Alexander, by the grace of God king of the Scots, to all sheriffs of his entire land [sends] greeting. We command you, strictly ordering that, when the monks or brethren of Melrose approach you complaining about any malefactors, who have by stealth stolen or led away their work animals or livestock, you should prosecute the pleas of the monks and brethren as though it were our own plea, making the appeals and answers against their malefactors according to the nature of their plea, and on our behalf finding, if by chance there shall be need, a champion for the same monks and brethren, until the plea of the same be certainly concluded, by the scrutiny of discerning men, or by mediating an agreement. When the plea of the oft-mentioned monks or brethren shall have been concluded, as it has already been said, and their malefactors have been convicted or as good as convicted in their own wickedness; we will that their working animals or livestock which have been removed from the same shall fully be restored to the monks or brethren from the property of their malefactors. And the forfeitures and losses into which the said malefactors or their pledges shall by their their offences have fallen, are entirely devolved to our authority according to what the law shall have decreed. We have rightfully taken the brethren of Melrose, and the men of the same, bearers of the presents, under our firm peace and protection, strictly forbidding that anyone shall unlawfully cause or attempt to cause them any injury, annoyance or harm, on pain of our full forfeiture. As witnesses: Thomas, earl of Atholl; John of Maxwell, chancellor; Ingram de Balliol; Robert the chaplain; David the marischal; Donald of Mar; Thomas de Normanville; William of Bunkle. At Melrose on the nineteenth day of March, in the seventeenth year of the reign of the lord king.
