_Black Rood in Scotland--Cross Neytz._--Observing that in Vol. ii. of
"N. & Q." pp. 308. 409., and in Vol. iii., p. 104., there is a
discussion about the "Black Rood of Scotland," which does not seem to be
very satisfactorily concluded, I am tempted to send you a passage from
Madox's _Baronia Anglica_, p. 268., &c., which seems to bear upon the
point in question, but I am not competent to say how far it may serve to
throw any light upon the obscurities of the case.
It there appears that 13th Oct. 1306, James Steward of Scotland swore
fealty to King Edw. I.:
"By his corporal oath, taken upon the consecrated body of Christ;
and upon _the two holy crosses_, to wit, the _cross Neytz_, and
the _Blakerode Descoce_, and other holy reliques."
"In the priory of Lanrecost, in the diocese of Carlisle, before W.
Bp. of Lichfield and Coventry, the King's Chancellor; and in the
presence of Adomar de Valence."
I perceive in one of your communications, there is mention of the
_English Cross, the Cross Nigth_, which in Madox is called "the Cross
Neytz." Perhaps some of your antiquarian correspondents will favour us
with some explanation of this cross.
I should wish moreover to elicit some further particulars of _Thomas
Madox, the Historiographer Royal_, who has so well deserved of all
lovers of ancient English history by the four books in folio which he
has left us: especially his _Formulare Anglicanum_, and that work of
prodigious industry and research, his _History of the Exchequer_. There
is some account in Nichols' _Lit. Anecdotes_, but I should wish to see
some more particulars of his life and studies, and a more exact critique
upon his several works.