[1599/7/1]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekill as his majesties maist necessare and urgent effairis quhilkis presentlie occurris requyris sum present supplie to be maid to his hienes, and seing the cunyie is ane of the speciall pointis belanging to the crowne and the profeit that may be had be the same is appropriat be all princes within thair realmes and dominiounis to thair awin particular uses; and it hes bene sene be experience that princes, upoun necessitie of weiris and uther wechtie effairis, hes at all tymes raisit and hechtit the prices of the cunyie, and as the occasioun of the same wes tane away, thay cryit down and rebaittit the same to the first moderate prices, suffering nane of thair subjectis to haif ony greit loss thairby; and his hienes evir abone all thingis preferring the weill of his guid and loving subjectis, and nawayes being of that mynd or intentioun that with purchessing ane small gayne to himself thay sould be in ony maner greitumlie indamnageit bot that the meanis micht be fund alsweill to supplie the present necessitie as that the same micht be with the leist hurt possible to the liegis; and oure soverane lord, being maist willing that thir materis sould nawayes be precipitat or haistielie and tumultuarlie handlit bot rather with guid advyse and mature deliberatioun concludit, hes thairfoir, with advyse of the estaittis, gevin and grantit full poware and commissioun to the ordiner lordis of his hienes prive counsall, or samony of thame as may be maist convenientlie assemblit at the day apointit, adjoyning to thame James, commendater of Incheffray, Patrik, commendater of Lundoris, Williame, commendater of Tungland, Schiris James Scrymgeour of Dudope, knicht, Duncane Campbell of Glenurquhy, Patrik Hepburne of Lufnes, knichtis, Johnne Touris of Inverleith, Maister George Lauder of Bass, Henry Nisbit, Niniane McMoraine and George Heriot, burgess of Edinburgh, Johnne Traill, burges of Dundy, Oliver Young, burges of Perthe, and Duncane Balfour, citiner in Sanctandrois, to meit within the burgh of Edinburgh the fourt day of September nixtocum, and thair advyse, conclude and determine how the heichting of the said cunyie to thrie pundis the once of silver of ellevin d[enier] fyne and gold swa proportionalie may be with sum profeit to his hienes and with small hurt and loss to the lieges; and gif thai find the same may be done in ony measour to effectuat baith the ane and the uther, with full poware to thame to conclude thairanent in quhat forme and prent the new cunyie salbe strukin and all uther thingis that salbe requisite for that purpois, onlie retening the fynnes of the gold and silver that the same wes of befoir; quhilk conclusioun salbe of als greit strenth, force and effect as gif the same wer concludit in this present conventioun; and gif the same beis fund nawayes to redound to his majesties profeit and yit salbe ane greit hurt to the lieges, with poware to the saidis commissioneris to refuis all overtouris to be presentit to thame thairanent and to ressone, advyse and find out sum uther best meane how his hienes adois may be suppliet with the leist hurt, greif and detriment to the lieges, and to conclude thairanent, quhilk salbe of als greit strenth and effect as gif it wer concludit in this present conventioun; and siclike that thay ressave quhatever overture salbe presentit be his majesties thesaurar, comptroller or collectour for furthering and advanceing of his hienes profeit, and to conclude thairupoun as the same salbe fund ressounable.
[1599/7/2]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekill as ane of the greittest causes that hes movit thift and ressett of thift to increas within this realme, and speciallie within the bordouris and merchis of the same, hes bene the impunitie of the committaris thairof be ressoun it hes bene ressavit in consuetude this lang tyme bigane that the making of the redres of the guidis and geir tane to the partie grevit be the committaris of the thift and ressettaris of the same hes bene ane sufficient exoneratioun to thame fra ony punischement quhilk justlie thay deservit in thair personis for being giltie and culpable of the saidis crymes, albeit gif sic offence had bene punist with severitie in the personis committaris of the same, thay be thair example wald haif movit and terrifiet utheris be thair misbehaviour to incur the lyke danger. And quhair as be the ancient lawis of the bordour thair usit na redres at all to be maid except be the opposite wardanis of this realme and England of guidis tane be the subjectis of ane natioun fra the uther, and nawayes within this realme be ane subject to ane uther, bot the committaris of sic crymes wer punist to the death; and oure soverane lord, finding that the dissuetude of that lovable law and custome in the rigourous executioun of the personis of the saidis thevis hes causit the grettar misregaird and contempt of his hienes authoritie and the less accompt be thame to offend, hes thairfoir statute and ordanit that in all tyme heirefter within the boundis of the saidis merchis, or ony of thame, conforme to the first lawis and custome of the saidis bordouris, nane of the wardanis of the same nor na uther officiaris sall nawayes tak the redress of the guidis and geir to be reft and stollin fra the doaris and committaris of the same for the satisfactioun of the partie reft and spuilyeit, bot sall caus execute with all rigour the lawis and actis of parliament maid aganis thevis and thair ressettaris and caus thame be punist to the death conforme to thair deserving as thai will answer to his majestie upoun the discharge of thair offices. And siclike it is statute and ordanit that gif ony persone quhatsumever giltie or culpable of thift or resset of the same salhappin to be fugitive for the said cryme and will onnawayes enter to the lieutennent, wardane or uther officiar to be apointit in the said bordour for pacifeing of the same and administratioun of justice thairintill, the said lieutennent, wardane or uther officiar sall caus burne his house, pute his wyfe and bairnis furth of the same and mak intimatioun of thair dissobedience at the mercat croce of the schyre, to the effect that the knawledge of the same may cum to the haill inhabitantis within the said schirefdome. And oure soverane lord and estaittis declairis that quhatsumever persone sall resset, supplie or interteny the saidis fugitive personis, thair wyfes, bairnis or geir efter the said intimatioun salbe culpable and giltie of his bigane offences and sall remane answerable to his hienes and his officiar for ony offence to be committit be the said persone fugitive thairefter. And thir presentis to be extendit alsweill to hieland as bordour.
[1599/7/3]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekill as William, lord Hereis, Sir James Douglas of Drumlangrig, knycht, and Schir James Johnestoun of Dunskellir, knicht, ar commandit in waird for keiping of guid peax, rest and quietnes in the west bordour and to stay the bigane stouth reiff and oppressioun usit be sic as duellis under thame, thairfoir oure soverane lord and estaittis declairis that during the tyme of thair said warding thay sall remane comptable to his hienes and to the subjectis that salhappin to be reft, spuilyeit or in onywayes grevit for ony cryme or offence to be committit be ony for quhom thai ar in ony wayes answerable be the generall band, lawis and actis of parliament of this realme, and that thai sall nawayes be excuisable of ony wrang to be committit be thame be ressoun of thair imprisonment bot sall stand in inlykemaner bund as gif thai wer at libertie and friedome. And incais complaint be maid to his majestie of ony wrang or injurie committit be ony for quhom ony of the saidis personis wairdit as said is ar answerable for, thay salbe bund to mak redres to the partie grevit of the guidis reft and spuilyeit within the space of ane month efter the making of the complaint to his hienes and intimatioun thairof to thame. And incais the samin be not done and the partie be not satisfiet within the said space, oure soverane lord and estaittis declairis that it salbe lauchfull to the lieutennent or wardane to tak intromissioun with his haill levingis and houses of ony of the saidis personis wairdit quhais man or tennentis hes committit the offence or injurie, alsweill for reparatioun and satisfactioun of the partie grevit as for the punischement of thair dissobedience in not causing the same be payit within the tyme prefixt. And forder, oure said soverane lord and estaittis hes declairit that the saidis thrie personis wairdit as said is, nor nane of thame, sall in ony wayes be fred, releisit or pute to libertie furth of thair warding quhairin thai ar presentlie imprisonit without the advyse of the lieutennent or wardane of the west merche and barronis duelland within the samin to be gevin to his majestie and counsall anent thair friedome and libertie.
[1599/7/4]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The quhilk day the barronis of the West Merche, haifing sutit that Williame, erle of Angus, lord Douglas and Abirnethy, sould continew in his charge of lieutennandrie of the west merche quhilk he hes dischargit this lang tyme bigane, and thay promeissing faithfullie to concur and assist with him in all thingis for pacifeing of the said west merche and for forthering and advanceing of him in the said office of lieutennandrie, the said Erle of Angus than instantlie in presence of oure soverane lord and estaittis acceptit the said office and charge in and upoun him and promeist to continew thairin and to discharge the same faithfullie for his majesties service and quieting of the cuntrie ay and quhill he mak his hienes and his counsall acquent that he wald use the same na langer and that sum uther officiar be apointit for discharge thairof.
[1599/7/5]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Oure soverane lord and estaittis presentlie convenit ratifies, apprevis and confermis the act of counsall maid and grantit in favouris of Eustachius Rooghe, Flemyng, for making of greit salt within this realme, with the gift of the comptrollarie of the same grantit be his hienes gift under the prive seill to Williame, commendater of Pettinweme, in the haill heidis, pointis and articles of the same; and ordanis the said act to haif the strenth and effect of ane sufficient securitie to thame quhill the nixt parliament, at quhilk tyme oure soverane lord and estaittis hes promeist to caus the same be ratifiet in parliament, off the quhilk the tennour followis: Apud Edinburgh, decimo nono Junii anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo nonagesimo nono. Forsamekill as the inventioun of making of greit salt within this realme, found out be Eustachius Rooge, Fleming, is not onlie ane singulare benefite to the commounwealth and haill lieges thairof, bot be all apperance sall augment and increase his hienes rent and revenewis in ane greit quantitie; and the said Eustachius, alreddy haifing gevin upoun his awin charges ane perfyte assay of the same, and that now the wark itself can be in na measoure brocht to ony perfectioun without greit charges and expenses, quhilkis his majestie, being nawayes of mynd presentlie to advance, thairfoir the said Eustachius, for signifeing of his reddines to his majesties service and advancement of his hienes profeit, hes intendit for begynning of the said wark to tak upoun profeit the soume of tuentie thousand pundis, and that for compleitting and furneissing of tua salt pannis for making of the said greit salt. And becaus the personis, alsueill Scottismen as strangearis, quha will in onywayes advance the said money for profeit will nawayes becontent of ten of the hundreth for the yeirlie profeit of the same, and that gif ony forder be gevin for the said money, the same mon be rebaittit and defalkit of the reddiest profeit of the saidis pannis, thairfoir the lordis of his hienes secreit counsall hes declairit and ordanit that of the first and reddiest of the profeit of the saidis pannis to be biggit as said is, not onlie sall the annualrent of the said soume be payit according as it cumis to ten for ilk hundreth, bot also they haif gevin and grantit to the said Eustachius the soume of ten schillingis of ilk boll salt that salhappin to be maid, and that for satisfeing of his creditouris and sic as he sall tak money of in the superplus of the profeit of thair money to be craveit be thame; and that ay and quhill ather the saidis soumes that salbe first tane on be releisit be the frie profeit to be gottin be his majestie of the said pannis or than the samin soume payit be his majesties self. Lyke as the lordis of his hienes counsall be thir presentis declairis that sic as will advance money to this present act, notwithstanding of the act of parliament, sall nawayes incur ony danger or inconvenient albeit thai tak grettar profeit thairfoir nor is prescryvit be the said act. And becaus his majesties profeit wilbe augmentit according as the nowmer of the pannis sall increse, and the bestowing of the frie profeit to be had of the saidis tua pannis being allanerlie employit to the fordering of uther tua pannis will double the rent his majestie sall acquyre be the saidis tua pannis, thairfoir it is concludit be the saidis lordis of counsall that the frie profeit that salbe had thairof the said tua first pannis salbe warit and bestowit haillilie to the bigging and accomplisching of uther tua pannis, and na part of the same salbe in ony maner of way assignit, disponit or gevin away to ony persone quhatsumever or to ony uther use. And siclike thair is speciall allowance grantit to the said Eustachius for his service and onwaitting in setting fordward the said wark fra the tyme that he sall enter to the bigging of the pannis unto the four compleit pannis be furneist, daylie and ilk day for the sustentatioun of him, his horse and servandis the soume of threttie schillingis to be payit of the reddiest of the profeit of the saidis pannis, quhilk the saidis lordis hes apointit to be allowit in the comptis of the saidis salt pannis quhensoever the samin salhappin to be hard; and quhensoever the saidis four salt pannis salbe accomplischit, than and in that cais the said daylie allowace gevin to the said Eustachius salbe thairefter dischargit and he sall haif recourse to the tent part of the just profeit aggriet be contract betuix his majestie and the said Eustachius, as the said contract of the dait the [...] day of August jM vC fourscoir aucht yeiris beiris; and siclike efter the finishing of the saidis four pannis, the profeit of the same partlie salbe employit to the bigging of ma pannis for augmenting of his hienes rent be they meinis and partlie for defraying of his hienes uther honourabill charges and expenses, alwayes of the first and reddiest of the profeit thairof the annuelrent of the first money advancit salbe yeirlie payit quhill his majestie redeme the same be payment of the principall sowme. And forder it is ordanit that yeirlie in the moneth of Julii thair be ane compt gevin to the lordis auditouris of the chekker of the haill ressait and debursingis in the said mater, and the said Eustachius compt and the uther, quhilk is to be keipit be ane speciall man to be apointit be his majestie to that effect, salbe comptrollit be the compt of thair intromissoun to be gevin in be Williame, commendater of Pettinueme, comptroller of the saidis salt pannis, to quhome thair salbe allowit for his serrvice in the said office of comptrollarie the soume of fourtie schillingis for ilk chalder salt that salhappin to be maid during all the yeiris contenit in his gift maid to him of the said office of comptrollarie; the quhilk gift of comptrollarie of the saidis salt pannis grantit to him be his majestie the saidis lordis ratifies, apprevis and confermis the same in all pointis, and hes apointit the said Williame, comendater of Pettinueme to be present be himself or his deputtis yeirlie in the moneth of Julii quhen as the comptis of the saidis salt pannis salbe ressavit and hard, and thair to produce ane sufficient compt to comptroll the charge and discharge to be producit for the part of the said Eustachius. And last it is apointit that na part of the profeit of the saidis salt pannis sall in ony wayes be bestowit (exceptand the ordiner fies and allowances) bot to the bigging and perfyting of uther pannis quhill thai extend to the nowmer of four pannis; and efter thai four pannis be finischit, the rent of the same to be weill manageit in making of ma for his majesties grettare proffeit, and the rest as it may be spairit fra that use to the defraying of his hienes necessair expenses. It being alwayes rememberit, lyke as the lordis of counsall presentlie declairis that efter the perfyting of four of the saidis pannis, the thrid of the haill frie profeit of the same sall appertene and salbe assignit to the said Williame, commendater of Pettinueme for payment of his superexpenses restand to him be his majestie, conforme to his fuittit compt extending to the soume of tuentie fyve thousand pundis; quhilk soume being satisfiet be the said thrid, the said commendater salhaif na forder intromissioun except samekill as is allowit to him for dischargeing of his office.
[1599/7/6]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Oure soverane lord and his estaittis presentlie convenit, considdering the greit hurt his majesties subjectis sustenis and the innumerable falsettis daylie inventit by forging of diverse privat writtis, the same being keipit obscure quhill the moyane of the tryell of the falset of thame be takin away, speciallie instrumentis of seasingis, reversionis, bandis for geving of reversionis, assignationis to reversionis, intimationis of the same and discharges of reversiones, quhilkis writtis being secreitlie keipit up, gif thai be trew, to the prejudice of parties, or maliciouslie obscurit gif thai be false, quhill proces of tyme, deceise of parties, witneses and writtaris tak away all adminicles of improbatioun, na publict recordis being establist quhairin all parties may find resolutioun of the estait of ony landis quhairwith thai meane to contract. For remeid quhairof, it is statute and ordanit that in all tyme cuming all instrumentis of seasingis, reversionis, bandis for geving of reversionis, discharges of reversionis, assignationis to reversionis and intimationis of the same quhilkis sall not be registrat within the buikis of counsall and sessioun within the space underwrittin (and lykwayes exceptand seasingis of borrowlandis haldin in frie burgage gevin upoun resignatioun maid in the baillies handis, conforme to the act of parliament) be insert and registrat in the registeris presentlie apointit to that effect within fourtie dayes nixt efter the making and perfyting of the same; utherwayes to be null and to mak na faith in judgement nor outwith, and the said nullitie to be ressavit be way of exceptioun. And the saidis registeris, for the greitar ease of the lieges, to be establist in the particuler places following, that is to say: ane in the toun of Kirkwall in Orknay for the haill inhabitantis and landis lyand within the schirefdome of Orknay and Yetland; ane in the burgh of Invernes for the schirefdomes of Invernes and Cromertie; ane in the burgh of Elgin for the schirefdomes of Elgin, Forres and Nairne; ane in the burgh of Abirdene for the schirefdomes of Abirdene, Banff and Kincardin; ane in the burgh of Dundy for the schirefdome of Forfar; ane in the burgh of Perthe for the schirefdome of Perthe and stewartrie of Stratherne, exceptand the stewartrie of Menteith; ane in the burgh of Striviling for the schirefdomes of Striviling and Clakmannane and stewartrie of Menteith; ane in the burgh of Cowpar in Fyfe for the schirefdomes of Fyfe and Kinrosschyre; ane in the burgh of Edinburgh for the schirefdome of Edinburgh principall and constabularie of Hadingtoun; ane in the burgh of Linlithgow for the schirefdome of Linlithgow and Bathcat; ane in the burgh of Lauder for the schirefdomes of Beruick, Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peblis and bailliearie of Lauderdaill; ane in the toun of Hammiltoun for the schirefdome of Lanerk, exceptand the burgh and barony of Glasgow; ane in the citie of Glasgow for the barony of Glasgow and schirefdome of Renfrew; ane in the burgh of Dumbartane for the schirefdome of Dumbartane, Bute, Argyle, Arrane and Tarbet; ane in the burgh of Air for the schirefdome of Air and bailliaries of Kyle, Carrik and Cuninghame; ane in the burgh of Wigtoun for the schirefdome of Wigtoun; ane in the burgh of Drumfreis for the schirefdome of Drumfreis and stewartries of Kirkcudbrycht and Anandaill; or ony uther place or places mair convenient as the keipar of the saidis registeris sall think expedient, dew intimatioun being maid to the lieges of the same; and the saidis evidentis to be registrat in the particuler buikis apointit for ilk schirefdome as said is. And to the effect the said office may presentlie and in all tyme cuming be the mair faithfullie administrat, statutis and ordanis the same to be anext and incorporat with the office of secretarie, and the foirsaidis registeris to be callit the registeris of secretarie in all tyme cuming; and that the secretar, present and to cum, haif the said office as ane proper part and pertinent of the said secretary, mak and constitute particuler deputtis, ane or ma, in everie ane of the places foirsaidis of guidfame, literature and qualificatioun, for quhome he salbe answerable; and quha salbe resident within the said toun and burgh, reddy at all tymes to ressave fra the parties thair evidentis and to registrat the samin within the space of tuentie four houris nixt efter the resset thairof, and deliver to the presentare of the same thair evidentis markit be him with the day, moneth and yeir of the registratioun and in quhat leaf of the buik the same is registrat; and sall tak allanerlie for his panes the soume of xiij s. iiij d. as for the price of ilk leaf of his registrie writtin on baith the sydes, and according thairto sall tak proportionallie for registring of everie ane of the saidis evidentis. Quhilk depute to be apointit as said is for keiping of ilk registrie foirsaid sall twyse ilk yeir at the feist of Witsounday and Mertimes mak ane roll of all evidentis presentit and markit be him the half yeir preceiding, and sall affix the same on sum publict place of the toun quhair he remanis, that the same may come to all parties knawledge. And the saidis registeris to be fillit be the saidis deputtis, to be markit be the secretar (or his deputtis to be apointit be him to that effect) with ane note of the parliculare nowmer of the leaves that the same sall contene; and the saidis registeris, efter the filling of the same, to be reportit to the said secretar, to remane with him and be patent to all oure soverane lordis liegis that salhaif ado with the same. The extract of the quhilk registrie salhaif als greit faith and strenth as gif the originall wer schawin, except the parties haifand entres to oppone aganis the saidis writtis offer to impreve the same be way of actioun or exceptioun; in the quhilk cais, the partie, purchessare of the saidis evidentis, and uthairis haifand entres to defend the same, salbe haldin to produce the principallis and originallis notwithstanding thai be registrat as said is; and that nane of the saidis evidentis be of force, strenth or effect to ony intentioun bot to be null and of nane availl except the same be registrat as said is. And his majestie and estaittis foirsaidis hes ordanit thir presentis to be publist betuix and the tuentie day of September nixtocum at the mercat croces of the heid burrowis of this realme and utheris places neidfull, and to haif effect and begyn at the ellevint day of November nixtocum in this instant yeir of God 1599. And that this presentis be ratifiet in the nixt parliament and authorizit and allowit be the lordis of counsall and sessioun.
[1599/7/7]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekill as it is understand to the kingis majestie, his nobilitie, counsall and estaitis presentlie convenit that be diverse actis of parliament, lawis and constitutionis heirtofoir obserrvit, all maner of Inglis guidis brocht within this realme ar and hes bene ewer subject and in use of payment to his hienes of ane certane custome and dewtie properlie appertening to his majestie as ane part of the patrimony of his croun; lyke as alsua all uther sortis of claith, silkis stuffis and merchandice brocht within this realme fra foreyne nationis ar be ane act of his majestie, his nobilitie, counsall and estaittis of the dait the threttine day of Maii 1597 ratifiet and approvit in the parliament haldin at Edinburgh in the moneth of December that same yeir, subject to the payment of ane certane custome to his hienes and the merchandis, inbringaris of the saidis guidis, aucht not to lose, brek bowke nor dispone thairupoun quhill the same be first enterit, sene, markit and deulie custumat be the custumaris apointit thairto. Notwithstanding, the custome of the saidis guidis ar very far owirsene, to the greit hurt and discomoditie of his majestie, in respect thair is na seill appointit to be hungin to the saidis guidis according to the use and consuetude observit in utheris nationis, quhairby the guidis custumat could nawayes be knawin be the uncustumat guidis, and swa, be thair confusioun, the merchandis, awneris and inbringaris of the saidis guidis, immediatlie efter the arryveing and cuming of the saidis guids within this realme, loss, brekis bowke, sellis and conceillis the same and never offerris nor presentis na part thairof to be custumat conforme to the ordour, to the greit prejudice of his hienes. Quhilk being now considderit be his hienes, his saidis nobilitie, counsall and estaittis, and thay finding that be the want of the said seill his majestie is and hes bene greitlie defraudit of his customes, ordanis thairfoir the haill custmaris within this realme to caus mak and prent ane seill and stamp of seill contening tua halffis for everie burgh and sey port within this realme quhair thay ar establist custumaris, the ane half thairof contening 'Jacobus Rex', with his hienes armes and crowne, and the uther half the name of the burgh quhar the same sall remane; quhilk seill and stamp salbe applyit to leid, being sua strukin and prentit with the said stamp, salbe hungin to everie wobe peice and steik of claith, silk and stuff of quhatsumever natioun that heirefter salbe brocht within this realme be sey or land befoir the same be presentit to oppin mercat, sauld or onywayes disponit upoun; and the ane half of the said seill to be keipit be the custumar, and the uther half be the clerk of cocquet, the awneris of the said claith, silkis and stuffis payand the custome thairof. And to the effect the claith, silkis and stuffis presentlie being within this realme may be knawin and decernit fra that quhilk heirefter salbe brocht within the same, it is alsua decernit and ordanit that the custumar of everie burgh and sey port sall repair to the duelling houses and buithis within everie ane of the same burghis and portis quhair thay ar particularlie apointit custumaris, and thair ressave the aithis of the awneris of sic peces, steikis and wobis of claith, silkis and stuffis as ar thairin, quhidder the same hes payit the custome thairof or not; and sic as hes not payit custome, that the same be than instantlie payit and the said seill in taikin thairof hungin thairto, and to all the utheris peces, steikis and wobis quhilkis salbe apprehendit within the saidis buithis and houses quhairof the custome hes bene payit of befoir, upoun the expenses alwayes of the said custumare. And that the awneris of the said claith and stuffis requyre the custumaris within everie burgh and port particularlie to repair to thair saidis buithis and houses to this effect within fourtene dayes efter the publicatioun heirof, and forder to do and performe all utheris thingis quhilk to everie ane of thame is apointit to be done in maner foirsaid, under the pane of confiscatioun of all the peices, wobbis and steikis of claith and stuff that salbe apprehendit thairefter wantand the said seill. And that na maner of personis, inbringans of the said claith, silk and stuff within this realme in tyme cuming, presume nor tak upoun hand to sell nor dispone upoun the same, nor na part thairof, unto the tyme the same be presentit to the custumaris within the custome house, the custome thairof payit and the said seill in taikin thairof hungin to everie particulare peice of the same as said is under the pane of escheitting of the same, certifeing thame and thay failye, that all and quhatsumever wobis, steikis and peices quhilkis salbe apprehendit wantand the said seill salbe confiscat and intromettitwith to his majesties use as escheit with all rigour and extremitie in example of utheris. And that lettres of publicatioun be direct heirupoun, quhairthrow nane pretend ignorance of the samyn.
[1599/7/8]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†The kingis majestie, haifing exponit and declairit to his nobilitie and estaittis how that the necessair charges of his honorable effairis and adois daylie increses, and that his majesties rentis and casualities ar not able to interteny his present estait in that honour and royall port quhilk his place and apperance dois requyre; and how that besyde and attour the intertinement of thair majesties houses and bairnis, his hienes palaceis and castellis ar altogidder ruynous and at the point of decay, his mwnitioun and ordinance unmowntit, without provisioun of pulder and bullet, his majesties movabillis waisted, worne and consumit, besydis diverse utheris his majesties extraordiner charges in his maist wechtie effairis at mair lent declairit befoir the saidis estaittis, quhilkis the offices of thesaurie, comptrollarie and collectorie ar not able to defray; and how that the default of moyane hes bene ane greit lat and impediment to his majestie in the dew prosequutioun and punischement of the awowit contempt rebellioun and dissobedience sa publict and complenit upoun in all the land. Considdering lykewayes how grevous the burden of taxationis hes bene to his majesties subjectis and how litill proffitable ather to the supplie of the foirsaidis defectis or ony uther his majesties necessair services, quhairupoun his majestie is resolvit in his tyme never to impone ony taxatioun heirefter upoun his pepill, bot rather to expect at thair handis sum favourable releiff of thair benevolence without ony grudge, the saidis estaittis, haifing hard and being surelie informit of his majesties gracious resolutioun foirsaid, they haif all aggriet in ane voice that his majesties honorable necessities salbe suppliet be ilkane of thame at thair uttermost power; bot, becaus of the schortnes of the tyme and thair langsum tarying, besydis the few nowmer of the estaittis presentlie convenit, the supplie of his majesties necessitie and maist feit moyane for prosequuting of the best remeid thairof, is be all thair consentis remittit to ane mair frequent conventioun to be apointit at his majesties guid plesour sa convenientlie as it may be; at the quhilk tyme the estaittis presentlie convenit hes faithfullie promeist to hald hand and concur to sie the necessitie of his majesties effairis suppliet be sic meanis as may be best fund out to his hienes greittest weill and smallest greif to his subjectis.
[1599/7/9]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The kingis majestie and estaittis presentlie convenit statutis and ordanis that in all tyme cuming the partie informer of his majesties thesaurare and advocat and persewar with thame aganis the committaris of ony deforcementis or brekaris of ony arreistmentis sall haif for thair part the equall half of the escheit guidis of the personis that salbe fundin giltie be the saidis persutes, to the effect thai may be the mair better incourageit to geif thair informatioun and concurrence to the tryell and punischement of the saidis offenses.
[1599/7/10]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekle as the kingis majestie, remembering the worthy, honorable and memorable service done to his hienes be his hienes umquhile richt trustie and weilbelovit counsallour Johne, erle of Mar, his hienes regent, and be his richt traist cousignes Dame Annable Murray, countesse of Mar, his relict, in the cairfull and diligent attendance and vertuous educatioun of his hienes royall persone fra his infancie to the acceptatioun of the governement on his awin persone,† quhairin thay sua worthelie dischargit thame selffis, notwithstanding the manyfauld trublis intervening in that tyme, as thay have acquirit and registrat to thair posteritie a perpetuall praise, honnour and commendatioun worthie of dew rememberance. The consideratioun quhairof, besydis innumerable uthairis guid offices done to his hienes be his said cosignes and be his hienes richt traist cousigne and counsallour Johne, erle of Mar, hir sone, quha honorable and dewtifullie assisted hir efter his said umquhile fatheris deceis in that worthy service, hes moved his majestie to mak chois amangis all his nobilitie of his said cousigne the erle of Mar and of his said mother to commit unto thame the custodie and educatioun of the prince, his derrest sone, Henry, prince of Scotland, quhairin thay, and especiallie his hienes said cousignes, without respect or regaird to hir aige, helth of hir body or particular effaires, hes sua cairfullie with grit panis and travellis dischargit hir selff be continuall attending upone the prince be the space now of fyve yeiris bigane, that he is now become, prasit be God, helthsome and weill disposit in his persone and endewit with all uther princelie qualities efferand to his aige, to the grit confort of his majestie and of his haill realme. And now his majestie understanding that his hienes said cousignes is become of grit aige, haveing hir bodie waist and extenuat be hir former service, sua that now the course of nature refuises hir strenth and habilitie of persone ony langer to indure hir accustumat travellis and panes, and his majestie being laith now in hir grit aige to overburdene hir with hir accustumat travellis, but rather to present unto her all gude occasioun quhilk may procure hir rest, ease and confort, and with that to gif hir ane approbatioun and allowance of hir bipast service to be honorable and thankfullie rewairdit and rememberit as occasioun salbe offerit, thairfoir his majestie, with advise of the lordis of his secreit counsall and estaitis presentlie convenit, findis, declairis, affermes and testifeis that his said cousignes the Countess of Mar and hir servandis quha assistit and accumpaniet hir in all the procedingis of hir bipast service and performing of the charge of the nutriture and preservatioun of his hienes awin persone during his minoritie and of his derrest sone the prince unto this tyme, hes done his majestie and the haill cuntrie trew, thakfull, worthy and guid service without spott, negligence or reproche, and duelie accomplisched hir charge sen the acceptatioun thairof to the full lyking, satisfactioun and contentment of his majestie, his counsall and of all his guid subjectis; and thairfoir ratifeis, allowes and apprives all hir said procedingis in the charges abonewrittin, and exoneris and relevis hir of all farther attendance upone that chairge of the keiping of the prince in tyme cuming; and promises in the word of a prince to caus thir presentis be ratifeit and approvin be his estaittis in his nixt parliament. And becaus the commoditie hes not bene presentit to his majestie to gratifie and rewairde his said cousignes as scho hes worthelie merite and as his hienes is maist willing to sie be done, and in cais it salhappin (as God forbid) that scho be preventit be deathe afoir sum occasion of hir rewairde be offerit, his majestie, with advise of his said counsall and estaitis, faithfullie promittis in the word of a prince to giff and dispone to Marie Erskin, dochter lawfull to the said cousing the erle of Mar, sic honourabill and worthy rewaird and rememberance as the bipast worthy service of his said cousignes hes merited, to be als frelie and liberallie extendit to the said Marie as gif his said cousignes wer onlyve; and that furth of the reddiest of his majesties casualities or uthairwayes as the occasioun sall present, sua that alwise the worthy actionis of his hienes said cousinges sall not be foryett nor ungratelie and unthankfullie rememberit.
[1599/7/11]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The kingis majestie and his estaittis presentlie convenit, considdering that in all weill governit commounwelthis it is expreslie prohibite that ony subject tak upone hand to writ, prent or publische ony buiks in quhatsoevir discipline or science, bot speciallie invectives or libellis defamatoreis, croniclis, historeis or annallis to the prejudice ather of the present state, ignominie or disgrace of the ageis past without his majesteis licence had and obtenit thairto; and that the saidis buikis be first revised be sic as his majestie appointis to that effect, and the allowance thairof testifeit be thair attestatioun in the beginning of the buik proporting his majesties consent, the small regaird quhairoff hes bred na litle prejudice to all degreis within this realme. For remeid quhairof, it is statute and ordanit that na persone of quhatsumevir rank, degrie or calling presume or tak upone hand to write, publische, prent or sett out ony maner of buik, libell defamatoir, invective, cronicle, annallis or historie without his majesteis licence had and obtenit thairto; and that na sort of buik be prented, publischt nor sett out within this realme, nor na new buik quhilk may in onyway concerne the present estate, historie or cronicle of tyme past or present aige, being prented without the realme, be brocht within the same or sauld quhill thai be first sene and revised be his majesteis secretair and his attestatioun premittit thairto according to the lovable custume reisavit in all utheris civile nationis. Certifeing thame quha dois in the contrair, thay salbe punist to the deid, thair haill guidis confiscat to his majesties behuif and, gif thair buikis contene ony mater of tressone, the cryme thairof salbe with all rigour prosequute aganis thame.
[1599/7/12]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The kingis majestie, his nobilitie, counsall and estaittis presentlie convenit, remembering how that thair hes bene diverse actis of parliament and conventionis maid heirtofoir aganis the withgait and libertie quhilk sindry avaricious and godles persones hes tane to exact and lift sik exorbitant and intolerable proffite and usurie for the leane of thair money and is now commounlie used within this cuntrie, to the offence and displeasour of God and to the wraik and undoing of sa grit numeris of his majesteis guid subjectis; the dew executioun of the quhilkis actis hes bene gritlie hinderit and frustrat be the craftie and subtile conditionis of the said godles and avaricious persones quha lend out thair money upoun bandis and obligationes, and either retenis the annuell in thair awin handis, comprehende the same within the principall soume, obscureing and concealing the proffite quhilk thay ressave for the same, and takis thair securitie be plaine forme of obligatioun for pament of the haill soume, baith principall and annuell, and borrowit monie; and as gif na sic oker and usurie had bene allowit or deducit thairintill, quhairthrow the dew forme of tryall of that pernitious and unlawfull trade is hinderit and prejugit. For remeid quhairof, and for the better tryell of the said usurie in tyme cuming, it is statute and ordanit that in the tryall of usurie the criminall pane salbe dispensit with and the pecuniall pane insisted upone, and that the tryell salbe depositionis of witneses or aith of pairtie at the optioun of his majesteis thesaurare and advocat; and gif the pairtie refuis to gif thair aith, the saidis estaitis declairis that the samyn salbe haldin pro confesso.
[1599/7/13]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Oure soverane lord, understanding that his majestie, upoun diverse gude consideratiounis moveing his hienes, be sindrie his majesties lettres and licencis, gave and grantit licence, power and priviledge to his hienes lovit Eustatius Roogh to reforme, big and renew all and sindrie furneises, alsweill of salt panis as of uthairis leidis and cadronis occupyit and usit be browstaris and litstaris within this realme, and lykwyis licence and libertie for making of salt within this realme, and that in the samyn airtis and vocatioun according as the samyn hes bene divysit and inventit be the said Eustatius, he hes utterit his knawledge and omittit na diligence in effectuall performance thairof, to the evident commoditie and commounweill of the cuntrey and haill subjectis thairof, alsweill in hayning and restraneing of the superfluous spending of coill, wode, peittis, stray and uther fewall, quhilk is alreddie brocht to ane grit decay within the boundis of this realme by the excessive spending and consumptioun thairof for laik of the formes of killis, stowis and furnissis eftermentionate; and lykwyis his majestie, haifand consideratioun of the guidwill and skilfull dispositioun of the said Eustatius to excogitat sum ma inventiounis to the grit proffite and commoditie of the haill subjectis of this realme, speciallie be ane new inventioun fund out be him of ane forme of stoiff quhilk he hes takin upoun him to mak mair profitabill and commodious nor ever heirtofoir hes bene devysit and maid; and lykwyis be his devyse and travellis hes fund out ane singular remeid never usit in Scotland befoir for evill wenting of chimnayis; as alsua ane new forme of killis never usit nor practisit within this realme in na tyme bygane, quhairby not onlie grit quantitie of fewall may be spairit, bot also that the malt sall retene na taist of the materiallis quhairwith it salhappin to be dryit, the particular overturis quhairof the said Eustatius hes gevin in and producit befoir his majestie and estaittis of this realm. And his hienes, considering that for sa grit ane commoditie and benefite the said Eustatius can not be better recompansit nor be sic as be his devyse and inventioun ressavis proffite and utilitie, thairfoir his hienes, with advyse of the estaittis of this realme presentlie convenit, ordanis ane lettre to be maid under the privie seill in dew forme ratifeand and appreveand and for his majestie and his successouris perpetuallie confirmand the foirsaidis haill lettres of giftis and licences grantit be his majestie to the said Eustatius during the haill space and yeiris thairin contenit, with all licences and priviledges contenit in the samyn, in all heidis, pointis, articles, clauses and circumstances thairof efter the formes and tennouris of the samyn, ordaining this present ratificatioun to be als valide, effectuall and sufficient in all respectis to the said Eustatius as gif the saidis lettres, gift and licences wer at lenth and word be word insert heirin. And forder his majestie, for the causes abone specifiit, and for diverse uthair guid motives and considerationis moveing his hienes, with advyse of the said estaittis, hes gevin, grantit and committit and be the tennour hereof gevis, grantis and committis to the said Eustatius, his airis, assignais, deputtis and substitutis for quhome he salbe haldin to answer for all the dayis and space of his lyftyme his hienes licence, powar and priviledge to big, reform and renew all and quhatsumevir killis and stoiffis and to amend and reforme all evill wenting chimnayis, fornaces and leidis in all pairtis within this realme, alsweill in burgh as in landwart, in regalitie as ryaltie, according to the saidis overturis and his inventioun and devyse foirsaid or utherwyis as he sall think maist meit and expedient. For the quhilkis, the possessoris of the saidis stoifis, killis, chimnayis, fornaces, panis and leidis salbe haldin to pay to the saidis Eustatius and his foirsaidis ane certane sowme of money as thay can best and maist ressonablie agrie and condiscend upoun as for the pryce of ilkane of the saidis killis, stoiffis, chimnayis and uthairis foirsaidis, quhilkis, be his advyse, counsall and knawledge, salbe bigit, reformit and renewit; and that the said lettre be forder extendit with all clauses neidfull, with expres command and charge in the samyn to all his majesties leigis and all uthairis personis quhatsumever, that nane of thame tak upoun hand to mak, follow or imitate the said Eustatius, his inventioun of biging, reformeing and renewing of the saidis killis, stoifis, chimnayis, leidis, fornaces and uthairis abonewrittin, without his or his foirsaidis speciall advyse, licence and tollerance first had and obtenit thairto, under the pane of fyve hundreth markis, the ane half to be applyit to his majesties use, and the uthair half to the utilitie of the said Eustatius and his foirsaidis. And siclyke inhibitand and dischargeand all the present possessoris of the saidis killis, stoifis, chymnayis and utheris foirsaidis that nane of thame tak upoun hand to imitate the said Eustatius inventioun foirsaid or ony part thairof without the speciall licence, tollerance and satisfactioun of the said Eustatius and his abonewrittin during the space and under the pane foirsaid, to be payit in maner abonementionate. And ordanis lettres of publicatioun to be direct heirupoun in forme as effeiris.
[1599/7/14]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The kingis majestie, his nobilitie, counsall and estaittis presentlie convenit, understanding perfytelie that the grit skayth and overthraw quhilk this realme hes sustenit in tyme bygane be the loss of samony battillis hes proceidit from the laik of discipline militarie and upon the trust of ane unskilfull and unarmed multitude, quhais disordour and naikednes maid thame a pray to thair enemeis. And seing the povertie of the crowne and cuntrey is not able to sustene wageit men under commandment, and that na interpryse nor worthie militarie actioun can be undertane and effectuall be a confusit and disorderit multitude, and the saidis estaittis, finding it alvyis maist necessair and expedient for the honour of the cuntrey and suirtie of his majestie quhen he salhappin to haif ado in the challenge of his birthrycht, that his majestie salbe assurit of sum speciall number in ordour and under discipline and commandement quha salbe reddy to be imployit in service as the occasoun and necessitie sall requyre, thairfoir the kingis majestie and estaittis gevis power and commissioun to Johnne, erle of Mar, Robert, lord Seytoun, Schir Johnne Carmichaell of that Ilk, Schir Williame Stewart of Tracquair, knycht, [...] Lermonth of Bacolmie, Schir James Melvill of Halhill, Capitane Forrestar, Capitane Williame Murray and Colonall Barthilmo Balfour, or ony sex of thame, to convene and meit at sic tymes and placeis as they sall think expedient, and thair to ressoun, confer and treate upoun this mater and to propone and mak overturis thairanent; and that thai haif the samyn reddy in writ to be gevin in to the nixt conventioun of the estaittis, to be ressavit and allowit be thame as accordis.
[1599/7/15]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekle as efter the propositioun maid be the kingis majestie to his nobilitie, counsall and estaittis presentlie convenit, how that it is maist necessair and expedient, for the honour and estimatioun of the cuntrey, suirtie of his majesties estait and prosequuteing of the challenge of his birth rycht quhen dew occasioun thairto beis offerrit, that all his majesties subjectis of all degries and rankis salbe weill and sufficientlie provydit and furnist with harnes and armour according to his hienes lawis and proclamationis maid thairanet, the commissioneris of Edinburgh, Dundie and Sanctandrois, being personallie present, promeist and tuke upoun thame in presens of his hienes and his estaittis that all and sindrie burgess, inhabitantis within the saidis thrie burrowis, salbe provydit, furnist and armeit weill and sufficientlie in all necessairis according to the tennour of the actis and proclamationis maid and publist heiranet of befoir, within the space of ane yeir nixt efter the dait heirof.
[1599/7/16]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The kingis majestie, his nobilitie, counsall and estaittis presentlie convenit ratifies, apprevis and confermes the actis and ordinances under specifiit establischit be his majestie, with advyse of the haill visitouris of the universitie of Sanctandrois, upoun the sevintene day of Julii the yeir of God jM vC fourscoir sevintene yeiris and fyft day of Julii the yeir of God jM vC fourscoir nynetene yeiris respective for the better recall and ordour to be observit in tyme cuming within everie colledge of the said universitie: In the first, that thair salbe in tyme cuming ane counsall of that universitie chosin be his majestie to haif the cair and owirsicht of the effairis thairof, quhilkis salhaif poware to haif the yconimus in everie colledge, with the consent of the maisteris thairof, togidder with ane advocat, ane agent and ane writtare for the haill universitie, apoint thame thair fies, prescryve to the iconimus and uther publict officiaris thair dewties and tak cautioun of thame for thair upricht administratioun; that the maist part of the counsall nominat sall subscryve quhatsumever takis or uther dispositionis of ony rentis pertening to the colledgis with the maisteris in taikin of thair consent, utherwayes to be null. The act of parliament to be observit preceislie in tyme cuming be the haill maisteris and utheris foundit personis except in sic particuler pointis as his majestie, with the said counsall, sall dispens with, that na actionis anent the rentis pertening to colledgis salbe persewit heirefter bot in the iconymus names. The counsall, with the assistance of the ordinare electouris, to chuise ane fourt maister for the new colledge for compleitting of the course of theologie, and ane stipend to be provydit to him of the colledge rentis, but prejudice alwayes of the fies of the present maisteris according to thair present possessioun. That thair salbe ane dene of facultie of theologie alsueill as of philosophie, to be alterable fra yeir to yeir and electit in all tyme cuming upoun the thrid day of Marche yeirlie be the actuall doctouris professing theologie within the universitie, ministeris resident within the said citie and the principall maisteris of the colledgis thairof, and sall haif the like priviledge and jurisdictioun upoun the studentis and professouris of theologie as the saidis deanis of philosophie hes be the fundatioun upoun the professouris of philosophie. And that heirefter sic as salbe graduat in the said facultie of theologie sall have lykwayes voit in the said electioun of the dene of that proffessioun, provyding that nane admittit to the office be reiterat dene of facultie but efter thrie yeiris space. For the better ordour to be observit in tyme cuming in the haill colledgis, that all doctouris and regentis not being pastouris in the kirk professing ather philosophie or theologie and astrictit in daylie teaching and examinatioun of the youth salbe in all tyme cuming exemit fra all imployment upoun sessionis, presbytries generall or synodall assemblies and fra all teiching in kirkis and congregationis, except in exerceises and censuring of doctrine in exerceises allanerlie; dischargeing thame and everie ane of thame to accept ony sic commissioun upoun thame prejudiciall to this present exemptioun under the pane of deprivatioun and forder under the pane of rebellioun at the conservatouris instance, the ane executioun not to prejudge the uther. That notwithstanding heirof, thair salbe yeirlie thrie commissioneris nominat be the actuall teachearis of the universitie, off the quhilk thrie sa nominat, the counsall foirsaid sall elect ane to be present at the generall assemblie for that yeir; and that the persone chosin sall not be reiterat for the space of thrie yeiris thairefter. That thair be yeirlie examinationis in the colledge of theologie as is usuall in uther faculties, quhilkis salbegin yeirlie upoun the fyftene day of December, keiping siclike solempnitie as is observit in uther professionis be divisioun of the studentis in clases and degries and the thrie maisteris present compleiting the course of theologie to thame in four yeiris, teiching everie ane of thame in maner following, that is to say:†
The first yeir the intrantis salbe teachit be Maister Patrik Melvill the holie language with the practize thairof in sum of the poeticall buikis, and be Maister Johnne Johnestoun ane fourtpart of the New Testament, and be Maister Andro Melvill ane fourt part of the commoun places, viz: de Deo Creatore. The secund yeir they salbe teachit be Maister Andro Melvill ane uther fourtpert of the commoun places, viz: de Deo Redemptore, togidder with the thridpert of the historie of the Auld Testament, and be Maister Johnne Johnestoun ane uthair fourt part of the New Testament, and be Maister Patrik Melvill ane thridpert of the Propheittis, with the tua buikis of Salomon. The thrid yeir of the course thay salbe teachit be Maister Andro Melvill ane uther fourt part of the commoun places, viz: de Deo Sanctificatore, togidder with ane uther thrid part of the historie of the Bybell, and be Maister Johne Johnestoun ane uther fourtpert of the New Testament, and be Maister Patrik Melvill ane uther thrid part of the Propheittis. The last yeir they salbe teachit be Maister Andro Melvill the last fourt part of the commoun places, via de ecclesia, togidder with the last thrid part of the historie of the Auld Testament, and be Maister Johne Johnestoun the last fourt part of the New Testament, and be Maister Patrik Melvill the last thrid part of the Propheittis, sa that Maister Andro Melvill sall haif for his auditouris of the commoun places yeirlie the haill schollaris and for the auditouris of the historicall buikis the schollaris that hes part thair first yeir. Maister Johne Johnestoun salhaif for his auditouris of the New Testament yeirlie the haill scholaris, and Maister Patrik Melvill for his auditouris of the languages the intrantis yeirlie and for his auditouris of the propheticall buikis sic as hes part the first yer. The rectour, the vice chancellar, the dene of facultie of theologie and the principall maisteris of the remanent tua colledgis salbe the ordiner examinatouris yeirlie of everie class of theologie. That na rectour salbe reiterat in tyme cuming bot efter thrie yeiris space. That everie suppost of the universitie being past, maister may be maid rectour; sa being, he will keip residence within the universitie during his office for the maist part.
[1599/7/17]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forsamekle as the speciall lattis and impedimentis hindering the dew effect and executioun of the actis and proclamationes maid heirtofoir anent the armoure in the persone of noblemen, barronis and uthairis duelland, alsweill to burgh as to land, hes procedit frome a sinister opinioun and counsall apprehendit be the merchandis that the said armour, efter the hamebringing, wald not be tane of thair handis, sua that very litle or nane hes bene brocht hame. Thairfoir comperit personallie, in presence of his majestie, his nobilitie, counsall and estaittis, Schir Michaell Balfour of Burley, knicht, and promeist, band and oblist him that betuix and the first day of August nixtocum, he sall bring and caus be brocht hame within this realme samekle armour of all sortis as will serve and be sufficient to arme ten thousand men on horse and fute, viz: for ijM horsmen and viijM futemen weill and sufficientlie according to the tennour of the saidis actis and proclamationes; and for the forder assurance of hamebringing of the said armour, he likwise promeist to caus the lord of Spynie, the abbot of Lundoris, the lairdis of Dersy, Montquhany, Kinfawnis and Arnot act and oblist thame with him† self conjunctlie and severallie in the buikis of secreit counsall, under the pane of ane thousand crownis, that the said armour salbe brocht hame betuix and the day abonewrittin; and this cautioun to be fundin within thrie or four dayes efter the dait heirof. Quhilk armour being brocht hame, he sall keip the same unsauld or disponit in ony part ay and quhill ane price salbe sett down thairupoun be fyve of his majesties counsall and thrie burgeses to be nominat and appointit to that effect. In setting of the quhilk price, thay salhave a respect to the first bying quhilk salbe verefeit be ane laufull and famous certificat from the magistratis of the burrowes and pairtis quhair the said armour salbe bochtt and the said price being sett doun. Thay sall gif him thair attestatioun thairupoun, to be schawin and producit to his majesties subjectis, byaris of the said armour, for thair better satisfactioun anent the price of the same, quha salbe nawise subject nor astrictit to by the said armor quhill the said attestatioun be gottin and producit upoun the price of the same. Inrespect of the quhilk promeis and band maid and gevin be the said Schir Michaell, the kingis majestie and his estaittis faithfullie promeises to hald hand to the said Schir Michaell to sie the said armour tane af his hand and to be bocht be all his majesties subjectis, alsweill to burgh as land, (the inhabitants of Edinburgh, Dundie and Sanctandrois onlie exceptit) within thrie monethis efter the hamebringing thairof according to the tennour of the saidis actis; and for this effect sall sie the saidis actis ressave the dew and full execution in all poyntis and sall uthairwise assist the said Schir Michaell with lettres of horning and all uthair execution neidfull and expedient aganis the contravenaris of the saidis actis and refusaris to by the said armour. Lyk as his majestie and estaittis gevis, grantis and disponis be the tennour of this present act to the said Schir Michaell the ane half of the escheit guidis and geir, togidder with the ane half of the penaltie to be incurrit be the persones, refusaris to by the said armour, and quha salbe denuncit to the horne for that caus; and the uthair half of the saidis escheittis and penalties to be intromettitwith be his hienes thesaurare to his majesties use. And to the effect the said Schir Michaell may be the better assurit to haif the said armour tane of his hand and that na uthairis to his prejudice salbe sufferrit to sell ony armour, his majestie and estaittis gevis and grantis to the said Schir Michaell and his compartinaris the onlie libertie and privilege of selling of armour within this realme during the space of thrie yeiris nixt efter the dait heirof, and dischargeing all uthairis his majesteis lieges of selling of armour within ony part of this realme during the tyme of his privilege under the pane of confiscatioun and escheiting of the haill armour quhilk thay sall bring hame to be sauld; but prejudice alwise to ony nobleman to provyde armour for his awin persone allanerlie sua the same be nocht bocht fra merchandis within the realme. And gif it salhappin the haill noumer of the armour foirsaid to be brocht hame and sauld afoir the expiring of the said space of thrie yeiris, then and in that caise this present privilege to expire and haif na forder effect thairefter. And gif in the hamebringing of the said armour or ony pert thairof it salhappin the said Schir Michaell or his compartineris to be schipbrokin or pilleit be thevis and pirotis, in that cais his majestie and estaittis declairis that he salbe fred, exonerit and relevit of his band and promeis and cautioun to be fundin conforme thairto for samekle of the said armour as salbe pilleit or lost by sey.