| He is the occasion of an interesting episode in Scottish history. He received from his father the lands of Reres and Croy in Fife, but was dispossessed of them by William, Bishop of St. Andrews, guardian of the earldom during the minority of Duncan, ninth Earl of Fife. He complained to King Edward I., who ordered the Regents of Scotland to try his cause. They restored him to possession. But in Baliol's first parliament held at Scone on 10 February 1292-93 Macduff was required to answer for having taken possession of these lands, which were in the custody of the King since the death of the last Earl of Fife. Macduff acknowledged the possession but denied the trespass. He pleaded that his father Malcolm had made a grant of the lands to him, and that King Alexander in. had, by charter, confirmed that grant. It was testified by the nobility present that Alexander in. had the custody of the lands in controversy after the death of Malcolm by reason of the nonage of Colban, and in like manner, after the death of Colban. That after the death of Duncan, the son of Colban, the lands -were in the custody of the sovereign, by reason of the nonage of Duncan, the son of Duncan. Macduff was therefore condemned to imprisonment for his trespass; but action was reserved to him against Earl Duncan, his grandnephew, when he should come of age. Macduff was confined for a few days ; as soon as he was set at liberty, he petitioned Baliol for a re-hearing, and offered to prove his title of possession by written evidence, but the petition was rejected. Macduff appealed to King Edward I, and in his appeal set forth the judgment of the Regents which had put him in possession. Edward ordered Baliol to appear in person before him, and to make answer to Macduff's complaint. Baliol at first yielded no obedience to the order, but at last presented himself before Edward, who decreed in favour of Macduff. When Wallace erected the standard of national independence, Macduff joined him, and fell, gallantly fighting, at the battle of Falkirk 22 July 1298.4 |