LENGTHY 1602 SCOTTISH GOLD AND SILVER MINES MANUSCRIPT CRAWFORD JOHN AND CRAWFURD LYNDSAY LANARKSHIRE, 1602. A manuscript paper document, a Crown charter, with various references to the gold and silver mines of Crawford, Lanarkshire.________________________________ A group of seven consecutive leaves numbered page 6 to 17. The document end is at page 17. There are therefore two missing leaves, pages 1 to 4. Half of the initial leaf is lost. There is marginal edge loss to all leaves, not affecting the text. The document is written in Scots vernacular, much of it difficult to read and requiring much study. Most of the leaves are stained brown, some writing is quite faded, there are some other stains on the last leaf, but all the writing is legible - though as said, much study will be required to ascertain what the text says. Much of the original brown fine twisted binding string remains._________________ Certain words and phrases are recognisable, and these include: 'togidder with **** the mynes of gold silver and other mettalis & minerallis'..., the Lordship and Barony of Craufurd Douglas alias Craufurd, Barony of Selkirk, Normangill, Lordship baronie and regalitie of Jedburgh Forrest, donationne of the patronage of the hospitall of St leonard, sherrifdom of Lamer**, Bothwell, Selkirke, William Erle of Angus, Erledome of Angus, Margaret Douglas, Craufurd Lyndsay, Castell and Fortalice of Craufurd...... There appear to be many other people and place names, possibly smaller locations such as Normangill (which is now a sheep farm.).__________________________ The last few lines make reference to a contract of marriage and also date the item, at Edinburgh, ?3 February 1602.____________________________ The second statistical account of Scotland includes a section on Crawford by the Rev. Thomas Anderson. In the section concerning the mining district of Leadhills, he states: 'The mines are of considerable celebrity, and have in all probability been worked from a very remote period, although the written documents reach no further back than the year 1600.'_________________________ He also writes: 'Gold is found in all our neighbouring streams........The search for this precious metal was formerly conducted on a large scale, and afforded a remuneration to the adventurer. During the reign of Elizabeth, several Englishmen and Germans obtained commissions from the Scottish Regent, and employed a number of men in the above work.' _______________________________ William Douglas, the 10th Earl of Angus, is biographically referred to as a 'magnate', among other things, so it would seem that he had a large interest or involvement in the mines. _______________________ This has not been transcribed, I have simply picked out words that I could read._______________ (Crawford Castle, substantially in ruins, is located on the north bank of the River Clyde, around half a mile north of Crawford, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The ruins stand on an earlier motte and bailey earthwork. The castle was formerly known as Lindsay Tower, after its former owners, the Lindsay family. The strategic location of the castle, at NS954213, guards the approach from England into the upper Clyde Valley.)_______________________________ PLEASE REALLY NOTE THIS: If this manuscript is to be sent outwith the UK, then following payment, I am lawfully bound to apply to the British Government for an export licence. I cannot legally send this overseas without a licence. The licence is free, and I will obtain it following payment. The department responsible for the licences states 21 working days for their issue, which is usually the case, but sometimes licences have taken up to 40 working days. Please do not let all this licence business put you off - it just means that you have to wait a while. All previous customers have all received their manuscripts - and many still had the export licence attached to the parcel since the Customs had not removed them. They make an interesting official accompaniment to the manuscript!

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