather, since I could never see any live shells have such Colours or be so variegated: And tho' they were I doubt if it be altogether warrantable in [Page 44] this part of natural History, to distin­guish Shells only differing in some acci­dental Colours, more than it would be to reckon black and red Hair'd, those of a large or smaller Stature, different Species or Tribes of men.

I observ'd in Stroma a little Island that lies in Pightland Firth, and in some places in Orkney, where there went ex­traordinary cross and strong Tides, al­most all the thinner sort of Pe­ctines, so twisted and of such an irre­gular shape, that I was surpris'd to see it. I cannot think the odd strange tum­bling the Tides make there, can contri­bute any thing to that frame; yet after all I never see them so in any other place. See the Figure of one of them.

On a Log of wood which has been some time in the Sea, and afterwards thrown upon the shore by some Storm, I have seen thousands of the Balani Ron­deletij, or the Concha Anatifera; and on the Rocks every where the

[Page 46] There is such abundance almost every where of Shell-fish, but especially Cockles, that the whole Country is serv'd no other way with Lime, but by those Shells burn'd, which makes a very fair Lime, and does very well in Plaister, though I doubt whether it be so proper for Building as stone Lime is.

As to the Crustaceous Fishes, as Lobsters, Crabs, &c. they are in as great abundance here, as any where.

Here is plenty of tame and wild Fowl; they reckon they have 8 or 9 different sorts of wild Geese, and of gray Plover, Moorfowl, Wild-Duck, Swans, Teal, Whaps, or Curlew, &c. there is no place better stor'd. They have likewise many Foists and Lyers both Sea Fowls very fat and delicious. Sometime the Stock-Owl and Bittern have been seen in this Country. Eagle and Earns as they call them, and Gledes or Kites are here in great plenty, and very hurtful to their young Store: Yea, they have been found to seize upon young Chil­dren and carry them a good way of; and there is yet a Man alive, one John Hay, living now in Sanda, who was thus [Page 47] carried away by an Eagle, while a young Child in swadling cloaths (his Mother having left him on the Grass, till she went a little way to carry somewhat) to her Nest; but was so speedily by the blessing of God preven­ted that no harm was done to him. There is a Law in this Country, that if any kill any of these Earns or Ea­gles, he is to have a Hen out of every house in the Parish in which it is killed.

Hawks and Falcons have their Nests in several places of these Islands; as in the Noup, Swendal, and Rapnes in We­stra; at Highberry and Aith-head in Waes; at Braebrake, Furcarsdale and Rathwick in Hoy; at Halcro, Greehead and Hocksa in South-Ronalsha; at Bellibrake and Quen­dal in Rousa; at Rousumhead and Lamb­head in Stronsa, in the calf of Eda; at Gatnip, Gultack, Mulehead, in Dierness, Copinsha, Blackcraig of Stromnes, Yeskrabie, Birsa, Marwick and Costahead in the Main­land. The King's Falconer comes eve­ry Year, and takes the young, who has Twenty Pound Sterling in Salary, and a Hen or Dog out of every House in [Page 48] the Country, except some places that are Privileg'd.

There are several Mines of Tinn, Lead, and perhaps of other Metals, e­specially in the Mainland, South-Ronalsha, Hoy, Stronsa, Sanda, but are neglected, or not improved, through Poverty or Carelessness. A great deal of Marle is found, especially in the Mainland, of which the Husbandman makes good use for mannor. In many places are Quarries of excellent free or sand Stone and Slate. Not far from Birsa at Buck­quoy and Swinna are to be found some Veins of Marble and Alabaster.

On the shore, sometimes, is to be found Sperma Ceti, Ambergreese, Water­sponges, and a great many Cuttle-bones, or Os Sepiae. Sometimes they catch Exo­tick Fowls, driven in by the Wind in time of a Storm; as one some time ago that had along Beak, a large tuft on the Head, in fashion of a Crown, with speckled Feathers, very pleasant to see, which, I believe, was the Upupa; and two or three Years ago, in Sanda; there was a very beautiful Bird driven in there alive; they afterwards shot it, and I had it sent me; 'twas something like [Page 49] a Woodpecker, but of extraordinary lively Colours, especially a light Blue and a Green. And I have seen the Al­bardeola, or Shovelaer, driven in there.

Some Years since, the Day being ex­ceeding Stormy, there were found be­fore a Gentleman's Door in Kirkwal, some little distance from the Sea, seven or eight Quiths (a Fish something less than a Whiting) half alive, as if they had been but newly taken; it's like the violent Wind, they swimming on the top of the Water, had heav'd them out of the Sea, and when the strength of the blast was gone, they had fall'n on that place.

But how violently the Wind blows here, and how great is the force of the Sea breach, may appear from this, That at Cantick-head and Osnua-head in Waes, there are, by the violence of the Sea and Winds, large Stones thrown up from the bottom, a great way above the Rock, some so large, That some Men can hard­ly move them.

This Country being divided in to small Islands, it cannot be expected there should be in it any Rivers, yet there is every where a great many Rivulets or [Page 50] Bourns, as they call them, well reple­nish'd with Trouts, both small and great, some of them like to young Sal­mon.

There is a large Loch or Lake in the Mainland, call'd the Loch of Stennis, but unfruitful. Besides that, there are in every Island some small Lochs, but they serve for no other use but to af­ford Water to their Mills and Cattle. There be also some Lochs that have some remarkable properties, as Saint Tredwell's Loch, in Papa-Westra, which, they say, is Medicinal; but for what I know not: There is another Loch in Shapinsha, of which, it is said, that if any wash their feet in it, they will strike out in Blisters. The Loch of Swanna, in the Mainland, will have, in some parts, a thick scum, of a Copper Colour, upon it, which makes some think there is some Mine under it.

This Country is most commodious for Navigation, there being every where excellent Bays and Ports for Shipping, the most remarkable of which I have gi­ven an account of in the last Chapter.

THere is in Hoy, lying betwixt two Hills, a Stone, call'd the Dwarfie-Stone, which is one entire Stone, thirty six Foot long, eighteen Foot broad, nine Foot thick; hallow'd within by the Hand of some Mason (for the prints of the Irons are to be seen on it to this day) with a square hole of about two Foot high for the entry, and a Stone proportionable standing before it for a Door. Within, at one end, is a Bed ex­cellently cut out of the Stone, with a Pillow, wherein two Men may lie to­gether at their full length; at the other [Page 52] end is a Couch, and in the middle a Hearth for a Fire, with a round hole cut out above for the Chimney. It stands in a desolate melancholy place, more than a Mile from any inhabited House, and all the Ground about it no­thing but high Heath and Heather. It's thought to have been the residence of some melancholy Hermit. See the Fi­gure of it.

At the West-end of this Stone stands on exceeding high Mountain, of a steep ascent, call'd the Wart Hill of Hoy; near the top of which, in the Month of May, June, and July, about Mid­day, is seen something that shines and sparkles admirably, and which is often seen a great way off. It hath shined more brightly before than it does now, tho' many have climbed up the Hill, and attempted to search for it, yet they could find nothing. The Vulgar talk of it as some enchanted Carbuncle; but I take it rather to be some Water sliding down the face of a smooth Rock, which when the Sun at such a time shines upon, the reflection causeth that admirable splendor.

[Page 53] At Stennis, in the Mainland, where the Loch is narrowest, in the middle, having a Causey of Stones over it for a Bridge, there is, at the South-end of the Bridge, a Round set about with high smooth Stones or Flags, about twenty Foot high above ground, six Foot broad, and each a Foot or two thick. Betwixt that Round and the Bridge are two Stones standing of that same largeness with the rest, whereof one hath a round hole in the midst of it; and at the o­ther end of the Bridge, about half a Mile removed from it, is a large Round about an hundred and ten paces in Dia­meter, set about with such Stones as the former, but that some of them are fall'n down; and at both East and West of this bigger Round, are two artificial (as is thought) green Mounts; both these Rounds are ditched about. See the Figure of it.

Some think that these Rounds have been places whereon two opposite Ar­mies have encamped; but I think it more probable that they have been the high places in the Pagan times, where­on Sacrifice was offered, and that these two Mounts were the places where the [Page 54] Ashes of the Sacrifice was flung. And this is the more probable, because Boe­thius, in the Life of Mainus, King of Scots, makes mention of that kind of high Stones, calling them the Temples of the Gods. His words are these. ‘In Memory of what King Mainus ordai­ned anent the worship of the Gods, there remains yet, in our days, many huge Stones drawn together in form of a Circle, named by the People the Ancient Temples of the Gods; and it is no small admiration to consider by what Art or Strength so many huge Stones have been brought together.’ So far Boethius.

There are besides in many other pla­ces of this Country, Obelisks, or great high Stones, set in the Ground like the former, and standing apart (and indeed they are so very large that none sees them, but wonders by what Engine they have been erected) which are thought to be set up either as a memo­rial of some famous Battle, or as a mo­nument of some remarkable Person that has been buried there; that way of ho­nouring deserving and valiant Men, be­ing [Page 55] the invention of King Rentha, as Boe­thius says.

There is in Rousay, betwixt high Mountains, a place, call'd the Camp of Jupiter Fring. The name is strange and would import some notable acci­dent; but what it was I could not learn.

At the West-end of the Mainland, near Skeal, on the top of high Rocks, more than a quarter of a Mile in length, there is something like a Street all set in red Clay, with a sort of reddish Stones of several figures and magni­tudes; having the Images and Repre­sentations of several things, as it were, engraven on them; and, which is very strange, a great many of these Stones, when they are raised up, have that same Image engraven under, which they have above. This Causey is all a­long the tops of Rocks, and though they be otherwise of a very conside­rable heighth above the Sea, yet the West Ocean in a Storm leading that way, does dashwith such violence against the Rocks, that the Sea breaches do wash the Ground on the tops of the Rocks. If these Stones had not the same Figure on that side next the ground [Page 56] that they have above, I should think the Sea washing over them might occasion these different figures, by washing a­way the softish parts of the Stone and leaving the harder, and so accordingly give them these accidental Shapes and Figures. Tho' there are a great many of them still remaining, yet the Gen­tlemen living near that place have ta­ken away those that had the prettiest Figures to set their Chimnies with, as they use to do in Holland with painted Bricks and Tiles.

In the Links of Skeal, where the Sand is blown away with the Wind, are found several places built square, with Stones well cemented together, and a Stone lying in the mouth, having some black Earth in them. The like of which also are found in the Links of Rousum in Stronsa; where also, some Years ago, was sound another remarkable Monu­ment. It was a whole round Stone like a Barrel, hollow within, sharp edged at the top, having the bottom joyn'd like the bottom of a Barrel; on the mouth was a round Stone conform to the mouth of the Monument, and a­bove that a large Stone for the preser­vation [Page 57] of the whole; within was nothing but red Clay and burn'd Bones. See the Fi­gure. It's like that this and the other Four-square Monuments have been some of these Urns wherein the Romans, when they were in this Country, laid up the Ashes of their dead. Likewise in the Links of Tranabie, in Westra, have been found Graves in the Sand, in one of which was seen a Man lying with his Sword on the one Hand, and a Danish Axe on the other; and others that have had Dogs, and Combs and Knives bu­ry'd with them, which seems to shew the way how the Danes, when they were in this Country, bury'd their dead, as the other was of the Romans. Be­sides in many places of the Country are found little Hillocks, which may be supposed to be the Sepulchres of the ancient Pights. For Tacitus tells that it was the way of the ancient Ro­mans, and Verstegan that it was the way of the ancient Germans and Sax­ons, to lay dead Bodies on the ground, and cover them over with turss and clods of earth, in the fashion of little Hillocks: hence it seems that the many Houses and Villages in this Country, [Page 58] which are call'd by the name of Brogh, and which all of them are built up­on, or beside some such rising ground, have been cemeteries for the burying of the dead in the time of the Pights and Saxons: For the word Brogh in the Teutonick Language, signifies a burying place.

In one of these hillocks near the circle of high Stones, at the North end of the Bridge of Stennis, there were found nine Fibulae of Silver of the shape of a Horse-shooe, but round. See the Figure of one of them.

Moreover in many places of this Country, are to be seen the ruins and vestiges of great but antique Buildings; most of them now covered over with Earth, and call'd in this Country Pights Houses, some of which its like have been the Forts and Residences of the Pights and Danes, when they possess'd this Country.

Among the rest there is one in the Isle of Wyre, called the Castle of Cubbe­row, or rather Coppi-row, which in the Teutonick Language, signifies a Tower of Security from outward violence. It is Trenched about, of it nothing now [Page 59] remains but the first Floor. It is a perfect Square, the Wall eight foot thick, strongly built and cemented with Lime, the breadth or length within Walls not being above ten foot, having a large Door and a slit for the Window. Of this Cubbirow the Common people report many Idle Fables, not fit to be inserted here.

In the Parish of Hara in the Main­land, in a Marle-pit as they were dig­ging Marle for mannor to their ground, there was found in the Marle a large piece of a Harts horn, as I was credi­bly inform'd by a Gentleman who got the Horn from these men, and had it then by him.

In the Parish of Evie near the Sea are some small hillocks, which frequent­ly in the night time appear all in a Fire, and the Church of Evie called St. Nicholas, is oft seen full of Light, as if Torches or Candles were burn­ing in it all night. This amazes the people greatly, but possibly it's no­thing else but some thick glutinous Meteor, that receives that Light in the night time.

[Page 60] At the Noup-head in Westra is a Rock surrounded with the Sea, call'd Less, which the inhabitants of that Isle say, has this strange property; that if a Man go upon it, having any Iron upon him, the Sea will instantly swell in such a Tempestuous way, that no Boat can come near to take him off, and the Sea will not be calm'd till the Iron be thrown away: I being there to make an experiment of it, of­fer'd Money to a poor fellow, to go upon the Rock, with a piece of Iron, but he would not do it on any terms.

Sometimes about this Country, are seen these men they call Finn-men. In the year 1682, one was seen in his little Boat, at the South end of the Isle of Eda, most of the people of the Isle flock'd to see him, and when they adventur'd to put out a Boat with Men to see if they could apprehend him, he presently fled away most swiftly. And in the year 1684, another was seen from Westra; I must acknowledge it seems a little unaccountable, how these Finn-men should come on this coast, but they must probably be driven by Storms from home, and cannot tell when they [Page 61] are any way at Sea, how to make their way home again; they have this ad­vantage, that be the Seas never so boi­sterous their Boat being made of Fish Skins, are so contrived that he can ne­ver sink, but is like a Sea-gull swimming on the top of the Water. His shirt he has is so fastned to the Boat, that no Water can come into his Boat to do him damage, except when he pleases to unty it, which he never does but to ease nature, or when he comes ashore. A full account of these Finn-men, may be had en L'histoire naturelle & moralle des Antilles Chap. 18. One of their Boats which was catched in Orkney, was sent from thence to Edinburgh, and is to be seen in the Physicians Hall, with the Oar and Dart he makes use of for killing Fish. There is another of their Boats in the Church of Burra in Ork­ney.

THE People here are generally civil, sagacious, circumspect and piously inclined; Though Boethius re­ports them to be great Drunkards and Maginus says of them, quod sunt bibacis­simi, nunquam tamen inebriantur, yet now it is not so; for though they use strong Ale and Beer (the nature of the Country requiring strong Liquor) yet generally they are Sober and Temperate, but withal much given to Hospitality [Page 63] and Feasting, very civil and liberal in their entertaining of Strangers, and much inclined to speak ill of those that are peevishly or niggardly dispos'd.

Buchanan tells a Story, which is still believ'd here and talk'd of as a truth, though now there be nothing of it. That at Scapa a place about a mile of Kirkwal to the South, there was kept a large cup, and when any new Bishop landed there, they filled it with strong Ale, and offer'd it to him to drink, and if he happened to drink it of chearfully, they promised to themselves a Noble Bishop, and many good years in his time.

In many places the Landlord has his Tenant bound to give him and his followers, a liberal Entertainment once a year, especially at Christmas (at which time the People of this Country are generally inclin'd to Feasting) and the Tenant wont fail to have good Victu­als and strong Ale (which they call Bummock) in readiness, and will be much offended if the Landlord refuse to make merry with them.

[Page 64] The People are generally persona­ble, and comely, Polyd. Virgil says of them, Quod statura sunt procera, semper sano corpore, pariter ac mente, quo fit ut multo longissimam degant aetatem, etsi piscibus ut plurimum victitant. The Women are Lovely and of a Beautiful countenance, and very broody and apt for generation; one Marjory Bimbister in the Parish of Evie, was in the year 1683, brought to bed of a Male child in the sixty third year of her age, as may be seen by the following attesta­tion.

We under subscribers testify and de­clare that Marjory Bimbister in the Pa­rish of Evie in Orkney, was in Septem­ber 1683. untimeously delivered of a Male child; though we have also sure account of her age in our Register of Baptism, yet many of the Parish who are of sixty four years, and whose age is certainly known, report that to their knowledge she is as old as they: be­sides her self remembers, that in the year 1631, (which was a year of Fa­mine in this Country, and from which the common People usually reckon) she was keeping Cattle, being then a [Page 65] Girl, as she thought; about nine or ten Years of Age. In the Year 1660, she was marry'd to Adam Hourie, to whom, about five Years after, viz. Anno 1665, she had a Child, from which time she was Barren till Septem­ber 1683, when she was delivered of a male Child; at which time, it is pro­bably thought, both by her Neighbors and nearest Relations, that she was at least about Sixty two or Sixty three Years.

By reason of the temperance of their Dyet and wholsomness of the Air, the People usually live to a great Age. A Man in the Parish of Ham dyed not many Years since, who liv'd upwards of Fourscore Years with one Wife, in a marry'd estate. There is also a Gentle­man, yet living in Stronsa, who was Begotten of his Father when he was an hundred Years old, and did live till he saw this same Man's Children.

[Page 66] Some there be also of an exceeding high Stature, as that young Man, who, for his height, was usually call'd, The Mickle Man of Waes, as being a great deal higher than the common sort of Men. At the Chaple of Clet, in Sanda, is a Grave to be seen, wherein, they say, a Giant was bury'd; and indeed the Stone that is laid upon the Grave is a­bout twelve Foot long; so that, if the Body has been proportionable to the Grave, it has been exceeding Mon­strous.

The more common and general Disea­ses here are the Scurvy, Agues, Con­sumptions, &c. Commonly in the Spring they are troubled with an Aguish Di­stemper which they call the Axes, but for this there are Quacks amongst them that pretend an infallible Cure, by way of Diet-drink, infusing a Hotch-potch of several Plants (I suppose what are greenest at that time) in an English Gal­lon of Ale; the Receipt is this, They take of Buckhorn, Plantain, Water Plantain, Lov­age, wild Daisie, Rocket, Roots of Elecampane, Millefoil, Roots of Spignell, Dandelyon, Par­sley Roots, Wormwood, Cumfrey, Tansey, Thrift or Sea-Pink; Garden Angelica, and [Page 67] a kind of Masterwort, the Imperatoriae assinis; of all these they take a like quan­tity, to wit, about half a handful, and of this Infusion they drink half a Pint Morning and Evening. This is what they call the Axes Grass, and the old Women talk wonders of it, pretending there are so many of the Herbs good for the Liver, so many good for the Head, and so many for the Heart, Spleen, &c.

In Phthisical Distempers they use Arby, the Caryophyllus Marinus, Thrift or much as they call it, boyl'd with sweet Milk.

Instead of a Cupping-glass they have a Horn with a small thin Skin at the smaller end. The way how they use it is thus: The Surgeon with the point of his Knife gives three or four small cuts or gashes on the place where he purpo­ses to set the Horn; and having set the broadest end on the Wounds, he sucks the small end a little, and then lets it stand till the abundance of Blood it draws makes it fall off. Some have a way, as they pretend (if they be to Cure any akeing or inward Pain) to draw out several little Worms out of the [Page 68] part affected, whereby they remove the Pain. Others there be that use Charms for the curing of the Rickets, &c. but these are much curbed by their Mini­sters.

All speak English, after the Scots way, with as good an Accent as any County in the Kingdom, only some of the common People, amongst themselves, speak a Language they call Norns; which they have derived to them, ei­ther from the Pights, or some others, who first planted this Country; for by the following Lord's Prayer, in that Language, it has but little of the Da­nish or Norwegian Language, to which I thought it should have had more affi­nity, considering how long time they were possessors of this Country.

Favor i ir i chimrie, Hel­leur ir i nam thite, gilla cos­dum thite cumma, veya thine mota vara gort o yurn sinna gort i chimrie, ga vus da on da dalight brow vora; Firgive vus sinna vora sin [Page 69] vee Firgive sindara mutha vus, lyv vus ye i tumtation, min delivera vus fro olt ilt, Amen. Or On sa meteth vera.

Since Gesner, in his Mithridates, nor Bishop Wilkins, in his Real Character, have nothing like this, I thought this Formula might not be unacceptable.

Anciently, as they are yet in great measure, they were much given to Su­perstition, as appears by the many Cha­pels that are here and there dispersed through the Country; but the Chapels to which most frequently they made their Pilgrimage, were to the Chapels of the Brough of Birsa, and to the Cha­pel of the Brough at the Mulehead in Deirness; these two Chapels standing at the furthest extremities of the Mainland East and West; nor to this day are these Pilgrimages omitted by the common People, who still, for the obtaining of some good, or deprecating of some evil, do frequent some Chapels they have most veneration for. Besides, they have this general custome; The day that is [Page 70] dedicated to the Memory of the Saint who is Patron of the chief Church, where Sermon is made, is kept Holy by the common People of the whole Pa­rish; so that they will not Work on that day: And those that live next the smaller Chapels do moreover keep holy that Day, that is dedicated to the Me­mory of that Saint, that Chapel is de­nominated by.

Here they make no use of Poaks or Sacks, but a sort of Vessel made of Straw, which they call Cassies, in which they keep and transport their Corn: Nor do they make use of Peck and Firlot, or any other Measure, for their Grain, as they use to do thorough the rest of the Kingdom, but weigh all, which they have a particular way of doing with Bismires for small Weights; and Pound­lers, as they call them, for great Weights. In most it resembles a Stilliard that Mo­ney is weighed on. It is a Beam of Timber marked with different weights, which hath a Stone at one end (which Stone on the Malt Poundler should be a setten weight, and on the Bear Pound­ler sixteen Merk) and a Hook at the o­ther end for hanging up the Cassie in [Page 71] which the Corn or Meal is, and there is a Ring in the middle near the Sheir that has a Pole thrust thorough it, by which, by the help of a Man at each end all is supported, that the Cassie may swim fair. The least weight is call'd a Merk, which will be eighteen Ounces, twenty four Merks make a Lecspound or Setten, six Settens make a Meil (e­quivalent to a Boll) and eighteen Meils make a Chaldron.

In every Isle they have a Wart-hill, or Ward-hill, which is the most conspi­cuous and elevated part of the Isle, on which, in time of War, they keep Ward; and when they see the Enemies Ships approaching, they put a Fire, thereby to give notice to the adjacent Isles of the nearness of the Enemy, and to advertise them to be on their Guard, or to come to their help; this they distin­guish by the number of Fires.

Their Corn Land is every where Par­ked, and without these inclosures their Sheep and Swine, and some of their Cat­tle go at random, without a Herdsman to keep them. The most ordinary Man­nour they have for their Land, especi­ally in places near the Sea, is, Sea­weed, [Page 72] Sea-ware, as they call it; and in Bayes, after Storms, when the Wrack is driven in greater plenty, all the Peo­ple of the Neighbourhood come and divide the Wrack according to the pro­portion of Land they have about that place; but methinks 'tis the greatest slavery in the World, for the common People, as they do there in Winter, to carry this Wrack in small Vessels made of Straw or Cassies on their Backs to their Land.

All their Sheep are marked on the Ears or Nose, every man that hath Sheep hath his own Mark, whereby his Sheep are distinguish'd from others: And 'tis strange to consider how so ma­different Marks could be invented, as are found cut in so little room. They use to Fleece their Sheep about the be­ginning of May, and the way they take to apprehend them (for they go wild) is both strange and pleasant. The Bai­liff of the Parish, with the Law-right-men which are the Bailiffs Assessors, and the persons to whom the Sheep belong meet together on a day appointed, ha­ving with them Sheep Dogs, trained up for the Hunting of them, and when [Page 73] they would have such a Sheep caught, they point him out by the finger to the Dog, upon which he runs and sin­gles out that Sheep from all the rest, and never leaves of running till he catch him, which being fleec'd or shorn by the owner, they then go on and hunt for others.

They have also a pleasant way of ta­king the Sea Fowls when they are young as Foists, Lyers, Kittiwaeks, Gulls &c. which build very thick on shelves of high Rocks; under the Rock there is a Boat with men having a large Net, which at the two uppermost corners is fastned with two long Ropes, which are in the hands of men at the top of the Rock, who hoise up the Net till it be over against the place where the young Fowl sit, then they that are in the Boat under the Rock, have a Rattle which makes so frighting a noise, that all the young Fowls take wing and fly for­ward into the bosom of the Net where they are caught: Then the Net is laid down in the Boat and the Prey seised upon, and thus they go from Rock to Rock taking as many as they can.

[Page 74] Others have this way in taking these Fowls, a Man that is accustomed to the exercise has a Rope well bound about his middle, with which he is let slide down the steep Rock, till he be over a­gainst the place where the young Fowls are, of whom he apprehends as many as he is able to carry and then is hoisted up with his Prey. They use that way also in taking the young Hawks. There are some Fellows so hardy that go a catching of Sea Fowls without any help, by tying a Rope about his own mid­dle, and tying the other end to a Stake, which he drives well in the Ground, and so lets himself go over the Rock (perhaps some hundred of fathoms) and catches what Fowls he can and then hoises himself up again.

Several remarkable accidents have fall'n out in this Country, besides some already mentioned. I shall instance in three or four only, whereof the witness­es are still alive. About the year 1634, when Bishop Grahame was Bishop of this Country, a young Boy named William Garioch, his Father being dead, had some little Land, and some small portion of Cattle, left him by his Fa­ther [Page 75] in the Parish of Ham; his Uncle took him in his Service, and having a greedy desire after the Young mans Possessions, it happen'd that he stole a Setten of Barley (which will be about Twenty Eight pound weight) from his Uncle: For which he pursued him be­fore the Sheriff of the Bishoprick, and the Young man, at that time about Eighteen years of Age, the Theft be­ing proved was Sentenced to be hanged. When he was at the Gallows he prayed that God would inflict some visible Judgment on his Uncle, who because of the greedy desire he had to his little Portion, had for so small a matter procur'd his Death. It came to pass that his Uncle walking thorough the Church-Yard of Kirkwal, upon the Young mans Grave, the Bishops Dog seised on him and tore out his Throat, whereby he became a sad monument of God's wrath, against such impious greedy wretches.

Some years ago, one James Lenay and some others, Fishing in a Boat be­side Auskerie, in a fair day it came to pass, that their leaning all on one side of the Boat, that it overturned and all [Page 76] were drowned, except the said Lenay, who by providence got up, and sat on the Keil of the Boat, in which conditi­on he continued for the space of four days, driven by the Tides, sometime this way, and sometime that, sometimes to Westra, and back again to Stronsa, till at last he was seen floating by Spur­ness in Sanda, where by the careful en­deavour of the Gentleman who was owner of the Ground he was deliver­ed.

There was one John Smith who lived in Stronsa, who, with three others used to fish not far from Land; their way was to rise early and stay many Hours a Fishing. This Man having, by several days Fishing, gotten a great plenty of Fish, his Wife was desirous that he would omit that exercise for a time, and stay at home to take his rest. He was very unwilling to do so, where­fore next Morning she rises before him, and being desirous he might take a longer Sleep, after so many days toil, she stop­ped the holes and windows of the Room where he lay that he might sleep the more soundly, and then she went to the Fields to her work, where, working [Page 77] with her Servants she was surpris'd with this sad accident. The three men that used to fish with her Husband, be­cause he came not, had taken the Boat themselves and gone a Fishing, and sud­denly the Boat overturned (no man knows how) and the men were all drowned. This the Woman and her Servants seeing startled them greatly, but tho' she was grieved for their death, yet she was glad that her Husband (by her Policy) went not to Sea with them, and thereupon runs hastily to the house to acquaint her Husband with that sad accident, and to congratulate with him for his preservation: when opening the door she was surpris'd with a more sad and astonishing sight, even the Death of her own husband: For he having risen out of his bed, had fallen with his head in a large vessel wherein they used to make Urine, where he was choked and found dead.

Strange are the effects that are here sometimes produc'd by Thunder and Lightning, for by it, Anno 1670 the Steeple of the Cathedral Church at Kirkwal was burned, and sometimes it will seize on low Cottages. In the [Page 78] year 1680 the Lightning enter'd a Gen­tlemans Cow-stall, where were twelve Cows standing side for side, as they used to be, and killed every other one, that is, it killed the first, and missed the second; it killed the third, and missed the fourth, and so of the rest; so that six were killed and six remained alive and untouched.

THE only remarkable Town in all this Country is Kirkwall, an ancient Burrough long possessed by the Norwegians, by whom it was called Cracoviaca, built upon a pleasant Oyse or Inlet of the Sea, near the middle of the Mainland; narrow streeted, and about a mile in length, having a very safe Harbour and road for Ships. Here is the Seat of Justice, the Steward, Sheriff, Commissary, all of them keep­ing their several Courts in this place. Almost all the Houses in this Town are Slaited, but the most remarkable Edi­fices [Page 79] in it are the Cathedral Church and the Bishops Palace. As for the Kings Ca­stle it is new demolished, but by the Ruins it appears to have been a strong and stately Fort, and probably built by some of the Bishops of Orkney, as would appear from a remarkable Stone set in the midst of the Wall, which looks towards the street, with a Bishops Mi­ter and Arms engraven'd on it. There is here a publick School for the Teach­ing of Grammar, endowed with a com­petent Salary, and at the North end of the Town is a place built by the English in Oliver's time, Ditched about, with a Breast-work, and some other Fortifications, on which they have some Cannon planted for the defence of the Harbour.

This Town had been erected into a Royal Burrough in the time of the Norwegians, and Anno 1486, King James the Third gave them a Charter, con­firming their old Erection and Privi­leges; specifying their antiquity, and giving them power to hold Burrough Courts, to incarcerate and arrest, to make Laws and Ordinances, and to elect their own Magistrates yearly for [Page 80] the right Government of the Town, and to have a weekly Market on Tuesday and Friday, and three Fairs in the Year, one about Palm-Sunday, the other at Lammas, and the third at Martinmas, each to conti­nue three Days; he moreover disponed o­ver to them some Lands about the Town, with the Customs and shore dues, and the power of a Pitt and Gallows, and all other privileges granted to any Royal Burrough within the Kingdom, exeem­ing them from sending any Commissio­ners to Parliament, unless their own ne­cessities require it. This Charter is da­ted at Edinburgh the last of March 1486, and in the Year 1536 February the 8th, King James V. ratified the former Char­ter, by a new Charter of Confirmation. And in the Year 1661 King Charles II. after his Restoration ratified the former Charters, at Whitehall May 25th, where­upon the Parliament at Edinburgh, Au­gust 22d 1670 confirm'd all by their Act, yet with this special provision, That what was granted to them by that Act, might not prejudice the In­terest of the Bishop of Orkney.

This Town is govern'd by a Provost, Four Bailiffs, and a Common Counsel, as in other Royal Burroughs.

THE Church of this Country, as also that of Zetland, was under the Government of one Bishop, stil'd Bishop of Orkney and Zetland. The Bi­shop's Revenue was great before, but at present, it will not amount to much more than Six hundred Pound Sterling; and now the King's Exchequer, considering how much that Country has of late been impoverished, Farm it out for Four hun­dred Pound Sterling.

The Cathedral Church is St. Magnus's Church in Kirkwall; it was founded, as is thought, by St. Magnus, or rather by Rolland Earl of Orkney, who founded it in memory of his Cozen St. Magnus, See the double of the Manuscript in the 8th Chapter; but it has been enlarged [Page 82] by some of the Pious Bishops of that See; for Bishop Steward enlarged it to the East, all above the Grees, and Bi­shop Reid three Pillars to the West. It's as beautiful and stately a Structure as is in the Kingdom, and perhaps by much the longest as it is now; for I have mea­sur'd it, and, by some Feet, it is lon­ger than that of St. Giles at Edinburgh; it's built cross-ways, for the most part of Free-stone, standing on Pillars, all most curiously vaulted, and the Steeple elevated to a great height, in which is a set of as excellent and sweetly chim'd Bells, as are in any Cathedral of the Kingdom. In the Year 1670, the Py­ramid of the Steeple, being cover'd with Wo [...]d, was burn'd by Thunder; but by the Care of Bishop Mackenzie, and his Liberality, and some other Charita­ble Persons, it is again Repaired.

Besides the Cathedral, there are one and thirty Churches more in this Coun­try, wherein Divine Service is celebra­ted, as also a great many ancient Cha­pels, above an hundred in number, which shews that this Country was no less anciently than it is at present addi­cted to Devotion.

[Page 83] This Diocess had its several ancient Dignities and Privileges for a long time; but these, by the constant trouble this Country was in by the change of Ma­sters, being lessen'd and grown worse, Bishop Robert Reid made a new Ere­ction and Foundation of the Chapter, viz. Seven Dignities, whereof the first was a Provost or Dean, to whom, un­der the Bishop, the Correction and o­versight of the Canons, Prebendaries and Chaplains was to belong. He had al­loted to him the Prebend of Holy Tri­nity, and Vicarage of South-Ronalsha, with the Maintenance of the Church of Burza. 2. An Archdeacon, who was to Govern the People according to the disposition of the Canon-law, and to him was allotted the Archdeacons an­cient Rights, the Vicarage of Birsa and Chaplainry of St. Ola, within the Ca­thedral Church of Kirkwall, together with the Maintainance of the Church of Hara. 3. A Precentor who was to rule the Singers in the Quire, in the e­levation or depression of their Songs; and to him was allotted the Prebend of Orphir and Vicarage of Stennis. 4. A Chancellor, who was to be learned in [Page 84] both Laws, and bound to read in the Pon­tifical Law publickly in the Chapter to all that ought to be present, and to look to the preserving and mending the Books of the Quire and Register, and to keep the common Seal and Key of the Library; to him was allotted the Prebend of St. Mary in Sanda, and Vi­carage of Sanda. 5. A Treasurer, who was to keep the Treasure of the Church and Sacred Vestments, and to have a care of the Bread, Wine, Wax, Oyland Lights, for the Church; to him was al­lotted the Rectory of St. Nicholas in Stronsa, and Vicarage of Stronsa. 6. A Subdean, who was to supply the place of the Provost, in his absence; to him was allotted the Personage of Hoy, and Vicarage of Waes. 7. A Subchantor, who was bound to Play on the Organs each Lord's Day and Festivals, and to supply the place of the Chantor, in his absence; to him was allotted the Pre­bend of St. Colm.

Likewise he erected Seven other Ca­nons and Prebendaries, to wit, 1. The Prebendary of Holy-cross; to him was given the Personage of Crosskirk in San­da; he was to be a special keeper of [Page 85] Holy things under the Treasurer, and was to take care of the Clock and Ring­ing of the Bells at Hours appointed, and to take care that the Floor of the Church was cleanly swept. 2. The Prebendary of St. Mary; to whom was given the Chaplainry of St. Mary and Vicarage of Evie; he was to have a care of the Roof and Windows of the Cathedral, and to have them helped if need were. 3. The Prebendary of St. Magnus, to whom was allotted the Pre­bend of St. Magnus; he was to be Con­fessor of the Housholds of the Bishop, Provost, Canons and Chaplains, and their Servants in the time of Easter, and to administer the Eucharist to them. The 4th. Prebendary was to have the Chaplainry of St. John the Evangelist, in the said Cathedral Church. The 5th. Prebendary was to have the Chap­lainry of St. Lawrence. The 6th. was to have the Prebend of St. Katharine. And the 7th. Prebendary was to have the Prebend of St. Duthas. To which seven Dignities and seven Prebendaries, he moreover assigned and allotted (be­sides the former Churches and Titles) the Rents and Revenues of the Perso­nages [Page 86] of St. Colm in Waes, and Holy-cross in Westra; as also the Vicarages of the Parish Churches of Sandwick and Strom­nes, with their pertinents for their daily Distributions.

Besides these, he erected thirteen Cha­plains; to the first was allotted the Chaplainry of St. Peter, and he was to be Master of the Grammar School: To the second was allotted the Chap­lainry of St. Augustin, and he was to be Master of the Singing-School: The third was to be Stellarius or the Bishop's Choirister. The fourth the Provost Choirister. The fifth the Archdeacons. The sixth the Precentors. The seventh the Chancellors. The eighth the Trea­surers. The ninth the Subdeans. The tenth the Prebendaries of Holy-cross. The eleventh the Prebendaries of St. Mary. The twelfth the Prebendaries of St. Katharine. The thirteenth the Cha­plains of Holy-cross. Every one of these Choiristers were to have twenty four Meils of Corn, and ten Merks of Mo­ney for their Stipend yearly, besides their daily distributions; which were to be raised from the Rents of the Vica­rage of the Cathedral Church, and from the foundation of Thomas Bishop of Ork­ney, [Page 87] and of the twelve Pounds left by King James III. and King James IV. Kings of Scotland. To these he added a Sacrist, who was to ring the Bells, and light the Lamps, and carry in Wa­ter and Fire to the Church, and to go before the Processions with a white Rod, after the manner of a Beadle; and for this he was to have the accustomed Re­venue, together with forty Shillings from the Bishop yearly.

He moreover ordained six Boys, who were to be Taper-bearers, and to sing the Responsories and Verses in the Choire, as they were to be ordered by the Chanter. Of which six Boys, one was to be nominate and maintain'd by the Bishop; the second by the Preben­dary of St. Magnus; the third by the Prebendary of St. John; the fourth by the Prebendary of St. Lawrence; the fifth by the Prebendary of St. Katharine; the sixth by the Prebendary of St. Du­thas: And every one of them was to have, besides their Maintenance, twen­ty Shillings Scots a Year. To every one of the foresaid Dignities, Canons, and Prebendaries, he assigned certain Lands in Kirkwal for their Dwelling Houses.

[Page 88] The Charter of this erection is dated at Kirkwal, October 28. Anno 1544; and in the following Year it was con­firmed by another Charter granted by David Beaton Cardinal of St. Stephen in Mount Celio, and Archbishop of St. An­drews, having Authority so to do. It is dated at Stirling, the last of June, and eleventh Year of Pope Paul the Third; and confirm'd by Queen Mary, at Edin­burgh, the last of April, Anno Regni 13.

In this condition the Church stood as long as Popery continued, but the Reformation coming in, and Robert Stew­ard, Earl of Orkney, having obtain'd the Bishoprick from Bishop Bothwell, in ex­change for the Abbacy of Holyrood-house, he became Lord of the whole Country, and he and his Son Earl Patrick, who succeeded him, did in the Church what they pleas'd.

At last James Law being made Bishop of Orkney, and the Earldom being uni­ted to the Crown (by the death and forefaulture of the foresaid Patrick, Earl of Orkney, as we shall have occasion to speak more of in the 8th Chapter) he, with the consent of his Chapter, made [Page 89] a Contract with King James VI. In which they resign to the King, and his Successors, all their Ecclesiastical Lands and Possessions, with all Rights and Se­curities belonging thereto, to be incor­porated and united to the Crown, espe­cially by such as should be thought ne­cessary to be united to it; and the King gives back and dispones to the Bishop several Lands in the Parishes of Ham, Orphir, Stromnes, Sandwick, Shapinsha, Waes, Hoy, St. Ola, and of Evie, Burra, and Flotta, to be a Patrimony to the Bi­shop and his Successors for ever; dispo­ning moreover to him and his Successors the Right of Patronage, to present to all the Vicarages of Orkney and Zetland, with power to them to present qualify'd Ministers as oft as any Church should vake. Disponing also to them the he­retable and perpetual Right and Jurisdi­ction of Sheriffship and Bailiffry within the Bishoprick and Patrimony thereof, exeeming the Inhabitants and Vassals of the Bishoprick, in all Causes, Civil and Criminal, from the Jurisdiction of the Sheriff or Steward of the Earldom. As also he gave to the Bishop and his Successors the Commissariot of Orkney [Page 90] and Zetland, with power to constitute and ordain Commissars or Chancellors, Clerks, and other Members of Court. This contract was made Anno 1614; and in the Year following, by an act of Platt, dated at Edinburgh the 22d of November, the several Dignities and Mi­nisters both in the Bishoprick and Earl­dom, were provided to particular Main­tenances (besides what they were in possession of before) payable by the King and Bishop to the Ministers in their se­verl bounds respective. And as it was agreed by that Contract, and determin'd by that Act of Platt, so are they provi­ded for at this present.

NIcephorus writing that Simon Ze­lotes, after he had preached the Gospel in several other Kingdoms, came at last ad occidentalem oceanum insulas (que) Britannicas (by which Orkney must be especially understood) and there Preach­ed the Gospel. Whatever truth may be in that, yet it is certain, That the Christian Faith was greatly promoted in this Country about the beginning of the Fifth Century (Eugenius II. being then King of Scotland) at which time Palladius being sent by Pope Celestin to Purge that Kingdom of the Heresie of Pelagius that had infected it. He Insti­tuted,

1. Servanus (call'd St. Serf in the Ca­lender) Bishop of Orkney, that he might instruct the Inhabitants of these Isles in the Faith of Christ, which Polyd. Virgil [Page 92] says he did very carefully. He was a Man of Eminent Devotion and Pie­ty, and Master of the famous Kenti­gern, whom he used to call Mongah (which, in the Norish Tongue, signifi­eth, Dear Friend) which afterwards be­came the Name by which he was usu­ally called. From him there has been a continual Succession of Bishops in this Country; but by reason of the many alterations that fell out in it, and the loss of ancient Records, his Successors for many years are not known, yet in History we read of these that fol­low.

2. William Bishop of Orkney, who liv'd in the time of King Robert the Third.

3. Thomas who liv'd in the time of King James the First.

4. William Tulloch, who was Bishop of this Country in the time of King James the Third; of him we read, that Anno 1468, he was sent, with several other Noble Persons, to Christiern King of Denmark and Norway, to seek his Daughter, the Lady Margaret, in Mar­riage to the said King James. About July they came to Hafnen in Denmark, [Page 93] where King Christiern then remained, and were of him joyfully received and well heard concerning their Sute; inso­much, that, by advice of his Council, he agreed that the Lady Margaret should be given in Marriage to King James, and that the Isles of Orkney and Zet­land should remain in the Possession of him and his Successors, Kings of Scot­land, till either the said King Christiern or his Successors in Name of Dowry should pay to King James, or his Suc­cessors, the Sum of Fifty thousand Flo­rins of the Rhine. Upon this the Bi­shop and the other Ambassadors return with the espoused Lady to Scotland in November, and in the Abbey Church at Holyrood-house, She was Married and Crowned Queen. Afterwards she was brought to Bed of a Son, call'd James (who afterwards succeded to the Crown) whereupon Christiern, to con­gratulate the happy Birth of this young Prince, his Grandchild, renounced, by a Charter under his Great Seal, all the Right, Title and Claim, which he or the Kings of Denmark might have to the Isles of Orkney and Zetland. This Bi­shop was translated from this to the [Page 94] Bishoprick of Murray, and continued five Years Bishop of that See, and there dying was buried in St. Maries Isle in the Canonry Church of Elgin.

5. To him succeeded Andrew Bishop of Orkney, who also liv'd in the Reign of King James the Third, and was Bi­shop at that time when the Town of Kirkwall got their erection into a Royal Burrough, confirm'd by the said King Anno 1486.

6. After him succeeded Edward Stew­ard, Bishop of Orkney, who liv'd in the Reign of King James the Fourth; of him Boethius gives a noble Testimony. He enlarged the Cathedral Church to the East all above the Grees.

7. To him succeeded Thomas Bishop of Orkney, who Endowed something for the maintenance of the Choiristers of the Cathedral.

8. After him was Robert Maxwell Bi­shop of Orkney; he caused to be built the Stalls that are in the Cathedral; and it was he that caused found and made those excellent Bells that are in the Stee­ple of the Cathedral, which, at his own expences were founded in the Castle of Edinburgh, in the Year 1528, in the [Page 95] Reign of King James the Fifth, as their inscription bears. The next Year Anno 1629, May 18. The Earl of Cathnes and the Lord Sinclar came with a great Ar­my by Sea into Orkney to have taken possession of it, as of a Country to which they pretended some Right, but the Peo­ple of the Country, under the command of Sir James Sinclar (natural Son to Ro­bert Sinclar, the last Earl of Orkney of that Sirname) encounted the Earl with such courage at a place call'd Summers­dale, that his Army was wholly dis­comfited; the Earl himself, with 500 of his Men, being killed, and the Lord Sinclar, with all the rest, taken Priso­ners. It is said of this Sir James Sin­clar, that presuming on his merits and the good service he had done the King, by that engagement, begg'd of King James the Fifth, then Reigning, the Isles of Sanda and Eda, which he re­presented to him then as small Islands, or Holms, only sit for Pasture, and up­on his Request obtain'd them; which, I conceive, may be the reason why Bu­chanan does not reckon any of these, ei­ther Sanda or Eda, amongst the Isles of Orkney, by being deceiv'd with that o­pinion, [Page 96] that they were but Holms, whereas they are amongst the most considerable Islands in this Country; but the King being afterward better in­formed, and that he had been imposed on by Sir James, threatned that his Head should pay for it when he came to Orkney; for fear of which, when he heard of the King's Arrival, he cast him­self in the Sea, in a place called the Gloup of Linksness, and was drowned. The King coming in Person to this Country to settle the Troubles and Com­motions that were in it, was nobly en­tertain'd by the Bishop all the time of his stay, and having put a Guard in the King's and Bishop's Castles (having first visited some of the Western Isles) he returned to Edinburgh, taking with him some of the Factious Gentry. At this time also the Town of Kirkwall gave such demonstrations of their Affection and Loyalty to their King, that some­time after he ratified their Erection in­to a Royal Burrough by a new Charter of confirmation Anno 1536

9. To him succeeded Robert Reid Bi­shop of Orkney, a very deserving, Man, of an excellent Wit and great Experi­ence. [Page 97] He caus'd to be built a stately To­wer to the North end of the Bishop's Palace, where his Statue in a stone is as yet remaining set in the Wall. He greatly enlarged the Cathedral Church, adding three Pillars to the former Fa­brick, and decoring the entry with a magnificent Porch. He moreover built St. Olaus Church in Kirkwal, and a large Court of Houses to be a College for the instructing the Youth of this Coun­try in Grammar and Philosophy. He made a new foundation of the Chapter, enlarging the number of Canons, Pre­bendaries, and other Officers, and set­ling large and ample Provisions on them, as is set down in the former Chapter. In a Book Dedicated to him by Adam Senior, a Monk of the Cisteroian Order, I find that he had a right to the Mo­nastries of Beaulie and Kinloss; but whether he had these as Bishop of Ork­ney, or only in commendam, I cannot determine.

He was in great credit with his Prince King James the Fifth, who consulted him in all his weighty Affairs. In his time he perform'd many Honourable Embassages to the Credit and Benefit [Page 98] of his Country. Amongst the rest he was one of those that accompanied the young Queen Mary when she was sent into France to be Married to the Dolphin (afterwards Francis the second King of France) tho' both in his going and com­ing he had bad Fortune; for in his go­ing the Ship he was in Perished on the Coast of France, near to Bulloigne, the Bishop and the Earl of Rothes that was with him hardly escaping by the Ship's Boat: And in his return from the Court of France he died at Diep, the 14th of September 1558; of whom Ant. Bardol gives us this Epigram.

10. The Reformation being set afoot about this time, there succeeded to him Adam Bothwel Bishop of Orkney, the first Reform'd Bishop of this Country, and who continued long in his Bishoprick notwithstanding of the prejudice that the Church had then to that Order.

This Bishop was a Man of great em­ployment and action; it was he that Married the Earl of Bothwel, then made Duke of Orkney, with the Queen in the Palace of Holyrood-House. To him Queen Mary, when she had resigned the Crown, gave a Procuration for the inaugurating the Prince her Son; who accordingly, on the 29th of July 1567, Crowned and Anointed him in the Church of Sterling: And in the Year following, when the Earl of Murray Regent, was to go to England, about the debate be­twixt the King and his Mother (who was detained Prisoner there.) This Bi­shop was one of those, who, by the [Page 100] Estates of the Kingdom, were Com­missioned to attend the Regent, and as­sist him in that debate. And after­wards, at the desire of Queen Eliza­beth, Anno 1571, he, with others were sent into England, for the composing of some differences between the King­doms.

He made an exchange of the Bishop­rick of Orkney, with Robert Steward, natural Son to King James the Fifth, then Earl of Orkney, for the Abbacy of Holyrood-House, whereby it came to pass, that the Bishop's Son afterwards was made Lord Holyrood-House, Robert Steward being Earl of Orkney, and also obtaining the Bishoprick of Orkney, as is said, by the exchange of the Abba­cy of Holyrood-House which he before possessed, he and his Son Earl Patrick who succeeded him, uplifted the Rents of the Bishoprick as their own Here­ditary Patrimony. The Church of Ork­ney in the mean time (according to the custom then received in Scotland) be­ing governed by a Superintendant, with Episcopal Power to direct all Church Censures, and Ordain Ministers.

[Page 101] 11. This Superintendant was Mr. James Annan, at that time Minister of the Churches of Sanda and Westra.

But Anno 1606, King James the Sixth, by consent of his Parliament and assembly of the Church, having restored the Estates of Bishops in Scotland.

12. James Law was made Bishop of Orkney, and tho' for some time he was deprived of the Temporalities of his Bishoprick, by the Oppression of Pa­treek Earl of Orkney, yet after his death he enjoy'd them peaceably. Consider­ing, the many and great Quarrels and Mischiefs that had always been be­tween the former Earls and Bishops of Orkney, and their several Vassals, be­cause their Lands did lie mixed tho­rough other; therefore he made that Transaction and Contract with King James the Sixth, of which, in the last Chapter, you have had an Account; whereby the Bishoprick is separated from the Earldom, and the Bishop is made sole Judge within his own bounds. He was a Person who King James did much respect, and often employ in se­veral important Matters. After his E­lection to the Bishoprick, he was, with [Page 102] some other Prelates, sent for by the King to Court, to advise with them about setling the State of the Church in Scot­land. And the next Year we find him presiding in the Convocation or Assem­bly at Linlithgow. He had a chief hand in the Tryal of those Oppressions and Treasonable Acts, for which Patrick Earl of Orkney was Executed. After he had sat Bishop nine Years, he was translated from this See to the Archbi­shoprick of Glasgow.

13. To him succeded George Graham Bishop of Dumblane, who sat Bishop of Orkney twenty three Years; but in the Year 1638, at the Assembly at Glasgow, he resign'd his Bishoprick.

14. After Bishop Graham had been divested of the Bishoprick, King Charles the First did promote Robert Barron, Do­ctor and Professor of Divinity in the Marishal College of Aberdeen to the Bi­shoprick of this Country; but he being forced to fly to Berwick, he there died before his Consecration. In the Inter­val of Presbytery the Rents of the Bi­shoprick were granted to the City of E­dinburgh till the Year 1662.

[Page 103] 15. In which Year Episcopacy being again restor'd Thomas St. Serf (who seems to have his name from Servanus, the first Bishop of Orkney, commonly call'd St. Serf) formerly Bishop of Galloway, and the only old Bishop who was then alive, was made Bishop of Orkney; he liv'd two years after his Installment, and died at Edinburgh.

16. To him, Anno 1664, succeeded Andrew Honyman, Archdeacon of St. An­drews, a Godly and Learned Prelate, the Author of The Seasonable Case and Survey of Napthalie; he repaired the Church of Sandwick, and did many other works of Charity. Anno 1669, being at Edin­burgh, and going into the Archbishop of St. Andrew's Coach with him, he was shot thorough the Arm with a poisoned Ball, which by the Phanaticks was de­signed for the Archbishop; this so weak­ned him that he liv'd not many years af­ter, for he died in February 1676, in great peace, and with great resignation, contrary to what is asserted in a late scandalous Pamphlet, as is ready to be attested, if need were, by several Gentle­men of untainted Reputation, Witnesses when he died.

[Page 104] 17. To him succeeded Murdoch Mack­enzie, Bishop of Murray, translated from that See to this, Anno 1677, a most worthy Bishop, and greatly beloved of all for his Hospitality, Peaceableness, Piety, and prudent Government; he did on his own Charges repair the Lady Church in Shapinsha. He liv'd to a good Age, being near an hundred Years, and yet great was his vigour of Body and Vi­vacity of Judgment, even to his Death; but to the regret of all that knew him, and the loss of the whole Country. He died February 1688.

18. To him Anno 1688, succeeded Andrew Bruce, formerly Bishop of Dun­keld. He died last March.

The History of the first Plantation of the Isles of Orkney; and of the ancient and present Possessors of them. The Pights or Picts the first Possessors. Of Belus and Ganus Kings of Orkney. When it came to the Possession of the Kings of Scotland. When the Norwegians got footing, and when they were expell'd. An Account of the Earls of Orkney. Of the Sirname of Sinclar. A double of an an­cient Manuscript relating to the Affairs of Orkney; wherein there is an Ac­count of the first Possessors of that Coun­try, different from the former, and a full Account of the Earls of Orkney till that time. Of Bothwell Duke of Orkney. Of the Earls of the Sirname of Steward and Douglass. When this Country was again re-annex'd to the Crown. Of the Stewardry. The several ways how Ork­ney hath been a Honorary Title. Of the Law-right-men and their Office.

THE first Planters and Possessors of this Country were the Pights, as the generality of our Historians do [Page 106] affirm, who call Orkney, Antiquum Pi­ctorum regnum. There are yet in this Country several strange Antique Hou­ses, many of which are now overgrown with Earth, which are still by the Inha­bitants call'd Pights Houses; and the Firth that runs betwixt this Country and Cathnes, is still from them called Pightland-Firth, i. e. the Firth that runs by the Land of the Pights. Tho' Bu­chanan, to establish his opinion, would rather have it call'd, Fretum Penthlandi­cum, from Penthus, a Man of his mak­ing.

These Verses of the Poet Claudian.

do evidently prove that the Pights, or some other Colony of the German Nation, particularly the Saxons, at that time were the Possessors and Inhabitants of these Northern Isles: And to this Day many of the Inhabitants use the Norns, which has yet the greatest affi­nity with the old Gothick Language, not much differing from the Teutonick, which is supposed to be the Language the Pights used. Besides the Sirnames of the ancient Inhabitants of this Coun­try [Page 107] are of a German Original, as the Seaters are so called from Seater, one of the old German Idols, which they wor­shipped for Saturn; the Taits from Twitsh, i. e. the Dutch who got that name from Twisio, the Son of Noe and Tythea, the famous Progenitors of the Germans; the Keldas, from the anci­ent Culdees or Kelders, who (as Spots­wood thinks) were the ancient Priests or Ministers of the Christian Religion amongst the Pights, so called because they lived in Cells; the Backies from some small running Water, which, in the ancient Teutonick, is call'd Backie: So the names that end in stane, which are very frequent in this Country, as Hourstane, Corstane, Yorstane, Beistane, &c. which is a Pictish or Teutonick termination of Sirname, signifying the superlative degree of comparison; and many more reasons might be added, if it were needful, to shew that the Pictish Blood is, as yet, in this Country, and that that People were the first Possessors of it.

These Pights, as is generally acknow­ledg'd, were of a German descent, com­ing, at first, from that part of Germany that borders on the Baltick Sea, where, [Page 108] at present,, are the Dukedoms of Mec­kleburgh and Pomerania. They were so called because they were notable Warriours and Fighters; their true Name (as Verstegan says) being Phigh­tian; that is, Phighters or Fighters. They were by the Romans call'd Picts, tho' some of them call'd them Pictavi, and might have been so called of them, ei­ther from some resemblance of that name of Phightian that they took to them­selves, or from their singular Beauty and comely Form, as if they had been a painted People; and so Boethius, in his character of them, puts both these properties together, saying of them, Quod erant corporibus robustissimis can­didis (que);. The like saith Verstegan of them, That they were tall and strong of Bo­dy, and of a very fair Complexion; and so it is to this day; there being no People in Scotland that more resemble the Pights in these qualities, than the generality of the Orkney Men and Wo­men do, being generally strongly built, and very beautiful and lovely. Or the Romans might have call'd them Picts, because, being a People much delighting in Wars, they had their Sheilds paint­ed [Page 109] with divers colours, for Alex. ab A­lex. Lib. 2. gen. dierum Cap. 22. observes, That it was the way of the German Nation so to do, saying, Germani scuta lectissimis coloribus distinxere: Though I think it more probable they were called so, because to make themselves more ter­rible to their Enemies, they used to paint their Bodies with the Images of diffe­rent Beasts, or imprint them on their Flesh with some Iron Instruments, which has given occasion to Claudian to say of them.

But at what time these Pights first planted these Isles is somewhat contro­verted by our Historians. Some say that in the Year of the World 4867, the Pights having left their native Country, to seek out some new Habitation to them­selves, came first to Orkney, where they left a Colony to plant the Country, and then with their main body Ferrying o­ver Pightland-Firth, and passing tho­rough Cathnes, Ross, Murray, Marr and Angus, at last setled themselves in Fife and Lothian, which, from them, by our [Page 110] Writers, is call'd Pictlandia. Others think that the Pights did not settle here till the time of Reuther King of Scots; at which time the Scots by an intestine division warring upon one another, each party being assisted by considerable num­bers of the Pights; they fought so de­sperately, that besides Gethus King of the Pights, the greatest number of both the Scots and Pictish Nobility were killed, together with many thousands of the Commons of both Nations; which great slaughter, with the Invasion of the Britains at that time, constrained the Pights (who perceived themselves unable to resist them) to fly to the more Northern parts of the Kingdom, and so to Orkney, where they abode for a time, and made Gothus, the Brother of the foresaid Gethus, their King; and after some years having left some few of their number to People and Plant this Country, they returned to Lothian, and having expell'd the Britains, setled them­selves again in their ancient Posses­sions.

This Country being thus planted, the People grew and multiplied, and, for a long time, were governed by Kings [Page 111] of their own, after the manner of the Pights and other Nations. There is still a place in this Country, that by reason of its name and antique Form would seem to be the residence of some of these Kings; it is call'd Coninsgar, or the King's House; 'tis in the Parish of Sand­wick in the Mainland; but the memory and actions of these Kings are, by the injury of Time and carelessness of our Writers, bury'd in silence; so that only we find mention made of these two, Belus King of Orkney; Holinshed calls him Bladus, and Boethius Balus; but it is more probable he was called Belus; for there is at this time still re­maining a Stone in the Church of Birsa (where probably the King had his prin­cipal residence, as to this day one of the Earls chiefest Palaces is remaining) hav­ing this name Belus engraven on it in ve­ry odd ancient characters, which has probably been taken from some ancient Buildings thereabouts. This Prince, upon what provocation is not recorded, levied an Army, and crossing Pight­land-Firth, Invaded Cathnes and Ross, making Prey of all he met with; but Ewen the second being at that time King [Page 112] of Scotland, hearing of this Invasion, came with his Army so unexpectedly upon him, and assaulted him so vigorou­sly, that he put his Soldiers to flight, a great many escaping by Boat, but Belus himself was put to that strait that he slew himself, lest he should fall into his Enemies hands.

After him we read of another King of Orkney, call'd Ganus, in the time of Caratacus King of Scots; and of him it is reported, by Boethius, that he, with his Wife and Children, were carry'd Captives to Rome by Claudius Caesar when he went from Britain; and Her­mannus Shedel in his general History of the several Ages of the world, speaking of the Emperor Claudius, says, Quod in­sulas Orchades Romano adjecit imperio; sexto quo profectus erat mense Romam rediit & triumphavit maximo apparatu. This Juvenal takes notice of when he says in his second Satyr,

[Page 113] A little after this the Romans had not such cause to triumph over Orkney; for when Agricola was their General in Bri­tain Anno Christi 87, as Henry Isaacson computes it in his Chronological Ta­bles; he sent a Navy to sail about Bri­tain, to discover the largeness of it, and whether it was an Island or not; and after they had coasted many days to­wards the North, they came at last in sight of Orkney (which Tacitus, for want of better information, imagines to be unknown before that time) but fearing to pass thorough Pightland-Firth for fear of Shallows, they seized some of the Country People that liv'd in the next Islands, constraining them to go aboard and pilot them thorough the Firth; but they suspecting that the Romans had a hostile design on their Country, not caring for their own Lives, they enter'd the Strait at such an inconvenient time, that the Ships were born with the vio­lence of the stream against Rocks and Shelves in such a manner, that they were all almost torn, broke and lost without recovery, only some few of the Navy that were not so hasty to follow, per­ceiving the sad loss of their fellows, re­turned [Page 114] by the same way they came and reported these lamentable Tidings to Agricola: And indeed there is a place in Shapinsha, over against which are im­petuous Tides and dangerous Shallows at this day, call'd Agricola; but whe­ther it got that name from this accident I am not able to determine.

But yet it seems that Orkney was a considerable thing in the Eyes of the Romans: For Polyd. Virgil. lib. 3. Ang. Historiae, speaking of the division of the Empire among the Sons of Constantine the Great, reckons Orkney amongst the famous Kingdoms that fell to the share of his Son Constantine; says he, Huic sorte evenit Britannia cum Gallia, Hispa­nia & Orchadibus.

This Country it's like continued thus under the Government of their own Princes, till the fatal Ruine and Sub­version of the Pictish Kingdom in Scot­land, in the Year 839; at which time Keneth the second, that Martial King of Scots having in many Battles over­thrown the Picts, at last expell'd them out of all Scotland, seizing on Fife and Lothian, and the other large Territo­ries that they had therein; he pursued [Page 115] them to Orkney, vanquishing these Isles and adding them to his other Domi­nions.

Orkney being thus annex'd to the Crown of Scotland, it continued many years under the Government of the Scot­tish Kings and their Lieutenants, till about the Year 1099, at which time Donald Bain, Lord of the Isles, having usurped the Crown, and caused him­self to be proclaimed King of Scotland; and being thereupon hardly put to it by the injur'd Heir and discontented Nobili­ty, that he might not lose what he had unjustly usurped, he invited Magnus King of Norway to come to his assistance, with an offer of the Isles for his pains; who coming with his Navy Invaded Orkney and the Western Isles, putting Garrisons in all convenient places.

By this means the Norwegians got possession of this Country, who held it for the space of 164 years, when they came to lose all again upon this occasion: Anno 1263, Alexander the Third being then King of Scotland, Atho (by some called Hagin) King of Nor­way, hoping from the divisions that were then in the Kingdom, and the Famine [Page 116] that was then sore pressing the Land, to make some further conquest in Scot­land, he comes with a great Navy and Army of Danes and Norwegians to the West Isles, and conquers Arran and Bute (which were the only Isles at that time under the dominion of the Scots) and from this success hoping for grea­ter matters, he lands on the Continent and takes in the Town and Castle of Air. But King Alexander having as­sembled a great Army, assaults him in Battle at Largis, kills his Nephew, a Man of great Renown, and after a great Slaughter of his Soldiers (to the num­ber of twenty four thousand) puts the remainder to flight. Immediately upon this defeat King Acho hears of another sad loss; namely, That his Fleet by a Storm were all cast away and broken against the Rocks, except four in which he presently embarked and fled away to Orkney; being come thither, he sent to Norway and Denmark for a new Ar­my and Fleet, with an intention again to Invade Scotland the next Summer; but he died the beginning of the fol­lowing Year, January 22, Anno 1264, and was bury'd in that place where [Page 117] the Cathedral now stands, under a Mar­ble Stone which is seen to this day, and goes under the name of his Monu­ment.

After his death King Alexander Inva­ded the Isle of Man, and the Western Isles, which, after some opposition, he recover'd, and intending to make the like attempt for the recovery of Orkney and Zetland; there came Ambassadors to him from Magnus King of Norway and Denmark, who succeeded Acho in these Kingdoms; after several Treaties it was at last condescended upon that King Alexander should pay to the King of Norway the Summ of 4000 Merks Sterling, with the Summ of 100 Merks by year; and that for this Magnus King of Norway should quit all Right that he might pretend to the Isles of Orkney and Zetland, and the other Isles of Scot­land, which accordingly he did, by Let­ters under his Great Seal, renouncing and giving over all Right and Claim that he had or might have both for him and his Successors to these and all the other Isles of Scotland; and, for the bet­ter confirmation hereof, a Marriage was agreed upon betwixt the Lady [Page 118] Margaret, Daughter to Alexander and Hangonanus (or Haningo or Aquin as o­thers call him) Son to King Magnus, both Children, to be completed when they came to a Marriagable Estate.

Orkney being in this manner recover'd from the hands of the Danes and Nor­wegians, it continued ever after annexed to the Crown of Scotland; King Alex­ander giving the property of it to a No­bleman sirnamed Speire, Earl of Cathnes, whose Son Magnus Speire Earl of Cath­nes, Orkney and Zetland, was in great repute in the days of King Robert Bruce.

But he dying without Heirs Male, his Daughter Elizabeth Speire succeeded him in the Estate, and was Married to Sir William Sinclar, who accompany'd Sir James Douglass when he went to ac­company the Bruces Heart to Jerusalem. He was great Grandchild to Willielmus de Sancto claro, second Son to Valdosius Earl of Saint Claire in France. This Sir William Sinclar, by his Wife Elizabeth Speire, had a Son call'd William also, who was made Earl of Orkney and Zet­land by King David Bruce. He was first Marry'd to Florentina, Daughter [Page 119] to the King of Denmark, and after her death was Marry'd to Jane Halyburton, Daughter to Walter Lord Dirleton.

To him succeeded Henry Sinclar, u­sually call'd Prince of Orkney; he was also made Duke of Oldenburgh by Chri­stiern the first King of Denmark. He Marry'd Geils or Egidia Dowglass Daugh­ter to William Dowglass Lord of Niddis­dale, and of Geils Stewart Daughter to King Robert the Second. So much was he favour'd by King Robert the Third, that when he was to send his Son Prince James (afterward King James the First) to France, he appointed this Henry, Prince of Orkney, to be his Governor, who taking Ship with him at the Bass, came as far as Flamburgh-head, but by reason of the Sickness and Indisposition of the young Prince, they were necessi­tated to land, and so were both detain­ed Prisoners by the English. He had a Daughter call'd Beatrix Sinclar, who was Marry'd to James the gross Earl of Douglass: And in the Inscription that is on her Tomb at Douglass, her Father, the Earl of Orkney, is stil'd Lord of the Isles, and Lord Sinclar.

[Page 120] To him succeeded his Son William Sinclar, Earl of Orkney and Zetland; he Marry'd Elizabeth Douglass, Daughter to Archibald Earl of Douglass, sirnamed Fineman, by whom he had a Daughter that afterwards was Marry'd to Alex­ander Duke of Albany, second Son to King James the Second. In the Dou­glass History we find a Note of this Earl's Titles, viz. Prince of Orkney, Duke of Oldenburgh, Earl of Cathnes, Lord Sinclar, Lord of Niddisdale, with the Valleys of Neth, Sheris of Dumfreis, great Admiral of Scotland, Warden of the Marches, great Justice General, Baron of Erkefoord, Caverton, Cousland, Rosline, Pentland, Harbartshire, Dysart, and New­burgh in Buchan. He was questionless a Man of great power and eminence, and very intimate with King James the Second, whom he follow'd and assisted in all his difficulties, and by him was made Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom and Lieutenant after that Office was ta­ken from the Earl of Douglass. And from that same King he got a confir­mation of the Earldom of Cathnes uni­ted into a Baronry with his Lands of Orkney, in compensation of his claim to [Page 121] the Lordship of Niddisdale, and of o­ther Offices and Pensions that he pre­tended to as being Son to Geils Douglass Daughter to William Douglass Lord of Niddisdale, and of Geils Stewart Daugh­ter to King Robert the Second, by his Wife Elizabeth Muir. This confirma­tion is dated April 29, Anno 1436.

The following Paper I transcrib'd from an ancient Manuscript, now in the hands of the Reverend Mr. Robert Norry Minister of Dundee. By the Characters and way of Writing it seem'd to be of the Age it relates to, viz. 1403, tho' in some things it differs from the Ac­count you have had before; yet because this may be more likely, and that it gives a better Account of the Earls of this Country, I thought it might not be unacceptable to the curious.

Quoniam inter ceteras hujus fluctuan­tis seculi curas & solicitudines, pensata temporum, morum ac hominum in hac la­crimarum valle, labilitate & brevitate, testante venerabili illo Cronographo Mar­tino, Domini nostri pape Penetentiario & Capellano, necesse videtur de congruo ex­trahere progenitorum, regum, principum [Page 122] & aliorum preclarorum genelogias per quas mundus iste transitorius regitur, Reges regnant & principes gubernant signant (que) in deduccionem & agniccionem veritatis, quo ad eorundem successionem veresimili­ter evenire speratur. Illustri ergo & ex­cellentissimo Domino nostro, principi su­premo, Norwegie regi, suis (que) successoribus, satrapis, patriciis, consulibus & proceri­bus dicti regni, Thomas Dei & Aposto­lice sedis gracia Episcopus Orcadie & Zetlandie, Canonici Ecclesie Cathedralis sancti magni Martyris gloriosissimi, legi­fer, ceteri (que) proceres, nobiles populus ac communitas ejusdem, gracia, pax, caritas, gaudium lonagnimitas, misericordia a Deo Patre omnipotente & a Jesu Christo in spiritu sancto. In omnibus vobis per quem reges regnant & in cujus manu corda sunt regum cum omni subjectione, humilitate & obediencia prompti & parati vestram in Jesu Christi visceribus zelantes & ficien­tes salutem in caritate non ficta. Re­quirentes ut in dicendis in nostra simpli­citate vestra suppleat regia sublimitas, & quia scimus firmiter & longi temporis spacio, efficax rerum magistra, nos expe­rientia docuit, quod in dubium non revo­camus qualiter erga Comites Orcadie re­galis [Page 123] ipsa sublimitas, zelum semper exu­berantem exercuit, Quamobrem firmam spem gerimus, plenam (que) fiduciam obtine­mus quod illa regia majestas verba nostra benegne recipiat, diligenter intelligat & effective prosequatur, ut infra pectoris claustrum solicite considerare convenit ipsa regia sinceritas & diligenter attendere, quod adulatorium vestre serenitati aliquid non scribimus, quod secundum Petrum Blessen­sem in suo prologo canentem, Olei ven­ditores esse non intendimus, sed patefaccio­nes veritatis.

Ergo arbitramur pium esse & merito­rium, testimonium perhibere veritati ne veritas occultetur, presertim illa per quam innocenti possit prejudicium generari, & cum uter (que) reus est qui veritatem occul­tat & mendacium dicit, quia ille prodesse non iste nocere desiderat quod a nobis Deus avertat, potissime cum in dicendis per quondam recolende memorie Erici ve­stri predecessoris regis nostri admoniti pa­tentes literas fuissemus testimonium per­hibere veritati prout lacius in sequenti­bus patebit. Hinc est quod nos Thomas Episcopus, Capitulum, Cononici, Legifer, ceteri (que) proceres, nobiles, populus, commu­nitas sive plebei antedicti, coram Deo in [Page 124] fide ac fidelitate quibus vestre regie Ma­jestati tenemur astricti fideliter attesta­mur & ad perpetuam rei memoriam dedu­cimus fidem (que) facimus vobis & omnibus presentibus & futuris. Jesu Christi fide­libus sancte matris ecclesie filiis in forma & effectu subsequentibus. Coram nobis congregatus, comparens magnificus & prae­potens Dominus, Dominus Willielmus de Sancto Claro Comes Orcadie Dominus le Sinclar in ecclesia sancti magni martyris in Orcadia proposuit in hunc modum; supposuit enim quod nobis bene & ad ple­num cognita res fuisset, quo modo magnis retroactis temporibus antecessores sui & progenitores ac ipsi Orcadie comites juste ac juridice, inconcusse, linialiter & gra­datim jure hereditario comitatui Orcadie superdicto successerant ac illam per tempo­ra magna & longeva nulla aliena gene­ratione interveniente, quietissime posse­derant. Et qualiter diverse carte, evi­dencie, instrumenta, libri censuales & alia diversa probacionum genera fuerant igne consumpta, deperdita & alienata, hostili­tatis tempore & guerrarum, emulorum inimicorum (que) nonnullorum, defectu & ca­rencia firmissime domus seu municionis inexpugnabilis ubi hujusmodi collocaren­tur; [Page 125] subjunxit idem Dominus Comes quod habuit literas quondam supremi Do­mini nostri Regis Erici illustris, Patentes, quas nobis ostendit & perlegi fecit, pre­cepta continentes subsequencia, scilicet quod si quis nostrum habuerit vel qui habue­rint aliquas cartas, evidencias, cirogra­pha, instrumenta, munimenta, codicillos, acta vel privilegiorum literas ad progeni­tores, antecessores vel ad se spectantes, dictum (que) suum comitatum concernen­tes, quod indilate & sine mora aut con­tradictione seu obstaculo quibuscun (que) ei­dem Domino comiti deliberaret vel delibe­rarent, secundum quod ipsius Domini no­stri Regis evitare velimus indignacionem. Virtute quarum literarum sicut eadem co­mitis continebat proposicio nos requisivit ut si de hujusmodi antedictis munimentis, a­liqua habuissemus in nostris scriniis, A­pothecariis, Thecis, Cistis, Archivis seu cartophilaciis, quod ipsam sibi deliberare­mus & in casu quo non habuerimus, sed sciremus ab aliis ea haberi quod sibi in­timaremus & revelaremus. Et si nec u­num nec reliquum sciremus, tunc nos re­quisivit earundem literarum autoritate, qua­tenus nos Deum, justitiam & equitatem pre oculis habentes in declaracionem ve­ritatis velimus sagaciter & studiose ma­ture [Page 126] digestis iterim iterim ac tertio per­scrutari scripturas, cronicas, autenticas & approbatas que faciunt fidem illas perle­gere, diligenter inspicere, sane concipere & intelligere, ac naturas infeodacionis & ec­clesiarum fundaciones perspicue intendere, quibus sic mature rimatis & ad plenum discussis velimus supremo Domino nostro manifestare per genealogias accronicas, au­tenticas, per quos & a quibus lineater & gradatim idem Willielmus Comes processit & per quanta tempora, legitime, juste, bene & inconcusse predecessores sui & ipse gavisi sunt dicto comitatu cum universis & singulis suis insulis, commoditatibus & justis suis pertinenciis, ne hujusmodi suc­cessio ultra debitam procelaretur hominum memoriam. His omnibus sic propositis, avisatis, discussis, digestis mature & ad plenum conceptis & intellectis, habitis prius diversis & singulis hinc inde tra­ctatibus, ad honorem Dei omnipotentis, manifestationem veritatis & obedienciam & reverenciam supremi Domini nostri Regis tanquam filii obediencie preceptarii mandatarii prout decet in his quae au­divimus a senioribus nostris, deinde que legibus intelleximus & concepimus & ad plenum sano effectu degessimus per libros [Page 127] Scripturas, cronicas regnorum utrorum (que) Scocie & Norwegie & progenitorum eo­rundem; sic quod singulariter singuli & universaliter universi, uno animo, una fide, unico consensu & assensu responde­mus fidem ut prefertur & testimonium veritatis facientes universis superscriptis. Quod universa genera munimentorum, cartarum, evidenciarum & aliarum pro­bacionum species que apud nos erant ob reverentiam supremi Domini nostri dicto Domino Comiti deliberavimus & exhibui­mus ante dictum comitatum concernencia. Sed verum est & in veritate attestamur ex relatione fide dignorum antecessorum & progenitorum nostrorum quod principu­lus & precipuus mansus sive manerium Dominorum Comitum Orcadie fuit diversis temporibus igne combustis & ad nihilum redactus & funditus destructus & patria tota depredata & vastata per emulos nostros & inimicos per quas depredaciones, con­sumpciones & destrucciones firmiter cre­dimus quod principales evidencie, carte & alie patentes, diverse litere fuerunt & sunt alienate & consumpte spectantes & concernentes ad antecessores & progenito­res dicti Domini Comitis defectu unius castri in quo tutissime ipse evidencie, & [Page 128] carte, & alia patrie jocalia firmissime po­terant collocare. Ast quantum ad linea­lem progressum & gradum successionis dicti Domini Comitis & suorum antecessorum seu progenitorum Comitum Orcadie, nos prenominati superius expressatis, justa no­strum ingenium, sensum & intellectum perscrutati sumus & mature avisati luci­dissime per diversa linquarum genera, Scri­pturas autenticas & approbatas cronicas scilicet in linqua latina & Norwegica per quas reperimus infeodaciones ecclesiarum nostrarum, genealogias nostras & anteces­sorum nostrorum, cartis & evidenciis ip­sorum & nostrorum manifestantibus & claro stili eloquio testimonium perhibenti­bus ac fidem facientibus; in quibusdam Cronicis, libris, cartis ac aliis autenticis Scripturis reperimus nomina diversorum comitum Orcadie tempora in feudacionum ipsorum juxta modum & formam sequen­tem, sed de eorum strenuis & notabilibus operacionibus, gestis, nominibus filiorum siliarum (que) suarum, de modo migrandi ab hac luce, de divisione seu unione heredita­tis ipsorum, de incremento vel decremento possessionum suarum pro presenti brevitatis causa pretermittimus; & nos ad antiquas, cronicas & genealogias autenticas & appro­batas referimus.

[Page 129] Reperimus ita (que) imprimis quod tem­pore Haraldi Comati primi Regis nor­wegie qui gavisus est per totum Regnum suum, haec terra sive insularum patria Or­cadie fuit inhabitata & culta duabus naci­onibus scilicet Peti & Pape que due gene­ra naciones fuerant destructe radicitus ac penitus per norwegenses de stirpe sive de tribu strenuissimi principis Rognaldi, qui sic sunt ipsias naciones aggressi quod poste­ritas ipsarum nacionum Peti & Pape non remansit. Sed verum est quod tunc non denominabatur Orcadia sed terra Petorum sicut clare verificatur hodie adhuc cronica attestante, per mare dividens Scociam & Orcadiam quod us (que) ad hodiernum diem mare Petlandicum appellatur & sicut pul­chre subjungitur in ijsdem cronicis Rex iste Haraldus Comatus primo applicuit in Zetlandiam cum classe sua & consequen­ter in Orcadia & contulit illam Orcadiam & Zetlandiam antedicto principi Rognal­do robusto ex cujus stirpe ut prefertur prefate due naciones, fuerant everse & destructe sicùt cronice nostre clare de­monstrant a quo quidem Rognaldo pro­cesserunt linealiter & gradatim omnes Co­mites Orcadie & possederunt temporibus suis dictum Comitatum libere sine qua­cun (que) [Page 130] exaccione quocun (que) Canone seu sensu, excepto obsequio prestando regibus Norwe­gie tributi racione, sicut in clausula se­quenti lacius patebit que in Cronica de verbo in verbum continetur. Revera e­nim us (que) hodie illorum posteritatis dominio subjacent excepto quod jure tributario Norwegie regibus deserviunt, Qui quidem princeps Rognaldus strenuissimus hujus­modi comitatum libere & jure donavit cuidam fratri suo Swardo nomine, qui Co­mes Swardus procreavit quendam filium Gothornum nomine, qui comes Gothornus possedebat dictum Comitatum per unum annum & decessit sinc herede legittimo & sic reversus est dictus Comitatus dicto principi Rognaldo, qui pure & libere illum contulit cuidam filio suo Eyward nomine qui postea cognominabatur Turffeid, qui quidem per long a tempora possedebat dictum Comitatum & habundavit opibus & plenus fuit divicijs. Cui successit filius ejus Thur­wider Gedclevar cui successit filius ejus Itlanderver cui successit filius ejus Comes Swardus robustus ac corpolentus, magnus & strenuissimus bellifer, Adhuc tamen non fuit regeneratus sacri baptismatis lavacro ne (que) alij Comites prenominati. In cujus quidem Comitis Swardi diebus supervenit Olaus [Page 131] Thurgonus Rex illustrissimus de occidentali­um partium guerris, cujus induccione co­mes ille Swardus una cum gente Orcadie devenerunt, Christiani gentilitatis relin­quentes errorem. Cui Comiti Swardo suc­cessit filius ejus comes Thurfinus procrea­tus ex filia quondam excellentissimi Prin­cipis Malcomi Regis Scotorum illustris. Qui quidem Rex contulit dicto Thurfino terras de Cathnes & Sutherland sub unica denominatione comitatus in Scocia & illis gavisus est una cum comitatu Orcadie Zet­landie & pluribus alijs dominijs in Scocie Regno jacentibus & vixerat diu & stre­nuissimus erat in campis post cujus quidem Comitis Thurfini obitum successit sibi ejus filius Comes Erlinus primus & iste Erli­nus primus genuit Comitem Paulum & Erlinum Secundum qui Paulus Comes ge­nuit Comitem Hacoin Comes Erlinus Se­cundus procreavit Comitem Magnum glori­osissimum Martyrem patronum Orcadie qui sanctissime abijt ab hac luce virgo & mar­tyr. Post cujus quidem Magni martiris decessum & post obitum Comitis Hacoin successit Comes Rolandus qui primo funda­vit Ecclesiam Sancti Magni Martiris, il­lam (que) magnis possessionibus divicijs & red­ditibus dotavit, predictus vir (que) Sapiencia [Page 132] & virtute pollebat per plura bona pietatis opera famabatur venerabatur (que) & reputa­batur pro sancto viro. Post cujus quidem obitum successit ejus frater Ericus comita­tui Cui successit Comes Haraldus Cui suc­cessit comes Joannes filius ejus, Cui Joanni successit comes magnus Secundus a quo Alexander Scotorum Rex cepit comitatum de Sutherland Cui Magno comiti secundo successit comes Gilbertus primus, cui suc­cessit Comes Gilbertus secundus ejus filius qui gavisus est comitatibus Orcadie & Cathnes in Scocia. Qui quidem Gilbertus secundus procreavit Magnum tertiùm & quandam filiam Matildam nomine Iste Co­mes Magnus filius Gilberti secundi genuit Comitem Magnum quartum & quondam Joannem & ille Magnus comes quartus ab hac luce abijt sine prole, cui successit Joan­nes ejus frater in antedictis comitatibus Orcadie & Cathnes Joannes iste genuit quendam magnum Comitem quintum. Cui Magno quinto jure Successionis linealiter successit Dominus Malisius comes de Stra­therne in Scocia tanquam heres ligittimus Jure hereditario ad utros (que) comitatus Or­cadie & Cathnes sicut clarissime manifestant munimenta, evidencie & carte utrorum (que) regnorum Scocie & Norwegie. Qui qui­dem [Page 133] Comes Malisius revera primo despon­savit filiam Comitis de Monteith in Scocia & ex ea genuit filiam Matildam nomine post cujus quidam prime uxoris obitum desponsavit filiam quandum quondam Hugo­nis Comitis de Rosse & ex ea procreavit quatuor filias & decessit sine masculis sic (que) ejus dominia terrae & possessiones fuerant divise inter illas filiam vero antiquiorem ex prima uxore procreatam Matildam sci­licet duxit in uxorem Welandus de Ard qui ex ea procreavit quendam filium Alex­andrum de Ard qui Alexander Jure Reg­ni Scocie & consuetudine hereditaria suc­cessit Comiti Malisio de Strathern in prin­cipali manerio sive manso ratione sue ma­tris Comitatus de Cathania & possedebat jure & appellacione Comitis & eadem ra­tione & eodem jure gavisus est certa per­ticata sive quantitate terrarum Orcadie & gerebat se pro Balivo & Capitaneo gen­tis Orcadie Norwegie Regis ex parte Idem (que) Alexander de Ard tempore suo vendidit & alienavit quondam recolende menmorie Domino Roberto Stewart primo Scotorum Regi dictum comitatum de Cathnes man­sum sive manerium principale & omnia alia jura spectancia seu concernencia ad se ratione matris ejus tanquam ad antiquio­rem sororem jure & consuetudiene regnirem [Page 134] Scocie cum denominacione comitatus sive Comitis Iste vero Alexander finialiter de­cessit sine herede de sua corpore quocun (que) legittimo procreato. Nunc vero vertamus stylum ad quatuor filias ex secunda uxore procreatas, quarum una desponsata erat cum Domino Willielmo de Sancto Claro Do­mino le Sinclar qui Dominus Willielmus ex ea genuit Dominum Henricum de Sancto Claro qui Dominus Henricus desponsavit Jonnetam filiam Domini Walteri de Ha­liburton Domini de Dirletoun & ex ea procreavit Dominum Henricum de Sancto Claro secundum qui ultimo decessit comes Orcadie indubitatus qui in uxorem habu­it venerabilem Dominam Dominam Egidi­am filiam filij antedicti quondam Domini Roberti Scotorum regis illustris filiam (que) quandam strenuissimi Domini Willielmi de Douglas Domini de nydysdale & ex ea procreavit presentem Dominum Wili­elmum de Sancto Claro comitem Orcadie, Dominum le Sinclare. Quedam alia filia secunde uxoris desponsata fuit cum quodam milite denominato Here Ginsill de Swethrick partibus oriundo, qui vero miles in Orcadie partibus venit & jure ac ratione sue uxoris gavisus est qua­dam parte terrarum Orcadie que quidem uxor ab hac luce sine herede migravit [Page 135] ligittimo ex suo corpore procreato. Ter­tia vero filia secunde uxoris fuit nupta cum quodam Gothredo nomine Gothorno le Spere qui ex ea procreavit quendam filium Dominum Malisium le Spere mi­litem qui tandem decessit sine herede li­gittimo de suo corpore genito similiter & quarta filia decessit sine herede ex suo cor­pore ligittime procreato Verum iste Domi­nus Henricus, primus Dominus le Sinclare, ejus matre, Alexandro de Ard & domino Malisio Spere adhuc viventibus ad Domi­num nostrum supremum regem Norwegie adivit Hacoin nomine cum quo rege certas fecit pacciones, condiciones & appunctua­menta per quas reversus est ad Orcadie partes illis (que) gavisus est us (que) ad extremum vite sue comes (que) Orcadie obijt & pro de­fensione patrie inibi crudeliter ab inimicis peremptus est. Et post decessum istius Henrici comitis primi in Orcadie par­tibus supervenit dicti Comitis Hen­rici primi mater filia Domini Malisij Comitis prenominati & ibi fixe remansit us (que) post obitum filij ejus Henrici Comi­tis primi & supervixerat post obitum omnium sororum suarum, filiorum filiarum (que) suorum sic quod ipsius antedicti quondam Comitis Henrici primi mater successit om­nibus sororibus ejus eorundem (que) filijs & fili­abus [Page 136] tanquam unica & legittima heres co­mitatus Orcadie & terrarum de Cathnes sibi tanquam uni sorori debitarum parte duntaxat & porcione exceptis sororis sue antiquioris de terris de Cathnes sub deno­minacione & appellacione comitatus sive Comitis quam partim ut superius dictum est alienavit & vendidit ipse quondam Alexander de Ard regi Scocie prenominato Hujus (que) rei testes sunt adhuc viventes fide digne qui ipsum matrem Henrici primi oculis viderunt labijs (que) sunt locuti cum ea communicantes ad plenum Cui successit ejus nepos Henricus Secundus filius primi Henrici, cui Henrico Secundo successit presens & superstes Dominus Wilielmus comes modernus Dominus le Sinclar.

Excellentissime Princeps ut premissimus in principio it a fine protestamur quod vestra serenissima regia sublimitas ac ipsius benig­nissima majestas Justa ingenij nostri modu­lum & sensuum capacitatem nos linqua [...] naturam incultam nebulis igno­rancie multipliciter obfuscatam velit rudes indoctos a Rhetorica sciencia alienas in fecunda facundia ignaros habere excusatos quamvis barbarico more non poetice locu­cionis, modo grosso loquamur, quia Insula­res sumus a literarum sciencia penitus ali­eni, [Page 137] imo quod condecenti rethorice locucionis stilo sive Scriptura non referimus vestre re­gie majestatis ea & nos submittimus cor­rectioni. Sed verum est ut attestamur quod more nostro barbarico omnia que su­perius vestre majestati scribimus vera sunt, quia ex antiquis libris, scripturis autenticis, cronicis approbatis & relacioni­bus fide dignorum antecessorum nostrorum, ac infeodacionibus nostris ecclesiarum nostra­rum ista extruximus & compilavimus. Et si opus esset plura quam in presenti episto­la vestre celsitudini lacius manifestare sciremus ipsam (que) in premissis informare, sed quia longa solent sperni, hec pauca suffici­unt pro presenti Et ut hec nostra episto­la taliter qualiter compilata vestre regie majestati ac dominis vestri consistorij & palacij circa latera vestra existentibus majorem fidem ac roboris firmitatem faciat animos vestros ad plenum informet ac inter archana [...] vestrorum ra­dicem emittat veritatis firmam & ceteros Christi fideles sancta matris Ecclesie filios instruat ad Deum & sacrosancta dei evan­gelia per nos corporaliter tacta juramus quod premissa modo quo super relata de­ponimus ad Dei honorem vestre (que) celsitudi­nis, predecessoris mandatum & non alias nec prece nec precio, odio, amore vel favore [Page 138] vel sub spe cujuscun (que) muneris presen­tis vel futuri sed pro veritate dun­taxat dicenda. In quorum omnium & sin­gulorum fidem & testimonium premissorum sigilla Thome Episcopi, Canonicorum & Ca­pituli antedictorum, totius (que) populi & communitatis patrie nostre Orcadie quod dicitur sigillum commune & mei Henrici Randale legiferi in nostra publica & ge­nerali sessione non sine magna maturitate & plena digestione presentibus sunt ap­pensa apud Kirkwaw mensis maij die quar­to Anno Domini millesima quadringen­tesimo tertio.

To this William Sinclar Earl of Ork­ney, succeeded his Son Robert Sinclar, Earl of Orkney; but he being, as I am inform'd, forefaulted for non compearance to the Parliament, the Earldom of Ork­ney and Lordship of Zetland was again annexed to the Crown; and so it con­tinu'd till the Reign of Queen Mary.

At which time James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, was, by her, made Duke of Orkney, by that Dignity to make him the more worthy to be a Husband for her self; who were Marry'd by A­dam Bothwell Bishop of Orkney in the Pa­lace [Page 139] of Holyrood-House, after the man­ner of the Reformed Church, on the 15th of May 1567. He perceiving how much he would be envy'd by the Nobility for that Marriage, and for a suspicion they had that he was the Murderer of her former Husband, he caused to be built a strong Castle in We­stra in Orkney, call'd the Castle of Nout­land, to be a place of retreat in case a storm should fall. And so it came to pass; for being deserted by the Queen at Carberry Hill and pursued by the Lords of the Congregation, he made to Sea with two or three Ships which he had prepared before hand for that purpose and came to Orkney; but being deny'd entrance into the Castle of Kirkwall (the Castle of Noutland not being ful­ly finished) by Gilbert Balfaur the Kee­per of it, he betook himself again to Sea, playing the Pirate, and making Prey of all Ships that he could master and seize upon; till at last he was dri­ven from this Country by William Kir­kaldie of Grange, and so flying from this to Zetland, and from thence to Nor­way, he was there apprehended and con­voyed to Denmark, where he was put [Page 140] into a vile Prison, in which, after the space of ten years, he made a base end, answerable to the wicked life he had liv'd.

After the death of James Hepburn, Duke of Orkney, the Lord Robert Stu­art, natural Son to King James the Fifth, was made Earl of Orkney in Au­gust Anno 1581; and being before pro­vided to the Abbacy of Holyrood House, he made an exchange of that with A­dam Bothwell for the Bishoprick of Ork­ney, and so became sole Lord of the whole Country. He built or repaired the Palace of Birsa, the chief Residence of the Earls of Orkney, having this In­scription above the Gate: Dominus Ro­bertus Stuartus Filius Jacobi quinti Rex Scotorum hoc opus instruxit. Which In­scription, together with the Motto he took above his Coat of Arms, Sic fuit, est. & erit, I am inform'd did militate something against his Son when he was try'd for his Life. In his time King James the Sixth was marry'd to Queen Anne the King of Denmark's Sister; at which time there was a new Renun­ciation of the Right that the Kings of [Page 141] Denmark might pretend to these Isles of Orkney and Zetland.

To him succeeded his Son Patrick Stuart Earl of Orkney. He was a great Oppressor of the Country: Spotswood's character of him is in these words. ‘This Nobleman (says he) having un­done his Estate by Riot and Prodi­gality, did seek, by unlawful Shifts, to repair the same; making unjust Acts in his Courts, and exacting Pe­nalties for the breach thereof; if any Man was try'd to have concealed a­ny thing that might infer a pecunia­ry mulct, and bring profit to the Earl, his Lands and Goods were declared confiscated; or if any Person did sue for justice before any other Judge than his Deputies, his Goods were eschea­ted; or if they went forth of the Isles without his Licence, or his Deputies, upon whatsoever occasion, they should forefault their Moveables; and, which of all his acts were most inhumane, he ordain'd, That if any Man was try'd to supply or give Relief unto Ships, or any Vessels distressed by tem­pest, the same should be punished in [Page 142] his Person, and fined at the Earl's Pleasure.’ So far Spotswood.

These Acts produceed by the Com­plainers and confessed by the Earl him­self, were by the King's Privy Council discerned unlawful, and the practice thereof prohibited in all times.

These Oppressions moved King James the Sixth, that he might deliver these injur'd People from so great a Tyran­ny, to purchase Sir John Arnot's Right, to whom the Earl had given the Mor­gage of his Estate, and so he took the Country into his own hand, sending Sir James Stuart to it, whom he made Chamberlain and Sheriff of the Coun­try, who came and took possession of the Castles of Kirkwall and Birsa in the King's Name.

The Earl at this time being Priso­ner in the Castle of Dumbarton, sent his natural Son Robert Stuart with an express Command to retake these Hou­ses again; who accordingly did so. But the Earl of Cathnes being commis­sioned by the King to be Lieutenant in these bounds, with Order to recover these Castles and pacify the Country: Shortly after his coming, he took in the [Page 143] Castle of Kirkwall, which he demolish­ed, and in it seized on the said Robert Stuart, with some of the Earl's Ser­vants, whom he sent to Edinburgh, where shortly after they were hang'd. And the next Year, being February the 6th 1614, the Earl himself, for several treasonable Acts and Oppressions pro­ven against him (being brought from Dumbarton to Edinburgh) was there Be­headed. He was a Man of profuse spending, and the Builder of that beau­tiful Fabrick, which afterwards was appropriated to be the Manse of the Bi­shops of Orkney. The King by these means being fully possessed of this Coun­try, he made Sir James Stuart Lord Ochiltrie Chamberlain and Sheriff, as is said. After whom others succeeded to be Governors in it, till the Year 1647; at what time William Douglass Earl of Mor­ton got a Wadset or Morgage of this Country from King Charles I.

To him succeeded his Son Robert Dou­glass Earl of Morton, Anno 1649; in which Year the Marquiss of Montrose came to this Country, from Holland, with several Commanders and some Companies of Foreign Soldiers; and ha­ving [Page 144] staid some few Months in Kirkwall, he there raised some Forces, most of which were either killed or taken Pri­soners at that unfortunate encounter of Carbersdale.

To him succeeded, in the possession of Orkney and Zetland, his Son William Douglass Earl of Morton. Anno 1664, or thereabouts, in the first Dutch Wars, there was a great Ship, call'd The Car­melan of Amsterdam, cast away at Zet­land, in which Ship (as was said) were some Chests of Coin'd Gold, which were seiz'd on by some who acted for the Earl; whereupon the Lords of the Trea­sury call'd the Earl to an Accompt, and so redeemed the Morgage of Orkney and Zetland, and obtain'd a Decreet of De­clarator against him; and in the Year 1669, these Countries of Orkney and Zet­land, thus redeemed from the Earl of Morton, were (excepting the Bishops in­terest) re-annexed to the Crown, and erected into a Stewardry by Act of Par­liament.

Thus Orkney hath been a Honoura­ry Title several ways, to several: Belus and Ganus (as we have read) were Kings of Orkney, Henry and William Sinclars [Page 145] were stil'd Princes of Orkney, Bothwel, by Patent from Queen Mary, was made Duke of Orkney, and the Lords of this Country of the Sirname of Sinclar and Stuart were entituled Earls of Orkney, as were the Earls of Morton when they had possession of this Country, and at present the Right Honourable George Earl of Orkney, Brother to his Grace the Duke of Hamilton, has the honou­rary Title of this Country, but they have ever since the Year 1669, when these Countries were again adjoyn'd to the Crown, been governed by those they call Stewards of Orkney. The Kings Ex­chequer gives a Lease to any that gives highest for it at a Roup. The present Farmers and Taxmen have it for Eigh­teen hundred Pounds Sterling; so low by the oppression and changing of Tax­men has this Country fall'n, being rec­kon'd, in the Earl of Morton's time, to near three thousand and five hundred Pounds; when the Taxmens Lease is out, which is commonly in three or five Years, the Lords of the Treasury Roup it of new, and he that bids most is Tax­man and Steward for the Lease of Years he takes it for.

[Page 146] The Government of the Steward is in the King's bounds, the manner and procedure of his Jurisdiction is after the form of Sheriffship, the Title only diffe­ring. The Bishops part is governed by a Sheriff, both he and the Kings Steward have one and the same man­ner of punishing of Delinquents, and administration of Justice, and that ac­cording to the custom and practise of other Shires in the Kingdom; Both their seats of Justice is at Kirkwal.

Under the Sheriff and Steward, are some Judges of their Creation and Ap­pointment called Baliffs. In every Pa­rish and Isle there is one. Their Office is to oversee the manners of the Inha­bitants, to hold Courts, and to decern in civil petty matters to the value of ten Pounds Scots, but if the matter be above that, it is referred to the Sheriff or Steward, or their Deputies under and subservient to these Bailiffs, are six or seven of the most honest and in­telligent persons, within the Parish called Lawrightmen. These in their re­spective bounds, have the oversight of the People, in the fashion of Constables, and delate to the Bailiff such enormi­ties [Page 147] as occasionally fall out, which the Bailiffs punish according to the impor­tance and circumstances of the Fault, and if it be above his limits or extent of his Power, he sends the delinquent to the seat of Justice, either to the Stew­ard or Sheriff respective.

These Lawrightmen have a privilege inherent to their Office, by the custom of the Country, which is not usual elsewhere: and it is this, if there be at any time any suspicion of Theft, they take some of their Neighbours with them, under the silence of the night and make search for the Theft, (which is called Ransalling) they search every house they come to, and if the Theft be found, they seise upon him with whom it is found and bring him to the seat of Justice for Punish­ment.