ave been the demands of spiritual functions upon the time
of the monks, they cannot fairly be charged with "agricultural
indolence." Their glebe consisted entirely of marsh and bog when the
Abbacy was created. By 1218--_i.e._, in about twenty years--it had all
been ditch-drained and reclaimed. The beneficial results of their labour
are noticeable to-day. Fields immediately adjoining the ruin exhibit
quite a different appearance in spring and yield quite an appreciable
advantage in autumn compared with those more remote. No stronger
evidence need be required than that the rental of the former doubles that
of an equal area of the latter.

The detail of the great charter includes, as we said, "the tithe of the
fines levied at the Earl's Court." Nowhere else throughout Scotland
could a subject of the King exercise _jura regalia_. Perth was our only
county, and the Earls of Strathearn our only Earls Palatine. When
precisely this independent jurisdiction was bestowed and when revoked and
abolished we have no clear account. But, according to the trustworthy
evidence embodied in the above-mentioned deed of gift, we gather not only
that the privilege existed in the thirteenth century, but that it
operated favourably for the monks.

The source and reference of the name given to the parish has never been
satisfactorily determined. Some have attempted to connect it with the
dedication of Inchaffray. Now, whatever truth there might be in the view
that part of the dedication--"to the Virgin"--was suggested by the name
of the parish (Maderty being the English for the Celtic "mother of God"),
there is certainly nothing whatever to support the opinion that the
district took its style from the Abbey. Maderty was Maderty long before
Inchaffray was Inchaffray.

Earl Gilbert died in 1223. Robert, his successor, maintained the like
generous attitude which his father had borne toward the Church. We may,
no doubt, feel disposed to conjecture some proof of estrangement having
marred the hitherto peaceful relations between patron and clergy. But if
such did arise, it can have been only temporary, for the very record
which excites the suspicion assures us of even more devoted loyalty on
his part. "In the Church of Strogeath, and in the presence of Abraham,
Bishop of Dunblane, and others, Robert, Earl of Strathearn, bound himself
toward the Abbot of Inchaffray that he would never in his life vex the
said abbot or his convent unju