Bothkennar
Stirlingshire, Scotland
From Sterlinensis praefectura, [vulgo], Sterlin-Shyr/ Auct. Timoth. Pont.Amsterdam : Blaeu, 1654. Pont, Timothy, 1560?-1614?
Blaeu, Joan, 1596-1673.
Sources: Maps with permission from National Library of Scotland.
There were Mastertons in Bothkennar from at least 1480 until 1694. The area is low-lying flat ground by the shores of the River Forth bounded by Airth to the north and Falkirk to the south. It was fertile farming ground and was owned by the King, who received rent from the tenants as recorded in the Exchequer Rolls. The property was divided into a number of steadings such as Grange of Bothkennar, Westerton of Bothkennar, Newton, and Mains of Bothkennar (Terre dominicales de Bothkennar). Duncan and John Masterton are tenants from 1480, and may have been brothers (or cousins). In 1502 their sons, John and Richard respectively, were introduced to the tenancy. After 1508 there would appear to be no Mastertons holding tenancies, but in 1528 John Masterton and his wife Grizell Mure obtain the tenancy of 3 3/4 bovatis in the Mains of Bothkennar. A bovata was a term used to represent as much land as could be tilled in a year with an ox, or a pair of oxen - about 13 to 18 acres. The usual English translation is oxgang. So, 3 3/4 bovatis would be equivalent to approximately 50 to 70 acres of land. This entitlement may have passed from the Mures back to the Mastertons through Grizel.
Douglas, and Stodart have attempted to construct genealogies of the Bothkennar Mastertons, but with limited success. Stodart pointed out the flaws in Douglas's version. He may well be right, for a reason he did not cite. The reference that Douglas quotes to establish parentage of John Masterton who married Grizell Mure is a charter in 1528. The record of that charter in the published (and edited) Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (reproduced below) omits the crucial link quoted by Douglas. Either he invented and inserted a spurious phrase specifically designed to support his (or the family's) case for an established lineage, or the editors of the published version of the Charters chose to redact that crucial phrase "filio et heredi Alexandri Masterton". Given the length of the rest of the extract that seems unlikely, although the original documents have not been seen.
There was still a Masterton in Gairdoch, near Bothkennar, in 1694 and the line has currently been traced forwards as far as the birth of George Masterton in January 1723, eleven generations of Mastertons later.
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume IX. 1480-1487
PREFACE: On 17th January 1482-3, John Dundas of that Ilk had the lands of Bothkennar bestowed on him for his aid in liberating the King from captivity.
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1480. Westirtoune de Bothkennar continens x 1/2 bovatas assedatur pro terminis ut supra Alexander Bowe pro iij bovatis, Thome Andersone pro iiij bovatis, Johanni Richardsone pro j bovata, Duncano Masterton pro i bovata, Ricardo Braidfut pro j bovata, Johanni Mastertoun et Johanni Bertone pro 1/2 bovata.
Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur pro terminis ut supra Edwardo Bruse pro viij bovatis, Johanni Bertone et Johanni Masterton pro j bovata, Duncano Masterton et Andree Browne pro iiij bovatis, Ricardo Thomsone pro iiij bovatis, Ricardo Braidfute pro iij bovatis, Wilhelmo Bowe et Andree Browne pro ij bovatis, inde pecunia xvij li, xij s.
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1483. Grangia de Bothkennar continens xvij 1/2 bovatas assedatur pro terminis ut supra ....Thome Willison et Duncane Masterton pro iiij bovatis, .....et pro introitu Duncani Masterton x s.
Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur pro terminis ut supra Edwardo Bruse pro viij bovatis, Duncano Masterton pro iij 1/2 bovatis, Andree Browne pro ii 1/2 bovatis, Eliena Thomsone pro iiij bovatis, Elizabeth Braidfute pro iij bovatis, ....et pro introitu Duncani Masterton et Andree Browne v s.
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1486. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur pro terminis ut supra ......., Duncano Masterton pro iij 1/2 bovatis,....
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett (ed)
Vol IX. 1480-1487
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1886
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume X. 1488-1496
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1489. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur pro terminis ut supra Edwardo Bruse, per Luce Bruce fratri suo pro viij bovatis, Duncano Masterton iij bovatis j quarta, Andree Browne ij bovatis j quarta, Johanni Mastertoun 1/2 bovate,....
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1492. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur pro terminis ut supra ......, Duncano Masterton iij bovatis j quarta, ..... Johanni Mastertoun 1/2 bovate,....
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1495. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur pro terminis ut supra ......, Duncano Masterton iij bovatis j quarta, ..... Johanni Mastertoun 1/2 bovate,....
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett (ed)
Vol X. 1488-1496
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1887
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XI. 1497-1501
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1499. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas ..... Duncano Masterton tres bovatis j quarta, .....Johanni Mastertoun 1/2 bovate,....
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett (ed)
Vol XI. 1497-1501
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1888
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XII. 1502-1507
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1502. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur Duncano Masterton et Johanni filio suo, iij bovatis j quarter, Andree Browne [mortuus]j bovata j quarter, Johanni Mastertoun 1/2 bovate,.... et Ricardo Masterton cum dicto Johanne patre suo prescripto, et pro introitu Johannis Masterton xl s, et pro introitu Ricardi Masterton viij s.
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1505. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur Duncano Masterton et Johanni filio suo, pro iij bovatis j quarter, Johanni Mastertoun 1/2 bovate,.... Ricardo Masterton et Johanne patre suo predicto...
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett (ed)
Vol XII. 1502-1507
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1889
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XIII. 1508-1513
Et per liberationem Duncani Mastertoun et intratas in libris ejusdem de mandato rotulatoris xxj Octobris xxij ejusdem, iiij celdre viij bolle brasii.
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1508. Terre dominicales de Bothkennar continentes xxij bovatas assedentur Duncano Masterton et Johanni filio suo, pro iij bovatis j quarter, Ricardo Masterton et Johanni patri suo prescripto, Rankino Menteitht de consensu Johannis Mason pro iiij bovatis ...
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett and AJG Mackay (eds)
Vol XIII. 1508-1513
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1891
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XIV. 1513-1522
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1513. Buthkenner, terre dominicales infra le Kers de Bothkenner,.........Quatuor bovate assedantur Johanni Menteth, fratri quondam Rankini Menteth, qui obiit in exercitu domini regis in Northumbreland, et per mortem ejusdem proterminis trium annorum immediate sequentium, incipiendo in termino Penthecostes immediate sequente post datum presentium, per preceptum domine regine, solvendo inde suam partem annuatim in pecuniis victualibus, et caponibus pro dictis quatuor bovatis, prout in rentali continetur, ut patet per suam subscriptionem manualem, solvendo inde grassumam et introitum debitos et consuetos pro eisdem. ...
Grange of Bothkennar let to Christian Levingston and her son, free of entry, her husband Andrew Simson having died "in bello cum rege."
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett and AJG Mackay (eds)
Vol XIV. 1513-1522
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1893
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
AD 1513-1546
720. Apud Edinburgh, 21 Dec 1528.
Rex, cum consensu matris sue, ad feadifirman dimisit JOHANNI MAISTERTOUN, et GRISILLE MURE, ejus sponse, - 3 3/4 bovatus terrarum dominicalium le Manys
de Buthkennar, per ipsos occupatas, in dominio de Strivillingschire, vic. ejusdem, extenden in rentali suo le ferme et grassimus ad 6 marcas, 7 1/2 bollas ordei
, 3 bollas 3 firlotas frumenti, 7 1/2 capones:- TENEND, dictis viventi in conjuncta infeodatione, et heredibus eorum max, quibus deficientibus, seniori heredum fem.
atque divisione:- REDDEND, annuatim matri regis, et post ejus obitum regi, 6 marc. 4 sol, cum ordeo &c. ut supra; ac duplicando dictam firmam ad introitum
heredum; ac edificando mansionem cum politiis:- TEST. ut in aliis cartis &c.
xxii 224
726. Apud Edinburgh, 4 Jan, 1528-29.
Johanni Anderson et Helene Maisterton, ejus sponse...- 2 1/4 bovatus terrarum de le Manys de Bothkennar.
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
James Balfour Paul & John Maitland Thomson (eds)
AD 1513-1546
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1883
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XVIII. 1543-1556
Appendix: Rentalia Domini Regis
RENTALI STRIVELYNSCHIR 1550. Tres bovate cum quarteria bovate terrarum dominicalium de Bothkennar. Quas prius habuit Greselle Mur in vital redditu et Thomas Maistertoun, ejus filius, in feodifirma hereditarie, et mortuo dicto Thoma, numc de consensu dicte Greselle Mur assedantur de novo dicte Greselle Mur in vitali redditu et Greselle Maistertoun, sue unice filie, et Walter Forestar, sponso dicte Greselle Maistertoun, et heredibus inter ipsos legittime procreatis seu procreandis, quibus deficientibus, seniori heredum suarum feminearum, absque divisione, in feodifirma hereditaire, solvendo annuatim pro eisdem prout in antiquo rentali, viz.... etc....
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Burnett and AJG Mackay (eds)
Vol XVIII. 1543-1556
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1898
Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland
Volume IV. AD1548-1556
681. Apud Edinburgh, 23 April 1550.
Preceptum. Carte Feudifirme Roberti Maistertoun portionarii de Bothkennar. (RMS. IV. 443). Per signetum. xxiii.81.
The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland
James Beveridge (ed)
Volume IV. AD1548-1556
p. 116
HMSO
Edinburgh, 1952
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
1546-1580
443. Apud Edinburgh, 23 Apr 1550.
REGINA &c., ad feudifirmam dimisit ROBERTO MAISTERTOUN, filio quondam
Richardi M.,, dimediam bovatam terrarum dominicalium de Buthkennar, vic Striviling;
extendentem in rentali Jac. V.
regis ad 15 sol. 1 den., unam bollam ordei,
unum caponem : TENEND. dicto Rob. et
heredibus masc. ejus Jo corpore legit. procreatis, quibus deficientibus, seniori heredum fem. absque divisione : SOLVEND.
annuatim regine 15 sol. 1 den., unam bol.
ordei, unum caponem, cum ariagiis et cariagiis debit. et consuet. (in augmentationem
rentalis 2 sol. 3 den.); et abbati et conventui
de Cambuskynneth 2 firlotas frumenti ; ac
duplicando dict. feudifirmam ad introitum
heredum ; absque curiis ; reservatis &c. (ut
in carta 442) : TEST, ut in aliis cartis &c.
XXX. 531.
573. Apud Edinburgh, 12 Feb 1550-51.
REGINA &c.1, ad feudifirmam dimisit
GRISSILLIDI MURE in vitali redditu,
et GRISSILLIDI MAISTERTOUN ejus
unice filie, et WALTERO FORESTAR
sponso dicte Gris. Maistertoun, et eorum
alteri diutius vipenti in conjuncta infeodatione, et heredibus masculis inter ipsos
legitime procreatis, quibus deficientibus,
seniori heredum fem. absque divisione,
3 1/4 bovatas terrarum de Bothkenner, in
dominio de Strivelingschire, vic. ejusdem;
que fuerunt dicte Gris. Mure in vitali
redditu, et Thome Maistertoun ejus filii in
hereditate : REDDEND. annuatim 4 libras
18 sol. et obulum, 6 bollas 2 firlotas ordei,
6 1/4 capones, cum ariagiis et cariagiis (in
augmentationem rentalis ad 14 sol. 6 den.
et obulum) ; ac duplicando dictam feudifirmam in introitu heredum ; necnon solvendo
abbati et conventui de Cambuskynneth 3
bol. unam firl. tritici ; salvis regine piscationibus salmonum, lie grilsis et smoltis,
carbonibus &c., et absque curiis; necnon
faciendo politiam solo correspondentem :
TEST, ut in aliis cartis &c.
xxx. 645.
1 The regent is in this charter styled earl of Arran only.
1357. Apud Edinburgh, 1 Aug 1559.
REX ET REGINA ad feudifirmam dimiserunt KATHERINE MAISTERTOUN,
seniori filie et heredi quondam Thome M.,
3 1/4 bovatas terrarum de Bothkennar,
cum domibus &c., in dominio de Strivilingschir, vic. ejusdem ; que fuerunt dicti
Tho. ratione rentalis feudifirme ei et ejus
heredibus desuper confect., extenden. annuatim ad 5 lib. 12 sol. 8 den. monete, 6
bollas 2 firlotas ordei, 6 1/4 capones, cum
ariagiis et cariagiis debitis et consuetis:
TENEND. dicte Kath. et heredibus masc.
ejus de corpore legitime procreatis, quibus
deficientibus, seniori heredum fem. absque
divisione : SOLVEND. annuatim regi et
regine ut sup., abbati et conventui de Cambuskynneth 3 bollas unam firl. frumenti ;
necnon duplicando dict. 5 lib. 12 sol. 8 den.
ad introitum heredum; ac faciendo politiam
in edificatione domorum, constructione
hortorum ac plantatione arborum solo corresponden. : TEST, ut in aliis cartis &c.
xxxi. 452. ...
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
John Maitland Thomson (eds)
AD 1546-1580
HM General Register House
pp. 101, 130, 302
Edinburgh, 1886
Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland
Volume V. AD1556-1567
631. Apud Edinburgh, 1 August 1559.
Preceptum Carte Feodifirme Katherine Maistertoun (seniorii filie et heredis) quondam Thome Maistertoun (portionarii de Bothkennar). (RMS. IV. 1357). Per signetum. xxix.87.
The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland
The late James Beveridge and Gordon Donaldson (eds)
Volume V. AD1556-1567
HMSO
Edinburgh, 1957
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XX. 1568-1579
Appendix: Libri Responsionum
1579: Vicecomes respondebit pro 45s.3d. monete, tribus bollis ordei, et tribus caponibus de feudifirmis totius et integre unius dimedietatis buvate terrarum dominicalium de Buthkenner, jacentis infra balliam suam, necnon pro 6s.9d. monete in augmentationem rentalis ejusdem, existentis in manibus domini regis per spatium trium amorum aut eocirca ultime elapsorum sasina non recuperata; et pro 30s.2d. monete, duabus bollis ordei, et duobus caponibus per duplicationem feudifirme ejusdem; necnon pro 4s.6d. per duplicationem dicte augmentationis, quequidem augmentatio in se annuatim extendit ad 2s.3d; regi debitis per sasinam datam Joanni Maistertoun. [Edinburgh, 16 July].
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Powell McNeill(ed)
Volume XX. 1568-1579
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1899
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
Volume XXI. 1580-1588
14th SEPTEMBER 1580, from 1 NOVEMBER 1575, 5 YEARS.
Vicecomes respondebit pro 45s.3d. monete, tribus bollis ordei, et tribus caponibus de feudifirmis totius et integre unius dimedietatis buvate terrarum dominicalium
de Buthkenner, jacentis infra balliam suam, necnon pro 6s.9d. monete in augmentationem rentalis ejusdem, existentis in manibus domini regis per spatium trium amorum
aut eocirca ultime elapsorum sasina non recuperata; et pro 30s.2d. monete, duabus bollis ordei, et duobus caponibus per duplicationem feudifirme ejusdem; necnon
pro 4s.6d. per duplicationem dicte augmentationis, quequidem augmentatio in se annuatim extendit ad 2s.3d; regi debitis per sasinam datam Joanni Maistertoun.
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland
George Powell McNeill(ed)
Volume XXI. 1580-1588
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1901
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
1609-20
476. Apud Edinburgum, 10 May 1611.
REX concessit JOANNI MAISTERT0UN
seniori in Buthkenner, in vitali redditu, et
JOANNI MAISTERT0UN ejus filio
maximo natu et heredi apparenti, et heredibus masc. ejus de corpore legitime procreandis, quibus deficientibus, seniori ejus
heredum fem. absque divisione, et assignat.,
hereditarie, dimidiam bovatam terrarum
dominicalium de Buthkenner (per dictum
Jo. seniorem occupat.), in dominio et vic.
de Striviling ; quara idem Jo. M. senior
resignavit ; et quam rex, cum consensu
&c. (153.), dictis personis de novo in
feudifirma locavit, viz. 4 interlirea lie rigis
in magno pago de Bothkenner (juxta terras
aliquando Claudii Hammiltoune de Cochnay tunc Alexandri domini de Elphingstoune),
cum pecia lie waird circumstagnata continente duo interlirea at peciam
unius interlirei in medio (inter terras Jac.
Levingstoun de Abbatisgrange, edificia
dicti Jac. per Hen. Gillespick occupata, et
lie waird dicti dom. de E.), et 5 1/2 interlirea
(inter terras dicti dom. de E. et Jacobi
Callendar) : SOLVEND. 15 solidos 1 den.,
bollam ordei, 1 caponem, cum areagiis et
careagiis debit, et consuet., et 12 sol. 3 den.
antique augmentationis (et abbati et conventui de Cambuskennetb 2 firlotas tritici),
et 2 sol. 3 den. nove augmentationis ; et
duplicando feudifirmam in introitu heredum ; sine curiis ; et faciendo politiam in
edificatione domorum, hortorum et plautatatione arborum solo corresponden. : RESERVATIS regi piscationibus salmonum et
lie grissillis et smoltis, et carbonibus :
TEST, ut in aliis cartis &c.
xlvi. 372.
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
John Maitland Thomson (ed)
AD 1609-20
pp 180-181
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1892
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
1609-20
1105. Apud Edinburgum, 16 Aug 1614.
REX, cum consensu &c. (185.), in
feudifirmam locavit et quitteclamavit
GEORGIO FORRESTER, relicto Katharine Maistertoun unice filie legit, et heredis
quondam Thome M. in Bothkenner (native
rentallarie infrascriptorum), in vitali redditu, et MARJORIE FORRESTER unice
filie et heredi fem. dicte Kath. inter eam et
dictum Geo. legitime procreate, et heredibus
masculis ejus de corpore legit, procreatis,
quibus deficientibus, seniori ejus heredum
fem. absque divisione, 3 1/4 bovatas terrarum
de Bothkenner (divisim jacen. et specialiter
bondatas1), in dominio de Stirlingschyre,
vic. ejusdem; quas Franciscus Francie
dolphinus et Maria rex et regina Scotie
dicte Katharine in feudifirma locaverant :
REDDEND. 5 lib. 12 sol. 8 den., 6 bollas 2
firlotas hordei, 6 1/4 capones, cum arreagiis et
carreagiis, et 8 den. augmentationis ; necnon monasterio de Cambuskynneth 3 bol.
1 firlotam tritici ; necnon duplicando feudifirmam pecuniariam in introitu heredum ;
necnon faciendo politiam in edificatione
domorum, constructione hortorum et plantatione arborum solo corresponden. : TEST.
ut in aliis cartis &c.
xlvii. 247.
1This charter names the following adjoining owners : the laird of Airth, Jas. Andersoun, Mr Louis Elphingstoun, Tho. Bruce, Alex. Bruce of Pocknaiff.
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
John Maitland Thomson (ed)
AD 1609-20
pp 403-404
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1892
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
1620-33
1827. Apud Halyruidhous, 30 Jul 1631.
REX, cum consensu &c. (13. 12.), confirmavit cartam Jac. Andersone portionarii de Maynes de Bothkenner, [qua, pro perimpletione contractus de data presentium, cum consensu Jonete Baird sponse sue, Eliz. Patoun matris sue, Thome et Roberti A. fratrum suorum germanorum (filiorum legit. quondam Joannis A. patris sui, vendidit (quond.) GEORGIO FORRESTER in vitali redditu, et ejus genero JOANNI MAISTERTOUN portionario de Maynes et MARJORIE FORRESTER ejus conjugi in conjuncta infeodatione, et heredibus masc. inter eos legit, procreatis, quibus deficientibus, seniori eorum heredum fem. absque divisione, quibus def., heredibus dicti Jo. et assignatis quibuscunque, hereditarie et irredimabiliter, 12 1/2 acras e suis 2 1/4 bovatis terrarum de Maynes de Bothkenner (viz. 7 lie riggis 1 in lie Langleyis et 6 lie riggis in Achintyre), in parochia et baronia de Bothkenner, dominio de Stirlingschyre, vic. de Stirling: REDDEND. regi 1 bollam frumenti, 1 bol. 3 firlotas 2 pecoas ordei, 2 capones, et 34 sol. 8 den., nomine feudifirme; et duplum feudifirme in introitu heredum ; absque curiis: SALVIS regi piscationibus salmonum, lie grilsis et smoltis, et carbonibus : cum precepto sasine directo Jo. Simsone in Stratounhall: TEST. Adamo Archibald camerario deputato de Stirlingschyre, Willelmo Rannald nuncio ibidem, And. Baird mercatore burgen. de Stirling, Petro Baird in Inverallon, Alex. Gib ibid.: carta scripta per And. Cowie notarium publicum in Airth : Apud Stirling, 21 Maii 1624] : TEST. ut in aliis cartis &c. liii. 74.
1 In introductory clause, "16 rigas."
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland
John Maitland Thomson (ed)
AD 1620-33
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1894
Register of the Privy Council of Scotland
Vol VII. 1681-82.
6 January 1681, Edinburgh
Follows the report of the committee anent severall other persones therein contained conveened for absence from the Kings host. ...
George Mastertoune of Bothkennar hath proven by a certificat from the Lord Elphingstone that he was present. It is therefor the committees opinion that he be
assoilzied.
The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland
P Hume Brown(ed)
Vol VII Third Series, 1681-82
HM General Register House
Edinburgh, 1915