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A struggle—Patrons or People?
All throughout Scotland a second struggle was taking place within the post Reformation Kirk. There was ongoing uncertainty about the rights which should be enjoyed by local lairds. At times these patrons of the Kirk were allowed to choose the ministers for the parish. It was also the patron’s duty to maintain the Kirk and manse.
In the 18th and 19th Centuries the rights of the lairds began to be questioned. Worshippers who broke away from the national Kirk set up many free kirks. This culminated in the disruption of 1843, which enabled a widespread protest against the practice of patronage.
The Free Kirkers had to build their own churches and many were erected in towns such as Kirkcaldy. Although Auchtertool Kirk remained part of the established Church of Scotland, that does not mean that there were no dissenters in this Parish. The statistical account of 1836 reports that there were 92 families attending the Established Kirk and 23 families connected with the dissenters.
The rights of a patron were not the only issues at stake: Auchtertool Kirk has a chequered history, depending upon the willingness of the patrons to fulfill their responsibilities. Some of the lairds treated the kirk very well, but others allowed the kirk and manse to fall into disrepair.
Auchtertool Kirk in the Church of Scotland Today
The Disruption ended in 1929 with the reunion of the National Church of Scotland. The “Free Kirk” cause very much won the day and the rights of patronage had finally been abolished. Ever since that time the members of Auchtertool Kirk have been able to play a part in choosing their own minister.
Since 1969 Auchtertool Kirk has been linked to a town church, sharing its minister with another congregation. The initial link with Burntisland was severed in 1986 and the Kirk was instead joined to Invertiel Church in Kirkcaldy. Since 1991 Auchtertool has been linked with Linktown Church, following the union of Invertiel Church and Bethelfield Church.
Auchtertool Kirk—the lay proprietors
Sir James Kirkcaldy at Halyards
It was before the Reformation that the lands of Auchtertool moved to secular control. In 1539 Bishop Brown granted the lands in feud to Sir James Kirkcaldy, who quickly took up residence at Halyards Palace. Under King James V, Kirkcaldy served as Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. He won favour with the King through his marriage to Janet Melville, the daughter of Sir James Melville of Raith Sir James’s privileged position earned him enemies in the party of Cardinal Beaton.
Sir James supported church reform and favoured friendship with England rather than an alliance with France. However, Beaton persuaded the King otherwise and the resulting war with England led to a defeat at Solway Moss. The dispirited King visited Halyards; Sir James and his son William accompanied the King to Falkland Palace where he died shortly afterwards.
The death of James V left Beaton the virtual ruler of Scotland. However, Sir James Kirkcaldy and his allies plotted against him and the Cardinal was murdered at St Andrews. Sir James was not actually present at the murder, but his son William played an active part. This deed did not go unpunished and the conspirators were captured; Sir James, William and others were exiled to France. However in 1550 James’s lands were restored to him and he died peacefully at Halyards in 1556.
Sir William Kirkcaldy
On being released from his captivity in France, James’s son Sir William Kirkcaldy served as an English agent within the French court. Whilst fighting with the French against the German Emperor, he earned himself the title “bravest soldier of his age”.
Returning to Halyards in 1557, William gave his support to the Reformation cause. When a force of 1000 French soldiers landed at Leith, William directed the Protestant stand against them. Sir William took a courageous stand by criticising the marriage of Queen Mary to Charles Darnley. Denounced as a rebel he fled to England; on being restored to favour he returned to Halyards. Eventually William led the troops of the Congregation against the Royal Army at Carberry Hill, where Mary and her forces surrendered to him.
Kirkcaldy promised Mary safe conduct, but was later accused of failing to carry this through. This was in fact the fault of others, whose dishonesty prompted Kirkcaldy to change sides. Thus Kirkcaldy proved his character as a man who was chivalrous as well as brave.
It was while he was Governor of the Castle of Edinburgh that Sir William claimed the fortress in the name of Queen Mary. The English Queen was offended and sent her forces to quell the rebellion. Sir William Kirkcaldy was defeated; he was hanged on the 3rd August 1573.
Sir John Boswell
Sir John Boswell of Balmuto succeeded the Kirkcaldys as proprietors of Auchtertool. Sir John and his brother Sir George of Balgonie both shared a competitive nature, neither was afraid of conflict and they engaged in frequent local skirmishes. In 1620 Sir John assaulted James Boswell (a humbler member of the clan) for failing to do him reverence. On a light hearted note; in his old age Sir John was admonished by Presbytery for allowing football to be played at Balmuto on a Sunday.
Even today Balmuto Castle remains the seat of the Boswell family. However, their patronage of Auchtertool Kirk was short-lived, passing elsewhere in 1617.
William Forbes of Craigievar
The lands and barony of Auchtertool were sold to William Forbes of Craigievar and Magne in 1617. His patronage lasted only 10 years, but it would seem that this gentleman was particularly generous to the Kirk. The presence of a coat of arms (representing both himself and his wife) built into the walls of the church in two places suggests that he rebuilt, improved, or substantially repaired the building.
The charter which passed the patronage of Auchtertool to William Forbes also granted the inhabitants of the parish the right of free trade. A market cross was erected in the village and provision made fin- a weekly market and yearly fairs. Unfortunately the cross was destroyed in the mid 19th Century.
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