It is possible that this charter was granted while Malise III was still alive, but after he had been deprived of his title and lands by King Rober, following the siege of Perth, where Malise ehld the town against Bruce's forces. This helps to explain the addition of his successor's confirmation and seal of authentication to the body of the text itself. It is interesting to note that the witness list is made up primarily of the followers of earl Malise IV. (See Neville, 'Earls of Strathearn', Appendix, p. 137).