Manuscript: Faustina B. IX

.'.et Hugo prior su[cce]3
[sit]
Anno mocolxxviio Fredericus Romanorum imperator ad Christianam deuotionem ⁊ sancti matris ecclesie u
nitatem rediit, ⁊ Venetiam ueniens domino pape Alexandro iii in ecclesia Sancti Marci reuerentiam quam
debuit ⁊ spopondit, ⁊ impendit, ⁊ in signum fidei ⁊ federis firmi susceperunt se inuicem in osculo
pacis. Viuianus cardinalis Hybernia rediens apud Castrum Puellarum prelatos regni Scotie conuocauit,
⁊ in concilio sedit. Rogerus abbas primus de Dri\e/burc curam ouium resignauit, ⁊ Girardus
prior ei ad ministerium successit. Walterus filius Alani dapifer regis Scott’ familiaris noster diem obiit, cuius beata anima uiuat in gloria.






Anno mocolxxviiio obiit Ricardus episcopus de Dunkelde, ⁊ Ricardus episcopus Sancti Andree.
Magister Iohannes cognomine Scottus ad episcopatum Sancti Andree electus est.
Sed rege Willelmo totis uiribus electioni eius renitente, Hugonem capellanum suum regia fretus
potestate, in ecclesia Sancti Andree ut uoluit episcopum consecrari fecit. Hinc inde grauis contentio
⁊ periculosa diuio1 emersit. Sol in meridie pallore indutus ⁊ pene totus obscuratus est idus Septembris.
Submersio Hollandie. Obiit Ada comitissa mater Malcolmi ⁊ Willelmi regum Scott’ ⁊ comitis Dauid.
Obiit pie memorie Laurentius abbas vtus de Melros, uir mire humilitatis ⁊ mansuetudinis, ⁊ in diuinis
litteris plurimum eruditus. Obiit Gaufridus abbas de Dunfermelin, ⁊ Walterus de Bidun cancellarius
regis Scott’ ecclesie de Dunkelde electus.







Anno molxxovixo Aernaldus abbas vitus de Melros a domino Iocelino episcopo Glasg’ in ecclesia nostra bene
dictus est, die epiphanie Domini. Concilium magnum a domino papa Alexandro iii Rome celebratum est
ad letare Ierusalem in ecclesia que dicitur Constantiniana v idus Marcii, anno pontificatus
sui xxo. Henricus abbas Clareuallis in eodem concilio electus est episcopus Albanensis ecclesie, ⁊ a
domino papa Alexandro iii dominica qua vocem iocunditatis canitur post pascha consecratus est in
ecclesia Sancte Marie que Narcisse appellatur. Obiit Reinaldus abb\i/s2 Sancti Thome martyris in Scotia, ⁊
Adam persona de Dunbar. Obiit etiam Amfridus abbas secundus de Neubothle xiiii kal’
Septembris.'.. Obiit Alina comitissa de Dunbar xiii kal’ Septembris. Tonitruum magnum ⁊ fulgur
factum est in die Sancti Bartholomei apostoli per totam Helielendeschiram. Willelmus rex Scotie
⁊ Dauid frater suus cum comitibus ⁊ baronibus terre cum exercitu magno ⁊ ualido perrexerunt in
Ros ibique duo firmauerunt castella, nomen uni Dunscath ⁊ nomen alteri Eꝥerdouer.

Notes

1 DB: There is a caret symbol before o but no corresponding correction noted. Presumably it should be corrected to diuisio.
2 DB: Originally written abbas.
3 JT: Corrected from perhaps susee-.
.'.and Hugh the prior succeeded
In the 1177th year Frederick, emperor of the Romans, restored the unity of holy mother church to the devout Christian; coming to Venice with the lord pope Alexander III in the church of St Mark the reverence which he owed [the pope] he both undertook and conferred, and as a sign of faith and firm alliance they received themselves in turn in the kiss of peace. Cardinal Vivian, returning from Ireland, called together the prelates of the kingdom of Scotland at Maidens’ Castle1 and sat in council. Roger first abbot of Dryburgh resigned the care of his flock, and Gerard the prior succeeded him in ministry. Walter son of Alan, steward of the king of Scots, our benefactor, met his last day, whose blessed soul may live in glory.






In the 1178th year Richard bishop of Dunkeld died, and Richard bishop of St Andrews.
Master John, surnamed the Scot, was elected to the bishopric of St Andrews. But King William, withstanding the election with all his might, relying on royal power, caused his chaplain Hugh to be consecrated bishop in the church of St Andrews, as he wished. A terrible dispute and dangerous division2 sprang up on both sides. The sun at midday on 13 September assumed a pale colour and was almost entirely eclipsed. The drowning of Holland. Countess Ada, mother of Kings Máel Coluim and William and Earl David, died. Laurence the 5th abbot of Melrose, of pious memory, died; a man of wonderful humility and gentleness, and learned to the greatest degree in divine texts. Geoffrey abbot of Dunfermline died, and Walter de Bidun chancellor of the king of Scots, elect of the church of Dunkeld.







In the 1179th 3 year Arnold 6th abbot of Melrose was blessed in our church by the lord Jocelin bishop of Glasgow, on the day of Epiphany.4 A great council was celebrated in Rome by the lord pope Alexander III, on the day of ‘Rejoice, Jerusalem’,5 in the church which is called Constantiniana, on 11 March in the 20th year of his pontificate. Henry abbot of Clairvaux was elected bishop of Albano at the same council, and was consecrated by the lord pope Alexander III in the church of St Mary which is called Narcissa, on the Sunday after Easter when ‘Voice of Joy’ is sung.6 Reginald first abbot of St Thomas the Martyr in Scotland died, and Adam parson of Dunbar. Also Amfred second abbot of Newbattle died on 19 August .'. . Alina countess of Dunbar died on 20 August. Great thunder and lightning occurred on the day of St Bartholomew the apostle7 throughout the whole of Holy Island shire. William king of Scotland and David his brother with the earls and barons of the land with a great and strong army proceeded to Ross; there they built two castles—Dunskeath the name of one and Ederdour the other.8

Notes

1 JT: I.e., Edinburgh Castle.
2 DB: Reading diuio as diuisio.
3 JT: Assuming the c for centensimo is missing in the text.
4 DB: I.e., 6 January.
5 DB: I.e., fifth Sunday in Lent.
6 DB: I.e., fifth or sixth Sunday of Easter, 29 April or 6 May in 1179. Note that, when the opening words of the canticle Vocem iocunditatis is translated, it is rendered ‘With a voice of singing’: for example Fifth Sunday after Easter (“Rogation Sunday”) (Introit) https://canticasacra.org/?page_id=7762 [accessed 27 May 2025].
7 DB: I.e., 24 August.
8 DB: Dunskeath Castle, Canmore ID 15235, https://canmore.org.uk/site/15235 [accessed 20 Feb 2023]; Ederdour is Redcastle, Canmore ID 12662, https://canmore.org.uk/site/12662 [accessed 20 Feb 2023].