[1587/7/33]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord and thrie estaitis convenit in this present parliament ratifies, apprevis and, for his hienes and his successouris, perpetuallie confermis the act of the lordis of counsall and sessioun maid anent proceiding in causis of molestatioun, and ordanis the same to tak full effect and executioun in tyme cuming as a maist necessar and proffittable law to all his hienes subjectis, and the said haill act to be insert in the buikis of parliament, off the quhilk act the tennour followis:
At Edinburgh, the [...] day of [...] the yeir of God jM vC fourescoir [...] yeiris. Forsamekle as the multitude of actionis befoir the lordis of sessioun impeschis greitlie the ordinair course of justice in wechtie causis of heretage and utheris materis of greit importance, quhilkis ar maist proper to be decydit be the saidis lordis of sessioun, and the greittest latt and impediment proceidis frome the greit nowmer of actionis of molestatioun and trublance in the posessioun of properties and communities, quhilkis wer accustumat of auld to be decidit be the shereffis of every schire, baillies of regalities and utheris ordiner judges quhair the landis lyis and be the determinatioun of ane assyse of the best and worthiest of the cuntrie; and the saidis lordis, be daylie experience understanding perfitelie quhat stope and hinder the saidis materis possessour ar to the expeditioun of utheris wechtie causis, how sumptuus sic process ar to the parties be bringing of the witnesses furth of the far pairtis of this realme for verifeing of the summoundis or exceptioun admittit be ather pairtie in the saidis materis, and yit the treuth of the cais is not thairby suffucientlie tryit, partlie be the abuse of the witnesses and pairtlie becaus it is not possible to the saidis lordis of sessioun to try the veritie sa weill be examinatioun of the witnesses befoir thame as the schireff and his deputtis may try the samin be ane inqueist of the best and worthiest upoun the grund; for the quhilkis causis, the saidis lordis of sessioun hes thocht meit and expedient, statuitis and ordanis that all materis of molestatioun and trublance in properties and communities consisting in the possessour to be intentit heirefter or alreddy intentit, quhairin na litiscontestatioun is maid, salbe remittit to the schireff of the schyre, baillies of regalities and utheris inferiour ordiner juges quhair the landis upoun the quhilkis questioun salbe movit lyis. And to that effect, quhensoever ony pairtie sall meane tham to the saidis lordis upoun trublance or molestatioun committit upoun properties or commounties, the lordis, be thair deliverance, sall direct lettres ordaning the saidis inferiour ordiner juges to tak cognitioun thairin upoun summondis or preceptis to be direct upoun xv dayes warning, and the courtis following to be continewit fra aucht dayes to aucht dayes at the langest, or schortair, as the caus sall require at the discretioun of the juge; quhilk cognitioun salbe takin be this ordour: first, that the pairties defensis salbe lauchfullie discussit in the place quhair saidis inferiour ordiner juges usis to sitt or that salbe appoyntit unto thame be the saidis lordis of counsall, and gif the defensis be all repellit, that the saidis judges, efter the productioun of the pairties rychtis consisting in write, sall put the haill uther pointis of the summondis or exceptioun quhilk salbe admittit, suamekle thairof as be the ordour observit befoir mycht or sould haif bene provin be witnesses, to the knawlege of ane condigne inqueist, to be electit and chosin of personis leist suspect and that best knawis the veritie to ane sufficient number, the maist pairt quhairof salbe landit men having at the leist four plewis of land or thre hundreth merkis of yeirlie rent unredemable and utheris substantious, famous and honest yemen, quhilkis personis salbe takin and chosin in parrochine quhair the saidis landis debatable lyis, gif ane sufficient nowmer may be fund thair, and failyeing thairof, of the nerrest parrochineris nixt adjacent, admittand alwayes all obiectionis competent aganis thair personis as accordis of the law; quhilkis personis of inqueist, efter thai be lauchfullie sworne and admittit, salhaif power to visie the grund gif thai think it expedient and tak all uther triall as thai sall think gude upoun thair ayth and conscience, and sall returne thair anser to the judge upoun the treuth and veritie of the clame or exceptioun admittit, and that in face of jugement that the said judge ordiner thairefter may gif his sentence definitive upoun the saidis debaittis. And gif the saidis personis of inqueist commit errour in thair saidis determinationis, thay sall be callit, accusit and punishit thairfoir pena temere jurantium super assisa in thair personis and guidis according to the auncient lawes of this realme and consuetude observit within the samyn. And gif it happynnis mutuall persute, conventioun or reconventioun on ather syde to be intentit, baith the pairties doand thair dew diligence be intenting and persewing of thair actionis hinc inde befoir litiscontestatioun maid be ather of thame, and all thair ressonis and allegationis in the law being producit befoir the mater be put to the knawlege of ane inqueist the judge sall proceid in thame bayth pari passu, and sall remit the heidis and articles of the clame, preceptis, summondis or exceptioun quhilk consistis in facto and wes accustumat to be verefiet be witnesses to the determination of ane assise, quhilk sall tak cognitioun in baith the causis quhair thai can not be devidit, and the equale half of the said assise salbe takin of the personis summond for ather of the saidis pairties. And gif the nowmer of the half of the assyise may not be had of the nowmer summound be ather of the pairties, in that cais the judge sall tak sa mony as wantis of utheris sufficientent assisouris, albeit thai be not summonit be nather of the pairties, the samin personis being alwayes landit men or being substantious, famous and honest yemen as said is; and the odman salbe chosin be cavill. And quhair it salhappin the schireff of the schyre, baillie of regalitie or uther inferiour judge ordiner to be suspect and unhable to judge the saidis causis for deidlie feid and uthers ressonis quhilk may declyne the judge or the place of jugement to be incompetent, that thairunto the pairtie can not haif suir access for his persute and defence, in that cais, the mater being menit to the saidis lordis and fund and declairit be thame, the uther pairtie being lauchfullie summond, thay sall appoint unsuspect juges and ane place competent for the saidis cognitionis and determinatioun for the causis foirsaidis be commissioun, be thair act and ordinance or under the testimoniall of the greit seill be thair deliverance; and the saidis judges to be appoyntit sall, at the acceptatioun of the saidis commissionis upoun thame, mak faith not onlie that thai sall dewlie and lauchfullie minister justice in the saidis materis, lend that thai haif not takin nor sall not tak ony rewaird, proffite or guid deid fra any of the pairties and that thai haif not maid nor sall not mak pactioun or contract with any of thame for any certane soume befoir the pley be intentit or during the dependence thairof; and the aith of the saidis juges to be tane befoir the recompense of thair just travell to be modifiit be tua of the lordis of sessioun befoir the pronunciatioun of the decreit in the saidis materis, quhilk salbe payit unto thame befoir the gevin of the decreit foirsaid or at the acceptatioun of the commissioun upoun thair supplicatioun; the pairtie, obtener thairof, sall mak the first payment, bot salhaif the samyn modifiet to be repayit to him be him that tynis the pley, gif it be fund quod temere litigaverit, with the utheris expensis to be sustenit be him in the recoverie of the said decreit. Nevirtheles, gif the personis to be appoyntit judges to the saidis causis sall happin to be drawin fra thair awin duelling house or places to the ground of the land or uther place quhair justice salbe ministrat in the saidis materis, the pairtie quha sall require thame thairto sall mak the expensis for thair veyage in ganging, abyding and returning, quhilk sall not be imput to the judges as ony fault befoir the lordis of counsall or befoir the nerrest judge adjacent to the landis, quha salhaif power of the saidis lordis to that effect be the said commissioun and insert thairintill.And becaus sumtymes the questioun fallis out betuix possessouris of landis lyand contigue and yit in divers schirefdomes, and at sumtymes the ane land liand within the ryaltie and the uther within the regalitie, that in the first cais, the schireff of ane of the schiris, and in the secund cais, nather the schiref nor baillie of regalitie may be judges competent to bayth the actionis, thairfoir quhen sic caisis occurris, the lordis upoun the complaint of the pairtie having interesse sall appoint judges unsuspect with ane competent place, kepand and observand in all utheris circumstances the ordour abone writtin. And further, the saidis lordis declairis that this act and ordinance onnawayes hurte nor prejuge the lordis of sessioun and college of justice and thair memberis, bot that thay haif and sall use thair privilege to persew thair actionis befoir the saidis lordis or utheris ordiner judges according to the auld accustumat use, usit and accustumat befoir the making of this act.
[1587/7/34]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, our soverane lord and thrie estaitis, understanding that the maist pairt of the lieges of this realme ar becumin wilfull, obstinate and malitious pleyaris, sua that thai will not be content to pay and satisfie thair creditouris of sic dettis as thai aucht justlie to thame and do and fulfill all maner of lauchfull deidis quhairunto thai ar specialie oblist, without calling and compulsioun of the law and extremitie thairof, thairfoir statuitis and ordanis that the pairtie aganis quhome decreit beis gevin anent liquide sowmes befoir the lordis of sessioun sall pay to the saidis lordis tuelf pennies of everie pund effeirand to that quhilk beis recoverit and obtenit befoir thame, and in all decreitis consistand in facto, he quha tynis the pley sall content and pay to the saidis lordis the sowme of fyve pundis money and alsua the expensis of the pairtie, obtener of the decreit, at the modifcatioun of the juge; and ordanis the samin forme and ordour to be observit heirintill as hes bene kepit be the saidis lordis in uptaking of xl s. of ilk decreit of befoir.
[1587/7/35]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forsamekle as be act of oure soverane lordis last parliament haldin at Linlythgw, it is statute and ordanit that the sessioun and college of justice salbegin thair sitting, calling and administratioun of justice efter the greit vacance of hervest upoun the first day of November yeirlie, and sall sitt thairefter everie day, the Soundays except, quhill the first day of Merche nixt thairefter, and that the haill moneth of Merche salbe vacance for the aitseid; thairefter, the sessioun to begin and sitt the haill moneth of Aprile, the Sondayes except, and at the end thairof to ryse and vacance to be for the beirseid during the moneth of Mai, and thairefter to convene and sitt doun agane continewalie, the Sondayes except, fra the last day of Maii quhill the xv day of August, dispensand with all uther diettis and tymes appointit in tyme bigane be the institutioun of the college of justice or quhatsumever uther actis heirtofoir maid thairanent lyk, as at mair lenth is contenit in the said act of parliament. To the making quhairof, albeit undowtedlie thair hes bene maist necessar respectis appoyntand sum space of vacante for the sawing as thair is for the scheirang, yit the said onlie moneth of Aprile interjectit betuix Merche and Maii for sitting of the sessioun hes now be experience provin sumquhat tending to the hinderance of his majesties haill subjectis and to the senatouris of the college of justice, quhilkis findis difficultie and incommoditie in thair oft travelling to and fra thair duelling places, desyrand to have the haill space of the sitting of the college of justice devidit in tua tymes, the ane in the somer and the uther in the winter seasoun; as alsua twa tymes of vacance, the ane in the sawing and the uther in the scheiring seasoun. And yit willing that thair salbe na fewar sitting dayes of the said college of justice than wes of befoir, be ordour of the said last act of parliament, thairfoir our said soverane lord, with avise and consent of the estaitis of this present parliament, statuitis and ordanis that the sessioun and lordis of the said college of justice beginnand thair jugement and sitting yeirlie upon the first day of November as said is, sall sitt and do justice continewallie thairefter every day, the Soundayes except, quhill the xv day of Merche nixt thairefter, efter the quhilk xv day of Merche, thay sall ryse and vacance to be quhill the xv day of Maii nixt thairefter exclusive, and thairefter to convene and sitt continewallie, the Soundayes except, quhill the xv day of August nixt following, dispensand as of befoir with all uther dyettis and tymes appoyntit in tyme bigane be institutioun of the said college of justice or quhatsumever actis heirtofoir maid thairanent.
[1587/7/36]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise of his thrie estaitis assemblit in this present parliament, hes remittit and remittis the articles and supplicationis efter specifiit to the lordis of his hienes counsall and sessioun, requiring thame, be thame selffis and sic advocattis as thai think meit to call unto thame, to avise and conssidder upoun the same articles and supplicationis: thay ar to say, ane article for the better executioun of decreitis; ane act in favour of pupillis and idiottis; anent the interpretatioun of the act of parliament for writtis of importance; anent assysis in perambulationis; anent slauchter of pertiis at the horne; concerning the puir pleyeris in the law and thair oppressioun of the cuntrie; ane article aganis advocationis; ane article concerning James Murray, bruther to the Laird of Polmais; ane article concerning poinding in hariyt geris; the supplicatioun of the burgh of Dundie aganis the burgh of Perth tueching the prioritie of vote and place in parliament betuix thame; ane supplicatioun concerning the archidenrie of Zetland to the sessioun and utheris jugeis competent; and quhatsumever thing the saidis lordis of counsall and sessioun ordane to be done in the saidis articles and supplicationis, or ony of thame, the same to have lyk effect, force and executioun in tyme cuming as gif it wer done, statute and ordanit be the haill estaitis in this present parliament.
[1587/7/37]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord and his thrie estaitis of parliament, understanding that thair is divers actionis and causis of spuilyie and ejectioun and uthers of that nature persewit befoir the lordis of sessioun, aganis the quhilk it is exceptit that the samin is committit within the tyme limitat within the act of oblivioun and thairfoir sould be remittit to the lordis, interpretaris thairof, quhilk exceptioun is oft and divers tymes admittit, quhairthrow and in respect that the haill lordis interpretaris of the said act (except onlie Maistir James Halyburtoun, tutour of Petcur, provest of Dundie, and Johnne Erskin of Dun, provest of Montroise), ar departit this present lyff, the saidis pairties ar delayit of proces, to the grite hinderance of justice; thairfoir, oure said soverane lord, with advise of his hienes thrie estaittis of this parliament, statuitis and ordanis that the lordis of counsall and sessioun sall in all tyme cuming be jugeis ordiner to the interpretatioun of the said act of oblivioun, and partiis complenand to intent, persew and gif in thair libellis and supplicationis thairupoun to thame, and as thai decerne and decreit in the saidis materis, to be als effectuall as gif thai had first bene appoyntit ordiner juges to the saidis causis be the foirsaid act of oblivioun; providing alwyse thair be nyne ordineris of the saidis lordis of sessioun at the geving and pronunceing of ilk decreit and interloquutour in the foirsaidis causis, siclike as thai observe in all uther materis and actionis depending befoir thame.
[1587/7/38]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise of his thrie estaittis assemblit in this present parliament, hes remittit and remittis the articles and supplicationis efterspecefiit to the lordis of his hienes secreit counsall: thay ar to say, ane article cravand commissioun to be gevin to the young Laird of Fowlis and Andro Munro of Dawcharty for doing justice upoun the slayeris of smoltis, blak fische and fry of all uther kynd of fisches upoun the watteris and riveris of Killisochell, Abortayne, Schyne, Caslay, Okell, Evayne, Calinsaik, Aferon, Skeak and Alegrand within Ross and Sutherland; ane article presentit be the toun of Dumfreis anent ane new fair and certane utheris privileges to be grantit to thame; tua supplicationis of the burgh of Foress; and quhatever the saidis lordis of secreit counsall sall think expedient and ordane to be done in the premisis, the same salhave lyk effect, force and executioun as gif the same wer done, statute and ordanit in this present parliament.
[1587/7/39]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forsamekle as the kingis majestie and estaittis of parliament, considering the greit fraude usit be divers notaris in the office of notarie within this realme, the hurt and skaith cuming thairthrow to his hienes lieges, and that mony personis within thair few yeiris beand admittit to the office of notarie with ower slender tryall takin of thair knawlege and qualificatioun, and thai being for the maist part ignorant of the commoun course of the law, forme and practique quhilk ordourlie aucht to be observit in making of thair instrumentis, contractis and utheris writtis, titillis and securities, not knawing quhat may stand be law, ordour and practique observit within this realme and quhat not, hes generit and dalie generis mony pleyis, questionis and contraversies amangis his hienes lieges, bringing thame in greit truble charges and expensis; for remeid quhairof, it is statute and ordanit be his majestie, with avise of the thrie estaitis of this present parliament, that all admissioun of notaris in tyme cuming ceis and stay for the space of fyve yeiris nixt efter the dait of thir presentis and that nane be admittit noteris thairefter bot thai that hes ressounable understanding in the Latine toung and is at the leis congruus, that thas have servit and bene in cumpanie with ane of the lordis of sessioun, commissaris, writtaris to the signet or sum of the schiref, stewart or baillie clerkis of the schyre or commoun clerkis of the heid burrowis of this realme and haif servit thame trewlie the full space of sevin yeiris, and reporte thair testimoniall of thair treuth and qualificatioun to be schawin to the lordis of counsall in tyme of thair examinatioun, quhilkis sall tak cair in the same examinatioun, be thame selffis or sum of thair awin clerkis or sum of the clerkis of the signet quhome thai pleis call to thame for that effect; and specialie thai sall caus the partie desirous to be admittit noter gif a present and full pruif in thair presens of his writting and congruitie be forming of sum evident as charter of waird, blenche, fewferme, burgage, mortificatioun or apprising, or of ane precept past on ane retour or of clare constat, or of ane infeftment of resignatioun in favour or ad perpetuam remanentiam, or sum instrument of seising or of ane contract, a compromit a procutorie, a tak, a reversioun, acquittance, obligatioun or sum uther commoun forme of evident, and nane to be admittit bot be triall and pruif in maner foirsaid. And quhairas divers and sindrie notaris hes bene admittit in tyme bigane and cautioun fundin be thame, conforme to the actis maid thairupoun, and that the cautioneris quhilkis become cautioun for thame ar for the maist pairt deceissit, it is statuit and ordanit that the bandis and actis of the saidis cautioneris sall extend aganis thair airis, and that all noteris within this realme sall bring and present thair prothocoll buikis befoir the lordis of sessioun betuix this and the first day of Januar nixtocum, to be viseit and considerit be the saidis lordis that it may be knawin how mony of thair cautioneris ar onlyff and how mony deceissit; and quhair thai ar deceissit or salbe fund be the saidis lordis to be insufficient, that uthers new and sufficient cautioneris be fundin in place of the cautioneris deceissit to the contentment of the lordis of consall. And that sic notaris as salbe fundin altogidder ignorant and not worthie for using of that office salbe deprivit of all using thairof in tyme cuming. And ordanis the schiref of everie schyre, baillie of regalitie, their deputtis and utheris judges ordiner quhatsumever to send trew reporte and knawlege to the clerk of registri betuix this and the first day of November nixtocum of all personis using the office of notaris within thair boundis and jurisdictionis; and gif ony notaris failye in presenting of thair prothogoll buikis to the effect underwrittin, that not only sall thai be deprivit fra the said office and all thair instrumentis quhilkis thai sall gif furth thairefter declairit null and to mak na faith, bot alsua they salbe callit and persewit as transgressouris of his majesties lawis and actis of parliament and punishit as personis defamit and unworthie to bruik office or place of credite thairefter. And further ordanis that ilk cautioner to be fundin be notaris in tyme cuming for dew administratioun in thair offices becum oblist in speciall that thair prothocoll buikis within xv dayes nixt efter thair deceisis salbe brocht to Edinburgh and deliverit to the clerk of registri, or ane of his deputtis appointit be him to that effect, quha salbe haldin to satisfie the relict, bairnis or executouris of ilk notair for the samyn prothocoliis at the sicht and modificatioun of the lordis of sessioun, and thairefter the saidis noteris buikis to be retenit and kepit in oure soverane lordis register and the clerk of registri and his deputtis to be anserable thairfoir and to mak the samen patent and furth cumand to all oure soverane lordis lieges having entres thairto upoun their ressounable expensis.
[1587/7/40]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord and thrie estaitis of parliament, considering how of late yeiris thair is enterit in the office of armes sindry extraordiner masteris and pursevantis and a verie greit nowmer of messingeris, throw importune suit of divers pairtiis, in sic a confusit and incertane manes that it is becum doubtfoull quha ar admittit, and how and quha deprived or not, or quhidder their cautioneris be levand or depairtit this lyff; and seing thair wes alwayes in tymes of best governament a certane nowmer of officeris of armes, it is now thairfoir thocht expedient, statute and ordanit that in tyme cuming thair salbe onlie tua hundreth personis weirand and beirand oure soverane lordis armes in the haill boundis of the realme of Scotland, in quhilk nowmer lyoun king of armes and his brether, the ordiner herauldis, masteris and pursevantis salbe comprehendit, being in nowmer xvij personis, and the remanent to be dividit amangis the remanent schirefdomes of the realme in maner efterfollowing: that is to say, within the schirefdome of Orknay and Zetland, iiij; within the schirefdome of Invernes and Cromartie, x; within the schirefdome of Narne, ij; within the schirefdome of Elgin and Foress, v; within the schirefdome of Banff, iiij; within the schirefdome of Aberdene xij; within the schirefdome of Kincardin iiij l.†; within the schirefdome of Forfare, x; within the schirefdome of Fyff, x; within the schirefdome of Kinross, ij; within the schirefdome of Clakmannan, ij; within the schirefdome of Perth and stewartries of Menteyth and Stratherne, xij; within the schirefdome of Striviling, v; within the schirefdome of Dunbartane, iiij; within the schirefdome of Lynlyrgw, iiij; within the schirefdome of Edinburgh principall, xxiiij; within the schirefdome of Edinburgh and constabularie of Hadingtoun, iiij; within the schirefdome of Berwick, iiij; within the schirefdome of Roxburgh, viij; within the schirefdome of Selkirk, ij; within the schirefdome of Peibles, iij; within the schirefdome of Lanerk, x; within the schirefdome of Renfrew, iiij; within the schirefdome of Ergile and Tarbert, iiij; within the schirefdome of Bute, ij; within the schirrefdome of Air, xij; within the schirefdome of Wigtoun, iiij; within the schirefdome of Dumfries and stewartries of Kirkcudbricht and Annerdaill, xij; and to the effect that the ordour now appoyntit may tak the better effect, ordanis and commandis lioun king of armes that he onnawyse ressave ony maner of personis to the office of messingerie in tyme cuming except it be in the place of ane of the personis that salbe thocht meit to be retenit efter the first day of November nixtocum be his deceis or deprivatioun, notwithstanding ony precept or warrand gevin or to be gevin in the contrair; quhairin gif he failye, he sall incur the indignatioun of oure soverane lord, and the persoun sa admittit salhave na place to use and exerce the said office nor his executionis quhatsumever sall nawyse be valide in jugement or outwith. And for triall quhilkis of the personis now occupyand the office of messingerie ar worthy and meit to be retenit in that office during thair lyftymes, oure soverane lord ordanis lettres to be directit to the commissioneris nominat be his hienes in the schyres, quhilkis convening in the tolbuyth of the heid burgh of the schire at the nixt heid court efter Michalmes nixtocum, sall returne thair advise to the lordis of counsall and sessioun upoun the first day of November nixtocum quhat messingeris within everie schyre (not exceiding the nowmeris abonewrittin) thay think maist honest, worthie and hable to be retenit in the office during thair lyvetymes, or quhill thai be deprivit for worthy causes; quhilkis personis being thocht meitest to be retenit as said is, salbe recommendit be the saidis lordis of sessioun to lyoun king to be continewit in thair offices and auctorizit be him with testimoniallis of new as found worthie be the jugement of the schyre quhairin they duell and recommendit be the lordis of counsall and sessioun, and that they have new blaissonis of silver in ane forme and quantitie in ane honest and cumlie forme, seing the commoun armes maid be messingeris in tymes bipast wer for slender and guid chaip that the greater nowmer of slicht men socht to be admittit to that office, quhilk aucht in deid to be used be personis of discretioun, honestie and credite; that everie persoun sa admittit of new sall find guid and responsall souirties for observatioun of the injunctionis contenit in the end of this present act, under the pane of vC markis to oure soverane lordis use, with coistis, skaithis, damnage and interesse of pairties grevit be the falsheid, negligence or informalitie of ony officiar; that the names of the personis, alsweill admittit of new as deposit, be publist and imprentit within the space of ane moneth efter the said first day of November nixtocum, that nane salbe abused or pretend ignorance in default thairof; and for all complaintes to be maid to lyoun king of armes upoun the defaultis of officeris in tyme cuming, he sall sett twa peremptour† in the yeir to be haldin in Edinburgh upoun the sext day of Maii and the tent day of November, gif thai be lauchfull, and failyeing thairof, the nixt lauchfull dayes; and sall summound the pairtie complenit upoun be his precept, conteneand the cause of the complaint relevantlie libellit, and cause summound the personis accusit and his cautioner on xv dayes warning, and deliver thame copies, concluidand incais the officiar be fund culpable, not onlie his deprivatioun fra the office bot his cautioner to incur the pane, quhairof the thrid pairt sall appertene to the said lyoun king of armes, for his laubouris, and that his actin and decreit be formally writtin and registrat and patent to all oure soverane lordis lieges havand interesse; and siclike lettres conforme to pas thairupoun as upoun the decreitis of quhatsumever juges ordiner within this realme.
[1587/7/41]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekle as oure soverane lord and estaitis of this present parliament understandis greit contempt to be done to his hienes lawes and greit hurte to his lieges be passing of licences and supersedereis, quhilk daylie usis to be grantit to sic as be thame selffis or uther friendis hes credite of his majestie, thay being at his hienes horne, ather for cause of tressoun or non satisfeing of thair dett to thair creditouris or not obtemperand decreitis and charges, thairfoir oure soverane lord, with avise foirsaid, statuitis and ordanis that na sic licences and supersedereis be grantit in ony tyme cuming; and incais any happinis to be purchessit, declairis the same to be null of the law and not admissable be ony judge nor effectual to the purchasser in onywayes, and ordanis all jugeis within this realme to proceid and do justice to the pairties siclyk and in the samin maner as gif the saidis supersedereis had nevir bene purchessit nor produceit.
[1587/7/42]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Item, oure soverane lord, with advise and consent of his thrie estaitis, ratifies and apprevis the act of parliament maid at Edinburgh in the yeir of God jM vC lxxix yeiris for releif of the laubouraris of the grund trublit for want of tymous teinding of thair coirnis, and ordanis the samyn to be observit and to be put to executioun in all pointis efter the forme and tennour thairof, with this additioun: that it salbe sufficient to all laubouraris and awneris of the cornis in tyme cuming to require teynding of the pairtie haveand the titill, tak or richt to the saidis teyndschaves oppinlie in the parroche kirk upoun tua severall Soundayis befoir none efter the scheiring of the saidis cornis, providing that thair be xiiij dayes interjectit fullelie betuix the day of the first requisitioun and befoir it salbe lauchfull to the awneris of the saidis cornis to teind the samin and leid the stok thairfra, in maner contenit in the said former act.
[1587/7/43]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forsamekle as the cryme of tressoun is maist odious and deservis the heichast punisement in all personis culpable thairof, sa on the uther pairt the malicious accusaris of innocent personis ar not to be creditit bot severlie puniest, thairfoir it is statute and ordanit be or soverane lord and thre estaitis of this present parliament that quhaevir accuisis ane uther persoun of tressoun, the pairtie calumpniat being callit, accuisit and acquite of the said cryme of tressoun, his accuisare sall incur the same cryme of tressoun quhairof he accuisit the uther.
[1587/7/44]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, it is statute and ordanit be oure soverane lord and his thre estaittis in this present parliament that incais it salhappin ony landit men to be lauchfullie and ordourlie convict of the crymes of commoun thift, ressett of thift or stouth reiff in tyme cuming, thay sall incur the cryme and pane of tressoun, that is tinsall and foirfaltour of lyff, landis and guidis.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that the murthour or slauchter of quhatsumevir oure soverane lordis lieges quhair the pairtie slane is under the traist credite, assurance and power of the slayer, all sic murthour and slauchter to be committit in tyme cuming efter the dait heirof, the same being lauchfully tryit and the persoun dilaitit found giltie be ane assyis thairof, salbe tressoun, and the personis fund culpable sall foirfalt lyff, landis and guidis.
[1587/7/45]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise and consent of the thrie estaittis of this present parliament, statuitis, ordanis and declairis that quhatsumevir persoun or personis in tyme cuming, be ony blok or bargane upoun pleges or annuelrentis, alsueill of victuall as of money, sall tak or ressave mair for the leyne interes proffite of yeirlie annuell of ane hundret pundis money during the haill space of ane yeir nor ten pundis money, fyve bollis victuall, swa of greittare or smallair sowmes proportionallie, that all sic personis, takaris or makeris of sic blokis and conditionis, for greittair or mair proffite, interes, commoditie or annuell for the space of ane yeir or for langair or schortair space efter the proportioun of the yeir than ten pundis money† for ilk hundret pundis be yeir, salbe haldin, repute, persewit and punissit as ockarairis and usurairis and ressave and incur punisment and jugement of the samyn, conforme to the lawis of this realme alreddy maid and establishit thairupoun, providing alwayes that this present act of parliament, force and executioun thairof onnawyse salbe extendit to ony lauchfull bandis, contractis, obligationis, infeftmentis or uther securities quhatsumevir maid upoun annuelrentis of money or victuall preceidand the dait of thir presentis, bot thai to stand and abide in thair awin strenth and effect in all pointis, efter the forme and tennour thairof, as thai wer maid frome the begynning.
[1587/7/46]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†It is statute and ordanit be oure soverane lord, with avise of the thrie estaitis of this present parliament, that nane beirand charge or office within burgh, beand merchand hamebringair or partiner of the saidis wynes and tymmer, salbe setteris of prices on the samin during the tyme of thair office, and thairupoun thay salbe subject to suffer ane assyse of thair nichtbouris within xv dayes nixt efter the expiring of thair offices befoir the provest and baillies of the burgh to be newlie chosin, haveand the kingis commissioner sittand in jugement with thame to that effect, without quhome it sall not† lesum to proceid, to the effect that justice be not abusit and to the effect that certane ordour may be observit in all tyme cuming anent the settaris of prices of wyne and tymmer and of thair nowmer. And for eschewing all dissait and abuses done thairanent, it is statute and ordanit that yeirlie in tyme cuming thair be tua baronis or uther tua sufficient landit gentlemen nominat at the heid courte efter Michalmes within ilk sherefdome of this realme, and uther tua personis to be yeirlie nominat at that same tyme be the kingis majestie and his secreit counsall, quhilkis foure personis salbe all actuall inhabitantis within the saidis burrowis or at the fardest duelland within sex myll to ilk burgh, and foure burgess that ar knawing not to exerce nor be pertineris in sic tred of merchandice to be chosin yeirlie at the said feist of Michalmes be the counsall of ilk fre burgh of merchandis or craftismen, ilk burgh according to thair proper custume and privileges presentlie observit be thame in yeirlie electioun of thair counsall and officiaris, quhilk aucht personis yeirlie to be electit and nominat, as is befoir specifiit, salbe the only pricearis of all wyne and tymmer that cumis within this realme heirefter; and that the exerce thair said office frome the day of thair electioun to that day tolmonth allanerlie, and that yeirlie new electioun be maid of sic officiaris to induir na langer bot for the space of ane yeir, as is abonewrittin; and ordanis ilk sheref depute, be him selff or his clerk, to intimat and nominat to the counsall of ilk burgh the names of the saidis tua barounis yeirlie to be chosin as said is within thre dayes nixt efter ilk feist of Michalmes, and the thesaurair and his deputis yeirlie within sex dayes nixt efter ilk Michalmes to advertise and certifie the counsall of ilk frie burgh of the kingis tua commissionaris yeirlie to be nominat be him to that effect, with power and licence to the saidis foure burgess yeirlie to be electit, as is abonespecifiit, that incais the saidis tua baronis and the kingis commissioneris being lauchfullie wairnit personalie or at thair duelling places be the townis officeris to repair to the burgh to that effect, and cumis not within xlviij houris nixt efter thair said wairning, that than it salbe lesum to the saidis foure burgess of ilk burgh, be thame selffis, to sett the prices of the saidis wynes and tymmer and the samyn power and licence is in lykmaner grantit and permittit to the saidis foure burgess yeirlie quhen it salhappin the kingis commissioneris and baronis not to be electit and dewlie intimat to the saidis burrowis in maner and at the speciall tymes abonespecifeit; and als statuitis and ordanis that na wynes be brocht in this cuntrie be quhatsumever inhabitantis thairof without ane testificatioun of the price of the samyn under the townis seill quhair thai wer cost, and ane testimoniall salbe sufficient for the haill wynes of ilk schip and the price to be maid of the commoun prices that wynes gevis the tyme of thair bying thairof.
[1587/7/47]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forsamekle as ane of the speciall cause of derth proceidis frome the exorbitant custumes and impositionis layed upoun victuallis, coirnis and guidis cumand to mercattes, fre portis or heavins without ony warrand and quhairof thai have not bene in use and custume past memour of man, quhilk is ane oppressioun of the people and ane caus of incres of derth, thairfoir oure soverane lord, with avise of the thre estaitis of parliament, forbiddis and discharges throw the haill realme all sic custumes and impositionis quhairof thair is na warrand, nather haif the intromettouris and uptakeris thairof and predicessouris bene in use and possessioun thairof past memour of man, under the pane of [...],† and ordanis the takeris of the saidis exorbitant impositionis to be callit thairfoir and quhatever they have uptane to be adjugeit to rander the samin to the kingis majesties use, and thay forder to be punist in thair personis and guidis as oppressouris of the people, conforme to the lawes of the cuntrie; and that na custume be tane heirefter, bot according to oure auld lawis and actis of parliament and quhairupoun the uptakeris hes speciale warrand, at the leist bene in possessioun thairof past memour of man as said is.
[1587/7/48]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, it is statute and ordanit that the actis maid anent regraiteris and foirstallaris be of new publischit and put to dew executioun in all pointis, and the breakeris thairof to be punischit according to the panis contenit in the samyn; and ordanis frequent justice courtis or airis to be haldin thairupoun.
[1587/7/49]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, in consideratioun the grite increase of the derth of viveris principallie proceidis throw transporting of the samyn, bayth be sey and land, quhilk wald be alluterlie abstenit fra and remeid fund thairfoir, in respect quhairof, oure said soverane lord, with avise of the saidis thre estaitis of parliament, statutis, decernis and ordanis that the wardanis of the merches salbe answerable to the king for all victuallis and guidis transportit in Ingland fylling thair merches, in doing quhairof thai ar na further obleist to their native cuntrie nor to ane Inglisman incais his guidis stollin fyill his merche; and to the effect the saidis wardanis may be the mair diligent thairanent, decernis and ordanis the equals halff of the saidis guidis and victuallis transportit in Ingland to appertene to the said wardane, and the uther half thairof to pertene and be maid furthcumand to oure soverane lordis use. And for staying the transporting of victuallis be sey, it is statute and ordanit that the schip and haill guidis and geir belanging to the maisteris thairof and clerkis of the samyn schippis, transportaris of the saidis victuallis, salbe confiscat and the said maisteris and clerkis personis subject to impresounment at the will of his majestie. And for the better executioun thairof, oure soverane lord, with avise foirsaid, decernis and ordanis ilk frie burgh within this realme yeirlie at the feast of Michalmes to elect and chuis ane sufficient burges to be sercheour at the sey portis of the saidis victuallis, to be adjonit to the kingis sercheour, of equale power with him in all respectis, and that thai may use and exerce the samyn office, conjunclie or severalie, as occasioun sall ressave and require, and the equale halff of the saidis victuallis to be applyit to the use and commodity of ilk burgh and the uther halff to the kingis use; and siclike grantis the samin power to the baillies of all regalities and burrowis of the samyn, quhairupoun the saidis burrowis and baillies of regalities salbe haldin to answer yeirlie of thair diligence in the premises.
[1587/7/50]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Item, it is statute and ordanit be or soverane lord, with avise of the estaitis of this parliament, that na persoun quhatsumever within this realme keip, hald or interteny ony horses at hard meit efter the first day of Junii yeirlie in tyme cuming, except erles, lordis and baronis, quha, and ilk ane of thame, may spend tua thousand pund of yeirlie rent at the leist; and fra the said first day of Junii yeirlie it is permitted to ilk erle and lord, ilk ane of thame, to held and intertenie at the hard meitt twa horses at the maist, and ilk barroun ane hors only, with certificatioun to the contravenaris of the said act that it salbe lauchfull to the sheref of ilk sherefdome and thair deputis to escheit and intrometwith thair horses quhairevir the samin may be apprehendit; lyk as oure soverane lord and thrie estaitis, be thir presentis, gevis thame full power to that effect, the ane halff of the saidis escheit horses to pertene to the king and the uther halff to the shereffis.
[1587/7/51]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, oure soverane lord and his thre estaitis convenit in this present parliament statuitis and ordanis that the custumeris and sercheouris sall tak inquisitioun and note quhat quantitie of victuall every schip or veschell takis in at hir passing to Lochbrume and utheris the north ilis and lochis in the harvest sessoun in fischeing, and tak souirtie that thai sall returne the thrid pairt of thair laidning of hering or quhite fische within this firth or utheris frie burrowis to be sauld to oure soverane lordis lieges for thair sustentatioun and furnessing of the cuntrie under the pane of ane hundreth pundis.
[1587/7/52]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Item, our soverane lord and his thrie estaitis of this present parliament ratifies and apprevis the act of his last parliament maid at Edinburgh in August the yeir of God jM vC four scoir and four yeris, aganis the eittaris of flesche in Lentren and upoun Weddnisday, Fryday and Setterday every oulk; and ordanis the same to haif full effect and executioun in tyme cumming, with speciale provisioun that na licences salbe grantit for eitting of flesche on the saidis dayis in tyme cuming, except the deserrair thairof report a testimoniall subscrivit be a doctour of medicine or be the minister of the perrochin quhairin he duellis that sic a persoun is seiklie and necesserrlie mon have the said licence, and than to be grantit upon the compositioun of xx lib. to be payit to the thesaurair thairfoir. And incais ony licences salbe procurit for ony flescheouris to slay and sell flesche on the saidis dayes and tyme of Lentren, or to cuikis to prepair thame and mak thame reddy, the said licence sall not pas the signet quhill the pairtie in quhais favouris it is purchessit pay for the same licence to his hienes thesaurair the sowme of ane hundreth pundis, without defalcatioun or compositioun.
[1587/7/53]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, understanding that thair hes bene diverse actis of parliament maid of befoir anent the slaying of harte, hynd, da, ra, hairis, cuningis and utheris wyld beastis with culveringis, corsbowis and handbowis, and specialie the actis maid in the parliament haldin at Edinburgh in December, the yeir of God jM vC lxvij and in November lxxxj yeiris, quhilkis actis hidderto hes tane na effect, and that in default of the magistratis quhilkis wer appoyntit to put the same to executioun; thairfoir his hienes, with avise of his thre estaitis of this present parliament, hes ratifiet and apprevit the saidis haill actis in all poyntis, pass, claussis and articles thairof, with this additioun: that the slayeris and schuittaris of hart, hynd, da, ra, hairis, cuningis and utheris beistis without licence or allowance of the awneris salbe lyk cryme to the committaris as the steillaris of hors and oxin, and the committaris thairof sall incur the pane and punisement dew to the cryme of thift.
[1587/7/54]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, for the eschewing of sic hurte and inconvenient in tyme cuming as sindry pairtiis heirtofoir hes sustenit throw proclamatioun of breves at places doutfull and appointing thame to be servit in places incertane, far distant fra the heid burrowis of the sherefdomes quhair the landis lyis, quhilk hes maist frequently occurrit in sum sherefdomes quhair thair is sum utheris jurisdictionis of stewartries or baillieries within the boundis of the same sherefdomes, and sum sherefdomes quhairof the heid burrowis ar decayed or fallin in dissuetude; for remeid of the quhilkis inconvenientis and doubtis in tyme cuming, it is statute and ordanit that all breves for service of landis liand within the boundis of the stewartries of Stratherne and Menteth salbe proclamit at the mercate croce of Perth and to be servit at the places usit and wont within the saidis stewartries; all within the stewartrie of Fiffe be oppin proclamatioun at the mercate croce of the burgh of Cowper in Fiffe; all within the baillieries of Kyle, Carrik and Cuninghame at the mercat croce of the burgh of Air; all within the stewartries of Kirkcudbricht and Annerdaill at the mercate croce of Dumfreis; and that the places of serving of breves and halding of courtis to that effect be alwayes in the tolbuyth of the heid burgh of the schire, stewartrie or baillierie or uther partis the same stewartries and baillieries quhair breves wer maist usually servit and courtis haldin to that effect of befoir.
[1587/7/55]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with expres avise and consent of the estaitis of parliament, understanding that divers erles, lordis, baronis, gentilmen, friehaldaris, tenanentis and possessouris of landis, rowmes, teindis, teyndschaves and utheris deweties, alsweill spirituall as temporall, hes bene charget be vertew of oure soverane lordis lettres, direct be his hienes secreit counsall, lordis of sessioun and chekker respective, to mak payment to sindrie personis in quhais favouris the saidis landis wer grantit of thair maillis, fermes, canis, custumes, teindis, teyndschaves and utheris dewties of thair saidis landis, rowmes and possessonis, and that the samin wes maid be thame bona fide for eschewing of the danger and proces of horning to have bene execute aganis thame be vertew of the saidis lettres grantit in favouris of sindrie personis and proceiding upoun factoreis, giftis, provisionis and certane uther securities purchest fra oure soverane lord in quhais favouris the saidis lettres wer direct; and oure said soverane lord and thre estaitis foirsaidis, not being of mynd and intentioun that the saidis erlis, lordis, baronis, gentilmen, tennentis and possessouris quha hes maid payment bona fide of thair mailles, fermes, teyndis, teyndscheves and utheris dewities to the saidis personis in quhais favouris the saidis lettres wer grantit and direct sould in onywayes be interest or prejudgeit for thair obedience to his hienes charges, thairfoir oure said soverane lord, with advise of the thrie estaitis in parliament, be the tennour heirof, statuitis, declairis and ordanis that all and quhatsumever personis quha hes alreddy maid payment of thair saidis mailles, fermes, teyndis, teyndschaves and utheris dewties for thair saidis landis, rowmes, stedingis and possessonis, for obedience of the saidis charges and lettres execute and direct contrair thame, quhilkis lettres and charges thairin contenit proceidit upoun factories, giftis, pensionis and utheris titillis grantit be oure said soverane lord, and quha hes reportit discharges of the payment maid be thame fra the saidis personis inquhais favouris the saidis lettres wer direct, or utheris in thair names, salbe saiff, fred and frie in all tyme cuming be the payment maid be thame bona fide alreddy as said is, and the persoun or personis havand or pretendand rycht to the mailles, fermes, teyndis, teyndschaves and utheris dewties salhaif na actioun for repetetioun or recovering thairof fra the saidis personis quha hes maid payment of the samin as said is befoir the dait of thir presentis, providing alwayes that the foirsaidis personis and ilk ane of thame clameand the benefite of this present act salbe haldin not onlie to produce thair particulair discharges and acquittances abonewrittin befoir the judge ordiner, bot als to compeir personalie befoir the samyn judge to gif thair aithis of veritie upoun the treuth of thair saidis discharges quhensoever it salhappin, thame or ony of thame to be callit and convenit be ony pairtie haveand interesse to that effect befoir the said judge ordiner; and ordanis lettres to be direct to the effect foirsaid, gif neid beis, in forme as effeiris.
[1587/7/56]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forsamekle as the haill monkis of the monasterie of the abbay of Kelso ar deceissit, sua that presentlie thair is na convent thairof, quhairby the tennentis and takkismen of the said abbay ar uncertane in quhat maner thai sall provide thair securities anent thair takkis, fewis and rentallis quhilk thai have tane or may tak heirefter of the said place and abbay of Kelso, thairfoir oure soverane lord and thre estaittis of this present parliament presentlie declairis Schir Johne Maitland of Thirlstane, knicht, his hienes secretair and present comendatair of Kelso, to haif had full rycht in his persoun of setting of all fewis, takkis and rentallis sen his provisioun thairto and deceis of the saidis monkis and convent of landis and teyndis belanging to the said abbay and patrimony thairof, and that the takkis and fewis sett be him sen the deceis of the saidis monkis is, and salbe, als valide and sufficient under his subscriptioun and commoun seill of the said abbay as gif the samin had bene sett with consent of the convent and subscrivit be thame; and likewayes declairis the said commendatair to have full richt in tyme cuming to sett takkis of the teyndis of the said abbay, for schort space or lang, alsfrelie as gif the haill convent wer yit onlyve, and the samin sett with thair consent as onie uther abbot or convent may sett within this realme.
[1587/7/57]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise of his thrie estaittis in this present parliament, understanding that divers erllis, lordis, baronis and utheris his hienes frehaldaris, being infeft in thair landis and baronies with advocatioun, donatioun and richt of patronage of benefices, thay have annaliit certane of thair landis and baronies in wadsett under reversioun, throw the quhilkis alienationis the sa[...] landis and baronies hes remanit with the personis, ressaveris thairof, in wadsett ane hundreth yeiris and mair; in the mentyme, certane prelattis, abbottis or utheris ecclesiasticall personis haveand rycht or title cled thame with the saidis benefices and thairby quietlie intrudis thame in the possessoun and richt thairof, in default of the saidis patronis quha tuke na regaird thairto during the non redemptioun of the saidis wadsettis, quhairthrow the saidis just and lauchfull laic personis of the saidis benefices hes bene havelie prejugeit in thair richtis and presentatiounis of the samin in tymes bigane; thairfoir, for remeid thairof, it is statute and ordanit be our said soverane lord, with avise and consent of the saidis estaitis, and specialie providit be statute of this present parliament, that na possesioun apprehendit be bischoppis, abbottis, priouris or uther kirkmen of quhatsumever personages, vicarages, chaiplanreis, prebendareis or utheris benefices belangand to the saidis erles, lordis, baronis, frehaldaris or utheris laic personis, and quhairin thai ar specialie infeft be thair charteris, salbe onywayes hurtefull or prejudiciall to rychtis and titillis of the saidis laic personages efter redemptioun of thair landis and wodsettis, alsweill alreddy usit in tymes bipast as to be usit, bot that the saidis laic personis may alsfrelie brouke, joys and use thair saidis patronages and present qualifiet personis thairto at all tymes, siclike as the saidis kirkmen had never apprehendit possessoun of the samyn and notwithstanding thairof.
[1587/7/58]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord and thrie estaitis of this present parliament, having consideratioun how that sindry benefices within this realme hes† burdenit with counterfaitit and invalide giftis of pensionis, of victuall or silver or speciale assignatioun of haill kirkis, with fruitis thairof, and upoun the said fenyeit and invalide giftis hes obtenit his hienes or his predicessouris ratificationis, athair in parliament or outwith, and but ony sicht of thair principall gift upoun thair onlie ratificationis and confirmationis hes obtenit decreitis befoir the lordis of sessioun and utheris judges, quhair incais thay had producit ony principall, ather the samyn wald haif bene fund invalide or the falsett thairof wald have bene tryit or knawin; thairfoir it is statute and ordanit be oure soverane lord and thre estaitis foirsaidis, in tyme cuming that quhairever questioun or contraversie sall arryse upoun pensionis to be purchest or obtenit be quhatsumever personis efter the dait heirof or upoun the invaliditie of the samin pensionis, the pairtie, suittare of the said pensioun, salbe haldin to produce the principall gift and pensioun to the quhilk thair ratificatioun and confirmatioun salbe relative, at the desire of the pairtie quhais benefice is burdenit be that pensioun, utherwayes thay salbe secluidit fra all richt to the said pensioun or ony pairt thairof; and incais the principall gift and dispositioun beis other improvin or reducit be the judge ordiner, in that cais the said pairtie pretendand richt to the said pensioun sall never be harde to acclame ony benefite thairby, notwithstanding ony ratificatioun, confirmatioun, decreitis or lettres in the four formes following thairupoun, quhilk the saidis lordis declairis nedis na reductioun in this cais in tymes cuming, the groundis to the quhilkis the saidis ratificationis, confirmationis and decreitis is relative being tane away.
[1587/7/59]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Oure soverane lord, with avise of his thrie estaitis convenit in this present parliament, for the greittare certanetie of his hienes chekker and gude ordour to be kepit thairin, quhairthrow gude rakning and compt may be maid of his hienes rentis in dew tyme, statuitis and ordanis that his ordiner chekker salbegin yeirlie in tyme cuming upoun the first day of Julii and sall end upoun the last day of August, and that alsweill the personis quha salbe nominat and constitute auditouris of the chekker as all that aucht to mak compt thairin be dewlie wairnit be preceptis to compeir thairat, ilk persoun under the pane of xl lib.; and incais of thair absence at the dayes appoyntit, that thai be unlawit in the said sowme and lettres of horning or poynding to be directit aganis thame for pament thairof, and the comptrollair to charge him with the saidis unlawis in his comptis; and at all tyme fra the first day of the said chekker quhill the end thairof, that the comptairis that aucht to gif compt thairin, incais of ther dissobedience of the precept of the chekker, be chargeit of new at the mercat croce of Edinburgh, and incase of thair dissobedience of the same charge, to be denuncit rebellis and put to the horne at the same mercate croce of Edinburgh, quhillk denuciatioun his majestie decernis to be als sufficient as gif the samyn wer maid at the mercat croces of the heid burrowis of the schires quhair the personis duellis and registrat in the same schiref buikis thairof, and that the horning be registrat in the theris buikis or schireff buikis of Edinburgh; that† thesaurair, comptrollair and collectour, be thame selffis or thair deputis and clerkis, be present during the haill tyme of the sitting of the chekker for sic thingis as may occur in ilk ane of thair offices, and that na thing be treatit of in this ordiner chekker bot onlie the handilling of the kingis majesties awin effairis; and for materis and actionis betuix pairtie and pairtie, ordanis the chekker to convene and sitt every Tuysday efter none during the sitting of the sessioun, or at uther tymes as it sall pleas the kingis majestie to appoint.
[1587/7/60]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Item, it is statute and ordanit that the act of parliament maid be oure soverane lordis derrest guidschir, King James the Fift of guid memorie, far presenting be the schireffis and thair clerkis of the prothogollis of all sesingis yeirlie in the chekker, be put to dew executioun in all pointis. And oure said soverane lord, with avise foirsaid, of new ratifies and apprevis the samyn act and ordanis that the clerk of court of ilk schirefdome cum with the said schiref or his deputis in everie chekker and bring with him ane buke pertening all sesingis gevin be thame, subscrivit with the said clerkis awin hand and signe manual, that the samin may remane in the registri sua that the kingis majestie may knaw his tennentis and all utheris having interesse may have recourse thairto.
[1587/7/61]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise of his thrie estaitis assemblit in this present parliament, hes remittit and remittis the articles and supplicationis underspecefiit to the consideratioun, advise and directioun of the lordis auditouris of his hienes chekker, now present and that salhappin to be for the tyme, and decernis and declairis that quhatever the saidis lordis auditouris sall think expedient and ordane to be done anent the same articles and supplicationis, the same salhave lyk effect, force and executioun as gif the samyn wer done, statute and ordanit in this present parliament: thay ar to say, toward the reparatioun and intertenyment of oure soverane lordis castellis, palaces and houses and how the repairing and intertening thairof may be put in executioun in tyme cuming. Item, to considder quhat costlie, superfluus and unnecessar merchandice ar commounlie brocht within this realme and quhat proffittable wairis and commodities ar caryed furth of the same that aucht and suld pay custume to oure soverane lord, and to sett and appoynt quhat custume sould be payit thairfoir, having respect to the increase of the derth. Item, to consult and tak ordour anent executioun of the actis maid of befoir aganis transporting of forbodin and uncustumat guidis, for mantening of the peceable and quiet tred of fischeing in the lochis and ilis upoun the north and west coistis of this realme, for resisting of the continewall wrakkis and heirschippis sustenit be his hienes subjectis throw the invasioun of pirattis, and for the releif and satisfactioun of Robert Abircrumby, burges of Edinburgh, his hienes saidlair, off the sowmes and causes contenit in his supplicatioun.
[1587/7/62]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise of his thre estaittis of this present parliament, statutis and ordanis that na chalmerlane nor ressaver of the kingis rent removable be ressavit be the comptrollair bot sic as findis souirties to the comptrollair in Edinburgh to mak compt in the ordinare tyme of the chekker and to mak payment within tuentie dayes efter ilk terme. Alsua, it is statute and ordanit that all heretable chalmerlanis and compteris be chairgit to find souirtie to the same effect.
†Item, that all warningis and executionis in the kingis causes to be maid aganis ilismen, hielandmen or borderaris in brokin cuntries ubi non patet tutus accessus be maid at the mercate croces of the heid burrowis of the nixt schyris in the lawland.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that the comptrollair in tyme cuming charge him in his compt with the haill rent of his hienes propertie and be answerable for the haill charges of the chalmerlanis and ressaveris removable becaus thai ar of the comptrollairis awin making, and for utheris that hes thair offices heretable, that the comptrollare schaw his diligence aganis thame befoir the making of his compt, quhilk sall alwayes end befoire the first day of September yeirlie; and declairis that his majesties propertie, evin instant as it is presentlie, sall find and sustene his house according to the advise gevin be the chekker in August 1586, and that quhaever hes the intromissioun and ressett of the rentis of his said propertie aucht and mon furneis the expenses of his house in reddy money, that his furnessing may be als guid chaip as ony utheris. And this ordour to begin at the first day of September nixtocum, or quhen his majestie thinkis gude.
Item, that na preceptis or dischargeis of ony pairt of the propertie to be allowit in tyme cuming in chekker, except the same salbe subscrivit and acceptit be the comptrollair; and alwayes the pairties acquittance to be producit upoun compt and na thing to be allowit periculo computantis.
Item, it is statute and ordanis that all rentalles sett be ony our soverane lordis predicessouris of guid memorie of ony landis pertening in propertie to his hienes (except few rentallis sett to men and thair airis) salhave na furder strenth nor effect nor ane nakit lyferent, and that efter the deceis of the rentallaris, his majestie haif power, with avise of his comptrollair, to sett, use and dispone thairupoun at his plesure of new in few, ather for augmentatioun of the former rentale or for new entres silver, and that all be sett in augmentatioun of the kingis rentale.
[1587/7/63]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, now being cum to his perfite aige of xxj yeiris and thairby understanding the better quhat the honour of his estait craves, not onlie in governing of his cuntrie bot also how his honour requiris the intertenement of his house of ane pairt of his estait necessar, and that he is brocht, as he understandis, be the negligence of his officiaris, in greit debt, pairtlie be not inbringing of his hienes patrimonie and rentis in dew tyme, pairtlie be disponing and setting of the samyn untymouslie and unthriftely, and throw wadsetting and foir mailling of his parkes, being maist necessar for intertenement of his said hous, besydis that thair is nather silver nor victuell of his rent to be ressavit be his comptrollair afoir Mertimes nixtocum; and his majestie, not willing to greve his people be taxationis for his releif in intertenement of his hous, albeit the same be maist necessar, thinking mair ressounable that his awin rent sould be burdenit with releiff thairof, in respect quhairof, desirand consent of this present parliament to the effect underwrittin; thairfoir the thre estaitis of this present parliament, having consideratioun of the premisis, consentis to the wadsetting of his majesties rent to the sowme of ane thowsand pundis annuell, to be pait out of the samyn yeirlie; and declairis the said wadsett or alienatioun to be lauchfull, gude and sufficient richt to the personis quha sall ressave the samyn, ather in haill or pairt, to the effect that thai may be pait thairof termelie according to the ordour of wadsettis ay and quhill the samyn be ordourlie redemit fra thame, thair airis and assignais, notwithstanding ony annexatioun of his hienes proper rentis to the cro[...]† actis of parliament or statuitis quhatsumever maid in the contrair.
[1587/7/64]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Oure soverane lord, with avise and consent of the thrie estaitis of this present parliament, hes statute and ordanit that the thesaurair sall not exceid tuentie thowsand pundis in a yeir in his discharge, with certificatioun gif he do, na supersedrie wilbe grantit for superexpensis in tyme cuming.
Item, that his majesties casualities sall not be gevin away in gryte, as of the casualities of ane haill cuntrie togidder, or the confirmatioun of the haill fewis of ony prelacie or of ony speciale crymes.
Item, it is statute and ordanit be our said soverane lord, with avise and consent foirsaid, that all pecuniall panes of offendouris salbe takin up in gold and silver at the availl of the money quhen the actis wer maid or ellis augmentit in the money now current, and the samin regaird to be had in making of compositionis, takand the ground and example fra the last yeir of the regnne of King James the Fift.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that na remissionis nor respettis salbe grantit for the space of fyve yeir nixtocum for birning of housis or cornis, revesing of wemen, incest, slauchter, murther committit on foirthocht fellony, manifest falsett, hoching of oxin or horse or breking of plewis; and incais ony sic remissionis or respettis be obtenit thairupoun within the said space at his hienes handes, ordanis the justice criminall, his deputtis and all utheris juges within this realme to proceid and do justice notwithstanding the foirsaidis remissionis or respettis, siclyk as gif the samyn had never bene grantit nor producit.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that incais ony shireff clerk within this realme refuis at ony tyme heirefter to receave and register ony lettres of horning presentit to thame be quhatsumever pairtiis to that effect, or gif the samine be not dewlie registrat efter he haif writtin 'extractum and registrat' on the bak thairof, and incais he send not yeirlie to the thesaurair or his deputtis ane perfite inventair of the haill horningis registrat ilk yeir in thair buikis, or incais ony uther thing beis done be the said schiref clerkis undewtifullie, that than and in thay particuler caisis abonewrittin, the samin being lauchfullie tryit, ilk schiref clerk sall tyne all his movables to be escheitit and applyit to his hienes use, and the principall schireff toties quoties salbe compellit to pay ane hundreth pundis to his hienes by the damnage and interesse of the pairtie skaithit thairthrow, and to haif his releif of the said schiref clerk in that behalf.
Item, for the better and mair suir serving of the king be officiaris of armes, it is statute and ordanit that nane be retenit or heirefter admittit to that service bot he that with his utheris injunctionis sall find souirtie to be alwayes furnesit with a sufficient reddy horse quhairupoun to serve his hienes and liegis, and that his souirtie salbe anserable for the damnage and interesse of his falsett, sleuth and informall doing in his hienes service or uther pairties, gif ony salhappin, and that the wage of ane officiar of armes on the day salbe ane merk money symmer and winter ourheid.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that na releiffis be componit for in tyme cuming, bot the trew and full availl thairof to be maid compt and payment of in the chekker; and incais schireffis, stewartis and baillies mak not thair comptis at the ordiner tyme of chekker (besyde the ordiner executioun to pas aganis thame thairfoir) that upon the sicht of the buik of responde, lettres be direct to charge the personis to quhome preceptis of seising hes bene grantit, or the schiref and his deputtis, at the option of the thesaurair, or baith to pay the sowmes contenit in the respondeis or to poynd the schiref or the pairtie, gif the pairtie haif not the schireffs discharge thairof to schaw and produce.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that all schireffis in tyme cuming mak compt to the chekker of quhatsumever escheitis uptakin and intromettitwith be thame within thair jurisdictionis, and that ilk schiref charge him selff specialie with the same escheitis in ilk chekker yeirlie.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that all speciale commissionis of justiciarie be maid be signatouris to pas the quarter seill in tyme cuming, to the effect that respondeis may be maid thairupoun efter the auncient and lovable fassoun; and that he quha obtenis ane commissioun find souirtie at the chancellarie that he sall, within fourtie dayes thairefter, report a testimonie of his diligence, under the pane of fourtie pundis; and that alwayes na commissionis be grantit to proceid on slauchter bot the justice generall and his deputis to proceid thairupoun.
Item, that the thesaurair and advocat persew slauchteris and utheris crymes althocht the pairties be silent or wald utherwayes privelie aggree, and that in justice airis or particular diettis the haill assyissouris be callit for, and the absentis amerchiat, to move thame to mak the better obedience.
Item, that na allowance be gevin in the thesauraris comptis in tyme cuming periculo computantis, bot quhair acquittances ar presentlie schawin and produceit.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that inferiour comptis that sould preceid the thesauraris comptis and mon enter in it be first hard.
Item, it is statute and ordanis be the kingis majesties speciall will and directioun that na precept far continewatioun of ony justice court be admittit be the justice or his deputtis in tyme cuming.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that na ratificatioun be past in parliament upon simple articles of privat pairties, bot the mater desirit to be ratifiet to be first past be infeftment upoun compositioun payit to the thesaurair befoir ony sic mater be confermit in parliament; and the samyn onnawyis to be past or grantit except thai be presentit be the said thesaurair or his deputtis to that effect.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that all schireffis within this realme gif in yeirlie at the first doun sitting of the sessioun to the lordis of sessioun the names of thair deputis and clerkis that thai think to use for that yeir, viz., the first day of November ilk yeir; and siclyk ordanis lettres to be direct chargeing ilk schiref, under the pane of rebellioun, with certificatioun etc., to find cautioun, burgesis induellaris within Edinburgh actit in the buikis of counsall that thai sall yeirlie mak thair comptis in the chekker and pay all thingis restand awand to the kingis majestie be vertew of thair office.
[1587/7/65]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forsamekle as be ane claus or member of the act maid in this present parliament, intitulat 'For the help and augmentatioun of the kingis majesties rentis in his thesaurarie and casualities', it is statute and ordanit that na ratificatioun be past in the same parliament upoun simple articles of private pairties bot the mater desirit to be ratifiet to be first componit and past the seillis upoun compositioun maid and pait to the thesaurair befoir ony sic mater be confirmit in parliament, and the samin onnawys to be passit or grantit except thai be presentit be the said thesaurair or his deputtis to that effect, and be ressoun divers ratificationis and confirmationis ar suitit of his hienes thesaurair on the behalf of sindrie burrowis, colleges, hospitallis and utheris pairties quhilk possibly can not gett thair compositionis maid and infettmentis past the seillis befoir the conclusioun of this parliament; considering alsua that the rentallis of the landis, kirkis, annuellis and utheris commodities disponit be his hienes in his minoritie or be umquhile the quene, his hienes derrest moder, to the saidis burrowis, collegis and hospitallis ar not knawin nor can not be had in sa schort a space, thairfoir it is statute and ordanit that nane of the saidis ratificationis, incaiis thai happin to be past presentlie, salbe effectuall to the purchessaris thairof, nor yit salbe registrat in the buikis of parliament, except our the signatouris of the infeftmentis, takkis and richtis desirit to be ratifiet and confermit be past, componit and exped befoir the last day of August nixtocum, and the rentallis of the thingis disponit to the saidis burrowis, collegis and hospitallis trewlie gevin in, with a declaratioun how the samin hes bene usit and disponit sen the granting thairof, under the pane of ane hundreth pundis to be payit be that burgh, college or hospitall that seikis ratificatioun and not the infeftment and producis the rentale and compt the said day; and decernis and declairis that all infeftmentis, takkis and utheris richtis that salbe past and confermit be compositioun maid with oure soverane lordis thesaurair or his depute befoir the said day salbe als effectuall to the purchesaris thairof in all tymes heirefter as gif the same wer confirmit be speciale and severall actis in this present parliament, or, gif neid be, ordanis severall actis to be extendit and insert contening ratificatioun and confirmatioun of samony of the saidis infeftmentis, takkis and utheris richtis as salbe presentit to the clerk of register befoir the said last day of August, beirand the dait of this present act, quhilkis salbe als sufficient in all respectis as gif the saidis ratificationis and confirmationis wer presentlie pronuncit.
[1587/7/66]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†The quhilk day, in presence of the estaittis presentlie assemblit, the kingis majestie exponit and declairit his godlie and maist necessar intentioun to have his nobilitie and uthers pairties, amangis quhome variance standis, be occasioun of sindrie quarrellis and contraversies laitlie begun amangis thame proceiding from the commoun trublis and civile wairis quhairwith this cuntrie hes bene maist havelie plagit, unite and reconcilit to the plesir of God, furtherance of his hienes service and commoun quietnes of the haill realme, following the lovable example of his hienes grandschir, King James the Fourt of† memorie, in quhais regnne it wes fund expedient be the estaittis, for universall concord amangis the kingis lieges and for luif, amitie and freindschip to be maid amangis his hienes lieges, that oure soverane lord and his counsall sall put his auctoritie, be advise of his said counsall, to mak all personis and pairties to be at freindschip and concord; and quhat persoun or personis refuisis in his behalf to heir ane ressounable and honorable concord of his pairtie, the kingis majestie to put scharpe justice on the pairtie quhilk is obstinate, throw the quhilk the kingis hienes may caus thame to be in hartlie the amytie, freindschip and quietnes with the punitioun according to the lawes of the realme. Quhilk forme and ordour the saidis estaittis thinkis maist neidfull now to be followit be his majestie, maist humblie beseiking his majestie to proceid as presentlie he hes worthelie begun, to mak and procure universall concord amangis his hienes lieges for all and quhatsumever querrellis amangis thame proceiding frome the occasioun abonewrittin, promissing faithfullie of thair handes to serve, concur, assist and gif thair best advise to his majestie at all tymes in putting of his hienes auctorite to executioun be scharpe justice aganis quhatsumever personis that refuisis in thair default to heir and aggree to ane ressounable and honorable concord with thair pairties, according to the effect and meaning of the said act in all poyntis.
[1587/7/67]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Becaus of the grite delay in actionis criminall throw the not halding of justice airis twyise in the yeir, according to the auncient and lovable ordour established be divers guid lawes and actis of parliament maid of befoir, considering the ordiner judgement in criminall causis is only now at Edinburgh, quhair particular dyettis ar sett for certane speciall and heichast crymes, the punisment of uther offensis quhairby the commoun weill is greitlie grevit left to the justice airis that verie senedill haldis and thairthrow ar becumin contemptable; thairfoir, and for eise and releif of the subjectis that ar sa frequentlie inquieted be cuming in convocatioun to dayes of law and to pas upoun assysis in Edinburgh, quhair the courtis ar oftymes continewit in hinderance of justice and to the grite truble and neidles expensis of the kingis lieges, it is thairfoir statute and ordanit be our soverane lord, with avise of his thre estaittis convenit in this present parliament, that justice airis salbe haldin twyise everie yeir in tyme cuming ower all the schires of this realme in the monethis of Aprile and October, begynnand in the moneth of October nixtocum gif convenientlie it may be. And be ressoun the mater can not be orderit and overtane attanis be ony few number to pas successivelie oure all the haill realme frome ane schyre to ane uther, that oure soverane lord sall caus his justice generall mak aucht deputis, or ellis his hienes sall mak sa mony be his awin commissionis under the testimoniall of the grite seill, of sum of the senatoris of the college of justice or certane weill experimentit advocattis that ar maist able for travell, appointand tua oure everie quarter of the realme, quhilk contenis sevin sherefdomes or thairby, with ane depute of the thesaurairis and ane uther of the justice clerkis; and that the stewartries and baillieries cum to the heid burrowis of the sherefdomes quhairin thay ly befoir the cuming of the quhilkis justices, deputtis, dittayes salbe uptakin and the personis inditit arreistit in maner heirefter specefiit, quhilkis justices sa directit salbe ressavit at thair entrie in the schire be the sheref principall or his sufficient depute, as alsua be the wardanis within the wardanries or thair deputis, being knichtis or gentilmen landit, with the friehaldaris of the same sherefdome, that salbe wairnit be the sheref to that effect be proclamatioun for convening at the place and tyme appoyntit, quhilkis sall convoy the saidis justices deputtis to the heid burgh of the schire and accompany thame during thair remaning thair and quhill thai be out of the boundis of the said schire and ressaveit be the nixt sheref or his depute; and upoun the morne efter the cuming of the saidis justice deputtis to every heid burgh of the schire, gif the day be lauchfull, and failyeing thairof, the nixt lauchfull day, thay sall begin and fense thair air, call the suitis and put the offendouris, gif ony be alreddy in prisoun, to the knawlege of ane assyis and as thai be fund culpable or innocent, to minister justice upoun thame conforme to the lawes of the realme, thairefter, to call the pleges and cautioneris of personis that hes fund souirtie to underly the law the thrid day of the air or soner, upoun xv dayes warning; and thridlie, the personis newlie indytit and arreistit and do justice lykwayis upoun thame, and that thai direct thair preceptis for summoning of assyisis, ane or ma, ilk persoun under the pane of fourtie pundis, and having endit thair justice airis, they sall deliver the extract thairof, subscrivit with thair handis, be indenture to the thesaurair or his depute, quhilkis sall caus uptak the sowmes contenit in the said extract and mak compt of the sowmes contenit thairin at the nixt chekker befoir the auditouris thairof, in the first end of quhilkis sowmes salbe allowit to the thesaurair or his depute the charges and expensis of the justices and clerkis as the samin salbe modifiit and appoyntit be the lordis, auditouris of his hienes chekker, or ony fyve of thame. And to the effect that all excutionis and arreistmentis requisite may be dewlie prepairit befoir the cuming of the saidis justice deputis, it is statute and ordanit that oure soverane lord, with avise of his chancellair, thesaurair and justice clerk, sall nominat and gif commissioun to honorable and worthie personis, being knawin of honest fame and estemit na mantenaris of evill or oppressioun, and in degree erlis, lordis, baronis, knichtis and speciale gentilman landit, experimentit in the lovable lawes and custumes of the realme, actuall induellaris in the same schires, to the nowmeris heirefter limitat according to the boundis and quantitie of everie schire: that is to say, within the cuntries and schirefdome of Orknay and Zetland, xiiij; within Inverness and Cromartie, xxj; Narne, vij; Elgin and Forres, vij; Bannff, vij; Abirdene, xxj; Kincardine, vij; Forfare, xiiij; Fyff, xiiij; Kinross, vij; Clakmannane, vij; Perth, xxj; Striviling, vij; Dunbartane, vij; Linlythgw, vij; Edinburgh principall, vij; constabularie of Hadingtoun, vij; Berwick, vij; Roxburgh, xiiij; Selkirk, vij; Peiblis, vij; Lanerk, xiiij; Renfrew, vij; Ergile, vij; Bute, vii; Air, xxj; Wigtoun, vij; Dumfreis, xxj; quhilkis salbe the kingis commissioneris and justices in the furtherance of justice, peax and quietnes, togidder with foure of the counsall of every burgh within the selff, quhilkis salbe constant and continewall uptakeris of dittay, gevand, grantand and committand to thame full power to tak inquisitioun and mak dittay be thair awin knawlege or be a sworne inqueist or sworne particuler man of all personis suspectit culpable of the crymes and defaultis contenit in the table to be maid be the thesaurair, justice clerk and advocate annext to this present act devidit in tua sortis; and all personis dilatit as culpable in the first degree, the saidis juges and commissioneris sall othir apprehend and commit to ward (gif convenientlie thai can), or ellis sall deliver thame in portuus to the crowner of the schire every moneth anis, to be arreistit and put under suirtie be him or his deputtis to the nixt justice air to be haldin twyise in the yeir be the kingis justices deputtis directit frome his hienes in maner befoir specifiit; and upoun all personis dilaitit and suspect as culpable of the uther cryme and defaultis in the secund degree, the saidis justices and commissioneris in the schyris sall proceid and do justice thame selffis at thair courtis and metingis to be kepit foure tymes every yeir: that is to say, at the first day of Maii, at the first day of August, at the first day of November and at the first day of Februare, or utherways at ony tyme, thrie of thame being togidder and alwayes sitting in the tolbuyth of the heid burgh of the schire, and that thai remane at every ane of the saidis foure tymes in the yeir thre dayes togidder, or langair or schortair as thai find occasioun, with power to thame to direct thair preceptis and portuus to the crowneris and thair preceptis to schireffis or officiaris of armes to summound assyisis, ilk persoun under the pane of ten pundis, as alsua to send thair extractis to the thesaurair efter everie ane of thair four metingis to the effect the panes and unlawis thairin contenit may be takin up, quhairof compt, rakning and payment salbe maid at the nixt chekker and the charges and expensis of the saidis justices and commissioneris allowit thairin in sic quantitie as salbe modifiit and appoyntit be the lordis of his hienes chekker betuix and the first day of November nixtocum. And incais of dissobedience or contempt, that thai notifie the samin to the kingis justice deputis at the saidis justice airis, and gif thai alsua sall find thame contempnit and dissobeyit onywayes, to signifie the same to oure soverane lord and his secreit counsall, quha sall provide for punisement of the contempt be force, to the terrour and example of utheris offendouris to commit the lyk in tyme cuming, and the saidis justices of bayth sortes for the space of ane yeir and further induring oure soverane lordis will to induir.
Item, his hienes ratifeis the act maid anent the punisement of hocharis of oxin, horsis and guidis in tyme of laubouring, with this additioun: that quhatsumever persoun or persones cuttis and distroyis pleuch and pleuch geir in tyme of teling or wilfullie distroyis and cuttis growand treis or cornis salbe callit thairfoir befoir the justice or his deputis at justice airis or particuler dyettis and punissit thairfoir to the deid as thevis; and the samin pane to be extendit and strik on brekaris of milnes or stikkaris, goraris and sellaris of oxin and horsis in tyme of leiding of cornis or fewall.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that officeris of armes committand falsett or oppressioun of the lieges in executioun of thair office salbe callit thairfoir befoir the justice or his deputis at justice airis or particular diettis and punissit to the deid incais thai be fund culpable.
Item, that all deforcearis of officiaris in executioun of thair office be summoned upon xv dayes warning, civilie or criminallie, at the optioun of the pairtie, persewar, and thair lyffis and guidis to be in the kingis will thairfoir.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that, seing in tymes bipast lettres of lauborrowis being gevin with this word, 'complices', be the clerkis of sessioun, hes importit and daylie dois import greit skaith, damnage and heirschip to sindrie of his hienes lieges be plane collusioun betuix the pairties, purchessouris, and officeris, executouris of the same, that thairfoir na lettres of lauborrowis be grantit in tymes cuming be ony clerk with power to charge complices and that cautioun be fund to the justice clerk and his deputtis that lettres of lauborrowis in tymes cuming to be grantit salbe dewlie execute upoun all personis contenit thairin, ather personalie or at thair duelling places, and be oppin proclamatioun at the mercat croce of the heid burgh of the schire quhair the pairties duellis, betuix aucht houris in the morning and xij houris at none, symmer and winter, in oppin tyme of day, in presence of famous witnesses specialie designit, and copies affixit upoun the yettis or durris of the duelling housis of the personis contenit thairin, with the haill names, and ane uther on the mercate croce under the pane of ijC merkis; and willis and declairis that this be alsua obiservit in all criminall lettres and utheris quhatsumever that importis tinsell of lyff and movable guidis.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that all judges and amangis the rest the justice deputis keip the hour of caus in fensing and proceiding in thair courtis in tymes cuming as wes observit of auld, viz., at ellevin houris befoir none.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that quhair pairties ar maliciouslie chargeit to underly the law at particulair diettis befoir the justice and his deputtis, incais thai be fund innocent and clengit thairof, that thair expensis in tyme cuming for keping of the saidis diettis be modifiit be the justice, justice clerk and thair deputis beside the ordiner pane of thame that ar ather acquite or past frie.
Lykwayes, it is statute and ordanit that na officer nor officeris summoned ony ma personis upon assyisis in tyme cuming nor xlv personis, to be gevin† roll subscrivit be the partie, purchessar of the said lettres, or ane notair in his name, nor yit put out nor put in the saidis roll ony personis for gratitude or gude deid, under the pane to be callit thairfoir at particuler diettis befoir the justice or his depuitis and punist as commoun oppressouris to the deid, and that dittay be tane of all sic officeris as hes usit or sall use the same and thai to be callit and punissit thairfore as said is.
Item, it is statute that all custumeris and sercheouris commmittand fraud in thair office be owersicht of the transporting of forbidden guidis furth of the cuntrie for gratitude gevin to thame salbe callit thairfoir at justice airis and perticuler diettis and punissit in thair personis at oure soverane lordis will, and all thair movable guidis to be escheit to his hienes use, incais of thair convictioun.
Oure soverane lord, considering the wrang allegit sustenit be divers noble men and utheris liegis of this realme, being accuisit of tressoun be solisting, bosting and minassing of the assyis efter thai wer inclosit, the accusaris and utheris personis, thair favouraris, havand libertie to pas to the said assyse and to produce to thame sic writtis and witnesses and uther probatioun as thai pleasit to verifie the cryme outwith the presence of the pairties accuisit, quhairby the just defence of thair lyffis, landis and honouris wes takin away; thairfoir, oure said soverane lord, with avise and consent of the thrie estaittis of this present parliament, hes statute, declairit and ordanit that in all tyme cuming the haill accusatioun, ressoning, writtis, witnesses and uther probatioun and instructioun quhatsumever of the cryme salbe allegit, ressonit and deducit to the assyse in presence of the pairtie accusit in face of judgement and na uther wayes; and that all and quhatsumevir liegis of this realme accuisit of tressoun or for quhatsumever cryme salhaif thair advocattis and procuratoris to use all thair lauchfull defensis, quhome the judge sall compell to procure for thame incais of thair refuis, that the sute of the accusare be not tane pro confesso and the pairtie accuisit prejugeit in ony sorte befoir he be convictit be lauchfull tryell. And to the effect the saidis advocattis and procuratouris may the mair frelie and willinglie do thair office in the premisis, oure said soverane lord, with avise and consent foirsaid, annullis, casis and rescindis all and quhatsumever actis of parliament and uthers statuttis maid be him or ony of his predicessouris of befoir in contrair heirof.
Item, it is statute and ordanit that how sone the haill persute, defensis and anser thairto ar fullie hard be the assyis, gif ony of the saidis assyssouris hes ony doubt quhairof, thai wald be resolvit that thai propone the same oppinly in presens of the pairties in face of judgement befoir thai pas out of jugement thame selffis, and immediatlie efter that the said assyse hes chosin thair chanceller, the clerk of the justiciarie sall inclose the said assyse, thame allane or in ane hous be thame selffis, and suffer na persoun to be present with thame or repair to thame in ony wyse, nather clerk nor utheris under pretence of forder informatioun, resolving of onie dout or ony uther cullour or occasioun quhatsumever, bot that the said hous be haldin fast and na man present thairin bot the saidis assyisouris; and that they be not sufferit to cume out of the said hous for quhatsumever caus, or to continew the geving of thair sentence to ane uther tyme, bot that they be inclosit as said is unto the tyme thay be fullie aggreit and returne thair anser be the mouth of the said chancellair to the judge. And oure soverane lord, with avise foirsaid, decernis, declairis and ordanis that gif onie of the saidis accusaris, informearis of his hienes advocat or utheris personis quhatsumevir, pretend in ony wayes in tyme cuming to informe, solist, ressone, dispute, speik or repair to the said assyis efter thair removing furth of judgement and inclosing of thame in maner abonewrittin, or utherwys transgresis ony poynt of this present act, in that cais the pairtie accuisit salbe haldin and pronuncit cleane and innocent of thai crymes and tressonis than layit to his charge. And this present act salbe ane sufficient warrand to all assyssouris in criminall causis heirefter to pronunce the pairtie accuisit cleane and innocent incais ony of the premisis beis contravenit.