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To the redoubtable residents of the shire of Egaill, to the worthy officers and prodigious populace of that territory, we the humble habitants of Harplestane do here address ourselves:
Having some two years past taken upon ourselves the task of dragging Scotland into the middle ages, we did establish our claim to these lands for the illustrious Principality of Drachenwald of the glorious Kingdom of the East; yet we knew our strength was but little equal to our task. Thus it was with joy unbounded that we heard that the most noble Sir Eadric and his fair Lady Arianne had newly arrived to reside in the lands to our north and that they hoped to foster the growth of another shire to the further glory of Principality and Kingdom. Thus it was that on the twentyfirst day of September A.S. XXVI did we meet at this fair castle of Hallgreen to settle between us the right and proper apportionment of these northern lands. Then in the castle grounds was the prowess in combat of the shire of Egaill made manifest, yet in the feasting hall the fine footwork of the folk of Harplestane as they entertained the company with dances was equally evident. Clearly the talents displayed by our shires were complimentary, not in conflict, and cooperation would enhance and enrich our endeavours. We therefore resolved to harmoniously co-exist as sister shires and to equitably divide these lands.
To this end we would here set forth the topological boundaries that delineate our respective realms: though in truth no boundaries in travel, in tribute, in trade of skills or in traffic of goods shall exist between us. Thus the border shall run: commonly from that great inlet of the Irish Sea known as Loch Linnhe, through Glen Coe to the vast upland of Rannoch Moor then cross the trackless wastes of the Grampian Mountains south to the head of Loch Lomond: here the border shall divide, the northern border of Harpelestane following the eastern shores of the loch, thence the line of the Campsie fells to the great wall of the Roman Anthony, thus to the shores of the Firth of Forth at Blackness and along the north coast of Lothian to the sea, being defended by the great towers and walls of Castle Stalker, Achallader, Kilchurn, Innischonnel, Dundarave, Carrick, Cardross, Dumbarton, Dunglass, Pollok, Both[w]ell, Blackness, Niddry, Lauriston, Edinburgh, Craigmillar, Seton, Dirleton, Tantallon, Hailes and Dunbar; the southern border of Egaill running by Loch Asket, under the slopes of Ben Venue and by Loch Ard to the Menteith hills, thence by the waters of the river Teith and Doune and the Ochill hills to Loch Leven's southern shore and so to Leven's mouth on the seacoast of Fife, being defended by the keeps of Inverlochy, Comyns, Comrie, Garth, Meggernie, Finlarig, Edinample, Lanrick, Menteith, Doune, Kilbryde, Glen Devon, Burleigh, Loch Leven, Balgonie, Falkland, Kellie ans St Andrews; those lands and fortresses falling between these borders being considered neutral ground.
And we do here affirm our intention to be the allies in war and assistants in peace of your shire to the best of our abilities, and thus by the hand of our seneschal we seal this settlement on the eleventh day of January, A.S. XXVI |
Medieval Articles 
