[First Parliament of King James VI.]

CHRIST'S TRIUMPHANT
ENTRY INTO SCOTLAND;
Or,
The Subjugation of the
People, Laws, Liberties, & Crown
of Scotland to

HIS SUPREME MAJESTY
JESUS CHRIST,

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords;
Being,
The Complete Text of all of the
Acts of the First Parliament
During the Reign of

James VI of Scotland.

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth:
and the isles shall wait for his law
.—Isa. 42.4.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles
be glad thereof
.—Psalm 97.1.

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TrueCovenanter.com Editor’s Introduction:

Dear Reader,

No doubt some will take offence at such a title as that which has been given to the following document, and it is likely that there are better titles than any that the present editor could conceive; yet, when the following laws and ordinances are read and considered, one cannot but notice how it truly seemed that, however differently the matter stands at the present day, there was once a time when the king and kingdom of Scotland were by the mighty power of the Gospel brought into submission to the Most High, and to the obedience of his laws. We do not pretend that there was either a perfection in the performance, or even that there was a perfection attained in the promises of rulers or the laws which were commanded, yet this will not stand as a reason to disregard these glorious beginnings as if they were not Christ’s Triumphant Entry into Scotland. Yea, though he had much battle to do still, (especially with lordly bishops,) yet these laws make plain that Christ was once (by his Word and Spirit) entered into and present in Scotland, reigning as King of Nations, in a manner which will make the above title warrantable, if the matter is fairly weighed. What else can one think, when he finds laws outlawing idolatry, and establishing a National Confession of the Reformed Faith, with Scripture References for every article in the margin, and further, laws ordaining Biblical qualifications for public offices, and laws appealing to the Scriptures by book and chapter, all within the published Acts of Parliament? Yet, such apologies as these may be necessary, as the laws below still contain a few vestiges of Romish superstition, such as references to Prelates, Bishops, Pasch, and Yule. (Likewise, the reader may be aware that the purging of Patronages from the order of the Church was not ordained by civil law until 1649, the last year of the Second Reformation.) Those who care to investigate the matter, may likewise take the time to read in the Histories of John Knox and of David Calderwood, what promises were made to the Church by the civil authorities before the following laws were enacted in the First Parliament of James VI. There were some things desired by the Church, and promised by the Earls, Lords, Barons, and others, which were not at that time fulfilled. Be that as it may, that which is here to be found, is an extraordinary display of God’s power, put forth at the time of the Reformation, in order to bring both Church and State in Scotland to an increasing conformity to his Holy Word.

Many modern readers may indeed take offence also at these laws themselves. Even to many professing Christians at the present day, the sentence of death for saying and hearing the Papist Mass will seem to be an over-zealous display of "Protestant Bigotry." But let such hold their tongues. God has commanded in his word that Idolaters, and especially those who entice others to Idolatry, ought to be put to death. (Deut. 17.2-5; 13.1-11.) Is this Bigotry? Has not God authority to dispatch with the life of criminals at his pleasure, and to command rulers of nations to do so as his lieutenants? If rightly examined, the principles maintained by many modern professing Christians will prove a far worse kind of bigotry. If God commands that Idolaters, Blasphemers, Witches, Sodomites, and Adulterers should be put to death, and professing Christians condemn Him merely because the laws of men (such as the infidel constitution & laws of the United States for example,) grant to such parties a so-called right to practice their villainy, is it not evident that the National Pride of such "Christians" and their "Loyalty to their country," their so-called Patriotism, have so carried them away as to make them Patriotic Bigots for National Licentiousness, and Rebels against the God they profess to serve? Such folk ought to consider that rulers of nations are under strict injunctions from God, to execute his law, and they stand in danger to suffer his wrath both if they are over-rigorous and also if they are over-indulgent. If Papist kings are guilty for drawing out the sword against the Lord’s children to persecute them, yet modern rulers are guilty because they will not draw out the sword against the Lord’s enemies to do justice upon them. That one word to King Ahab in Israel ought to make men more wary of condemning Protestant Scotland, as it will be fulfilled upon all these modern rulers who indulge the vilest of criminals: Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.—1 Kings 20.42.

For our part, we love these laws. We are not bigots. We do not count the old laws of Scotland to be perfect or to be a part of divine revelation. But we do count them a most precious piece of history whereby God was greatly honoured and his Kingdom advanced in this world; and we are not ashamed to take pleasure in the stones of Zion, and favour the dust thereof, (Psalm 102.14,) though it be all that remains at the present day. For a long time Covenanters were condemned for vindicating their cause by appealing to Acts of Parliament, but in time these Laws became so lost in the pages of old books inaccessible to most readers, that both friends and foes thereof became equally unacquainted therewith. It is the purpose of this present publication to, in part, remedy the situation, and arm Covenanters once more with one of the weapons of their warfare, while they do battle with the enemies of King Jesus.

The present editor was brought to such purposes by two primary occasions. First, for some years now I have regarded the National Covenant of Scotland as a legitimate Christian Covenant, binding the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, as well as their posterity, corporately and individually. After reading this Covenant a number of times, the many references to various Acts of Parliament in the latter section thereof, cannot but make the reader particularly curious about their contents. This, coupled with an intention to make available the Auchensaugh Renovation of the Covenants, formed a strongly motivating force to inquire into the matter, and assist others in doing the same. Secondly, in browsing through the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, as it was re-written after the beginning of her defections, I found some footnotes disowning and criticizing some of the Acts of the Generally Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and also some of the Acts of Parliament in Scotland. As I have said, Covenanters are no Bigots, and we do not pretend that either the Acts of General Assemblies, or the Acts of Parliaments, are given by an infallible authority. Yet, when I found that the so-called Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland would so impose upon the readers of their testimony, as to condemn the very same Acts of Parliament as are embodied within the National Covenant of Scotland, which the said Church professes to uphold, some holy anger was stirred, and I was again motivated to the same purpose, to let the world know what the Reformation in Scotland really was, and to bring to light that which might be helpful to the Church of Jesus Christ.

No doubt, there are some who will regard such labours as a great disservice to the Church of Jesus Christ, or to the Presbyterian Church in particular. I care not a wit for it. How can they say such things without declaring that their hearts are full of the venom of anti-reformation malignancy? Was it a shame to Presbyterian Scotland, or was it not the glory thereof, that Popery was banished from the realm? that the true religion was declared and established in several articles of faith all within the books of Parliament? that laws were enacted making reference to Holy Scripture as a higher Law? that the True God and True Religion were honoured exclusively, while the idols of the nations and false religion were disowned, condemned, and sentenced to civil pains? that all persons to be brought to places of public authority were required to adhere to the true religion and exhibit due religious qualifications according to the Word of God? We see what filth comes of nations which have no religious test for office; which give no preference to the True Religion and even dare to require as a qualification for office that men promise never to endeavour the establishment of any Religion; which legislate a license to all citizens to commit idolatry and vend heresy at their pleasure, as a natural "right"; which make it no crime to desecrate the Lord’s holy day, nor to blaspheme his holy name. Let those be proud of such nations who will, and of modern societies, I have one thing to say: When compared to Scotland at the time of either her First Reformation, or her Second Reformation, all these modern "enlightened civilizations," including today’s Apostate Scotland, England, & Ireland, Lecherous Canada, and Infidel America, are nothing but the very DREGS OF PRIMITIVE BARBARITY. Let them blame me for name-calling if they will, and boast all they like of their superior "Charity" (though it be diluted to nothingness with their hatred of HIS MAJESTY CHRIST JESUS,) yet, God is Judge (Psalm 50.6,) and the Cause of our Covenanted Reformation will be vindicated from on high soon enough.

Readers, it is my prayer that these pages which follow, may be a blessing to the children of God, and a help and encouragement to you, to put forth your hands to the various callings to which God has appointed each of you, that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in this world may be built up more and more, and the good order thereof established once again. Let not your hearts faint when you consider the defections of the present day. They do indeed call for sorrow unto repentance, but not for despair. He who is with us is still greater than all they that are against us.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.—Psalm 37.6.


Textual Information:

Some explanation is in order as to the origin of the text presented, and the layout in which it is presented:

First of all, it should be noted that there are three editions of the text being presented simultaneously to the reader’s view, unless user-activated filters are applied.

The 1682 edition of the Acts of Parliament is the main source for this project. The entire text of the first Parliament of James VI has been re-typeset according to the original spellings, except for corrections to obvious errors. This edition contains all of the Acts commonly referred to when references are made to the first Parliament of James VI. It does not however include a number of Acts that were judged to be of temporary significance. Therefore,

The 1568 edition of the Acts of Parliament has been used to re-typeset those particular Acts which are excluded from the 1682 edition, (again, according to the original spellings.) Because of the difficulty in discerning certain portions thereof, the 1575 edition was also consulted, and a few places where it slightly differs have been noted.

A new 2005 edition has been presented containing a modern rendering of all of the Acts compiled from the two sources above. The present editor is responsible for this, and anticipates that faults will be found, and will be most thankful for any corrections that are communicated by other readers. In general, the exact wording of the original has been maintained except for standard replacements of English terms for Scotch, such as much for meikle,—so for swa,—such for sik,—etc. Other than that, spelling and punctuation have been updated, and bracketed synonyms have been inserted for a number of more difficult words. The Dictionary of the Scots Language (DSL) will prove very helpful to all readers, especially those who choose to read the original editions. It may be found online at: http://www.dsl.ac.uk/dsl/

These editions, thus collected, are then set in parallel columns, with the original printed editions on the left-hand side, and the modern 2005 edition on the right-hand side. The reader may use the menu options to filter which editions or which portions of the collection are included for viewing.

The purpose of all this is to provide authentic copies of editions published by the king’s printers, and also make the same editions more easily readable to modern readers.

One final word of warning: There is a serious problem with the numeration of the Acts of Parliament from this time period, as the user will detect from what is found below. As indicated above, later editions left out a number of Acts, by which re-numeration was occasioned within these editions. Likewise, un-noticed mistakes sometimes occasioned a repeat of an Act number in these same editions, with all following Acts shifted in their numeration. In order to compensate for this problem in the text that follows, the number of the Act according the original printed edition will be found in the center separator column when viewing multiple editions in parallel. In general, when searching for particular Acts of Parliament, it is best to search for the Act by Title, (which, sadly, was also a thing subject to change in later editions,) in order to be certain that one has indeed found the desired Act.


Technical Information:

The Collection of the Acts of Parliament presented here-below is extracted from a database of Parliamentary Acts and Ecclesiastical Confession Statements and formatted as HTML via a collection of server-side scripts. In order to accommodate the present purpose of displaying multiple editions in parallel, it was found useful to implement a number of HTML and CSS features developed in more recent years. As a result, users viewing the Collection using certain web-browsers may find that doing so yields less-than-desirable results. Efforts have been made to maintain a general backward-compatibility, including accommodations for text-based browsers such as Lynx, which should at least make the entire document viewable to most browsers. Those however, who desire to have the document presented as it is intended, should download and install the most recent version of Mozilla Firefox. Please note that although Mozilla Firefox was found most useful for the present project, TrueCovenanter.com does not ‘endorse’ any particular web-browser, make any promises concerning any particular web-browser, or take responsibility for the effects of viewing any web-pages, local or remote, using any particular web-browser.


Table of Contents

  1. ¶ Anent the dimissioun of the Crowne in fauouris of our Souerane Lord, and his Maiesteis Coronatioun. Ca. i.
(1)
  1. ¶ Anent the demission of the Crown in favours of our Sovereign Lord, and his Majesty’s Coronation. Ca. i.
  1. ¶ Anent the iurisdictioun of the Kirk. Ca. xii.
(12)
  1. ¶ Anent the jurisdiction of the Kirk. Ca. xii.
  1. ¶ Anent the act of Parliament, maid of befoir, of the declaratioun of our Souerane Lordis Motheris perfyte age. Ca. xviii.
(18)
  1. ¶ Anent the act of Parliament, made of before, of the declaration of our Sovereign Lord’s Mother’s perfect age. Ca. xviii.
  1. ¶ Anent the retentioun of our Souerane Lordis Motheris person. Ca. xix.
(19)
  1. ¶ Anent the retention of our Sovereign Lord’s Mother’s person. Ca. xix.
  1. ¶ The declaratioun of Parliament maid to the Laird of Lochleuin, anent the keiping of the Kingis Mother, in the hous and Fortalice of Lochleuin. Ca. xx.
(20)
  1. ¶ The declaration of Parliament made to the Laird of Lochleven, anent the keeping of the King’s Mother, in the house and Fortalice of Lochleven. Ca. xx.
  1. ¶ Ane commissioun to certaine Lordis of the Estatis, to considder sic articklis as is committit to thame, and to report the samin againe in the nixt Parliament. Ca. xxv.
(25)
  1. ¶ A commission to certain Lords of the Estates, to consider such articles as is committed to them, and to report the same again in the next Parliament. Ca. xxv.
  1. ¶ Anent the residence, and sitting of the Lordis of Sessioun, for administratioun of Justice. Ca. xxix.
(29)
  1. ¶ Anent the residence, and sitting of the Lords of Session, for administration of Justice. Ca. xxix.
  1. ¶ Anent the demolischeing of the Castell of Dunbar, and Forth of Inchekeith. Ca. xxxv.
(35)
  1. ¶ Anent the demolishing of the Castle of Dunbar, and Fort of Inchkeith. Ca. xxxv.

THE ACTIS OF PARLIAMENT

THE ACTS OF PARLIAMENT

of the maist hie, maist excellent, and michtie Prince, and our Souerane Lord James the sext, be the grace of God, King of Scottis, begun and haldin at Edinburgh, the xv. day of Decemb. The zeir of God ane thousand, fyue hundretth lxvii. zeir. Be our said Souerane Lordis derrest cousing & Uncle James Erle of Murray, Lord Abirnethie &c. Regét to our Souerane Lord, his Realme and Leigis. Togidder with the Prelatis, Erlis, Barronis, Commissioneris of Burrowis, specialie comperand in the said Parliament, as the thre estatis of this Realme. The saidis actis being oppinlie red, coucludit and votit in the said Parliament, to remane as perpetuall lawis to the Subiectis of this Realme in all tymes cuming.

of the most high, most excellent, and mighty Prince, and our Sovereign Lord James the sixth, by the grace of God, King of Scots, begun and holden at Edinburgh, the 15th day of December, The year of God one thousand, five hundred 67 years, By our said Sovereign Lord’s dearest cousin & Uncle James Earl of Murray, Lord Abernethy &c. Regent to our Sovereign Lord, his Realm and Lieges. Together with the Prelates, Earls, Barons, Commissioners of Burrows, specially compearing in the said Parliament, as the three estates of this Realm. The saids acts being openly read, concluded and voted in the said Parliament, to remain as perpetual laws to the Subjects of this Realm in all times coming.

PARLIAMENTVM EXCEL-

PARLIAMENTVM EXCEL-

LENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS IACOBI DEI GRATIA Scotorú Regis eius nominis Sexti, tentú & inchoatú apud Edinburgh in Præ torio eiusdem die. xv. mensis Decémbris anno Do. Millesimo Quingentesimo Sexagesimo Septimo, per Magnificum & excellentem Dominum Iacobum Comitem Morauiæ Do. Abernethie & dicti. S. D. N. Regis Regni ac legiorum Regentem præsentibus tribus Regni statibus.

LENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS IACOBI DEI GRATIA Scotorú Regis eius nominis Sexti, tentú & inchoatú apud Edinburgh in Præ torio eiusdem die. xv. mensis Decémbris anno Do. Millesimo Quingentesimo Sexagesimo Septimo, per Magnificum & excellentem Dominum Iacobum Comitem Morauiæ Do. Abernethie & dicti. S. D. N. Regis Regni ac legiorum Regentem præsentibus tribus Regni statibus.

1. ¶ Anent the dimissioun of the Crowne in fauouris of our Souerane Lord, and his Maiesteis Coronatioun. Ca. i.

(1)

1. ¶ Anent the demission of the Crown in favours of our Sovereign Lord, and his Majesty’s Coronation. Ca. i.

ITEM It is fundin and declarit be the thre Estatis & haill body of this present Parliament, that the dimissioun and ouer geuing of the Crowne, and Regiment of this Realme maid be the Quenis grace, our Souerane Lordis derrest Mother be vertew of hir letters of commissioun and procuratioun subscriuit with hir hand, and vnder hir preuie Seill, of the dait the .xxiiij. day of Julij last bypast, was, and is, and salbe in all tymes cuming haldin, repute, and estemit lauchfull, and perfyte, according to the samin commissioun producit, auysit, and admittit be the saidis thre Estatis. And als that the Coronatioun, and inauguratioun of our said Soverane Lord, Sone to his said derrest mother, and natiue Prince of this Realme, maid and solemnizat conforme to the said commissioun, At Striviling, the xxix. day of the said Moneth of Julij be the Erlis, Lordis, Prelatis, Commissaris of Burrowis, Barronis, and vtheris faithfull and trew subiectis, assemblit and conuenit for that effect, was dewlie, rychtlie, and ordourlie done, and execute, and als lauchfull and vailzeabill in the self in all respectis, and his Maiestie als rychteouslie inuestit, and possessit in this kingdome as his said mother, his guidschir, grandschir, or ony vther his maist nobill progenitouris natiue Princes of this Realme wer, and hes bene of before, or as gif hir grace (the tyme of the said coronatioun) had bene departit out of this mortall lyfe, or had comperit personallie in presence of the haill thre Estatis of this Realme, assemblit in Parliament and maid the said dimissioú, notwithstanding ony maner of tytill, actioun, or enteres, or ony vther thing that presentlie may or can heirefter be obiectit in the contrare. And als ratifyis, appreuis, and confirmis the said dimissioun, coronatioun, and inauguratioun of our said Souerane Lord, and all thingis done, or that heirefter sall happin to be done in his hienes name and authoritie. Of the quhilkis letters of dimissioun, and constitutioun of procuratioun the tennouris followis.

ITEM It is found and declared by the three Estates & whole body of this present Parliament, that the demission and over-giving of the Crown, and Regiment of this Realm made by the Queen’s grace, our Sovereign Lord’s dearest Mother, by virtue of her letters of commission and procuration subscribed with her hand, and under her privy Seal, of the date the 24th day of July last bypast, was, and is, and shall be in all times coming holden, repute, and esteemed lawful, and perfect, according to the same commission produced, advised, and admitted by the saids three Estates. And also that the Coronation, and inauguration of our said Sovereign Lord, Son to his said dearest mother, and native Prince of this Realm, made and solemnized conform to the said commission, At Stirling, the 29th day of the said Month of July by the Earls, Lords, Prelates, Commissars of Burrows, Barons, and others faithful and true subjects, assembled and convened for that effect, was duly, rightly, and orderly done, and execute, and as lawful and vailzeable [availing, valid] in the self in all respects, and his Majesty as righteously invested, and possessed in this kingdom as his said mother, his gudschir [grandfather], grandschir [great-grandfather], or any other his most noble progenitors native Princes of this Realm were, and has been of before, or as if her grace (the time of the said coronation) had been departed out of this mortal life, or had compeared personally in presence of the whole three Estates of this Realm, assembled in Parliament and made the said demission, notwithstanding any manner of title, action, or interest, or any other thing that presently may or can hereafter be objected in the contrary. And also ratifies, approves, and confirms the said demission, coronation, and inauguration of our said Sovereign Lord, and all things done, or that hereafter shall happen to be done in his highness’ name and authority. Of the which letters of demission, and constitution of procuration the tenours follows.

MARIE Be the grace of God Quene of Scottis, To all and sindrie our Jugeis, and Ministeris of Law, liegis, and subiectis {folio ii. verso} quhome it effeiris, to quhais knawlege thir our letters sall cú greting, Forsamekle as be lang irksum, and tedious travell takin be us in the gouernament of this our Realme, and liegis thairof, we ar sa vexit and weryit that our body, spirite, and sencis ar altogidder becum unhabill langer to trauell in that rowme. And thairfore we haue dimittit, and renuncit the office of gouernement of this our Realme, & liegis thairof in fauouris of our onlie maist deir Sone, natiue Prince of this our Realme. And because of his tender zouth, and inhabilitie to vse the said gouernement in his awin persoun, during his minoritie, we haue constitute our derrest brother James Erle of Murray, Lord Abirnethie. &c. Regent to our said Sone, Realme and liegis foirsaidis. And in respect that our said derrest brother is actuallie furth of our Realme, and can not instantlie be present to accept the said office of Regentrie vpon him, and vse and exerce the samin, during our saidis derrest sonis minoritie: We quhill his returning within our Realme, or in cais of his deceis haue maid, constitute, namit, appointit, and ordanit, and be thir our letteris makis, constitutis, namis, appointis, and ordanis our traist cousingis and counsalouris, James Duke of Chattellerault, Erle of Arrane, Lord Hammiltoun, Matho Erle of Leuinar, Lord Dernley. &c. Archibald Erle of Argyle, Lord Campbell and Lorne. &c. Johne Erle of Athole, James Erle of Mortoun, Alexander Erle of Glencarne, and Johne Erle of Mar, Regentis to our said derrest sone Realme and liegis. And in cais our said brother James, Erle of Murray, cum within our Realme, and refusis to accept the said office of Regentrie vpon his singulare persoú, We mak, constitute, name, appoint, and ordeine our traist counsingis, and counsallouris foirsaidis, and our said brother, Regentis of our said deir Sone, Realme and liegis. Gevand, grantand, and committand to thame or ony fyue of thame, coniunctlie, full powar for our said Sone, and in his name to ressaue resignatiounis of landis, mak dispositiounis of wairdis, nonentressis, releuis, mariageis, benefices, eshetis, officis, and vtheris casualiteis, & priuilegeis quhatsumeuer cócerning the said office, Signatouris thairupon to mak, subscriue, and cause be past throuch the Seillis. And to vse, and exerce the said office of Regentrie in all thingis, priuilegeis, & commoditeis, siclyke as frelie, and with als greit libertie, as ony Regent, or Gouernour to vs, or our predecessouris vsit the samin in ony tymes bygane. Promittand to hald firme, and stabill, in the word and faith of ane Prince, to quhatsumeuer thingis our saidis traist cousingis dois in the premissis. Chargeing heirfore zow all and sindrie our Jugeis, and Ministeris of Law, liegis, & subiectis foirsaidis, to answer, and obey to our saidis traist cousingis, Regentis foirsaidis, in all and sindrie thingis concerning the said office of Regentrie, during our said derrest Sonis minoritie, and ay and quhil he be of the age of seuintene zeiris compleit. As ze and ilk ane of zow will declair zow luifing subiectis {folio iii. recto} to our said maist deir Sone, zour natiue Prince, and under all paine, charge, and offence that ze and ilk ane of zow may commit, and inrin aganis his Maiestie in that pairt. Subscriuit with our hand, & geuin under our preuie Seill, at Lochleuin the .xxiiij. day of Julij, and of our Regne the twenty fyue zeir.

MARY, By the grace of God Queen of Scots, To all and sundry our Judges, and Ministers of Law, lieges, and subjects {folio ii. verso} whom it effeirs [concerns], to whose knowledge these our letters shall come, greeting, Forsomuch as by long irksome, and tedious travail taken by us in the government of this our Realm, and lieges thereof, we are so vexed and wearied that our body, spirit, and senses are altogether become unable longer to travail in that room, And therefore we have demitted, and renounced the office of government of this our Realm, & lieges thereof in favours of our only most dear Son, native Prince of this our Realm. And because of his tender youth, and inability to use the said government in his own person, during his minority, we have constitute our dearest brother James Earl of Murray, Lord Abernethy, &c. Regent to our said Son, Realm, and lieges foresaids. And in respect that our said dearest brother is actually forth of our Realm, and can not instantly be present to accept the said office of Regentry upon him, and use and exercise the same, during our said dearest son’s minority: We, while [until] his returning within our Realm, or in case of his decease, have made, constitute, named, appointed, and ordained, and by these our letters makes, constitutes, names, appoints, and ordains our traist [trustworthy] cousins and counsellours, James Duke of Chattellerault, Earl of Arran, Lord Hamilton, Matho Earl of Levinar, Lord Darnley. &c. Archibald Earl of Argyle, Lord Campbell and Lorne. &c. John Earl of Athole, James Earl of Mortoun, Alexander Earl of Glencairn, and John Earl of Mar, Regents to our said dearest son, Realm, and lieges. And in case our said brother James, Earl of Murray, come within our Realm, and refuses to accept the said office of Regentry upon his singular person, We make, constitute, name, appoint, and ordain our traist [trustworthy] cousins, and counsellours foresaids, and our said brother, Regents of our said dear Son, Realm, and lieges; Giving, granting, and committing to them or any five of them, conjunctly, full power for our said Son, and in his name to receive resignations of lands, make dispositions of wards, non-entries, reliefs, marriages, benefices, escheats, offices, and others casualities [incidental items of revenue], & privileges whatsomever concerning the said office, Signators [signed authorizations] thereupon to make, subscribe, and cause be past through the Seals. And to use, and exercise the said office of Regentry in all things, privileges, & commodities, suchlike as freely, and with as great liberty, as any Regent, or Governour to us, or our predecessours used the same in any times bygone; Promising to hold firm, and stable, in the word and faith of a Prince, to whatsomever things our saids traist [trustworthy] cousins do in the premises. Charging herefore [for this reason] you all and sundry our Judges, and Ministers of Law, lieges, & subjects foresaids, to answer, and obey to our saids traist [trustworthy] cousins, Regents foresaids, in all and sundry things concerning the said office of Regentry, during our said dearest Son’s minority, and aye and while [ever and until] he be of the age of seventeen years complete. As ye and each one of you will declare you loving subjects {folio iii. recto} to our said most dear Son, your native Prince, and under all pain, charge, and offence that ye and each one of you may commit, and inrin [incur] against his Majesty in that part. Subscribed with our hand, & given under our privy Seal, at Lochleven the 24th day of July, and of our Reign the twenty-fifth year.

MARIE Be the grace of God Quene of Scottis, To all and sindrie our Jugeis, and Ministeris of Law, liegis, and subiectis quhome it effeiris, to quhais knawlege thir our letteris sall cum, greting, Forsamekle, as sen our arriuall, and returning within our Realme, we willing the commoun commoditie, welth, profeit, and quyetnes thairof, liegis, and subiectis of the samin, haue employit our body, spirite, haill sencis, and forcis to gouerne the same, in sic sort that our royall, and honorabill estate mycht stand, and continew with vs, and our posteritie, and our luifing, and kynde liegis mycht enioy the quietnes of trew subiectis. In trauelling quhairin, not onlie is our body, spirite, and sencis sa vexit, brokin, and vnquyetit that langer we ar not of habilitie be ony meane to indure sa greit and intollerabill panis, and trauellis quhairwith we ar altogidder veryit, bot als greit commotiounis and troublis, be sindrie occasiounis in the meintyme hes ensewit thairin to our greit greif. And seing it hes bene the plesour of the eternall God, of his kyndlie lufe, mercie, and gudnes to grant vnto vs, of our awin persoun, ane Sone, quha in cais be the hand of God we be veseit, will, and of rycht, and of equitie man, and aucht to succeid to vs and to the gouernement of our Realme. And knawing that all creaturis ar subiect to that immutabill decreit of the eternall, anis to rander and gif vp this lyfe temporall, (The hour and tyme quhairof is maist vncertane) and in cais be deceis we be takin fra this lyfe, during the tyme of his minoritie, it may be dowtit greitlie that resistance, and troubill may be maid to our said Sone, now natiue Prince of this our Realme, in his tender zeiris (being swa destitute of vs) to succeid to that rowme and kingdome quhilk maist iustlie of all Lawis appertenis to him. Quhilk inconuenient be Godis help, and gude prouidence, we mene to preuent, in sic maner, that it sall not ly in the power of ony vnnaturall subiectis to resist Godis ordinance in that behalf. And vnderstanding that na thing eirdlie is mair ioyous, and happy to vs, nor to se our said derrest Sone, in our awin lyfetime peciablie placit in that rowme, and honorabill estate quhairto he iustlie aucht & man succeid to. We of the motherlie affectioú we beir toward our said onlie Sone, haue renuncit, & dimittit, and be thir our letteris, frelie, of our awin mo true will renuncis, and dimittis the gouernement, gyding & gouerning of this our Realme of Scotland, liegis, and subiectis thairof, & all intromissioun & dispositioun of ony casualiteis, propertie, benefices, offices, & all thingis apperttening, or heirtofoir is knawin, or heirefter sall happin to appertene thairto, in fauouris of our said derrest Sone. To {folio iii. verso} that effect, that he may be plantit, placit, and possessit thairin, vse and exerce all thingis belangand thairto, as natiue King, and Prince of the samin, and siclyke as we or ony our predecessouris, Kings of Scottis, hes done in ony tymes bypast. Attoure, that this our dimissioun may tak the mair solempne effect, & that nane pretend ignorance thairof, we haue geuin, grantit, and committit, and be thir our letters geuis grantis, and committis our commissioun full, frie, and plane power, generall, and speciall command, to our traist cousingis, Patrik Lord Lindesay of the Byris, and Williame Lord Ruthuen, and to ilk ane of thame coniunctly and seuerally, to compeir before sa mony of the Nobilitie, Clergie, Burgessis, and vther pepill of our Realme, as sall happin to be assemblitt to that effect in our Burgh of Striuiling, or ony vther place, or placis quhair it salbe thocht maist conuenient, at ony day or dayis, and thair publictlie in thair presence, for vs, in our name, and vpon our behalf dimit, and renunce the gouernement, gyding, and reuling of this our Realme, liegis, and subiectis thairof, all intromissioun with the propertie, casualitie, or vtheris thingis appertening to vs thairby, and all rycht, and tytle that we had, hes, or may haue be ony maner of way thairto, in fauouris of our said Sone, to that effect, that he may be inaugurat, placit, and rowmit thairin, and the Crowne royall deliuerit to him, and be obeyit in all thingis concerning the samin, as we, or our predecessouris hes bene in tymes bypast. And in lykewise be thir presentis geuis, grantis, and committis our full frie, and plane power, to our rycht traist cousingis, James Erle of Mortoun, Lord of Dalkeith. Johne Erle of Athole. &c. Johne Erle of Mar. &c. Alexander Erle of Glencarne, Williame Erle of Menteith, Johne Maister of Grahame, Alexander Lord Hume, Adam Bischop of Orknay, and Prouestis of Dundie, Montrois, or ony of thame, to ressaue the said renúciatioun, and dimissioun in fauouris of our said Sone, and thairefter the ressauing thairof, to plant, place, and inaugurat him in the Kingdome, and with all ceremonies requysit to put the Crowne royall vpon his heid, in signe and takin of the establesing of him thairin, and in his name to mak, and gif to the saidis Nobilitie, Clergy, Burgessis, and vtheris our liegis, his Princely & Kingly aith detfully, and lauchfully as effeiris. And to ressaue thair aithis, for dew & lauchfull homage to be maid be thame to him, in all tymes cuming, as becumis subiectis to thair natiue King and Prince. And generally all & sindrie other thingis to do, exerce, and vse that for sure performance & accomplishment heirof may, or can be done, firme and stable haldand, and for to hald all and quhatsumeuer thingis in our name, in the premissis leidis to be done, in the word and faithfull promis of ane Prince. And ordanis thir our letters (gif neid beis) to be publist at all places neidfull. Subscriuit with our hand, & geuin vnder our preuie Seil, At Lochleuin the .xxiiij. day of Julii. And of our Regne the .xxv. zeir. 1567.

MARY, By the grace of God Queen of Scots, To all and sundry our Judges, and Ministers of Law, lieges, and subjects whom it effeiris [concerns], to whose knowledge these our letters shall come, greeting: Forsomuch, as since our arrival, and returning within our Realm, we, willing the common commodity, wealth, profit, and quietness thereof, lieges, and subjects of the same, have employed our body, spirit, whole senses, and forces to govern the same, in such sort that our royal, and honorable estate might stand, and continue with us, and our posterity, and our loving, and kind lieges might enjoy the quietness of true subjects; In travailing wherein, not only is our body, spirit, and senses so vexed, broken, and unquieted that longer we are not of ability by any mean to endure so great and intolerable pains, and travails wherewith we are altogether wearied, but also great commotions and troubles, by sundry occasions in the meantime has ensued therein to our great grief. And seeing it has been the pleasure of the eternal God, of his kindly love, mercy, and goodness, to grant unto us, of our own person, a Son, who in case by the hand of God we be visited, will, and of right, and of equity must, and ought to succeed to us and to the government of our Realm; And knowing that all creatures are subject to that immutable decree of the eternal, once to render and give up this life temporal, (The hour and time whereof is most uncertain) and in case by decease we be taken from this life, during the time of his minority, it may be doubted greatly that resistance, and trouble may be made to our said Son, now native Prince of this our Realm, in his tender years (being so destitute of us) to succeed to that room and kingdom which most justly of all Laws appertains to him. Which inconvenient by God’s help, and good providence, we mean to prevent, in such manner, that it shall not lie in the power of any unnatural subjects to resist God’s ordinance in that behalf. And understanding that nothing earthly is more joyous, and happy to us, nor [than] to see our said dearest Son, in our own lifetime peaceably placed in that room, and honorable estate whereto he justly ought & must succeed to. We of the motherly affection we bear toward our said only Son, have renounced, & demitted, and by these our letters, freely, of our own motive [Ed. 1575.] will renounces, and demits the government, guiding & governing of this our Realm of Scotland, lieges, and subjects thereof, & all intromission & disposition of any casualities, property, benefices, offices, & all things appertaining, or heretofore is known, or hereafter shall happen to appertain thereto, in favours of our said dearest Son. To {folio iii. verso} that effect, that he may be planted, placed, and possessed therein, use and exercise all things belonging thereto, as native King, and Prince of the same, and suchlike as we or any our predecessours, Kings of Scots, has done in any times bypast. Attoure [Moreover], that this our demission may take the more solemn effect, & that none pretend ignorance thereof, we have given, granted, and committed, and by these our letters gives grants, and commits our commission full, free, and plain power, general, and special command, to our traist [trustworthy] cousins, Patrick Lord Lindsey of the Byres, and William Lord Ruthven, and to each one of them conjunctly and severally, to compear before so many of the Nobility, Clergy, Burgesses, and other people of our Realm, as shall happen to be assembled to that effect in our Burgh of Stirling, or any other place, or places where it shall be thought most convenient, at any day or days, and there publicly in their presence, for us, in our name, and upon our behalf demit, and renounce the government, guiding, and ruling of this our Realm, lieges, and subjects thereof, all intromission with the property, casualty, or others things appertaining to us thereby, and all right, and title that we had, has, or may have by any manner of way thereto, in favours of our said Son, to that effect, that he may be inaugurate, placed, and roomed therein, and the Crown royal delivered to him, and be obeyed in all things concerning the same, as we, or our predecessours has been in times bypast. And in likewise by these presents gives, grants, and commits our full free, and plain power, to our right traist [trustworthy] cousins, James Earl of Morton, Lord of Dalkeith. John Earl of Athole. &c. John Earl of Mar. &c. Alexander Earl of Glencairn, William Earl of Menteith, John Master of Graham, Alexander Lord Hume, Adam Bishop of Orkney, and Provosts of Dundie, Montrose, or any of them, to receive the said renunciation, and demission in favours of our said Son, and thereafter the receiving thereof, to plant, place, and inaugurate him in the Kingdom, and with all ceremonies requisite to put the Crown royal upon his head, in sign and token of the establishing of him therein, and in his name to make, and give to the saids Nobility, Clergy, Burgesses, and others our lieges, his Princely & Kingly oath dutifully, and lawfully as effeiris [as is suitable, or fitting]. And to receive their oaths, for due & lawful homage to be made by them to him, in all times coming, as becomes subjects to their native King and Prince. And generally all & sundry other things to do, exercise, and use that for sure performance & accomplishment hereof may, or can be done, firm and stable holding, and for to hold all and whatsomever things in our name, in the premises leidis [conducts] to be done, in the word and faithful promise of a Prince. And ordains these our letters (if need be) to be published at all places needful. Subscribed with our hand, & given under our privy Seal, At Lochleven the 24th day of July. And of our Reign the 25th year. 1567.

12. ¶ Anent the iurisdictioun of the Kirk. Ca. xii.

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12. ¶ Anent the jurisdiction of the Kirk. Ca. xii.

ITEM Anent the artickle proponit, & geuin in be the Kirk to my Lord Regent, aud thre Estatis of this present Parliament, anent the iurisdictioun iustlie appertening to the trew Kirk, and immaculat spous of Jesus Christ: to be declarit and expressit as the artickle at mair length is consavit. ¶ The Kingis grace, with auise of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this present Parliament, hes declarit, and grantit iurisdictioun to the said Kirk: quhilk consistis and standis in preicheing of the trew word of Jesus Christ, correctioú of maneris, and administratioun of haly Sacramentis. And declairis that thair is na vther face of Kirk, nor vther face of Religioun, than is presentlie be the fauour of God establischeit within this Realme. And that thair be na vther iurisdictioun ecclesiasticall acknawlegeit within this Realme, vther than that quhilk is, and salbe within the same Kirk, or that quhilk flowis thairfra cócerning the premissis. And forther, our Souerane Lord, with auise of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis foirsaidis, hes geuin, and geuis power and commissioun to Schir James Balfour of Pettingdreich Knycht, Priour of Pettinweme, Mark Commédatour of Newbottill, Johne Priour of Coldinghame, Lord preuie Seill, Maister James Mackgill, of Rankelour nether, Clerk of Register, Williame Maitland zounger of Lethingtoun, Secretar to our Souerane Lord, Schir Johne Bellenden, of Auchinoull Knycht, Justice Clerk, Johne Erskin of Dune, Maister Johne Spottiswod, Superintendent of Lowthiane, Johne Knox, Maister Johne Craig, and Maister Dauid Lindesay Ministeris of the word of God. To seirche furth mair speciallie, & to considder quhat vther speciall pointis, {folio xiii. recto} or clausis, sould appertene to the iurisdictioun, priuilege, and authoritie of the said Kirk. And to declair thair myndis thairanentis, to my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this Realme, at the nixt Parliamét. Swa, that thay may tak ordour thairintill, and authoreis the samin be act of Parliament, as salbe fund aggreabill to the word of God.

ITEM Anent the article proponed, & given in by the Kirk to my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this present Parliament, anent the jurisdiction justly appertaining to the true Kirk, and immaculate spouse of Jesus Christ: to be declared and expressed as the article at more length is conceived. ¶ The King’s grace, with advice of my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this present Parliament, has declared, and granted jurisdiction to the said Kirk: which consists and stands in preaching of the true word of Jesus Christ, correction of manners, and administration of holy Sacraments. And declares that there is no other face of Kirk, nor other face of Religion, than is presently by the favour of God established within this Realm. And that there be no other jurisdiction ecclesiastical acknowledged within this Realm, other than that which is, and shall be within the same Kirk, or that which flows therefrom concerning the premises. And further, our Sovereign Lord, with advice of my Lord Regent, and three Estates foresaids, has given, and gives power and commission to Sir James Balfour of Pettingdreich Knight, Prior of Pettinweme, Mark Commendatour of Newbottill, John Prior of Coldinghame, Lord privy Seal, Master James Mackgill, of Rankelour nether, Clerk of Register, William Maitland younger of Lethingtoun, Secretary to our Sovereign Lord, Sir John Bellenden, of Auchinoull Knight, Justice Clerk, John Erskin of Dune, Master John Spottiswood, Superintendent of Lowthian, John Knox, Master John Craig, and Master David Lindsey Ministers of the word of God. To search forth more specially, & to consider what other special points, {folio xiii. recto} or clauses, should appertain to the jurisdiction, privilege, and authority of the said Kirk. And to declare their minds thereanents, to my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this Realm, at the next Parliament. So, that they may take order therein, and authorize the same by act of Parliament, as shall be found agreeable to the word of God.

18. ¶ Anent the act of Parliament, maid of befoir, of the declaratioun of our Souerane Lordis Motheris perfyte age. Ca. xviii.

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18. ¶ Anent the act of Parliament, made of before, of the declaration of our Sovereign Lord’s Mother’s perfect age. Ca. xviii.

ITEM Anent the act maid in Parliament, haldin at Edinburgh, the .xv. day of December, the zeir of God ane thousand fyue hundreth, thre scoir foure zeiris. Quhairin it was declairit be act, and authorisit be our Souerane Lordis derrest Mother, in the foirsaid Parliament, declairand, and findand hir grace, and hir predecessouris, and posteritie, Princes of this Realme, to haue bene, and to be at lauchfull and perfyte age, of .xxj. zeiris compleit. Nottheles the said act being prentit, the Prentar thairof hes negligentlie left furth the forme of act of Parliament. ¶ Thairfoir our Souerane Lord, with aduyse of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this present Parliament, hes fundin the fault in the Prentar of the said act, and thairfoir ordanis the samin to be of new prentit, conforme to the principall act in the Register, of the said Parliament, haldin the day, and zeir abone written. Of the quhilk the tennour followis.

ITEM Anent the act made in Parliament, holden at Edinburgh, the 15th day of December, the year of God one thousand five hundred, threescore four years: Wherein it was declared by act, and authorized by our Sovereign Lord’s dearest Mother, in the foresaid Parliament, declaring, and finding her grace, and her predecessours, and posterity, Princes of this Realm, to have been, and to be at lawful and perfect age, of 21 years complete. Nonetheless the said act being printed, the Printer thereof has negligently left forth the form of act of Parliament. ¶ Therefore our Sovereign Lord, with advice of my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this present Parliament, has found the fault in the Printer of the said act, and therefore ordains the same to be of new printed, conform to the principal act in the Register, of the said Parliament, holden the day, and year above written. Of the which the tenour follows.

¶ Anent the artickle proponit to the Quenis Maiestie, and thre Estatis of Parliament, makand mentioun of ane act of Parliament, maid be King James the Secund, of gude memorie, of the dait, the .xx. day of Marche, the zeir of God ane thousand foure hundreth threttie seuin zeiris. And of ane vther act maid be King James the feird, in his reuocatioun, makand mentioun of .xxj. zeiris of age, of the dait, the .xv. day of Februar, the zeir of God ane thousand foure hundreth, threttie {folio xv. recto} nyne zeiris. Lyke as the saidis actis respectiue, at mair lenth proportis. ¶ Desyring thairfoir our Souerane Lady, and thre Estatis of this present Parliament, to declair the saidis actis and vtheris actis following, anent the lauchfull and perfyte age of the Prince, gif it be at .xxj. zeiris compleit. Quha hes declairit, and declairis, that the Quenis Maiesteis predecessouris, Kingis of this Realme, war be the saidis actis, of lauchfull and perfyte age, at .xxi. zeiris compleit, lyke as hir hienes being of .xxj. zeiris of age compleit, is of perfyte and lauchfull age. Swa that hir hienes, hir predecessouris, and successouris efter the said age, of .xxj. zeiris compleit, mycht haue done, and may do all thingis, that thairefter ane Prince of lauchfull, and perfyte age, mycht haue done, or may do of the Law.

¶ Anent the article proponed to the Queen’s Majesty, and three Estates of Parliament, making mention of an act of Parliament, made by King James the Second, of good memory, of the date, the 20th day of March, the year of God one thousand four hundred thirty-seven years. And of another act made by King James the fourth, in his revocation, making mention of 21 years of age, of the date, the 15th day of February, the year of God one thousand four hundred, thirty-nine {folio xv. recto} years. Likeas the saids acts respective, at more length purports. ¶ Desiring therefore our Sovereign Lady, and three Estates of this present Parliament, to declare the saids acts and others acts following, anent the lawful and perfect age of the Prince, if it be at 21 years complete. Who has declared, and declares, that the Queen’s Majesty’s predecessours, Kings of this Realm, were by the saids acts, of lawful and perfect age, at 21 years complete, like as her highness being of 21 years of age complete, is of perfect and lawful age. So that her highness, her predecessours, and successours after the said age, of 21 years complete, might have done, and may do all things, that thereafter a Prince of lawful, and perfect age, might have done, or may do of the Law.

19. ¶ Anent the retentioun of our Souerane Lordis Motheris person. Ca. xix.

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19. ¶ Anent the retention of our Sovereign Lord’s Mother’s person. Ca. xix.

ITEM Anent the artickle proponit be the Erlis, Lordis, and vther Nobill men, quha tuik armis at Carbarrie hill, vpon the .xv. day of Junij last bypast. And anent thair conueningis of befoir, and of the cause of the apprehensioun of the Quene, Mother to our Souerane Lord. And quhidder the saidis Nobill mé, and vtheris quhilkis tuik armis of befoir hir said apprehensioun, and quhilkis ioynit with thame, and assistit thame at that tyme, or ony wayis sensyne, hes done the dewtie of Nobill men, gude, and trew subiectis of this Realme, and na wayis offendit, nor transgressit the Lawis in that effect, or ony thing depending thairupon, outher preceding, or following the samin. ¶ Our Souerane Lord, with auise of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis, and haill body of this present Parliament, hes fundin, declairit, and concludit, and be this present act findis, declairis, and concludis, that the cause and occasioun of the conueutiounis, and messageis of the saidis Erlis, Lordis, Nobill men, Barronis, and vtheris faithfull and trew subiectis, and consequentlie, thair taking of armis, and cuming to the feildis with oppin and displayit banneris, and the cause and occasioun of the taking of the said Quenis person, vpon the said .xv. day of Junij last bypast, and halding, and detening of the samin within the housis and Fortalice of Lochleuin, continuallie, sensyne presentlie, and in all tyme cuming. And generallie all vther thingis inuentit, spokin, writtin, or done be thame, or ony of thame to that effect, sen the tent day of Februar last bypast, vpon the quhilk day, vmquhile Henry King, than the said Quenis lauchfull husband, and our Souerane Lord the Kingis derrest Father, was tressonablie, schamefullie, and horriblie murthourit, vnto the day and dait, of this present act, and in all tymes to cum, tuicheing the said Quene, and detening of hir person. That the cause and {folio xv. verso} all thingis dependand thairon, or that ony wayis may pertene thairto, the intromissioun, or disponing vpon hir propirtie, casualiteis, or quhatsumeuer thing pertening, or that ony wayis mycht pertene to hir, Wes in the said Quenis awin default, in sa far as be diuers hir preuie letteris writtin halelie with hir awin hand, and send be hir to James, sumtyme Erle of Bothwell, cheif executour of the said horribill murthour, asweill befoir the committing thairof, as thairefter. And be hir ungodlie, and dishonourabill proceding to ane pretédit mariage with him, suddandlie, and vnprouisitlie thairefter, it is maist certaine, that scho was preuie, airt, and pairt, of the actuall deuise, and deid of the foirnamit murthour, of the King hir lauchful husband, and Father to our Souerane Lord, committit be the said James, sumtyme Erle of Bothwell, his complices, and pertakeris. And thairfoir iustlie deseruis quhatsumever hes bene done to hir in ony tyme bygane, or that salbe vsit towardis hir, for the said cause in tyme cuming, quhilk salbe vsit be aduise of the Nobilitie, in respect, that our said Souerane Lordis Mother, with the said James, sumtyme Erle of Bothwell, zeid about be indirect and colourit menis, to colour, and hald bak the knawlege of the treuth of the committaris of the said cryme. Zit all men in thair hartis war fullelie perswadit, of the authouris and deuysaris of that mischeuous, and vnworthie fact, awaiting quhill God sould moue the hartis of sum to enter in the querrell, for reuengeing of the samin. And in the menetyme, ane greit pairt of the Nobilitie, vpon iust feir to be handlit, and demanit in semblabill maner, as the King had bene of befoir. Persauing alswa the Quene sa thrall; and swa blindlie affectionat to the priuate appetyte of that tyrane, and that baith he, and scho had conspyrit togidder sic horribill crueltie, being thairwith all garnissit with ane cumpanie of vngodlie, and vitious personis, reddy to accomplische all thair vnlauchfull commandementis, of quhome he had ane sufficient number, continuallie awaiting vpon him, for the samin effect, all Nobill and vertuous men abhorring thair tyrannie, and cumpanie, bot cheiflie suspecting, that thay, quha had sa tressonablie put downe, and distroyit the Father, sould mak the innocent Prince, his onlie Sone, and the principall, and almaist onlie confort, send be God to this afflictit natioun, to taist of the samin coup (as the mony inuentit purposis to pas quhair he was, and alswa quhair the Nobill men war in) be thair oppin confusioun gaif sufficient warning and declaratioun, quhairthrow the saids Erlis, Lordis, Barronis, and vtheris faithfull, and trew subiectis taking armis, or vtherwyse quhatsumeuer ioyning, and assisting in the said actioun, and in the saidis conuentiounis, displaying baneris, and cuming to the feildis, taking and retening of the Quenis person, asweill in tymes bypast, as heirefter, and all vtheris that hes thairefter, or sall {folio xvi. recto} in ony tyme cuming adioyne to thame, and all thingis done be thame, or ony of thame, tuicheing that cause, and all vther thingis depending thairon, or that ony wayis may appertene thairto, the intromissioun, or disponing vpon hir propirtie, or casualiteis, or quhatsumeuer vther thingis pertening, or ony wayis mycht appertene to hir, was in default of hir self, and the said James, sumtyme Erle of Bothwell, and be the horribill, and cruell murther of our said Souerane Lordis vmquhile derrest Father, conspyrit, deuysit, committit, conseilit, and colourit be thame, and not condignelie puneist according to the Lawis. And that the saidis Erlis, Lordis, Barronis, and vtheris trew, and faithfull subiectis, conuening at ony conuentioun bygaine, and now presentlie, efter the said murthour, for furthering of the tryell thairof, and als thay, and all vtheris that war on the feildis, tuik armis, apprehendit, held, keipit, or detenit, or presentlie haldis, keipis, or detenis hir person, or sall thairefter, or that hes ionit, or assistit, or sall in ony tyme heirefter ioyne to thame in that querrell, tuicheing the premissis, ar, war, and salbe innocent, fre, and acquyte of the samin, and of all actioun, and cause criminall, and ciuill, that may be intentit, or persewit aganis thame, or ony of thame thairfoir, in ony tyme cuming. And that ane pairt of the thre Estatis foirsaidis, Prelatis, Bishopis, greit Barronis, and Burgessis, gaif thair Seillis thairupon, to be vsit as salbe thocht maist expedient be thame, for the honour of the Realme, and securitie of the nobill men, and vtheris hauand enteres in the said cause. And decernis, this declaratioun to be na wayis preiudiciall to the Issue of our Souerane Lordis Mother, lauchfullie cumin of hir body, to succeid to the Crowne of this Realme, nor thair airis.

ITEM Anent the article proponed by the Earls, Lords, and other Noblemen, who took arms at Carberry hill, upon the 15th day of June last bypast. And anent their convenings of before, and of the cause of the apprehension of the Queen, Mother to our Sovereign Lord. And whether the saids Noblemen, and others which took arms of before her said apprehension, and which joined with them, and assisted them at that time, or any ways since then, has done the duty of Noblemen, good, and true subjects of this Realm, and no ways offended, nor transgressed the Laws in that effect, or any thing depending thereupon, either preceding, or following the same. ¶ Our Sovereign Lord, with advice of my Lord Regent, and three Estates, and whole body of this present Parliament, has found, declared, and concluded, and by this present act finds, declares, and concludes, that the cause and occasion of the conventions, and messages of the saids Earls, Lords, Noblemen, Barons, and others faithful and true subjects, and consequently, their taking of arms, and coming to the fields with open and displayed banners, and the cause and occasion of the taking of the said Queen’s person, upon the said 15th day of June last bypast, and holding, and detaining of the same within the houses and Fortalice of Lochleven, continually, since then, presently, and in all time coming; And generally all other things invented [devised], spoken, written, or done be them, or any of them to that effect, since the tenth day of February last bypast, upon the which day, umwhile [late, deceased] Henry King, then the said Queen’s lawful husband, and our Sovereign Lord the King’s dearest Father, was treasonably, shamefully, and horribly murdered, unto the day and date, of this present act, and in all times to come, touching the said Queen, and detaining of her person: That the cause and {folio xv. verso} all things depending thereon, or that anyways may pertain thereto, the intromission, or disponing upon [disposing, ordering] her property, casualties, or whatsomever thing pertaining, or that any ways might pertain to her, Was in the said Queen’s own default [fault], insofar as by divers her privy letters written wholly with her own hand, and sent by her to James, sometime Earl of Bothwell, chief executor of the said horrible murder, aswell before the committing thereof, as thereafter. And by her ungodly, and dishonourable proceeding to a pretended marriage with him, suddenly, and unprovisitly [unexpectedly] thereafter, it is most certain, that she was privy, art and part, of the actual device and deed of the forenamed murder, of the King her lawful husband, and Father to our Sovereign Lord, committed by the said James, sometime Earl of Bothwell, his accomplices, and partakers. And therefore justly deserves whatsomever has been done to her in any time bygone, or that shall be used towards her, for the said cause in time coming, which shall be used by advice of the Nobility, in respect, that our said Sovereign Lord’s Mother, with the said James, sometime Earl of Bothwell, went about by indirect and coloured means, to colour, and hold back the knowledge of the truth of the committers of the said crime. Yet all men in their hearts were fully persuaded, of the authors and devisers of that mischievous, and unworthy fact [act, deed], awaiting while [until] God should move the hearts of some to enter in the quarrel, for revenging of the same. And in the meantime, a great part of the Nobility, upon just fear to be handled, and demanit [treated] in semblable [similar] manner, as the King had been of before; Perceiving also the Queen so thrall; and so blindly affectionate to the private appetite of that tyrant, and that both he, and she had conspired together such horrible cruelty, being therewithal garnissed [furnished] with a company of ungodly, and vicious persons, ready to accomplish all their unlawful commandments, of whom he had a sufficient number, continually awaiting upon him, for the same effect, all Noble and virtuous men abhorring their tyranny, and company, but chiefly suspecting, that they, who had so treasonably put down, and destroyed the Father, should make the innocent Prince, his only Son, and the principal, and almost only confort [comfort, consolation], sent by God to this afflicted nation, to taste of the same cup (as the many invented purposes to pass where he was, and also where the Noblemen were in) by their open confusion gave sufficient warning and declaration, where-through the saids Earls, Lords, Barons, and others faithful, and true subjects taking arms, or otherwise whatsomever joining, and assisting in the said action, and in the saids conventions, displaying banners, and coming to the fields, taking and retaining of the Queen’s person, aswell in times bypast, as hereafter, and all others that has thereafter, or shall {folio xvi. recto} in any time coming adjoin to them, and all things done by them, or any of them, touching that cause, and all other things depending thereon, or that any ways may appertain thereto, the intromission, or disponing upon [disposing, ordering of] her property, or casualties, or whatsomever other things pertaining, or any ways might appertain to her, was in default [the fault] of herself, and the said James, sometime Earl of Bothwell, and by the horrible, and cruel murder of our said Sovereign Lord’s umwhile [late, deceased] dearest Father, conspired, devised, committed, concealed, and coloured by them, and not condignly punished according to the Laws. And that the saids Earls, Lords, Barons, and others true, and faithful subjects, convening at any convention bygone, and now presently, after the said murder, for furthering of the trial thereof, and as they, and all others that were on the fields, took arms, apprehended, held, kept, or detained, or presently holds, keeps, or detains her person, or shall thereafter, or that has jonit [joined, united], or assisted, or shall in any time hereafter join to them in that quarrel, touching the premises, are, were, and shall be innocent, free, and acquit of the same, and of all action, and cause criminal, and civil, that may be intended, or pursued against them, or any of them therefore, in any time coming. And that a part of the three Estates foresaids, Prelates, Bishops, great Barons, and Burgesses, give their Seals thereupon, to be used as shall be thought most expedient by them, for the honour of the Realm, and security of the noblemen, and others having interest in the said cause. And decerns this declaration to be no ways prejudicial to the Issue of our Sovereign Lord’s Mother, lawfully coming of her body, to succeed to the Crown of this Realm, nor their heirs.

20. ¶ The declaratioun of Parliament maid to the Laird of Lochleuin, anent the keiping of the Kingis Mother, in the hous and Fortalice of Lochleuin. Ca. xx.

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20. ¶ The declaration of Parliament made to the Laird of Lochleven, anent the keeping of the King’s Mother, in the house and Fortalice of Lochleven. Ca. xx.

Anent the supplicatioun geuin in be Williame Dowglas of Lochleuin, beirand that the Erlis of Mortoun, Atholl, Mar, Glencarne, the Lordis Ruthuen, Holme, Lindesay, Sempill, and diueris vtheris honorabill Barronis, and gentilmen of this Realme, vpon the .xvj. day of Junij, last bypast, be thair letteris subscriuit with thair handis, gaif command to the said Williame Dowglas, vpon his dew obedience, and as he tenderis the commoun weill of this Realme, his natiue cuntrie, to ressaue our Souerane Lordis Mother in keping, within his fortalice, & place of Lochleuin, as being ane rowme maist conuenient thairto, and keip hir surelie thairintill, ay & quhill farther tryall be taine, anent the cruell murthour, and tressonabill slauchter of vmquhile Henry King, spous to the Quene, than our Souerane, and the said Williame sufficientlie exonerit, {folio xvi. verso} and dischargeit of hir said keping, as the letteris, and charge direct be the saidis Erlis, Lordis, and nobill men, schawin in presence of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this Realme beiris. And thairfoir desyring our Souerane Lord, my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this presét Parliamét, to gif declaratour to the said Williame Dowglas of Lochleuin, that he hes done his detfull diligence, in ressauing, and keping of our said Souerane Lordis derrest Mother. And thairthrow that he, and his airis may be fre of all actioun, and cryme that may be imputit to thame thairthrow, and of ony vther thing done to hir, sen hir cuming to the said place, and fortalice, in respect of hir awin declaratioun schawin, and producit in presence of my said Lord Regent, and haill Estatis of this present Parliament, lyke as the said supplicatioun, wrytingis, and chargeis direct thairanent schawin, and producit as said is beiris. ¶ Our Souerane Lord, with auise of the said Lord Regent, and thre Estatis, and haill body of this present Parliament, declairis the saidis letteris, & chargeis, direct to the said Williame Dowglas of Lochleuin in maner abone written, to be dewlie, & ressonablie direct, and procedit vpon ane iust, trew, and sinceir ground, and thairfoir be censement of this present Parliament, authorisis, and declairis the samin to haue bene dewlie, weill, ordourlie, and iustly direct vpon gude causis, and consideratiounis, lyke as alswa our Souerane Lord, with auise of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of Parliament foirsaid, authorisis, and declaris the wrytingis, & declaratioun maid be our said Souerane Lordis derrest mother, vpon the .xxviij. day of Julij last bypast, declairand that scho on na wyse was treitit, nor cópellit be the said Williame Dowglas of Lochleuin, nor na vtheris of his causing, to do ony thing contrare hir plesour, sen hir cuming to the said place of Lochleuin. And thairfoir ordanis the saidis letteris, chargeis, and vtheris wryttingis abone writtin, to be insert and registrat in the buikis of Parliament, to remaine thairintill perpetuallie, for declaratioun of the said Williame Dowglas trew, and iust obedience in the said mater. And declairis, he hes done his detfull dewtie in obtempering, obeying, and fulfilling of the command, and charge abone writtin, and decernis him, his airis, successouris, and posteritie to be harmles and skaithles thairanent, for now and euer. And dischargeis all actioú and cause criminall, and ciuile, that may be intentit, or persewit aganis thame, or him for the samin, for now and euer be this present act.

Anent the supplication given in by William Douglas of Lochleven, bearing that the Earls of Morton, Atholl, Mar, Glencairn, the Lords Ruthven, Holme, Lindsey, Sempill, and divers others honorable Barons, and gentlemen of this Realm, upon the 16th day of June, last bypast, by their letters subscribed with their hands, gave command to the said William Douglas, upon his due obedience, and as he tenders the common weal of this Realm, his native country, to receive our Sovereign Lord’s Mother in keeping, within his fortalice, & place of Lochleven, as being a room most convenient thereto, and keep her surely therein, aye & while [ever and until] further trial be taken, anent the cruel murder, and treasonable slaughter of umwhile [late, deceased] Henry King, spouse to the Queen, then our Sovereign, and the said William sufficiently exonered, {folio xvi. verso} and discharged of her said keeping, as the letters, and charge direct by the saids Earls, Lords, and noblemen, shown in presence of my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this Realm bears. And therefore desiring our Sovereign Lord, my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this present Parliament, to give declaratour [judicial declaration] to the said William Douglas of Lochleven, that he has done his detful [proper, due] diligence, in receiving, and keeping of our said Sovereign Lord’s dearest Mother. And there-through that he, and his heirs may be free of all action, and crime that may be imputed to them there-through, and of any other thing done to her, since her coming to the said place, and fortalice, in respect of her own declaration shown, and produced in presence of my said Lord Regent, and whole Estates of this present Parliament, likeas the said supplication, writings, and charges direct thereanent shown, and produced as said is bears. ¶ Our Sovereign Lord, with advice of the said Lord Regent, and three Estates, and whole body of this present Parliament, declares the saids letters & charges, direct to the said William Douglas of Lochleven in manner above written, to be duly, & reasonably direct, and proceeded upon a just, true, and sincere ground, and therefore by censment [judgment] of this present Parliament, authorizes, and declares the same to have been duly, well, orderly, and justly direct upon good causes, and considerations, likeas also our Sovereign Lord, with advice of my Lord Regent, and three Estates of Parliament foresaid, authorizes, and declares the writings, & declaration made by our said Sovereign Lord’s dearest mother, upon the 28th day of July last bypast, declaring that she on no wise was treated, nor compelled by the said William Douglas of Lochleven, nor no others of his causing, to do anything contrary her pleasure, since her coming to the said place of Lochleven. And therefore ordains the saids letters, charges, and others writings above written, to be insert and registrate in the books of Parliament, to remain therein perpetually, for declaration of the said William Douglas’ true and just obedience in the said matter. And declares, he has done his detful [proper, due] duty in obtempering [complying with], obeying, and fulfilling of the command, and charge above written, and decerns him, his heirs, successours, and posterity to be harmless and skaithles [free of penalty or liability] thereanent, for now and ever. And discharges all action and cause criminal, and civil, that may be intended, or pursued against them, or him for the same, for now and ever by this present act.

25. ¶ Ane commissioun to certaine Lordis of the Estatis, to considder sic articklis as is committit to thame, and to report the samin againe in the nixt Parliament. Ca. xxv.

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25. ¶ A commission to certain Lords of the Estates, to consider such articles as is committed to them, and to report the same again in the next Parliament. Ca. xxv.

ITEM Forsamekle as thair is diuers and sindrie articklis presentit and geuin in be diuers liegis, and subiectis of this Realme, to our Souerane Lord, my Lord Regent, Lordis of articklis, and Estatis of this Realme. And speciallie ane artickle of James Lord of sanct Johnis, anent the confirmatioun of his priuilegeis. Ane artickle concerning the act of adulterie. Ane artickle of the leirnit men of this Realme, desyring letteris to flureis. Ane artickle tuicheing eiectioun, and spulzeis. Ane artickle anent reductioun of decreitis, for the causis contenit in the first libell. Ane artickle concerning warrādis in redemptioun of landis. Ane artickle for punischement of thame, that wilfullie passis to the horne, & lyis thairat. Ane artickle for thame that passis to the horne for liquidat sowmes. Ane artickle for thame that passis to the horne, & enteris in the girth. Ane artickle for thame that putts thair sonnis or freindis in thair landis, or makis assignatiounis of thair gudis in defraude of the executioun of decreitis. Ane artickle for superiouris that geuis priuate sesingis, efter the deceis of thair wassallis, in defraude of the air of the said wassallis. Ane artickle anent derth of victuall, & bestiallis. Ane artickle for ganging of fische furth of the Realme. Ane artickle for chesing of Cómissaris in euerie schire, to keip ordour amangis craftis men. Ane artickle for slauchter. Ane artickle for assythment of partie. Ane artickle for theuis taine reifand. Ane artickle for slauchter of veilis, and lambis, and for passing furth of the cuntrie, and inbringing of wyne, irne, tar, lint, and lit. And als concerning the merchandis, that raisis the price of geir that it was first sauld for efter the hame bringing. Ane artickle for confirmatioú of the giftis of annuallis, and Chaplanereis to Burrowis. Ane artickle of the Burgh of Cowper, anent the downe taking of thair customes, as in the articklis geuin in thairupon at mair lenth is contenit. ¶ Our Souerane Lord, with auise of my Lord Regent, & thre Estatis of this present Parliament, hes geuin, and geuis power, and cómissioun to the Lordis of the articklis vnderwrittin, that is to say, Alexander Bischop of Galloway. Adam Bischop of Orknay. Robert Cómendatour of Dunfermling. Mark Cómendatour of Newbottill. Johne Cómendatour of Balmerinoch. And Schir James Balfour Priour of Pettinweme, for the spiritual estate. George Erle of Huntlie. Archebald Erle of Argyle. Johne Erle of Atholl. {folio xviii. verso} Johne Erle of Mar. Alexander Erle of Glencarne. And Patrik Lord Lindesay of the Byris for the Barronis. Schir Symon Prestoú of that ilk Knicht, Prouest of Edinburgh. Maister James Halyburtoú tutour of Petcur, Prouest of Dundie. Williame Lord Ruthuen, Prouest of Perth. Johne Erskin of Dune, Prouest of Montrois. Thomas Menzeis of Potfoddellis, Prouest of Abirdene. And Patrik Lermonth of Dersie Knicht, Prouest of Sanctandrois, for the cómissaris of Burrowis. Or ony four of euerie ane of the Estatis abone writtin, with our Souerane Lordis officiaris vnderwrittin, that is to say, the Chancellar, the Thesaurer, the Cóptrollar, the Lord preuie seill, the Clerk of Register, the Justice Clerk, & the Aduocat, with sic vtheris Senatouris of the College of Justice, as thay pleis name, to concur with thame. Quhilkis personis sall vesie, & considder the saidis articklis, and tak ordour quhat thay think best to be done thairintil, for the cómoun weil of this Realme, & liegis thairof. And as thay think best to be done, to declair the samin to our Souerane Lord, my Lord Regent, & thre Estatis of this Realme in the nixt Parliament, to the effect that thay may mak sic Lawis, and constitutiounis thairupon, as accordis with equitie, and Justice, and ressoun.

ITEM Forsomuch as there is divers and sundry articles presented and given in by divers lieges, and subjects of this Realm, to our Sovereign Lord, my Lord Regent, Lords of articles, and Estates of this Realm; And specially an article of James Lord of saint Johns, anent the confirmation of his privileges; An article concerning the act of adultery; An article of the learned men of this Realm, desiring letters to flourish; An article touching ejection [legal expulsion], and spulyies [spoils, plunders]; An article anent reduction of decrees, for the causes contained in the first libel; An article concerning warrants in redemption of lands; An article for punishment of them that wilfully passes to the horn, & lies thereat; An article for them that passes to the horn for liquidat sums; An article for them that passes to the horn, & enters into the girth [refuge]; An article for them that puts their sons or friends in their lands, or makes assignations of their goods in defraud of the execution of decrees; An article for superiours that gives private saisines, after the decease of their vassals, in defraud of the heir of the said vassals; An article anent dearth of victual, & beasts [cattle]; An article for ganging [carrying] of fish forth of the Realm; An article for choosing of Commissars in every shire, to keep order amongst craftsmen; An article for slaughter; An article for assythment [compensation] of party; An article for thieves taken robbing; An article for slaughter of veals, and lambs, and for passing forth of the country, and inbringing of wine, iron, tar, lint [flax, linen], and lit [colour, dye], And also concerning the merchants, that raises the price of gear that it was first sold for after the home-bringing; An article for confirmation of the gifts of annuals, and Chaplainries to Burrows; An article of the Burgh of Cowper, anent the down-taking of their customs, as in the articles given in thereupon at more length is contained. ¶ Our Sovereign Lord, with advice of my Lord Regent, & three Estates of this present Parliament, has given, and gives power, and commission to the Lords of the articles underwritten, that is to say, Alexander Bishop of Galloway, Adam Bishop of Orkney, Robert Commendatour of Dunfermling, Mark Commendatour of Newbottill, John Commendatour of Balmerinoch, And Sir James Balfour Prior of Pettinweme, for the spiritual estate; George Earl of Huntley, Archibald Earl of Argyle, John Earl of Atholl, {folio xviii. verso} John Earl of Mar, Alexander Earl of Glencairn. And Patrick Lord Lindsey of the Byres for the Barons; Sir Simon Prestoun of that ilk Knight, Provost of Edinburgh. Master James Halyburtoun tutor of Petcur, Provost of Dundie. William Lord Ruthven, Provost of Perth. John Erskin of Dune, Provost of Montrose. Thomas Menzies of Pitfodels, Provost of Aberdeen. And Patrick Learmonth of Dairsie Knight, Provost of Saint Andrews, for the commissars of Burrows: Or any four of every one of the Estates above written, with our Sovereign Lord’s officers underwritten, that is to say, the Chancellor, the Treasurer, the Comptroller, the Lord privy seal, the Clerk of Register, the Justice Clerk, & the Advocate, with such others Senators of the College of Justice, as they please name, to concur with them. Which persons shall vesy [inspect], & consider the saids articles, and take order what they think best to be done therein, for the common weal of this Realm, & lieges thereof. And as they think best to be done, to declare the same to our Sovereign Lord, my Lord Regent, & three Estates of this Realm in the next Parliament, to the effect that they may make such Laws, and constitutions thereupon, as accords with equity, and Justice, and reason.

29. ¶ Anent the residence, and sitting of the Lordis of Sessioun, for administratioun of Justice. Ca. xxix.

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29. ¶ Anent the residence, and sitting of the Lords of Session, for administration of Justice. Ca. xxix.

ITEM Forsamekle as the Lordis of counsell, and sessioun hes bene in vse in tymes bygaine, to ryse the last day of Julij, and not to sit downe for administratioun of Justice, quhill the xij. day of Nouember thairefter, and to have vacance at Zule, Fastingis euin, Pasche, & Witsonday. And trueth it is, that the moneth of Julij, is the moneth of all the zeir, maist dangerous, and men abillest to contract seiknes thairintill, speciallie thay being in Burrowis townis not weill airit. And als that is the tyme of skantest victuallis, and greitest derth within the Realme. And als is the tyme that geutil men, and vtheris hes maist ado concerning thair awin effairis. ¶ Thairfoire it is statute, and ordanit be our Souerane Lord, with auise and consent of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this present Parliament, that the Lordis of counsell and sessioun in all tymes cuming, sall ryse vpon the .x. day of Julij, and haue vacance vnto the .xx. day of October exclusiue. Upon the quhilk .xx. day of October, thay sall sit downe, and sit daylie, except vpon the Sonday, quhill the .xx. day of December inclusiue. And than ryse, and haue vacance, quhill the .vij. day of Januar exclusiue. Upon the quhilk .vij. day of Januar, thay sall sit downe, & sit daylie, except the Sonday, but ony vacance at Fastingis euin, quhil Palmesonday euin inclusiue. And than to ryse, and haue vacance, quhill the nixt monunday efter law Sonday exclusiue. Upon the quhilk monunday thay sall sit downe, and sit daylie except on the Sóday, without ony vacance at Witsonday, quhill the said .x. day of Julij. And swa the saidis Lordis of counsel and sessioun to proceid and minister Justice to all our Souerane Lordis liegis daylie, in tyme cuming in maner befoir specifyit.

ITEM Forsomuch as the Lords of counsel, and session has been in use [practice] in times bygone, to rise the last day of July, and not to sit down for administration of Justice, while [until] the 12th day of November thereafter, and to have vacation at Yule, Fastings eve, Pasch, & Whitsunday; And truth it is, that the month of July, is the month of all the year, most dangerous, and men ablest to contract sickness therein, specially they being in Burrows towns not well aired; And also that is the time of scantest victuals, and greatest dearth within the Realm; And also is the time that gentlemen, and others have most ado concerning their own affairs; ¶ Therefore it is statute, and ordained by our Sovereign Lord, with advice and consent of my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this present Parliament, that the Lords of counsel and session in all times coming, shall rise upon the 10th day of July, and have vacation unto the 20th day of October exclusive. Upon the which 20th day of October, they shall sit down, and sit daily, except upon the Sonday, while [until] the 20th day of December inclusive; And then rise, and have vacation, while [until] the 7th day of January exclusive. Upon the which 7th day of January, they shall sit down, & sit daily, except the Sonday, without any vacation at Fastings eve while [until] Palm Sunday eve inclusive. And then to rise, and have vacation, while [until] the next monday after Low Sunday exclusive. Upon the which monday they shall sit down, and sit daily except on the Sonday, without any vacation at Whitsunday, while [until] the said 10th day of July. And so the saids Lords of counsel and session to proceed and minister Justice to all our Sovereign Lord’s lieges daily, in time coming in manner before specified.

35. ¶ Anent the demolischeing of the Castell of Dunbar, and Forth of Inchekeith. Ca. xxxv.

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35. ¶ Anent the demolishing of the Castle of Dunbar, and Fort of Inchkeith. Ca. xxxv.

ITEM Forsamekle as thair hes bene of befoir diuers, large, and sumpteous expensis, maid be our Souerane Lordis predecessouris, & him self, in keiping, fortifying, & reparatioun of the Castell of Dunbar, and Forth of Inchekeith, quhilkis ar baith unprofitabill to the Realme, and not abill to defend [fra] the enemeis thairof, in cais the samin war assaultit. And now seing that the said Castell, and Forth, ar baith becumin sa ruinous, that the samin sall allutterlie decay, except thair be sic expensis maid thairupon, as is vnhabill to be performit without greit inconueniencis. And alswa hauand consideratioun of an act of Parliament maid in vmquhile our Souerane Lordis grandschiris tyme, King James the feird, of maist worthie memorie, ordinand the said Castell of Dunbar to be demolischit and cassin downe, as in the act maid thairupon at mair length is contenit, quhilk act as zit is not abrogat. ¶ Thairfoir our Souerane Lord, with auise and consent of my Lord Regent, and thre Estatis of this present Parliament, hes ordanit, and ordanis that the Castell of Dunbar, and Forth of Inchekeith be demolischit, and cassin downe vtterlie to the ground, and distroyit in sic wyse, that na foundment thairof be occasioun to big thairupon in tyme cuming.

ITEM Forsomuch as there has been of before divers, large, and sumptuous expenses, made by our Sovereign Lord’s predecessours, & himself, in keeping, fortifying, & reparation of the Castle of Dunbar, and Fort of Inchkeith, which are both unprofitable to the Realm, and not able to defend [from] the enemies thereof, in case the same were assaulted; And now seeing that the said Castle, and Fort, are both becoming so ruinous, that the same shall allutterly [entirely] decay, except there be such expenses made thereupon, as is unable to be performed without great inconveniences; And also having consideration of an act of Parliament made in umwhile [sometime, late] our Sovereign Lord’s grandschir’s [great-grandfather’s] tyme, King James the fourth, of most worthy memory, ordaining the said Castle of Dunbar to be demolished and cast down, as in the act made thereupon at more length is contained, which act as yet is not abrogated; ¶ Therefore our Sovereign Lord, with advice and consent of my Lord Regent, and three Estates of this present Parliament, has ordained, and ordains that the Castle of Dunbar, and Fort of Inchkeith be demolished, and cast down utterly to the ground, and destroyed in such wise, that no foundation thereof be occasion to big [build] thereupon in time coming.