17 August 1641

[Oath of parliament]

Forasmuch as the honour, greatness and happiness of the king's royal majesty and the welfare of the subjects depends on the purity of religion as it is now established in this kingdom, the laws, liberties and peace thereof which ought to be sought after by all good Christians, loyal subjects and true patriots, and to be furthered and maintained by them against all such as by any means endeavour to shake or subvert the same, therefore, we under-subscribers and every one of us do in the presence of almighty God promise and vow that in this present parliament we shall faithfully and freely speak, answer and express ourselves upon all and every thing which is or shall be proposed so far as we think in our conscience may conduce to the glory of God, the good and peace of the church and state of this kingdom and employ our best endeavours to promote the same and shall in no way advise, voice nor consent to anything which to our best knowledge we think not most expedient and conducible thereto; as also that we shall maintain and defend with our lives, power and estate his majesty's royal person, honour and estate, as is express in our National Covenant, and likewise the power and privileges of parliaments and the lawful rights and liberties of the subjects; and by all good means and ways oppose and endeavour to bring to exact trial all such as either by force, practise, counsel, plots, conspiracies or otherwise has done or shall do anything in prejudice of the purity of religion, the laws, liberties and peace of the kingdom. And further, that we shall in all just and honourable ways endeavour to preserve union and peace between the three kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland. And neither for hope, fear nor other respect shall relinquish this vow and promise.

10 August 1641

Read in audience of parliament, who approve the same and appoint the same to be taken by all members of this parliament and in all parliaments hereafter, before they proceed to any act or determination.

  1. NAS, Papers of the Bruce family of Airth, GD37/319. This is the oath referred to in 1641/8/4, which contains signatories from this and subsequent parliamentary sessions. The project team would like to thank Professor David Stevenson for bringing this document to their attention. Back
  2. Roughly left to right, signed by the following members. Note, although the oath is dated August 1641, it was subscribed by members of parliament until at least March 1651 (see M1651/3/1). Names below have been expanded where possible. In cases of duplicate signatures, the personal names of both possible signatories are given. Back
  3. ? Most likely candidate. Back
  4. ? Most likely candidate. Back
  5. Beginning of word illegible. Back
  6. ? Perhaps Robert Murray of Spinningdale, commissioner for the burgh of Sutherland. Back
  7. Illegible. Back
  8. Illegible. Sic. Possibly 'Jamistoun'. Back
  9. Illegible. Back
  10. ? Uncertain reading. Back
  11. ? Uncertain reading. Back
  12. Illegible Possibly Alex[ander]? Back
  13. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question. Back
  14. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question. Back
  15. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question. Back
  16. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question. Back
  17. Most of name illegible. Back
  18. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question. Back
  19. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question. Back
  20. ? No parliamentary commissioner known under this name for the period in question, but some uncertainty as to accuracy of transcription of last word. Back
  21. ? Uncertain transcription. Back
  22. The remaining names are written on the rear of the document. Back
  23. ? Perhaps David Wemyss of Fingask, as both earls of Wemyss of the period signed above. Back