Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassilis

[2] According to Robert Pitcairn, an early historian of Clan Kennedy, Earl Gilbert was a "werry greidy manne and cairitt nocht how he gatt land sa that he culd cum be the samin".

Undeterred, Gilbert turned to a monk in the abbey, requesting him to "counterfeit" the abbot's handwriting to draw up a deed and to forge the signatures of all the members of the convent.

This ruse succeeded, but, fearing the monk would reveal this deceit, he solicited a peasant "to stik him".

For two days he was left to consider his fate; when Stewart proved recalcitrant, Cassilis had him dragged to the Black Vault of Dunure, and roasted him alive over a fire until he was willing to subscribe to the charters the Earl had drawn up.

[2] Stewart was finally rescued by his brother-in-law, the Laird of Bargany, who captured Dunure and procured his deliverance.