XXX. Remarks on the title of Thane and Abthane. By Robert Riddel, of Glen Riddel, Esq. In a letter to Mr. Gough

Extract

Agreeable to my promise I send you some remarks on the title of Thane in Scotland, and the authority that was annexed, to that most antient and honourable office by our Kings and the Estates, in the earlier ages of the Scottish monarchy. A Thane (which signifies a servant) held under the king a jurisdiction over a district called a Thanedom, and afterwards a Sheriffdom or County. His office was to give judgement in all civil and criminal cases within his Thanedom. Upon perusing the claims of hereditary jurisdiction in Scotland, when they were annexed to the crown in 1748, I find that in the year 1405 a receipt was granted by Robert duke of Albany, regent of Scotland, for infesting Donald, thane of Calder, in his thanedom, as heir at law to Andrew, thane of Calder, his father, to whom he had previously been served heir, and returned in the heritable offices of Shireef (or Thane) of Nairn, and Constable of the castle of Nairn. He was accordingly seased of his lands and thanedom ; and the seasine is produced as a voucher in the year 1748, to prove the fact.