582
lorous inhabitants, and slain with his son near Renfrew (z). The disastrous
result of that intrusion discouraged such adventures during many a year.
The war of Malcolm IV. against Fergus of Galloway was rather favour-
able than disadvantageous to Lanarkshire, by exhibiting such an example as
contributed to its domestic quiet. Neither were the hostilities of King-
William with England much felt in this district, except perhaps the contribu-
tions which it supplied liberally towards his ransom. He returned to his
people in 1174 A.D. At that epoch the king's court was held on the day of
the Apostle Philip and James, at Lanark, in the presence of Rolland, the son
of Uchtred, when it was declared by the judges of Galloway, with other
honest men, that Can was due to the king under certain modifications (a).
This court of the Galloway judges, before Rolland the lord of Galloway, was
probably held at Lanark on account of the disturbed state of that distracted
district.
Whatever men may have been sent from the Clyde or the Lavern to the
wars of Alexander II. with his hated neighbour, King John, Lanarkshire
sustained none of the waste and woe of an invading enemy. In 1235, Lanark-
shire was somewhat involved in the hostilities of Galloway, relative to the
succession of Alan, the splendid lord thereof. Thomas, the bastard son of Alan,
was supported by Gilrodh, an Irish chief, who made his escape with Thomas
into Ireland, leaving behind him his followers, who endeavoured to regain their
own country from the Clyde; but the citizens of Glasgow rising in arms, beheaded
the whole of the wretched Irish with a singular barbarity, except two, whom
they sent to be hanged at Edinburgh (6).
During the subsequent reign of Alexander III., which is praised by
Wyntoun :
" For under hym all his legis ware,
" In hououre, qwyte, and in pes ;
" Therefore cal'd pessybil kyng he  wes."
Of this qwyte the good people of Lanarkshire enjoyed their appropriate
share. But after the demise of Alexander III. without issue male, there
soon ensued intrigue and contest, competition for his crown, which only
(z) Lord Hailes' An., i. 108.
(a) On that occasion, we learn, that in case of forfeiture and release a cow was valued at 4 shillings
and a hog 16 pennies if taken after christennias; if before, the cow should be valued at xl. ds. and the
pig at xvii. ds. The Bern MS. of the Leges Scotive.
(b) Chron. Melrose, 202.