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Notes for CONSTANTIN:
Constantin, styled third earl, and supposed to have been the first who adoted the title, is mentioned in the supposititious charter of Etheldred cited earlier, and is witness to a charter of the monastery of Dunfermline. During his time a curious occurrence took place, which is very illustrative of the state of Scotland during that period of history. Sir Robert Burgoner had violently oppressed the monks of Lochleven. The monks complained to the King, who summoned a meeting of the whole county of Fife and Forteviot, to do justice between them. Earl Constantin, who was great judge of Scotland, collected the stregth of the county, and the bishop of St. Andrews sent his retainers to support the civil power. The dispute was referred to three judges; Constantin the earl; Dufgal a judge, venerable for his age and respected for his knowledge; and Meldoineth, also a judge of high character. After hearing evidence, the judges pronounced sentence against the knight, Sir Robert Burgoner. Trial by jury, a Saxon institution, that had not yet been introduced into Celtic portion of Scotland was first seen. Constantin is said to have died in 1129, about five years after the accession of David the First to the throne.
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